JP5402467B2 - Vehicle approach notification device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle approach notification device for notifying pedestrians (including bicycles and motorcycles) of approaching vehicles.

  In recent years, the development of electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles has progressed, but such vehicles have a quieter running sound than vehicles equipped with conventional internal combustion engines. However, even a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine may have a quiet running sound of the vehicle or a generated sound of the internal combustion engine. These quiet vehicles are called low noise vehicles.

  Usually, pedestrians (including bicycles and motorcycles) know the approach of the vehicle by visual observation as well as vehicle running sound and engine sound. However, even if such a low noise vehicle approaches a pedestrian, it is difficult for the pedestrian to recognize that the low noise vehicle has approached. In particular, visually impaired people are very dependent on their hearing to understand their surroundings while walking, but in such visually impaired people, low-noise vehicles are approaching. It can be said that it becomes difficult to recognize that.

  Therefore, for example, when the driver of the vehicle recognizes a pedestrian, there is a method of sounding a friendly tone sound or a method of always sounding an appropriate simulated sound while the vehicle is running at low speed. Yes.

  However, in the former method, whether the notification sound is made or not depends on the driver, so there is no effect when the driver cannot recognize the pedestrian, and the timing at which the driver sounds the notification sound. The effect is weak if is slow. Further, in the latter method, there is a concern that the original merit of the low-noise vehicle may be diminished because the simulated sound is continuously sounded during low-speed traveling.

  On the other hand, Patent Document 1 discloses a receiver that transmits radio signals such as radio waves and ultrasonic waves from a low-noise vehicle, and is attached to all the walking sticks and pedestrian crossings carried by pedestrians and pedestrians. It is described that the wireless signal is received to generate vibrations, electronic sounds, voices, etc., so that a pedestrian is notified of the approach of a low-noise vehicle.

JP 2008-239150 A

  In the conventional example according to Patent Document 1 described above, the power supply to the transmitter is described only while the engine is operating. However, the radio signal is always transmitted regardless of whether the vehicle is stopped or traveling. In addition, there is a concern that power consumption necessary for transmission increases.

  In view of such circumstances, the present invention is capable of reducing power consumption for transmission by an in-vehicle device in a vehicle approach notification device that notifies a pedestrian located in the vicinity of a vehicle of the approach of the vehicle. It is aimed.

The present invention provides a vehicle approach notification device for notifying a pedestrian located in the vicinity of a vehicle of the approach of the vehicle, an in-vehicle device provided in the vehicle, an outboard motor, and a speed detection unit that detects the vehicle speed of the vehicle. And the vehicle-mounted device determines that a notification operation is required to notify the approach of the vehicle when it is determined that the vehicle is traveling and the vehicle speed is low based on the output of the speed detection unit. When the vehicle transmits a wireless signal and it is determined that the vehicle is stopped, the wireless signal is not transmitted, and the outboard motor receives the wireless signal transmitted from the in-vehicle device. In addition, an operation unit is provided for a vehicle user to select a state in which a radio signal transmission operation of the in-vehicle device is permitted or prohibited. Furthermore, after once turning off the start switch installed in the vehicle, that is configured to always set to a state that allows transmission operation of the radio signal of the vehicle-mounted device when said start switch is turned on, it It is characterized by.

In the above configuration, since the notification operation and the vibration, easily reminds the approach of the vehicle even for deaf deafness like. Note that it is preferable to use radio waves or ultrasonic waves that cannot be heard by humans as radio signals transmitted from the in-vehicle device. If the radio signal is a sound that can be heard by a person, noise will be emitted from the vehicle, and even if the vehicle is made low noise, its value is lost, but if it is made a sound that cannot be heard by a person as described above, The value of the vehicle can be maintained if the vehicle is low noise.

  In addition to being able to be carried by pedestrians (including bicycles and motorcycles), outboard motors can be used for objects such as canes carried by pedestrians, traffic light poles and telephone poles installed on roads, etc. It is possible to install.

  In this configuration, a radio signal is transmitted from an in-vehicle device provided in the vehicle as necessary, and when this out-of-vehicle device provided at a position away from the vehicle receives this radio signal, A notification operation is performed. Thereby, when the vehicle provided with the vehicle-mounted device approaches the vehicle exterior unit, it is possible to make the pedestrian carrying the vehicle exterior vehicle aware of the vehicle approach.

In particular, in the above-described configuration, the vehicle-mounted device determines that a notification operation is necessary when it is determined that the vehicle speed is low based on the output of the speed detection unit, and transmits a radio signal. Thus, since the transmission is not always performed while the engine is operating, the power consumption for the transmission can be reduced as compared with the case where the transmission is always performed. In addition, since it is possible to perform a notification operation only when a vehicle approach notification is originally required for a pedestrian, it is not necessary to perform unnecessary notification for a pedestrian located far from the vehicle. For example, it is possible to make a kind design, such as avoiding unnecessary worry for pedestrians.

  Moreover, the reachable range of the radio signal transmitted from the in-vehicle device can be limited to a relatively short distance.

  In this case, for example, a pedestrian who is located in a relatively close place to the vehicle and needs to recognize the approach of the vehicle can be effectively made aware of the approach of the vehicle. This makes it possible to eliminate wasteful notification of the approach of the vehicle to a pedestrian who is located at a remote location and does not need to recognize the approach of the vehicle.

  Preferably, the vehicle approach notification device further includes an operation unit that is installed in the vehicle and outputs a signal that permits a notification operation or a signal that prohibits the notification operation in response to an operation by a vehicle user, And a determination unit that determines that the notification operation is necessary when the permission signal is received from the operation unit.

  In this case, since the driver of the vehicle judges whether or not the vehicle approach notification is necessary for the notification target such as a pedestrian and permits or prohibits the notification operation, the vehicle driver is located at a location far from the vehicle. A kind design is possible, such as avoiding unnecessary notifications to pedestrians and avoiding unnecessary worry for pedestrians.

  The present invention, in a vehicle approach notification device for notifying a pedestrian located in the vicinity of a vehicle of the approach of the vehicle, always transmits the power consumption for transmission by the in-vehicle device during engine operation as in the conventional example. Compared with the case where it does, it becomes possible to reduce.

It is a block diagram which shows one Embodiment of the vehicle approach notification apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the usage example of the vehicle approach notification apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the transmission operation | movement by the vehicle equipment provided in the vehicle approach notification apparatus of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the other usage example of the vehicle approach notification apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the further another usage example of the vehicle approach notification apparatus which concerns on this invention.

  BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  1 to 3 show an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle approach notification device 1 in the illustrated example mainly includes an in-vehicle device 2 and an out-of-vehicle device 3.

  The in-vehicle device 2 can be attached to a vehicle 4 such as an automobile, and the out-of-vehicle device 3 can be freely carried by a pedestrian 5 as a vehicle approach notification object, for example, in clothes, a belt, or a pocket. It is considered as a portable dedicated device.

  Examples of the vehicle 4 include an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, and a general vehicle designed for low noise among general vehicles equipped with an internal combustion engine. The vehicle 4 is provided with a wheel speed sensor 6 for detecting the vehicle speed. The wheel speed sensor 6 inputs an electric signal to an appropriate electronic control device (not shown) mounted on the vehicle 4 and a transmission control unit 22 of the vehicle-mounted device 2 described below as the wheel (not shown) rotates. The electronic control device and the transmission control unit 22 recognize the vehicle speed based on the input signal. In other words, in this embodiment, the wheel speed sensor 6 that is normally installed in the vehicle 4 is used as the speed detection unit described in the claims, and the vehicle approach notification device 1 is not provided with a dedicated speed detection unit. Yes. As a result, the configuration of the vehicle approach notification device 1 can be simplified.

  Specifically, the in-vehicle device 2 mainly includes a transmission unit 21 and a transmission control unit 22. Although not shown in the drawings, operating power is supplied to each part of the in-vehicle device 2 from a power source such as a battery equipped in the vehicle 4.

  The transmitting unit 21 is attached to the front portion of the vehicle 4 (for example, in the front grill), and transmits a radio signal from the transmitting antenna 23 to a predetermined range in front of the vehicle 4. These radio signals are radio waves, ultrasonic waves, etc. that cannot be heard by humans. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the signal reachability is limited to a relatively short distance, and the signal directivity is set high. Yes. The relatively short distance described above is appropriately set in a range from the in-vehicle device 2 to, for example, 10 m.

  When it is determined that a notification operation to the notification target is necessary, the transmission control unit 22 causes the transmission unit 21 to perform at least an operation of transmitting the wireless signal intermittently, that is, at a constant period. The transmission control unit 22 is configured, for example, as a generally known electronic control unit (ECU), a central processing unit (CPU) and a program memory (ROM) connected to each other via a bidirectional bus. , Data memory (RAM), backup memory (nonvolatile RAM), and the like.

  An output signal from the wheel speed sensor 6 is input to the transmission control unit 22. The transmission control unit 22 recognizes the vehicle speed based on the input signal from the wheel speed sensor 6, and When the vehicle speed is low, a process for permitting the transmission operation by the transmission unit 21 is performed. The low speed may be a speed at which the pedestrian 5 travels in a state in which the pedestrian 5 hardly notices even when the vehicle 4 approaches the pedestrian 5.

  The outboard motor 3 mainly includes a receiving unit 31, a notification unit 32, and a driving unit 33. Although not shown, the outboard motor 3 is provided with a power source (such as a replaceable battery or a rechargeable battery) for supplying operating power to the respective units.

  The receiving unit 31 receives a radio signal transmitted from the transmitting unit 21 by the receiving antenna 34 and outputs the received signal to the driving unit 33 when received.

  In this embodiment, the notification unit 32 is a device that generates vibration. As this vibration generating device, a generally known device can be adopted. In the case where vibration is generated by the notification unit 32 as in this embodiment, it is preferable that the pedestrian 5 carries the outboard motor 3 in a state in which the pedestrian 5 can easily feel the vibration generated by the notification unit 32. .

  The drive unit 33 is an electric circuit that operates the notification unit 32 to perform a notification operation when receiving a reception signal from the reception unit 31.

  Next, the transmission operation of the in-vehicle device 2 and the notification operation of the outboard motor 3 in the vehicle approach notification device 1 will be described.

First, with reference to FIG. 3, operation | movement of the transmission control part 22 of the vehicle equipment 2 is demonstrated. Note that the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 is started when an ignition switch (not shown) of the vehicle 4 is turned on and a power source (such as a motor or an engine) mounted on the vehicle 4 is operated. Along with this start, each part of the in-vehicle device 2 is put into a standby state. In step S1, it is determined whether or not the vehicle 4 is in a stopped state. Here, the determination is made based on the output signal from the wheel speed sensor 6.

  If the vehicle 4 is stopped, an affirmative determination is made in step S1 and the process returns to step S1. If the vehicle 4 is traveling, a negative determination is made in step S1, and the process proceeds to the subsequent step S2. .

  In step S2, it is determined whether or not the vehicle speed is low. Here, it is determined whether the vehicle speed recognized based on the input of the output signal from the wheel speed sensor 6 is equal to or less than a preset threshold value.

  When the vehicle 4 is traveling at a high speed, a negative determination is made at step S2 and the process returns to step S1. When the vehicle 4 is traveling at a low speed, an affirmative determination is made at step S2, Then, the process proceeds to step S3.

  In step S3, the transmission unit 21 performs a transmission operation. Thereafter, the process returns to step S1.

  The reason for determining whether or not to execute the process of transmitting a radio signal for reporting the vehicle approach according to the vehicle speed will be described. First, when the vehicle speed is low, the low-noise vehicle 4 generates very little noise from the vehicle 4, so that the pedestrian 5 is less likely to notice that the low-noise vehicle 4 is approaching. In this case, it can be said that it is necessary to execute a transmission operation. On the other hand, when the vehicle speed is medium to high, even if the vehicle 4 is low noise, noise generated from the vehicle 4 increases, so that the pedestrian 5 can easily recognize that the low noise vehicle 4 is approaching. In this case, it can be said that it is not necessary to execute the transmission operation.

  And as operation | movement of the outboard motor 3, when the radio | wireless signal transmitted from the vehicle equipment 2 is received by the receiving part 31, the drive part 33 operates the alerting | reporting part 32 and performs alerting | reporting operation | movement. When this notification operation is performed, the pedestrian 5 can recognize that the vehicle is approaching, so that attention can be paid to his / her surroundings and safety can be ensured.

  As described above, in the embodiment to which the feature of the present invention is applied, when the vehicle 4 is traveling at a low speed, a radio signal that cannot be heard by a person is transmitted from the in-vehicle device 2, and the vehicle 4 approaches the vehicle 4. The vehicle approach notification vibration is transmitted from the outboard motor 3 to the pedestrian 5 located in a range where it is necessary to notify the vehicle.

  As a result, it is possible to promptly make the pedestrian 5 notice the approach of the vehicle 4 without generating unnecessary noise from the vehicle 4. Particularly, since vibration is transmitted to the body of the pedestrian 5, even when the pedestrian 5 is a visually handicapped person or the like, the approach of the vehicle 4 can be easily noticed. This makes it easier to notice the approach of the vehicle 4 even when the user is making a phone call or listening to the music reproduced by the portable music player using the earphone. By the way, for example, if each of a large number of pedestrians 5 passing the road has the outboard motor 3, when the vehicle 4 equipped with the vehicle-mounted device 2 approaches all of these pedestrians 5, This approach can be quickly noticed. Since the outboard motor 3 has a simple configuration as described above, it can be manufactured at low cost and is easily spread.

  In particular, in this embodiment, since the transmission operation by the in-vehicle device 2 is performed as necessary and not always transmitted during engine operation as in the conventional example, the power consumption for the transmission is reduced. It becomes possible to reduce compared with the case where it always sends.

  Further, when the reach of the radio signal transmitted from the in-vehicle device 2 is limited to a relatively short distance as in this embodiment, the vehicle is located at a location relatively close to the vehicle 4, for example. It is possible to effectively recognize the approach of the vehicle to the pedestrian 5 who needs to recognize the approach of the vehicle 4, and to recognize the approach of the vehicle 4 that is located relatively far from the vehicle 4. It becomes possible to eliminate wasteful notification of the approach of the vehicle 4 to the unnecessary pedestrian 5.

  In addition, this invention is not limited only to the said embodiment, All the deformation | transformation and application included in the range equivalent to the claim and the said range are possible. Some examples are given below.

First of all, as a reference example of the informing operation by the outside of the vehicle unit 3, Ru can be exemplified the sound or message, etc. If the example example.

  In this case, for example, the notification unit 32 may be a device such as an alarm buzzer or an appropriate display device in order to notify the pedestrian 5 of the approach of the vehicle 4 with an electronic sound or a message. As described above, when the notification unit 32 generates an electronic sound, a voice, or the like, it is preferable that the pedestrian 5 carries the vehicle 3 in a state in which the pedestrian 5 can easily hear the sound generated by the notification unit 32.

Further, as a reference example of the notification operation by the outboard motor 3, in addition to the case where one of vibration, electronic sound, message, and the like is used, all of the above or a combination of a number of the above can be appropriately used. In this case, the probability of transmitting the notification operation by the outboard motor 3 to the pedestrian 5 is improved.

Those in the above SL embodiment, although an example in which so as to automatically determine the outbound control unit 22 and the prohibition and permission of transmission operation by the transmission unit 21 of the terminal 2, the present invention is to be limited thereto Instead, for example, an operation unit such as a switch for selecting permission or prohibition of the transmission operation can be newly provided.

  The operation unit can be installed at an appropriate position in the cab of the vehicle 4. In this case, when the driver of the vehicle 4 determines that the approach of the vehicle 4 should be notified to the notification target such as the pedestrian 5, the pedestrian 5 When it is determined that it is not necessary to notify the user because the user is far away, the operation unit can be set to a state in which the transmission operation is prohibited.

  However, in the case where such an operation unit is provided, after the start switch installed in the vehicle 4 (a switch for putting the vehicle 4 in a standby state in which the vehicle 4 can run) is once turned off, the start switch is again turned on. When turned on, it is preferable to perform a default on process of always setting a state in which a call operation by the in-vehicle device 2 is permitted.

In the above SL embodiment, the driver when it is determined that there is no need to perform transmission operation by the vehicle device 2, for example, to ensure that the transmission operation to force such off switch for stopping to provide a new operating unit Can do. However, in the case where such an operation unit such as an off switch is provided, after the start switch installed in the vehicle 4 (a switch for setting the vehicle 4 in a standby state in which the vehicle 4 can run) is once turned off, When the start switch is turned on again, it is preferable to perform a default on process of always setting a state in which the transmission operation by the transmission unit 21 of the in-vehicle device 2 is permitted.

Above Symbol embodiment, although an example in which the outside device 3 and portable broadcast-only devices, the present invention is not limited thereto, for example, outside device 3, not shown, pedestrian Can be incorporated into a commercially available portable device (for example, a mobile phone, a portable music player, etc.) that is likely to be owned.

If the vehicle exterior unit 3 is incorporated into a mobile phone, it is possible to generate an approach notification vibration by using a vibration device built in the mobile phone in advance as the notification unit 32 . As another reference example, already Ru can examples to generate a telephone ring tone different approach notification sound by using a sound generating device that is built in the cellular phone.

  Also, if the outboard motor 3 is incorporated into a portable music playback device, it is possible to interrupt the approach notification sound in the middle of the reproduced music if the music is being reproduced.

  As described above, when the outboard motor 3 is incorporated into a commercially available portable device, it is possible to effectively divert a device built in the commercially available portable device for a part of the configuration of the outboard motor 3 (the notification unit 32 and the like). become. In that case, the configuration of the outboard motor 3 can be simplified, which can contribute to downsizing and cost reduction.

Above Symbol embodiment, although an example to carry outside the vehicle device 3 in the pedestrian 5, the present invention is not limited thereto, for example, the outside device 3, the appropriate object pedestrian 5 owned It is possible to attach.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the exterior unit 3 can be attached to a white cane or other cane 7 owned by a visually impaired person. It is possible to attach to.

  In this case, it becomes possible for the pedestrian 5 to perceive the notification operation by the above-described cane 7 and the external motor 3 provided on the grip, and the pedestrian 5 can notice the approach of the vehicle 4.

Above Symbol embodiment cites and examples to carry outside the vehicle device 3 to pedestrians 5, an example in which pedestrian 5 has to be attached to an object to be possessed. As another reference example, for example, the outside device 3, Ru can examples be attached to an appropriate object to be placed on the road.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the outboard motor 3 can be attached to a signal pole 8 or a telephone pole installed on a road. In addition, as an alerting | reporting operation | movement by the alerting | reporting part 32 of the outboard motor 3, it is possible to display an appropriate sound or message.

  In this case, for example, since the vehicle exterior 3 emits a sound only when the vehicle 4 mounted on the vehicle-mounted device 2 approaches the object with the vehicle exterior 3, compared to the case where the vehicle 4 always emits a sound, It becomes possible to notify the approach of the vehicle 4 to the pedestrian 5 located in the vicinity of the outboard motor 3. Such a vehicle approach notification device 1 can be easily received by the driver and the surrounding residents.

Above Symbol embodiment, the vehicle 4 is an example in which to perform the transmission operation by the vehicle device 2 when the vehicle is traveling at a low speed, the present invention is not limited thereto, for example, the vehicle is stopped If the condition that the internal combustion engine mounted on the vehicle 4 is stopped is satisfied, the transmission operation by the in-vehicle device 2 can be stopped.

  The reason for this will be described. In recent years, there is a tendency to perform an idling stop that stops an internal combustion engine mounted on the vehicle 4 when the vehicle 4 is stopped waiting for a signal. In such a case, it is not necessary to notify the pedestrian 5 of the approach of the vehicle 4 in the first place, and conversely, the pedestrian 5 may be bothered. For this reason, when an idling stop that satisfies the above condition is detected, the transmission operation by the transmission unit 21 of the in-vehicle device 2 is stopped.

1 Vehicle approach reporting device
2 Onboard equipment 21 Transmitter 22 Transmitter control 23 Transmitting antenna
3 Outboard motor 31 Reception unit 32 Notification unit 33 Drive unit 34 Reception antenna
4 Vehicle
5 pedestrians (notification target)

Claims (1)

In the vehicle approach notification device for notifying pedestrians located in the vicinity of the vehicle of the approach of the vehicle,
An in-vehicle device provided in the vehicle, an outboard motor, and a speed detection unit for detecting the vehicle speed of the vehicle ,
The vehicle device based on the output of the speed detecting section, it is determined that the vehicle is its speed and traveling is required notifying operation for notifying the approach of the vehicle when it is determined that the slow A wireless signal is transmitted from the vehicle, and when it is determined that the vehicle is stopped, the wireless signal is not transmitted, and the outboard motor vibrates when receiving the wireless signal transmitted from the in-vehicle device. And an operation unit for a vehicle user to select a state of allowing and prohibiting a radio signal transmission operation of the in-vehicle device,
After once off the start switch installed in the vehicle, the start switch has been configured to always set to a state that allows transmission operation of the radio signal of the vehicle-mounted device when it is turned on, it characterized A vehicle approach notification device.

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