METHOD FOR SETTING A CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION WITH AUTOMATIC DISTANCE SETTING IN A SINGLE-TRACK VEHICLE

Abstract

A method for setting a cruise control function with automatic distance setting in a single-track vehicle. In the method, a side distance between two preceding single-track vehicles is ascertained, a threshold value is determined as a function of the side distance, the side distance between one's own single-track vehicle and a preceding single-track vehicle is ascertained, and the preceding single-track vehicle is used as the target vehicle to be followed in the event that the side distance between one's own single-track vehicle and the preceding single-track vehicle is less than or equal to the threshold value.

Claims

1. The method for setting a cruise control function with automatic distance setting in a single-track vehicle, comprising the following steps: ascertaining a side distance between two preceding single-track vehicles; determining a threshold value as a function of the side distance between the two preceding single-track vehicles; ascertaining the side distance between an ego single-track vehicle and a preceding single-track vehicle of the two preceding vehicles; using the preceding single-track vehicle as a target vehicle to be followed for the cruise control function in the event that the side distance between the ego single-track vehicle and the preceding single-track vehicle is less than or equal to the threshold value.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the threshold value is set to a greater value than the side distance between the two preceding single-track vehicles.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the threshold value is limited to a maximum value.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the maximum value is a roadway width of a road on which the ego and the two preceding single-track vehicles are currently moving.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method steps are performed regularly with an ascertainment and possible adjustment of the threshold value of the side distance between the ego single-track vehicle and a preceding single-track vehicle, and of the side distance between two preceding single-track vehicles.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein a target speed is specified in the cruise control function, acceleration to the target speed taking place in the event that the side distance between the ego single-track vehicle and the preceding single-track vehicle is greater than the threshold value.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the threshold value is additionally ascertained as a function of a road characteristic value.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the road characteristic value is a road type or a road width.

9. A control unit configured to set a cruise control function with automatic distance setting in a single-track vehicle, the control unit configured to: ascertain a side distance between two preceding single-track vehicles; determine a threshold value as a function of the side distance between the two preceding single-track vehicles; ascertain the side distance between an ego single-track vehicle and a preceding single-track vehicle of the two preceding vehicles; use the preceding single-track vehicle as a target vehicle to be followed for the cruise control function in the event that the side distance between the ego single-track vehicle and the preceding single-track vehicle is less than or equal to the threshold value.

10. A distance cruise control device in a single-track vehicle, comprising: a control unit configured to set a cruise control function with automatic distance setting in a single-track vehicle, the control unit configured to: ascertain a side distance between two preceding single-track vehicles, determine a threshold value as a function of the side distance between the two preceding single-track vehicles, ascertain the side distance between an ego single-track vehicle and a preceding single-track vehicle of the two preceding vehicles, and use the preceding single-track vehicle as a target vehicle to be followed for the cruise control function in the event that the side distance between the ego single-track vehicle and the preceding single-track vehicle is less than or equal to the threshold value; and a distance detection unit configured to detect a longitudinal distance to the preceding single-track vehicle and to detect the side distance between the two single-track vehicles.

11. A motorcycle, comprising: a distance cruise control device including a control unit configured to set a cruise control function with automatic distance setting in a single-track vehicle, the control unit configured to: ascertain a side distance between two preceding single-track vehicles, determine a threshold value as a function of the side distance between the two preceding single-track vehicles, ascertain the side distance between an ego single-track vehicle and a preceding single-track vehicle of the two preceding vehicles, and use the preceding single-track vehicle as a target vehicle to be followed for the cruise control function in the event that the side distance between the ego single-track vehicle and the preceding single-track vehicle is less than or equal to the threshold value; and a distance detection unit configured to detect a longitudinal distance to the preceding single-track vehicle and to detect the side distance between the two single-track vehicles.

12. A non-transitory computer-readable medium on which is stored a computer program including program code for setting a cruise control function with automatic distance setting in a single-track vehicle, the program code, when executed by a control unit, causing the control unit to perform the following steps: ascertaining a side distance between two preceding single-track vehicles; determining a threshold value as a function of the side distance between the two preceding single-track vehicles; ascertaining the side distance between an ego single-track vehicle and a preceding single-track vehicle of the two preceding vehicles; using the preceding single-track vehicle as a target vehicle to be followed for the cruise control function in the event that the side distance between the ego single-track vehicle and the preceding single-track vehicle is less than or equal to the threshold value.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG. 1A shows a top view of three motorcycles, which are all part of a group trip.

[0021] FIG. 1B shows a top view of the three motorcycles, wherein the third, following motorcycle starts to overtake.

[0022] FIGS. 2A and 2B show further top views as in FIGS. 1A and 1B but with a greater lateral distance between the two preceding motorcycles.

[0023] FIG. 3 shows a flow chart showing method steps for setting a cruise control function with automatic distance setting in a single-track vehicle, according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] In the figures, identical components are provided with identical reference signs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0025] FIG. 1A shows a top view of a group of single-track vehicles designed as motorcycles and traveling along a lane of a road 1. The two preceding motorcycles 2 and 3 travel one after the other at an offset and have a side distance x.sub.1 to one another with respect to the longitudinal extension of the road 1 and the direction of travel of the motorcycles. The following motorcycle 4 is equipped with a cruise control function with automatic distance setting, which allows following one of the preceding motorcycles 2, 3, where appropriate, in particular the directly preceding motorcycle 3. In this case, the longitudinal distance between the preceding motorcycle 3 and the following single-track vehicle 4 (ego vehicle) is ascertained using a distance detection unit, which in particular comprises a radar system.

[0026] The distance detection unit also allows ascertaining both the side distance x.sub.1 between the two preceding motorcycles 2 and 3 and the side distance x.sub.2 between the directly preceding vehicle 3 and the ego vehicle 4. When the cruise control function is activated with a specified target speed that is higher than the speed of the preceding motorcycles 2, 3, the ego vehicle 4 can perform, depending on the side distance x.sub.2, either an overtaking process or a group trip with the preceding motorcycles 2, 3.

[0027] Whether the two preceding motorcycles 2, 3 together with the ego vehicle 4 form a group in which the ego vehicle 4 moves is detected via a comparison of the current side distance x.sub.2 between the ego vehicle 4 and the directly preceding motorcycle 3 to a threshold value a, which is determined as a function of the side distance x.sub.1 between the two preceding motorcycles 2, 3.

[0028] Here, it is expedient for the threshold value a to be greater than the side distance x.sub.1 between the motorcycles 2, 3. For example, the threshold value a may be half as large as the side distance x.sub.1 but limited to a maximum value, for example, to the roadway width or lane in which the motorcycles 2, 3, 4 move on the road 1.

[0029] FIG. 1A shows a travel situation in which the side distance x.sub.2 between the ego vehicle 4 and the directly preceding motorcycle 3 is less than the previously determined threshold value a, which is determined as a function of the side distance x.sub.1 between the two preceding motorcycles 2, 3. In this case, a group trip is assumed, whereupon the cruise control function with automatic distance setting is performed in such a way that the ego vehicle 4 attaches itself to and follows the directly preceding motorcycle 3 as the target vehicle. Accordingly, via the cruise control function, the speed of the ego vehicle 4 is set by controlling the drive motor in the ego vehicle 4 and, where appropriate, the braking system.

[0030] FIG. 1B shows a design variant with the same initial situation of the preceding motorcycles 2 and 3, which, relative to one another, have the side distance x.sub.1, from which the threshold value a is ascertained. However, in contrast to FIG. 1A, in FIG. 1B, the side distance x.sub.2 between the ego vehicle 4 and the directly preceding motorcycle 3 is greater than the threshold value a. In this case, not a group trip but an overtaking process performed by the ego vehicle 4 is assumed. Accordingly, the current speed of the ego vehicle 4 is not adapted to the speed of the preceding motorcycle 3, but the ego vehicle 4 is accelerated to the set target speed, which is higher than the speed of the preceding motorcycle 3.

[0031] FIG. 2A shows a travel situation with three motorcycles 2, 3, 4 on a road, which is basically comparable to the travel situation according to FIG. 1A. However, in FIG. 2A, the side distance x.sub.1 between the two preceding motorcycles 2, 3 is greater, and the side distance x.sub.2 between the ego vehicle 4 and the directly preceding motorcycle 3 is also greater. From the side distance x.sub.1, the threshold value a is calculated, which corresponds to approximately the roadway width. Since the threshold value a is greater than the side distance x.sub.2 between the ego vehicle 4 and the directly preceding motorcycle 3, a group trip is assumed and the speed of the vehicle 4 is adapted to the speed of the directly preceding motorcycle 3.

[0032] In FIG. 2B, in which the two preceding motorcycles 2, 3 have the same distance x.sub.1 as in FIG. 2A, the side distance x.sub.2 of the ego vehicle 4 to the directly preceding motorcycle 3 is greater than the threshold value a so that a group trip is not assumed and the ego vehicle 4 does not attach itself to the preceding motorcycle 3. Rather, an overtaking process is assumed, in which the ego vehicle 4 accelerates to the set target speed.

[0033] FIG. 3 shows a flow chart for performing the method steps for setting the cruise control function, according to an example embodiment of the present invention. The flow chart is based on activating the cruise control function in the ego vehicle and setting a target speed in the cruise control function.

[0034] First, in a first method step V1, the side distance x.sub.1 between two preceding motorcycles is determined. Then, in the next method step V2, a threshold value a is ascertained, which is determined as a function of the side distance x.sub.1. Here, it is expedient to set the threshold value a to a value greater than the side distance x.sub.1, but limited to a maximum value that is in particular half the lane width. Where appropriate, further variables, for example, the road type, such as highway, country road, or city road, can be taken into account in the determination of the threshold value a.

[0035] In the following method step V3, the current side distance x.sub.2 between the ego vehicle and the directly preceding motorcycle is determined. Then, in method step V4, the interrogation as to whether the side distance x.sub.2 between the ego vehicle and the directly preceding motorcycle is less than or equal to the threshold value a takes place. If this is the case, following the Yes branch (“Y”), the method continues with the next method step V5, according to which there is a group trip of the motorcycles and the ego vehicle follows the directly preceding motorcycle.

[0036] If, on the other hand, the interrogation in method step V4 reveals that the side distance x.sub.2 is greater than the threshold value a, a group trip cannot be assumed. In this case, following the No branch (“N”), the method continues with method step V6, according to which an overtaking process of the ego vehicle is assumed and the target speed set in the cruise control function is reached in the ego vehicle.

[0037] Both after method step V5 and after method step V6, the method returns to method step V1 and the entire method is once again performed at cyclic intervals.

[0038] The various method steps are carried out in a control unit, which may be part of a distance cruise control device in the single-track vehicle. The latter also comprises a distance detection unit for detecting the longitudinal distance to a preceding vehicle and for detecting the side distance between two single-track vehicles. After evaluation of all information, control signals for setting the drive motor and, where appropriate, the braking system can be generated via the control unit.