JPH11170889A - Device and method for controlling inter-vehicle distance, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To maintain an appropriate inter-vehicle distance without frequent applications of a brake by providing a second deceleration means to provide the deceleration force to a vehicle not accompanied by the operation of a brake lamp, and operating a second deceleration means prior to the operation of the first deceleration means accompanied by the operation of the brake lamp. SOLUTION: A distance control ECU 4 and an engine ECU 5 achieve the deceleration by a brake accompanied by the operation of a brake lamp after achieving the deceleration by the fuel cut, the deceleration by the overdrive cut, and the deceleration by the shift-down in this order which are deceleration not accompanied by the brake lamp. Distance control devices 2, 32 can obtain the deceleration of a certain degree through each deceleration not accompanied by the operation of the brake lamp before the deceleration by he brake is achieved, and the frequent applications of the brake can be prevented.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an inter-vehicle distance control device, an inter-vehicle distance control method, and a recording medium, and more particularly, to an inter-vehicle distance control for maintaining an appropriate inter-vehicle distance between the own vehicle and a preceding vehicle traveling ahead. The present invention relates to an apparatus, an inter-vehicle distance control method, and a computer-readable recording medium that stores a program for causing a computer to execute the inter-vehicle distance control method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an inter-vehicle distance and a relative speed between an own vehicle and a preceding vehicle running ahead of the own vehicle are detected, and the possibility of contact between the two vehicles is determined based on the detection result. When there is a possibility, the brakes on each wheel are automatically activated to obtain a relatively large deceleration, and by maintaining an appropriate inter-vehicle distance between the two vehicles, the distance between the two vehicles is avoided. Distance control devices are known.
As such a conventional technique, for example, Patent Publication No. 260
No. 6218, a vehicle traveling at a constant speed.

[0003]

Generally, when a brake is operated, a brake lamp provided at the rear of the vehicle is turned on. This informs the driver of the succeeding vehicle that he or she is following the own vehicle that the vehicle is decelerating by activating the brakes, so that the driver of the following vehicle needs to perform the deceleration operation. This is to evoke.

When the preceding vehicle decelerates, the inter-vehicle distance and the relative speed between the preceding vehicle and the host vehicle decrease, and the possibility of contact between the two vehicles increases. Therefore, the inter-vehicle distance control device automatically operates the brake. Let it. Therefore, when the preceding vehicle repeatedly accelerates and decelerates frequently, the possibility of contact between the two vehicles increases each time the vehicle decelerates, and the braking operation by the following distance control device frequently occurs.

As described above, when the brake operation by the inter-vehicle distance control device frequently occurs, the lighting of the brake lamp also frequently occurs. However, the driver of the following vehicle has no way of knowing that the braking operation frequently occurs because the preceding vehicle uses the following distance control device. The driver wants to grasp the entire traffic flow and drive smoothly, so if he sees that the brake lights of the preceding vehicle are frequently lit, he will understand the behavior of the preceding vehicle inexplicably Often suffers psychological upset. Therefore, the frequent occurrence of the brake operation by the inter-vehicle distance control device may have a psychological effect on the drivers of the individual following vehicles, and may cause a disturbance in the flow of the entire traffic.

[0006] Frequent lighting of the own vehicle's brake lamp has a psychological effect on the driver of the following vehicle. The driver may be nervous that the driver of the following vehicle may be inconvenienced because he or she guesses that the driver is following the driver of the following vehicle.

Further, if the brake operation is frequently performed, the operation load of the brake actuator increases, and an excessive load is applied to the brake actuator. Therefore, there is a possibility that the brake is deteriorated and the life is shortened. Then, the brake design becomes complicated and development takes time.

Therefore, it is desirable that the brake operation by the inter-vehicle distance control device be performed as frequently as possible. However, if the brake operation is prevented from occurring frequently, when the preceding vehicle decelerates extremely rapidly, or when there is a sudden interruption between the preceding vehicle and the host vehicle, There is a risk that the own vehicle may be too close to maintain the inter-vehicle distance between the two vehicles properly.

In the meantime, the inter-vehicle distance control device may use various methods (such as a method of shifting down the transmission from a high shift position) and a method of obtaining the required deceleration, in addition to the above-described brake. (E.g., a method of preventing fuel from being supplied), but these methods do not involve the operation of a brake lamp.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to realize an inter-vehicle distance control capable of maintaining an appropriate inter-vehicle distance without frequent brake operation. It is in.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle control apparatus comprising: an inter-vehicle distance between a host vehicle and a preceding vehicle to be followed; or a physical quantity corresponding to the inter-vehicle distance. An inter-vehicle distance detecting means for detecting, and a first decelerating means for applying a deceleration force to the own vehicle with an operation of a brake lamp, and automatically operating the first decelerating means. A physical quantity corresponding to the inter-vehicle distance is maintained at a set value. A second decelerating means for applying a decelerating force to the host vehicle without operating the brake lamp; and a second decelerating means for operating the first decelerating means.
Deceleration executing means for operating the deceleration means.

Therefore, according to the present invention, a certain degree of deceleration is obtained by activating the second deceleration means before activating the first deceleration means, so that frequent brake operation is prevented. Can be. As a result, the driver of a vehicle equipped with the following distance control device often feels unnecessarily anxious that the brake is frequently activated and the brake lamp is frequently lit, which is causing trouble to the driver of the following vehicle. Do not embrace. Further, there is no possibility that the auto cruise control by the inter-vehicle distance control device may cause a disturbance in the flow of the entire traffic.

Here, as in the second aspect of the present invention,
The inter-vehicle distance control device according to claim 1, further comprising: an internal combustion engine that generates a driving force for driving the own vehicle; and a transmission connected to the internal combustion engine.
The second deceleration means includes, for example, a fuel cut control for preventing fuel from being supplied to the internal combustion engine, an overdrive cut control for inhibiting the transmission from being in an overdrive shift position, and a high-speed transmission. A shift-down control for shifting down from a shift position, an ignition retard control for delaying the ignition timing of the internal combustion engine, a lock-up control for setting a torque converter included in the transmission in a lock-up state, and a flow resistance of exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine. The vehicle speed is reduced by executing at least one or more controls selected from the group consisting of increasing exhaust brake control and retarder control.

Next, a third aspect of the present invention is a second aspect of the present invention.
In the following distance control apparatus, when a plurality of the controls are selected, the second deceleration unit executes the selected controls in the order of increasing the braking force on the vehicle. Therefore, according to the present invention, each control can be efficiently performed while preventing a deceleration shock generated in the vehicle body due to rapid deceleration. In other words, if each control is executed in the order of increasing braking force, deceleration is performed by the control with the smallest braking force first.Therefore, rapid deceleration is not performed, no deceleration shock occurs, and each control is sequentially performed. Since the deceleration increases stepwise each time it is executed, each control can be performed efficiently.

Next, a fourth aspect of the present invention is directed to the first aspect.
4. The inter-vehicle distance control device according to any one of to 3, further comprising: an acceleration detecting unit that detects an acceleration of the own vehicle; and a physical quantity corresponding to the inter-vehicle distance based on a current inter-vehicle state. Target acceleration calculating means for obtaining a target acceleration for maintaining the target acceleration. Then, the deceleration executing means is configured to perform a first determination in which an acceleration deviation obtained by subtracting the acceleration of the vehicle detected by the acceleration detecting means from the target acceleration obtained by the target acceleration calculating means is a negative value. If the condition smaller than the value is satisfied, the first deceleration means is operated prior to the second deceleration means.

Therefore, according to the present invention, when the acceleration deviation becomes smaller than the first determination value, it is determined that sudden deceleration is required, and the first deceleration means is operated to perform strong deceleration by the braking force. Therefore, even when the preceding vehicle suddenly decelerates, or when there is a vehicle that suddenly interrupts between the preceding vehicle and the host vehicle, an appropriate inter-vehicle distance can be stably maintained.

Next, a fifth aspect of the present invention is directed to the first aspect.
5. The inter-vehicle distance control device according to any one of claims 4 to 4, further comprising: a deceleration releasing unit that releases the operation of the first deceleration unit when the throttle opening of the internal combustion engine is not in the fully closed state. Therefore, according to the present invention, when the driver depresses the accelerator pedal to open the throttle valve and the throttle valve is not fully closed, it is determined that the driver intends to maintain or accelerate the speed of the vehicle. Therefore, the driver's intention can be prioritized over deceleration by the brake of the first deceleration means.

Next, the invention according to claim 6 is directed to claim 4
6. The inter-vehicle distance control device according to claim 5, wherein the deceleration execution unit satisfies a condition that the acceleration deviation is smaller than a second determination value that is a negative value larger than the first determination value. Then, the first deceleration means or the second deceleration means is operated. The deceleration canceling means may not satisfy the operating condition of the deceleration executing means,
When a condition that the target acceleration is larger than a third determination value that is a negative value is satisfied, the operation of the first deceleration unit or the second deceleration unit is released.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the timing for operating each deceleration means is determined based on the degree of decrease in the acceleration deviation. Therefore, even when the actual inter-vehicle distance is longer than the target inter-vehicle distance, when the own vehicle accelerates and approaches the preceding vehicle, the actual acceleration of the own vehicle is reflected in the acceleration deviation. Can be operated earlier, and contact between the two vehicles can be reliably avoided. Further, even when the actual inter-vehicle distance is substantially equal to the target inter-vehicle distance, when the actual acceleration of the own vehicle is excessively large, the actual acceleration is reflected in the acceleration deviation. become,
An appropriate inter-vehicle distance can be stably maintained. Further, even when the actual inter-vehicle distance is shorter than the target inter-vehicle distance, when the preceding vehicle accelerates and moves away from the own vehicle, the target acceleration increases. It is possible to stably maintain an appropriate inter-vehicle distance.

Further, according to the present invention, when not only the operating condition of the deceleration executing means is not satisfied but also the condition that the target acceleration is larger than the third judgment value, the first decelerating means or the second decelerating means can be used. The operation of the deceleration means of No. 2 is released.
This is because if the operation of each deceleration means is simply released when the operation condition of the deceleration execution means is not satisfied, the balance between the acceleration and the deceleration that has been balanced until immediately before the release of the operation is destroyed by the sudden release. If the balance between the acceleration and the deceleration is lost, the acceleration deviation immediately becomes smaller than the second determination value, so that the operation of the deceleration means is performed again, and this operation and release are repeated. Causes control hunting. Therefore, when the above two conditions are satisfied (that is, when the target acceleration becomes sufficiently high), the operation of each deceleration means is released. That is, even if the operation of each deceleration unit is canceled, the operation of each deceleration unit is canceled after the target acceleration is increased so that the acceleration deviation does not immediately become smaller than the second determination value.

Next, the invention according to claim 7 is based on claim 6
In the inter-vehicle distance control device according to the third aspect, the deceleration canceling means may be configured, in place of the configuration according to the sixth aspect, such that an operation condition of the deceleration executing means is not satisfied and the target acceleration is a negative value. When a condition greater than a determination value is satisfied and a condition that the acceleration deviation is greater than a fourth determination value that is a negative value greater than the second determination value is satisfied, the first deceleration unit or The operation of the second deceleration means is released.

Therefore, in the present invention, when the operation of the first deceleration means or the second deceleration means is canceled, in addition to the condition described in claim 6, a condition that the acceleration deviation is larger than the fourth judgment value is satisfied. Need to be satisfied. On a downhill with a large gradient, if the operation of each of the deceleration means is released when only the condition described in claim 6 is satisfied, the vehicle undergoes a large acceleration again after the release, and the acceleration deviation immediately becomes the second.
Each of the deceleration means is actuated when it becomes smaller than the judgment value of
May cause control hunting. That is, on a downhill with a large gradient, the vehicle body is greatly affected by the gravitational acceleration. Therefore, even if an attempt is made to decelerate, the actual acceleration is increased or maintained at a high level, and the acceleration deviation is greatly reduced. Here, the condition that the acceleration deviation is larger than the fourth determination value is not satisfied on a downhill with a large gradient.
Therefore, on a downhill with a large gradient, a condition in which the acceleration deviation is larger than the fourth determination value is added as an AND condition so that the operation of each deceleration means is not released even when the condition described in claim 6 is satisfied. That is. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent hunting of control in which the operation and release of each speed reduction unit are repeated on a downhill with a large gradient.

Next, the invention according to claim 8 provides the invention according to claim 6
In the inter-vehicle distance control device according to the third aspect, the deceleration canceling means may be configured, in place of the configuration according to the sixth aspect, such that an operation condition of the deceleration executing means is not satisfied and the target acceleration is a negative value. When the condition larger than the judgment value is satisfied and the condition that the acceleration deviation is larger than the fourth judgment value that is a negative value larger than the second judgment value is satisfied, or the operation of the deceleration execution means When the condition is not satisfied and the condition that the target acceleration is larger than a negative value greater than the third determination value or a fifth determination value near zero is satisfied, the first deceleration means Alternatively, the operation of the second deceleration means is released.

Therefore, according to the present invention, when the operation of the first deceleration means or the second deceleration means is released, not only the condition described in claim 7 but also the condition described in claim 6 is satisfied. Even when the condition that the target acceleration is larger than the fifth determination value is satisfied, the operation release is permitted. That is, the condition that the target acceleration is larger than the fifth determination value is satisfied in a situation where acceleration is desired. This allows
By maintaining the deceleration operation excessively, the inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle is prevented from being too large.

Next, a ninth aspect of the present invention is directed to a fourth aspect.
9. The inter-vehicle distance control device according to any one of to 8, wherein the target acceleration calculation means sets a speed relationship and a distance relationship between the own vehicle and the preceding vehicle as the inter-vehicle state. Therefore, according to the present invention, the target acceleration for maintaining the physical quantity corresponding to the inter-vehicle distance at the set value is obtained based on the speed relationship and the distance relationship between the host vehicle and the preceding vehicle.

Here, the speed relationship is defined, for example, in claim 1
As in the invention described in No. 0, the relationship is represented by the relative speed between the own vehicle and the preceding vehicle. The distance relationship is, for example, a relationship between the inter-vehicle distance and the set value or a physical quantity corresponding to the inter-vehicle distance and the set value, as in the invention according to claim 11, and specifically, As in the twelfth aspect of the present invention, it is a deviation between the inter-vehicle distance and the set value or a deviation between a physical quantity corresponding to the inter-vehicle distance and the set value.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the inter-vehicle distance control device according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects, the physical quantity corresponding to the inter-vehicle distance is defined by the preceding vehicle and the own vehicle. Is an amount represented by an inter-vehicle time, which is a time required to travel at the vehicle speed of the own vehicle with the inter-vehicle distance between the vehicle and the vehicle.

Therefore, according to the present invention, since the inter-vehicle time is used as the physical quantity corresponding to the inter-vehicle distance, it is necessary for the driver to drive the own vehicle over the distance rather than accurately recognizing the actual distance. It is easier to recognize the time, and it is easier to set the target inter-vehicle distance as the actual inter-vehicle time than to set it as the actual inter-vehicle time.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the inter-vehicle distance control device according to any one of the fourth to thirteenth aspects, the inter-vehicle distance or a physical quantity corresponding to the inter-vehicle distance is maintained at a set value. Adjusting means for adjusting the driving force of the internal combustion engine based on the acceleration deviation.

The adjusting means adjusts the driving force of the internal combustion engine by adjusting the throttle opening as in the invention according to claim 15. Next, claim 1
The invention described in 6 detects an inter-vehicle distance between the own vehicle and a preceding vehicle to be followed or a physical quantity corresponding to the inter-vehicle distance,
The inter-vehicle distance control method for operating the second deceleration means prior to activating the first deceleration means with the operation of the brake lamp so as to maintain the inter-vehicle distance or a physical quantity corresponding to the inter-vehicle distance at a set value. is there.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the same functions and effects as those of the first aspect can be obtained. Next, claim 1
The invention described in Item 7 is a recording medium that records an inter-vehicle distance control program for maintaining an inter-vehicle distance between a host vehicle and a preceding vehicle to be followed or a physical quantity corresponding to the inter-vehicle distance at a set value, In order to calculate the inter-vehicle distance or the physical quantity corresponding to the inter-vehicle distance, and to maintain the calculated inter-vehicle distance or the physical quantity corresponding to the inter-vehicle distance at a set value, prior to the first deceleration means involving the operation of the brake lamp, An inter-vehicle distance control program characterized by determining the operation of the second deceleration means without the operation of the brake lamp is recorded.

In the embodiments of the invention described below, the "second deceleration means" described in the claims or the means for solving the problems corresponds to each of S19030, S20030 and S21030 in the following distance control ECU 4. The processing corresponds to the transmission 17 and the injector 25, and the "first deceleration means" is the same as the processing executed in S22 in the following distance control ECU4.
070 and the processing performed by the brake ECU 6 and the brake actuator 21.
0, S22030, S22050, and S22060, the “acceleration detecting means” corresponds to the processing of S16000 in the following distance control ECU 4, and the “target acceleration calculating means” also corresponds to the processing of S15000 in the following distance control ECU 4. The "deceleration canceling means" also corresponds to S19040, S190 in the following distance control ECU4.
20040, S21040, S22040, S2208
0 to S22100, the "adjustment means" corresponds to the processing of S18000 in the following distance control ECU 4, the engine ECU 5 and the throttle actuator 16, and the "first determination value" is the determination value ATref6.
And the “second determination value” is the determination value ATref1, A
Corresponds to Tref2, ATref3, ATref5,
The “third determination value” is the determination value ATmcref1, ATmc
ref2, ATmcref3, ATmcref4, the “fourth determination value” corresponds to the determination value ATref4,
The "fifth determination value" corresponds to the determination value ATmcref5.

[0033]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an inter-vehicle distance control device 2 according to the present embodiment. The inter-vehicle distance control device 2 is mounted on an automobile equipped with a gasoline engine as an internal combustion engine, and has an inter-vehicle distance (hereinafter, referred to as an actual inter-vehicle distance) between a preceding vehicle and the host vehicle. This is a device that performs auto cruise control for controlling the driving force and the braking force of the own vehicle so as to match the target inter-vehicle distance.

The inter-vehicle distance control device 2 includes a forward recognition sensor 3, an inter-vehicle distance control electronic control device (hereinafter referred to as an inter-vehicle distance control ECU) 4, an engine control electronic control device (hereinafter referred to as an engine control ECU) 5, and a brake. A control electronic control device (hereinafter, referred to as a brake control ECU) 6 is mainly configured.

The forward recognition sensor 3 is composed of a known radar sensor or proximity sensor using ultrasonic waves, radio waves, lasers, infrared rays, and the like. For example, a radar sensor is mainly configured with a scanning range finder and a microcomputer. The scanning range finder scans and irradiates an ultrasonic wave, a radio wave, a laser, an infrared ray, or the like into a predetermined angle range in the vehicle width direction, and based on a reflected wave or reflected light from the preceding vehicle, a traveling direction of the preceding vehicle ( (Running angle), the actual inter-vehicle distance between the preceding vehicle and the own vehicle, and the relative speed. The microcomputer calculates the traveling angle, the actual inter-vehicle distance, and the relative speed of the preceding vehicle detected by the scanning distance measuring device, the current speed of the own vehicle (hereinafter, referred to as the current vehicle speed) input from the inter-vehicle distance control ECU 4, and the radius of curvature of the curve. And the own lane probability of the preceding vehicle is calculated. The front recognition sensor 3 calculates the preceding vehicle information including information such as the running angle of the preceding vehicle, the actual inter-vehicle distance, the relative speed, the own lane probability of the preceding vehicle, and the diagnosis of the front recognition sensor 3 itself, and calculates the inter-vehicle distance. Output to control ECU4.

Each of the ECUs 4 to 6 has a CPU, ROM, RA
A known microcomputer having M and I / O circuits is provided, and power is supplied from a vehicle-mounted battery (not shown) when an ignition switch (not shown) is turned on. Each of the ECUs 4 to 6 has a control system LAN (LOCAL AR)
EA NETWORK) 7.

The control system LAN 7 is connected to the body system LAN 9 via the gateway 8. Body LAN9
, A wiper switch 10, a tail switch 11, and a display device 12 are connected. The wiper switch 10 is a switch for stopping the automatic cruise control when a wiper (not shown) is operated. That is, since it is difficult to obtain accurate preceding vehicle information by the front recognition sensor 3 during rainfall, the automatic cruise control is not performed when the wiper is operated during rainfall. Especially,
When a laser radar sensor is used as the forward recognition sensor 3, it is difficult to obtain accurate preceding vehicle information because the laser beam is hindered by raindrops.

The tail switch 11 corrects the target inter-vehicle time set by the driver with the cruise control switch 13 to a large value when the road is dark, such as at night or when fog is generated, as described later. This is a switch for further reducing the possibility of contact with the own vehicle.

The display device 12 is provided on the instrument panel, and displays contents such as display data, diagnosis, and a brake operating state, which will be described later. The cruise main switch 23 and the cruise control switch 13 are connected to the following distance control ECU 4. The cruise main switch 23 is an inter-vehicle distance control ECU
4 is a power switch for activating the switch 4. The cruise control switch 13 is used by the driver to set a time (hereinafter referred to as a target inter-vehicle time) required for the own vehicle to travel a distance corresponding to a target inter-vehicle distance between the preceding vehicle and the own vehicle in the auto cruise control. Switch.

The inter-vehicle distance control ECU 4 calculates the target inter-vehicle time inputted from the cruise control switch 13, the preceding vehicle information and the diagnosis inputted from the front recognition sensor 3, the throttle opening and the current vehicle speed inputted from the engine ECU 5. , Control state (idle control state, transmission shift position, etc.) and brake ECU
6 and the steering angle and yaw rate input from each
Based on signals respectively indicating the operating states of the wiper switch 10 and the tail switch 11 input via the gateways 7 and 9 and the gateway 8, the curvature radius of the curve and the target acceleration are calculated.
Signals representing an overdrive (OD) cut request, a shift down request, a brake request, an alarm request, and display data are generated.

The inter-vehicle distance control ECU 4 outputs signals representing the target acceleration, the fuel cut request, the overdrive cut request, and the downshift request to the engine ECU 5, respectively, and outputs the respective signals representing the target acceleration, the brake request, and the alarm request. Is output to the brake ECU 6, and display data and signals representing the diagnosis are output to the display device 12 via the LANs 7, 9 and the gateway 8, respectively.

The engine ECU 5 is connected with a throttle opening sensor 24, a vehicle speed sensor 14, and a brake switch 15. The throttle opening sensor 24 detects an actual opening of a throttle valve (not shown) of the gasoline engine (hereinafter, referred to as an actual throttle opening). The vehicle speed sensor 14 detects the speed of the vehicle based on the rotation speed of each wheel (not shown) of the vehicle. The brake switch 15 detects whether a driver depresses a brake pedal (not shown).

The engine ECU 5 receives the signals input from the throttle opening sensor 24, the vehicle speed sensor 14, and the brake switch 15, the target acceleration input from the following distance control ECU 4, the fuel cut request, the overdrive cut request, and the downshift. The drive control of the throttle actuator 16, the transmission 17, and the injector 25 is performed based on each signal indicating the request.

The throttle actuator 16 adjusts the opening of the throttle valve. The actuator drive circuit of the transmission 17 generates a drive signal for controlling a motor and a clutch provided inside the actuator based on a drive command from the engine ECU 5. In accordance with the drive signal, forward / reverse rotation and rotation speed of the motor are controlled, and opening / closing of the clutch is controlled. Rotation of the motor is transmitted to the throttle valve of the engine via the clutch. As a result, the engine ECU 5
Can adjust the driving force of the engine and control the speed of the vehicle. The transmission 17 is a five-speed automatic transmission, in which the reduction ratio of the fourth speed is set to “1”, and the reduction ratio of the fifth speed is set to a value smaller than the fourth speed (for example, 0.7).
It is a so-called 4-speed + overdrive (OD) configuration.

The injector 25 injects fuel into an intake manifold (not shown) of the engine. Further, the engine ECU 5 calculates the current vehicle speed based on each of the signals, sets the optimal control state (idle control state, transmission shift position, etc.), and sets the actual throttle opening, the current vehicle speed, and the control state. Signals representing the current vehicle speed are output to the inter-vehicle distance control ECU 4 and signals representing the current vehicle speed are output to the brake ECU 6.

The brake ECU 6 is connected to a master cylinder (M / C) pressure sensor 18, a steering sensor 19, and a yaw rate sensor 20. The master cylinder pressure sensor 18 detects the hydraulic pressure (master cylinder pressure) of the master cylinder of the brake device. The steering sensor 19 detects a steering angle of the vehicle. Yaw rate sensor 20
Detects the yaw rate of the vehicle.

The brake ECU 6 includes signals input from the master cylinder pressure sensor 18, the steering sensor 19, and the yaw rate sensor 20, and signals indicating the target acceleration, brake request, and alarm request input from the following distance control ECU 4, The brake actuator 21 and the alarm buzzer 22 are drive-controlled based on the signal indicating the current vehicle speed input from the engine ECU 5.

The brake device (not shown) includes a master cylinder, a wheel cylinder, a pressure increase control valve, a pressure reduction control valve, a reservoir, a brake actuator 21 and the like. Each wheel of the vehicle is provided with a wheel cylinder, and the master cylinder pressure from the master cylinder is sent to each wheel cylinder via each pressure increase control valve. still,
The master cylinder generates a master cylinder pressure by depressing a brake pedal or by a brake actuator 21. The hydraulic pressure from each wheel cylinder is sent to the reservoir via each pressure reduction control valve. Then, based on the control of the brake ECU 6, the brake actuator 21 controls the brake operation by performing duty control of increasing / decreasing the master cylinder pressure in accordance with the atmospheric pressure and the engine negative pressure.

The alarm buzzer 22 is provided for controlling the following distance control ECU 4.
Is sounded in response to the signal indicating the alarm request input from the user. Further, the brake ECU 6 outputs signals indicating the steering angle and the yaw rate to the following distance control ECU 4, and displays signals indicating the brake operation state instructed to the brake actuator 21 via the LANs 7 and 9 and the gateway 8. Output to the device 12.

Each ECU in the following distance control device 2
For members other than 4 to 6 that require a power supply,
When the ignition switch is turned on, power is supplied from the vehicle-mounted battery. Next, the operation of the following distance control device 2 will be described in detail with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

When the ignition switch and the cruise main switch 23 are turned on and the ECUs 4 to 6 and the front recognition sensor 3 are activated, the ECUs 4 to 6 and the front recognition sensor 3 operate according to a program stored in a built-in ROM or RAM. The following steps are executed by various types of arithmetic processing by a computer.

The program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium (floppy disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, hard disk, etc.), and if necessary, the ECUs 4 to 6 and the front recognition sensor 3 Alternatively, it may be used by loading and activating it.

As shown in FIG. 2, first, in step (hereinafter, referred to as S) 10000, the following
Reads the target inter-vehicle time set by the driver using the cruise control switch 13, and sets a target inter-vehicle time Td corresponding to the target inter-vehicle distance. This target inter-vehicle time corresponds to the set value of the present invention. It should be noted that using the target inter-vehicle time to set the target inter-vehicle distance is easier for the driver to recognize the time required for the vehicle to travel the distance than to accurately recognize the actual distance. The reason is that setting the target inter-vehicle distance as the inter-vehicle time is easier to grasp sensuously than setting it as the actual distance.

Next, in S11000, the forward recognition sensor 3 determines the preceding vehicle to be subjected to the auto cruise control based on the own vehicle's curve radius of curvature R input from the following distance control ECU 4 and the preceding vehicle. The actual inter-vehicle distance D between the vehicle and the own vehicle is measured. Next, in S12000, the forward recognition sensor 3 measures the relative speed Vrel between the preceding vehicle and the own vehicle.

Next, at S13000, the engine E
The CU 5 calculates the current vehicle speed Vn based on the signal input from the vehicle speed sensor 14. Next, in S14000, the inter-vehicle distance control ECU 4 calculates, as shown in Expression (1),
Measured inter-vehicle time T based on actual inter-vehicle distance D and current vehicle speed Vn
Calculate n (sec). The measured inter-vehicle time corresponds to a physical quantity corresponding to the inter-vehicle distance of the present invention.

Tn = D × 3.6 / Vn (1) Next, in S15000, the following distance control ECU 4 calculates a target acceleration ATmc. That is, as shown in Expression (2), the inter-vehicle time deviation Tde is obtained based on the target inter-vehicle time Td and the measured inter-vehicle time Tn. Then, by referring to a preset target acceleration data map based on the inter-vehicle time deviation Tde and the value Vr-filter obtained by smoothing the relative speed Vrel,
The target acceleration ATmc is obtained.

Tde = Tn-Td (2) Next, in S16000, the following distance control ECU 4 calculates the actual acceleration ATj of the own vehicle from the time change of the current vehicle speed Vn. Next, in S17000, the following distance control EC
U4 calculates the acceleration deviation ATdel based on the target acceleration ATmc and the actual acceleration ATj, as shown in Expression (3).

ATdelt = ATmc−ATj (3) Next, in S18000, as shown in Expression (4),
The engine ECU 5 calculates the target throttle opening MA (n-1) calculated in the previous routine and the acceleration deviation AT
The target throttle opening MA (n) in the current routine is calculated based on the delta and the coefficient (gain) G. MA (n) = MA (n−1) + G × ATdelt (4) Then, the engine ECU 5 sets the target throttle opening MA
The output of the gasoline engine is adjusted by controlling the drive of the throttle actuator 16 based on the above.

Next, in S19000, the following distance control ECU 4 and the engine ECU 5 execute a deceleration process by fuel cut. The deceleration processing by the fuel cut does not involve the operation of the brake lamp. FIG.
The details of the processing in S19000 are shown below.

First, in S19010, the following distance control ECU 4 determines the determination value A used in the following steps.
Tref1 and ATmcref1 are set. Note that the determination values ATref1 and ATmcref1 are both negative values (ATref1 <0).

Next, in S19020, the following distance control ECU 4 determines the acceleration deviation ATdel and the determination value ATr.
The magnitude of ef1 is determined. And the acceleration deviation ATd
elt is smaller than the judgment value ATref1 (ATde
lt <ATref1, S19020: YES) is S19
030 and the acceleration deviation ATdelt is
ref1 or more (ATdelt ≧ ATref1, S
(19020: NO) moves to S19035.

In S19030, the following distance control EC
U4 sends a signal indicating fuel cut request to engine E
Output to CU5 to issue fuel cut operation instruction. Then, the process returns to the main routine and shifts to S20000. Then, the engine ECU 5 stops the fuel injection from the injector 25 based on the signal indicating the fuel cut request. As a result, the supply of fuel to the engine is prevented, and an engine brake is generated. The vehicle brake is decelerated by the engine brake.

In S19035, the following distance control EC
U4 is the target acceleration ATmc and the determination value ATmcref1.
Is determined. When the target acceleration ATmc is larger than the determination value ATmcref1 (ATmc> ATm)
cref1, S19035: YES) shifts to S19040, where the target acceleration ATmc is equal to the determination value ATmcref1.
In the following case (ATmc ≦ ATmcref1, S1903
(5: NO) returns to the main routine and shifts to S20000.

At S19040, the following distance control EC
U4 stops the output of the signal indicating the fuel cut request and issues a fuel cut operation cancel instruction. That is,
As a result of the own vehicle being decelerated by the deceleration processing by the fuel cut and the inter-vehicle distance being increased, the target acceleration ATmc is determined by the determination value AT
When it is equal to or greater than mcref1, the execution of the deceleration process by the fuel cut is canceled. Then, the process returns to the main routine and shifts to S20000.

Normally, the engine ECU 5 stops the fuel injection from the injector 25 when the throttle opening is fully closed (= 0 °) while the vehicle is running, based on the engine ECU 5's own judgment, but executes the auto cruise control. In this case, the fuel injection from the injector 25 is not stopped by applying the offset opening (= 2 to 3 °) applied at the time of idling as the minimum value of the throttle opening. And the inter-vehicle distance control ECU 4
When a signal indicating a fuel cut request is input from the ECU 25, the minimum value of the throttle opening is reduced to 0 °, so that the injector 25 can also determine the fuel cut request in accordance with the signal indicating the fuel cut request by the above-described judgment of the engine ECU 5. Fuel injection can be stopped.

Next, in S20000, the following distance control ECU 4 and the engine ECU 5 execute a deceleration process by overdrive cut. The deceleration processing by this overdrive cut does not involve the operation of the brake lamp. FIG. 4 shows the details of the processing in S20000.

First, in S20010, the following distance control ECU 4 determines the determination value A used in the following steps.
Tref2 and ATmcref2 are set. Note that each of the determination values ATref2 and ATmcref2 is a negative value, and each of the determination values ATref1 and ATmcre, respectively.
a value smaller than f1 (ATref2 <ATref
1 <0, ATmcref2 <ATmcref1).

Next, in S20020, the following distance control ECU 4 determines the acceleration deviation ATdel and the determination value ATr.
The magnitude of ef2 is determined. And the acceleration deviation ATd
elt is smaller than the determination value ATref2 (ATde
lt <ATref2, S20020: YES) is S20
030 and the acceleration deviation ATdelt is
ref2 or more (ATdelt ≧ ATref2, S
(2008: NO) proceeds to S20035.

In S20030, the following distance control EC
U4 outputs an overdrive cut request signal to engine ECU 5 to issue an overdrive cut operation instruction. Then, the process returns to the main routine and S210
Move to 00. Then, based on the signal indicating the overdrive cut request, engine ECU 5 shifts down to fourth speed if transmission 17 has shifted to fifth speed (ie, the overdrive shift position). As a result, a large engine brake is generated by downshifting from the fifth speed to the fourth speed, and the own vehicle is decelerated by the engine brake.

In S20035, the following distance control EC
U4 is the target acceleration ATmc and the determination value ATmcref2.
Is determined. When the target acceleration ATmc is larger than the determination value ATmcref2 (ATmc> ATm
cref2, S20035: YES) shifts to S20040, where the target acceleration ATmc is set to the determination value ATmcref2.
In the following case (ATmc ≦ ATmcref2, S2003
(5: NO) returns to the main routine and shifts to S21000.

In S20040, the following distance control EC
U4 stops outputting the signal indicating the overdrive cut request and issues an overdrive cut operation release instruction. Then, the process returns to the main routine and shifts to S21000. That is, as a result of the own vehicle being decelerated by the deceleration processing by the overdrive cut and the inter-vehicle distance being increased, when the target acceleration ATmc becomes equal to or larger than the determination value ATmcref2, the execution of the deceleration processing by the overdrive cut is canceled.

Next, in S21000, the following distance control ECU 4 and the engine ECU 5 execute deceleration processing by downshifting. The deceleration process by the downshift does not involve the operation of the brake lamp. FIG.
Details of the processing at 1000 are shown.

First, in S21010, the following distance control ECU 4 determines the determination value A used in the following steps.
Tref3 and ATmcref3 are set. The determination value ATref3 is a negative value and the determination value ATref
a value smaller than ref2 (ATref3 <ATr
ef2 <ATref1 <0). Also, the judgment value ATmcr
ef3 is also a negative value and the determination value ATmcre
a value smaller than f2 (ATmref3 <ATm
cref2 <ATmcref1 <0).

Next, in S21020, the following distance control ECU 4 determines the acceleration deviation ATdel and the determination value ATr.
The magnitude of ef3 is determined. And the acceleration deviation ATd
elt is smaller than the determination value ATref3 (ATde
lt <ATref3, S21020: YES) is S21
030 and the acceleration deviation ATdelt is
ref3 or more (ATdelt> ATref3, S
(21020: NO) moves to S21035.

At S21030, the following distance control EC
U4 outputs a signal indicating a downshift request to the engine ECU.
5 to instruct a downshift operation. Then, the process returns to the main routine and shifts to S22000. Then, based on the signal indicating the downshift request, engine ECU 5 shifts down to third speed if transmission 17 has shifted to fourth speed. As a result, 4
The downshift from the third speed to the third speed causes a large engine brake, and the vehicle brake is decelerated by the engine brake.

In S21035, the following distance control EC
U4 is the target acceleration ATmc and the determination value ATmcref3
Is determined. Then, when the target acceleration ATmc is larger than the determination value ATmcref3 (ATmc> ATm
cref3, S21035: YES) proceeds to S21040, in which the target acceleration ATmc is set to the determination value ATmcref3.
In the following case (ATmc ≦ ATmcref3, S2103
(5: NO) returns to the main routine and shifts to S22000.

In S21040, the following distance control EC
U4 stops outputting the signal indicating the downshift request and issues a downshift operation release instruction. Then, the process returns to the main routine and shifts to S22000. That is, as a result of the own vehicle being decelerated by the deceleration processing due to the shift down and the inter-vehicle distance being increased, the target acceleration ATmc becomes equal to the determination value ATmcr.
When ef3 or more, the execution of the deceleration process by downshifting is canceled.

Next, in S22000, the following distance control ECU 4 and the brake ECU 6 execute a deceleration process using a brake. The deceleration process by the brake involves the operation of the brake lamp. FIG. 6 shows details of the processing in S22000. First, in S22010,
The inter-vehicle distance control ECU 4 determines each of the determination values ATref4 to ATref6, ATmcre used in the following steps.
f4 and ATmcref5 are set.

It should be noted that each judgment value ATref5 to ATref6
Is a negative value, the determination value ATref4 is a positive value, and the determination value ATref6 is a value smaller than the determination value ATref3 (ATref6 <ATref3 <A
Tref2 <ATref1 <0). Also, the judgment value ATr
ef5 is a value larger than the determination value ATref6 (AT
ref6 <ATref5) to prevent the brake from becoming difficult to operate.

Each judgment value ATmcref4 is a negative value, judgment value ATmcref5 is a negative value or a value near 0, and judgment value ATmcref4 is a smaller value than judgment value ATmcref5 (ATmc).
ref4 <ATmcref5 <0 (≒ 0)). at the same time,
The determination value ATmcref4 is a value smaller than the determination value ATmcref3 (ATmcref4 <ATmcref).
3 <ATmcref2 <ATmcref1 <0).

Next, in S22020, the following distance control ECU 4 inputs the actual throttle opening detected by the throttle opening sensor 24 via the engine ECU 5, and the actual throttle opening is fully closed (= 0 °). Is determined. When the actual throttle opening is fully closed (S220)
20: YES) proceeds to S22030, and if the actual throttle opening is not fully closed (S22020: NO), proceeds to S22.
Shift to 040.

At S22030, the following distance control EC
U4 determines whether or not the signal indicating the control state of the shift position of the transmission 17 input from the engine ECU 5 corresponds to the third speed. Then, when the shift position of the transmission 17 is the third speed (S22030:
If the determination is YES, the process shifts to S22050, and if it is not the third speed (S
(22030: NO) moves to S22060.

At S22050, the following distance control EC
U4 is an acceleration deviation ATdelt and a determination value ATref5.
Is determined. And the acceleration deviation ATdelt
Is smaller than the determination value ATref5 (ATdelt <
ATref5, S22050: YES) is S22070
Then, the acceleration deviation ATdelt becomes equal to the judgment value ATref.
5 or more (ATdelt ≧ ATref5, S220
(50: NO) proceeds to S22080.

In S22060, the following distance control EC
U4 is an acceleration deviation ATdelt and a determination value ATref6.
Is determined. And the acceleration deviation ATdelt
Is smaller than the determination value ATref6 (ATdelt <
ATref6, S22060: YES) is S22070
Then, the acceleration deviation ATdelt becomes equal to the judgment value ATref.
6 or more (ATdelt> ATref6, S220
60: NO) returns to the main routine and returns to S10000
Return to

In S22070, the following distance control EC
U4 outputs a signal indicating a brake request to the brake ECU 6, and issues a brake operation instruction. Then, the process returns to the main routine and returns to S10000. Also, S2208
0, the following distance control ECU 4 calculates the target acceleration AT
The magnitude of mc and the determination value ATmcref4 are determined. If the target acceleration ATmc is larger than the determination value ATmcref4 (ATmc> ATmcref4, S220
80: YES) shifts to S22090, and sets target acceleration A
When Tmc is equal to or smaller than the determination value ATmcref4 (ATmc
≤ATmcref4, S22080: NO), returns to the main routine and returns to S10000.

In S22090, the following distance control EC
U4 is the acceleration deviation ATdelt and the determination value ATref4
Is determined. And the acceleration deviation ATdelt
Is larger than the determination value ATref4 (ATdelt>
ATref4, S22090: YES) is S22040
Then, the acceleration deviation ATdelt becomes equal to the judgment value ATref.
4 or less (ATdeltATref4, S220
(90: NO) proceeds to S22100.

In S22100, the following distance control EC
U4 is the target acceleration ATmc and the determination value ATmcref5
Is determined. If the target acceleration ATmc is larger than the determination value ATmcref5 (ATmc> AT
mcref5, S22100: YES) is S22040
And the target acceleration ATmc becomes equal to the judgment value ATmcref.
5 or less (ATmc ≦ ATmcref5, S221
00: NO) returns to the main routine and returns to S10000
Return to

In S22040, the following distance control EC
U4 stops the output of the signal indicating the brake request and issues a brake release instruction. Then, the process returns to the main routine and returns to S10000. When a signal indicating a brake request is output from the following distance control ECU 4 and a brake operation instruction is issued, the brake ECU 6 controls the brake actuator 21 based on the signal to execute the brake operation. As a result, the own vehicle is decelerated by the brake operation controlled by the brake actuator 21.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a control system of the brake operation by the brake ECU 6. The current vehicle speed Vn is pseudo-differentiated to calculate the actual acceleration ATj. The acceleration deviation ATdelt, which is the deviation between the actual acceleration ATj and the target acceleration ATmc, is integrated to calculate an integral term. Also,
With reference to a predetermined data map, a master cylinder pressure corresponding to the acceleration deviation ATdelt is obtained. Then, the integral term and the master cylinder pressure are added to calculate a target master cylinder pressure (hereinafter, referred to as a target master cylinder pressure).

The pressure deviation between the target master cylinder pressure and the actual master cylinder pressure detected by the master cylinder pressure sensor 18 (hereinafter referred to as the actual master cylinder pressure) is calculated. The proportional term and the differential term of the pressure deviation are added, and the added value is passed through a band-pass filter to remove noise, whereby the pressure increase / decrease command value of the brake actuator 21 is obtained.

The brake actuator 21 controls the brake operation of the vehicle by duty-controlling the pressure increase / decrease of the master cylinder pressure in accordance with the atmospheric pressure and the engine negative pressure based on the pressure increase / decrease command value. From the current vehicle speed Vn reduced by the brake operation, the actual acceleration ATde
It is calculated and fed back to the input side of the control system.

As described above, in the following distance control device 2, based on the degree of decrease in the acceleration deviation ATdelt,
The timing for executing each deceleration process (fuel cut, overdrive cut, shift down, brake) is determined. That is, each deceleration process (S19000,
Since the respective determination values ATref1 to ATref3 and ATref6 in S20000, S21000, and S22000) are different, the operation instruction for each deceleration process (S190) is performed.
30, S20030, S21030, and S22070) have different start timings. That is, the determination value ATr of the deceleration process by fuel cut (S19000)
Since f1 is the largest, as the acceleration deviation ATdel becomes smaller, first, a fuel cut operation instruction (S19030) is executed. Then, since the determination value ATref2 of the deceleration process by overdrive cut (S20000) is the second largest, the overdrive cut operation instruction (S
20030) is executed. Then, the determination value ATref3 of the deceleration process by downshifting (S21000) is 3
Since it is the second largest, a downshift operation instruction (S21030) is executed after the overdrive cut operation instruction. Then, deceleration processing by the brake (S2200)
0) is a necessary condition for the shift-down operation, which is the final means of each deceleration process, or a determination value ATref6.
Is the smallest, and finally the brake operation instruction (S220
30) is executed.

The order of executing the respective deceleration processes is set in order to prevent the deceleration shock generated in the vehicle body due to rapid deceleration and to efficiently perform the respective deceleration processes. . That is, the braking force obtained by each deceleration process increases in the order of fuel cut → overdrive cut → shift down → brake. Therefore, if each deceleration process is executed in the order in which the braking force increases, the deceleration process by the fuel cut with the smallest braking force is performed first, so that rapid deceleration is not performed and no deceleration shock is generated. Since the deceleration increases stepwise each time the deceleration processing is sequentially executed, each deceleration processing can be performed efficiently.

Conversely, if each deceleration process is executed in the order of decreasing braking force, the deceleration process is performed by the brake having the largest braking force first, so that a rapid deceleration is performed and a deceleration shock occurs. In addition, even if a deceleration process with a small braking force is performed thereafter, the deceleration by the deceleration process is hidden by the initial rapid deceleration and has no effect.

As described above, in the following distance control device 2, the execution of each deceleration process is determined by the acceleration deviation ATdelt. Therefore, even if the actual following distance is longer than the target following distance, the own vehicle moves toward the preceding vehicle. When the vehicle approaches and accelerates, the actual acceleration ATj of the own vehicle becomes the acceleration deviation ATde.
Since it is reflected in lt, it is possible to execute each deceleration process earlier, and it is possible to reliably avoid contact between the two vehicles.

Further, even when the actual inter-vehicle distance is substantially equal to the target inter-vehicle distance, if the actual acceleration ATj of the own vehicle is excessively large, the actual acceleration ATj becomes equal to the acceleration deviation ATdelt.
Therefore, it is possible to execute each deceleration process, and it is possible to stably maintain an appropriate inter-vehicle distance.

Then, in the following distance control device 2,
The timing for canceling the execution of each deceleration process is determined based on the degree of increase in the target acceleration ATmc. That is, each deceleration process (S19000, S20000, S21
000, S22000) at each determination value ATmcre
Since the magnitudes of f1 to ATmcref4 are different, the operation release instruction of each deceleration process (S19040, S20040, S20040)
21040, S22040) start timings are different. That is, the deceleration process by the brake (S2200
Since the determination value ATmcref4 of (0) is set to be the smallest, as the target acceleration ATmc increases, the brake operation release instruction (S22040) is first executed, and then the downshift operation release instruction (S2104).
0) is executed, then an overdrive operation release instruction (S20040) is executed, and finally, a fuel cut operation release instruction (S19040) is executed.

That is, the execution of each deceleration process is canceled in the order of decreasing braking force, and the order in which each deceleration process is executed and the order in which it is canceled are completely opposite. As described above, in the following distance control device 2, the execution of each deceleration process is determined to be canceled based on the target acceleration ATmc. Therefore, even if the actual following distance is shorter than the target following distance, the preceding vehicle accelerates and the own vehicle is accelerated. When moving away from the target, the target acceleration ATm
Since c increases, execution of each deceleration process can be canceled earlier, and an appropriate inter-vehicle distance can be stably maintained.

However, as will be described later, the brake release instruction in the deceleration processing by the brake is performed by the target acceleration A
The execution is not necessarily performed only when Tmc becomes equal to or greater than the determination value ATmcref4. By the way, the inter-vehicle distance control device 2
In the deceleration process by the brake in (2220), when the actual throttle opening is fully closed (S2202)
0: YES) only when brake operation is instructed (S22070)
When the actual throttle opening is not fully closed (S22020: NO), a brake operation release instruction (S22040) is issued. This is because the driver opens the throttle valve by depressing the accelerator pedal, so if the throttle valve is not fully closed, the driver is determined to have the intention to maintain or accelerate the speed of the vehicle. This is for giving priority to the driver's will to the deceleration processing by the brake.

If the shift position of the transmission 17 is the third speed (S22030: YES) and the acceleration deviation ATdelt is smaller than the determination value ATref5 (S22050: YES), a brake operation instruction is issued (S22070). This is because the deceleration process (S21000) due to downshifting is executed and the engine ECU 5
Decelerates with the brakes while the transmission 17 is downshifted from the fourth speed to the third speed (S2200).
This is because the deceleration process by the brake is performed after the braking force is obtained by the deceleration process by the downshift by executing the step (0).

By the way, from when the signal indicating the downshift request is output from the inter-vehicle distance control ECU 4 and the downshift instruction is issued, the engine ECU 5 controls the transmission 17 to actually shift down from the fourth speed to the third speed. Has a slight delay time.

Therefore, by determining the shift position based on the signal indicating the control state of the shift position of the transmission 17 input from the engine ECU 5, the influence of the delay time is avoided, and the deceleration processing by the brake is performed by the downshift. Can be always performed later than the deceleration processing by

Even when the shift position of the transmission 17 is not the third speed (S22030: NO), if the acceleration deviation ATdelt is smaller than the determination value ATref6 (S22060: YES), a brake operation instruction is issued (S22070). That is, the acceleration deviation ATdel
If t is smaller than the determination value ATref6, a brake operation instruction is issued regardless of the shift position of the transmission 17. This is because when the acceleration deviation ATdel becomes a very small value, it is necessary to rapidly decelerate the own vehicle, so that the brake operation instruction is promptly given without being affected by the delay time. For example, when the preceding vehicle decelerates extremely rapidly, or when there is a vehicle that interrupts suddenly between the preceding vehicle and the own vehicle, the own vehicle needs to be rapidly decelerated.

By the way, the brake release instruction (S22)
040) is executed only when all the following conditions are satisfied or all the conditions are satisfied. Condition: acceleration deviation ATdel is equal to determination value ATref5
In the above case (S22050: NO).

Condition: Target acceleration ATmc is equal to judgment value AT
mcref4 (S22080: YE
S). Condition: acceleration deviation ATdel is equal to judgment value ATref4
If larger (S22090: YES).

Condition: Target acceleration ATmc is equal to judgment value AT
mcref5 (S22100: YE
S). Note that the condition is not satisfied (the acceleration deviation ATdel is equal to the determination value A).
If smaller than Tref5 (S22050: YES)
Is a condition for executing the brake operation instruction (S22070).

As described above, the execution of the brake release instruction when both of the conditions are satisfied is performed only when the brake is released when only the conditions are satisfied.
This is because the balance between the acceleration and the deceleration, which has been balanced until immediately before the release of the brake operation, is broken by the sudden release of the brake operation. When the balance between acceleration and deceleration is lost, the acceleration deviation ATdel immediately becomes smaller than the determination value ATref5. This causes a situation in which a brake operation instruction is executed again, and this brake operation and release are repeated. Causes control hunting. Therefore, when not only the condition but also the condition is satisfied (that is, when the target acceleration ATmc becomes sufficiently high),
The brake operation release instruction is executed. That is,
Even if the brake operation is released, immediately the acceleration deviation ATd
The brake operation is released after the actual acceleration ATj has decreased or the target acceleration ATmc has increased so that elt does not become smaller than the determination value ATref5.

On a downhill with a large gradient, if the brake operation is released when both of the conditions are satisfied, a large acceleration is again applied after the release of the brake operation, and the acceleration deviation ATdel immediately becomes equal to the determination value. When it becomes smaller than ATref5, a brake operation instruction is executed, which may cause hunting of control.

In other words, the vehicle body is greatly affected by the gravitational acceleration on a downhill with a large gradient, so that even if an attempt is made to decelerate, the actual acceleration ATj is increased or maintained at a high level, and the acceleration deviation ATdelt is greatly reduced. Here, each condition is not satisfied on a downhill with a large gradient. Therefore, on a downhill with a large gradient, each condition is added as an AND condition to each condition so that the brake operation is not released even when both conditions are satisfied. In this way, it is possible to prevent hunting of the control in which the brake operation and the release are repeated on a downhill with a large gradient. As a result, the release of the brake operation may be later than the release of the execution of each of the other deceleration processes (fuel cut, overdrive cut, shift down). Further, each condition may be set as a condition for canceling the execution of each deceleration process (fuel cut, overdrive cut, shift down).

Since the conditions are included in the conditions, the case where all of the conditions are satisfied is nothing other than the case where only the conditions are satisfied. In addition, since the condition is included in the condition, the case where all the conditions are satisfied is nothing other than the case where both the conditions are satisfied.

The transmission 17 in the inter-vehicle distance control device 2 is a five-speed automatic transmission, in which the speed reduction ratio of the fourth speed is set to "1", and the speed reduction ratio of the fifth speed is smaller than the fourth speed (for example, , 0.
It has a 4-speed + overdrive (OD) configuration set to 7).

However, the present invention can be applied to an inter-vehicle distance control device 32 having a four-speed automatic transmission. In that case, the transmission 17 has a third speed + overdrive configuration in which the third speed reduction ratio is set to “1” and the fourth speed reduction ratio is set to a value smaller than the third speed (for example, 0.7). become. The schematic configuration of the following distance control device 32 is the same as that of the following distance control device 2 shown in FIG. The operation of the following distance control device 32 differs from the operation of the following distance control device 2 only in the following points.

(1) In the flowchart shown in FIG.
The deceleration process (S21000) due to downshifting is omitted. Then, deceleration processing by fuel cut (S
19000) → Deceleration processing by overdrive cut (S20000) → Deceleration processing by brake (S220)
00), the execution of each deceleration process is started. Note that the order in which each deceleration process is executed and the order in which they are canceled are completely opposite.

(2) In S20030 of the deceleration process by downshifting shown in FIG. 4, the following distance control ECU 4 sends a signal indicating an overdrive cut request to the engine ECU.
When the transmission 17 is shifted to the fourth speed (ie, the shift position of the overdrive) based on the signal indicating the overdrive cut request, the engine ECU 5 outputs the signal to the engine 5 to output the overdrive cut operation instruction. Shifts down to third gear. as a result,
A large engine brake is generated by downshifting from fourth speed to third speed, and the own vehicle is decelerated by the engine brake.

Next, the operation of the following distance control device 32 will be described with reference to a timing chart shown in FIG. FIG.
Means that the vehicle weight of the own vehicle is 1800 kg and the target inter-vehicle time T
d is set to 1.6 seconds, the lower limit of the target acceleration ATmc is 0.15 G, and when the vehicle is traveling on a road with a road gradient of 0%, the speed of the preceding vehicle changes from 80 km to 50 km to 0.1 km. The own vehicle speed (current vehicle speed V) when suddenly decelerating at deceleration
n), preceding vehicle speed, actual inter-vehicle distance D, target throttle opening M
A, master cylinder (M / C) pressure, target acceleration ATm
c, actual acceleration ATj, presence / absence of a signal FS indicating a fuel cut request, signal O indicating an overdrive cut request
It is the simulation result which verified each time change about the presence or absence of S.

If the target inter-vehicle time Td is 1.6 seconds,
The target inter-vehicle distance is about 36 m. When the preceding vehicle decelerates and the actual inter-vehicle distance D decreases, the target throttle opening MA rapidly decreases to reach the minimum value (= 0 °), and the actual acceleration AT
j also decreases rapidly. Then, a signal FS indicating a fuel cut request is output, a deceleration process by the fuel cut is executed, fuel injection from the injector 25 is stopped, and engine braking occurs. Next, a signal OS indicating an overdrive cut request is output, a deceleration process by the overdrive cut is executed, and the transmission 17 is shifted down from the fourth speed to the third speed to cause engine braking. Subsequently, approximately six seconds after the preceding vehicle starts decelerating, a signal indicating a brake request is output, a deceleration process by the brake is executed, and the master cylinder (M / C) pressure increases to operate the brake. .

Therefore, the actual acceleration ATj is further reduced by the respective deceleration processes by the fuel cut, the overdrive cut, and the brake, as compared with the case where only the target throttle opening MA is reduced. as a result,
The current vehicle speed Vn also decreases, and the actual vehicle-to-vehicle distance D becomes shorter, so that the two vehicles approach each other up to about 10 m, but do not come into contact with each other, and about 12 seconds after the preceding vehicle starts decelerating, the actual vehicle-to-vehicle distance D
Begins to increase.

FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing a simulation result when the deceleration processing by the brake (S22000) is omitted from the following distance control device 32. The verification conditions in FIG. 9 are the same as those in FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, when the preceding vehicle decelerates and the actual inter-vehicle distance D decreases, the target throttle opening MA rapidly decreases to reach the minimum value (= 0 °), and the actual acceleration ATj
Also decrease rapidly. Then, a signal FS indicating a fuel cut request is output, a deceleration process by the fuel cut is executed, fuel injection from the injector 25 is stopped, and engine braking occurs. Next, a signal OS indicating an overdrive cut request is output, a deceleration process by the overdrive cut is executed, and the transmission 17 is shifted down from the fourth speed to the third speed to cause engine braking.

Therefore, the actual acceleration ATj is further reduced by the deceleration processing by the fuel cut and the overdrive cut as compared with the case where only the target throttle opening MA is reduced. Accordingly, the current vehicle speed Vn also decreases, but the deceleration process by the brake is not performed.
The current vehicle speed Vn decreases only slowly. As a result, about 12 seconds after the preceding vehicle starts decelerating, the actual inter-vehicle distance D
Becomes 0 m or less, and the two vehicles come into contact with each other. In order to avoid the contact between the two vehicles, it is necessary for the driver to depress the brake pedal to activate the brake, without using the auto cruise control.

FIG. 10 shows deceleration processing by fuel cut from the inter-vehicle distance control device 32 (S19000) and deceleration processing by overdrive cut (S20000).
6 is a timing chart showing a simulation result when the symbol “省” is omitted. The verification conditions in FIG. 10 are the same as those in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 10, when the preceding vehicle decelerates and the actual inter-vehicle distance D becomes shorter, the target throttle opening MA decreases rapidly and reaches the minimum value (= 2 to 3 °), and the actual acceleration increases. ATj also decreases rapidly. Approximately three seconds after the preceding vehicle starts decelerating, a signal indicating a brake request is output, a deceleration process by the brake is executed, and the master cylinder (M / C) pressure increases to operate the brake. still,
In the example shown in FIG. 10, since the signal indicating the fuel cut request is not output, the minimum value of the target throttle opening MA does not become 0 ° as in the examples shown in FIGS.
Offset opening applied at idle (= 2-3 °)
Becomes

Therefore, the actual acceleration ATj is further reduced by the deceleration process using the brake, as compared with the case where only the target throttle opening MA is reduced. As a result, the current vehicle speed Vn also decreases, the actual inter-vehicle distance D decreases, and both vehicles approach to about 5 m, but do not come into contact with each other.
About 12 seconds after the preceding vehicle starts decelerating, the actual inter-vehicle distance D starts to increase.

As described above, even when only the deceleration process by the brake is executed, the contact between the two vehicles can be avoided. However, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the minimum value of the actual inter-vehicle distance D is 10 m, whereas in the example shown in FIG. 10, the minimum value of the actual inter-vehicle distance D is 5 m. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 10, the actual inter-vehicle distance D is too short as compared with the embodiment shown in FIG. 8. Depending on weather and weather, both vehicles may come into contact.

Further, in the example shown in FIG. 10, since the current vehicle speed Vn decreases more rapidly than in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, there is a possibility that a deceleration shock may occur in the vehicle body. And FIG.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, a signal indicating a brake request is output about 6 seconds after the preceding vehicle starts decelerating, and the deceleration process by the brake is executed. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the preceding vehicle decelerates. About three seconds after the start, a signal indicating a brake request is output, and deceleration processing by the brake is executed. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 10, the brake operation occurs more frequently than in the embodiment shown in FIG.

In FIGS. 8 and 10, the area of the hatched portion of the master cylinder (M / C) pressure is the work of the master cylinder. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 10, the work amount of the master cylinder is significantly increased as compared with the embodiment shown in FIG. As described in detail above, in the following distance control device 2, deceleration processing by fuel cut (S19000) → deceleration processing by overdrive cut (S20000) → deceleration processing by shift down (S21000) → deceleration processing by brake (S
22000), the execution of each deceleration process is started.
Further, in the following distance control device 32, execution of each deceleration process is started in the order of deceleration process by fuel cut → deceleration process by overdrive cut → deceleration process by brake. In other words, each inter-vehicle distance control device 2, 3
2 is after executing all the deceleration processing except the brake,
The deceleration process by the brake is being executed. Here, the deceleration process by the brake involves the operation of the brake lamp,
Other deceleration processes do not involve the operation of the brake lamp.

Therefore, according to the respective inter-vehicle distance control devices 2 and 32, before the deceleration process by the brake is executed, a certain degree of deceleration is obtained by the other deceleration processes, so that frequent occurrence of the brake operation is prevented. can do. Therefore, the driver of the vehicle equipped with the respective inter-vehicle distance control devices 2 and 32 is supposed to frequently perform the brake operation and frequently turn on the brake lamp, thereby causing trouble to the driver of the following vehicle. There is no needless anxiety. Further, there is no possibility that the auto cruise control by each of the inter-vehicle distance control devices 2 and 32 may disturb the flow of the entire traffic.

When the acceleration deviation ATdel becomes a very small value, it is determined that a sudden deceleration is required. It is assumed that the braking operation is performed irrespective of the shift position of the transmission 17, so that the preceding vehicle suddenly decelerates. Also, even if there is a vehicle that suddenly interrupts between the preceding vehicle and the host vehicle, it is possible to stably maintain an appropriate inter-vehicle distance.

Further, since the brake operation does not occur frequently,
It is possible to prevent an excessive load on the brake actuator 21 due to an increase in the operation load of the brake actuator 21, thereby simplifying the brake design and reducing the labor required for development.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but may be embodied as follows. Even in such a case, the same operation and effect as in the above embodiment can be obtained. (1) S19020 shown in FIG. 3, S2002 shown in FIG.
0, S21020 shown in FIG. 5, S2203 shown in FIG.
0, S22050, S22060, S2280, S2
In each of the determination processes of 2090 and S22100, only when the condition in each determination process is continuously satisfied for a predetermined time, the process is shifted from each step in the direction of YES.

For example, in S19020, the process proceeds to S19030 only when the state where the acceleration deviation ATdel is smaller than the determination value ATref1 has continued for a predetermined time (for example, 30 msec). In this way, you can avoid the effects of noise caused by any cause,
The above effects in the inter-vehicle distance control devices 2 and 32 can be reliably obtained.

(2) In the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, even when each signal indicating a fuel cut request or an overdrive cut request is not output from the following distance control ECU 4, the acceleration deviation ATdel is determined by the determination value AT.
If it is smaller than ref6 (S22060: YES), a brake operation instruction (S22070) is issued. That is, the acceleration deviation ATdel is equal to the determination value ATre.
If it is smaller than f6, the brake is operated unconditionally regardless of the fuel cut, overdrive cut, and downshift processing. In this way, when rapid deceleration is required, rapid rapid deceleration becomes possible, and contact between the preceding vehicle and the own vehicle can be reliably avoided.

(3) Also in the deceleration processing by the fuel cut shown in FIG. 3, the deceleration processing by the overdrive cut shown in FIG. 4, and the deceleration processing by the shift down shown in FIG. 5, S2 in the deceleration processing by the brake shown in FIG.
Processing similar to that of 2080 to S22100 is additionally performed.

In this manner, similarly to the deceleration processing by the brake, the deceleration processing by the fuel cut, the deceleration processing by the overdrive cut, and the deceleration processing by the downshift are executed by the control in which the operation instruction and the operation release instruction are repeated. Hunting can be reliably prevented. However, in the deceleration processing by the fuel cut, the deceleration effect as much as other deceleration processing is not obtained, so that the possibility of control hunting is small.

(4) In addition to the deceleration processing of the above embodiment (deceleration processing by fuel cut, deceleration processing by overdrive cut, deceleration processing by shift down, deceleration processing by brake), necessary deceleration is obtained. Various deceleration processes (deceleration process by retarding the ignition timing of the engine, deceleration process by locking the torque converter, deceleration process by exhaust brake and retarder to increase the flow resistance of exhaust from the engine, etc.) ) Is carried out singly or in any combination. Also in this case, it is desirable to execute each deceleration process in the order of increasing braking force.

(5) In S21030 of the deceleration process by downshifting shown in FIG. 5, when the inter-vehicle distance control ECU 4 outputs a signal indicating a downshift request to the engine ECU 5 and issues a downshift operation instruction, the engine EC
U5 is 2 if the transmission 17 has shifted to 4th speed based on a signal indicating a downshift request.
Shift down to first gear or first gear. As a result, a very large engine brake is generated by downshifting from fourth speed to second speed or first speed, and the vehicle brake is decelerated by the engine brake.

That is, in the deceleration process by downshifting in the inter-vehicle distance control device 2 (S21000), the number of shift stages to be downshifted is not limited to 1st speed, and it may be downshifted by 2nd speed or more. The number of gears may be set to an optimal value based on the number of gears and the reduction ratio of the transmission 17.

(6) S200 of the deceleration processing by the overdrive cut shown in FIG.
In 30, when the inter-vehicle distance control ECU 4 outputs a signal indicating an overdrive cut request to the engine ECU 5 and issues an overdrive cut operation instruction, the engine ECU 5 performs transmission 17 based on the signal indicating the overdrive cut request. Is shifted to the fifth speed (ie, the shift position for overdrive), the gear is shifted down to the third speed. As a result, an extremely large engine brake is generated by downshifting from the fifth speed to the third speed, and the own vehicle is decelerated by the engine brake.

In this case, the inter-vehicle distance control ECU 4 sends a signal indicating a downshift request to the engine E in S20030 of the deceleration process by downshift shown in FIG.
When output to CU5 and instructing shift down operation,
When the transmission 17 has shifted to the third speed, the engine ECU 5 shifts down to the second speed or the first speed based on the signal indicating the downshift request.

FIG. 4 in the inter-vehicle distance control device 32
S20 of deceleration processing by overdrive cut shown in
At 030, when the inter-vehicle distance control ECU 4 outputs a signal indicating an overdrive cut request to the engine ECU 5 and issues an overdrive cut operation instruction, the engine ECU 5 performs transmission 17 based on the signal indicating the overdrive cut request. Is shifted to the fourth speed (that is, the shift position of the overdrive), the gear is shifted down to the second speed or the first speed. As a result, a very large engine brake is generated by downshifting from fourth speed to second speed or first speed, and the vehicle brake is decelerated by the engine brake.

That is, the deceleration processing by the overdrive cut in each of the inter-vehicle distance control devices 2 and 32 (S200)
In (00), the number of gears to be shifted down is not limited to the first gear, and the gear may be shifted down to the second gear or more. The number of gears to be shifted down is an optimal value based on the number of gears of the transmission 17 and the reduction ratio. Should be set to.

In the present embodiment, the case where the measured inter-vehicle time Tn is maintained at the target inter-vehicle time has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the measured inter-vehicle distance may be maintained at the target inter-vehicle distance.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining details of the processing of S19000 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining details of the processing of S20000 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining details of processing in S21000 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining details of the process of S22000 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a brake operation control system according to the embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a timing chart illustrating the effect of the embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a timing chart illustrating the effect of the embodiment;

[Explanation of symbols]

3: Forward recognition sensor 4: Inter-vehicle distance control ECU 5
... Engine ECU 6 ... Brake ECU 16 ... Throttle actuator 17 ... Transmission 21
... Brake actuator 24 ... Throttle opening sensor 25 ... Injector

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI F02D 29/02 301 F02D 29/02 301D 41/12 330 41/12 330J 43/00 301 43/00 301B 301H 301Z G01C 3/06 G01C 3/06 Z G08G 1/16 G08G 1/16 E (72) Inventor Yoshie Sasaya 1-1-1, Showa-cho, Kariya-shi, Aichi Pref. Denso Corporation

Claims (17)

[Claims] An inter-vehicle distance detecting means for detecting an inter-vehicle distance or a physical quantity corresponding to the inter-vehicle distance between the own vehicle and a preceding vehicle to be followed, and a deceleration force is applied to the own vehicle with the operation of a brake lamp. An inter-vehicle distance control device that has a first deceleration means, and automatically operates the first deceleration means to maintain the inter-vehicle distance or a physical quantity corresponding to the inter-vehicle distance at a set value; A second deceleration means for applying a deceleration force to the host vehicle without the operation of the first deceleration means, and a deceleration execution means for operating the second deceleration means prior to the operation of the first deceleration means. Distance control device. 2. The inter-vehicle distance control device according to claim 1, further comprising: an internal combustion engine that generates a driving force for driving the own vehicle; and a transmission connected to the internal combustion engine, wherein the second deceleration is provided. Means include fuel cut control for preventing fuel from being supplied to the internal combustion engine, overdrive cut control for preventing the transmission from being in an overdrive shift position, and shifting down the transmission from a higher shift position. Shift-down control, ignition retard control for delaying the ignition timing of the internal combustion engine, lock-up control for locking the torque converter included in the transmission in a lock-up state, exhaust brake control for increasing the flow resistance of exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine, and Selected from the group consisting of retarder control, An inter-vehicle distance control device that reduces the speed of the own vehicle by executing at least one or more controls. 3. The inter-vehicle distance control device according to claim 2, wherein, when a plurality of the respective controls are selected, the second deceleration means executes the selected controls in an order of increasing the braking force on the vehicle. An inter-vehicle distance control device characterized by being executed. 4. The inter-vehicle distance control device according to claim 1, wherein the inter-vehicle distance or the inter-vehicle distance is determined based on a current inter-vehicle state. A target acceleration calculating means for obtaining a target acceleration for maintaining a physical quantity corresponding to the distance at a set value, wherein the deceleration executing means calculates the target acceleration calculated by the target acceleration calculating means by the acceleration detecting means. When the acceleration deviation obtained by subtracting the detected acceleration of the own vehicle is smaller than a first determination value that is a negative value, the first deceleration unit is controlled prior to the second deceleration unit. An inter-vehicle distance control device that is operated. 5. The inter-vehicle distance control device according to claim 1, wherein when the throttle opening of the internal combustion engine is not in a fully closed state, the operation of the first deceleration means is released. An inter-vehicle distance control device comprising deceleration releasing means. 6. The inter-vehicle distance control device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the deceleration executing means is configured to determine that the acceleration deviation is a negative value larger than the first determination value. When the smaller condition is satisfied, the first deceleration means or the second deceleration means is operated, and the deceleration cancellation means determines that the operation condition of the deceleration execution means is not satisfied and the target acceleration is minus. The value of the third
When a condition larger than the determination value of is satisfied, the first
An inter-vehicle distance control device which releases the operation of the second speed reduction means or the second speed reduction means. 7. The inter-vehicle distance control device according to claim 6, wherein the deceleration canceling unit is not the configuration according to claim 6, but the operating condition of the deceleration executing unit is not satisfied, and the target acceleration is When a condition that is greater than a third determination value that is a negative value is satisfied, and a condition that the acceleration deviation is greater than a fourth determination value that is a negative value that is greater than the second determination value is satisfied. An inter-vehicle distance control device, wherein the operation of the first deceleration means or the second deceleration means is canceled. 8. The inter-vehicle distance control device according to claim 6, wherein the deceleration canceling unit is configured so that the operating condition of the deceleration executing unit is not satisfied, and the target acceleration is When a condition that is greater than a third determination value that is a negative value is satisfied and a condition that the acceleration deviation is greater than a fourth determination value that is a negative value that is greater than the second determination value is satisfied, Alternatively, the operation condition of the deceleration execution means is not satisfied, and the third
When the condition that the target acceleration is larger than the fifth judgment value that is a negative value larger than the judgment value or a value close to zero is satisfied, the operation of the first deceleration unit or the second deceleration unit An inter-vehicle distance control device characterized in that the vehicle is released. 9. The inter-vehicle distance control device according to claim 4, wherein the target acceleration calculation means calculates a speed relationship and a distance relationship between the own vehicle and the preceding vehicle in the inter-vehicle state. An inter-vehicle distance control device, characterized in that: 10. The inter-vehicle distance control device according to claim 9, wherein the speed relationship is a relationship expressed by a relative speed between the own vehicle and the preceding vehicle. 11. The inter-vehicle distance control device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the distance relation is a relation between the inter-vehicle distance and the set value or a physical quantity corresponding to the inter-vehicle distance and the set value. An inter-vehicle distance control device. 12. The inter-vehicle distance control device according to claim 9, wherein the distance relation is a deviation between the inter-vehicle distance and the set value or a physical quantity corresponding to the inter-vehicle distance. An inter-vehicle distance control device, which is a deviation from a set value. 13. The inter-vehicle distance control device according to claim 1, wherein the physical quantity corresponding to the inter-vehicle distance is defined as the inter-vehicle distance between the preceding vehicle and the own vehicle being the vehicle speed of the own vehicle. An inter-vehicle distance control apparatus characterized in that the distance is an amount represented by an inter-vehicle time, which is a time required for traveling. 14. The inter-vehicle distance control device according to claim 4, wherein the inter-vehicle distance or a physical quantity corresponding to the inter-vehicle distance is maintained at a set value based on the acceleration deviation. An inter-vehicle distance control device, further comprising adjusting means for adjusting a driving force of the internal combustion engine. 15. The inter-vehicle distance control device according to claim 14, wherein the adjusting means adjusts a driving force of the internal combustion engine by adjusting a throttle opening. 16. An inter-vehicle distance between a host vehicle and a preceding vehicle to be followed or a physical quantity corresponding to the inter-vehicle distance is detected, and the inter-vehicle distance or the physical quantity corresponding to the inter-vehicle distance is maintained at a set value. An inter-vehicle distance control method for operating a first deceleration unit that operates with a brake lamp, wherein the second deceleration unit is operated prior to the operation of the first deceleration unit. 17. A recording medium recording an inter-vehicle distance control program for maintaining an inter-vehicle distance between a host vehicle and a preceding vehicle to be followed or a physical quantity corresponding to the inter-vehicle distance at a set value. In order to calculate the distance or the physical quantity corresponding to the inter-vehicle distance, and to maintain the calculated inter-vehicle distance or the physical quantity corresponding to the inter-vehicle distance at a set value, the brake is applied prior to the first deceleration means with the operation of the brake lamp. A recording medium in which an inter-vehicle distance control program is recorded, wherein an operation of a second deceleration unit without an operation of a ramp is determined.