JP6979311B2 - Visibility control device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a visibility control device, particularly a visibility control device capable of facilitating an understanding of a driving environment by an occupant during automatic driving or driving support.

In order for the occupants to feel reassured during automatic driving in an autonomous vehicle, it is equipped with a HUD device that displays an obstacle mark, a warning mark, and a traveling direction mark on the landscape in front of the vehicle when an obstacle approaches. Vehicle display devices are known (see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-091115

For example, when driving manually as a driver, the occupant of the vehicle monitors the surrounding environment in front of the vehicle through the front window. During automatic driving or driving support, the occupant will pass the driving initiative to the vehicle, which reduces the need to monitor the occupant's surroundings and may reduce awareness of the surrounding environment while driving. There is.

Although the conventional display device for vehicles as described above can display a display that calls attention when dealing with an object such as a preceding vehicle during automatic driving, when dealing with an appropriate object as automatic driving control. Other than that, it did not call attention to the occupants. In other words, it was not intended to simply alert the occupants during normal driving during automatic driving or driving support.

Therefore, an object to be solved by the present invention is to provide a visibility control device that promotes the understanding of the traveling environment by the occupants during automatic driving or driving support.

As a means for solving the above-mentioned problems, the visibility control device according to the present invention has a detection unit that detects at least one of the vehicle state, the occupant state, and the surrounding environment of the vehicle, and the detection result of the detection unit. In a view control device provided in a vehicle capable of automatic driving control or driving support control based on The drive control unit includes a drive control unit for controlling, and the drive control unit moves the seat downward, upward, and forward from the seated position while the automatic driving control or the driving support control of the vehicle is being performed. Let me.

In the field of view control device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the drive control unit controls the drive of the seat drive unit so that the seat is moved downward before the upward movement and the forward movement of the seat.

In the field of view control device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the drive control unit controls the drive of the seat drive unit so that the speed or acceleration of the downward movement is larger than that of the upward movement and the forward movement of the seat.

In the field of view control device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the drive control of the seat drive unit by the drive control unit is performed based on the detection result of the detection unit.

In the view control device according to the present invention, when the vehicle to which the automatic driving control or the driving support control is performed is in a normal driving state in which there is no or few risk factors that need to be avoided, the said vehicle is described. It is preferable that the drive control unit moves the seat downward, upward, and forward.

In the visibility control device according to the present invention, when the risk factor that needs to be avoided is detected in the vehicle to which the automatic driving control or the driving support control is performed, or the control corresponding to the risk factor is performed. It is preferable that the drive control unit moves the seat upward and tilts it forward while the vehicle is being moved.

In the field of view control device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the drive control of the seat drive unit by the drive control unit is performed based on a predetermined time threshold value.

In the visual field control device according to the present invention, when the change in the detection result of the detection unit is large, the time threshold value may be changed small so that the interval between the standing and moving of the sheet becomes short. preferable.

In the visual field control device according to the present invention, when the change in the detection result of the detection unit is large, the time threshold value may be significantly changed so that the interval between the standing and moving of the sheet becomes long. preferable.

In the field of view control device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the drive control unit controls the drive of the seat drive unit in a plurality of stages according to the detection result of the detection unit.

According to the present invention, when the occupant is in the automatic driving state or the driving support state, the seat on which the occupant sits is moved downward so that the occupant can experience the acceleration in the vertical direction, thereby making the occupant aware of the movement of the seat and moving upward. Moving forward causes a change in the occupant's view and encourages the occupant to monitor forward through the front window. As a result, it is possible to provide a visibility control device capable of promoting an understanding of the driving environment of the occupant in the automatic driving state or the driving support state of the vehicle, which is a situation in which the occupant's ability to concentrate on peripheral monitoring may be reduced.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a field of view control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 (a) and 2 (b) are schematic views showing the movement mode of the seat by the field of view control device shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control flow when the seat drive unit is driven by using the view control device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control flow in which the time threshold value for driving the seat driving unit is changed when the field of view of the occupant is changed by using the field of view control device shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control flow in which the time threshold value for driving the seat driving unit is changed when the field of view of the occupant is changed by using the field of view control device shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control flow in which the time threshold value for driving the seat driving unit is changed when the field of view of the occupant is changed by using the field of view control device shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control flow in which the driving state of the seat driving unit is divided into a plurality of stages when the seat driving unit is driven using the visibility control device shown in FIG. 1.

An embodiment of the field of view control device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.
Note that FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a field of view control device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Further, FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a movement mode of the seat by the field of view control device 1 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control flow when the seat driving unit 11 is driven by using the field of view control device 1 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the field of view control device 1 includes a seat drive unit 11 and a drive control unit 12. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle provided with the visual field control device 1 includes a detection unit 2, an operation control unit 3, and a storage unit 4. In the present embodiment, the information possessed by the detection unit 2, the operation control unit 3, and the storage unit 4 can be output to the drive control unit 12.
The mode of driving the seat by the seat driving unit 11 of the field of view control device 1 will be described later with reference to FIG.

The detection unit 2 is a member that detects a situation, a state, an environment, etc. inside and outside the vehicle, and detects at least one of the vehicle state, the occupant state, and the surrounding environment of the vehicle. Examples of the detection target related to the vehicle state include acceleration, pitch moment, yaw moment, and the like acting in the front-rear, left-right directions of the vehicle. Examples of the detection target related to the occupant state include the physique of the occupant, the direction and height of the line of sight of the occupant, the arousal level, and the like. Examples of the detection target related to the surrounding environment of the vehicle include weather, road extension direction, road surface condition, various signs, various signs, and surrounding vehicle condition.
Specifically, various sensors, cameras, and the like can be used as the detection unit 2, and information can be taken in from the outside via a communication device for detecting the surrounding environment.

The driving control unit 3 performs automatic driving control and advanced driving support control of the vehicle by holding all or most of the initiative of acceleration / deceleration and steering of the vehicle on the vehicle side. Basically, the automatic driving control and advanced driving support control by the driving control unit 3 are divided into a plurality of levels according to the degree of retention of the above-mentioned initiative, and the driving control unit 3 changes the control level according to the surrounding environment and the like. Will be done. In the present embodiment, the operation control unit 3 constructs and updates a driving scenario according to the surrounding environment that continues to change over time, and stores the driving scenario in the storage unit 4. As the information related to the surrounding environment for constructing the driving scenario, the information detected by the detection unit 2 can be used.
As the driving control unit 3, a control arithmetic processing unit or the like used in a normal automatic driving vehicle or a driving support vehicle can be used.

The storage unit 4 stores driving scenarios, navigation information, and the like during automatic driving. The storage unit 4 in the present embodiment stores at least the information necessary for the drive control of the seat drive unit 11 by the drive control unit 12 described later, and stores all the information related to the above-mentioned driving scenario, navigation information, and the like. It doesn't have to be.
As the storage unit 4, a storage device or the like provided in a normal vehicle arithmetic processing unit can be used.

The seat drive unit 11 is a member for moving a seat on which an occupant can sit. Further, the drive control unit 12 controls the drive of the seat drive unit 11. The drive control unit 12 can output a signal related to driving to the seat drive unit 11. In the drive control unit 12 of the present embodiment, a time threshold value (first time threshold value) used in the drive control of the seat drive unit 11 is set in advance. The time threshold can be appropriately set based on, for example, the ability of an occupant who is only seated without driving to concentrate on peripheral monitoring based on sustainable time.

Here, with reference to FIG. 2, a specific movement mode of the seat of the seat drive unit 11 will be described. FIG. 2 schematically shows a state in which the seat S installed in the vehicle interior is viewed from the side. In this embodiment, among the plurality of seats S arranged in the vehicle, only the seat drive unit 11 of the seat S in which the occupant is seated is driven, and the seat S in the vacant seat state in which the occupant is not seated is driven. The seat drive unit 11 is not driven. This makes it possible to sort the drive of the seat drive unit 11 by determining whether or not the occupant is seated by a pressure sensor provided on the seat S, a occupant monitoring camera in the vehicle, or the like.

The seat S shown in FIG. 2A is in a state of being moved downward by the seat driving unit 11, and the seat S shown in FIG. 2B is moved upward and forward by the seat driving unit 11 after being moved downward. It is a state. In FIG. 2A, the initial position of the seat S, that is, the position set or preset by the occupant for seating (seating position) is indicated by a dashed line, and in FIG. 2B, the initial position of the seat S is shown. In addition to being indicated by a broken line, the position at the time of completion of the downward movement shown in FIG. 2A is indicated by a dotted chain line. As shown in FIG. 2 (b), in the present embodiment, the upward movement amount of the sheet S is set to be larger than the downward movement amount shown in FIG. 2 (a). As a result, the seat S is located at a position higher than the initial position and in front of the initial position after the movement is completed, so that the seat S is not moved upward or the upward movement amount is set smaller than the downward movement amount. , The visibility on the front side of the occupant is further expanded. It is preferable that the change in the visual field of the occupant is large because the occupant can easily notice the change in the visual field and the viewpoint.

Before driving the seat drive unit 11, the seat S is arranged at the initial position as shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 2A, so that the occupant can secure the normal forward view through the front window. Can be done. On the other hand, the seat S shown by the solid line in FIG. 2B is in a state where the movement is completed, and when the seat S moves upward and forward from the initial position, the front view of the occupant becomes the initial position. Compared to the above, it changes to look down on the road surface, and the field of view on the front side near the bonnet hood at the front of the vehicle is widened.

When the vehicle is driven on, for example, a motorway in a state where the automatic driving control or the advanced driving support control of the vehicle is performed by the driving control unit 3, the vehicle often travels in a high speed zone. Normally, when the occupant is manually driving, the front area away from the vehicle is mainly monitored when traveling in the high speed zone as compared with when traveling in the low speed zone. Similarly, during automatic driving control or driving support control, it is necessary for the occupants to monitor the surrounding environment in an area away from the vehicle. That is, on the road surface on the front side near the vehicle on a motorway or the like, there is often no problem even if the occupants' awareness of monitoring decreases.

In automatic driving control and driving support control, response control for avoiding risk factors caused by various objects such as preceding vehicles and obstacles, and response control based on the absence or few risk factors that need to be avoided. Includes normal driving control, which is driving control for normal driving when is not required. The field of view control device 1 according to the present embodiment is used in a state in which normal driving control in automatic driving control and driving support control is performed, that is, in a normal driving state. It should be noted that the risk factor is such that it is determined that safe running cannot be maintained unless the own vehicle is avoided in various objects detected by the detection unit 2.

Next, the control flow when moving the seat using the member shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 3 shown as a flowchart.

First, the drive control unit 12 determines whether or not there is automatic driving control or driving support control based on the signal related to the vehicle control state output from the operation control unit 3 to the drive control unit 12 (step S1). In this step, when a signal relating to the automatic driving control state or the driving support control state of the vehicle is input from the driving control unit 3 to the drive control unit 12, the process proceeds to the next step (YES in step S1). If this signal is not input, or if a signal related to the non-automatic driving control state or the non-driving support control state is input, this control flow is completed (NO in step S1).

Next, the drive control unit 12 determines whether or not the vehicle is automatically driven or assisted by the driving control unit 3 and is in the normal driving control state (step S2). In this step, when the vehicle is in the automatic driving control state or the driving support control state from the driving control unit 3 and the signal related to the normal driving control state of the vehicle is input to the drive control unit 12, the process proceeds to the next step (step). YES of S2). If this signal is not input, or if the signal related to the corresponding control is input, this control flow is completed (NO in step S2).

Subsequently, the drive control unit 12 determines whether or not the travel time in the normal travel control state of the vehicle exceeds the preset time threshold value (step S3). In this step, if the normal running control time of the vehicle calculated from the start of the normal running control in the previous step (step S2) exceeds a predetermined time threshold value, the process proceeds to the next step (YES in step S3). If the normal driving control time of the vehicle does not exceed the predetermined time threshold value, the normal driving control of the vehicle is maintained until it is exceeded, and the automatic driving control or the advanced driving support control of the vehicle is continued (NO in step S3). ).

A vehicle whose normal travel control exceeds the time threshold value (YES in step S3) is driven by the drive control unit 12 by outputting a drive signal to the seat drive unit 11 (step S4). In the normal driving control state, there is a high possibility that the occupant's awareness of forward monitoring is reduced or the vehicle is biased toward an area away from the vehicle. In this step, as shown in FIG. 2, the seat drive unit 11 moves the seat S downward to make the occupant aware of the change in the seating environment, and moves the occupant upward and forward so that the occupant moves from the initial position to the road surface. It will be a posture that allows you to look down. As a result, the occupant will surely notice the change in the field of view, and the front area of the occupant in the vicinity of the bonnet hood will be enlarged to make it easier to see.

In the present embodiment, the seat drive unit 11 first moves the seat S downward as shown in FIG. 2A, and then moves upward and forward as shown in FIG. 2B. ing.
First, by allowing the occupant to experience the acceleration in the vertical direction by moving downward, the occupant can be made aware of the movement of the seat S and the accompanying movement of the occupant himself / herself. As a result, even if the occupant's concentration on peripheral monitoring including forward monitoring is reduced in a vehicle in which normal driving control is performed in the automatic driving control state or the advanced driving support control state, the occupant's awareness is seated. You can be attracted to things related to the movement of S.
By moving the seat S upward and forward after attracting the occupant's consciousness, it is possible to show the occupant the process of the change in the visual field, and it is easy for the occupant to grasp the area where the visual field has changed.

As described above, when the vehicle to which automatic driving control or driving support control is performed is in the normal driving control state, the drive control unit 12 changes the position of the seat S based on a predetermined time threshold value. As a result, the field of view during normal driving can be switched to the field of view from a high position.

When the vehicle under automatic driving control or driving support control is in the normal driving control state, the occupant does not drive the vehicle but visually monitors the surrounding area in preparation for the return of the driving initiative to the occupant. Is required to do. However, if the vehicle is not driven, the occupant's need for peripheral monitoring is reduced, and the concentration on peripheral monitoring is likely to be reduced.

In a situation where the occupant's ability to concentrate on peripheral monitoring tends to decrease, switching from the field of view during normal driving to the field of view from a high position causes a change in the field of view of the occupant. Even if the occupant is in a distracted state due to a decrease in concentration on peripheral monitoring, the vertical acceleration and seat position change due to the downward movement of the seat, the change in the height of the occupant's line of sight, and the change in visibility. By doing so, the occupant's consciousness can be directed to the front of the vehicle. As a result, even in the normal driving control state where there is little change in the driving environment, it is possible to encourage the occupant to monitor the front through the front window, and as a result, promote the understanding of the occupant's driving environment. In addition, by making the occupants who often monitor the front area away from the vehicle on motorways, etc., pay attention to the monitoring of the front area near the bonnet hood, the occupant's driving environment is comprehensive. Understanding is promoted.

In the present embodiment, by first moving the seat downward, it is possible to create an opportunity to direct the consciousness of the occupant to the surrounding environment. Furthermore, by moving the seat upward and forward with the occupant's consciousness turned to the surrounding environment, the occupant can see the near area on the front side of the occupant from a position closer to the front window. As a result, the field of view of the area close to the occupant is widened. In the area closer to the occupant than in the area farther from the occupant, the relative movement between the occupant and the visible object becomes faster. By showing something that moves quickly relative to the occupant, it is possible to activate the occupant's consciousness. In this way, by changing the field of view so that the area close to the occupant looks wider under appropriate conditions such as the time threshold, more information about the surrounding environment can be visually recognized by the occupant, and the consciousness of the occupant. Can be suppressed or prevented from being completely separated from the surrounding environment.

In the above embodiment, the seat S is moved when the vehicle to which the automatic driving control or the advanced driving support control is performed is in the normal driving state, but in the present invention, the predetermined avoidance or the like should be performed by the corresponding control. The seat may be moved when the object of the above is detected or when the correspondence control is performed. This is preferable because it is possible to encourage the occupants to monitor the surroundings in a situation where the occupants should be more aware of the surrounding environment than in the normal driving state.

When an object such as a preceding vehicle or an obstacle is detected in front by an appropriate sensor or camera, it is necessary to perform response control such as avoiding the object by accelerating / decelerating and steering. Considering the possibility of passing the driving initiative from the vehicle side to the occupant side in an emergency, the occupant was urged to understand the driving environment only when the object approached the own vehicle and the response control was performed. Therefore, there is a possibility that the response to the object will be delayed when the occupant switches to manual operation. Therefore, the shielding control device according to the present invention drives the seat drive unit 11 in the normal driving control state to promote the understanding of the driving environment of the occupants, thereby equipping the occupants with the situation in which the response control is performed. Can be done.

When the response control is incorporated into the operation scenario or when the response control is started, the control for forcing the seat drive unit 11 to release the drive is overwritten on the control by the shielding control device according to the present invention. It is preferable to do it. Specifically, when the need for response control arises or is performed, the driving of the seat driving unit 11 is stopped, and if the seat driving unit 11 is in the driving state, the driving is released and driven. If not, it is preferable to maintain it to force the seat and occupants to return to their initial positions. As a result, the field of view and viewpoint in front of the occupant become the same as in the normal driving state, and the occupant returns to the seat position (initial position shown in FIG. 2) adjusted for manual driving or normal driving control. It will be easier for the occupants to visually confirm the driving environment in which it is necessary to do so without any discomfort.
In this case, it is preferable to perform the overwrite control of this embodiment after the control of moving and tilting the seat forward when the above-mentioned predetermined object to be avoided is detected or the correspondence control is performed. .. As a result, the occupants can regain their concentration on peripheral monitoring and can visually recognize the vehicle without any discomfort.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the presence / absence of automatic driving control or advanced driving support control and the presence / absence of normal driving control are discriminated separately in steps S1 and S2, but in the present invention, the concentration of occupants is determined. As long as the situation in which the force can be reduced can be discriminated, the discrimination may be completed in one step.

As a result of the control being performed according to the control flow shown in FIG. 3, the drive control of the seat drive unit 11 is performed to change the view of the occupant, and then the position of the seat S is returned to the initial position and shown in FIG. As the time until the shown control flow is executed again, the time threshold value used in step S3 may be used, or another time threshold value for repeat control may be appropriately set.

In the present invention, the seat drive unit is preferably set to perform downward movement at a higher movement speed or movement acceleration than upward movement and forward movement. As a result, the vertical acceleration greatly acts on the occupant during the downward movement, and the occupant becomes more likely to notice the movement of the seat and the accompanying movement of the occupant itself, that is, the change in the seating environment of the occupant.

Although the time threshold value for driving the seat drive unit 11 is preset in the drive control unit 12 in the above embodiment, it may be stored in the storage unit 4. In this case, the storage unit 4 outputs a time threshold value to the drive control unit 12 with the trigger that the drive control unit 12 determines that the vehicle is in the normal driving control state by the drive control unit 3. become.

In the present invention, the time threshold value can be set variably. When the time threshold is fixed, the seat is moved at regular intervals by driving the seat drive unit, so that the occupants may become accustomed to the changes in the visual field at regular intervals and their concentration on monitoring the surrounding environment may decrease again. Conceivable. In view of this, the time threshold value may be set with a predetermined width, and an arbitrary value may be taken when comparing the normal travel control time of the vehicle with the time threshold value as in step S3 above. ..
Further, in the present invention, the preset time threshold value can be appropriately changed based on the information such as the vehicle state and the surrounding environment of the vehicle, which is the information that can be detected by the detection unit or the like. .. The change form of the time threshold value will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.

4 to 6 shown subsequently show a control flow in which the time threshold value for driving the seat driving unit 11 is changed when the field of view of the occupant is changed by using the field of view control device 1 shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows.

First, in the control flow shown in FIG. 4, the time threshold value is variable based on the vehicle state.

As shown in FIG. 4, a step (step S1 and step S2) in which the drive control unit 12 determines whether or not automatic driving control or advanced driving support control is performed and is in a normal driving control state is shown in FIG. It is the same as the control flow shown. In the normal travel control state, the drive control unit 12 determines whether or not the vehicle behavior has changed by a predetermined amount or more (step S5). In this step, the rate of change over time is derived by an appropriate arithmetic unit based on the information on the vehicle behavior detected by the detection unit 2, and the rate of change in the vehicle behavior is set in advance in, for example, the drive control unit 12. If the first threshold value is exceeded, the process proceeds to the next step (YES in step S5).
When the rate of change in vehicle behavior does not exceed a predetermined first threshold value, the above-mentioned comparison step between the normal travel control time and the predetermined time threshold value (NO in step S5 and step S3) is performed. By performing the driving step (step S4) of the seat driving unit 11 in the same manner as the control flow shown in FIG. 3, the seat S is moved to change the view of the occupant.

Here, as the rate of change in vehicle behavior, for example, the rate of change in vehicle state parameters related to vehicle behavior, and more specifically, the magnitudes of acceleration, pitch moment, yaw moment, etc. acting in the front-rear, left-right directions of the vehicle are detected. Examples can be given by detecting in part 2 and deriving the rate of change of the detection result over time.
The threshold value (first threshold value) regarding the rate of change in vehicle behavior for comparison with the derived rate of change in vehicle behavior is, for example, what kind of vehicle behavior parameter changes and how much the occupant knows. On the other hand, it is possible to set appropriately by accumulating and analyzing in advance data as to whether it is better to further promote peripheral monitoring. The first threshold value may be set to one type or a plurality of types according to the type of information regarding the detected vehicle behavior.

Subsequently, when the rate of change in vehicle behavior exceeds the first threshold value, the time threshold value is changed to use the second time threshold value (step S61). The second time threshold value may be set larger or smaller than the time threshold value before the change, depending on the type of the parameter related to the detected vehicle behavior.

Next, the drive control unit 12 determines whether or not the second time threshold value exceeds the normal travel control time (step S31). In this step, if the normal travel control time of the vehicle exceeds the second time threshold value after the change from the time threshold value, the process proceeds to the next step (YES in step S31). If the normal travel control time of the vehicle does not exceed the second time threshold value, the normal travel control state is maintained until the normal travel control time is exceeded (NO in step S31).

When the normal traveling control of the vehicle is performed beyond the second time threshold value (YES in step S31), the drive control unit 12 performs drive control of the seat drive unit 11 (step S4). When the seat driving unit 11 is driven, the seat S moves downward, upward, and forward from the initial position to the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 2B, and the field of vision of the occupant changes.

As described above, when the vehicle to which the automatic driving control or the driving support control is performed is in the normal driving control state, the drive control unit 12 sets the predetermined time threshold value or the second time according to the vehicle behavior. The drive control of the seat drive unit 11 can be performed based on the threshold value.

Subsequently, in the control flow shown in FIG. 5, the time threshold value is variable based on the surrounding environment.

As shown in FIG. 5, a step (step S1 and step S2) in which the drive control unit 12 determines whether or not automatic driving control or advanced driving support control is performed and is in a normal driving control state is shown in FIG. It is the same as the control flow shown. In the normal travel control state, the drive control unit 12 determines whether or not the surrounding environment has changed by a predetermined amount or more (step S7). In this step, the rate of change is derived by an appropriate arithmetic unit based on the information about the surrounding environment detected by the detection unit 2 or stored in the storage unit 4, and the rate of change in the surrounding environment is previously transmitted to, for example, the drive control unit 12. If the predetermined second threshold value to be set is exceeded, the process proceeds to the next step (YES in step S7).
When the rate of change in the surrounding environment does not exceed the predetermined second threshold value, the above-mentioned comparison step between the normal running control time and the predetermined time threshold value (NO in step S7 and step S3) and By performing the driving step (step S4) of the seat driving unit 11 in the same manner as the control flow shown in FIG. 3, the seat S is moved to change the view of the occupant.

Here, the rate of change of the surrounding environment is, for example, information related to the surrounding environment of the vehicle, the rate of change of parameters, and the like. More specifically, numerical values such as weather detected by the detection unit 2, road extension direction, road surface condition, various signs, various signs, information such as surrounding vehicle conditions, navigation information stored in the storage unit 4, and the like. Then, the rate of change over time or the rate of change in the frequency of occurrence within a certain area can be derived.
The threshold value (second threshold value) regarding the rate of change of the surrounding environment for comparison with the rate of change of the surrounding environment is, for example, what kind of surrounding environment parameter changes and how much, for the occupant. By accumulating and analyzing in advance data as to whether it is better to further promote peripheral monitoring, it can be set appropriately. As an example, if it is found that the vehicle travels on a road with many speed limit changes, branches, merging, curves, etc. based on the detection result by the detection unit 2 or the navigation information of the storage unit 4, such a road is in the vicinity. It can be said that there are many changes in the environment. For example, in a section where the frequency of occurrence of branching or the like is high (a section where the rate of change in the surrounding environment is high), it is possible to take a form of prompting peripheral monitoring at a high frequency. As the second threshold value, one or a plurality of types may be set in the drive control unit 12 depending on the type of information regarding the surrounding environment to be detected or stored.

Subsequently, when the rate of change in the surrounding environment exceeds the second threshold value (YES in step S7), the time threshold value is changed and the third time threshold value is used (step S62). .. The third time threshold value may be set larger or smaller than the time threshold value before the change, depending on the type of the parameter related to the surrounding environment to be detected or stored.

Next, the drive control unit 12 determines whether or not the normal travel control time exceeds the third time threshold value (step S32). In this step, if the normal travel control time of the vehicle exceeds the changed third time threshold value from the time threshold value, the process proceeds to the next step (YES in step S32). If the normal travel control time of the vehicle does not exceed the third time threshold value, the normal travel control state is maintained until the normal travel control time is exceeded (NO in step S32).

When the normal travel control is performed beyond the third time threshold value (YES in step S32), the drive control unit 12 performs drive control of the seat drive unit 11 (step S4). When the seat driving unit 11 is driven, the seat S moves downward, upward, and forward from the initial position to the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 2B, and the field of vision of the occupant changes.

As described above, when the vehicle to which the automatic driving control or the driving support control is performed is in the normal driving control state, the drive control unit 12 sets the predetermined time threshold value or the third time according to the surrounding environment. The drive control of the seat drive unit 11 can be performed based on the threshold value.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, when the rate of change in vehicle behavior exceeds the first threshold value, and in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, when the rate of change in the surrounding environment exceeds the second threshold value, time Although the threshold value has been changed, conversely, the time threshold value may be changed when each rate of change is smaller than each threshold value. Depending on the type, performance, characteristics, driving environment, etc. of the vehicle, the importance and necessity of encouraging occupants to monitor the surrounding area may change. It is preferable to set the correlation between each threshold value and the time threshold value.

Subsequently, in the control flow shown in FIG. 6, the control level according to the degree of retention of the driving initiative by the automatic driving control by the driving control unit 3 and the advanced driving support control (hereinafter referred to as “driving control level”) is used. The time threshold is variable.

As shown in FIG. 6, a step (step S1 and step S2) in which the drive control unit 12 determines whether or not automatic driving control or advanced driving support control is performed and is in a normal driving control state is shown in FIG. It is the same as the control flow shown. In the normal driving control state, the drive control unit 12 determines whether or not the driving control level has changed (step S8). In this step, when the operation control level by the operation control unit 3 changes, the process proceeds to the next process (YES in step S8).
When the operation control level has not changed, a comparison step between the above-mentioned normal travel control time and a predetermined time threshold value (NO in step S8 and step S3) and a drive step of the seat drive unit 11 (step). By performing S4) in the same manner as the control flow shown in FIG. 3, the seat S is moved to change the view of the occupant.

Here, as the operation control level, for example, the automatic operation level defined in SAE J3016 (2016) adopted by NHTSA or the like can be used. According to SAE J3016, what is called automatic operation is SAE level 3-5.

Subsequently, when the operation control level changes (YES in step S8), the time threshold value is changed and the fourth time threshold value is used (step S63). As the fourth time threshold value, a time threshold value corresponding to each operation control level of SAE levels 3 to 5 can be set. In addition, the 4th time threshold is accumulated and analyzed in advance as to how much data should be urged to monitor the surroundings of the occupants in each case where the operation control level rises and conversely falls. By setting it appropriately, it can be set as appropriate.

Next, the drive control unit 12 determines whether or not the fourth time threshold value exceeds the normal travel control time (step S33). In this step, if the normal travel control time of the vehicle exceeds the changed fourth time threshold value from the time threshold value, the process proceeds to the next step (YES in step S33). If the normal travel control time does not exceed the fourth time threshold value, the normal travel control state is maintained until the normal travel control time is exceeded (NO in step S33).

When the normal traveling control is performed beyond the fourth time threshold value (YES in step S33), the drive control unit 12 performs drive control of the seat drive unit 11 (step S4). When the seat driving unit 11 is driven, the seat S moves downward, upward, and forward from the initial position to the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 2B, and the field of vision of the occupant changes.

As described above, when the vehicle to which the automatic driving control or the driving support control is performed is in the normal driving control state, the drive control unit 12 sets the predetermined time threshold value or the fourth according to the driving control level. The drive control of the seat drive unit 11 can be performed based on the time threshold value.

In the control flow shown in FIG. 6, when the driving control level of the vehicle by the driving control unit 3 changes from SAE level 3 to 5 to SAE level 0 to 2, it is essential for the occupant to monitor the surroundings. Even if the drive unit 11 is driven and the seat S is moved, it is possible to perform overwrite control by forcibly releasing the drive and returning to the initial position. This returns the front view and viewpoint of the occupant to the same as when riding or manually driving, so that the occupant can quickly change the driving environment even if most or the front of the driving initiative is transferred to the occupant. Moreover, it can be visually confirmed without any discomfort.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control flow in which the driving state of the seat driving unit 11 is divided into a plurality of stages when the seat driving unit 11 is driven by using the field of view control device 1 shown in FIG. Is. In the control flow shown in FIG. 7, the driving state of the seat driving unit 11 is divided into a plurality of stages based on the occupant state.

As shown in FIG. 7, a step (step S1 and step S2) in which the drive control unit 12 determines whether or not automatic driving control or advanced driving support control is performed and is in a normal driving control state, and normal driving control. The step (step S3) in which the drive control unit 12 determines whether or not the time exceeds a predetermined time threshold value is the same as the control flow shown in FIG.
Next, the drive control unit 12 determines whether or not the biological level of the occupant is lower than the predetermined level in the normal traveling control state of the vehicle (step S8). In this step, the biological level is derived by an appropriate arithmetic unit based on the information regarding the occupant state detected by the detection unit 2, and the biological level is set to, for example, a predetermined third threshold value preset in the drive control unit 12. If it is lower, the process proceeds to the next step (YES in step S8).
When the biological level of the occupant is higher than the predetermined third threshold value (NO in step S8), the driving step (step S4) of the seat driving unit 11 described above is performed in the same manner as the control flow shown in FIG. By doing so, the seat S is moved to change the view of the occupant. In this case, since the drive control of the seat drive unit 11 as usual is performed, the control flow shown in FIG. 7 is in the completed state.

Here, the biological level includes, for example, information that may be related to a decrease in the ability of the occupant to concentrate on peripheral monitoring, height of parameters, and the like. More specifically, awakening information related to occupant drowsiness detected by the detection unit 2 such as an in-vehicle camera, information on the frequency of directing the line of sight to the occupant's front window side, etc. are quantified and derived as appropriate levels. You can list what you can get by doing this.
The threshold value (third threshold value) for the biological level for comparison with the biological level is, for example, how much the concentration on the peripheral monitoring is reduced and the occupant is in what state the occupant is in. By accumulating and analyzing in advance data as to whether it is better to further promote peripheral monitoring, it can be set appropriately.

Subsequently, when the biological level of the occupant is lower than the third threshold value (YES in step S8), the seat driving unit 11 moves the seat S to the middle of the movement completion position (step S41). In this embodiment, the drive control of the seat drive unit 11 can be performed in two stages. This step is a step of performing the first stage drive control of the seat drive unit 11. As the drive control mode of the first stage, the seat S is moved to an intermediate position of the movement completion position of the seat S shown by the solid line in FIG. 2 (b). In this first-stage drive control, the seat S may move to the extent that the occupant can experience the acceleration in the vertical direction or to the extent that the change in the field of view can be grasped. For example, only the downward movement shown in FIG. 2A may be performed, or the seat S may be moved upwardly and forwardly as shown in FIG. 2B after the downward movement, from the initial position. About half of the total movement amount to the movement completion position shown in FIG. 2B may be moved.

Next, the drive control unit 12 determines whether or not the biological level of the occupant is higher than the predetermined level (step S9). In this step, when the driving control of the first stage of the seat driving unit 11 is performed, if the biological level of the occupant is higher than the third threshold value, the process proceeds to the next step (YES in step S9).
When the biological level of the occupant is lower than the predetermined third threshold value (NO in step S9) in the state where the first stage drive control of the seat drive unit 11 is performed, the drive of the seat drive unit 11 is released. By (step S10), the seat S is returned to the initial position so that the occupant can see normally. In this step (step S9), even if the seat driving unit 11 of the previous step (step S41) is driven in the first stage, the biological level of the occupant does not change or becomes lower, and is lower than the third threshold value. If so (NO in step S9), it is highly possible that the occupant is not aware of the movement of the seat S by the seat drive unit 11. In this case, when the seat S is moved to the movement completion position by the seat drive unit 11, there is a possibility that the occupant may not notice the movement completion of the seat S and the change in the field of view. In view of this, when the biological level of the occupant remains lower than the predetermined third threshold value (NO in step S9), the drive is temporarily released in order to redo the drive of the seat drive unit 11 (step S10). ..
Next, when the biological level of the occupant is higher than a predetermined third threshold value (YES in step S9) in the state where the first stage drive control of the seat drive unit 11 is performed, the seat drive unit 12 causes the seat drive unit 12. The second stage drive control of 11 is performed (step S42). In this step, the sheet S that has been moved halfway by the drive control step (step S41) of the first stage is moved to the movement completion position. When the second stage drive control of the seat drive unit 11 is performed, the seat S moves to the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 2 (b), and the change in the visual field of the occupant is completed.

As described above, when the vehicle to which the automatic driving control or the driving support control is performed is in the normal driving control state, the drive control unit 12 is the seat S by the seat drive unit 11 according to the biological level of the occupant. The amount of movement can be adjusted and the movement to the completion position can be performed. In the control mode shown in FIG. 7, by detecting the biological level of the occupant before and after the first stage drive of the seat drive unit 11, it is possible to finely control the drive of the seat drive unit 11 according to the occupant state. ..

In the present invention, various modifications other than the illustrated embodiment can be adopted.
In any of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the time threshold value may be changed by the drive control unit 12, or may be appropriately performed by an existing in-vehicle CPU or the like.

In any of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4 to 5, when the rate of change of the vehicle behavior or the surrounding environment is larger than the first threshold value or the second threshold value, for example, when the vehicle behavior changes frequently or a curve. When traveling in an area with a lot of traffic, the time threshold is set so that the interval between the static position that keeps the seat in the initial position where the occupant is seated and the movement of the seat that drives the seat drive unit is long. Can be changed significantly. As a result, when there are many changes in the vehicle or the surrounding environment, the frequency of letting the occupants see the surrounding environment is intentionally reduced, and by dealing with it on the vehicle side as much as possible, the occupants are not exposed to visual changes. , It is possible to contribute to the improvement of the sense of security of the occupants by making them understand that the vehicle is taking stable measures. Of course, the frequency is reduced, but it is also possible to suppress or prevent a decrease in the occupant's ability to concentrate on peripheral monitoring by causing a change in the occupant's field of vision by driving the seat drive unit.
In addition, when the rate of change in vehicle behavior or the surrounding environment is larger than the first threshold value or the second threshold value, the time threshold value should be changed to a smaller value so that the interval between the standing and moving of the seat becomes shorter. You can also. As a result, when the vehicle or the surrounding environment changes a lot, the occupants can continue to monitor the changing surrounding environment while maintaining their concentration by increasing the frequency of letting the occupants see the surrounding environment. Therefore, the understanding of the occupant's surrounding environment is updated in a state close to real time, which can contribute to the improvement of the occupant's sense of security.

On the other hand, when the rate of change in the vehicle behavior or the surrounding environment is smaller than the first threshold value or the second threshold value, the time threshold value is greatly changed so that the interval between the standing and moving of the seat becomes longer. On the contrary, it may be changed to a small size so that the interval between the standing and moving of the sheet is shortened. As a result, contrary to the above-mentioned modification, when there is little change in the surrounding environment, that is, in a situation where the occupant's ability to concentrate on peripheral monitoring tends to decrease, the frequency of changes in visibility is intentionally reduced. It is possible to give the occupants a sense of security by experiencing the stable control of the vehicle, and it is also possible to maintain concentration by increasing the frequency of changes in the visibility.

How to change the time threshold value according to the vehicle behavior or the change of the surrounding environment can be appropriately set. For example, by deriving what kind of influence or how much influence will occur on the driving scenario on the vehicle side when the rate of change of the vehicle behavior or the surrounding environment becomes large or small, the time threshold value Can be decided whether to change to large or small.

In the illustrated embodiment, the time threshold value is set in the drive control unit 12, but in the present invention, the time threshold value is not set, and the operation control level is set as described with reference to FIG. 7, for example. Control may be performed by directly associating the seat with standing and moving.
That is, the trigger for seat movement control may be a time threshold value, a driving control level, or another vehicle state or vehicle behavior parameter as described above.

Although the embodiment to which the invention made by the present inventor is applied has been described above, the present invention is not limited by the essay and the drawings which form a part of the disclosure of the present invention according to this embodiment. That is, it should be added that all other embodiments, examples, operational techniques, and the like made by those skilled in the art based on this embodiment are of course included in the scope of the present invention.

1: Visibility control device, 11: Seat drive unit, 12: Drive control unit, 2: Detection unit, 3: Operation control unit, 4: Storage unit, S: Seat

Claims (9)

Visibility control provided in a vehicle having a detection unit that detects at least one of the vehicle state, the occupant state, and the surrounding environment of the vehicle, and capable of automatic driving control or driving support control based on the detection result of the detection unit. In the device
A seat drive unit that moves the seat on which the occupant can sit downward, upward, and forward.
A drive control unit that controls the drive of the seat drive unit is provided.
The detection target related to the vehicle state is at least one of an acceleration, a pitch moment, and a yaw moment acting in the front-rear, left-right directions of the vehicle.
The detection target related to the occupant state is at least one of the physique of the occupant, the direction and height of the line of sight of the occupant, and the arousal level.
The detection target related to the surrounding environment is at least one of the weather, the extending direction of the road, the road surface condition, various signs, various signs, and the surrounding vehicle condition.
The drive control unit, when before Symbol the vehicle automatic operation control or the driving support control is being performed, avoiding the normal running state is a risk factor is not or less condition required, the sheet Move downward, upward and forward from the seating position,
Visibility control device. Visibility control provided in a vehicle having a detection unit that detects at least one of the vehicle state, the occupant state, and the surrounding environment of the vehicle, and capable of automatic driving control or driving support control based on the detection result of the detection unit. In the device
A seat drive unit that moves the seat on which the occupant can sit downward, upward, and forward.
A drive control unit that controls the drive of the seat drive unit is provided.
The detection target related to the vehicle state is at least one of an acceleration, a pitch moment, and a yaw moment acting in the front-rear, left-right directions of the vehicle.
The detection target related to the occupant state is at least one of the physique of the occupant, the direction and height of the line of sight of the occupant, and the arousal level.
The detection target related to the surrounding environment is at least one of the weather, the extending direction of the road, the road surface condition, various signs, various signs, and the surrounding vehicle condition.
The drive control unit is controlled when a risk factor that needs to be avoided is detected in the vehicle to which the automatic driving control or the driving support control is performed, or the control corresponding to the risk factor is performed. Occasionally, the seat is moved downward from the seating position and tilted forward.
Visibility control device. The drive control unit controls the drive of the seat drive unit so that the seat is moved downward before the upward movement and the forward movement of the seat.
The field of view control device according to claim 1 or 2. The drive control unit controls the drive of the seat drive unit so that the speed or acceleration of the downward movement is larger than that of the upward movement and the forward movement of the seat.
The field of view control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The drive control of the seat drive unit by the drive control unit is performed based on the detection result of the detection unit.
The field of view control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The drive control of the seat drive unit by the drive control unit is performed based on a predetermined time threshold value.
The field of view control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. When the change in the detection result of the detection unit is large, the time threshold value is changed small so that the interval between the standing and moving of the sheet becomes short.
The field of view control device according to claim 6. When the change in the detection result of the detection unit is large, the time threshold value is greatly changed so that the interval between the standing and moving of the sheet becomes long.
The field of view control device according to claim 6. The drive control unit controls the drive of the seat drive unit in a plurality of stages according to the detection result of the detection unit.
The field of view control device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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