KR20120139432A - Apparatus and method for activating smart cruise control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An activating apparatus of a controlling system for distances between vehicles and a method for the same are provided to prevent a vehicle from colliding with a preceding vehicle by automatically activating the controlling system in a tunnel. CONSTITUTION: An activating apparatus of a controlling system for distances between vehicles includes an illumination sensor(10), a navigation interlinked unit(20), a controlling unit(30), and an activating unit(40). The navigation interlinked unit acquires regional information when a vehicle is reached to a pre-determined region. The controlling unit generates activating signals according to the illumination sensor and the navigation interlinked unit. The activating unit activates a controlling system for distances between vehicles. [Reference numerals] (10) Illumination sensor; (20) Navigation interlinked unit; (30) Controlling unit; (40) Inactivating/activating unit

Description

Activation device and method thereof of inter-vehicle distance control system {APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ACTIVATING SMART CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM}

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for activating the inter-vehicle distance control system, and more particularly, to an apparatus for automatically activating the inter-vehicle distance control system in a tunnel or the like where sudden changes in illuminance such that it is difficult to secure a driver's view and It is about a method.

As the risk of collision between vehicles increases on the road, various intelligent safety systems have been developed and applied by combining the consumer's desire for safe and intelligent cars with the development of the automobile-related industry.

In particular, the Smart Cruise Control System, which enables collision warning and avoidance between the own vehicle and the preceding vehicle, can ensure a safer and more comfortable driving environment in a complicated road situation.

When the speed to be driven by the driver is set, the inter-vehicle distance control system analyzes various load conditions and vehicle speed on the vehicle to control the throttle actuator and the brake actuator to maintain driving at the set speed. In addition, it sets a time gap to maintain a safe mileage.

As such, in the process of driving the vehicle at a constant speed, the inter-vehicle distance control system detects the distance between the preceding vehicle through a radar installed in front of the vehicle, extracts the relative distance and relative speed between the own vehicle and the preceding vehicle, and then has a risk of collision. In the state of relative distance and relative speed, distance control is performed by applying the set time gap. The safe mileage is calculated under the condition of (time gap × own vehicle speed).

At this time, by arithmetically calculating the critical braking distance between the host vehicle and the preceding vehicle, the safe driving distance is ensured by controlling the braking through the brake actuator control or the engine torque reduction control through the throttle actuator control.

As described above, when the speed of the own vehicle is decelerated by the control for maintaining the safe driving distance, and thus the relative distance between the own vehicle and the preceding vehicle becomes far, the engine torque is restored through the throttle actuator control to recover the set constant speed traveling speed. do.

Whether the distance control system is activated or not is determined by the driver's switch operation. Generally, the driver activates the distance control system only when necessary, so that the driver's view such as entering a tunnel when the distance control system is deactivated. If there is a situation that cannot be secured, there is a problem inevitably facing an accident.

In order to solve the above problems of the prior art, the present invention automatically activates the inter-vehicle distance control system in a tunnel or the like where sudden changes in illuminance such that it is difficult to secure a driver's field of vision, thereby preventing collision with the preceding vehicle. It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and a method for activating the inter-vehicle distance control system, which can be prevented.

The objects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned objects, and other objects and advantages of the present invention which are not mentioned can be understood by the following description, and will be more clearly understood by the embodiments of the present invention. It will also be readily apparent that the objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

An apparatus of the present invention for achieving the above object, the device mounted on the vehicle for activating the inter-vehicle distance control system, Illumination sensing means for sensing the illuminance; Navigation linkage means for acquiring corresponding region information when the vehicle reaches a preset region; Control means for generating an activation signal when the illuminance value detected by the illuminance sensing means exceeds a threshold and the navigation interlocking means obtains regional information; And activation means for activating the inter-vehicle distance control system based on the activation signal generated by the control means.

In addition, another apparatus of the present invention for achieving the above object, the device mounted on the vehicle for activating the inter-vehicle distance control system, Illumination detection means for detecting the illuminance; Control means for generating an activation signal when the illuminance value detected by the illuminance sensing means maintains a threshold value and decreases beyond the reference value; And activation means for activating the inter-vehicle distance control system based on the activation signal generated by the control means.

On the other hand, the method of the present invention for achieving the above object, the method mounted on the vehicle to activate the inter-vehicle distance control system, comprising the steps of: sensing the illumination; Obtaining corresponding region information when the vehicle reaches a preset region; Generating an activation signal when the detected illuminance value exceeds a threshold and obtains the area information; And activating the inter-vehicle distance control system based on the generated activation signal.

The present invention as described above, by activating the distance control system automatically in a tunnel, such as a sudden change in illuminance that is difficult to secure the driver's field of view, there is an effect that can prevent the collision with the preceding vehicle in advance. .

1 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of an activation device of a inter-vehicle distance control system according to the present invention;
2 to 4 is an exemplary view of the inter-vehicle distance control system to which the present invention is applied,
5 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of an activation method of a inter-vehicle distance control system according to the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, It can be easily carried out. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the invention in unnecessary detail. Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of an apparatus for activating an inter-vehicle distance control system according to the present invention, based on a state in which the inter-vehicle distance control system is inactivated.

As shown in FIG. 1, the activation apparatus of the inter-vehicle distance control system according to the present invention includes an illumination intensity sensing unit 10, a navigation linkage unit 20, a control unit 30, and an activation unit 40.

Looking at each of the components, first, the illumination sensor 10 is installed on the upper portion of the vehicle to periodically detect the illumination. That is, the illuminance detecting unit 10 detects illuminance for determining whether the dark clouds are dark and dark, whether it is day or night or sunny day even among the conditions for activating the distance control system when it is inactive. Do it.

In general, when the vehicle suddenly enters a dark place such as a tunnel due to the high illumination on a sunny day, the driver may not have a forward vision, and a traffic accident such as a collision with a preceding vehicle or a trailing vehicle due to sudden lane movement may occur. Very likely.

On the other hand, because of the dark clouds and low light at night, drivers can get a clear view even if they suddenly enter a dark place such as a tunnel, so it is not necessary to activate the inter-vehicle distance control system.

In order to efficiently consider these situations, the illuminance sensor 10 serves to detect the current illuminance.

Next, the navigation linkage unit 20 interlocks with the navigation system installed in the vehicle, and when the vehicle reaches an area (eg, a tunnel, an underground road, etc.) where a sudden change in illuminance is expected, the corresponding local information (type, Name, estimated time of arrival, estimated distance of arrival, speed limit, etc.) and transfers the same to the control unit 30.

Additionally, the navigation linkage unit 20 acquires the corresponding local information (type, name, estimated time of arrival, estimated distance of arrival, speed limit, etc.) when the vehicle reaches an area requiring driver's attention, such as a school zone or construction area. Transfer to the control unit 30.

In generating the activation signal for activating the inter-vehicle distance control system, the controller 30 considers various conditions as follows.

First, when the illuminance value detected by the illuminance sensing unit 10 exceeds a threshold and the navigation linkage unit 20 acquires information indicating a tunnel or an underground road ahead, an activation signal is generated. Here, the threshold value represents the illuminance value at the previous position when the driver feels difficulty in securing the vision when entering the tunnel or the underground road (average illuminance applied).

In addition, the vehicle may generate a deactivation signal to deactivate the inter-vehicle distance control system outside the tunnel or the underground road.

Second, when the illuminance value detected by the illuminance sensor 10 does not exceed the threshold and the navigation linkage unit 20 obtains region information (region requiring low speed operation) that requires driving attention, generates an activation signal. do.

In another exemplary embodiment, when the illuminance value detected by the illuminance sensor 10 maintains the threshold value and suddenly decreases beyond the reference value, the activation signal for activating the inter-vehicle distance control system is provided. Create

In addition, when the illuminance value detected by the illuminance detection unit 10 maintains the threshold value and then suddenly decreases beyond the reference value, when the inter-vehicle distance control system is activated and returns to the original threshold value, that is, when it exits the tunnel or the underground road In addition, the deactivation signal may be generated.

Next, the non-activation unit 40 activates the inter-vehicle distance control system based on the activation signal received from the control unit 30 or deactivates the inter-vehicle distance control system based on the deactivation signal received from the control unit 30. .

Hereinafter, a vehicle distance control system to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4.

As shown in FIG. 2, the inter-vehicle distance control system includes a radar unit 100 for monitoring a preceding vehicle, a position angle sensor unit 200 for measuring a position angle of the traveling vehicle, and a position angle and driving of the preceding vehicle. The controller 400 may measure a position angle of the vehicle and determine that the driving vehicle changes the lane when the measured position angle of the preceding vehicle is equal to the position angle of the driving vehicle.

The radar unit 100 is installed in front of the vehicle, and serves to monitor obstacles in front of the vehicle, for example, a preceding vehicle in front of the vehicle. To this end, the radar unit 100 may be installed in the front bumper of the driving vehicle 500 as shown in FIG. 3.

The position at which the radar unit 100 is mounted is not limited and may be installed in the room mirror of the vehicle. In addition, the radar unit 100 may be an ultrasonic or infrared radar. Of course, in addition to the radar, a camera for photographing the front image may be used.

The position angle sensor unit 200 serves to measure the position angle of the driving vehicle. To this end, the vehicle includes a steering wheel sensor unit (not shown) for measuring an angle of a steering wheel of the driving vehicle and a rotation angle speed of the driving vehicle. It may include a yaw rate sensor unit (not shown) to measure. Therefore, the position angle of the driving vehicle can be measured from the steering wheel angle and the rotational angular velocity of the vehicle.

When the position angle of the driving vehicle is measured as described above, the controller 400 measures the change in the position angle by the position angle of the driving vehicle and the distance and angle values of the preceding vehicles sensed by the radar, for example, the angle value at which the preceding vehicle is rotated from the center. When it is determined that the measured position angle of the preceding vehicle is equal to the position angle of the driving vehicle, it may be determined that the driving vehicle changes lanes.

Although the change of the position angles of the preceding vehicles is measured from the radar unit, the position angles of the preceding vehicles may be provided by can communication between the preceding vehicle and the driving vehicle.

The vehicle may further include a direction indicating sensor unit 300 that monitors the direction indicator operation of the traveling vehicle to determine whether the lane of the vehicle is changed. When the left direction indicator is turned on from the direction indicating sensor unit 300, the driving vehicle is left. It may be determined that the lane is changed to the lane, and when the right turn indicator is lit, the driving vehicle may determine to change the lane to the right lane.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when it is determined that the driving vehicle 500 is changed to the left lane, the vehicle is set by targeting the preceding vehicle 600 of the left lane and the driving lane, for example, the preceding vehicle 600 in the own lane. Speed can be controlled according to distance.

5 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of an activation method of a inter-vehicle distance control system according to the present invention.

First, the illuminance sensing unit 10 detects illuminance (501).

Thereafter, the controller 30 checks whether the illuminance detected by the illuminance sensing unit 10 exceeds a threshold (502).

The result of the check 502, if exceeded, it is checked whether local information has been obtained (503).

As a result of the check 503, if obtained, an activation signal is generated (504).

Thereafter, the non-activation unit 40 activates the inter-vehicle distance control system based on the activation signal (505).

As a result of the check 502, if it does not exceed, it is checked whether local information has been obtained (506).

As a result of the check 506, if the acquired local information is information about the area that needs attention (area that requires low-speed operation, such as school zone) is confirmed (507), if not obtained, it ends.

As a result of the check 507, if the information on the area requiring attention proceeds to step 504, and if the information on the area requiring attention is terminated.

Meanwhile, the method of the present invention as described above can be written in a computer program. And the code and code segments constituting the program can be easily deduced by a computer programmer in the field. In addition, the written program is stored in a computer-readable recording medium (information storage medium), and read and executed by a computer to implement the method of the present invention. The recording medium may include any type of computer readable recording medium.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The present invention is not limited to the drawings.

10: illuminance detection unit 20: navigation interlocking unit
30 control unit 40 non-activation unit

Claims (6)

An apparatus mounted on a vehicle to activate a distance control system,
Illuminance detecting means for detecting illuminance;
Navigation linkage means for acquiring corresponding region information when the vehicle reaches a preset region;
Control means for generating an activation signal when the illuminance value detected by the illuminance sensing means exceeds a threshold and the navigation interlocking means obtains regional information; And
Activation means for activating the inter-vehicle distance control system based on the activation signal generated by the control means
Activated device of the inter-vehicle distance control system comprising a.
The method of claim 1,
Wherein,
And an illumination signal generated by the illumination sensing means does not exceed a threshold value and generates an activation signal when the navigation interlocking means acquires information on an area requiring attention.
An apparatus mounted on a vehicle to activate a distance control system,
Illuminance detecting means for detecting illuminance;
Control means for generating an activation signal when the illuminance value detected by the illuminance sensing means maintains a threshold value and decreases beyond the reference value; And
Activation means for activating the inter-vehicle distance control system based on the activation signal generated by the control means
Activated device of the inter-vehicle distance control system comprising a.
4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Wherein,
The apparatus for activating the inter-vehicle distance control system, characterized in that it generates a deactivation signal of the inter-vehicle distance control system when it leaves the area.
A method of activating a distance control system mounted on a vehicle, the method comprising:
Detecting illuminance;
Obtaining corresponding region information when the vehicle reaches a preset region;
Generating an activation signal when the detected illuminance value exceeds a threshold and obtains the area information; And
Activating the inter-vehicle distance control system based on the generated activation signal
Activation method of the inter-vehicle distance control system comprising a.
The method of claim 5, wherein
Generating an activation signal if the detected illuminance value does not exceed a threshold and the acquired area information is information about an area requiring attention;
The method of activating the inter-vehicle distance control system further comprising.

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