Vehicle control system

Abstract

To provide a vehicle control device that can more reliably suppress the start of a vehicle when an erroneous acceleration operation is performed during the actuation of a parking brake.SOLUTION: In a vehicle control device 1, a determination unit 28 determines whether the operation of an accelerator pedal is an erroneous operation on the basis of the opening / closing state of a door of a vehicle, the attachment state of a seat belt, and the operation state of the brake pedal when the accelerator pedal is operated during the actuation of an electric parking brake 22 of the vehicle, and a control unit 30 executes at least one of control of actuating a hydraulic brake 24 of the vehicle and control of suppressing the vehicle drive force when it is determined that the operation of the accelerator pedal is the erroneous operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0006] , , ,

[0005] , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle control device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which when a shift operation from a stop instruction position to a travel instruction position is performed and an accelerator operation is performed in a state where automatic operation is prohibited by operating an automatic operation prohibition switch, the parking brake is automatically released. In this technique, even in a state where automatic operation is prohibited, when the driver's intention to start is detected, the parking brake is released, so that the vehicle can be started according to the driver's intention to start.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When the driver accidentally performs an accelerator operation during the operation of the parking brake, it is desirable to suppress the start of the vehicle.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle control device that can more reliably suppress the start of a vehicle when an incorrect accelerator operation is performed during the operation of the parking brake.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, a vehicle control device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a determination unit that determines whether the operation of the accelerator pedal is erroneous when the accelerator pedal is operated while the electric parking brake of the vehicle is in operation, based on the open / closed state of the vehicle's doors, the fastened state of the seat belts, and the operating state of the brake pedal, and a control unit that, if it is determined that the operation of the accelerator pedal is erroneous, executes at least one of the control to activate the hydraulic brake of the vehicle and the control to suppress the vehicle driving force. The determination unit determines that if the accelerator pedal is operated while the electric parking brake is in operation, and the door is open, the seat belt is not fastened, and the brake pedal is not operated, then the operation of the accelerator pedal is an error. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, a vehicle control device can be provided that can more reliably suppress the vehicle from starting when an incorrect accelerator operation is performed while the parking brake is engaged. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This diagram schematically shows the configuration of the vehicle control device according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a timing diagram illustrating the operation of the vehicle control device. [Figure 3] This is another timing diagram illustrating the operation of the vehicle control device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a flowchart showing the processing of the ECU. [Figure 5] This is yet another timing diagram illustrating the operation of the vehicle control device in Figure 1. [Figure 6] Figure 1 is a flowchart showing another process of the ECU. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Figure 1 schematically shows the configuration of the vehicle control device 1 according to the embodiment. The vehicle control device 1 is mounted on a vehicle (not shown). The vehicle control device 1 includes a parking brake sensor 10, a seat belt sensor 12, a door sensor 14, a brake pedal sensor 16, an accelerator pedal sensor 18, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 20, an electric parking brake (EPB) 22, a hydraulic brake 24, and a drive unit 26. Hereinafter, the electric parking brake may also be referred to as EPB.

[0010] The electric parking brake 22 operates electrically to apply braking force to the vehicle's wheels for parking. When the EPB switch (not shown) located inside the passenger compartment is turned ON, the ECU 20 activates the electric parking brake 22. When the EPB switch is turned OFF, the ECU 20 releases the electric parking brake 22. Hereinafter, the state in which the electric parking brake 22 is activated will also be referred to as the locked state. The state in which the electric parking brake 22 is released will also be referred to as the released state. The electric parking brake 22 may be, for example, a motor-on-caliper type provided on the caliper of the vehicle's rear wheels, or it may be a wire-driven type.

[0011] The hydraulic brake 24 applies hydraulic braking force to each wheel of the vehicle. Although not shown in the diagram, the hydraulic brake 24 includes a caliper, a brake pedal, and a hydraulic actuator for each wheel. The hydraulic actuator adjusts the brake fluid pressure supplied to the wheel cylinder inside the caliper according to the amount the driver presses the brake pedal, and this hydraulic pressure acts on the wheel cylinder, pressing the brake pad against the disc. In this way, the hydraulic brake 24 generates hydraulic braking force.

[0012] The drive unit 26 outputs vehicle driving force to propel the vehicle. Vehicle driving force can also be called driving torque. The drive unit 26 includes, for example, at least one of an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. The drive unit 26 is capable of generating driving force in accordance with the amount the accelerator pedal is operated.

[0013] The parking brake sensor 10 detects the operating state of the electric parking brake 22 and outputs the detection result to the ECU 20.

[0014] The seat belt sensor 12 detects the attachment / detachment state of the seat belt in the driver's seat of the vehicle and outputs the detection result to the ECU 20.

[0015] The door sensor 14 detects the opening / closing state of the door in the driver's seat of the vehicle and outputs the detection result to the ECU 20.

[0016] The brake pedal sensor 16 detects the operating state of the brake pedal of the vehicle and outputs the detection result to the ECU 20.

[0017] The accelerator pedal sensor 18 detects the operating state of the accelerator pedal of the vehicle and outputs the detection result to the ECU 20.

[0018] The ECU 20 includes a determination unit 28 and a control unit 30. The configuration of the ECU 20 can be realized hardware-wise by the CPU, memory, and other LSIs of an arbitrary computer, and software-wise by a program loaded into the memory, etc. Here, however, functional blocks realized by their cooperation are depicted. Therefore, it is understood by those skilled in the art that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by only hardware, only software, or combinations thereof.

[0019] [[ID=Element ID=26]] The determination unit 28 acquires the detection results supplied from various sensors such as the parking brake sensor 10, determines whether the acquired detection results satisfy various conditions described later, and supplies the determination result to the control unit 30.

[0020] Based on the determination result supplied from the determination unit 28, the control unit 30 controls the electric parking brake 22, the hydraulic brake 24, and the drive device 26. The control unit 30 includes an electric parking brake control unit 32, a hydraulic brake control unit 34, and a driving force suppression unit 36.

[0021] The electric parking brake control unit 32 can operate or release the electric parking brake 22 by controlling the motor of the electric parking brake 22.

[0022] The hydraulic brake control unit 34 can control the hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic brake 24 by controlling the hydraulic actuator, and can operate or release the hydraulic brake 24.

[0023] The driving force suppression unit 36 can suppress the vehicle driving force generated by the driving device 26. When the control for suppressing the vehicle driving force is executed, the driving device 26 does not increase the vehicle driving force even if the accelerator pedal is operated. That is, the driving device 26 does not generate the vehicle driving force in response to the operation of the accelerator pedal during the driving force suppression control. For example, when the driving force suppression control is executed while the internal combustion engine is performing idling operation, the driving device 26 continues the idling operation regardless of the operation amount of the accelerator pedal.

[0024] First, the control in the state where the electric parking brake 22 is operating will be described. The determination unit 28 determines whether the driver has the intention to get off the vehicle based on the opening / closing state of the driver's seat door, the wearing state of the seat belt of the driver's seat, and the operation state of the brake pedal. Specifically, the determination unit 28 determines that the driver has the intention to get off the vehicle when the driver's seat door is open, the seat belt of the driver's seat is not worn, and the brake pedal is not operated. The determination unit 28 determines that the driver does not have the intention to get off the vehicle when at least one of the following conditions is satisfied: the driver's seat door is closed, the seat belt of the driver's seat is worn, and the brake pedal is operated.

[0025] The determination unit 28 determines whether the accelerator pedal operation is incorrect if the accelerator pedal is operated while the electric parking brake 22 is engaged, based on the open / closed state of the driver's side door, the fastening state of the driver's seat belt, and the operating state of the brake pedal. Specifically, the determination unit 28 determines that the accelerator pedal operation is incorrect if the accelerator pedal is operated while the electric parking brake 22 is engaged, the driver's side door is open, the driver's seat belt is not fastened, and the brake pedal is not operated. In other words, if the determination unit 28 determines that the accelerator pedal operation is incorrect if the driver intends to get out of the vehicle when the accelerator pedal is operated while the electric parking brake 22 is engaged, the determination unit 28 determines that the accelerator pedal operation is not incorrect if the driver does not intend to get out of the vehicle when the accelerator pedal is operated while the electric parking brake 22 is engaged.

[0026] If the accelerator pedal operation is determined to be incorrect, i.e., if the start is inappropriate, the control unit 30 will maintain the electric parking brake 22 in the locked state and execute at least one of the following while the accelerator pedal is being operated: a control to activate the hydraulic brake 24 and a control to suppress the vehicle driving force of the drive unit 26. In this case, it is preferable that the control unit 30 executes both the control to activate the hydraulic brake 24 and the control to suppress the vehicle driving force.

[0027] Furthermore, the determination unit 28 determines whether a driver is seated based on the open / closed state of the driver's side door and the state of the driver's seat belt. Specifically, the determination unit 28 determines that a driver is seated if the driver's side door is closed and the driver's seat belt is fastened. The determination unit 28 determines that a driver is not seated if at least one of the following conditions is met: the driver's side door is open and the driver's seat belt is not fastened.

[0028] If the control unit 30 determines that the operation of the accelerator pedal is not an error, and that the driver's side door is closed and the driver's seat belt is fastened, i.e., that the driver is seated, it releases the electric parking brake 22.

[0029] If the control unit 30 determines that the accelerator pedal operation is not an error, and that the driver is not seated, it outputs a warning via an output unit (not shown) and maintains the electric parking brake 22 in the locked state. The output unit includes, for example, a display in the vehicle's instrument panel. The output unit displays a warning for releasing the EPB on the instrument panel, such as, "EPB cannot be released. Close the doors and fasten your seatbelt." The output unit may also output the warning as an audible message.

[0030] Figure 2 is a timing diagram illustrating the operation of the vehicle control device 1 in Figure 1. Figure 2(a) shows, for example, a situation in which, after a driver gets into a stationary vehicle with the electric parking brake 22 engaged, the electric parking brake 22 is automatically released by the driver operating the accelerator pedal.

[0031] When the driver's side door is closed and then the driver's seatbelt is fastened at time t1, the determination unit 28 determines that the driver is seated and turns on the seated determination. Although not shown in the diagram, the determination unit 28 also determines that the driver does not intend to get out of the vehicle.

[0032] At the following time t2, if the accelerator pedal is turned on, the determination unit 28 turns on the start operation determination. The determination unit 28 turns on the start operation determination if the seating determination is on and the accelerator pedal is turned on. In response, the control unit 30 releases the electric parking brake 22.

[0033] In this way, the electric parking brake 22 can be released by operating the accelerator pedal without operating the EPB switch, thus improving convenience. Since the vehicle's driving force is not restricted at this time, releasing the electric parking brake 22 can prevent the vehicle from rolling backward on slopes or other inclined roads.

[0034] Figure 2(b) shows a situation in which a warning is issued when the driver gets into a stationary vehicle with the electric parking brake 22 engaged, and then operates the accelerator pedal.

[0035] If the driver's side door is closed and then the driver's seatbelt is unbuckled, and the accelerator pedal is pressed at time t3, the determination unit 28 maintains the start operation determination off because the seating determination is off. Accordingly, the control unit 30 outputs a warning. The warning prompts the driver to close the door and fasten the seatbelt. If the accelerator pedal is pressed off at time t4, the control unit 30 stops outputting the warning.

[0036] At time t5, if the driver's seatbelt is fastened, the determination unit 28 turns on the seating determination. At time t6, if the accelerator pedal is pressed, the determination unit 28 turns on the start operation determination. As a result, the control unit 30 releases the electric parking brake 22.

[0037] Figure 3 is another timing diagram illustrating the operation of the vehicle control device 1 in Figure 1. Figure 3 shows, for example, a situation in which the driver has stopped the vehicle, operated the EPB switch, and is about to get out of the vehicle.

[0038] When the driver's seatbelt is unbuckled, the brake pedal is released, and the driver's door is opened at time t10, the determination unit 28 determines that the driver intends to get out of the vehicle and turns on the exit determination.

[0039] If the accelerator pedal is pressed at time t11, the determination unit 28 determines that the driver intends to exit the vehicle, and therefore determines that the accelerator pedal operation is incorrect, and turns on the accelerator pedal mis-press determination. This makes it possible to determine that the accelerator pedal operation is incorrect when the driver is trying to exit the vehicle.

[0040] Since it was determined that the accelerator pedal operation was incorrect, the control unit 30 maintains the electric parking brake 22 in the locked state, activates the hydraulic brake 24 to apply hydraulic braking force to all four wheels, and further executes control to suppress the vehicle's driving force.

[0041] Thus, even if, at time t11, the driver intending to exit the vehicle accidentally presses the accelerator pedal instead of the brake pedal for some reason, the hydraulic brake 24 is also activated in addition to the electric parking brake 22, and the vehicle's driving force is further suppressed, thus preventing the vehicle from starting. For example, in the case of a vehicle with a relatively large drive output from the internal combustion engine or motor, the operation of the electric parking brake 22 alone may not be sufficient to keep the vehicle stopped in the event of an accidental operation of the accelerator pedal. In this embodiment, regardless of the magnitude of the drive output from the internal combustion engine or motor, even if the accelerator pedal is accidentally pressed when the driver attempts to exit the vehicle while the electric parking brake 22 is activated, the vehicle's start can be more reliably suppressed. Therefore, safety can be improved.

[0042] If the accelerator pedal is released at time t12, the determination unit 28 turns off the accelerator pedal mis-press detection. In response, the control unit 30 turns off the control to activate the hydraulic brake 24 and the control to suppress the vehicle driving force. Therefore, the control to activate the hydraulic brake 24 and the control to suppress the vehicle driving force can be executed only for the necessary period.

[0043] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the processing of the ECU 20 in Figure 1. The processing in Figure 4 is executed repeatedly. The determination unit 28 acquires the EPB operation status, door status, seat belt status, accelerator pedal operation status, and brake pedal operation status (S10).

[0044] If the EPB is not in the locked state (S12 N), the process returns to S10. If the electric parking brake 22 is in the locked state (S12 Y), and the accelerator pedal is not on (S14 N), the process returns to S10. If the accelerator pedal is on (S14 Y), and the driver's side door is open, the driver's seat belt is unbuckled, and the brake pedal is off (S16 Y), the control unit 30 suppresses the vehicle driving force (S24), activates the hydraulic brake 24 (S26), and the process returns to S10.

[0045] If the conditions of S16 are not met (S16 N), and the driver's side door is closed and the driver's seat belt is fastened (S18 Y), the control unit 30 releases the electric parking brake 22 (S20), and the process returns to S10. If the conditions of S18 are not met (S18 N), the control unit 30 outputs a warning (S22), and the process returns to S10.

[0046] Next, the control when the electric parking brake 22 is released will be described. If the electric parking brake 22 is released, the driver's door is open, the driver's seat belt is not fastened, and the brake pedal is not operated, the control unit 30 will activate the electric parking brake 22 and perform at least one of the following: activate the hydraulic brake 24 and suppress the vehicle driving force. In other words, the control unit 30 will perform the above control if the electric parking brake 22 is released and the driver intends to get out of the vehicle. In this case, it is preferable for the control unit 30 to perform both the control to activate the hydraulic brake 24 and the control to suppress the vehicle driving force.

[0047] Figure 5 is yet another timing diagram illustrating the operation of the vehicle control device 1 in Figure 1. Figure 5 shows, for example, a situation where the driver has stopped the vehicle and is about to get out without operating the EPB switch.

[0048] When the driver's seatbelt is unbuckled, the brake pedal is released, and the driver's door is opened at time t20, the determination unit 28 turns on the exit determination. When the exit determination is turned on, the electric parking brake 22 is released, so the control unit 30 controls the electric parking brake 22 to the locked state, executes control to activate the hydraulic brake 24, and executes control to suppress the vehicle driving force.

[0049] As a result, for example, if a driver intending to get out of the vehicle after time t20 accidentally presses the accelerator pedal instead of the brake pedal for some reason, the hydraulic brake 24 is also activated in addition to the electric parking brake 22, and the vehicle's driving force is further suppressed, thus preventing the vehicle from starting. As previously mentioned, for example, in the case of a vehicle with a relatively large drive output from the internal combustion engine or motor, the operation of the electric parking brake 22 alone may not be sufficient to stop and hold the vehicle in the event of an accidental operation of the accelerator pedal. In this embodiment, regardless of the magnitude of the drive output from the internal combustion engine or motor, even if the accelerator pedal is accidentally pressed when the driver is trying to get out of the vehicle while the electric parking brake 22 is released, the vehicle's start can be more reliably suppressed.

[0050] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing another process of the ECU 20 in Figure 1. The process in Figure 6 is executed repeatedly in parallel with the process in Figure 4. The determination unit 28 acquires the EPB operation status, door status, seat belt status, and brake pedal operation status (S40).

[0051] If the electric parking brake 22 is released, the driver's door is open, the driver's seat belt is unbuckled, and the brake pedal is off (Y in S42), the control unit 30 activates the electric parking brake 22 (S44), suppresses the vehicle driving force (S46), activates the hydraulic brake 24 (S48), and the process returns to S10. If the conditions in S42 are not met (N in S42), the process returns to S10.

[0052] The present invention has been described above based on embodiments. The embodiments are merely illustrative, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible in combinations of each component and each processing process, and that such modifications also fall within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1...Vehicle control device, 10...Parking brake sensor, 12...Seat belt sensor, 14...Door sensor, 16...Brake pedal sensor, 18...Accelerator pedal sensor, 20...ECU, 22...Electric parking brake, 24...Hydraulic brake, 26...Drive unit, 28...Determination unit, 30...Control unit.

Claims

1. When the accelerator pedal is operated while the vehicle's electric parking brake is engaged, a determination unit determines whether the accelerator pedal operation is an error based on the open / closed state of the vehicle's doors, the fastening state of the seat belts, and the operation state of the brake pedal. If it is determined that the operation of the accelerator pedal is incorrect, the control unit performs at least one of the following: a control to activate the vehicle's hydraulic brakes and a control to suppress the vehicle's driving force. Equipped with, The determination unit determines that if the accelerator pedal is operated while the electric parking brake is engaged, and the door is open, the seat belt is not fastened, and the brake pedal is not operated, then the operation of the accelerator pedal is an error. A vehicle control device characterized by the following features.

2. If the control unit determines that the operation of the accelerator pedal is incorrect, it will perform at least one of the following while the accelerator pedal is being operated: a control to activate the hydraulic brake and a control to suppress the vehicle driving force. The vehicle control device according to feature 1.

3. If the control unit determines that the operation of the accelerator pedal is not an error, and if the door is closed and the seat belt is fastened, it releases the electric parking brake. The vehicle control device according to feature 1.

4. The control unit, when the electric parking brake is released, the door is open, the seat belt is not fastened, and the brake pedal is not operated, activates the electric parking brake and performs at least one of the following: controls to activate the hydraulic brake and controls to suppress the vehicle's driving force. The vehicle control device according to feature 1.

Images