Configuration change support method and configuration change support system

Abstract

To provide a setting change support method by which the directionality of a setting change can be easily grasped.SOLUTION: A setting change support method is provided for supporting a setting change of a vehicle and includes: a first step of causing an on-vehicle device, which is mounted on the vehicle, to acquire travel data in a case where the vehicle is driven by a drive; a second step of causing a PC to perform scoring in relation to a preset index using travel data; and a third step of determining a content of the setting change based on an ideal value, which is ideal for the driver in relation to the preset index, and the score. The third step includes the steps of inputting the ideal value to the PC and causing the PC to display the ideal value and the score on a display.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a setting change support method and a setting change support system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a proposal method including steps of acquiring driving data when a vehicle is driven by a driver, and determining the driving characteristics of the driver based on the driving data and proposing tuning of the vehicle suitable for the driver (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Here, when setting changes (tuning) of the vehicle as described above are made, it is conceivable that the direction of the setting changes varies for each driver, and thus there is room for improvement in this regard.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a setting change support method and a setting change support system capable of making it easier to grasp the direction of setting changes.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The setting change support method according to the present invention supports changing a setting which is at least one of the following: the strength of the vehicle's accelerator response, the strength of the steering assist, and the front and rear wheel drive force distribution. The first step is to acquire driving data when the vehicle is driven by the driver using an on-board device installed in the vehicle, and the second step is for a computer to score the driving data with respect to a preset index, and the second step is for a computer to score the driving data with respect to a preset index As any value The system includes a third step in which the content of the setting changes is determined based on the input ideal value and the score. The third step includes inputting the ideal value into the computer and causing the computer to display the ideal value and the score on a display.

[0007] By configuring the system in this way, the score based on driving data and the driver's ideal value are displayed for each pre-set indicator. This makes it easier to understand the gap between the current situation and the ideal for that indicator, and thus makes it easier to grasp the direction of setting changes. In other words, by visualizing the driver's (customer's) drivability, it becomes easier to make the setting changes the driver desires, thus making it easier to improve drivability.

[0008] In the above configuration change support method, the third step is: Based on the difference between the aforementioned score and the aforementioned ideal value , ideal value And so that the difference with future scores will become smaller. setting of The process may include a step in which a computer calculates the nature of the changes.

[0009] In the above setting change support method, the pre-set indicators may include at least one of the following: performance, safety, comfort, and enjoyment.

[0011] The setting change support system according to the present invention assists in changing settings, which are at least one of the following: the strength of the vehicle's accelerator response, the strength of the steering assist, and the front and rear wheel drive force distribution. The system comprises an on-board device mounted in the vehicle that acquires driving data when the vehicle is driven by the driver, and a computer that scores the driving data against a preset index. The computer determines that the ideal value for the preset index is As any value It is designed to allow input and display the ideal value and score on the screen. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the setting change support method and setting change support system of the present invention, it is possible to easily grasp the direction of setting changes. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the setting change support system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating the in-vehicle device for the setting change support system. [Figure 3] This is a flowchart illustrating the setting change support method using the setting change support system of this embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart illustrating how to determine the content of the setting changes in step S3 of Figure 3. [Figure 5] Figure 1 shows an example of a radar chart displayed on the screen of the settings change support system. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] The following describes one embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] First, with reference to Figures 1, 2, and 5, the configuration of the configuration change support system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0016] The setting change support system 100 is used when personalizing the vehicle 50 with changeable settings according to the driver. The setting change support system 100 is provided to make it easier for the driver to grasp the direction of setting changes for different vehicles 50. Examples of the changeable settings of the vehicle 50 include accelerator response, steering assist, and drive force distribution between the front and rear wheels.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the setting change support system 100 includes an in-vehicle device 1, a server device 2, and a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as "PC") 3. The in-vehicle device 1 and the server device 2 are connected via a network 150, and the server device 2 and the PC 3 are connected via the network 150. Note that the PC 3 is an example of the "computer" of the present invention.

[0018] [In-vehicle device] The in-vehicle device 1 is mounted on the vehicle 50 and is configured to acquire running data when the vehicle 50 is driven by the driver. The acquisition of this running data is performed, for example, when the driver drives a predetermined course. Examples of the predetermined course include braking (sudden stop at the target position after acceleration), slalom, and steady circular turning. As shown in FIG. 2, the in-vehicle device 1 includes an acquisition terminal 11, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver 12, and a communicator 13. The vehicle-mounted network 51 of the vehicle 50 is connected to the acquisition terminal 11.

[0019] Here, the in-vehicle network 51 of the vehicle 50 includes a gateway ECU (hereinafter referred to as "GW-ECU") 52 and a plurality of buses 53 connected to the GW-ECU 52. A plurality of ECUs 54 are connected to each bus 53. The ECU 54 is configured to control each part of the vehicle 50. The bus 53 is a transmission path when the ECU 54 communicates, and for example, CAN (Controller Area Network) is used as the communication protocol. The GW-ECU 52 is provided to relay communication between the plurality of buses 53.

[0020] When the ECU 54 transmits a message to the bus 53, the ECU 54 other than the transmission source connected to that bus 53 receives the message, and the message is transferred to the other bus 53 by the GW-ECU 52, and the ECU 54 connected to the other bus 53 receives the message. That is, in the in-vehicle network 51, since the message is relayed by the GW-ECU 52, communication is possible between the ECUs 54 connected to different buses 53.

[0021] The ECU 54 is configured to transmit information about the vehicle 50 to the bus 53 as a message. The information about the vehicle 50 includes the behavior information of the vehicle 50 and the operation information of the vehicle 50. For example, the information about the vehicle 50 includes vehicle speed, longitudinal acceleration, lateral acceleration, roll angle, pitch angle, yaw angle, accelerator operation amount, brake operation amount, steering operation amount, and shift operation.

[0022] The acquisition terminal 11 includes a microcomputer 11a that controls the acquisition terminal 11, a transceiver 11b and an input / output unit 11c connected to the microcomputer 11a. The bus 53 of the in-vehicle network 51 is connected to the transceiver 11b, and a GPS receiver 12 and a communicator 13 are connected to the input / output unit 11c. The microcomputer 11a is configured to acquire information about the vehicle 50 via the transceiver 11b when information about the vehicle 50 is transmitted from the ECU 54 to the bus 53.

[0023] The GPS receiver 12 is configured to receive signals from GPS satellites (not shown) and calculate location information. The GPS receiver 12 also has a function to calculate the time of reception of signals from GPS satellites. The GPS receiver 12 is configured to output location information and reception time (hereinafter also referred to as "GPS information") to the acquisition terminal 11 at predetermined time intervals.

[0024] The communication device 13 is capable of communicating with the server device 2 via the network 150 and is provided for transmitting the driving data acquired by the acquisition terminal 11 to the server device 2. This communication device 13 is provided specifically for the in-vehicle device 1 and is connected to the acquisition terminal 11, for example, by a wired connection.

[0025] Furthermore, when information about the vehicle 50 is input from the in-vehicle network 51, the acquisition terminal 11 is configured to add additional information to the information about the vehicle 50 and transmit it to the server device 2 via the communication device 13. This additional information includes the time the information about the vehicle 50 was input to the acquisition terminal 11, and identification information to identify the acquisition terminal 11. In addition, when GPS information is input from the GPS receiver 12, the acquisition terminal 11 is configured to add additional information to the GPS information and transmit it to the server device 2 via the communication device 13. This additional information includes identification information to identify the acquisition terminal 11. The information about the vehicle 50 with the added information, and the GPS information with the added information, constitute driving data.

[0026] [Server equipment] As shown in Figure 1, the server device 2 is configured to communicate with the in-vehicle device 1 and PC 3 via the network 150. Specifically, the server device 2 is configured to store driving data received from the in-vehicle device 1 and to provide that driving data to PC 3. The server device 2 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a communication unit 23.

[0027] The control unit 21 is configured to control the server device 2 by performing calculation processing. The storage unit 22 stores driving data of the vehicle 50, etc. Driving data includes, for example, changes in vehicle behavior over time, changes in vehicle operation over time, and changes in vehicle position over time. The communication unit 23 is provided to communicate with the in-vehicle device 1 and PC 3 via the network 150.

[0028] [PC] PC3 is capable of communicating with server device 2 and is provided to analyze the driving of the vehicle 50 driver using driving data received from server device 2. PC3 scores pre-set indicators using the driving data, and also allows the driver to input their ideal values ​​for the pre-set indicators. The PC3 is configured to display the score based on the driving data and the driver's ideal values ​​on display 4.

[0029] In this embodiment, the pre-set indicators include "performance," "safety," "comfort," and "enjoyment." Each item of these four indicators is scored, for example, out of 10 points. "Performance" indicates the extent to which the driver is able to extract the driving performance of the vehicle 50. The "performance" score is calculated based, for example, on driving data such as average vehicle speed, braking timing, brake pedal pressure, USOS (understeer / oversteer), shift change distance, steering flutter, and lateral acceleration. "Safety" indicates the safety of the driver's driving. The "safety" score is calculated based, for example, on driving data such as braking G (deceleration during braking), shift change distance, and braking timing. "Comfort" indicates the comfort level of the driver's driving. The "comfort" score is calculated based, for example, on driving data such as accelerator flutter, steering flutter, and lateral acceleration. "Enjoyment" indicates whether the driver is able to control the vehicle 50 as they wish. The "fun" score is calculated based on driving data such as the average throttle opening, brake pedal speed, and steering input.

[0030] Therefore, the PC3 is configured to display a radar chart on the display 4, as shown in Figure 5. This radar chart has four indicators ("Performance," "Safety," "Comfort," and "Enjoyment"), and for each of these four indicators, a score based on driving data and the driver's ideal value are plotted, with adjacent items (indicators) connected by line segments. In Figure 5, the driving results shown by the solid line are the scores of the four indicators based on driving data and connected. In Figure 5, the ideal image shown by the dashed line is the ideal value that the driver desires for the four indicators input into the PC3, and represents the person the driver wants to become in the future.

[0031] -Method for assisting with configuration changes- Next, the operation (setting change support method) of the setting change support system 100 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 5. Note that the flowchart in Figure 4 is the subroutine for step S3 in Figure 3.

[0032] First, in step S1 of Figure 3, the on-board device 1 acquires driving data when the driver operates the vehicle 50. For example, driving data is acquired when the driver operates three courses (braking, slalom, and steady-state circular turn). Note that step S1 is an example of the "first step" of the present invention.

[0033] Specifically, when a driver operates vehicle 50 on each course, if information about vehicle 50 is input to the acquisition terminal 11 from the in-vehicle network 51, the acquisition terminal 11 adds additional information to the information about vehicle 50 and transmits it from the communication device 13 to the server device 2. Similarly, if GPS information is input to the acquisition terminal 11 from the GPS receiver 12, the acquisition terminal 11 adds additional information to the GPS information and transmits it from the communication device 13 to the server device 2. When the server device 2 receives information about vehicle 50 and GPS information from the communication device 13, the information about vehicle 50 and GPS information are stored in the storage unit 22. The stored information about vehicle 50 and GPS information constitute the driving data of vehicle 50.

[0034] Next, in step S2, the PC3 scores the four indicators using the driving data. Specifically, the PC3 receives the driving data stored in the server device 2 and uses that driving data to calculate scores for the four indicators ("performance," "safety," "comfort," and "enjoyment"). Step S2 is an example of the "second step" of the present invention.

[0035] Next, in step S3, the content of the setting change is determined based on the ideal value and score that the driver considers ideal. Note that step S3 is an example of the "third step" of the present invention.

[0036] Specifically, in step S31 of Figure 4, the ideal values ​​for the four indicators are first input into PC3. For example, an engineer operating the setting change support system 100 interviews the driver about their preferences, and based on the interview results, the ideal values ​​for the four indicators are determined and input into PC3.

[0037] Next, in step S32, the PC3 displays a radar chart on the display 4, as shown in Figure 5. That is, it displays the driving results based on the driving data and the ideal state that the driver wants to achieve in the future.

[0038] In the example shown in Figure 5, the "Performance" score based on driving data is "7" and the ideal value for "Performance" is "10", the "Safety" score based on driving data is "6" and the ideal value for "Safety" is "5", the "Comfort" score based on driving data is "5" and the ideal value for "Comfort" is "3", and the "Fun" score based on driving data is "6" and the ideal value for "Fun" is "9".

[0039] Next, in step S33, the content of the setting changes is determined by referring to the radar chart. Specifically, the engineer consults with the driver to determine the setting changes that will bring the future score (driving results measured after the setting changes) closer to the ideal. The setting changes will include adjustments to at least one of the following: accelerator response, steering assist, and front / rear wheel torque distribution.

[0040] For example, if there is a difference between the score and the ideal value for "performance," the system will look at the average vehicle speed and throttle opening, and if the overall vehicle speed is lower than the training data, the throttle response will be adjusted to be stronger. Similarly, if there is a difference between the score and the ideal value for "safety," the system will look at the timing of the initial steering input, and if it is delayed, the steering assist will be adjusted to be stronger if the cause is the load on the steering torque. Furthermore, if there is a difference between the score and the ideal value for "comfort," and the steering is unstable with frequent steering changes, the steering assist will be adjusted to be weaker. Finally, if there is a difference between the score and the ideal value for "fun," the system will look at things like USOS, and if it is not possible to control the vehicle as intended, the throttle response will be adjusted to be weaker to make it easier to control, or the power distribution will be changed according to the vehicle's behavior.

[0041] -effect- In this embodiment, as described above, by displaying scores based on driving data and the driver's ideal values ​​for pre-set indicators, the gap between the current state and the ideal for those indicators becomes easier to understand, making it easier to grasp the direction of setting changes. In other words, by visualizing the driver's (customer's) drivability, it becomes easier to make setting changes that the driver desires, thus making it easier to improve drivability.

[0042] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a radar chart with four indicators ("performance," "safety," "comfort," and "enjoyment") is displayed, visually representing the deviation between the driving results and the ideal, making it easier to understand the direction of setting changes.

[0043] -Other Embodiments- The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and do not constitute a limiting interpretation. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is not construed solely by the embodiments described above, but is defined based on the claims. Furthermore, the technical scope of the present invention includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of equivalence to the claims.

[0044] For example, the above embodiment shows an example in which one vehicle 50 and PC3 are provided in the setting change support system 100, but the system is not limited to this, and multiple vehicles and PCs may be provided in the setting change support system.

[0045] Furthermore, while the above embodiment shows an example where an engineer consults with the driver to determine the settings to bring future scores closer to the ideal, the embodiment is not limited to this. The settings to bring future scores closer to the ideal may be calculated by a PC based on driving results and the ideal, etc.

[0046] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example was shown where the changeable settings of the vehicle 50 are accelerator response, steering assist, and front and rear wheel torque distribution. However, the vehicle is not limited to this, and the changeable settings of the vehicle may be at least one of accelerator response, steering assist, and front and rear wheel torque distribution, or may be other than these three.

[0047] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the pre-set indicators included four items: "performance," "safety," "comfort," and "enjoyment." However, the pre-set indicators are not limited to this, and may include at least one of these four items, or may include items other than these four.

[0048] Furthermore, although the above embodiment shows an example in which driving data is transmitted to and stored in the server device 2, the invention is not limited to this, and the driving data may also be transmitted to and stored in a PC.

[0049] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example was shown in which a dedicated communication device 13 is connected to the acquisition terminal 11 by wire, and the communication device 13 communicates with the server device 2. However, the example is not limited to this, and a mobile communication terminal owned by the driver (for example, a smartphone) may be connected to the acquisition terminal wirelessly, and the mobile communication terminal may communicate with the server device.

[0050] Furthermore, although the above embodiment shows an example in which CAN is used as the communication protocol for the in-vehicle network 51, the invention is not limited to this, and a protocol other than CAN may be used as the communication protocol for the in-vehicle network.

[0051] Furthermore, although the above embodiment shows an example in which the location information of the vehicle 50 is obtained based on GPS, the invention is not limited to this, and the location information of the vehicle may be obtained based on a satellite positioning system other than GPS.

[0052] Furthermore, although the above embodiment shows an example in which the GPS receiver 12 outputs GPS information to the acquisition terminal 11 at predetermined time intervals, the embodiment is not limited to this. The acquisition terminal may request GPS information from the GPS receiver at predetermined time intervals, and the GPS receiver may output GPS information to the acquisition terminal when it receives the request.

[0053] Furthermore, although the above embodiment shows an example where the index is scored out of 10 points, the index is not limited to this and may be scored out of 100 points or other values. [Industrial applicability]

[0054] This invention can be used for a setting change support method and a setting change support system that assist in changing vehicle settings. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0055] 1 On-vehicle device 3 PC (Computer) 4 displays 50 vehicles 100 Configuration Change Support System

Claims

1. A setting change support method that assists in changing at least one of the following settings: the strength of the vehicle's accelerator response, the strength of the steering assist, and the torque distribution between the front and rear wheels, The first step involves acquiring driving data using an on-board device installed in the vehicle when the vehicle is being driven by a driver, A second step involves using the aforementioned driving data to score a predetermined index using a computer, The system includes a third step in which the content of the change to the setting is determined based on an ideal value entered as an arbitrary value with respect to the aforementioned pre-set indicator and the score, The setting change support method is characterized in that the third step includes the step of inputting the ideal value into the computer and the step of causing the computer to display the ideal value and the score on a display.

2. In the setting change support method described in claim 1, The third step is a setting change support method characterized in that the computer calculates the content of the setting change based on the difference between the score and the ideal value, so as to reduce the difference between the ideal value and future scores.

3. In the setting change support method according to claim 1 or 2, A method for assisting setting changes, characterized in that the aforementioned pre-set indicator includes at least one of performance, safety, comfort, and enjoyment.

4. A setting change support system that assists in changing at least one of the following settings: the strength of the vehicle's accelerator response, the strength of the steering assist, and the torque distribution between the front and rear wheels, An on-board device installed in the vehicle, which acquires driving data when the vehicle is driven by a driver, The system includes a computer that uses the aforementioned driving data to score a predetermined index, The computer is configured to allow input of an arbitrary value as the ideal value for the pre-set indicator, and to display the ideal value and the score on a display, thereby supporting the setting change.

Images