JP2016030513A - Vehicle control device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicle control device which enables an operator to conduct intervention operation well in advance when the reliability of a system is decreased.SOLUTION: A vehicle control device automatically conducts travel control of a vehicle and includes: a vehicle control part (13) which controls the vehicle on the basis of a vehicle periphery situation and a vehicle travel state; a reliability prediction part (11) which predicts future reliability for vehicle control by the vehicle control part (13); and an operation request part (12) which requests an operator to conduct intervention operation when the future reliability is less than a threshold value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle control device.

  Conventionally, in driving support systems that perform route following, preceding vehicle following, etc., the reliability, which is the degree of correctness of selection of the target route and target preceding vehicle, is calculated, and driving is performed when the reliability is lower than a predetermined standard. There is known a technique for notifying a person that the reliability has decreased (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2001-34897 A

  However, in Patent Document 1, since the current reliability is calculated and the driver is notified when the calculated reliability decreases, the driver needs to perform an intervention operation immediately, and the intervention operation may not be in time. There was a problem that there was also a nature.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle control device that allows a driver to perform an intervention operation with a margin when the reliability of the system decreases. That is.

  The vehicle control apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention controls the vehicle based on the situation around the vehicle and the running state of the vehicle when automatically performing the running control of the vehicle, and determines the future reliability of the vehicle control. Predicting and requesting the driver to perform an intervention operation when the future reliability is less than a threshold value.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, when the reliability of a system falls, the vehicle control apparatus which a driver | operator can perform intervention operation with a margin can be provided.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the vehicle control device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the reliability prediction map. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the vehicle approaches a left curve. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which the vehicle approaches a right curve. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the reliability synthesis process. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the reliability synthesis process. FIG. 7A is a graph showing a temporal change in reliability in the future when a branch is reached. FIG. 7B is a graph showing a temporal change in reliability in the future when the curve is approached. FIG. 7C is a graph showing the result of combining the reliability in the future of FIGS. 7A and 7B. FIG. 8 is a graph for explaining an example of a threshold value used for determination for reducing reliability. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a display on the touch panel when prompting the driver to perform an intervention operation. FIG. 10A is a graph showing an example of an inter-vehicle distance setting method when the reliability is lowered. FIG. 10B is a graph showing an example of an inter-vehicle distance setting method according to the look-ahead time. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a vehicle control method according to the first embodiment. FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the vehicle control device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a vehicle control method according to the second embodiment.

  The first and second embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

(First embodiment)
As a vehicle control apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, an application example to a driving support system (hereinafter also simply referred to as “system”) that automatically performs follow-up control of a preceding vehicle will be described.

  The vehicle control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention can be mounted on a vehicle that automatically performs follow-up control of a preceding vehicle. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle control apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes an electronic control unit (ECU) 1, an ambient condition detection unit (preceding vehicle sensor) 2, a host vehicle position sensor 3, A traveling state detection unit (vehicle speed sensor) 4, a road information storage unit 7, an output device 5, and an input device 6 are provided.

  The ambient situation detection unit 2 detects the situation around the vehicle to be used for traveling control of the system. In the first embodiment of the present invention, the ambient condition detection unit 2 is a preceding vehicle sensor, and detects the presence or absence of a preceding vehicle ahead of the vehicle, the position of the preceding vehicle, the inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle, and the like. For example, a laser sensor, a radar sensor, or a camera can be used as the preceding vehicle sensor 2.

  The own vehicle position sensor 3 detects the current own vehicle position based on a positioning signal received from the global positioning system (GPS) and an image taken by a camera attached to the vehicle.

  The traveling state detection unit 4 detects the traveling state of the vehicle for use in traveling control of the system. In the first embodiment of the present invention, the traveling state detection unit 4 is a vehicle speed sensor and detects the vehicle speed.

  Note that the vehicle control apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention may further include various sensors (ambient condition detection unit) that detect a situation around the vehicle for use in traveling control of the system. Examples of the situation around the vehicle include information on the preceding vehicle in front of the vehicle, oncoming vehicles, obstacles, and the like, information on the position of the lane, and the like.

  In addition, the vehicle control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention may further include various sensors (traveling state detection unit) that detect the traveling state of the vehicle for use in traveling control of the system. Examples of the running state of the vehicle include vehicle acceleration, vehicle tilt angle, and states of various sensors.

  As the output device 5, for example, a display or a speaker can be used. As the input device 6, for example, a switch or a touch panel can be used. Note that a touch panel or the like in which the input device 6 and the output device 5 are integrated may be provided.

  The road information storage unit 7 stores road information related to a road on which the vehicle is scheduled to travel. The road information includes, for example, a curve curvature, the number of lanes, and a lane width. The road information storage unit 7 may store not only the road on which the vehicle is scheduled to travel, but also map information used for route guidance.

  ECU1 consists of a microcomputer etc. which consisted of central processing unit (CPU), RAM, ROM, a hard disk, etc., and functions as the following calculating parts when a microcomputer runs a program installed beforehand. The ECU 1 functions as a reliability prediction unit 11, an operation request unit 12, and a vehicle control unit 13. Among these, the vehicle control part 13 implement | achieves the system which performs the follow-up control of a preceding vehicle automatically. Note that at least a part of these functions (for example, the vehicle control unit 13) may be realized by an in-vehicle computer separate from the ECU 1.

  The reliability predicting unit 11 predicts the future reliability with respect to the situation determination of the vehicle control unit 13 (system). The reliability is a measure of the correctness of the situation determination of the vehicle control unit 13 (system). In the first embodiment of the present invention, when performing the follow-up control of the preceding vehicle, it is possible to calculate (evaluate) the degree of whether or not the target preceding vehicle is correctly followed. The reliability may be calculated (evaluated) step by step, for example, in five steps, or may be calculated (evaluated) as a continuous value such as a probability. Further, the future time (prefetching time) for predicting the reliability can be set as appropriate. For example, the time from the current time to 10 seconds later is set.

  Information used by the reliability prediction unit 11 to predict the future reliability may include the same information as the information used by the vehicle control unit 13 for vehicle control, or may include different information. In the first embodiment of the present invention, the reliability predicting unit 11 detects the preceding vehicle information detected by the preceding vehicle sensor 2, the own vehicle position detected by the own vehicle position sensor 3, and the vehicle speed sensor 4. Based on the vehicle speed and the road information stored in the road information storage unit 7, the future reliability of the system (vehicle control unit 13) status determination is predicted.

  The reliability predicting unit 11 further determines the time until the predicted future reliability is reached based on the vehicle position detected by the vehicle position sensor 3 and the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor 4 (read-ahead time). Is calculated.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of a reliability prediction map used when the reliability prediction unit 11 predicts the reliability of the system. As shown in the left column of FIG. 2, elements that lower the reliability of the system (hereinafter also referred to as “reliability lowering elements”) can be roughly classified into, for example, “reliability reduction due to blind spots” and “depending on environmental changes”. “Decrease in reliability”, “Decrease in reliability due to use exceeding the limit of sensor specifications”, and “Decrease in reliability due to a large number of detection targets” are listed. Are listed.

  The “steep curve” that is an element of “reliability reduction due to blind spot” in the uppermost stage is a case where the vehicle approaches a sharp curve and a blind spot is formed in the detection range by the preceding vehicle sensor 2. For example, the reliability prediction unit 11 includes the detection range of the preceding vehicle sensor 2, the own vehicle position detected by the own vehicle position sensor 3, the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor 4, and road information stored in the road information storage unit 7. Based on the above, when the vehicle approaches a sharp curve in the future, the degree of reduction in the reliability of the system due to the blind spot of the sharp curve (for example, a 50% decrease) is predicted. In this case, for example, the ratio of the detectable area that is not the blind spot in the detection range of the preceding vehicle sensor 2 is calculated as the reliability. In addition, the reliability prediction unit 11 calculates a time (for example, 5 seconds) until the reliability decreases.

  The “obstacle in own lane” that is an element of “decrease in reliability due to blind spot” is a case where there is an obstacle in the own lane and a blind spot is formed in the detection range of the preceding vehicle sensor 2. For example, the reliability prediction unit 11 determines the future based on the position and distance of the obstacle detected by a camera mounted on the vehicle, information on the obstacle included in the road information obtained from the road information storage unit 7, and the like. The degree of decrease in the reliability of the system due to blind spots caused by obstacles in the own lane (for example, 30% reduction) is predicted. In this case, for example, the ratio of the detectable area that is not the blind spot in the detection range of the preceding vehicle sensor 2 is calculated as the reliability. In addition, the reliability prediction unit 11 calculates a time (for example, 5 seconds) until the reliability decreases.

  In addition, “brightness”, which is an element of “reliability reduction due to environmental changes”, is due to the fact that the brightness around the vehicle is excessive or the brightness is too low when entering the tunnel. 2 is a case where it is difficult to detect the preceding vehicle. For example, the reliability predicting unit 11 determines the degree of decrease in the reliability of the system based on information on the presence or absence of a tunnel at a future vehicle position and the brightness such as illuminance detected by an illuminometer mounted on the vehicle ( (For example, 30% decrease) is predicted. In this case, for example, the ratio of the current illuminance to the optimal illuminance for the preceding vehicle sensor 2 is calculated as the reliability. Further, the reliability prediction unit 11 calculates a time (for example, 10 seconds) until the reliability decreases.

  “Meteorological conditions” as an element of “reliability decrease due to environmental change” is a case where weather conditions such as snow and rain deteriorate and it is difficult for the preceding vehicle sensor 2 to detect the preceding vehicle. For example, the reliability predicting unit 11 is based on the weather condition at the future vehicle position obtained from the communication device mounted on the vehicle, and the degree of decrease in the reliability of the system due to the deterioration of the future weather condition (for example, 30% reduction). ). In this case, for example, a value set in advance according to a plurality of types of weather conditions is calculated as the reliability. Further, the reliability predicting unit 11 calculates a time (for example, several tens of minutes) until the reliability decreases.

  Further, “insufficient detection range”, which is an element of “deterioration of reliability due to use exceeding the sensor specification limit”, is a case where the detection range of the preceding vehicle sensor 2 is insufficient due to use exceeding the limit of the preceding vehicle sensor 2. It is. For example, the reliability predicting unit 11 predicts a degree of decrease in reliability (for example, 80% reduction) due to insufficient detection range based on the state of the preceding vehicle sensor 2 and the like. In addition, the reliability prediction unit 11 calculates a time (for example, 5 seconds) until the reliability decreases.

  In addition, “insufficient detection accuracy”, which is an element of “deterioration of reliability due to use exceeding the limit of sensor specifications”, is a case where the detection accuracy of the preceding vehicle sensor 2 is insufficient due to use exceeding the limit of the preceding vehicle sensor 2. It is. For example, the reliability prediction unit 11 predicts a degree of decrease in reliability (for example, 50% reduction) due to insufficient detection accuracy based on the state of the preceding vehicle sensor 2 and the like. In addition, the reliability prediction unit 11 calculates a time (for example, 5 seconds) until the reliability decreases.

  In addition, “traveling lane increase or branching” which is an element of “reliability reduction due to a large number of detection targets” is when the driving lane ahead of the vehicle increases from one lane to two lanes, or there is a branching on the road In some cases, the number of detection objects increases and it is difficult to determine the preceding vehicle to be followed. For example, the reliability predicting unit 11 predicts a degree of decrease in reliability (for example, a 50% decrease) due to an increase in the number of detection targets based on the number of lanes ahead of the vehicle at the future vehicle position and the presence or absence of a branch. . In this case, for example, a value set in advance according to the number of traveling lanes, the number of branches, and the like is calculated as the reliability. Further, the reliability prediction unit 11 calculates a time (for example, 10 seconds) until the reliability decreases.

  Next, an example of a system reliability calculation method will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 using a “steep curve” that is an element of “reliability reduction due to blind spots”.

  FIG. 3 shows a state in which the vehicle 100 approaches a sharp curve (left curve). The position of the vehicle 100 in FIG. 3 indicates not the current vehicle position but the future vehicle position. The future vehicle position can be predicted by the reliability prediction unit 11 based on the current vehicle position, vehicle speed, road information, and the like. A broken line L1 in FIG. 3 is a planned travel route, and a sector-shaped broken line area A0 in FIG. 3 indicates a detection area by the preceding vehicle sensor 2.

  The reliability predicting unit 11 determines whether the vehicle position detected by the vehicle position sensor 3 and the curve curvature, lane width, and number of lanes in the traveling direction included in the road information obtained from the road information storage unit 7 The detectable area A1 and the blind spot area A2 on the own lane in the detection area A0 of the vehicle sensor 2 are extracted, and the areas of the detectable area A1 and the blind spot area A2 are obtained.

The ratio R1 at which the preceding vehicle area is visible can be obtained by the following formula (1), where the area of the detectable area A1 is a1 and the area of the blind spot area A2 is a2.

R1 = a1 / (a1 + a2) × 100 [%] (1)

Further, the length L1 of the detectable area A1 and the length L2 of the blind spot area A2 may be calculated, and the ratio R2 at which the preceding vehicle area is visible may be obtained using the following equation (2).

R2 = L1 / (L1 + L2) × 100 [%] (2)

  If the ratios R1 and R2 in which the preceding vehicle area is visible are 100%, the preceding vehicle sensor 2 can detect all the preceding vehicles up to the maximum detection distance. Further, if the ratios R1 and R2 are 50%, non-detection is considered to occur at a frequency of 50%. The reliability prediction unit 11 calculates one of the ratios R1 and R2 as the future reliability of the system (degree of decrease in reliability).

  FIG. 4 shows a state where the vehicle 100 has approached a sharp curve (right curve). As in the case of FIG. 3, the position of the vehicle 100 in FIG. 4 indicates the future vehicle position, not the current vehicle position. The preceding vehicle detection area A0 by the preceding vehicle sensor 2 can be seen through to the maximum detection distance, and there is no blind spot area. For this reason, the reliability prediction unit 11 calculates the ratio R1 or R2 in which the preceding vehicle area is visible as 100% using the above formula (1) or (2), and sets this as the reliability.

  As described above, the reliability predicting unit 11 predicts the future reliability of the system and the degree of the decrease for each reliability decreasing element in the reliability prediction map shown in FIG. Is calculated. Information and calculation formulas used for prediction of reliability can be set as appropriate. Further, the reliability lowering element is not particularly limited to the items shown in FIG.

  The reliability predicting unit 11 further combines the individual reliability predicted for each reliability lowering element to generate a combined reliability. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the reliability predicting unit 11 includes functional blocks (reliability prediction blocks) 101 to 107 that predict reliability for each reliability decreasing element and functional blocks that combine individual reliability ( (Combination block) 108. In the reliability prediction blocks 101 to 107, individual reliability levels D1 to D7 are calculated based on various sensor data, road information, and the like. The combining block 108 combines the individual reliability levels D1 to D7 to generate a combined reliability level D0. For example, the future reliability D1 to D7 calculated for each reliability lowering element are compared with each other at the same look-ahead time, and the lowest value is set as the reliability at the look-ahead time.

  Here, an example of a reliability synthesis method performed by the reliability prediction unit 11 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 shows a road environment in which there is a branch 101 in front of the vehicle 100 and a left curve 102 ahead. The position P0 of the vehicle 100 is set as the current host vehicle position, and the reliability is predicted at the position P1 where the vehicle 100 is scheduled to pass in the future, the position P2 approaching the curve, the position P2 approaching the curve, and the position P3 beyond the branch.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the reliability predicting unit 11 predicts the reliability of “traveling lane increase, branching” which is an element of “reliability reduction due to a large number of detection targets”. At time t1 in FIG. 7A, the position P1 reaches the branch shown in FIG. 6, and the number of detection targets increases. For this reason, the future reliability decreases from R0 (for example, 100%) to R1 (for example, 70%). After that, since the position P3 exceeds the branch at time t3, the future reliability is restored to R0 (for example, 100%).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7B, the reliability predicting unit 11 predicts the reliability of the “steep curve” that is an element of “reliability reduction due to blind spots”. At time t2 in FIG. 7 (b), the position P2 reaches the curve shown in FIG. 6, and a blind spot area is generated. For this reason, for example, the future reliability decreases from R0 (for example, 100%) to R2 (for example, 40%). Time t2 is earlier than time t3 shown in FIG.

  Further, the reliability predicting unit 11 compares the reliability shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B at the same time, and synthesizes the reliability so as to adopt the smaller reliability, thereby FIG. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 7C, the future reliability is R0 (for example, 100%) until time t1, and the future reliability R1 (for example, 70%) shown in FIG. The reliability R2 (for example, 40%) of the future shown in FIG. 7B is adopted after the time t2. Similarly, the future reliability is synthesized with respect to other reliability lowering factors.

  The operation request unit 12 determines whether or not the future reliability predicted by the reliability prediction unit 11 is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold, and when the future reliability is determined to be less than the predetermined threshold, the output device 5 The intervention operation is requested to the driver through the above. For example, the predetermined threshold value is set to a lower limit value that can stably continue the follow-up control of the preceding vehicle. The predetermined threshold value can be stored in advance in the memory of the ECU 1, for example. As shown in FIG. 8, when the predetermined threshold value Rth is set, the operation request unit 12 determines that the reliability R1 at the future time t1 is less than the threshold value Rth. Presents that the degree is reduced and requires intervention.

  The operation requesting unit 12 may prompt an intervention operation by, for example, sound through a speaker or an alarm sound. Further, images and characters may be displayed on the navigation screen, or a pilot lamp may be lit. The intervention operation may be an operation during normal driving such as steering, a direction indicating device, or a brake pedal, or may be an operation different from normal driving such as pressing a switch, and is not particularly limited. Further, the operation requesting unit 12 may request the driver to perform an intervention operation, and at the same time, may present to the driver a pre-reading time until the reliability is lowered by text display or voice.

  For example, it is assumed that the output device 5 and the input device 6 are touch panels 200 as shown in FIG. During the following control of the preceding vehicle, in addition to the preceding vehicle 201 that should follow the front of the vehicle, for example, when there is a preceding vehicle 202 parked on the road shoulder, and the reliability of the system decreases, the operation request unit 12 displays the touch panel. An image ahead of the vehicle is displayed at 200. Further, a plurality of preceding vehicles 201 and 202 existing in the image are surrounded by frames 203 and 204, and an intervention operation for touching the preceding vehicle to be followed is requested. In FIG. 9, an arrow 205 is displayed toward the preceding vehicle 201 that is currently determined to follow. When the driver touches the preceding vehicle 201 to be followed, the vehicle control unit 13 reflects the intervention operation in the vehicle control and performs vehicle control so as to follow the touched preceding vehicle 201.

  The vehicle control unit 13 is a calculation unit that realizes a system that performs follow-up control of the preceding vehicle, and automatically performs vehicle control based on the situation around the vehicle and the running state of the vehicle. The vehicle control unit 13 performs vehicle control by switching the traveling control mode of the system according to the future reliability predicted by the reliability prediction unit 11. In the first embodiment of the present invention, the preceding vehicle following mode at the normal time and the preceding vehicle following mode at the time of lowering the reliability are switched. Note that the vehicle control unit 13 may perform constant speed traveling control in any control mode when the preceding vehicle sensor 2 does not detect the preceding vehicle.

  The vehicle control unit 13 sets the following inter-vehicle distance and acceleration / deceleration to standard values in the preceding vehicle following mode in normal times. This set value may be adjusted by a driver's switch operation, or may be set in advance according to road information and vehicle speed. Based on the information on the preceding vehicle detected by the preceding vehicle sensor 2, the set following vehicle distance and acceleration / deceleration, the vehicle control unit 13 performs traveling control so as to follow the vehicle while keeping the following vehicle distance constant. Do.

  In the preceding vehicle following mode when the reliability is lowered, the vehicle control unit 13 changes the following inter-vehicle distance and acceleration / deceleration from the standard values in preparation for a future reduction in reliability. For example, a function as shown in FIG. 10A is set in advance, and when the future reliability is less than the threshold value Rth, the setting value D1 of the following inter-vehicle distance is set longer than the standard setting value D0. To do. The vehicle control unit 13 may also set the acceleration / deceleration to be lower than the standard value.

  Further, the vehicle control unit 13 may calculate a set value of the following inter-vehicle distance according to the look-ahead time. For example, a function as shown in FIG. 10B is set in advance, and the following inter-vehicle distance is smoothly changed from the standard setting value D0 to the longer setting value D1 by changing the following inter-vehicle distance according to the look-ahead time. Can be changed.

  Next, an example of a vehicle control method (following vehicle follow-up control method) according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S11, the vehicle control unit 13 determines an on / off state of a preceding vehicle follow-up control switch mounted on the vehicle. If the switch is in the on state, the process proceeds to step S12. If the switch is in the off state, the tracking control of the preceding vehicle is not performed, and thus the process is completed.

  In step S12, the reliability prediction unit 11 determines the future based on the own vehicle position detected by the own vehicle position sensor 3, the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor 4, the road information read from the road information storage unit 7, and the like. Calculate reliability and look-ahead time. At this time, the reliability prediction unit 11 predicts reliability for each individual reliability decrease element using the prediction map, and synthesizes the predicted individual reliability.

  In step S <b> 13, the operation request unit 12 determines whether or not the future reliability predicted by the reliability prediction unit 11 is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold (whether or not the future reliability has decreased). If it is determined that the future reliability is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold, the process proceeds to step S14. In step S14, the vehicle control unit 13 maintains the normal preceding vehicle following mode, sets the following inter-vehicle distance and acceleration / deceleration to standard values, and performs the following vehicle follow-up control.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S13 that the future reliability is less than the predetermined threshold, the process proceeds to step S15. In step S15, the vehicle control unit 13 switches to the preceding vehicle following mode when the reliability is lowered and performs the following control of the preceding vehicle. In this case, the inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle is set longer than the standard value, and the acceleration / deceleration is set lower than the standard value.

  In step S <b> 16, the operation requesting unit 12 notifies the driver that the future reliability will be reduced via the output device 5 or the like, and requests an intervention operation from the driver. Further, the operation request unit 12 notifies the prefetching time until the future reliability is lowered via the output device 5 or the like.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the reliability prediction unit 11 predicts the future reliability of the system, and the operation request unit 12 notifies that the future reliability is reduced. In addition, by requesting the driver to perform an intervention operation, it is possible to predict before the system reliability actually decreases, and therefore, it is possible to increase the margin time until the driver needs an intervention operation. Therefore, the driver can perform the intervention operation with a margin.

  In addition, the reliability predicting unit 11 can predict the margin time until the reliability of the system is reduced, thereby making it possible to notify the driver according to the margin time and adjust vehicle control.

  In addition, by posting the arrival time until reaching the future reliability to the driver, it is possible to prevent an excessive urgency from being given to the driver for whom the intervention operation is requested.

  In addition, when the future reliability of the system decreases, the vehicle control mode is appropriately switched by switching the vehicle control mode from the normal preceding vehicle follow-up control mode to the preceding vehicle follow-up control at the time of reduced reliability. Can be switched.

(Second Embodiment)
As a vehicle control apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention, an application example to a driving support system (automatic driving system) that automatically performs traveling control from a current position to a destination will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the vehicle control apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes an ECU 1, an ambient condition detection unit (camera) 8, a host vehicle position sensor 3, and a travel state detection unit (vehicle speed sensor). 4, a road information storage unit 7, an output device 5, and an input device 6.

  The surrounding state detection unit 8 is a camera, and captures an image of the surroundings of the vehicle. The vehicle control apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention may further include various sensors for performing automatic driving.

  The ECU 1 includes a reliability prediction unit 11, an operation request unit 12, a vehicle control unit 13, and a reliability calculation unit 14 as calculation units. The reliability prediction unit 11 predicts the future reliability of the vehicle control unit 13 (system) in the same manner as in the first embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment of the present invention, the reliability of the vehicle control unit 13 (system) is a degree of correctness with respect to travel control when performing automatic operation control. Similar to the first embodiment of the present invention, the reliability prediction unit 11 predicts the future reliability of the system for each individual reliability lowering element, and synthesizes the predicted individual reliability.

  The reliability calculation unit 14 calculates the current reliability of the system based on the situation around the vehicle and the running state of the vehicle detected by various sensors. For example, the reliability calculation unit 14 determines the presence / absence of a preceding vehicle in front of the vehicle, the presence / absence of an obstacle, the number of lanes, and the like from the image captured by the camera 8, and the vehicle control unit 13 (system) ) To calculate the reliability of the current situation judgment. Information used by the reliability calculation unit 14 for calculation of the current reliability may include the same information as the information used by the reliability prediction unit 11 for prediction of the future reliability, or may include different information. Good.

  The operation request unit 12 is calculated by the reliability calculation unit 14 in addition to determining whether or not the future reliability predicted by the reliability prediction unit 11 is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold (first threshold). It is determined whether or not the current reliability is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold (second threshold). The first threshold value used for determining the future reliability decrease and the second threshold value used for determining the current reliability decrease may be the same value or different values. The first threshold value and the second threshold value are appropriately set, and may be stored in advance in a memory of the ECU, for example.

  In the normal “fully automatic driving mode”, the vehicle control unit 13 receives the destination input by the driver via the input device 6, the vehicle position detected by the vehicle position sensor 3, and road information. A target route from the current position to the destination is generated based on the map information read from the storage unit 7, and automatic operation control is performed according to the target route. In addition, the vehicle control unit 13 performs traveling control while determining a situation around the vehicle based on an image captured by the camera 8 or the like.

  In addition to the “fully automatic operation mode” at the normal time, the vehicle control unit 13 depends on the future reliability predicted by the reliability prediction unit 11 and the current reliability calculated by the reliability calculation unit 14. , “Control mode”, “safe stop mode”, “semi-automatic operation mode”, “manual mode” are switched and controlled.

  When the operation request unit 12 determines that the future reliability is insufficient, the vehicle control unit 13 switches to the “determination request mode” and performs control. In the “judgment request mode”, the vehicle control unit 13 notifies the driver (occupant) via the operation request unit 12 that the reliability of automatic driving is reduced. In addition, the vehicle control unit 13 requests the driver to select a tracking target (select one from a plurality of tracking candidates, etc.). The vehicle control unit 13 also provides a driver with a function that reduces reliability. Request operational intervention.

  The vehicle control unit 13 switches to the “safe stop mode” at the same time immediately after the operation request unit 12 determines that the future reliability is insufficient and switches to the “determination request mode”. In the “safe stop mode”, the vehicle control unit 13 shifts the control of the vehicle so that the vehicle is safely stopped until the driver selects a tracking target or performs a necessary intervention operation.

  The vehicle control unit 13 switches to the “semi-automatic operation mode” when it detects that the driver has selected a tracking target or performed a necessary intervention operation. In the “semi-automated driving mode”, the vehicle control unit 13 continues the automatic driving in combination with the driver's intervention operation. In other words, the vehicle control unit 13 continues the automatic driving while changing the control target value based on the tracking target selected by the driver. For example, the speed control is performed by the driver, and the steering control is automatically performed by the system. As described above, according to the “semi-automatic operation mode”, the automatic operation can be continued by supplementing the function of which the reliability of the automatic operation system is reduced by the selection or intervention operation by the driver.

  Other configurations and functions of the second embodiment of the present invention other than those described above are substantially the same as the configurations and functions of the first embodiment of the present invention, and thus redundant description will be omitted.

  Next, an example of a vehicle control method (automated driving control method) according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S <b> 21, the vehicle control unit 13 determines whether an automatic driving control switch mounted on the vehicle is on or off. When it is determined that the automatic operation control switch is in the OFF state, it is in the manual operation (manual) mode and the processing is completed. On the other hand, when it determines with an automatic driving | operation control switch being an ON state, it progresses to step S22.

  In step S <b> 22, the reliability calculation unit 14 calculates the current reliability based on the vehicle surroundings detected from the various sensors and the vehicle running state. In step S23, the vehicle control unit 13 determines whether or not the current reliability calculated by the reliability calculation unit 14 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. When it is determined that the current reliability is less than the predetermined threshold value, the process proceeds to step S24, and the vehicle control unit 13 switches to the manual mode and performs vehicle control.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S23 that the current reliability is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold, the process proceeds to step S25. In step S <b> 25, the reliability predicting unit 11 calculates the future reliability based on the situation around the vehicle and the running state of the vehicle detected from various sensors. In step S <b> 26, the vehicle control unit 13 determines whether the future reliability predicted by the reliability prediction unit 11 is greater than or equal to a threshold value. When it is determined that the future reliability is equal to or higher than the threshold value, the process proceeds to step S27, and the vehicle control unit 13 switches to the fully automatic operation mode and performs automatic operation control.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S26 that the future reliability is less than the threshold, the process proceeds to step S28. In step S28, the vehicle control unit 13 performs automatic driving control by switching to the determination request mode and the safe stop mode. In step S <b> 29, the operation request unit 12 notifies the driver that the future reliability will decrease while presenting the prefetch time, and requests an intervention operation.

  In step S30, the vehicle control unit 13 determines whether or not there is an intervention operation by the driver. When there is no intervention operation, the safe stop mode is maintained, and the running state is changed to stop in a safe state. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S30 that an intervention operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step S31. In step S31, the vehicle control unit 13 switches to the semi-automatic operation mode, and continues the automatic operation while changing the control target value of the vehicle based on the intervention operation.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, since the reliability predicting unit 11 predicts the future reliability of the system, it can be predicted in advance that the reliability of the system is lowered. The driver can receive a request for an intervention operation and can increase the margin time when performing the intervention operation.

  In addition, the reliability predicting unit 11 can predict the margin time until the reliability of the system is reduced, thereby making it possible to notify the driver according to the margin time and adjust vehicle control.

  In addition, by posting the arrival time until reaching the future reliability to the driver, it is possible to prevent an excessive urgency from being given to the driver for whom the intervention operation is requested.

  Further, when the future reliability is less than the threshold, the vehicle control mode can be appropriately switched by switching from the fully automatic operation mode to the determination request mode, the safe stop mode, the semi-automatic operation mode, or the like.

  Further, when an intervention operation is requested from the driver and the control mode is switched by the vehicle control unit 13, the driving operation of the driver is performed by changing the vehicle to a safe state while the driver does not perform the intervention operation. Even if the vehicle is delayed, the vehicle can be kept in a safe state.

  In addition, when there is an intervention operation by the driver, the control target value is changed based on the intervention operation, and the vehicle driving control is continued to combine the driver's operation and the driver's judgment. A driving support system can be used.

  Further, in addition to predicting the future reliability of the vehicle control by the vehicle control unit 13, the present reliability is also calculated, and the driver is determined based on the future reliability and the current reliability. By requesting an intervention operation and switching the control mode, it is possible to immediately notify the driver that the current reliability has decreased even when the current reliability has decreased. Further, by using the current reliability, it is possible to improve future reliability prediction accuracy.

  As described above, the first and second embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, it should not be understood that the description and drawings constituting a part of this disclosure limit the present invention. From this disclosure, various alternative embodiments, examples and operational techniques will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

1 Electronic control unit (ECU)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 Leading vehicle sensor 3 Own vehicle position sensor 4 Vehicle speed sensor 5 Output device 6 Input device 7 Road information memory | storage part 8 Camera 11 Reliability prediction part 12 Operation request part 13 Vehicle control part 14 Reliability calculation part

Claims (7)

A vehicle control device that automatically performs vehicle travel control,
A vehicle control unit that controls the vehicle based on a situation around the vehicle and a running state of the vehicle;
A reliability prediction unit that predicts the future reliability of the vehicle control by the vehicle control unit;
A vehicle control device comprising: an operation requesting unit that requests an intervention operation from a driver when the future reliability is less than a threshold value.   The vehicle control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reliability prediction unit calculates a time until the future reliability becomes less than a threshold value.   The vehicle control device according to claim 2, wherein the operation request unit presents the time to the driver.   The said vehicle control part switches from the automatic driving control of the said vehicle to a different control mode, when the said future reliability becomes less than a threshold value, The any one of Claims 1-3 characterized by the above-mentioned. Vehicle control device.   The said vehicle control part is a case where the said future reliability is less than a threshold value, and when there is no said driver | operator's intervention operation, the said vehicle is changed to a safe state, The said vehicle control part is characterized by the above-mentioned. Vehicle control device.   The vehicle control unit changes the control target value based on the intervention operation when the future reliability is less than a threshold and the driver has performed an intervention operation, The vehicle control device according to claim 4, wherein the control is continued. The vehicle control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a reliability calculation unit that calculates a current reliability with respect to the control of the vehicle by the vehicle control unit.

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