JP4825726B2 - Alcohol detector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an alcohol detection device that determines whether or not a person is in a drinking state by detecting an alcohol component contained in an exhalation of a driver of an automobile, thereby preventing dangerous driving.

  In recent years, accidents caused by drunk driving have become a major social problem, and strict punishment and enforcement of violators for drunk driving have been carried out, but as an effective technology to prevent drunk driving using equipment Attention has been focused on an alcohol detection device that detects an alcohol component contained in the exhalation of a driver of an automobile and controls the engine so that it does not start when an alcohol component of a certain concentration or higher is detected.

  As a conventional alcohol detection device, for example, there is one described in Patent Document 1. An alcohol sensor that detects the alcohol component contained in the driver's breath is built into the inner mirror provided in the center of the windshield, and the sensor output obtained by the detection of the alcohol sensor is attached to the controller mounted on the inner mirror. Input to determine whether the measured alcohol concentration value is above or below the specified value. If it is determined that the measured alcohol concentration value is above the specified value, the controller is connected to an alarm means connected to the outside of the inner mirror. An alarm sound signal or a display signal is output to warn the driver that the person is in a drunken state by sound or display means, and an opening signal for the engine ignition switch is output with a certain time delay relative to the signal. Thus, the alcohol detection device prevents the accident by stopping the engine.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-67186

The device of Patent Document 1 has an advantage that alcohol detection can be performed at a position where it does not hinder driving by incorporating an alcohol sensor in an inner mirror provided in the center inside the windshield. There may be a distance between the mouth and the alcohol sensor in the inner mirror, and an error may occur in the detected alcohol concentration measurement value.

  Further, the alarm means for warning the driver's alcohol state is connected to the controller outside the inner mirror, and it is necessary to secure a space for installing the alarm means outside the inner mirror.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and can save a space for installing an alcohol detection device in a passenger compartment, and can reliably detect an alcohol component contained in a driver's breath. An object of the present invention is to provide an alcohol detection device that can prevent drunk driving.

  In order to solve the above problem, in the alcohol detection device according to claim 1, an alcohol detection means for detecting an alcohol component contained in exhaled breath, and a control for controlling the engine based on an output signal of the alcohol detection means. And an alarm means for warning the driver by voice or display means when the alcohol detection means detects an alcohol component, wherein the alcohol detection apparatus houses sunglasses or the like It is incorporated in an overhead console having a storage unit, and when the driver gets into the automobile and sits on the seat, the alcohol detecting means descends from the overhead console to the vicinity of the driver's mouth.

  Further, in the alcohol detection device according to claim 2, the seat is provided with a seat position detecting means for detecting a slide position in the front-rear direction, and the driver is based on the detection result of the seat position detecting means. It is possible to determine the physique of the vehicle, and to adjust the descending amount of the alcohol detecting means according to the determined physique of the driver.

  Furthermore, in the alcohol detection device according to claim 3, a motor is disposed on the back side of the lower surface portion of the overhead console, and a rod having a connection portion rotatably connected to the motor is provided. The end is provided with the alcohol detection means, and the end of the rod is rotated downward from the ceiling side with the connecting portion as a rotation center by driving the motor, and the alcohol detection means is near the driver's mouth. It is possible to descend.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the alcohol detection means for detecting the alcohol component contained in the exhalation, the control means for controlling the engine based on the signal from the output signal of the alcohol detection means, and the voice or display means to the driver. By incorporating an alcohol detection device having an alarm means for warning in the overhead console, a space for installing the alcohol detection device in the vehicle compartment can be saved.

  Also, when the driver gets into the car and sits on the seat and checks the alcohol, the alcohol detection means descends from the overhead console to the vicinity of the driver's mouth, and the alcohol is not checked Sometimes the alcohol detection means is stored in the overhead console and does not get in the way of the driver.

  In the invention of claim 2, the seat position detecting means provided in the seat detects the slide position in the front-rear direction of the seat, determines the physique of the driver from the detected slide position, and alcohol detecting means according to the determination result Therefore, the distance between the driver's mouth and the alcohol detection means is closer, and the alcohol concentration can be reliably measured.

  In the invention of claim 3, a motor is provided on the back side of the lower surface portion of the overhead console device, and a rod having a connecting portion rotatably connected to the motor is provided, and an alcohol detecting means is provided at the end of the rod. The end of the rod rotates from the ceiling side to the lower surface by driving the motor, and the alcohol detection means can be lowered to the height position and the front-rear position near the driver's mouth.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  1 is a schematic view of a passenger compartment according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an overhead console 1 incorporating an alcohol detection device, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the overhead console 1 when the rod 10 is lowered. 4 is a schematic view of the passenger compartment when the rod 10 is rotated by an angle A, FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the passenger compartment when the rod 10 is rotated by an angle B, and FIG. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the tip of the rod. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the apparatus of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an alcohol detection device including a controller 8 (control means) described later, a speaker 9 (alarm means) for outputting sound, and a rod 10 described later is incorporated in the ceiling of the passenger compartment. An overhead console 1 is installed, a door detection sensor 2 for detecting the open / closed state of the door is installed on the door, and a seat belt detection sensor 3 for detecting the seat belt mounted state is installed on the seat belt, and the front and rear positions of the seat A seat position sensor 4 for detecting a slide position in the front-rear direction of the seat is installed on the slide rail 19 for adjusting the seat.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the overhead console 1 includes two map lamps 5, 5 that illuminate the interior of the vehicle in the forward direction (vehicle traveling direction), and the map lamps 5, 5 are turned on behind the map lamps 5, 5. Switches 6 and 6 for switching between OFF and OFF, and a sunglasses holder 7 for storing sunglasses and the like are disposed behind the switches 6 and 6. In the space behind the sunglasses holder 7, a controller 8 connected to various sensors and controlling the operation of the entire alcohol detection device and a speaker 9 for outputting sound are built in. The sunglasses holder 7 and the controller 8 are also incorporated. A rod 10 is disposed in a side space where the speaker 9 is attached.

  An alcohol detection sensor 17 for detecting an alcohol component contained in the driver's breath is disposed at the tip of the rod 10, and the other end is disposed on the back side of the lower surface of the overhead console 1, which will be described later. The motor 12 is rotatably connected. When the driver checks the alcohol at the start of the automobile, the motor 12 is driven, and the tip of the rod 10 rotates downward from the lower surface of the overhead console 1 and descends as shown in FIG.

Here, the seat position sensor 4 detects the sliding position in the front-rear direction of the seat, and the controller 8 determines whether the driver's physique is small or large from the detected seat sliding position. The descending amount of the tip of the rod 10 is adjusted according to the physique of the driver.
For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when the seat slide position is in the front (vehicle traveling direction), it is determined that the driver is small, the rod 10 is rotated forward by an angle A, and the rod 10 Adjust the tip so that it is at the height and front and back positions near the driver's mouth. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, when the seat slide position is rearward, it is determined that the driver is large, the rod 10 is rotated forward by an angle B smaller than the angle A, and the tip of the rod 10 is Is adjusted so that it comes to the height position and the front-rear position near the driver's mouth.

  When the alcohol check is completed, the tip of the rod 10 rotates rearward and is stored again in the groove 11 of the overhead console 1 as shown in FIG.

  On the back side of the lower surface of the overhead console 1, as shown in FIG. 6, a motor 12 that drives the rod 10, a micro SW 13 that positions the rod 10 to be lowered, and an expiration detection that detects the presence or absence of expiration from the driver A sensor 14 is provided. When the driver checks alcohol at the start of the car, the motor 12 is driven by the output signal of the controller 8 so that the rod 10 rotates forward and descends, but when the rod 10 descends to a predetermined position, The micro SW 13 opens the contact of the control circuit that drives the motor 12, stops the driving of the motor 12, and positions the rod 10.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in addition to the alcohol detection sensor 17, an air inlet 16 through which a driver breathes and an LED lamp 18 that blinks at the time of warning are disposed at the tip of the rod 10. The air inlet 16 is connected to one end of the tube 15, and the other end of the tube 15 is connected to an exhalation detection sensor 14 that detects the presence or absence of exhalation from the driver installed on the back side of the lower portion of the overhead console 1. When the air is blown into the air inlet 16, the exhaled air travels through the tube 15 and is detected by the exhaled air detection sensor 14. When the controller 8 determines from the output signal detected by the expiration detection sensor 14 that there is expiration, the alcohol detection sensor 17 starts checking for alcohol.

  When checking the alcohol, the controller 8 calculates the alcohol concentration contained in the exhalation based on the output signal detected by the alcohol detection sensor 17, determines whether the calculated alcohol concentration is equal to or higher than a specified value, and If it is determined that the value is equal to or less than the value, it is assumed that alcohol has not been detected, and a sound is output from the speaker 9 to notify the driver, and the engine is allowed to start as it is. On the other hand, if it is determined that the value is equal to or greater than the specified value, it is determined that alcohol has been detected, a sound is output from the speaker 9 to notify the driver, and control is performed so that the engine cannot be started.

  Further, while the vehicle is running, the alcohol is checked, and the rod 10 provided with the alcohol detection sensor 17 is in a state of being stored in the groove 11 of the overhead console 1, but has risen to the ceiling of the driver. The alcohol component contained in the breath is detected. If the controller 8 calculates the alcohol concentration based on the output signal detected by the alcohol detection sensor 17 and determines that the alcohol concentration is equal to or lower than the specified value, the automobile is run as it is, and the alcohol check is continued. When it is determined that the value is equal to or greater than the specified value, the rod 10 is lowered and the LED lamp 18 disposed at the tip of the rod 10 is blinked to warn the driver.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the driver gets into the vehicle and turns on the ignition switch, the process first proceeds to a process that does not permit engine start (S01), and then proceeds to a process that determines whether the door is open or closed (S02).

  (S02) In the process (S03), if the controller 8 determines that the door is closed from the output signal detected by the door detection sensor 2 installed on the door, the process determines whether the next seat belt is attached (S03). move on. On the other hand, if it is determined that the door is open, the process returns to the process not permitting engine start (S01).

  (S03) In the process, when the controller 8 determines from the output signal detected by the seatbelt detection sensor 3 installed on the seatbelt that the seatbelt is mounted, the physique of the driver is determined from the slide position of the next seat. The process proceeds to the process of determining (S04). On the other hand, if it is determined that the seat belt is not worn, the process returns to the process of not starting the first engine (S01).

  (S02) to (S03) Through the process, it is confirmed that the driver gets into the car and is seated in the driver's seat.

  (S04) In the process, the seat position sensor (SPS) 4 detects the front / rear slide position of the seat, and determines the physique of the driver from the detected slide position of the seat. When the detected slide position is in the front (vehicle traveling direction), the controller 8 determines that the driver's physique is small, and the rod 10 is positioned so that the tip of the rod 10 comes to the small person's mouth. A process of lowering to the lower end position (S05) is performed. On the other hand, if the seat slide position is at the rear, it is determined that the physique of the driver is large, and a process of suppressing the descending amount of the tip of the rod 10 is performed (S06). Thus, when the tip of the rod 10 comes near the driver's mouth, a sound is output from the speaker 9 built in the overhead console 1 to inform the driver that preparations for blowing are ready (S07).

  (S04)-(S07) After the driver is ready to breathe through the process, the process proceeds to a process of determining whether the driver exhales (S08).

  (S08) In the process, the exhalation of the driver is detected by the exhalation detection sensor 14 through the tube 15 from the blowing port 16 of the rod 10. If the controller 8 determines from the output signal detected by the expiration detection sensor 14 that expiration is present, the process proceeds to processing (S09) for determining whether the concentration of the alcohol component contained in the next expiration is equal to or higher than a specified value. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no expiration, the process returns to (S07), and the processes (S07) to (S08) are repeated until it is determined that there is expiration, and the alcohol detection sensor 17 does not start checking alcohol.

  (S09) In the process, the alcohol detection sensor 17 attached to the rod 10 detects the alcohol component contained in the driver's expiration, and the controller 8 is included in the expiration from the output signal detected by the alcohol detection sensor 17. It is determined whether the alcohol component is above or below a certain concentration.

  If it is determined that the concentration of the alcohol component is equal to or less than the specified value, it is assumed that alcohol has not been detected, and a sound is output from the speaker 9 to inform the driver (S10). (S11), the engine is allowed to start and the vehicle can be started (S12). On the other hand, if it is determined that the concentration of the alcohol component is equal to or higher than the specified value, it is assumed that alcohol has been detected, and a sound is output from the speaker 9 to notify the driver (S17). The process proceeds to the process of determining the open / closed state (S18).

  (S18) If it is determined in the process that the door is open, it is determined whether the next seat belt is to be mounted (S19). On the other hand, if it is determined that the door remains closed, the process returns to (S17).

(S19) If it is determined in the process that the seat belt has been removed, the process returns to the first (S01) process, and the engine start is not permitted. On the other hand, if it is determined that the seat belt is still worn, the process returns to (S17). Until the driver removes the seat belt, opens the door and gets out of the vehicle, the processes (S17) to (S19) are repeated.

  Even when the engine is permitted to start in the previous (S12) process and the vehicle is running, the rod 10 is stored in the overhead console 1 and the driver's breath that has risen up to the ceiling while running A process of determining the presence or absence of an alcohol component (S13) is performed. Here, the concentration of the alcohol component contained in the air is measured regardless of whether or not expiration is present.

  (S13) In the process, when the controller 8 determines from the output signal detected by the alcohol detection sensor 17 that the concentration of the alcohol component is not more than the specified value, the process proceeds to a process (S14) for determining the open / closed state of the door. .

  (S14) In the process, when the controller 8 determines from the output signal detected by the door detection sensor 2 that the door is closed, the process returns to the process (S13) for determining whether the alcohol concentration is equal to or higher than a specified value. On the other hand, if it is determined that the door is open, the process proceeds to a process (S15) for determining the seat belt wearing state.

  (S15) In the process, when the controller 8 determines from the output signal detected by the seatbelt detection sensor 3 that the seatbelt is worn, the process returns to (S13). On the other hand, if it is determined that the seat belt is not worn, the process proceeds to a process (S16) for determining whether the ignition switch is ON.

  (S16) In the process, if it is determined that the ignition switch is ON, the process returns to (S13), and if the ignition switch is OFF, the operation is terminated. While the vehicle is running, the processes (S13) to (S16) are repeated, the alcohol component is always checked, and the ignition switch is turned off and the process continues until the vehicle gets off the vehicle.

  If the controller 8 determines in the previous (S13) process that the alcohol concentration is equal to or higher than the specified value, the process proceeds to a process (S20) for determining the physique of the next driver.

  (S20) In the process, when the controller 8 determines that the driver's physique is small by detection of the seat position sensor 4, a process of lowering the tip of the rod 10 to the lowermost position (S21) is performed. On the other hand, when it is determined that the driver's physique is large, a process of suppressing the descending amount of the tip portion of the rod 10 is performed (S22).

  After the processes (S21) and (S22), the LED lamp 18 disposed at the tip of the rod 10 is then blinked to warn the driver that alcohol has been detected (S23). (S23) After the process, the process proceeds to a process (S24) for determining the open / closed state of the door.

  (S24) In the process, if the controller 8 determines from the output signal detected by the door detection sensor 2 that the door is open, the process proceeds to a process of determining the next seat belt wearing state (S25). On the other hand, if it is determined that the door is closed, the process returns to (S23).

  (S25) In the process, if the controller 8 determines from the output signal of the seatbelt detection sensor 3 that the seatbelt is not worn, the process returns to the first (S01) process, and the engine start is not permitted. On the other hand, if it is determined that the seat belt is worn, the process returns to (S23). As long as the driver removes the seat belt and does not get out of the vehicle, the processes (S23) to (S25) are repeated, and the LED lamp continues to blink.

  As described above, the alcohol detection device according to the present invention controls the operation of the rod 10 having the alcohol detection sensor 17 on the overhead console 1 installed on the front side of the ceiling of the passenger compartment and the alcohol detection device. An alcohol detection device having a controller 8 and a speaker 9 for outputting sound is incorporated.

  At the start of the automobile, the tip of the rod 10 descends to the vicinity of the driver's mouth, and the driver blows into the air inlet 16 of the rod 10, and if it is determined that there is exhalation, the check of alcohol is started. Here, when the controller 8 determines that the alcohol concentration contained in the exhalation is equal to or higher than the specified value, control is performed so that the engine cannot be started.

  In addition, while the vehicle is running, the rod 10 remains in the groove 11 of the overhead console 1 and the alcohol contained in the exhalation of the driver who has risen to the ceiling is checked regardless of whether or not exhalation has occurred. . When the controller 8 determines that the alcohol concentration is higher than the specified value, the rod 10 is lowered and the LED lamp 18 provided at the tip is blinked to warn the driver that alcohol has been detected. is there.

It is a schematic diagram of the vehicle interior which shows embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of overhead console 1 incorporating an alcohol detection device. 3 is a perspective view of the overhead console 1 when the rod 10 is lowered. FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the interior of a vehicle when the rod 10 is rotated by an angle A. FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the interior of a vehicle when the rod 10 is rotated by an angle B. 4 is a perspective view of the back side of the lower surface portion of the overhead console 1. FIG. It is an enlarged view in the A section of the overhead console 1 of FIG. It is a flowchart showing operation | movement of the alcohol detection apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Overhead console 2 Door detection sensor 3 Seat belt detection sensor 4 Seat position sensor 5 Map lamp 6 Switch 7 Sunglass holder 8 ECU
9 Speaker 10 Rod 11 Groove 12 Motor 13 Breath detection sensor 14 Tube 15 Micro SW
16 Blowing port 17 Alcohol detection sensor 18 LED lamp 19 Slide rail

Claims (3)

Alcohol detection means for detecting alcohol components contained in exhaled breath, control means for controlling engine start based on an output signal of the alcohol detection means, and when the alcohol detection means detects an alcohol component, voice or An alcohol detection device having alarm means for warning a vehicle driver by a display means,
The alcohol detection device is incorporated in an overhead console having a storage unit for storing sunglasses and the like,
An alcohol detection device, wherein when the driver gets into a vehicle and sits on a seat, the alcohol detection means descends from the overhead console to the vicinity of the driver's mouth. The seat is provided with a seat position detecting means for detecting a slide position in the front-rear direction,
The physique of the driver is determined based on the detection result of the seat position detection means, and the amount of descent of the alcohol detection means can be adjusted according to the determined physique of the driver. Alcohol detection device. A motor is disposed on the back side of the lower surface portion of the overhead console, and a rod having a connecting portion rotatably connected to the motor is provided.
The end of the rod is provided with the alcohol detecting means, and the end of the rod is rotated downward from the ceiling with the connecting portion as a rotation center by driving the motor, and the alcohol detecting means is operated by the driver. The alcohol detection device according to claim 2, wherein the alcohol detection device can be lowered to the vicinity of the mouth.

Images