JP2006096084A - Vehicular braking support device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicular braking support device capable of keeping a braking pedal stepped at a deep position in an emergency. <P>SOLUTION: The device comprises a seat attitude changing means 2 and a braking operation detecting means 1 for detecting an operation status of a vehicular braking device 4. The seat attitude changing means 2 changes the attitude of a seat 3 based on a detection result by the braking operation detecting means 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle braking assistance device that detects an operation state of a vehicle braking device by an occupant and improves the braking force of the vehicle.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, with regard to a vehicle braking assistance device, for example, a device described in Patent Document 1 has been proposed as a device that assists sudden braking. This is intended to perform braking stronger than usual during sudden braking, such as in an emergency. Specifically, when an operation speed of a brake operation member (for example, a brake pedal) is detected and the operation speed exceeds a reference value, a hydraulic brake device (braking device) is used regardless of the subsequent operation speed. (Corresponding to (1)) is controlled so as to increase the hydraulic pressure, and the braking force is increased.

Japanese Patent No. 2725452 (page 2-3, FIG. 3)

  According to the technique of Patent Document 1, the brake (braking device) is operated with the maximum brake fluid pressure regardless of the operation speed and the depression force (depressing force) of the brake pedal, and a strong braking force can be generated. However, in this method, since it is usually necessary to perform another control on the hydraulic pressure mechanism interlocked with the brake pedal, the mechanism becomes complicated. In addition, there are various situations in the driving situation. Rather than uniformly setting the hydraulic pressure to the maximum value, respect the will of the human being to operate, depending on the hydraulic pressure generated according to the force by which the human depresses the brake pedal In many cases, it is preferable to operate the brake. On the other hand, if the human will is respected, the brake pedal must be kept depressed until the vehicle stops. This operation is difficult for a woman with weak treading force and leg strength, or an elderly person. In addition, the driver's posture may not be a so-called body-raised posture that allows the brake pedal to be stepped on deeply, but the seat may be reclining slightly rearward. It can be difficult.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a braking support device for a vehicle that can be held in a state where the brake pedal is depressed at a deep position in an emergency or the like.

  In order to achieve the above object, a characteristic configuration of a vehicle braking assistance device according to the present invention includes a seat posture changing unit and a braking operation detecting unit for detecting an operation state of the vehicle braking device, and the braking operation detecting unit. The sheet posture changing means changes the posture of the sheet on the basis of the detection result obtained by the above.

  According to this characteristic configuration, since the posture of the seat is changed based on the detected operation state of the braking device of the vehicle, it is possible to change the posture of the seat to be easily held in a state where the brake pedal is depressed at a deep position. it can. As a result, it is possible to reduce the problem of operation of the brake pedal, which is caused by a woman or an elderly person having a weak pedaling force or leg strength, or a problem of a driving posture.

  Here, it is preferable that the seat posture changing unit includes a slide unit that slides the seat in the front-rear direction based on a detection result by the braking operation detection unit.

  With this feature configuration, the occupant's (driver) 's feet can be brought closer to the brake pedal by sliding the seat forward in an emergency such as sudden braking. If this distance is appropriate, the brake pedal can be held in a deep position by utilizing the knee flexion and extension force.

  Further, it is preferable that the seat posture changing means has reclining means for changing the inclination angle of the seat back of the seat based on a detection result by the braking operation detecting means.

  Many occupants take a driving posture in which the seat is reclined slightly rearward rather than a so-called body-raised posture. When reclining backward, the angle of the occupant's knees and buttocks (saddle, base of the foot) is open, and it is not easy to maintain the pedaling force. Therefore, as in this feature configuration, the seat is slid forward during sudden braking, and the seat back tilt angle is raised to a predetermined angle, so that the occupant's knees and buttocks are close to a right angle, which is sufficient. The pedaling force can be demonstrated and sustained.

  The braking operation detection means is at least one of a travel distance of a brake pedal for operating the braking device, a moving speed of the brake pedal, a pedaling force on the brake pedal, and a hydraulic pressure of a braking mechanism included in the braking device. The operation state of the braking device may be detected based on the above.

  As in this feature configuration, if the distance traveled by the brake pedal is measured, it can be determined whether or not the occupant intends to perform strong braking. Moreover, if the time required for the movement is measured together with the movement distance, the movement speed can be known. Thereby, it is possible to know whether or not the occupant has operated the brake pedal with an urgent intention. In addition, by measuring the depressing force on the brake pedal, it is possible to know whether or not the strong braking is intended if the depressing force is strong. In addition, it is possible to know that the brake pedal has been depressed strongly because the hydraulic pressure of the braking mechanism has increased. As described above, when the operation state of the braking device is detected, it can be determined whether or not the occupant intends to perform strong braking, and thereby the posture of the seat can be changed to maintain an appropriate braking force.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that a physique detection means for detecting the physique of the occupant is provided and the movement amount of the seat is determined based on the detected physique.

  The distance to the brake pedal also depends on the occupant's physique. In other words, a large occupant with a high back can fully depress even if the distance to the brake pedal is long, but a small occupant cannot fully depress the brake pedal even at the same riding position. There is. Further, in the case of a large passenger, if the seat is moved too far forward, the knee may be bent at an acute angle, which may make it difficult to step on the brake pedal. Accordingly, when the movement amount for changing the seat posture is determined based on the occupant's physique as in this feature configuration, the seat position can be changed according to each physique. As a result, a sufficient pedaling force can be exerted and sustained, and an appropriate braking force can be maintained.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a vehicle braking support apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the seat 3 on which the occupant 5 sits includes a seat slide mechanism 2a (sliding means) that slides the seat 3 back and forth, and a reclining mechanism 2b (reclining means) that changes the inclination angle of the seat back 3b. And. The occupant 5 can freely adjust the front-rear position of the seat 3 and the inclination angle of the seat back 3b according to his / her preference.

  A brake pedal 4 b that operates the braking device 4 is provided in front and below the seat 3. And the brake operation detection means 1 which detects the operation state of this brake pedal 4b is provided. The braking operation detection means 1 is as follows. The braking operation detecting means 1 includes, for example, a pedaling force sensor that measures the pedaling force of the occupant 5 acting on the brake pedal 4b, and an encoder that is provided near the base end 4a of the brake pedal 4b and detects the amount of movement of the brake pedal 4b. And a rotation sensor. Then, the pedaling force applied to the brake pedal 4b, the operated movement amount, speed, and the like are calculated, and an emergency braking operation (rapid braking) is detected, or detected and judged. Further, the same detection / judgment as described above may be performed by measuring the hydraulic pressure of the braking mechanism of the braking device 4. Of course, all of these may be comprehensively detected and determined.

  The control unit 6 determines whether or not it is necessary to change the posture of the seat 3 and assist the occupant 5 to hold down the brake pedal 4b by the operation state detected and determined by the braking operation detection unit 1. When it is determined that the posture needs to be changed, the seat posture changing means 2 such as the seat slide mechanism 2a and the reclining mechanism 2b is operated.

  The above-described detection / judgment of the operation state by the braking operation detection means 1 and the control of the seat posture by the control means 6 are the above-described various sensors and an electric circuit that drives them and performs calculations based on the results. And a microcomputer, and a program for defining a control method by them, and the like. Therefore, the braking operation detection means 1 and the control means 6 do not have a strict correspondence relationship with the components constituting the device. Hereinafter, a brake assist control method by the control means 6 will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a braking support control method by the system shown in FIG. 1, and is mainly managed by the control means 6. First, the control means 6 receives the detection result of the brake operation state detected by the braking operation detection means 1 as described above (# 1). Here, when it is determined from the brake operation state that the posture change of the seat 3 is necessary, the process proceeds to the posture change processing A. When it is determined that the seat 3 is not necessary, the processing is ended, and again, Wait for the detection result of the brake operation state to be input (# 2). The case where it is determined that the posture of the seat 3 needs to be changed is assumed to be an emergency braking operation (rapid braking) due to, for example, a situation in which the brake pedal 4b is rapidly depressed with a strong force. This is the case.

  When the process shifts to the posture change process A, the control unit 6 issues an instruction to change the posture of the sheet 3 to the sheet posture change unit 2 (# 3). In general, the seat posture changing means 2 such as the seat slide mechanism 2a and the reclining mechanism 2b has a mechanical mechanism, an actuator such as a motor and a solenoid, a control circuit (ECU: Electronic Control Unit) such as a microcomputer, and the like. . The control means 6 issues a drive command to the ECU, and the ECU that has received the drive command controls the actuator to change the posture of the seat 3.

  One example of changing the posture of the seat 3 is adjusting the front-rear position of the seat 3 by the seat slide mechanism 2a, specifically, moving the seat 3 forward. When the seat 3 is slid forward, the brake pedal 4b and the foot of the occupant 5 can be brought close to each other. If the distance between the two is appropriate, the brake pedal 4b can be stepped on at a deep position by utilizing the bending and stretching force of the knee. As a result, the brake pedal 4b can be held at an appropriate position over a period in which a strong braking force is required, such as until the vehicle stops.

  As another example of the posture change of the seat 3, in addition to the posture change by the seat slide mechanism 2a, there is an adjustment of the inclination angle of the seat back 3b by the reclining mechanism 2b performed independently. Specifically, the seat back 3b is changed to a predetermined posture with respect to the floor surface of the vehicle, that is, a so-called raised posture. When the seat back 3b is in a reclining posture, the occupant's knees and buttocks (saddle, base of the foot) are extended, and it is not easy to maintain the force to step on. Therefore, the seat 3 is slid forward, or if the seat 3 is sufficiently forward, the inclination angle of the seat back 3b is raised alone so that the occupant's knees and buttocks are close to a right angle. . As a result, the occupant 5 can exert sufficient pedaling force and hold the brake pedal 4b at an appropriate position over a period in which a strong braking force is required, such as until the vehicle stops. .

  Here, the predetermined amount of movement of the seat 3 by the seat slide mechanism 2a can be determined in accordance with various conditions such as the physique and posture of the occupant as well as the determination of the process # 2 in FIG. That is, when the brake pedal is depressed, the amount of movement from the current position for moving the seat 3 to a predetermined front and rear position of the appropriate seat 3 can be determined according to various conditions including whether or not to move. . Here, the physique of the occupant means that the upper back is high, large, or small. In addition, the posture is a posture in which the buttocks are shifted forward on the seat cushion 3a or are moved to either the left or right regardless of the posture of the seat 3.

  For example, if the occupant 5 is a large handle with a high back, it can be fully depressed even if the distance to the brake pedal 4b is long, but if the occupant 5 is small, the brake pedal 4b is sufficient even at the same riding position. The appropriate front-rear position depends on the physique of the occupant 5 as well. Further, when the occupant 5 is large, if the seat 3 is moved too far forward, the knee may be bent at an acute angle, which makes it difficult to step on the brake pedal 4b. Therefore, based on the physique of the occupant 5, when the occupant 5 is small, the front and rear positions of the seat 3 are set according to the physique, such as moving the seat 3 to a more forward position than when the occupant 5 is large, The amount of movement from the position is determined. Further, the amount of movement from the current position may be determined based on the posture of the occupant 5. Of course, the determination of the movement amount includes a case where the posture of the seat 3 is not changed, that is, a case where the movement amount is zero.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the occupant 5 has a physique, posture, etc., as shown in FIG. 3, a load sensor 7 provided at the lower portion of the seat cushion 3 a, a load distribution based on the output of the load sensor 7, an integrated load, an in-vehicle camera, etc. Judgment is made based on the image recognition used, the current posture of the sheet 3 detected by the sensor of the sheet posture changing means 2, and the like.

  In addition to the above, the amount of brake operation during normal operation can be stored and learned, and the amount of brake operation during emergency or sudden braking can be calculated accordingly to determine the amount of movement of the seat 3. For example, by storing and learning the driving characteristics of the occupant 5, especially the braking characteristics (癖), based on the amount of brake operation, braking time, acceleration applied during braking, etc. after sitting on the seat 3 deep. From this, an appropriate front-rear position of the seat 3 at the time of sudden braking is calculated, and when the braking assistance is activated, the movement amount to the calculated front-rear position is set.

  In addition, the amount of brake operation during sudden braking and the like can be compensated by comparing the amount of operation calculated from the initial action of sudden braking and the amount of operation required for braking, and quickly feeding back the results. The slide amount can also be determined as described above.

  In addition, by detecting the acceleration applied to the vehicle during sudden braking and quickly feeding back the result so that the acceleration does not become too small in the same way as the amount of brake operation, the amount of slide is adjusted so that the shortage can be compensated. You may decide.

  In addition, when this vehicle is equipped with a device such as a collision prevention device that measures the distance to an obstacle in front of the vehicle and calculates the possibility of collision, it is calculated from the measured distance. It is also possible to calculate the amount of operation of the brake pedal 4b that can stop the vehicle within the braking time and within the braking distance, and move the seat 3 to a position that can satisfy this.

  Such a change in the posture of the seat 3 is continued until the posture is sufficient to depress the brake pedal 4b as shown in FIG. 2 (# 4). Although not described in the process # 4, even if the vehicle stops before the change of the attitude of the seat 3 is completed, the attitude change process by the process # 3 may be terminated assuming that the attitude change is completed.

  When it is confirmed that the posture change of the seat 3 is completed and the vehicle is stopped (# 5), the control means 6 gives an instruction to the seat posture change means 2 to return the seat 3 to the original posture. (# 6). The seat posture changing means 2 returns the posture of the seat 3 to the original state and becomes a normal driving posture. In this case, the seat 3 moved forward by the operation of the seat slide mechanism 2a is restored, but the seat back 3b whose inclination angle has been changed by the reclining mechanism 2b is left as it is. It may be different whether it is not returned.

  Thus, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a braking support device for a vehicle that can be held in a state where the brake pedal is depressed at a deep position in an emergency or the like.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for a vehicle braking support device that maintains the braking force of a vehicle by detecting the operation state of the vehicle braking device by an occupant, such as a depression operation of a brake pedal.

1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a vehicle braking assistance device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart which shows the control method of the braking assistance by the system shown in FIG. The block diagram which shows another embodiment of the system shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Braking operation detection means 2 Seat attitude | position change means (2a: Seat slide mechanism, 2b: Reclining mechanism)
3 seats (3a: seat cushion, 3b: seat back)
4 Braking device

Claims (5)

Seat posture changing means;
Braking operation detection means for detecting the operation state of the braking device of the vehicle,
A braking assistance device for a vehicle, wherein the seat posture changing means changes the posture of the seat based on a detection result by the braking operation detecting means.   2. The vehicle braking assistance device according to claim 1, wherein the seat posture changing unit includes a slide unit that slides the seat in the front-rear direction based on a detection result of the braking operation detection unit.   The vehicle braking assistance device according to claim 2, wherein the seat posture changing unit includes a reclining unit that changes an inclination angle of a seat back of the seat based on a detection result by the braking operation detection unit.   The brake operation detecting means is based on at least one of a travel distance of a brake pedal for operating the brake device, a travel speed of the brake pedal, a depression force on the brake pedal, and a hydraulic pressure of a brake mechanism included in the brake device. The vehicle braking assistance device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an operation state of the braking device is detected.   The vehicle braking assistance device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a physique detection unit that detects a physique of an occupant, and determining a movement amount of the seat based on the detected physique.

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