JP3888729B2 - Travel information display device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a travel information display device that displays travel information during operation of a constant speed travel device having an inter-vehicle distance control function.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A constant-speed traveling device that keeps the vehicle speed constant as vehicle control is widely used in automobiles and the like. In addition, as a more advanced constant-speed traveling device, it collaborates with an inter-vehicle distance measuring device such as a millimeter-wave radar that irradiates millimeter-wave electromagnetic waves forward and calculates the inter-vehicle distance from the reflected wave, A constant-speed traveling control device having an inter-vehicle distance control function that performs control such as reducing the vehicle speed according to the inter-vehicle distance measured so as to keep the inter-vehicle distance above a certain distance has been developed.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In order to display the traveling information in such a conventional constant speed traveling device, the display of whether or not the constant speed traveling operation is being performed or the display of the target vehicle speed is performed, and the constant speed traveling control and the inter-vehicle distance control are controlled. The relationship between conditions and the relationship between the actual vehicle speed and the target vehicle speed were difficult to understand.
[0004]
In order to solve such a problem, an object of the present invention is to realize a travel information display device in which the control states of constant speed travel control and inter-vehicle distance control are easily understood.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention solves such a problem, and there is a case where there is a constant speed traveling means for controlling the vehicle to travel at a set target vehicle speed, and there is a forward vehicle during constant speed traveling by the constant speed traveling means. And a vehicle distance control means for lowering the vehicle speed below the target vehicle speed so that the distance between the vehicle and the vehicle ahead is not less than a predetermined distance, and a vehicle speed measurement means for measuring the vehicle speed of the vehicle. And a speed ratio display means for displaying a speed ratio between the vehicle speed measured by the vehicle speed measuring means and the target vehicle speed in a graphic form.
[0006]
Further, the speed ratio display means displays a bar graph that expands and contracts according to the vehicle speed.
Further, the bar graph is characterized in that the lowest vehicle speed at which the inter-vehicle distance control is performed is a base point, and the target vehicle speed is the longest extension position.
Further, the speed ratio display means does not display the graphic when the preceding vehicle does not exist.
[0007]
Further, when the vehicle speed measured by the vehicle speed measuring means reaches the target vehicle speed, the color of the figure is changed.
Further, the transmission ratio control means for controlling the shift speed of the transmission of the vehicle has a display form changing means for changing the display form of the graphic when the selection of the highest speed stage is prohibited.
[0008]
Further, the present invention is characterized by having brake control means for applying braking according to an inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle, and display form changing means for changing the display form of the graphic when the brake control means applies braking.
[0009]
【Example】
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the present invention, when a vehicle ahead is present in a vehicle running at a constant speed at a preset target vehicle speed, the inter-vehicle distance that reduces the vehicle speed below the target vehicle speed so that the inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle does not become a predetermined distance or less. It is a travel information display device during operation of the control function, and is displayed by a digital meter. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a travel information display device according to the present invention.
[0010]
Reference numeral 11 denotes an FMCW millimeter wave radar using the Doppler effect installed in front of the vehicle. The radio wave (millimeter wave) emitted toward the front is mixed with the reflected wave of the millimeter wave from the front vehicle to generate a beam signal. Is generated and output to the subsequent stage. A yaw rate sensor 12 detects the speed (angular velocity) of the rotation angle around the vertical axis that passes through the center of gravity of the vehicle. The yaw rate sensor detects the curve based on the rotation angular velocity of the vehicle and moves the millimeter wave radar 11 to the preceding vehicle that has entered the curve. This is for following the irradiation beam. A vehicle speed sensor 13 measures the speed of the vehicle, and includes a magnet that rotates with the rotation of the axle and a reed switch fixed to the vehicle body, and includes a sensor that outputs a pulse in synchronization with the rotation of the axle. Reference numeral 14 denotes a set switch for designating the traveling speed (constant traveling speed) of the vehicle, and the speed when the switch is operated is set as the target vehicle speed. 15 inputs the signals of the millimeter wave radar 11, the yaw rate sensor 12 and the vehicle speed sensor 13, measures the inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle, sets the safe inter-vehicle distance (variable according to the vehicle speed), and controls the direction of the millimeter wave radar 11. This is a millimeter wave radar control unit that performs processing for detecting the distance state between dangerous vehicles, and is configured by a microcomputer or the like.
[0011]
16 calculates an appropriate traveling vehicle speed based on an input signal from the vehicle speed sensor 13 and the set switch 14 and a dangerous inter-vehicle distance detection signal from the millimeter wave radar control unit 15, and controls a vehicle traveling system such as an engine or traveling information display. It is a constant speed running control unit, and is composed of a microcomputer or the like. Reference numeral 17 denotes a throttle actuator that controls the opening and closing of the throttle valve of the engine. The throttle actuator 17 is constituted by a motor or the like, and its operation is also controlled by a signal from the constant speed traveling control unit 16. Reference numeral 18 denotes a transmission of an automobile, and usually its gear stage is controlled according to the vehicle speed and the throttle valve opening. Further, the transmission 18 is moved to the highest speed stage (overdrive state in which the normal gear ratio is 1 or less) when the load during the constant speed traveling on the uphill road is large by the control signal from the constant speed traveling control unit 16. Switching is prohibited (O / D cut). A brake actuator 19 includes a hydraulic circuit that controls a brake, which is a braking means of the vehicle, and is controlled by a signal from the constant speed traveling control unit 16. Reference numeral 20 denotes a display composed of a head-up display or the like, which displays a constant speed traveling state, a distance between vehicles, and the like.
[0012]
Next, a display form of the travel information display device of the embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a front view showing a display state with travel information display according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a front view showing another display state of the travel information display according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3A shows a case where there is no forward vehicle, and FIG. 3B shows that the travel vehicle speed approaches the target vehicle speed. This shows the case.
[0013]
1 is a numerical value of the target vehicle speed (in this example, the target vehicle speed is set to 100 Km / h) set by operating the set switch 14 for designating the traveling speed. Reference numeral 2 denotes a display window (a frame indicating the display range of the bar graph), and reference numeral 3 denotes a bar graph that displays the traveling vehicle speed on the display window 2 with a corresponding length. That is, the display window 2 is set so that the left end (min) is the base point and the right end (max) is the target vehicle speed, and the bar graph 3 indicates the speed ratio between the running vehicle speed and the target vehicle speed measured by the vehicle speed sensor 13. The corresponding length is displayed. That is, the bar graph 3 expands and contracts as indicated by the arrow A according to the traveling speed, and for example, the green bar graph 3 is displayed on all the display windows 2 when the traveling vehicle speed reaches the target vehicle speed. With such a display, it is possible to notify how much the traveling vehicle speed is relative to the target vehicle speed.
[0014]
In addition, when the millimeter wave radar 11 does not detect the reflected wave of the millimeter wave irradiated toward the front (there is no front vehicle), the bar graph 3 is not displayed on the display window 2 (FIG. 3A). ) Indicates that there is no vehicle ahead.
When the vehicle speed measured by the vehicle speed sensor 13 approaches the set target vehicle speed (for example, when the vehicle speed reaches 95 to 100% of the target vehicle speed), the color of the bar graph 3 displayed on the display window 2 is changed. For example, the color is changed to red (FIG. 3B), which indicates that the vehicle speed does not increase any more even if the inter-vehicle distance increases.
[0015]
In the O / D cut (overdrive prohibition) state, processing such as blinking the bar graph 3 displayed on the display window 2 or changing the display color of the bar graph 3 from green to red, for example, Displays that O / D cut is being performed.
When the brake actuator 19 is operated and braking is applied, the bar graph 3 displayed on the display window 2 is blinked or the display color is changed, for example, the process is changed from green to red. Displays that control is taking place.
[0016]
The left end of the display window 2 is set to a minimum value (currently 40 Km / h) that can control the distance between the vehicles, and the right end is set to be the target vehicle speed. For this reason, the change of the length of the bar graph 3 with respect to the change of the speed becomes large, and the change state of the speed can be understood well. In addition, the display which makes the left end of the display window 2 the speed 0 is also possible.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing performed by the constant speed traveling control unit 16 in order to realize the above display form.
[0017]
This process starts from the time when the vehicle engine is started, and proceeds to step S1. In step S1, it is determined whether the target vehicle speed is set. If the target vehicle speed is set, the process proceeds to step S2, and if not, the process proceeds to step S3. In step S3, the travel information display (display of the bar graph 3 etc. as shown in FIG. 2) is not performed, and the process returns to step S1. In step S2, it is determined whether inter-vehicle distance control is being performed (whether there is a preceding vehicle). If inter-vehicle distance control is being performed, the process proceeds to step S4, and if not, the process proceeds to step S5. In step S5, it is set as the driving | running | working information display which does not display the bar graph 3 (FIG. 3 (a)), and it returns to step S1. That is, the target vehicle speed is set by operating the set switch 14, and if the vehicle is further ahead and the inter-vehicle distance control function is in operation, the process proceeds to step S4. If the target vehicle speed is not set, the driving information display is not performed at all. If there is no preceding vehicle even if the target vehicle speed is set, the display without the bar graph 3 is displayed. In step S4, the length of the bar graph 3 is calculated, and the process proceeds to step S6.
[0018]
The length of the bar graph 3 can be obtained by the following equation.
D = L (V-40) / (X-40)
D: length of bar graph L: width of display window V: vehicle speed X: target vehicle speed In step S6, it is determined whether or not an O / D cut state is established. If it is not in the O / D cut state, the process proceeds to step S8. In step S8, it is determined whether or not the brake control is being performed. If so, the process proceeds to step S7, and if not, the process proceeds to step S9. In step S7, the bar graph 3 is blinked for a predetermined time or displayed with a different display color, and the process returns to step S1. That is, when the O / D cut state or the brake control is performed (braking state), the O / D cut state or the brake control is performed by blinking the display of the bar graph 3 or changing the display color. Is displayed.
[0019]
In step S9, it is determined whether or not the vehicle speed has approached the target vehicle speed. If the vehicle speed has approached, the process proceeds to step S10, and if not, the process proceeds to step S11. In step S10, the display color of the bar graph 3 is changed to, for example, red. That is, when the vehicle speed reaches 95 to 100% of the target vehicle speed, it is notified by changing the display color that the vehicle speed will not increase any more even if the inter-vehicle distance with the preceding vehicle increases. In step S11, normal travel information display (display of bar graph 3 in normal color, etc., display in FIG. 2) is performed, and the process returns to step S1. That is, the bar graph 3 is displayed with the length calculated in step S4 and in the normal color.
[0020]
In the display mode according to the above embodiment, since the speed ratio between the target vehicle speed and the traveling speed is displayed by a single bar graph, the traveling state can be recognized at a glance, and even a display with a small space can be used. Easy-to-understand display is possible. If the target vehicle speed is not set, there is no display. If there is no vehicle ahead and distance control is not performed, the bar graph is not displayed, and when the vehicle speed approaches the target vehicle speed, the color of the bar graph is changed. The state can be made easier to understand.
[0021]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the travel information display device of the present invention, the relationship between the control states of the constant speed travel control and the inter-vehicle distance control and the relationship between the actual vehicle speed and the target vehicle speed can be easily understood.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a travel information display device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view showing a display state with travel information display according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a front view showing another display state with travel information display according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing performed by the constant speed traveling control unit 16;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Millimeter wave radar 12 ... Yaw rate sensor 13 ... Vehicle speed sensor 14 ... Set switch 15 ... Millimeter wave radar control unit 16 ... Constant speed traveling control unit 17 ... Throttle actuator 18 ... Transmission 19 ... Brake actuator 20 ... Display

Claims (7)

A constant speed traveling means for controlling the vehicle to travel at the set target vehicle speed, and when the front vehicle is present during constant speed traveling by the constant speed traveling means, the inter-vehicle distance is less than or equal to a predetermined distance. In a travel information display device in a vehicle having inter-vehicle distance control means for reducing the vehicle speed from the target vehicle speed so as not to become
Vehicle speed measuring means for measuring the vehicle speed of the vehicle;
A travel information display device comprising speed ratio display means for displaying a speed ratio between the vehicle speed measured by the vehicle speed measuring means and the target vehicle speed in a graphic form. The travel information display device according to claim 1, wherein the speed ratio display means displays a bar graph that expands and contracts according to the vehicle speed. 3. The travel information display device according to claim 2, wherein the bar graph has a minimum vehicle speed at which inter-vehicle distance control is performed as a base point and a target vehicle speed as a longest extension position. 2. The travel information display device according to claim 1, wherein the speed ratio display means does not display the graphic when the preceding vehicle does not exist. 2. The travel information display device according to claim 1, wherein when the vehicle speed measured by the vehicle speed measuring means reaches the target vehicle speed, the color of the graphic is changed. 2. A display form changing means for changing a display form of a graphic when the gear ratio control means for controlling the speed stage of the transmission of the vehicle prohibits selection of the highest speed stage. The travel information display device described. 2. The brake control means for applying a brake according to a distance between the vehicle and a preceding vehicle, and a display form changing means for changing the display form of the graphic when the brake control means applies a brake. Travel information display device.

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