JP2000211355A - Field of vision controlling method and device for automobile - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent fatigue, drowsiness, and the like by automatically adjusting a prescribed height in accordance with a detected value of actual vehicle speed when a lower end position of a vehicle windshield is set to zero-height and the range from this zero-height position to a predetermined height is made difficult to see and the driver's field of vision is controlled. SOLUTION: A field of vision control device 1 comprises an actual vehicle speed detection means 2, a vehicle-to-vehicle distance detection means 3, a zero-point adjusting means 10, a computer 5, a field of vision controlling means 6, and the like. The adjustable range of the height h by means of the field of vision controlling means 6 extends to an entire area defined by a lower-end 13 of a windshield glass 12 of a cab 11 and the height h. The field of vision controlling means 6 comprises a liquid crystal display panel which comprises a multiple-layered liquid crystal display panel unit layered at the hmax position. During traveling, the actual vehicle speed v is read and the height h is calculated based on a formula h=hmax.v/80 when the read actual vehicle speed v is greater than a standard vehicle speed of 80 km/h. Then, the field of vision controlling means 6 is driven and the field of vision is controlled only in the area up to the calculated height h from the zero-height position.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention automatically adjusts the field of view of a front window of a vehicle based on the actual vehicle speed, the distance between vehicles, the presence of an adjacent vehicle, and the like, in order to reduce the driver's tension and fatigue. The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for restricting visibility of a vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In actual driving of a vehicle, when the actual vehicle speed is low, it is necessary for the driver's view to clearly see a portion relatively close to the vehicle. Is common. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the height h 'from the vicinity of the lower end 13 of the front window to a position below the field of view increases as the speed increases. Therefore, a method of restricting the field of view according to the vehicle speed has been conventionally proposed. On the other hand, in the case of the truck 15 in which the position (H ₁ ) of the driver's eye 19 shown in FIG. 7 is high, the field of view immediately before the driver approaches the driver and the field of view of the lower part is wide, so that more tension is applied than necessary. There was a problem that it did not work.
This is particularly large in the cab-over type truck vehicle 15. On the other hand, in the case of the passenger car 16 in which the position (H ₂ ) of the driver's eye 19 shown in FIG. 8 is low, the field of view immediately before is far, and fatigue is less than that of the truck vehicle 15. Further, when the control amounts L ₁ and L ₂ of the visibility of the truck vehicle 15 and the passenger vehicle 16 are compared with the same limited amount of visibility from the vicinity of the lower end 13 of the front window 12,
The former is much larger. From the above, the visibility restriction effect is larger in the truck vehicle 15 than in the passenger car 16,
The prior art has also proposed that the visibility restriction is particularly effective in the cab-over type truck vehicle 15.
Of course, a passenger car 16 has also been proposed.

[0003]

[0005] In high-speed driving such as driving on a highway, if the field of view in front of the vehicle is too visible, the nerves are excessively used, fatigue is promoted, and as a result, drowsiness is induced and a hypnotic effect occurs. there is a possibility. Conversely, if the field of view is restricted during low-speed running, there is a problem that a person, a car or the like crossing immediately before is overlooked. Therefore, it is necessary to finely adjust the visibility according to the vehicle speed. Further, even in the same vehicle, there are differences in sitting height among people, and it is desirable that the visibility can be adjusted according to the person. It is also desirable that the overall height of the cab-over type truck is gusset, and that the visibility can be adjusted according to the type of the vehicle. Therefore, it is not possible to determine the visibility restriction uniformly, and there are various control methods.However, too fine visibility restriction complicates the control method and device structure, and may impose an extra burden on the driver side. There is also.

On the other hand, there are various known techniques for restricting the field of view, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 4-90415. The technology relating to the "vehicle with a visibility control device" is to detect a traveling state of the vehicle with a sensor, and to adjust a light blocking portion that widens or narrows a driver's visibility,
A liquid crystal panel is used as a light shielding portion. Although this known technique has a great feature in itself, a light-shielding portion having a predetermined shape and size is formed on the front window side and the side glass side in advance, and the liquid crystal at the X and Y positions is adapted to the vehicle speed. And does not change the height h that limits the field of view in accordance with the actual vehicle speed, the distance between vehicles, the presence of an adjacent vehicle, and the like, as in the present invention described later. .

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and detects an actual vehicle speed, an inter-vehicle distance, the presence of an adjacent vehicle, and automatically adjusts a height h to be restricted according to the detected vehicle speed. It is another object of the present invention to provide a method and an apparatus for restricting the visibility of a vehicle that can be applied to various vehicles by ensuring safe driving by ensuring necessary visibility and preventing fatigue and drowsiness.

[0006]

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, the lower end of a front window of a vehicle or a position slightly higher than the lower end is set to a zero height position, and A visibility limiting method for limiting a driver's visibility by making it difficult to see a range up to a height h, wherein the visibility of a vehicle that detects an actual vehicle speed v and automatically adjusts the height h in accordance with the detected value. Characterized by a restriction method. Further, the lower end of the front window of the vehicle or a position slightly higher than the lower end is defined as the zero height position, and the range from the zero height position to the height h is difficult to see to limit the visibility of the driver. The method is characterized in that an inter-vehicle distance during traveling is detected, and the height h is automatically adjusted according to the detected value.

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, the lower end of the front window of the vehicle or a position slightly higher than the lower end is defined as a zero height position, and from the zero height position to the height h. A visibility limiting device that limits the driver's visibility by making it difficult to see the range of the vehicle, comprising an actual vehicle speed detecting device, an inter-vehicle distance detecting device, and an adjacent traveling vehicle presence detecting device that detects the presence of an adjacent traveling vehicle. A computer having all or a combination thereof or any one thereof, and automatically calculating the height h by a predetermined calculation method based on a detection value by each of the detection means; And a view restriction means for automatically adjusting the view of the front window by the height h according to the value. Further, the zero height position is automatically adjusted according to the structure around the driver's seat of the vehicle and / or the sitting height of the driver on the driver's seat. Further, the detection signal from the adjacent traveling vehicle presence detecting means is transmitted to the adjacent traveling vehicle existence determining means in the computer, and when the adjacent traveling vehicle exists, the height h is automatically adjusted to the position where the height is zero. It is characterized by the following.

By detecting the actual vehicle speed, the inter-vehicle distance, the existence of an adjacent running vehicle, and the like, a height h required to limit the field of view is automatically obtained by a predetermined calculation method. Adjusts the field of view of the front window. It is of course possible to finely change the height h in accordance with the actual vehicle speed or the like. However, in the present invention, a calculation method is determined based on actual experience and the like, and the height h is adjusted accordingly. I have to.

[0009]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a vehicle visibility limiting method and apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, the entire area from the lower edge of the front window to the height h is set as the light-shielding range as the place where the field of view should be limited, but a partial light-shielding range may be adopted. However, in the following description, only the height h is used as the control value of the visibility restriction. First, a specific example of the vehicle view restriction method of the present invention will be described.

In the following description, the position at the height of zero is defined as follows. That is, in the present embodiment, the position having the height of zero is the lower end 13 of the front window 12 or preferably a slightly higher position. If the position of zero height is set to the lower end 13 of the front window 12, the front lower side may not be clearly seen depending on the driver's sitting height. Therefore, it is empirically desirable to set a slightly higher position to the zero position in consideration of the difference in sitting height. That's why. Specifically, it is determined that a position approximately several cm from the lower end 13 is appropriate. Further, in the present invention, the presence of an adjacent traveling vehicle is detected, and if it is present, the height h is not adjusted, so that the interruption of the adjacent traveling vehicle is not missed. Further, in the following embodiment, the visibility limiting method of the present invention will be described by setting 80 km / h as a reference vehicle speed to be compared with the actual vehicle speed v and setting the reference inter-vehicle distance to 100 m as an example in order to make the contents of the present invention easy to understand. However, the reference vehicle speed and the inter-vehicle distance are not limited to those described above.

First, a specific example of a method of limiting the visibility of a vehicle that detects the actual vehicle speed and adjusts the height h will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the actual vehicle speed v is read (step 100). Next, the actual vehicle speed v and the reference vehicle speed of 80 k
m / h is compared (step 101). Actual vehicle speed v is 8
If it is greater than 0 km / h (in the case of yes), the height h is obtained by h = hmax · v / 80 (step 10).
2). Next, the visibility limiting means 6 described later is driven to limit the visibility by a height h from the position where the height is zero (step 10).
3). On the other hand, in step 101, the actual vehicle speed v is 80 k
If it is not more than m / h (in the case of no), the height h is not adjusted and the height is kept at zero (h = 0) (step 10).
4). In the above description, the value of hmax is obtained in advance for the vehicle experimentally and empirically.
Indicates the maximum height to restrict the view. For example, hmax
For example, a value of about 10 cm to 15 cm is adopted as an example.

Next, one specific example of a method for restricting the visibility of a vehicle in which the height h is adjusted by detecting the inter-vehicle distance will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, an inter-vehicle distance k with a traveling vehicle is read (step 200). Next, the inter-vehicle distance k is compared with a reference inter-vehicle distance of 100 m (step 201). When the inter-vehicle distance k is larger than 100 m (yes
In the case of s), the height h is obtained by h = hmax · k / 100 (step 202). Next, the visibility limiting means 6 is driven to limit the visibility by the height h (step 20).
3). On the other hand, in step 201, the inter-vehicle distance k is 10
When the height is 0 m or less (in the case of no), the height h is not adjusted.
The height is kept zero (h = 0) (step 204).

Next, a specific example of a method of restricting the visibility of a vehicle, which detects the actual vehicle speed and the inter-vehicle distance, the presence of an adjacent traveling vehicle, and adjusts the height h, will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, the actual vehicle speed v and the following distance k are read (step 30).
0). Next, the actual vehicle speed v is compared with the reference vehicle speed 80 km / h (step 301). When the actual vehicle speed v is higher than 80 km / h (in the case of yes), the height h ₁ is used for the time being.
Is determined by h ₁ = hmax · v / 80 (step 30).
2) Then, the inter-vehicle distance k is compared with the reference inter-vehicle distance of 100 m (step 303). If the inter-vehicle distance k is greater than 100m a height h ₂ (in the case of yes) h ₂ = hma
It is determined by x · k / 100 (step 304). Next, the value of the height h ₁ obtained in Step 302 and Step 3
Comparing the height values of h ₂ obtained in 04, the smaller value determined this is set as the height h should be restricted visibility (step 305). At the same time, the presence of an adjacent traveling vehicle is detected (step 306). If it is present (if it exists), the height h is set to zero (h = 0), and the height h is not adjusted. As a result, interruption of an adjacent traveling vehicle or the like is prevented. On the other hand, when there is no adjacent traveling vehicle (when there is no adjacent vehicle), the visibility limiting means 6 is driven to limit the visibility by the height h obtained in step 305 (step 307). If the actual vehicle speed v is equal to or less than 80 km / h in step 301 (in the case of no), the height h is not adjusted and the height is set to zero (h = 0) (step 308). Similarly, when the inter-vehicle distance k is equal to or less than 100 m in step 303 (in the case of no), h is set to 0 as described above.

Next, a vehicle view restriction device 1 for implementing the above-described vehicle view restriction method will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. The visibility limiting device 1 includes an actual vehicle speed detecting unit 2,
An inter-vehicle distance detecting means 3, an adjacent running vehicle presence detecting means 4,
It comprises a zero point adjusting means 10, a computer (CPU) 5, a visibility limiting means 6, and the like. In the computer 5, there are provided a vehicle speed comparing means 7, an inter-vehicle distance comparing means 8, an h value calculating means 9 for calculating the height h by a predetermined calculating method, an adjacent traveling vehicle existence determining means 14, and the like. These are arranged at appropriate places on the cab 11 of the vehicle. Also,
As shown in the figure, the place where the height h is adjusted by the view restriction means 6 is the front window 12 of the cab 11.
The entire area range from the lower end 13 to the height h is applied.
Various means are known in the art as the known techniques (for example, laser, radar, etc.), and a description thereof will be omitted here. Further, a zero point adjusting means is applied as a means for automatically adjusting the zero position of the height h depending on the driver's sitting height and the type of the vehicle. In addition, as this specific means, for example, means for operating the driver identification means or the vehicle type identification means in synchronization with the operation of the ignition can be considered. Further, the adjacent traveling vehicle presence determining means 14 operates the h value calculating means 9 based on the detection signal of the adjacent traveling vehicle presence detecting means 4 to automatically adjust the height h to zero when there is an adjacent traveling vehicle. To work.

On the other hand, there are various known techniques as the visibility limiting means 6, and one of them uses a liquid crystal panel as an example. As shown in FIG. 5, a liquid crystal panel 17 is provided at a lower end of the front window 12. The liquid crystal panel 17 includes a multi-layer liquid crystal panel unit 17a,
It consists of those stacked at the position of ax. The liquid crystal panel 17 is controlled by a liquid crystal driver 18, and the CPU 5 sends a command signal to the liquid crystal driver 18 based on the calculation result of the height h. When the value of the height h is determined, the liquid crystal panel unit 17a operates up to a position corresponding to the height h, and functions to block the lower view of the front window 12.

In the above description, several examples of the calculation method of the view restriction method have been described, but the present invention is not limited to these examples. Further, the structure of the visibility limiting means 6 is not limited to the above-described one, but may be a mechanically driven one. Further, in the above description, the front window 12 of the vehicle is set as the place where the field of view should be restricted. However, it is needless to say that the side window and the rear window are also applicable.

[0017]

According to the method and apparatus for restricting the visibility of a vehicle according to the present invention, the visibility can be automatically restricted, particularly at high speeds, to prevent fatigue and drowsiness, and to enable safe driving. In the case of a medium-to-low speed running state that requires the above, the visibility restriction is stopped and a sufficient visibility can be obtained. Thereby, the effect of enabling safe driving can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method of limiting the visibility of a vehicle based on the actual vehicle speed of the vehicle according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining another example of the method of limiting the visibility of a vehicle based on the distance between vehicles of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining still another example of the method of limiting the visibility of a vehicle based on the actual vehicle speed, the inter-vehicle distance, the existence of an adjacent traveling vehicle, and the like of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a visibility limiting device for a vehicle according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing a schematic structure of one specific example of a view restriction unit in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a range of a field of view of a vehicle at high, middle, and low speeds.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a visibility control amount when the visibility of a truck vehicle is limited.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a visibility control amount when the visibility of a passenger car is restricted.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 view restriction device 2 actual vehicle speed detection means 3 inter-vehicle distance detection means 4 adjacent traveling vehicle presence detection means 5 computer (CPU) 6 visibility restriction means 7 vehicle speed comparison means 8 inter-vehicle distance comparison means 9 h value calculation means 10 zero point adjustment means 11 Cab 12 Front window 13 Lower end 14 Adjacent running vehicle existence determining means 15 Truck vehicle 16 Passenger car 17 Liquid crystal panel 17a Liquid crystal panel unit 18 Liquid crystal driver 19 eyes

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A lower end of a front window of a vehicle or a position slightly higher than the lower end is defined as a zero height position, and it is difficult to see a range from the zero height position to a height h to limit a driver's view. A method for limiting the visibility of a vehicle, comprising detecting an actual vehicle speed v and automatically adjusting the height h in accordance with the detected value. 2. A lower end of the front window of the vehicle or a position slightly higher than the lower end is defined as a zero height position, and it is difficult to see a range from the zero height position to a height h to limit a driver's view. A method of limiting the visibility of a vehicle, comprising detecting an inter-vehicle distance during traveling and automatically adjusting the height h according to the detected value. 3. A lower end of the front window of the vehicle or a position slightly higher than the lower end is defined as a zero height position, and it is difficult to see a range from the zero height position to a height h, thereby limiting a driver's view. The device has all or a combination or any one of an actual vehicle speed detection unit, an inter-vehicle distance detection unit, and an adjacent traveling vehicle presence detection unit that detects the presence of an adjacent traveling vehicle. A computer that automatically calculates the height h by a predetermined calculation method based on the detection value of each of the detection means, and automatically controls the field of view of the front window by the height h according to a command value from the computer. A view restriction device for a vehicle, comprising: a view restriction means for adjusting. 4. The vehicle view restriction device according to claim 3, wherein the zero height position is automatically adjusted according to a structure around a driver's seat of the vehicle and / or a seat height of a driver on the driver's seat. . 5. A detection signal from the adjacent traveling vehicle presence detecting means is transmitted to an adjacent traveling vehicle existence determining means in the computer, and when the adjacent traveling vehicle exists, the height h is automatically set to a position where the height h is zero. 4. The device for restricting visibility of a vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the device is adjusted.