Travel control device

• US 8,577,586 B2
• Filed: 08/06/2007
• Issued: 11/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Sato, Kunihito, Niki, Keitaro, Shida, Mitsuhisa, Doi, Tomoyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): MANCHO, RONNIE M
• Application Number:
  US12/375,859
• Publication Number:
  US 20090271050A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,283 Days
• Field of Search: 701117-119, 701213-215, 701/1, 701/19, 701/20, 701/400, 701/465, 701/482, 701/120, 701/121, 340/933, 340/995.13, 340/988, 340/995.19
• US Class Current: 701/118
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/163 involving continuous checking
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/22 Platooning, i.e. convoy of communicating vehicles

Abstract

Information for generating a target speed pattern is computed from information acquired from various sensors and a running mode input switch, so as to generate the target speed pattern (S16). A process for determining whether to form a vehicle group or not calculates the difference between the target vehicle pattern of the own vehicle and a target speed pattern of another vehicle or vehicle group obtained through inter-vehicle communication, so as to determine whether to form the vehicle group or not (S22, S28, S32). This can determine whether to run solo or form a vehicle group according to a driver'"'"'s demand.

Claims

1. A running control apparatus for forming a vehicle group constituted by a plurality of vehicles, the apparatus comprising:

an action plan generating unit for generating a target speed pattern according to a running mode required by a driver, the running mode being selected from a travel time preference mode and a traffic flow coordination preference mode;

a vehicle group forming unit for determining whether or not to form the vehicle group constituted by the plurality of vehicles by comparing respective target speed patterns of vehicles to a predetermined point; and

a determining unit that determines whether or not a specific demand for the vehicle can be satisfied even when the vehicle group is formed.

2. A running control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle group forming unit compares a target speed pattern of a first vehicle to the predetermined point with a target speed pattern of a second vehicle or vehicle group to the predetermined point, so as to determine whether or not to form a vehicle group constituted by the first vehicle and the second vehicle or the first vehicle and the vehicle group.

3. A running control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle group forming unit sets a permissible range for the target speed pattern of the first vehicle to the predetermined point and forms a vehicle group constituted by the first vehicle and the second vehicle or the first vehicle and the vehicle group, wherein the second vehicle and the vehicle group have a target speed pattern to the predetermined point falling within the permissible range of the first vehicle.

4. A running control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the target speed pattern is constituted by a time required for each vehicle or vehicle group to run a given distance section.

5. A vehicle group forming system for forming a vehicle group with a plurality of vehicles, the system comprising:

an action plan generating unit for generating a target speed pattern according to a running mode required by a driver, the running mode being selected from a travel time preference mode and a traffic flow coordination preference mode;

a running control apparatus configured to form the vehicle group by comparing respective action target speed patterns of vehicles or vehicle groups to a predetermined point; and

a determining unit that determines whether or not a specific demand for the vehicle can be satisfied even when the vehicle group is formed.