JP2013230798A - Vehicle control device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent an own vehicle from traveling while being coupled with the other vehicle which is not suitable to be coupled with the own vehicle.SOLUTION: A vehicle control device (100) is mounted to an own vehicle (10) being an automobile that can travel while being coupled with the other vehicle (20), and includes a receiving means (14) for receiving other vehicle information which is associated with the other vehicle when the own vehicle is coupled with the other vehicle; a determination means (107) for determining whether coupling-travel is enabled in which the own vehicle and the other vehicle travel while being coupled with each other on the basis of the received other vehicle information; and informing means (102, 103) for informing a result determined by the determination means.

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle control device that controls a vehicle such as an automobile, and more particularly to a technical field of a vehicle control device that controls a vehicle that can be connected to another vehicle.

  As this type of device, for example, a self-propelled engine-equipped cargo vehicle is the leading vehicle, and a hybrid electric vehicle or an electric motor-equipped vehicle is connected to the second and subsequent vehicles, and the engine of the engine-equipped cargo vehicle and the hybrid There has been proposed a device that controls an electric vehicle or a motor of an electric motor mounted vehicle in a coordinated manner (see Patent Document 1).

  Alternatively, when a subordinate vehicle equipped with a motor is connected to the hybrid vehicle, a distribution ratio between the torque to be shared on the hybrid vehicle side and the torque to be shared on the subordinate vehicle side is set based on the road gradient. An apparatus for driving and controlling a hybrid vehicle and a subordinate vehicle so as to achieve the set distribution ratio has been proposed (see Patent Document 2).

  Patent Document 3 discloses a specific example of the vehicle connecting portion.

JP 2008-012938 A JP 2005-324729 A JP 2001-222790 A

  However, in the above-described background art, only the connection between specific vehicles, such as the connection between a tow vehicle and a freight vehicle, is considered, and the possibility of connection between unspecified vehicles is not considered. Then, there is a technical problem that the host vehicle may travel on a public road in a state of being connected to another vehicle that is not suitable for connection with the host vehicle.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, for example, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle control device capable of preventing traveling while connected to another automobile that is not suitable for connection with the host vehicle. And

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the vehicle control means of the present invention is mounted on a host vehicle that is a vehicle that can travel by connecting another vehicle, and when the host vehicle is connected to the other vehicle, Based on the received other vehicle information, receiving means for receiving other vehicle information that is information relating to the vehicle, whether or not the combined traveling in which the host vehicle and the other vehicle are connected is possible is determined. Determining means for determining, and notifying means for notifying the determination result by the determining means.

  According to the vehicle control means of the present invention, the vehicle control device is mounted on an automobile (that is, the own vehicle) that can travel by connecting other vehicles. The receiving means receives other vehicle information that is information related to the other vehicle when the own vehicle is connected to the other vehicle. The other vehicle information includes, for example, the vehicle length, the connecting portion length, the vehicle width, the vehicle height, the vehicle weight, the turning radius, the boarding capacity, and the like.

  For example, the determination unit including a memory, a processor, a comparator, and the like determines whether or not the connected traveling in which the host vehicle and the other vehicle are connected is possible based on the received other vehicle information. Specifically, for example, the judging means determines whether or not the total length of the connected vehicle satisfies the legally stipulated condition, whether or not the connected vehicle output satisfies a predetermined performance, etc. Determine whether the requirements are met. Then, the determination unit determines that the coupled travel is possible on condition that the legal requirement and the performance requirement are satisfied.

  The notification means notifies the determination result of the determination means to a user who is a driver of the own vehicle, for example. That is, the notifying means notifies the user whether or not the coupled travel is possible. As a result, the host vehicle can be prevented from traveling in connection with another vehicle that is not suitable for connection with the host vehicle.

  In one aspect of the vehicle control device of the present invention, when the determination unit determines that the coupled travel is possible, the coupled travel is permitted and the determination unit does not permit the coupled travel. When it is determined that there is a vehicle, the vehicle further includes a control unit that controls the host vehicle so as not to perform the connected traveling.

  According to this aspect, when the own vehicle is connected to another vehicle that is not suitable for connection with the own vehicle, the connected traveling can be mechanically prevented, which is very advantageous in practice.

  In another aspect of the vehicle control apparatus of the present invention, the received other vehicle information includes a weight of the other vehicle, and when the determination unit determines that the connected traveling is possible, the own vehicle When the sum of the weight of the other vehicle and the weight of the other vehicle included in the received other vehicle information exceeds a predetermined value, the total does not exceed the predetermined value. And setting means for lowering the maximum speed limit.

  According to this aspect, since it is not necessary for the user to determine whether or not the vehicle weight requires a speed limit stipulated by law, it is very advantageous in practice. In addition, unintentional overspeed can be prevented.

  The effect | action and other gain of this invention are clarified from the form for implementing demonstrated below.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a vehicle according to a first embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the connection driving | running | working availability determination process which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the connection driving | running | working availability determination process which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the connection driving | running | working availability determination processing which concerns on 3rd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vehicle control device of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

<First Embodiment>
A first embodiment of a vehicle control device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

(Vehicle configuration)
First, the configuration of the vehicle according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a vehicle according to the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, the host vehicle 10 includes an engine 11, a transmission 12, a regeneration control command input unit 13, a communication unit 14, a front coupling device 15, a rear coupling device 16, and a control device 100.

  On the other hand, the other vehicle 20 includes a motor generator built-in transmission 21, a power converter 22, a storage battery 23, a communication means 24, a front coupling device 25, a rear coupling device 26, and a control device 200.

  For each of the front connecting device 15 and the rear connecting device 16 of the host vehicle 10 and the front connecting device 25 and the rear connecting device 16 of the other vehicle 20, known connecting devices can be applied. Specifically, for example, a pair of male and female coupling devices (that is, a device in which a male coupling device is fitted and clamped in a female coupling device), a pair of identical coupling devices (that is, a ring-shaped overlap) A device that has a mating portion and connects the overlapping portions by overlapping each other and inserting a lock pin), or an electromagnetic attracting type coupling device (that is, a suction target by the electromagnetic suction force of the suction side coupling device) A device that adsorbs the side coupling device) and the like can be applied as the front coupling device and the rear coupling device according to the present embodiment.

  FIG. 1 shows an aspect in which the host vehicle 10 and the other vehicle 20 are connected by the rear connecting device 16 of the host vehicle 10 and the front connecting device 25 of the other vehicle 20.

  When the rear coupling device 16 and the front coupling device 25 are connected, the control device for the host vehicle 10 is connected to the rear coupling device 16 and the front coupling device 25 via a signal line (not shown). 100 and the control device 200 of the other vehicle 20 are connected to each other. As a result, for example, command signals can be exchanged between the control device 100 and the control device 200.

  Further, the power of the storage battery 23 of the other vehicle 20 and the regenerative power by the motor generator built-in transmission 21 are automatically transmitted via power lines (not shown) built in each of the rear coupling device 16 and the front coupling device 25. It can also be supplied to the car 10.

  For example, the following effects can be obtained by connecting the host vehicle 10 and the other vehicle 20.

  (I) By simply connecting the own vehicle 10 and the other vehicle 20, it is possible to relatively easily realize a hybrid electric vehicle for an existing engine-equipped vehicle (that is, the own vehicle 10). That is, a connected vehicle having fuel efficiency equivalent to that of a hybrid electric vehicle can be obtained.

  (Ii) A part of the kinetic energy of the coupled vehicle can be converted into regenerative power in the motor generator built-in transmission 21 of the other vehicle 20 during deceleration traveling or downhill traveling, and the converted regenerative power is used for traveling of the coupled vehicle. Can be used effectively. Moreover, air resistance can be reduced compared with the case where the own vehicle 10 and the other vehicle 20 run independently. As a result, energy saving and fuel consumption can be improved. In addition, the amount of carbon dioxide generated by traveling can be suppressed.

  (Iii) Since people and luggage can be placed not only on the own vehicle 10 but also on the other vehicle 20, transportation efficiency is improved. In addition, since only one driver is required, labor can be reduced as compared with the case where the own vehicle 10 and the other vehicle 20 run independently.

  The communication means 14 and 24 may be wired communication means such as serial communication or CAN (Controller Area Network), or may be wireless communication means. Each of the communication means 14 and 24 may be (i) stored in the casing of the coupling device, (ii) configured as one function of the control device, or (iii) connecting the coupling device to the computer. The computer may be built in and may be configured as one function of the computer.

  Next, the control device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the control device according to the first embodiment.

  2, the control device 100 includes a power supply circuit 101, a display 102, a speaker 103, an interface (I / F) 104, a meter computer 105, a communication interface (communication I / F) 106, a vehicle computer 107, and a power management computer 108. It is prepared for.

  The vehicle computer 107 is connected to the front connection switch 151 included in the front connection device 15, the rear connection switch 161 included in the rear connection device 16, and the communication means 14 via signal lines. A main relay circuit of the host vehicle 10 is electrically connected to the power management computer 108.

  When the host vehicle 10 and the other vehicle 20 are connected, the vehicle computer 107 receives the signal from the front connection switch 151 or the rear connection switch 161 (in this embodiment, “rear connection switch 161”). It is detected that 10 is connected to the other vehicle 20.

  Next, the vehicle computer 107 acquires other vehicle information that is information related to the other vehicle 20 via the communication unit 14. Subsequently, the vehicle computer 107 determines based on the acquired other vehicle information whether or not the connected traveling in which the host vehicle 10 and the other vehicle 20 are connected is possible.

  The other vehicle information includes, for example, vehicle length, connecting portion length, vehicle width, vehicle height, vehicle weight, axle weight, wheel weight, adjacent axle weight, ground pressure, turning radius, various performances, passenger capacity, It includes the number of seat belts, presence / absence of emergency exits, lighting equipment arrangement, lighting equipment coloration, whether lighting equipment can be linked between vehicles, and the like.

  The vehicle computer 107 displays, for example, on the display 102 or outputs a sound from the speaker 103 as to whether or not the coupled running is possible according to the determination result. For this reason, the user can recognize that the host vehicle 10 and the other vehicle 20 cannot travel together.

(Linked travel availability determination process)
Next, the connected travel availability determination process performed by the control device 100 configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In FIG. 3, after the host vehicle 10 and the other vehicle 20 are connected, the vehicle computer 107 determines whether or not the communication unit 14 of the host vehicle 10 and the communication unit 24 of the other vehicle 20 can communicate with each other. Determination is made (step S101). If it is determined that communication is not possible (step S101: No), the vehicle computer 107 notifies the user that it is “unconnected running” via at least one of the display 102 and the speaker 103 (step S108). ). At this time, it is desirable to be notified of the reason why the connected travel is impossible (here, “communication not established”) and a message prompting to release the connection between the host vehicle 10 and the other vehicle 20.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that communication is possible (step S101: Yes), the vehicle computer 107 acquires other vehicle information via the communication unit 14 (step S102). Next, the vehicle computer 107 determines whether or not a predetermined legal requirement is satisfied when the host vehicle 10 and the other vehicle 20 are connected based on the acquired other vehicle information (step S103). .

  Specifically, for example, the vehicle computer 107 determines whether (i) the sum of the vehicle length of the host vehicle 10, the vehicle length of the other vehicle 20, and the connecting portion length is equal to or less than a legal regulation value, (ii) the host vehicle It is determined whether or not the maximum value of the vehicle width of 10 and the vehicle width of the other vehicle 20 is less than or equal to the legal regulation value, or (iii) whether or not the arrangement of the lighting equipment satisfies the legal regulations.

  In Japan, there are restrictions on the following items by law. That is, vehicle length, vehicle width, vehicle height, axle load, wheel load, adjacent wheel load, ground pressure, turning radius, number of seat belts, emergency exit (when capacity is 30 or more), red to the front of the vehicle Grounding of lighting equipment, white lighting equipment cannot be installed at the rear of the vehicle.

  When it is determined that even one of the legal requirements is not satisfied (step S103: No), the vehicle computer 107 informs the user through “at least one of the display 102 and the speaker 103” that it is “unconnected running”. Notification is made (step S107).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that all the legal requirements are satisfied (step S103: Yes), the vehicle computer 107 determines whether or not the host vehicle 10 and the other vehicle 20 are connected based on the acquired other vehicle information. It is determined whether or not the performance requirement is satisfied (step S104).

  Specifically, for example, the vehicle computer 107 has (i) a value obtained by dividing the sum of the output of the host vehicle 10 and the output of the other vehicle 20 by the sum of the weight of the host vehicle 10 and the weight of the other vehicle 20. Whether or not it is equal to or higher than a preset performance index A, (ii) the sum of the braking output of the host vehicle 10 and the braking output of the other vehicle 20 is the sum of the weight of the host vehicle 10 and the weight of the other vehicle 20 It is determined whether or not the divided value is greater than or equal to a preset performance index B, (iii) whether or not the cooling performance satisfies a predetermined performance, and the like.

  It should be noted that the “performance index A” may be set as a value such that the connected vehicle does not hinder safe and smooth traffic. The “performance index B” may be set according to, for example, an estimated braking distance at the time of sudden braking of the connected vehicle.

  When it is determined that even one performance requirement is not satisfied (step S104: No), the vehicle computer 107 informs the user through “at least one of the display 102 and the speaker 103” that it is “unconnected running”. Notification is made (step S106).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that all the performance requirements are satisfied (step S104: Yes), the vehicle computer 107 notifies the user that it can be “coupled travel” via at least one of the display 102 and the speaker 103. (Step S105).

  The “communication unit 14”, “control device 100”, and “vehicle computer 107” according to the present embodiment are examples of the “vehicle control device” and the “determination unit” according to the present invention. The “reception unit”, “display 102”, and “speaker 103” according to the present embodiment are examples of the “notification unit” according to the present invention.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment of the vehicle control device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The second embodiment is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment except that the connected travel propriety determination process is partially different. Therefore, the description overlapping with that of the first embodiment is omitted, and the same elements in the drawings are included. The second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4 only for the points that are denoted by the same reference numerals and are basically different from the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 4, after it is determined that any of the processes in steps S101, S103, and S104 described above is “unconnected travel”, the power management computer 108 (see FIG. 2) performs a predetermined coupled travel stop process. (Step S201).

  For example, (i) the output value of the vehicle 10 or the like is limited to the minimum output value necessary for releasing the connection between the host vehicle 10 and the other vehicle 20 (ii) ) When the coupling device is of an electromagnetic adsorption type, measures such as cutting the electromagnetic force related to the coupling device, (iii) forcing the engine into a stopped state, a system stopped state, or a state in which the axle cannot rotate are mentioned. It is done.

  If comprised in this way, it can prevent reliably that the own vehicle 10 connects with the other vehicle 20 which is not suitable for connection with this own vehicle 10, and travels.

  The “power management computer 108” according to the present embodiment is an example of the “control unit” according to the present invention.

<Third Embodiment>
Next, a third embodiment of the vehicle control apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The third embodiment is the same as the configuration of the second embodiment except that the connected travel propriety determination process is partially different. Therefore, the description overlapping with that of the second embodiment is omitted, and the same elements in the drawings are included. The third embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5 only with respect to the points that are denoted by the same reference numerals and are basically different from the second embodiment.

  In FIG. 5, after the process of step S <b> 102 described above, the vehicle computer 107 determines that the sum of the weight of the host vehicle 10 and the weight of the other vehicle 20 is equal to or less than a predetermined value A based on the acquired other vehicle information. Whether or not (step S301). When it is determined that the sum of the weight of the host vehicle 10 and the weight of the other vehicle 20 is equal to or less than the predetermined value A (step S301: Yes), the vehicle computer 107 performs the process of step S103 described above.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the sum of the weight of the host vehicle 10 and the weight of the other vehicle 20 exceeds the predetermined value A (step S301: No), the vehicle computer 107 determines that the host vehicle 10 is the other vehicle 20 And the maximum speed in the case of connected traveling is changed (step S302).

  Here, for example, the predetermined value A may be set to a value determined by law as a vehicle weight on which the maximum speed limit is imposed. Specifically, in Japan, the predetermined value A may be set to 8 tons. In Japan, when the total vehicle weight is 8 tons or more, the maximum speed is limited to 80 km / h, so the vehicle computer 107 may change the maximum speed to 80 km.

  If comprised in this way, when the own vehicle 10 and the other vehicle 20 carry out connection driving | running | working, the speed excess which is not intended can be prevented and it is very advantageous practically.

  The “vehicle computer 107” according to the present embodiment is an example of the “setting unit” according to the present invention.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be changed as appropriate without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention that can be read from the claims and the entire specification. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Own vehicle, 20 ... Other vehicle, 11 ... Engine, 12 ... Transmission, 13 ... Regenerative control command input means, 14, 24 ... Communication means, 15, 25 ... Front connection device, 16, 26 ... Rear connection device , 21 ... Transmission with built-in motor generator, 22 ... Power converter, 23 ... Storage battery, 100, 200 ... Control device, 101 ... Power supply circuit, 102 ... Display, 103 ... Speaker, 104 ... Interface, 105 ... Meter computer, 106 ... Communication interface 107 ... Vehicle computer 108 ... Power management computer 151 ... Front connection switch 161 ... Rear connection switch

Claims (3)

It is mounted on the host vehicle, which is a car that can run with other vehicles connected,
Receiving means for receiving other vehicle information that is information related to the other vehicle when the host vehicle is connected to the other vehicle;
A determination means for determining whether or not the connected traveling in which the host vehicle and the other vehicle are connected based on the received other vehicle information is possible;
Notification means for notifying the determination result by the determination means;
A vehicle control device comprising:   When the determination means determines that the coupled travel is possible, the coupled travel is permitted, and when the determination means determines that the coupled travel is impossible, the coupled travel is performed. The vehicle control device according to claim 1, further comprising control means for controlling the host vehicle so as not to perform the operation. The received other vehicle information includes the weight of the other vehicle,
When the determination means determines that the coupled travel is possible, the total of the weight of the host vehicle and the weight of the other vehicle included in the received other vehicle information is a predetermined value. 3. The vehicle control according to claim 1, further comprising setting means for lowering a maximum speed limit when the sum exceeds the predetermined value compared to when the total does not exceed the predetermined value. apparatus.

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