U.S. patent application number 09/842009 was filed with the patent office on 2001-08-30 for safety running system for vehicle.
This patent application is currently assigned to Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha. Invention is credited to Kodaka, Kenji, Shinmura, Tomoyuki, Sugimoto, Yoichi.
Application Number | 20010018641 09/842009 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27332035 |
Filed Date | 2001-08-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010018641 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kodaka, Kenji ; et
al. |
August 30, 2001 |
Safety running system for vehicle
Abstract
In a safety running system, a transverse travelling distance
resulting when a subject vehicle travels to a current position of
an oncoming vehicle is calculated based on the vehicle velocity and
yaw rate of the subject vehicle, a relative transverse distance of
the oncoming vehicle relative to a vehicle body axis of the subject
vehicle is calculated based on a relative distance, relative
velocity and relative angle between the subject vehicle and the
oncoming vehicle detected by a radar information processor. When a
relative transverse deviation obtained by subtracting the
transverse travelling distance from the relative transverse
distance resides within a range and that state continues to exist
over a predetermined time period, it is judged that there is a
collision possibility of the subject vehicle with the oncoming
vehicle, and automatic steering is performed so as to avoid a
collision.
Inventors: |
Kodaka, Kenji; (Saitama,
JP) ; Shinmura, Tomoyuki; (Saitama, JP) ;
Sugimoto, Yoichi; (Saitama, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ARENT FOX KINTNER PLOTKIN & KAHN
1050 CONNECTICUT AVENUE, N.W.
SUITE 600
WASHINGTON
DC
20036
US
|
Assignee: |
Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki
Kaisha
|
Family ID: |
27332035 |
Appl. No.: |
09/842009 |
Filed: |
April 26, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09842009 |
Apr 26, 2001 |
|
|
|
09377105 |
Aug 19, 1999 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
701/301 ; 701/41;
701/466 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62D 15/0265 20130101;
G01S 2013/9318 20200101; G01S 13/931 20130101; G01S 13/867
20130101; G01S 2013/932 20200101; G01S 2013/93271 20200101; G01S
2013/9322 20200101 |
Class at
Publication: |
701/301 ;
701/205; 701/41 |
International
Class: |
B62D 006/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 20, 1998 |
JP |
P.HEI.10-233733 |
Aug 25, 1998 |
JP |
P.HEI.10-238543 |
Aug 25, 1998 |
JP |
P.HEI.10-238545 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A safety running system for a vehicle, comprising: a detection
unit detecting an object existing in a direction in which a subject
vehicle travels; a travelling locus estimation unit estimating a
future travelling locus of the subject vehicle; a relative
transverse deviation calculation unit calculating a relative
transverse deviation between the subject vehicle and an oncoming
vehicle based on the results of the detection by said object
detection unit and said future travelling locus of the subject
vehicle; a contact possibility judgement unit judging that there is
a contact possibility of the subject vehicle with the oncoming
vehicle when said relative transverse deviation calculated by said
relative transverse deviation calculation unit is within a
predetermined range; a curve exit detection unit detecting that the
subject vehicle approaches an exit portion of a curve; and a
correction unit for correcting said relative transverse deviation
based on the results of the detection by said curve exit detection
unit.
2. A safety running system for a vehicle according to claim 1,
further comprising: a contact avoidance unit performing contact
avoidance steering when said contact possibility judgement unit
judges that there is a collision possibility between the subject
vehicle and the oncoming vehicle.
3. A safety running system for a vehicle according to claim 1,
wherein said curve exit detection unit detects that the subject
vehicle approaches the exit portion of the curve based on the road
conditions in the travelling direction of the subject vehicle
imaged by an imaging unit.
4. A safety running system for a vehicle according to claim 1,
wherein said curve exit detection unit detects that the subject
vehicle approaches the exit portion of the curve based on a
steering wheel turning back operation by the driver from a turned
condition to a straight travelling condition detected by a steered
angle detection unit.
5. A safety running system for a vehicle according to claim 1,
further comprising: a transverse travelling distance calculation
unit calculating a future transverse travelling distance of the
subject vehicle based on the travelling locus estimated by said
travelling locus estimation unit, wherein said correction unit
corrects the transverse travelling distance such that it is
reduced.
6. A safety running system for a vehicle according to claim 5,
wherein said correction unit corrects the transverse travelling
distance such that it becomes shorter as the speed of the steering
wheel turning back operation by the driver increases.
7. A safety running system for a vehicle according to claim 5,
wherein said correction unit corrects the transverse travelling
distance such that it becomes shorter as the turning radius at the
curve becomes smaller.
8. A safety running system for a vehicle, comprising: a detection
unit detecting an object existing in a direction in which a subject
vehicle travels; a travelling locus estimation unit estimating a
future travelling locus of the subject vehicle; a relative
transverse deviation calculation unit calculating a relative
transverse deviation between the subject vehicle and an oncoming
vehicle based on the results of the detection by said object
detection unit and said future travelling locus of the subject
vehicle; a contact possibility judgement unit judging that there is
a contact possibility of the subject vehicle with the oncoming
vehicle when said relative transverse deviation calculated by said
relative transverse deviation calculation unit is within a
predetermined range; a contact avoidance unit automatically
performing a contact avoidance operation when said contact
possibility judgement unit judges that there is a contact
possibility of the subject vehicle with the oncoming vehicle; and
an overtaking judgement unit for judging whether or not the subject
vehicle is in course of overtaking a preceding vehicle, wherein
when said overtaking judgement unit judges that the subject vehicle
is in course of overtaking a preceding vehicle, said contact
avoidance unit restrains a contact avoidance operation or ceases a
contact avoidance operation being performed.
9. A safety running system for a vehicle according to claim 8,
wherein the contact avoidance operation performed by said contact
avoidance unit is performed so that a steering device of the
subject vehicle is steered in a direction opposite to a direction
toward the oncoming vehicle which exists in a direction in which
the subject vehicle is travelling.
10. A safety running system for a vehicle according to claim 8,
further comprising: a steered angle detection unit detecting a
steered angle, wherein the overtaking judgement unit judges the
initiation of overtaking of a preceding vehicle based on the
relative vehicle velocity of the preceding vehicle detected by said
object detection unit, the relative distance to the preceding
vehicle detected by said object detection unit and a steered angle
detected by said steered angle detection unit.
11. A safety running system for a vehicle according to claim 10,
further comprising: a vehicle velocity detection unit detecting the
vehicle velocity of the subject vehicle; and a preceding vehicle
velocity calculating unit calculating the vehicle velocity of the
preceding vehicle based on the relative vehicle velocity of the
preceding vehicle and the vehicle velocity of the subject vehicle
detected by said vehicle velocity detection unit, wherein said
overtaking judgement unit judges the completion of overtaking of
the preceding vehicle based on a travel distance of the subject
vehicle calculated from the vehicle velocity of the subject vehicle
and a travel distance of the preceding vehicle calculated from the
vehicle velocity of the preceding vehicle and a relative distance
to the preceding vehicle when the overtaking is initiated.
12. A safety running system for a vehicle according to claim 9,
wherein the restraint of the contact avoidance operation by said
contact avoidance unit is performed by a delay in timing when the
steering device is operated.
13. A safety running system for a vehicle according to claim 9,
wherein the restraint of the contact avoidance operation by said
contact avoidance unit is performed by reduction in amount in which
the steering device is steered.
14. A safety running system for a vehicle comprising: a detection
unit detecting an object existing in a direction in which a subject
vehicle travels; a travelling locus estimation unit estimating a
future travelling locus of the subject vehicle; a relative
transverse deviation calculation unit calculating a relative
transverse deviation between the subject vehicle and an oncoming
vehicle based on the results of the detection by said object
detection unit and said future travelling locus of the subject
vehicle; a contact possibility judgement unit judging that there is
a contact possibility of the subject vehicle with the oncoming
vehicle when a state in which a relative transverse deviation
calculated by said relative transverse deviation calculation unit
is within a predetermined range continues for a predetermined time
period or longer; and a contact avoidance unit performing contact
avoidance steering when said contact possibility judgement unit
judges that there is a contact possibility of the subject vehicle
with the oncoming vehicle.
15. A safety running system for a vehicle according to claim 14,
further comprising: a lane deviation calculation unit calculating a
deviation of the subject vehicle from its running lane to a running
lane for the oncoming vehicle when the subject vehicle meets with
the oncoming vehicle, wherein said contact possibility judgement
unit judges that there is a collision possibility of the subject
vehicle with the oncoming vehicle when the deviation calculated by
said lane deviation calculation unit is equal to or greater than a
predetermined threshold value.
16. A safety running system for a vehicle according to claim 14,
wherein the predetermined time period is set shorter as the
relative distance between the subject vehicle and the oncoming
vehicle becomes shorter.
17. A safety running system for a vehicle according to claim 14,
wherein the predetermined time period is set shorter as the
relative velocity between the subject vehicle and the oncoming
vehicle becomes greater.
18. A safety running system for a vehicle according to claim 14,
wherein said contact avoidance unit initiates the contact avoidance
steering when a time taken until the subject vehicle meets with the
oncoming vehicle becomes equal to or less than a predetermined
threshold value.
19. A safety running system for a vehicle according to claim 14,
wherein a target avoidance magnitude of said contact avoidance unit
is set based on the relative transverse deviation calculated by
said relative transverse deviation calculating unit.
20. A safety running system for a vehicle according to claim 14,
wherein the contact avoidance steering by said contact avoidance
unit is ceased when a voluntary contact avoidance operation by the
driver is detected.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a safety running system for
a vehicle for preventing a subject vehicle from coming into contact
with an oncoming vehicle on an adjacent lane of the road for
opposite traffic by using an object detection unit such as a radar
device.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] A safety running system for a vehicle as described above is
well known in the official gazette of Japanese Patent Unexamined
Publication (Kokai) No. HEI 7-14100.
[0005] The safety running system disclosed in the above official
gazette is adapted to avoid a collision of a subject vehicle with
an oncoming vehicle on an adjacent lane of the road for opposite
traffic by generating an alarm to the driver of the subject vehicle
to make the driver perform a voluntary collision avoidance
operation or automatically applying the brakes of the subject
vehicle in the event that the subject vehicle enters the adjacent
lane for opposite traffic to thereby encounter a possible collision
with the oncoming vehicle on the same lane.
[0006] As shown in FIG. 3, a transverse travelling distance Y.sub.1
of the subject vehicle Ai from the vehicle body axis thereof is
calculated from a future travelling locus of the subject vehicle Ai
estimated based on the vehicle velocity Vi and yaw rate .gamma.i
thereof. Further, a relative transverse distance Y.sub.2 from the
vehicle body axis of the subject vehicle Ai to the oncoming vehicle
Ao is calculated with a radar device. And, a collision possibility
of the subject vehicle Ai with an oncoming vehicle Ao on an
adjacent lane for opposite traffic is judged by comparing the
transverse travelling distance Y.sub.1 with the relative transverse
distance Y.sub.2.
[0007] As shown in FIG. 14, however, in a case where the driver of
the subject vehicle Ai tries to overtake a preceding vehicle Af,
the driver first steers the steering wheel rightward to change the
path of movement of the vehicle to the right-hand side of the road
(in the case of left-hand side traffic) and then steers it back
leftward to return to the original path of movement of the vehicle
or the left-hand side lane after the driver's vehicle Ai has over
taken the preceding vehicle Af. Due to this, with the safety
running system described in FIG. 3, there is caused a problem that
a possible collision of the subject vehicle with an oncoming
vehicle Ao is erroneously judged as occurring as soon as the
steering wheel of the subject vehicle is steered rightward even
when in reality there is no such collision possibility.
[0008] Further, as shown in FIG. 13, when a subject vehicle Ai
approaches an end of a rightward curve in a left-hand side traffic
road, since the driver steers the steering wheel leftward to enter
a straight path from the curved path, an actual transverse
travelling distance becomes shorter than an estimated transverse
travelling distance Y.sub.1. As a result of this, a judgement is
made that there is a collision possibility when in reality there is
no such collision possibility, this triggering the performance of
an unnecessary collision avoidance control, thereby causing a risk
of the driver feeling a physical disorder.
[0009] Moreover, the aforementioned conventional safety running
system is adapted to judge a possible collision with an oncoming
vehicle by estimating a deviation of a subject vehicle to an
adjacent lane of the road for opposite traffic. Therefore, this
deviation to an adjacent lane of the road for opposite traffic is
determined in accordance mainly with the azimuth of the travelling
subject vehicle (an angle formed by the vehicle body axis of the
subject vehicle and the center line of the road) Due to this, for
instance in a case where the subject vehicle is steered so as to
avoid an obstacle on the road side, an erroneous judgement of a
collision possibility is made only when the azimuth of the
travelling subject vehicle is temporarily directed to the side of
the adjacent lane for opposite traffic, and therefore there is
caused a problem that every time such an erroneous judgement is
made, an unnecessary collision avoidance control is performed to
make the driver feel troublesome.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention was made in view of the aforesaid
circumstances and an object thereof is to prevent the performance
of an unnecessary collision avoidance control by making a judgement
of a possible collision with an oncoming vehicle in an accurate
fashion, and further, to prevent the occurrence of a collision
avoidance operation based on an erroneous judgement of a possible
collision between the subject vehicle and an oncoming vehicle when
the driver of the subject vehicle tries to overtake a preceding
vehicle, or when the subject vehicle approaches an exit portion of
a curve or bend.
[0011] To solve the above object, according to a first aspect of
the invention, there is provided a safety running system for a
vehicle including, object detection unit for detecting an object
existing in a direction in which a subject vehicle travels, a
travelling locus estimation unit for estimating a future travelling
locus of the subject vehicle, a relative transverse deviation
calculation unit for calculating a relative transverse deviation
between the subject vehicle and an oncoming vehicle based on the
results from the detection by the object detection unit and the
future travelling locus of the subject vehicle, a contact
possibility judgement unit for judging that there is a contact
possibility of the subject vehicle with the oncoming vehicle when
the relative transverse deviation calculated by the relative
transverse deviation calculation unit falls within a predetermined
range, a curve exit detection unit for detecting that the subject
vehicle approaches an exit portion of a curve, and a correction
unit for correcting the relative transverse deviation based on the
results of the detection by the curve exit detection unit.
[0012] Further, according to the second aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a safety running system including, an
object detection unit for detecting an object present in a
travelling direction of a subject vehicle, a travelling locus
estimation unit for estimating a future travelling locus of the
subject vehicle, a relative transverse deviation calculation unit
for calculating a relative transverse deviation between the subject
vehicle and an oncoming vehicle on an adjacent lane for opposite
traffic based on the result of the detection of the object
detection unit and a future travelling locus of the subject vehicle
estimated by the travelling locus estimation unit, a contact
possibility judgement unit for judging that there is a contact
possibility of the subject vehicle with the oncoming vehicle when a
relative transverse deviation calculated by the relative transverse
deviation calculation unit falls within a predetermined range, a
contact avoidance unit for automatically performing a contact
avoidance operation when the contact possibility judgement unit
judges that there is a contact possibility of the subject vehicle
with the oncoming vehicle, and an overtaking judgement unit for
judging whether or not the subject vehicle is in course of
overtaking a preceding vehicle, wherein when the overtaking
judgement unit judges that the subject vehicle is in course of
overtaking a preceding vehicle, the contact avoidance unit
restrains a contact avoidance operation or ceases a contact
avoidance operation being performed.
[0013] In addition, according to a third aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a safety running system comprising, an
object detection unit for detecting an object present in a
travelling direction of a subject vehicle, a travelling locus
estimation unit for estimating a future travelling locus of the
subject vehicle, a relative transverse deviation calculation unit
for calculating a relative transverse deviation between the subject
vehicle and an oncoming vehicle on an adjacent lane for opposite
traffic based on the result of the detection of the object
detection unit and a future travelling locus of the subject vehicle
estimated by the travelling locus estimation unit, a contact
possibility judgement unit for judging that there is a contact
possibility of the subject vehicle with the oncoming vehicle when a
state in which a relative transverse deviation calculated by the
relative transverse deviation calculation unit remains within a
predetermined range continues for a predetermined time period or
longer, and a contact avoidance unit for performing contact
avoidance steering when the contact possibility judgement unit
judges that there is a contact possibility of the subject vehicle
with the oncoming vehicle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is an overall structural view of a vehicle equipped
with a safety running system according to a first embodiment of the
present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the safety running system
according to the first embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing a relative relationship between
a subject vehicle Ai and an oncoming vehicle Ao;
[0017] FIG. 4 is an explanatory drawing explaining a function of an
electronic control unit;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a block diagram describing a circuit for a head-on
collision avoidance control unit according to the first
embodiment;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a collision avoidance control
routine according to the first embodiment;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a map for retrieving a correction coefficient K1
from a steering speed d.THETA./dt and a turning radius R according
to the first embodiment;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a drawing explaining a transverse travelling
distance Y1 and a corrected transverse travelling distance Y1' at
an exit of a curve;
[0022] FIG. 9 is an overall structural view of a vehicle provided
with a safety running system according to a second embodiment of
the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the safety running system
according to the second embodiment;
[0024] FIG. 11 is a block diagram describing a circuit of a head-on
collision avoidance control unit according to the second
embodiment;
[0025] FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a head-on collision avoidance
control routine according to the second embodiment;
[0026] FIG. 13 is a flowchart of flag setting routine according to
the second embodiment;
[0027] FIG. 14 is a drawing explaining an operation of the safety
running system when overtaking a preceding vehicle.
[0028] FIG. 15 is an overall structural view of a vehicle provided
with a safety running system according to the third embodiment of
the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 16 is a block diagram of the safety running system
according to the third embodiment;
[0030] FIG. 17 is a drawing showing a relative relationship between
the subject vehicle Ai and running lanes according to the third
embodiment;
[0031] FIG. 18 is a block diagram describing a circuit of a head-on
collision avoidance control unit according to the third
embodiment;
[0032] FIG. 19 is a flowchart of a main routine according to the
third embodiment;
[0033] FIG. 20 is a flowchart of flag setting according to the
third embodiment;
[0034] FIG. 21 is an explanatory drawing explaining a procedure for
judging a collision possibility;
[0035] FIGS. 22A and 22B are maps for retrieving correction
coefficients K.sub.1, K.sub.2 for the time period Ts for use for
judging a collision possibility according to the third embodiment;
and
[0036] FIG. 23 is a map for retrieving a threshold .tau..sub.0 for
a target transverse avoidance magnitude S.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
First Embodiment
[0037] A first embodiment of the present invention, which prevents
the occurrence of an erroneous judgement that is a collision
possibility between the subject vehicle and an oncoming vehicle
when the subject vehicle approaches an exit of a curve or bend will
be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0038] FIGS. 1 to 8 show the first embodiment of the present
invention. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a vehicle fitted with front
left and right wheels Wf, Wf and rear left and right wheels Wr, Wr
includes a steering handle or wheel 1 for steering the front left
and right wheels Wf, Wf and an electric power steering device 2 for
generating a steering force for assisting the driver in operating
the steering wheel 1 and avoiding a collision. An electronic
control unit U for controlling the operation of the electronic
power steering device 2 receives signals input from a radar
information processor 4 connected to a radar 3, an image processor
6 connected to a camera 5, vehicle velocity sensors S.sub.1. . .
for detecting the number of revolutions of the respective wheels
Wf, Wf; Wr, Wr, a yaw rate sensor S.sub.2 for detecting a yaw rate
of the vehicle, a steered angle sensor S.sub.3 for detecting an
angle at which the steering wheel is steered, and a steering torque
sensor S.sub.4 for detecting a steering torque applied by the
driver to the steering wheel 1. The electronic control unit U
controls the electronic power steering device 2 based on signals
from the radar information processor 4, image processor 6 and
respective sensors S.sub.1. . . , S.sub.2, S.sub.3, S.sub.4 and it
also controls operations of an indicator 7 composing of a liquid
crystal display and an alarm 8 such as a buzzer and lump.
[0039] The radar 3 transmits electromagnetic waves toward left and
right predetermined ranges in front of the subject vehicle and
receives reflected waves resulting when electromagnetic waves so
transmitted are reflected off an object. The radar information
processor 4 constituting an object detection unit of the present
invention calculates based on signals from the radar 3 a relative
position relationship between the subject vehicle Ai and the
oncoming vehicle Ao. As shown in FIG. 3, the relative positional
relationship between the subject vehicle Ai and the oncoming
vehicle Ao is constituted by a relative distance .DELTA.L between
the subject vehicle Ai and the oncoming vehicle Ao, a relative
velocity .DELTA.V between the subject vehicle Ai and the oncoming
vehicle Ao(in other words, a difference between the vehicle
velocity Vi of the subject vehicle Ai and the vehicle velocity Vo
of the oncoming vehicle Ao), and a relative transverse distance
Y.sub.2 of the oncoming vehicle Ao relative to the vehicle axis of
the subject vehicle Ai. The relative transverse distance Y.sub.2
can be calculated based on an angle .beta. formed by the oncoming
vehicle Ao relative to the vehicle body axis of the subject vehicle
Ai and the relative distance .DELTA.L between the subject vehicle
Ai and the oncoming vehicle Ao. The radar 3 can detect a preceding
vehicle and a stationary object on the road as well as the oncoming
vehicle Ao, and moreover it can also identify the oncoming vehicle
Ao from a preceding vehicle and a stationary object based on the
magnitude of the relative velocity .DELTA.V. In addition, in this
embodiment, a millimetric wave is used which can detect the
aforesaid relative relationships (.DELTA.L, .DELTA.V, .beta.)
between the subject vehicle Ai and the oncoming vehicle Ao through
a single transmitting and receiving operation.
[0040] The image processor 6 detects a center line of the road
based on an image in front of the subject vehicle imaged by the
camera 5 constituting an imaging unit according to the present
invention and judges on an exit portion (a transition portion from
a curved path to a straight path) of a curve or bend from the
degree of curvature of the center line so detected.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 4, the electronic control unit U includes
an electric power steering control unit 11, a head-on collision
avoidance control unit 12, a switching unit 13 and an output
current determination unit 14. In normal times, the switching unit
13 is connected to the side of the electric power steering control
unit 11, and the electric power steering device 2 performs a normal
power steering function. In other words, the output current
determination unit 14 determines an output current that is to be
output to an actuator 15 in response to a steering torque input
into the steering wheel 1 and the vehicle velocity, and outputs
this output current so determined to the actuator 15 via a driving
circuit 16 to thereby assist the driver in operating the steering
wheel 1. On the other hand, in a case where there is a possible
head-on collision of the subject vehicle Ai with the oncoming
vehicle Ao, the switching unit 13 is then connected to the side of
the head-on collision avoidance control unit 12 to thereby control
the driving of the actuator 15 with the head-on collision avoidance
control unit 12, thus effecting automatic steering for avoiding a
head-on collision with the oncoming vehicle Ao. The details of this
automatic steering will be described at a latter part.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 5, provided in the interior of the head-on
collision avoidance control unit 12 of the electronic control unit
U are a travelling locus estimation unit M1, a relative transverse
deviation calculation unit M2, a contact possibility judgement unit
M3, a curve exit detection unit M4, a correction unit MS, a contact
avoidance unit M6 and a transverse travelling distance calculation
unit M7.
[0043] The travelling locus estimation unit M1 estimates a future
travelling locus of the subject vehicle Ai based on the vehicle
velocity Vi and yaw rate .gamma.i of the subject vehicle Ai. The
transverse travelling distance calculation unit M7 calculates a
future transverse travelling distance Y.sub.1 of the subject
vehicle Ai based on the travelling locus estimated by the
travelling locus estimation unit M1. The relative transverse
deviation calculation unit M2 calculates a relative transverse
deviation .DELTA.Y between the subject vehicle Ai and the oncoming
vehicle Ao based on the future travelling locus (i.e., the
transverse travelling distance Y.sub.1) of the subject vehicle Ai
and the relative distance .DELTA.L, relative velocity .DELTA.V and
angle .beta. between the subject vehicle Ai and the oncoming
vehicle Ao that are detected by the object detection unit 4 (radar
information processor 4).
[0044] The contact possibility judgement unit M3 judges that there
is a possible collision of the subject vehicle Ai with the oncoming
vehicle Ao when the relative transverse deviation .DELTA.Y resides
in a state -.epsilon..ltoreq..DELTA..ltoreq..epsilon.. At this
moment, when the curve exit detection unit M4 judges that the
subject vehicle Ai is at an exit of a rightward curve (in the case
of left-hand side traffic) or an exit of a leftward curve (in the
case of right-hand side traffic) based on outputs from the imaging
unit 5 (camera 5) or the steered angle detection unit S.sub.3
(steered angle sensor S.sub.3), the correction unit M5 corrects the
relative transverse deviation .DELTA.Y between the subject vehicle
Ai and the oncoming vehicle Ao. Then, the contact avoidance unit M6
effects contact avoidance steering via the electric power steering
device 2 so as to avoid a contact of the subject vehicle Ai with
the oncoming vehicle Ao based on the relative transverse deviation
.DELTA.Y after correction.
[0045] Next, referring to a flowchart shown in FIG. 6, an operation
of the first embodiment of the present invention will be
described.
[0046] First of all, at Step S1 on the flowchart in FIG. 6, read in
the electronic control unit U from the radar information processor
4 are the relative distance .DELTA.L between the subject vehicle Ai
and the oncoming vehicle Ao, the relative velocity .DELTA.V between
the subject vehicle Ai and the oncoming vehicle Ao, and the
relative transverse distance Y.sub.2 of the oncoming vehicle Ao
relative to the vehicle body axis of the subject vehicle Ai. At the
following Step S2, a transverse travelling distance Y.sub.1 is
calculated based on the vehicle velocity Vi of the subject vehicle
Ai detected by the vehicle velocity sensors S.sub.1. . . and the
yaw rate .gamma.i of the subject vehicle Ai detected by the yaw
rate sensor S.sub.2. As shown in FIG. 3, the transverse travelling
distance Y.sub.1 is a transverse distance produced when the subject
vehicle Ai travels to the current position of the oncoming vehicle
Ao and is calculated as follows. In other words, since a time
t.sub.1 taken before the subject vehicle Ai reaches the current
position of the oncoming vehicle Ao is given by dividing the
relative distance .DELTA.L by the vehicle velocity Vi of the
subject vehicle Ai, .DELTA.L/Vi, a transverse travelling distance
Y.sub.1 of the subject vehicle Ai after the elapse of time
t.sub.1=.DELTA.L/Vi is obtained by using the vehicle velocity Vi
and yaw rate .gamma.i of the subject vehicle Ai as follows;
Y.sub.1=(1/2).multidot.Vi.multidot..gamma.i.multidot.(.DELTA.L/Vi).sup.2
. . . (1)
[0047] At the following Step S3, whether or not the subject vehicle
Ai is approaching an exit of a rightward curve on a left-hand side
traffic road is judged based on the degree of curvature of the
center line detected by the image processor 6. If an answer to Step
S3 is YES and it is judged once that the subject vehicle Ai is
approaching the exit of the rightward curve of the left-hand side
traffic road, at Step S4, whether or not there has been a steering
wheel 1 steering back operation by the driver is judged based on a
steered angle .THETA. detected by the steered angle sensor S.sub.3.
In other words, let a steering velocity d.THETA./dt when the
steering wheel 1 is steered rightward a positive value, if the
steering velocity d.THETA./dt is a negative value, this confirms
that the steering wheel 1 is steered back leftward by the driver at
the exit portion of the rightward curve.
[0048] Thus, in a case where either of answers to Steps S3 and S4
is NO, it is finally judged that the subject vehicle Ai has not
approached yet the exit of the rightward curve, and then move to
Step S7. At Step S7, a relative transverse deviation .DELTA.Y is
calculated by subtracting the transverse travelling distance
Y.sub.1 from the relative transverse travelling distance
Y.sub.2.
.DELTA.Y=Y.sub.2-Y.sub.1 . . . (2)
[0049] As is clear from FIG. 3, the relative transverse deviation
.DELTA.Y corresponds to a transverse deviation resulting between
the current position of the oncoming vehicle Ao and an estimated
position of the subject vehicle Ai when the subject vehicle travels
to the current position of the oncoming vehicle Ao. The relative
transverse deviation .DELTA.Y has a positive or negative value, and
in the case of the left-hand side traffic described in this
embodiment, if the relative transverse deviation .DELTA.Y has a
positive value because of Y.sub.2>Y.sub.1, the estimated
travelling locus of the subject vehicle Ai passes on the left-hand
side of the current position of the oncoming vehicle Ao. On the
other hand, if the relative transverse deviation .DELTA.Y has a
negative value because of Y.sub.2<Y.sub.1, the estimated
travelling locus of the subject vehicle Ai passes on the right-hand
side of the current position of the oncoming vehicle Ao. In
addition, as the absolute value of the relative transverse
deviation becomes smaller, the possibility of a contact of the
subject vehicle Ai with the oncoming vehicle Ao becomes higher.
[0050] At the following Step S8, whether or not the relative
transverse deviation .DELTA.Y resides within a preset range is
judged. In other words, if the relative transverse deviation
.DELTA.Y resides within a predetermined range based on a
predetermined value .epsilon. preset in turn based on the width of
the vehicle body of the vehicle (for instance,2 m), and
-.epsilon..ltoreq..DELTA..ltoreq..epsilon. . . . (3)
[0051] is obtained, it is judged that there is a possible collision
of the subject vehicle Ai with the oncoming vehicle Ao. On the
other hand, if the above equation is not obtained, it is judged
that the subject vehicle Ai passes through on the left-hand side or
right-hand side of the oncoming vehicle Ao, causing no collision,
and return to Step S1 without performing automatic steering for
avoiding a collision.
[0052] At the following Step S9, with a view to determining a
timing when a collision avoidance control is initiated, a time to
taken before the subject vehicle Ai reaches a collision predicted
point is calculated, and the time t.sub.o so calculated is then
compared with a preset threshold value .tau..sub.0. The time
t.sub.0 taken before the subject vehicle Ai reaches a collision
predicted point is calculated by dividing the relative distance
.DELTA.L by the relative velocity .DELTA.v of the subject vehicle
Ai and the oncoming vehicle Ao.
t.sub.0=.DELTA.L/.DELTA.V . . . (4)
[0053] In addition, the aforesaid threshold value .tau..sub.0
corresponds to a timing when the driver initiates a voluntary
collision avoidance steering and can be obtained in an experimental
fashion. Thus, when t.sub.0 becomes equal to or less than
.tau..sub.0 at Step S9, then at Step S10, the indicator 7 and the
alarm 8 are activated so as to generate an alarm to the driver and
automatic steering is performed for avoiding a collision.
[0054] On the other hand, where both answers to Steps S3 and S4 are
YES, it is finally judged that the subject vehicle Ai is
approaching the exit of the rightward curve, and then at the
following Step S5, what results by multiplying the transverse
travelling distance Y.sub.1 by the correction coefficient K.sub.1
is designated as a corrected transverse travelling distance
Y.sub.1'.
Y.sub.1'=Y.sub.1.multidot.K.sub.1 . . . (5)
[0055] A map shown in FIG. 7 is used to retrieve the correction
coefficient K.sub.1 based on a turning radius R of the subject
vehicle Ai at the curve and the absolute value
.vertline.d.theta./dt.vertline. of the steering speed. The turning
radius R is calculated from the configuration of the center line
detected by the image processor 6. As is clear from this map, the
correction coefficient K.sub.1 becomes smaller as the turning
radius R becomes smaller or the absolute value
.vertline.d.theta./dt.vertline. of the steering speed becomes
greater, and in response to this, the corrected transverse
travelling distance Y.sub.1' also becomes smaller.
[0056] FIG. 8 shows a state in which the subject vehicle Ai is
approaching the exit of the rightward curve, and the transverse
travelling distance Y.sub.1 is one estimated based on the current
vehicle velocity Vi and yaw rate .gamma.i. However, since the
driver steers the steering wheel 1 leftward at a transition part of
the road from a curved path to a straight path, the transverse
travelling distance actually produced becomes smaller the aforesaid
transverse travelling distance Y.sub.1. In other words, the
corrected transverse distance Y.sub.1' corrected so as to be
reduced by multiplying the transverse travelling distance Y.sub.1
by the correction coefficient K.sub.1, which is equal to or less
than 1 approximates an actual transverse travelling distance that
is actually produced where the road transitions from a curved path
to a straight path.
[0057] Thus, at Step S6, a corrected transverse deviation .DELTA.Y
is calculated by subtracting the corrected transverse travelling
distance Y.sub.1' from the relative transverse travelling distance
Y.sub.2.
.DELTA.Y=Y.sub.2-Y.sub.1' . . . (6)
[0058] Then, at Step S8, a judgement on a collision possibility is
made based on the equation (3), whereby an accurate judgement can
be made even at the exit of the curve.
[0059] Further, although the relative transverse deviation .DELTA.Y
is corrected by correcting the transverse travelling distance
Y.sub.1 in the above embodiment, it is possible to correct relative
transverse deviation .DELTA.Y by correcting the future travelling
locus of the subject vehicle .DELTA.i by the radius R of the curve
or the absolute value .vertline.d.theta./dt.vertline. of the
steering speed.
Second Embodiment
[0060] A second embodiment of the present invention, which prevents
the occurrence of a collision avoidance operation based on an
erroneous judgement of a possible collision between the subject
vehicle and an oncoming vehicle when the driver of the subject
vehicle tries to overtake a preceding vehicle will be described
with reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 9 - 14. Portions represented by
the same reference numeral as the first embodiment are identical to
those of the first embodiment, and the descriptions of them are
omitted.
[0061] FIGS. 9 and 10 show an overall structural view of a vehicle
provided with a safety running system of the second embodiment of
the present invention, and a block diagram of the safety running,
respectively. The vehicle shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 has the same
equipment as that of the first embodiment except for the camera 5
and the image processor 6. Of course, the vehicle shown in FIGS. 1
and 2 can be applied to the second embodiment.
[0062] In addition, the electronic control unit U includes an
electric power steering control unit 11, a head-on collision
avoidance control unit 12, a switching unit 13 and an output
current determination unit 14 as well as that of the first
embodiment shown in FIG. 4. In normal times, the switching unit 13
is connected to the side of the electric power steering control
unit 11, and the electric power steering device 2 performs a normal
power steering function. In other words, the output current
determination unit 14 determines an output current that is to be
output to an actuator 15 in response to a steering torque input
into the steering wheel 1 and the vehicle velocity, and outputs
this output current so determined to the actuator 15 via a driving
circuit 16 to thereby assist the driver in operating the steering
wheel 1. On the other hand, in a case where there is a possible
head-on collision of the subject vehicle Ai with the oncoming
vehicle Ao, the switching unit 13 is then connected to the side of
the head-on collision avoidance control unit 12 to thereby control
the driving of the actuator 15 with the head-on collision avoidance
control unit 12, thus effecting automatic steering for avoiding a
head-on collision with the oncoming vehicle Ao. The details of this
automatic steering will be described at a latter part.
[0063] As shown in FIG. 5, provided in the interior of the head-on
collision avoidance control unit 12 of the electronic control unit
U are a travelling locus estimation unit M1, a relative transverse
deviation calculation unit M2, a contact possibility judgement unit
M3, a contact avoidance unit M6, an overtaking judgement unit M8
and a preceding vehicle's velocity detection unit M9.
[0064] The travelling locus estimation unit M1 estimates a future
travelling locus of the subject vehicle Ai based on the vehicle
velocity Vi and yaw rate .gamma.i of the subject vehicle Ai. The
relative transverse deviation calculation unit M2 calculates a
relative transverse deviation .DELTA.Y between the subject vehicle
Ai and the oncoming vehicle Ao based on the future travelling locus
(i.e., the transverse travelling distance Y.sub.1) of the subject
vehicle Ai and the relative distance .DELTA.L, relative velocity
.DELTA.V and angle .beta. between the subject vehicle Ai and the
oncoming vehicle Ao that are detected by the object detection unit
4 (radar information processor 4). The contact possibility
judgement unit M3 judges that there is a possible collision of the
subject vehicle Ai with the oncoming vehicle Ao when the relative
transverse deviation .DELTA.Y resides in a state
-.epsilon..ltoreq..DELTA- ..ltoreq..epsilon.. A contact avoidance
unit M6 performs a contact avoidance operation via an electric
power steering device 2 in order to avoid a contact between the
subject vehicle Ai and the oncoming vehicle Ao when the contact
possibility judgement unit M3 judges that there is a contact
possibility therebetween.
[0065] When this happens, if the overtaking judgement unit M8
judges that the subject vehicle Ai is in course of overtaking a
preceding vehicle Af, the contact avoidance unit M6 restrains a
contact avoidance operation or ceases a contact avoidance operation
being performed, thereby making it possible to avoid an unnecessary
contact avoidance operation based on an erroneous judgement of a
contact possibility during overtaking.
[0066] The judgement of the initiation of overtaking of a preceding
vehicle by the overtaking judgement unit M8 is performed based on
the relative velocity .DELTA.V' of the preceding vehicle Af
detected by an object detection unit 4, a relative distance
.DELTA.L' to the preceding vehicle Af detected by the object
detection unit 4 and a steered angle .theta. detected by a steered
angle detection unit S.sub.3 (a steered angle sensor S.sub.3) .
And, the judgement of the completion of overtaking of the preceding
vehicle by the overtaking judgement unit M5 is performed based on a
travel distance of the subject vehicle Ai, a travel distance of the
preceding vehicle Af and the relative distance .DELTA.L' to the
preceding vehicle Af. In this process, the travel distance of the
subject vehicle Ai is calculated based on the vehicle velocity Vi
of the subject vehicle Ai detected by vehicle velocity detection
unit S.sub.1 (vehicle velocity sensors S.sub.1) . The travel
distance of the preceding vehicle Af is calculated based on the
vehicle velocity Vf of the preceding vehicle Af calculated by a
preceding vehicle's vehicle velocity calculating unit M6 from the
relative velocity .DELTA.V' of the preceding vehicle Af and the
vehicle velocity Vi of the subject vehicle Ai.
[0067] Next, referring to a flowchart shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, an
operation of the second embodiment of the present invention will be
described.
[0068] First of all, at Step S101 on the flowchart in FIG. 12, read
in the electronic control unit U from the radar information
processor 4 are the relative distance .DELTA.L between the subject
vehicle Ai and the oncoming vehicle Ao, the relative velocity
.DELTA.V between the subject vehicle Ai and the oncoming vehicle
Ao, and the relative transverse distance Y.sub.2 of the oncoming
vehicle Ao relative to the vehicle body axis of the subject vehicle
Ai. At the following Step S102, a transverse travelling distance
Y.sub.1 is calculated based on the vehicle velocity Vi of the
subject vehicle Ai detected by the vehicle velocity sensors
S.sub.1. . . and the yaw rate .gamma.i of the subject vehicle Ai
detected by the yaw rate sensor S.sub.2. As shown in FIG. 3, the
transverse travelling distance Y.sub.1 is a transverse distance
produced when the subject vehicle Ai travels to the current
position of the oncoming vehicle Ao and is calculated as follows.
In other words, since a time t.sub.1 taken before the subject
vehicle Ai reaches the current position of the oncoming vehicle Ao
is given by dividing the relative distance .DELTA.L by the vehicle
velocity Vi of the subject vehicle Ai, .DELTA.L/Vi, a transverse
travelling distance Y.sub.1 of the subject vehicle Ai after the
elapse of time t.sub.1=.DELTA.L/Vi is obtained by using the vehicle
velocity Vi and yaw rate .gamma.i of the subject vehicle Ai as
follows;
Y.sub.1=(1/2).multidot.Vi.multidot..gamma.i.multidot.(.DELTA.L/Vi).sup.2
. . . (11)
[0069] At the following Step S103, a relative transverse deviation
.DELTA.Y is calculated by subtracting the transverse travelling
distance Y.sub.1 from the relative transverse travelling distance
Y.sub.2.
.DELTA.Y=Y.sub.2-Y.sub.1 . . . (12)
[0070] As is clear from FIG. 3, the relative transverse deviation
.DELTA.Y corresponds to a transverse deviation resulting between
the current position of the oncoming vehicle Ao and an estimated
position of the subject vehicle Ai when the subject vehicle travels
to the current position of the oncoming vehicle Ao. The relative
transverse deviation .DELTA.Y has a positive or negative value, and
in the case of the left-hand side traffic described in this
embodiment, if the relative transverse deviation .DELTA.Y has a
positive value because of Y.sub.2>Y.sub.1, the estimated
travelling locus of the subject vehicle Ai passes on the left-hand
side of the current position of the oncoming vehicle Ao. On the
other hand, if the relative transverse deviation .DELTA.Y has a
negative value because of Y.sub.2<Y.sub.1, the estimated
travelling locus of the subject vehicle Ai passes on the right-hand
side of the current position of the oncoming vehicle Ao. In
addition, as the absolute value of the relative transverse
deviation becomes smaller, the possibility of a contact of the
subject vehicle Ai with the oncoming vehicle Ao becomes higher.
[0071] At the following Step S104, whether or not the relative
transverse deviation .DELTA.Y resides within a preset range is
judged. In other words, if the relative transverse deviation
.DELTA.Y resides within a predetermined range based on a
predetermined value .epsilon. preset in turn based on the width of
the vehicle body of the vehicle (for instance, 2 m), and
-.epsilon..ltoreq..DELTA..ltoreq..epsilon. . . . (13)
[0072] is obtained, it is judged that there is a possible collision
of the subject vehicle Ai with the oncoming vehicle Ao, which is a
first stage judgement. On the other hand, if the above equation is
not obtained, it is judged that the subject vehicle Ai passes
through on the left-hand side or right-hand side of the oncoming
vehicle Ao, causing no collision, and return to Step S101 without
performing alarm or steering control for avoiding a collision.
[0073] Referred to at Step S105 is the state of an overtaking
judgement flag for identifying whether or not the subject vehicle
Ai is in course of overtaking the preceding vehicle Af. This
overtaking judgement flag is set to "1" when the subject vehicle Ai
is overtaking the preceding vehicle Af, while it is set to "0" when
no overtaking is judged as occurring. A description thereof will be
made below based on the flowchart in FIG. 13.
[0074] First of all, at Step S111, the relative distance .DELTA.L'
between an object including the preceding vehicle Af and the
subject vehicle Ai is read in from the radar information processor
4, and the relative velocity .DELTA.V' between the object including
the preceding vehicle Af and the subject vehicle Ai is also read
in. At the following Step S112, the vehicle velocity Vi of the
subject vehicle Ai detected by the vehicle velocity sensors S.sub.1
. . . and the steered angle e of the subject vehicle Ai detected by
the steered angle sensor S.sub.3 are read in. At the following Step
S113, the preceding vehicle Af is identified from an oncoming
vehicle Ao based on the relative velocity .DELTA.V'. Since the
oncoming vehicle Ao travels in a direction opposite to a travelling
direction of the subject vehicle Ai, the absolute value of the
relative velocity .DELTA.V' increases. On the other hand, since the
preceding vehicle Af travels in the same direction as that in which
the subject vehicle Ai travels, the absolute value of the relative
velocity .DELTA.V' decreases. Thus, an object exhibiting the
absolute value of the relative velocity .DELTA.V' which is equal to
or less than a predetermined value can be judged as the preceding
vehicle from the above fact. In addition, when the vehicle velocity
Vi of the subject vehicle Ai is greater than the vehicle velocity
Vf of the preceding vehicle Af, the relative velocity .DELTA.V'
becomes a negative value, while when the vehicle velocity Vi of the
subject vehicle Ai is smaller than the vehicle velocity Vf of the
preceding vehicle Af, the relative velocity .DELTA.V' becomes a
positive value.
[0075] At the following Step S114, if the relative velocity A V'
between the subject vehicle Ai and the preceding vehicle Af is not
a negative value, in other words, when the vehicle velocity Vi of
the subject vehicle Ai is smaller than the vehicle velocity Vf of
the preceding vehicle Af, the subject vehicle Ai is judged not to
be in an overtaking state, and at Step S120, the overtaking
judgement flag is reset to "0". In addition, at Step S115, the
change in relative distance .DELTA.L' between the subject vehicle
Ai and the preceding vehicle Af is monitored, and if the relative
distance .DELTA.L' is not reduced, the subject vehicle Ai is judged
not to be in an overtaking state, and at Step 20, the overtaking
judgement flag is reset to "0". Furthermore, at Step S116, the
steered angle sensor S.sub.3 compares the steered angle .theta.
with a threshold value .theta..sub.0. If
.theta..gtoreq..theta..sub.0 is not obtained, the subject vehicle
Ai is judged not to be in an overtaking state, and at Step1 20, the
overtaking judgement flag is reset to "0".
[0076] On the other hand, if .DELTA.V'<O is obtained and the
vehicle velocity Vi of the subject vehicle Ai is greater than the
vehicle velocity Vf of the preceding vehicle Af at Step S114, if
the relative distance .DELTA.L' between the subject vehicle Ai and
the preceding vehicle Af is reduced at Step S115 and if
.theta..gtoreq..theta..sub.0 is obtained and a steering wheel 1 is
largely steered at Step S116, the subject vehicle Ai is judged to
have entered an overtaking state, and the overtaking judgement flag
is set to "1" at Step 117.
[0077] At the following Step S18, running positions Xi, Xf of the
subject vehicle Ai and preceding vehicle Af respectively are
calculated by referencing the position of the subject vehicle Ai
when overtaking is initiated. The running position Xi of the
subject vehicle Ai is calculated by integrating the vehicle
velocity of the subject vehicle Ai by time and can be obtained with
the following equation.
Xi=.intg.Vi dt . . . (14)
[0078] In addition, the running position Xf of the preceding
vehicle Af can be obtained with the following equation by using the
relative distance .DELTA.L' and elapsed time t from the initiation
of overtaking on the assumption that the preceding vehicle Af holds
the vehicle velocity Vf when overtaking is initiated.
Xf=.DELTA.L'+Vf.multidot.t . . . (15)
[0079] At the following Step S119, the running position Xi of the
subject vehicle Ai and the running position Xf of the preceding
vehicle Af are compared with each other, and if Xi .ltoreq.Xf, it
is judged that the subject vehicle Ai is still located to the rear
of the preceding vehicle Af and that it is still in course of
overtaking the preceding vehicle Af, while Xi>Xf, it is judged
that the subject vehicle Ai runs in front of the preceding vehicle
Af and that the overtaking is completed. Then, when the overtaking
is judged to have been completed, the overtaking judgement flag is
reset to "0" at Step S120.
[0080] Returning to the flowchart in FIG. 12, in a case where the
overtaking judgement flag is reset to "0" at Step S105 with the
subject vehicle Ai being not in course of overtaking the preceding
vehicle Af, at Step S106, a time t.sub.0 needed until the subject
vehicle Ai reaches a predicted collision point with a view to
determining an initiation timing of collision avoidance control,
and this time t.sub.0 is compared with a preset threshold value
t.sub.0. The time t.sub.0 needed unitl the subject vehicle Ai
reaches the predicted collision point can be calculated by dividing
the relative distance .DELTA.L between the subject vehicle Ai and
the oncoming vehicle Ao by the relative velocity .DELTA.V
therebetween as follows.
t.sub.0=.DELTA.L/.DELTA.V . . . (16)
[0081] Furthermore, the threshold value t.sub.0 corresponds to a
timing when the driver initiates a voluntary collision avoidance
control and is obtained experimentally. Thus, when t.sub.0 becomes
equal to or less than .tau..sub.0 at Step S106, at Step S107 not
only are an indicator 7 and a warning device 8 activated so as to
generate an alarm to the driver but also automatic steering is
performed so as to avoid a collision.
[0082] When a voluntary collision avoidance operation by the driver
is detected at Step S108 while automatic steering is being
performed for avoidance of a collision, in other words, when it is
detected through a steering torque sensor that the driver steers
the steering wheel 1 or it is detected through a brake pedal
step-down force sensor that the driver applies the vehicle brakes,
the generation of an alarm and automatic steering for avoidance of
a collision are ceased at Step S109. This prevents the voluntary
collision avoidance operation by the driver from interfering with
the automatic steering and priority is given to the collision
avoidance operation by the driver, thereby making it possible to
eliminate a feeling of physical disorder that would otherwise be
felt by the driver.
[0083] On the other hand, in a case where the overtaking judgement
flag is reset to "1" at Step S105 with the subject vehicle Ai being
in course of overtaking the preceding vehicle Af, the steering
control for avoiding a collision is restrained at Step S110. The
restraining of the steering control is attained for instance by
reducing a target steering angle or delaying a timing when steering
is initiated. In a case where the timing when steering is initiated
is delayed, the value of a threshold value .tau..sub.0 for
determining a timing when collision avoidance control is initiated
only has to be made smaller than a normal value. This prevents an
automatic steering for avoiding a collision with an oncoming
vehicle Ao from being effected indiscreetly while the driver is
overtaking a preceding vehicle based on his/her own will, whereby a
feeling of physical disorder can be eliminated which would be
otherwise felt by the driver. In addition, in a case where there
remains a possible collision with the oncoming vehicle, only an
alarm is given to the driver so that the driver's attention to the
oncoming vehicle Ao is not neglected.
[0084] As has been described heretofore, since the judgement of the
initiation of overtaking is made based on the relative positional
relationship between the subject vehicle Ai and the preceding
vehicle Af and the steered angle .theta. of the subject vehicle Ai,
it is possible to improve the judgement accuracy when compared with
a case in which such a judgement is made based only on a steered
angle .theta.. In addition, since the judgement of the completion
of overtaking is made based on the running position Xi of the
subject vehicle Ai and the running position Xf of the preceding
vehicle Af, it is possible to make a judgement of the completion of
overtaking without providing a side sensor for detecting the
preceding vehicle Af from the side thereof.
[0085] For instance, although in the second embodiment the steering
control for avoiding a collision is restrained during overtaking,
the steering control may be ceased. In addition, although in the
embodiment only the case is described in which the preceding
vehicle is overtaken, the present invention may be applied
similarly to a case in which a collision with a preceding vehicle
Af stopped on the road or an obstacle dropped on the road is
avoided by steering a subject vehicle clear of the side of the
stopped preceding vehicle or the dropped obstacle. Therefore, the
preceding vehicle Af of the present invention includes a stopped
preceding vehicle or a stationary object on the road as well as a
preceding vehicle on the move. In addition, the steered angle
.theta. detected by the steered angle sensor S.sub.3 may be
substituted by a steered or turned angle of a wheel.
Third Embodiment
[0086] A third embodiment of the present invention, which prevents
the performance of an unnecessary collision avoidance control by
making a judgement of a possible collision with an oncoming vehicle
in an accurate fashion will be described with reference of FIGS. 3,
4 and 15 - 23. Portions represented by the same reference numeral
as the first embodiment are identical to those of the first
embodiment, and the descriptions of them are omitted.
[0087] FIGS. 15 and 16 show an overall structural view of a vehicle
provided with a safety running system of the second embodiment of
the present invention, and a block diagram of the safety running,
respectively. The vehicle shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 has the same
equipment as that of the first embodiment except for the steered
angle sensor S3. Of course, the vehicle shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 can
be applied to the third embodiment. In this embodiment, the image
processor 6 calculates an angle .theta. formed by the center line
of the road and the vehicle body axis of the subject vehicle Ai and
a distance d between the subject vehicle Ai and the center line
based on an image in front of the subject vehicle imaged by the
camera 5, as shown in FIG. 17.
[0088] In addition, the electronic control unit U includes an
electric power steering control unit 11, a head-on collision
avoidance control unit 12, a switching unit 13 and an output
current determination unit 14 as well as that of the first
embodiment shown in FIG. 4. In normal times, the switching unit 13
is connected to the side of the electric power steering control
unit 11, and the electric power steering device 2 performs a normal
power steering function. In other words, the output current
determination unit 14 determines an output current that is to be
output to an actuator 15 in response to a steering torque input
into the steering wheel 1 and the vehicle velocity, and outputs
this output current so determined to the actuator 15 via a driving
circuit 16 to thereby assist the driver in operating the steering
wheel 1. On the other hand, in a case where there is a possible
head-on collision of the subject vehicle Ai with the oncoming
vehicle Ao, the switching unit 13 is then connected to the side of
the head-on collision avoidance control unit 12 to thereby control
the driving of the actuator 15 with the head-on collision avoidance
control unit 12, thus effecting automatic steering for avoiding a
head-on collision with the oncoming vehicle Ao. The details of this
automatic steering will be described at a latter part.
[0089] As shown in FIG. 18, provided in the interior of the head-on
collision avoidance control unit 12 of the electronic control unit
U are a travelling locus estimation unit M1, a relative transverse
deviation calculation unit M2, a contact possibility judgement unit
M3, a contact avoidance unit M6, and a lane deviation calculation
unit M10.
[0090] The travelling locus estimation unit M1 estimates a future
travelling locus of the subject vehicle Ai based on the vehicle
velocity Vi and yaw rate .gamma.i of the subject vehicle Ai. The
relative transverse deviation calculation unit M2 calculates a
relative transverse deviation .DELTA.Y between the subject vehicle
Ai and the oncoming vehicle Ao based on the future travelling locus
(i.e., the transverse travelling distance Y.sub.1) of the subject
vehicle Ai and the relative distance .DELTA.L, relative velocity
.DELTA.V and angle .beta. between the subject vehicle Ai and the
oncoming vehicle Ao that are detected by the object detection unit
4 (radar information processor 4).
[0091] A contact possibility judgement unit M3 once judges that
there is a contact possibility of the subject vehicle Ai with the
oncoming vehicle when the relative transverse deviation .DELTA. Y
continues to be in a state expressed by
-.epsilon..ltoreq..DELTA.Y.ltoreq..epsilon. over a predetermined
time period Ts or longer. When this happens, a lane deviation
calculating unit M10 calculates a deviation .delta. to a running
lane for the oncoming vehicle when the subject vehicle Ai meets
with the oncoming vehicle Ao and repeatedly judges that there is a
contact possibility of the subject vehicle Ai with the oncoming
vehicle Ao when the deviation .delta. is equal to or greater than a
predetermined threshold value .delta..sub.0 . As a result of this,
a contact avoidance unit M4 performs contact avoidance steering in
order to avoid a contact between the subject vehicle Ai and the
oncoming vehicle Ao.
[0092] Next, referring to a flowchart shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, an
operation of the third embodiment of the present invention will be
described.
[0093] First of all, at Step S201 on the flowchart in FIG. 19, read
in the electronic control unit U from the radar information
processor 4 are the relative distance .DELTA.L between the subject
vehicle Ai and the oncoming vehicle Ao, the relative velocity
.DELTA.V between the subject vehicle Ai and the oncoming vehicle
Ao, and the relative transverse distance Y.sub.2 of the oncoming
vehicle Ao relative to the vehicle body axis of the subject vehicle
Ai. At the following Step S202, a transverse travelling distance
Y.sub.1 is calculated based on the vehicle velocity Vi of the
subject vehicle Ai detected by the vehicle velocity sensors S.sub.1
. . . and the yaw rate .gamma.i of the subject vehicle Ai detected
by the yaw rate sensor S.sub.2. As shown in FIG. 21, the transverse
travelling distance Y.sub.1 is a transverse distance produced when
the subject vehicle Ai travels to the current position of the
oncoming vehicle Ao and is calculated as follows. In other words, a
transverse travelling distance Y.sub.1 of the subject vehicle Ai
after the elapse of time t.sub.1=.DELTA.L/Vi is obtained by using
the vehicle velocity Vi and yaw rate .gamma.i of the subject
vehicle Ai as follows;
Y.sub.1=(1/2).multidot.Vi.multidot..gamma.i.multidot.(.DELTA.L/Vi).sup.2
. . . (21)
[0094] At the following Step S203, a relative transverse deviation
.DELTA.Y is calculated by subtracting the transverse travelling
distance Y.sub.1 from the relative transverse travelling distance
Y.sub.2. As is clear from FIG. 21, the relative transverse
deviation .DELTA.Y corresponds to a transverse deviation resulting
between the current position of the oncoming vehicle Ao and an
estimated position of the subject vehicle Ai when the subject
vehicle travels to the current position of the oncoming vehicle Ao.
The relative transverse deviation .DELTA.Y has a positive or
negative value, and in the case of the left-hand side traffic
described in this embodiment, if the relative transverse deviation
.DELTA.Y has a positive value because of Y.sub.2>Y.sub.1, the
estimated travelling locus of the subject vehicle Ai passes on the
left-hand side of the current position of the oncoming vehicle Ao.
On the other hand, if the relative transverse deviation .DELTA.Y
has a negative value because of Y.sub.2<Y.sub.1 the estimated
travelling locus of the subject vehicle Ai passes on the right-hand
side of the current position of the oncoming vehicle Ao. In
addition, as the absolute value of the relative transverse
deviation becomes smaller, the possibility of a contact of the
subject vehicle Ai with the oncoming vehicle Ao becomes higher.
[0095] At the following Step S204, whether or not the relative
transverse deviation .DELTA.Y resides within a preset range is
judged. In other words, if the relative transverse deviation
.DELTA.Y resides within a predetermined range based on a
predetermined value .epsilon. preset in turn based on the width of
the vehicle body of the vehicle (for instance, 2 m), and
-.epsilon..ltoreq..DELTA..ltoreq..epsilon. . . . (22)
[0096] is obtained, it is judged that there is a possible collision
of the subject vehicle Ai with the oncoming vehicle Ao, which is a
first stage judgement. On the other hand, if the above equation is
not obtained, it is judged that the subject vehicle Ai passes
through on the left-hand side or right-hand side of the oncoming
vehicle Ao, causing no collision, and return to Step S201 without
performing alarm or steering control for avoiding a collision.
[0097] At the following Step S5, if a state in which the aforesaid
equation (22) is obtained continues over the predetermined time
period Ts, a second stage judgement of a contact possibility of the
subject vehicle Ai with the oncoming vehicle Ao is made. On the
other hand, return to and remain at Step S204 until the state in
which the aforesaid equation (22) is satisfied is maintained over
the predetermined time period Ts. And, if the aforesaid equation
(22) becomes untrue before the predetermined time period Ts
elapses, an answer to Step S4 becomes No and return to Step S201.
The predetermined time period Ts is variable. Assuming that
Ts.sub.0 regards as a reference value, and K.sub.1 and K.sub.2 as
correction coefficients, and then the following equation is
obtained.
Ts=Ts.sub.0.multidot.K.sub.1.multidot.K.sub.2 . . . (23)
[0098] As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the correction coefficients
K.sub.1, K.sub.2 are retrieved from a map with the relative
distance .DELTA. L or the relative velocity .DELTA.V between the
subject vehicle Ai and the oncoming vehicle Ao being designated as
a parameter. Thus, the predetermined time Ts is corrected to as to
reduce it when there is a high collision possibility because the
relative distance .DELTA.L is short or the relative velocity
.DELTA.V is high. This facilitates the performance of collision
avoidance automatic steering when there is a high collision
possibility, thereby making it possible to ensure that a collision
with the oncoming vehicle is avoided.
[0099] At the following Step S206, the state of a deviation
judgement flag is judged which represents the magnitude of future
deviation of the subject vehicle Ai to the running lane of the
oncoming vehicle Ao across the center line. The deviation judgement
flag is set to "1" when the magnitude of deviation to the running
lane of the oncoming vehicle is large to thereby cause a high
collision possibility, and on the contrary, it is reset to "0" when
the magnitude of deviation to the running lane of the oncoming
vehicle is small to thereby cause only a low collision possibility.
Setting or resetting of the deviation judgement flag will be
described below based on a flowchart shown in FIG. 20.
[0100] First, at Step S221, an angle .theta. formed by the vehicle
body axis of the subject vehicle Ai relative to the center line of
the road and a distance d between the subject vehicle Ai and the
center line are read in from the image processor 6. At Step S222, a
deviation .delta. of the subject vehicle Ai to the running lane of
the oncoming vehicle Ao at a point where a collision between the
subject vehicle Ai and the oncoming vehicle Ao is predicted is
calculated.
[0101] As is clear from FIG. 21, the deviation .delta. is given by
the following equation.
.delta.=Vi.multidot.t.sub.0.theta.+Y1"-d . . . (24)
[0102] where t.sub.0 is a time required until the subject vehicle
Ai reaches the collision predicted point and is obtained by
dividing the relative distance .DELTA.L between the subject vehicle
Ai and the oncoming vehicle Ao by the relative velocity .DELTA.V
between the subject vehicle Ai and the oncoming vehicle Ao.
t.sub.0=.DELTA.L/.DELTA.V . . . (25)
[0103] The first term on the right-hand side of the equation (24),
Vi.multidot.t.sub.0.multidot..theta., is obtained by multiplying
the distance Vi.multidot.t.sub.0 between the subject vehicle Ai and
the collision predicted point by the angle .theta. formed by the
vehicle body axis of the subject vehicle Ai relative to the center
line. In addition, the second term on the right-hand side of the
equation, Y1", is the transverse deviation resulting until the
subject vehicle Ai reaches the collision predicted point and is
obtained with the following equation by using the vehicle velocity
Vi and yaw rate .gamma.i of the subject vehicle Ai and the time
t.sub.0 taken until the subject vehicle Ai reaches the collision
predicted point.
Y1"=(1/2).multidot.Vi .multidot..gamma.i.multidot.t.sub.0.sup.2 . .
. (26)
[0104] Consequently, the equation (24) is rewritten by using the
equation (26) as follows.
.delta.=Vi.multidot.t.sub.0.multidot..theta.+(1/2).multidot.Vi.multidot..g-
amma.i.multidot.t.sub.0.sup.2-d . . . (27)
[0105] Thus, the deviation .delta. is calculated in this way at
Step S222, and then at Step S223 following thereto, the deviation
.delta. is compared with a predetermined threshold value
.delta..sub.0. If the deviation .delta. is equal to or greater than
the threshold value .delta..sub.0, a third stage judgement is made
that there is a possible collision of the subject vehicle Ai with
the oncoming vehicle Ao, and at Step S224, the deviation judgement
flag is set to "1". On the other hand, if the deviation .delta. is
less than the threshold value .delta..sub.0, it is judged that
there is no possible collision of the subject vehicle Ai with the
oncoming vehicle Ao, and at Step S225 the deviation judgement flag
is set to "0".
[0106] Returning to the flowchart shown in FIG. 19, in a case where
at the aforesaid Step S206, the deviation judgement flag is set to
"1" and there is a possible collision of the subject vehicle Ai
with the oncoming vehicle Ao, at Step S207, a target transverse
avoidance magnitude S for avoiding the collision is calculated.
This target transverse avoidance magnitude S results from addition
of the relative transverse deviation .DELTA. Y calculated at the
aforesaid Step S3 and a predetermined value .alpha., which is set
in advance.
S+.DELTA.Y=.alpha. . . . (28)
[0107] At the following Step S208, with a view to determining a
timing when a collision avoidance control is initiated, the
threshold .tau..sub.0 is retrieved from the target transverse
avoidance magnitude S based on the map shown in FIG. 23. In order
to restrain the occurrence of an excessive transverse acceleration
due to automatic steering for avoiding a collision, as the target
transverse avoidance magnitude S increases, the threshold
.tau..sub.0 also increases. Then, when the time t.sub.0 taken until
the subject vehicle Ai reaches the collision predicted point
becomes equal to or less than the threshold .tau..sub.0, at Step
S209, an indicator 7 and an alarm 8 are activated so as to generate
an alarm to the driver and automatic steering is effected so as to
avoid a collision.
[0108] During the performance of automatic steering in order to
avoid a collision, when a voluntary collision avoidance operation
by the driver is detected at Step S210, in other words, when it is
detected through a steering torque sensor that the driver steers
the steering wheel 1 or it is detected through a brake pedal
step-down force sensor that the driver applies the vehicle brakes,
the generation of an alarm and automatic steering for avoiding a
collision are ceased at Step S211. This prevents the interference
of the voluntary collision avoidance operation by the driver with
the automatic steering, and the collision avoidance operation by
the driver overrides the automatic steering, thereby making it
possible to eliminate a feeling of physical disorder that would
otherwise be felt by the driver.
[0109] As has been described heretofore, since the judgement of a
possible collision of the subject vehicle Ai with the oncoming
vehicle is carried out in separate three stages; first, at the
aforesaid Step S204, it is confirmed that the relative transverse
deviation .DELTA.Y resides within a preset range, at Step S205, it
is confirmed that the above confirmed state continues for the
predetermined time period Ts, and further at Step S206, it is
confirmed that the deviation .delta. of the subject vehicle Ai to
the adjacent lane for opposite traffic is equal to or greater than
the threshold value .delta..sub.0, the judgement of a possible
collision that is finally made becomes highly accurate. In
particular, since it is confirmed that the state in which the
relative transverse deviation .DELTA.Y resides within the preset
range continues for the predetermined time period Ts, it is
prevented that an erroneous judgement of a possible collision is
made in response to a temporary yaw movement of the subject vehicle
Ai.
[0110] Thus, while the embodiments of the present invention has
been described in detail heretofore, it should be understood that
various modifications and alterations in design may be possible
without departing from the sprit and scope of the present
invention. In addition, the present invention can be performed by
the combination of the above three embodiments.
[0111] As described the above, according to the first aspect of the
invention, there is provided a safety running system for a vehicle
including, an object detection unit for detecting an object
existing in a direction in which a subject vehicle travels, a
travelling locus estimation unit for estimating a future travelling
locus of the subject vehicle, a relative transverse deviation
calculation unit for calculating a relative transverse deviation
between the subject vehicle and an oncoming vehicle based on the
results from the detection by the object detection unit and the
future travelling locus of the subject vehicle, a contact
possibility judgement unit for judging that there is a contact
possibility of the subject vehicle with the oncoming vehicle when
the relative transverse deviation calculated by the relative
transverse deviation calculation unit falls within a predetermined
range, a curve exit detection unit for detecting that the subject
vehicle approaches an exit portion of a curve, and a correction
unit for correcting the relative transverse deviation based on the
results of the detection by the curve exit detection unit.
[0112] According to the above construction, the relative transverse
calculation unit calculates a relative transverse deviation between
the subject vehicle and the oncoming vehicle based on the state of
the oncoming vehicle detected by the object detection unit and the
future travelling locus of the subject vehicle estimated by the
travelling locus estimation unit, and the contact possibility
judgement unit judges that there is a contact possibility of the
subject vehicle with the oncoming vehicle when the relative
transverse deviation resides within the predetermined range. When
the curve exit detection unit detects that the subject vehicle
approaches the exit portion of the curve, since the correction unit
corrects the relative transverse deviation, it is possible to
ensure that an erroneous judgement is prevented from being made
with high probability at the exit portion of the curve that there
is a collision possibility between the subject vehicle and the
oncoming vehicle.
[0113] In addition, the above safety running system may further
includes a contact avoidance unit for performing contact avoidance
steering when the contact possibility judgement unit judges that
there is a collision possibility between the subject vehicle and
the oncoming vehicle.
[0114] According to this construction, since the contact avoidance
unit performs contact avoidance steering when there is a collision
possibility between the subject vehicle and the oncoming vehicle,
it is possible to prevent a contact between the subject vehicle and
the oncoming vehicle.
[0115] Furthermore, the curve exit detection unit may detect that
the subject vehicle approaches an exit portion of a curve based on
the road conditions in the travelling direction of the subject
vehicle imaged by an imaging unit.
[0116] According to this construction, since the detection is
carried out based on the road conditions in the travelling
direction of the subject vehicle imaged by the imaging unit, it is
possible to ensure a proper detection.
[0117] Moreover, wherein the curve exit detection unit may detect
that the subject vehicle approaches an exit portion of a curve
based on a steering wheel turning back operation by the driver from
a turned condition to a straight travelling condition detected by a
steered angle detection unit.
[0118] According to this construction, since an exit portion of a
curve is detected based on the steering wheel turning back
operation by the driver from a turned condition to a straight
travelling condition, it is possible to ensure a proper
detection.
[0119] In addition, the above safety running system may further
includes a transverse travelling distance calculation unit for
calculating a future transverse travelling distance of the subject
vehicle based on the travelling locus estimated by the travelling
locus estimation unit and wherein the correction unit corrects the
transverse travelling distance such that it is reduced.
[0120] According to this construction, since the correction unit
corrects the transverse travelling distance such that it is
reduced, it is possible to prevent the transverse travelling
distance from being calculated at a greater value than an actual
one at an exit portion of a curve.
[0121] Further, the correction unit may correct the transverse
travelling distance such that it becomes shorter as the speed of
the steering wheel turning back operation by the driver
increases.
[0122] According to this construction, since the correction is made
such that the transverse travelling distance becomes shorter as the
speed of steering wheel turning back operation by the driver
becomes higher, it is possible to accurately correct an error in
transverse travelling distance at an exit portion of a curve.
[0123] In addition, the correction unit may correct the transverse
travelling distance such that it becomes shorter as the turning
radius at the curve becomes smaller.
[0124] According to this construction, since the correction unit
corrects the transverse travelling distance such that it becomes
shorter as the turning radius at the curve becomes smaller, it is
possible to accurately correct an error in transverse travelling
distance at an exit portion of a curve.
[0125] Further, according to the second aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a safety running system including, an
object detection unit for detecting an object present in a
travelling direction of a subject vehicle, a travelling locus
estimation unit for estimating a future travelling locus of the
subject vehicle, a relative transverse deviation calculation unit
for calculating a relative transverse deviation between the subject
vehicle and an oncoming vehicle on an adjacent lane for opposite
traffic based on the result of the detection of the object
detection unit and a future travelling locus of the subject vehicle
estimated by the travelling locus estimation unit, a contact
possibility judgement unit for judging that there is a contact
possibility of the subject vehicle with the oncoming vehicle when a
relative transverse deviation calculated by the relative transverse
deviation calculation unit falls within a predetermined range, a
contact avoidance unit for automatically performing a contact
avoidance operation when the contact possibility judgement unit
judges that there is a contact possibility of the subject vehicle
with the oncoming vehicle, and an overtaking judgement unit for
judging whether or not the subject vehicle is in course of
overtaking a preceding vehicle, wherein when the overtaking
judgement unit judges that the subject vehicle is in course of
overtaking a preceding vehicle, the contact avoidance unit
restrains a contact avoidance operation or ceases a contact
avoidance operation being performed.
[0126] According to the above construction, when the relative
transverse deviation calculation unit calculates a relative
transverse deviation based on the state of the oncoming vehicle
detected by the object detection unit and a future travelling locus
of the subject vehicle estimated by the travelling locus estimation
unit, and the contact possibility judgement unit judges that the
relative transverse deviation so calculated falls within a
predetermined range and therefore that there is a contact
possibility of the subject vehicle with the oncoming vehicle, the
contact avoidance unit automatically performs a contact avoidance
operation in order to avoid a contact with the oncoming vehicle,
while when the overtaking judgement unit judges that the subject
vehicle is in course of overtaking a preceding vehicle, the contact
avoidance unit restrains a contact avoidance operation or ceases a
contact avoidance operation being performed. Thus, since it is
prevented that an unnecessary contact avoidance operation is
performed while the driver of the subject vehicle is overtaking a
preceding vehicle to thereby interfere with the driver's overtaking
operation, it is possible to eliminate a risk of the driver feeling
a physical disorder while overtaking the preceding vehicle.
[0127] In addition, the contact avoidance operation performed by
the contact avoidance unit may steer the steering device of the
subject vehicle in a direction opposite to a direction toward the
oncoming vehicle which exists in a direction in which the subject
vehicle is travelling.
[0128] According to this construction, since the contact avoidance
unit avoids a contact by steering the steering device in the
direction opposite to the direction toward the oncoming vehicle
which exists in the direction in which the subject vehicle is
travelling, it is possible to ensure that a contact of the subject
vehicle with the oncoming vehicle is avoided.
[0129] Furthermore, the above safety running system may further
includes a steered angle detection unit for detecting a steered
angle, and the overtaking judgement unit may judge the initiation
of overtaking of a preceding vehicle based on the relative vehicle
velocity of the preceding vehicle detected by the object detection
unit, the relative distance to the preceding vehicle detected by
the object detection unit and a steered angle detected by the
steered angle detection unit.
[0130] According to this construction, since the overtaking
judgement unit judges the initiation of overtaking of the preceding
vehicle based on the vehicle velocity of and relative distance to
the preceding vehicle and the steered angle of the subject vehicle,
it is possible to make a judgement more accurately than a case
where a judgement of the initiation of overtaking of a preceding
vehicle is made based only on a steered angle.
[0131] In addition, the above system may further includes a vehicle
velocity detection unit for detecting the vehicle velocity of the
subject vehicle and a preceding vehicle's vehicle velocity
calculating unit for calculating the vehicle velocity of the
preceding vehicle based on the relative vehicle velocity of the
preceding vehicle and the vehicle velocity of the subject vehicle
detected by the vehicle velocity detection unit, and the overtaking
judgement unit may judge the completion of overtaking of the
preceding vehicle based on a travel distance of the subject vehicle
calculated from the vehicle velocity of the subject vehicle and a
travel distance of the preceding vehicle calculated from the
vehicle velocity of the preceding vehicle and a relative distance
to the preceding vehicle when an overtaking is initiated.
[0132] According to this construction, since the overtaking
judgement unit judges the completion of overtaking of the preceding
vehicle based on the travel distance of the subject vehicle, the
travel distance of the preceding vehicle and the relative distance
to the preceding vehicle when the overtaking is initiated, it is
possible to make an accurate judgement of a completion of
overtaking without using a side sensor for detecting a preceding
vehicle from the side thereof.
[0133] In addition, wherein the ceasing of a contact avoidance
operation by the contact avoidance unit may be performed by a delay
in timing when the steering device is operated or reduction in
amount in which the steering device is steered.
[0134] According to this construction, since the contact avoidance
unit delays the timing when the steering device is operated or
reduces the amount in which the steering device is steered, it is
possible to accurately cease a contact avoidance operation while a
preceding vehicle is being overtaken.
[0135] Further, according to the third aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a safety running system comprising, an
object detection unit for detecting an object present in a
travelling direction of a subject vehicle, a travelling locus
estimation unit for estimating a future travelling locus of the
subject vehicle, a relative transverse deviation calculation unit
for calculating a relative transverse deviation between the subject
vehicle and an oncoming vehicle on an adjacent lane for opposite
traffic based on the result of the detection of the object
detection unit and a future travelling locus of the subject vehicle
estimated by the travelling locus estimation unit, a contact
possibility judgement unit for judging that there is a contact
possibility of the subject vehicle with the oncoming vehicle when a
state in which a relative transverse deviation calculated by the
relative transverse deviation calculation unit remains within a
predetermined range continues for a predetermined time period or
longer, and a contact avoidance unit for performing contact
avoidance steering when the contact possibility judgement unit
judges that there is a contact possibility of the subject vehicle
with the oncoming vehicle.
[0136] According to the above construction, when the relative
transverse deviation calculation unit calculates a relative
transverse deviation based on the state of the oncoming vehicle
detected by the object detection unit and the future travelling
locus of the subject vehicle estimated by the travelling locus
estimation unit. When the state in which the relative transverse
deviation remains within the predetermined range continues for the
predetermined time period or longer, the contact possibility
judgement unit judges that there is a contact possibility of the
subject vehicle with the oncoming vehicle, and the contact
avoidance unit performs contact avoidance steering in order to
avoid a contact of the subject vehicle with the oncoming vehicle.
Thus, since the contact avoidance steering is performed on
condition that the state in which the relative transverse deviation
remains within the predetermined range continues for the
predetermined time period or longer, it is possible to ensure that
a risk is avoided in which an erroneous judgement of a collision
possibility is made in response to a temporary yaw movement of the
subject vehicle when in reality there is no risk of collision with
the oncoming vehicle, thereby making it possible to prevent the
driver from feeling a physical disorder that would be caused when
unnecessary contact avoidance steering is performed.
[0137] In addition, the above safety running system may further
includes a lane deviation calculation unit for calculating a
deviation of the subject vehicle from its running lane to a running
lane for the oncoming vehicle when the subject vehicle meets with
the oncoming vehicle, and the contact possibility judgement unit
may judge that there is a collision possibility of the subject
vehicle with the oncoming vehicle when a deviation calculated by
the lane deviation calculation unit is equal to or greater than a
predetermined threshold value.
[0138] According to this construction, since the deviation of the
subject vehicle from its running lane to the running lane for the
oncoming vehicle when the subject vehicle meets with the oncoming
vehicle is calculated by the lane deviation calculation unit and it
is judged that there is a collision possibility of the subject
vehicle with the oncoming vehicle when the deviation is equal to or
greater than the predetermined threshold value, it is possible to
improve the judgement accuracy when compared with a case where
whether or not there is a contact possibility is judged only on the
relative relationship between the subject vehicle and the oncoming
vehicle.
[0139] Furthermore, the predetermined time period may be set
shorter as the relative distance between the subject vehicle and
the oncoming vehicle becomes shorter or the relative velocity
between the subject vehicle and the oncoming vehicle becomes
greater.
[0140] According to this construction, since the predetermined time
period for use for judgement of the continuity of the state in
which the relative transverse deviation remains within the
predetermined range is set shorter as the relative distance between
the subject vehicle and the oncoming vehicle becomes shorter or the
relative velocity between the subject vehicle and the oncoming
vehicle becomes greater, the higher the contact possibility
becomes, the easier the contact avoidance steering is performed,
thereby making it possible to ensure that a contact with the
oncoming vehicle is avoided.
[0141] In addition, the contact avoidance unit may initiate the
contact avoidance steering when the time taken until the subject
vehicle meets with the oncoming vehicle becomes equal to or less
than a predetermined threshold value.
[0142] According to this construction, since the contact avoidance
steering is initiated when the time taken until the subject vehicle
meets with the oncoming vehicle becomes equal to or less than a
predetermined threshold value, it is possible to avoid a risk in
which the contact avoidance steering is initiated earlier than
required so as to interfere with a voluntary contact avoidance
operation by the driver.
[0143] Furthermore, a target avoidance magnitude may be set based
on the relative transverse deviation calculated by the relative
transverse deviation calculating unit.
[0144] According to this construction, since the target avoidance
magnitude for the contact avoidance unit is set based on the
relative transverse deviation between the subject vehicle and the
oncoming vehicle, the target avoidance magnitude can be set
accurately neither too much nor too less.
[0145] Moreover, the contact avoidance steering by the contact
avoidance unit may be ceased when a voluntary contact avoidance
operation by the driver is detected.
[0146] According to this construction, since the contact avoidance
steering by the contact avoidance unit is ceased when a contact
avoidance operation is performed by the driver, it is possible to
securely prevent the interference of the voluntary operation by the
driver with the contact avoidance steering.
[0147] The present disclosure relates to the subject matter
contained in Japanese patent application Nos. Hei.10-233733 filed
on Aug. 20, 1998, Hei.10-238543 filed on Aug. 25, 1998 and
Hei.10-238545 filed on Aug. 25, 1998, which are expressly
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
* * * * *