JP3375270B2 - Inter-vehicle distance control device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention measures an inter-vehicle distance between a host vehicle and a preceding vehicle and causes the subject vehicle to follow the preceding vehicle so that the inter-vehicle distance becomes a predetermined distance determined by a vehicle speed or the like. Regarding the control device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an inter-vehicle distance control device that automatically follows a preceding vehicle has been known as a technique for improving driving safety of an automobile and reducing a driver's operation load. . Then, in this type of device, normally, the inter-vehicle distance between the own vehicle and the preceding vehicle and the speed of the own vehicle (that is, vehicle speed) are measured, and the own vehicle is made to follow the preceding vehicle from the measurement result. Calculate the required target acceleration so that the acceleration of your vehicle becomes this target acceleration.
It controls the throttle valve of the internal combustion engine that is the power source of the vehicle.

During execution of such inter-vehicle distance control,
For example, when another vehicle interrupts between the host vehicle and the preceding vehicle, the distance between the preceding vehicle and the preceding vehicle suddenly changes, or when the running road changes from an uphill road to a downhill road, the control response may be delayed. , There is a case where the traveling safety of the own vehicle cannot be ensured because the vehicle is too close to the preceding vehicle. Therefore, in the past, the rapid approach of the host vehicle to the preceding vehicle is detected from the change in the target acceleration or the inter-vehicle distance, and when the host vehicle is approaching the preceding vehicle, the throttle valve of the internal combustion engine is turned off. Closed to generate a large braking force by the engine brake on the vehicle, or to notify the driver of sudden approach to the preceding vehicle by blinking the warning light or operation of the warning buzzer, prompting the driver to brake Things are also being done.

[0004]

The deceleration control for detecting the sudden approach of the host vehicle to the preceding vehicle to generate the braking force and the alarm control for issuing the alarm to the driver are performed by the driver. This is extremely effective when the vehicle is not aware of the rapid approach to the preceding vehicle, and the traveling safety of the vehicle can be secured.

However, the above-described conventional device, for example, the driver, even if brought close to the subject vehicle to the preceding vehicle deliberately by the accelerator operation, alarm control is executed. In such a case, despite OPERATION who knows the approaching a preceding vehicle, may such warning to the driver is made, discomfort to the driver I will end up.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and when the driver intends to accelerate the vehicle while the inter-vehicle distance control is being executed, even if the vehicle approaches the preceding vehicle , by prohibiting to execute an alarm control that emits alarm, to prevent discomfort to the driver, for the purpose of.

[0007]

In the inter-vehicle distance control device according to claim 1, which has been made to achieve the above object, the inter-vehicle distance detecting means includes the inter-vehicle distance between the own vehicle and the preceding vehicle. The distance is detected, and the own vehicle speed detecting means detects the speed of the own vehicle. Then, the target acceleration calculation means
Based on the inter-vehicle distance and speed detected by each of these detection means, a target acceleration required to drive the host vehicle to follow the preceding vehicle is calculated, and the target opening calculation means calculates the target acceleration based on the target acceleration. The target throttle opening of the throttle valve required to drive the vehicle is calculated, and the throttle opening control means, based on the calculated target throttle opening,
Controls the opening of the throttle valve. As a result, the vehicle will be travels following the preceding vehicle. And the book
In the invention, when the host vehicle is approaching the preceding vehicle,
Means that the warning command means
(Approaching) to activate the alarm means mounted on the vehicle.
By so doing, the driver is notified of that fact. Furthermore,
In the present invention, the accelerator operation amount detecting means is provided to the vehicle driver.
The accelerator operation amount is detected, and the detected accelerator
The operation amount is equal to or greater than the predetermined operation amount, and
When the vehicle driver is inputting an acceleration request, the warning is prohibited.
The stop means activates the warning operation of the sudden approach of the vehicle by the alarm command means.
Ban. Therefore, according to the present invention, the own vehicle is the preceding vehicle.
Even if the driver is approaching
If an acceleration request is being input depending on the
It is not caused, and the driver feels uncomfortable due to the occurrence of an alarm
Can be given. Further, the inter-vehicle distance according to claim 2.
In the distance control device, as in the first aspect of the invention,
The inter-vehicle distance detecting means detects the inter-vehicle distance between the own vehicle and the preceding vehicle.
Then, the own vehicle speed detecting means detects the speed of the own vehicle. That
Then, the target acceleration calculation means detects each of these detection means.
The own vehicle is set as the leading vehicle based on the determined inter-vehicle distance and speed.
Calculate the target acceleration required to drive the vehicle
The target opening calculation means causes the vehicle to travel at the target acceleration.
The target throttle opening of the throttle valve required to
The throttle opening control means calculates the calculated
Based on the target throttle opening, set the throttle valve opening
Control. As a result, the vehicle is run following the preceding vehicle line
Will be done.

Further, during the execution of such inter-vehicle distance control, the own vehicle may approach the preceding vehicle too much due to the response delay of the control. Therefore, in the present invention, the deceleration control means sets the target throttle opening or the above-mentioned value. A rapid approach of the host vehicle to the preceding vehicle is determined based on the inter-vehicle distance, and when the host vehicle is approaching the preceding vehicle, a braking force is applied to the host vehicle to decelerate the host vehicle. Further, in the present invention, the accelerator operation amount detecting means detects the accelerator operation amount by the vehicle driver, and the detected accelerator operation amount is equal to or more than a predetermined operation amount, and the vehicle driver requests acceleration by the accelerator operation. Is input, the deceleration control prohibiting means prohibits the deceleration operation of the host vehicle by the deceleration controlling means.

In other words, in the inter-vehicle distance control device of the present invention, when the own vehicle suddenly approaches the preceding vehicle when the acceleration request from the driver by the accelerator operation is not input, the deceleration control means operates and the vehicle Although the vehicle is decelerated by applying the braking force to the vehicle, when the acceleration request is input by the driver's accelerator operation, the deceleration control is not executed even if the vehicle suddenly approaches the preceding vehicle. Therefore, according to the present invention, the vehicle is not decelerated against the driver's will, and it is possible to prevent the driver from feeling uncomfortable due to the execution of the deceleration control.

In the inter-vehicle distance control device according to the second aspect, as the deceleration means, for example, as described in the third aspect , the throttle force of the internal combustion engine is fully closed to apply the braking force to the internal combustion engine. (So-called engine braking) may be generated. For example, as described in claim 4 , the automatic transmission may be downshifted to generate a braking force in the automatic transmission. Alternatively, the braking device mounted on the host vehicle may be operated, and further, these controls may be combined to generate the braking force on the vehicle.

[0011]

[0012]

It is to be noted that , in the inter-vehicle distance control device, the second aspect of the present invention is provided.
If the deceleration control means and the control prohibiting means according to claim 4 and the alarm control means and the warning prohibiting means according to claim 1 are used in combination, the driver's vehicle is ahead without being noticed by the driver. When a vehicle is approaching rapidly, the vehicle can be decelerated and the driver can be alerted at the same time, which improves the driving safety of the vehicle and the driver is aware of the approach to the preceding vehicle. In this case, it is possible to prevent the deceleration control and the alarm control from being executed against the driver's will.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, the configuration of an inter-vehicle distance control device to which the present invention is applied will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an inter-vehicle distance control device.

As shown in FIG. 1, an inter-vehicle distance control device 1 of this embodiment includes an inter-vehicle distance sensor 11, a vehicle speed sensor 12, an accelerator pedal depression amount sensor 13, a steering steering angle sensor 14, a brake pedal depression amount sensor 15, Input switch 16, microcomputer 20, throttle valve actuator 31, automatic transmission 32, display device 33,
An alarm buzzer 34 and the like are provided.

The inter-vehicle distance sensor 11, the vehicle speed sensor 12, and the accelerator pedal depression amount sensor 13 function as the inter-vehicle distance detecting means, the own vehicle speed detecting means, and the accelerator operation amount detecting means, respectively. The inter-vehicle distance D between the host vehicle and the preceding vehicle, the speed V of the host vehicle, and the accelerator pedal depression amount A as the accelerator operation amount described above are detected.

The steering steering angle sensor 14 detects the steering operation amount S by the driver, that is, how much the steering wheel is operated to the left or right, and the detection result is mainly used for the preceding vehicle determination processing described later. . The brake pedal depression amount sensor 15 is for detecting the brake pedal depression amount B by the driver.

The input switch 16 is an inter-vehicle distance control device 1.
It is for switching the operation / stop of. Further, in this embodiment, the target inter-vehicle distance DT can be set by the input switch 16. The microcomputer 20 is a well-known arithmetic and control unit configured by a CPU, a ROM, a RAM and the like (not shown), and includes the above-described target acceleration calculating means, target opening calculating means, throttle opening controlling means, deceleration controlling means, deceleration controlling. It functions as a prohibition means, an alarm command means, and an alarm prohibition means.
A detailed description of each function will be given later.

The throttle valve actuator 31 is
This is for adjusting the opening of the throttle valve to the control throttle opening T input from the microcomputer 20. When the throttle valve full-close request signal T0 is input from the microcomputer 20, the throttle valve is fully closed regardless of the value of the control throttle opening T.

The automatic transmission 32 has a known gear shifting function, and shifts down to the first speed when the downshift request signal SD is input from the microcomputer 20. The display device 33 and the alarm buzzer 34 function as the above-described alarm device, and when the alarm request signal AL is input from the microcomputer 20, the display device 33 and the alarm buzzer 34 notify that the host vehicle is approaching the preceding vehicle.

Although not shown, an inter-vehicle distance control device 1 is also provided.
Is equipped with a fuel cut control device for performing well-known fuel cut control when the engine speed is equal to or higher than a predetermined speed and the throttle valve is fully closed, and the throttle valve input from the microcomputer 20. When the throttle valve actuator 31 fully closes the throttle valve in response to the full closing request signal T0, fuel cut control is performed in conjunction with this to improve the deceleration effect.

Next, the operation of the inter-vehicle distance control device 1 will be described. First, a description will be given based on the flowchart shown in FIG. This process is started when the operation of the inter-vehicle distance control device 1 is selected by the input switch 16 after power is supplied to each part of the inter-vehicle distance control device 1 from a main power source (not shown).

When this processing is started, the microcomputer 20 causes the inter-vehicle distance sensor 11, the vehicle speed sensor 12,
The inter-vehicle distance D, the speed V, the accelerator pedal depression amount A and the steering operation amount S are input from the accelerator pedal depression amount sensor 13 and the steering steering angle sensor 14 (S1).
0). Then, the well-known preceding vehicle determination processing is performed using the inter-vehicle distance D and the steering operation amount S, and the preceding vehicle serving as a control reference is specified (S20). In the preceding vehicle determination process, the curvature C of the curve is calculated from the steering operation amount S, and which of the objects detected by the inter-vehicle distance sensor 11 is the preceding vehicle is calculated from the curvature C, the inter-vehicle distance D, and the like. Although this process is well known, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the microcomputer 20 determines that the subject vehicle is the target vehicle distance D from the preceding vehicle based on the vehicle distance D and the speed V.
A target acceleration α for holding and following T is calculated (S30). Specifically, the relative speed between the host vehicle and the preceding vehicle is calculated from the time change of the inter-vehicle distance D, and the speed V of the host vehicle (or the speed of the preceding vehicle obtained by adding the relative speed to the speed V) is calculated. Target inter-vehicle distance DT and actual inter-vehicle distance D
The vehicle-to-vehicle deviation that is the difference between the two is calculated, and the target acceleration α is calculated from the map recorded in the ROM of the microcomputer 20 using the relative speed and the vehicle-to-vehicle deviation.

Subsequently, the microcomputer 20 determines whether or not the accelerator pedal depression amount A is 0 (S4).
0). And "the accelerator pedal depression amount A is 0"
If it is determined (“YES” in S40), the target acceleration α and the first threshold acceleration α1 are determined in order to determine whether to output the throttle valve fully closing request signal T0 to the throttle valve actuator 31. Are compared in size (S42). When it is determined that “the target acceleration α is equal to or less than the first threshold acceleration α1” (“YES” in S44), the throttle valve actuator 3
The throttle valve full-close request signal T0 is output for 1 (S46). Conversely, “the target acceleration α is the first threshold acceleration α
If it is determined to be "greater than 1"("NO" in S44), the output of the throttle valve fully closing request signal T0 to the throttle valve actuator 31 is stopped (S48). Further, when it is determined in S40 that "the accelerator pedal depression amount A is not 0"("NO" in S40), the target acceleration α and the first threshold acceleration α1.
The output of the throttle valve full-close request signal T0 to the throttle valve actuator 31 is stopped without comparing the magnitudes of and (S48).

Next, the microcomputer 20 determines whether or not the accelerator pedal depression amount A is 0 (S5).
0). And "the accelerator pedal depression amount A is 0"
If (YES in S50), it is determined whether the target acceleration α and the second threshold acceleration α2 are large in order to determine whether to output the downshift request signal SD to the automatic transmission 32. Are compared (S52). And
When it is determined that "the target acceleration α is equal to or less than the second threshold acceleration α2"("YES" in S54), the downshift request signal SD is output to the automatic transmission 32 (S56). Conversely, “the target acceleration α is the second threshold acceleration α2
If it is determined to be “greater than” (in S54, “N
O ”), the output of the downshift request signal SD to the automatic transmission 32 is stopped (S58). When it is determined in S50 that "the accelerator pedal depression amount A is not 0"("NO" in S50), the automatic shift is performed without comparing the magnitudes of the target acceleration α and the second threshold acceleration α2. The output of the downshift request signal SD to the device 32 is stopped (S58).

Then, the microcomputer 20 determines whether or not the accelerator pedal depression amount A is 0 (S).
60). When it is determined that "the accelerator pedal depression amount A is 0" (S60: "YE
S ”), the inter-vehicle distance D and the threshold inter-vehicle distance D3 are compared in order to determine whether to output the alarm request signal AL to the display device 33 and the alarm buzzer 34 (S6).
2). When it is determined that the inter-vehicle distance D is equal to or less than the threshold inter-vehicle distance D3 (“YE” in S64).
S ”), and outputs the alarm request signal AL to the display device 33 and the alarm buzzer 34 (S66). On the contrary, if it is determined that the inter-vehicle distance D is greater than the threshold inter-vehicle distance D3 ("NO" in S64), the output of the alarm request signal AL to the display device 33 and the alarm buzzer 34 is stopped (S68). If it is determined in S60 that "the accelerator pedal depression amount A is not 0"("NO" in S60), the display device 33 does not compare the inter-vehicle distance D and the threshold inter-vehicle distance D3. And alarm buzzer 3
The output of the alarm request signal AL for 4 is stopped (S6
8).

The above-mentioned first threshold acceleration α1, second threshold acceleration α2, and threshold inter-vehicle distance D3 are recorded in the ROM or the like in the microcomputer 20 in association with the speed V. Then, the first threshold acceleration α1, the second threshold acceleration α2, and the threshold inter-vehicle distance D3 are calculated from the speed V, and the above-described comparison is performed.

Subsequently, the microcomputer 20 calculates the target throttle opening TT from the speed V, the target acceleration α, etc. (S70). Then, the required throttle opening TR which is the throttle opening required by the driver is calculated from the accelerator pedal depression amount A (S80). The method of calculating the target throttle opening TT and the method of calculating the required throttle opening TR are also well known, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the microcomputer 20 compares the target throttle opening TT and the required throttle opening TR with each other, and selects the larger one as the control throttle opening T (S90). Then, the control throttle opening T is output to the throttle valve actuator 31 (S100).

Here, in these processes performed by the microcomputer 20, S42 to S46 and S52 to S5.
The process performed in 6 corresponds to the action of the deceleration control unit described above, the process performed in S62 to S66 corresponds to the action of the alarm command unit described above, and the process performed in S70 corresponds to the action of the target opening degree calculation unit described above. , S90 and S
The processing performed in 100 corresponds to the operation of the throttle opening control means described above, and the determination performed in S40, S50, S60 and the processing performed in S48, S58, S68 are the deceleration control prohibiting means which is a characteristic part of the inter-vehicle distance control device 1. And the action of the alarm prohibition means.

When the brake pedal depression amount B exceeds a preset predetermined value or when the input switch 16 is selected to stop the inter-vehicle distance control device 1, the process routine is exited. If no preceding vehicle is present, the vehicle travels at a constant speed at a preset speed until the preceding vehicle is detected.

Next, an example in which an automobile equipped with the inter-vehicle distance control device 1 runs following a preceding vehicle will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG. Before time t0,
The preceding vehicle and the host vehicle are traveling at the same speed V1 while maintaining the inter-vehicle distance D1 (target inter-vehicle distance at the speed V1). At this time, in the flowchart of FIG. 2, since the accelerator pedal is fully closed, it is determined to be “YES” in S40, S50, and S60, and the vehicle is traveling at a constant speed while maintaining the target inter-vehicle distance. , S54 and S6
In No. 4, it is determined to be “NO”. Since the accelerator pedal is fully closed and the target throttle opening TT> the required throttle opening TR, the target throttle opening TT is selected as the control throttle opening T in S90. The throttle valve fully closing request signal T0, the downshift request signal SD, and the alarm request signal AL are all O
It is in the FF state.

When the preceding vehicle starts decelerating from the speed V1 to V2 at time t0, the inter-vehicle distance D gradually decreases from D1, so that the host vehicle also starts decelerating. At this time, in the flowchart of FIG. 2, since the inter-vehicle distance D has decreased,
The target throttle opening TT calculated in S70 is smaller than the target throttle opening TT before time t0. However, at this time, it is still determined to be "NO" in S44, S54, and S64, and the throttle valve fully closing request signal T0 and the downshift request signal SD are obtained.
The alarm request signals AL are all off.

At time t1, the throttle valve actuator 31 fully closes the throttle valve, the automatic transmission 32 shifts down with a slight delay, and the vehicle is further decelerated. After a further delay, the display device 33 and the alarm buzzer 34 inform that the preceding vehicle is too close. At this time, in the flowchart of FIG. 2, the target acceleration α becomes equal to or less than the first threshold acceleration α1, and “Y
ES ”, and the throttle valve fully closing request signal T0 is output (in ON state) in S46. Further, after a short delay, the target acceleration α becomes equal to or lower than the second threshold acceleration α2, it is determined to be “YES” in S54, and the downshift request signal SD is output (in ON state) in S56. After a short delay, the inter-vehicle distance D becomes equal to or less than the threshold inter-vehicle distance D3, the determination is "YES" in S64, and the alarm request signal AL is output in S66 (O.
N state).

Subsequently, at time t2 when the host vehicle is decelerating, when the accelerator pedal is strongly depressed, the host vehicle ends deceleration and starts acceleration. At this time, in the flowchart of FIG. 2, since the accelerator pedal depression amount A ≠ 0, it is determined to be “NO” in S40, S50 and S60, and the throttle valve fully closing request signal T0 and the shift down request are issued in S48, S58 and S68. The output of the signal SD and the alarm request signal AL is stopped (becomes an OFF state). Then, in S70 and S80, the target throttle opening degree and the required throttle opening degree TR are calculated, respectively. Here, since the accelerator pedal is strongly depressed, target throttle opening TT <requested throttle opening T
At R90, the required throttle opening TR is selected as the control throttle opening T in S90.

When the accelerator pedal is no longer depressed at time t3, the host vehicle is decelerated again. Further, the display device 33 and the alarm buzzer 34 inform that the preceding vehicle is approaching rapidly. At this time, in the flowchart of FIG. 2, "YES" in S40, S50 and S60, and "YE" in S44, S54 and S64.
S ”, and in S46, S56 and S66,
The throttle valve fully closed request signal T0, the downshift request signal SD, and the alarm request signal AL are all output (ON state).

As a result of deceleration, at time t4, the target acceleration α is the first threshold acceleration α1 (and the second threshold acceleration α2).
As described above, the host vehicle gradually approaches the speed V to the speed V2 of the preceding vehicle, and follows the preceding vehicle so as to maintain the target inter-vehicle distance DT at the speed V2, and eventually becomes a steady state. In addition, the display device 33 and the alarm buzzer 3
4 stops working. At this time, in the flowchart of FIG. 2, it is determined as “NO” in S44, S54, and S64, and in S48, S58, and S68, the throttle valve fully closing request signal T0, the downshift request signal SD, and the alarm request signal AL are output. It is stopped (it becomes OFF state). Then, the target throttle opening TT calculated in S70 is selected as the control throttle opening T in S90.

Next, when the accelerator pedal is strongly depressed again at time t5 in the steady state, the host vehicle is greatly accelerated and the inter-vehicle distance D is drastically reduced. At this time, in the flowchart of FIG. 2, the target acceleration α sharply decreases and soon becomes less than or equal to the first threshold acceleration α1 and the second threshold acceleration α2, but the accelerator pedal is depressed, and in S40, S50, and S60. Since the determination is "NO", the throttle valve fully closing request signal T0, the downshift request signal SD, and the alarm request signal AL are not output. Further, the requested throttle opening TR calculated in S80 is selected as the control throttle opening T in S90.

When the accelerator pedal is no longer depressed at time t6, the vehicle is decelerated greatly. Further, the display device 33 and the alarm buzzer 34 are activated with a slight delay. At this time, in the flowchart of FIG.
“YES” in S50 and S60, S44 and S5
It is determined to be "YES" in 4 and to be "YES" in S64 after a little delay, and the throttle valve fully closing request signal T0, the downshift request signal SD and the alarm request signal AL are all output.

As described above, in the inter-vehicle distance control device 1, the target acceleration α is less than or equal to the first threshold acceleration α1 and the second threshold acceleration α2, or the inter-vehicle distance D is less than or equal to the threshold inter-vehicle distance D3.
Even if it is determined that the accelerator pedal is depressed, the throttle valve is fully closed or decelerated by downshifting, the display device 33 and the alarm buzzer 34.
Will not be notified.

Next, the effect of the inter-vehicle distance control device 1 will be described. The inter-vehicle distance control device 1 of the present embodiment is configured as described above and operates as described above, so that the following effects can be obtained. In the inter-vehicle distance control device 1, when the host vehicle abruptly approaches the preceding vehicle when the accelerator pedal is not depressed, the throttle valve fully closed request signal T0 and the shift down request signal SD are output to the throttle valve actuator 31. Is fully closed or further downshifted to the automatic transmission 32 to apply a braking force to the vehicle to decelerate the own vehicle, but when the driver inputs an acceleration request by depressing the accelerator pedal, Even if the host vehicle suddenly approaches the preceding vehicle, the throttle valve is not fully closed and the downshift is not executed. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the situation where the driver feels uncomfortable due to deceleration against the driver's will.

In the inter-vehicle distance control device 1, when the driver inputs the acceleration request by depressing the accelerator pedal, the display device 33 and the display device 33 are provided even if the host vehicle is approaching the preceding vehicle. No warning is given by the alarm buzzer 34. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the driver is uncomfortable due to meaningless operation of the display device 33 and the alarm buzzer 34.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and may be implemented in various modes. For example, in the present embodiment, the acceleration is adopted as the criterion for executing the full closing of the throttle valve by the throttle valve actuator and the shift down by the automatic transmission, and the inter-vehicle distance is used as the criterion for activating the display device and the alarm buzzer. Although the distance is adopted, all the judgment criteria may be unified with the acceleration or the inter-vehicle distance, or may be used together. Further, as a criterion for activating the display device and the alarm buzzer, the relative speed of the preceding vehicle with respect to the own vehicle is adopted in addition to the inter-vehicle distance,
When the relative speed is a positive value, that is, when the preceding vehicle moves away from the host vehicle, it may not be operated.

Further, in this embodiment, as the method for decelerating the own vehicle, the throttle valve is fully closed, the fuel cut control interlocked therewith, and the downshift by the automatic transmission are adopted, but especially in the case of a large vehicle. May employ an exhaust brake. Further, in the present embodiment, the example in which the accelerator operation is performed by the accelerator pedal has been described, but it may be configured so as to be performed by a lever or a button.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an inter-vehicle distance control device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the inter-vehicle distance control device of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing an operation of the inter-vehicle distance control device according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of Codes] 1 ... Inter-vehicle distance control device 11 ... Inter-vehicle distance sensor 1
2 ... Vehicle speed sensor 13 ... Accelerator pedal depression amount sensor 14 ... Steering steering angle sensor 15 ... Brake pedal depression amount sensor 16 ... Input switch 20 ... Microcomputer 31 ... Throttle valve actuator 32 ... Automatic transmission 33 ... Display device 34 ... Warning buzzer .

Front page continued (72) Inventor Eiji Teramura 1-1, Showa-cho, Kariya city, Aichi prefecture, Denso Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kazushige Yamamoto 1-1-chome, Showa-cho, Kariya city, Aichi prefecture, Denso company (72) Inventor Hiroki Miyakoshi 1 Toyota Town, Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, Toyota Motor Corporation (72) Inventor Nobuyuki Furui 1 Toyota Town, Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture Toyota Motor Corporation, (72) Inventor, Tsuneo Miyakoshi Toyota, Aichi Prefecture 1 Toyota-cho, Toyota City (56) References JP-A-5-246270 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B60K 31/00 B60K 41 / 00 F02D 29/02 F02D 45/00

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. An inter-vehicle distance between a host vehicle and a preceding vehicle is detected.
Inter-vehicle distance detection means, Own vehicle speed detecting means for detecting the speed of the own vehicle, Based on the inter-vehicle distance and speed, add your vehicle to the preceding vehicle.
A target that calculates the target acceleration required to run accordingly
Acceleration calculation means, Internal combustion required to drive the host vehicle at the target acceleration
Target opening calculation to calculate the opening of the throttle valve of the engine
Means and Target throttle opening calculated by the target opening calculation means
Based on the throttle valve that controls the opening of the throttle valve.
A throttle opening control means, Own vehicle based on the target throttle opening or the inter-vehicle distance
Judgment of rapid approach to both preceding vehicles, the own vehicle becomes the preceding vehicle
Warning means installed in your vehicle when you are approaching suddenly
And an alarm command means for informing that fact, In an inter-vehicle distance control device equipped with Accelerator operation that detects the amount of accelerator operation by the vehicle driver
Crop detection means, The detected accelerator operation amount is equal to or more than a predetermined operation amount,
The vehicle driver inputs an acceleration request by operating the accelerator
When there is a warning, the warning command means is used to alert the vehicle of a sudden approach.
Alarm prohibition means for prohibiting alarm action, An inter-vehicle distance control device characterized by being provided. 2. An inter-vehicle distance detecting means for detecting an inter-vehicle distance between the own vehicle and a preceding vehicle, an own vehicle speed detecting means for detecting a speed of the own vehicle, and an own vehicle ahead based on the inter-vehicle distance and the speed. Target acceleration calculating means for calculating a target acceleration required to drive the vehicle, and a target opening for calculating an opening of a throttle valve of an internal combustion engine required to drive the host vehicle at the target acceleration. A calculation means, a throttle opening control means for controlling the opening of the throttle valve based on the target throttle opening calculated by the target opening calculation means, and an automatic control based on the target throttle opening or the inter-vehicle distance. determining rapid approaching a preceding vehicle of the vehicle, when the vehicle is rapidly approaching the preceding vehicle is to generate a braking force, e Bei and a deceleration control means for decelerating the host vehicle, by the vehicle driver An accelerator operation amount detecting means for detecting an accelerator operation amount, and the detected accelerator operation amount is not less than a predetermined operation amount,
The vehicle-interval according to claim 1, further comprising: deceleration control inhibiting means for inhibiting the deceleration operation of the own vehicle by the deceleration controlling means when the vehicle driver inputs an acceleration request by an accelerator operation. Distance control device. 3. The inter-vehicle distance control device according to claim 2 , wherein the deceleration control means causes the internal combustion engine to generate a braking force by fully closing the throttle valve. 4. The deceleration control means causes the automatic transmission to shift down to generate a braking force in the automatic transmission, as claimed in claim 2 or 3 . Inter-vehicle distance control device.