JPH02128931A - Slow running device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make running under traffic stagnation only with operation of accel. easily and safely by performing slow running at a speed according to the amount of stamping the accel., while the inter-car distance with the foregoing car determined on the basis of the outputs of different sensors is kept constant. CONSTITUTION:When a slow running setting switch 21 is turned on, a computer unit 2 actuates a motor 30, which drives a throttle valve 3 in accordance with the output of an accel. pedal sensor 10. A brake control device 31 is operated associate with turning on of a brake sensor 24. When the switch 21 is turned on, on the other hand, the computer unit 2 makes feedback control of the mentioned motor 30 on the basis of output signals from a car speed sensor 6, engine revolving speed sensor 9, throttle degree-of-opening sensor 12, inter-car distance sensor 22, and obstacle sensor 23. Separating off from the accel. pedal turns on an accel. switch 11, and the brake control device 31 is put in operation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial Field of Application) The present invention relates to a slow running device for automobiles during traffic jams.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, in devices that control vehicle speed, such as constant-speed running systems and slow-speed running systems for automobiles, the optimal gear ratio is selected depending on the driving condition, and the throttle is connected to the accelerator pedal with a wire such as a piano wire. The engine output was controlled by opening and closing the valves to adjust the air flow rate.

However, recently a system has been proposed in which the accelerator pedal and throttle valve are separated and the vehicle speed is controlled by opening and closing the throttle valve using an accelerator pedal sensor, a throttle valve drive motor, and a controller (Isuzu Technical Report No. 72, pp. 7-2o). ).

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of this type of device. In the figure, numeral 10 is an accelerator pedal sensor that detects the amount of depression when the driver depresses the accelerator, and the computer unit 2 uses the output of the accelerator pedal sensor lO to It also reads the intentions of the vehicle and responds to the driving state of the vehicle based on information from the selector lever position sensor 4, engine rotation sensor 9 that detects the rotation of the engine 1, gear position sensor 5, vehicle speed sensor 6, clutch position sensor 7, etc. Easy driving and low fuel consumption are realized by controlling the engine output by engaging and disengaging the clutch 8 and selecting the gear position of the transmission 13, and driving the motor 30 that adjusts the opening degree of the throttle valve 3.

[Problem B to be solved by the invention] However, in the above system, when repeatedly starting and stopping in traffic jams, the action of stepping on the accelerator and the action of stepping on the brake must be repeated, and the distance between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle must be repeated. The driver had to pay attention to the road ahead to keep the vehicle at an appropriate level, which resulted in severe driver fatigue, which could lead to rear-end collisions.

This invention was made to solve the above problems, and can reduce the burden on drivers during traffic jams.
The object of the present invention is to obtain a slow-speed traveling device that is safe and does not impair driving operation.

[Means to solve the problem]

The slow running device according to the present invention includes a slow running mode setting switch that sets the slow running mode during traffic jams, and a throttle that adjusts the engine output and drives a throttle valve that is mechanically separated from the accelerator. A valve drive device, a brake control device that controls the brakes, an inter-vehicle distance sensor that detects the inter-vehicle distance to the preceding vehicle, an obstacle sensor that detects an obstacle in front, and a vehicle speed sensor that detects the vehicle speed.
7 Habit JL/n Acceleration is performed within a range of a predetermined vehicle speed while maintaining an inter-vehicle distance greater than the limit inter-vehicle distance determined by the speed of the preceding vehicle and the own vehicle speed based on the measurement values of the accelerator pedal sensor that detects the amount of congestion and the above-mentioned sensors. The vehicle drives slowly at a speed corresponding to the amount of pedal depression, and then the accelerator is released.
Alternatively, the system is equipped with a control means that applies the brakes to stop the vehicle when the inter-vehicle distance is less than the limit inter-vehicle distance, or when an obstacle is detected by the obstacle sensor.

[For production]

In this invention, it is possible to start and stop the vehicle simply by operating the accelerator pedal. In other words, when you press the accelerator pedal, the car starts moving, and when you release it, the brakes are applied. The computer unit serving as the control means compares the signal from the vehicle speed sensor with the target vehicle speed so that the vehicle travels at a target speed corresponding to the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal within a range below a predetermined vehicle speed, and determines that there is a risk of a rear-end collision. The system selects an appropriate gear ratio and adjusts the throttle valve while comparing the maximum inter-vehicle distance and the inter-vehicle distance to the preceding vehicle. When the inter-vehicle distance becomes less than the limit, the computer unit immediately activates the brake control device to stop the vehicle, regardless of the driving mode. Furthermore, when the distance between the vehicle and the vehicle in front becomes greater than the limit distance with the accelerator pedal depressed, the vehicle will automatically start moving. In addition, if the distance between vehicles suddenly increases due to sudden acceleration or lane change of the preceding vehicle, the mode is automatically switched to normal driving mode.

[Example] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1st
The figure shows a block diagram of a slow running device according to the present invention,
In the figure, 1 is an engine, 2 is a computer unit serving as a control means, 3 is a throttle valve that controls the intake air amount to the engine, 6 is a vehicle speed sensor that detects vehicle speed, and 9 is an engine rotation speed sensor that detects engine rotation speed. , 10 is an accelerator pedal sensor that detects the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal 10a, and 11 is an accelerator switch that indicates whether or not the accelerator pedal has been released. 12 is a throttle opening sensor that detects the throttle opening, 13 is a transmission that changes the rotational output of the engine, 2o is a turn signal switch,
21 is a slow running mode setting switch for setting a slow running mode; 22 is an inter-vehicle distance sensor that detects the distance to the preceding vehicle; 23 is an obstacle sensor that detects the distance to an obstacle; and 30 is a throttle valve switch. A driving motor, 31 a brake control device, and 32 a display device such as a buzzer or LED.

Next, the operation will be explained.

First, when the slow running mode setting switch 21 is OFF, it is a normal driving mode, and basically the computer unit 2 controls the accelerator pedal so that the throttle valve 3 opens and closes in proportion to the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal. The motor 30 is driven according to the output of the sensor 21. When the brake is depressed at this time, the brake control device 31 mechanically connected to the brake pedal is activated, and the vehicle is stopped. 11
When the speed driving mode setting switch 21 is switched from OFF to ON, the distance to the preceding vehicle is less than a predetermined value, for example 5 m or less, and the vehicle speed is less than a predetermined value, for example 15 m.
km/h or less, computer unit 2
allows entering the slow running mode, and displays the display device 32.
Notify the driver. This is because, for example, if the vehicle speed is high and the slow running mode is entered, the brakes will be applied suddenly, which is dangerous. Therefore, if the computer unit 2 does not satisfy the above conditions, the slow running mode setting switch 21 is
Even if the mode is set to N, it is considered unsuitable for slow-speed driving, and entry into slow-speed driving mode is not permitted.The display remains on the display until the mode is canceled, and the display indicates whether the current driving mode is normal driving mode. , or whether the vehicle is in slow speed driving mode.

When entering slow speed driving mode, a predetermined vehicle speed (for example, 201a
i/h) The computer unit 2 uses the vehicle speed sensor 6, engine speed sensor 9, throttle opening sensor 12, and inter-vehicle distance sensor so that the vehicle travels slowly at a target speed according to the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal within the following range. 22 and obstacle sensor 23, the motor 30 that drives the throttle valve is feedback-controlled. When the accelerator pedal is released, the accelerator switch 11 is turned on, and the computer unit 2 operates the brake control bag M31, so the brakes are applied, so that even on a slope, the driver does not have to pull the side brake or keep pressing the brake. It is possible to drive at slow speeds by repeatedly starting and stopping just by operating the vehicle.

To cancel the slow running mode, press the turn signal switch 20.
The vehicle in front is turned on, the distance between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle is equal to or greater than the limit distance, and the slow speed mode setting switch 21 is turned off. It will notify you when the fast running mode is cancelled. That is, during the slow running mode,
Since the mode is canceled when the preceding vehicle suddenly accelerates or changes lanes, the mode can be quickly returned to the normal driving mode even if the driver forgets to turn off the slow driving mode setting switch 21. The limit inter-vehicle distance is a value determined by the speed of the preceding vehicle obtained from the inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle and the rate of change of the vehicle speed, and the vehicle speed, and is prepared in advance as a map in the computer unit 2.

For safety reasons, this embodiment is programmed to stop in the following cases. That is, in order to maintain compatibility with operations in normal driving mode, if the brake is pressed even if the accelerator pedal is pressed, the mechanically connected brake control device 31 will always give priority to the brake and stop the vehicle. There are two options: when the distance to the vehicle in front becomes less than the limit distance, or when it is determined that there is an obstacle within a predetermined area, a warning is issued and the vehicle automatically stops to prevent danger. Since the fast running mode has not been canceled, if the condition is removed, the vehicle will return to the slow running mode. If the above conditions are met and the slow speed driving mode is canceled while the accelerator pedal 10a is strongly depressed, if the accelerator pedal depression amount and the throttle opening are made proportional to each other as in the normal driving mode, the sudden It is dangerous because it accelerates. Therefore, in this embodiment, when canceling the slow driving mode, the throttle valve is adjusted using a map that corresponds the operating speed of the accelerator pedal sensor 10 and the time to reach the throttle opening according to the amount of accelerator depression in the normal mode. Open the throttle valve 3 to ensure stable running and driving feeling.0 For example, if the throttle is depressed below a certain speed V, it takes a certain amount of time to open the throttle valve 3, and ■ faster If the driver depresses the pedal, the driver's intention can be read by immediately opening the throttle valve 3 as if the driver wants to accelerate rapidly, and safe driving is possible without impairing drivability.

In this embodiment, the obstacle sensor 23 is provided to perform a temporary stop when an obstacle is detected within a predetermined class area, but this function may be omitted.

C. Effects of the Invention As described above, according to the present invention, when driving in traffic jams, by turning on the slow speed mode setting switch, the vehicle can be started and stopped simply by operating the accelerator. Additionally, if the vehicle gets too close to the vehicle in front, it will automatically stop and display a message to alert the driver, reducing driver fatigue and driving safely without compromising driving performance.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a slow speed traveling device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a conventional traveling device. 1... Engine, 2... Combiator unit, 3
...Throttle valve, 6...Vehicle speed sensor, 10...
Accelerator weight sensor, 21... Slow running mode setting switch, 22... Inter-vehicle distance sensor, 23... Obstacle sensor, 30... Motor, 31... Brake control device. Note that the same reference numerals in the figures indicate the same or equivalent parts. Agent Masuo Oiwa Figure 1 Figure 2

Claims (1)

[Claims] A slow-speed driving mode setting switch that sets the slow-speed driving mode during traffic jams, a throttle valve drive device that adjusts engine output and drives a throttle valve that is mechanically separated from the accelerator, and a brake control that controls the brakes. a device, an inter-vehicle distance sensor that detects an inter-vehicle distance to a preceding vehicle, an obstacle sensor that detects an obstacle in front, a vehicle speed sensor that detects vehicle speed, an accelerator pedal sensor that detects the amount of accelerator depression; Based on the measured values of each sensor, the vehicle drives slowly at a speed corresponding to the amount of accelerator depression within a range of a predetermined vehicle speed or less while maintaining a following distance greater than the limit distance determined by the speed of the preceding vehicle and the vehicle's own speed, and when the accelerator is released. slow speed driving, characterized in that it is equipped with a control means for controlling the vehicle to stop by applying the brakes when the following distance is less than the limit following distance, or when an obstacle is detected by an obstacle sensor. Device.