Vehicle control device

Abstract

To properly set validity / invalidity of an acceleration suppression function according to the type of a key possessed by a driver.SOLUTION: When an electronic key 14 is held over an ignition switch 15, a control device 5 for a vehicle verifies the electronic key 14, and acquires quick-start suppression function identification information included in a verification result which indicates whether a quick acceleration-time acceleration suppression function should be validated or invalidated. When the acquired quick-start suppression function identification information for the electronic key 14 indicates validating of the quick acceleration-time acceleration suppression function, a stereo camera ECU 10 determines to validate the function. Thus, since the quick acceleration-time acceleration suppression function is not validated unless a holding-over operation of the electronic key is performed, the validity / invalidity of the quick acceleration-time acceleration suppression function can be properly set according to the type of the electronic key 14 possessed by a driver.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle control device that suppresses acceleration of a vehicle when an accelerator pedal is suddenly operated. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, when a vehicle control device determines that the accelerator pedal has been pressed quickly and strongly while the vehicle is stopped or traveling at a low speed (forward or backward), due to pedal misapplication or other reasons, the vehicle control device has a function to suppress the driving force (e.g., engine output) of the vehicle's driving source (hereinafter referred to as the "acceleration suppression function during sudden acceleration"). The sudden acceleration suppression function first transitions to a state in which first acceleration suppression control is performed when the accelerator pedal is pressed quickly and strongly while the vehicle is stopped or traveling at a low speed (forward or backward), and suppresses the driving force to a level equivalent to a fully closed throttle during the first acceleration suppression control, thereby preventing sudden acceleration of the vehicle. Next, if the accelerator pedal is continued to be pressed for a certain period of time during the first acceleration suppression control, or if the accelerator pedal is pressed again quickly and strongly immediately after the first acceleration suppression control is activated, the vehicle transitions to a state in which second acceleration suppression control is performed, and suppresses the driving force of the driving source so that the vehicle gradually accelerates to a predetermined upper limit vehicle speed during the second acceleration suppression control. When accelerating up to a predetermined upper limit vehicle speed in the second acceleration suppression control, the required driving force of the driving source is derived through feedback control, and a guard value, which is an allowable upper limit of the amount of change in the derived required driving force, is set to achieve gradual acceleration. This reduces the possibility that a driver who intentionally depresses the accelerator pedal quickly and strongly in an attempt to accelerate the vehicle will feel a strong sense of discomfort because the vehicle does not accelerate (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-102951 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, some vehicles equipped with an acceleration suppression function are provided with a dedicated key for activating the acceleration suppression function, and the acceleration suppression function is activated only when the vehicle is driven by a person who has the dedicated key. In this case, for example, when the driver's door is unlocked, a key verification is performed, and the acceleration suppression function is activated if the verification result identifies the dedicated key. In such a case, for example, if a person with a dedicated key unlocks the driver's door and then a person with a normal key that disables the acceleration suppression function sits in the driver's seat and drives, the acceleration suppression function will be activated, and there is a possibility that the type of key will not match the activation state of the acceleration suppression function.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to appropriately enable / disable the acceleration suppression function depending on the type of key possessed by the driver. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the vehicle control device of the present invention is a vehicle control device that suppresses acceleration of the vehicle so that the vehicle speed of the vehicle falls within a predetermined upper limit vehicle speed, and includes: a short-range wireless communication means whose communication area with a mobile terminal device is limited to a specific area within the vehicle cabin; and a decision means that decides whether to enable or disable an acceleration suppression function based on a collation result with the mobile terminal device using the short-range wireless communication means; a general wireless communication means for setting a communication area with the portable terminal device to a predetermined area within the vehicle cabin that is wider than the specific area; and a drive source start control means for controlling the start of a drive source of the vehicle. The mobile terminal device is provided with an acceleration restraint The information includes information that can identify whether the function corresponds to enabling or disabling the function, and when the mobile terminal device is in the specific area, the short-range wireless communication means performs a check with the mobile terminal device, and when the mobile terminal device has entered the specific area and the check is performed and the mobile terminal device is found to be a device that enables the acceleration suppression function, the decision means decides to enable the acceleration suppression function. When the mobile terminal device is in the predetermined area, the general wireless communication means performs a check with the mobile terminal device, and when the check is not performed by the short-range wireless communication means but the check is performed by the general wireless communication means and the mobile terminal device has an acceleration suppression function enabled, the drive source start control means prohibits the start of the drive source even if a start operation of the drive source is performed. It is characterized by the following. According to this configuration, the acceleration suppression function is not enabled unless the mobile terminal device is located in the specific area. Therefore, for example, by setting the specific area near the driver's seat, a discrepancy is unlikely to occur between information regarding the presence or absence of the acceleration suppression function possessed by the mobile terminal device carried by the driver and the presence or absence of the acceleration suppression function actually applied to the vehicle. Furthermore, since the special action of bringing the mobile terminal device into the specific area is required to enable the acceleration suppression function, the acceleration suppression function can be prevented from being enabled or disabled without the driver's consent, and the user's intention can be appropriately reflected. Furthermore, even if a drive source start operation is performed without verification via the short-range wireless communication means, the drive source start control means prohibits the start of the drive source. Therefore, a driver holding a mobile terminal device with an enabled acceleration suppression function can be prevented from starting the drive source with the acceleration suppression function disabled and erroneously starting the vehicle suddenly.

[0007] Also, a vehicle control device that suppresses the acceleration of the vehicle so that the vehicle speed is within a predetermined upper limit vehicle speed may be provided, the vehicle control device comprising: a short-range wireless communication means that performs short-range wireless communication with a portable terminal device when the portable terminal device is held over an engine start button for starting the vehicle's drive source; and a decision means that decides whether to enable or disable an acceleration suppression function based on the results of a comparison with the portable terminal device using the short-range wireless communication means, wherein the portable terminal device has information that can identify it as corresponding to either enabling or disabling the acceleration suppression function, and when the portable terminal device is in the specific area, a comparison with the portable terminal device is performed using the short-range wireless communication means, and the decision means may decide to enable the acceleration suppression function when the portable terminal device enters the specific area and the comparison results in the portable terminal device enabling the acceleration suppression function. According to this configuration, the acceleration suppression function is not enabled unless the mobile terminal device is in the specific area, and therefore, for example, by setting the specific area near the driver's seat, it is less likely that a discrepancy will occur between information regarding the presence or absence of the acceleration suppression function possessed by the mobile terminal device carried by the driver and the presence or absence of the acceleration suppression function actually applied to the vehicle. Furthermore, since enabling the acceleration suppression function requires the special action of bringing the mobile terminal device into the specific area, it is possible to prevent the acceleration suppression function from being enabled or disabled without permission, and it is possible to appropriately reflect the user's intention.

[0008] The vehicle may also include a general wireless communication means having a communication area with the portable terminal device set to a predetermined area wider than the specific area within the vehicle cabin, and a drive source start control means for controlling the start of the vehicle's drive source, and when the portable terminal device is in the predetermined area, the general wireless communication means performs a check with the portable terminal device, and the drive source start control means may prohibit the start of the drive source even if a start operation for the drive source is performed if the check is not performed using the short-range wireless communication means and the check using the general wireless communication means shows that the portable terminal device has an acceleration suppression function enabled.

[0009] According to this configuration, even if the drive source is started without verification being performed by the short-range wireless communication means, the drive source start control means will prohibit the drive source from starting, thereby preventing a driver holding a mobile terminal device with an enabled acceleration suppression function from accidentally starting the drive source while the acceleration suppression function is disabled and making a sudden start. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, the acceleration suppression function is not enabled unless the mobile terminal device is in the specific area, and therefore, by setting the specific area near the driver's seat, for example, a discrepancy is unlikely to occur between information regarding the presence or absence of the acceleration suppression function possessed by the mobile terminal device carried by the driver and the presence or absence of the acceleration suppression function actually applied to the vehicle. Furthermore, since enabling the acceleration suppression function requires the special action of bringing the mobile terminal device into the specific area, it is possible to prevent the acceleration suppression function from being enabled or disabled without permission, and it is possible to appropriately reflect the user's intention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle control device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram showing a flow of permission to activate a sudden acceleration suppression function according to the related art and a flow of permission to activate a sudden acceleration suppression function according to the present invention; [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram showing a conventional engine starting process and an engine starting process of the present invention; [Figure 4] 3 is a flowchart showing a process flow of an acceleration suppression control process during sudden acceleration, which is performed in the vehicle control device of FIG. 1. [Figure 5] 3 is a timing chart for explaining a specific example of the sudden accelerator acceleration suppression control process of FIG. 2. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0013] The configuration of a vehicle 1 equipped with a vehicle control device 5 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

[0014] The vehicle 1 is equipped with a vehicle control device 5 including a plurality of ECUs (Electronic Control Units), and as shown in Fig. 1, the vehicle control device 5 includes a stereo camera ECU 10, an EFI-ECU 20, a VSC-ECU 30, a body ECU 40, and a meter ECU 50. A bus 60 is also installed in the vehicle 1, and the ECUs 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 are each connected to the bus 60 and communicate with each other via a controller area network (CAN).

[0015] The body ECU 40 includes a CPU 41 that performs various controls and calculations, a memory 42 that stores various programs and data, and the like, and is an ECU for controlling the operation of on-board electrical equipment such as the doors and turn signals of the vehicle 1. In this embodiment, the CPU 41 of the body ECU 40 verifies whether key identification information received from an electronic key 14 (corresponding to the "portable terminal device" of the present invention) by an interior antenna 8 or a short-range communication antenna 9 inside the vehicle 1 matches pre-registered key identification information, and transmits the verification result (including sudden acceleration suppression function identification information, which will be described later) to the stereo camera ECU 10, the EFI-ECU 20, etc. The CPU 41 of the body ECU 40 receives signals received from the interior antenna 8 and the short-range communication antenna 9 as inputs.

[0016] To explain more specifically about the verification of the electronic key 14, the electronic key 14 used for locking / unlocking the doors of the vehicle 1 is given unique key identification information, and a weak radio wave is periodically transmitted from the antenna 8 inside the vehicle. Call When the electronic key 14 receives radio waves from the interior antenna 8, it transmits a response signal containing unique key identification information to the interior antenna 8. When the response signal is received by the interior antenna 8, the CPU 41 of the body ECU 40 compares the key identification information contained in the received response signal with pre-registered key identification information. If the comparison results in a match, the engine is generally permitted to start when the engine start button is operated.

[0017] In this embodiment, the electronic key 14 is provided with not only its unique key identification information but also information that indicates whether the sudden acceleration suppression function is enabled or disabled (sudden acceleration suppression function identification information), and the response signal also includes the sudden acceleration suppression function identification information. The CPU 41 of the body ECU 40 acquires the sudden acceleration suppression function identification information in addition to the key identification information during verification.

[0018] In this embodiment, when the electronic key 14 is held over the engine start button, a response signal including key identification information and sudden acceleration suppression function identification information is transmitted from the electronic key 14 to the short-range communication antenna 9. When the CPU 41 of the body ECU 40 receives a response signal from the short-range communication antenna 9, it also performs verification and transmits the verification result (including the sudden acceleration suppression function identification information) to the stereo camera ECU 10, the EFI-ECU 20, etc.

[0019] The short-range communication antenna 9 (corresponding to the "short-range wireless communication means" of the present invention) is, for example, a coil-shaped antenna disposed on the back side of the cover of the engine start button. The communication range of the short-range communication antenna 9 (corresponding to the "specific area" of the present invention) is set to a range (several mm to several cm) where communication is possible only when the antenna is held over the engine start button located inside the vehicle, and the antenna is used for short-range wireless communication. The electronic key 14 is equipped with a transponder coil, and when the electronic key 14 approaches the short-range communication antenna 9, power is supplied from the short-range communication antenna 9. This power drives the chip in the electronic key 14, causing the electronic key 14 to transmit a response signal to the short-range communication antenna 9.

[0020] The vehicle interior antenna 8 (corresponding to the "general wireless communication means" of the present invention) is an antenna that communicates with the electronic key 14, and is arranged in two locations, for example, inside the instrument panel and under the floor mat of the rear seat, and its communication area covers almost the entire area inside the vehicle interior (corresponding to the "predetermined area" of the present invention).

[0021] The meter ECU 50 is an ECU for controlling each part of a meter panel (not shown) of the vehicle 1. The meter panel is provided with indicators such as a liquid crystal display for displaying various information, as well as instruments for displaying vehicle speed and engine RPM. In this embodiment, the meter ECU 50 notifies the driver that the vehicle 1 is in a state where the sudden acceleration suppression function is supported by unlocking the doors using a dedicated key, and issues a warning against sudden accelerator pedal operation while the sudden acceleration suppression function is operating.

[0022] The VSC-ECU 30 is an ECU for performing control to prevent skidding of the vehicle 1. In this embodiment, the VSC-ECU 30 transmits, for example, the vehicle speed of the vehicle 1 detected by a vehicle speed sensor (not shown) connected to the VSC-ECU 30 to the stereo camera ECU 10, the EFI-ECU 20, etc.

[0023] The stereo camera ECU 10 has a CPU 11 that performs various controls and calculations, a memory 12 that stores various programs and data, and a communication unit (not shown) that communicates with other ECUs via a bus 60, and is an ECU that calculates the relative speed and inter-vehicle distance between the vehicle 1 and an obstacle (e.g., a preceding vehicle) based on images captured by the stereo camera.

[0024] In this embodiment, the CPU 11 (corresponding to the "determination means" of the present invention) of the stereo camera ECU 10 determines whether to enable or disable the sudden acceleration suppression function based on the result of matching the key identification information sent from the body ECU 40 (the result of matching using the short-range communication antenna 9).

[0025] Specifically, the CPU 11 of the stereo camera ECU 10 determines that the sudden acceleration suppression function is enabled when the ignition switch 15 is turned ON if the sudden acceleration suppression function identification information acquired from the electronic key 14 enables the sudden acceleration suppression function, provided that the key identification information of the held electronic key 14 matches the registered key identification information in the comparison result (wave comparison result) transmitted from the body ECU 40 using the short-range communication antenna 9. On the other hand, on the condition that the key identification information of the held electronic key 14 matches the registered key identification information, the CPU 11 of the stereo camera ECU 10 determines that the sudden acceleration suppression function is disabled when the ignition switch 15 is turned ON.

[0026] When the CPU 11 of the stereo camera ECU 10 determines to enable the sudden acceleration suppression function, it requests the meter ECU 50 to notify that the sudden acceleration suppression function is in a supported state. In response to this, the meter ECU 50 notifies that the sudden acceleration suppression function is in a supported state.

[0027] Here, the process of determining whether the sudden acceleration suppression function is enabled or disabled by the stereo camera ECU 10 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 2, in comparison with an example of a conventional determination process.

[0028] (Conventional process for determining whether to enable or disable the acceleration suppression function during sudden acceleration) In the past, when the driver's door was unlocked, the electronic key was verified by communicating with a communication antenna located near the driver's door mirror. The verification result included information identifying the sudden acceleration suppression function, and a determination was made as to whether the sudden acceleration suppression function was enabled. If the determination result indicated that the sudden acceleration suppression function was enabled, the sudden acceleration suppression function was then enabled when the ignition switch was turned on.

[0029] On the other hand, if the result of the judgment is to disable the sudden acceleration suppression function, the ignition switch is subsequently turned ON. Re If this is the case, it is determined that the sudden acceleration suppression function is disabled.

[0030] In other words, in the past, for example, the driver's side door was unlocked by a person who possessed an electronic key that enabled the sudden acceleration suppression function, but if the person actually driving the vehicle possessed an electronic key that disabled the sudden acceleration suppression function, the vehicle would be driven with the sudden acceleration suppression function enabled.

[0031] (Process for determining whether to enable / disable the acceleration suppression function during sudden acceleration of the present invention) In this embodiment, in order to activate the sudden acceleration suppression function, the electronic key 14 must be held over the engine start button before the ignition switch 15 is turned on.

[0032] When the electronic key 14 is held over the vehicle, the CPU 41 of the body ECU 40 compares the key identification information of the electronic key 14 acquired from the short-range communication antenna 9 with pre-registered key identification information and transmits the comparison result to the CPU 11 of the stereo camera ECU 10. At this time, the sudden acceleration suppression function identification information is also included in the comparison result and transmitted.

[0033] The CPU 11 of the stereo camera ECU 10 determines whether the sudden acceleration suppression function identification information is a sudden acceleration suppression function when the sudden acceleration suppression function is activated, on the condition that the received comparison result indicates that the key identification information of the electronic key 14 matches the registered key identification information. acceleration It is determined whether the suppression function is enabled.

[0034] The judgment result is sudden acceleration acceleration When the suppression function is enabled and the ignition switch 15 is turned on, the CPU 11 of the stereo camera ECU 10 detects that the suppression function is enabled and detects that the ignition switch 15 is turned on. accelerationDecide to enable the suppression feature.

[0035] On the other hand, the judgment result is acceleration When the suppression function is disabled and the ignition switch 15 is turned on, the CPU 11 of the stereo camera ECU 10 detects that the suppression function is disabled. acceleration As described above, in this embodiment, the determination of whether to enable or disable the sudden acceleration suppression function is made by a process different from the conventional process.

[0036] Furthermore, when the CPU 11 determines to enable the sudden acceleration suppression function, it periodically determines whether or not to permit activation of the sudden acceleration suppression function, and transmits the determination result to the EFI-ECU 20, for example. In determining whether to permit activation of the acceleration suppression function during sudden acceleration, the CPU 11 determines whether all of the following conditions are met (each of (1) to (5) will be referred to as the "conditions for permitting activation of the acceleration suppression function during sudden acceleration" as appropriate): (1) the shift position is a shift position other than P (parking: parked, engine started) and N (neutral: state in which power is not transmitted), and (2) the vehicle speed is 30 km / h or less, and (3) the brakes are not being applied or it has not been within two seconds since the brakes were turned off, and (4) the turn signals are not being applied or it has not been within two seconds since the turn signals were turned off, and (5) the road is not a steep uphill slope (the inclination angle of the uphill slope is not greater than a predetermined inclination angle). If any one of these conditions is not met, activation of the acceleration suppression function during sudden acceleration is prohibited, and if all of these conditions are met, activation of the acceleration suppression function during sudden acceleration is permitted. The CPU 11 transmits information permitting / prohibiting operation of the sudden acceleration suppression function based on the determination result of the sudden acceleration suppression operation permission determination to the EFI-ECU 20. In this embodiment, the shift positions other than P and N include D (drive: normal driving), S (sports: sporty driving, driving on slopes or in mountainous areas, etc.), and R (reverse: backward movement).

[0037] Furthermore, CPU 11 transmits accelerator operation determination thresholds (thresholds for accelerator pedal depression speed and accelerator pedal depression amount) that serve as criteria for determining whether the accelerator pedal has been suddenly depressed while the sudden acceleration acceleration suppression function is operating, and an upper limit vehicle speed while the sudden acceleration acceleration suppression function is operating, to EFI-ECU 20. The accelerator operation determination thresholds (thresholds for accelerator pedal depression speed and accelerator pedal depression amount) and the upper limit vehicle speed are predetermined depending on whether the vehicle is moving forward or backward; for example, the threshold for accelerator pedal depression speed is 400% / sec, the threshold for accelerator pedal depression amount is 90%, and the upper limit vehicle speed is 30 km / h.

[0038] Furthermore, when the CPU 11 receives information from the EFI-ECU 20 that the accelerator pedal has been suddenly depressed while the sudden acceleration suppression function is in operation, it requests the meter ECU 50 to issue a warning against sudden accelerator pedal operation while the sudden acceleration suppression function is in operation. In response to this, the meter ECU 50 issues a warning against sudden accelerator pedal operation while the sudden acceleration suppression function is in operation.

[0039] On the other hand, if the CPU 11 decides to disable the sudden acceleration suppression function, it does not make a sudden acceleration suppression activation permission determination, and for example, sends information prohibiting activation of the sudden acceleration suppression function to the EFI-ECU 20.

[0040] The EFI-ECU 20 (corresponding to the "drive source start control means" of the present invention) has a CPU 21 that performs various controls and various calculations, a memory 22 that stores various programs and various data, and a communication unit (not shown) that communicates with other ECUs via a bus 60, and is an ECU that controls the start of the engine based on the on-operation of the engine start switch (ignition switch 15), and controls the fuel injection amount, intake air amount, etc. of the drive unit (engine) 70 in order to calculate the unit driving force (engine output) of the drive unit (engine) 70 and output the calculated unit driving force (engine output).

[0041] In this embodiment, for example, when the stereo camera ECU 10 determines whether or not the sudden acceleration suppression function is permitted to operate, the CPU 21 of the EFI-ECU 20 enters a state in which the sudden acceleration suppression function can be operated.

[0042] When the sudden acceleration suppression function is enabled, CPU 21 determines whether the accelerator pedal is depressed quickly and strongly (whether the accelerator pedal is suddenly depressed). In this determination, CPU 21 determines whether the accelerator pedal depression speed exceeds the accelerator pedal depression speed threshold and whether the accelerator pedal depression amount exceeds the accelerator pedal depression amount threshold. If CPU 21 determines that the accelerator pedal depression speed exceeds the accelerator pedal depression speed threshold and that the accelerator pedal depression amount exceeds the accelerator pedal depression amount threshold, it determines that the accelerator pedal has been suddenly depressed; otherwise, it determines that the accelerator pedal has not been suddenly depressed.

[0043] When the CPU 21 determines that the accelerator pedal has been suddenly depressed, it transitions to a state in which the first acceleration suppression control is performed, and performs the first acceleration suppression control. In the first acceleration suppression control, the CPU 21 suppresses the unit driving force (driving force of the driving source) to a level equivalent to the throttle being fully closed. In the first acceleration suppression control, the vehicle 1 moves at a slow pace.

[0044] During the first acceleration suppression control, the CPU 21 determines whether the accelerator pedal is quickly and strongly depressed again (whether the accelerator pedal is suddenly depressed again) within a first predetermined time (e.g., 1.5 seconds) after the accelerator pedal is released, or whether the accelerator pedal has been depressed continuously for a second predetermined time (e.g., 5 seconds). The determination of accelerator pedal release is made based on whether the accelerator pedal depression amount has become equal to or less than a predetermined threshold (e.g., 10%), and if the accelerator pedal depression amount becomes equal to or less than the predetermined threshold, it is determined that the accelerator pedal has been released.

[0045] If the CPU 21 determines that the accelerator pedal is suddenly depressed again within a first predetermined time (e.g., 1.5 seconds) after the accelerator pedal is released, or that the accelerator pedal continues to be depressed for a second predetermined time, it assumes that the driver intends to accelerate, and transitions from a state in which first acceleration suppression control is being performed to a state in which second acceleration suppression control is being performed, thereby performing the second acceleration suppression control.

[0046] Here, the degree of acceleration suppression in the second acceleration suppression control (the degree of suppression of the unit driving force) is smaller than the degree of acceleration suppression in the first acceleration suppression control (the degree of suppression of the unit driving force), and in the second acceleration suppression control, the vehicle 1 is accelerated slowly up to an upper limit vehicle speed (for example, 30 km / h).

[0047] In this embodiment, the CPU 21 of the EFI-ECU 20 determines whether or not to start the engine (drive unit 70) when the ignition switch 15 is turned ON. At this time, different control is performed depending on whether or not verification by holding the hand over the vehicle was performed before the ignition switch 15 was turned ON. Hereinafter, the engine start process of the present invention will be described together with an example of a conventional engine start process with reference to FIG. 3.

[0048] (Traditional engine starting process) In the conventional engine start process without verification by hand-to-hand operation, when the ignition switch is turned on, verification is performed against the electronic key inside the vehicle after the ignition switch is turned on before engine start control is performed. Next, it is determined whether the sudden acceleration suppression function identification information included in the verification result enables the sudden acceleration suppression function.

[0049] However, whether the determination result is that the sudden acceleration suppression function is enabled or disabled, engine start control is performed based on the ON operation of the ignition switch. In other words, in the past, when the ignition switch was turned ON, if a pre-registered electronic key was present in the vehicle, the engine would start regardless of whether the key was compatible with enabling the sudden acceleration suppression function.

[0050] (Engine starting process of the present invention) In this embodiment, if the ignition switch 15 is turned on when no matching has been performed by holding the electronic key 14 over the vehicle interior before the ignition switch 15 is turned on, i.e., when the CPU 21 of the EFI-ECU 20 has not received the matching result of the electronic key 14 from the short-range communication antenna 9, the CPU 21 of the EFI-ECU 20 checks the electronic key 14 that is in the vehicle interior after the ignition switch 15 is turned on by the CPU 41 of the body ECU 40 before controlling the engine start, and sends the matching result to the CPU 21 of the EFI-ECU 20.

[0051] When the CPU 21 of the EFI-ECU 20 acquires the matching result, it determines whether the sudden acceleration suppression function identification information included in the matching result enables the sudden acceleration suppression function. If the determination result indicates that the sudden acceleration suppression function is enabled, the CPU 21 of the EFI-ECU 20 does not perform start control of the engine (drive unit 70) (prohibits engine start control) even if the ignition switch 15 has been turned ON. Hereinafter, the electronic key 14 to which the sudden acceleration suppression function identification information indicating that the sudden acceleration suppression function is enabled may also be referred to as the dedicated key 14.

[0052] If there are multiple electronic keys 14 in the vehicle when the ignition switch 15 is turned ON, the CPU 41 of the body ECU 40 verifies all of the electronic keys 14, and the verification results of all the electronic keys 14 are sent to the CPU 21 of the EFI-ECU 20. As a result, if there is even one dedicated key 14 when the ignition switch 15 is turned ON, the engine (drive unit 70) is not started.

[0053] On the other hand, if the determination result indicates that the sudden acceleration suppression function should be disabled, the CPU 21 of the EFI-ECU 20 performs engine start control based on the ON operation of the ignition switch 15 (permits engine start control).

[0054] That is, in this embodiment, the dedicated key 14 is configured so that the engine will not start even if the ignition switch 15 is operated unless the dedicated key 14 has been held over the vehicle in advance.

[0055] (Processing flow of acceleration suppression control process during sudden acceleration) The processing flow of the sudden acceleration suppression control processing performed by the CPU 21 of the EFI-ECU 20 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 4. The processing flow of the sudden acceleration suppression control processing in Fig. 4 is a processing flow that is performed when the dedicated key 14 (dedicated key for sudden acceleration acceleration suppression support) is held up, the CPU 11 of the stereo camera ECU 10 determines to enable the sudden acceleration acceleration suppression function, and the sudden acceleration acceleration suppression function is permitted to operate in the sudden acceleration acceleration suppression operation permission determination, causing the EFI-ECU 20 to enter an operating state of the sudden acceleration acceleration suppression function.

[0056] In the sudden acceleration suppression control process, the CPU 21 first determines whether the accelerator pedal has been depressed quickly and strongly (whether the accelerator pedal has been suddenly depressed) (step S1). If it is determined that the accelerator pedal has not been suddenly depressed (NO in step S1), the acceleration suppression control process of Fig. 4 is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the accelerator pedal has been suddenly depressed (YES in step S1), the process proceeds to step S2.

[0057] The CPU 21 transitions to a state in which the first acceleration suppression control is performed, and performs the first acceleration suppression control (step S2).

[0058] The CPU 21 determines whether the accelerator pedal is again quickly and strongly depressed (whether the accelerator pedal is suddenly depressed again) within a first predetermined time after the accelerator pedal is released, or whether the accelerator pedal has been depressed for a second predetermined time (step S3). If it is determined that the accelerator pedal has been suddenly depressed again within the first predetermined time after the accelerator pedal is released, or that the accelerator pedal has been depressed for the second predetermined time (YES in step S3), the process proceeds to step S4. On the other hand, if it is determined that the accelerator pedal has not been depressed for the second predetermined time, or that the accelerator pedal has not been suddenly depressed again within the first predetermined time after the accelerator pedal is released (NO in step S3), the first acceleration suppression control is terminated, and the sudden acceleration acceleration suppression control process of FIG. 4 is terminated.

[0059] If the answer to step S3 is YES, the CPU 21 transitions from a state in which the first acceleration suppression control is being performed to a state in which the second acceleration suppression control is being performed, and starts the second acceleration suppression control (step S4). The second acceleration suppression control has a lower degree of acceleration suppression than the first acceleration suppression control.

[0060] Next, CPU 21 determines whether the accelerator pedal has been released and the released state of the accelerator pedal has continued for a third predetermined time (e.g., 1.5 seconds) (step S8). If it is determined that the accelerator pedal has not been released and the released state of the accelerator pedal has not continued for the third predetermined time (NO in step S8), the second acceleration suppression control is continued until the third predetermined time has continued. On the other hand, if it is determined that the accelerator pedal has been released and the released state of the accelerator pedal has continued for the third predetermined time (YES in step S8), the second acceleration suppression control is terminated, and the acceleration suppression control processing of FIG. 4 is terminated.

[0061] (Specific example of acceleration suppression control processing during sudden acceleration) A specific example of the sudden acceleration suppression control process of Fig. 4 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a timing chart for explaining a specific example of the sudden acceleration suppression control process of Fig. 4.

[0062] In the specific example of the sudden acceleration suppression control process in Figure 5, when the electronic key 14 that corresponds to the sudden acceleration suppression function is waved and then the ignition switch 15 is turned ON to start the engine, the vehicle control device 5 enters a support state for the sudden acceleration suppression function.

[0063] By time T1, the shift position changes from P or N to D or S, and the stop lamp switch changes from ON to OFF.

[0064] The CPU 11 of the stereo camera ECU 10 performs a sudden acceleration suppression activation permission determination. At time T1, the CPU 11 determines that all of the sudden acceleration suppression activation permission conditions are satisfied, and changes the activation of the sudden acceleration suppression function from prohibited to permitted.

[0065] The driver depresses the accelerator pedal, and the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal increases. As the driver increases the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal, the unit driving force increases, and the vehicle speed also increases.

[0066] The CPU 21 of the EFI-ECU 20 determines whether the accelerator pedal has been depressed quickly and strongly (whether the accelerator pedal has been suddenly depressed). At time T2, the CPU 21 determines that the accelerator pedal has been suddenly depressed. Upon determining that the accelerator pedal has been suddenly depressed, the CPU 21 transitions to a state in which first acceleration suppression control is performed (the first acceleration suppression control changes from not being active to being active), and performs the first acceleration suppression control. The first acceleration suppression control of the CPU 21 suppresses the unit driving force to approximately zero. Furthermore, by suppressing the unit driving force to approximately zero, the vehicle speed decreases.

[0067] The CPU 21 determines whether the accelerator pedal is again quickly and strongly depressed within a first predetermined time after the accelerator pedal is released (whether the accelerator pedal is suddenly depressed again), or whether the accelerator pedal has been depressed for a second predetermined time. At time T3, the CPU 21 determines that the accelerator pedal has been depressed for the second predetermined time, and transitions from a state in which the first acceleration suppression control is being performed to a state in which the second acceleration suppression control is being performed (the first acceleration suppression control changes from active to inactive, and the second acceleration suppression control changes from inactive to active), and performs the second acceleration suppression control.

[0068] Next, CPU 21 determines whether the accelerator pedal is released and the released state of the accelerator pedal continues for a third predetermined time. At time T4, CPU 21 determines that the accelerator pedal has been released for the third predetermined time and ends the second acceleration suppression control (changing the second acceleration suppression control from active to inactive). As a result, from time T4 onwards, depression of the accelerator pedal will cause the vehicle speed to exceed the upper limit of the sudden acceleration suppression function.

[0069] Therefore, according to the above-described embodiment, to enable the sudden acceleration suppression function, a “tap operation” is required in which the electronic key 14 is held over the ignition switch 15 to verify the function before turning on the ignition switch 15. In other words, because the ignition switch 15 is located on the driver's seat side, the sudden acceleration suppression function is not enabled unless the driver holds the dedicated key 14, performs a tap operation, and then turns on the ignition switch 15. Therefore, unlike the conventional process in which the dedicated key 14 is determined when the driver's door is unlocked, a mismatch between the type of electronic key 14 held by the driver and the enable / disable status of the sudden acceleration suppression function actually applied to the vehicle 1 is unlikely to occur, due to the difference between the person who unlocked the door and the person who actually drives the vehicle 1. Furthermore, because the special operation of holding the electronic key 14 is required to enable the sudden acceleration suppression function, the sudden acceleration suppression function can be prevented from being enabled or disabled without the driver's consent, and the user's intention can be appropriately reflected.

[0070] Furthermore, even if the ignition switch 15 is turned on without prior verification by holding the key over the driver's hand, the engine (drive unit 70) start control is prohibited, which prevents a driver carrying the dedicated key 14 from accidentally starting the engine (drive unit 70) and suddenly starting the vehicle while the sudden acceleration suppression function is disabled.

[0071] In addition, various design modifications can be made to the above-described configuration within the scope of the claims.

[0072] For example, in the above embodiment, an engine vehicle has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be applied to, for example, a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle.

[0073] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a pedal-type accelerator is used as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be, for example, a grip-type accelerator.

[0074] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the electronic key 14 is provided with sudden acceleration suppression function identification information that either enables or disables the sudden acceleration suppression function. For example, if the sudden acceleration suppression function is to be enabled, information indicating this (sudden acceleration suppression function information) is provided, but if it is to be disabled, the sudden acceleration suppression function information is not provided, and the sudden acceleration suppression function may be enabled if the sudden acceleration suppression function information is included as a result of matching with the electronic key 14.

[0075] In the above embodiment, the key identification information is verified by the body ECU 40. However, the key identification information acquired by the body ECU 40 may be transmitted to another ECU, such as the stereo camera ECU 10 or the EFI-ECU 20, and the key identification information may be verified by the other ECU.

[0076] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the decision as to whether to enable the sudden acceleration suppression function is made by the stereo camera ECU 10, but the decision may be made by another ECU such as the body ECU 40 or the EFI-ECU 20.

[0077] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, in the first acceleration suppression control and the second acceleration suppression control in the sudden acceleration suppression function, the target for acceleration suppression is described as the unit driving force (engine output), but this is not limited to this. For example, the target for acceleration suppression may be the braking force, and when the degree of acceleration suppression is increased, the braking force may be increased.

[0078] The present invention is widely applicable to vehicle control devices that suppress acceleration of the vehicle when the accelerator pedal is suddenly operated. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 1: Vehicle 5: Vehicle control device 8: Vehicle interior antenna (general wireless communication method) 9: Short-range communication antenna (short-range wireless communication means) 10: Stereo camera ECU (determination means) 20: EFI-ECU (drive source start control means)

Claims

1. A vehicle control device that suppresses acceleration of a vehicle so that the vehicle speed of the vehicle falls within a predetermined upper limit vehicle speed, a short-distance wireless communication means whose communication area with the mobile terminal device is limited to a specific area within the vehicle interior; a determination means for determining whether to enable or disable an acceleration suppression function based on a result of collation with the mobile terminal device using the short-range wireless communication means; a general wireless communication means having a communication area with the mobile terminal device set to a predetermined area within the vehicle cabin that is wider than the specific area; a drive source start control means for controlling the start of a drive source of the vehicle; Equipped with the mobile terminal device has information that can identify whether the mobile terminal device corresponds to either enabling or disabling the acceleration suppression function, When the mobile terminal device is in the specific area, the short-distance wireless communication means performs a check with the mobile terminal device; the determination means determines to enable the acceleration suppression function when the mobile terminal device enters the specific area and a result of the verification indicates that the mobile terminal device is a device that enables an acceleration suppression function, When the mobile terminal device is in the predetermined area, the general wireless communication means performs a check with the mobile terminal device; When verification is not performed by the short-range wireless communication means but is performed by the general wireless communication means, and the result shows that the mobile terminal device has an acceleration suppression function enabled, the drive source start control means prohibits the start of the drive source even if a start operation of the drive source is performed. A vehicle control device comprising:

2. A vehicle control device that suppresses acceleration of a vehicle so that the vehicle speed of the vehicle falls within a predetermined upper limit vehicle speed, a short-distance wireless communication means for performing short-distance wireless communication with a mobile terminal device when the mobile terminal device is held over an engine start button for starting a drive source of a vehicle; a determination means for determining whether to enable or disable an acceleration suppression function based on a result of collation with the mobile terminal device using the short-range wireless communication means; Equipped with the mobile terminal device has information that can identify whether the mobile terminal device corresponds to either enabling or disabling the acceleration suppression function, When the mobile terminal device is in the specific area, the short-distance wireless communication means performs a check with the mobile terminal device; The determination means determines to enable the acceleration suppression function when the mobile terminal device enters the specific area and the result of the verification indicates that the mobile terminal device is configured to enable the acceleration suppression function. A vehicle control device comprising:

3. A general wireless communication means in which a communication area with the mobile terminal device is set to a predetermined area wider than the specific area in the vehicle interior; a drive source start control means for controlling the start of a drive source of the vehicle, When the mobile terminal device is in the predetermined area, the general wireless communication means performs a check with the mobile terminal device; The vehicle control device according to claim 2, characterized in that, if verification is not performed using the short-range wireless communication means but is performed using the general wireless communication means, and the result is that the mobile terminal device has an acceleration suppression function enabled, the drive source start control means prohibits the start of the drive source even if a start operation of the drive source is performed.

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