Patent Description:
Various driving control systems are being put into practical use and are being internationally standardized for purposes of reducing burdens on drivers and for supporting safe driving. For example, driving control systems, such as an inter-vehicle distance control system (ACCS) and a lane keeping assistance system (LKAS) that have already been put into practical use, and a "partially automated in-lane driving system (PADS)" that is a combination of these, are in the process of being put into practical use. Among these, regulations of an "automatic lane keeping system (ALKS)" related to automated driving in a single lane under specific conditions, such as a motor highway with a speed limit of <NUM>/h or less and a physical separation zone (median strip) separating from an oncoming lane, are being developed.

In such an automatic lane keeping system, when a serious failure occurs in the system or when a driver cannot respond to an operation takeover request, operation shifts to risk minimization control (MRM: Minimal Risk Maneuver). On the other hand, when a collision with another vehicle is anticipated, emergency avoidance control (EM: Emergency Maneuver) is activated, and the operation shifts to collision avoidance or in-lane stop by deceleration at maximum deceleration.

For example, Patent Document <NUM> discloses increasing a lateral distance from another vehicle traveling in parallel when an automatic stop mode that stops a vehicle in a predetermined stop area is performed in a case in which a predetermined condition that makes it difficult for a vehicle control system or driver to continue driving is satisfied while the vehicle is traveling.

Other examples of background art can be found in Patent Documents <NUM>-<NUM>.

However, when the vehicle is stopped, movements of vehicles ahead and in the rear are not taken into consideration, so there is a risk of contact and collision when a vehicle in the rear cannot avoid the decelerated and stopped vehicle.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described actual situation, and an object is to improve an avoidance effect by taking the positions of vehicles ahead and vehicles in the rear into consideration when emergency avoidance control is activated.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention is
a driving control apparatus for a vehicle, including:.

In the driving control apparatus for a vehicle according to the present invention, as described above, when the EM function is activated, the direction of avoidance steering is determined on the basis of the lateral position of a vehicle ahead or an obstacle that has caused the activation and the avoidance steering is performed together with the emergency braking, so there is an advantage that probability of avoiding a collision with the vehicle ahead can be improved by avoidance steering even when a braking distance for emergency stop is insufficient.

In <FIG>, a vehicle <NUM> equipped with a driving control system according to the present invention includes, in addition to common components, such as an engine and a vehicle body, of an automobile, an external sensor <NUM> for detecting a vehicle surrounding environment, an internal sensor <NUM> for detecting vehicle information, a controller/actuator group for speed control and steering control, an ACC controller <NUM> for inter-vehicle distance control, an LKA controller <NUM> for lane keeping control, and an automated driving controller <NUM> for controlling them to execute partially automated in-lane driving (PADS: Partially Automated in-lane Driving System), automated in-single lane driving (ALKS: Automatic Lane Keeping System), and automated lane change (PALS: Partially Automated Lane change System) in order to perform, at the vehicle side, recognition, determination, and operation conventionally performed by a driver.

The controller/actuator group for speed control and steering control includes an EPS (Electric Power Steering) controller <NUM> for steering control, an engine controller <NUM> for acceleration/deceleration control, and an ESP/ABS controller <NUM>. An ESP (Electronic Stability Program, registered trademark) includes an ABS (Antilock Brake System) to form a stability control system (vehicle behavior stabilization control system).

The external sensor <NUM> is composed of a plurality of detection means for inputting lane markings on a road defining the vehicle's own driving lane and neighboring lanes, and presence of, and relative distance from, other vehicles, obstacles, people, and the like around the vehicle into the automated driving controller <NUM> as external data such as image data or point cloud data.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, the vehicle <NUM> includes a millimeter wave radar (<NUM>) and a camera (<NUM>) as front detection means <NUM> and <NUM>, LIDARs (Laser Imaging Detection And Ranging) as front lateral detection means <NUM> and rear lateral detection means <NUM>, and a camera (back camera) as rear detection means <NUM>, covers <NUM> degrees around the vehicle, and can detect positions of and distance from vehicles, obstacles and the like, and lane marking positions of the vehicle's own driving lane and the neighboring lanes within a predetermined range in the front, rear, left, and right directions of the vehicle. Note that a millimeter wave radar (or LIDAR) can be also added as the rear detection means.

The internal sensor <NUM> is composed of a plurality of detection means, such as a vehicle speed sensor, a yaw rate sensor and an acceleration sensor, for measuring physical quantities representing the vehicle's moving state, and their measurement values are input into the automated driving controller <NUM>, ACC controller <NUM>, LKA controller <NUM>, and EPS controller <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, and arithmetically processed together with the input from the external sensor <NUM>.

The automated driving controller <NUM> includes an environmental condition estimating part <NUM>, a path generating part <NUM> and a vehicle control part <NUM>, and includes a computer for performing functions as described below, that is, a ROM storing programs and data, a CPU for performing arithmetic processing, a RAM for reading out the programs and data, and storing dynamic data and arithmetic processing results, an input/output interface, and the like.

The environmental condition estimating part <NUM> acquires the absolute position of the vehicle itself by matching the vehicle's own position information by positioning means <NUM> such as a GPS and map information <NUM>, and on the basis of the external data such as the image data and point cloud data obtained by the external sensor <NUM>, estimates positions of lane markings of the vehicle's own driving lane and the neighboring lanes, and positions and speeds of other vehicles. In addition, it acquires the vehicle's moving state itself from internal data measured by the internal sensor <NUM>. Furthermore, it acquires the driver's state by a driver status monitor <NUM>.

The path generating part <NUM> generates a target path from the vehicle's own position estimated by the environmental condition estimating part <NUM> to an arrival target. In addition, the path generating part <NUM> generates a target path from the vehicle's own position to an arrival target point in automated driving, such as lane keeping driving, lane change, and course change, on the basis of the positions of the lane markings of the neighboring lane, the positions and speeds of the other vehicles, and the vehicle's moving state estimated by the environmental condition estimating part <NUM>.

The vehicle control part <NUM> calculates a target vehicle speed and a target steering angle on the basis of the target path generated by the path generating part <NUM>, transmits a speed command for constant speed cruise or inter-vehicle distance keeping and following cruise to the ACC controller <NUM>, and transmits a steering angle command for path following to the EPS controller <NUM> via the LKA controller <NUM>.

The vehicle speed is also input into the EPS controller <NUM> and ACC controller <NUM>. Because a steering reaction force changes according to the vehicle speed, the EPS controller <NUM> refers to a steering angle-steering torque map for each vehicle speed and transmits a torque command to a steering mechanism <NUM>. The engine controller <NUM>, ESP/ABS controller <NUM>, and EPS controller <NUM> control an engine <NUM>, a brake <NUM>, and the steering mechanism <NUM>, and thereby the movement of the vehicle <NUM> in a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction is controlled.

Next, an outline of the partially automated in-lane driving system (PADS) will be described.

The partially automated in-lane driving system (PADS) is a system that combines the inter-vehicle distance control system (ACCS: Adaptive Cruise Control System) and the lane keeping assistance system (LKAS), and is enabled in a state in which both ACC controller <NUM> included in the inter-vehicle distance control system (ACCS) and LKA controller <NUM> included in the lane keeping assistance system (LKAS) are operating together with the automated driving controller <NUM>.

At the same time as operation of the partially automated in-lane driving system, the automated driving controller <NUM> (path generating part <NUM>) generates a target path in a single lane and a target vehicle speed on the basis of the external information (lanes, vehicle's own position, and positions and speeds of other vehicles driving in the own driving lane and the neighboring lane) obtained by the environmental condition estimating part <NUM> through the external sensor <NUM>, and the internal information (vehicle speed, yaw rate, and acceleration) obtained by the internal sensor <NUM>.

The automated driving controller <NUM> (vehicle control part <NUM>) estimates the speed, attitude, and lateral displacement of the vehicle after Δt seconds from a relationship between a yaw rate γ and lateral acceleration rate (d<NUM>y/dt<NUM>) occurring due to vehicle movement, by the vehicle's own position and motion characteristics of the vehicle itself, that is, by a front wheel steering angle δ occurring when a steering torque T is applied to the steering mechanism <NUM> during traveling at a vehicle speed V, gives a steering angle command that makes the lateral displacement to yt after Δt seconds to the EPS controller <NUM> via the LKA controller <NUM>, and gives a speed command that makes the speed to Vt after Δt seconds to the ACC controller <NUM>.

Although the ACC controller <NUM>, LKA controller <NUM>, EPS controller <NUM>, engine controller <NUM>, and ESP/ABS controller <NUM> operate independently of automatic steering, they are also operable according to command input from the automated driving controller <NUM> while a partially automated in-lane driving function (PADS), automatic lane keeping system (ALKS) and a partially automated lane change system (PALS) are operating.

The ESP/ABS controller <NUM> that has received a deceleration command from the ACC controller <NUM> issues a hydraulic command to an actuator and controls braking force of the brake <NUM> to control the vehicle speed. In addition, the engine controller <NUM> that has received an acceleration/deceleration command from the ACC controller <NUM> controls an actuator output (degree of throttle opening) to give the engine <NUM> a torque command and controls driving force to control the vehicle speed.

The ACC function (ACCS) functions with combination of hardware and software, such as the millimeter wave radar as the front detection means <NUM> included in the external sensor <NUM>, ACC controller <NUM>, engine controller <NUM>, and ESP/ABS controller <NUM>.

That is, in a case in which there is no vehicle ahead, the ACC function performs constant speed cruise by setting an ACC set speed (set speed) as the target vehicle speed; and in a case of having caught up with the vehicle ahead (in a case in which a speed of the vehicle ahead is equal to or slower than the ACC set speed), the ACC function performs following cruise to the vehicle ahead while maintaining an inter-vehicle distance (set inter-vehicle distance) corresponding to a time gap (inter-vehicle time = inter-vehicle distance/speed of vehicle) set in accordance with the speed of the vehicle ahead.

The LKA function (LKAS) detects the lane markings and the vehicle's own position by the environmental condition estimating part <NUM> of the automated driving controller <NUM> on the basis of image data obtained by the external sensor <NUM> (cameras <NUM> and <NUM>), and performs steering control by the EPS controller <NUM> via the LKA controller <NUM> so as to be able to drive at the center of a lane.

That is, the EPS controller <NUM> that has received the steering angle command from the LKA controller <NUM> refers to a vehicle speed-steering angle-steering torque map, issues a torque command to an actuator (EPS motor), and gives a front wheel steering angle targeted by the steering mechanism <NUM>.

The partially automated in-lane driving system (PADS) is implemented by combining longitudinal control (speed control and inter-vehicle distance control) by the ACC controller <NUM> and lateral control (steering control and lane keeping driving control) by the LKA controller <NUM> as described above.

During operation of the partially automated in-lane driving system (PADS), the environmental condition estimating part <NUM> constantly monitors whether the driving state and surrounding environmental condition of the vehicle and the driver's state are maintained within an operational design domain (ODD) on the basis of the external information obtained through the external sensor <NUM>, the vehicle information obtained by the internal sensor <NUM>, the driver's state obtained by the driver status monitor <NUM>, and the like.

When the environmental condition estimating part <NUM> determines that automated driving cannot be continued stably, such as when a system operating condition is determined to be deviated, or when a system abnormality or failure is detected, the driver is notified of an operation takeover request (TD: transition demand).

When the driver takes over driving operation within a predetermined time (for example, <NUM> seconds) from the operation takeover request (TD), the operation shifts from the partially automated in-lane driving to manual driving. The driver's operation takeover is detected by a steering torque sensor or a steering wheel grip sensor. On the other hand, when the driving operation is not taken over within the predetermined time, minimal risk maneuver (MRM) is activated and risk minimization control is performed.

The minimal risk maneuver (MRM) refers to a function for automatic shifting to a minimal risk condition when the driver cannot take over the operation, although a change in the external driving environment or a failure or the like in the system has occurred and the driver is notified of the operation takeover request (TD), and specifically, includes control (safe stop) of decelerating and stopping in the lane by the automated driving controller <NUM>.

As described above, the external sensor <NUM> is composed of the plurality of sensors, and the automated driving controller <NUM> is redundantly designed so that the minimal risk maneuver (MRM) can be executed by other sensors or detection means when an abnormality occurs in any sensor or detection means.

When a collision with another vehicle is anticipated for some reason while the partially automated in-lane driving system (PADS) is operating, emergency maneuver (EM) is activated and emergency avoidance control is performed. The emergency avoidance control (EM) includes activation of the automatic emergency braking (AEB) for collision damage mitigation.

That is, the environmental condition estimating part <NUM> constantly calculates a predicted collision time (TTC) on the basis of information (inter-vehicle distance and relative speed) of a vehicle ahead (or obstacle) detected by the external sensor <NUM> and the vehicle speed of the vehicle acquired by the internal sensor <NUM>, and when it is determined that there is a high probability of collision, such as when the predicted collision time is equal to or less than a predetermined value, issues a brake request (hydraulic command) to an actuator of the brake <NUM> and executes automatic braking (automatic emergency braking).

Next, an outline of the automatic lane keeping system (ALKS) will be described assuming a state of partially automated in-lane driving (PADS driving) on a highway with a median strip.

The automatic lane keeping system (ALKS) is a system combining the inter-vehicle distance control system (ACCS) and the lane keeping assistance system (LKAS) in the same way as the partially automated in-lane driving system (PADS), and is executed in a state in which both ACC controller <NUM> included in the inter-vehicle distance control system (ACCS) and the LKA controller <NUM> included in the lane keeping assistance system (LKAS) are operating together with the automated driving controller <NUM>, but can only be executed in a speed range of <NUM>/h or less.

During operation of the automatic lane keeping system (ALKS), automated driving is executed while maintaining a single lane. In addition to the above, the automatic lane keeping system (ALKS) can be executed when the driver status monitor <NUM> confirms that the driver has responded to the takeover request and can take over driving; as long as the driver is seated in the driver's seat and the seatbelt is fastened, the driver is not required to monitor the driving situation.

Since the minimum speed is set at <NUM>/h on a highway, shift from the partially automated in-lane driving (PADS driving) to the automatic lane keeping system (ALKS) is performed when the vehicle speed falls to <NUM>/h or less due to congestion on the highway substantially in a state of following cruise to the vehicle ahead by partially automated in-lane driving (PADS driving) or when, e.g., the vehicle catches up to the vehicle ahead that is driving at <NUM>/h or less due to congestion.

<FIG> shows state transition of control in the automatic lane keeping system (ALKS). Even during the operation of the automatic lane keeping system (ALKS) (<NUM>), the environmental condition estimating part <NUM> constantly monitors the driving state and surrounding environmental condition of the vehicle, and the driver's state; when the environmental condition estimating part <NUM> determines that a system activation condition is not met, or detects a system failure (excluding serious failures described later), the system notifies the driver of the operation takeover request (TD) (<NUM>), and shifts from the automated lane keeping driving to the manual driving (<NUM>) when the driver takes over the driving operation within the predetermined time (for example, ten seconds).

When the driving operation takeover is not performed within the predetermined time, the minimal risk maneuver (MRM) is activated, and the risk minimization control (<NUM>) is performed. Note that when the environmental condition estimating part <NUM> determines that a serious failure has occurred in the system (such as engine hydraulic pressure reduction, engine water temperature increase, or brake system abnormality that may cause an accident, fire, or the like) during the operation of the automatic lane keeping system (ALKS), the operation takeover request (TD) is not made, the minimal risk maneuver (MRM) is immediately activated, and the risk minimization control (<NUM>) is performed.

During the operation of the automatic lane keeping system (ALKS) (<NUM>), when a collision is anticipated for some reason, such as interruption of another vehicle, sudden deceleration or collision of a vehicle ahead, or an obstacle (falling object), and an activation condition of emergency avoidance control is met, the emergency maneuver (EM) is activated, and automatic emergency braking (AEB) is performed as the emergency avoidance control (<NUM>).

The automated driving system as described above enables override by the driver's operation intervention not only during the operation of the automatic lane keeping system (ALKS), but also during the operation of the risk minimization control (MRM) or emergency avoidance control (EM). That is, when the override (accelerator OR or brake OR) by the driver's acceleration/deceleration operation intervention or the override (steering OR) by the driver's steering intervention is performed, each automated driving function described above is stopped and the operation shifts to the driver's manual driving.

As described above, the automatic emergency braking (AEB) is performed when the emergency avoidance control (EM) is activated, but a braking distance may be insufficient depending on an activation situation, a road surface condition, or the like. Even in such a case, collision damage is expected to be reduced, but a collision avoidance probability can be increased by performing the avoidance steering in consideration of driving positions (lateral positions) of a vehicle ahead (cause vehicle) and a vehicle in the rear in the lane.

The automated driving controller <NUM> according to the present invention constantly monitors the driving positions of the vehicle ahead (cause vehicle) and the vehicle in the rear as follows, in order to perform the avoidance steering at the same time as the automatic emergency braking (AEB) when the emergency avoidance control (EM) is activated.

That is, the environmental condition estimating part <NUM> constantly detects a lateral position y2 (<FIG>) within the lane of a vehicle ahead <NUM>, together with the lane markings and the vehicle's own position, on the basis of the image data obtained by the external sensor <NUM> (cameras <NUM> and <NUM>), and when there is a vehicle <NUM> in the rear within a rear predetermined distance in the vehicle's driving lane, further constantly detects its lateral position y4 (<FIG>).

For example, as shown in <FIG>, the lateral position y2 of the vehicle ahead <NUM> is detected as a lateral deviation amount (relative deviation amount) and a deviation direction of either left or right of a center 2c of the vehicle ahead <NUM> with respect to a center line 212c of a front detection area corresponding to a traveling direction of the vehicle <NUM>. The lateral position of the vehicle ahead <NUM> can be also detected on the basis of lateral distances y2R and y2L from lane markings 5R and <NUM> to the vehicle ahead <NUM>.

On the other hand, as shown in <FIG>, when the vehicle <NUM> in the rear is present within the rear predetermined distance in the vehicle's driving lane, the lateral position y4 of the vehicle in the rear vehicle <NUM> in the rear is detected as a lateral deviation amount (relative deviation amount) and a deviation direction of either left or right of a center 4c of the vehicle in the rear vehicle <NUM> in the rear with respect to a center line 215c of a rear detection area of the vehicle <NUM>. The lateral position y4 of the vehicle in the rear vehicle <NUM> in the rear can be also detected on the basis of lateral distances y4R and y4L from the lane markings 5R and <NUM> to the vehicle in the rear vehicle <NUM> in the rear. Note that, at night, the center 4c can be detected from left and right head lamps of the vehicle in the rear vehicle <NUM> in the rear.

The rear predetermined distance in the vehicle's driving lane is set, assuming that the vehicle in the rear vehicle <NUM> in the rear follows and travels at the same speed as the vehicle <NUM>, on the basis of a braking distance and a free running distance (vehicle in the rear reaction distance + braking rise distance) at maximum deceleration at the speed; however, when ranging means (such as a millimeter wave radar) is added as the rear detection means, the rear predetermined distance may be set on the basis of an estimated vehicle speed of the vehicle <NUM> in the rear.

The environmental condition estimating part <NUM> constantly detects obstacles such as falling objects and stopped vehicles in front in the vehicle's driving lane on the basis of the image data obtained by the external sensor <NUM> (camera <NUM>); when an obstacle in front is detected and the emergency avoidance control (EM) is activated, as an avoidance target as with the vehicle ahead described above, its lateral position and lateral width are obtained.

The environmental condition estimating part <NUM> further constantly monitors presence of a neighboring lane and an effective road shoulder that can serve as evacuation spaces on the basis of detection information of the external sensor <NUM>. The effective road shoulder is, for example, a road shoulder generally provided on a highway and having a pavement structure with a width of <NUM> or more, and does not include a protective road shoulder without the pavement structure.

When the emergency avoidance control (EM) is activated, at the same time as activation of the automatic emergency braking (AEB), the avoidance steering is performed as follows.

<FIG> is a flowchart showing an avoidance direction determination when the emergency avoidance control (EM) is activated, and corresponds to step <NUM> in <FIG>. When the emergency avoidance control (EM) is activated (step <NUM>), a determination of whether or not the lateral position (2c) of the vehicle ahead <NUM> is deviating (y2) to either left or right with respect to a driving position (212c) of the vehicle <NUM> is first made (step <NUM>).

When the lateral position (2c) of the vehicle ahead <NUM> is deviating (y2) to either left or right with respect to the driving position (212c) of the vehicle <NUM> (step <NUM>; YES), a direction of the avoidance steering is set to a direction (anti-deviation direction) opposite to the deviation (step <NUM>).

For example, as shown in <FIG>, when the vehicle ahead <NUM> is deviating to the left side with respect to the vehicle <NUM>, the corrective steering to the right side, which secures a relatively wide avoidance width in the lane, is performed. A steering amount of the corrective steering can be a steering amount that gives lateral deviation corresponding to difference between width of the vehicle <NUM> and the deviation y2 of the vehicle ahead <NUM> at a braking distance by the automatic emergency braking; a corrective steering angle command is given to the EPS controller <NUM> via the LKA controller <NUM>.

On the other hand, when the emergency avoidance control (EM) is activated, in a case in which the lateral deviation (y2) of the vehicle ahead <NUM> is equal to or less than a predetermined value, and it is determined that a sufficient avoidance width cannot be secured on a lateral side within the lane of the vehicle ahead <NUM> (<FIG>, step <NUM>; No), when the vehicle <NUM> in the rear is present (step <NUM>; YES), the lateral position (y4) of the vehicle <NUM> in the rear is referred to (step <NUM>), and when the vehicle <NUM> in the rear is deviating (y4) to either left or right (step <NUM>; YES), the direction of the avoidance steering is set to a direction (anti-deviation direction) opposite to the deviation (step <NUM>).

For example, as shown in <FIG>, when the vehicle <NUM> in the rear is deviating to the left side with respect to the vehicle <NUM>, the corrective steering to the right side, which is a direction opposite to the deviation, is performed so that the vehicle <NUM> in the rear can avoid the vehicle <NUM> with a little steering and the avoidance width for the vehicle <NUM> in the rear is wider.

When the lateral deviation (y4) of the vehicle <NUM> in the rear is equal to or less than the predetermined value and avoidance behavior of the vehicle <NUM> in the rear cannot be identified (step <NUM>; NO), whether or not there is a neighboring lane or a road shoulder on the road edge side is referred to on the basis of the detection information of the external sensor <NUM> (step <NUM>); when there is a neighboring lane or an effective road shoulder on either the left or right side of the vehicle's driving lane (step <NUM>; YES), the direction of the avoidance steering is set to a side (median strip side) opposite to the neighboring lane or road shoulder in order to increase the avoidance width for the vehicle <NUM> in the rear to that side (step <NUM>).

When the vehicle <NUM> in the rear is not present (<FIG>, <NUM>; NO) or although the vehicle <NUM> in the rear is present, there is no neighboring lane or effective road shoulder, (step <NUM>; NO), the direction of the avoidance steering is set to a road edge side within the lane so that the avoidance width for the vehicle <NUM> in the rear is secured on a side opposite to the road edge (step <NUM>).

Through the above-described process, the direction and steering amount of the avoidance steering when the emergency avoidance control (EM) is activated are determined; when the emergency avoidance control (EM) is activated, the avoidance steering is performed at the same time as the activation of the automatic emergency braking (AEB). This avoidance steering is basically performed within the lane, so the steering amount is minimum, and an impact on an attitude of the vehicle <NUM> is small even if the avoidance steering is performed at the same time as braking at maximum deceleration; behavior stabilization control by the ESP/ABS controller <NUM> can cope with it.

Next, a control flow (<FIG>) during the operation of the automatic lane keeping system will be described.

When the vehicle speed falls to <NUM>/h or less in a state of following cruise to a vehicle ahead by the partially automated in-lane driving (PADS driving) and an activation condition is satisfied, the operation shifts to the automatic lane keeping system (ALKS) (step <NUM>).

During the operation of the automatic lane keeping system (ALKS), a collision risk determination is constantly made (step <NUM>). That is, when a predicted collision time (TTC) becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value due to appearance or the like of a stopped vehicle or an obstacle due to sudden braking of a vehicle ahead, sudden interruption of another vehicle, or lane change of a vehicle ahead (steering avoidance), and it is determined that there is a collision risk, the operation shifts to the emergency avoidance control (EM) (step <NUM>).

When the operation shifts to the emergency avoidance control (EM), at the same time as a collision determination flag (step <NUM>), the automatic emergency braking (AEB) is activated as the emergency avoidance control (step <NUM>); at the same time, the avoidance steering direction is determined (step <NUM>; <FIG>, steps <NUM>-<NUM>) on the basis of the lateral position of a vehicle ahead (or obstacle in front) that has caused the activation of the emergency avoidance control and the lateral position of a vehicle in the rear when the vehicle in the rear is present within the rear predetermined distance.

A direction indicator corresponding to the determined avoidance steering direction is activated to inform the vehicle in the rear of steering intention (step <NUM>).

At the same time as the corrective steering to the determined avoidance steering direction is performed within the driving lane, the automatic emergency braking at the maximum deceleration (<NUM>/s<NUM> or more) is performed (step <NUM>).

The determination of whether override has occurred continues during the operation of the emergency avoidance control (automatic emergency braking) also (step <NUM>); when a steering intervention equal to or greater than a predetermined steering override threshold value, an accelerator operation intervention equal to or greater than a predetermined accelerator override threshold value, or a brake operation intervention equal to or greater than a predetermined brake override threshold value is detected, the automatic lane keeping system (ALKS) stops, and the operation shifts to manual driving (step <NUM>).

A determination of whether the emergency avoidance control (EM) is completed is made on the basis of the vehicle state and the surrounding environment (step <NUM>). That is, when there is no longer a risk of an imminent collision (due to emergency stop or a change in the surrounding environment), or the system is made inactive by the driver, the emergency avoidance control is determined to be completed, then hazard lamps blink (step <NUM>), and the automatic lane keeping system (ALKS) stops (step <NUM>).

During the operation of the automatic lane keeping system (ALKS), a determination of whether a serious failure has occurred is constantly made (step <NUM>) by a self-diagnosis function of the vehicle. Examples of the serious failure include engine hydraulic pressure reduction, engine water temperature increase, and brake system abnormality that may cause an accident, fire, or the like. When it is determined that a serious failure has occurred, a serious failure flag is set (step <NUM>), and the operation shifts to the risk minimization control (MRM) (<NUM>).

During the operation of the automatic lane keeping system (ALKS), the environmental condition estimating part <NUM> constantly determines whether the driving state and surrounding environmental condition of the vehicle are maintained within the operational design domain (ODD) of the system, the driver status monitor <NUM> constantly determines whether the driver is in a state of being able to take over driving, and the self-diagnosis function of the vehicle constantly determines whether there are failures or defects in components of the automatic lane keeping system (step <NUM>). The ODD of the automatic lane keeping system includes environmental conditions such as strong wind in addition to road conditions, and the vehicle speed, and a system failure and an external sensor failure fall under the conditions.

When the system startup condition is unmet or a failure is determined to have occurred, stop advance notice of the automatic lane keeping system (ALKS) and the operation takeover request (TD) are made (step <NUM>), and counting of the predetermined time (for example, ten seconds) starts (step <NUM>).

In step <NUM>, when the driving operation takeover is confirmed by detection of the steering torque or the like within the predetermined time (for example, <NUM> seconds), the automatic lane keeping system (ALKS) stops and the operation shifts to manual driving (step <NUM>). On the other hand, when the driving operation takeover is not confirmed within the predetermined time, the operation shifts to the risk minimization control (MRM) (<NUM>).

When the operation shifts to the risk minimization control (MRM), at the same time as the hazard lamps are activated (step <NUM>), the minimal risk maneuver (MRM) activates (step <NUM>), and the automated driving controller <NUM> performs control to decelerate and stop at the predetermined deceleration (for example, <NUM>/s<NUM> or less) while keeping the driving lane.

The determination of whether override has occurred continues during the operation of the risk minimization control (MRM) also (step <NUM>); when a steering intervention equal to or greater than a predetermined steering override threshold value, an accelerator operation intervention equal to or greater than a predetermined accelerator override threshold value, or a brake operation intervention equal to or greater than a predetermined brake override threshold value is detected, the automatic lane keeping system (ALKS) stops, and the operation shifts to manual driving (step <NUM>).

A determination of whether the risk minimization control (MRM) is completed is made on the basis of the vehicle state (step <NUM>). That is, when the system is made inactive or the system stops the vehicle, the risk minimization control is determined to be completed; the automatic lane keeping system (ALKS) stops (step <NUM>), the hazard lamps keep blinking, and all vehicle systems other than that stop.

As detailed above, in the driving control apparatus for a vehicle according to the present invention, when the emergency avoidance control (EM) is activated, the direction of avoidance steering is determined on the basis of the lateral position (y2) of the vehicle ahead <NUM> (or obstacle) in the vehicle's driving lane and the avoidance steering is performed together with the emergency braking, so there is an advantage of being able to improve the probability of collision avoidance by the avoidance steering even when the braking distance for emergency stop due to an unexpected event is insufficient.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, when the lateral position 2c of the vehicle ahead <NUM> is deviating y2 to the left side with respect to the driving position (212c) of the vehicle <NUM>, the minimum avoidance steering given by the difference between the vehicle width and the deviation y2 is performed to the right side (anti-deviation direction), which can secure a relatively wide avoidance width; in a situation in which the vehicle is closest to the vehicle ahead <NUM>, even if the braking distance is insufficient, as indicated by a reference sign <NUM>', a collision with the vehicle ahead <NUM> can be avoided.

At this time, since the avoidance steering is performed in the vehicle <NUM>'s driving lane, it is not necessary to consider movements of vehicles in neighboring lanes; there is also an advantage that control can be immediately performed regardless of the movements of the vehicles in the neighboring lanes.

At this time, in a case in which another vehicle is traveling behind the vehicle <NUM>, the emergency braking is automatic or manually performed caused by the operation of the emergency brake of the vehicle <NUM>, and the vehicle <NUM> moves to the right side of the vehicle ahead <NUM> by the avoidance steering; so, on the left side of the vehicle <NUM>, that is, on the vehicle ahead <NUM> side, the avoidance width is secured.

When the emergency avoidance control (EM) is activated, an inter-vehicle time, which is about twice an inter-vehicle time between the vehicle <NUM> and the vehicle ahead <NUM>, is secured between the vehicle ahead <NUM> and the vehicle in the rear; so, as long as the succeeding vehicle can avoid a collision with the vehicle <NUM> immediately before it, there is a high probability of being able to brake and stop before reaching a stop position of the vehicle ahead <NUM>. Therefore, the avoidance steering described above is also advantageous in that the avoidance width can be prepared for the vehicle in the rear in order to reduce the risk that the vehicle <NUM> is subject to rear-end collision by the vehicle in the rear.

When the emergency avoidance control (EM) is activated, when the lateral deviation y2 of the vehicle ahead <NUM> is equal to or less than the predetermined value, the direction of avoidance steering is determined on the basis of the lateral position of the vehicle in the rear, and so the risk that the vehicle <NUM> is subject to rear-end collision by the vehicle in the rear can be reduced.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, when the vehicle ahead <NUM> is in front of the vehicle <NUM>, if the lateral position 4c of the vehicle <NUM> in the rear is deviating y4 to the left side with respect to the driving position 215c of the vehicle <NUM>, then the avoidance steering is performed to the right side (anti-deviation direction), which can secure a relatively wide avoidance width for the vehicle <NUM> in the rear; so, the risk that the vehicle <NUM> is subject to rear-end collision by the vehicle <NUM> in the rear (<NUM>') can be reduced, and the avoidance steering can increase the possibility of avoiding a collision with the vehicle ahead <NUM>'.

When the emergency avoidance control (EM) is activated, when the lateral deviation y4 of the vehicle <NUM> in the rear is equal to or less than the predetermined value, whether or not there is a neighboring lane or an effective road shoulder that can serve as an avoidance space for the vehicle <NUM> in the rear, on a road edge side in the vehicle's driving lane is referred to; when there is a neighboring lane or an effective road shoulder that can serve as the avoidance space for the vehicle <NUM> in the rear, the avoidance steering is performed to a direction (median strip side) opposite to those; thereby the avoidance width for the vehicle <NUM> in the rear is increased and the risk that the vehicle <NUM> is subject to rear-end collision by the vehicle <NUM> in the rear can be reduced.

On the other hand, when there is no neighboring lane or effective road shoulder that can serve as the avoidance space for the vehicle <NUM> in the rear, the avoidance steering to a road edge side is performed; thereby the avoidance width for the vehicle <NUM> in the rear is increased to a neighboring lane side (median strip side) opposite to the road edge, and the risk that the vehicle <NUM> is subject to rear-end collision by the vehicle <NUM> in the rear can be reduced.

Although in the above embodiment, the case in which the avoidance steering is performed within the vehicle <NUM>'s driving lane when the emergency avoidance control (EM) is activated is mainly described, the avoidance steering may be performed across the lane marking <NUM> or 5R between the driving lane and a neighboring lane or road shoulder. Therefore, the avoidance steering may be performed including at least a partial movement from the vehicle <NUM>'s driving lane to the neighboring lane or road shoulder. In particular, when the relative lateral deviation of the vehicle ahead or vehicle in the rear is equal to or less than the predetermined value, the avoidance steering can be also performed including a lane change to the neighboring lane or road shoulder as long as it is confirmed that there is no other vehicle or obstacle within forward and rearward predetermined ranges in the neighboring lane or road shoulder.

Although in the above embodiment, the state transition of control during the operation of the automatic lane keeping system (ALKS) is mainly described, the avoidance steering control according to the present invention may be performed when the emergency avoidance control (EM) is activated during operation of another automated driving function, such as the partially automated in-lane driving system (PADS) or partially automated lane change system (PALS).

Claim 1:
A driving control apparatus (<NUM>) for a vehicle, comprising:
an environmental condition estimating part (<NUM>) including a surrounding recognition function for recognizing a vehicle's driving lane, neighboring lanes, other vehicles driving in the driving lanes, and surrounding environments and a function for obtaining the vehicle's moving state;
a path generating part (<NUM>) for generating a target path on the basis of information obtained by the environmental condition estimating part (<NUM>); and
a vehicle control part (<NUM>) configured to perform speed control and steering control for making the vehicle follow the target path, and having:
a function for performing automated in-lane driving by maintaining a set vehicle speed when there is no vehicle ahead in the vehicle's driving lane, and maintaining a set inter-vehicle distance when there is a vehicle ahead; and
an EM function for performing emergency avoidance control including operation of an emergency brake when a collision with a vehicle ahead or an obstacle in front in the vehicle's driving lane is predicted,
characterized in that when the EM function is activated, when a lateral position of the vehicle ahead or obstacle in the vehicle's driving lane is deviating to either left or right with respect to the vehicle's driving position, a direction of avoidance steering is set to a direction opposite to the deviation and the avoidance steering is performed together with the emergency braking.