JP2009083771A - Control device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a control device for a vehicle capable of facilitating inspection work by reducing the inspection man-hour of the vehicle after it travels on a water-covered road and reducing economical burden on a user. <P>SOLUTION: During traveling on the water-covered road, when output of a water level sensor is in a range from a traveling requirement lower limit water level H1 to a vehicle-stopping requirement lower limit water level H2 (S10 is YES), water level data are recorded and guidance of continuation of traveling is performed to a driver (S12, 14). When it is the vehicle-stopping requirement lower limit water level H2 or more (S10 is NO), the water level data are recorded and guidance of discontinuation of traveling is performed to the driver (S16, 18). At inspection of the vehicle after that, a position determined that inspection is required based on the recorded water level is only inspected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle control device, and more particularly to a vehicle control device for the purpose of simplifying maintenance of a vehicle that has traveled in a flooded channel.

  When a vehicle travels on a flooded road surface due to heavy rain, etc., each part of the vehicle suffers various damages depending on the flooding situation, including decisive damage that makes it impossible to run while traveling on the flooded road If there is, there is also damage caused by continuing to travel after traveling on a flooded channel. In the case of the latter damage, it is possible to avoid it by carrying out vehicle inspection after traveling on the flooding channel, but this inspection can be damaged by flooding because the flooding situation of the vehicle is unknown. We conduct a comprehensive inspection of all the parts that have the property.

As a technique assuming flooding of a vehicle, for example, one disclosed in Patent Document 1 has been proposed. The technology of Patent Document 1 is for assisting occupant escape and rescue activities when the vehicle falls into the water. The water level in the cabin of the vehicle is detected by a water level sensor, and the cabin is based on the detected value. When it is determined that there is water in such a degree that the door cannot be opened, the seat belt release mechanism and the door lock release mechanism are driven.
JP-A-11-263165

  However, even if the technique of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 assumes that the vehicle is flooded, it is intended to save the occupant when the vehicle falls into the water. And the door lock is only automatically released. Therefore, there is no assumption about the case where the vehicle travels on the submerged channel, and there is no doubt that after the submerged channel has traveled, there is a need for a total inspection of places where there is a possibility of submergence damage. In addition, there is a problem that the economic burden on the user increases.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve such problems. The object of the present invention is to reduce the number of inspection steps of a vehicle after traveling on a submerged channel, thereby facilitating the inspection work and improving the user's economy. An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle control device that can reduce the burden on the vehicle.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is directed to a water level detection means for detecting a water level on the road surface while the vehicle is traveling on a flooded road, and a first determination in which the water level detected by the water level detection means is preset. And a water level recording means for recording and holding the detected water level when the value is equal to or greater than the value.
Therefore, when the vehicle is traveling on the submerged road, the water level detecting means detects the water level on the road surface, and the detected water level is recorded and held by the water level recording means. Therefore, at the time of subsequent vehicle inspections, it is possible to clearly grasp the flooding history of the vehicle based on the recorded water level data, so it is possible to reduce the number of inspection steps by eliminating unnecessary inspections after performing the necessary inspections reliably. .

The invention according to claim 2 is provided with inspection recommendation means for guiding the vehicle inspection to the driver when the water level detected by the water level detection means is equal to or higher than a preset first determination value. It is a thing.
Therefore, when the water level detected by the water level detection means is equal to or higher than the first determination value, the vehicle inspection is performed based on the guidance by the inspection recommendation means, so that the vehicle travels as it is and is received by traveling on the submerged channel. The situation that worsens the damage is prevented.

  The invention of claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the water level detected by the water level detection means is not less than the first determination value and less than the second determination value set on the high water level side from the first determination value. In some cases, the submersion travel guidance means for guiding the driver to stop traveling when the water level detected by the water level detection means is greater than or equal to the second determination value while guiding the driver to continue traveling. It is provided.

  Therefore, when the water level detected by the water level detection means is within the range from the first determination value to the second determination value, the vehicle continues to travel by the driver in response to the guidance of continuation of travel by the submergence travel guidance means. The At the water level at this time, there is a risk of water flowing backward in the exhaust pipe and damaging the engine, but the exhaust gas continues to circulate through the exhaust pipe and the water is prevented from flowing backward by continuing running, preventing engine damage in advance. The Further, when the water level is equal to or higher than the second determination value, the driving of the vehicle is stopped by the driver in response to the driving stop guidance by the submerged driving guidance means. At the water level at this time, the engine may be damaged due to water intrusion from the intake filter, but the engine is prevented from being damaged by stopping the traveling.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the after-flooding guidance means for guiding the driver at least one of confirmation of the effectiveness of the brake and prohibition of high-speed traveling when the vehicle escapes from the submerged channel. It is provided.
Therefore, after the escape from the submerged channel, there is a possibility that the effectiveness of the brake is reduced or water has entered the transmission or the differential mechanism. At this time, the vehicle must run at least to the maintenance shop. However, the driver confirms the effectiveness of the brake or refrains from high-speed driving in advance by the guidance of the guide means after the submergence driving, so that unreasonable driving operation is prevented in advance.

As described above, according to the vehicle control apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to facilitate the inspection work by reducing the number of inspection steps of the vehicle after traveling on the flooded channel, and to reduce the economic burden on the user. be able to.
According to the vehicle control apparatus of the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the vehicle travels continuously after traveling on the submerged channel and damage is worsened.

According to the control apparatus for a vehicle of the invention of claim 3, in addition to claim 1, it is possible to execute optimum countermeasures such as continuation of travel and stop of travel according to the water level of the road surface, thereby preventing engine damage beforehand. Can do.
According to the vehicle control apparatus of the invention of claim 4, in addition to claim 1, it is possible to prevent the driver from forcibly driving after escaping from the submerged channel, and to call attention to safe driving. be able to.

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in a track control device will be described.
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a track to which a control device of the present invention is applied.
The vehicle is constructed by mounting a cabin 1 and a loading platform 2 provided with a driver's seat on a body frame (not shown), and an engine 3 is mounted as a driving source for traveling under the cabin 1. A transmission 4 is connected to the engine 3, and the driving force of the engine 3 is transmitted to the left and right rear wheels 7 via the propeller shaft 5 and the differential mechanism 6 in accordance with the gear position of the transmission 4, and is generated at the rear wheels 7. The vehicle travels with the driving force.

  The driver's seat in the cabin 1 is provided with a monitor 11 and a speaker 12 for displaying and warning the driver, and a water level sensor 13 (water level detecting means) is provided in the front of the cabin 1. ing. The water level sensor 13 detects the water level when the vehicle is traveling on the submerged channel, and changes the output according to the water level. Specific examples of the water level sensor 13 include a capacitance type water level sensor that detects a water level using a change in capacitance according to the water level, a float water level sensor that detects a water level using float sedimentation, and a plurality of water level sensors. A fritted water level sensor or the like that detects the water level by using the sedimentation of the float disposed at a height of 5 mm can be applied, but of course other types may be used.

  In the passenger compartment, an input / output device (not shown), a storage device (ROM, RAM, BURAM, etc.) used for storing control programs and control maps, a vehicle processing ECU (CPU), a central processing unit (CPU), a timer counter, etc. An electronic control unit) 14 and a monitor ECU 15 are installed. The vehicle body ECU 14 executes, for example, fuel injection control of the engine 3, shift control of the transmission 4, or exhaust purification control for causing an exhaust purification device (not shown) provided in the exhaust system of the engine 3 to function under optimum conditions. These functions are diagnosed and recorded in a storage device containing the diagnostic results for later inspection work. Further, the monitor ECU 15 receives a command from the vehicle body ECU 14 and executes various guidances such as display and warning necessary for the driver to perform a driving operation by the monitor 11 and the speaker 12.

  In addition, the vehicle body ECU 14 of the present embodiment means the output of the water level sensor 13 (which means the detected water level, hereinafter referred to as the output H), as a submergence situation in order to facilitate subsequent vehicle inspection when the vehicle travels on the submersion. On the other hand, the monitor ECU 15 is instructed to provide guidance for prompting the driver to perform an appropriate driving operation that avoids troubles caused by running on the submerged channel. Executed. Therefore, hereinafter, processing of the vehicle body ECU 14 assuming traveling on the flooded channel will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a submerged road traveling control routine executed by the vehicle body ECU 14. The vehicle body ECU 14 executes this routine at predetermined control intervals while the vehicle is traveling. In this routine, the travel request lower limit water level H1, the stop request lower limit water level H2, and the submergence channel determination water level H0 are set as thresholds for the water level detected in advance by the water level sensor 13. First, these threshold values will be described.

  The travel request lower limit water level H1 is a threshold value in the vicinity of the upper limit where there is no possibility of water flowing back from the exhaust pipe to the engine 3 side even when the vehicle stops in a submerged channel. There is a risk that the water hammer will cause engine damage due to intrusion into the combustion chamber. Therefore, in order to prevent the backflow of water in the exhaust pipe, it is required to continue running the vehicle and keep exhaust gas flowing through the exhaust pipe. .

The stop required lower limit water level H2 is a threshold value (> H1) near the upper limit at which there is no risk of water entering from the intake filter. Since the hammer may cause engine damage, the vehicle must be stopped to avoid this.
As shown by a broken line in FIG. 1, in the submerged channel, the vehicle travels while scraping water with a front bumper or the like. For this reason, the output H of the water level sensor 13 is different from the actual water level (for example, the output H of the water level sensor 13 is a value obtained by adding about 500 mm to the actual water level), and the vehicle body shape is different for each vehicle type. And the output H of the water level sensor 13 is affected as well as the rising due to the swell of water according to the vehicle speed when traveling on the submerged road.

  Therefore, on the premise of a predetermined vehicle speed set for convenience (relatively low vehicle speed assumed when traveling in a flooded channel) for each vehicle type, a vehicle running test is actually performed in the flooded channel, and water in the exhaust pipe is The output H of the water level sensor 13 when it is necessary to prevent the reverse flow of the water and the output H of the water level sensor 13 when it is necessary to prevent the intrusion of water from the intake filter are calculated, and these values are referred to as the travel request described above. The lower limit water level H1 and the stop required lower limit water level H2 are set.

  The submerged channel judgment water level H0 is a threshold value for discriminating between running of the vehicle in the submerged channel and simple rain or car wash, and is a value that cannot occur if the water level sensor 13 is simply immersed in water by rain or car wash. In addition, as described later, the submerged channel determination water level H0 is conditioned on continuing for a predetermined time T0 or more (for example, 10 seconds). Of course, the submerged channel determination water level H0 set from such a viewpoint is a value smaller than the travel request lower limit water level H1.

  The vehicle body ECU 14 first determines in step S2 whether or not the vehicle is traveling on a flooded channel. As described above, this determination is made based on the submergence channel determination water level H0, and when the state where the output H of the water level sensor 13 is equal to or higher than the submergence channel determination water level H0 continues for a predetermined time T0 or more, Determined. When the determination in step S2 is No (No), the process proceeds to step S4, and it is determined whether or not it is immediately after the vehicle escapes from the submerged channel corresponding to the traveling request lower limit water level H1 or higher. The vehicle body ECU 14 determines Yes in step S4 only when the determination in step S2 changes from Yes (positive) to No and first shifts to step S4 (immediately after escape), but otherwise determines No. Once the routine ends.

  On the other hand, when the determination in step S2 is Yes (positive), the process proceeds to step S6. In step S6, it is determined whether or not the output H of the water level sensor 13 is less than the travel request lower limit water level H1. When the determination is Yes, the process proceeds to step S8, and the routine is terminated after the output H of the water level sensor 13 at this time is recorded in the storage device. The vehicle body ECU 14 repeats the processing of steps S2, 6, and 8 as long as the output H of the water level sensor 13 is less than the travel request lower limit water level H1 while traveling on the submerged channel, and the water level sensor that changes every moment in step S8. 13 outputs H are sequentially recorded in the storage device.

  While the flood level of each part of the vehicle changes according to the depth of the flood channel, the flood time of each part of the vehicle changes according to the length of the flood channel and the vehicle speed in the flood channel. Although damage to each part of the vehicle due to flooding affects not only the flood level but also the flood time, the water level data recorded according to the time series should be called a flood history that includes not only the flood level but also the flood time. Therefore, the damage of each part of the vehicle can be easily grasped based on the water level data.

  Further, when it is determined that the output H of the water level sensor 13 is equal to or higher than the travel request lower limit water level H1 in step S6, the process proceeds to step S10, where the output H of the water level sensor 13 is less than the stop required lower limit water level H2. It is determined whether or not. When the determination is Yes, the output H of the water level sensor 13 is recorded in the storage device in step S12 (water level recording means), and in the following step S14, guidance for running continuation is instructed to the monitor ECU 15 (guidance means during submersion running), and thereafter End the routine. Therefore, as long as the output H of the water level sensor 13 is within the range of the travel request lower limit water level H1 to the stop request lower limit water level H2, the vehicle body ECU 14 repeats the processes of steps S2, 6, 10-14, and the water level sensor 13 of step S12. While the output H is sequentially recorded in the storage device, the monitor ECU 15 that has received the command in step S14 displays, for example, a message such as “Please continue running to prevent engine damage” and a sound from the speaker 12. Is output.

  Further, when it is determined that the output H of the water level sensor 13 is equal to or higher than the stop request lower limit water level H2 in Step S10, the process proceeds to Step S16, and the output H of the water level sensor 13 is recorded in the storage device (water level). In step S18, the monitor ECU 15 is instructed to stop the travel (guidance means during submersion travel), and then the routine is terminated. Therefore, as long as the output H of the water level sensor 13 is equal to or higher than the stop request lower limit water level H2, the vehicle body ECU 14 repeats the processes of steps S2, 6, 10, 16, and 18, and sequentially stores the output H of the water level sensor 13 in step S16. On the other hand, the monitor ECU 15 that has received the command in step S18 displays a message such as “Please stop traveling to prevent engine damage” and a sound output from the speaker 12.

  On the other hand, when the vehicle escapes from the submergence channel, more specifically, when the vehicle passes through the submergence channel or when the submergence is subtracted after stopping at the submergence channel under the guidance of step S18, the output H of the water level sensor 13 is Since the water level is lower than the submerged channel determination water level H0, the vehicle body ECU 14 determines No in step S2 and proceeds to step S4. Immediately after escaping from the submerged channel corresponding to the travel request lower limit water level H1 or higher, Yes is determined in step S4, and in step S20, guidance of precautions after traveling on the submerged channel is commanded to the monitor ECU 15 (submerged submarine traveling). After guidance means), a guidance for recommending vehicle inspection is commanded to the monitor ECU 15 in step S22 (inspection recommendation means), and then the routine is terminated.

  The processing in these steps S20 and 22 takes into consideration the influence on the vehicle due to the traveling of the submerged channel. In step S20, for example, it is assumed that the braking effectiveness of the vehicle temporarily decreases due to water adhesion. Check the effectiveness of the brakes "or" Do not drive at high speed until inspection ", assuming that the lubrication performance of the oil has deteriorated due to water intrusion into the transmission 4 or differential mechanism 6. As described above, a message related to the precautions for traveling is displayed on the monitor and output from the speaker. In step S22, a message such as “Please bring the vehicle to the maintenance shop for vehicle inspection” is displayed on the monitor and output from the speaker based on the viewpoint that early vehicle inspection is required due to flooding.

Even if the vehicle travels on the submerged channel, the processing of steps S20 and S22 is not executed when the travel request lower limit water level H1 is less than the travel request lower limit water level H1, and even if the travel request lower limit water level H1 is exceeded, steps S20 and 22 are performed. Is limited to just after escaping from the floodway.
Next, an operation when the vehicle travels on the submerged channel by the above-described processing of the vehicle body ECU 14 will be described.

  When the vehicle passes through the submerged channel, the water depth does not change at a stretch, but gradually increases and then decreases according to the undulations on the road surface. Therefore, the output H of the water level sensor 13 gradually increases and decreases as the vehicle travels. The upper limit of the output H of the water level sensor 13 at this time varies depending on the water depth of the submerged channel. Accordingly, the vehicle body ECU 14 passes either step S8, step S12, 14 or step S16, 18 in accordance with the output H of the water level sensor 13 at that time during traveling on the submerged channel, and the vehicle passes through the submerged channel. When the vehicle has escaped (when the vehicle has passed through the submerged channel or when the submersion has been submerged after stopping at the submerged channel), steps S20 and 22 are executed through steps S2 and S4.

  When the vehicle is traveling on the submerged channel regardless of the water level, the output H of the water level sensor 13 is sequentially recorded in the storage device in time series by the process of any one of steps S8, 12, and 16. When the output H of the water level sensor 13 is within the range of the required travel stop water level H1 to the stop required lower limit water level H2, the driver is instructed to continue running in step S14, and the output H of the water level sensor 13 is equal to or higher than the stop required lower limit water level H2. In step S18, the driver is instructed to stop driving in step S18.

  In the water level region between the travel request lower limit water level H1 and the stop request lower limit water level H2, there is a risk of engine damage due to the backflow of water in the exhaust pipe, but it is possible to prevent the backflow of water by continuing the travel of the vehicle. Therefore, when the driver who has received the guidance in step S14 continues traveling of the vehicle, the backflow of water in the exhaust pipe can be prevented, and engine damage can be avoided in advance.

  Further, in the water level region above the stop request lower limit water level H2, there is a possibility that water may enter from the intake filter of the engine 3, so that if the vehicle continues to run, the engine may be damaged. Therefore, when the driver who has received the guidance in step S18 stops the vehicle, the vehicle stops on the submerged channel, but engine damage can be avoided in advance.

  On the other hand, since the vehicle after traveling on the submerged channel corresponding to the traveling requirement lower limit water level H1 or higher may be damaged in various parts, it is desirable to perform vehicle inspection promptly. In such a case, in the present embodiment, guidance for recommending vehicle inspection is provided by the process of step S22. When damage is caused by running on a submerged channel, there is a case where the running is continued without being inspected and the damage is worsened. For example, the oil lubrication performance is lowered due to water intrusion into the transmission 4 or the differential mechanism 6. In such a case, the transmission 4 and the differential mechanism 6 may be burned in due to continuation of traveling, but in this embodiment, prompt guidance for recommending vehicle inspection prompts the vehicle to be brought into the maintenance shop quickly. Such trouble can be prevented in advance.

  In addition, during vehicle inspection, it is possible to clearly grasp the inundation history (flooding level and inundation time) of the vehicle based on the water level data recorded in the storage device. As a result, necessary inspections and unnecessary inspections for each part of the vehicle can be judged accurately. can do. For example, when the flooding history is less than the travel request lower limit water level H1, it is only necessary to perform a simple inspection, and when it is within the range of the travel request lower limit water level H1 to the stop request lower limit water level H2, for example, inspection and disassembly of the vehicle brake system. Cleaning, inspection of the oil amount of the engine 3, the transmission 4, and the differential mechanism 6 or oil replacement may be performed. When the vehicle stop request lower limit water level H2 is exceeded, a total inspection is required for all items.

In other words, when the flooding history is less than the stop request lower limit water level H2, it is not necessary to actually perform a total inspection. Therefore, in this embodiment, an unnecessary inspection is performed after the necessary inspections are securely performed based on the water level data. It can be omitted. Therefore, the number of vehicle inspection steps can be reduced to facilitate the inspection work, and the user's economic burden can be reduced.
On the other hand, after escape from the submerged channel, not only vehicle inspection is required, but there is a possibility that the braking effectiveness is reduced or water enters the transmission 4 or the differential mechanism 6 as described above. At this time, the vehicle must self-propel at least to the maintenance shop, but the driver is advised in advance by the processing of step S20, so the driver confirms the effectiveness of the brake and refrains from high-speed driving. As a result, an unreasonable driving operation can be prevented and an attention to safe driving can be raised.

This is the end of the description of the embodiment, but the aspect of the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the invention is embodied in the truck control device. However, the vehicle type to be applied is not limited thereto, and may be embodied in, for example, a passenger car control device.
Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the water level sensor 13 was installed in the front part of the cabin 1, the installation position is not restricted to this, For example, you may install the water level sensor 13 under the loading platform 2.

It is a whole block diagram which shows the track | truck with which the control apparatus of this invention was applied. It is a flowchart which shows the submerged road traveling control routine which vehicle body ECU performs.

Explanation of symbols

13 Water level sensor (water level detection means)
14 Body ECU
(Water level recording means, inspection recommendation means, guidance means during submersion travel, guidance means after submersion travel)
15 Monitor ECU
(Inspection recommendation means, guidance means during submersion travel, guidance means after submersion travel)

Claims (4)

Water level detection means for detecting the water level of the road surface while the vehicle is traveling on a submerged road;
A vehicle level control device comprising: a water level recording means for recording and holding the detected water level when the water level detected by the water level detection means is equal to or higher than a preset first determination value.   2. The vehicle control according to claim 1, further comprising inspection recommendation means for guiding the driver to check the vehicle when the water level detected by the water level detection means is equal to or greater than the first determination value. apparatus.   When the water level detected by the water level detection means is greater than or equal to the first determination value and less than a second determination value set higher than the first determination value, the vehicle travels to the driver. On the other hand, it is provided with a submergence traveling guidance means for guiding the driver to stop traveling when the water level detected by the water level detection means is equal to or higher than the second determination value. The vehicle control device according to claim 1.   The post-flooding guidance means is provided for guiding at least one of confirmation of a braking effect and prohibition of high-speed traveling to the driver when the vehicle escapes from the flooding channel. Vehicle control device.

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