Vehicle control device

Abstract

To further facilitate an operation of setting a vehicle speed, by setting a vehicle speed at a stop point having a round figure.SOLUTION: A vehicle control device includes: an input unit configured to change the setting of a speed of a vehicle by a rotating operation by a driver; and a control unit configured to change the speed of the vehicle, based on an input result of the input unit. When the input result of the input unit is equal to or longer than a predetermined time, or equal to or higher than a predetermined speed, or equal to or larger than a predetermined amount, the control unit changes the vehicle speed to a second speed set as a vehicle speed equal to or higher than the first speed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle control device and method. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, efforts to provide access to sustainable transportation systems that take into consideration vulnerable transport participants have been gaining momentum. To achieve this, we are focusing on research and development into autonomous driving technology to further improve traffic safety and convenience.

[0003] Adaptive cruise control (ACC) is part of the current vehicle assistance systems, and setting the vehicle's speed is one of them. [Prior art document]

[0004] [Patent documents] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-47718

[0005] In the prior art of Patent Document 1, the speed limit is set to a target vehicle speed by pressing and holding the ACC adjustment switch. However, while pressing and holding is effective for lever-type and switch-type controls, no consideration has been given to how to accept driver operation in the case of wheel-type controls.

[0006] In automated driving technology, how to smoothly set vehicle speed is an issue. The present application aims to solve this issue and achieve improved operability for setting vehicle speed, thereby contributing to the development of sustainable transportation systems. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present invention can solve the above-mentioned problems by making it easier to set the vehicle speed by setting a vehicle speed at a convenient stopping point.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present application, a vehicle control device is provided, which includes an input unit that changes the vehicle speed setting by a rotation operation by a driver, and a control unit that changes the speed of the vehicle based on the input result of the input unit, and is characterized in that when the input result of the input unit is greater than or equal to a predetermined time, greater than or equal to a predetermined speed, or greater than or equal to a predetermined amount, the control unit changes the vehicle speed to a second speed that is set to a vehicle speed greater than or equal to a first speed.

[0009] Based on an embodiment of the present invention, in a vehicle control device, when the input result of the input unit is less than the predetermined time, less than the predetermined speed, or less than the predetermined amount, the control unit changes the vehicle speed to the first speed.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle control device further includes a speed limit acquisition unit that acquires a speed limit of a road on which the vehicle is traveling, and the second speed is set to the speed limit.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle control device further includes a setting unit that allows the driver to set an arbitrary speed for the vehicle, and the second speed is set to the arbitrary speed.

[0012] Based on an embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle control device further includes an other vehicle speed acquisition unit that acquires the vehicle speed of a preceding vehicle traveling in front of the vehicle, and the second speed is set to the vehicle speed of the preceding vehicle or a speed obtained by adding a predetermined speed to the vehicle speed of the preceding vehicle.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle control device further includes a speed limit acquisition unit that acquires the speed limit of the road on which the vehicle is traveling, and if the speed limit is between the current speed of the vehicle and the second speed, the speed limit is set to the second speed.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the vehicle control device, when a value from the current vehicle speed of the vehicle to the second speed is less than half of the second speed, the next second speed is set. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary vehicle control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 illustrates an operation scheme according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 illustrates an operation scheme according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 illustrates an operation scheme according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

[0017] 1 is a block diagram of a vehicle control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle control device 100 includes at least, but is not limited to, an input unit 102, a control unit 104, a speed limit acquisition unit 106, a setting unit 108, and a vehicle speed acquisition unit 119.

[0018] The input unit 102 is used by the driver to change the setting of the vehicle speed by rotating the input unit 102. The input unit 102 is, for example, a wheel-type operating switch (see FIG. 2). The driver can set the vehicle speed by rotating the wheel. As one example, the driver can change or set the vehicle speed by operating the wheel-type operating switch that is the input unit 102.

[0019] The wheel-type operation switch serving as the input unit 102 may be provided, for example, on the dashboard of the vehicle at a position that is easy for the driver to operate, or may be provided on the steering wheel.

[0020] The control unit 104 is used to control the vehicle. The control unit 104 can control various driving modes of the vehicle, such as setting the vehicle speed, performing ACC control, accelerating / decelerating, stopping, avoiding, various vehicle auxiliary control systems, etc. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that each control method of the control unit 104 can be designed based on actual requirements.

[0021] The control unit 104 may be implemented by a processor such as an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) of the host vehicle V. The ECU can be used to control various sensors and detectors of the host vehicle V. This allows the control unit 104 to receive data, perform various processes on the data, and control each operating component of the host vehicle V. The ECU controls various different systems within the vehicle, such as starting the host vehicle, inspecting each part after starting, and controlling the vehicle display.

[0022] In this embodiment, the control unit 104 can change the speed of the vehicle based on the input result (setting result) of the input unit 102.

[0023] 2 is a diagram illustrating an operation method according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the vertical axis represents the cumulative value of the operation amount of the input unit (wheel-type operation switch) 102, and the horizontal axis represents the vehicle speed (set speed). The driver operates (scrolls) the input unit 102 along a specified direction, for example, by scrolling the input unit 102 upward to set the vehicle speed. In addition, the control unit 104 can detect the operation amount of the input unit, such as a predetermined amount, a predetermined speed, or a predetermined time for operating the input unit 102.

[0024] When the driver scrolls the input unit 102 at a slow speed, the control unit 104 changes the vehicle speed at a first speed V1. For example, as shown in Figure 2, assuming that the current vehicle speed is 55 mph, if the driver scrolls the input unit 102 at a slow speed and the control unit 104 detects an operation of a predetermined amount, a predetermined speed, or less than a predetermined time, the control unit 104 changes the vehicle speed at the first speed V1, for example, from 55 mph to 56 mph, and in this manner the driver gradually increases the vehicle speed.

[0025] Furthermore, if the input result of the input unit 102 (i.e., the amount of wheel operation) is greater than or equal to a predetermined time, greater than or equal to a predetermined speed, or greater than or equal to a predetermined amount, i.e., if the driver operates (scrolls) the input unit 102 at a fast speed, the control unit 104 may directly change the vehicle speed to a second speed V2, which is a rounded stopping point, and this second speed V2 is set to a vehicle speed greater than or equal to the first speed. In this example, the second speed V2 is set to 60 mph, which is a rounded speed (I) that is easy to enter. If this speed is exceeded, the vehicle speed will be difficult to increase from the second speed V2 (section II). In other words, even if the input unit 102 is continuously scrolled, it will not easily increase from 60 mph to 61 mph.

[0026] It should be noted that after a series of operations, the driver sets the vehicle to 60 mph (second speed V2) and drives the vehicle, but if the driver later wants to increase the vehicle speed from 60 mph, the direct response that is an advantage of the wheel-operated switch will be lost.

[0027] Therefore, when adjusting the vehicle speed using the input unit (wheel-type operation switch) 102 based on this implementation method, it may be difficult to stop the vehicle speed at a single, convenient speed. However, with the simple operation of the present invention, the vehicle speed can be stopped at a single, convenient stopping point.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle control device 100 further includes a speed limit acquisition unit. The speed limit acquisition unit 106 is used to acquire the speed limit of the road on which the vehicle is traveling. As an example, the vehicle's road sign recognition assistance system (TSR) function may be used to capture images of the road environment using a camera installed in front of the vehicle. The control unit 104 or another image processing device may then analyze signs, markings, etc. installed on the road to acquire the vehicle speed limit of the road. Alternatively, the vehicle speed limit of the road may be acquired by acquiring the vehicle speed limit pre-stored in the navigation device and the current vehicle position from the navigation device.

[0029] In this situation, the control unit 104 sets the second speed to the speed limit or to the speed limit plus a predetermined value, i.e., a convenient stopping point is set based on the speed limit of the road. Thus, when the control unit 104 detects that the input unit 102 is operated by a predetermined amount, at a predetermined speed, or for a predetermined period of time or more, for example, when the driver scrolls the input unit 102 at a fast speed, the control unit 104 changes the vehicle speed to the speed limit, which is set as the second speed V2.

[0030] 3, assuming that the current vehicle speed is 55 mph, the driver customizes the TSR function to set a convenient stopping point at a speed obtained by adding a predetermined value (e.g., 10 mph) to the speed limit. As a result, when the control unit 104 detects an operation of a predetermined amount, a predetermined speed, or a predetermined time or more (e.g., operating the input unit 102 at a high speed and the operation amount of the input unit 102 is large), the control unit 104 may directly set the vehicle speed to 60 mph.

[0031] Also, the driver may want to increase the vehicle speed by operating the input unit 102, but at this point the vehicle has already passed a convenient stopping point, and the control unit 104 will not easily increase the vehicle speed from 60 mph even if the driver operates the input unit 102 in section A. At this time, the control unit 104 may alert the driver by, for example, flashing the speed setting display unit 120 on the vehicle dashboard.

[0032] As a result, in this embodiment, the present invention allows the control unit 104 to set the second speed to the road speed limit by simply operating the input unit (wheel-type operation switch) 102.

[0033] Furthermore, if there is a speed limit between the vehicle and the second speed, the vehicle can travel at the same speed as the surrounding vehicles by setting the speed limit as the second speed.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle control device 100 further includes a setting unit 108. The setting unit 108 allows the driver to set the vehicle speed to an arbitrary speed. In this situation, the control unit 104 may set the second speed V2 to the arbitrary speed set by the driver, i.e., set a convenient stopping point to the arbitrary speed set by the driver. Thus, when the control unit 104 detects that the input unit 102 has been operated for a predetermined amount, at a predetermined speed, or for a predetermined period of time or more, for example, when the driver scrolls the input unit 102 at a fast speed, the control unit 104 changes the vehicle speed to the arbitrary speed set by the driver, which is the second speed V2.

[0035] Based on this embodiment, the present invention allows the control unit 104 to set the second speed to the vehicle speed set by the driver by simply operating the input unit (wheel switch) 102.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle control device 100 further includes a vehicle speed acquisition unit 110. The vehicle speed acquisition unit 110 is used to acquire the speed of a preceding vehicle traveling ahead of the vehicle. The vehicle speed acquisition unit 110 may be configured with, for example, a camera, sonar, or LIDAR, and is used to detect the surrounding conditions of the vehicle, and in particular, can acquire the speed of a preceding vehicle traveling ahead of the vehicle.

[0037] In this embodiment, the second speed is set to the vehicle speed V of the preceding vehicle, or set to a speed obtained by adding a predetermined speed α to the vehicle speed V of the preceding vehicle (ie, set to V+α).

[0038] In this embodiment, the vehicle speed needs to be set to the vehicle speed V of the preceding vehicle so that the vehicle can continue to follow the preceding vehicle. In addition, to prevent the preceding vehicle from slightly accelerating and increasing the distance between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle, the vehicle speed needs to be set as a convenient stopping point by adding a predetermined speed α to the vehicle speed V of the preceding vehicle.

[0039] As shown in the operation example of FIG. 4, suppose the current speed of the vehicle is 58 mph, and the other vehicle speed acquisition unit 110 acquires, for example, that the speed of the preceding vehicle is 63 mph. At this time, the control unit 104 sets the second speed V2 by adding a predetermined speed α (=2 mph) to the vehicle speed V (=63 mph) of the preceding vehicle. In this example, the operation of the input unit 102 does not "make it easier to reach 60 mph," but makes it easier to reach a round number (65 mph) obtained by adding the predetermined speed α to the vehicle speed V of the preceding vehicle. Therefore, in this example, the control unit 104 sets the second speed V2 to 65 mph. If the control unit 104 detects that the operation of the input unit 102 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, a predetermined speed, or a predetermined time, the control unit 104 changes the vehicle speed to the second speed V2.

[0040] In this embodiment, the present invention allows the control unit 104 to set the second speed to the vehicle speed V of the preceding vehicle or to the vehicle speed V+α by simply operating the input unit (wheel switch) 102. This allows the control unit 104 to make the vehicle follow the preceding vehicle.

[0041] In addition, in one situation, if the difference between the current vehicle speed and the second speed is less than half of the second speed, the next round stop point (next second speed) is set. In other words, if the difference between the current vehicle speed and the second speed is close, the control unit 104 may set the current round stop point as the next round stop point.

[0042] According to this embodiment, the present invention sets the second speed to the next second speed with a single operation, thereby improving operational convenience for the driver.

[0043] Furthermore, when setting vehicle speed using an independent switch (e.g., + / - button) or toggle lever as used in the prior art, there is an operational inconvenience. For example, if a driver wants to adjust the vehicle speed from 59 mph to 65 mph, the driver must first stop the vehicle at a so-called round-stop speed (e.g., 60 mph). Thus, when the driver operates the independent switch or toggle lever the first time, the vehicle speed first increases from 59 mph to 60 mph and stops there. Then, by operating the switch a second time, the vehicle speed increases from 60 mph to 65 mph. In other words, with this operation method, even if the driver presses the switch for a long time or with a strong force, the vehicle speed will stop at 60 mph anyway, and then, by operating the switch a second time, the vehicle speed will be set to the desired speed. Therefore, the prior art method requires two operations.

[0044] With conventional controls, it was only possible to obtain 0 / 1 information for each input, indicating whether or not an input was made, but with a wheel-type control switch, the control unit 104 can obtain the amount of input operation (amount of rotation) and the time required for one finger movement. Therefore, from this information, the control unit 104 can also derive the input speed to the input unit, etc.

[0045] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second speed may be set to 65 mph. When the driver operates the input unit 102, if the driver operates the input unit 102 by a large amount and at a fast speed, that is, if the control unit 104 detects that the input unit 102 is operated by a predetermined amount, at a predetermined speed, or for a predetermined period of time or more, the control unit 104 may set the vehicle speed to a round-off stopping point speed (the second speed, for example, 65 mph).

[0046] In addition, when the driver operates the input unit 102, if the driver operates the input unit 102 by a small amount and at a slow speed in one operation, that is, if the control unit 104 detects that the input unit 102 is operated by a predetermined amount, at a predetermined speed, or for less than a predetermined time, the control unit 104 may set the vehicle speed by increasing the vehicle speed by 1 mph.

[0047] As a result, the embodiment of the present invention determines the "operation amount" and "input speed" of the input unit 102, or a combination of both, and even in the above situation, it is possible to switch between modes of increasing the speed in increments of 1 mph and significantly increasing the vehicle speed.

[0048] Finally, it should be explained that the above embodiments are only used to explain the technology of the present invention, and do not limit the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that the technology described in the above embodiments can be modified, or part or all of the technical features thereof can be replaced with equivalents. These modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technology to deviate from the technical scope of the embodiments of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 100: Vehicle control device 102: Input section 104: Control unit 106: Speed ​​limit acquisition unit 108: Setting section 110:Other vehicle speed acquisition part 120: Speed ​​setting display section

Claims

1. an input unit that is used to set a vehicle speed of a driving assistance function of the vehicle in response to a rotation operation by a driver, and that detects an operation amount of the rotation operation; a control unit that sets the vehicle speed based on the amount of rotation operation detected by the input unit; Including, When the operation amount of the rotation operation detected by the input unit is less than a predetermined amount, the control unit sets the vehicle speed to a first speed change amount, When the operation amount of the rotation operation detected by the input unit is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount, the control unit sets the vehicle speed at a second speed change amount that is set to be equal to or greater than the first speed change amount, When a difference between a current speed of the vehicle and a speed that is to be a convenient stopping point after being set by the second speed change amount is less than half of the second speed change amount in the process of setting the vehicle speed by the second speed change amount, the control unit sets the vehicle speed to the speed that is to be a convenient stopping point after being set by the next second speed change amount. characterized in that Vehicle control device.

2. a speed limit acquisition unit that acquires the speed limit of the road on which the vehicle is traveling; Further comprising: The control unit sets the vehicle speed, which is set by the second speed change amount, to the speed limit or a speed that is the speed limit plus a predetermined value. characterized in that The vehicle control device according to claim 1 .

3. A setting unit that allows the driver to set an arbitrary speed for the vehicle Further comprising: The control unit sets the vehicle speed to the arbitrary speed. characterized in that The vehicle control device according to claim 1 .

4. a vehicle speed acquisition unit that acquires the vehicle speed of a preceding vehicle traveling ahead of the vehicle; Further comprising: When the vehicle speed of the preceding vehicle can be acquired, the control unit sets the vehicle speed set by the second speed change amount to the vehicle speed of the preceding vehicle or a speed obtained by adding a predetermined speed to the vehicle speed of the preceding vehicle. characterized in that The vehicle control device according to claim 1 .

5. The predetermined amount includes a predetermined time or a predetermined speed. characterized in that The vehicle control device according to claim 1 .

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