WO2022196680A1

WO2022196680A1 - Device for assessing inter-vehicle distance, and method for assessing inter-vehicle distance

Info

Publication number: WO2022196680A1
Application number: PCT/JP2022/011574
Authority: WO
Inventors: 亮福田
Original assignee: いすゞ自動車株式会社
Priority date: 2021-03-19
Filing date: 2022-03-15
Publication date: 2022-09-22
Also published as: JP2022144674A; JP7367719B2

Abstract

Provided are a device for assessing inter-vehicle distance and a method for assessing inter-vehicle distance with which it is possible to precisely suppress an energy consumption amount when following travel is carried out. This device for assessing inter-vehicle distance has: a calculation unit mounted in a vehicle that travels in such a manner as to follow a preceding vehicle while maintaining a set inter-vehicle distance on the basis of a set vehicle speed, the calculation unit calculating an energy consumption amount consumed by the vehicle on the basis of the set vehicle speed, the difference between the body of the vehicle and the body of the preceding vehicle, and the amount of travel wind received by the vehicle, and the calculation being performed each time each of a predetermined plurality of inter-vehicle distances is employed for use in following travel; and a selection unit that selects, from among the plurality of inter-vehicle distances, an inter-vehicle distance corresponding to the smallest energy consumption amount among a plurality of calculated energy consumption amounts, this inter-vehicle distance being selected as the set inter-vehicle distance.

Description

Inter-vehicle distance determination device and inter-vehicle distance determination method

The present disclosure relates to an inter-vehicle distance determination device and an inter-vehicle distance determination method.

Conventionally, there are cases in which driving (hereinafter referred to as "following driving") is performed in which the own vehicle follows the preceding vehicle by manual operation by the driver or by computer control. A function that realizes follow-up running by computer control is known as ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control). Generally, in follow-up running, the own vehicle follows the preceding vehicle while maintaining a predetermined inter-vehicle distance (the distance between the front end of the own vehicle and the rear end of the preceding vehicle) based on a predetermined vehicle speed. and run.

Patent Document 1 discloses a device that determines whether or not the fuel consumption deteriorates when the follow-up run is performed.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-146858

When follow-up driving is performed, the traveling air volume (air resistance) that the vehicle receives changes according to the inter-vehicle distance. As a result, the amount of energy consumed by the own vehicle (hereinafter referred to as "consumed energy amount. For example, fuel consumption, electricity consumption, etc.) also changes. Therefore, it is desired to suppress the amount of energy consumption when the follow-up running is performed.

An object of one aspect of the present disclosure is to provide an inter-vehicle distance determination device and an inter-vehicle distance determination method that can accurately suppress the amount of energy consumption when follow-up driving is performed.

A vehicle-to-vehicle distance determination device according to an aspect of the present disclosure is mounted on a vehicle that follows a preceding vehicle while maintaining a set vehicle-to-vehicle distance based on a set vehicle speed. Consumption consumed by the vehicle based on the set vehicle speed, the difference between the body of the vehicle and the body of the preceding vehicle, and the traveling air volume experienced by the vehicle for each of the following distances taken. a calculation unit that calculates an energy amount, and selects, from among the plurality of inter-vehicle distances, an inter-vehicle distance corresponding to the smallest energy consumption amount among the plurality of calculated energy consumption amounts as the set inter-vehicle distance. and a selection unit.

A vehicle-to-vehicle distance determination method according to an aspect of the present disclosure is performed by a vehicle following a preceding vehicle while maintaining a set vehicle-to-vehicle distance based on a set vehicle speed. Consumption consumed by the vehicle based on the set vehicle speed, the difference between the body of the vehicle and the body of the preceding vehicle, and the traveling air volume experienced by the vehicle for each of the following distances taken. calculating an energy amount; and selecting, as the set inter-vehicle distance, an inter-vehicle distance corresponding to the smallest energy consumption amount among the plurality of calculated inter-vehicle distances. and have

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to accurately suppress the amount of energy consumed when following running is performed.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an inter-vehicle distance determination device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the inter-vehicle distance determination device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is an image diagram showing four cases of follow-up running.

First, the findings that led to this disclosure will be explained.

As described above, in the case of follow-up running, the amount of airflow received by the vehicle (hereinafter simply referred to as (also called traveling air volume) changes, the amount of energy consumed by the own vehicle also changes.

Specifically, when the vehicle-to-vehicle distance is short, the amount of air flow decreases, so the amount of energy consumed by devices other than the cooling fan (for example, the drive source) decreases, but the amount of energy consumed by the cooling fan increases. On the other hand, when the vehicle-to-vehicle distance is long, the amount of air flow increases, so the amount of energy consumed by the cooling fan decreases, but the amount of energy consumed by devices other than the cooling fan increases.

In addition, the running airflow received by the own vehicle changes according to the difference between the body of the own vehicle and the body of the preceding vehicle (hereinafter referred to as "body difference"). Vehicle body differences include, for example, differences in vehicle body size (hereinafter also simply referred to as size) and vehicle body shape differences (hereinafter also simply referred to as shape).

Here, with reference to FIG. 3, an example of vehicle body difference and vehicle-to-vehicle distance during follow-up running will be described. FIG. 3 is an image diagram showing four cases (modes) of follow-up running.

In the following, for the sake of simplicity, the case where the size of the preceding vehicle differs from the size of the own vehicle will be described as an example without considering the respective shapes of the own vehicle and the preceding vehicle. In addition, as an example of size, the projected area of a plane consisting of the vehicle width direction and the vehicle height direction (the projected area when the preceding vehicle is viewed from the rear, the projected area when the own vehicle is viewed from the front) will be used as an example. do.

In FIG. 3, cases 1 and 2 show cases where the size of the preceding vehicle is larger than the size of the own vehicle, and cases 3 and 4 show cases where the size of the preceding vehicle is smaller than the size of the own vehicle. showing.

Further, in FIG. 3, cases 1 and 3 show the case where the inter-vehicle distance between the preceding vehicle and the host vehicle is L1, and cases 2 and 4 show the case where the distance between the preceding vehicle and the host vehicle is L1. This shows the case where the vehicle-to-vehicle distance is L2. L1 is a distance shorter than L2.

Among cases 1 to 4, case 1 is the case where the preceding vehicle has the greatest influence. In other words, in Case 1, compared to the other cases, the amount of running air is the smallest, while the amount of energy consumed by the cooling fan is the largest.

In cases 2 and 3, compared to case 1, the amount of air flow increases while the cooling fan consumes less energy. Further, in case 2 and case 3, compared to case 4, the amount of running air is smaller, but the amount of energy consumed by the cooling fan is larger.

Among cases 1 to 4, case 4 is the case where the influence of the preceding vehicle is the smallest. That is, in case 4, the amount of running air is the largest compared to the other cases, while the amount of energy consumed by the cooling fan is the smallest.

In this way, the amount of energy consumed by the own vehicle will differ according to the length of the inter-vehicle distance and the difference in the vehicle body between the vehicles.

The purpose of the present disclosure is to accurately reduce energy consumption by considering individual differences between vehicles when follow-up driving is performed.

Next, the configuration of the inter-vehicle distance determination device 100 of the present embodiment will be described using FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an inter-vehicle distance determination device 100. As shown in FIG.

The inter-vehicle distance determination device 100 shown in FIG. 1 is installed, for example, in an automobile (either a passenger car or a commercial vehicle). In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which the vehicle equipped with inter-vehicle distance determination device 100 is an electric vehicle that uses only an electric motor as a drive source and consumes only electric power. Further, in the following description, the vehicle equipped with the inter-vehicle distance determination device 100 is also referred to as "own vehicle".

The own vehicle is equipped with a cooling fan for cooling the electric motor. The cooling fan is electric. Hereinafter, the amount of power consumed for driving the electric motor will be referred to as "electric motor power consumption", and the amount of power consumed for driving the cooling fan will be referred to as "cooling fan power consumption". An electric motor is an example of a "device other than a cooling fan."

In the present embodiment, follow-up travel means that the own vehicle follows the preceding vehicle while no other vehicle is traveling between the own vehicle and the preceding vehicle. Further, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the host vehicle has the same vehicle type (same size and shape) as the preceding vehicle to be followed. It is assumed that the condition that the host vehicle and the preceding vehicle are of the same vehicle type is considered in first setting data and second setting data, which will be described later.

In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the difference in vehicle body size that is taken into account in calculating the electric motor power consumption and the cooling fan power consumption is the difference in the size of the vehicle body. Also, the difference in the size of the vehicle body is assumed to be the difference between the projected area of the rear surface of the preceding vehicle and the projected area of the front surface of the host vehicle (hereinafter referred to as area difference). The area difference is a positive value when the projected area of the front surface of the own vehicle is larger than the projected area of the rear surface of the preceding vehicle, and when the projected area of the rear surface of the preceding vehicle is larger than the projected area of the front surface of the own vehicle. , becomes a negative value. Note that if the areas of both are the same, the area difference is zero, but this is treated in the same way as a negative value.

In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the vehicle speed is set (designated or determined) by, for example, a user's operation before or during the follow-up run. The set vehicle speed is hereinafter referred to as "set vehicle speed". The set vehicle speed is notified to the inter-vehicle distance determination device 100 .

In the present embodiment, two different values will be described as an example of the inter-vehicle distance used during follow-up travel. One is called "short inter-vehicle distance" and the other is called "long inter-vehicle distance". The long inter-vehicle distance is longer than the short inter-vehicle distance. For example, the short inter-vehicle distance is L1 shown in FIG. 3, and the long inter-vehicle distance is L2 shown in FIG. Both the short inter-vehicle distance and the long inter-vehicle distance satisfy safety requirements (for example, requirements included in regulations, guidelines, etc.).

In this embodiment, the follow-up run may be performed manually by the driver of the own vehicle, or may be performed by a computer installed in the own vehicle (steering and acceleration of the own vehicle so that the follow-up run is executed). A device for controlling deceleration, braking, etc. (hereinafter referred to as a follow-up running control device) may perform the control. Note that the follow-up cruise control device may be installed outside the own vehicle.

The inter-vehicle distance determination device 100 is a device that determines (can be said to select) an inter-vehicle distance that can reduce power consumption (an example of energy consumption) when the host vehicle follows the vehicle.

Although not shown, the inter-vehicle distance determination device 100 includes hardware such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) storing a computer program, a working memory RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. have Each function of the inter-vehicle distance determination device 100 described below is realized by the CPU executing a computer program read from the ROM in the RAM. Inter-vehicle distance determination device 100 may be realized by, for example, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit).

As shown in FIG. 1, the inter-vehicle distance determination device 100 has a storage unit 110, a calculation unit 120, and a selection unit .

The storage unit 110 stores, for example, first setting data, second setting data, and third setting data. These are used for calculation processing by the calculation unit 120, which will be described later.

In the first setting data, when the short inter-vehicle distance is taken and the area difference is negative (for example, case 1 in FIG. 3; hereinafter referred to as the first case), the long inter-vehicle distance is taken and the area difference is negative. If the difference is negative (for example, case 2 in FIG. 3; hereinafter referred to as the second case), a short inter-vehicle distance is taken and the area difference is positive (for example, case 3 in FIG. 3; hereinafter referred to as the second case). , referred to as the third case), and when a long inter-vehicle distance is taken and the area difference is positive (for example, case 4 in FIG. 3; hereinafter referred to as the fourth case), the air This data defines the electric motor power consumption calculated in consideration of the resistance (running air volume).

In the first setting data, in any of the first to fourth cases, the electric motor power consumption is set to increase as the vehicle speed increases.

In addition, in the first setting data, among the electric motor power consumption in the first to fourth cases, the electric motor power consumption in the first case was calculated assuming that the influence of air resistance was the smallest. The electric motor power consumption in the fourth case was calculated on the assumption that the influence of air resistance is the greatest.

Also, in the first setting data, the electric motor power consumption in the second and third cases was calculated on the assumption that the influence of air resistance was greater than in the first case and less than in the fourth case. It is.

The second setting data is data in which the running air volume is determined for each vehicle speed for each of the first to fourth cases.

With the second setting data, even if the vehicle speed is the same, the traveling air volume in the first case is the smallest, the traveling air volume in the fourth case is the largest, and the traveling air volume in the second and third cases is the first case. more and less than the fourth case.

Also, for example, the running air volume in the first case may be set constant (almost zero) at any vehicle speed. Further, for example, the running air volume in the second to fourth cases may be determined to increase as the vehicle speed increases.

The third setting data is data in which the power consumption of the cooling fan is determined for each air volume of the cooling fan (hereinafter referred to as fan air volume).

The third setting data is defined so that the cooling fan power consumption increases as the fan air volume increases (in other words, the fan rotation speed increases).

The first to third setting data are created, for example, based on simulations or experiments performed in advance, and stored in the storage unit 110 .

Also, the format of the first to third setting data may be, for example, a table, a map, or any other format.

The calculation unit 120 identifies the vehicle body difference between the own vehicle and the preceding vehicle. In the present embodiment, as an example, calculation unit 120 calculates the area difference based on the projected area of the rear surface of the preceding vehicle and the projected area of the front surface of the own vehicle.

For example, the calculation unit 120 calculates the area of the rear surface of the preceding vehicle based on the image of the rear surface of the preceding vehicle captured by a camera mounted on the host vehicle, and uses the area and a value known to the calculation unit 120 to calculate the area of the rear surface of the preceding vehicle. A difference from the projected area of the front surface of a certain own vehicle is calculated. Information indicating the projected area of the front surface of the vehicle may be stored in the storage unit 110 in advance.

The area difference calculated by the calculator 120 is either a positive value or a negative value.

Based on the set vehicle speed, the area difference, and the first setting data, the calculation unit 120 calculates the electric motor power consumption when the short inter-vehicle distance is taken (hereinafter referred to as the first power consumption) and the long inter-vehicle distance. The electric motor power consumption (hereinafter referred to as second power consumption) in the case where it is taken is calculated.

Here, when the calculated area difference is a negative value, the first power consumption is the electric motor power consumption in the first case, and the second power consumption is the electric motor power consumption in the second case. This is motor power consumption. On the other hand, when the calculated area difference is a positive value, the first power consumption is the electric motor power consumption in the third case, and the second power consumption is the motor power consumption in the fourth case. power consumption.

Based on the set vehicle speed, the area difference, and the second set data, the calculation unit 120 calculates the travel air volume when the short inter-vehicle distance is taken (hereinafter referred to as the first travel air volume) and the travel air volume when the long inter-vehicle distance is taken. (hereinafter referred to as a second running air volume) is calculated.

Here, when the calculated area difference is a negative value, the first traveling air volume is the traveling air volume in the first case, and the second traveling air volume is the traveling air volume in the second case. On the other hand, when the calculated area difference is a positive value, the first traveling air volume is the traveling air volume in the third case, and the second traveling air volume is the traveling air volume in the fourth case.

The calculation unit 120 calculates the required air amount. The required amount of air is, for example, the amount of air required to cool the electric motor, and is the total value of the running air amount and the fan air amount.

A known method can be used to calculate the required amount of air. For example, the calculation formula disclosed in "Fan Basics and Selection (How to Use)" in "SANYO DENKI Technical Report No.40 Nov. 2015" may be used, or other calculation methods may be used.

The calculation unit 120 calculates the fan air volume (hereinafter referred to as the first fan air volume) when the vehicle-to-vehicle distance is short, based on the required air volume and the first running air volume. Calculation unit 120 also calculates a fan air volume (hereinafter referred to as a second fan air volume) when a long vehicle-to-vehicle distance is taken, based on the required air volume and the second running air volume.

Specifically, the calculation unit 120 calculates the first fan air volume by subtracting the first running air volume from the required air volume. Further, the calculation unit 120 calculates the second fan air volume by subtracting the second running air volume from the required air volume.

Based on the first fan air volume, the second fan air volume, and the third setting data, the calculation unit 120 calculates the cooling fan power consumption when the inter-vehicle distance is short (hereinafter referred to as the third power consumption), A cooling fan power consumption amount (hereinafter referred to as a fourth power consumption amount) when a long inter-vehicle distance is taken is calculated.

The calculation unit 120 calculates the total power consumption (hereinafter referred to as the first total power consumption) in the case where the inter-vehicle distance is short, based on the first power consumption and the third power consumption. Calculation unit 120 also calculates the total power consumption (hereinafter referred to as the second total power consumption) when the long inter-vehicle distance is taken, based on the second power consumption and the fourth power consumption.

Specifically, the calculation unit 120 calculates the first total power consumption by adding the third power consumption to the first power consumption. Further, the calculation unit 120 calculates the second total power consumption by adding the fourth power consumption to the second power consumption.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the case where the calculation unit 120 uses the first to third setting data has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the calculator 120 may perform the above various calculations using other data or known calculation formulas instead of the first to third setting data.

The selection unit 130 compares the first total power consumption and the second total power consumption, and selects the vehicle-to-vehicle distance corresponding to the smaller value as the vehicle-to-vehicle distance to be used for following travel. That is, the inter-vehicle distance selected here is the optimum inter-vehicle distance that can suppress power consumption during follow-up running.

Specifically, when the first total power consumption is smaller than the second total power consumption, the selection unit 130 selects the short inter-vehicle distance corresponding to the first total power consumption. Alternatively, when the second total power consumption is smaller than the first total power consumption, selection unit 130 selects the long inter-vehicle distance corresponding to the second total power consumption.

After that, the selection unit 130 may output information indicating the selected inter-vehicle distance (hereinafter referred to as inter-vehicle distance information) to a predetermined device.

Examples of output destinations of inter-vehicle distance information include the above-mentioned follow-up running control device, a notification device mounted on the own vehicle (for example, a display, a speaker, etc. provided in the vehicle interior), a device installed outside the own vehicle ( For example, a computer used in a management center of own vehicle, etc.).

For example, when the following distance information is output to the following distance control device, the following distance control device controls the following distance of the own vehicle so that the following distance indicated by the following distance information is maintained. As a result, follow-up running with reduced power consumption is realized.

Also, for example, if the inter-vehicle distance information is a notification device (eg, display, speaker, etc.), the notification device notifies the inter-vehicle distance indicated by the inter-vehicle distance information. Therefore, the occupant (for example, the driver) of the host vehicle can grasp the selected inter-vehicle distance. Therefore, for example, when follow-up running is performed by a manual operation of the driver, the driver can perform acceleration/deceleration operations so as to maintain the notified inter-vehicle distance. As a result, follow-up running with reduced power consumption is realized. Further, for example, when the follow-up run is performed by the follow-up run control device without manual operation, the occupant sets the inter-vehicle distance to be used for the follow-up run in advance (before the current inter-vehicle distance is changed). ) can be known.

Note that the inter-vehicle distance information may be output to the plurality of output destinations described above.

The configuration of the inter-vehicle distance determination device 100 has been described above.

Next, the operation of the inter-vehicle distance determination device 100 will be described using FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the inter-vehicle distance determination device 100. As shown in FIG.

The flowchart shown in FIG. 2 is started, for example, when the inter-vehicle distance determination device 100 receives an inter-vehicle distance determination instruction. The inter-vehicle distance determination instruction is an instruction to determine the inter-vehicle distance.

First, the calculation unit 120 calculates the area difference (step S1).

Next, the calculation unit 120 calculates the first power consumption and the second power consumption based on the set vehicle speed, area difference, and first setting data (step S2).

Next, the calculation unit 120 calculates the first traveling air volume and the second traveling air volume based on the set vehicle speed, area difference, and second set data (step S3).

Next, the calculation unit 120 calculates the required air amount (step S4).

Next, the calculation unit 120 calculates the first fan air volume based on the required air volume and the first running air volume, and calculates the second fan air volume based on the required air volume and the second running air volume (step S5 ).

Next, the calculator 120 calculates a third power consumption and a fourth power consumption based on the first fan air volume, the second fan air volume, and the third setting data (step S6).

Next, the calculation unit 120 calculates a first total power consumption based on the first power consumption and the third power consumption, and calculates a second total power consumption based on the second power consumption and the fourth power consumption. Power consumption is calculated (step S7).

Next, the selection unit 130 compares the first total power consumption and the second total power consumption, and selects the inter-vehicle distance corresponding to the smaller value (step S8).

As described above, after step S8, the selection unit 130 may output the inter-vehicle distance information indicating the selected inter-vehicle distance to a predetermined device.

Also, the order of steps S2 to S6 described above is an example, and is not limited to the illustration in FIG. For example, the order of steps S3 and S4 may be reversed. Also, for example, step S2 may be performed after steps S3 to S6.

The operation of the inter-vehicle distance determination device 100 has been described above.

As described above, the inter-vehicle distance determining apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment considers the vehicle body difference (for example, the area difference) when performing follow-up running at the set vehicle speed. Total power consumption (power consumption of cooling fans + power consumption of devices other than cooling fans (e.g., electric motors)) and total power consumption when a long inter-vehicle distance is taken (power consumption of cooling fans) + power consumption of a device other than a cooling fan (for example, an electric motor)), compare them, and select the inter-vehicle distance corresponding to the smaller total power consumption. As a result, it is possible to accurately suppress the amount of energy consumption when the follow-up running is performed.

It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to the description of the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Modifications will be described below.

[Modification 1]
In the embodiment, the case where the vehicle (that is, own vehicle) equipped with inter-vehicle distance determination device 100 is an electric vehicle that runs using only electric power and consumes only electric power has been described as an example. , but not limited to.

For example, the own vehicle may be an automobile driven only by an internal combustion engine that burns fuel (for example, gasoline or light oil), or an automobile driven by both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. good too.

In these vehicles, fuel (an example of energy consumption) is consumed to drive the internal combustion engine, and electric power (an example of energy consumption) is consumed to drive the cooling fan. Therefore, the total energy consumption (in the embodiment, the first total power consumption and the second total power consumption) used for the final comparison described in the embodiment is either fuel consumption or power consumption. It is preferable to be unified as much as possible.

For example, a case where the own vehicle uses only the internal combustion engine as a drive source will be described as an example. In that case, a first fuel consumption amount and a second fuel consumption amount are calculated instead of the first power consumption amount and the second power consumption amount described in the embodiment. Further, the third power consumption and the fourth power consumption (both power consumption of the cooling fan) described in the embodiment are calculated based on a predetermined conversion ratio. Convert to fuel amount. Then, a first total fuel consumption is calculated by adding the third fuel consumption to the first fuel consumption, and a second total fuel consumption is calculated by adding the fourth fuel consumption to the second fuel consumption. Then, the first total fuel consumption amount and the second total fuel consumption amount are compared, and the inter-vehicle distance corresponding to the smaller value is selected.

Therefore, even if the vehicle consumes both fuel and electric power, it is possible to select an inter-vehicle distance that can reduce the energy consumption (fuel consumption + power consumption).

[Modification 2]
In the embodiment, the case where there are two vehicle-to-vehicle distances to be selected, a short vehicle-to-vehicle distance and a long vehicle-to-vehicle distance, has been described as an example, but three or more vehicle-to-vehicle distances may be selected.

When three or more vehicle-to-vehicle distances for following travel are set as selection targets, the vehicle-to-vehicle distance determination device 100 calculates the total energy consumption corresponding to each vehicle-to-vehicle distance. As a result, three or more total energy consumption amounts are calculated. Then, the inter-vehicle distance determination device 100 selects the inter-vehicle distance corresponding to the smallest total energy consumption amount among the three or more inter-vehicle distances to be used for follow-up running. Select as distance.

[Modification 3]
In the embodiment, the case where the total power consumption is calculated based on the electric motor power consumption and the cooling fan power consumption has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. In other words, the power consumption used for the total power consumption other than the cooling fan power consumption is not limited to the power consumption of only the electric motor.

For example, the power consumption of multiple devices other than the cooling fan may be used instead of the electric motor power consumption. Examples of the plurality of devices include, in addition to the electric motor, an air conditioner condenser, an electric circuit, a battery, and a mounting (e.g., a refrigerator, etc.). good.

[Modification 4]
In the embodiment, the inter-vehicle distance determination device 100 is described as being separate from the follow-up cruise control device, but the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, the inter-vehicle distance determination device 100 implements the same functions as the following control device in addition to the components shown in FIG. control unit).

[Modification 5]
In the embodiment, the case where the difference in area is determined depending on whether it is a positive value or a negative value in the first and second setting data has been described as an example. Not limited. The area difference defined in the first and second setting data may be multiple values (multiple positive values and multiple negative values).

For example, the first setting data is for each vehicle speed and for each area difference (multiple positive values and multiple negative values) for each of the short inter-vehicle distance and the long inter-vehicle distance. The electric motor power consumption calculated in consideration of air resistance may be determined.

Further, for example, the second setting data is set for each vehicle speed and for each area difference (multiple positive values and multiple negative values) for each of the short inter-vehicle distance and the long inter-vehicle distance. , the running air volume may be determined.

This makes it possible to calculate the electric motor power consumption (first power consumption and second power consumption) and running air volume (first running air volume and second running air volume) in more detail.

[Modification 6]
In the embodiment, the difference in the size of the vehicle body taken into consideration in calculating the electric motor power consumption and the cooling fan power consumption is the area difference between the projected area of the rear surface of the preceding vehicle and the projected area of the front surface of the own vehicle. Although the case has been described as an example, it is not limited to this. For example, the difference in the size of the vehicle body may include not only the area difference (that is, the length difference in the vehicle width direction and the vehicle height direction) but also the length difference in the vehicle length direction.

In addition, in the embodiment, the case where the vehicle body difference considered in calculating the electric motor power consumption and the cooling fan power consumption is the difference in the size of the vehicle body has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the vehicle body difference may be a difference in the shape of the vehicle body. Examples are described below.

Here, four examples of body shapes are given: sports type, passenger type, box type, and truck, but they are not limited to these.

For example, when the own vehicle is a sports type, the preceding vehicle is a sports type, the preceding vehicle is a passenger type, the preceding vehicle is a box type, and the preceding vehicle is a truck. , the influence of the air resistance on the own vehicle becomes greater (specifically, the running airflow received by the own vehicle is further reduced). Therefore, in the first and second setting data of this example, the shapes of a plurality of preceding vehicles are determined instead of the area difference described in the embodiment.

In the first setting data, for each vehicle speed and the shape of the preceding vehicle (for example, sports type, passenger type, box type, truck) for each case of short inter-vehicle distance and long inter-vehicle distance, , the electric motor power consumption calculated taking air resistance into account is determined.

In this first setting data, the electric motor power consumption is calculated on the assumption that the influence of air resistance increases in the order of sports type, passenger type, box type, and truck.

In the second setting data, for each vehicle speed and the shape of the preceding vehicle (for example, sports type, passenger type, box type, truck) for each case where the inter-vehicle distance is taken and the case where the long inter-vehicle distance is taken, A running air volume is determined.

In this second setting data, even if the vehicle speed is the same, it is determined that the running air volume decreases in the order of sports type, passenger type, box type, and truck.

Also, for example, when the preceding vehicle is a truck, the running air volume may be set constant (almost zero) at any vehicle speed. Further, for example, when the preceding vehicle is a sports type vehicle, when the preceding vehicle is a passenger type vehicle, and when the preceding vehicle is a box type vehicle, the running air volume may be determined to increase as the vehicle speed increases. .

Then, in this example, the calculation unit 120 operates as follows.

First, in step S1 of FIG. 2, the calculator 120 identifies the shape of the preceding vehicle instead of calculating the area difference described in the embodiment. This is done, for example, by analyzing an image of the preceding vehicle captured by the vehicle's on-board camera.

Next, in step S2 of FIG. 2, the calculation unit 120 calculates the first power consumption and the second power consumption based on the set vehicle speed, the specified shape of the preceding vehicle, and the first setting data.

Next, in step S3 of FIG. 2, the calculation unit 120 calculates the first running air volume and the second running air volume based on the set vehicle speed, the specified shape of the preceding vehicle, and the second set data.

It should be noted that steps after step S4 are the same as in the embodiment.

As described above, even if the vehicle body difference taken into account in calculating the electric motor power consumption and the cooling fan power consumption is a difference in the shape of the vehicle body, similar to the embodiment, when follow-up running is performed, Energy consumption can be suppressed with high accuracy.

It should be noted that both the difference in size and the difference in shape may be taken into consideration when calculating the electric motor power consumption and the cooling fan power consumption.

The modifications described above may be implemented in combination as appropriate.

This application is based on a Japanese patent application (Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-045786) filed on March 19, 2021, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The inter-vehicle distance determination device and inter-vehicle distance determination method of the present disclosure are useful when following a vehicle.

100 inter-vehicle distance determination device 110 storage unit 120 calculation unit 130 selection unit

Claims

Based on the set vehicle speed, it is installed in the vehicle that follows the preceding vehicle while maintaining the set inter-vehicle distance.
Each time a plurality of vehicle-to-vehicle distances predetermined for follow-up driving are taken, the set vehicle speed, the difference between the vehicle body of the vehicle and the vehicle body of the preceding vehicle, and the travel air volume received by the vehicle. a calculation unit that calculates the amount of energy consumed by the vehicle based on
a selection unit that selects, as the set inter-vehicle distance, the inter-vehicle distance corresponding to the smallest energy consumption amount among the plurality of calculated energy consumption amounts among the plurality of inter-vehicle distances;
Inter-vehicle distance determination device.
Said difference is
at least one of a difference in body size and a difference in body shape,
The inter-vehicle distance determination device according to claim 1.
The energy consumption is
A value obtained by summing the amount of energy consumed by a cooling fan mounted on the vehicle and the amount of energy consumed by devices other than the cooling fan mounted on the vehicle.
The inter-vehicle distance determination device according to claim 1.
The energy consumption of the cooling fan is
Calculated based on the air volume of the cooling fan, which is the difference between the air volume required to cool devices other than the cooling fan and the running air volume received by the vehicle,
The inter-vehicle distance determination device according to claim 3.
a control unit that controls steering, acceleration/deceleration, and braking of the vehicle so that the follow-up running is performed based on the selected inter-vehicle distance;
The inter-vehicle distance determination device according to claim 1.
The selection unit
outputting information indicating the selected inter-vehicle distance to a follow-up cruise control device that controls steering, acceleration/deceleration, and braking of the vehicle so that the follow-up run is performed;
The inter-vehicle distance determination device according to claim 1.
The selection unit
outputting the selected information indicating the inter-vehicle distance to a notification device mounted on the vehicle and configured to notify an occupant of the vehicle of the information;
The inter-vehicle distance determination device according to claim 1.
Based on the set vehicle speed, the vehicle follows the preceding vehicle while maintaining the set inter-vehicle distance.
Each time a plurality of vehicle-to-vehicle distances predetermined for follow-up driving are taken, the set vehicle speed, the difference between the vehicle body of the vehicle and the vehicle body of the preceding vehicle, and the travel air volume received by the vehicle. calculating the amount of energy consumed by the vehicle based on
selecting, from among the plurality of inter-vehicle distances, the inter-vehicle distance corresponding to the smallest energy consumption amount among the plurality of calculated energy consumption amounts as the set inter-vehicle distance;
Inter-vehicle distance judgment method.