Control device and control method

Abstract

The present invention provides a controller and a control method that execute an adaptive cruise control appropriately in a group riding. According to the present invention, an execution section (22) of a controller (20) executes an adaptive cruise control based on a surrounding environment information that is information about a surrounding environment of the motorcycle • (1). The execution section (22), in the adaptive cruise control, controls a speed of the motorcycle (1) automatically regardless of an accelerating / decelerating operation by a rider of the motorcycle (1) and executes a distance maintenance control to keep a distance between the motorcycle (1) and a target vehicle at a target distance. An identification section (23) of the controller (20) identifies a first convoy including the motorcycle (1) in a group riding in which the motorcycle (1) travels in a group of a plurality of motorcycles (2) forming at least the first convoy and a second convoy separated from each other. The execution section • (22) executes the adaptive cruise control based on a first travel state information about a travel state of a second motorcycle, the second motorcycle is one of the plurality of motorcycles (2) and is in the second convoy.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control device and a control method that can appropriately execute adaptive cruise control for a motorcycle during group riding. [Background technology]

[0002] Various technologies have been proposed to assist motorcycle riders in driving. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a driver assistance system that warns a motorcycle rider that he or she is inappropriately approaching an obstacle based on information detected by a sensor device that detects an obstacle in the direction of travel or substantially in the direction of travel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-116882 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, as a technology for assisting driving, there is an adaptive cruise control that automatically controls the speed of a vehicle without the driver's acceleration / deceleration operation and performs distance maintenance control to maintain a target distance between the vehicle and a target vehicle. It is possible to apply such adaptive cruise control to motorcycles. It is important that the adaptive cruise control is executed appropriately according to the traffic conditions around the vehicle. Here, group driving may be performed in which a group made up of multiple motorcycles drives in a convoy. When group driving is performed, the traffic conditions around the vehicle are different compared to when group driving is not performed. Therefore, a proposal for optimizing the adaptive cruise control in such group driving is desired.

[0005] The present invention has been made in light of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a control device and a control method that can appropriately execute adaptive cruise control for a motorcycle during group riding. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The control device of the present invention is a control device that controls the behavior of a motorcycle, and includes an execution unit that executes adaptive cruise control based on information about the surrounding environment of the motorcycle, in which the speed of the motorcycle is automatically controlled without acceleration / deceleration operations by the rider of the motorcycle, and vehicle-to-vehicle distance maintenance control is performed to maintain the vehicle-to-vehicle distance between the motorcycle and a target vehicle at a target distance, and further includes an identification unit that identifies the vehicle convoy in which the host vehicle is located in a group traveling in which a group made up of a number of motorcycles travels in a convoy, and the execution unit executes the adaptive cruise control based on driving state information of other vehicles in the convoy that are other vehicles in a convoy different from the convoy in which the host vehicle is located.

[0007] The control method of the present invention is a method for controlling the behavior of a motorcycle, in which an execution unit of a control device executes adaptive cruise control based on information about the surrounding environment of the motorcycle, in which the speed of the motorcycle is automatically controlled without acceleration / deceleration operations by the rider of the motorcycle, and vehicle-to-vehicle distance maintenance control is performed to maintain the vehicle-to-vehicle distance between the motorcycle and a target vehicle at a target vehicle-to-vehicle distance, and further, an identification unit of the control device identifies the vehicle convoy in which the host vehicle is located in a group traveling in which a group made up of multiple motorcycles travels in multiple convoys, and the execution unit executes the adaptive cruise control based on driving state information of other vehicles in the convoy that are other vehicles in a convoy different from the convoy of the host vehicle. Effect of the Invention

[0008] In the control device and control method according to the present invention, an execution unit of the control device automatically controls the speed of the motorcycle without the rider of the motorcycle performing acceleration or deceleration, and executes adaptive cruise control based on information about the surrounding environment of the motorcycle, in which a distance maintenance control is performed to maintain a target distance between the motorcycle and a target vehicle, and further, an identification unit of the control device identifies a convoy in which the host vehicle is located in a group traveling in which a group made up of multiple motorcycles travels in a convoy, and the execution unit executes adaptive cruise control based on driving state information of other vehicles in the convoy that are other vehicles in a convoy different from the convoy of the host vehicle. This makes it possible to execute adaptive cruise control according to the traffic conditions around the host vehicle when the group is traveling. Therefore, adaptive cruise control of the motorcycle can be executed appropriately when traveling in a group. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a general configuration of a motorcycle according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which a group including a motorcycle is riding in a group according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of processing related to group running performed by a control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which a group including a motorcycle according to an embodiment of the present invention is traveling straight ahead. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which a group including a motorcycle according to an embodiment of the present invention is traveling around a curve. [Figure 7] 1 is a diagram showing how the detection range of the surrounding environment information used in the adaptive cruise control performed by the motorcycle according to an embodiment of the present invention changes. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, a control device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] Note that, although the following describes a control device used in a two-wheeled motorcycle (see motorcycle 1 in FIG. 1), the control device according to the present invention may also be used in motorcycles other than two-wheeled motorcycles (for example, three-wheeled motorcycles, etc.). Motorcycles include vehicles that use an engine as a propulsion source and vehicles that use an electric motor as a propulsion source, such as motorcycles, scooters, and electric scooters.

[0012] In addition, the following describes a case where an engine (specifically, engine 11 in FIG. 1 described below) is installed as a driving source capable of outputting power to drive the wheels, but a driving source other than an engine (e.g., an electric motor) may also be installed as the driving source, or multiple driving sources may be installed.

[0013] Furthermore, the configurations and operations described below are merely examples, and the control device and control method according to the present invention are not limited to such configurations and operations.

[0014] In the following, the same or similar descriptions are appropriately simplified or omitted. In addition, in each drawing, the same or similar members or parts are not labeled with a reference symbol or are labeled with the same reference symbol. In addition, the detailed structure is appropriately simplified or omitted.

[0015] <Motorcycle configuration> The configuration of a motorcycle 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3.

[0016] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of a motorcycle 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the motorcycle 1 includes an engine 11, a hydraulic control unit 12, a display device 13, an ambient environment sensor 14, an input device 15, a front wheel speed sensor 16, a rear wheel speed sensor 17, and a control device (ECU) 20. Note that in this specification, the motorcycle 1 is also referred to as the host vehicle 1.

[0017] The engine 11 corresponds to an example of a drive source of the motorcycle 1, and is capable of outputting power for driving wheels. For example, the engine 11 is provided with one or more cylinders in which a combustion chamber is formed, a fuel injection valve that injects fuel into the combustion chamber, and an ignition plug. When fuel is injected from the fuel injection valve, a mixture containing air and fuel is formed in the combustion chamber, and the mixture is ignited by the ignition plug and burns. This causes a piston provided in the cylinder to reciprocate, causing the crankshaft to rotate. In addition, a throttle valve is provided in an intake pipe of the engine 11, and the amount of intake air into the combustion chamber changes according to the throttle opening, which is the opening degree of the throttle valve.

[0018] The hydraulic control unit 12 is a unit that has the function of controlling the braking force acting on the wheels. For example, the hydraulic control unit 12 is provided on an oil passage that connects a master cylinder and a wheel cylinder, and includes components (e.g., a control valve and a pump) for controlling the brake hydraulic pressure of the wheel cylinder. The braking force acting on the wheels is controlled by controlling the operation of the components of the hydraulic control unit 12. Note that the hydraulic control unit 12 may control the braking force acting on both the front and rear wheels, or may control only the braking force acting on one of the front and rear wheels.

[0019] The display device 13 has a display function for visually displaying information. Examples of the display device 13 include a liquid crystal display and a lamp.

[0020] The surrounding environment sensor 14 detects surrounding environment information related to the environment around the motorcycle 1. Specifically, the surrounding environment sensor 14 is provided at the front of the body of the motorcycle 1, and detects surrounding environment information ahead of the host vehicle 1.

[0021] The surrounding environment sensor 14 is for acquiring information on the relationship between the positions of targets present around the motorcycle 1 and the position of the motorcycle 1 (for example, the relative distance, direction, speed, acceleration, or jerk of the motorcycle 1 relative to the targets, etc.) as surrounding environment information. The surrounding environment information may also be, for example, status information of targets present around the motorcycle 1. The above targets may include vehicles as well as various obstacles other than vehicles (for example, road equipment, fallen objects, people, animals, etc.).

[0022] The surrounding environment sensor 14 may be, for example, a camera that captures images of the surroundings of the motorcycle 1 and a radar that can detect the distance from the motorcycle 1 to a target. For example, a target may be detected using an image captured by the camera, and the detection result of the radar may be used to detect the distance, direction, speed, acceleration, or jerk of the motorcycle 1 relative to the target. Note that the configuration of the surrounding environment sensor 14 is not limited to the above example. For example, in the surrounding environment sensor 14, the radar may be replaced with a LIDAR (Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging) or an ultrasonic sensor. Also, for example, the surrounding environment sensor 14 may be a stereo camera.

[0023] The input device 15 accepts various operations by the rider. The input device 15 includes, for example, push buttons provided on the handlebars and used for operation by the rider. Information regarding the operation by the rider using the input device 15 is output to the control device 20.

[0024] The front wheel speed sensor 16 is a wheel speed sensor that detects the wheel speed of the front wheels (for example, the number of rotations per unit time [rpm] of the front wheels or the travel distance per unit time [km / h], etc.) and outputs the detection result. The front wheel speed sensor 16 may also detect other physical quantities that can be substantially converted into the wheel speed of the front wheels. The front wheel speed sensor 16 is provided on the front wheels.

[0025] The rear wheel speed sensor 17 is a wheel speed sensor that detects the wheel speed of the rear wheels (for example, the number of rotations per unit time [rpm] of the rear wheels or the distance traveled per unit time [km / h], etc.) and outputs the detection result. The rear wheel speed sensor 17 may also detect other physical quantities that can be substantially converted into the wheel speed of the rear wheels. The rear wheel speed sensor 17 is provided on the rear wheels.

[0026] The control device 20 controls the behavior of the motorcycle 1. For example, part or all of the control device 20 is configured with a microcomputer, a microprocessor unit, or the like. Also, for example, part or all of the control device 20 may be configured with updatable firmware, or the like, or may be a program module executed by commands from a CPU, or the like. The control device 20 may be, for example, one unit, or may be divided into multiple units.

[0027] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the control device 20. As shown in Fig. 2, the control device 20 includes, for example, an acquisition unit 21, an execution unit 22, and an identification unit 23. The control device 20 also communicates with each device of the motorcycle 1.

[0028] The acquisition unit 21 acquires information from each device of the motorcycle 1 and outputs the information to the execution unit 22 and the identification unit 23. For example, the acquisition unit 21 acquires information from the surrounding environment sensor 14, the input device 15, the front wheel speed sensor 16, and the rear wheel speed sensor 17. Note that in this specification, acquiring information may include extracting or generating information.

[0029] The execution unit 22 executes various controls by controlling the operation of each device of the motorcycle 1. The execution unit 22 controls the operation of the engine 11, the hydraulic control unit 12, and the display device 13, for example.

[0030] Here, the execution unit 22 can execute adaptive cruise control. In adaptive cruise control, the execution unit 22 automatically controls the speed of the motorcycle 1 without the rider's acceleration / deceleration operations (i.e., accelerator operation and brake operation). The execution unit 22 can control the speed of the motorcycle 1 to a speed that does not exceed a preset upper limit speed by monitoring the speed value of the motorcycle 1 acquired based on the wheel speed of the front wheel and the wheel speed of the rear wheel, for example.

[0031] In addition, in adaptive cruise control, the execution unit 22 performs inter-vehicle distance maintenance control to maintain the inter-vehicle distance between the motorcycle 1 and a target vehicle at a target distance. The execution unit 22 performs inter-vehicle distance maintenance control based on ambient environment information detected by the ambient environment sensor 14. The ambient environment sensor 14 can detect the inter-vehicle distance between the motorcycle 1 and a preceding vehicle traveling in front of the motorcycle 1, and the relative speed of the motorcycle 1 with respect to the preceding vehicle. For example, in inter-vehicle distance maintenance control, the execution unit 22 sets the preceding vehicle as a target vehicle and controls the speed of the motorcycle 1 so that the inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle is maintained at the target distance. Note that the inter-vehicle distance may mean the distance along the lane (specifically, the lane in which the motorcycle 1 is traveling) or may mean the straight-line distance.

[0032] The execution unit 22 executes adaptive cruise control in response to, for example, an operation by the rider using the input device 15. Here, the motorcycle 1 is configured so that the rider can select a group driving mode as a mode of adaptive cruise control. When the group driving mode is selected, the execution unit 22 executes the group driving mode as the adaptive cruise control. The group driving mode is a mode of adaptive cruise control that is particularly suited to group driving. For example, in the group driving mode, a target distance in the inter-vehicle distance maintenance control is set to be small.

[0033] The identification unit 23 identifies the vehicle convoy in which the host vehicle 1 is located during group driving (hereinafter also referred to as the vehicle convoy of the host vehicle 1 or the host vehicle convoy). The identification unit 23 outputs information indicating the identified host vehicle convoy to the execution unit 22. In group driving, a group made up of multiple motorcycles travels in multiple convoys. An overview of group driving will be described below with reference to FIG. 3.

[0034] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a group including a motorcycle 1 (i.e., the host vehicle 1) traveling as a group. Fig. 3 shows the host vehicle 1 and some of the other vehicles 2 (i.e., motorcycles in the group other than the host vehicle 1), 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 3, in group riding, multiple motorcycles travel in two convoys, one on the left side and one on the right side, in the same lane. In the example of Fig. 3, other vehicles 2b and 2c make up the convoy on the left side. Other vehicles 2b and 2c are lined up in this order from the front. Meanwhile, other vehicles 2a, host vehicle 1, and other vehicle 2d make up the convoy on the right side. Other vehicles 2a, host vehicle 1, and other vehicle 2d are lined up in this order from the front in the longitudinal direction.

[0036] In addition, as shown in Fig. 3, in group riding, multiple motorcycles ride in an arrangement in which the motorcycles in the left-hand line and the motorcycles in the right-hand line alternate in the front-to-rear direction (i.e., a zigzag arrangement). In the example of Fig. 3, the other vehicle 2a in the right-hand line, the other vehicle 2b in the left-hand line, the vehicle 1 in the right-hand line, the other vehicle 2c in the left-hand line, and the other vehicle 2d in the right-hand line are lined up in this order from the front.

[0037] As described above, when multiple motorcycles ride in a group, the motorcycles ride in a zigzag pattern. This shortens the distance between each vehicle in the front-to-rear direction compared to when multiple motorcycles ride in a convoy, and therefore reduces the risk of the group being separated by traffic lights.

[0038] In this embodiment, as described above, the vehicle convoy in which the host vehicle 1 is located during group traveling (i.e., the host vehicle convoy) is identified by the identification unit 23. Then, the execution unit 22 executes adaptive cruise control based on the driving state information of other vehicle convoy vehicles (for example, other vehicles 2b, 2c in the example of FIG. 3) that are other vehicles 2 in a convoy different from the convoy in which the host vehicle 1 is located (hereinafter, also referred to as other vehicle convoys). This makes it possible to appropriately execute adaptive cruise control of the motorcycle 1 during group traveling. The driving state information may include various information related to the driving state of the vehicle (for example, the position, speed, or acceleration of the vehicle). Details of the processing related to group traveling performed by the control device 20 will be described later.

[0039] <Control device operation> The operation of the control device 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0040] Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing related to group riding performed by the control device 20. The control flow shown in Fig. 4 is executed repeatedly, for example, at preset time intervals. Step S101 in Fig. 4 corresponds to the start of the control flow shown in Fig. 4. Step S106 in Fig. 4 corresponds to the end of the control flow shown in Fig. 4.

[0041] When the control flow shown in Fig. 4 is started, in step S102, the control device 20 determines whether or not the group driving mode is being executed. If it is determined that the group driving mode is being executed (step S102 / YES), the process proceeds to step S103. On the other hand, if it is determined that the group driving mode is not being executed (step S102 / NO), the control flow shown in Fig. 4 ends.

[0042] If the determination in step S102 is YES, in step S103, the identification unit 23 of the control device 20 performs a process of identifying the vehicle convoy in which the host vehicle 1 in the group traveling is located (that is, the host vehicle convoy).

[0043] In the process of identifying the host vehicle convoy, the identification unit 23 identifies the host vehicle convoy based on, for example, setting operation information, which is information on a setting operation performed by the rider. The above setting operation is an operation for setting the host vehicle convoy in the control device 20, and is performed using, for example, the input device 15. Note that an input screen for accepting the above setting operation may be displayed on the display device 13, and the rider may perform the above setting operation using the input screen. When the setting operation information indicates that the host vehicle convoy is a right-side convoy, the identification unit 23 identifies the host vehicle convoy as a right-side convoy. On the other hand, when the setting operation information indicates that the host vehicle convoy is a left-side convoy, the identification unit 23 identifies the host vehicle convoy as a left-side convoy. For example, in the example of FIG. 3, the identification unit 23 identifies the host vehicle convoy as a right-side convoy.

[0044] The identification unit 23 may identify the vehicle convoy without using setting operation information, which is information on the setting operation by the rider. For example, the identification unit 23 may identify the vehicle convoy based on the output result of the surrounding environment sensor 14. In this case, the identification unit 23 identifies, for example, a vehicle that is traveling in front of the vehicle 1 and is closest to the vehicle 1 in the front-rear direction among the other vehicles 2 in the group, based on the output result of the surrounding environment sensor 14. Then, the identification unit 23 can identify the vehicle convoy based on the positional relationship between the identified other vehicle 2 and the vehicle 1. For example, when the identified other vehicle 2 is located on the left side of the vehicle 1, the identification unit 23 identifies the vehicle convoy as a vehicle convoy on the right side.

[0045] After step S103, in step S104, the control device 20 determines whether the host vehicle convoy has been identified. If it is determined that the host vehicle convoy has been identified (step S104 / YES), the process proceeds to step S105. On the other hand, if it is determined that the host vehicle convoy has not been identified (step S104 / NO), the control flow shown in FIG. 4 ends.

[0046] If the result of the determination in step S104 is YES, in step S105, the execution unit 22 of the control device 20 executes adaptive cruise control based on the driving state information of the other vehicle in the convoy (e.g., other vehicles 2b, 2c in the example of FIG. 3), which is another vehicle 2 in a convoy different from the own convoy (i.e., another convoy), and the control flow shown in FIG. 4 ends.

[0047] In this embodiment, the identification unit 23 identifies the host vehicle convoy. Therefore, the control device 20 can determine whether the other vehicle convoy is on the left or right side of the host vehicle 1. Therefore, the acquisition unit 21 can acquire driving state information of the other vehicle convoy, which is the other vehicle 2 in the other vehicle convoy, based on, for example, the output result of the surrounding environment sensor 14. This allows the execution unit 22 to execute adaptive cruise control based on the driving state information of the other vehicle convoy.

[0048] Here, from the viewpoint of more appropriately executing adaptive cruise control in accordance with traffic conditions around the host vehicle 1, it is preferable that the execution unit 22 executes adaptive cruise control based on the driving state information of the host vehicle, which is the other vehicle 2 in the host vehicle convoy, in addition to the driving state information of the other vehicle in the convoy. In the following, an example will be described in which the adaptive cruise control is executed based on the driving state information of the other vehicle 2b as the other vehicle in the convoy and the driving state information of the other vehicle 2a as the host vehicle in the convoy.

[0049] For example, the execution unit 22 sets the own convoy vehicle as a target vehicle for the inter-vehicle distance maintenance control, and switches the target vehicle from the own convoy vehicle to another convoy vehicle under a specific situation. Hereinafter, with reference to Figs. 5 and 6, examples of situations in which the target vehicle is switched will be described.

[0050] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which a group including a motorcycle 1 (i.e., the host vehicle 1) is traveling straight. In the example of FIG. 5, the host vehicle 1 and other vehicles 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d are traveling on a straight road in the same arrangement as in FIG. 3. The straight road is a road having a large radius of curvature that does not affect the driving operation of the motorcycle 1. The host vehicle convoy is the convoy on the right, and the other vehicles are the convoy on the left. The other vehicles 2a and 2d correspond to the host vehicle convoy vehicles, and the other vehicles 2b and 2c correspond to the other vehicles in the convoy.

[0051] 5, the execution unit 22 basically sets the other vehicle 2a, which is the closest vehicle to the host vehicle 1 among the vehicles in the host vehicle train located ahead of the host vehicle 1, as the target vehicle for the inter-vehicle distance maintenance control. In this case, the inter-vehicle distance between the host vehicle 1 and the other vehicle 2a is maintained at the target distance.

[0052] Here, in a state where the inter-vehicle distance between the host vehicle 1 and the other vehicle in the convoy falls below a lower distance limit (i.e., when the inter-vehicle distance falls below a lower distance limit), the execution unit 22 sets the other vehicle in the convoy as a target vehicle for inter-vehicle distance maintenance control. In the example of Fig. 5, when the inter-vehicle distance D1 between the host vehicle 1 and the other vehicle 2b, which is the closest vehicle to the host vehicle 1 among the other vehicles in the convoy located ahead of the host vehicle 1, falls below the lower distance limit, the execution unit 22 switches the target vehicle from the other vehicle 2a to the other vehicle 2b. The lower distance limit is set to a value at which it can be determined that the host vehicle 1 is approaching the other vehicle 2b to such an extent that there is a possibility of overtaking the other vehicle 2b.

[0053] When the other vehicle 2b is set as the target vehicle, the inter-vehicle distance between the host vehicle 1 and the other vehicle 2b is maintained at the target distance. Specifically, in the inter-vehicle distance maintenance control, the execution unit 22 controls the speed of the host vehicle 1 based on the inter-vehicle distance between the host vehicle 1 and the other vehicle 2b and the relative speed of the host vehicle 1 with respect to the other vehicle 2b. This prevents the host vehicle 1 from overtaking the other vehicle 2b, so that the state in which the group including the host vehicle 1 travels in a zigzag arrangement is maintained.

[0054] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which a group including a motorcycle 1 (i.e., the host vehicle 1) is traveling around a curve. In the example of FIG. 6, the host vehicle 1 and other vehicles 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d are traveling around a curve in the same arrangement as in FIG. 3. The curve is a road with a small radius of curvature that affects the driving operation of the motorcycle 1. The host vehicle convoy is on the right side, and the other vehicles are on the left side. The other vehicles 2a and 2d correspond to the host vehicle convoy vehicles, and the other vehicles 2b and 2c correspond to the other vehicles in the convoy.

[0055] The execution unit 22 sets the other vehicle in the train as a target vehicle for inter-vehicle distance maintenance control when the group including the host vehicle 1 is traveling around a curve (i.e., when traveling around a curve). For example, when the group traveling straight ahead with the other vehicle 2a set as the target vehicle enters a curved road and reaches the state shown in Fig. 6, the execution unit 22 sets the other vehicle 2b, which is the closest vehicle to the host vehicle 1 among the other vehicle in the train located ahead of the host vehicle 1, as the target vehicle. In other words, the target vehicle is switched from the other vehicle 2a to the other vehicle 2b.

[0056] For example, the execution unit 22 determines whether the host vehicle 1 is traveling around a curve, and when it is determined that the host vehicle 1 is traveling around a curve, it can consider that the group including the host vehicle 1 is traveling around a curve. The determination of whether the host vehicle 1 is traveling around a curve can be realized by using, for example, an inertial measurement unit (IMU) or a car navigation device.

[0057] When a group including the host vehicle 1 is traveling around a curve, the vehicle distance tends to be wider in order to improve safety compared to when the group is traveling straight ahead. Therefore, in the example of Fig. 6, it is assumed that the other vehicle 2a may move farther away from the host vehicle 1 than the surrounding environment sensor 14 of the host vehicle 1 can detect it, so by setting the other vehicle 2b as the target vehicle, it is possible to prevent the target vehicle from becoming undetectable.

[0058] Here, from the viewpoint of improving safety when traveling around a curve, it is preferable for the execution unit 22 to make the target distance of the following distance maintenance control longer when the group including the host vehicle 1 is traveling around a curve, compared to when the group is traveling straight. In order to ensure safety when the group including the host vehicle 1 is traveling around a curve, it is necessary to make the following distance wider compared to when the group is traveling straight. Therefore, by changing the target distance of the following distance maintenance control as described above depending on whether the group is traveling around a curve or not, safety can be improved.

[0059] In the above, an example has been described in which the adaptive cruise control is executed based on the driving state information of the other vehicle 2b as the other vehicle in the convoy and the driving state information of the other vehicle 2a as the host vehicle in the convoy. However, the execution unit 22 may execute the adaptive cruise control based only on the driving state information of the other vehicle in the convoy without using the driving state information of the host vehicle in the convoy.

[0060] For example, the execution unit 22 may execute the adaptive cruise control based only on the driving state information of the other vehicle 2b without using the driving state information of the other vehicle 2a. In this case, the execution unit 22 may set the other vehicle 2b as the target vehicle of the following distance maintenance control, for example. Specifically, the execution unit 22 may set the other vehicle 2b as the target vehicle of the following distance maintenance control, regardless of the situation, such as whether the group is traveling around a curve. In this case, the execution unit 22 controls the speed of the host vehicle 1 in the following distance maintenance control based on the following distance between the host vehicle 1 and the other vehicle 2b and the relative speed of the host vehicle 1 with respect to the other vehicle 2b, regardless of the situation. Note that even in this case, the execution unit 22 may lengthen the target distance of the following distance maintenance control when the group including the host vehicle 1 is traveling around a curve, compared to when the group is traveling straight ahead.

[0061] In the above, an example has been described in which the adaptive cruise control is executed based on the driving state information of the other vehicle 2b, which is a vehicle in a train of vehicles located ahead of the host vehicle 1. However, the execution unit 22 may execute the adaptive cruise control based on the driving state information of a vehicle in a train of vehicles (e.g., the other vehicle 2c) located behind the host vehicle 1.

[0062] For example, when the inter-vehicle distance between the host vehicle 1 and the other vehicle 2c falls below a lower distance limit value under a situation in which the other vehicle 2a is set as the target vehicle, the target vehicle may be switched from the other vehicle 2a to the other vehicle 2c. Also, for example, when a group including the host vehicle 1 is traveling around a curve, the execution unit 22 may set the other vehicle 2c, which is a vehicle in the train located behind the host vehicle 1, as the target vehicle for the inter-vehicle distance maintenance control. Also, the execution unit 22 may set the other vehicle 2c as the target vehicle for the inter-vehicle distance maintenance control regardless of the situation.

[0063] An example of the processing related to group traveling performed by the control device 20 has been described above with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 4. However, the control device 20 may perform other processing as processing related to group traveling.

[0064] For example, the execution unit 22 may change the detection range of the surrounding environment information used in the adaptive cruise control, based on the result of identifying the host vehicle line by the identification unit 23. As described above, the control for maintaining a vehicle distance in the adaptive cruise control is performed based on the surrounding environment information detected by the surrounding environment sensor 14. The execution unit 22 changes the detection range of the surrounding environment information detected by the surrounding environment sensor 14, based on the result of identifying the host vehicle line by the identification unit 23.

[0065] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing how the detection range of the surrounding environment information used for adaptive cruise control performed by the motorcycle 1 changes. In Fig. 7, for the detection range 18 of the surrounding environment sensor 14, the range before the change is indicated by a dashed line, and the range after the change is indicated by a solid line.

[0066] As shown in Figure 7, the detection range 18 of the surrounding environment sensor 14 spreads radially forward from the front of the motorcycle 1. The surrounding environment sensor 14 can detect surrounding environment information within the detection range 18. In other words, the detection range of the surrounding environment information detected by the surrounding environment sensor 14 basically coincides with the detection range 18 of the surrounding environment sensor 14. However, as will be described later, it is also possible to change the detection range of the surrounding environment information detected by the surrounding environment sensor 14 without changing the detection range 18 of the surrounding environment sensor 14, so these ranges will be described separately.

[0067] The execution unit 22 changes the detection range of the surrounding environment information detected by the surrounding environment sensor 14, for example, by changing the detection range 18 of the surrounding environment sensor 14. Specifically, the execution unit 22 positions the center C1 (for example, the central axis of a range spreading radially) of the detection range 18 of the surrounding environment sensor 14 on the side where the other vehicle in the train exists, based on the travel trajectory of the host vehicle 1. As a result, the center of the detection range of the surrounding environment information detected by the surrounding environment sensor 14 is positioned on the side where the other vehicle in the train exists, based on the travel trajectory of the host vehicle 1. Note that the center C1 of the detection range 18 is positioned on the travel trajectory of the host vehicle 1, as indicated by the dashed line, before the detection range 18 is changed.

[0068] In the example of FIG. 7, the host vehicle convoy identified by the identification unit 23 is the vehicle convoy on the right side. Therefore, in this case, the execution unit 22 positions the center C1 of the detection range 18 of the surrounding environment sensor 14 on the left side of the traveling trajectory of the host vehicle 1 (i.e., the side where the other vehicles 2b and 2c, which are the other vehicle convoy vehicles, are present) as shown by the solid line. As a result, the center of the detection range of the surrounding environment information detected by the surrounding environment sensor 14 is positioned on the left side of the traveling trajectory of the host vehicle 1. Therefore, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 7, the detection range 18 of the surrounding environment sensor 14 (i.e., the detection range of the surrounding environment information detected by the surrounding environment sensor 14) can be placed within the traveling lane of the host vehicle 1. This can prevent, for example, a vehicle traveling in an adjacent lane adjacent to the traveling lane of the host vehicle 1 from entering the detection range 18 and being erroneously set as a target vehicle in the inter-vehicle distance maintenance control.

[0069] The execution unit 22 may change the detection range of the surrounding environment information detected by the surrounding environment sensor 14 without changing the detection range 18 of the surrounding environment sensor 14. For example, the execution unit 22 may change the detection range of the surrounding environment information by not detecting information relating to a specific range within the detection range 18 (for example, the range to the right of the traveling trajectory of the host vehicle 1 in the example of FIG. 7) as the surrounding environment information.

[0070] In the flowchart of FIG. 4 described above, when it is determined that the group driving mode is being executed (step S102 / YES), the processing from step S103 onwards is performed. However, the execution condition for executing the processing from step S103 onwards is not limited to this example. The above execution condition may be a condition that allows a determination that a group including the host vehicle 1 and the other vehicle 2 is driving in a group. For example, the above execution condition may be that the host vehicle 1 and the other vehicle 2 are determined to be driving in a zigzag arrangement. The control device 20 can obtain information indicating the positional relationship between the host vehicle 1 and the other vehicle 2, for example, via wireless communication with the other vehicle 2 or infrastructure equipment, and use the information to determine whether the host vehicle 1 and the other vehicle 2 are driving in a zigzag arrangement.

[0071] <Effects of the control device> The effects of the control device 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0072] In the control device 20, the identification unit 23 identifies the convoy in which the host vehicle 1 is located during group traveling in which a group made up of multiple motorcycles travels in multiple convoys (i.e., the host vehicle convoy). The execution unit 22 then executes adaptive cruise control based on the traveling state information of other vehicles in the convoy (e.g., other vehicles 2b, 2c) that are other vehicles 2 in a convoy different from the convoy in which the host vehicle 1 is located (i.e., the other convoy). This makes it possible to execute adaptive cruise control according to the traffic conditions around the host vehicle 1 when the group is traveling. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately execute adaptive cruise control for the motorcycle 1 during group traveling.

[0073] Preferably, in the control device 20, the execution unit 22 executes adaptive cruise control based on the driving state information of the other vehicles in the convoy (e.g., other vehicles 2a, 2d) that are the other vehicles 2 in the convoy in which the host vehicle 1 is located (i.e., the host vehicle convoy), in addition to the driving state information of the other vehicles in the convoy. This makes it possible to execute adaptive cruise control using more information on the traffic conditions around the host vehicle 1. Therefore, it is possible to more appropriately execute adaptive cruise control of the motorcycle 1 during group riding.

[0074] Preferably, in the control device 20, the execution unit 22 sets the host vehicle in the train (e.g., the other vehicle 2a) as a target vehicle for the inter-vehicle distance maintenance control. This makes it possible to maintain the inter-vehicle distance between the host vehicle 1 and the other vehicle 2 traveling on the travel path of the host vehicle 1 at the target distance. This makes it possible to suppress collisions with the other vehicle 2 in the group and to support the driving of the rider.

[0075] Preferably, in the control device 20, the execution unit 22 sets the other vehicle in the convoy (e.g., the other vehicle 2b) as a target vehicle for the inter-vehicle distance maintenance control when the inter-vehicle distance between the host vehicle 1 and the other vehicle in the convoy is below a lower distance limit. This makes it possible to set the other vehicle in the convoy as a target vehicle when the host vehicle 1 is approaching the other vehicle in the convoy to such an extent that there is a possibility of the host vehicle 1 overtaking the other vehicle in the convoy. This prevents the host vehicle 1 from overtaking the other vehicle in the convoy, so that the group including the host vehicle 1 can maintain a state of traveling in a zigzag arrangement.

[0076] Preferably, in the control device 20, the execution unit 22 sets another vehicle in the convoy (e.g., another vehicle 2b) as a target vehicle for the following distance maintenance control when multiple motorcycles constituting a group including the host vehicle 1 are traveling a curve. Here, if the host vehicle in the convoy continues to be set as the target vehicle, it is assumed that the target vehicle will move away from the host vehicle 1 and will no longer be detected when the multiple motorcycles are traveling a curve. Therefore, by setting the other vehicle in the convoy as the target vehicle for the following distance maintenance control when the multiple motorcycles are traveling a curve, it is possible to prevent the target vehicle from going undetected.

[0077] Preferably, in the control device 20, the execution unit 22 sets the other vehicle in the train (e.g., the other vehicle 2b) as a target vehicle for the inter-vehicle distance maintenance control. This makes it possible to maintain the inter-vehicle distance between the other vehicle in the train and the host vehicle 1 at the target distance. This effectively prevents the host vehicle 1 from overtaking the other vehicle in the train, making it easier to maintain the state in which the group including the host vehicle 1 travels in a zigzag formation.

[0078] Preferably, in the control device 20, the execution unit 22 sets a target distance for the following distance maintenance control to be longer when multiple motorcycles constituting a group including the host vehicle 1 are traveling around a curve, compared to when the multiple motorcycles are traveling straight ahead. This increases the following distance between the host vehicle 1 and the target vehicle, improving safety when traveling around a curve.

[0079] Preferably, in the control device 20, the execution unit 22 changes the detection range of the surrounding environment information used for the adaptive cruise control based on the result of identification of the vehicle convoy of the host vehicle 1 (i.e., the host vehicle convoy) by the identification unit 23. This makes it possible to suppress erroneous identification of a vehicle outside the group (e.g., a vehicle traveling in an adjacent lane adjacent to the traveling lane of the host vehicle 1) as a target vehicle in the inter-vehicle distance maintenance control. Therefore, the adaptive cruise control can be more appropriately executed.

[0080] Preferably, in the control device 20, the execution unit 22 positions the center of the detection range of the surrounding environment information used for the adaptive cruise control on the side where other vehicles in the train (e.g., other vehicles 2b, 2c) exist based on the travel trajectory of the host vehicle 1. This makes it possible to place the detection range of the surrounding environment information used for the adaptive cruise control within the travel lane of the host vehicle 1. This appropriately achieves the prevention of a vehicle outside the group (e.g., a vehicle traveling in an adjacent lane adjacent to the travel lane of the host vehicle 1) from being erroneously specified as a target vehicle in the inter-vehicle distance maintenance control.

[0081] Preferably, in the control device 20, the other vehicle in the train is a vehicle (e.g., the other vehicle 2c) located behind the host vehicle 1. That is, preferably, the execution unit 22 executes adaptive cruise control based on the driving state information of the other vehicle in the train (e.g., the other vehicle 2c) located behind the host vehicle 1. This makes it possible to appropriately execute adaptive cruise control according to the traffic conditions behind the host vehicle 1 when the vehicle is traveling in a group.

[0082] The present invention is not limited to the description of the embodiments. For example, only a part of the embodiments may be implemented. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 1 motorcycle (own vehicle), 2 motorcycle (other vehicle), 2a other vehicle, 2b other vehicle, 2c other vehicle, 2d other vehicle, 11 engine, 12 hydraulic control unit, 13 display device, 14 surrounding environment sensor, 15 input device, 16 front wheel speed sensor, 17 rear wheel speed sensor, 18 detection range, 20 control device, 21 acquisition unit, 22 execution unit, 23 identification unit, C1 center, D1 inter-vehicle distance.

Claims

1. A control device (20) for controlling a behavior of a motorcycle (1), comprising: an execution unit (22) that executes adaptive cruise control based on ambient environment information of the motorcycle (1) to automatically control the speed of the motorcycle (1) without the need for acceleration or deceleration by a rider of the motorcycle (1) and to perform distance maintenance control to maintain a target distance between the motorcycle (1) and a target vehicle; The vehicle further includes an identification unit (23) for identifying a convoy in which the vehicle (1) is located during group travel in which a group of multiple motorcycles travels in a convoy, the execution unit (22) changes a detection range of the surrounding environment information used for the adaptive cruise control based on a result of the identification of the train of the host vehicle (1) by the identification unit (23); the execution unit (22) executes the adaptive cruise control based on driving state information of another vehicle (2) in a convoy different from the convoy in which the host vehicle (1) is located. Control device.

2. the execution unit (22) executes the adaptive cruise control based on, in addition to the driving state information of the other vehicle in the train, driving state information of a vehicle in the train that is another vehicle (2) in the train in which the host vehicle (1) is located. The control device according to claim 1 .

3. the execution unit (22) sets the subject train vehicle as the target vehicle of the inter-vehicle distance maintenance control. The control device according to claim 2.

4. the execution unit (22) sets the other vehicle in the train as the target vehicle of the inter-vehicle distance maintenance control when the inter-vehicle distance between the host vehicle (1) and the other vehicle in the train falls below a distance lower limit value. The control device according to claim 3.

5. the execution unit (22) sets the other vehicle in the train as the target vehicle of the inter-vehicle distance maintenance control when the plurality of motorcycles are traveling on a curve. The control device according to claim 3 or 4.

6. The execution unit (22) sets the other vehicle in the train as the target vehicle of the inter-vehicle distance maintenance control. The control device according to claim 1 or 2.

7. the execution unit (22) lengthens the target distance of the inter-vehicle distance maintenance control when the plurality of motorcycles are traveling on a curve, compared with when the plurality of motorcycles are traveling straight. The control device according to claim 5 or 6.

8. the execution unit (22) positions the center of the detection range on a side where the other vehicle in the train is present, based on a travel trajectory of the host vehicle (1); The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The other vehicle in the train is a vehicle located behind the host vehicle (1). The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A method for controlling the behavior of a motorcycle (1), comprising the steps of: an execution unit (22) of the control device (20) executes adaptive cruise control based on ambient environment information of the motorcycle (1) to automatically control the speed of the motorcycle (1) without the need for acceleration or deceleration by the rider of the motorcycle (1) and to perform distance maintenance control to maintain a target distance between the motorcycle (1) and a target vehicle; Furthermore, an identification unit (23) of the control device (20) identifies a convoy in which the host vehicle (1) is located in a group traveling in which a group made up of a plurality of motorcycles travels in a convoy, the execution unit (22) changes a detection range of the surrounding environment information used for the adaptive cruise control based on a result of the identification of the train of the host vehicle (1) by the identification unit (23); the execution unit (22) executes the adaptive cruise control based on driving state information of another vehicle in a convoy, the other vehicle being a vehicle in a convoy different from the convoy of the host vehicle (1); Control methods.

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