JP4855211B2 - Glass break detector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a glass crack detection device that adds vibration to glass and determines whether or not the glass is broken by detecting the vibration propagating through the glass.

  As a conventional glass breakage detection device, one end is grounded, a first resistor provided on the surface or inside of a vehicle window glass, and a first resistor are connected in series, and one end thereof is connected to the battery anode. A device including a connected second resistor and voltage detecting means for detecting the voltage of each resistor is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

According to this glass breakage detecting device, when the window glass of the vehicle is broken, the first resistor provided inside or on the surface of the window glass is disconnected, so that the voltage detected by the voltage detecting means changes. Will do. Thus, by detecting a change in voltage, it becomes possible to determine the breakage of the window glass, and when the window glass breaks, an alarm is issued to the outside, which is useful for crime prevention.
JP 2003-141649 A

  However, according to the conventional glass crack detection device, since the first resistor is provided inside or on the surface of the window glass of the vehicle, even if the first resistor is transparent, the visibility of the occupant is hindered. In addition, since a special window glass having a resistor provided on the surface or sandwiched inside is required, the cost becomes high.

  In addition, even if the window glass is broken, the first resistor provided on the window glass may not be disconnected, so there is a possibility that the window glass cannot be detected. Since voltage is applied to the resistor, the battery power is consumed.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to propose a glass crack detection device that does not impair the visibility of an occupant, does not require a special window glass, and is excellent in crime prevention and power saving.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a vibration adding unit that applies vibration to an glass that is freely opened and closed in a vehicle by an electric motor used to open and close the glass, and the vibration that propagates through the glass is detected. There is provided a glass breakage detection device comprising: a vibration detection unit; and a determination unit for determining whether or not the glass is broken based on the vibration detected by the vibration detection unit.

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to provide a glass breakage detection device that does not impede the visibility of an occupant, does not require a special window glass, and is excellent in crime prevention and power saving at low cost.

[First embodiment]
(Configuration of the first embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a vehicle equipped with a glass breakage detection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. For the purpose of crime prevention, a case where a glass breakage detection device is mounted on a vehicle is shown.

  The vehicle 1 has a main body 2 on which an engine or the like is mounted, and a door 3 that can be freely opened and closed with respect to the main body 2. The glass breakage detection device 4 is mounted on the main body 2.

  The door 3 includes a window glass 30, a window frame 31 that houses the edge of the window glass 30, a key cylinder 32 that enables the door 3 to be locked and unlocked, a door panel 33 that includes various components, and a door panel 33. A window regulator 34 that opens and closes the window glass 30 and a vibration sensor 40 provided on the window frame 31 so as to facilitate the supply of electric power and the like are provided. The configuration of the window regulator 34 will be described below.

  The door panel 33 is provided with a motor base 340. The motor base 340 is provided with an electric motor 341.

  The motor base 340 and the lift arm 343 are provided on the door panel 33 so as to be rotatable by a pin 342 having a hole through which a harness passes in the center. A driven gear 344 provided on one rotating end side of the lift arm 343 meshes with a gear (not shown) provided on the output shaft of the electric motor 341.

  The window glass 30 is provided with a lift arm bracket 345 formed with a guide extending in a direction intersecting with the opening / closing direction of the window glass 30 (the arrow direction in FIG. 1). The window glass 30 is fixed to the lift arm bracket 345 by two window glass holders 346.

  A first shoe 347a that is movably engaged with the guide of the lift arm bracket 345 is provided at the rotation end at the upper end of the lift arm 343.

  At an intermediate portion of the lift arm 343, an equalizer arm 348 provided so as to be rotatable so as to intersect the lift arm 343 in an X shape is provided. At one end portion of the equalizer arm 348, a second shoe 347b that is movably engaged with the guide of the lift arm bracket 345 is provided.

  On the other hand, the door panel 33 is provided with an equalizer arm bracket 349 having a guide parallel to the guide of the lift arm bracket 345. The other end of the equalizer arm 348 is provided with a third shoe 347c that is movably engaged with the equalizer arm bracket 349.

  When the electric motor 341 is driven, a lift arm 343 having a driven gear 344 that meshes with a gear (not shown) provided on the output shaft of the electric motor 341 rotates around the pin 342. When the electric motor 341 is driven to rotate the lift arm 343 counterclockwise or clockwise, the lift arm bracket 345 moves up and down and the window glass 30 opens and closes. At this time, the equalizer arm 348 rotates around the intermediate portion of the lift arm 343 so that the window glass 30 is opened and closed while keeping the level.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram regarding installation of the vibration sensor 40 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The vibration sensor 40 is provided on the window frame 31 so as to be in contact with the edge of the window glass 30 in the window frame 31 when the window glass 30 is closed. Moreover, the buffer material 310 buffers the impact when the window glass 30 is raised by the window regulator 34 and collides with the vibration sensor 40, and increases the degree of adhesion between the window glass 30 and the vibration sensor 40. The gap d between the window glass 30 and the recess of the window frame 31 is sufficiently wide so that the window glass 30 can vibrate.

  As an example, the vibration sensor 40 uses an acceleration sensor and outputs vibration propagated from the window glass 30 as an output voltage.

  In this embodiment, an acceleration sensor is used as the vibration sensor 40. However, when a mechanical strain is generated in a crystal such as ZnS or CdS, a piezoelectric element using a phenomenon in which a voltage is generated at both ends of the crystal or vibration is added. An ultrasonic sensor that detects the ultrasonic wave generated from the window glass 30 and outputs the change in the ultrasonic wave as an output voltage may be used, but is not limited thereto.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the glass breakage detection apparatus 4 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The glass breakage detection device 4 includes a vibration sensor 40, a vibration detection unit 41 that processes a signal from the vibration sensor 40, a locking / unlocking unit 42 that processes a signal indicating locking and unlocking from the key cylinder 32, and an electric motor. A vibration adding unit 43 that adds vibration to the window glass 30 by 341, a storage unit 44 that stores a period of applying vibration to the window glass 30, an alarm unit 45 that issues an alarm when the window glass 30 is broken, And a control unit 46 as a determination unit that controls each unit in an integrated manner.

  In this embodiment, the electric motor 341 is used to add vibration. However, when a voltage is applied to both ends of a crystal such as ZnS or CdS, the applied voltage is applied to the machine using a phenomenon in which mechanical distortion occurs. A piezoelectric element that converts to dynamic vibration may be used, but is not limited thereto.

(Operation of the first embodiment)
Below, operation | movement of the glass crack detection apparatus 4 in the 1st Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated according to the flowchart of FIG. 8, referring FIGS. 1-7.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram relating to a period for applying vibration according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The horizontal axis is the time and the vertical axis represents the output voltage output by the vibration sensor 40, t ₁ ~t ₄ represents time. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram relating to detection of vibration of the vibration sensor 40 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and t _{5 to} t ₁₂ represent time. FIG. 6 is a schematic view in which the window glass 30 of the vehicle 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is broken. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram relating to detection of vibration when the window glass 30 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is broken, and t _{13 to} t ₂₀ represent time.

  The reference voltage in FIGS. 4, 5 and 7 is output when no acceleration is applied to the vibration sensor 40 (acceleration sensor) (for example, when vibration does not propagate as in T5 shown in FIG. 5). Output voltage. When the voltage V is applied to the vibration sensor 40, the reference voltage becomes V / 2.

  After the occupant stops the vehicle 1 at the parking lot and gets off, the key of the vehicle 1 is inserted into the key cylinder 32 and locked (S10).

  The locking / unlocking unit 42 of the glass breakage detection device 4 receives a locking signal indicating that the locking has been performed from the key cylinder 32 and transmits it to the control unit 46.

Controller 46 sends based on the lock signal received from the locking-unlocking unit 42, after a predetermined time t ₁ has elapsed (S11), an instruction signal to add a vibration to the window glass 30 to the vibration adding portion 43 To do.

  Based on the instruction signal from the control unit 46, the vibration adding unit 43 drives the electric motor 341 to add vibration to the window glass 30 at a cycle described below (S12).

The time t ₁ shown in FIG. 4 represents the time from when the lock is applied until the vibration is first applied to the window glass 30, the time t ₂ represents the time during which the vibration is applied, and t ₁ > t ₂ It is. Time t ₁ + t ₂ is taken as one cycle, and is repeated periodically as shown in FIG. Similarly, time t ₆ + t ₇ in FIG. 5 and time t ₁₄ + t ₁₆ in FIG. 7 are one cycle. Note that the period can be arbitrarily set.

Here, since no power is supplied from the glass breakage detection device 4 to the vibration sensor 40 at times t ₁ and t ₃ when no vibration is applied, power is saved compared to a device that always performs a detection operation.

  When the vibration adding unit 43 drives the electric motor 341 to add vibration to the window glass 30, the window glass 30 vibrates, the vibration sensor 40 detects the vibration (S13; Yes), and detects the detected vibration. The output voltage is output to the vibration detector 41.

  The vibration detection unit 41 processes the output voltage output from the vibration sensor 40 and transmits it to the control unit 46. The control unit 46 stores the output voltage together with the output time in the storage unit 44.

After the time t ₂ has elapsed, the control unit 46 transmits an instruction signal to the vibration adding unit 43 and stops the electric motor 341. After the time t _{3 has} passed since the stop, the control unit 46 transmits an instruction signal to the vibration adding unit 43 again, and the vibration adding unit 43 drives the electric motor 341 to add vibration to the window glass 30. . Hereinafter, this operation is repeated until the vibration sensor 40 no longer detects vibration or the passenger unlocks the door 3 in step 13.

Here, in step 13, after repeated addition and detection of several vibration, as shown in FIG. 5, the vibration sensor 40, when it can not be detected at the time t ₁₀ the vibration of the window glass 30 (S13; No), the control unit 46, after the elapsed time _{t 11} is (S14), sends an instruction signal to add a vibration to the window glass 30 to the vibration adding section 43.

  Based on the instruction signal from the control unit 46, the vibration adding unit 43 drives the electric motor 341 to add vibration to the window glass 30 (S15). When the vibration sensor 40 detects the vibration of the window glass 30 (S16; Yes), it returns to step 11 and continues the operation.

As shown in FIG. 5, even if the vibration sensor 40 cannot detect vibration only once, it can be detected, for example, when the window glass 30 is pressed by a hand and the vibration is inhibited. Since there is a possibility that the alarm has not occurred, this means that no alarm is issued unless vibration is detected twice in succession. In FIG. 5, the vibration sensor 40 detects vibration at time t ₁₂ , so the control unit 46 does not transmit an instruction signal to issue an alarm to the alarm unit 45. The number of times that vibration cannot be detected continuously, which is a reference for issuing an alarm, can be arbitrarily determined, and malfunctions such as issuing an alarm by mistake can be prevented.

Here, as shown in FIG. 6, when the window glass 30 is cracked by, for example, someone, a part of the window glass 30 is missing or cracked, so the vibration sensor 40 and the window glass 30 are As shown in FIG. Therefore, the vibration applied to the window glass 30 does not propagate to the vibration sensor 40. For example, by someone during the time _{t 17,} when the window glass 30 is broken, the vibration sensor 40 does not detect the vibration of the time _{t 18} and subsequent (S16; No).

In step 16, when the vibration sensor 40 cannot detect the vibration of the window glass 30 twice at times t ₁₈ and t ₂₀ , the control unit 46 transmits an instruction signal to the alarm unit 45 to issue an alarm.

  When the alarm unit 45 receives an alarm instruction signal from the control unit 46, for example, an alarm device (horn) (not shown) mounted on the vehicle 1 is used to issue an alarm to the surroundings by sound (S17). Or turn on the direction indicator, headlight, etc., and issue an alarm to the surroundings. Alternatively, they may be combined or other means may be used.

(Effects of the first embodiment)
According to the first embodiment described above, the glass breakage detection device 4 periodically adds vibration to the window glass 30 and detects the vibration by the vibration sensor 40 simultaneously with the addition of the vibration. It is not necessary to operate the system, which saves power. In addition, since the window glass 30 is not detected at the moment when it is broken, it is confirmed that the window glass 30 is not broken. Therefore, it is possible to select whether or not to issue an alarm based on the number of times that vibration cannot be detected, thereby reducing malfunctions. . Since the special window glass 30 is not required, the cost is reduced, and the vibration sensor 40 (vibration detection unit 41) and the vibration addition unit 43 are provided at positions that are not visible from the outside, and thus do not hinder the visibility of the occupant. .

[Second Embodiment]
(Configuration of Second Embodiment)
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a glass breakage detection module according to the second embodiment of the present invention, in which a device for adding and detecting vibration is housed in one container and is externally provided above the lift arm bracket 345. Represents a case where it is provided on the surface of the window glass 30 invisible. In the following description, parts having the same configuration and function as those of the first embodiment are denoted by common reference numerals.

  The glass breakage detection module 6 includes a vibration applying device 5 that applies vibration to the window glass 30 using a piezoelectric element, an electric motor, and the like, a case 60 that houses the vibration adding device 5, the vibration sensor 40, and the like, and electronic components. It has the board | substrate 61 to mount and the elastic member 62 which suppresses propagation to the case 60 side of the vibration added with the vibration addition apparatus 5. FIG.

(Operation of Second Embodiment)
All vibrations applied to the window glass 30 by the vibration applying device 5 cannot be suppressed by the elastic member 62 and propagate to the vibration sensor 40 via the case 60 and the elastic member 62. However, since the change in the propagation of vibration due to the broken window glass 30 is larger, it is easier to judge than when the window glass 30 has no abnormality. Therefore, as an example, when a threshold value is set for the output voltage and an output voltage equal to or higher than the threshold value cannot be detected, it can be determined that the window glass 30 is broken.

(Effect of the second embodiment)
By accommodating the vibration applying device 5 and the vibration sensor 40 in one case 60, the respective bases of the vibration adding device 5 and the vibration sensor 40 can be integrated as a substrate 61, and the number of components to be mounted is reduced, so that It becomes cost. It also eliminates the complexity of the installation.

(Modification 1)
FIG. 10 is a diagram related to the handling of the harness according to the first modification of the present invention.

  In Modification 1, as shown in FIG. 10, the vibration applying device 5 and the vibration sensor 40 are provided on the surface of the window glass 30 in the vicinity of both ends of the lift arm bracket 345 that cannot be seen from the outside.

  A harness 35 for supplying power to the vibration applying device 5 and the vibration sensor 40 and transmitting / receiving signals is bundled by a bundling member (not shown) provided at the upper end of the lift arm 343, and along the lower surface of the lift arm 343. And is connected to the glass breakage detection device 4 through the central hole of the pin 342.

  Since the window glass 30 opens and closes, the play 36 is provided so that the harness 35 is not disconnected, and further, the play 36 is provided between the vibration applying device 5 and the binding member and between the vibration sensor 40 and the binding member. Interference between the harness 35 and the parts of the window regulator 34 during opening and closing can be prevented.

(Modification 2)
FIG. 11 is a diagram regarding the handling of the harness 35 according to the second modification of the present invention.

  In the second modification, as in the first modification, the vibration applying device 5 and the vibration sensor 40 are provided on the surface of the window glass 30 at both ends of the lift arm bracket 345 that cannot be seen from the outside.

  The harness 35 is disposed through the upper surface of the guide of the lift arm bracket 345, is accommodated in a spiral shape in the cylinder 37, and passes through a hole provided in the door panel 33 from the lower end of the cylinder 37 to the glass breakage detection device 4. Connected.

  When the window glass 30 is opened and closed by the occupant, the lift arm bracket 345 moves up and down. When the window glass 30 is opened, the harness 35 is spirally accommodated in the cylinder 37, and when the window glass 30 is closed, the harness 35 is taken out from the cylinder 37 in the opening / closing direction of the window glass 30. Interference with each part of the window regulator 34 can be prevented.

(Modification 3)
In the present embodiment, whether or not the vibration sensor 40 has detected vibration is used as a criterion for determining glass breakage. However, a threshold is provided for the output voltage of the vibration sensor 40 so that the output voltage is lower than the threshold. When it is small, it may be determined that the window glass 30 has an abnormality (for example, a crack or the like), and an alarm may be issued.

(Modification 4)
In this embodiment, the power supply of the vibration sensor 40 as the vibration detection device is performed by the harness 35. However, the glass breakage detection device 4 and the vibration sensor 40 are both provided with a transmission / reception unit, and RFID (Radio Frequency) is provided. It may be configured to be able to supply power using a non-contact power transmission technology such as Identification) and transmit and receive signals wirelessly. The vibration sensor 40 may be configured to receive power from a small battery. Further, the glass breakage detection device 4 and the vibration sensor 40 may be configured such that the respective antennas are provided at the positions of the vibration applying device 5 and the vibration sensor 40 in FIG. 10 so that the communication state can be improved.

  Furthermore, when a door locking / unlocking signal such as a keyless entry system is received from the outside of the vehicle 1, in the vehicle 1 that locks and unlocks the door, the existing receiving means can be used as the receiving unit of the glass breakage detection device 4. The number of parts can be reduced and the cost can be reduced.

(Modification 5)
The vehicle 1 equipped with the anti-theft system using the location information service or the like transmits the alarm signal of the glass breakage detection device 4 to the anti-theft system, whereby the portable terminal of the owner of the vehicle 1 that the anti-theft system has An abnormality can be notified by using a function for notifying abnormality.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and various modifications can be made without departing from or changing the technical idea of the present invention.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a vehicle equipped with a glass breakage detection apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic block diagram regarding installation of the vibration sensor 40 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram of the glass crack detection apparatus 4 which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic regarding the period which adds the vibration which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic regarding the detection of the vibration of the vibration sensor 40 which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic which the window glass 30 of the vehicle 1 which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention is broken. It is the schematic regarding the detection of a vibration when the window glass 30 which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention is broken. 3 is a flowchart according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the glass crack detection module which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure regarding the handling of the harness which concerns on the modification 1 of this invention. It is a figure regarding the handling of the harness 35 which concerns on the modification 2 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vehicle, 2 ... Main body, 3 ... Door, 4 ... Glass breakage detection apparatus, 5 ... Vibration addition apparatus, 6 ... Glass breakage detection module, 30 ... Window glass 31 ... Window frame, 32 ... Key cylinder, 33 ... Door panel, 34 ... Window regulator, 35 ... Harness, 36 ... Play, 37 ... Cylinder, 40 ... Vibration sensor 41... Vibration detection unit 42. Locking and unlocking unit 43. Vibration adding unit 44. Storage unit 45. Alarm unit 46. .... Case, 61 ... Substrate, 62 ... Elastic member, 310 ... Buffer material, 340 ... Motor base, 341 ... Electric motor, 342 ... Pin, 343 ... Lift arm 344 ... driven gear, 345 ... lift arm bracket, 34 ... windowpane holder, 347a ... first shoe, 347b ... second shoe, 347c ... third shoe, 348 ... equalizer arm, 349 ... equalizer arm _bracket, t 1 ~t ₂₀ ... time, d ... gap

Claims (7)

A vibration adding unit that applies vibration to the glass that is freely opened and closed in the vehicle by an electric motor used to open and close the glass ;
A vibration detector for detecting the vibration propagating through the glass;
A glass breakage detection apparatus comprising: a determination unit that determines whether or not the glass is broken based on the vibration detected by the vibration detection unit.   The glass breakage detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vibration adding unit applies the vibration to the glass by a piezoelectric element, and the vibration detection unit detects the vibration by a piezoelectric element.   The vibration adding unit sets one period from the start of the addition of the vibration to the start of the next addition of the vibration, and the vibration detection unit detects the vibration at the same time as the addition of the vibration. The glass breakage detecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vibration adding unit and the vibration detecting unit repeatedly add and detect the vibration based on the period.   The glass breakage detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vibration detection unit detects the vibration by an acceleration sensor.   The glass breakage detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vibration adding unit and the vibration detection unit are integrated via a substrate.   The glass breakage detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vibration adding unit and the vibration detection unit are provided inside the vehicle. A vibration adding unit that applies vibration to the glass that is freely opened and closed in the vehicle by an electric motor used to open and close the glass ;
A vibration detector for detecting the vibration propagating through the glass;
Based on the vibration detected by the vibration detection unit, a determination unit that determines whether the glass is broken,
A glass breakage detection apparatus comprising: an alarm unit that issues an alarm when the determination unit determines that the glass is broken.

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