JP2010186413A - Driving support apparatus for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a driving support apparatus for vehicles, which suppresses the increase of fuel consumption when evading the collision of vehicles with each other at an intersection by utilizing communication such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication. <P>SOLUTION: The driving support apparatus for vehicles includes: an intersection detection means 1 for detecting an intersection, in which an own vehicle is approaching and which does not have a traffic light; a communication means 2 for exchanging the data of fuel consumption or the like between the own vehicle and the other vehicles; a crossing vehicle extraction means 3 for extracting a crossing vehicle, which is predicted to collide with the own vehicle at the intersection, among the other vehicles; a vehicle group setting means 4 for setting the own vehicle and a series of vehicles following the own vehicle as an own vehicle group and setting the crossing vehicle and a series of vehicles following the crossing vehicle as a crossing vehicle group; a fuel consumption comparison means 5 for obtaining the fuel consumption efficiency of each of the own vehicle group and the crossing vehicle group, and comparing obtained each of the fuel consumption efficiency with each other; and a travel control instruction means 6 for instructing the change of a vehicle speed to the respective vehicles of a low fuel consumption vehicle group so that the own vehicle group and the crossing vehicle group can pass through the intersection without colliding with each other. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle driving support device, and more particularly to a vehicle driving support device that suppresses an increase in fuel consumption when avoiding a collision between vehicles at an intersection.

  As a technology to support driving of the vehicle, use vehicle-to-vehicle communication to acquire information on the position, speed and traveling direction of other vehicles around the host vehicle, register the other vehicles in the attention list, and enable collision A technique for transmitting caution information to another vehicle having a characteristic is described in Patent Document 1 below.

JP 2008-90663 A

  In the conventional driving support technology, inter-vehicle communication in which data is transmitted and received between vehicles by radio is used for improving safety such as avoiding the danger of collision between vehicles. On the other hand, in recent years, the price of fuel for vehicles such as gasoline tends to increase, and it is desired to reduce the fuel consumption of the vehicle. However, in the conventional driving support technology, it has not been considered to suppress an increase in fuel consumption when avoiding a collision between vehicles at an intersection.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a vehicle driving support device that suppresses an increase in fuel consumption when avoiding a collision between vehicles at an intersection using communication such as inter-vehicle communication. It is aimed.

  In order to achieve the above object, a vehicle driving support apparatus according to the present invention is a vehicle driving support apparatus mounted on a vehicle, and includes an intersection detection means for detecting an intersection without a traffic signal that the host vehicle is approaching. Communicating means for exchanging data including vehicle position, vehicle speed, traveling direction, and fuel consumption efficiency between the host vehicle and the other vehicle, and data on the vehicle position, vehicle speed, and traveling direction of the host vehicle and the other vehicle. A crossing vehicle extracting means for extracting a crossing vehicle that is predicted to collide with the self-vehicle at the intersection, and the self-vehicle and a series of vehicles following the self-vehicle. Vehicle group setting means for setting as a group and a set of crossing vehicles and a series of vehicles following the crossing vehicle as a crossing vehicle group, the fuel consumption efficiency of the own vehicle, and the communication means. Fuel consumption comparison means for obtaining fuel consumption efficiencies of the own vehicle group and the crossing vehicle group using the fuel consumption efficiency data of the other vehicle and comparing the fuel consumption efficiencies of the vehicle group and the own vehicle group And for each vehicle of the vehicle group with the better fuel consumption efficiency among the own vehicle group and the intersecting vehicle group so that the intersecting vehicle group can pass through the intersection without colliding with each other, And travel control instruction means for instructing a change in vehicle speed.

According to the vehicle driving support device of the present invention configured as described above, each of the vehicle group having the better fuel consumption efficiency (hereinafter also referred to as a low fuel consumption vehicle group) among the own vehicle group and the intersecting vehicle group. The vehicle is instructed to change the vehicle speed. Thereby, the necessity of changing the vehicle speed of each vehicle group (hereinafter also referred to as a high fuel consumption vehicle group) having a lower fuel consumption efficiency among the own vehicle group and the intersecting vehicle group is reduced. As a result, when avoiding collisions between vehicles at intersections using communication such as inter-vehicle communication, an increase in fuel consumption as a whole of both vehicle groups is suppressed, and an increase in carbon dioxide emissions is also achieved. It is suppressed.
When there is no subsequent vehicle in the own vehicle or the crossing vehicle, the vehicle group is configured by the own vehicle or the crossing vehicle alone.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the fuel consumption comparison unit obtains the fuel consumption efficiency of the own vehicle group and the fuel consumption efficiency of the crossing vehicle group as a sum of the fuel consumption efficiency of each vehicle included in each vehicle group. .
Thereby, the fuel consumption efficiency of the own vehicle group and the fuel consumption efficiency of the crossing vehicle group are easily obtained.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the travel control instruction means is provided for each vehicle in the vehicle group with better fuel consumption efficiency when there is no preceding vehicle in either the host vehicle group or the intersecting vehicle group. In addition to instructing acceleration, it is instructed to shorten the vehicle interval before and after each vehicle.

  In this way, each vehicle in the vehicle group with higher fuel consumption efficiency (low fuel consumption vehicle group) accelerates before the vehicle group with higher fuel consumption efficiency (high fuel consumption vehicle group) passes through the intersection. A group of low fuel consumption vehicles passes through the intersection. Thereby, ideally, the high fuel consumption vehicle group can pass through the intersection without changing the vehicle speed. As a result, when avoiding a collision between vehicles at an intersection using communication such as inter-vehicle communication, an increase in fuel consumption as a whole of both vehicle groups is suppressed.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the travel control instruction unit includes the vehicle control unit and the crossing vehicle group when the preceding vehicle is present only in one of the host vehicle group and the crossing vehicle group. Instruct the vehicle group with better fuel consumption efficiency to decelerate.

  Thus, after each vehicle in the vehicle group with higher fuel consumption efficiency (low fuel consumption vehicle group) decelerates, after the vehicle group with higher fuel consumption efficiency (high fuel consumption vehicle group) passes through the intersection, Low fuel consumption vehicles pass through the intersection. Thereby, ideally, the high fuel consumption vehicle group can pass through the intersection without changing the vehicle speed. As a result, when avoiding a collision between vehicles at an intersection using communication such as inter-vehicle communication, an increase in fuel consumption as a whole of both vehicle groups is suppressed.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the traveling control instruction unit is configured to control the preceding vehicle when there is a preceding vehicle only in the vehicle group having the higher fuel consumption efficiency among the own vehicle group and the intersecting vehicle group. Direct acceleration.

  As a result, the time from when the preceding vehicle passes through the intersection until the vehicle group (high fuel consumption vehicle group) with lower fuel consumption efficiency passes through the intersection becomes longer. As a result, the possibility of collision between the preceding vehicle and the leading vehicle in the high fuel efficiency vehicle group is reduced, and traffic safety is improved.

  Preferably, in the present invention, when the difference between the fuel consumption efficiency of the host vehicle group and the fuel consumption efficiency of the intersecting vehicle group is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the traveling control instruction means sets the intersection as the own vehicle group. And instructing each vehicle of the host vehicle group and the intersecting vehicle group to keep a distance between them so that the vehicles of the intersecting vehicle group can pass alternately.

  In this way, when the fuel consumption efficiencies of the own vehicle group and the intersecting vehicle group are the same, if the vehicles of the own vehicle group and the intersecting vehicle group pass alternately, the vehicle speed of either vehicle group increases. The need to change is reduced. As a result, an increase in fuel consumption for both vehicle groups as a whole is suppressed, and collision between vehicles at an intersection is avoided.

Preferably, in the present invention, the data exchanged by the communication means includes the lengths of the own vehicle and the other vehicle, and the travel control instruction means indicates that the vehicle length of one vehicle group is longer. The vehicle is instructed to increase the inter-vehicle distance between the vehicles in the other vehicle group passing through the intersection immediately before and immediately after the vehicle passes through the intersection.
As a result, an appropriate inter-vehicle distance that is sufficient for passing through the intersection alternately is instructed.

  According to the vehicle driving support device of the present invention, an increase in fuel consumption is suppressed when avoiding a collision between vehicles at an intersection using communication such as inter-vehicle communication.

It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the driving assistance device for vehicles of embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram of the vehicle-to-vehicle communication between vehicles near an intersection. It is a flowchart explaining the operation example of the driving assistance apparatus for vehicles of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the process of a fuel consumption comparison. It is a flowchart explaining the process of a traveling control instruction | indication. (A) And (B) is a schematic diagram explaining the traveling control of a vehicle when there is no preceding vehicle in any of the host vehicle group and the intersecting vehicle group. (A) And (B) is a schematic diagram explaining traveling control when there is a preceding vehicle only in the intersecting vehicle group and the intersecting vehicle group is a fuel-efficient vehicle group. (A) And (B) is a schematic diagram explaining traveling control when there is a preceding vehicle only in the own vehicle group and the own vehicle group is a fuel-efficient vehicle group. (A) And (B) is a schematic diagram explaining traveling control when there is a preceding vehicle only in the intersecting vehicle group and the intersecting vehicle group is a high fuel efficiency vehicle group. (A) And (B) is a schematic diagram explaining traveling control when there is a preceding vehicle only in the own vehicle group and the own vehicle group is a high fuel efficiency vehicle group. (A) And (B) is a schematic diagram explaining the traveling control of the vehicle when there is a preceding vehicle in both the own vehicle group and the intersecting vehicle group. It is a flowchart explaining the process of the traveling control instruction | indication when the fuel consumption efficiency of the own vehicle group and the fuel consumption efficiency of a crossing vehicle group are equivalent. (A) And (B) is a schematic diagram explaining the traveling control of a vehicle in case the fuel consumption efficiency of each of the own vehicle group and the intersecting vehicle group is equivalent.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vehicle driving support device of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
First, with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 1, the structure of the vehicle driving assistance device of this embodiment is demonstrated. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle driving support device of the present embodiment is a vehicle driving support device mounted on a vehicle, and includes an intersection detection means 1, a communication means 2, an intersection vehicle extraction means 3, Vehicle group setting means 4, fuel consumption comparison means 5, and travel control instruction means 6 are provided. Furthermore, the vehicle driving support device of the present embodiment includes an engine control unit 7 and an information presentation unit 8.

  Each block of the intersection detection means 1, the intersection vehicle extraction means 3, the vehicle group setting means 4, the fuel consumption comparison means 5, and the travel control instruction means 6 is processed by an in-vehicle ECU (electric control unit) 100. Corresponds to function. These processing functions are realized, for example, by executing a predetermined program in a computer or by a microchip.

  The intersection detection means 1 detects an intersection without a traffic signal that the host vehicle is approaching. The intersection is detected by the map data and the position of the host vehicle. The current position of the host vehicle is detected by a GPS (global positioning system) 9. Further, the vehicle speed of the host vehicle is detected by a speed sensor (not shown). The traveling direction of the host vehicle is detected by GPS and a gyro (not shown). Further, the position of the intersection and the presence / absence of a traffic light are specified by the map data of the navigation system 10.

  The communication unit 2 exchanges data including the vehicle position, the vehicle speed, the traveling direction, and the fuel consumption efficiency by inter-vehicle communication between the host vehicle and the other vehicle. The vehicle speed of the host vehicle is detected by a vehicle speed sensor. Further, the fuel consumption efficiency of the host vehicle is stored in a memory (not shown).

As schematically shown in FIG. 2, the other vehicles c2 and c3 that perform inter-vehicle communication with the host vehicle c1 are vehicles within the vicinity of the intersection C, for example, within a predetermined distance from the intersection C (for example, within several hundred meters). It is good that the vehicle is traveling. The predetermined distance can be set to any suitable value empirically. Further, the exchange of data may be performed directly between the own vehicle and another vehicle by inter-vehicle communication, or may be performed indirectly via road-to-vehicle communication.
The fuel consumption efficiency (fuel consumption) is a travelable distance per unit fuel, and is represented by, for example, the number of kilometers traveled per liter of fuel such as gasoline.

The intersection vehicle extraction means 3 uses the vehicle position, vehicle speed, and traveling direction data of the host vehicle and the other vehicle to extract an intersection vehicle that is predicted to collide with the host vehicle at the intersection. For example, when the time difference between the time T1 when the host vehicle maintains the current speed and the time T2 when the other vehicle maintains the current speed and the time T2 when the other vehicle maintains the current speed is within a predetermined value, A vehicle may be extracted as a crossing vehicle.
In predicting a collision between the host vehicle and another vehicle, any conventionally known and suitable technique can be used.

  The vehicle group setting means 4 sets the own vehicle and a series of vehicles following the own vehicle as the own vehicle group, and sets the intersecting vehicle and a series of vehicles following the intersecting vehicle as the intersecting vehicle group. In setting the vehicle group, a series of vehicles in which the inter-vehicle distance between adjacent vehicles in the front and rear is a predetermined distance or less is set as the vehicle group. The inter-vehicle distance may be calculated from the position data of each vehicle, or may be directly measured by a radar equipped on the vehicle.

  The fuel consumption comparison means 5 uses the fuel consumption efficiency data of the own vehicle and the fuel consumption efficiency data of other vehicles exchanged by the communication means to determine the fuel consumption efficiency of the own vehicle group and the intersecting vehicle group, and Compare their fuel consumption efficiency. The fuel consumption efficiency of the own vehicle group and the fuel consumption efficiency of the crossing vehicle group are respectively obtained as the sum of the fuel consumption efficiency of each vehicle included in each vehicle group. The fuel consumption efficiency of the host vehicle is read from a memory (not shown) of the host vehicle.

  The travel control instructing means 6 is a vehicle group having a higher fuel consumption efficiency among the own vehicle group and the intersecting vehicle group so that the own vehicle group and the intersecting vehicle group can pass through the intersection without colliding with each other. An instruction to change the vehicle speed is given to each vehicle in the (low fuel consumption vehicle group). An instruction for the host vehicle is transmitted to, for example, the engine control unit 7, and the vehicle speed is changed by controlling the engine by adjusting the opening of the throttle or the fuel injection amount.

  The traveling control instruction for the host vehicle is transmitted to, for example, the information presentation unit 8 disposed on the front panel or dashboard of the driver's seat. The information presentation unit 8 instructs the driver to change the vehicle speed by one or both of display and voice. In addition, a traveling control instruction for other vehicles such as a succeeding vehicle of the own vehicle and a vehicle of another vehicle group is transmitted to those other vehicles via the communication unit 2.

Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3, the operation example of the vehicle driving assistance device of this embodiment will be described.
First, data including the vehicle position, the vehicle speed, the traveling direction, and the fuel consumption efficiency is exchanged between the host vehicle and the other vehicle by inter-vehicle communication via the communication means 2 (S1).

  Next, the intersection detection means 1 detects an intersection without a traffic signal that the host vehicle is approaching (S2).

  When such an intersection is detected (in the case of “Yes” in S3), the intersection vehicle extraction means 3 uses the vehicle position, vehicle speed, and traveling direction data of the own vehicle and the other vehicle, and at the intersection of the other vehicles. A crossing vehicle that is predicted to collide with the host vehicle is extracted (S4).

  When such an intersecting vehicle is extracted (in the case of “Yes” in S5), the vehicle group setting means 4 sets the own vehicle and a series of vehicles following the own vehicle as the own vehicle group, and the intersecting vehicle And a series of vehicles following the crossing vehicle are set as a crossing vehicle group (S6).

  Here, a setting example of the vehicle group will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 6A, the host vehicle a is traveling from the bottom to the top of the drawing. On the other hand, the intersection vehicle g is traveling from the left to the right in the drawing toward the intersection C where the host vehicle is approaching. When the host vehicle a and the intersecting vehicle g enter the intersection while maintaining the current vehicle speed, it is predicted that they will collide with each other.

  In the example shown in FIG. 6A, vehicles b, c, and d follow the host vehicle a. Therefore, the host vehicle a and a series of vehicles b, c, and d following the host vehicle a are set as the host vehicle group S. Further, vehicles h, i, and j follow the intersecting vehicle g. For this reason, a series of vehicles h, i, and j following the crossing vehicle g and the crossing vehicle g are set as the crossing vehicle group T.

Next, the fuel consumption comparison means 5 obtains the fuel consumption efficiencies of the host vehicle group S and the crossing vehicle group T, and compares the fuel consumption efficiencies (S7).
Here, the fuel consumption comparison process by the fuel comparison means 5 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the fuel consumption efficiency of the host vehicle group is calculated (S71). In the example shown in FIG. 6A, the fuel consumption efficiency of the host vehicle group S is obtained as the sum of the fuel consumption efficiencies of the vehicles a, b, c, and d that constitute the host vehicle group S. For example, when the fuel consumption efficiencies of the host vehicle a and the following vehicles b, c, and d are 10 km / L, 14 km / L, 11 km / L, and 15 km / L, respectively, the fuel consumption efficiency of the host vehicle group S is The total value of these is calculated as 50 km / L.

  Next, the fuel consumption efficiency of the intersecting vehicle group is calculated (S72). In the example shown in FIG. 6A, the fuel consumption efficiency of the intersecting vehicle group T is obtained as the sum of the fuel consumption efficiencies of the vehicles g, h, i, and j constituting the intersecting vehicle group T. For example, when the fuel consumption efficiencies of the crossing vehicle g and the following vehicles h, i, and j are 14 km / L, 21 km / L, 11 km / L, and 15 km / L, respectively, the fuel consumption efficiency of the crossing vehicle group T is The total value of these is calculated as 61 km / L.

  Next, the fuel consumption efficiency of the own vehicle group is compared with the fuel consumption efficiency of the intersecting vehicle group (S73). For example, when the fuel consumption efficiency 50 km / L of the host vehicle group S is compared with the fuel consumption efficiency 61 km / L of the intersecting vehicle group T, the fuel consumption efficiency of the own vehicle group S is worse (lower). It can be seen that the fuel consumption efficiency of the vehicle group T is better (higher). That is, the host vehicle group S is determined to be a high fuel consumption vehicle group with poor fuel consumption efficiency, and the intersecting vehicle group T is determined to be a fuel efficient vehicle group with high fuel consumption efficiency.

  Next, the fuel control efficiency means of the own vehicle group and the intersecting vehicle group so that the own vehicle group and the intersecting vehicle group can pass through the intersection without colliding with each other by the traveling control instruction means 6. 3 is instructed to change the vehicle speed (S8 in FIG. 3).

Here, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5, the process of a traveling control instruction is demonstrated. Here, the process of the travel control instruction will be described separately for the first to fifth cases.
First, the process of the travel control instruction in the first case will be described. In the first case, the fuel consumption efficiencies of the own vehicle group and the intersecting vehicle group are not equivalent (in the case of “No” in S81 of FIG. 5), and neither the own vehicle group nor the intersecting vehicle group has a preceding vehicle. In the case (“No” in S82 and S83), the vehicle group having the higher fuel consumption efficiency (low fuel consumption vehicle group) is instructed to accelerate and the vehicle interval before and after each vehicle is shortened. (S84).

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6 (A), when the intersecting vehicle group T is a low fuel consumption vehicle group and the own vehicle a and the intersecting vehicle g are both leading vehicles, each vehicle g in the intersecting vehicle group T, Acceleration is instructed for h, i, and j, and the distance between the front and rear of each vehicle g, h, i, and j is instructed to be shortened. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6B, the host vehicle group S passes through the intersection C after the intersection vehicle group T passes through the intersection C first. Thereby, a collision is avoided, suppressing the increase in the fuel consumption in both the vehicle groups as a whole.

  The degree of acceleration of the intersecting vehicle group T is desirably such that the intersecting vehicle group T can pass through the intersection before the host vehicle group S enters the intersection. In addition, the host vehicle group S, which is a high fuel consumption vehicle group, preferably passes through the intersection while maintaining the current vehicle speed, but the host vehicle group S may be instructed to decelerate.

  Further, in the example shown in FIG. 6A, the example in which the own vehicle group is the high fuel efficiency vehicle group and the intersecting vehicle group is the low fuel efficiency vehicle group has been described, but the own vehicle group is the low fuel efficiency vehicle group. If the crossing vehicle group is a high fuel consumption vehicle group, the host vehicle group is instructed to accelerate.

  Next, the process of the travel control instruction in the second case will be described. In the second case, the fuel consumption efficiencies of the host vehicle group and the intersecting vehicle group are not equivalent (in the case of “No” in S81 of FIG. 5), and there is no preceding vehicle in the high fuel consumption vehicle group (“Yes” in S82) When the preceding vehicle is present only in the low fuel consumption group (“No” in S83), the low fuel consumption vehicle group is instructed to decelerate, and the preceding vehicle is instructed to accelerate (S85).

  In the example shown in FIG. 7A, a collision between the host vehicle a and the crossing vehicle g is expected. The own vehicle group S composed of the own vehicle a and its subsequent vehicles b, c and d is a high fuel consumption vehicle group, while the intersecting vehicle group T composed of the intersecting vehicle g and its subsequent vehicles h and i is low. This is a fuel-efficient vehicle group. The own vehicle group S, which is a high fuel efficiency vehicle group, has no preceding vehicle, while the intersecting vehicle group T, which is a low fuel consumption vehicle group, has two preceding vehicles p1 and p2. That is, the host vehicle a is located at the head of the vehicle group, but the intersecting vehicle g is located in the middle of the vehicle group including the preceding vehicle.

  In such a case, deceleration is instructed to the vehicles g, h, and i of the intersecting vehicle group T, which is a fuel-efficient vehicle group, and acceleration is instructed to the preceding vehicles p1 and p2 of the intersecting vehicle group T. The As a result, as shown in FIG. 7B, after the preceding vehicles p1 and p2 pass through the intersection C first, the own vehicle group S passes through the intersection, and then the intersection vehicle group T passes through the intersection C. To do. Thereby, a collision is avoided, suppressing the increase in the fuel consumption in both the vehicle groups as a whole.

  The preceding vehicles p1 and p2 do not have to be accelerated. The degree of deceleration of the intersecting vehicle group T is desirably such that the intersecting vehicle group T enters the intersection after the host vehicle group S passes the intersection C. The own vehicle group S, which is a fuel-efficient vehicle group, preferably passes through the intersection while maintaining the current vehicle speed. However, even if the host vehicle group S is instructed to change the vehicle speed such as acceleration or deceleration. Good.

  Moreover, in the example shown to FIG. 8 (A), the collision with the own vehicle a and the crossing vehicle g is anticipated. The own vehicle group S composed of the own vehicle a and its subsequent vehicle b is a low fuel consumption vehicle group, while the intersecting vehicle group T composed of the intersecting vehicle g and its subsequent vehicles h, i, and j is represented as a high fuel efficiency vehicle. A group. The host vehicle group S, which is a low fuel consumption vehicle group, has one preceding vehicle p, while the crossing vehicle group T, which is a high fuel consumption vehicle group, has no preceding vehicle. That is, the own vehicle a is located in the middle of the vehicle group including the preceding vehicle p, while the crossing vehicle g is located at the head of the vehicle group.

  In such a case, deceleration is instructed to each of the vehicles a and b of the own vehicle group S, which is a fuel-efficient vehicle group, and acceleration is instructed to the preceding vehicle p of the own vehicle group S. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8B, after the preceding vehicle p passes through the intersection C first, the intersection vehicle group T passes through the intersection, and thereafter, the host vehicle group S passes through the intersection C. Thereby, a collision is avoided, suppressing the increase in the fuel consumption in both the vehicle groups as a whole.

  The preceding vehicle p may not be accelerated. The degree of deceleration of the host vehicle group S is preferably such that the host vehicle group S enters the intersection C after the intersection vehicle group T passes the intersection C. In addition, it is desirable that the intersecting vehicle group T, which is a fuel-efficient vehicle group, pass through the intersection while maintaining the current vehicle speed. Good.

  Next, the process of the travel control instruction in the third case will be described. In the third case, the fuel consumption efficiencies of the host vehicle group and the intersecting vehicle group are not equivalent (in the case of “No” in S81 of FIG. 5), and there is a preceding vehicle in the high fuel consumption vehicle group (“Yes” in S82) If there is no preceding vehicle in the low fuel consumption group (“No” in S86), the low fuel consumption vehicle group is instructed to decelerate (S87).

  In the example shown in FIG. 9A, a collision between the host vehicle a and the crossing vehicle g is expected. The own vehicle group S composed of the own vehicle a and its subsequent vehicle b is a low fuel consumption vehicle group, while the intersecting vehicle group T composed of the intersecting vehicle g and its subsequent vehicles h and i is a high fuel efficiency vehicle group. is there. The own vehicle group S, which is a low fuel consumption vehicle group, has no preceding vehicle, while the intersecting vehicle group T, which is a high fuel consumption vehicle group, has two preceding vehicles p1 and p2. That is, the host vehicle a is located at the head of the vehicle group, but the intersecting vehicle g is located in the middle of the vehicle group including the preceding vehicle.

  In such a case, deceleration is instructed to the vehicles a and b of the host vehicle group S, which is a fuel-efficient vehicle group. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9B, after the preceding vehicles p1 and p2 and the intersecting vehicle group T first pass the intersection C, the host vehicle group S passes the intersection. Thereby, a collision is avoided, suppressing the increase in the fuel consumption in both the vehicle groups as a whole.

  The degree of deceleration of the host vehicle group S is desirably such that the host vehicle group S enters the intersection after the intersection vehicle group T passes the intersection C. In addition, it is desirable that the intersecting vehicle group T, which is a high fuel consumption vehicle group, pass through the intersection C while maintaining the current vehicle speed, but the vehicle speed such as acceleration or deceleration with respect to the intersecting vehicle group T and its preceding vehicles p1 and p2. May be instructed to change.

  In the example shown in FIG. 10A, a collision between the host vehicle a and the crossing vehicle g is expected. The own vehicle group S composed of the own vehicle a and its subsequent vehicle b is a high fuel efficiency vehicle group, while the intersecting vehicle group T composed of the intersecting vehicle g and its subsequent vehicles h, i, and j is a low fuel consumption vehicle. A group. The own vehicle group S, which is a high fuel consumption vehicle group, has two preceding vehicles p1 and p2, while the intersecting vehicle group T, which is a low fuel consumption vehicle group, has no preceding vehicle. That is, the host vehicle a is located in the middle of the vehicle group including the preceding vehicles p1 and p2, while the crossing vehicle g is located at the head of the vehicle group.

  In such a case, deceleration is instructed to the vehicles g, h, i and j of the intersecting vehicle group T which is a fuel-efficient vehicle group. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10B, the preceding vehicles p1 and p2 and the host vehicle group S pass through the intersection C first, and then the intersecting vehicle group T passes through the intersection C. Thereby, a collision is avoided, suppressing the increase in the fuel consumption in both the vehicle groups as a whole.

  The degree of deceleration of the intersection vehicle group T is desirably such that the intersection vehicle group T enters the intersection C after the host vehicle group S passes the intersection C. The own vehicle group S, which is a fuel-efficient vehicle group, preferably passes through the intersection while maintaining the current vehicle speed. However, even if the host vehicle group S is instructed to change the vehicle speed such as acceleration or deceleration. Good.

  Next, the process of the travel control instruction in the fourth case will be described. In the fourth case, the fuel consumption efficiencies of the own vehicle group and the intersecting vehicle group are not equal (in the case of “No” in S81 of FIG. 5), and there is a preceding vehicle in the high fuel efficiency vehicle group and the low fuel efficiency vehicle group (S82). In the case of “Yes” in S86), the traveling control instruction of any preceding vehicle is followed (S88). That is, in such a case, a collision between the preceding vehicles is expected, and as a result, a vehicle group including the preceding vehicles is set. For this reason, traveling control is instructed based on the result of comparison of fuel consumption efficiency in those vehicle groups.

  In the example shown in FIG. 11A, a collision between the own vehicle a and the intersecting vehicle g is expected, and a preceding vehicle p1 located in front of the own vehicle a and a preceding vehicle p3 located in front of the intersecting vehicle g. A clash is also expected. In such a case, for example, traveling control is instructed with the preceding vehicle p1 as the own vehicle and the preceding vehicle p3 as the crossing vehicle. The vehicle group (vehicles p3, p4, g, and h) starting from the preceding vehicle p3 is the high fuel consumption vehicle group, and the vehicle group (vehicles p1, p2, a, and b) starting from the preceding vehicle p1. Is a low fuel consumption vehicle group, the vehicle group headed by the preceding vehicle p1 is instructed to decelerate. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11B, after the vehicle group headed by the preceding vehicle p3 passes through the intersection first, the vehicle group headed by the preceding vehicle p1 enters the intersection. Thereby, a collision is avoided, suppressing the increase in the fuel consumption in both the vehicle groups as a whole.

Next, the travel control instruction process in the fifth case will be described. In the fifth case, when the fuel consumption efficiencies of the own vehicle group and the intersecting vehicle group are equal (in the case of “Yes” in S81 in FIG. 5), an intersection is determined for each vehicle of the own vehicle group and the intersecting vehicle group. Instructing each vehicle in the host vehicle group and the crossing vehicle group to increase the inter-vehicle distance so that the vehicles in the host vehicle group and the crossing vehicle group can alternately pass (S89).
In addition, when the difference between the fuel consumption efficiency of the own vehicle group and the fuel consumption efficiency of the crossing vehicle group is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the fuel consumption efficiency may be equal. As the predetermined value, any suitable value can be set empirically.

  In addition, the longer the vehicle length of the vehicle in one vehicle group, the longer the inter-vehicle distance between the vehicles in the other vehicle group that passes the intersection immediately before and immediately after the vehicle passes the intersection. desirable. In that case, the data exchanged by the communication means 2 includes the lengths of the host vehicle and the other vehicle, and an inter-vehicle distance is instructed based on the data.

Here, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 12, the process of the alternate passage instruction will be described.
In the example shown in FIG. 13A, the own vehicle group S including the host vehicle A and its subsequent vehicles B, C, and D, and the intersecting vehicle group T including the intersecting vehicle A and its subsequent vehicles B, C, and D are as follows. The fuel consumption efficiency is equal to each other.

  First, when it is predicted that the crossing vehicle A will enter the crossing C and collide before the host vehicle A (in the case of “Yes” in S891), as shown in FIG. On the other hand, at the timing when the crossing vehicle A reaches the crossing C, the vehicle is instructed to decelerate so that the position of the host vehicle a is spaced from the crossing C by the entire length of the crossing vehicle A (S892).

  FIG. 13B shows an example in which the vehicle length of the crossing vehicle A is opened before the host vehicle A. The inter-vehicle distance is a distance obtained by adding a safety margin to the vehicle length of the corresponding vehicle. It is desirable that The safety margin can be set based on various factors such as driver characteristics, driving experience, intersection angle, vehicle weight, and vehicle acceleration / deceleration performance.

Next, the host vehicle A is instructed to travel at a constant vehicle speed after a predetermined inter-vehicle distance (S893).
Note that the vehicle interval may be set at a predetermined distance before the intersecting partner vehicle reaches the intersection, and it is not necessary to leave the inter-vehicle distance a predetermined distance in advance before the partner vehicle reaches the intersection. .

  Further, when it is predicted that the crossing vehicle A will enter the intersection C after the host vehicle A and collide (when “No” in S891), the current vehicle speed can be maintained with respect to the host vehicle A. Instructed (S895). In this case, the crossing vehicle A decelerates so as to make a space corresponding to the vehicle length of the host vehicle A.

Next, as shown in FIG. 13B, the subsequent vehicles of the host vehicle A and the crossing vehicle A are also instructed to leave a vehicle interval corresponding to the total length of the opponent vehicle sequentially. In this way, an increase in fuel consumption as a whole of both vehicle groups is suppressed, and collision between vehicles at the intersection is avoided.
The control of the inter-vehicle distance may be directly controlled by the engine control unit 7 or the information presenting unit 8 may inform the driver of the excess or deficiency of the inter-vehicle distance.

  In each embodiment mentioned above, although the example which constituted the present invention on specific conditions was explained, the present invention can perform various change and combination, and is not limited to this. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the example in which both the own vehicle group and the intersecting vehicle group include a plurality of vehicles has been described. However, the own vehicle group is configured by the own vehicle alone when the own vehicle has no subsequent vehicle. The In addition, the crossing vehicle group is configured by a crossing vehicle alone when the latter vehicle has no following vehicle.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which liquefied fuel such as gasoline is used as the fuel has been described. However, the fuel may be power consumption in an electric vehicle, and when these are mixed, energy conversion is performed. Thus, the fuel consumption efficiency may be compared.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Crossing detection means 2 Communication means 3 Crossing vehicle extraction means 4 Vehicle setting means 5 Fuel consumption comparison means 6 Travel control instruction means 7 Engine control part 8 Information presentation part 9 GPS
10 Navigation system 100 ECU

Claims (7)

A vehicle driving support device mounted on a vehicle,
An intersection detection means for detecting an intersection without a traffic signal that the host vehicle is approaching;
Communication means for exchanging data including the vehicle position, vehicle speed, traveling direction, and fuel consumption efficiency between the host vehicle and the other vehicle,
Crossing vehicle extracting means for extracting crossing vehicles predicted to collide with the own vehicle at the intersection among the other vehicles using data of the vehicle position, vehicle speed and traveling direction of the own vehicle and the other vehicle; ,
A vehicle group setting means for setting the host vehicle and a series of vehicles following the host vehicle as a host vehicle group, and setting the cross vehicle and a series of vehicles following the cross vehicle as a cross vehicle group;
Using the fuel consumption efficiency data of the host vehicle and the fuel consumption efficiency data of the other vehicle exchanged by the communication means, the respective fuel consumption efficiencies of the host vehicle group and the crossing vehicle group are obtained, and those Fuel efficiency comparison means to compare fuel consumption efficiency,
Each vehicle of the vehicle group having the higher fuel consumption efficiency among the own vehicle group and the intersecting vehicle group so that the own vehicle group and the intersecting vehicle group can pass through the intersection without colliding with each other. In contrast, traveling control instruction means for instructing a change in vehicle speed;
A vehicle driving support apparatus comprising: The fuel consumption comparison means obtains the fuel consumption efficiency of the host vehicle group and the fuel consumption efficiency of the crossing vehicle group as the sum of the fuel consumption efficiency of each vehicle included in each vehicle group, respectively.
The vehicle driving support device according to claim 1. The travel control instruction means instructs each vehicle of the vehicle group with better fuel consumption efficiency to accelerate when there is no preceding vehicle in either the host vehicle group or the intersecting vehicle group. Instructing to shorten the vehicle interval before and after the vehicle,
The driving support apparatus for a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2. The traveling control instructing means is a vehicle having better fuel consumption efficiency in the own vehicle group and the intersecting vehicle group when there is a preceding vehicle only in one of the own vehicle group and the intersecting vehicle group. Instruct the group to slow down,
The vehicle driving support device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The travel control instruction means instructs the preceding vehicle to accelerate when there is a preceding vehicle only in the vehicle group with better fuel consumption efficiency of the host vehicle group and the intersecting vehicle group.
The driving support apparatus for a vehicle according to claim 4. When the difference between the fuel consumption efficiency of the own vehicle group and the fuel consumption efficiency of the intersecting vehicle group is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the travel control instruction means alternates between the own vehicle group and the intersecting vehicle group at the intersection. Instructing each vehicle in the host vehicle group and the crossing vehicle group to leave a distance between the vehicles,
The vehicle driving support device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein The data exchanged by the communication means includes the heads of the host vehicle and other vehicles,
The travel control instruction means increases the inter-vehicle distance between the vehicles in the other vehicle group that passes through the intersection immediately before and immediately after the vehicle passes through the intersection as the vehicle length of the vehicle in one vehicle group increases. To instruct
The vehicle driving support device according to claim 6.

Images