JP2015120362A - Driving support equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide driving support equipment capable of easily and rapidly performing setting of a following distance in both directions of decrease and increase.SOLUTION: One pushing-type and rotary operation means is provided. A travel speed of a driver's own vehicle is controlled so that the driver's own vehicle can travel following a preceding vehicle while a following distance between the driver's own vehicle and the preceding vehicle is kept at a preset value, and the preset value is set to be variable depending on a pushing operation and a rotational operation of the operation means.

Description

  The present invention relates to a driving support device that controls the traveling speed of a host vehicle so that the host vehicle travels following the preceding vehicle while keeping the distance between the host vehicle and the preceding vehicle at a set value.

  Adaptive cruise control that recognizes the distance between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle with a radar and controls the traveling speed of the vehicle so that the vehicle follows the preceding vehicle while maintaining the recognized distance between the vehicles constant. Control (ACC; Adaptive Cruise Control) is known (for example, Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3).

  The inter-vehicle distance for adaptive cruise control can be set in multiple stages according to the driver's operation. For this variable setting, for example, a push button switch is arranged in the vicinity of the driver's seat. Each time the push button switch is pressed, the inter-vehicle distance is switched stepwise and in a rotary manner in either one of reduction and enlargement.

JP 2003-63326 A

  In the case where there is one pushbutton switch for setting the inter-vehicle distance, if a desired set position is passed, it takes a lot of pressing operations and time to go back to the set position and return.

  Although it is conceivable to prepare two pushbutton switches for reducing the distance between the vehicles and for increasing the distance, the operation becomes difficult to understand and an erroneous operation is likely to occur. There are cases where it is difficult to secure an arrangement space for the push button switch.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a driving support device that can easily and quickly set the inter-vehicle distance in both directions of reduction and enlargement.

  The driving support device of the invention according to claim 1 includes one operation means and a control means. The operating means is a pressing type and a rotating type. The control means controls the traveling speed of the host vehicle so that the host vehicle travels following the preceding vehicle while keeping the distance between the host vehicle and the preceding vehicle at a set value. The set value is variably set according to the operation.

  The driving support device of the invention according to claim 2 limits the operation means in the invention according to claim 1. That is, the operation means includes a rotation member, a press detection unit, and a rotation detection unit. The rotating member is accommodated in a hole formed in the driving operation unit, the peripheral surface faces the opening of the hole, and moves forward in response to a finger pressing operation through the opening to release the pressing operation. Along with the automatic return to the original position, it rotates upon receiving a rotation operation through the opening. The pressing detection unit detects the forward movement of the rotating member as a pressing operation. The rotation detection unit detects the rotation of the rotation member as a rotation operation.

  The driving support device of the invention according to claim 3 limits the driving operation portion and the hole portion in the invention according to claim 2. That is, the driving operation unit is a steering. The hole portion is formed in the spoke spoke portion, and has an inclined surface on the periphery of the opening for accepting a finger from the outside to the inside of the opening.

  The driving support device of the invention according to claim 4 limits the control means in any one of claims 1 to 3. That is, the control means includes a recognition means, a mode setting means, a mode release means, a follow-up control means, an inter-vehicle distance control means, and an update means. The recognizing means recognizes the preceding vehicle and recognizes the inter-vehicle distance between the recognized preceding vehicle and the host vehicle. The mode setting means sets an inter-vehicle distance adjustment mode according to the first pressing operation of the operating means. The mode canceling unit cancels the setting of the inter-vehicle distance adjustment mode after a predetermined time from the setting of the inter-vehicle distance adjustment mode or according to the second pressing operation of the operating unit after the first pressing operation. The follow-up control means controls the traveling speed of the own vehicle so that the own vehicle follows the preceding vehicle while keeping the inter-vehicle distance recognized by the recognizing means at the set value. When the inter-vehicle distance adjustment mode is set, the inter-vehicle distance control means increases the traveling speed of the own vehicle to reduce the inter-vehicle distance regardless of the set value when the direction of the rotation operation of the operation means is one direction. When the direction of the rotation operation of the operation means is the other direction, the traveling speed of the host vehicle is controlled to decrease in order to increase the inter-vehicle distance regardless of the set value. The update unit updates the inter-vehicle distance recognized by the recognition unit as the set value when the setting of the inter-vehicle distance adjustment mode is cancelled.

  The driving support device of the invention according to claim 5 limits the inter-vehicle distance control means in the invention of claim 4. That is, when the inter-vehicle distance adjustment mode is set, the inter-vehicle distance control means automatically reduces the inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle regardless of the set value when the direction of the rotation operation of the operation means is one direction. Increases the traveling speed of the vehicle at a rate of change corresponding to the speed of the rotation operation, and increases the inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle regardless of the set value when the direction of the rotation operation with respect to the operation means is the other direction. Therefore, the traveling speed of the own vehicle is reduced at a rate of change corresponding to the speed of the rotation operation.

  According to the driving assistance apparatus of the present invention, the setting of the inter-vehicle distance can be easily and quickly performed in both the reduction and expansion directions.

The figure which shows the structure of the steering and operation means in one Embodiment of this invention. The figure which expands and shows the structure of the principal part in FIG. The figure which shows the cross section which follows the AA line of FIG. The block diagram which shows the control circuit of one Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the control of the same embodiment. The figure which shows the mode of the follow-up driving | running | working in the same embodiment. The figure which shows a mode that the distance between vehicles reduces in the same embodiment. The figure which shows a mode that the inter-vehicle distance expands in the same embodiment.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a steering which is one of the driving operation parts, and a wheel part through a left spoke part 3, a right spoke part 4, and a lower spoke part 5 extending from a center pad 2 containing a horn button and an airbag. 6 is connected.

  A push-type ACC switch 10 for instructing on (operation) and off (stop) of adaptive cruise control (ACC) is disposed on the front surface of the left spoke portion 3 of the steering 1.

  A rectangular opening 11 is formed in the front surface of the right spoke portion 4 of the steering 1, and a rotary selector 12 that is a rotating member is accommodated inside the opening 11.

  As shown in FIG. 2 in an enlarged manner, the opening 11 has an inclined surface 11a at the periphery. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, which is a cross section taken along line AA of FIG. 2, a hole portion 4 a that accommodates the rotary selector 12 is formed in the right spoke portion 4 and inside the opening 11. That is, the opening of the hole 4a becomes the opening 11 as it is.

  When the driver tries to touch the rotary selector 12 in the opening 11 with the right hand thumb while holding the wheel portion 6 with the right finger, the thumb slides smoothly along the inclined surface 11a from the outside to the inside of the opening 11. To enter into the opening 11.

  The rotary selector 12 is a cylindrical body that can freely rotate in one direction (upward direction) and the other direction (downward direction) about the rotation shaft 12a, and has a large number of grooves extending along the axial direction on the peripheral surface. . These grooves are arranged in order along the circumferential direction and serve as a slip stopper when receiving a rotation operation through the opening 11.

  Further, the rotary selector 12 can freely reciprocate between the opening 11 and the bottom of the hole 4a, and normally receives the biasing force of the spring 12b locked to the rotating shaft 12a and moves toward the opening 11 side. Exist. At this time, a part of the peripheral surface of the rotary selector 12 faces the opening 11. When a finger pressing operation through the opening 11 is applied to the rotary selector 12, the rotary selector 12 moves forward to the back bottom side of the hole 4a against the biasing force of the spring 12b. When the finger pressing operation on the rotary selector 12 is released, the rotary selector 12 automatically returns (returns) to the original position on the opening 11 side by the biasing force of the spring 12b.

The main part of the control circuit is shown in FIG.
The ACC controller 30, which is a control means, includes an ACC switch 10, an operation unit (operation means) 20, a radio wave radar 31, a camera 32, a display unit 33, a vehicle speed sensor 34, a brake switch 35, an accelerator pedal switch 36, an engine control unit 40, A transmission control unit 50 and a brake control unit 60 are connected.

  The operation unit 20 includes a rotary selector 12, a press detection unit 21, a rotation detection unit 22, and a signal generation unit 23. The press detector 21 mechanically, magnetically, or optically detects the forward movement of the rotary selector 12 as a driver's pressing operation. The rotation detection unit 22 detects rotation in one direction and the other direction of the rotary selector 12 magnetically or optically as a driver's rotation operation.

  The signal generation unit 23 outputs a pulse signal having a voltage level and a period according to the detection result of the rotation detection unit 22, and when the rotary selector 12 rotates in one direction (upward), the rotary selector 12 When the rotary selector 12 rotates in the other direction (downward), a pulse voltage having a first voltage level (for example, a positive voltage level) whose cycle changes in proportion to the rotation speed of the rotary selector 12 is output. The pulse voltage of the 2nd voltage level (for example, negative voltage level) from which a period changes in proportion to the rotation speed of is output.

  The radio wave radar 31 is disposed in the front part of the vehicle, emits a radio wave of a predetermined frequency, for example, a 77 GHz millimeter wave signal in front of the host vehicle, and receives a millimeter wave signal reflected and returned by a preceding vehicle existing ahead.

  The camera 32 is disposed at the front of the vehicle or the upper part of the driver's seat and images the road surface in front of the host vehicle.

  The display unit 33 is arranged on the instrument panel of the driver's seat, displays on / off of the adaptive cruise control by the ACC switch 10 with characters and images, and the inter-vehicle distance setting value (described later) of the adaptive cruise control. Set value Ds) is displayed as characters or images. About this display part 33, you may also use the display screen of a car navigation system.

  The vehicle speed sensor 34 detects the traveling speed of the own vehicle. The brake switch 35 is turned on upon detecting depression of the brake pedal. The accelerator pedal switch 36 is turned on upon detecting depression of the accelerator pedal. The engine control unit 40 controls operation / stop and output of an engine (and a motor) that is a drive source. The transmission control unit 50 controls the shift position of the transmission. The brake control unit 60 controls the brake.

  The ACC controller 30 controls the traveling speed of the host vehicle so that the host vehicle travels following the preceding vehicle while maintaining the inter-vehicle distance D between the host vehicle and the preceding vehicle at the set value Ds. The set value Ds is variably set according to the pressing operation and the rotating operation.

That is, the ACC controller 30 has the following means (1) to (6) as main functions.
(1) Recognizing means for recognizing the preceding vehicle based on the received signal of the radio wave radar 31 and recognizing the inter-vehicle distance D and the relative speed H between the recognized preceding vehicle and the own vehicle based on the received signal of the radio wave radar 31.

  (2) Mode setting means for setting the inter-vehicle distance adjustment mode in accordance with the first pressing operation of the rotary selector 12.

  (3) Mode canceling means for canceling the setting of the inter-vehicle distance adjustment mode after a predetermined time t1 from the setting of the inter-vehicle distance adjustment mode or according to the second pressing operation of the rotary selector 12 after the first pressing operation.

  (4) Based on the inter-vehicle distance D and the relative speed H recognized by the recognition means, the host vehicle follows the preceding vehicle recognized by the recognition means while keeping the inter-vehicle distance D at a set value Ds. Thus, the follow-up control means for controlling the traveling speed of the own vehicle (the detection speed of the vehicle speed sensor 34) via the engine control unit 40, the transmission control unit 50, and the brake control unit 60.

  (5) When the inter-vehicle distance adjustment mode is set, the direction and speed of the rotation operation of the rotary type selector 12 (the rotational speed of the rotary type selector 12) h is detected from the output signal of the signal generator 23, and the detection direction is the same. In the case of the direction (upward), the traveling speed of the host vehicle is detected via the engine control unit 40, the transmission control unit 50, and the brake control unit 60 in order to reduce the inter-vehicle distance D regardless of the set value Ds. The engine control unit 40 controls the traveling speed of the host vehicle to increase the inter-vehicle distance D regardless of the set value Ds when the detection direction is the other direction (downward). , An inter-vehicle distance control means for controlling in a decreasing direction through the transmission control unit 50 and the brake control unit 60 and at a change rate α corresponding to the detected speed h

  (6) Update means for updating the inter-vehicle distance D recognized by the recognition means as the set value Ds when the setting of the inter-vehicle distance adjustment mode is canceled.

  The inter-vehicle distance control means (5) compares the detected speed h with a plurality of predetermined set speeds h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, and in the region where h <h1. The travel speed is changed at the smallest change rate α0 (for example, 2 km / sec), and the travel speed is changed at a change rate α1 (for example, 4 km / sec) larger than the change rate α0 in the region of h1 ≦ h <h2. Similarly, the inter-vehicle distance control means changes the traveling speed at a change rate α2 (for example, 6 km / sec) larger than the change rate α1 in the region of h2 ≦ h <h3, and from the change rate α2 in the region of h3 ≦ h <h4. The travel speed is changed at a large change rate α3 (for example, 8 km / sec). In the region where h4 ≦ h <h5, the travel speed is changed at a change rate α4 (for example, 10 km / sec) greater than the change rate α3, and h5 <h. In the region, the traveling speed is changed at the largest change rate αn (for example, 12 km / sec). There is no limitation on the number of steps and the rate of change of the set speed, and the speed can be selected as appropriate according to the output of the engine or motor that is the driving source, the traffic regulations of the country or region in which the vehicle is traveling.

  Since the inter-vehicle distance D is normally defined by the inter-vehicle time, if the traveling speed changes, it changes accordingly.

Next, the control executed by the ACC controller 30 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
When adaptive cruise control is turned on by pressing the ACC switch 10 (YES in step 101), the ACC controller 30 determines the presence or absence of a preceding vehicle from the recognition result based on the received signal of the radio wave radar 31 (step 102).

  When the ACC controller 30 determines that there is no preceding vehicle (NO in step 102), the engine control unit 40 and the transmission control unit 50 so that the traveling speed of the host vehicle (the detection speed of the vehicle speed sensor 34) maintains the target speed. And the brake control unit 60 are controlled in an integrated manner (step 103). The target speed is a speed determined in advance by a target speed setting operation or a detection speed of the vehicle speed sensor 34 at the time when adaptive cruise control is turned on by pressing the ACC switch 10.

  In this constant speed control, the ACC controller 30 monitors whether the adaptive cruise control is turned off by the next pressing operation of the ACC switch 10 (step 115), and monitors the establishment of the release condition (step 116). The release condition is that the brake switch 35 is turned on, the accelerator pedal switch 36 is turned on, the direction indicator is actuated, the steering 1 is suddenly operated, and the road lane on the road imaged by the camera 32 (the inside of the white line, etc.) For example, a car deviation. When at least one of these release conditions is satisfied, the ACC controller 30 determines that the release condition is satisfied.

  If the adaptive cruise control is not turned off in the constant speed control (NO in step 115), and if the release condition is not satisfied (NO in step 116), the ACC controller 30 returns to step 102 to determine whether there is a preceding vehicle. Determine.

  If the adaptive cruise control is turned off in the constant speed control (YES in step 115), the ACC controller 30 releases the constant speed control (step 117). Even if the adaptive cruise control is not turned off (NO in step 115), if the release condition is satisfied (YES in step 116), the ACC controller 30 releases the constant speed control (step 117). After canceling the constant speed control, the ACC controller 30 returns to step 101 and monitors whether the adaptive cruise control is on.

  On the other hand, when the adaptive cruise control is turned on by pressing the ACC switch 10 (YES in step 101) and the ACC controller 30 determines that there is a preceding vehicle (YES in step 102), the ACC controller 30 is based on the received signal of the radio wave radar 31. Based on the recognized inter-vehicle distance D and relative speed H, the traveling speed of the own vehicle is controlled so that the own vehicle follows the preceding vehicle while maintaining the inter-vehicle distance D at the set value Ds (step 104).

  During the execution of the follow-up control, the ACC controller 30 monitors the pressing operation of the rotary selector 12 (step 105).

  If there is no pressing operation of the rotary selector 12 during the follow-up control (NO in step 105), the ACC controller 30 turns off adaptive cruise control by pressing the ACC switch 10 and performs adaptive cruise control. The establishment of the release condition is monitored (steps 115 and 116).

  If the adaptive cruise control is not turned off by the pressing operation of the ACC switch 10 during execution of the follow-up control (NO in step 115) and the release condition for the adaptive cruise control is not satisfied (NO in step 116), the ACC The controller 30 returns to step 102 and determines whether there is a preceding vehicle.

  When the ACC controller 30 determines that there is no preceding vehicle during the execution of the follow-up control (YES in step 102), the ACC controller 30 returns from the follow-up control to the constant speed control (step 103).

  If there is a pressing operation (first pressing operation) of the rotary selector 12 during the follow-up control (YES in step 105), the ACC controller 30 sets the inter-vehicle distance adjustment mode and executes the time count t. (Step 106). Then, the ACC controller 30 compares the time count t with the fixed time t1 (step 107). The fixed time t1 is set to about 3 to 5 seconds, which is optimal for adjusting the inter-vehicle distance.

  When the time count t is less than the predetermined time t1 (NO in step 107), the ACC controller 30 monitors the rotation operation of the rotary selector 12 (steps 108 and 109) and also monitors the pressing operation of the rotary selector 12. (Step 110).

  When the time count t has reached a certain time t1 (YES in step 107) without rotating and pressing the rotary selector 12 (NO in step 108, NO in 109, NO in 110), the ACC controller 30 Then, the setting of the inter-vehicle distance adjustment mode is canceled, and the inter-vehicle distance D recognized at this time is updated as a new set value Ds (step 113). In this case, since the update is performed when the fixed time t1 has passed without the rotation of the rotary selector 12, the new set value Ds is the same as the inter-vehicle distance D when the inter-vehicle distance adjustment mode is set.

  After updating the set value Ds, the ACC controller 30 clears the time count t (step 114), and proceeds to the monitoring of the steps 115 and 116.

  If the rotary selector 12 is rotated in one direction (upward) before the time count t reaches the predetermined time t1 (NO in step 107), the ACC controller 30 sets the set value. In order to reduce the inter-vehicle distance D regardless of Ds, the traveling speed is increased up to the target speed in the constant speed control (step 111). By this acceleration, as shown in FIG. 7, the own vehicle approaches the preceding vehicle, and the inter-vehicle distance D decreases.

  In this acceleration, the ACC controller 30 increases the traveling speed at a rate of change corresponding to the rotational speed h of the rotary selector 12. That is, if the speed h at which the rotary selector 12 is turned is slow, the traveling speed is slowly increased, and thereby the inter-vehicle distance D is slowly reduced. If the speed h at which the rotary selector 12 is turned is high, the traveling speed is increased rapidly, thereby shortening the inter-vehicle distance D. The speed of reduction of the inter-vehicle distance D is proportional to the speed h of turning the rotary selector 12.

  When the driver visually recognizes that the inter-vehicle distance D has been reduced to the desired state, the driver presses the rotary selector 12 (second pressing operation).

  When there is a pressing operation (second pressing operation) of the rotary selector 12 (YES in step 110), the ACC controller 30 cancels the setting of the inter-vehicle distance adjustment mode (end of acceleration) and recognizes it at this time. The inter-vehicle distance D is updated as a new set value Ds (step 113). As shown in FIG. 7, the new set value Ds is shorter than the set value Ds before the update by a distance ΔD approaching the preceding vehicle by acceleration.

  After updating the set value Ds, the ACC controller 30 clears the time count t (step 114), and proceeds to the monitoring of the steps 115 and 116.

  Even when there is no pressing operation (second pressing operation) of the rotary selector 12 (NO in step 110), when the time count t reaches a certain time t1 (YES in step 107), the ACC controller 30 adjusts the inter-vehicle distance. The mode setting is canceled (acceleration end), and the inter-vehicle distance D recognized at this time is updated as a new set value Ds (step 113).

  On the other hand, if the rotary selector 12 is rotated in the other direction (downward) before the time count t reaches the predetermined time t1 (NO in step 107), the ACC controller 30 The travel speed is decreased to increase the inter-vehicle distance D regardless of the set value Ds (step 112). Due to this deceleration, as shown in FIG. 8, the inter-vehicle distance D increases so that the host vehicle moves away from the preceding vehicle.

  In this deceleration, the ACC controller 30 decreases the traveling speed at a rate of change corresponding to the rotational speed h of the rotary selector 12. That is, if the speed h at which the rotary selector 12 is turned is slow, the traveling speed is slowly decreased, and thereby the inter-vehicle distance D is slowly increased. If the speed h at which the rotary selector 12 is turned is high, the traveling speed is decreased rapidly, thereby increasing the inter-vehicle distance D. The speed of expansion of the inter-vehicle distance D is proportional to the speed h of turning the rotary selector 12.

  When the driver visually recognizes that the inter-vehicle distance D has increased to the desired state, the driver presses the rotary selector 12 (second pressing operation).

  When there is a pressing operation (second pressing operation) of the rotary selector 12 (YES in step 110), the ACC controller 30 cancels the setting of the inter-vehicle distance adjustment mode (deceleration end) and recognizes at this time. The inter-vehicle distance D is updated as a new set value Ds (step 113). As shown in FIG. 8, the new set value Ds is longer than the set value Ds before update by a distance ΔD that has moved away from the preceding vehicle due to deceleration.

  After updating the set value Ds, the ACC controller 30 clears the time count t (step 114), and proceeds to the monitoring of the steps 115 and 116.

  Even when there is no pressing operation (second pressing operation) of the rotary selector 12 (NO in step 110), when the time count t reaches a certain time t1 (YES in step 107), the ACC controller 30 adjusts the inter-vehicle distance. The mode setting is canceled (deceleration end), and the inter-vehicle distance D recognized at this time is updated as a new set value Ds (step 113).

  As described above, the driver can perform the adaptive operation by a simple operation in which, for example, the thumb of the right hand holding the wheel portion 6 of the steering wheel 1 enters the opening 11, and the rotary selector 12 is pushed and turned with the tip of the entered thumb. The inter-vehicle distance D for cruise control can be freely variably set in both directions of enlargement and reduction.

  When the driver enters the right thumb of the right hand into the opening 11, the thumb smoothly slides into the opening 11 along the inclined surface 11a. Therefore, the driver can immediately touch the rotary selector 12 without transferring his line of sight to the rotary selector 12. Therefore, the driver can concentrate on the original driving without being deprived of locating the rotary selector 12. Thereby, safety is greatly improved.

  Since the reduction and expansion of the inter-vehicle distance D can be variably set with a single rotary selector 12, the operation is easier to understand than in the case of preparing two push button switches for enlargement and reduction as in the prior art, and erroneous operation Not likely to occur. There is no problem with the layout space. Cost can also be reduced.

  When the direction of setting is limited to either one of reduction or enlargement as in the case of using a single pushbutton switch, if it passes through the desired setting position, it will take a lot to return to the setting position. Although a pressing operation and time are required, if the rotary selector 12 is used, when the set position is passed, it can be reversed immediately to return to a desired set value.

  For example, it is conceivable that the intention to reduce the inter-vehicle distance D is wrong and the rotary selector 12 is rotated in the other direction (enlargement direction), but in that case, it is immediately corrected in one direction (reduction direction). be able to. Although it is possible to mistakenly intend to increase the inter-vehicle distance D and turn the rotary selector 12 in one direction (reduction direction), in that case, it is possible to immediately turn it back in the other direction (enlargement direction) to correct it. it can.

  Although it is conceivable that the finger gripping the steering wheel 1 may suddenly touch the rotary selector 12, it is necessary to perform a two-step operation of pushing and turning the rotary selector 12 until the inter-vehicle distance D actually changes. Unintentional changes in the inter-vehicle distance D can be prevented.

  After the setting of the inter-vehicle distance adjustment mode, the setting of the inter-vehicle distance adjustment mode is automatically canceled when a certain time t1 has passed without any operation, so that the adjustable state of the inter-vehicle distance D continues unnecessarily. Nor.

  When the inter-vehicle distance D is reduced, the travel speed is increased at a rate of change proportional to the rotational speed h of the rotary selector 12, so the speed at which the inter-vehicle distance D is reduced is adjusted in an analog and intuitive manner. can do.

  When the inter-vehicle distance D is increased, the traveling speed is reduced at a rate of change proportional to the rotational speed h of the rotary selector 12, so the speed at which the inter-vehicle distance D increases is adjusted in an analog and intuitive manner. can do.

[Modification]
In the embodiment described above, the ACC switch 10 for instructing on / off of the adaptive cruise control is prepared. However, for example, a plurality of continuous pressing operations of the rotary selector 12 are performed to turn on the adaptive cruise control. For example, a configuration in which a plurality of continuous pressing operations of the rotary selector 12 are captured as the adaptive cruise control is turned off may be employed. In this case, the ACC switch 10 can be dispensed with.

  Although the opening 11 and the rotary type selector 12 are arranged on the steering 1, the arrangement position thereof is not limited to the steering 1, and other driving operation units such as a knob of a shift lever may be used.

  In addition, the said embodiment and modification are shown as an example and are not intending limiting the range of invention. The novel embodiments and modifications can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, rewrites, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. In these embodiments and modifications, the scope of the invention is included in the gist, and is included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Steering (driving operation part), 2 ... Center pad, 3 ... Left spoke part, 4 ... Right spoke part, 4a ... Hole part, 5 ... Lower spoke part, 10 ... ACC switch, 11 ... Opening, 11a ... Inclination 12, rotary selector (rotating member), 12 a, support shaft, 12 b, spring, 20, operation unit, 21, pressure detection unit, 22, rotation detection unit, 23, signal generation unit, 31, radio wave radar, 32 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Camera, 33 ... Display part, 34 ... Vehicle speed sensor, 35 ... Brake switch, 36 ... Accelerator pedal switch, 40 ... Engine control part, 50 ... Transmission control part, 60 ... Brake control part

Claims (5)

One pressing and rotating operation means;
While controlling the traveling speed of the host vehicle so that the host vehicle travels following the preceding vehicle while keeping the distance between the host vehicle and the preceding vehicle at a set value, according to the pressing operation and the rotating operation of the operation means Control means for variably setting the set value;
A driving support apparatus comprising: The operation means includes
It is housed in a hole formed in the driving operation part, the peripheral surface faces the opening of the hole part, moves forward upon receiving a pressing operation of a finger through the opening, and returns to the original position as the pressing operation is released A rotating member that automatically returns to and rotates in response to a rotating operation through the opening;
A pressure detection unit that detects the forward movement of the rotating member as a pressure operation;
A rotation detector that detects rotation of the rotating member as a rotation operation;
including,
The driving support device according to claim 1, wherein The driving operation unit is a steering wheel,
The hole portion is formed in the spoke spoke portion, and has an inclined surface on the periphery of the opening for accepting a finger from the outside to the inside of the opening.
The driving support device according to claim 2, wherein The control means includes
Recognizing means for recognizing the preceding vehicle and recognizing an inter-vehicle distance between the recognized preceding vehicle and the own vehicle;
Mode setting means for setting an inter-vehicle distance adjustment mode according to a first pressing operation of the operating means;
Mode release means for releasing the setting of the inter-vehicle distance adjustment mode after a predetermined time from the setting of the inter-vehicle distance adjustment mode or according to the second pressing operation of the operating means after the first pressing operation;
Follow-up control means for controlling the traveling speed of the own vehicle so that the own vehicle follows the preceding vehicle recognized by the recognizing means while keeping the inter-vehicle distance recognized by the recognizing means at the set value. ,
When setting the inter-vehicle distance adjustment mode, when the direction of the rotation operation of the operation means is one direction, the traveling speed of the own vehicle is controlled to increase in order to reduce the inter-vehicle distance regardless of the set value, An inter-vehicle distance control means for controlling the traveling speed of the host vehicle in a decreasing direction so as to increase the inter-vehicle distance regardless of the set value when the direction of the rotation operation of the operating means is the other direction;
An update unit that updates the inter-vehicle distance recognized by the recognition unit as the set value when the setting of the inter-vehicle distance adjustment mode is canceled;
The driving support device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: The inter-vehicle distance control means is configured to reduce the inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle regardless of the set value when the inter-vehicle distance adjustment mode is set and the rotational direction of the operating means is one direction. Is increased at a rate of change corresponding to the speed of the rotation operation, and when the direction of the rotation operation with respect to the operation means is the other direction, the inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle is increased regardless of the set value. As much as possible, the traveling speed of the vehicle is reduced at a rate of change corresponding to the speed of the rotation operation.
The driving support device according to claim 4, wherein

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