JPH04215541A - Lighting controller for brake lamp for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To inform to the succeeding vehicle of deceleration and improve safety by setting the aimed between-vehicle distance according to the detected car speed and putting ON a brake lamp when the detected car speed is over a set value and the between-vehicle distance is less than an aimed value and the detected decelerating speed is over a set value. CONSTITUTION:The car speed detected by a speed detector 2 is inputted into an aimed between-vehicle distance setting part 6, between-vehicle difference calculation processing part 8, and a decelerating speed calculation part 10. The aimed between-vehicle distance setting part 6 sets the aimed between-vehicle distance from the car speed, and inputs the distance into a between-vehicle difference calculation processing part 8. Further, the decelerating speed calculation processing part 10 calculates the decelerating speed on the basis of the detected car speed and inputs the value into the between- vehicle difference calculation processing part 8. In the between-vehicle difference calculation processing part 8, calculation processing is performed on the basis of the between-vehicle distance inputted from a between-vehicle distance detector 4, and when the actual between-vehicle distance is less than the aimed between-vehicle distance, and the car speed is over the set car speed, and the decelerating speed is over the set speed, a brake lamp 12 is put ON.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

[Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a brake light lighting control device for a vehicle, and particularly to a brake light lighting control device for a vehicle suitable for notifying following vehicles of the deceleration state of the own vehicle and calling attention of the following vehicles. Regarding a control device.

0002

[Prior Art] Conventionally, as a device of this type,
There is one proposed in Japanese Patent No. 120638.

The proposed device controls the lighting state of the brake light depending on the amount of depression of the brake pedal, and includes a lighting state control switch that is linked to the brake pedal. This lighting state control switch turns on the brake light when the amount of depression of the brake pedal exceeds a first predetermined amount, and when the amount of depression of the brake pedal exceeds a second predetermined amount that is greater than the first predetermined amount. Sometimes, a brake light lighting circuit is configured to cause the brake lights to flash via an intermittent circuit. In other words, when the vehicle decelerates at a deceleration corresponding to the first amount of depression of the brake pedal, the following vehicle is notified by turning on the normal brake lights, and the vehicle responds to the second amount of depression of the brake pedal. When the vehicle decelerates at a greater rate, the brake lights flash to alert the following vehicles.

0004

However, in the proposed device, the brake light does not turn on unless the brake pedal is depressed by a predetermined amount. Therefore, especially in a vehicle equipped with a constant-speed driving control function using automatic speed control, where deceleration is performed by closing the throttle without the driver operating the brake pedal, the above-mentioned proposal is Depending on the device, there is a problem in that the brake lights cannot be turned on and the following vehicle cannot be notified of the deceleration of the own vehicle.

The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and its purpose is to provide a vehicle that can notify the following vehicle of the deceleration of its own vehicle and prompt the following vehicle to decelerate at an early stage. An object of the present invention is to provide a brake light lighting control device.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention includes: inter-vehicle distance detection means for detecting the actual inter-vehicle distance between the following vehicle and the own vehicle; vehicle speed detection means for detecting the own vehicle speed; The actual inter-vehicle distance, the own vehicle speed, and the deceleration are inputted from the deceleration detection means for detecting the deceleration of the own vehicle, the above-mentioned inter-vehicle distance detection means, the above-mentioned vehicle speed detection means, and the above-mentioned deceleration detection means, respectively, and according to the own vehicle speed. At the same time, the host vehicle speed is equal to or higher than a preset set vehicle speed, the actual inter-vehicle distance is equal to or less than the target inter-vehicle distance, and the deceleration is equal to or higher than the preset set deceleration. A brake light lighting control device for a vehicle is provided with a control means for controlling lighting of the brake lights when the brake lights are turned on.

[0007]

[Operation] To describe the operation of the present invention, while the vehicle is running, the following vehicle distance detection means, vehicle speed detection means, and deceleration detection means are used to constantly detect the actual inter-vehicle distance between the following vehicle and the own vehicle, the own vehicle speed, and the deceleration of the own vehicle. Speed is being detected. These detected values are always input to the control means. The control means calculates and sets a target inter-vehicle distance to be maintained between the following vehicle and the own vehicle from the own vehicle speed of these input detected values. In particular, this control means is configured such that, when the own vehicle is decelerating, the own vehicle speed is equal to or higher than a set vehicle speed preset in the control means, and the actual inter-vehicle distance is less than the target inter-vehicle distance set according to the current own vehicle speed. When the deceleration is greater than the set deceleration preset in the control means, it is determined that the conditions for notifying the following vehicle of the deceleration state are met and the system automatically operates the brakes, etc. independently controls the lighting of the brake lights.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle brake light lighting control device according to the present invention. The traveling direction of the vehicle 20 shown in FIG. 1 is the left-hand direction in the figure.

The vehicle 20 includes a speed detector 2 as a vehicle speed detecting means, an inter-vehicle distance detector 4 as an inter-vehicle distance detecting means, a target inter-vehicle distance setting section 6 built into the on-vehicle computer as a control means, and an inter-vehicle distance detector 4 as an inter-vehicle distance detecting means. A deviation calculation processing section 8, a deceleration calculation processing section 10, and a brake light 12 are provided.

Speed detector 2 for detecting the speed of own vehicle
As the speed sensor, a speed sensor normally used in a speedometer or the like is used. The speed signal generated by the speed detector 2 is input to a target inter-vehicle distance setting section 6, an inter-vehicle deviation calculation processing section 8, and a deceleration calculation processing section 10.

The inter-vehicle distance detector 4 is provided near the rear end of the vehicle 20, and detects the actual inter-vehicle distance between the own vehicle and a following vehicle. As the inter-vehicle distance detector 4, a distance measuring device using image processing, a spatial filter, a microwave radar, a laser radar, etc. are employed. The actual inter-vehicle distance between the host vehicle and the following vehicle detected by the inter-vehicle distance detector 4 is input to the inter-vehicle deviation calculation processing section 8 .

In the target inter-vehicle distance setting section 6, the speed detector 2
Based on the speed of the host vehicle inputted from the controller, a corresponding target inter-vehicle distance to the following vehicle is set. The target inter-vehicle distance is input to the inter-vehicle deviation calculation processing section 8.

The inter-vehicle deviation calculation processing section 8 calculates a set speed that has been set and stored in advance, a target inter-vehicle distance input from the target inter-vehicle distance setting section 6, and the speed of the own vehicle input from the speed detector 2. Based on the actual inter-vehicle distance to the following vehicle inputted from the inter-vehicle distance detector 4, the set speed and the speed of the own vehicle, and the target inter-vehicle distance and the actual inter-vehicle distance to the following vehicle are compared and calculated.

In the deceleration calculation processing section 10, the speed detector 2
The deceleration of the own vehicle is calculated based on the speed of the own vehicle inputted from the controller, and is compared with a preset deceleration that is stored in advance. In this embodiment, the deceleration of the own vehicle is calculated from the speed of the own vehicle, but the deceleration of the own vehicle is directly detected using an acceleration sensor, etc., and this is calculated by the deceleration calculation processing unit 1.
It may be configured to input 0.

The target inter-vehicle distance setting section 6, inter-vehicle deviation calculation processing section 8, and deceleration calculation processing section 10 described above are constituted by an on-vehicle computer as hardware, and have inputs that take in speed signals, inter-vehicle distance, etc. an interface section;
It is composed of a CPU section that executes comparison calculation processing, etc., a memory section that stores calculation programs, data tables such as set speeds, etc., and an output interface section that outputs brake light lighting control signals and the like.

The brake lights 12 are controlled to turn on in accordance with the results of comparison calculations performed by the inter-vehicle deviation calculation processing section 8 and the deceleration calculation processing section 10.

Next, the operation of this embodiment having the above configuration will be explained. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a main routine when the function of the vehicle brake light lighting control device according to the present invention is incorporated into vehicle constant speed control (auto speed control, hereinafter abbreviated as ASC). 1 is a flowchart showing a control flow of a vehicle brake light lighting control device according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the main routine is started at S1, the speed detector 2 is first detected at the signal input section S2.
The speed of the own vehicle input from is taken in. In addition, if a configuration is adopted in which the deceleration of the own vehicle is directly measured,
This deceleration is also taken in by the signal input section S2.

The main determination section S3 determines the state of the main switch that activates the control by the ASC. If the main switch is in the OFF state, main OFF processing S20 and normal running processing S21 are executed, and the mode shifts to a normal manual speed control mode that does not rely on ASC. If the main switch is in the ON state, control by the ASC is started.

The set determination section S4 determines the state of the set switch. The set switch is for setting the speed of constant speed driving control by ASC. If the set switch is in the OFF state, normal running processing S21 is executed and the mode shifts to manual speed control mode. When the set switch is turned on when the vehicle reaches the speed desired by the driver, constant speed driving control by the ASC is thereafter started at the speed at which the set switch was turned on. Also,
If the set switch is kept in the ON state, the mode shifts to the control mode of set acceleration processing S5, and the speed is set at the speed when the driver turns off the set switch after reaching the speed desired by the driver. Speed running control is started.

[0021] In the coast determination section S6, the state of the coast switch is determined. The coast switch is a switch that allows the driver to decelerate the vehicle without operating the brake pedal. When the coast switch is kept in the ON state, the process moves to coast processing S30, during which the vehicle continues to decelerate and the driver From now on, constant speed driving control by ASC is performed at the speed when the coast switch is turned OFF. If the coast switch is in the OFF state, the process moves to the resume determination section S7.

[0022] The resume determining section S7 determines the state of the resume switch. The resume switch is used to decelerate by operating the coast switch mentioned above, or once the ASC control is released by operating the brake pedal, to return to the original speed again and perform constant speed driving control by ASC. There is a return switch for the case. When the resume switch is turned on, resume processing S4
0 is executed, the vehicle returns to its original speed, and from then on A
Shifts to constant speed driving control using SC. If the resume switch is in the OFF state, the routine moves to the brake light lighting control subroutine S8.

In the brake light lighting control subroutine S8, as shown in FIG. 3, a target distance setting process S50 is first executed.

In the target inter-vehicle distance setting process S50, the target inter-vehicle distance previously set and stored in the target inter-vehicle distance setting section 6 is read out in accordance with the speed of the own vehicle taken in by the signal input section S2 of the main routine. The set value of the target inter-vehicle distance is set to a value approximately proportional to the speed of the own vehicle, and the RO
It is stored in a memory unit such as M.

Next, in inter-vehicle distance measurement S51, the inter-vehicle distance detector 4 measures the actual inter-vehicle distance to the following vehicle.

Subsequently, the inter-vehicle deviation calculation processing section 8 executes a comparison calculation.

At S52, the target inter-vehicle distance and the actual inter-vehicle distance are compared and calculated. If the actual inter-vehicle distance is greater than the target inter-vehicle distance, brake light extinguishing S60 is executed. If the actual inter-vehicle distance is less than or equal to the target inter-vehicle distance, vehicle speed determination S
53.

At S53, the speed of the own vehicle and the set vehicle speed are compared and calculated. When the speed of the own vehicle is smaller than the set vehicle speed, brake light extinguishing S60 is executed. If the speed of the own vehicle is equal to or higher than the set vehicle speed, the process moves to deceleration determination S54.

In S54, the deceleration of the own vehicle and the set deceleration are compared and calculated. If the deceleration of the own vehicle is smaller than the set deceleration, brake light extinguishing S60 is executed. If the deceleration of your vehicle is greater than or equal to the set deceleration, the brake lights will turn on S.
55 is executed.

When the brake light lighting control subroutine shown in FIG. 3 is completed, control is returned to the main routine shown in FIG. 2, and ASC processing S9 is performed in which the ASC calculates the throttle opening, etc., and the throttle opening is controlled. Output processing S10 for outputting the calculation results to actuators, indicators, etc., is sequentially executed, and the main routine ends at S11.

In the above embodiment, a control flow was explained in which the brake light lighting control subroutine S8 is executed only in the normal constant speed driving control state, but this brake light lighting control subroutine S8 may also be executed after the coasting process S30. If inserted, even if the driver does not operate the brake pedal and decelerates with the coast switch, the actual distance to the following vehicle, the speed of the own vehicle, and the deceleration of the own vehicle will satisfy the above-mentioned criteria. When this happens, the brake lights can be turned on.

As detailed above, in this embodiment, AS
During constant speed driving control using C, if the actual distance to the following vehicle is less than or equal to the target distance and the traveling speed of the own vehicle is greater than or equal to the set speed, the vehicle decelerates at or above the predetermined speed. When the vehicle decelerates to a certain speed, the brake lights come on. When constant speed driving control is performed by ASC, the driver is basically not involved in the speed control of the own vehicle, so in this embodiment, even if the driver does not intentionally decelerate, The brake lights are turned on under the above-mentioned conditions, and the deceleration of the own vehicle can be notified to the following vehicle, so the following vehicle can be urged to decelerate quickly, which is very effective in improving safety. Furthermore, similar effects can be obtained when the brake light lighting control described in this embodiment is performed when the vehicle is decelerated by the coast switch.

In this embodiment, a configuration in which the present invention is incorporated on the premise of ASC has been explained, but even in a normal vehicle without ASC, the brake lights can be turned on under the above-mentioned conditions. If controlled, similar effects can be achieved.

[0034]

[Effects of the Invention] As detailed above, according to the present invention,
Under the conditions that the actual inter-vehicle distance between your vehicle and the following vehicle is less than or equal to the target inter-vehicle distance corresponding to your vehicle's speed, and your vehicle's speed is greater than or equal to the set vehicle speed, the deceleration of your vehicle will be reduced by the set speed. Since the brake lights come on when the speed exceeds the speed limit, the driver does not have to consciously apply the brakes to turn on the brake lights to notify following vehicles of the deceleration of the vehicle, improving safety. be able to.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle brake light lighting control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a case where the functions of the vehicle brake light lighting control device according to the present invention are incorporated into the main routine of constant speed driving control.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control flow of the vehicle brake light lighting control device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 Speed detector 4 Inter-vehicle distance detector 6 Target inter-vehicle distance setting section 8 Distance distance calculation processing unit 10 Deceleration calculation processing section 12 Brake lights 20 Vehicle

Claims (1)

[Claims] Claim 1: Inter-vehicle distance detection means for detecting the actual inter-vehicle distance between the following vehicle and the own vehicle; vehicle speed detection means for detecting the own vehicle speed; deceleration detection means for detecting the deceleration of the own vehicle; The actual inter-vehicle distance, own vehicle speed, and deceleration are inputted from the distance detecting means, the vehicle speed detecting means, and the deceleration detecting means, respectively, and a target inter-vehicle distance is set according to the own vehicle speed, and the own vehicle speed is set in advance. control means for controlling lighting of brake lights when the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than a preset set vehicle speed, the actual inter-vehicle distance is equal to or less than the target inter-vehicle distance, and the deceleration is equal to or greater than a preset set deceleration. A vehicle brake light lighting control device characterized by: