JP2002225542A - Control device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a control device for a vehicle which can effectively prevent exhaust gas of a vehicle coming out ahead of the driver's own vehicle from flowing in the interior of the vehicle. SOLUTION: The control device for the vehicle is characterized by being provided with a vehicle detecting means which has a detecting area S at obliquely backward from an outside air inlet of a communicating path that communicates with the interior of the vehicle and the exterior of the vehicle of the driver's own vehicle C, and detects the existence of a vehicle D within the detecting area and a relative speed of the vehicle and the driver's own vehicle, and the communicating path cut-off means which executes the cut-off of the communicating path when the vehicle, of which the existence is detected by the vehicle detecting means, moves in front of the detecting area.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a control device for a vehicle, and more particularly, to a control device for a vehicle that controls a cutoff of a communication path that connects the outside of the vehicle compartment and the interior of the vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is a problem that air containing exhaust gas flows into a passenger compartment through an air conditioner in an outside air introduction mode, which makes passengers of the vehicle uncomfortable. To cope with this problem, there has been proposed an air conditioner having a structure in which the air conditioner is automatically switched from the outside air introduction mode to the inside air circulation mode when the inter-vehicle distance to the preceding vehicle becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-1998). 76
No. 836).

[0003]

An air conditioner of the type described above switches modes based on an output value of an inter-vehicle distance sensor for detecting an inter-vehicle distance to a vehicle in front.
Therefore, a vehicle that has passed the host vehicle from behind or a vehicle that has gone ahead after traveling in parallel is not detected unless these vehicles have gone out of front of the host vehicle. However, when vehicles from behind are detected and mode switching is performed, exhaust gas from these vehicles has already begun to flow into the own vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and is intended to control a vehicle capable of effectively preventing exhaust gas from a vehicle that has exited in front of the own vehicle from flowing into a passenger compartment. It is intended to provide a device.

[0005]

According to the invention of the present application, a detection area is provided obliquely rearward of an outside air intake of a communication passage that communicates between the interior of the vehicle and the exterior of the interior of the vehicle. Vehicle detection means for detecting the presence of the vehicle and the relative speed between the vehicle and the host vehicle; and blocking the communication passage when the vehicle detected by the vehicle detection means moves forward of the detection area. And a communication path blocking means for performing the following.

[0006] According to such a configuration, the outside air intake duct such as the outside air introduction duct of the air conditioner, which is a communication path communicating the interior of the vehicle with the outside of the interior of the vehicle, and another detection region located obliquely rearward of the outside air intake port. When the presence of the vehicle is detected, and when the detected other vehicle moves forward from the detection area, it is determined that the other vehicle is overtaking or overtaking the own vehicle, and the communication path is shut off. Therefore, before the other vehicle completely overtakes or overtakes the own vehicle, and before the exhaust gas from the other vehicle starts to flow into the own vehicle, the communication path is shut off and the inflow of the exhaust gas is prevented beforehand. You.

[0007] According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the communication path blocking means maintains the blocked state until a predetermined time elapses after the vehicle moves forward of the detection area.

[0008] Even after another vehicle passes or overtakes the own vehicle, the own vehicle travels in air containing a large amount of exhaust gas from the other vehicle for a while.
By keeping the communication passage closed, the inflow of exhaust gas that has been overtaken or overtaken is prevented.

According to another preferred aspect of the present invention, the control device for a vehicle includes a gradient detecting means for detecting a gradient of a running road surface, and the communication path blocking means detects the gradient by the gradient detecting means. When the detected upward gradient is larger than a predetermined value, the predetermined time is set longer than when the upward gradient detected by the gradient detecting means is equal to or less than a predetermined value.

[0010] Generally, on a steep uphill slope, more exhaust gas is emitted, and in diesel engines, more exhaust gas is emitted. For this reason, when traveling on a steep uphill, the time to travel in the exhaust gas of another vehicle that has passed or overtaken is longer than when traveling on a gentle uphill. Become. Therefore, when the vehicle is traveling on a steep uphill, the time for maintaining the cutoff state of the communication path is made longer than when the vehicle is running on a gentle uphill, and the inflow of exhaust gas is reliably prevented.

According to another preferred aspect of the present invention, the control device for a vehicle includes means for estimating whether or not the vehicle is traveling on an ascending lane, and the communication path blocking means includes:
When the vehicle is traveling on the uphill lane, the predetermined time is set longer than when the vehicle is not traveling on the uphill lane.

[0012] In general, while traveling on an uphill lane, more
Diesel engines emit more exhaust gases. For this reason, when another vehicle that is overtaking or overtaking is traveling on the uphill lane, the emission of the other vehicle is lower than when the other vehicle is not traveling on the uphill lane. The time to travel becomes longer. Therefore, when another vehicle is traveling on the ascending lane, the time for maintaining the cutoff state of the communication path is made longer than when not traveling on the ascending lane, and the inflow of exhaust gas is reliably prevented. .

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. The control device of the present embodiment uses a Doppler sensor to detect the presence or absence of a vehicle on the side of or behind the own vehicle and the relative speed with respect to this vehicle, and furthermore, when the vehicle moves forward, The control is performed to close the outside air introduction passage of the air conditioner, which is a communication passage communicating with the outside, and the window of the vehicle compartment. Specifically, the operation of the switching duct of the air conditioner (A / C) between the outside air introduction mode and the inside air circulation mode,
Then, the operation of the power window is performed.

FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing showing the configuration of the control device 1. As shown in FIG.
Is a microwave module 2, an amplifier 4, and a detector 6
, An A / D converter 8 and a Doppler sensor having a signal processing unit 10. Microwave module 2
Transmits a microwave of, for example, 10 GHz toward an obliquely rearward direction of the vehicle, and receives a reflected wave from the vehicle when a vehicle is present laterally or obliquely behind the own vehicle, and transmits the transmitted microwave. The difference between the frequency of the wave and the frequency of the received reflected wave is output as a Doppler signal F. In the present embodiment, the microwave module 2 is also used as a sensor for the lane change assist system, and performs detection and processing on each of the left and right sides of the vehicle.

The signal processing unit 10 includes, for example, a CPU,
It is composed of a digital circuit such as a microcomputer, and also functions as a blocking unit that controls opening and closing of the communication path. The signal processing unit 10 receives data such as travel position information from the navigation system.

FIG. 2 is a drawing showing the configuration of the microwave module 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the microwave module 2 includes a transmitter 20 and a directional coupler 22.
Circulator 24, transmitting and receiving antenna 26,
And a mixer 28. The microwave generated by the transmitter 20 is transmitted to the directional coupler 24 and the circulator 2.
4 and transmitted to the transmitting / receiving antenna 26 and transmitted toward the side and obliquely rearward of the vehicle. When another vehicle that is the detection target is present laterally or obliquely behind the vehicle, the transmitted microwave is reflected by the other vehicle and received by the transmitting / receiving antenna 26 as a reflected wave. The received reflected wave is sent to a mixer 28 by a circulator 24 as shown by an arrow A, and is split by a directional coupler 22 to be sent to the mixer 28 by an arrow B as shown by an arrow B. Transmitted transmitter 20
And a difference between the two frequencies is calculated, and this difference is used as a Doppler signal F having a Doppler frequency. The strength of the Doppler signal F is inversely proportional to the fourth power of the inter-vehicle distance L between the host vehicle and the target vehicle.

In this embodiment, the microwave module 2
Transmits microwaves to a detection area S located on the left and right sides and diagonally rearward of the own vehicle C, as indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 2, and detects a vehicle D located in this area. Are arranged on both left and right ends of the bumper at the rear of the vehicle body. Therefore, the detection area S is located behind the outside air intake of the outside air introduction duct of the own vehicle and the openable / closable vehicle window.

The amplifier 4 is configured to amplify the Doppler signal F output from the microwave module 2 and send it to the detector 6. The detection unit 6 performs peak holding of the input Doppler signal F and generates a detection signal having a detection waveform serving as an envelope of the Doppler signal F. A / D
The converter 8 A / D converts the detected signal and sends the signal to the signal processing unit 10. Since the detected Doppler signal increases in proportion to the distance between the host vehicle and the target vehicle, the relative speed between the host vehicle and the target vehicle can be calculated from the intensity change. The signal processing unit 10 determines whether or not a vehicle exists in the detection area S based on the strength of the input signal,
When the vehicle moves forward from the detection area S, processing such as calculating a change in the relative distance to the vehicle is performed. The control to close the passage and the window of the passenger compartment is performed.

Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4, a description will be given of the interruption control processing performed by the signal processing unit 10. First, in step S1, the detected Doppler signal S detected by the detector 6 and further A / D converted is detected.
(I) and data such as travel position information from the navigation system is input.

Next, in step S2, the current signal S
By determining whether or not the intensity of (i) is greater than a predetermined threshold value Vth, it is determined whether or not a signal is present at this time. This threshold thV is set to cut noise. If NO in step S2, that is, if there is no signal larger than the threshold value Vth this time,
This means that no other vehicle exists within the detection range S of the own vehicle.

If NO in step S2, the process proceeds to step S3, where the previous signal S (i
-1) is read, and it is determined whether or not the previous signal S (i-1) is higher than a predetermined threshold value Vth. It is determined whether or not another vehicle exists within the range S. If YES in step S3, it means that the vehicle that was present in the detection range the previous time is no longer present. If YES in step S3, step S3
4 and the previous signal S (i−
It is determined whether or not the difference {S (i-1) -S (i-2)} between the intensity of 1) and the intensity of the previous and previous signals S (i-2) is larger than 0.

YES in step S4, that is, the difference ΔS (i−
1) When it is determined that -S (i-2)} is greater than 0, the vehicle was approaching the own vehicle, that is, at a vehicle speed higher than the own vehicle immediately before the other vehicle came out of the detection range S. Therefore, it is estimated that other vehicles have not been detected this time because they have moved forward of the detection range S. If YES in step S4, the process proceeds to step S5,
Based on the data from the navigation system, it is determined whether or not the vehicle is traveling on a predetermined upward slope. If YES in step S5, that is, if the vehicle is traveling on an uphill slope that is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, in step S6, the timer T for determining the continuous duration of the communication path is set to Tlong, which is a large value. A process for blocking the passage is performed. Specifically, when the air conditioner is in the outside air introduction mode, the inside air circulation mode is set, and when the window is open, the power window is operated to close the window.

When the answer to the determination of step S5 is NO, the process proceeds to step S8, where it is determined based on data from the navigation system whether or not another vehicle is traveling on the uphill lane. For example, when the own vehicle is traveling on a route having an uphill lane and another vehicle is detected on the left side or behind, it is determined that the other vehicle is traveling on the uphill lane. If YES in step S8, it is considered that a large amount of exhaust gas has been released from another vehicle. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S6, and the timer T is set to Tlong which is a large value. A process for blocking the passage is performed.

If NO in step S8, the process proceeds to step S9, in which the timer T is set to Tnom, which is a value smaller than Tlong, and then to step S7, where a process of shutting off the communication path is performed.

If YES in step S2, that is, if another vehicle is located within the detection range S, since the exhaust gas from this vehicle does not flow into the own vehicle, the process proceeds to step S10.
Maintain communication. When NO is obtained in step S4, the other vehicle is separated from the host vehicle immediately before going out of the detection range S, that is, the vehicle speed is lower than the host vehicle. It is estimated that they have moved to. Therefore, there is no need to cut off the communication passage,
Proceeding to step S10, communication is maintained.

NO in step S3 means that there is no signal in the previous or current time, that is, there is no vehicle in the detection range S. At this time, the process proceeds to step S11, and it is determined whether or not the cutoff process in step S7 has been performed. When YES is determined in the step S11, the process proceeds to a step S12, and it is determined whether or not a predetermined time T set in a timer has elapsed from the cutoff process. If NO in step S12,
Since there is a possibility that exhaust gas from another vehicle that has moved to the front of the detection range S may flow in, the process proceeds to step S7, and a process of maintaining the communication path shut off is performed.

If NO in step S11, no other vehicle is detected this time and the previous time, and it is not necessary to perform the shut-off control. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S13, and the communication is maintained. Further, if YES in step S12, the predetermined time T has elapsed, and there is no possibility that exhaust gas from another vehicle that has moved forward of the detection range S will flow in.
Proceeding to step S13, a process for maintaining the communication path shut off is performed, and at the same time, the timer T is reset.

According to the embodiment of the present invention having such a configuration, a vehicle that passes or overtakes the own vehicle is detected, and communication between the inside and outside of the vehicle compartment is immediately interrupted. The air is prevented from flowing into the passenger compartment.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

In the above embodiment, the microwave modules are arranged on both the left and right ends of the bumper. However, the microwave modules may be mounted on other places such as a door mirror.

In the above embodiment, the magnitude of the relative speed between the host vehicle and the other vehicle is not directly reflected on the timer, but the value of the timer is changed according to the magnitude of the relative speed. May be configured.

In the above embodiment, both the switching to the internal air circulation and the closing of the window are performed to shut off the communication path, but either one of them may be used.

Further, in the above embodiment, a Doppler sensor is used as a sensor. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Existence of vehicles laterally and obliquely behind the vehicle and the distance between the vehicles and the vehicle are described. Other sensors capable of detecting the distance may be used, for example, a distance sensor or a sensor capable of measuring a distance by image processing.

[0034]

According to the present invention, there is provided a vehicle control device capable of effectively preventing exhaust gas from a vehicle that has exited in front of the own vehicle from flowing into a vehicle interior.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a drawing showing a detection range by a microwave module.

FIG. 3 is a drawing showing a configuration of a microwave module.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a process performed by the signal processing unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: Vehicle control device 2: Microwave module 4: Amplifier 6: Detection unit 8: A / D converter 10: Signal processing unit S: Detection range C: Own vehicle D: Other vehicle

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A detection area is provided obliquely rearward of an outside air intake of a communication passage that communicates between the interior of the vehicle and the exterior of the interior of the vehicle,
Vehicle detection means for detecting the presence of a vehicle in the detection area, and the relative speed between the vehicle and the host vehicle; and when the vehicle whose presence is detected by the vehicle detection means moves forward of the detection area. And a communication path blocking means for blocking the communication path. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the communication path blocking unit is configured to:
The control device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the control unit maintains the cutoff state. 3. The control device for a vehicle includes a gradient detecting unit that detects a gradient of a road on which the vehicle is traveling, and the communication path blocking unit determines that an upward gradient detected by the gradient detecting unit is larger than a predetermined value. 3. The control device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined time is set to be longer than a case where the uphill gradient detected by the gradient detection unit is equal to or less than a predetermined value. 4. The vehicle control device further comprises means for estimating whether or not the vehicle is traveling on an uphill lane, wherein the communication path blocking means comprises: The control device for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the predetermined time is set longer than when the vehicle is not traveling on an uphill lane.