Travel control device for vehicle

Abstract

Provided is a drive control system 1 having an erroneous depression detection unit that detects erroneous depression of an accelerator by a driver of a vehicle, the drive control system 1 suppressing acceleration of the vehicle when erroneous depression of the accelerator is detected. The erroneous depression detection unit includes: a sudden-acceleration-unnecessary scenario determination unit 21 that, on the basis of an operation state of a vehicle device 3 that does not participate in vehicle travel control and that affects a vehicle travel operation environment for the driver, determines that an environment that does not require sudden acceleration of the vehicle is in effect; and an erroneous depression occurrence likelihood determination unit 22 that determines that the environment is one in which erroneous depression of the accelerator is likely to occur.

Description

Vehicle driving control device

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle cruise control device that suppresses unintended acceleration due to erroneous accelerator operation.

[0002] Conventionally, technologies have been developed to suppress unintended vehicle acceleration due to accelerator misapplication, i.e., driver accelerator misoperation. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a control device that calculates the risk of a collision between the vehicle and an obstacle based on the distance between the vehicle and an obstacle in front of the vehicle, the relative speed between the vehicle and the obstacle, the vehicle's traveling speed, or the relative acceleration between the vehicle and the obstacle, sets a threshold for accelerator operation amount based on the risk, and suppresses vehicle acceleration when the accelerator operation amount exceeds the threshold.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-209056

[0004] However, the technology in Patent Document 1 requires a system for detecting obstacles and determines the risk of collision based on the vehicle's current speed and acceleration, which results in complex system configuration and control. Furthermore, even if there are no obstacles ahead of the vehicle, there is a need to suppress unintended acceleration due to accelerator pedal misapplication in various situations.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of these problems, and its purpose is to provide a vehicle driving control device that can suppress unintended acceleration caused by accidentally pressing the accelerator pedal in various situations with a simple configuration and control.

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the vehicle driving control device of the present invention is a vehicle driving control device that has a mis-depression detection unit that detects the driver of the vehicle stepping on the accelerator pedal, and is equipped with a driving suppression control unit that suppresses the acceleration of the vehicle when the driver of the vehicle steps on the accelerator pedal, and is characterized in that the mis-depression detection unit detects the mis-depression of the accelerator pedal based on the operating state of a vehicle device that is not involved in the driving control of the vehicle but affects the driver's vehicle driving operating environment.

[0007] This allows the detection of accelerator misapplication based on the operating state of vehicle devices that affect the driver's vehicle driving operating environment, making it possible to detect accelerator misapplication with a simple configuration and control without taking into account the effects of various vehicle driving controls.

[0008] Preferably, the mis-pedal detection unit includes a sudden acceleration no-longer-needed environment determination unit that determines, based on the operating state of the vehicle device, that the environment does not require sudden acceleration of the vehicle, and a mis-pedal determination unit that determines that the accelerator has been mis-pedaled if the amount of accelerator operation is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold when it is determined that the environment does not require sudden acceleration of the vehicle.

[0009] This makes it possible to appropriately determine that the driver has accidentally pressed the accelerator pedal too hard in an environment where sudden acceleration of the vehicle is not necessary.

[0010] Preferably, the misapplication detection unit has a misapplication likelihood determination unit that determines, based on the operating state of the vehicle device, that the environment is one in which accelerator misapplication is likely to occur, and a misapplication determination unit that, when it is determined that the environment is one in which accelerator misapplication is likely to occur, determines that the accelerator has been misapplication if the amount of accelerator operation is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.

[0011] This makes it possible to appropriately determine that an accelerator pedal mistake has occurred when the driver accidentally presses the accelerator pedal excessively in an environment where accelerator pedal mistake is likely to occur.

[0012] Preferably, the sudden acceleration no-environment determination unit determines that the environment does not require sudden acceleration of the vehicle when the wiper operating speed of the vehicle is equal to or greater than a predetermined speed. Thus, in a situation where there is heavy rainfall and forward visibility is poor, it is determined that the environment does not require sudden acceleration of the vehicle, and vehicle acceleration can be suppressed, thereby improving safety.

[0013] Preferably, the sudden acceleration unnecessary environment determination unit determines that the environment is one in which sudden acceleration of the vehicle is unnecessary when an operating switch of an air conditioner, a car navigation system, or a car audio of the vehicle is being operated.

[0014] This allows the system to determine that the environment does not require sudden acceleration of the vehicle in situations where the driver is likely to look away from the road due to operating the vehicle's air conditioner, car navigation system, or car audio control switches, thereby improving safety by suppressing vehicle acceleration.

[0015] Preferably, the sudden acceleration unnecessary environment determination unit determines that the environment is one in which sudden acceleration of the vehicle is unnecessary when an angle adjustment switch for a side mirror of the vehicle is being operated. Thus, in a situation in which adjusting the angle of the side mirror is likely to cause the driver to look away from the front of the vehicle, it is determined that the environment is one in which sudden acceleration of the vehicle is unnecessary, and safety can be improved by suppressing acceleration of the vehicle.

[0016] Preferably, the accelerator misapplication likelihood determination unit determines that the environment is prone to accelerator misapplication when the driver's door of the vehicle is open or the window is fully open and the vehicle's transmission is in reverse position.

[0017] This allows the system to determine that when the vehicle is reversing, particularly when the driver's door is open or the window is fully open and the driver's driving posture is likely to be unstable, that the environment is prone to accelerator misapplication, and to increase safety by suppressing vehicle acceleration.

[0018] Preferably, the vehicle has an automatic brake hold device, and the accelerator misapplication likelihood determination unit determines that the environment is prone to accelerator misapplication when the automatic brake hold device is in brake hold operation and the driver's seat belt of the vehicle is not fastened or the driver's side door is open.

[0019] This allows the system to determine that the environment is prone to accelerator misapplication when the brake hold of the automatic brake hold device has not been released, the seat belt is not fastened or the driver's side door is open, the driver's driving posture is unstable, and the driver is not fully prepared to drive, and safety can be improved by suppressing the vehicle's acceleration.

[0020] Preferably, the accelerator misapplication likelihood determination unit determines that the environment is one in which accelerator misapplication is likely to occur when a driver's seat or steering position of the vehicle is being adjusted.

[0021] This allows the system to determine that the environment is prone to accelerator misapplication when the driver's seat or steering position is being adjusted and the driver's body may move unintentionally, and to increase safety by suppressing vehicle acceleration.

[0022] The vehicle driving control device of the present invention detects accelerator erroneous application based on the operating state of vehicle devices that affect the driver's vehicle driving environment, making it possible to detect accelerator erroneous application with a simple configuration and control, thereby making it possible to suppress unintended vehicle acceleration due to accelerator erroneous application with an inexpensive configuration.

[0023] While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments.

[0024] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a vehicle drive control system 1 (drive control device) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] The drive control system 1 of this embodiment is mounted on a vehicle having a driving drive device 2 such as an engine or a motor. The vehicle is provided with an accelerator pedal that is operated by the driver to adjust the driving speed.

[0026] An operation signal from the accelerator pedal is input to a main control unit 5, which controls the operation of the driving drive device 2, such as the engine and motor, and various devices in the vehicle. The main control unit 5 is a control device that includes an input / output device, a memory device (ROM, RAM, non-volatile RAM, etc.), a central processing unit (CPU), a timer, etc.

[0027] 1, the drive control system 1 has an acceleration suppression control unit 11 provided in the main control unit 5. The acceleration suppression control unit 11 inputs operation / activation information of vehicle devices 3 that are not involved in vehicle driving control and the amount of accelerator operation of the vehicle from the accelerator position sensor 4 or the like, determines (detects) accelerator erroneous depression (erroneous accelerator depression detection unit), and if accelerator erroneous depression is detected, issues a warning and suppresses acceleration (driving suppression control unit).

[0028] Vehicle devices 3 that are not involved in vehicle driving control, in other words, that do not directly affect the vehicle's driving performance, include wipers, air conditioners, car navigation systems, car audio systems, side mirror angle adjustment devices, driver's door, windows, seat belt devices, seat position adjustment mechanisms, steering position adjustment mechanisms, etc. When determining whether the accelerator has been accidentally applied, the acceleration suppression control unit 11 inputs operation / activation information of the vehicle devices 3 that do not affect driving performance, as well as an operation signal of the shift lever and, if the vehicle has a brake auto-hold device, operation / activation information of the brake auto-hold device.

[0029] The acceleration suppression control unit 11 has a sudden acceleration unnecessary scene determination unit 21 (sudden acceleration unnecessary environment determination unit), a pedal misapplication likelihood determination unit 22, and a pedal misapplication determination unit 23. The sudden acceleration unnecessary scene determination unit 21, the pedal misapplication likelihood determination unit 22, and the pedal misapplication determination unit 23 correspond to the pedal misapplication detection unit of the present invention.

[0030] The sudden acceleration no longer required scene determination unit 21 inputs operation / activation information of vehicle devices 3 that are not involved in vehicle driving control, and determines whether the vehicle is in a state in which sudden acceleration is not required. The conditions for sudden acceleration not being required are when at least one of the following determination conditions 1) to 3) is met: 1) The wiper operating speed is at its maximum speed. 2) A switch related to the air conditioner, car navigation system, or car audio is being operated. 3) A side mirror adjustment switch is being operated. 4)

[0031] The accelerator misapplication likelihood determination unit 22 inputs operation / activation information of vehicle devices 3 that are not involved in vehicle driving control and determines whether or not conditions exist that make accelerator misapplication likely. Conditions that make accelerator misapplication likely include when at least one of the following determination conditions 4) to 6) is met: 4) The driver's door of the vehicle is open or the driver's window is fully open, and the shift device is in reverse (backward). 5) The vehicle's brake auto-hold is activated and the driver's seat belt is not fastened, or the driver's door is open. 6) The driver's seat or steering position adjustment mechanism is activated.

[0032] The pedal misapplication determination unit 23 determines whether the accelerator has been misapplication based on the accelerator operation amount and the determination results of the sudden acceleration unnecessary scene determination unit 21 and the pedal misapplication likelihood determination unit 22. In detail, the pedal misapplication determination unit 23 determines whether the accelerator has been misapplication if the accelerator operation amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value Ax when at least one of the above determination conditions 1) to 6) is met.

[0033] The predetermined threshold value Ax may be set to a different value depending on each determination condition. For example, the threshold value Ax may be set low when sudden acceleration is less necessary or when pedal misapplication is more likely to occur. Alternatively, the threshold value Ax may be set to a constant value.

[0034] When the pedal misapplication determination unit 23 determines that the accelerator has been misapplication, the acceleration suppression control unit 11 issues an alarm or calls the driver's attention using an alarm device 14 such as an instrument panel or a buzzer provided in the vehicle. Furthermore, when the pedal misapplication determination unit 23 determines that the accelerator has been misapplication, the acceleration suppression control unit 11 performs acceleration suppression on the driving drive device 2 such as the engine or motor to suppress the acceleration of the vehicle, for example, to disable an accelerator operation instruction.

[0035] 2 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of the acceleration suppression control executed by the acceleration suppression control unit 11. The determination control of the acceleration suppression control shown in the flowchart is repeatedly performed when the power supply of the vehicle is turned on.

[0036] First, in step S10, vehicle information, specifically, operation and activation information of the vehicle devices 3 not involved in vehicle driving control, is input. Then, the process proceeds to step S20. In step S20, the sudden acceleration unnecessary scene determination unit 21 determines whether or not conditions exist that do not require sudden acceleration based on the vehicle information input in step S10. If it is determined that conditions exist that do not require sudden acceleration, that is, if at least one of the above determination conditions 1) to 3) is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S40. If it is determined that conditions do not require sudden acceleration, that is, if none of the above determination conditions 1) to 3) are satisfied, the process proceeds to step S30.

[0037] In step S30, the pedal misapplication likelihood determination unit 22 determines whether or not conditions exist that make accelerator misapplication likely based on the vehicle information input in step S10. If it is determined that conditions exist that make accelerator misapplication likely, i.e., if at least one of the above determination conditions 4) to 6) is met, the process proceeds to step S40. If it is determined that conditions do not make accelerator misapplication likely, i.e., if none of the above determination conditions 4) to 6) are met, the process proceeds to step S70.

[0038] In step S40, the threshold value Ax for determining whether or not a pedal misapplication has occurred in the pedal misapplication determination unit 23 is set or changed. The threshold value Ax is set to a value corresponding to the determined condition that has been satisfied among the determination conditions 1) to 6) as described above, for example. If multiple determination conditions among the determination conditions 1) to 6) are satisfied, the threshold value Ax corresponding to the satisfied determination conditions may be set to the lowest value. Then, the process proceeds to step S50.

[0039] In step S50, the current accelerator operation amount is input and it is determined whether it is equal to or greater than the threshold Ax set in step S40. If the accelerator operation amount is equal to or greater than the threshold Ax, the process proceeds to step S60. If the accelerator operation amount is less than the threshold Ax, the process proceeds to step S70.

[0040] In step S60, a warning and acceleration suppression are executed. That is, the warning device 14 issues a warning or calls attention to the erroneous accelerator pedal operation. Furthermore, the accelerator operation signal is invalidated. Then, this routine is terminated.

[0041] In step S70, warning and acceleration suppression are not executed. That is, if warning and acceleration suppression are being executed, the execution is cancelled. Then, this routine is ended.

[0042] As described above, in the drive control system 1 of this embodiment, the acceleration suppression control unit 11 determines accelerator misapplication based on the operating states of the vehicle devices 3 that are not involved in vehicle driving control but affect the driver's vehicle driving operating environment, so accelerator misapplication can be detected with a simple configuration and control without considering the effects of various vehicle driving controls. When accelerator misapplication is detected, it is possible to suppress vehicle acceleration by issuing an alarm or suppressing the accelerator operation amount, thereby suppressing unintended vehicle acceleration due to accelerator misapplication with an inexpensive configuration and improving safety.

[0043] The acceleration suppression control unit 11 has a sudden acceleration no-go scene determination unit 21 that determines whether the environment is one in which sudden acceleration of the vehicle is unnecessary based on the operating state of the vehicle device 3 that affects the driver's vehicle driving operating environment, and when the sudden acceleration no-go scene determination unit 21 determines that the environment is one in which sudden acceleration of the vehicle is unnecessary, if the accelerator operation amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold Ax, it determines that the accelerator has been accidentally pressed. This makes it possible to appropriately determine that the accelerator has been accidentally pressed too hard in an environment in which sudden acceleration of the vehicle is unnecessary.

[0044] The acceleration suppression control unit 11 also has a pedal misapplication likelihood determination unit 22 that determines whether the environment is one in which accelerator misapplication is likely to occur, based on the operating state of the vehicle device 3 that affects the driver's vehicle driving operating environment, and when the pedal misapplication likelihood determination unit 22 determines that the environment is one in which accelerator misapplication is likely to occur, if the accelerator operation amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold Ax, it determines that accelerator misapplication has occurred. This makes it possible to appropriately determine that accelerator misapplication has occurred if the driver accidentally presses the accelerator too hard in an environment in which accelerator misapplication is likely to occur.

[0045] If the sudden acceleration unnecessary scene determination unit 21 determines that the determination condition 1) is satisfied, that is, if the wiper operating speed is equal to or greater than a predetermined speed, it determines that the environment does not require sudden acceleration of the vehicle. This makes it possible to suppress acceleration of the vehicle in situations where there is heavy rainfall and poor forward visibility, thereby improving safety.

[0046] If the sudden acceleration unnecessary scene determination unit 21 determines that determination condition 2) is satisfied, that is, if the operation switches of the vehicle's air conditioner, car navigation system, or car audio are being operated, it determines that the environment does not require sudden acceleration of the vehicle. This makes it possible to suppress vehicle acceleration in situations where the driver is likely to avert his or her eyes from the front of the vehicle due to operation of the operation switches of the vehicle's air conditioner, car navigation system, or car audio, thereby improving safety.

[0047] If the sudden acceleration unnecessary scene determination unit 21 determines that determination condition 3) is satisfied, that is, if the angle adjustment switch of the vehicle's side mirror is being operated, it determines that the environment does not require sudden acceleration of the vehicle. This makes it possible to suppress vehicle acceleration in situations where adjusting the angle of the side mirror is likely to cause the driver to look away from the front of the vehicle, thereby improving safety.

[0048] If the pedal misapplication likelihood determination unit 22 determines that determination condition 4) is satisfied, i.e., if the driver's door of the vehicle is open or the window is fully open and the vehicle transmission is in reverse, it determines that the environment is prone to accelerator pedal misapplication. This makes it possible to suppress vehicle acceleration when the vehicle is moving backward, particularly in situations where the driver's door is open or the window is fully open and the driver's driving posture is likely to be unstable in order to view the rear, thereby improving safety.

[0049] In a vehicle equipped with an automatic brake hold device, if the accelerator pedal misapplication likelihood determination unit 22 determines that determination condition 5) is satisfied, i.e., if the automatic brake hold device is in brake hold operation and the driver's seat belt is not fastened or the driver's side door is open, it determines that the environment is prone to accelerator pedal misapplication. This makes it possible to improve safety by suppressing vehicle acceleration in situations where the brake hold of the automatic brake hold device has not been released, the seat belt is not fastened or the driver's side door is open, the driver's driving posture is unstable, and driving preparation is not sufficient.

[0050] If the accelerator misapplication likelihood determination unit 22 determines that determination condition 6) is satisfied, that is, when the driver's seat or steering position of the vehicle is being adjusted, it determines that the environment is prone to accelerator misapplication. This makes it possible to suppress vehicle acceleration in situations where the driver's body may move unintentionally while the driver's seat or steering position is being adjusted, thereby improving safety.

[0051] As described above, it is possible to easily determine whether the accelerator has been pressed incorrectly over a wide range based on the operating state of various vehicle devices 3 that are not involved in the vehicle's driving control but that affect the driver's vehicle driving operating environment, and by issuing an alarm or suppressing acceleration, it is possible to significantly improve vehicle safety.

[0052] This concludes the description of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above embodiment, the acceleration suppression control unit 11 includes the sudden acceleration unnecessary scene determination unit 21 and the pedal misapplication likelihood determination unit 22, but it may include only one of them. Furthermore, the sudden acceleration unnecessary scene determination unit 21 may make a determination based on only one or two of the three determination conditions 1) to 3). Furthermore, the pedal misapplication likelihood determination unit 22 may make a determination based on only one or two of the three determination conditions 4) to 6).

[0053] In addition to the determination conditions 1) to 6), accelerator misapplication may be determined based on the operation and operating state of vehicle devices that are not involved in vehicle driving control but affect the driver's vehicle driving environment. Furthermore, when accelerator misapplication determination unit 23 determines that accelerator misapplication has occurred, only one of issuing a warning via warning device 14 or suppressing acceleration by disabling the accelerator operation instruction may be performed.

[0054] Regarding acceleration suppression, in addition to issuing an accelerator invalid command, the actual accelerator operation amount may be corrected to a reduced value and used as the accelerator operation amount. Furthermore, the vehicle speed may be reduced by operating a vehicle brake device or the like in addition to controlling the reduction of the output of the traveling drive device 2, such as the engine or motor. In this case, when determining that the accelerator has been accidentally pressed, and reducing the output of the traveling drive device 2, the amount of output reduction may be changed depending on the satisfied determination conditions 1) to 6).

[0055] In addition, in the above embodiment, the acceleration suppression control unit 11 is provided in the main control unit 5 of the vehicle, but it may be provided separately from the main control unit 5. The present invention can be widely applied to self-propelled vehicles in which the traveling speed is controlled by the accelerator.

[0056] 1 Drive control system (driving control device) 3 Vehicle device 11 Acceleration suppression control unit (driving suppression control unit) 21 Sudden acceleration unnecessary scene determination unit (sudden acceleration unnecessary environment determination unit, pedal misapplication detection unit) 22 Pedal misapplication likelihood determination unit (pedal misapplication detection unit) 23 Pedal misapplication determination unit (pedal misapplication detection unit)

Claims

1. A vehicle driving control device including a pedal misapplication detection unit that detects an accelerator pedal misapplication by a vehicle driver, and a driving suppression control unit that suppresses acceleration of the vehicle when the accelerator pedal misapplication is detected, The misstep detection unit a sudden acceleration unnecessary environment determination unit that determines, based on an operating state of the vehicle device, that the environment is such that sudden acceleration of the vehicle is unnecessary; and a misapplication determination unit that determines that the accelerator has been misapplication if the accelerator operation amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold when it is determined that the environment does not require rapid acceleration of the vehicle, The sudden acceleration unnecessary environment determination unit determines that the environment is one in which sudden acceleration of the vehicle is unnecessary when the operating speed of the wipers of the vehicle is equal to or greater than a predetermined speed or when an angle adjustment switch of the side mirror of the vehicle is being operated. A vehicle driving control device characterized by:

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7. A vehicle driving control device including a unit for detecting an accelerator erroneous operation by a vehicle driver, and a driving suppression control unit for suppressing acceleration of the vehicle when the accelerator erroneous operation is detected, The misstep detection unit a misapplication likelihood determination unit that determines whether the environment is such that misapplication of the accelerator is likely to occur based on an operating state of the vehicle device; and a misapplication determination unit that determines that the accelerator has been misapplication if the accelerator operation amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold when it is determined that the environment is one in which the accelerator is likely to be misapplication. The accelerator misapplication likelihood determination unit determines that the environment is one in which accelerator misapplication is likely to occur when the driver's door of the vehicle is open or a window is fully open and the transmission of the vehicle is in a reverse position. A vehicle driving control device characterized by:

8. A vehicle driving control device including a pedal misapplication detection unit that detects an accelerator pedal misapplication by a vehicle driver, and a driving suppression control unit that suppresses acceleration of the vehicle when the accelerator pedal misapplication is detected, The vehicle has an automatic brake hold device, The misstep detection unit a misapplication likelihood determination unit that determines whether the environment is such that misapplication of the accelerator is likely to occur based on an operating state of the vehicle device; and a misapplication determination unit that determines that the accelerator has been misapplication if the accelerator operation amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold when it is determined that the environment is one in which the accelerator is likely to be misapplication. The vehicle driving control device is characterized in that the accelerator misapplication likelihood determination unit determines that the environment is prone to accelerator misapplication when the automatic brake hold device is in brake hold operation and the driver's seat belt of the vehicle is not fastened or the driver's side door is open.

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