JP2022068453A - Speed suppression device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a speed suppression device capable of reducing a vehicle speed until an accelerator is released after the vehicle speed reaches a predetermined value even, when the accelerator pedal is depressed due to a mistake in stepping while traveling.SOLUTION: A speed suppression device includes: a memory 12 in which a threshold value of a speed limit is recorded; a dummy signal generation circuit 14 for outputting an idling signal; a switching circuit 16 for outputting either an operation signal or an idling signal to an ECU as a control signal; and a microcomputer circuit 18 that compares a speed based on a vehicle speed signal with the threshold value of the speed limit and outputs a switching signal to the switching circuit 16. The microcomputer circuit 18 outputs a switching signal such that if a speed based on the vehicle speed signal is less than the threshold value, the operation signal is outputted as the control signal, and if a speed based on the vehicle speed signal is equal to or higher than the threshold value, the idling signal is outputted as the control signal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a speed suppressing device for a vehicle, and more particularly to a speed suppressing device suitable for suppressing an unintended speed increase caused by an erroneous depression of an operation pedal.

When driving a vehicle, speed operation and steering wheel operation are mainly performed. Of these, speed control is performed by operating the accelerator pedal and brake pedal at the foot of the driver's seat, so there are increasing cases of misunderstandings or misoperations due to assumptions. The most common case is that the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal are pressed incorrectly, and the vehicle accelerates unintentionally by stepping on the accelerator pedal with the intention of stepping on the brake pedal.

Therefore, in recent years, various means for suppressing unexpected behavior of the vehicle caused by such an erroneous operation have been proposed. For example, the sudden start prevention device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a control device attached between an accelerator unit and an ECU (engine control unit) of a vehicle. The function learns the accelerator opening by the accelerator unit in advance, and determines that the control is abnormal when the vehicle speed is equal to or less than the predetermined value and the accelerator opening is detected to be equal to or more than the predetermined value. It controls sudden start prevention such as stopping the engine or reducing the engine speed.

Further, the accelerator pedal erroneous operation prevention device disclosed in Patent Document 2 is also a control device attached between the accelerator unit and the ECU of the vehicle, similarly to the sudden start prevention device disclosed in Patent Document 1. The handle part is equipped with a release means for releasing control. Its function is to detect the accelerator opening of the accelerator unit and the speed of the vehicle, and control the speed of the vehicle to be equal to or lower than a predetermined speed regardless of the accelerator opening. When the control is released by the release means when the accelerator is operated, the speed of the vehicle is increased according to the accelerator opening.

Japanese Patent No. 5231156 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2019-44650

The sudden start prevention device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is certainly effective in preventing sudden start due to a mistake in stepping. However, it is considered difficult to deal with abnormal acceleration due to a mistake in pressing the accelerator pedal while driving. On the other hand, according to the erroneous operation prevention device disclosed in Patent Document 2, even if the accelerator pedal is depressed incorrectly while driving, the erroneous operation prevention device disclosed in Patent Document 2 can be used. It controls the speed of the vehicle so that it is below a predetermined value, and as described above, "when the accelerator pedal is depressed with the intention of depressing the brake pedal", the vehicle continues to run while maintaining the predetermined speed. It will be.

Therefore, the present invention provides a speed suppression device capable of reducing the vehicle speed after the vehicle speed reaches a predetermined value even when the accelerator pedal is depressed due to a mistake in stepping while traveling. The purpose.

The speed suppression device according to the present invention for achieving the above object is a control device interposed between the accelerator unit that outputs an operation signal of the accelerator pedal to the ECU of the vehicle and the ECU, and at least. , A memory in which a predetermined speed limit threshold is recorded, a dummy signal generation circuit that outputs an idling signal that imitates a signal output from the accelerator unit during idling, and one of the operation signal and the idling signal. A switching circuit that outputs a switching signal to the switching circuit by comparing a switching circuit that outputs one of them as a control signal to the ECU, a speed based on a vehicle speed signal indicating the speed of the vehicle, and a threshold value of the speed limit. When the speed based on the vehicle speed signal is less than the threshold value of the speed limit, the microcomputer circuit uses the operation signal as the control signal, and the speed based on the vehicle speed signal is equal to or higher than the threshold value of the speed limit. In the case of, the switching signal is output so as to output the idling signal as the control signal, and when the idling signal is output as the control signal, the idling signal is input as the operation signal. Until then, it is characterized in that a switching signal for outputting the idling signal as the control signal is output.

Further, the speed suppression device having the above-mentioned characteristics may be configured to be accompanied by a warning device that issues a warning to the driver when the speed based on the vehicle speed signal is equal to or higher than the threshold value of the speed limit. By having such a feature, it is possible to notify the driver who is unknowingly overspeeding of the overspeed.

Further, in the speed suppression device having the above-mentioned characteristics, the warning device may be provided with a circuit that indicates the content of the warning by light emission. By having such a feature, it is possible to make the driver recognize the warning even when the music or noise is loud.

Further, in the speed suppressing device having the above-mentioned characteristics, the warning device may be provided with a display means capable of visually recognizing the warning content. By having such a feature, it becomes possible to visually recognize the warning content to the driver.

Further, in the speed suppression device having the above-mentioned characteristics, the warning device may be provided with a circuit that emits a warning content by voice. With such a feature, it is possible for the driver to recognize the warning content while visually recognizing the front.

Further, in the speed suppression device having the above-mentioned characteristics, when the speed based on the vehicle speed signal is equal to or higher than the threshold value of the speed limit and the operation signal is within the control range for accelerating the vehicle, the warning device is used. A warning to start speed suppression control is issued, and if the speed based on the vehicle speed signal is equal to or higher than the speed limit threshold value and the operation signal is within the control range that does not accelerate the vehicle, it means that the speed is exceeded. It is desirable to issue a warning. According to such a feature, the speed suppression control can be activated step by step. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the speed suppression control is added even when the acceleration is slowed down by recognizing the overspeed.

According to the speed suppressing device having the above-mentioned characteristics, even when the accelerator pedal is depressed due to a mistake in stepping while driving, the vehicle speed can be reduced after the vehicle speed reaches a predetermined value. ..

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the speed suppression apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a flow diagram for demonstrating the control by the speed suppression apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a graph which shows the control of the ECU by the operation signal by an accelerator pedal, the control signal in the speed suppression device which concerns on embodiment, and the change of a vehicle speed.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the speed control device of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments shown below are a part of a suitable embodiment for carrying out the present invention, and as long as the effect is exhibited, even if a part of the configuration is changed, it is one of the present inventions. It can be regarded as a department.

[Constitution]
The speed suppression device 10 according to the present embodiment is basically composed of a memory 12, a dummy signal generation circuit 14, a switching circuit 16, and a microcomputer circuit 18, and is accompanied by a warning device 30 and a function pause switch 40. .. The speed suppression device 10 having such a configuration includes at least an accelerator signal input port 20, a vehicle speed pulse input port 22, and a pseudo signal output port 24. The accelerator signal input port 20 is a port circuit to which an operation signal of the accelerator pedal output by the operation of the accelerator unit 50 is input. Further, the vehicle speed pulse input port 22 is a port circuit to which a vehicle speed signal 52 indicating the actual speed of the vehicle is input. Further, the pseudo signal output port 24 is a port circuit that outputs a signal selected by the switching circuit 16 described in detail later to the ECU 54 of the vehicle as a control signal.

The memory 12 is an element for storing the speed to be controlled by the speed suppressing device 10 according to the embodiment, that is, the threshold value of the speed limit, the threshold value of the operation signal by the accelerator pedal in the accelerator unit 50, and the like. The threshold value of the speed limit may be set in advance as a set value, but may be arbitrarily set by the user. When the speed limit is set in advance as a set value, the set value may be selected from a plurality of numerical values set at predetermined intervals. Further, when the user determines an arbitrary value, writing may be performed using a write signal or the like that can be input via a microcomputer circuit 18 or the like, which will be described in detail later.

The dummy signal generation circuit 14 is a circuit that outputs an operation signal indicating an idling state, that is, a state in which the accelerator pedal in the accelerator unit 50 is not depressed. It is advisable to obtain the operation signal in the idling state by calibrating it when it is mounted on the vehicle. As a calibration method, for example, an operation signal corresponding to the accelerator opening is acquired by acquiring an operation signal in a state where the accelerator pedal is not depressed and a state in which the accelerator pedal is fully depressed (accelerator fully open), and by storing this, the operation signal corresponds to the accelerator opening. It suffices to enable the detection of.

The switching circuit 16 is a circuit that plays a role of selecting an operation signal to be output from the pseudo signal output port 24. Specifically, the operation signal of the accelerator pedal input from the accelerator signal input port 20 and the idling signal input from the dummy signal generation circuit 14 are selected. The signal selection is made by inputting a switching signal output from the microcomputer circuit 18, which will be described in detail later. The switching signal may be switched between the operation signal and the idling signal based on the two types of signals, or may be switched depending on whether or not a single switching signal is input. That is, when there is no switching signal input, the operation signal is output as a control signal, and when there is a switching signal input, the idling signal is output as a control signal.

The microcomputer circuit 18 is a circuit that plays a role of determining whether or not to exert the function as the speed suppression device 10. At least the threshold value of the speed limit from the memory 12 and the vehicle speed signal 52 via the vehicle speed pulse input port 22 are input to the microcomputer circuit 18. The microcomputer circuit 18 compares the threshold value of the speed limit with the vehicle speed based on the vehicle speed signal 52, and outputs a switching signal to the switching circuit 16 when the vehicle speed is higher than the threshold value of the speed limit.

Further, in the microcomputer circuit 18 according to the present embodiment, an operation signal of the accelerator pedal is input via the accelerator signal input port 20, and the operation signal is connected to the warning device 30 and the function pause switch 40, which will be described in detail later. It is possible to send and receive signals. The signal transmission / reception to / from the warning device 30 is performed via the communication circuit 26, such as transmission of a warning signal and a control start notification signal, reception of a speed limit threshold switching signal, and the like.

Here, the warning signal is a signal for the purpose of notifying that the vehicle is overspeeding. Specifically, it is emitted when the vehicle speed based on the vehicle speed signal is higher than the threshold value of the speed limit and the accelerator opening degree is less than the threshold value of the predetermined operation signal. The threshold value of the operation signal may be any operation signal corresponding to the accelerator opening that keeps the speed of the vehicle when the vehicle speed is higher than the threshold value of the speed limit.

Further, the control start notification signal is a signal for the purpose of notifying the driver that the speed suppression function is to be activated for the vehicle. Specifically, it is emitted when the vehicle speed is higher than the threshold value of the speed limit and the accelerator opening degree is equal to or higher than the threshold value of the predetermined operation signal. The speed limit threshold switching signal is a signal for changing the speed limit threshold recorded in the memory 12 described above.

Further, the transmission / reception of the signal to / from the function pause switch 40 includes the input of the function pause signal and the output of the speed suppression function operation notification signal. When the function pause signal is input, the output of the switching signal from the microcomputer circuit 18 to the switching circuit 16 is stopped. Further, the speed suppression function operation notification signal is a signal for notifying that the speed suppression device 10 is operating.

The warning device 30 is an element that plays a role of issuing a warning to the driver when the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than the threshold value of the speed limit. As a means for issuing a warning, one or more means such as light, video (image), and sound may be used. The warning device 30 according to the present embodiment is configured to include a microcomputer circuit 32, a communication circuit 34, a warning means 36, and a threshold value switching circuit 38.

The microcomputer circuit 32 outputs a signal to the warning means 36 based on a warning signal input via the communication circuit 34 and a control start notification signal, and also outputs a threshold switching signal input from the threshold switching circuit 38 to the communication circuit 34. It is a circuit that plays the role of outputting to.

The communication circuit 34 is a circuit responsible for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the communication circuit 26 in the speed suppression device 10. Further, the warning means 36 is a means for issuing a warning, and the warning device 30 according to the present embodiment includes an LED display circuit 36a, a liquid crystal display circuit 36b, and a voice generation circuit 36c. Here, the LED display circuit 36a is a circuit for issuing a warning by light, and the warning content is detected by a pattern change such as blinking, lighting, and a difference in color. Although it is referred to as an "LED" as an example in the embodiment, it goes without saying that the warning means 36 by light may be configured by a light bulb or the like.

The liquid crystal display circuit 36b is a circuit for issuing a warning by means of an image, an image, or the like, so that the driver can visually recognize the content of the warning. The warning by the liquid crystal display circuit 36b may be text or video, but the safety during driving should be improved by displaying an image that can be instantly visually recognized by the driver. You can also.

The voice generation circuit 36c is a circuit for issuing a voice warning to the driver, and includes not only a verbal warning but also a sound (for example, a buzzer sound) according to the content of the warning.

The threshold value switching circuit 38 is a circuit for changing the threshold value of the speed limit recorded in the above-mentioned memory 12. The threshold value switching circuit 38 outputs a threshold value switching signal to the memory 12 of the speed suppression device 10 via the microcomputer circuit 32 and the communication circuit 34. The threshold value switching signal may be a so-called mode switching signal or the like. That is, a plurality of threshold values may be recorded in the memory 12 in advance, and this numerical value may be switched (a value output to the microcomputer circuit 18) by inputting a threshold value switching signal.

The function pause switch 40 is an element for disabling the speed suppression device 10. The function pause switch 40 according to the present embodiment has a switch for suspending the function of the speed suppression device 10 and an indicator for recognizing whether or not the speed suppression device 10 is in a functioning state. 42 is attached. The function suspension switch 40 outputs a function suspension signal to the microcomputer circuit 18 when the driver performs an operation to suspend the function of the speed suppression device 10. When the function pause signal is input, the microcomputer circuit 18 stops the output of the switching signal to the switching circuit 16.

Further, when the speed suppression device 10 is functioning, the microcomputer circuit 18 outputs a signal (speed suppression function operation notification signal) for displaying the operation state on the indicator 42 of the function pause switch 40. do. The indicator 42 is configured to light up when a speed suppression function operation notification signal is input. This allows the driver to visually recognize the indicator 42 and grasp whether or not the speed suppression device 10 is operating.

[Control / Action]
Next, the control by the speed suppression device 10 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. The flag "0" in the control is a signal indicating a state in which the speed suppression control is not performed, and the flag "1" is a signal indicating a state in which the speed suppression control is started.

When the process by the speed suppression device 10 is started, the initial setting of the flag is performed first. Immediately after the start of processing, the flag "0" is set because the speed suppression control is not performed (S10). Next, the microcomputer circuit 18 confirms / determines the vehicle speed. The confirmation / determination of the vehicle speed is performed by comparing the actual speed of the vehicle based on the vehicle speed signal with the threshold value of the speed limit recorded in the memory 12 (S20).

When it is determined in S20 that the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than the speed limit threshold value, the speed suppression control is started and the flag "1" is set (S30). The speed suppression control is performed by outputting a switching signal from the microcomputer circuit 18 to the switching circuit 16. When the speed suppression control is started, an idling signal is output as a control signal to the ECU of the vehicle. Therefore, the vehicle speed is reduced regardless of the accelerator opening degree (the degree of depression of the accelerator) (S40). After such a determination process is performed, the process returns to S20 and the subsequent processes are repeated.

On the other hand, when it is determined in S20 that the vehicle speed is less than the threshold value of the speed limit, the flag is confirmed. The flag is confirmed by confirming whether the flag that is often detected by the microcomputer circuit 32 is "0" or "1" (S50). Here, when the detected flag is "0", that is, when it is determined that the speed suppression control is not performed, the state in which the speed suppression control is not performed is continued. That is, the switching signal is not output from the microcomputer circuit 18 to the switching circuit 16, and the operation signal is output as it is as a control signal to the ECU 54 of the vehicle (S60). After such a determination process is performed, the process returns to S20 and the subsequent processes are repeated.

When the flag detected in S50 is "1", that is, when it is determined that the speed suppression control is being performed, the operating state of the accelerator pedal in the accelerator unit 50 is determined. The determination of the operating state is a determination of whether or not the accelerator pedal is released (depressed). This is done based on the operation signal input to the microcomputer circuit 18 via the accelerator signal input port 20 of the accelerator pedal. Here, when it is determined that the accelerator pedal has been released (the accelerator pedal has been released), the flag is set to "0" and the vehicle proceeds to S60 with the speed suppression control released (S80). This is because it can be determined that the driver has noticed a mistake in pedal depression or excessive depression of the accelerator pedal after the speed suppression control has been activated due to overspeed.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the accelerator pedal is continuously depressed (the accelerator pedal is depressed) in the determination of the operation state of the accelerator pedal, the process proceeds to S40 and the speed suppression control is continued (=). Flag "1" is continued). This is because it is determined that the person is unaware that the overspeed itself or the cause of the overspeed is due to a mistake in pedaling. That is, when the speed suppression control based on the determination of the microcomputer circuit 18 is started, the speed suppression control is continued until the operation of the accelerator pedal is released regardless of the decrease in the vehicle speed (S70). ..

According to the speed suppression device 10 that performs such control, as shown in FIG. 3A, when the speed of the vehicle becomes equal to or higher than the speed limit threshold even when the accelerator pedal is depressed. (FIG. 3 (D)), as shown in FIG. 3 (B), a switching signal is output, and the control signal output to the ECU 54 of the vehicle is switched to the idling signal. By this control, the power output of the vehicle is controlled to the idling state as shown in FIG. 3 (C). As a result, as shown in FIG. 3D, the speed of the vehicle is reduced. The fact that the vehicle speed temporarily increased even after the switching signal was output and the power output was suppressed indicates acceleration due to inertia.

[effect]
According to the speed suppressing device 10 as described above, even when the accelerator pedal is depressed due to an erroneous stepping, the vehicle speed can be reduced after the vehicle speed reaches a predetermined value. As a result, even if the accelerator pedal is continuously depressed without noticing the mistake in pressing the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal, there is no possibility that the vehicle speed will increase or the high speed will be maintained. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a large accident caused by a mistake in pedaling.

In the above embodiment, the vehicle is described assuming a four-wheeled vehicle in which it is difficult to visually check the operating system while driving, but the speed control device according to the present invention can also be applied to a two-wheeled vehicle or the like. ..

10 ………… Speed suppression device, 12 ………… Memory, 14 ………… Dummy signal generation circuit, 16 ………… Switching circuit, 18 ………… Microcomputer circuit, 20 ………… Accelerator signal input port, 22 ………… Vehicle speed pulse input port, 24 ………… Pseudo signal output port, 30 ………… Warning device, 32 ………… Microcomputer circuit, 34 ………… Communication circuit, 36 ………… Warning means, 36a ………… LED display circuit, 36b ………… LCD display circuit, 36c ………… Voice generation circuit, 38 ………… Threshold switching circuit, 40 ………… Function pause switch, 42 ………… Indicator, 50 ………… Accelerator unit, 52 ………… Vehicle speed signal, 54 ……… Vehicle ECU.

Claims (6)

A control device interposed between an accelerator unit that outputs an accelerator pedal operation signal to an ECU of a vehicle and the ECU.
At least a memory in which a predetermined speed limit threshold is recorded, and
A dummy signal generation circuit that outputs an idling signal that imitates the signal output from the accelerator unit when idling, and a dummy signal generation circuit.
A switching circuit that outputs either one of the operation signal and the idling signal as a control signal to the ECU.
A microcomputer circuit that compares a speed based on a vehicle speed signal indicating the speed of a vehicle with a threshold value of the speed limit and outputs a switching signal to the switching circuit is provided.
The microcomputer circuit uses the operation signal as the control signal when the speed based on the vehicle speed signal is less than the threshold value of the speed limit, and when the speed based on the vehicle speed signal is equal to or higher than the threshold value of the speed limit. When the switching signal is output so as to output the idling signal as the control signal and the idling signal is output as the control signal, the idling is performed until the idling signal is input as the operation signal. A speed suppression device characterized by outputting a switching signal for outputting a signal as the control signal. The speed suppression device according to claim 1, further comprising a warning device that issues a warning to the driver when the speed based on the vehicle speed signal is equal to or higher than the threshold value of the speed limit. The speed suppression device according to claim 2, wherein the warning device includes a circuit that indicates the content of the warning by light emission. The speed suppression device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the warning device includes a display means capable of visually recognizing the content of the warning. The speed suppression device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the warning device includes a circuit that emits a warning content by voice. The warning device issues a warning to start speed suppression control when the speed based on the vehicle speed signal is equal to or higher than the speed limit threshold value and the operation signal is within the control range for accelerating the vehicle.
2. The speed limit device according to any one of 5 to 5.

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