JP2011042356A - Travel support device and travel support method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a vehicle automatically travel from a present location to a predetermined position easily and securely. <P>SOLUTION: A travel support device comprises a virtual moving processing means for virtually moving the vehicle from a reference point sequentially by a plurality of predetermined route patterns and placing the vehicle on a virtual moving point set at the edge, a reference point updating processing means for setting each virtual moving point to be a new reference point, a movability condition determination processing means for determining whether movability conditions for virtually moving the vehicle to a target position can be satisfied or not at each virtual moving point, and a route generation determination processing means for determining that a route can be generated when the movability conditions are satisfied. As the vehicle is virtually moved until the movability conditions are satisfied, the vehicle can automatically travel from the present location to the predetermined position easily and securely. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a driving support device and a driving support method.

  Conventionally, when a vehicle automatically travels from a current location to a predetermined point, for example, a predetermined parking space in a parking lot, a travel support device that generates a route for traveling the vehicle and supports the travel of the vehicle Is provided.

  In the driving support device, a trajectory for each turning radius when the vehicle is turned is recorded in advance in the memory, and the vehicle is moved based on the recorded trajectory when the vehicle is moved backward in an area facing the parking space. Then, after turning with the minimum turning radius, a backward start area that can be entered into the parking space by setting straight forward is set, and the backward start area is displayed on the display unit (for example, a patent) Reference 1).

JP 2006-160147 A

  However, in the conventional driving support device, the driver needs to visually observe the reverse start area displayed on the display unit and drive the vehicle to the reverse start area. If the vehicle cannot travel accurately to the start area, the vehicle cannot reliably travel to the parking space.

  The present invention solves the problems of the conventional driving support device and provides a driving support device and a driving support method capable of automatically and reliably driving a vehicle from a current position to a predetermined position. The purpose is to do.

  For this purpose, in the driving support apparatus of the present invention, the virtual movement processing means for virtually moving the vehicle sequentially from the reference point in a plurality of predetermined route patterns and placing the vehicle on a virtual movement point set at the tip of each route pattern. And a reference point update processing means that uses each virtual moving point as a new reference point for further virtual movement of the vehicle, and at each virtual moving point, the vehicle is virtually moved from the virtual moving point to the target position. Movable condition determination processing means for determining whether or not a movable condition for moving to the first position is satisfied, and route generation determination processing means for determining that a route can be generated when the movable condition is satisfied. Have.

  According to the present invention, in the travel support device, the virtual movement processing means that virtually moves the vehicle in a plurality of predetermined route patterns sequentially from the reference point and places the vehicle on the virtual movement point set at the tip of each route pattern. And a reference point update processing means that uses each virtual moving point as a new reference point for further virtual movement of the vehicle, and at each virtual moving point, the vehicle is virtually moved from the virtual moving point to the target position. Movable condition determination processing means for determining whether or not a movable condition for moving to the first position is satisfied, and route generation determination processing means for determining that a route can be generated when the movable condition is satisfied. Have.

  In this case, the vehicle is virtually moved in a predetermined route pattern sequentially from the reference point, placed at a virtual movement point set at the tip of each route pattern, and each virtual movement point is set as a reference point and moved. The vehicle is further moved virtually until the possible condition is satisfied.

  Therefore, the vehicle can be automatically and reliably traveled from the current location to a predetermined position.

It is a control block diagram of the vehicle in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram of the vehicle in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the driving assistance apparatus in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a 1st figure which shows the subroutine of the path | route production | generation process in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a 2nd figure which shows the subroutine of the path | route production | generation process in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the parking lot map screen in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the route pattern in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the method of calculating the virtual movement point in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the movement prohibition area in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the parking condition determination processing means in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a 1st figure which shows operation | movement of the path | route production | generation means in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a 1st figure which shows operation | movement of the virtual movement distance change process means in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a 2nd figure which shows operation | movement of the virtual movement distance change process means in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a 3rd figure which shows operation | movement of the virtual movement distance change process means in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a 4th figure which shows operation | movement of the virtual movement distance change process means in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a 2nd figure which shows operation | movement of the path | route production | generation process means in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a 3rd figure which shows operation | movement of the path | route production | generation process means in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a 4th figure which shows operation | movement of the path | route production | generation process means in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a 5th figure which shows operation | movement of the path | route production | generation process means in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the virtual movement area | region in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the driving assistance apparatus in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a 1st figure which shows the subroutine of the point calculation path | route production | generation process in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a 2nd figure which shows the subroutine of the point calculation path | route production | generation process in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a 1st figure which shows the subroutine of the area | region calculation path | route production | generation process in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a 2nd figure which shows the subroutine of the area | region calculation path | route production | generation process in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the virtual movement area | region in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the extreme end point of the vehicle in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the driving assistance apparatus in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a 1st figure which shows the subroutine of the point calculation path | route production | generation process in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a 2nd figure which shows the subroutine of the point calculation path | route production | generation process in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the subroutine of the area | region calculation path | route production | generation process in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the driving assistance apparatus in the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a 1st figure which shows the subroutine of the path | route production | generation process in the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a 2nd figure which shows the subroutine of the path | route production | generation process in the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a 1st flowchart which shows operation | movement of the driving assistance device in the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a 2nd flowchart which shows operation | movement of the driving assistance apparatus in the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a 1st figure which shows the subroutine of the point calculation path | route production | generation process in the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a 2nd figure which shows the subroutine of the point calculation path | route production | generation process in the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a 1st figure which shows the subroutine of the area | region calculation path | route production | generation process in the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a 2nd figure which shows the subroutine of the area | region calculation path | route production | generation process in the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the route generation process means in the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a 1st figure for demonstrating the driving | running route when the steering delay occurs. It is a first time chart of the steering angle when a steering delay occurs. It is a figure for demonstrating the condition where a steering delay is hard to generate | occur | produce. It is a figure for demonstrating the condition where the steering delay is easy to generate | occur | produce. It is a 2nd figure for demonstrating a driving | running route when the steering delay occurs. It is the 2nd time chart of the steering angle when the steering delay occurs. It is a figure for demonstrating the driving | running route in the 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure showing the position of the vehicle every minute time in the 6th Embodiment of this invention passes. It is a figure which shows the setting pattern of the steering angle set supposing the steering delay in the 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the virtual movement point map in the 7th Embodiment of this invention.

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

  FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of the vehicle in the first embodiment of the present invention. In addition, F / B, L / R, and U / D in a figure represent the front-back direction, the left-right direction, and the up-down direction of a vehicle, respectively.

  In the figure, 10 is a vehicle, 11 is a body (body frame) representing the main body of the vehicle 10, 12 is a drive motor as a drive source, and WFL, WFR, WRL, and WRR are rotatably arranged with respect to the body 11. In the present embodiment, the left front wheel, the right front, the left rear, and the right rear wheel are provided. The wheels WFL and WFR constitute a front wheel, and the wheels WRL and WRR constitute a rear wheel.

  The vehicle 10 has a front-wheel drive structure, and the drive motor 12 and wheels WFL and WFR are connected via a drive shaft 20. The rotation generated by driving the drive motor 12 is transmitted to the wheels WFL and WFR via a differential device (not shown) and a drive shaft 20. The wheels WFL and WFR function as drive wheels and are rotated to cause the vehicle 10 to travel. As the vehicle 10 travels, the wheels WRL and WRR function as driven wheels and are rotated. In the present embodiment, the drive motor 12 is used as a drive source, but an engine can be used instead of the drive motor 12.

  Reference numeral 14 denotes a suspension that functions as a suspension and suspends the wheels WFL, WFR, WRL, and WRR independently of the body 11. Reference numeral 16 denotes a predetermined one of the wheels WFL, WFR, WRL, and WRR. The steering device for steering the vehicle 10 by changing the direction of the wheels WFL, WFR in the present embodiment, 18 is a predetermined part of the vehicle 10, in the present embodiment, the right front A distance sensor as a surrounding information acquisition device disposed at the end, 21 is an accelerator pedal as an operation element for accelerating the vehicle 10 and as an acceleration operation element, and 22 is an operation for braking the vehicle 10 A brake pedal as an element and as a braking operation element. The acceleration force of the vehicle 10 is changed according to the depression state (depression amount, depression speed, etc.) of the accelerator pedal 21 of the driver who is an operator, and the depression state (depression amount, depression speed, etc.) of the brake pedal 22 is changed. The braking force of the vehicle 10 is changed correspondingly. In the present embodiment, the distance sensor 18 is arranged at the right front end of the vehicle 10, but a predetermined end of the left front, left rear and right rear ends. It can arrange | position to a several edge part.

  Further, the steering device 16 serves as an operation element for steering the vehicle 10 and the steering wheel 23 as the steering operation element. When the driver operates the steering wheel 23, the steering device 23 rotates the steering wheel 23. Steering shaft 24 as a steering shaft to transmit, steering motor 25 as a steering drive unit for automatically rotating the steering shaft 24, and rotation of the steering shaft 24, the direction of the wheels WFL and WFR is changed. A steering mechanism 26 is provided.

  The steering mechanism 26 includes a hook joint 31 as a joint member, a steering gear 32 as a movement direction conversion portion, a tie rod 33, a knuckle arm 34, and the like. The steering gear 32 is illustrated as a first conversion element. A not-illustrated pinion and a rack (not shown) as a second conversion element.

  When the driver operates the steering wheel 23 or drives the steering motor 25 to automatically rotate the steering shaft 24, the operation state (operation amount, operation direction, etc.) of the steering wheel 23 or the steering motor 25 The turning radius and turning direction of the vehicle 10 are changed according to the driving state (rotation angle, rotation direction, etc.).

  When the driver operates the steering wheel 23, the rotation of the steering wheel 23 is transmitted to the hook joint 31 via the steering shaft 24, the angle of the rotation shaft is changed by the hook joint 31, and the pinion is rotated. In the steering gear 32, the rotational movement of the pinion is converted into the linear movement of the rack, the tie rod 33 is moved to the left and right, the knuckle arm 34 is swung, and the directions of the wheels WFL and WFR are changed. In addition, when the steering motor 25 is driven, the rotation of the steering shaft 24 is transmitted to the hook joint 31, and the angle of the rotation shaft is changed by the hook joint 31 to rotate the pinion. In the steering gear 32, the rotational movement of the pinion is converted into the linear movement of the rack, the tie rod 33 is moved to the left and right, the knuckle arm 34 is swung, and the directions of the wheels WFL and WFR are changed. Reference numeral 41 denotes a control unit that functions as a computer and controls the entire vehicle 10.

  Next, a control device for the vehicle 10 having the above-described configuration will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a control block diagram of a vehicle in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, reference numeral 41 denotes a control unit. The control unit 41 includes a CPU 51 as an arithmetic unit, a ROM 52 as a first recording unit, a RAM 53 as a second recording unit, a third recording unit, and A hard disk (HDD) 54 as a data recording unit and an input / output port 55 are provided. The ROM 52 is a non-rewritable non-volatile memory in which a control program, data, and the like are recorded. The RAM 53 is a rewritable volatile memory, and records data used when the control program is executed. The hard disk 54 is provided with a map database 56 in which map data as navigation information for performing navigation processing is recorded, a parking lot database 57 in which parking lot data as parking lot information is recorded, and the like. . In this embodiment, map data, parking lot data, and the like are recorded on the hard disk 54. However, map data, parking lot data, etc. are provided via a communication unit 65 described later. It can be acquired from an information center (not shown) as a person and recorded on the hard disk 54.

  The map data includes terrain data relating to terrain, road data relating to road links, intersection data relating to intersections, node data relating to nodes, search data processed for searching, facility data relating to facilities, feature data relating to features, predetermined data Voice data for outputting information by voice, statistical data for predicting traffic jams, travel history data related to the travel history of the vehicle, and the like are included.

  The parking lot data includes a parking lot position (coordinates), an entrance position (coordinates), an exit position (coordinates), each parking space number, and each parking space in a parking lot having a multi-level structure. Floor (floor) to perform, dimensions (width, depth and height) of each parking space, parking position (coordinates) set at a predetermined location in each parking space, availability information whether each parking space is free, The position (coordinates) of the edge of the passage in the parking lot is included. In addition, when the driver occupies a predetermined parking space by contract, the number of the occupied parking space is also included.

  The input / output port 55 includes a display unit 61 as a first output unit for notifying the driver of various types of information using images, and a current location detection unit that detects the current location (coordinates) and direction and time of the vehicle 10. GPS sensor 62, an operation unit 63 for performing predetermined input by the driver's operation, a voice output unit 64 as a second output unit for notifying the driver of various information by voice, and the above The communication unit 65 as a transmission / reception unit for transmitting / receiving data to / from an information center or the like is connected. In addition, the GPS sensor 62 can calculate the virtual current location of the vehicle 10 (dead reckoning) based on information such as the vehicle speed and the orientation when the current location, orientation, and time of the vehicle 10 cannot be detected. .

  The display unit 61 includes a display, a touch panel, and the like (not shown), and various images are displayed on each screen formed on the display, the touch panel, and the like. In the present embodiment, a touch panel is used, and the touch panel also functions as an operation unit. In this case, keys, switches, buttons, and the like as operation elements based on images are displayed on the screen, and the driver uses keys, switches, A predetermined input can be performed by touching a button or the like.

  The screen of the display unit 61 includes a current location, a surrounding map, a map screen representing the orientation of the vehicle 10, a parking lot map screen representing the state of each parking space in the parking lot, and the like.

  The operation unit 63 includes a remote controller (not shown), a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and includes keys, switches, buttons, dials, and the like as operation elements. Then, the driver can make a predetermined input by pressing a key, a switch, a button or the like or rotating a dial.

  The voice output unit 64 includes a voice synthesizer and a speaker (not shown), and various information is output from the voice output unit 64 as voice.

  The input / output port 55 includes a drive motor 12, a steering motor 25, a distance sensor 18, an accelerator pedal sensor 66 as an acceleration operation detection unit, a brake pedal sensor 67 as a braking operation detection unit, and a steering as a steering detection unit. A sensor 68 and a vehicle speed sensor 69 as a vehicle speed detection unit are connected.

  The distance sensor 18 irradiates a target with an infrared laser, and depending on the degree of reflection, the distance sensor 18 may be a vehicle, a wall existing around the vehicle 10, an obstacle, another vehicle parked in a parking space, or the like. It consists of a laser range finder that detects the distance to the object, and constitutes a distance detector.

  Instead of the distance sensor 18, an imaging device such as a CCD camera can be used as the surrounding information acquisition device. In that case, a white line defining each parking space is photographed as an object in addition to the walls, obstacles, and other vehicles parked in the parking space around the vehicle 10 by the CCD camera, and the CPU 51 The image processing means (not shown) performs image processing, analyzes the image of the image of the captured object, that is, the image based on the image data, and detects the distance from the vehicle 10 to the object.

  The accelerator pedal sensor 66 is disposed adjacent to the accelerator pedal 21 to detect the depression state of the accelerator pedal 21, and the brake pedal sensor 67 is disposed adjacent to the brake pedal 22. The steering sensor 68 is disposed adjacent to the steering wheel 23, and detects the operation state of the steering wheel 23 or the driving state of the steering motor 25. The vehicle speed sensor 69 includes an angle sensor (not shown) that generates a pulse each time the drive shaft 20 rotates by a predetermined angle, and detects the vehicle speed based on the generated pulse.

  By the way, the vehicle 10 having the above-described configuration includes a travel support device that supports the travel of the vehicle 10 so that the vehicle 10 can automatically travel from the current location to a target position, for example, a predetermined parking space in a parking lot. It has become. In addition, the said travel assistance apparatus is comprised by the vehicle 10, the control part 41, etc.

  Next, the operation of the travel support apparatus having the above configuration will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the driving support apparatus in the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a first diagram showing a subroutine of route generation processing in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a parking lot map screen according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a route pattern in the first embodiment, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a method of calculating a virtual movement point in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the first embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows the example of the movement prohibition area in the form of FIG. 10, FIG. 10 is the figure which shows the operation | movement of the parking possible condition judgment processing means in the 1st Embodiment of this invention, FIG. 11 is in the 1st Embodiment of this invention 1st figure which shows operation | movement of a route generation process means, figure 2 is a first diagram showing the operation of the virtual movement distance change processing means in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13 shows the operation of the virtual movement distance change processing means in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a third diagram showing the operation of the virtual movement distance change processing means in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 15 is a virtual movement distance change in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a second diagram showing the operation of the route generation processing means in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the operation of the processing means in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18 is a fourth diagram illustrating the operation of the route generation processing means according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the route generation processing means according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a 5th figure which shows operation | movement of the path | route production | generation means in a form.

  In FIG. 6, g1 is a parking lot map screen formed on the display unit 61, and pi (i = 1, 2,..., 14) is a parking space. In the parking lot map screen g1, the parking spaces p1 to p3, p5, p6, p8, p10, p11, and p14 are marks indicating that other vehicles are parked. Is displayed. In this case, the operation of the driving support device when the vehicle 10 is driven in the parking space p12 among the parking spaces p4, p7, p9, p12, and p13 in which other vehicles are not parked will be described.

  First, when the driver drives the vehicle 10 toward a predetermined parking lot and touches a driving assistance key on a menu screen (not shown) formed on the display unit 61 at the entrance of the parking lot or in the parking lot. A mode setting processing unit (not shown) of the CPU 51 performs a mode setting process, and switches the mode of operation of the vehicle 10 from the normal mode to a mode that supports driving of the vehicle 10, that is, a driving support mode.

  When the driving support mode is set, the vehicle 10 is automatically driven from the current location (first point) to a predetermined point, in the present embodiment, the parking space p12 (second point). The route (parking route) is generated. Therefore, the driver can automatically drive the vehicle 10 from the current location to the parking space p12 along the route, and can park the vehicle 10 in the parking space p12. In addition, the point which starts driving assistance, ie, a driving assistance start point, is constituted by the current location, and the point where driving assistance is ended, ie, the driving assistance end point, is constituted by a parking space.

  For this purpose, the display processing means (not shown) of the CPU 51 performs display processing to form a sub-screen of the menu screen, and the conditions for generating the route in the driving support mode on the sub-screen, that is, the route Displays keys for selecting generation conditions.

  In this case, the route generation conditions include a rearward parking route generation condition for generating a route so that the vehicle 10 can enter the parking space pi from the rear end, and the vehicle 10 enters the parking space pi from the front end. The route generation condition setting process (not shown) of the CPU 51 is included when the driver selects a predetermined route generation condition and touches the corresponding key. The means performs route generation condition setting processing and sets the selected route generation condition (step S1). In the present embodiment, a route generation condition for backward parking is set in advance by default.

  Next, ambient information acquisition processing means (not shown) of the CPU 51 performs ambient information acquisition processing, and acquires the distance detected by the distance sensor 18 by reading it as ambient information (step S2).

  And the empty parking space recognition processing means (not shown) of the CPU 51 performs the empty parking space recognition processing, reads the parking lot data from the parking lot database 57 of the hard disk 54, and the parking lot data and the surrounding information acquisition processing means Based on the acquired surrounding information, it is determined whether or not other vehicles are parked in each parking space pi, and parking spaces p4, p7, p9, p12, and p13 in which no other vehicles are parked are vacant. Recognized as a parking space (step S3). And the said display process means forms the said parking lot map screen g1 on the display part 61, and while displaying each parking space pi on the parking lot map screen g1, it is parking space p1-p3, p5, p6, p8, p10. , P11, and p14 are displayed with “x”.

  In the present embodiment, the parking lot data is read from the hard disk 54, but can be acquired from the information center via the communication unit 65. In that case, the parking lot data acquired from the information center also includes parking lot usage data indicating whether other vehicles are parked in each parking space pi. In the parking lot, the parking lot use data can be acquired from the parking lot manager via the communication unit 65.

  Subsequently, when the driver selects and touches a predetermined parking space among the empty parking spaces on the parking lot map screen g1, in this embodiment, the parking space p12, the parking space selection processing means (not shown) of the CPU 51 is shown. Performs a parking space selection process, and sets the parking space p12 as a parking space for parking the vehicle 10 (step S4).

  By the way, since the present location represents the position where the GPS sensor 62 is disposed in the vehicle 10, that is, the present position, the coordinates of the vehicle 10 differ depending on the position where the GPS sensor 62 is disposed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, for convenience of processing by the CPU 51, a predetermined point of the vehicle 10 is set as a vehicle position specifying point, and the coordinates of the vehicle position specifying point are set as the position of the vehicle 10, that is, the vehicle position. I am doing so. Therefore, the vehicle position calculation processing means (not shown) of the CPU 51 performs vehicle position calculation processing, and sets the vehicle position to the coordinates of the current location on the X axis and the Y axis between the GPS sensor 62 and the vehicle position specifying point. Calculation is performed by adding a value corresponding to the distance.

  Further, the distance detected by the distance sensor 18 represents the distance between the distance sensor 18 and a portion of the target object closest to the vehicle 10, and therefore the value varies depending on the position where the distance sensor 18 is disposed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, for the convenience of processing by the CPU 51, the distance between the vehicle 10 and the object is set as the distance between the vehicle position specifying point and the part closest to the vehicle 10 in the object. Therefore, the distance calculation processing means (not shown) of the CPU 51 performs the distance calculation processing, and sets the distance from the vehicle 10 to the object to the distance between the distance sensor 18 and the portion of the object closest to the vehicle 10. Calculation is performed by adding the distances on the X axis and the Y axis between the distance sensor 18 and the vehicle position specifying point.

  Then, the route generated to drive the vehicle 10 from the current location to the parking space p12 corresponds to the vehicle position specifying point in the parking space p12 when the driving support ends from the vehicle position when starting the driving support. A trajectory when the vehicle 10 is virtually moved to a position (hereinafter referred to as “parking position”). A target position is configured by the parking position.

  In the present embodiment, the vehicle position specifying point is set at the center point of the line segment connecting the wheels WRL and WRR, but may be set at the center point of the line segment connecting the wheels WFL and WFR. It can be set at the center point of the vehicle 10.

  Subsequently, the relative relationship acquisition processing unit (not shown) of the CPU 51 performs a relative relationship acquisition process, and acquires the relative relationship between the current vehicle position and the parking position (step S5). In this case, the first position is constituted by the vehicle position at the start of the driving assistance, and the second position is constituted by the parking position at the end of the driving assistance, both of which are represented by coordinates.

  In the present embodiment, since the route generation conditions for backward parking are preset by default, the parking position is represented by a point corresponding to the vehicle position specifying point when backward parking is performed. When the person selects a route generation condition for forward parking, the parking position is represented by a point corresponding to a vehicle position specifying point when forward parking is performed.

  Then, the route generation processing unit (not shown) of the CPU 51 performs route generation processing and determines whether or not a route from the current vehicle position to the parking position can be generated (steps S6 and S7).

  Next, the operation of the route generation processing means will be described with reference to FIGS.

In this case, variables n (n = 1, 2,..., 10), s (s = 1, 2,...), M (m = 1, 2,...), I (i = 1, 2,...) 1 is set (step S6-1), and the reference point setting processing means of the route generation processing means performs a reference point setting process to set the current vehicle position as the reference point O ₀ (step S6-2).

Subsequently, the virtual movement processing means of the route generation processing means performs virtual movement processing (step S6-3), and, as shown in FIG. 7, the vehicle 10 is sequentially moved from the reference point O ₀ to a predetermined route pattern Qn. Is moved virtually and placed at the virtual movement point Sn set at the tip of each route pattern Qn.

For this purpose, a route pattern Qn and a virtual movement point Sn are set in advance in a plurality of directions from the reference point O ₀ , in this embodiment, in 10 directions. The variable n represents a route pattern number for identifying 10 route patterns Qn set for the reference point O ₀ , and the maximum value n _max is 10.

  The ten directions are directions in which the vehicle 10 is moved back and forth in a straight line, and the vehicle 10 is turned left and right by a plurality of turning radii, in this embodiment, the first and second turning radii. And a direction in which the vehicle 10 is turned rightward and forward by the first and second turning radii, and the first turning radius is made equal to the minimum turning radius determined by the specifications of the vehicle 10. Let R be the second turning radius 2R, which is twice the minimum turning radius R of the vehicle 10.

  Further, a distance (hereinafter referred to as “virtual movement distance”) L for virtually moving the vehicle 10 is set according to the length of each route pattern Qn. The virtual movement distance L is made variable and is 2 in the initial state. [M].

  Therefore, the virtual movement point S1 is at a position where the vehicle 10 is linearly moved forward 2 [m], and the virtual movement point S2 is at a position where the vehicle 10 is linearly moved backward 2 [m]. The virtual moving point S4 turns the vehicle 10 to the right with the second turning radius 2R, to the position where the vehicle 10 turns left by the second turning radius 2R and advances 2 [m]. The virtual movement point S5 is moved to the position advanced by 2 [m], the virtual movement point S5 is turned left by the second turning radius 2R, and the virtual movement point S6 is moved backward by 2 [m]. Is moved to the right by the second turning radius 2R and moved backward by 2 [m], the virtual moving point S7 turns the vehicle 10 to the left by the first turning radius R to 2 [m]. At the advanced position, the virtual movement point S8 is a position where the vehicle 10 is turned to the right by the first turning radius R and advanced 2 [m]. The virtual movement point S9 is at a position where the vehicle 10 is turned left by the first turning radius R and moved backward 2 [m], and the virtual movement point S10 is the vehicle 10 at the first turning radius R. It is set to a position where it is turned to the right and retracted 2 [m].

  Note that the route pattern Qn and the virtual moving point Sn are preferentially selected as the value of the variable n is smaller, the route pattern Q1 and the virtual moving point S1 are selected first, and the route pattern Q10 and the virtual moving point S10 are selected last. The

In each virtual movement process, each time a virtual movement point Sn is selected, the reference point update processing means of the route generation processing means performs a reference point update process, and each virtual movement point Sn is assigned to the vehicle 10. Further, by setting a new reference point O _i for virtual movement, the reference point is updated and recorded in the RAM 53 (step S6-4). The variable i represents a reference point number for identifying the reference point.

  Here, a method of calculating each virtual movement point Sn, for example, the virtual movement points S8 and S9, in the virtual movement process will be described.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 8, the coordinates of the turning center C1 when the vehicle 10 is moved by the virtual turning distance L with the first turning radius R is (x _R , y _R ), and the reference point O _i The coordinates are (x _i , y _i ), the coordinates of the virtual movement point S8 are (x _{i + 1} , y _{i + 1} ), and the angle formed by the reference point O _i and the virtual movement point S8 with respect to the turning center C1 (Hereinafter referred to as “virtual movement angle”) is θ1,
L = 2πR · θ1 / 2π
= R · θ1
So
θ1 = L / R
become. Therefore, in the case of the virtual movement point S8,
x _i <x _R
Therefore, the coordinates of the virtual moving point S8 are
x _{i + 1} = x _i + 2R · sin (θ1 / 2) · sin (θ1 / 2)
y _{i + 1} = y _i + 2R · sin (θ1 / 2) · cos (θ1 / 2)
In the case of the virtual moving point S9,
x _i > x _R
Therefore, the coordinates of the virtual movement point S9 are
x _{i + 1} = x _i −2R · sin (θ1 / 2) · sin (θ1 / 2)
y _{i + 1} = y _i −2R · sin (θ1 / 2) · cos (θ1 / 2)
become.

In the present embodiment, ten route patterns Qn are set for each of the reference points O _O and O _i , but an arbitrary plurality of route patterns can be set. In the present embodiment, the first and second turning radii R and 2R are set as integer multiples of the minimum turning radius, but can be set to arbitrary values.

By the way, in the present embodiment, the vehicle 10 is virtually moved from the reference points O ₀ , O _i to the virtual moving point Sn along each route pattern Qn sequentially, as shown in FIG. Since other vehicles are parked in the parking spaces p1 to p3, p5, p6, p8, p10, p11, and p14, as shown in FIG. 9, the predetermined virtual moving points are the parking spaces p1 to p3, If p5, p6, p8, p10, p11, and p14 are set, the vehicle 10 cannot be virtually moved to the predetermined virtual movement point. Further, even when the predetermined virtual movement point is set inside the wall in the parking lot, the vehicle 10 cannot be virtually moved to the predetermined virtual movement point.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the movement prohibition area setting processing means of the route generation processing means performs a movement prohibition area setting process, and based on the parking lot data and the surrounding information, pillars, walls, other vehicles, etc. Position (coordinates) is acquired, and the movement prohibited area AR0 is set on the coordinates. In FIG. 9, parking spaces p1 to p3, p5, p6, p8, p10, p11, and p14 are set as the movement prohibited area AR0.

  Then, the movement prohibition area determination processing means of the route generation processing means performs a movement prohibition area determination process to determine whether or not the virtual movement point Sn exists within the movement prohibition area AR0 (step S6-5). When the moving point Sn exists in the movement prohibited area AR0, no route is generated for the virtual moving point Sn, and when the virtual moving point Sn does not exist in the movement prohibited area AR0, the moveable condition of the route generation processing means The parking condition determination processing unit as the determination processing unit performs a parking condition determination process as the movement condition determination process, and determines whether or not the parking condition as a predetermined movement condition is satisfied for the virtual moving point Sn. Judgment is made (step S6-6).

Incidentally, if in the present embodiment, the vehicle 10, a predetermined turning radius, in this embodiment, can be moved to the parking position by turning at the minimum turning radius (R) or of the turning radius R _p It is determined whether or not the parking condition is satisfied.

Next, a vehicle 10, is retracted by turning to the left at the minimum turning radius (R) from the vehicle position S _v is a virtual moving point, parking position is moved to S _P, the parking available for performing backward parking The conditions will be described. In this case, when the vehicle 10 is placed at the parking position S _P in the parking space p12, the first condition is set to match the vertical axis of the vehicle 10 and the y-axis. As shown, when the vehicle 10 is placed at a predetermined point Sa outside the parking space p12, the second condition is a case where the target is to make the vertical axis coincide with the y-axis.

Here, in FIG. 10, the coordinates of the vehicle position S _v are (x _v , y _v ), the coordinates of the parking position S _P are (x _P , y _P ), and the vehicle position S _v and the parking position S _P are angle and θ2 with respect to the x-axis of a line connecting the a angle relative to the x-axis of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle position S _v the angle and theta _v respect to the x-axis of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle 10 in the vehicle 10 in the parking position S _P theta _{Assuming P} , the angle θ2 is
θ2 = tan ⁻¹ ((Y _v −Y _p ) / ((X _v −X _p ))
become. Therefore, when the distance between the vehicle position S _v and the parking position S _P on the x-axis and P _x, the distance between the vehicle position S _v and the parking position S _P on y-axis and P _y, the distance P _x, P _y is
P _x = | √ ((X _v −X _p ) ² + (Y _v −Y _p ) ² ) · cos (θ2 + π / 2−θ _p ) |
_{P y = | √ ((X} v -X p) 2 + (Y v -Y p) 2) · sin (θ2 + π / 2-θ p) |
become.

In the vehicle position S _v, when the angle with respect to the x-axis of a line connecting the turning center C2 and the vehicle position S _v was theta _vp, the angle theta _vp is,
θ _vp = θ _v −θ _p
become. When the distance between the vehicle position S _v and the turning center C2 on the x-axis and P _rx, the distance between the vehicle position S _v and the turning center C2 on the y-axis and P _ry, the distance P _rx, P _ry Is
P _rx = R _p · cos θ _vp
P _ry = R _p · sin θ _vp
become,
P _rx = R _p −P _x
So
R _p = P _x / (1-cos θ _vp )
become.

Therefore, in the first condition, the distance P _y when the vehicle 10 is turned with a turning radius R _p greater than the minimum turning radius (R) and moved backward is:
P _y > P _ry
In this case, the parking condition is satisfied.

Further, in the second condition, the tangent of the turning circle having the first turning radius R needs to coincide with the y-axis at the point Sa,
P _y −P _L / 2> P _ry
In this case, the parking condition is satisfied. The value P _L is a dimension in the longitudinal direction of the parking space p12.

  When the parking available condition is satisfied in this way, the route generation determination processing unit of the route generation processing unit performs the route generation determination process and determines that the route can be generated (step S6-7).

  By the way, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the virtual movement process is performed for each route pattern Qn until a virtual movement point that does not exist in the movement prohibited area AR0 and satisfies the parking condition is selected. Is repeated.

That is, when the virtual moving point Sn is present in the movement inhibition area AR0, and if the available parking condition is not satisfied, the variable n and m is incremented (step S6-8, S6-9), the variable n is from n _max When it becomes larger (step S6-10), 1 is set to the variable n (step S6-11), and until the variable i becomes larger than Σn _max ^x (x = 1, 2,..., S) (step S6-12). The reference point O _i is moved (step S6-13), the variable i is incremented (step S6-14), and when the variable i becomes larger than Σn _max ^x , the variable s is incremented (step S6-15), and the variable s When s _{max is} greater than or equal to s _max (step S6-16), the route generation determination processing means determines that a route cannot be generated (step S6-17). The variable s represents the number of repetitions for identifying the number of repetitions of the virtual movement process, the variable m represents the total number of virtual movement points for identifying the total number of virtual movement points Sn, and the maximum value s _max of the variable s is For example, it is set to 6.

  Thus, when it is determined by the route generation determination processing means that the route can be generated, the route determination processing means (not shown) of the CPU 51 performs the route determination processing and determines the generated route. (Step S8).

  The display processing means displays the generated route on the display unit 61 and displays an execution key. Therefore, when the driver touches the execution key, driving support processing means (not shown) of the CPU 51 performs driving support processing, drives the drive motor 12 and the steering motor 25, and automatically moves the vehicle 10 from the current location to the parking space p12. Let it run.

  By the way, the virtual moving distance L is set to 2 [m] in the initial state, but as shown in FIG. 12, the width h of the passage in the parking lot is small, and the movement prohibition area AR0 is set around the vehicle 10. If it is, the vehicle 10 cannot be virtually moved to the virtual movement point Sn, and a route cannot be generated.

  Accordingly, when it is determined that the route cannot be generated by the route generation determination processing means, the virtual movement distance change processing means of the route generation processing means performs the virtual movement distance change processing and changes the virtual movement distance L. (Step S9). For this purpose, the virtual movement distance change processing means virtually moves the vehicle 10 and a rectangular area formed so as to include the virtual movement points Sn of the vehicle 10 as shown in FIG. Assuming that the area AR1 is an area other than the movement prohibited area AR0 in the virtual movement area AR1, the virtual movement is based on the area A1 of the virtual movement area AR1 and the area A2 of the movable area AR2. Change the distance L. The area A1 of the virtual movement area AR1 is calculated based on the first and second turning radii R, 2R and the virtual movement distance L.

  Further, the virtual movement distance change processing means calculates the area A2 of the movable area AR2 by the method shown in FIG.

In this case, in FIG. 14, when the angle representing the angle resolution when the distance is detected by the distance sensor 18 is Δθ (0.5 [°] in the present embodiment), the angle Δθ is defined as the included angle. The coordinates of the two points u1 and u2 at which the two line segments and the edge of the movable area AR2 intersect are (x ₁ , y ₁ ) and (x ₂ , y ₂ ).

At this time, the distance L ₁ between the vehicle position S _V and the point u ₁ is
L ₁ = √ (x ₁ ² + y ₁ ² )
The distance L ₂ between the vehicle position S _V and the point u ₂ is
L ₂ = √ (x ₂ ² + y ₂ ² )
become. And if the area of the portion surrounded by the vehicle position S _V and the points u1, u2 is ΔA ₁ ,
ΔA ₁ = 1/2 (L ₁ · L ₂ · sin Δθ)
To become the area A2, since the area .DELTA.A ₁ is 360 [°] partial sum value,
A2 = ΣΔA _N
= Σ1 / 2 (L _N · L _{N + 1} · sin Δθ)
become. The value N is
N = 1, 2,..., 720
It is.

And if the virtual moving distance L after change is L ′, the virtual moving distance L ′ is
L ′ = (A2 / A1) · k · L
become. K is a moving distance coefficient for adjusting the influence of the value (A2 / A1) on the virtual moving distance L ′.

  Subsequently, the virtual movement distance change processing unit changes the virtual movement distance L until there is a limit to the change of the virtual movement distance L (for example, until the value (A2 / A1) becomes 0.5) (step S10). ).

  In this way, the virtual movement distance change processing unit changes the virtual movement distance L and sets a virtual movement area AR3 in which the virtual movement distance L ′ is shortened as shown in FIG.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the vehicle 10 is virtually moved in a predetermined route pattern Qn sequentially from the reference points O _o and O _i , and the virtual moving point set at the tip of each route pattern Qn. The vehicle 10 is further moved virtually until it is placed on Sn and each virtual moving point Sn is set as the next reference point and the parking condition is satisfied. Therefore, the driver can easily and surely travel the vehicle 10 from the current location to the parking space p12 along the generated route without looking at the display unit 61.

  In the present embodiment, when the movement prohibition area AR0 is set based on the positions of pillars, walls, other vehicles, etc., and a predetermined virtual movement point exists in the movement prohibition area AR0, the virtual movement point Since no route is generated for, a route can be prevented from being generated toward a pillar, a wall, another vehicle, or the like.

  Further, even when the width h of the passage in the parking lot is small and the movement prohibition area AR0 is set around the vehicle 10, the virtual movement distance L is changed and shortened by the virtual movement distance change processing means. Can be reliably generated.

  In this embodiment, the backward-facing parking route generation conditions are set in advance by default, and a backward-facing parking route is generated as shown in FIG. In the case of generation, as shown in FIG. 17, each route pattern Qn is weighted by the virtual movement processing means. For example, the weights of the route patterns Q1 and Q2 are set to 1.0, the weights of the route patterns Q3 to Q6 are set to 0.9, and the weights of the route patterns Q7 to Q10 are set to 0.8. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, it is possible to prevent the vehicle 10 from turning as much as possible, and to park in the parking space p <b> 12 while moving straight.

  Next, when an object in which the vehicle 10 is virtually moved, that is, when an object such as a pillar, a wall, or another vehicle exists as an obstacle in the virtual movement area, a route is generated by avoiding the obstacle. A second embodiment of the present invention that can be described will be described. In addition, about the thing which has the same structure as 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is provided and the effect of the same embodiment is used about the effect of the invention by having the same structure.

  FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of a virtual movement area according to the second embodiment of this invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 10 denotes a vehicle. For example, when the vehicle 10 is turned to the right with the first turning radius R around the turning center C1, and travels along the route pattern Q8 (FIG. 7), The left front end of the vehicle 10 draws a locus with the longest radius R _max , and is near the right rear end of the vehicle 10 (a point where the line segment connecting the vehicle position S _V and the turning center C1 intersects the right edge of the vehicle 10). Draws a locus with a minimum radius R _min .

Incidentally, when the obstacle in the virtual movement area ARv there is formed between the locus of maximum radius R _max of the trace and the minimum radius R _min, it is impossible to generate a route along the path pattern Q8.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, a route generation condition for avoiding an obstacle, that is, an obstacle avoidance route generation condition is set.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the operation of the driving support apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 22 is a first diagram showing a subroutine of point calculation route generation processing according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 23 is a second diagram showing a subroutine of point calculation path generation processing according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 24 is a first diagram showing a subroutine of area calculation path generation processing according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 25 is a second diagram showing a subroutine of region calculation path generation processing in the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram of a virtual movement region in the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram of the extreme end point of the vehicle according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  First, when the driving support mode is set, the display processing unit forms a sub-screen of the menu screen, and a condition for generating a route in the driving support mode on the sub-screen, that is, a route generation condition Displays a key for selecting.

  In this case, the route generation conditions include a rearward parking route generation condition, a forward parking route generation condition, an obstacle avoidance route generation condition, etc., and the driver selects a predetermined route generation condition and uses the corresponding key as a key. When touched, the route generation condition setting processing means sets the selected route generation condition (step S11). When the route generation conditions are set in advance, for example, when recorded in the ROM 52 (FIG. 1) as the first recording unit, the route generation condition setting processing means stores the recorded route generation conditions. Is read.

  Next, the surrounding information acquisition processing means acquires surrounding information (step S12), and the empty parking space recognition processing means determines an empty parking space based on the parking lot data read from the parking lot database 57 and the surrounding information. Is recognized (step S13). And the said display processing means displays each parking space pi on the said parking lot map screen g1 (FIG. 6), and parking spaces p1-p3, p5, p6, p8, p10 where other vehicles are parked. , P11, and p14 are displayed with “x”.

  Subsequently, when the driver selects and touches a predetermined parking space among the empty parking spaces, in the present embodiment, the parking space p12 in the parking lot map screen g1, the parking space selection processing means The space p12 is set as a parking space for parking the vehicle 10 (step S14).

  Next, the relative relationship acquisition processing unit acquires the relative relationship between the current vehicle position and the parking position (step S15), and the route generation condition determination processing unit (not shown) of the CPU 51 serving as a computing device A determination process is performed, the set route generation condition is read (step S16), and it is determined whether the obstacle avoidance route generation condition is set (step S17).

  When the obstacle avoidance route generation condition is set, the region calculation route generation processing unit (not shown) of the CPU 51 performs the region calculation route generation processing, and the distance is detected by the distance sensor 18 as the surrounding information acquisition device. It is determined whether or not an obstacle exists in the virtual movement area ARv as an obstacle, and it is determined whether or not a route can be generated when the obstacle does not exist in the virtual movement area ARv (steps S19 and S20). ).

  Further, when the obstacle avoidance route generation condition is not set, the point calculation route generation processing unit (not shown) of the CPU 51 performs the point calculation route generation processing, and whether the virtual movement point Sn exists in the movement prohibited area AR0. It is determined whether or not a route can be generated when the virtual moving point Sn does not exist in the movement prohibited area AR0 (steps S18 and S20).

  Next, the operation of the point calculation path generation processing means will be described with reference to FIGS.

In this case, variables n (n = 1, 2,..., 10), s (s = 1, 2,...), M (m = 1), as in the operation of the route generation processing unit of the first embodiment. ,..., I (i = 1, 2,...) Is set to 1 (step S18-1), and the reference point setting processing means of the point calculation path generation processing means performs reference point setting processing, Is set as a reference point O ₀ (step S18-2).

Subsequently, the virtual movement processing means of the point calculation route generation processing means performs virtual movement processing (step S18-3), and virtually moves the vehicle 10 sequentially from the reference point O _{0 with a} predetermined route pattern Qn. The virtual movement point Sn is set at the tip of each route pattern Qn. In each virtual movement process, each time each virtual movement point Sn is selected, the reference point update processing means of the point calculation route generation processing means performs a reference point update process, and each virtual movement point Sn is assigned to the vehicle. The reference point is updated by setting 10 as a new reference point O _i for further virtual movement, and is recorded in the RAM 53 as the second recording unit (step S18-4).

  Next, the movement prohibition area setting processing means of the point calculation route generation processing means performs a movement prohibition area setting process, and sets the movement prohibition area AR0 on the coordinates based on the parking lot data and the surrounding information. Subsequently, the movement prohibition area determination processing means of the point calculation route generation processing means performs a movement prohibition area determination process to determine whether or not the virtual movement point Sn exists in the movement prohibition area AR0 (step S18). -5) When the virtual movement point Sn exists in the movement prohibited area AR0, no route is generated for the virtual movement point, and when the virtual movement point Sn does not exist in the movement prohibited area AR0, the point calculation route The parking condition determination processing means as the movement condition determination processing means of the generation processing means performs a parking condition determination process as the movement condition determination process, and the virtual movement point Sn is set as a predetermined movement condition. It is determined whether the same parking conditions as those in the first embodiment are satisfied (step S18-6).

  When the parking condition is satisfied, the route generation determination processing unit of the point calculation route generation processing unit determines that the route can be generated (step S18-7).

When the virtual movement point Sn exists in the movement prohibited area AR0 and when the parking available condition is not satisfied, the variables n and m are incremented (steps S18-8 and S18-9), and the variable n is greater than n _max . When it becomes larger (step S18-10), 1 is set to the variable n (step S18-11), and the reference point O _i is moved until the variable i becomes larger than Σn _max ^x (step S18-12) (step S18-). 13) The variable i is incremented (step S18-14). When the variable i becomes larger than Σn _max ^x , the variable s is incremented (step S18-15), and when the variable s becomes greater than or equal to s _max (step S18-16). ), The route generation determination processing means determines that a route cannot be generated (step S18-17).

  Next, the operation of the area calculation path generation processing means will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In this case, similarly to the operation of the point calculation path generation processing means, variables n (n = 1, 2,..., 10), s (s = 1, 2,...), M (m = 1, 2,. ), I (i = 1, 2,...) Is set to 1 (step S19-1).

Next, the margin width setting processing means of the area calculation route generation processing means performs margin width setting processing and adds to the margin width + α (α> 0) and the minimum radius R _min to be added to the longest radius R _max of the vehicle 10. The margin width -α to be set is set (step S19-2).

Subsequently, the reference point setting processing means of the area calculation route generation processing means performs reference point setting processing to set the current vehicle position as the reference point O ₀ (step S19-3). The virtual movement processing means performs virtual movement processing (step S19-4), moves the vehicle 10 virtually in a predetermined route pattern Qn sequentially from the reference point O _0, and is set at the tip of each route pattern Qn. Each time a virtual movement point Sn is selected in each virtual movement process placed at the virtual movement point Sn, the reference point update processing means of the area calculation path generation processing means performs a reference point update process, and each virtual movement point Sn By making the point Sn a new reference point O _i for further virtual movement of the vehicle 10, the reference point is updated and recorded in the RAM 53 (step S19-5).

Then, the virtual movement area setting processing means of the area calculation route generation processing means performs virtual movement area setting processing, and the turning radius of the route pattern Qn set in the virtual movement processing, in the present embodiment, the first Turning radius R, longest radius R _max , minimum radius R _{min of} vehicle 10, and margin widths + α and −α set in the margin width setting process are read, and a value obtained by adding margin width + α to maximum radius R _max is obtained. up to a radius R _max, the minimum radius R _min value obtained by adding the margin widths -α to the minimum radius R _min, it sets the virtual movement area ARv based on maximum radius R _max and a minimum radius R _min. Therefore, the range in which the distance of the obstacle can be detected by the distance sensor 18 is widened, and the condition for virtually moving the vehicle 10 along the route pattern Qn is difficult to be satisfied. It can be widened, and safety when the vehicle 10 is driven can be increased.

  Subsequently, the surrounding information reading processing means of the area calculation path generation processing means performs surrounding information reading processing, reads the surrounding information acquired by the surrounding information acquisition processing means (step S19-6), and the area calculating path The obstacle determination processing means of the generation processing means performs obstacle determination processing and determines whether or not the obstacle exists in the virtual movement area ARv (step S19-7).

In this case, the vehicle position specific point at the vehicle position S _vl is set as the origin. As shown in FIG. 26, when moving virtually the vehicle 10 with the route pattern Q8, the outer peripheral edge of virtual movement area ARv the formula trajectory of the longest radius ^{_{R max (x-R) 2}} + y 2 = R max ²
The inner periphery of the virtual movement area ARv is expressed by the equation (x−R) ² + y ² = R _min ² of the locus with the minimum radius R _min.
Can be expressed as

When the coordinates of the predetermined point e in the virtual movement area ARv are (X, Y), and a straight line parallel to the y axis passing through the point e is La,
Y> 0
(X ₁ , Y ₁ ), (X ₂ , Y ₂ ) are the coordinates of points e1 and e2 at which the outer peripheral edge and inner peripheral edge of the virtual movement area ARv intersect the straight line La.
Y <0
(X ₃ , Y ₃ ), (X ₄ , Y ₄ ) are the coordinates of points e3 and e4 at which the inner and outer rims of the virtual movement area ARv intersect the straight line La.
X ₁ = X ₂ = X ₃ = X ₄ = X
Y ₁ = √ (R _max ²⁻ (X−R) ² )
Y ₂ = √ (R _min ² − (X−R) ² )
Y ₃ = −√ (R _min ² − (X−R) ² )
Y ₄ = −√ (R _max ² − (X−R) ² )
become.

Then, as shown in Figure 27, the vehicle position at the reference point O _i and S _V1, the vehicle 10 is an angle formed vehicle position S _V1, S _V2 is with respect to the turning center C1 of the vehicle position S _V1 virtual the vehicle position when moving swirled by moving angle θ1 and S _V2, the vehicle position S _V2 coordinates (x _V, y _V) of the vehicle position S the coordinates of the right front end of the vehicle 10 in _V2 (x _v1 , y _v1 ), the left front end coordinates (x _v2 , y _v2 ), the left rear end coordinates (x _v3 , y _v3 ), and the right rear end coordinates (x _v4 , y _v4 ) To do.

Further, when the width of the vehicle 10 is W, the distance from the vehicle position specifying point of the vehicle 10 to the front end is L _f, and the distance from the vehicle position specifying point to the right front end of the vehicle 10 is L _v1 , the vehicle position An angle θ _v1 formed by a line segment Ma connecting the vehicle position specifying point in S _V1 and the right front end of the vehicle 10 and the vertical axis of the vehicle 10 is:
θ _vl = tan ⁻¹ ((W / 2) / L _f )
And the distance L _vl is
L _vl = L _f ² + (W / 2) ²
become.

Further, an angle θ _v2 formed by a line segment Ma connecting the vehicle position specifying point at the vehicle position S _V2 and the right front end of the vehicle 10 and the vertical axis (Y axis) of the vehicle 10 at the vehicle position S _V1 is the virtual movement. it is equal to the value obtained by adding the angle theta _v1 to the angle .theta.1, in the right front end of the coordinates is the top end point of the vehicle 10 in the virtual movement area _{ARv (x v1, y v1)} ,
x _vl = x _v + L _vl · cos (π / 2− (θ + θ _vl ))
y _vl = y _v + L _vl · sin (π / 2− (θ + θ _vl ))
become.

Therefore, the coordinates of the obstacle when the vehicle 10 is virtually advanced in the route pattern Q8 is
− (R _max −R) ≦ X ≦ x _vl
Y ₂ ≦ Y ≦ Y ₁
The coordinates of the obstacle when the vehicle 10 is virtually retreated by the route pattern Q10
− (R _max −R) ≦ X ≦ x _vl
Y ₃ ≦ Y ≦ Y ₄
If it falls within the range, it is determined that the obstacle exists in the virtual movement area ARv.

  When an obstacle exists in the virtual movement area ARv, no route is generated for the route pattern of the virtual movement area ARv, and when no obstacle exists in the virtual movement area ARv, the area calculation route The parking condition determination processing means as the movement condition determination processing means of the generation processing means performs the parking condition determination processing as the movement condition determination processing, and the virtual movement point Sn as the predetermined movement condition It is determined whether the same parking conditions as in the point calculation route generation process are satisfied (step S19-8).

  When the parking available condition is satisfied, the route generation determination processing unit of the area calculation route generation processing unit performs the route generation determination process and determines that the route can be generated (step S19-9).

Further, when the obstacle exists in the virtual movement area ARv and when the parking available condition is not satisfied, the variables n and m are incremented (steps S19-10 and S19-11), and the variable n becomes larger than n _max. (Step S19-12), 1 is set to the variable n (Step S19-13), and the reference point O _i is moved (Step S19-15) until the variable i becomes larger than Σn _max ^x (Step S19-14). The variable i is incremented (step S19-16). When the variable i becomes larger than Σn _max ^x , the variable s is incremented (step S19-17), and when the variable s becomes s _max or more (step S19-18), The route generation determination processing means determines that a route cannot be generated (step S19-19).

  In this way, when it is determined by the route generation determination processing means that the route can be generated, the route determination processing means determines the generated route (step S21).

  The display processing means displays the generated route on the display unit 61 as the first output unit and displays an execution key. Therefore, when the driver touches the execution key, the driving support processing means performs driving support processing, drives the drive motor 12 as a drive source and the steering motor 25 as a steering drive unit, and It runs automatically from the present location to the parking space p12.

  When it is determined that the route cannot be generated by the route generation determination processing means, the virtual movement distance change processing means changes the virtual movement distance L until there is a limit in changing the virtual movement distance L ( Steps S22 and S23).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when a predetermined virtual moving point exists in the movement prohibited area AR0, no route is generated for the virtual moving point Sn, so that a column, a wall, another vehicle, etc. It is possible to prevent a route from being generated toward an obstacle. When there is an obstacle in the predetermined virtual movement area ARv, no route is generated for the route pattern Qn of the virtual movement area ARv, so a route is generated in the virtual movement area ARv in which the obstacle exists. Can be prevented.

  By the way, in this embodiment, the obstacle avoidance route generation condition can be set as the route generation condition, and when the obstacle avoidance route generation condition is not set, only the point calculation route generation processing is performed. When the obstacle avoidance path generation condition is set, only the area calculation path generation process is performed, but both the point calculation path generation process and the area calculation path generation process can be performed. A third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, about the thing which has the same structure as 1st, 2nd embodiment, the same code | symbol is provided and the effect of the embodiment is used about the effect of the invention by having the same structure.

  FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing the operation of the driving support apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 29 is a first diagram showing a subroutine of point calculation route generation processing according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 30 is a second diagram showing a subroutine of point calculation path generation processing in the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 31 is a diagram showing a subroutine of area calculation path generation processing in the third embodiment of the present invention. is there.

  When the driver selects a predetermined route generation condition and touches the corresponding key, the route generation condition setting processing means sets the selected route generation condition (step S31). As in the second embodiment, when the route generation condition is set in advance, for example, when it is recorded in the ROM 52 (FIG. 1) as the first recording unit, the route generation condition setting is performed. The processing means reads the recorded route generation condition.

  Next, the surrounding information acquisition processing means acquires surrounding information (step S32), and the empty parking space recognition processing means creates an empty parking space based on the parking lot data read from the parking lot database 57 and the surrounding information. Recognizing (step S33), the parking space selection processing means sets the parking space p12 (step S34).

  Subsequently, the relative relationship acquisition processing unit acquires a relative relationship between the current vehicle position and the parking position (step S35), and the point calculation route generation processing unit determines that the virtual movement point Sn is within the movement prohibited area AR0. It is determined whether or not a route can be generated for the virtual moving point Sn depending on whether or not the parking enable condition is satisfied (steps S36 and S37).

  When a route can be generated for the virtual movement point Sn, the area calculation route generation processing unit generates a path depending on whether an obstacle exists in the virtual movement area ARv corresponding to the virtual movement point Sn. It is determined whether or not it can be performed (steps S38 and S39).

  By the way, in the present embodiment, in the point calculation route generation process, for each virtual moving point Sn, it is determined whether or not the virtual moving point Sn exists in the movement prohibited area AR0, and the virtual moving point Sn is prohibited from moving. When it does not exist in the area AR0, it is determined whether or not a parking condition as a movable condition is satisfied (steps S36-1, S36-3, S36-5 to S36-8, S36-11 to S36-). 19). If the virtual moving point does not exist in the movement prohibited area AR0 and the parking condition is satisfied for the predetermined virtual moving point, the route generation determination processing unit can generate a route for the virtual moving point. (Step S36-10), if the virtual moving point exists in the movement prohibited area AR0 and the parking condition is not satisfied, the route generation determination processing means cannot generate a route for the virtual moving point. Is determined (step S36-20).

  In this case, without determining whether a path can be generated for the remaining virtual movement points, the process proceeds to the area calculation path generation process, and the area calculation path generation process corresponds to the virtual movement point. It is determined whether there is an obstacle in the virtual movement area ARv, and if there is no obstacle in the virtual movement area ARv, it is determined whether a route can be generated (steps S38-1 to S38-). 6). When it is determined that an obstacle exists in the virtual movement area ARv and a route cannot be generated, the point calculation route generation process is performed again, and a route can be generated for the next virtual movement point. It is judged whether or not.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, when it is determined in the point calculation route generation process that a route can be generated for a predetermined virtual moving point, the point calculation route generation process is interrupted, and the area calculation route Since the process proceeds to the generation process, it is necessary to store the virtual movement point when the point calculation path generation process is interrupted. Therefore, in the point calculation route generation process, when the parking possible condition is established for the virtual moving point, the recording processing unit of the point calculation route generation processing unit performs the recording process, and the (current) variable when the parking possible condition is satisfied. s, m and i are recorded in the RAM 53 as the second recording unit (step S36-9).

  If the route cannot be generated in the region calculation route generation processing, it is determined whether the point calculation route generation processing is performed again (recalculation) (step S36-2), and point calculation route generation is performed. When the processing is performed again, the variable acquisition processing means of the point calculation path generation processing means performs variable acquisition processing and reads the variables s, m, and i recorded in the RAM 53 (step S36-4). Then, a point calculation route generation process is performed based on the variables s, m, and i.

  In the area calculation route generation process, when it is determined that a route can be generated for the virtual movement area ARv, the route determination processing unit determines the generated route (step S40). If it is determined in the point calculation route generation process that the route cannot be generated, the virtual movement distance change processing means changes the virtual movement distance L until there is a limit to the change of the virtual movement distance L ( Steps S41 and S42).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the area calculation route generation process can be performed without setting the obstacle avoidance route generation condition as the route generation condition, so the route to the virtual movement area ARv in which the obstacle exists exists. Can be prevented from being generated. Moreover, the process for that can be simplified.

  By the way, in this embodiment, when it is determined that a point calculation path generation process is performed for each virtual movement point Sn and a path can be generated for a predetermined virtual movement point, the point calculation path generation process is interrupted. However, for each virtual movement point Sn, it is determined whether or not the virtual movement point Sn exists in the movement prohibited area AR0 and whether or not the parking condition is satisfied. The fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described in which both the determination of whether the obstacle exists in the virtual movement area ARv corresponding to each virtual movement point Sn is performed. In addition, about the thing which has the same structure as 1st-3rd embodiment, the same code | symbol is provided and the effect of the same embodiment is used about the effect of the invention by having the same structure.

  FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing the operation of the driving support apparatus in the fourth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 33 is a first diagram showing a subroutine of route generation processing in the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. It is a 2nd figure which shows the subroutine of the path | route production | generation process in the 4th Embodiment of this invention.

  When the driver selects a predetermined route generation condition and touches the corresponding key, the route generation condition setting processing unit sets the selected route generation condition (step S51). As in the second and third embodiments, when the route generation conditions are set in advance, for example, when recorded in the ROM 52 or the like as the first recording unit, the route generation condition setting process is performed. The means reads the recorded route generation condition.

  Next, the surrounding information acquisition processing means acquires surrounding information (step S52), and the empty parking space recognition processing means recognizes an empty parking space based on parking lot data and surrounding information (step S53), The parking space selection processing means sets a parking space p12 (step S54).

  Subsequently, the relative relationship acquisition processing means acquires the relative relationship between the current vehicle position and the parking position (step S55), and the route generation processing means indicates that each virtual movement point Sn exists in the movement prohibited area AR0. Whether a route can be generated according to whether or not a parking condition as a movable condition is satisfied and whether or not an obstacle exists in the virtual movement area ARv corresponding to the virtual movement point Sn It is determined whether or not (steps S56 and S57).

  That is, in the route generation process, for each virtual moving point Sn, it is determined whether or not the virtual moving point Sn exists in the movement prohibited area AR0 and whether or not a parking condition is satisfied (steps S56-1 to S56-1). S56-6). For the virtual movement point Sn, when the virtual movement point Sn does not exist in the movement prohibited area AR0 and the parking condition is satisfied, the route generation processing means reads the surrounding information (step S56-7), and the route generation processing The obstacle determination processing means performs an obstacle determination process to determine whether an obstacle exists in the virtual movement area ARv (step S56-8).

  If no obstacle exists in the virtual movement area ARv, the route generation determination processing means determines that a route can be generated (step S56-9).

  Note that each route pattern Qn does not exist until the virtual movement point Sn does not exist in the movement prohibited area AR0, the parking condition is satisfied, and a virtual movement point in which no obstacle exists in the corresponding virtual movement area ARv is selected. The virtual movement process is repeatedly performed for.

That is, the variables n and m are incremented when the virtual movement point Sn exists in the movement prohibited area AR0, when the parking available condition is not satisfied, and when the obstacle exists in the corresponding virtual movement area ARv ( Steps S56-10 and S56-11) When the variable n becomes larger than n _max (Step S56-12), 1 is set to the variable n (Step S56-13) until the variable i becomes larger than Σn _max ^x (Step S56-13). Step S56-14) The reference point O _i is moved (Step S56-15), the variable i is incremented (Step S56-16), and when the variable i becomes larger than Σn _max ^x , the variable s is incremented (Step S56-). 17), the variable s is equal to or greater than s _max (step S56-18), the route generation determination processing unit may generate the path The intended decision (step S56-19).

  In this way, when it is determined that the route can be generated by the route generation determination processing means, the route determination processing means determines the generated route (step S58). When it is determined that the route cannot be generated by the route generation determination processing means, the virtual movement distance change processing means changes the virtual movement distance L until there is a limit in changing the virtual movement distance L ( Steps S59 and S60).

  As described above, in this embodiment, it is determined whether an obstacle exists in the virtual movement area ARv without setting the obstacle avoidance route generation condition as the route generation condition. It is possible to prevent a route from being generated in the existing virtual movement area ARv. Moreover, the process for that can be simplified.

By the way, in the first to fourth embodiments, for each virtual movement point Sn, whether or not the virtual movement point Sn exists in the movement prohibition area AR0 in sequence, the parking enabling condition is established at the virtual movement point Sn. Whether or not there is an obstacle in the virtual movement area ARv corresponding to the virtual movement point Sn, the predetermined virtual movement point does not exist in the movement prohibited area AR0, and the parking condition is satisfied. When it is determined that there is no obstacle in the corresponding virtual movement area ARv, the route pattern Qn and the virtual movement point Sn are not newly set thereafter, and the parking position S _P is changed from the vehicle position S _V. The route to is generated.

  However, in each of the embodiments described above, for all possible virtual movement points Sn, whether the virtual movement point Sn does not exist in the movement prohibited area AR0, whether the virtual movement point Sn satisfies the parking condition. Since it is not determined whether or not there is an obstacle in the virtual movement area ARv corresponding to the virtual movement point Sn, the route desired by the driver cannot always be generated.

  Therefore, a fifth embodiment of the present invention that can generate a route desired by the driver will be described. In addition, about the thing which has the same structure as 1st-4th embodiment, the same code | symbol is provided and the effect of the embodiment is used about the effect of the invention by having the same structure.

  FIG. 35 is a first flowchart showing the operation of the driving support apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 36 is a second flowchart showing the operation of the driving support apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 37 is a first diagram showing a subroutine of point calculation path generation processing according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 38 is a first flowchart showing a subroutine of point calculation path generation processing according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 and FIG. 39 are a first diagram showing a subroutine of area calculation path generation processing according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 40 is a flowchart of area calculation path generation processing according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 41 is a diagram showing the operation of the route generation processing means in the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the path generation conditions, route generation condition of backward parking route generating condition of forward parking, in addition to such obstacle avoidance path generation condition as a condition for exhaustive search, the first vehicle position S _V distance route to the parking position S _P from the shortest path, i.e., contains the shortest path generation conditions for generating the shortest path, when the driver selects a predetermined path generation conditions, touching the corresponding key The route generation condition setting processing unit sets the selected route generation condition (step S61). In the present embodiment, the shortest path generation condition is preset as a default.

  Next, the surrounding information acquisition processing means acquires surrounding information (step S62), and the empty parking space recognition processing means recognizes an empty parking space based on parking lot data and surrounding information (step S63), The parking space selection processing means sets a parking space p12 (step S64).

  Subsequently, the relative relationship acquisition processing unit acquires a relative relationship between the current vehicle position and the parking position (step S65), and the route generation condition determination processing unit reads the set route generation condition (step S66). ), It is determined whether an obstacle avoidance route generation condition is set (step S67).

  When the obstacle avoidance route generation condition is set, the area calculation route generation processing means determines whether or not there is an obstacle in the virtual movement area ARv for all the virtual movement points Sn, and the virtual movement area When there is no obstacle in the ARv, it is determined whether or not a route can be generated (steps S69 and S70). When the obstacle avoidance route generation condition is not set, the point calculation route generation processing means Determines whether or not the virtual movement point Sn exists in the movement prohibited area AR0 for all the virtual movement points Sn, and when the virtual movement point Sn does not exist in the movement prohibited area AR0, It is determined whether or not a route can be generated depending on whether or not a parking condition is satisfied (steps S68 and S70).

  That is, in the point calculation route generation process, for each virtual movement point Sn, it is determined whether or not a parking condition is satisfied depending on whether or not the virtual movement point Sn exists in the movement prohibited area AR0 (step S68-). 1-S68-6, S68-8-S68-16).

Then, for the predetermined virtual movement point Sn, when the virtual movement point Sn does not exist in the movement prohibited area AR0 and the parking condition is satisfied, the route generation determination processing means determines that the route can be generated. The route selection index calculation processing means of the point calculation route generation processing means performs the route selection index calculation processing, and does not exist in the movement prohibition area AR0 among the virtual movement points Sn, and the parking condition is satisfied. for all virtual moving point, as an indicator for selecting the route, the distance of the path from the vehicle position S _V to the parking position S _P (hereinafter referred to as "path distance."), an index for selecting a route, That is, it is calculated as a route selection index and recorded in the RAM 53 as the second recording unit (step S68-7).

  On the other hand, for all virtual movement points Sn, when the virtual movement point Sn exists in the movement prohibited area AR0 and when the parking condition is not satisfied, the route generation determination processing means determines that the route cannot be generated. (Step S68-17).

  Further, in the area calculation route generation process, for each virtual movement point Sn, it is determined whether an obstacle exists in the virtual movement area ARv corresponding to the virtual movement point Sn and whether a parking condition is satisfied. When there is an obstacle in the virtual movement area ARv, and when the parking condition is not satisfied, it is determined that a route cannot be generated (steps S69-1 to S69-8, steps S69-10). S69-18).

  Then, for a predetermined virtual movement point Sn, if no obstacle exists in the virtual movement area ARv and the parking condition is satisfied, the route generation determination processing means determines that a route can be generated, and The route selection index calculation processing means of the area calculation route generation processing means performs the route selection index calculation processing, and there is no obstacle in the corresponding virtual movement area ARv of each virtual movement point Sn, and there is a parking condition. The route distance is calculated for all established virtual movement points and recorded in the RAM 53 (step S69-9).

  Then, for all virtual movement points Sn, if there is an obstacle in each corresponding virtual movement area ARv and a route cannot be generated, the route generation determination processing means determines that a route cannot be generated. (Step S69-19).

  In this way, when it is determined that the route can be generated by the point calculation route generation processing means and the area calculation route generation processing means, the route selection processing means of the route generation processing means performs route selection processing. The route distance of each route generated is read from the RAM 53, and the route with the shortest route distance is selected and determined as the shortest route as shown in FIG. 41 (step S71).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not a route can be generated for all the assumed virtual moving points Sn, and the driver desires among all the routes that can be generated. In this embodiment, since the shortest route is selected, the route desired by the driver can be generated with certainty.

In the present embodiment, the route distance is calculated as a route selection index. However, as the route selection index, the number of times the vehicle 10 is switched between forward and reverse on the route (hereinafter referred to as “forward / reverse switching”). number "hereinafter.) using the forward-reverse Setsu換Ri number smallest path to select a variation of the steering is small route and the like, required to drive the vehicle 10 from the vehicle position S _V to the parking position S _P It is possible to select a route having the shortest route travel time using a long time (hereinafter referred to as “route travel time”).

By the way, in each of the above-described embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 16, in the virtual movement process, the vehicle 10 is virtually moved in a predetermined route pattern Qn sequentially from the reference point O ₀ , and each route When the generated route is determined in the route determination process that is placed at the virtual movement point Sn set at the tip of the pattern Qn, a driving support process is performed, and the drive motor 12 (FIG. 2) as a drive source and A steering motor 25 as a steering drive unit is driven, and the vehicle 10 is automatically driven from the current location to the parking space p12.

  In this case, when the steering motor 25 is driven, the steering shaft 24 as a steering shaft is rotated, and as the steering shaft 24 rotates, the steering shaft 24 is operated as an operation element for steering the vehicle 10. The steering wheel 23 as an operation element is rotated, and a steering angle (steering angle) γ representing a rotation angle from the neutral position of the steering wheel 23 is an angle γn necessary for the vehicle 10 to travel along the route pattern Qn. (N = 1, 2,..., 10). At this time, the angle representing the direction of the wheels WFL and WFR, that is, the steering angle β is also changed in correspondence with the steering angle γ.

  However, the steering angle γ when driving the steering motor 25 is, for example, 0 (zero) when the steering wheel 23 is in the neutral position and is different from the angle γn. Until the steering angle γ becomes equal to the angle γn, a steering delay occurs, the vehicle 10 cannot travel along the route pattern Qn, and the vehicle 10 is placed at the virtual movement point Sn. It becomes impossible.

  Therefore, the actual steering angle γ is detected, the deviation between the angle γn and the detected steering angle γ is calculated, the steering motor 25 is driven so that the deviation becomes zero, feedback control is performed, and the vehicle 10 is Although it can be considered to place the vehicle 10 at the virtual movement point Sn, in that case, it is difficult to reliably place the vehicle 10 at the virtual movement point Sn.

  FIG. 42 is a first diagram for explaining a travel route when a steering delay occurs, FIG. 43 is a first time chart of a steering angle when a steering delay occurs, and FIG. FIG. 45 is a diagram for explaining a situation where a steering delay is likely to occur, and FIG. 46 is a diagram for explaining a travel route when a steering delay is generated. FIG. 47 is a second time chart of the steering angle when the steering delay occurs.

  In the figure, 10 is a vehicle, 23 is a steering wheel, Rt1 is an ideal travel route when the vehicle 10 travels along the route pattern Qn, and Rt2 and Rt3 are actual travel routes. The ideal travel route Rt1 is a travel route when the steering angle γ instantaneously becomes the angle γn when driving of the steering motor 25 is started.

  42 and 43, the initial value of the steering angle γ is zero. When the steering motor 25 is driven at the timing t1, the steering wheel 23 is rotated to increase the steering angle γ, and the angle γn necessary for the vehicle 10 to travel along the route pattern Qn at the timing t2. become.

  In this case, since the steering angle γ is smaller than the angle γn necessary for the vehicle 10 to travel along the route pattern Qn from the timing t1 to t2 (during the switching delay time τ), the steering switching delay is reduced. Occurs, the vehicle 10 cannot travel along the ideal travel route Rt1, and the vehicle 10 cannot be placed on the virtual travel point Sn on the actual travel route Rt2.

  Such a steering delay occurs when the vehicle 10 is parked in the parking space pi, as shown in FIG. 44, the steering wheel 23 is turned back (stationary operation) for each virtual movement process. However, when the steering angle γ of the steering wheel 23 is reversed between positive and negative as shown in FIG. 45, a steering delay is likely to occur at the point Sr1.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 45, when the steering angle γ of the steering wheel 23 is reversed between positive and negative, a steering delay is more likely to occur and the delay time τ becomes longer.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 47, the steering angle γ before the steering motor 25 is driven takes a negative value γf. When the steering motor 25 is driven at the timing t11, the steering wheel 23 is rotated, the steering angle γ is increased, becomes 0 at the timing t12, and the vehicle 10 is caused to travel along the route pattern Qn at the timing t13. The angle γn required for

  In this case, since the steering angle γ is smaller than the angle γn necessary for driving the vehicle 10 along the route pattern Qn from the timing t11 to t13 (during the switching delay time τ), the steering delay is delayed. Occurs, the vehicle 10 cannot travel along the ideal travel route Rt1, and the vehicle 10 cannot be placed on the virtual travel point Sn on the actual travel route Rt3.

  Therefore, a route pattern Qn ′ (n = 1, 2,..., 10) assuming a steering delay is set, and a virtual moving point Sn ′ (n = 1, 2,..., 10) is set based on the route pattern Qn ′. ) And a route from the current position to a target position, for example, a predetermined parking space in the parking lot, is generated based on the virtual moving point Sn ′, according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. . In addition, about the thing which has the same structure as 1st-5th embodiment, the same code | symbol is provided and the effect of the same embodiment is used about the effect of the invention by having the same structure.

  FIG. 48 is a diagram for explaining a travel route in the sixth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 49 is a diagram showing the position of the vehicle every minute time in the sixth embodiment of the present invention. 50 is a diagram showing a steering angle setting pattern set on the assumption that the steering is delayed in the sixth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 50, the horizontal axis represents time t and the vertical axis represents steering angle γ.

  In the present embodiment, a route pattern setting processing unit (not shown) of the route generation processing unit performs a route pattern setting process, sets a route pattern Qn ′ assuming a steering delay, and based on the route pattern Qn ′. To set a virtual movement point Sn ′.

For example, in FIG. 48, Q8 is set without assuming a steering delay, and is a path pattern represented by an arc, and Q8 ′ is set assuming a steering delay, and is a path pattern represented by a clothoid curve. S8 is a virtual moving point when the vehicle is driven in the route pattern Q8, S8 ′ is a virtual moving point when the vehicle is driven in the route pattern Q8 ′, S3 ′ is the previous virtual moving process, and the steering delay is delayed Is a virtual movement point when the vehicle is driven with a route pattern Q3 ′ set assuming that the distance between the virtual movement points, dc is the distance between the virtual movement point S3 ′ and the virtual movement point S8 ′, and θc is the virtual The angle with respect to the x-axis of the line segment connecting the moving point S3 ′ and the virtual moving point S8 ′, that is, the azimuth at the virtual moving point S8 ′. The position of the virtual movement point S8 ′ is represented by coordinates (xc, yc), and the virtual movement point S3 ′ is set as the reference point O ₀ .

In the route pattern Q8 ′, a minute time (unit time) dt when the vehicle 10 is virtually traveled from the virtual movement point S3 ′ in the previous virtual movement process to the virtual movement point S8 ′ in the current virtual movement process has elapsed. Each position is represented by an aggregate of positions q _k (k = 1, 2,...) Of the vehicle 10.

When the coordinates of the position q _k are (X _k , Y _k ), the coordinates of the position q _k-1 before the minute time dt are (X _k−1 , Y _k−1 ), and the vehicle 10 is virtually moved the yaw angle and [rho _k at each position q _k of the yaw angle of the vehicle 10 at the position q _k-1 before minute time dt and [rho _k-1, yaw rate (yaw angle [rho _k of the vehicle 10 at each position q _k Change rate) is η _k , the yaw rate of the vehicle 10 at the position q _k−1 before the minute time dt is η _k−1 , and the vehicle speed is V (in this case, constant), the coordinates (X _k , Y _k )
X _k = X _k-1 + V · dt · cos ρ _k-1 (1)
Y _k = Y _k-1 + V · dt · sin ρ _k-1 (2)
It can be calculated by performing integration processing. The yaw angle ρ _k-1 and the yaw rate η _k-1 are
ρ _k = ρ _k-1 + η _k-1 · dt (3)
η _k = η _k-1 + Δη (4)
To be.

Further, the yaw rate eta _k of the vehicle 10 in each of positions q _k is calculated based on the specifications of the setting pattern or steering motor 25 of the steering angle γ shown in Figure 50.

  In the setting pattern, the angular velocity Δγ of the steering angle γ is made constant from the start of driving of the steering motor 25 as a steering drive unit to the timing tm when a predetermined rising time τm elapses, and the timing tm Thus, the steering angle γ is set to be the target angle γm.

As described above, when the route pattern Qn ′ and the virtual movement point Sn ′ are set, the virtual movement processing unit of the route generation processing unit virtualizes the vehicle 10 with the predetermined route pattern Qn ′ sequentially from the reference point O _0. And is placed at a virtual movement point Sn ′ set at the tip of each route pattern Qn ′.

  Then, the virtual movement process is repeated, a path from the current vehicle position to the parking position is generated based on each path pattern Qn ′, and when the driver touches the execution key, the driving support processing means The driving motor 12 and the steering motor 25 are driven, and the vehicle 10 is automatically traveled from the current location to the parking space pi. At this time, the driving support processing means drives the steering motor 25 so that the steering angle γ changes according to the setting pattern shown in FIG. For this purpose, the driving support processing means calculates the current supplied to the steering motor 25 corresponding to the steering angle γ, and supplies the current to the steering motor 25 as time t elapses.

  The time t and the current supplied to the steering motor 25 can be made to correspond to each other and recorded in advance as a drive map in the ROM 52 as the first recording unit, and the current can be read out and supplied to the steering motor 25.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, each route pattern Qn ′ and virtual moving point Sn ′ are set on the assumption that the steering is delayed, so that the current pattern based on the route pattern Qn ′ and virtual moving point Sn ′ is set. An appropriate route from the vehicle position to the parking position can be generated.

By the way, in this embodiment, since it is necessary to calculate the coordinates (X _k , Y _k ) by the equations (1) and (2), the amount of calculation of the route generation processing increases.

  Therefore, a seventh embodiment of the present invention that can simplify the route generation processing will be described. In addition, about the thing which has the same structure as 1st-6th embodiment, the same code | symbol is provided and the effect of the embodiment is used about the effect of the invention by having the same structure.

  FIG. 51 is a diagram showing a virtual movement point map according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

  In this case, a virtual movement point map is arranged in the ROM 52 (FIG. 1) as the first recording unit, and a route pattern Qn ′ in the previous virtual movement process and a route in the current virtual movement process are added to the virtual movement point map. For each combination with the pattern Qn ′, information auv (u = 0, 1, 2,..., 9, X) (v = 1, 2,..., 9, X) of the virtual movement point Sn ′ in the current virtual movement process. ) Is recorded.

Each information auv consists of the coordinates (xc, yc, θvc) and the direction θc of the virtual moving point Sn ′. The coordinates (xc, yc, θvc) of the virtual moving point Sn ′ are calculated in advance based on the equations (1), (2), and (3). Also, the direction θc is
θc = tan ⁻¹ (yc / xc)
And is calculated in advance. Here, θvc represents the direction of the vehicle 10 at the next virtual moving point.

  In addition, each information auv can be made into the distance dc between virtual movement points, direction θc, and vehicle direction change amount (DELTA) thetavc instead of the coordinate (xc, yc, (theta) vc) and direction (theta) c of virtual movement point Sn '.

And the distance dc between the virtual movement points is
dc = √ (xc ² + yc ² )
And is calculated in advance.

Further, the vehicle direction change amount Δθvc is calculated by performing integration according to the equation (3),
Δθvc = θvc−θvc0
It is.

As described above, in the present embodiment, since the information auv of the virtual movement point Sn ′ calculated in advance is recorded in the virtual movement point map, the virtual movement processing means detects the vehicle 10 as the virtual movement point Sn ′. Based on this information auv, it is possible to virtually move sequentially from the reference point O _{0 with a} predetermined route pattern Qn ′ and place it at the virtual movement point Sn ′ set at the tip of each route pattern Qn ′. Therefore, the route generation process can be simplified.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made based on the gist of the present invention, and they are not excluded from the scope of the present invention.

10 Vehicle 41 Control Unit 51 CPU
O _o , O _i reference point Qn route pattern Sn virtual moving point S _p parking position S _v vehicle position

Claims (9)

Virtual movement processing means for virtually moving a vehicle in a plurality of predetermined route patterns sequentially from a reference point, and placing the vehicle at a virtual movement point set at the tip of each route pattern;
Reference point update processing means that uses each virtual movement point as a new reference point for further virtual movement of the vehicle;
At each of the virtual movement points, a movable condition determination processing unit that determines whether a movable condition for virtually moving the vehicle from the virtual movement point to the target position is satisfied,
A travel support apparatus comprising: route generation determination processing means for determining that a route can be generated when the movable condition is satisfied.   The travel support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the virtual movement processing unit sets the route patterns in a plurality of directions.   The travel support according to claim 2, wherein the virtual movement processing unit sets each of the route patterns in a direction in which the vehicle moves back and forth in a straight line and a direction in which the vehicle turns at a plurality of turning radii and moves forward and backward. apparatus.   The travel support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a distance for virtually moving the vehicle is set according to a length of each route pattern.   2. The movable condition determination processing unit determines whether or not a parking condition for moving the vehicle from the virtual moving point to a parking position that is a target position is satisfied at each virtual moving point. Driving support device.   The driving support apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the virtual movement processing unit sets a route pattern that assumes a steering delay.   The travel support apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the virtual movement processing unit sets the route pattern based on a vehicle speed and a yaw angle of the vehicle when the vehicle is virtually moved.   The virtual movement processing means places the vehicle at each virtual movement point based on a combination of the route pattern set in the previous virtual movement processing and the route pattern set in the current virtual movement processing. The driving support apparatus according to the description. The vehicle is virtually moved in a plurality of predetermined route patterns sequentially from the reference point, and is placed at a virtual movement point set at the tip of each route pattern,
Each virtual movement point is a new reference point for moving the vehicle more virtually,
At each of the virtual movement points, it is determined whether or not a movable condition for moving the vehicle virtually from the virtual movement point to the target position is satisfied,
A driving support method characterized by determining that a route can be generated when the movable condition is satisfied.

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