JP6572950B2 - Vehicle control device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle control device, and more particularly, to a vehicle control device suitable for avoiding an obstacle during traveling.

  Technology for calculating the target travel route using optimization processing when selecting obstacle avoidance (brake operation only) or steering avoidance (sterling operation only) according to the vehicle speed at the time of emergency avoidance of an obstacle Has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this technique, when braking avoidance is selected, the calculation condition is simplified only for the motion in the vertical direction (vehicle longitudinal direction). When steering avoidance is selected, the calculation condition is simplified only for the movement in the lateral direction (vehicle width direction). As described above, in this technique, since the calculation load is reduced in an emergency, the calculation time can be shortened while ensuring high calculation accuracy.

JP 2010-155545 A

  When an obstacle is avoided by an operation by the driver himself, different obstacle avoidance is performed according to the driver's preference. That is, a certain driver decelerates sufficiently and passes near an obstacle (emphasis on braking). Another driver passes a position sufficiently away from the obstacle with little deceleration (speed-oriented). Further, another driver decelerates to some extent and passes a position moderately away from the obstacle (emphasis on braking / speed balance). Therefore, it is preferable that the balance between braking and steering can be adjusted according to the driver's preference and driving environment in the calculation of the target driving route when obstacles are avoided.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle control device capable of appropriately adjusting a target travel route when an obstacle is avoided.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a vehicle control device including a target travel route calculation unit that calculates a target travel route of a vehicle, wherein the target travel route calculation unit is configured to detect an obstacle. In addition, a travel route correction process for correcting the target travel route so as to avoid the obstacle is executed, and the target travel route calculation unit is configured to execute a vehicle for the obstacle at least from the obstacle toward the vehicle in the travel route correction process The velocity distribution area that defines the distribution of the allowable upper limit value of the relative speed is set, and the allowable upper limit value in this speed distribution area is set so as to increase as the distance from the obstacle increases. as the relative speed of the vehicle does not exceed the allowable upper limit, the velocity distribution in the region to calculate a plurality of correction travel route for the vehicle to travel by correcting the target travel path, these target running A plurality of correction driving route that has been corrected for the road, and evaluated by the predetermined evaluation function including a plurality of evaluation factors, and calculates the single correction travel route in accordance with the evaluation, is constituted as a target The travel route calculation unit is configured to correct a plurality of evaluation factors according to a predetermined operation by the driver .
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a vehicle control device including a target travel route calculation unit that calculates a target travel route of a vehicle, wherein the target travel route calculation unit detects an obstacle. The target travel route correction process is performed to correct the target travel route so as to avoid the obstacle, and the target travel route calculation unit performs at least an obstacle from the obstacle toward the vehicle in the travel route correction process. A speed distribution area that defines the distribution of the allowable upper limit value of the relative speed of the vehicle to the vehicle is set, and the allowable upper limit value in this speed distribution area is set so as to increase as the distance from the obstacle increases. The target travel route is corrected so that the relative speed of the vehicle with respect to the object does not exceed the allowable upper limit value, and a plurality of corrected travel routes for the vehicle traveling in the speed distribution region are calculated. A plurality of corrected travel routes corrected with respect to the travel route are evaluated by a predetermined evaluation function including a plurality of evaluation factors, and one corrected travel route is calculated according to the evaluation, The target travel route calculation unit is configured to correct a plurality of evaluation factors according to environmental information related to weather around the vehicle or a travel route state.

According to the present invention configured as described above, the vehicle control device can calculate the corrected travel route by correcting the target travel route. In this travel route correction process, one corrected travel route is calculated by evaluating the travel route candidate using an evaluation function including a plurality of evaluation factors. The target travel route calculation unit can correct the evaluation factor according to a predetermined operation by the driver . In addition, the target travel route calculation unit can correct the evaluation factor according to environmental information related to weather around the vehicle or the travel route state. Accordingly, it is possible to correct the evaluation function according to the situation and calculate an appropriate corrected travel route.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the modification of the evaluation function is to change the weights of the plurality of evaluation factors. According to the present invention configured as described above, the evaluation function can be easily and effectively corrected.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the driver includes a correction unit for correcting the evaluation factor of the evaluation function, and the predetermined operation by the driver is that the driver operates the correction unit. By operating the correction unit, the correction unit outputs a correction request signal as an external signal, and corrects the plurality of evaluation factors based on the output correction request signal . According to the present invention thus configured, the evaluation factor of the evaluation function can be corrected according to the driver's preference by the driver operating the correction unit.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the plurality of evaluation factors include an evaluation factor relating to a vehicle longitudinal behavior and an evaluation factor relating to a vehicle lateral behavior, and relating to a vehicle longitudinal behavior by a predetermined operation by a driver. The evaluation factor and the evaluation factor relating to the behavior in the vehicle lateral direction can be corrected. According to the present invention configured as described above, the evaluation factors relating to the behavior in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction can be respectively corrected. Therefore, in the obstacle avoidance, either the speed or the steering is selected according to the driver's preference. The corrected travel route can be calculated with emphasis on both.

  In the present invention, preferably, the vehicle has a plurality of driving support modes, and different numerical ranges in which a plurality of evaluation factors can be corrected are set according to the driving support modes. According to the present invention configured as described above, the corrected travel route can be calculated in an appropriate range according to the driving support mode.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the target travel route calculation unit calculates a corrected travel route so as to satisfy a predetermined constraint condition that restricts the behavior of the vehicle in the travel route correction process, and changes the constraint condition by the driver. It is configured not to be able to. According to the present invention configured as described above, it is possible to prevent a decrease in safety due to an erroneous change of a constraint condition by a driver.

In the present invention, preferably, an environmental information acquisition unit that acquires environmental information related to weather around the vehicle or a traveling route state is provided, and the target traveling route calculation unit receives a signal indicating the environmental information from the environmental information acquisition unit. The plurality of evaluation factors are corrected according to the environmental information indicated by the received signal . According to the present invention configured as described above, the evaluation factor can be automatically corrected in accordance with a change in environmental conditions.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the target travel route calculation unit calculates the corrected travel route so as to satisfy a predetermined constraint condition that restricts the behavior of the vehicle in the travel route correction process, and the weather or travel around the vehicle. An environment information acquisition unit that acquires environment information related to the road state is provided, and the target travel route calculation unit is configured to change the constraint condition according to the environment information acquired by the environment information acquisition unit. According to the present invention configured as described above, the constraint condition can be automatically changed in accordance with the change of the environmental condition.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the vehicle control apparatus which can adjust the target driving | running route at the time of obstacle avoidance suitably can be provided.

It is a lineblock diagram of the vehicle control system in the embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing of the 1st driving | running route in embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the 2nd driving | running route in embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the 3rd driving | running route in embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the obstacle avoidance control in embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the allowable upper limit of the passing speed between the obstruction and the vehicle in the obstruction avoidance control of embodiment of this invention, and clearance. It is explanatory drawing of the travel route correction process of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the vehicle model of embodiment of this invention. It is a processing flow of the driving assistance control in the embodiment of the present invention. It is a processing flow of the driving | running route calculation process in embodiment of this invention. It is a processing flow of the travel route correction process in the embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, a vehicle control system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, the configuration of the vehicle control system will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a vehicle control system.

  The vehicle control system 100 of the present embodiment is configured to provide different driving support controls to the vehicle 1 (see FIG. 2 and the like) by a plurality of driving support modes. The driver can select a desired driving support mode from a plurality of driving support modes.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle control system 100 is mounted on a vehicle 1, and includes a vehicle control device (ECU) 10, a plurality of sensors and switches, a plurality of control systems, and user input for a driving support mode. A driver operation unit 35 is provided. The plurality of sensors and switches include an in-vehicle camera 21, a millimeter wave radar 22, a plurality of behavior sensors (vehicle speed sensor 23, acceleration sensor 24, yaw rate sensor 25) for detecting the behavior of the vehicle, and a plurality of behavior switches (steering angle sensor 26). , Accelerator sensor 27, brake sensor 28), positioning system 29, navigation system 30, and environment sensor 39. The plurality of control systems include an engine control system 31, a brake control system 32, and a steering control system 33.

  The driver operation unit 35 is provided in the passenger compartment of the vehicle 1 so that the driver can operate, and is selected with a mode selection switch 36 for selecting a desired driving support mode from a plurality of driving support modes. A set vehicle speed input unit 37 for inputting the set vehicle speed according to the driving support mode, and a correction unit 38 for reflecting the driver's preference in the travel route calculation. When the driver operates the mode selection switch 36, a driving support mode selection signal corresponding to the selected driving support mode is output. Further, when the driver operates the set vehicle speed input unit 37, a set vehicle speed signal is output. Further, when the driver operates the correction unit 38, a correction request signal is output.

  The ECU 10 includes a computer having a CPU, a memory for storing various programs, an input / output device, and the like. The ECU 10 sends an engine control system 31, a brake control system 32, and a steering control system 33 to the engine control system 31, the brake control system 32, and the steering control system 33 based on the driving support mode selection signal and the set vehicle speed signal received from the driver operation unit 35 and the signals received from the plurality of sensors and switches. On the other hand, a request signal for appropriately operating the engine system, the brake system, and the steering system can be output.

  The in-vehicle camera 21 images the surroundings of the vehicle 1 and outputs the captured image data. The ECU 10 identifies an object (for example, a vehicle, a pedestrian, a road, a lane marking (lane boundary line, white line, yellow line), traffic signal, traffic sign, stop line, intersection, obstacle, etc.) based on the image data. To do. In addition, ECU10 may acquire the information of a target object from the exterior via a vehicle-mounted communication apparatus by traffic infrastructure, vehicle-to-vehicle communication, etc.

  The millimeter wave radar 22 is a measuring device that measures the position and speed of an object (particularly, a preceding vehicle, a parked vehicle, a pedestrian, an obstacle, etc.), and transmits radio waves (transmitted waves) toward the front of the vehicle 1. Then, the reflected wave generated by reflecting the transmission wave by the object is received. The millimeter wave radar 22 measures the distance between the vehicle 1 and the object (for example, the inter-vehicle distance) and the relative speed of the object with respect to the vehicle 1 based on the transmitted wave and the received wave. In the present embodiment, instead of the millimeter wave radar 22, a distance from the object and a relative speed may be measured using a laser radar, an ultrasonic sensor, or the like. Moreover, you may comprise a position and speed measuring apparatus using a some sensor.

The vehicle speed sensor 23 detects the absolute speed of the vehicle 1.
The acceleration sensor 24 detects the acceleration of the vehicle 1 (longitudinal acceleration in the front-rear direction, lateral acceleration in the lateral direction). The acceleration includes the acceleration side (positive) and the deceleration side (negative).
The yaw rate sensor 25 detects the yaw rate of the vehicle 1.
The steering angle sensor 26 detects the rotation angle (steering angle) of the steering wheel of the vehicle 1.
The accelerator sensor 27 detects the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal.
The brake sensor 28 detects the amount of depression of the brake pedal.

The positioning system 29 is a GPS system and / or a gyro system, and detects the position of the vehicle 1 (current vehicle position information).
The navigation system 30 stores map information therein and can provide the map information to the ECU 10. The ECU 10 specifies roads, intersections, traffic signals, buildings, etc. existing around the vehicle 1 (particularly in the forward direction) based on the map information and the current vehicle position information. The map information may be stored in the ECU 10.

  The environmental sensor 39 acquires environmental information outside the vehicle 1. The environmental information includes meteorological information such as temperature, humidity, and rainfall, and traveling road information such as traveling road conditions (road surface temperature, road friction coefficient, slope, road surface material, etc.). The environmental sensor 39 may be a sensor (such as a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and a rainfall sensor) that directly detects such information, or a receiving device that acquires these information from an external information organization using a wireless information signal. Good.

  The engine control system 31 is a controller that controls the engine of the vehicle 1. When it is necessary to accelerate or decelerate the vehicle 1, the ECU 10 outputs an engine output change request signal requesting the engine control system 31 to change the engine output.

  The brake control system 32 is a controller for controlling the brake device of the vehicle 1. When it is necessary to decelerate the vehicle 1, the ECU 10 outputs a brake request signal requesting the brake control system 32 to generate a braking force on the vehicle 1.

  The steering control system 33 is a controller that controls the steering device of the vehicle 1. When it is necessary to change the traveling direction of the vehicle 1, the ECU 10 outputs a steering direction change request signal for requesting the steering control system 33 to change the steering direction.

  Next, the driving support mode provided in the vehicle control system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, five modes (preceding vehicle follow-up mode, lane keep control mode, automatic speed control mode, speed limit mode, and basic control mode) are provided as driving support modes.

<Previous vehicle follow-up mode>
The preceding vehicle follow-up mode is basically a mode in which the vehicle 1 follows the preceding vehicle while maintaining a predetermined inter-vehicle distance corresponding to the vehicle speed between the vehicle 1 and the preceding vehicle. It involves automatic steering control, speed control (engine control, brake control), and obstacle avoidance control (speed control and steering control).

  In the preceding vehicle follow-up mode, different steering control and speed control are performed depending on whether or not the both ends of the lane can be detected and whether there is a preceding vehicle. Here, both ends of the lane are both ends of the lane in which the vehicle 1 travels (division lines such as white lines, road edges, curbstones, median strips, guardrails, etc.), and the boundaries between adjacent lanes and sidewalks. is there. The ECU 10 serving as the travel path end detection unit detects both ends of the lane from image data captured by the in-vehicle camera 21. Further, both end portions of the lane may be detected from the map information of the navigation system 30. However, for example, when the vehicle 1 is not on a road on which the vehicle 1 is maintained but travels on a plain with no lane, or when the image data from the in-vehicle camera 21 is poorly read, there may be cases where both ends of the lane cannot be detected.

  In the above embodiment, the ECU 10 is used as the road end detection unit. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the vehicle-mounted camera 21 as the road end detection unit may detect both ends of the lane. The vehicle-mounted camera 21 as the unit detection unit and the ECU 10 may detect both ends of the lane in cooperation.

  In the present embodiment, the ECU 10 as the preceding vehicle detection unit detects the preceding vehicle based on the image data from the in-vehicle camera 21 and the measurement data from the millimeter wave radar 22. Specifically, another vehicle traveling ahead is detected as a traveling vehicle based on image data from the in-vehicle camera 21. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the inter-vehicle distance between the vehicle 1 and the other vehicle is equal to or less than a predetermined distance (for example, 400 to 500 m), the other vehicle is detected as a preceding vehicle based on the measurement data obtained by the millimeter wave radar 22. The

  In the embodiment described above, the ECU 10 is used as the preceding vehicle detection unit. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the in-vehicle camera 21 serving as the preceding vehicle detection unit may detect other vehicles traveling ahead. The camera 21 and the millimeter wave radar 22 may constitute a part of the preceding vehicle detection unit.

(Previous vehicle following mode: Lane detection possible)
First, when both ends of the lane are detected, the vehicle 1 is steered so as to travel near the center of the lane, and is set in advance by the driver using the set vehicle speed input unit 37 or by the system 100 based on a predetermined process. The speed is controlled so as to maintain the set vehicle speed (constant speed). When the set vehicle speed is higher than the limit vehicle speed (the limit speed defined according to the speed sign or the curvature of the curve), the limit vehicle speed is given priority, and the vehicle speed of the vehicle 1 is limited to the limit vehicle speed. The speed limit defined according to the curvature of the curve is calculated by a predetermined calculation formula, and the speed is set to be lower as the curvature of the curve is larger (the curvature radius is smaller).

  When the set vehicle speed of the vehicle 1 is higher than the vehicle speed of the preceding vehicle, the vehicle 1 is speed-controlled so as to follow the preceding vehicle while maintaining an inter-vehicle distance corresponding to the vehicle speed. In addition, when the preceding vehicle that has been followed does not exist in front of the vehicle 1 due to a lane change or the like, the vehicle 1 is speed-controlled so as to maintain the set vehicle speed again.

(Previous vehicle follow-up mode: lane detection not possible, preceding vehicle present)
Further, when both ends of the lane are not detected and there is a preceding vehicle, the vehicle 1 is steered to follow the traveling locus of the preceding vehicle, and the speed on the traveling locus of the preceding vehicle is The speed is controlled so as to follow.

(Previous vehicle follow-up mode: No lane detection, no preceding vehicle)
In addition, when both ends of the lane are not detected and there is no preceding vehicle, the traveling position on the traveling path cannot be specified (division line etc. cannot be detected, and the preceding vehicle cannot be followed). In this case, the steering control is performed by the driver operating the steering wheel, accelerator pedal, and brake pedal so that the current driving behavior (steering angle, yaw rate, vehicle speed, acceleration, etc.) is maintained or changed according to the driver's intention. And speed control.

  In the preceding vehicle follow-up mode, obstacle avoidance control (speed control and steering control), which will be described later, is further automatically executed regardless of whether there is a preceding vehicle and whether both ends of the lane can be detected.

<Lane keep control mode>
The lane keep control mode is an automatic steering control mode that performs steering control so that the vehicle 1 travels near the center of the lane, and is accompanied by automatic steering control by the vehicle control system 100, but speed control is not performed. Therefore, it functions when both ends of the lane are detected. Further, the driver can control the vehicle speed according to the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal. That is, the lane keep control mode corresponds to a mode in which the driver himself performs speed control when lane detection is possible in the preceding vehicle following mode.

<Automatic speed control mode>
The automatic speed control mode is a mode in which speed control is performed so as to maintain a predetermined set vehicle speed (constant speed) set in advance by the driver or by the system 100, and automatic speed control by the vehicle control system 100 ( Engine control, brake control) and obstacle avoidance control (speed control) are involved, but steering control is not performed. In this automatic speed control mode, the vehicle 1 travels so as to maintain the set vehicle speed, but can be increased beyond the set vehicle speed by depressing the accelerator pedal by the driver. Further, when the driver performs a brake operation, the driver's intention is prioritized and the vehicle is decelerated from the set vehicle speed. In addition, when catching up with the preceding vehicle, the speed is controlled so as to follow the preceding vehicle while maintaining the inter-vehicle distance according to the vehicle speed, and when there is no preceding vehicle, the speed control is performed so that it returns to the set vehicle speed again. Is done.

<Speed limit mode>
The speed limit mode is a mode for speed control so that the vehicle speed of the vehicle 1 does not exceed the speed limit set by the speed indicator or the set speed set by the driver. With engine control). The speed limit may be specified when the ECU 10 performs image recognition processing on the speed sign imaged by the in-vehicle camera 21 or the image data of the speed display on the road surface, or may be received by wireless communication from the outside. In the speed limit mode, even when the driver depresses the accelerator pedal so as to exceed the speed limit, the vehicle 1 is increased only to the speed limit.

<Basic control mode>
The basic control mode is a mode (off mode) when the driving support mode is not selected by the driver operation unit 35, and automatic steering control and speed control by the vehicle control system 100 are not performed. However, the automatic collision prevention control is configured to be executed. In this control, when the vehicle 1 may collide with a preceding vehicle or the like, the brake control is automatically executed to avoid the collision. The The automatic collision prevention control is executed in the same manner in the preceding vehicle following mode, the lane keeping control mode, the automatic speed control, and the speed limit mode.

  In the lane keep control mode, automatic speed control mode, speed limit mode, and basic control mode, obstacle avoidance control (speed control only, steering control only, or speed control and steering control) described later is further executed. The

  Next, a plurality of travel routes calculated in the vehicle control system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4 are explanatory diagrams of the first travel route to the third travel route, respectively. In the present embodiment, the ECU 10 is configured to repeatedly calculate the following first travel route R1 to third travel route R3 in terms of time (for example, every 0.1 second). In the present embodiment, the ECU 10 calculates a travel route from a current time until a predetermined period (for example, 3 seconds) elapses based on information such as sensors. The travel route Rx (x = 1, 2, 3) is specified by the target position (Px_k) and the target speed (Vx_k) of the vehicle 1 on the travel route (k = 0, 1, 2,..., N). ). Further, at each target position, target values are specified for a plurality of variables (acceleration, acceleration change amount, yaw rate, steering angle, vehicle angle, etc.) in addition to the target speed.

  2 to 4, the travel routes (first travel route to third travel route) are obstacles related to obstacles (including parked vehicles, pedestrians, etc.) on or around the travel path on which the vehicle 1 travels. The calculation is performed based on the shape of the traveling path, the traveling locus of the preceding vehicle, the traveling behavior of the vehicle 1, and the set vehicle speed without considering information. Thus, in this embodiment, since obstacle information is not taken into consideration in the calculation, the overall calculation load of the plurality of travel routes can be kept low.

Hereinafter, for easy understanding, each travel route calculated when the vehicle 1 travels on the road 5 including the straight section 5a, the curve section 5b, and the straight section 5c will be described. The road 5 is composed of left and right lanes 5 _L and 5 _R. At present, the vehicle 1 is assumed to be traveling on the lane 5 _L of the straight sections 5a.

(First travel route)
As shown in FIG. 2, the first travel route R <b> 1 is set for a predetermined period in accordance with the shape of the road 5 so that the vehicle 1 maintains the travel in the lane 5 </ b> _L that is the travel route. Specifically, the first traveling route R1 is straight section 5a, the vehicle 1, 5c is set to maintain a running near the center of the lane 5 _L, the vehicle 1 in the curve section 5b is higher than the center in the width direction of the lane 5 _L Is also set to travel on the inner side or the in side (the center O side of the curvature radius L of the curve section).

ECU10 executes the image recognition processing of the image data around the vehicle 1 captured by the vehicle-mounted camera 21, detects the lane end portions 6 _L, 6 _R. Both ends of the lane are lane markings (white lines, etc.) and road shoulders as described above. Furthermore, ECU 10 based on the detected lane end portions 6 _L, 6 _R, calculates the radius of curvature L of the lane width W, and the curve section 5b lane 5 _L. Further, the lane width W and the curvature radius L may be acquired from the map information of the navigation system 30. Further, the ECU 10 reads the speed sign S and the speed limit displayed on the road surface from the image data. As described above, the speed limit may be acquired by wireless communication from the outside.

ECU10 is straight section 5a, the 5c, a width direction central portion of the center in the width direction of the lane end portions 6 _L, 6 _R vehicle 1 (e.g., center of gravity position) so as to pass through the first traveling route R1 A plurality of target positions P1_k are set.

Meanwhile, ECU 10 is in the curve section 5b, in the longitudinal direction of the center position P1_c curve section 5b, sets the widthwise center position of the lane 5 _L maximum displacement amount Ws to the in-side. This displacement amount Ws is calculated based on the curvature radius L, the lane width W, and the width dimension D of the vehicle 1 (a prescribed value stored in the memory of the ECU 10). Then, the ECU 10 sets a plurality of target positions P1_k of the first travel route R1 so as to smoothly connect the center position P1_c of the curve section 5b and the center positions in the width direction of the straight sections 5a and 5c. Note that the first travel route R1 may be set on the in side of the straight sections 5a and 5c even before and after entering the curve section 5b.

  In principle, the target speed V1_k at each target position P1_k on the first travel route R1 is a predetermined set vehicle speed (constant speed) preset by the driver through the set vehicle speed input unit 37 of the driver operation unit 35 or by the system 100. ). However, if this set vehicle speed exceeds the speed limit obtained from the speed indicator S or the like or the speed limit defined according to the curvature radius L of the curve section 5b, the target speed of each target position P1_k on the travel route V1_k is limited to a lower speed limit of the two speed limits. Further, the ECU 10 appropriately corrects the target position P1_k and the target vehicle speed V1_k according to the current behavior state of the vehicle 1 (that is, vehicle speed, acceleration, yaw rate, steering angle, lateral acceleration, etc.). For example, when the current vehicle speed is significantly different from the set vehicle speed, the target vehicle speed is corrected so that the vehicle speed approaches the set vehicle speed.

(Second travel route)
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the second travel route R2 is set for a predetermined period so as to follow the travel locus of the preceding vehicle 3. The ECU 10 continuously determines the position and speed of the preceding vehicle 3 on the lane 5 _L on which the vehicle 1 travels based on image data from the in-vehicle camera 21, measurement data from the millimeter wave radar 22, and vehicle speed of the vehicle 1 from the vehicle speed sensor 23. These are stored as preceding vehicle locus information, and the traveling locus of the preceding vehicle 3 is set as the second traveling route R2 (target position P2_k, target speed V2_k) based on the preceding vehicle locus information.

(Third travel route)
As shown in FIG. 4, the third travel route R3 is set for a predetermined period based on the current driving state of the vehicle 1 by the driver. That is, the third travel route R3 is set based on the position and speed estimated from the current travel behavior of the vehicle 1.
The ECU 10 calculates the target position P3_k of the third travel route R3 for a predetermined period based on the steering angle, yaw rate, and lateral acceleration of the vehicle 1. However, when the lane both ends are detected, the ECU 10 corrects the target position P3_k so that the calculated third travel route R3 does not approach or intersect the lane end.

  Further, the ECU 10 calculates the target speed V3_k of the third travel route R3 for a predetermined period based on the current vehicle speed and acceleration of the vehicle 1. If the target speed V3_k exceeds the speed limit acquired from the speed indicator S or the like, the target speed V3_k may be corrected so as not to exceed the speed limit.

  Next, the relationship between the driving support mode and the travel route in the vehicle control system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, when the driver operates the mode selection switch 36 to select one driving support mode, the ECU 10 selects one of the first travel route R1 to the third travel route R3 according to the measurement data by the sensor or the like. , Any one is selected.

When the preceding vehicle following mode is selected, if both ends of the lane are detected, the first travel route is applied regardless of the presence or absence of the preceding vehicle. In this case, the set vehicle speed set by the set vehicle speed input unit 37 becomes the target speed.
On the other hand, when the preceding vehicle follow-up mode is selected, the second travel route is applied when both ends of the lane are not detected and the preceding vehicle is detected. In this case, the target speed is set according to the vehicle speed of the preceding vehicle. In addition, when the preceding vehicle follow-up mode is selected, the third travel route is applied when neither end of the lane is detected and no preceding vehicle is detected.

  Further, when both ends of the vehicle are detected when the lane keep control mode is selected, the first travel route is applied. However, the target speed is set based on the speed estimated from the current traveling behavior of the vehicle 1. In addition, when the lane keep control mode is selected, the third travel route is applied if both ends of the vehicle are not detected.

  Further, the third travel route is applied when the automatic speed control mode is selected. The automatic speed control mode is a mode in which the speed control is automatically executed as described above, and the set vehicle speed set by the set vehicle speed input unit 37 becomes the target speed. Further, steering control is executed based on the operation of the steering wheel by the driver.

  The third travel route is also applied when the speed limit mode is selected. The speed limit mode is also a mode in which the speed control is automatically executed as described above, and the target speed is set in accordance with the depression amount of the accelerator pedal by the driver within the range of the limit speed or less. Further, steering control is executed based on the operation of the steering wheel by the driver.

  In addition, when the basic control mode (off mode) is selected, the third travel route is applied. The basic control mode is basically the same as the state where the speed limit is not set in the speed limit mode.

Next, the obstacle avoidance control executed in the vehicle control system 100 according to the present embodiment and the travel route correction process associated therewith will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the obstacle avoidance control, FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the allowable upper limit value of the passing speed between the obstacle and the vehicle and the clearance in the obstacle avoidance control, and FIG. 7 is a travel route correction process. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a vehicle model.
In FIG. 5, the vehicle 1 is traveling on a traveling path (lane) 7 and is passing the vehicle 3 while passing or stopping.

  In general, when passing (or overtaking) an obstacle on the road or near the road (for example, a preceding car, a parked vehicle, a pedestrian, etc.), the driver of the vehicle 1 A predetermined clearance or interval (lateral distance) is maintained between the vehicle 1 and the obstacle, and the vehicle 1 is decelerated to a speed at which the driver feels safe. Specifically, in order to avoid the danger that the preceding vehicle suddenly changes course, the pedestrian comes out from the blind spot of the obstacle, or the door of the parked vehicle opens, The relative speed is reduced.

  In general, when approaching the preceding vehicle from behind, the driver of the vehicle 1 adjusts the speed (relative speed) according to the inter-vehicle distance (vertical distance) along the traveling direction. Specifically, when the inter-vehicle distance is large, the approach speed (relative speed) is maintained high, but when the inter-vehicle distance is small, the approach speed is decreased. The relative speed between the two vehicles is zero at a predetermined inter-vehicle distance. This is the same even if the preceding vehicle is a parked vehicle.

  In this way, the driver drives the vehicle 1 so as to avoid danger while considering the relationship between the distance between the obstacle and the vehicle 1 (including the lateral distance and the longitudinal distance) and the relative speed. doing.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the vehicle 1 is located around the obstacle (lateral region, rear region, And over the front area) or at least between the obstacle and the vehicle 1, a two-dimensional distribution (speed distribution area 40) that defines an allowable upper limit value for the relative speed in the traveling direction of the vehicle 1 is configured. Yes. In the velocity distribution region 40, an allowable upper limit value V _lim of the relative velocity is set at each point around the obstacle. In the present embodiment, obstacle avoidance control for preventing the relative speed of the vehicle 1 with respect to the obstacle from exceeding the allowable upper limit value V _lim in the speed distribution region 40 is performed in all driving support modes.

As can be seen from FIG. 5, in principle, the velocity distribution region 40 is such that the allowable upper limit value of the relative velocity decreases as the lateral distance and the longitudinal distance from the obstacle become smaller (as the obstacle gets closer). Is set. Further, in FIG. 5, for the sake of easy understanding, an equal relative velocity line connecting points having the same allowable upper limit value is shown. The equal relative velocity lines a, b, c and d correspond to allowable upper limit values V _lim of 0 km / h, 20 km / h, 40 km / h and 60 km / h, respectively. In this example, each equal relative velocity region is set to a substantially rectangular shape.

  The speed distribution region 40 does not necessarily have to be set over the entire circumference of the obstacle. At least the rear side of the obstacle and the one side in the lateral direction of the obstacle where the vehicle 1 exists (in FIG. 5, the vehicle 3 To the right area).

As shown in FIG. 6, when the vehicle 1 travels at a certain absolute speed, the allowable upper limit value V _lim set in the lateral direction of the obstacle is 0 (zero) until the clearance X is D ₀ (safety distance). km / h and increases in a quadratic function above D ₀ (V _lim = k (X−D ₀ ) ² , where X ≧ D ₀ ). That is, in order to ensure safety, the relative speed of the vehicle 1 becomes zero when the clearance X is D ₀ or less. On the other hand, when the clearance X is equal to or greater than D ₀ , the larger the clearance, the more the vehicle 1 can pass at a higher relative speed.

In the example of FIG. 6, the allowable upper limit value in the lateral direction of the obstacle is _defined by V _lim = f (X) = k (X−D ₀ ) ² . Note that k is a gain coefficient related to the degree of change in V _lim with respect to X, and is set depending on the type of obstacle or the like. D _{0 is} also set depending on the type of obstacle.

In the present embodiment, V _lim is defined so as to be a quadratic function of X, but is not limited thereto, and may be defined by another function (for example, a linear function). Further, the allowable upper limit value V _{lim in} the lateral direction of the obstacle has been described with reference to FIG. 6, but it can be similarly set for all radial directions including the vertical direction of the obstacle. At that time, the coefficient k and the safety distance D ₀ can be set according to the direction from the obstacle.

The velocity distribution region 40 can be set based on various parameters. As parameters, for example, the relative speed between the vehicle 1 and the obstacle, the type of the obstacle, the traveling direction of the vehicle 1, the moving direction and moving speed of the obstacle, the length of the obstacle, the absolute speed of the vehicle 1 and the like are taken into consideration. Can do. That is, the coefficient k and the safety distance D ₀ can be selected based on these parameters.

  In the present embodiment, the obstacle includes a vehicle, a pedestrian, a bicycle, a cliff, a groove, a hole, a fallen object, and the like. Furthermore, vehicles can be distinguished by automobiles, trucks, and motorcycles. Pedestrians can be distinguished by adults, children and groups.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the vehicle 1 is traveling on the travel path 7, the ECU 10 of the vehicle 1 detects an obstacle (vehicle 3) from the in-vehicle camera 21 based on the image data. At this time, the type of obstacle (in this case, vehicle, pedestrian) is specified.

  Further, the ECU 10 calculates the position, relative speed, and absolute speed of the obstacle (vehicle 3) with respect to the vehicle 1 based on the measurement data of the millimeter wave radar 22 and the vehicle speed data of the vehicle speed sensor 23. The position of the obstacle includes an x-direction position (vertical distance) along the traveling direction of the vehicle 1 and a y-direction position (horizontal distance) along the lateral direction orthogonal to the traveling direction.

The ECU 10 sets the speed distribution region 40 for each detected obstacle (in the case of FIG. 5, the vehicle 3). Then, the ECU 10 performs obstacle avoidance control so that the speed of the vehicle 1 does not exceed the allowable upper limit value V _lim of the speed distribution region 40. For this reason, ECU10 correct | amends the target driving | running | working path | route applied according to the driving assistance mode which the driver | operator selected with obstacle avoidance control.

  That is, when the vehicle 1 travels on the target travel route, if the target speed exceeds a permissible upper limit defined by the speed distribution region 40 at a certain target position, the target speed is reduced without changing the target position. (Path Rc1 in FIG. 5), whether the target position is changed on the detour path so that the target speed does not exceed the allowable upper limit without changing the target speed (path Rc3 in FIG. 5), the target position and the target speed Are both changed (route Rc2 in FIG. 5).

  For example, FIG. 5 shows a case where the calculated target travel route R is a route that travels at a center position (target position) in the width direction of the travel path 7 at 60 km / h (target speed). In this case, the parked vehicle 3 is present as an obstacle ahead, but as described above, this obstacle is not taken into consideration in the calculation stage of the target travel route R in order to reduce the calculation load.

When traveling on the target travel route R, the vehicle 1 crosses the equal relative speed lines d, c, c, d in the speed distribution region 40 in order. That is, the vehicle 1 traveling at 60 km / h enters an area inside the equal relative speed line d (allowable upper limit value V _lim = 60 km / h). Therefore, the ECU 10 corrects the target travel route R so as to limit the target speed at each target position of the target travel route R to the allowable upper limit value V _lim or less, and generates a corrected target travel route Rc1. That is, in the corrected target travel route Rc1, the target speed gradually decreases to less than 40 km / h as the vehicle 3 is approached so that the target vehicle speed is less than or equal to the allowable upper limit value V _{lim at} each target position. Thereafter, as the vehicle 3 moves away from the vehicle 3, the target speed is gradually increased to the original 60 km / h.

  Further, the target travel route Rc3 does not change the target speed (60 km / h) of the target travel route R, and is therefore set to travel outside the equal relative speed line d (corresponding to a relative speed of 60 km / h). Route. In order to maintain the target speed of the target travel route R, the ECU 10 corrects the target travel route R so as to change the target position so that the target position is located on or outside the equal relative speed line d, and the target travel A route Rc3 is generated. Therefore, the target speed of the target travel route Rc3 is maintained at 60 km / h, which is the target speed of the target travel route R.

  The target travel route Rc2 is a route in which both the target position and the target speed of the target travel route R are changed. In the target travel route Rc2, the target speed is not maintained at 60 km / h, but gradually decreases as the vehicle 3 approaches, and then gradually increases to the original 60 km / h as the vehicle 3 moves away. Is done.

The correction for changing only the target speed without changing the target position of the target driving path R as in the target driving path Rc1 can be applied to a driving support mode that involves speed control but does not involve steering control ( For example, automatic speed control mode, speed limit mode, basic control mode).
Further, the correction for changing only the target position without changing the target speed of the target driving route R as in the target driving route Rc3 can be applied to the driving support mode with steering control (for example, following the preceding vehicle). Mode, lane keep control mode).
Further, the correction that changes both the target position and the target speed of the target travel route R as in the target travel route Rc2 can be applied to a driving support mode that involves speed control and steering control (for example, a preceding vehicle following mode). ).

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the ECU 10 functions as the target travel route calculation unit 10a, and calculates the target travel route R based on the sensor information and the like described above. When an obstacle is detected, the ECU 10 (target travel route calculation unit 10a) calculates the corrected travel routes R1 to R3 according to the driving support mode and the like by the travel route correction process. In the present embodiment, the travel route correction process is an optimization process using the evaluation function J.

  The ECU 10 stores the evaluation function J, the constraint conditions, and the vehicle model in the memory. In the travel route correction process, the ECU 10 calculates a corrected travel route that minimizes the evaluation function J within a range that satisfies the constraint conditions and the vehicle model (optimization process).

  The evaluation function J has a plurality of evaluation factors. The evaluation factors in this example are, for example, speed (vertical direction and horizontal direction), acceleration (vertical direction and horizontal direction), acceleration change amount (vertical direction and horizontal direction), yaw rate, lateral position relative to the lane center, vehicle angle, steering It is a function for evaluating the difference between the target travel route and the corrected travel route for corners and other soft constraints.

  The evaluation factors include an evaluation factor related to the vertical behavior of the vehicle 1 (vertical evaluation factor: vertical speed, acceleration, acceleration change amount, etc.) and an evaluation factor related to the horizontal behavior of the vehicle 1 (lateral evaluation factor). : Lateral velocity, acceleration, acceleration variation, yaw rate, lateral position relative to the lane center, vehicle angle, steering angle, etc.).

Specifically, the evaluation function J is described by the following formula.

In the equation, Wk (Xk−Xrefk) ² is an evaluation factor, Xk is a physical quantity related to the evaluation factor of the corrected travel route, Xrefk is a physical quantity related to the evaluation factor of the target travel route (before correction), and Wk is a weight value of the evaluation factor (for example, 0 ≦ Wk ≦ 1) (where k = 1 to n). Therefore, the evaluation function J of the present embodiment is the difference between the physical quantity of the corrected travel path and the physical quantity of the target travel path (before correction) calculated on the assumption that no obstacle exists for the physical quantities of n evaluation factors. The sum of the squares is weighted and corresponds to a total value over the travel route length of a predetermined period (for example, N = 3 seconds).

  The constraint condition includes at least one constraint factor that limits the behavior of the vehicle 1. Each constraint factor is directly or indirectly associated with any evaluation factor. Therefore, by limiting the behavior of the vehicle 1 (that is, the physical quantity of the evaluation factor) due to the constraint condition, the optimization process using the evaluation function J can be converged at an early stage, and the calculation time can be shortened. The constraint conditions are set differently depending on the driving support mode.

Restriction factors in this example include, for example, speed (vertical direction and horizontal direction), acceleration (vertical direction and horizontal direction), acceleration change amount (vertical direction and horizontal direction), vehicle speed time deviation, lateral position with respect to the center position, inter-vehicle distance The distance-time deviation, steering angle, steering angular velocity, steering torque, steering torque rate, yaw rate, and vehicle angle are included. These constraints factors, numerical range permitted is set, respectively (e.g., -4m / s ² ≦ longitudinal acceleration ^{≦ 3m / s 2, -5m /} s 2 ≦ lateral acceleration ≦ 5m / s ^2). For example, the maximum values of the vertical G and the horizontal G on the corrected travel route can be limited by limiting the vertical and horizontal accelerations that greatly affect the ride comfort by the constraint conditions.

  The vehicle model defines the physical motion of the vehicle 1 and is described by the following motion equation. This vehicle model is a two-wheel model shown in FIG. 8 in this example. By defining the physical motion of the vehicle 1 by the vehicle model, it is possible to calculate a corrected travel route in which a sense of discomfort during travel is reduced, and to optimize the optimization process using the evaluation function J at an early stage. it can.

In FIG. 8 and the equation, m is the mass of the vehicle 1, I is the yawing moment of inertia of the vehicle 1, l is the wheel base, l _f is the distance between the vehicle center of gravity and the front axle, and l _r is between the vehicle center of gravity and the rear axle. , K _f is the tire cornering power per front wheel, K _r is the tire cornering power per rear wheel, V is the vehicle speed of vehicle 1, δ is the actual steering angle of the front wheel, β is the side slip of the vehicle center of gravity The angle, r is the yaw angular velocity of the vehicle 1, θ is the yaw angle of the vehicle 1, y is the lateral displacement of the vehicle 1 with respect to absolute space, and t is time.

  The ECU 10 calculates a corrected travel route that minimizes the evaluation function J from a number of corrected travel routes based on the target travel route, the constraint conditions, the vehicle model, the obstacle information, and the like. That is, in the travel route correction process, the ECU 10 functions as a solver that outputs a solution to the optimization problem. Therefore, the corrected travel route calculated as the optimum solution is selected to be the closest (closest) to the target travel route before correction while ensuring an appropriate distance and relative speed with respect to the obstacle.

  In this embodiment, the evaluation factor of the evaluation function is set according to the driving support mode. That is, a set of weight values Wk (k = 1 to n) of corresponding evaluation factors is stored in the memory in the ECU 10 for each driving support mode. Therefore, the ECU 10 uses a different evaluation function J by reading a set of evaluation factor weight values according to the driving support mode selection signal.

  In the automatic speed control mode, the driver relies on the vehicle 1 for speed control, but intends to execute the steering operation himself. That is, the driver does not desire automatic intervention for the steering operation. For this reason, the weight value of the evaluation factor regarding the behavior in the vehicle lateral direction is set to a small value (for example, zero) with respect to the evaluation factor regarding the behavior in the vehicle vertical direction. That is, the contribution rate of the evaluation factor regarding the behavior in the vehicle lateral direction with respect to the evaluation function J is set low. Thereby, the vehicle control by the ECU 10 is focused on the speed control, and the steering control depends on the driver.

  In the lane keep control mode (automatic steering control mode), the driver relies on the vehicle 1 for steering control, but intends to execute speed operation (accelerator, brake) by himself / herself. That is, the driver does not desire automatic intervention for speed operation. For this reason, the weight value of the evaluation factor regarding the behavior in the vehicle vertical direction is set to a small value (for example, zero) with respect to the evaluation factor regarding the behavior in the vehicle lateral direction. That is, the contribution rate of the evaluation factor regarding the behavior in the vehicle vertical direction with respect to the evaluation function J is set low. Thereby, the vehicle control by the ECU 10 is focused on the steering control, and the speed control depends on the driver.

  The preceding vehicle following mode is an automatic speed / steering control mode, and the driver intends to depend on the vehicle 1 for speed control and steering control. For this reason, in the preceding vehicle following mode, the weight value of the evaluation factor regarding the behavior in both the vehicle vertical direction and the horizontal direction is set to an appropriate value. That is, the weight value of the evaluation factor related to the behavior in the vehicle lateral direction is set larger than that in the automatic speed control mode, and the weight value related to the behavior in the vehicle vertical direction is set larger than that in the automatic steering control mode. Thus, the vehicle control by the ECU 10 is focused on both speed control and steering control.

  The basic control mode is a mode that does not automatically execute the speed control and the steering control, and the driver intends to execute the speed control and the steering control themselves. In the basic control mode, a target travel route is calculated in preparation for a collision with a preceding vehicle or an obstacle (for example, for the vehicle 1 to override the operation in an emergency). For this reason, in the basic control mode, the weight value of the evaluation factor regarding the behavior in the vehicle vertical direction is set to a larger value than the evaluation factor regarding the behavior in the vehicle lateral direction. That is, the contribution ratio of the evaluation factor regarding the behavior in the vehicle vertical direction with respect to the evaluation function J is set high. Thus, the vehicle control by the ECU 10 is more focused on speed control than steering control.

  In the present embodiment, the driver can correct the evaluation function J using the correction unit 38 of the driver operation unit 35. By this modification, the weight values Wk (k = 1 to n) of the plurality of evaluation factors can be modified to change the overall weighting of the plurality of evaluation factors. Therefore, the correction unit 38 includes a plurality of switches that can individually correct the weight values of all evaluation factors. For example, the weight value Wk of the corresponding evaluation factor can be changed stepwise by a predetermined displacement amount ΔA (ΔA = 0.1) by each switch.

  The ECU 10 (target travel route calculation unit 10a) receives the correction request signal output by the operation of the correction unit 38, and corrects the weight value Wk (k = 1 to n) of the evaluation function J stored in the memory. . For example, a plurality of weight values Wk set according to the selected driving support mode are changed to correction values according to the correction request signal.

  Further, the correction unit 38 includes a switch for reducing lateral G (lateral movement) (corresponding to the corrected travel route Rc1 in FIG. 5), a switch for suppressing speed reduction (corresponding to Rc3), and an intermediate switch (corresponding to Rc2). ) May be provided. When the intermediate switch is selected, the weight value Wk set according to the selected driving support mode is used. At this time, a correction request signal indicating that no correction is required is output.

  When a switch for reducing lateral G (lateral movement) is selected, the weight value (one or more) of the lateral evaluation factor is increased by a predetermined displacement amount ΔW (for example, ΔW = 0.2). The correction request signal is output so as to decrease the weight value (s) of the longitudinal evaluation factor by a predetermined displacement amount ΔW. Thereby, the contribution degree of the horizontal direction evaluation factor becomes large, and the contribution degree of the vertical direction evaluation factor becomes small.

  When the switch for suppressing speed reduction is selected, the weight value (one or more) of the vertical direction evaluation factor is increased by a predetermined displacement amount ΔW, and the weight value (one or more) of the horizontal direction evaluation factor is increased. ) Is reduced by a predetermined amount of displacement ΔW. Thereby, the contribution degree of the vertical direction evaluation factor becomes large, and the contribution degree of the horizontal direction evaluation factor becomes small.

  Note that the numerical value range in which the weight value of the evaluation factor can be modified may be set differently depending on the selected driving support mode. For example, in the automatic speed limit mode, the weight value of the vertical direction evaluation factor can be corrected within a range equal to or larger than a predetermined first threshold (for example, 0.6 ≦ Wk ≦ 1), and the weight value of the horizontal direction evaluation factor is set to a predetermined value. Correction can be made within a range equal to or less than the second threshold (for example, 0 ≦ Wk ≦ 0.4).

  On the other hand, in the lane keep control mode, the weight value of the horizontal evaluation factor can be corrected within a range equal to or greater than a predetermined first threshold (for example, 0.6 ≦ Wk ≦ 1), and the weight value of the horizontal evaluation factor is set to a predetermined value. Correction can be made within a range equal to or less than the second threshold (for example, 0 ≦ Wk ≦ 0.4). In the preceding vehicle following mode, the weight values of the vertical direction evaluation factor and the horizontal direction evaluation factor can be corrected between a predetermined third threshold value and a fourth threshold value (for example, 0.2 ≦ Wk ≦ 0.8). can do.

  In the present embodiment, the ECU 10 (target travel route calculation unit 10a) acquires environment information from the environment sensor 39, and corrects the evaluation function J according to the environment information. By this modification, the weight value Wk is modified as described above.

  For example, when the environmental sensor 39 outputs rainfall (snow coverage) as environmental information, the ECU 10 determines whether the road surface is slippery (or has a low coefficient of friction) according to the rainfall (snow coverage). The weight value of the lateral evaluation factor (for example, lateral acceleration) is increased by a predetermined variable ΔW (for example, ΔW = 0.1). Thereby, the contribution degree of a horizontal direction evaluation factor can be enlarged. Moreover, in addition to the amount of rainfall (the amount of snow), temperature and humidity may be added to the determination conditions to determine the ease of slipping on the road surface. In this manner, the ECU 10 can correct the evaluation function J by constantly monitoring the environmental conditions using the environmental information.

In the present embodiment, the ECU 10 (target travel route calculation unit 10a) acquires environment information from the environment sensor 39, and changes the constraint condition according to the environment information. For example, when the environmental sensor 39 outputs the rainfall amount (snow coverage) as the environmental information, the ECU 10 narrows the allowable numerical range of the vertical acceleration, for example, according to the rainfall amount (snow coverage). For example, the upper limit value of the vertical acceleration is decreased by Δa (for example, Δa = 1 m / s ² ), and the lower limit value of the vertical acceleration is also increased by Δa. Thereby, compared with the time of fine weather, sudden acceleration and sudden deceleration can be suppressed at the time of rain. Moreover, in addition to the amount of rainfall (the amount of snow), temperature and humidity may be added to the determination conditions. As described above, the ECU 10 can change the constraint condition by constantly monitoring the environmental condition using the environmental information.

  In addition, in this embodiment, in order to prevent incorrect change operation, it is comprised so that a driver | operator's restriction condition cannot be changed. Therefore, the constraint condition cannot be changed by the operation of the driver operation unit 35.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 9 to FIG. 11, a processing flow of driving support control in the vehicle control system 100 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 9 is a processing flow of driving support control, FIG. 10 is a processing flow of travel route calculation processing, and FIG. 11 is a processing flow of travel route correction processing.

  The ECU 10 repeatedly executes the processing flow of FIG. 9 every predetermined time (for example, 0.1 seconds). First, the ECU 10 executes information acquisition processing (S11). In the information acquisition process, the ECU 10 acquires the current vehicle position information and map information from the positioning system 29 and the navigation system 30 (S11a), the in-vehicle camera 21, the millimeter wave radar 22, the vehicle speed sensor 23, the acceleration sensor 24, and the yaw rate sensor. 25, sensor information is acquired from the driver operation unit 35 or the like (S11b), and switch information is acquired from the steering angle sensor 26, the accelerator sensor 27, the brake sensor 28, or the like (S11c).

  Next, ECU10 performs a predetermined information detection process using the various information acquired in the information acquisition process (S11) (S12). In the information detection process, the ECU 10 determines, based on the current vehicle position information, the map information, and the sensor information, the road information about the road shape around the vehicle 1 and the front area (presence / absence of straight sections and curve sections, lengths of sections, curves) Section radius of curvature, lane width, lane end positions, number of lanes, presence / absence of intersection, speed limit defined by curve curvature, etc.), travel regulation information (speed limit, red signal, etc.), preceding vehicle trajectory information (preceding vehicle) Is detected) (S12a).

  Further, the ECU 10 detects vehicle operation information (steering angle, accelerator pedal depression amount, brake pedal depression amount, etc.) related to vehicle operation by the driver from the switch information (S12b), and further, from the switch information and sensor information, the vehicle The traveling behavior information (vehicle speed, longitudinal acceleration, lateral acceleration, yaw rate, etc.) relating to the behavior of 1 is detected (S12c).

  Next, the ECU 10 executes a travel route calculation process based on the information obtained by the calculation (S13). In the travel route calculation process, as described above, the first travel route, the second travel route, or the third travel route is calculated.

  Further, the ECU 10 executes a target travel route correction process (S14). In this travel route correction process, the ECU 10 corrects the target travel route based on obstacle information (for example, the parked vehicle 3 shown in FIG. 5). In the travel route correction process, the travel route is corrected so that the vehicle 1 avoids an obstacle by speed control and / or steering control according to the driving assistance mode selected in principle.

  Next, the ECU 10 controls the corresponding control system (the engine control system 31, the brake control system 32, so that the vehicle 1 travels on the travel route calculated finally according to the selected driving support mode. A request signal is output to the steering control system 33) (S15). Specifically, the ECU 10 generates and outputs a request signal as a travel behavior control unit in accordance with target engine, brake, and steering target control amounts specified by the calculated target travel route (corrected travel route). .

Next, a detailed process flow of the travel route calculation process (S13) of FIG. 9 will be described with reference to FIG.
First, the ECU 10 determines whether or not the driver has selected the preceding vehicle following mode based on the driving support mode selection signal received from the mode selection switch 36 (S21).

  When the preceding vehicle follow-up mode is selected (S21; Yes), the ECU 10 determines whether or not the lane end positions are detected based on sensor information or the like (S22). When the lane end positions are detected (S22; Yes), the first travel route is calculated as the target travel route (S23). When the preceding vehicle is detected, the preceding vehicle speed is used as the target vehicle speed, and when the preceding vehicle is not detected, the set vehicle speed is used as the target vehicle speed.

  In the calculation process of the first travel route, the ECU 10 performs a predetermined period (for example, 3 seconds) based on the set vehicle speed, both ends of the lane, the lane width, the speed limit, the vehicle speed, the longitudinal acceleration, the yaw rate, the steering angle, the lateral acceleration, and the like. ) Travel route R1 is calculated. The target position of the travel route R1 is set so that the vehicle travels in the inward side of the curve so that the vehicle travels near the center of the lane in the straight section and the turning radius increases in the curve section. Further, the target speed of the travel route R1 is set so that the lowest speed among the set vehicle speed, the limited vehicle speed by the traffic sign, and the limited vehicle speed defined by the curve curvature is set as the upper limit speed.

When the lane end positions are not detected (S22; No), the ECU 10 determines whether or not a preceding vehicle is detected based on sensor information or the like (S24).
If the lane end positions are not detected, but the preceding vehicle is detected (S24; Yes), the ECU 10 calculates the second travel route as the target travel route (S25). In the calculation process of the second travel route, the ECU 10 maintains a predetermined inter-vehicle distance between the preceding vehicle and the vehicle 1 from the preceding vehicle trajectory information (position and speed) of the preceding vehicle acquired from the sensor information or the like. A travel route R2 for a predetermined period is calculated so as to follow the behavior (position and speed) of the preceding vehicle with a delay of the traveling distance between the vehicles.

  If the preceding vehicle following mode is not selected (S21; No), the ECU 10 determines whether or not the lane keep control mode is selected (S26). When the lane keep control mode is selected (S26; Yes), the ECU 10 determines whether or not the lane end positions are detected based on the sensor information or the like (S28). When the lane end positions are detected (S28; Yes), the ECU 10 calculates the first travel route as the target travel route (S29). However, the target speed in this case is set based on the speed estimated from the current traveling behavior of the vehicle 1.

  On the other hand, when the preceding vehicle follow-up mode and the lane keep control mode are not selected (S26; No), when the preceding vehicle follow-up mode is selected, both the lane end positions and the preceding vehicle are not detected (S24; No), If the lane end position is not detected when the lane keep control mode is selected (S28; No), the ECU 10 calculates the third travel route as the target travel route (S27). In the third travel route calculation process, the ECU 10 calculates a travel route R3 for a predetermined period estimated from the current behavior of the vehicle 1 based on vehicle operation information, travel behavior information, and the like.

Next, a detailed processing flow of the travel route correction process (S14) of FIG. 9 will be described with reference to FIG.
First, the ECU 10 acquires obstacle information (presence / absence of preceding vehicle or obstacle, position, speed, etc.) using various information acquired in the information acquisition process (S11) (S31).
And if ECU10 determines that an obstruction is not detected based on obstruction information (S32; No), it will complete | finish a process, but if it determines with the obstruction being detected (S32; Yes), A speed distribution region (see FIG. 5) is set from the obstacle information, the traveling behavior information of the vehicle 1, and the like (S33).

  Next, the ECU 10 reads the evaluation function J, the constraint condition, and the vehicle model according to the sensor / switch information (for example, the driving support mode selection signal) (S34). The ECU 10 uses the evaluation function J based on the target travel route calculated in the travel route calculation process (S13), the speed distribution region (S33), the evaluation function J, the constraint conditions, the vehicle model, sensor / switch information, and the like. Then, the optimized travel route optimization process is executed (S35). In this optimization process, evaluation values of the evaluation function J are repeatedly calculated for a plurality of corrected travel route candidates until an optimized corrected travel route is calculated. A corrected travel route that minimizes the evaluation value is output.

Next, the operation of the vehicle control device of this embodiment will be described.
The present embodiment is a vehicle control device (ECU) 10 including a target travel route calculation unit 10a that calculates a target travel route R of the vehicle 1, and the target travel route calculation unit 10a is an obstacle (for example, a vehicle 3). ) Is detected, a travel route correction process (S14; S31-S35) for correcting the target travel route R so as to avoid this obstacle is executed. In the travel route correction process, the target travel route calculation unit 10a calculates a plurality of corrected travel routes that correct the target travel route R to avoid obstacles, and determines a plurality of corrected travel routes for the target travel route R. The evaluation is performed by a predetermined evaluation function J including a plurality of evaluation factors, and one corrected travel route is calculated according to the evaluation. The target travel route calculation unit 10a is configured to correct a plurality of evaluation factors based on an external signal.

  As described above, the ECU 10 of the present embodiment can calculate the corrected travel route by correcting the target travel route. In this travel route correction process, one corrected travel route is calculated by evaluating travel route candidates using an evaluation function J including a plurality of evaluation factors. The target travel route calculation unit 10a can correct the evaluation factor by receiving the external signal. Thereby, it is possible to correct the evaluation function J according to the traveling situation and calculate an appropriate corrected traveling route.

  In the present embodiment, the modification of the evaluation function J is to change the weights of a plurality of evaluation factors. Thereby, in this embodiment, correction of the evaluation function J can be performed easily and effectively.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the driver includes a correcting unit 38 for correcting the evaluation factor of the evaluation function J. When the driver operates the correcting unit 38, the correcting unit 38 outputs a correction request signal as an external signal. Output. Thus, in this embodiment, the driver can correct the evaluation factor of the evaluation function J according to the driver's preference by operating the correction unit 38.

  In the present embodiment, the plurality of evaluation factors include an evaluation factor related to the vertical behavior of the vehicle 1 and an evaluation factor related to the horizontal behavior of the vehicle 1, and the vertical behavior of the vehicle 1 is corrected by the correcting unit 38. And the evaluation factor regarding the lateral behavior of the vehicle 1 can be corrected. As described above, in the present embodiment, the evaluation factors relating to the behavior in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction can be respectively corrected. Therefore, in obstacle avoidance, either or both of speed and steering are emphasized depending on the driver's preference. Thus, the corrected travel route can be calculated.

  In the present embodiment, the vehicle 1 has a plurality of driving support modes, and different numerical ranges in which a plurality of evaluation factors can be corrected are set depending on the driving support mode. Thereby, in this embodiment, a correction | amendment driving | running route can be calculated in the suitable range according to driving assistance mode.

  In the present embodiment, the target travel route calculation unit 10a calculates the corrected travel route so as to satisfy a predetermined constraint condition that restricts the behavior of the vehicle 1 in the travel route correction process, and changes the constraint condition by the driver. It is configured not to be able to. Thereby, in this embodiment, the safety | security fall by the driver | operator's erroneous change of a constraint condition can be prevented.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the environment sensor 39 (environment information acquisition part) which acquires the environmental information regarding the weather around the vehicle 1 or a travel route state is provided, and the target travel route calculation part 10a receives environmental information from an environment information acquisition part. Is received as an external signal, and a plurality of evaluation factors are corrected according to the environmental information. Thereby, in this embodiment, an evaluation factor can be automatically corrected according to the change of environmental conditions.

  In the present embodiment, the target travel route calculation unit 10a calculates the corrected travel route so as to satisfy a predetermined constraint condition that restricts the behavior of the vehicle 1 in the travel route correction process, and the weather around the vehicle 1 or An environment sensor 39 (environment information acquisition unit) that acquires environment information related to the travel route state is provided, and the target travel route calculation unit 10a is configured to change the constraint condition according to the environment information acquired by the environment information acquisition unit. ing. Thereby, in this embodiment, a constraint condition can be automatically changed according to the change of environmental conditions.

1 vehicle 3 vehicle 5 road 5a, 5c straight section 5b curve section 5 _L, 5 _R lane 6 _L, 6 _R lane end portions 7 traveling path 40 velocity distribution region a, b, c, d, etc. the relative velocity V _lim allowable upper Value 100 Vehicle control system D Width dimension D ₀ Safe distance R Target travel route R1 First travel route R2 Second travel route R3 Third travel route Rc1, Rc2, Rc3 Corrected travel route X Clearance

Claims (9)

A vehicle control device including a target travel route calculation unit for calculating a target travel route of a vehicle,
The target travel route calculation unit executes a travel route correction process for correcting the target travel route so as to avoid the obstacle when an obstacle is detected,
The target travel route calculation unit, in the travel route correction process,
A speed distribution region that defines a distribution of an allowable upper limit value of the relative speed of the vehicle with respect to the obstacle is set at least from the obstacle toward the vehicle, and the allowable upper limit value in the speed distribution region is a distance from the obstacle. Is set to increase with distance from
A plurality of corrections for correcting the target travel route so that the vehicle travels in the speed distribution region so that the relative speed of the vehicle to the obstacle does not exceed the allowable upper limit value in the speed distribution region. Calculate the travel route,
A plurality of the correction driving route that has been corrected for those of the target travel path, and evaluated by the predetermined evaluation function including a plurality of evaluation factors, and calculates the single correction travel route in accordance with the evaluation, so Configured,
The target travel route calculation unit is a vehicle control device configured to correct the plurality of evaluation factors according to a predetermined operation by a driver . The plurality of evaluation factors include an evaluation factor related to behavior in the vehicle vertical direction and an evaluation factor related to behavior in the vehicle lateral direction,
The vehicle control device according to claim 1 , wherein an evaluation factor related to a behavior in a vehicle longitudinal direction and an evaluation factor related to a behavior in a vehicle lateral direction can be corrected by a predetermined operation by the driver . A correction unit for correcting an evaluation factor of the evaluation function by a driver;
The predetermined operation by the driver is that the driver operates the correction unit,
The driver operates the correction unit, so that the correction unit outputs a correction request signal, and the plurality of evaluation factors are corrected based on the output correction request signal. The vehicle control device described. A vehicle control device including a target travel route calculation unit for calculating a target travel route of a vehicle,
The target travel route calculation unit executes a travel route correction process for correcting the target travel route so as to avoid the obstacle when an obstacle is detected,
The target travel route calculation unit, in the travel route correction process,
A speed distribution region that defines a distribution of an allowable upper limit value of the relative speed of the vehicle with respect to the obstacle is set at least from the obstacle toward the vehicle, and the allowable upper limit value in the speed distribution region is a distance from the obstacle. Is set to increase with distance from
A plurality of corrections for correcting the target travel route so that the vehicle travels in the speed distribution region so that the relative speed of the vehicle to the obstacle does not exceed the allowable upper limit value in the speed distribution region. Calculate the travel route,
A plurality of the correction driving route that has been corrected for those of the target travel path, and evaluated by the predetermined evaluation function including a plurality of evaluation factors, and calculates the single correction travel route in accordance with the evaluation, so Configured,
The target travel route calculation unit is a vehicle control device configured to correct the plurality of evaluation factors according to environmental information related to weather around the vehicle or a travel route state . An environmental information acquisition unit for acquiring environmental information related to weather or traveling road conditions around the vehicle;
5. The vehicle control according to claim 4 , wherein the target travel route calculation unit receives a signal indicating environmental information from the environment information acquisition unit, and corrects the plurality of evaluation factors according to the environmental information indicated by the received signal. apparatus. The vehicle control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the modification of the evaluation function is to change a weight of the plurality of evaluation factors. The vehicle has a plurality of driving support modes,
The vehicle control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein a numerical range in which the plurality of evaluation factors can be corrected is set differently according to a driving support mode. The target travel route calculation unit calculates the corrected travel route so as to satisfy a predetermined constraint condition that restricts the behavior of the vehicle in the travel route correction process,
And it is configured so that it can not be changed in the constraint condition by the driver, the vehicle control device according to any one of claims 1-7. The target travel route calculation unit calculates the corrected travel route so as to satisfy a predetermined constraint condition that restricts the behavior of the vehicle in the travel route correction process,
An environmental information acquisition unit for acquiring environmental information related to weather or traveling road conditions around the vehicle;
The vehicle control device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , wherein the target travel route calculation unit is configured to change the constraint condition in accordance with environment information acquired by the environment information acquisition unit. .

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