JP5467190B2 - Vehicle obstacle avoidance support apparatus and vehicle obstacle avoidance support method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle obstacle avoidance support technology that supports an obstacle avoidance operation by a driver.

As a device that supports an obstacle avoidance operation by the driver, for example, there is a technique described in Patent Document 1.
The technique described in Patent Document 1 is based on assist control of the steering torque so as to prevent the vehicle from deviating from the road. In addition, when an obstacle is detected in front of the host vehicle, the steering torque addition amount is corrected in a direction to avoid the obstacle. Subsequently, when it is detected that an obstacle has been avoided, the steering torque addition amount is corrected in the direction opposite to the obstacle avoiding direction.
Thus, an obstacle ahead of the vehicle is avoided while preventing the vehicle from deviating from the road.
JP-A-8-263794

In the technique described in Patent Document 1, two controls, namely, lane departure prevention and obstacle avoidance, which may have conflicting control purposes, are performed with fixed control gains.
However, it can be assumed that the priority of road departure prevention and lane return and obstacle avoidance change dynamically in each aspect of a series of avoidance movements. For this reason, it is difficult to provide versatility that can appropriately cope with various situations with a fixed control gain. For this reason, the steering torque control may give the driver a sense of incongruity in situations such as switching back the steering wheel when avoiding obstacles and avoiding road departure / lane return, for example. .
The present invention has been made paying attention to the above points, and provides a vehicle obstacle avoidance support capable of accurately calculating guidance control command values for a plurality of controls in which the control objectives may conflict with each other. The challenge is to do.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention obtains the traveling path area of the host vehicle excluding the area occupied by the detected obstacle as the travelable area, and the host vehicle stays in the travelable area until a predetermined time later. An avoidable operation amount set that is a set having a time series of possible vehicle operation amounts as a constituent element is calculated. Then, the degree of difficulty of the avoidance operation is estimated by predicting a change of the avoidable operation amount set when a specific steering operation related to guidance is performed, and the vehicle is set to the operation amount that is expected to keep the difficulty level of avoidance small. Guidance of the operation amount.

  According to the present invention, the operation amount time series including the future ahead of a predetermined time is used as a reference, so that the priority of obstacle avoidance and lane return can be appropriately considered in a certain time interval. From this, the amount of induction is determined. Therefore, it is possible to accurately calculate the guidance control command values for a plurality of controls that may have conflicting control purposes.

Next, an embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a device configuration of a host vehicle equipped with the vehicle obstacle avoidance assistance device of the present embodiment.
(Constitution)
The example of the host vehicle shown in FIG. 1 is an example of a vehicle with front wheel steering.
The own vehicle SW is equipped with the following various sensors. The sensors are a plurality of cameras 1, a vehicle speed sensor 2, a yaw rate sensor 3, an acceleration sensor 4, a steering angle sensor 5, and a steering torque sensor 6. These sensors output detection signals to the avoidance support controller 7.

  The camera 1 is provided, for example, in the front of the passenger compartment. The camera 1 detects the information ahead of the host vehicle SW by photographing the road situation in front of the host vehicle SW. The information ahead of the host vehicle SW includes an obstacle, a road boundary, a white line, and the like. By configuring the camera 1 with two cameras to be in a stereo format, not only the direction of the object but also the distance can be detected. In addition to the front of the host vehicle SW, side information and the like may be acquired. Note that the distance may be obtained separately by laser light or the like.

The vehicle speed sensor 2 detects the rotational speed of the wheel. For example, a rotary encoder attached to a wheel can be used. The vehicle speed is measured by detecting a pulse signal generated in proportion to the rotation of the wheel.
The yaw rate sensor 3 detects the yaw rate generated in the vehicle. For example, a device configured using a crystal resonator or a semiconductor is used.
The acceleration sensor 4 detects acceleration in a specific direction generated in the vehicle. For example, a device configured using a piezoelectric element or the like is used. In this embodiment, the structure which detects especially the acceleration which generate | occur | produces in the horizontal direction of a vehicle is assumed.

The steering angle sensor 5 detects the rotation angle of steering. For example, it is provided in the steering column and detects the rotation angle of the steering wheel 10.
The steering torque sensor 6 detects the driver's steering torque. The steering torque sensor 6 is interposed in the steering shaft (steering system) and detects the steering torque based on the amount of twist.
The vehicle also includes a steering assist motor 8 and a motor controller 9.
The steering assist motor 8 adds assist torque to the steering shaft in response to an assist torque command from the motor controller 9.

  The avoidance support controller 7 includes a microprocessor. The microprocessor includes an integrated circuit composed of an A / D conversion circuit, a D / A conversion circuit, a central processing unit, a memory, and the like. Then, according to a program stored in the memory, processing of signals detected by various sensors, calculation of an obstacle avoidance operation amount set, and calculation of guidance amounts for avoidance support are performed. Then, the steering assist motor 8 is controlled via the motor controller 9 to apply assist torque to the steering system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram summarizing the above-described device configuration by function.
The own vehicle state detection means includes a vehicle speed sensor 2, a steering angle sensor 5, a yaw rate sensor 3, an acceleration sensor 4 and a camera 1 attached to the vehicle. And the function which acquires the information regarding the movement and operation state (vehicle state) of the own vehicle SW by processing the signals detected by the sensors in an integrated manner is realized.
Among these sensors, the camera 1 also serves as an obstacle detection unit and a road boundary detection unit, and realizes a function of performing image processing on the captured image and extracting information on the obstacle and the road boundary.

Next, the avoidance support controller 7 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, the avoidance support controller 7 includes a sensor signal processing unit 7A, a travelable area calculation unit 7B, an avoidable operation amount set calculation unit 7C, an avoidable operation amount set change prediction unit 7D, and an avoidance difficulty level estimation unit. 7E and a command value calculation processing unit 7F. By these functional blocks, the avoidance support controller 7 calculates a set of operation amounts that can avoid the obstacles in addition to the sensor signal processing described above, and suppresses the contact risk with the obstacles evaluated from the calculated sets. The operation amount that can be calculated is calculated. Then, a command value for guidance control that brings the driver's operation closer to the calculated operation amount is calculated, and the command value is output to the motor controller 9.

  The sensor signal processing unit 7A processes information based on signals from each sensor, and converts the information into information developed on the same coordinates. The converted information is output to the avoidable set calculation means. Note that image processing is performed on the image information from the camera 1 to extract obstacles and road boundary information. This extraction process may be provided on the camera 1 side. Further, the sensor signal processing unit 7A acquires the motion state (running state) and the operation state of the host vehicle SW from information based on signals from the sensors.

  The travelable area calculation means 7B calculates a travelable area P in which the host vehicle SW can travel. That is, based on the information detected by the camera 1 as the road boundary detection means, a runway area that is an area inside the road boundary is obtained. Further, the occupied area of the obstacle is obtained based on the information detected by the camera 1 as the obstacle detecting means. The occupied area of the obstacle is an area where the vehicle SW is likely to come into contact with the obstacle when entering the occupied area. And the area | region remove | excluding the area occupied by the obstacle from the road area is calculated as the travelable area P.

The avoidable operation amount set calculation unit 7C calculates an avoidable operation amount set based on the motion state of the host vehicle SW and the travelable region P. The avoidable operation amount set is a time-series set of vehicle operation amounts in which the host vehicle SW can stay in the travelable area P until a predetermined time later.
At this time, the avoidable operation amount set is limited to a range that satisfies the estimated limit of the vehicle operation amount that the driver can take. Further, the avoidable operation amount set is limited to a range that satisfies the estimated limit of the allowable vehicle motion state of the host vehicle.

The avoidable operation amount set change predicting unit 7D performs a process of predicting a specific change form of the calculated avoidable operation amount set. Here, the calculated avoidable operation amount set changes every moment depending on what kind of steering operation the driver performs.
The avoidance difficulty level estimation means 7E obtains an index of the avoidance difficulty level. The avoidance difficulty index is defined as an avoidance difficulty index by defining the avoidable operation amount set size.
Based on the processing result of the avoidance difficulty level estimation means 7E, the command value calculation processing unit 7F calculates an operation amount for reducing the avoidance difficulty level, and outputs the command value of the operation amount to the motor controller 9.

Next, the process of the avoidance support controller 7 will be described with reference to FIG.
Here, in order to make the processing easy to understand by giving concreteness, description will be made assuming the scene shown in FIG. In the scene illustrated in FIG. 4, a scene is assumed in which the obstacle SM is detected on the traveling road ahead of the host vehicle SW while the host vehicle SW is traveling on a straight road on one side lane.
Note that the process of FIG. 3 is repeatedly executed at a predetermined sampling period.

  First, in step S100, signals detected by various sensors are read into the memory. Then, the motion state of the host vehicle SW and the state of the obstacle SM are calculated as values on a predetermined unified coordinate system. The coordinate system can be set appropriately. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the X axis is set in the direction along the traveling direction of the road, and the Y axis is set in the direction perpendicular to the X axis (the road width direction). In the description of the present embodiment, the coordinate system sets the origin of the X coordinate to the current position of the host vehicle SW, and sets the origin of the Y coordinate near the center line of the road.

By setting the coordinate system, the position of the host vehicle SW (center point) can be expressed in the form of (X, Y) = (x, y).
Further, it is considered that the yaw angle θ, the longitudinal speed v _x , the lateral speed v _y , the yaw rate γ, and the turning angle δ of the front wheels are important physical quantities as state quantities representing the motion state of the host vehicle SW. As described below, the physical quantities describing the motion state of the host vehicle SW can be obtained with specific values by processing the detection signals of the sensors.

That is, for the longitudinal velocity v _x of the amount of these states (physical quantity), if Minasere lateral velocity v _y as compared to the longitudinal velocity v _x is sufficiently small, longitudinal velocity v _x undriven It can be approximated by the wheel speed of the wheel. Therefore, the longitudinal speed v _x can be obtained from the detection value of the vehicle speed sensor 2 attached to the non-driven wheel.
The yaw rate γ can be obtained from the yaw rate sensor 3.

If it is assumed that the road is a straight line, the vehicle yaw angle θ can be obtained by estimating the angle formed by the road boundary and the direction in which the vehicle is facing by image processing. Alternatively, it may be calculated by determining an appropriate initial value and integrating the output value of the yaw rate sensor 3.
Further, the lateral velocity v _y can be obtained by integrating the output of the acceleration sensor 4 that measures the vehicle lateral acceleration.
The front wheel steering angle δ can be acquired from the steering angle sensor 5.

When the obstacle SM is detected, the position coordinates Xp = (x _p , y _p ) of the center point of the obstacle SM and the values of the width σy and the depth σx of the obstacle SM This is calculated by processing the image information acquired in 1. The depth σx may be difficult to measure depending on the shooting direction. If it is difficult to measure the depth, for example, the same value as the width σy is set for convenience. When no obstacle SM is detected, the physical quantity relating to the obstacle SM is not calculated.
Further, the positions of the left end and the right end of the road are converted into values on the coordinate system, and Y = YL and Y = YR, respectively. The positions of the left end and the right end of the road are detected by road boundary detection by the camera 1.

An example of the coordinate system and physical quantity introduced in the scene of FIG. 4 is shown in FIG.
As described above, in step S100, a unified coordinate system is set, and information related to the host vehicle SW, the obstacle SM, and the road boundary is calculated as a value on the introduced coordinate system.
Next, in step S200, the process branches depending on whether or not the obstacle SM is detected. When the obstacle SM is detected, the process proceeds to step S300. On the other hand, when the obstacle SM is not detected, it is determined that there is no need for assistance, and the processing is terminated and returned.
Even when the obstacle SM is detected, if the risk of contact with the host vehicle SW is small, such as when the distance to the host vehicle SW is large, the obstacle SM is treated as not detected. Also good.

In step S300, the travelable area P is calculated. The travelable area P is a set of position coordinates (x, y) of the host vehicle SW in which the host vehicle SW does not contact the obstacle SM.
Here, a case is considered in which the travelable region P is defined as a relationship between the position coordinates (x, y) of the host vehicle SW and the position coordinates xp (x _p , y _p ) of the obstacle SM. In this case, if the length of the host vehicle SW is L and the width is W, the distance between the center points is further secured by (L / 2) and (W / 2) respectively than the depth and width of the obstacle SM. There is a need to. This is because the position coordinates (x, y) of the host vehicle SW are set at the center point of the host vehicle SW.

  Moreover, in the scene of FIG. 5, the obstacle SM exists in the left direction of the traveling road. For this reason, it is usually avoided in the right direction where a wider space is open. Therefore, if the left side of the obstacle SM is also treated as a non-travelable area for convenience, the travelable area P can be defined as an area as shown in FIG. 6 as follows.

As described above, step S300 performs the process of defining the travelable area P.
Subsequently, in step S400, an avoidable operation amount set is calculated.
The travelable area P is a range in which the host vehicle SW and the obstacle SM do not physically come into contact with each other. However, there are some physical constraints on the motion of the host vehicle SW. For this reason, the own vehicle SW cannot move freely in the travelable area P. Therefore, it may be difficult to accurately determine the necessity of avoidance support based only on the positional relationship between the travelable area P and the host vehicle SW.

And in order to determine the necessity of avoidance support, it is important to grasp the following two points.
The two points are
a) To grasp whether or not the operation amount that the driver is currently performing is included in the set of all operation amounts that the vehicle SW can continue to stay in the travelable area P in the future.
b) If it is included, grasp how much room is left until it cannot be avoided.
It is.

In order to calculate the avoidable operation amount set, first, a model describing the motion of the host vehicle SW is introduced. Here, a two-wheel model that approximates the movement of a four-wheel vehicle by the movement of a two-wheel vehicle is used as a model that describes the movement of the vehicle.
In this two-wheel model, the running speed is constant, the yaw angle θ is sufficiently small, the lateral speed v _y is sufficiently smaller than the longitudinal speed v _x, and the tire lateral force saturation characteristic does not appear remarkably. The state can be approximated as:

here,
m: vehicle mass I: vehicle yaw moment of inertia Lf: distance from vehicle center of gravity to front wheel axis Lr: distance from vehicle center of gravity to rear wheel axis Cf: front wheel cornering power coefficient Cr: rear wheel cornering power coefficient δv: turning angular velocity T: Steering torque.
Here, the turning angle and the turning torque are assumed to be positive when turning rightward.
The above equations (3) to (9) are expressed as state vectors describing the motion state of the host vehicle SW.

を定義する。なお、（１０）式において、添え字のＴは行列・ベクトルの転置を表す。
そして、転舵トルクＴを制御入力、縦方向速度ｖ_xをパラメータとみなすと、以下の線形モデルとしてまとめることができる。

Define In the equation (10), the subscript T represents transposition of a matrix / vector.
When the turning torque T is regarded as a control input and the longitudinal speed v _x is regarded as a parameter, it can be summarized as the following linear model.

  When the continuous time system model of the equation (11) is converted into a discrete time model (with a sampling period of Δt), n is the number of discretization steps,

という形のモデルを得ることが出来る。ここでは、ｎ＝１が現時刻を表す。
以上のようにして導入したモデルを用いると、転舵トルク入力Ｔに対する車両運動の予測計算を行うことができる。現時刻において測定した状態ベクトルをｘ₀＝ｘ（１）とすると、ｎステップ先の時刻における状態ベクトルの予測値は（１２）式から、

Can be obtained. Here, n = 1 represents the current time.
When the model introduced as described above is used, the prediction calculation of the vehicle motion with respect to the turning torque input T can be performed. If the state vector measured at the current time is x ₀ = x (1), the predicted value of the state vector at the time n steps ahead is

という式で算出することができる。
ここで、

It can be calculated by the formula
here,

である。また、１_nは、要素がすべて１となっている、ｎ次の列ベクトルである。また、記法の簡略化のため、ステップ数ｉにおける入力Ｔ（ｉ）をＴｉと表記している。

It is. In addition, 1 _n is an n-th column vector in which all elements are 1. For simplification of the notation, the input T (i) at the step number i is expressed as Ti.

Here, assuming that the state vector from the present to T seconds ahead is predicted, the state vector x (n + l) is calculated from n = 1 to N = (T / Δt) according to the equation (13). The time series of the calculated state vector represents the predicted traveling locus of the host vehicle SW when the turning torque input T is added. However, the travel locus of the host vehicle SW needs to remain within the travelable area P defined by the equations (1) and (2).
Further, the maximum turning angle δ _max is determined for the turning angle δ according to the specifications of the vehicle steering system, and a travel locus in which the value of the pre-side turning angle exceeds δ _max cannot be realized. That is, it is also required that the traveling locus of the host vehicle SW stays within the realizable state Q defined by the following equation.

  And the condition that the state vector x stays inside P and Q is

という行列ｃ、ベクトルｃ_max（ｎ）を定義すると、

Defining a matrix c and a vector c _max (n)

という条件式で表現することができる。

It can be expressed by the conditional expression

Note that the travelable area P is defined in the formula (1) as a limit value y _min of y that varies depending on the position x in the vertical direction. However, under the condition that the vertical velocity v _x is constant, the value of x is uniquely determined by the number of steps n from Equation (3). For this reason, in the equation (15), the limit value y _min is treated as a function that varies depending on the number of steps n.

In order for the own vehicle travel locus to remain inside P and Q, the equation (16) must be established for each step of n = 1, 2,. Here, between the time series U _N of the state vector x and input operation, (13) the relationship equation is established. Therefore, when the conditions of equation (16) are arranged,

を得ることが出来る。そして、（１７）式を操作入力Ｕ_Nに関する条件に書き換えると、

Can be obtained. When rewriting the condition related to the operation input U _N a (17),

という条件を得ることが出来る。この（１８）式を満たす操作量Ｕ_Nの集合が、回避可能操作量集合となる。
すなわち、回避可能操作量集合Ｓは、

The condition that can be obtained. A set of operation amounts U _N satisfying this equation (18) is an avoidable operation amount set.
That is, the avoidable manipulated variable set S is

という形式で算出することができる。

Can be calculated in the form

As described above, the processing specifically performed in step S400 is calculation of the matrices F and G.
Next, in step S500, avoidable operation amount set S, a steering operation amount next driver inputs, namely how varying or predicted by turning torque T ₁ performed.
First, a standard avoidance operation pattern (standard solution) is calculated. This process is performed to simplify the process by lowering the order of the avoidable operation amount set S.
Here, as a standard solution, a method of using an avoidance operation amount time series that can be avoided with a steering torque as small as possible in the avoidance operation amount set is shown. However, a standard solution in accordance with various ideas can be configured by setting an evaluation function described later.
As an evaluation function for the manipulated variable U _N ,

を導入する。

Is introduced.

Here, w ₁ , w ₂ ,..., W _N are weight parameters. An operation amount time series that minimizes the evaluation function of the equation (20) from the avoidable operation amount set S is set as a reference avoidance operation amount time series.
Next, a specific reference avoidance operation amount time series calculation method will be described by taking the above equation (20) as an example.
New N positive variables L ₁ , L ₂ ,..., L _N are introduced, and | Ti |, (i = 1, 2,..., N) in equation (20) is replaced with a variable Li. The evaluation function L ′ is introduced as shown in the following equation.
L ′ = w ₁ · L ₁ + w ₂ · L ₂ + ... + w _N · L _N (21)

It is assumed that the new variable L _i and | Ti | are associated under the following constraint conditions.
-L _i ≦ Ti ≦ L _i (i = 1, 2,..., N) (22)
Moreover, since the variable L _i is introduced on the assumption that it is positive,
L _i ≧ 0 (i = 1, 2,..., N) (23)
It is also necessary to impose such restrictions.
Here, the problem defined by the constraint conditions (19), (22), (23), and the evaluation function (21) is a linear programming problem. Therefore, an algorithm for efficiently solving is known. And the solution {T ^* i} can be obtained using the known algorithm.

Here, in order to reduce the order of the avoidable operation amount set using the standard solution, it is assumed that the steering operation along the standard solution is performed after a predetermined time has elapsed. Then, attention is focused on a set of operation amounts at a time closer to that.
That is, the operation amount U _N, as follows, divided into a deterministic part and unconfirmed portions. Here, the fixed portion is a section operated along the standard solution. An undetermined part is a section which assumes a driver's free operation.

However, K is the number of steps left as an undetermined part. To apply the average of the U _N to (18), (18) of the matrix F, split as follows vector G, and U _N.

If the average of U _NK is replaced with the calculated reference solution {T ^* i}, the average of the avoidable manipulated variable set S _K for the first K step can be defined as follows.

The average of S _K can be interpreted as a set of operation amounts that can be tolerated in the first K steps. However, after the (K + 1) step, it is assumed that the avoidance is performed along the reference avoidance operation amount time series.
Here, it is calculated how the average of the set S _K changes when the value of T ₁ which is the leading value of U _K is fixed. Therefore, the average of F _N and U _K are further divided as follows.

ただし、

However,

である。
また、ｆ_iはＦ_Nの平均の第１列目の各成分である。ｆ_iの平均はＦ_Nの平均の第ｉ行目の第２列から第Ｋ列までの各成分を並べた行ベクトルである。
ここで、

It is.
Further, f _i is each component of the average first column of F _N. The average of f _i is a row vector in which the components from the second column to the Kth column of the i-th row of the average of F _N are arranged.
here,

である。したがって、Ｔ₁の値を確定させた場合の回避可能操作量集合Ｓ^K ₂（Ｔ₁）の中央値は、次の（３２）式で表すことが出来る。

It is. Therefore, the median value of the avoidable manipulated variable set S ^K ₂ (T ₁ ) when the value of T ₁ is fixed can be expressed by the following equation (32).

FIG. 7 shows an example of the average of the set S ₂ and the median value of S ² ₂ (T ₁ ) when K = 2. When K = 2, the average of the avoidable manipulated variable set S ₂ can be expressed as a polygonal region on a two-dimensional plane composed of T ₁ and T ₂ . On the other hand, adding a specific input means cutting the polygon area with a straight line T ₁ = (constant) and reducing the set on the line segment connecting the intersections with the sides of the polygon. Can be interpreted.
This line segment is the median value of the set S ^K ₂ (T ₁ ). This set forms a different set depending on the input to be added. This indicates that the next input T ₂ that can be taken changes depending on what input is added as T ₁ . Based on this set change, it is possible to evaluate what input should be added at present.

When K = 3, the average of the set S ₃ constitutes a polyhedron region in a three-dimensional space constituted by T ₁ , T ₂ , and T ₃ . In this case, the median value of S ³ ₂ (T ₁ ) is a polygonal region on a two-dimensional plane constituted by T ₂ and T ₃ . The order of the set changes, but the subsequent processing can proceed in the same way.
Through the above processing, the median value of S ^K ₂ (T ₁ ) is obtained from the average of the avoidable manipulated variable set S _{K in} step S500.
Next, in step 600, processing for evaluating the degree of difficulty in avoidance is performed from the median value of the avoidable operation amount set S ^K ₂ (T ₁ ) (predicted value of change in avoidable operation amount set).

  In general, if the avoidable operation amount set is large, a greater degree of freedom remains in the avoidance operation. In this case, since the accuracy required for the avoidance operation is not so high, the avoidance operation can be interpreted as an easy situation. On the other hand, if the avoidable operation amount set is small, a highly accurate operation is required in order to realize avoidance, so that it can be interpreted that the avoiding operation is difficult. Therefore, by measuring the size of the avoidance set in some form, the value can be used as an index associated with the avoidance difficulty level.

There are various methods for measuring the size of the set. An example is shown.
The set considered in the present embodiment can be expressed as a polyhedral area in the K-dimensional space. Therefore, the volume can be defined as the size. Accordingly, the median size | S ^K ₂ of the set S ^K ₂ is defined by the following equation (33).

This value is used as an index of the difficulty level of avoidance.
That is, the median of the avoidable manipulated variable set S ^K ₂ is a set that varies depending on T ₁ . Therefore, the avoidance difficulty level H is defined by the following equation (34) as a function of T ₁ .

例えば、図７の例では、Ｓ² ₂の中央値は線分になる。したがって、

For example, in the example of FIG. 7, the median value of S ² ₂ is a line segment. Therefore,

などのように計算出来る。この図７に示す例では、Ｈ（Ｔ_A）の方がＨ（Ｔ_B）よりも値が大きく、Ｔ₁としては、Ｔ_BよりもＴ_Aを加えた方が回避が容易になることを意味している。

It can be calculated as follows. In the example shown in FIG. 7, H (T _A ) has a larger value than H (T _B ), and T ₁ is easier to avoid by adding T _A than T _B. I mean.

In general, H (T ₁ ) is a piecewise linear function because the median value of S ^K ₂ can be represented by a polyhedron. For example, the specific shape of H (T ₁ ) when K = 2 is as shown in FIG. In actual processing, the whole piecewise linear function may be calculated, or the value of H (T ₁ ) at several sample points is obtained to reduce the amount of calculation, and a piecewise linear function is constructed between the sample points. Thus, it is conceivable to approximate H (T ₁ ).

Incidentally, it means that for a given T ₁ Median S ^K ₂ is the case where the empty set will not be avoided by inputting the T _1. In this case, it is defined that H (T ₁ ) = 0.
As described above, in step S600, the avoidance difficulty level H (T ₁ ) is calculated from the median value of the avoidable manipulated variable set S ^K ₂ (T ₁ ).
Next, in step 700, the avoidance difficulty level is evaluated.
Here, when the value of the avoidance difficulty level function H (T ₁ ) is larger than a predetermined level regardless of the value of T ₁ , that is, when the degree of freedom of the avoidance operation is large, the avoidance operation is required as described above. This means that the accuracy is low. In this case, avoidance assistance can be considered unnecessary.
Therefore, the minimum value H _min of the avoidance difficulty level function H (T ₁ ) is defined by the following equation (35).

If the minimum value H _min represented by the expression (35) is larger than the predetermined threshold value H _thr , it is determined that the avoidance support is unnecessary, and the process ends and returns. On the other hand, if the minimum value H _min is smaller than H _thr, it is determined that assistance is required, and the process proceeds to step 800.
Next, in Step 800, a torque command value to be generated as a steering assist torque is calculated from the avoidance difficulty level function H (T ₁ ) and the value of the steering torque currently acting on the steering system. Then, the calculated torque command value is output to the motor controller 9.
Here, when the current operation amount is evaluated based on the avoidance difficulty level function, the steering torque T ^max _{1 at} which the value of H (T ₁ ) is the largest is the most desirable operation amount. Therefore, when the current turning torque is equal to T ^max ₁ , turning assistance is unnecessary. Therefore, let the steering assist torque command value be ΔT,

とする。

And

On the other hand, when the value of H (T ₁ ) is 0, this corresponds to a situation where it can be predicted that avoidance is impossible with the current turning torque. In this case, the maximum steering assist torque command value ΔT _max is output in order to quickly return the steering torque to the avoidable operation amount set.
The direction of the steering assist torque is applied in a positive direction when the avoidable operation amount set is present on the side larger than the current operation amount. Further, when the avoidable operation amount set exists on the side smaller than the current operation amount, it is multiplied in the negative direction. In this way, guidance is performed so that the operation amount falls within the avoidable operation amount set. For other steering torque inputs, a function is provided that outputs an intermediate value from −ΔT _max to ΔT _max in accordance with the avoidance difficulty level function value. Then, a command value is determined based on the configured function. A configuration example of the steering torque assist command value is shown in FIG.

The above processing is performed in step S800, a steering assist torque function is configured based on the avoidance difficulty level function, and a function value corresponding to the current value of the steering torque is calculated as a steering assist torque command value. .
Then, the calculated steering assist torque command value is output to the motor controller 9. As a result, the commanded steering assist torque is converted into a current command value for generating the steering assist motor 8, and the steering assist motor 8 is driven, thereby realizing the actual steering assist torque.

Note that the steering assist torque command calculated as described above is an assist for avoiding obstacles. Therefore, it can coexist with a power steering function for assisting a normal steering operation. That is, if the driver's steering torque is T _D and the assist torque by the power steering function is T _PS , the turning torque T acting on the steering system at the normal time can be expressed by equation (37).
T = T _D + T _PS (37)
That is, when the power steering function is in the operating state, the steering assist torque calculated by the equation (37) is regarded as the operation amount, and the steering assist torque command value for obstacle avoidance is calculated. Accordingly, the steering assist torque actually output by the steering assist motor 8 is T _PS + ΔT.

  Here, the vehicle speed sensor 2, the steering angle sensor 5, the yaw rate sensor 3, the acceleration sensor 4, and the camera 1 constitute own vehicle state detection means. The camera 1 also constitutes obstacle detection means and road boundary detection means. The command value calculation processing unit 7F, the motor controller 9, and the steering assist motor 8 constitute driving operation guidance means. The two-wheel model constitutes vehicle motion limit means. Expression (14) constitutes an operation limit estimating means.

(Operation)
The following processing is performed periodically.
Based on the information acquired by the sensor, the running area of the host vehicle and the obstacle area occupied by the obstacle when there are obstacles are obtained. And the driving | running | working area | region P which excluded the obstruction area | region from the running path area | region is calculated | required.
Furthermore, a limit is imposed by an estimated value of the limit of the vehicle operation amount that can be taken and an estimated value of the limit of the allowable vehicle motion state, and the vehicle operation amount that can remain in the travelable region P until a predetermined time later. An avoidable operation amount set having time series as a component is calculated.

Furthermore, it is predicted how the avoidable operation amount set changes according to the turning torque that is the input operation amount, and the avoidance difficulty level is evaluated, that is, the avoidance difficulty level is estimated.
When it is determined that avoidance assistance is necessary based on the avoidance difficulty level, the steering assist torque command value ΔT is calculated such that the avoidance difficulty level decreases, that is, the avoidance difficulty level function H (T ₁ ) increases. Then, the steering assist torque command value ΔT is applied to the steering system (steering torque transmission system). Thus, the vehicle operation amount is guided so that the driver's steering operation amount is included in the avoidable operation amount set. That is, the host vehicle is guided in a direction to avoid the obstacle.

By performing the steering assist as described above, the driver's steering operation can be guided to an operation in which the degree of freedom of avoidance operation in the future can be kept large.
Since the command value is calculated based on the future prediction, the driver's operation can be supported from an early stage after the danger has become apparent. On the other hand, since the command value is calculated based on the avoidable operation amount set, it is possible to simultaneously reduce a sense of incongruity by suppressing unnecessary operation intervention.

(Effect of this embodiment)
(1) A travelable area identifying unit, an avoidable operation amount set calculating unit, an avoidable operation amount set change predicting unit, an avoidance difficulty level estimating unit, and a driving operation guiding unit are provided.
That is, the travelable area identifying means detects the area on the road where the host vehicle can travel, and the avoidable manipulated variable set calculating means is a vehicle that can remain in the travelable area for a predetermined time ahead. A time series set of operation amounts is calculated. Then, the avoidable operation amount set change prediction means predicts a change when the set steering operation is performed, and the avoidance difficulty estimation means estimates the difficulty of the avoidance operation by evaluating the prediction. The driving operation guidance means associates the calculation result of the avoidable operation amount set calculation means with the difficulty level of the avoidance operation, thereby calculating an operation amount advantageous for the host vehicle and guiding the vehicle operation.

In other words, by using the operation amount time series including the future up to a predetermined time ahead as a reference, the guidance amount is selected from the operation amounts that appropriately consider the priority of obstacle avoidance and lane return within a certain time interval. It is configured to determine. As a result, it is possible to accurately calculate the guidance control command value taking a trade-off between a plurality of control purposes.
In addition, since the guidance amount is determined based on a set of all the operation amount time series that match the control objective, not a single operation amount, it is not a guidance that forces the driver to perform a specific avoidance operation. In addition, since guidance for keeping the driver's operation in a set of operation amounts that can be avoided can be performed, it is possible to realize support that achieves both obstacle avoidance and suppression of the uncomfortable feeling given to the driver.

(2) A road boundary detection means is provided.
That is, the avoidable operation amount set is calculated in consideration of the road boundary in addition to the obstacle. As a result, it is possible to provide avoidance support that achieves both obstacle avoidance and off-road departure prevention.
(3) An operation limit estimation unit is provided.
Thus, the avoidable operation amount set is calculated in consideration of the limit of the driver's vehicle operation amount. This eliminates the assumption of an unrealistic avoidance method that the driver cannot actually operate. Furthermore, the necessity of avoidance support according to the skill of the driver can be determined by appropriately estimating the operation amount limit.

(4) A vehicle motion limit estimation means is provided.
Thus, the avoidable operation amount set is calculated by setting a limit on the vehicle motion state. This prevents an error in predicting vehicle behavior due to a sudden movement of the vehicle from exceeding a predetermined level. As a result, the accuracy of the avoidable operation amount set can be maintained.
(5) The avoidable operation amount set calculation unit updates the avoidable set each time new information is detected. As a result, even when the behavior of the obstacle or the motion of the vehicle is different from the initial prediction, it is possible to provide avoidance support that can quickly cope with a new situation.

(6) The driving operation guidance means increases the guidance amount as the degree of avoidance difficulty increases. Accordingly, stronger guidance control is performed in a scene where an accurate operation is required, and an appropriate avoidance operation can be easily performed even when the skill of the driver is insufficient.
(7) Operation guidance is suppressed when the degree of difficulty of avoidance is smaller than a predetermined level. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the driver from feeling uncomfortable due to the guidance being performed in a situation where no assistance is required.
(8) The driving operation guiding means applies auxiliary torque to the steering torque transmission system from the steering wheel to the steering wheel.
That is, avoidance assistance is performed by applying assist torque of the steering system. As a result, an appropriate steering direction and steering angle can be presented to the driver in an easy-to-understand manner directly connected to the driving operation.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and demonstrated about the structure similar to the said 1st Embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram of a device configuration of the host vehicle SW equipped with the vehicle obstacle avoidance assistance device of the present embodiment.
(Constitution)
The basic vehicle configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment as shown in FIG. However, the clutch 20 is interposed in the middle of the steering shaft (steering system). Then, by releasing the clutch 20, the steering by the steering wheel is mechanically disconnected. Further, a turning angle sensor 21 is provided. The turning angle sensor 21 is interposed in the steering torque transmission path and detects an actual turning angle. In this case, the motor controller 9 can control the turning angle independently of the driver steering by controlling the motor 8 on the system side based on the detection signal of the turning angle sensor 21. The motor controller 9 drives and controls the motor 8 based on a command from the avoidance support controller 7.
The second embodiment is an example in which effective avoidance is performed by correcting the steering amount of the driver within a certain predetermined range using the calculation result of the avoidable operation amount set calculating means 7C. .

Next, the process of the avoidance support controller 7 of this embodiment will be described.
Here, the scene of FIG. 4 similar to the first embodiment is assumed. However, in this embodiment, handling of a case where the obstacle SM moves will also be described.
Here, as shown in FIG. 10, the process of the avoidance support controller 7 in the second embodiment is substantially the same as the process of the avoidance support controller 7 in the first embodiment (see FIG. 3). is there. The same processing steps as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same step numbers.

In steps S100 and S200, it is determined whether or not an obstacle has been detected by acquiring road boundary information, obstacle information, and the like by a signal from the sensor. This process is the same as steps S100 and S200 of the first embodiment. If an obstacle is detected in step S200, the process proceeds to step S250. On the other hand, if no obstacle is detected, the process proceeds to step S900.
In step S250, a release command is output to the clutch 20, and the process proceeds to step S300. This shifts to a state in which the turning angle can be controlled by the turning motor.
The process of step S300 is the same process as in the first embodiment. However, when the obstacle is moving, the avoidable area is configured as follows.
That is, the detected value of the center position of the obstacle is xp = (x ⁰ _p , y ⁰ _p ). Here, for the sake of simplicity, if the obstacle is moving in a direction perpendicular to the X axis (Y axis direction: vehicle width direction), the moving speed is expressed as vp = (0, v ^y _p ). I can do it. At this time, assuming that the obstacle moves linearly at a constant velocity, the center position of the obstacle at the step number i can be predicted to move as follows.

ただし、Δｔはステップの時間刻みを表している。従って、ステップ数ｉにおける走行可能領域Ｐは、以下のように定義できる。

However, Δt represents the time increment of the step. Accordingly, the travelable area P at the step number i can be defined as follows.

  Subsequently, the process of step 400 is performed. The process of step S400 is the same as step 400 of the first embodiment as a role. However, the configuration of the vehicle model is changed according to the difference in the system configuration. In addition, some changes have been made to the expression of constraint conditions. That is, in the first embodiment, the vehicle model is configured by the differential equations (3) to (9). On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the expressions (3) to (5) are used as they are, while the models after the expression (6) are changed to the following expressions (42) to (44).

However,
θ _SW : Steering wheel rotation angle K _S : Gear ratio from steering wheel to front wheel rudder angle when clutch 20 is engaged Δδ: Front wheel rudder angle correction amount Δδ _com : Front wheel rudder angle correction amount command value T _S : Front wheel rudder Response time constant from the command value for the angle correction amount to the actual steering angle.
In addition, with the change of the vehicle model, the definition of the state vector is also changed as follows.

状態方程式も、Δδ_comを制御、ｖ_x、θ_SWを測定パラメータとみなして、以下のように変更する。

The state equation is also changed as follows with Δδ _com being controlled and v _x and θ _SW being regarded as measurement parameters.

ここで、第１実施形態と同様に（４６）式を離散化した状態方程式の行列Ａ_d、Ｄ_d、ベクトルｂ_dを算出した上で、ｎステップ先の時刻における状態ベクトルの予測式を構成すると、次式のようになる。

Here, as in the first embodiment, after calculating the matrices A _d and D _d and the vector b _d of the state equation obtained by discretizing the equation (46), the prediction formula of the state vector at the time n steps ahead is formed. Then, the following equation is obtained.

In the second embodiment, a constraint condition is imposed that the front wheel steering angle is not corrected by Δδ _max or more on the system side.
Since modeled by the dynamics of the steering angle correction (44) first-order system of steady state gain 1 as equation for the correction command value △ δ _com, | Δδ _com | imposes the constraint that ≦ .DELTA..delta _max In this case, the turning angle correction amount Δδ does not exceed Δδ _max .
The above constraints are

と表現することができる。
また、第１実施形態と同様、自車両の走行軌跡が走行可能領域Ｐの内部に留まっているという条件は、

It can be expressed as
Further, as in the first embodiment, the condition that the traveling locus of the host vehicle remains inside the travelable region P is as follows:

と表現することができる。

It can be expressed as

(47) equation (48) below, and performed the same expression modifications of the first embodiment with reference to equation (49), and finally (18) linear inequality condition regarding the same operation amount U _N and equation Can lead. However, the forms of the matrices F and G are not the same. And it becomes the avoidable operation amount set S in the second embodiment.
Next, the process proceeds to step S500. The processing in step S500 is also similar to step 500 in the first embodiment as a role. However, the operation amount is corrected in accordance with the change from the turning angle to the corrected steering angle command value.
First, the reference solution is calculated using the following equation (50) as an evaluation function.

Then, the standard solution {Δδ ^* _com } can be obtained by reducing to the linear programming problem as in the first embodiment. Further, the process of obtaining the average of S _K by reducing the order of the avoidable manipulated variable set S using the reference solution can be performed in the same procedure as in the first embodiment. Further, the median value of the avoidable manipulated variable set S ^K ₂ (Δδ ¹ _com ) when the value of the turning angle correction amount Δδ ¹ _com is fixed can be calculated in the same manner.
Subsequently, avoidance difficulty calculation processing is performed in step 600, and further branch processing for avoidance difficulty evaluation is performed in step S700. The processing is the same as that in step 600 and S700 in the first embodiment.
If it is determined in step S700 that it is difficult to avoid, the process proceeds to step 800. In step S800, first, a corrected turning angle command value that maximizes the avoidance difficulty level function value is calculated.
That is,

となるΔδ^1* _comをステップ５００で構成した回避困難度関数から算出する。
そして、ステアリングホイール回転角θ_SWを測定し、転舵角指令値δ_comを、下記（５２）式に従って算出する。

Δδ ^{1 *} _com is calculated from the avoidance difficulty function constructed in step 500.
Then, the steering wheel rotation angle θ _SW is measured, and the turning angle command value δ _com is calculated according to the following equation (52).

The calculated turning angle command value δ _com is output to the turning angle servo controller, the process is terminated, and the process returns.
On the other hand, if no obstacle is detected in step S200, the process proceeds to step 900. In step S900, if the clutch 20 is in a disengaged state, a clutch 20 engagement command is output to return to the normal traveling state, and then return.
Here, step S300 constitutes obstacle behavior prediction means.

(Operation)
In this embodiment, when an obstacle is detected and avoidance assistance is started, the clutch 20 is opened and the mode shifts to a mode in which the front wheel steering angle is controlled on the system side.
At this time, the front wheel rudder angle command value is controlled to a steered angle obtained by adding a correction with a limit of ± Δδ _max on the basis of the angle originally realized by the driver's steering angle. As a result, the front wheel steering angle is corrected so as to achieve the avoidance movement with the most margin within the range of the predetermined correction amount while avoiding along the operation of the driver. As a result, it is possible to support the execution of an appropriate avoidance operation while suppressing the driver's uncomfortable feeling.

(Effect of this embodiment)
(1) In addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the following effects are obtained.
(2) An obstacle behavior prediction means is provided.
The construction is such that an avoidable operation amount set is calculated by predicting an obstacle movement route. This makes it possible to calculate an avoidable operation amount set that is effective even for moving obstacles.
(3) A clutch is interposed in the middle of the steering torque transmission system from the steering wheel to the steering wheel. Then, the driving operation guiding means guides the driving operation by performing control for correcting the turning angle by the steering of the driver, and sets the clutch to the open state while performing control for correcting the turning angle.
As a result, the steering wheel is separated from the steering wheel by the clutch 20, and the turning angle is corrected on the system side. As a result, avoidance by controlling the vehicle motion more precisely can be realized, and stable avoidance behavior can be realized regardless of variations in the response characteristics of the driver to the guidance control.

It is a typical block diagram of the vehicle equipped with the avoidance assistance apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment based on this invention. It is a figure explaining the structure of the avoidance assistance controller which concerns on 1st Embodiment based on this invention. It is a figure explaining the process of the avoidance assistance controller which concerns on 1st Embodiment based on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the application scene of the assumed apparatus which concerns on embodiment based on this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the coordinate system setting for the definition of the state quantity of the own vehicle and an obstruction. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the driving | running | working area | region in the scene of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the avoidable operation amount set which concerns on embodiment based on this invention, and its change. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the avoidance difficulty level function which concerns on 1st Embodiment based on this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the calculation method of the steering assist torque command value which concerns on 1st Embodiment based on this invention. It is a typical block diagram of the vehicle equipped with the avoidance assistance apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment based on this invention. It is a figure explaining the structure of the avoidance assistance controller which concerns on 2nd Embodiment based on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Camera 2 Vehicle speed sensor 3 Yaw rate sensor 4 Acceleration sensor 5 Steering angle sensor 6 Steering torque sensor 7 Avoidance support controller 7A Sensor signal processing part 7B Travelable region calculation means 7C Avoidable operation amount set calculation means 7D Avoidable operation amount set change prediction Means 7E Avoidance difficulty estimation means 7F Command value calculation processing unit 8 Steering assist motor 9 Motor controller 20 Clutch SW Own vehicle SM Obstacle

Claims (11)

Own vehicle state detecting means for detecting the own vehicle state consisting of the running state and the operating state of the own vehicle;
Obstacle detection means for detecting obstacles around the vehicle;
A travelable area identifying means for identifying a travelable area that is a travelable area of the host vehicle, excluding the area occupied by the obstacle detected by the obstacle detection means from the travel path area of the host vehicle;
An avoidable operation amount set calculating means for calculating an avoidable operation amount set that is a set including a time series of vehicle operation amounts that allows the host vehicle to remain in the travelable region until a predetermined time later;
An avoidable operation amount set change predicting means for predicting a change in the avoidable operation amount set by the steering operation amount input by the driver among the vehicle operation amounts ;
Avoidance difficulty level estimation means for estimating the difficulty level of the avoidance operation by evaluating the change of the avoidable operation volume set predicted by the avoidable operation volume set change prediction means;
Based on the estimation of the avoidance difficulty level estimation means, intervening in the operation to the host vehicle, driving operation guidance means for guiding the vehicle operation amount to the operation amount expected to keep the difficulty level of avoidance small;
An obstacle avoidance assistance device for a vehicle, comprising: Road boundary detection means for detecting the road boundary ahead of the vehicle,
2. The vehicle obstacle avoidance according to claim 1, wherein the avoidable operation amount set calculating means calculates an avoidable operation amount set that can travel without contacting an obstacle while staying within a road boundary. Support device. The avoidable manipulated variable set calculating means includes:
The operation limit estimation means for estimating a limit of a possible vehicle operation amount is provided, and the avoidable operation amount set is configured within a range satisfying the estimated operation limit. Obstacle avoidance support device for vehicles. The avoidable manipulated variable set calculating means includes:
3. A vehicle motion limit estimation means for estimating a limit of an allowable vehicle motion state is provided, and the avoidable manipulated variable set is configured within a range satisfying the estimated vehicle motion limit. The obstacle avoidance assistance device for vehicles described in 1. Equipped with obstacle behavior prediction means to predict the movement path of obstacles,
5. The avoidable operation amount set calculating unit calculates the avoidable operation amount set in consideration of a change in an occupied area of the obstacle based on the predicted obstacle movement route. The obstacle avoidance assistance apparatus for vehicles described in any one of the above. The avoidable manipulated variable set calculating means includes:
The avoidable manipulated variable set is updated based on the latest detected value every time a new host vehicle state or obstacle information is detected. Obstacle avoidance support device for vehicles.   The obstacle avoidance assistance device for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the driving operation guidance means increases the guidance amount as the degree of difficulty in avoidance increases.   The vehicle obstacle avoidance assistance device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein operation guidance is not performed when the degree of difficulty in avoidance is smaller than a predetermined level.   The driving operation guiding means induces a driving operation by applying an auxiliary torque to a steering torque transmission system from a steering wheel to a steering wheel. Obstacle avoidance support device for vehicles. A clutch is installed in the middle of the steering torque transmission system from the steering wheel to the steering wheel.
Driving guidance means
The clutch is disengaged while performing a control for correcting a turning angle by a driver's steering and guiding a driving operation and correcting the turning angle. The obstacle avoidance assistance apparatus for vehicles described in any one of Claims 8. An obstacle around the host vehicle is detected, and a travel path area of the host vehicle excluding the area occupied by the detected obstacle is obtained as a travelable area, and the host vehicle remains in the travelable area until a predetermined time later. The avoidable operation amount set, which is a set having a time series of vehicle operation amounts that can be operated as a component, is calculated, and further, the change of the avoidable operation amount set by the steering operation amount input by the driver among the vehicle operation amounts is calculated. The obstacle avoidance support method for vehicles is characterized in that the difficulty level of the avoidance operation is estimated by predicting the vehicle operation amount, and the vehicle operation amount is guided to the operation amount that is expected to keep the avoidance difficulty level small.

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