JP3589572B2 - Idle control device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an idle control device that controls an engine to stop when a host vehicle stops in accordance with a stop of a preceding vehicle ahead of the host vehicle.
[0002]
Problems to be solved by the prior art and the invention
In recent years, awareness of global environmental protection has been increasing on a global scale, and various attempts have been made to realize the prevention of global warming by suppressing the emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide. I have. For example, taking an automobile as an example, how to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in exhaust gas is a major problem.
[0003]
By the way, as one of measures for reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the exhaust gas of a car, it is conceivable to stop idling of the car. That is, when the host vehicle stops due to the stop of the preceding vehicle ahead of the host vehicle due to traffic congestion or the like, the engine of the host vehicle is stopped, and the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by idling is suppressed.
[0004]
However, since a vehicle usually does not have a function for automatically performing idle control, the driver must turn off and then turn on the ignition switch to stop and start the idle, which is very troublesome. .
[0005]
Therefore, a sensor for detecting the state of the side brake is provided. With this sensor, it is detected that the driver has turned on the side brake, the engine is stopped, the engine is stopped, and the idle brake is performed. It has been considered that when the engine is turned off, the engine is restarted and idle start is performed.
[0006]
It has also been considered that when the vehicle has been continuously stopped for a predetermined time or more, the engine is forcibly controlled to a stop state and idle stop is performed.
[0007]
However, in the former case, whether to stop or restart the idling depends on the driver's intention (operation) to turn on or off the side brake, so that idle control is not always performed. And lacks certainty. On the other hand, in the latter case, a predetermined determination time is always required until it is determined whether or not to perform the idle stop, so that there is a problem that time is wasted.
[0008]
An object of the present invention is to make it possible to perform idle control of a vehicle with high reliability.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a road map data storage unit that stores road map data, and reads road map data around the vehicle from the road map data storage unit based on the road map data. A detection unit that detects whether the own vehicle is traveling near the intersection, a preceding vehicle detection unit that detects the stop of the preceding vehicle in front of the own vehicle, and a determination that the preceding vehicle has stopped based on the output of the preceding vehicle detection unit A determination unit that determines whether or not the vehicle has stopped in a state where the vehicle is traveling, and the preceding vehicle has stopped by the determination unit in a state where the detection unit has detected that the vehicle is traveling near an intersection . An engine control unit that controls the engine of the own vehicle to a stopped state when the own vehicle is determined to be stopped in a state where it is determined that the preceding vehicle is stopped along with the stop of the preceding vehicle. Features.
[0010]
According to such a configuration, it is detected that the own vehicle is traveling near the intersection based on the road map data, and further, based on the detection of the stop of the preceding vehicle by the preceding vehicle detection unit, the determination unit determines When it is determined that the own vehicle has stopped in a state where it is determined that the vehicle has stopped, the engine of the own vehicle is stopped by the engine control unit based on this determination . Therefore, whether the engine should be stopped (idle stop) without depending on the driver's intention as in the prior art can be determined automatically and without any needless time for the determination. Based on this determination, when traveling near the intersection and the preceding vehicle stops and the own vehicle stops, the engine of the own vehicle can be stopped and idle stop can be performed, Car idle control can be performed with high reliability.
[0011]
Further, the present invention includes a receiver for receiving a point code signal transmitted from the position beacons, the vehicle detecting whether traveling in the vicinity of an intersection based on the point code signal received by the receiving unit A detecting unit, a preceding vehicle detecting unit that detects a stop of the preceding vehicle ahead of the own vehicle, and determining whether the own vehicle has stopped in a state where the preceding vehicle has been determined to be stopped based on an output of the preceding vehicle detecting unit. A determination unit that determines that the vehicle has stopped in a state in which the determination unit determines that the preceding vehicle has stopped in a state where the detection unit detects that the vehicle is traveling near an intersection. And an engine control unit that controls the engine of the own vehicle to a stopped state when the own vehicle stops along with the stop of the preceding vehicle.
[0012]
In this way, received by the receiving unit point code signal transmitted from the location beacon, it is detected vehicle based on the received location code signal is traveling around the intersection, further, the determination unit When it is determined from the output of the preceding vehicle detection unit that the preceding vehicle has stopped, and the own vehicle is determined to have stopped, the engine of the own vehicle is stopped by the engine control unit. It is possible to automatically determine whether or not to stop the engine (idle stop) without being influenced by the will of the engine, reliably and without needless time for the determination. based on this determination, when the preceding vehicle a traveling in the vicinity of the intersection has stopped to the vehicle stopped, it is possible to perform idle stop to stop the vehicle engine, the automobile eye Le control can be performed reliably.
[0013]
Next , according to the present invention, in the idle control device according to claim 1 or 2, the preceding vehicle detecting unit detects the start of the preceding vehicle, and the determining unit determines the preceding vehicle from an output of the preceding vehicle detecting unit. It is characterized by judging the start of a car .
[0014]
With this configuration, the stop and start of the preceding vehicle can be detected from the output of the preceding vehicle detection unit. Based on this detection, the stop and start of the preceding vehicle can be determined by the determination unit .
[0015]
Also, the present invention is characterized in that the engine control unit restarts the engine of the own vehicle when the determination unit determines that the preceding vehicle has started from the output of the preceding vehicle detection unit after the engine of the own vehicle is stopped. It is characterized by doing.
[0016]
In this way, if the start of the preceding vehicle is detected by the judgment unit from the output of the preceding vehicle detection unit, the engine is automatically restarted, so that restart after idle stop can be performed automatically. it can.
[0017]
Further, the invention is characterized in that the preceding vehicle detection unit is configured by an inter-vehicle distance sensor that detects an inter-vehicle distance between the own vehicle and the preceding vehicle and a vehicle speed sensor that detects the own vehicle speed.
[0018]
In this case, the relative speed of the preceding vehicle to the own vehicle is derived from the change in the inter-vehicle distance and the own vehicle speed, and whether the preceding vehicle is stopped depends on whether the magnitude of the derived relative speed is the same as the own vehicle speed. Can be determined, and if the relative speed of the preceding vehicle increases with respect to the own vehicle speed of zero, it can be determined that the preceding vehicle has started.
[0019]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 is a block diagram, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are flowcharts for explaining the operation.
[0020]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a navigation device, a position detection unit including a GPS (Global Positioning System) for detecting the current position (latitude, longitude) of the vehicle, and a road including a CD-ROM storing road map data. display comprising a liquid crystal display for displaying the map data storage unit, a road map that is based on out to the road map data read road map data around the current position of the vehicle detected by the road map data storage unit by the position detection unit Unit.
[0021]
Further, in FIG. 1, reference numeral 2 denotes a peripheral recognition sensor comprising an inter-vehicle distance sensor for detecting an inter-vehicle distance between the own vehicle and a preceding vehicle ahead of the own vehicle, and 3 denotes a vehicle speed sensor for detecting the own vehicle speed. The preceding vehicle detecting section is constituted by the sensor 2 and the vehicle speed sensor 3. 4 is a side brake switch that outputs a signal corresponding to the on / off state of the side brake, 5 is an accelerator pedal switch that outputs a signal according to whether or not the accelerator pedal is depressed, and 6 is an automatic transmission (hereinafter referred to as A / T range switch that outputs a signal corresponding to the A / T range.
[0022]
Here, as an inter-vehicle distance sensor constituting the periphery recognition sensor 2, a laser radar that irradiates a laser beam forward while scanning at predetermined angles and detects reflected light from a preceding vehicle ahead to derive an inter-vehicle distance. In addition, it is desirable to use an image processing device or the like that processes an image captured by the imaging unit and derives an inter-vehicle distance from a temporal change of the image.
[0023]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 8 denotes an ECU which receives signals from the navigation device 1, each of the sensors 2, 3 and each of the switches 4 to 6, and controls each part including the fuel injection amount in accordance with these signals. Is an engine control unit comprising an idle ON / OFF relay for controlling the idle stop and start of the engine by the control signal.
[0024]
The ECU 8 reads the road map data around the own vehicle from the road map data storage unit of the navigation device 1 as well as controls the respective parts as described above, and based on the read road map data around the own vehicle. A function of detecting whether or not the vehicle is traveling near an intersection. The process of reading the road map data around the own vehicle corresponds to the above-described reading unit, and the process of detecting whether the vehicle is traveling near the intersection corresponds to the detecting unit.
[0025]
Further, the ECU 8 derives a relative speed of the preceding vehicle with respect to the own vehicle based on the change in the inter-vehicle distance detected by the peripheral recognition sensor 2 and the vehicle speed sensor 3 and the own vehicle speed, and compares the derived relative speed with the own vehicle speed. This determines whether the preceding vehicle has stopped or started, detects that the own vehicle is traveling near the intersection based on the road map data around the own vehicle, and determines the relative speed of the preceding vehicle with respect to the own vehicle. It also has a function of controlling the engine control unit 9 by judging whether or not the own vehicle has stopped based on the output of the vehicle speed sensor 3 in a state where it is determined from the comparison with the vehicle speed that the preceding vehicle has stopped. In other words, if the magnitude of the derived relative speed of the preceding vehicle is the same as the own vehicle speed, it can be determined that the preceding vehicle has stopped, and if the relative speed of the preceding vehicle increases with respect to the own vehicle speed of zero, the leading vehicle stops. The car can be determined to have started. Such a determination process corresponds to a determination unit.
[0026]
Next, the operation will be described. First, an operation during operation of the engine, that is, operation during traveling will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG.
[0027]
Now, as shown in FIG. 2, it is determined from the output of the vehicle speed sensor 3 whether or not the own vehicle is stopped (step S1). If the result of this determination is NO, the operation ends as it is, and If YES is determined, it is determined whether or not the preceding vehicle is stopped as described above (step S2).
[0028]
Then, if the decision result in the step S2 is NO, the operation is ended as it is, and if the decision result is YES, the road map data around the current position of the own vehicle read from the road map data storage section of the navigation device 1 is read. It is determined whether or not the own vehicle is traveling near the intersection (step S3). If the result of this determination is NO, the operation ends as it is, and if the result of determination is YES, the engine control unit 9 , The engine is controlled to a stop state, an idle stop is performed (step S4), and then the operation ends.
[0029]
Next, the operation when the engine is stopped will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, it is determined whether or not the side brake has been switched from the on state to the off state based on the output of the side brake switch 4 (step S11). The engine is controlled to an operating state, and an idle start is performed (step S12), and then the operation ends.
[0030]
On the other hand, if the decision result in the step S11 is NO, a decision is made based on the output of the accelerator pedal switch 5 as to whether or not the accelerator pedal is in an on state (depressed state) (step S13), and the decision result is YES. If so, the process proceeds to step S12 described above, and if the determination result is NO, it is determined whether or not the preceding vehicle has started as described above (step S14). The process moves to step S12, and if the determination result is NO, the operation ends as it is.
[0031]
In this way, based on the road map data around the current position of the vehicle read from the road map data storage unit of the navigation device 1, it is detected whether the vehicle is traveling near the intersection, and the surrounding recognition sensor is used. The relative speed of the preceding vehicle to the own vehicle is derived based on the change in the inter-vehicle distance detected by the vehicle speed sensor 1 and the vehicle speed sensor 2 and the own vehicle speed, and the derived relative speed is compared with the own vehicle speed. If the relative speed of the vehicle is the same as the own vehicle speed, it is determined that the preceding vehicle has stopped.If the relative speed of the preceding vehicle increases with respect to the own vehicle speed of zero, it is determined that the preceding vehicle has started. Is done.
[0032]
When it is detected that the vehicle is traveling near the intersection and the preceding vehicle is determined to have stopped, the output of the vehicle speed sensor 2 determines that the vehicle has also stopped. The engine of the own vehicle is stopped by the engine control unit 9 based on the control signal, and the idle stop is automatically performed. On the other hand, when the ECU 8 determines that the preceding vehicle has started based on the outputs of the peripheral recognition sensor 2 and the vehicle speed sensor 3 after stopping the engine of the own vehicle, the engine control unit 9 restarts the engine of the own vehicle according to a control signal from the ECU 8. Once started, the idle start is performed automatically.
[0033]
Therefore, according to the above-described embodiment, the idle control of the vehicle can be reliably performed without being influenced by the driver's intention as in the related art, and without needless time for determining whether to stop the engine. And the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the vehicle can be effectively reduced.
[0034]
Further, the relative speed of the preceding vehicle with respect to the own vehicle is derived from the outputs of the surrounding recognition sensor 2 and the vehicle speed sensor 3, and the derived relative speed is compared with the own vehicle speed to determine whether the preceding vehicle has stopped or started. Therefore, the stop and start of the preceding vehicle can be reliably and easily determined.
[0035]
In the above-described embodiment, a case is described in which the navigation device 1 is provided, and road map data around the current position of the vehicle is read from the road map data storage unit to determine whether the vehicle is traveling near the intersection. As described above, instead of such a navigation device 1, a receiving unit that receives a point code signal transmitted from a position beacon installed along a road is provided, and based on the point code signal received by the receiving unit. Of course, it may be determined whether or not the vehicle is traveling near the intersection.
[0037]
Further, in addition to the above-described navigation device 1 and the receiving unit that receives the point code signal, a signal information receiving unit that obtains signal information at an intersection is provided, and idle control is performed in consideration of the signal information obtained by the signal information receiving unit. Is performed, the reliability of the idle control can be further improved.
[0038]
At this time, for example, as an operation during engine operation, when the determination result of step S3 in FIG. 2 is YES, it is determined whether the signal information acquired by the signal information receiving unit is “red”, and the determination result is obtained. If the answer is YES, the process may proceed to the above-described step S4 to stop the engine, and if the determination result is NO, the operation may be ended as it is. When the result of the determination in step S14 of FIG. 3 is NO as the operation during engine stop, it is determined whether the signal information acquired by the signal information receiving unit is “blue”, and the result of the determination is YES. If so, the process proceeds to step S12 to restart the engine. If the determination result is NO, the operation may be terminated as it is.
[0039]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which the preceding vehicle detection unit is configured by the peripheral recognition sensor 2 including the inter-vehicle distance sensor and the vehicle speed sensor 3, but the configuration of the preceding vehicle detection unit is not limited to this. It is sufficient that at least the stop and start of the preceding vehicle can be detected.
[0040]
Further, the A / T is constituted by an electronically controlled A / T or CVT (belt type continuously variable transmission), and the ECU 8 automatically shifts the electronically controlled A / T or CVT during idling stop. Of course, you may do so.
[0041]
Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications other than those described above can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.
[0042]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the invention described in claim 1, it is detected vehicle based on the road map data is traveling in the vicinity of the intersection, further, the detection of the preceding vehicle stopping preceding vehicle detection unit Based on this determination, based on this determination, the engine control unit stops the engine of the own vehicle when the determination unit determines that the own vehicle has stopped in a state where the preceding vehicle has been stopped . Automatically determine whether to stop the engine (idle stop) without being influenced by the driver's will in a reliable way and without wasting time in making that determination. Based on this determination, when the vehicle is traveling near an intersection and the preceding vehicle stops and the vehicle stops, the engine of the vehicle can be stopped and idle stop can be performed. Trust Can make sex better, due to the high idle control reliability, it is possible to contribute to environmental preservation thereby reducing the amount of carbon dioxide vehicle is discharged.
[0043]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the point code signal transmitted from the position beacon is received by the receiving unit, and it is detected that the own vehicle is traveling near the intersection based on the received point code signal. Further, when the determination unit determines that the own vehicle has stopped in a state where the preceding vehicle has been stopped based on the output of the preceding vehicle detection unit, the engine of the own vehicle is stopped by the engine control unit. Therefore, similarly to the first aspect of the invention, the idle control of the automobile can be performed with high reliability.
[0044]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the stop and start of the preceding vehicle can be detected from the output of the preceding vehicle detection unit, and based on this detection, the stop and start of the preceding vehicle are determined by the determination unit. be able to.
[0045]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the start of the preceding vehicle is detected by the determination unit based on the output of the preceding vehicle detection unit, the engine is automatically restarted. Start can be done automatically.
[0046]
According to the invention described in claim 5, based on the relative speed of the preceding vehicle to the own vehicle derived from the change in the inter-vehicle distance and the own vehicle speed, the preceding vehicle detecting unit determines whether the preceding vehicle is stopped, Alternatively, it is possible to easily detect whether or not the preceding vehicle has started.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Navigation device 2 Peripheral recognition sensor (preceding vehicle detection unit)
3 Vehicle speed sensor (preceding vehicle detection unit)
8 ECU (detection unit, judgment unit)
9 Engine control unit

Claims (5)

A road map data storage unit that stores road map data,
A detection unit that reads road map data around the own vehicle from the road map data storage unit and detects whether the own vehicle is traveling near an intersection based on the road map data;
A preceding vehicle detection unit that detects a stop of a preceding vehicle ahead of the own vehicle;
A determination unit that determines whether or not the own vehicle has stopped in a state where it is determined that the preceding vehicle has stopped from the output of the preceding vehicle detection unit;
In a state in which the detection unit detects that the vehicle is traveling near the intersection , the determination unit determines that the vehicle has stopped in a state in which the determination is made that the preceding vehicle has stopped. And an engine control unit for controlling the engine of the own vehicle to a stopped state when the own vehicle stops due to the stop of the vehicle. A receiving unit that receives a point code signal transmitted from the position beacon,
A detection unit that detects whether the vehicle is traveling near an intersection based on the point code signal received by the reception unit,
A preceding vehicle detection unit that detects a stop of a preceding vehicle ahead of the own vehicle;
A determination unit that determines whether or not the own vehicle has stopped in a state where it is determined that the preceding vehicle has stopped from the output of the preceding vehicle detection unit;
In a state in which the detection unit detects that the vehicle is traveling near the intersection , the determination unit determines that the vehicle has stopped in a state in which the determination is made that the preceding vehicle has stopped. And an engine control unit for controlling the engine of the own vehicle to a stopped state when the own vehicle stops due to the stop of the vehicle. The idle control device according to claim 1 or 2,
Further, the preceding vehicle detection unit detects the start of the preceding vehicle, and the determination unit determines the start of the preceding vehicle from the output of the preceding vehicle detection unit . The engine control unit may restart the engine of the vehicle when the determination unit determines that the preceding vehicle has started from the output of the preceding vehicle detection unit after the engine of the vehicle stops. The idle control device according to claim 3. 5. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the preceding vehicle detection unit includes an inter-vehicle distance sensor that detects an inter-vehicle distance between the own vehicle and the preceding vehicle and a vehicle speed sensor that detects an own vehicle speed. 6. An idle control device as described.

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