JP7650150B2 - Helmet, rider support system, and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a helmet to be worn on a rider's head, a rider assistance system including the helmet, a method for controlling the helmet, and a method for controlling the rider assistance system.

A conventional rider assistance system is known in which a behavior control device built into a saddle-type vehicle causes the saddle-type vehicle to automatically decelerate or accelerate in response to surrounding environment information acquired while traveling, without being operated by the rider (for example, Patent Document 1).

International Publication No. 2018/185577

Because automatic deceleration or automatic acceleration occurs suddenly, the rider may become confused by the automatic deceleration or automatic acceleration, which may cause the saddle-type vehicle in which the rider is riding to become unstable. In particular, saddle-type vehicles are more likely to lose stability when compared to other vehicles (e.g., automobiles, trucks, etc.), so the rider must take appropriate measures against automatic deceleration or automatic acceleration. For this reason, in conventional rider assistance systems, a warning operation is performed to notify the rider of automatic deceleration or automatic acceleration in a situation in which automatic deceleration or automatic acceleration occurs. The warning operation is performed by a device built into the vicinity of the handlebars of the saddle-type vehicle in which the rider is riding issuing a warning. However, in a situation in which the rider is directing his or her attention in a direction different from the direction of travel, it may be difficult for the rider to recognize the warning issued by the device, making it difficult to deal with the automatic deceleration or automatic acceleration.

The present invention has been made in light of the above-mentioned problems, and provides a helmet that can improve the safety of a rider, a rider assistance system that includes such a helmet, a control method for such a helmet, and a control method for such a rider assistance system.

The helmet according to the present invention is a helmet worn on the head of a rider, and includes a communication unit that directly or indirectly receives information transmitted from a communication device incorporated in a saddle-riding vehicle, and a control unit that executes a warning operation for the rider based on the information received by the communication unit. The communication unit receives behavior control information, which is information on automatic deceleration or automatic acceleration that a behavior control device incorporated in the saddle-riding vehicle causes in the saddle-riding vehicle in response to surrounding environment information acquired while the vehicle is traveling, and the control unit executes the warning operation based on the behavior control information received by the communication unit.

The rider assistance system according to the present invention is a rider assistance system including a behavior control device and a communication device incorporated in a saddle-type vehicle, and a helmet worn on the head of a rider, the helmet being equipped with a communication unit that directly or indirectly receives information transmitted from the communication device, and a control unit that executes a warning operation for the rider based on the information received by the communication unit, the communication unit receiving as the information behavior control information being information on automatic deceleration or automatic acceleration that the behavior control device causes in the saddle-type vehicle in response to surrounding environment information acquired while traveling, and the control unit executing the warning operation based on the behavior control information received by the communication unit.

The helmet control method according to the present invention is a method for controlling a helmet worn on the head of a rider, and includes a communication step in which a communication unit of the helmet directly or indirectly receives information transmitted from a communication device incorporated in a saddle-riding vehicle, and a control step in which a control unit of the helmet executes a warning operation for the rider based on the information received in the communication step. In the communication step, the communication unit receives behavior control information, which is information on automatic deceleration or automatic acceleration that a behavior control device incorporated in the saddle-riding vehicle causes in the saddle-riding vehicle in response to surrounding environment information acquired during travel, and in the control step, the control unit executes the warning operation based on the behavior control information received in the communication step.

The control method of the rider support system according to the present invention is a control method of a rider support system including a behavior control device and a communication device incorporated in a saddle-type vehicle and a helmet worn on the head of a rider, and includes a communication step in which the communication unit of the helmet directly or indirectly receives information transmitted from the communication device, and a control step in which the control unit of the helmet executes a warning operation for the rider based on the information received in the communication step. In the communication step, the communication unit receives behavior control information, which is information on automatic deceleration or automatic acceleration to be caused in the saddle-type vehicle in response to surrounding environment information acquired by the behavior control device while traveling, and in the control step, the control unit executes the warning operation based on the behavior control information received in the communication step.

In the helmet, rider assistance system, helmet control method, and rider assistance system control method according to the present invention, when automatic deceleration or automatic acceleration occurs, a warning operation is executed to notify the rider of the automatic deceleration or automatic acceleration using a helmet worn on the rider's head. This makes it easier for the rider to recognize the warning even in a situation where the rider is directing his or her attention in a direction different from the direction of travel, making it easier to respond to the automatic deceleration or automatic acceleration.

1 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of a rider assistance system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a rider assistance system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an operation flow of the rider assistance system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of a modified example of the rider support system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The helmet, rider assistance system, helmet control method, and rider assistance system control method according to the present invention are described below with reference to the drawings.

The configurations, operations, etc. described below are merely examples, and the helmet, rider assistance system, helmet control method, and rider assistance system control method according to the present invention are not limited to such configurations, operations, etc.

For example, the following describes a case where the rider assistance system according to the present invention is used in a motorcycle, but the rider assistance system according to the present invention may also be used in saddle-type vehicles other than motorcycles. A saddle-type vehicle refers to any vehicle on which a rider straddles and rides. Saddle-type vehicles include motorcycles (motorcycles and three-wheeled vehicles), buggies, bicycles, etc. Motorcycles include motorcycles or three-wheeled vehicles using an engine as a propulsion source, and motorcycles or three-wheeled vehicles using an electric motor as a propulsion source, and include, for example, motorcycles, scooters, and electric scooters. A bicycle refers to any vehicle that can be propelled on the road by the rider's pedaling force applied to the pedals. Bicycles include ordinary bicycles, electrically assisted bicycles, and electric bicycles, etc.

In addition, in the following, illustrations of detailed structures have been simplified or omitted as appropriate. Also, duplicate or similar descriptions have been simplified or omitted as appropriate.

Embodiment
A rider assistance system according to an embodiment will be described below.

<Rider support system configuration>
The configuration of the rider support system according to the embodiment will be described.
Fig. 1 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of a rider support system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a system configuration of the rider support system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the rider assistance system 100 includes at least a behavior control device 10, a braking device 20, a driving device 30, and a communication device 50 that are incorporated in a saddle-type vehicle 1, and a helmet 80 that is worn on the rider's head.

The behavior control device 10 receives detection results from various sensors mounted on the saddle-riding vehicle 1. The behavior control device 10 also causes the saddle-riding vehicle 1 to automatically decelerate or accelerate in accordance with the surrounding environment information acquired during travel, without being operated by the rider riding on the saddle-riding vehicle 1. For example, when it is determined based on the surrounding environment information that a predetermined deceleration is required, the behavior control device 10 outputs a control command to the braking device 20 or the driving device 30 to cause the saddle-riding vehicle 1 to automatically decelerate. When it is determined based on the surrounding environment information that a predetermined acceleration is required, the behavior control device 10 outputs a control command to the driving device 30 or the braking device 20 to cause the saddle-riding vehicle 1 to automatically accelerate.

The components of the behavior control device 10 may be provided together in one housing, or may be provided separately in multiple housings. In addition, some or all of the behavior control device 10 may be configured, for example, by a microcomputer, a microprocessor unit, etc., or may be configured with updatable firmware, etc., or may be a program module executed by commands from a CPU, etc.

The surrounding environment information is acquired, for example, based on the output of a surrounding environment detection device 40 incorporated in the saddle-riding vehicle 1. The surrounding environment detection device 40 is, for example, a radar, a Lidar sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a camera, etc. There may be one surrounding environment detection device 40, or there may be multiple surrounding environment detection devices 40. The detection range of the surrounding environment detection device 40 may be directed forward of the saddle-riding vehicle 1, may be directed rearward of the saddle-riding vehicle 1, may be directed to the side of the saddle-riding vehicle 1, or may be a combination thereof. The surrounding environment information may be acquired based on the output of a communication device 50 instead of or in addition to the output of the surrounding environment detection device 40. The communication device 50 performs direct or indirect wireless communication with infrastructure facilities or other vehicles located around the saddle-riding vehicle 1.

As an example, the behavior control device 10 executes a collision avoidance operation for the saddle riding vehicle 1. The behavior control device 10 acquires surrounding environment information based on the output of the surrounding environment detection device 40 or the communication device 50, and judges the possibility of the saddle riding vehicle 1 colliding with objects (vehicles, people, animals, obstacles, fallen objects, etc.) located around (in front, behind, to the sides, etc.) the saddle riding vehicle 1. When it is judged that there is a high possibility of collision, the behavior control device 10 causes the saddle riding vehicle 1 to automatically decelerate or accelerate in order to avoid the collision.

As an example, the behavior control device 10 executes an adaptive cruise operation of the saddle riding vehicle 1. In the adaptive cruise operation, when there is no preceding vehicle, the saddle riding vehicle 1 is controlled to travel at a target speed set by the rider, and when there is a preceding vehicle, the saddle riding vehicle 1 is controlled to travel at a speed equal to or lower than the target speed and aiming to maintain the distance from the preceding vehicle. The behavior control device 10 acquires surrounding environment information based on the output of the surrounding environment detection device 40 or the communication device 50, and determines the distance between the saddle riding vehicle 1 and the preceding vehicle. When it is determined that the distance between the vehicles is short, the behavior control device 10 causes the saddle riding vehicle 1 to automatically decelerate, and when it is determined that the distance between the vehicles is long, the behavior control device 10 causes the saddle riding vehicle 1 to automatically accelerate.

As an example, the behavior control device 10 executes an overtaking driving assistance operation for the saddle riding type vehicle 1. The behavior control device 10 acquires surrounding environment information based on the output of the surrounding environment detection device 40 or the communication device 50, and judges the safety of overtaking driving by the saddle riding type vehicle 1 and whether or not the rider intends to overtake. When it is judged that safety is high and there is an intention to overtake, the behavior control device 10 causes the saddle riding type vehicle 1 to automatically accelerate, thereby assisting the overtaking driving.

As an example, the behavior control device 10 executes an operation to assist the saddle riding vehicle 1 in passing through a convoy of vehicles. The behavior control device 10 acquires surrounding environment information based on the output of the surrounding environment detection device 40 or the communication device 50, and determines whether the saddle riding vehicle 1 is in a state of passing through a convoy of vehicles. When it is determined that the saddle riding vehicle 1 is in a state of passing through a convoy of vehicles, the behavior control device 10 causes the saddle riding vehicle 1 to automatically decelerate, thereby assisting the saddle riding vehicle 1 in passing through a convoy of vehicles.

The helmet 80 includes at least a communication unit 81 that receives information transmitted from the communication device 50, and a control unit 82 that executes a warning operation for the rider wearing the helmet 80 based on the information received by the communication unit 81. When the main power supply of the helmet 80 is turned on, the communication unit 81 automatically starts communication with the communication device 50. The communication unit 81 may directly receive the information transmitted from the communication device 50, or may indirectly receive the information via a portable wireless terminal 90 (smartphone, tablet, etc.). The control unit 82 may execute a warning operation by causing an audio output unit 83 provided in the helmet 80 to output a warning, or may execute a warning operation by causing a display unit 84 provided in the helmet 80 to output a warning, or may do both. The audio output unit 83 may emit a sound representing a warning, or may emit a warning message, or may do both. The display unit 84 may light a lamp representing a warning, or may display a warning message, or may do both.

The control unit 82 may be provided in one housing, or may be provided separately in multiple housings. In addition, a part or all of the control unit 82 may be configured, for example, as a microcomputer, a microprocessor unit, etc., may be configured as an updatable component such as firmware, or may be a program module executed by instructions from a CPU, etc.

The communication unit 81 receives behavior control information, which is information about automatic deceleration or automatic acceleration to be caused in the saddle riding type vehicle 1 according to the surrounding environment information acquired by the behavior control device 10 while traveling. The control unit 82 then executes a warning operation based on the behavior control information received by the communication unit 81. The control unit 82 may execute a warning operation that warns only of the presence or absence of automatic deceleration or automatic acceleration, or may execute a warning operation that warns of the presence or absence of automatic deceleration or automatic acceleration as well as the magnitude of the deceleration or acceleration.

<Rider Assistance System Operation>
The operation of the rider support system according to the embodiment will be described.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an operation flow of the rider support system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

While the saddle-type vehicle 1 is traveling, the operation flow shown in FIG. 3 is executed repeatedly.

(Determination step)
In step S101, the behavior control device 10 incorporated in the saddle riding type vehicle 1 acquires surrounding environment information and determines whether or not it is necessary to cause automatic deceleration or automatic acceleration of the saddle riding type vehicle 1. If it is necessary to cause automatic deceleration or automatic acceleration of the saddle riding type vehicle 1, the process proceeds to step S102, and if it is not necessary, step S101 is repeated.

(Communication Step)
In step S102, the communication unit 81 of the helmet 80 directly or indirectly receives behavior control information, which is information about the automatic deceleration or automatic acceleration that the behavior control device 10 causes to the saddle-riding vehicle 1, from the communication device 50 built into the saddle-riding vehicle 1.

(Control Step)
In step S103, the control unit 82 of the helmet 80 executes a warning operation for the rider based on the behavior control information received in step S102.

(Behavior control step)
In step S104, the behavior control device 10 causes the saddle riding type vehicle 1 to automatically decelerate or accelerate.

The order of the steps may be changed as appropriate, and other steps may be added as appropriate. For example, step S103 may be performed after the start of step S104, or may be performed before and after the start of step S104.

<Effects of rider support systems>
The effects of the rider support system according to the embodiment will be described.

In the rider support system 100, the helmet 80 worn on the rider's head is equipped with a communication unit 81 that directly or indirectly receives information transmitted from a communication device 50 incorporated in the saddle riding vehicle 1, and a control unit 82 that executes a warning operation for the rider based on the information received by the communication unit 81. The communication unit 81 receives behavior control information, which is information on automatic deceleration or automatic acceleration that the behavior control device 10 incorporated in the saddle riding vehicle 1 causes in the saddle riding vehicle 1 in response to surrounding environment information acquired while traveling, and the control unit 82 executes a warning operation based on the behavior control information received by the communication unit 81. Therefore, even in a situation where the rider is directing his or her attention in a direction different from the direction of travel, the warning is easily recognized, and it becomes easier to deal with the automatic deceleration or automatic acceleration.

The embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above description. In other words, the present invention includes modifications to the embodiments described above. The present invention also includes embodiments in which only a part of the embodiments described above is implemented, or combinations of these embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of a modified example of the rider assistance system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
For example, in the above, the communication unit 81 of the helmet 80 receives behavior control information for the saddle riding vehicle 1 on which the rider wearing the helmet 80 rides. However, instead of or in addition to this, as shown in FIG. 4, the communication unit 81 of the helmet 80 may receive behavior control information for a saddle riding vehicle 1 on which the rider wearing the helmet 80 is not riding. That is, the control unit 82 of the helmet 80 may notify the rider of automatic deceleration or automatic acceleration that occurs in the saddle riding vehicle 1 on which the rider wearing the helmet 80 is not riding. The saddle riding vehicle 1 may be a preceding vehicle of the saddle riding vehicle 101 on which the rider wearing the helmet 80 rides. In such a configuration, it is easy to deal with automatic deceleration or automatic acceleration that occurs in the preceding vehicle. Note that the saddle riding vehicle 101 may be capable of causing automatic deceleration or automatic acceleration, or may not be capable of causing automatic deceleration or automatic acceleration. In addition, the saddle riding vehicle 1 and the saddle riding vehicle 101 may be vehicles set as vehicles that travel in a group in the same group. When a group is riding, there is an increased need to cause the saddle riding vehicle 101 to decelerate or accelerate in conjunction with the automatic deceleration or automatic acceleration of the saddle riding vehicle 1. In other words, the configuration in which the control unit 82 notifies the rider of the automatic deceleration or automatic acceleration that occurs in the saddle riding vehicle 1 when the rider wearing the helmet 80 is not on board is particularly useful in group riding.

Reference Signs List 1, 101 saddle-ride type vehicle, 10 behavior control device, 20 braking device, 30 drive device, 40 surrounding environment detection device, 50 communication device, 80 helmet, 81 communication unit, 82 control unit, 83 audio output unit, 84 display unit, 90 portable wireless terminal, 100 rider support system.

Claims (12)

A helmet (80) to be worn on the head of a rider,
a communication unit (81) that directly or indirectly receives information transmitted from a communication device (50) incorporated in a second saddle-riding type vehicle (1) different from a first saddle-riding type vehicle (101) on which a rider wearing the helmet (80) rides; and
a control unit (82) that executes a warning operation for the rider based on the information received by the communication unit (81);
Equipped with
the communication unit (81) receives, as the information, behavior control information which is information on automatic deceleration or automatic acceleration to be caused in the second saddle riding type vehicle (1) by a behavior control device (10) incorporated in the second saddle riding type vehicle (1) in response to surrounding environment information acquired during traveling;
The control unit (82) executes the warning operation based on the behavior control information received by the communication unit (81).
Helmet (80). The communication unit (81) directly receives the behavior control information from the communication device (50).
2. The helmet (80) of claim 1. The communication unit (81) receives the behavior control information from the communication device (50) via a portable wireless terminal (90).
2. The helmet (80) of claim 1. The communication unit (81) further receives behavior control information, which is information on automatic deceleration or automatic acceleration of the first saddle riding type vehicle (101), transmitted from a communication device incorporated in the first saddle riding type vehicle (101) on which the rider is riding.
A helmet (80) according to any one of the preceding claims. The second saddle riding type vehicle (1) is a vehicle set as a vehicle that travels in a group in the same group as the first saddle riding type vehicle (101).
A helmet (80) according to any one of the preceding claims. The behavior control information includes information on automatic deceleration or automatic acceleration in a collision avoidance operation.
A helmet (80) according to any one of the preceding claims. The behavior control information includes information on automatic deceleration or automatic acceleration during adaptive cruise operation.
A helmet (80) according to any one of the preceding claims. Further, the device includes an audio output unit (83),
The warning operation includes an operation of causing the audio output unit (83) to output a warning.
A helmet (80) according to any one of the preceding claims. Further, the device is provided with a display unit (84),
The warning operation includes an operation of outputting a warning on the display unit (84).
A helmet (80) according to any one of the preceding claims. A rider assistance system (100) including a helmet (80) to be worn on the head of a rider, and a behavior control device (10) and a communication device (50) incorporated in a second saddle-ride type vehicle (1) different from a first saddle-ride type vehicle (101) on which a rider wearing the helmet (80) rides,
The helmet (80) comprises:
A communication unit (81) that directly or indirectly receives information transmitted from the communication device (50);
a control unit (82) that executes a warning operation for the rider based on the information received by the communication unit (81);
Equipped with
the communication unit (81) receives, as the information, behavior control information which is information on automatic deceleration or automatic acceleration to be caused by the behavior control device (10) to the second saddle riding type vehicle (1) in response to surrounding environment information acquired while the second saddle riding type vehicle (1) is traveling;
The control unit (82) executes the warning operation based on the behavior control information received by the communication unit (81).
Rider assistance system (100). A method for controlling a helmet (80) worn on a rider's head, comprising the steps of:
a communication step (S102) in which a communication unit (81) of the helmet (80) directly or indirectly receives information transmitted from a communication device (50) incorporated in a second saddle-riding type vehicle (1) different from a first saddle-riding type vehicle (101) on which the rider wearing the helmet (80) rides;
a control step (S103) in which a control unit (82) of the helmet (80) executes a warning operation for the rider based on the information received in the communication step (S102);
Equipped with
In the communication step (S102), the communication unit (81) receives, as the information, behavior control information, which is information on automatic deceleration or automatic acceleration caused by a behavior control device (10) incorporated in the second saddle riding type vehicle (1) in response to surrounding environment information acquired while the second saddle riding type vehicle (1) is traveling;
In the control step (S103), the control unit (82) executes the warning operation based on the behavior control information received in the communication step (S102).
A method for controlling a helmet (80). A control method for a rider assistance system (100) including a helmet (80) to be worn on the head of a rider, and a behavior control device (10) and a communication device (50) incorporated in a second saddle-ride type vehicle (1) different from a first saddle-ride type vehicle (101) on which a rider wearing the helmet (80) rides, comprising:
a communication step (S102) in which a communication unit (81) of the helmet (80) directly or indirectly receives information transmitted from the communication device (50);
a control step (S103) in which a control unit (82) of the helmet (80) executes a warning operation for the rider based on the information received in the communication step (S102);
Equipped with
In the communication step (S102), the communication unit (81) receives, as the information, behavior control information which is information on automatic deceleration or automatic acceleration to be caused by the behavior control device (10) to the second saddle riding type vehicle (1) in response to surrounding environment information acquired while the second saddle riding type vehicle (1) is traveling;
In the control step (S103), the control unit (82) executes the warning operation based on the behavior control information received in the communication step (S102).
A method for controlling a rider assistance system (100).

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