Vehicle brake control device

Abstract

This vehicle brake control device comprises: a first brake operating element for operating a first brake that brakes a first wheel; a second brake operating element for operating a second brake that brakes a second wheel; a first detecting device for detecting a first operating amount that varies in accordance with the operation of the first brake operating element; an external environment information acquiring device for acquiring external environment information relating to the periphery of a vehicle; and a control unit. The control unit is capable of executing braking force control for controlling a braking force of the second brake on the basis of the first operating amount if the first operating amount is equal to or greater than a first threshold, and automatic deceleration control for causing the vehicle to decelerate on the basis of a requested deceleration of the vehicle, set on the basis of the external environment information, and a vehicle deceleration obtained by detection or calculation. The control unit executes the automatic deceleration control (S51) on the condition that the braking force control is not being executed (S42: No).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a brake control device for a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a known vehicle brake control device performs automatic deceleration control to automatically decelerate the vehicle based on the distance from the motorcycle to an obstacle ahead (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).Also known conventional vehicle brake control device is one that includes a hydraulic front wheel brake, a mechanical rear wheel brake, and a rear wheel brake lever for operating the rear wheel brake, and performs braking force control to control the braking force of the front wheel brake based on the amount of operation of the rear wheel brake lever (see Patent Documents 3 and 4). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6817417 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6850863 [Patent Document 3] International Publication No. 2020 / 026678 [Patent Document 4] International Publication No. 2022 / 025095 Summary of the Invention

[0004] However, if a vehicle brake control device capable of executing the above-mentioned braking force control is given the above-mentioned automatic deceleration control function, if braking force control and automatic deceleration control are performed simultaneously, there is a risk that the automatic deceleration control will be affected by the braking force control.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to appropriately decelerate a vehicle by automatic deceleration control that is not affected by braking force control.

[0006] In order to solve the problem, the vehicle brake control device of the present invention comprises a first brake operator for operating a first brake that brakes a first wheel, a second brake operator for operating a second brake that brakes a second wheel, a first detection device that detects a first operation amount that varies due to operation of the first brake operator, an external environment information acquisition device that acquires external environment information around the vehicle, and a control unit. The control unit is capable of performing braking force control that controls the braking force of the second brake based on the first operating amount when the first operating amount is equal to or greater than a first threshold value, and automatic deceleration control that decelerates the vehicle based on the required deceleration of the vehicle set based on external information and the vehicle deceleration obtained by detection or calculation. The control unit executes the automatic deceleration control on the condition that the braking force control is not being executed.

[0007] According to this configuration, automatic deceleration control is executed when braking force control is not executed, so that the vehicle can be decelerated appropriately by automatic deceleration control that is not affected by braking force control.

[0008] The control unit may further determine whether or not the second brake operator is being operated, and may execute automatic deceleration control if it determines that the second brake operator is not being operated.

[0009] According to this configuration, in addition to when braking force control is not being executed, it is further determined whether or not the second brake operator is being operated, and if it is determined that no operation is being performed, automatic deceleration control is executed, so that the vehicle can be appropriately decelerated by automatic deceleration control that is not affected by the operation of the second brake operator or braking force control.

[0010] The control unit may also calculate the vehicle deceleration based on the wheel speed.

[0011] According to this configuration, the vehicle deceleration can be calculated from the wheel speed detected by a wheel speed sensor, a GPS (Global Positioning System), or the like.

[0012] The control unit may also calculate the distance between the vehicle and an obstacle in front of the vehicle and the relative speed, which is the speed of the vehicle relative to the obstacle, based on external environment information, and perform automatic deceleration control on the condition that a first condition is satisfied: the distance is less than or equal to a first distance threshold and the absolute value of the relative speed is greater than or equal to a first speed threshold.

[0013] According to this configuration, automatic deceleration control can be appropriately performed based on the distance and the relative speed.

[0014] In addition, the vehicle brake control device may further include an alarm device for issuing an alarm to prompt the driver to take an action to slow down the vehicle, and the control unit may issue an alarm by the alarm device on the condition that a second condition is satisfied, that is, the distance is equal to or less than a second distance threshold greater than the first distance threshold, and the absolute value of the relative speed is equal to or greater than a second speed threshold.

[0015] According to this configuration, the driver is notified and automatic deceleration control is performed in stages, so that the driver and the vehicle brake control device can decelerate and stop the vehicle comfortably and safely.

[0016] Furthermore, when the first condition is satisfied, the control unit may output a request to decelerate the vehicle to a drive source for driving the vehicle before executing the automatic deceleration control.

[0017] According to this configuration, when the first condition is satisfied, the drive source decelerates the vehicle before the automatic deceleration control is executed, which makes it easier to decelerate the vehicle quickly.

[0018] In addition, the vehicle brake control device may further include a vehicle state detection device that measures the state of the vehicle including the vehicle posture, and the control unit may limit the deceleration of the vehicle during automatic deceleration control based on the state of the vehicle detected by the vehicle state detection device.

[0019] According to this configuration, when the vehicle state detected by the vehicle state detection device is unstable, such as when the rear lift is imminent, the control unit limits the deceleration of the vehicle during automatic deceleration control, thereby preventing the vehicle from becoming unstable.

[0020] The alarm device may also display the distance and emit a warning light.

[0021] The first brake may be a mechanical brake that is mechanically connected to the first brake operator, and the second brake may be a hydraulic brake that generates braking force by hydraulic pressure.

[0022] According to this configuration, since the first brake is a mechanical brake, the number of parts in the vehicle brake control device can be reduced and it can be made smaller than, for example, a structure in which both the first brake and the second brake are hydraulic brakes. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a handlebar-type vehicle equipped with a vehicle brake control device according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of a control unit. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart showing a warning flag setting process. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing an automatic brake flag setting process. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing an output adjustment process. [Figure 6] 10 is a map showing the relationship between vehicle speed, a first distance threshold, and a second distance threshold. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. As shown in FIG. 1, a motorcycle MC, which is a bar handle type vehicle, is equipped with a rear wheel WR as an example of a first wheel, a front wheel WF as an example of a second wheel, an engine ENG, a transmission TM, and a vehicle brake control device C.

[0025] The engine ENG is a drive source for propelling the motorcycle MC. The engine ENG is connected to the rear wheel WR via the transmission TM. That is, in the motorcycle MC of this embodiment, the rear wheel WR is a drive wheel and the front wheel WF is a driven wheel. The engine ENG is provided with a throttle sensor 54 that detects the opening of a throttle valve of the engine ENG. The opening of the throttle valve increases as the amount of operation of the accelerator AC increases. The transmission TM is a mechanism that changes the speed and transmits the drive force of the engine ENG to the rear wheel WR, and a speed detection sensor 52 is provided near the output shaft of the transmission TM.

[0026] The speed detection sensor 52 is a sensor (so-called speedometer sensor) that detects the wheel speed of the rear wheels WR, and detects the wheel speed corresponding to the speed displayed on a speedometer (not shown). The speed detection sensor 52 has a different detection method from the wheel speed sensor 51 that detects the wheel speed of the front wheels WF. The wheel speed sensor 51 is a sensor that generates a pulse wave in response to the rotation of the wheels.

[0027] The vehicle brake control device C includes a brake system BF for the front wheels WF, a brake system BR for the rear wheels WR, an angle sensor 53 as an example of a first detection device, a camera 55 as an example of an external information acquisition device, an HMI 56 as an example of an alarm device, an IMU 57 as an example of a vehicle state detection device, and a control unit 100.

[0028] The brake system BF is mainly composed of a front brake lever LF as an example of a second brake operator, a master cylinder MF, a hydraulic unit 10, a front brake 20F as an example of a second brake, a pipe 30 connecting the master cylinder MF and the input port 11a of the hydraulic unit 10, and a pipe 40 connecting the output port 11b of the hydraulic unit 10 and the front brake 20F.

[0029] The front brake lever LF is an operating lever for operating the front brake 20F, and is located on the right side of the handlebar of the motorcycle MC so that it can be operated with the right hand of the rider. The front brake lever LF is connected to the front brake 20F via the master cylinder MF, piping 30, hydraulic unit 10, and piping 40. The master cylinder MF is a device that outputs hydraulic pressure according to the amount of operation of the front brake lever LF.

[0030] The front brake 20F is a brake that brakes the front wheels WF. The front brake 20F is a hydraulic brake that generates braking force by hydraulic pressure. The front brake 20F mainly includes a brake rotor 21, brake pads (not shown), and a wheel cylinder 23 that generates braking force by pressing the brake pads against the brake rotor 21 using hydraulic pressure output from a master cylinder MF.

[0031] The hydraulic unit 10 is a unit that applies hydraulic pressure to the front brake 20F to generate braking force of the front brake 20F. The hydraulic unit 10 is configured by arranging various electromagnetic valves and the like in a pump body 11, which is a base body having an oil passage (hydraulic pressure passage) through which brake fluid flows. Under normal circumstances, an oil passage is connected from the input port 11a to the output port 11b of the pump body 11, so that the hydraulic pressure output from the master cylinder MF is transmitted to the front brake 20F.

[0032] A pressure regulating valve 7 is provided on the hydraulic pressure path connecting the input port 11a and the output port 11b, and changes the hydraulic pressure applied to the front brake 20F in accordance with the value of the command current output from the control unit 100. The pressure regulating valve 7 is a normally open proportional solenoid valve that is capable of adjusting the difference in hydraulic pressure upstream and downstream thereof in accordance with the value of the command current. More specifically, the pressure regulating valve 7 is configured so that the greater the magnitude of the command current, the greater the difference in hydraulic pressure upstream and downstream of the pressure regulating valve 7. A check valve 7a is provided in parallel with the pressure regulating valve 7, and allows flow only toward the output port 11b.

[0033] Inlet valve 1, which is a normally open solenoid valve, is disposed on the hydraulic path between pressure regulating valve 7 and output port 11b. A check valve 1a that allows flow only to the pressure regulating valve 7 side is provided in parallel with inlet valve 1.

[0034] A return hydraulic line 19B is provided from the hydraulic line between the output port 11b and the inlet valve 1 to the hydraulic line between the pressure regulating valve 7 and the inlet valve 1 via an outlet valve 2 made of a normally closed solenoid valve.

[0035] Arranged on this return hydraulic line 19B, in this order from the outlet valve 2 side, are a reservoir 3 that temporarily absorbs excess brake fluid, a check valve 3a, a pump 4, and an orifice 4a. The check valve 3a is positioned so as to allow flow only toward the hydraulic line between the pressure regulating valve 7 and the inlet valve 1. The pump 4 is driven by a motor 6 and is provided to generate pressure toward the hydraulic line between the pressure regulating valve 7 and the inlet valve 1. The orifice 4a damps pressure pulsations of the brake fluid discharged from the pump 4 and pulsations generated by the operation of the pressure regulating valve 7.

[0036] An intake hydraulic pressure line 19C connects an intake hydraulic pressure line 19A connecting the input port 11a and the pressure regulating valve 7 to a portion of the return hydraulic pressure line 19B between the check valve 3a and the pump 4. A mechanical intake valve 8 is disposed in the intake hydraulic pressure line 19C.

[0037] Intake valve 8 switches intake hydraulic pressure line 19C between an open state and a closed state. Intake valve 8 is normally closed and is configured to open depending on the difference between the hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic fluid on the master cylinder MF side and the hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic fluid on the intake port side of pump 4, which becomes negative pressure when pump 4 is activated.

[0038] In the hydraulic unit 10 configured as described above, under normal conditions, the solenoid valves are not energized, and brake fluid pressure introduced from the input port 11a is output to the output port 11b through the pressure regulator valve 7 and the inlet valve 1, and is directly applied to the front brakes 20F. When excessive brake fluid pressure in the front brakes 20F needs to be reduced, such as when performing antilock brake control, the inlet valve 1 is closed and the outlet valve 2 is opened to allow brake fluid to flow through the return fluid pressure line 19B to the reservoir 3, thereby draining the brake fluid from the front brakes 20F. When the front brakes 20F are pressurized by the pump 4, the motor 6 is driven to open the suction valve 8, and the pressure of the pump 4 actively supplies brake fluid to the front brakes 20F. Furthermore, the degree of pressurization of the front brakes 20F can be adjusted by adjusting the current flowing through the pressure regulator valve 7.

[0039] The brake system BR is mainly composed of a rear brake lever LR as an example of a first brake operator, an angle sensor 53, a rear brake 20R as an example of a first brake, and a wire W connecting the rear brake lever LR and the rear brake 20R.

[0040] The rear brake lever LR is an operating lever for operating the rear brake 20R, and is located on the left side of the handlebar of the motorcycle MC so that it can be operated with the rider's left hand. The rear brake lever LR is mechanically connected to the rear brake 20R via a wire W.

[0041] The angle sensor 53 is a sensor for detecting the operation angle of the rear brake lever LR, which is an example of a first operation amount. The operation angle of the rear brake lever LR varies depending on the operation of the rear brake lever LR.

[0042] The second angle sensor 58 is a sensor for detecting the operation angle of the front brake lever LF as an example of a second operation amount. The operation angle of the front brake lever LF varies depending on the operation of the front brake lever LF. By detecting the variation in the operation angle of the front brake lever LF, it is possible to determine whether the front brake lever LF is being operated.

[0043] The rear brake 20R is a brake that applies brakes to the rear wheel WR, and is a mechanical brake that is activated when the force generated when the rear brake lever LR is gripped is transmitted via a wire W. The rear brake 20R cannot be operated with the front brake lever LF. The rear brake 20R is, for example, a drum brake, and has a drum 25 and a brake shoe and return spring (not shown).

[0044] The drum 25 is rotatable integrally with the rear wheel WR. The brake shoe is rotatable between a contact position where it contacts the inner circumferential surface of the drum 25 and a spaced position where it is separated from the inner circumferential surface of the drum 25. A return spring biases the brake shoe from the contact position toward the spaced position. When the rider grips the rear brake lever LR, the wire W is pulled by the rear brake lever LR, causing the brake shoe to rotate from the spaced position toward the contact position against the biasing force of the return spring.

[0045] The camera 55 is a device that acquires external environment information around the motorcycle MC. The camera 55 captures an image in front of the motorcycle MC and outputs the captured image information to the control unit 100 as external environment information.

[0046] The HMI 56 is a "Human Machine Interface" that notifies the driver to slow down the motorcycle MC. The HMI 56 includes a monitor that can display the distance from the motorcycle MC to an obstacle ahead of the motorcycle MC, and a lamp that can emit a warning light.

[0047] The IMU 57 is an "Inertial Measurement Unit" that measures the state of the motorcycle MC, including the attitude of the motorcycle MC. The IMU 57 is equipped with an acceleration sensor that detects translational motion and an angular velocity sensor that detects rotational motion in order to detect three-dimensional inertial motion (translational motion and rotational motion in three axial directions). The IMU 57 outputs the detected information to the control unit 100.

[0048] The control unit 100 is configured to include, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), input / output circuits, etc. The control unit 100 controls the hydraulic unit 10 by performing various arithmetic processing based on inputs from the wheel speed sensors 51, the speed detection sensors 52, the angle sensor 53, the throttle sensor 54, the camera 55, and the IMU 57, as well as programs and data stored in the ROM.

[0049] The control unit 100 is capable of executing braking force control and automatic deceleration control. The braking force control is a control for controlling the braking force of the front brake 20F based on the operating angle θ of the rear brake lever LR when the operating angle θ is equal to or greater than a first threshold value θth.

[0050] Specifically, the control unit 100 executes braking force control by driving the motor 6 and controlling the pressure regulating valve 7. The control unit 100 calculates the value of the command current value to be output to the pressure regulating valve 7 based on the operation angle θ and the actual vehicle deceleration (hereinafter also referred to as "actual deceleration Dr"). Here, the actual deceleration Dr can be calculated based on the wheel speed acquired from the wheel speed sensor 51, for example. The control unit 100 increases the command current value as the operation angle θ increases, and increases the command current value as the magnitude of the actual deceleration Dr decreases.

[0051] The automatic deceleration control is a control for decelerating the motorcycle MC based on the requested deceleration Dc and the actual deceleration Dr of the motorcycle MC, which are set based on image information acquired from the camera 55. The control unit 100 executes the automatic deceleration control on the condition that braking force control is not being executed.

[0052] The control unit 100 also has a function of calculating a distance D between the motorcycle MC and an obstacle ahead of the motorcycle MC, and a relative speed VD, which is the speed of the motorcycle MC with respect to the obstacle, based on image information acquired from the camera 55. The control unit 100 executes automatic deceleration control on the condition that a first condition is satisfied, in which the distance D is equal to or smaller than a first distance threshold Dth1 and the absolute value of the relative speed VD is equal to or larger than a first speed threshold.

[0053] In this embodiment, the control unit 100 calculates the relative speed VD by subtracting the speed of the motorcycle MC from the speed of the obstacle ahead. Therefore, when the motorcycle MC approaches the obstacle ahead, the relative speed VD is calculated as a negative value. The control unit 100 determines whether the relative speed VD is equal to or less than a speed threshold VDth, which is a negative value, thereby determining whether the absolute value of the relative speed VD is equal to or greater than a first speed threshold (positive value).

[0054] The control unit 100 executes notification by the HMI 56 on condition that the distance D satisfies the second condition that the distance D is greater than the first distance threshold value Dth1 and less than or equal to the second distance threshold value Dth2, and the absolute value of the relative speed VD is greater than or equal to the second speed threshold value. In this embodiment, the first speed threshold value and the second speed threshold value are set to the same value. Therefore, the control unit 100 determines whether the relative speed VD is less than or equal to the speed threshold value VDth, and also determines whether the absolute value of the relative speed VD is greater than or equal to the second speed threshold value (positive value).

[0055] The control unit 100 has a function of setting the first distance threshold value Dth1 and the second distance threshold value Dth2 based on the vehicle body speed. The vehicle body speed can be calculated based on, for example, the wheel speed obtained from the wheel speed sensor 51.

[0056] Specifically, the control unit 100 stores the map shown in FIG. 6. This map shows the relationship between the vehicle body speed (V1, V2, V3. Note that V1 < V2 < V3.), the first distance threshold value Dth1, and the second distance threshold value Dth2. In this map, the magnitude relationship of the values D1, D2, D3 is D1 < D2 < D3, and the magnitude relationship of the values D4, D5, D6 is D4 < D5 < D6.

[0057] That is, the first distance threshold value Dth1 and the second distance threshold value Dth2 are set to larger values as the vehicle body speed increases. Also, at a predetermined vehicle body speed (for example, any one of V1, V2, V3), the second distance threshold value Dth2 is larger than the first distance threshold value Dth1. That is, D4 > D1, D5 > D2, D6 > D3.

[0058] The values D1 to D6 of this map are set based on TTC (Time To Collision). Here, TTC refers to the remaining time Tr until the collision when the motorcycle MC and the obstacle ahead maintain the current speed. The remaining time Tr is calculated from the following formula (1). Tr = D ÷ (Vs - Vf) ···(1) D: Distance between the obstacle in front of the motorcycle MC and the motorcycle MC Vs: Speed ​​of motorcycle MC Vf: Speed ​​of the obstacle ahead

[0059] Furthermore, when the first condition is satisfied, the control unit 100 has a function of outputting a request to the engine ENG to decelerate the motorcycle MC. For example, the control unit 100 outputs a request to a vehicle control unit (not shown) that controls the engine ENG to reduce the amount of fuel injection to the engine ENG (hereinafter also referred to as an "FI cut request"). For example, the control unit 100 outputs a request to the vehicle control unit to stop fuel injection, and the vehicle control unit performs control to reduce the opening of the throttle valve and stops fuel injection by the fuel injection device. When fuel injection is stopped, the vehicle is gently decelerated by engine braking.

[0060] The control unit 100 also has a function of limiting the deceleration of the motorcycle MC during automatic deceleration control, based on the state of the motorcycle MC detected by the IMU 57. Specifically, the control unit 100 sets a limit value Dlim for the deceleration of the motorcycle MC, based on the state of the motorcycle MC detected by the IMU 57. For example, the control unit 100 can determine whether or not the rear of the motorcycle MC is likely to lift, based on the state of the motorcycle MC detected by the IMU 57, and if it determines that the rear of the motorcycle MC is likely to lift, sets the limit value Dlim to a deceleration that will prevent the rear of the motorcycle MC from lifting.

[0061] Next, a detailed description will be given of the operation of the control unit 100. The control unit 100 constantly and repeatedly executes the process shown in FIG.

[0062] 2, the control unit 100 first executes a warning flag setting process (S1). After step S1, the control unit 100 executes an automatic brake flag setting process (S2).

[0063] After step S2, the control unit 100 executes a request calculation process for braking force control (S3). After step S3, the control unit 100 executes an output adjustment process (S4), and ends this process.

[0064] As shown in Fig. 3, in the warning flag setting process, the control unit 100 first sets a first distance threshold Dth1 and a second distance threshold Dth2 according to the vehicle speed using the map shown in Fig. 6 (S21). After step S21, the control unit 100 determines whether an object in front of the motorcycle MC is a control target of the automatic deceleration control based on image information acquired from the camera 55 (S22).

[0065] Specifically, for example, if the image acquired from camera 55 is an image of an uphill slope, the uphill slope is determined not to be a control object. Also, if the image acquired from camera 55 is of a car or the like, the car is determined to be a control object.

[0066] If it is determined in step S22 that the object captured by camera 55 is a control target (Yes), control unit 100 calculates distance D and relative speed VD based on the image information acquired from camera 55, and determines whether distance D is equal to or less than second distance threshold Dth2 and relative speed VD is equal to or less than speed threshold VDth (S23). If it is determined in step S23 that D≦Dth2 and VD≦VDth are true (Yes), control unit 100 turns on, i.e., sets, warning flag Low (S24).

[0067] After step S24, the control unit 100 displays the distance D on the monitor of the HMI 56 and blinks the lamp of the HMI 56 (S25). After step S25, the control unit 100 determines whether the distance D is equal to or less than the first distance threshold Dth1 and whether the relative speed VD is equal to or less than the speed threshold VDth (S26).

[0068] If it is determined in step S26 that D≦Dth1 and VD≦VDth are true (Yes), the control unit 100 turns on the warning flag High (S27) and ends this process. If it is determined in step S22 or step S23 that it is true, the control unit 100 turns off the warning flag Low and the warning flag High, i.e., lowers them, and stops the HMI 56 (S28), and ends this process. If it is determined in step S26 that it is true, the control unit 100 ends this process while maintaining the warning flag Low.

[0069] 4, in the automatic brake flag setting process, the control unit 100 first determines whether or not the vehicle body is in an upright state (S41) based on information from the IMU 57. If it is determined in step S41 that the vehicle body is in an upright state (Yes), the control unit 100 determines whether or not braking force control is being performed (S42).

[0070] If it is determined in step S42 that braking force control is not being performed (No), the control unit 100 determines whether the front brake lever LF is being operated (S43). The determination of whether the front brake lever LF is being operated can be made based on information from, for example, an angle sensor that detects the operating angle of the front brake lever LF or a hydraulic pressure sensor that detects the hydraulic pressure in the brake system BF.

[0071] If it is determined in step S43 that the front brake lever LF has not been operated (No), the control unit 100 determines whether or not the warning flag High is on (S44).If it is determined in step S44 that the warning flag High is on (Yes), the control unit 100 determines whether or not the operation amount of the accelerator AC is equal to or greater than a threshold value based on information from the throttle sensor 54 (S45).

[0072] Here, the threshold value of the operation amount of the accelerator AC is set to, for example, a value close to the maximum value of the operation amount of the accelerator AC.

[0073] If it is determined in step S45 that the operation amount of the accelerator AC is not equal to or greater than the threshold value (No), the control unit 100 determines whether the vehicle speed is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (S46). If it is determined in step S46 that the vehicle speed is equal to or greater than the predetermined value (Yes), the control unit 100 outputs an FI cut request to a vehicle control unit (not shown) to reduce the amount of fuel injected into the engine ENG (S47).

[0074] After step S47, the control unit 100 determines whether a certain time has elapsed since the FI cut request was output (S48). If it is determined in step S48 that the certain time has elapsed (Yes), the control unit 100 turns on an automatic braking flag for executing automatic deceleration control (hereinafter also referred to as "automatic braking") (S51) and ends this process. If it is determined in step S48 that the certain time has not elapsed (No), the control unit 100 does not turn on the automatic braking flag and ends this process.

[0075] If the determination in step S42 or step S43 is Yes, the control unit 100 determines whether automatic braking was performed last time (S49). If the determination in step S49 is Yes that automatic braking was performed last time, the control unit 100 proceeds to the processing of step S44 to enable continuation of automatic braking.

[0076] If the determination in step S46 is No, the control unit 100 determines whether automatic braking was performed last time (S50). If the determination in step S50 is that automatic braking was performed last time (Yes), the control unit 100 proceeds to the processing of step S47 to enable continuation of automatic braking.

[0077] If the determination in step S41 is No, that is, if the vehicle body is tilting while turning, the control unit 100 turns off the automatic brake flag (S53) and stops the FI cut request (S54), and ends this process. Similarly, if the determination in step S44, step S49, or step S50 is No, or if the determination in step S45 is Yes, the control unit 100 executes the processes of steps S53 and S54, and ends this process.

[0078] Although not shown in the drawings, in the braking force control request calculation process, the control unit 100 determines whether the operating angle θ of the rear brake lever LR obtained from the angle sensor 53 is equal to or greater than a first threshold value θth. If the control unit 100 determines that θ≧θth, it determines that braking force control is required.

[0079] 5, in the output adjustment process, the control unit 100 first determines whether the automatic braking flag is on (S71). If it is determined in step S71 that the automatic braking flag is on (Yes), the control unit 100 determines whether at least one of the front brake lever LF and the rear brake lever LR has been operated based on information from the rear angle sensor 53 and the front angle sensor (or hydraulic pressure sensor, etc.) (S72).

[0080] If it is determined in step S72 that at least one of the brake levers LF, LR has been operated (Yes), the control unit 100 calculates a temporary target deceleration Dt of the motorcycle MC during automatic braking using the following equation (2) (S73). Dt = Dc - Db - Dr (2) Dc: Deceleration requested by camera 55 Db: Required deceleration by braking Dr:Actual deceleration

[0081] Here, the required deceleration Dc by the camera 55 is set based on image information acquired from the camera 55. Specifically, the required deceleration Dc is a deceleration that can avoid a collision between the motorcycle MC and an obstacle ahead, and is set based on, for example, the vehicle speed, the relative speed VD, and the distance D.

[0082] Furthermore, the required deceleration Db due to the brake operation is set based on the operation amount of the front brake lever LF and the operation amount of the rear brake lever LR. Here, the required deceleration based on the operation amount of the rear brake lever LR is a deceleration corresponding to the braking force of the mechanical rear brake 20R, which increases in proportion to the operation angle θ, when the operation angle θ of the rear brake lever LR is less than the first threshold θth (when braking force control is not being executed). Furthermore, the required deceleration based on the operation amount of the rear brake lever LR is a deceleration corresponding to the braking force of the mechanical rear brake 20R and the hydraulic front brake 20F, which is increased in pressure during braking force control, when the operation angle θ of the rear brake lever LR is equal to or greater than the first threshold θth (when braking force control is being executed).

[0083] After step S73, the control unit 100 sets a limit value Dlim for deceleration based on information from the IMU 57, and determines a target deceleration DT for the motorcycle MC during automatic braking using the following equation (3) (S74). DT = MIN(Dt,Dlim) (3)

[0084] That is, in step S74, the control unit 100 sets the target deceleration DT to the smaller value (absolute value) of the temporary target deceleration Dt or the limit value Dlim.

[0085] After step S74, the control unit 100 controls the currents flowing to the motor 6 and the pressure regulating valve 7 based on the target deceleration DT (S75), and ends this process. Specifically, in step S75, the control unit 100 converts the target deceleration DT into a target hydraulic pressure for the front brake 20F, for example, and sets the current value to the motor 6 and the command current value to the pressure regulating valve 7 so that the hydraulic pressure of the front brake 20F becomes the target hydraulic pressure.

[0086] If it is determined in step S72 that no brake operation has been performed (No), the control unit 100 calculates a temporary target deceleration Dt of the motorcycle MC during automatic braking using the following equation (4) (S76). Dt = Dc - Dr (4) After step S76, the control unit 100 proceeds to the process of step S74.

[0087] If it is determined in step S71 that the automatic brake flag is not on (No), the control unit 100 determines whether or not there is a request for braking force control (S77). If it is determined in step S77 that there is a request for braking force control (Yes), the control unit 100 calculates a temporary target deceleration Dt of the motorcycle MC during braking force control using the following equation (5) (S78). Dt = Dbr - Dr (5) Dbr: Required deceleration by braking force control

[0088] Here, the required deceleration Dbr due to braking force control is the deceleration corresponding to the braking force of the mechanical rear brake 20R and the hydraulic front brake 20F whose pressure is increased in the braking force control.

[0089] After step S78, the control unit 100 proceeds to the process of step S74. If it is determined in step S77 that there is no request for braking force control (No), the control unit 100 skips the processes of steps S74 and S75 and ends this process.

[0090] As described above, according to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. Since automatic braking is performed (S51) on the condition that braking force control is not being performed (S42: No), the motorcycle MC can be appropriately decelerated by automatic braking that is not affected by braking force control.

[0091] In addition to when braking force control is not being executed, it is further determined whether or not the front brake lever LF is being operated, and when it is determined that no operation is being performed, automatic deceleration control is executed, so that the vehicle can be appropriately decelerated by automatic deceleration control that is not affected by operation of the front brake lever LF or braking force control.

[0092] Since the control unit 100 calculates the actual deceleration Dr based on the wheel speed, the actual deceleration Dr can be calculated from the wheel speed detected by the wheel speed sensor 51.

[0093] Based on image information from camera 55, control unit 100 calculates distance D between the motorcycle MC and an obstacle ahead of the motorcycle MC, and relative speed VD, which is the speed of the motorcycle MC relative to the obstacle, so that automatic braking can be performed appropriately based on distance D and relative speed VD.

[0094] Since the driver is notified and the automatic brake is applied in stages, the driver and the vehicle brake control device C can decelerate and stop the motorcycle MC comfortably and safely.

[0095] When the first condition is satisfied, the engine ENG decelerates the motorcycle MC before the automatic brake is executed, which makes it easier to decelerate the motorcycle MC quickly.

[0096] When the state of the motorcycle MC detected by the IMU 57 is one in which the deceleration cannot be made too large, such as rear lift, the control unit 100 limits the deceleration of the motorcycle MC during automatic braking to the limit value Dlim, thereby suppressing rear lift, etc. of the motorcycle MC.

[0097] Because the rear brake 20R is a mechanical brake, the number of parts of the vehicle brake control device C can be reduced and the size can be reduced compared to a structure in which both the first brake and the second brake are hydraulic brakes, for example.

[0098] Even if the warning flag High is ON, if the amount of operation of the accelerator AC is above a threshold, it can be determined that the driver does not intend to decelerate, so by not executing automatic braking, the operation can be performed in accordance with the driver's intention.

[0099] By performing the processing of step S48, it is possible to unconditionally perform gradual deceleration by engine braking for a certain period of time before executing automatic braking, and then execute automatic braking. Also, if, during the certain period of time before executing automatic braking, the conditions of distance D or relative speed VD change and the warning flag High is turned off, or if there is an operation by the driver, or if there is a system error, it is possible to terminate the process without executing automatic braking.

[0100] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be used in various forms as exemplified below.

[0101] In the above embodiment, the first brake is a mechanical brake and the second brake is a hydraulic brake, but for example, both the first brake and the second brake may be hydraulic brakes. In this case, the vehicle brake control device may further include a second detection device that detects a second operation amount that varies depending on the operation of the second brake operator, and the control unit may control the braking force of the first brake based on the second operation amount when the second operation amount is equal to or greater than a second threshold.

[0102] According to this configuration, by operating either the first brake operator or the second brake operator, both the first brake and the second brake can be actuated.

[0103] The wheel speed may be detected by a GPS (Global Positioning System) or the like.

[0104] The operation amount may be any parameter that varies depending on the operation of the brake operator, and may be, for example, hydraulic pressure if hydraulic pressure varies depending on the operation of the brake operator. In this case, the detection device may be a sensor that detects hydraulic pressure.

[0105] The color of the warning light may be different when the warning flag Low is on and when the warning flag High is on. Specifically, for example, when the warning flag Low is on, the warning light may be yellow, and when the warning flag High is on, the warning light may be red.

[0106] The external information acquisition device may be a distance sensor capable of detecting the distance to an obstacle ahead of the vehicle.

[0107] The actual deceleration Dr may be detected by an acceleration sensor or the like.

[0108] The first speed threshold and the second speed threshold may be different values, or may be set according to the vehicle speed.

[0109] In the above embodiment, the operating angle θ of the rear brake lever LR is exemplified as the operating amount, but the operating amount may be, for example, a stroke amount detected by a stroke sensor that detects the stroke of an operating element such as a brake lever or a foot brake, or a distance detected by a distance sensor such as an infrared sensor that detects the distance between the operating element and a support member that movably supports the operating element.

[0110] The second brake is not limited to a hydraulic brake and may be, for example, an electromagnetic brake. The first brake is not limited to a mechanical brake and may be, for example, an electromagnetic brake or a hydraulic brake. Furthermore, the second brake may be a brake for the rear wheels, and the first brake may be a brake for the front wheels.

[0111] The vehicle provided with the first brake and the second brake is not limited to a motorcycle MC, but may be any vehicle. For example, the vehicle may be a bar handle vehicle operated with a bar handle. The bar handle vehicle may be, for example, a three-wheeled vehicle or a four-wheeled vehicle.

[0112] The brake operator is not limited to a lever, but may be, for example, a foot brake pedal.

[0113] The intake valve may be a normally closed solenoid valve.

[0114] The drive source may be a motor for driving the vehicle.

[0115] The elements described in the above-described embodiment and modified examples may be implemented in any combination.

Claims

1. a first brake operator for operating a first brake that brakes the first wheel; a second brake operator for operating a second brake that brakes a second wheel; a first detection device that detects a first operation amount that varies due to operation of the first brake operator; an external environment information acquisition device that acquires external environment information around the vehicle; a control unit, The control unit braking force control that controls the braking force of the second brake based on the first operation amount when the first operation amount is equal to or greater than a first threshold; automatic deceleration control for decelerating the vehicle based on a required deceleration of the vehicle set based on the external environment information and a vehicle deceleration obtained by detection or calculation; A vehicle brake control device, characterized in that the automatic deceleration control is executed on the condition that the braking force control is not being executed.

2. 2. The vehicle brake control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit further determines whether the second brake operator is operated, and when it determines that the second brake operator is not operated, executes the automatic deceleration control.

3. 2. The vehicle brake control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit calculates the vehicle deceleration based on wheel speeds.

4. The control unit calculating a distance between the vehicle and an obstacle ahead of the vehicle and a relative speed of the vehicle relative to the obstacle based on the external environment information; 2. The vehicle brake control device according to claim 1, wherein the automatic deceleration control is executed on the condition that a first condition is satisfied, that is, the distance is equal to or less than a first distance threshold and the absolute value of the relative velocity is equal to or greater than a first velocity threshold.

5. The vehicle speed control system further includes a notification device for notifying the driver to decelerate the vehicle. The control unit 5. The vehicle brake control device according to claim 4, wherein the notification device issues a notification when a second condition is satisfied: the distance is equal to or less than a second distance threshold greater than the first distance threshold, and the absolute value of the relative velocity is equal to or greater than a second velocity threshold.

6. 5. The vehicle brake control device according to claim 4, wherein, when the first condition is satisfied, the control unit outputs a request to a drive source for driving the vehicle to decelerate the vehicle before executing the automatic deceleration control.

7. a vehicle state detection device that measures the state of the vehicle including the attitude of the vehicle; 2. The vehicle brake control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit limits the deceleration of the vehicle in the automatic deceleration control based on the state of the vehicle detected by the vehicle state detection device.

8. 6. The vehicle brake control device according to claim 5, wherein the notification device displays the distance and emits a warning light.

9. the first brake is a mechanical brake mechanically connected to the first brake operator, 2. The vehicle brake control device according to claim 1, wherein the second brake is a hydraulic brake that generates braking force by hydraulic pressure.

Images