JP5729641B2 - Vehicle alarm device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle alarm device that is mounted on a vehicle and issues a warning to a third party outside the vehicle.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-90748 describes a vehicle alarm device that includes an out-of-vehicle alarm output device and is mounted on a vehicle. The outside alarm output device is a device for outputting an alarm to a pedestrian outside the vehicle, a driver driving a light vehicle, a motorcycle, or a motorbike (hereinafter referred to as “pedestrian etc.”). For example, a sound output device such as a speaker, loudspeaker, horn, or buzzer, or a light output device such as an HID (High Intensity Discharge) lamp or LED (Light Emitting Diode) lamp. The vehicle alarm device detects an operation of a direction indicator by a driver and detects a contact accident when a pedestrian or the like is present based on an output of an infrared camera or a TOF sensor mounted on the vehicle. It is determined whether or not an object is present in a region that is set in advance as having a high possibility of being generated. When it is determined that an object is present in the entanglement risk area and a steering operation by the driver is detected, the shape of the object existing in the entanglement risk area and a registered shape pattern (a typical image pattern such as a pedestrian) ) To determine whether a registered shape pattern exists in the generated image generated by the infrared camera or the TOF sensor. And when it determines with existing, a warning is output by a vehicle outside warning output device.

JP 2008-90748 A

  However, in the vehicle alarm device described in Patent Document 1, a pedestrian or the like can recognize that an entrainment risk area has occurred due to an alarm, but cannot grasp the location and range of occurrence of the entrapment risk area. . For this reason, the pedestrian or the like cannot appropriately move with respect to the generated entrainment risk area, and the intention to escape may remain in the entrapment risk area.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular alarm generation device capable of visually recognizing the generation location and generation range of an alarm area where an entry prohibition should be notified to a third party outside the vehicle.

In order to achieve the above object, a vehicle alarm device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an alarm region generation determination unit and an injection unit.

The warning area occurrence determination means determines whether or not an alarm area that should notify the third party of entry prohibition has occurred around the own vehicle in order to avoid contact between the traveling vehicle and a third party outside the vehicle. Determine whether. The ejecting means ejects particles having desired reflection characteristics to the alarm area when the alarm area occurrence determining means determines that the alarm area has occurred.

  The warning area that should notify the third party outside the vehicle that entry is prohibited is an area where there is a high possibility that a pedestrian, etc. will be involved, or a car accident due to a difference in the inner wheel of the vehicle or a vehicle contact accident will occur. Yes, it is a predetermined area set in advance, or an area set by the vehicle alarm device calculated from various conditions. In addition, the particles having desired reflection characteristics include, for example, water vapor and fine water droplets.

  According to the above configuration, when the warning area generation determination unit determines that the warning area has occurred around the vehicle, the injection unit injects particles having a desired reflection characteristic into the alarm region. In addition, it is possible to make a pedestrian or the like visually recognize the generation location and generation range of the alarm area. Therefore, when a pedestrian or the like has not entered the warning area, it is possible to prompt the pedestrian or the like to take an action that prevents entry before the warning area enters. In addition, when a pedestrian or the like has entered the warning area, it is possible to prompt the pedestrian or the like to take an appropriate action to escape from the warning area.

  The vehicular alarm device may include a traveling state detection unit and an alarm region determination unit.

  The traveling state detection means detects the traveling state of the vehicle. When the warning area determination means determines that the warning area has occurred, the warning area determination means determines the location and the generation range of the warning area based on the running state detected by the running state detection means. In this case, the ejection unit ejects the particles to the warning area determined by the warning area determination unit.

  The traveling state of the vehicle detected by the traveling state detection means includes the steering angle of the vehicle steering and the traveling speed of the vehicle.

  According to the above configuration, the warning area determination means determines the generation location and the generation range of the warning area based on the driving condition detected by the driving condition detection means, so the optimal warning area corresponding to the driving condition of the vehicle is determined. Can be determined.

A second aspect of the present invention is a vehicle alarm system mounted on a vehicle, the running state detecting means, and the information acquisition means, and warning area occurrence determination unit, and the warning region determination unit, an injection unit, Ru equipped with.

The traveling state detection means detects the traveling state of the vehicle. The information acquisition means acquires information capable of determining the brightness outside the vehicle. The warning area generation determination means determines whether or not a warning area that should be notified of entry prohibition to a third party outside the vehicle has occurred around the vehicle. When the warning area determination means determines that the warning area has occurred, the warning area determination means determines the occurrence location and occurrence of the warning area based on the driving state detected by the driving state detection means and the information acquired by the information acquisition means. Determine the range. The ejecting means ejects particles having desired reflection characteristics to the alarm area when the alarm area occurrence determining means determines that the alarm area has occurred.

  Information that can determine the brightness outside the vehicle includes illuminance outside the vehicle, weather information, and date / time information.

  According to the above configuration, the warning area determination unit determines the location and the generation range of the warning area based on the driving state detected by the driving state detection unit and the information acquired by the information acquisition unit. It is possible to determine an optimal alarm region according to the state and the brightness outside the vehicle.

A third aspect of the present invention is a vehicle alarm system mounted on a vehicle, the information acquisition unit, a warning area occurrence determination unit, an injection unit, an irradiation unit, and the environment outside the vehicle determining means, illumination control and means, Ru equipped with.

The information acquisition means acquires information capable of determining the brightness outside the vehicle. The warning area generation determination means determines whether or not a warning area that should be notified of entry prohibition to a third party outside the vehicle has occurred around the vehicle. The ejecting means ejects particles having desired reflection characteristics to the alarm area when the alarm area occurrence determining means determines that the alarm area has occurred. The irradiation means can be set to an irradiation state in which light is irradiated to the alarm region and a non-irradiation state in which no light is irradiated. The vehicle exterior environment determining means acquires whether the brightness outside the vehicle is in a first state where the particles ejected from the ejecting means are relatively easy or in a difficult second state. Determine based on information. The irradiation control means sets the irradiation means to the non-irradiation state and sets the irradiation means to the non-irradiation state when the injecting means injects the particles into the warning area and the vehicle exterior environment determination means determines that the first state is present. When the vehicle exterior environment determination means determines, the irradiation means is set to the irradiation state.

  According to the above configuration, when the outside environment determination unit determines that the brightness outside the vehicle is in a state where it is relatively difficult to visually recognize the particles ejected from the ejection unit, the irradiation unit irradiates the warning area with light. Thus, the warning area can be visually recognized by a pedestrian or the like by the reflected light being reflected by the particles. In addition, when the outside environment determination unit determines that the brightness outside the vehicle is in a state where it is relatively easy to visually recognize the particles ejected from the ejection unit, the irradiation control unit sets the irradiation unit to the non-irradiation state. It is possible to prevent the setting of the irradiation means to the irradiation state when it is not necessary, and to realize energy saving.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the generation | occurrence | production location and generation | occurrence | production range of the warning area which should alert | report a prohibition of entry with respect to the third party outside a vehicle can be recognized visually.

It is a block block diagram of the alarm device for vehicles concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic side view of the vehicle carrying the vehicle alarm device of FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of a vehicle equipped with the vehicle alarm device of FIG. 1 and injecting particles into an alarm region. FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of a vehicle in which the vehicle alarm device of FIG. 1 is mounted, particles are injected into the alarm region, and light is irradiated. FIG. 2 is a schematic rear view of a vehicle in which the vehicle alarm device of FIG. 1 is mounted, particles are injected into an alarm region, and light is irradiated. It is a figure which shows an example of an injection table. It is a figure which shows an example of an irradiation table. It is a flowchart which shows the alarm process which the alarm device for vehicles of FIG. 1 performs. It is a flowchart which shows the warning area determination process which the warning area determination part of FIG. 1 performs.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The vehicle alarm device 1 according to the present embodiment is mounted on a vehicle 2 and sprays fine water droplets in a mist (screen shape) in a warning area where an entry prohibition should be notified to a third party outside the vehicle. To emit. In the figure, W indicates an injection region where particles are injected by the injection device 12, and L indicates an irradiation region where light is irradiated by the irradiation device 13.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle alarm device 1 includes a speed sensor 3, a steering angle sensor 4, a direction indicator 5, an illuminance sensor 6, a communication device 7, a timer unit 8, and an object detection device 9. And an alarm switch 10, a control unit 11, an injection device 12, and an irradiation device 13.

  The speed sensor 3 is a sensor for detecting the traveling speed of the vehicle 2 (see FIG. 2), and outputs a speed signal including a detection result to the control unit 11 every predetermined time.

  The steering angle sensor 4 detects a steering angle input to the steering (not shown) of the vehicle 2 and outputs a steering angle signal including the detected steering angle to the control unit 11. The steering angle sensor 4 is set so as to detect the steering angle as 0 degrees when the vehicle 2 is in the straight traveling state. The steering angle sensor 4 outputs a steering angle signal including a negative steering angle to the control unit 11 when the driver rotates the steering wheel in the left direction (when the vehicle 2 turns left). Is rotated to the right (when the vehicle 2 turns right), a steering angle signal including a positive steering angle is output to the control unit 11.

  As described above, the speed sensor 3 and the steering angle sensor 4 constitute a traveling state detection unit that detects the traveling state of the vehicle 2.

  The direction indicator 5 is a device for instructing the course of the vehicle 2 when the vehicle 2 turns right and left, and has a turn signal switch (not shown) attached in the vicinity of the steering of the vehicle 2. The direction indicator 5 blinks the blinker lamps installed at the four corners of the vehicle 2 in accordance with the operation of the turn signal switch by the driver. Further, the direction indicator 5 outputs a direction indication signal indicating the operation content (right turn or left turn instruction) to the control unit 11 in accordance with the operation of the turn signal switch by the driver. The direction indicator 5 outputs a direction indication signal every predetermined time while the turn signal switch is operated by the driver.

  The illuminance sensor 6 is a sensor for measuring the illuminance outside the vehicle, is installed on an instrument panel (not shown) in the vehicle compartment, and detects the illuminance of ambient light around the vehicle 2. The illuminance sensor 6 outputs an illuminance signal including a detection result to the control unit 11 every predetermined time.

  The communication device 7 transmits a traveling state (including traveling speed and steering angle) of the vehicle 2 and receives weather information from the management center via a network with a management center that manages the operation of the vehicle 2. . The weather information received from the management center includes, for example, clear weather, cloudy weather, and rainy weather. Note that the communication device 7 may transmit and receive the information using a mobile communication network.

  The timer 8 measures the date and time, and outputs a date and time signal including the current date and time information (date and time information) to the controller 11 in response to a request from the controller 11.

  The object detection device 9 is a device that detects an object in a predetermined region around the side and the rear of the vehicle 2 and includes ultrasonic sensors (not shown) attached to the side and rear of the vehicle 2. When the ultrasonic sensor detects the distance between the object in the predetermined region around the side and the rear of the vehicle 2 and the object, the object detection device 9 outputs an object detection signal including the distance between the vehicle 2 and the object to the control unit 11. To do. The object detection device 9 outputs an object detection signal to the control unit 11 every predetermined time while the ultrasonic sensor is detecting an object. The predetermined area is set to be equal to the area of the warning area or wider than the warning area. Further, instead of the ultrasonic sensor, an optical sensor composed of a light emitting element and a light receiving element may be used.

  The alarm switch 10 is installed on the instrument panel in the passenger compartment. The alarm switch 10 outputs a switch pressing signal for switching the vehicle alarm device 1 between the activated state and the stopped state to the control unit 11 in accordance with the pressing operation of the driver. The alarm switch 10 has a display lamp (not shown) that is turned on when the vehicle alarm device 1 is in an activated state. For this reason, the driver can perform the pressing operation of the alarm switch 10 after grasping whether the vehicle alarm device 1 is activated or stopped.

  The injection device 12 includes a tank 14 attached to the vehicle 2, a pump 15, and an injection port 16. When the injection device 12 receives an injection instruction signal from an injection control unit 22 to be described later, the water stored in the tank 14 is sent to the injection port 16 by the pump 15 and pressurized, and fine particles of water are supplied from the injection port 16. Is sprayed in the form of a mist. Further, when the injection end instruction signal is received from the injection control unit 22, the injection is stopped. The amount of water that the spray device 12 sprays during a predetermined time is set in advance. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, six injection ports 16 are provided on both sides of the vehicle 2 (12 in total). Two forward injection ports 16a are provided in front of the side portion of the vehicle 2 in the vertical direction. Two central injection ports 16b are provided at the top and bottom of the side portion of the vehicle 2 at approximately the center in the front-rear direction. Further, two rear injection ports 16 c are provided on the upper and lower sides behind the side portion of the vehicle 2. The injection device 12 can increase or decrease the amount of water to be injected during a predetermined time according to an instruction from the injection control unit 22. The size of the water particles and the density of the fog formed by the water particles are such that the light irradiated from the irradiation device 13 is efficiently refracted or reflected, and pedestrians in and around the formed fog. It is set in advance so that the line-of-sight works without obstructing the field of view. The pump 15 may be an air tank (not shown) that is attached to an engine (not shown) and stores compressed air as an air pressure source for injecting water particles. Further, the pump 15 may vaporize water using the waste heat of the engine and inject the water vapor from the injection port 16 in a mist form. The tank 14 may communicate with a rainwater collection port provided on the upper surface of the vehicle 2 (not shown), and rainwater that has poured onto the upper surface may be collected and stored at the rainwater collection port. The tank 14 may store so-called bilge water that is discharged from an air conditioner (not shown) of the vehicle 2 during traveling.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the irradiation device 13 includes an LED (Light Emitting Diode) lamp that is attached above the vehicle 2 and emits light downward. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, six LED lamps 17 are provided on each side of the vehicle 2, three in total. A front LED lamp 17 a is provided in front of the side portion of the vehicle 2. A central LED lamp 17b is provided at approximately the center of the side portion of the vehicle 2 in the front-rear direction. A rear LED lamp 17c is provided behind the side of the vehicle 2. When the irradiation device 13 receives an irradiation instruction signal from the irradiation control unit 23 described later, the irradiation device 13 shifts from the non-irradiation state to the irradiation state, turns on the LED lamp 17 with a predetermined light amount, and irradiates light. In addition, when the irradiation device 13 receives the irradiation end instruction signal from the irradiation control unit 23, the irradiation device 13 shifts from the irradiation state to the non-irradiation state and turns off the LED lamp 17. The irradiation device 13 can be turned on by increasing or decreasing the light amount of the LED lamp 17 in accordance with an instruction from the irradiation control unit 23. Further, the irradiation device 13 can switch the light emission pattern of the LED lamp 17, for example, constantly lighting or blinking at a predetermined cycle in accordance with an instruction from the irradiation control unit 23.

  The control unit 11 includes an activation control unit 18, a vehicle exterior environment determination unit 19, an alarm region generation determination unit 20, an alarm region determination unit 21, an injection control unit 22, an irradiation control unit 23, and a storage unit 24. Also, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory) (not shown) are provided. The ROM and RAM constitute the storage unit 24 of the control unit 11, and the ROM is a variety of programs read by the CPU (startup control program, vehicle exterior environment determination program, alarm region occurrence determination program, alarm region determination program, injection control program) , Including an irradiation control program) and various data (including an injection table 25 and an irradiation table 26 described later) are stored in advance. Various data stored in the ROM are set based on measured values and theoretical values obtained by experiments and simulations. These data may be stored in a state included in each program.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the injection table 25 includes a warning area generation location and generation range (“the entire right side of the vehicle”, “from the front of the right side of the vehicle to the approximate center”) determined by the warning area determination unit 21 described later. , "Front of the right side of the vehicle", "entire left side of the vehicle", "from the front of the left side of the vehicle to the approximate center", "in front of the left side of the vehicle") Mouth 16 is set. For example, “all right injection port” is set as the injection port 16 corresponding to “entire vehicle right side part”, and “right front injection port and right side” are set as injection ports 16 corresponding to “from the front of the vehicle right side part to substantially the center”. “Center injection port” is set, and “Right front injection port” is set as the injection port 16 corresponding to “Front of the right side of the vehicle”. Further, “all left side injection ports” are set as the injection ports 16 corresponding to “the entire left side of the vehicle”, and “the left front injection port and the left side” are set as the injection ports 16 corresponding to “from the front of the vehicle left side to the substantially center”. The “center injection port” is set, and the “front left injection port” is set as the injection port 16 corresponding to “front of the left side of the vehicle”. That is, it is set so that the number of the ejection ports 16 increases as the generation range of the warning area determined by the warning area determination unit 21 is wider.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the irradiation table 26 includes a warning area generation location and a generation range (“the entire vehicle right side”, “from the front of the vehicle right side to the approximate center” determined by the alarm region determination unit 21 described later). LED lamp 17 that lights up and emits light according to “front of vehicle right side”, “entire vehicle left side”, “from front of vehicle left side to approximately center”, “front of vehicle left side”) Is set. For example, “all right LED lamp” is set as the LED lamp 17 corresponding to “entire vehicle right side”, and “right front LED lamp and right LED lamp 17 corresponding to“ from the front of the vehicle right side to approximately the center ”is set. The “center LED lamp” is set, and the “right front LED lamp” is set as the LED lamp 17 corresponding to “front of the right side of the vehicle”. Further, “all left LED lamp” is set as the LED lamp 17 corresponding to “entire vehicle left side”, and “left front LED lamp and left LED lamp 17 corresponding to“ from the front of the vehicle left side to approximately the center ”is set. The “center LED lamp” is set, and the “left front LED lamp” is set as the LED lamp 17 corresponding to “front of the left side of the vehicle”. That is, it is set so that the number of LED lamps 17 that emit light increases as the generation range of the warning area determined by the warning area determination unit 21 increases.

  In the RAM, an alarm area generation location and generation range determined by an alarm area determination unit 21 described later ("the entire vehicle right side", "from the front of the vehicle right side to the approximate center", "the front of the vehicle right side", A flag setting area is set for each of “the entire left side of the vehicle”, “from the front of the left side of the vehicle to approximately the center”, “the front of the left side of the vehicle”). That is, the right side whole flag corresponding to “the whole right side of the vehicle”, the right side front / center flag corresponding to “from the front of the right side of the vehicle to substantially the center”, and the front of the right side corresponding to “the front of the right side of the vehicle” Flag, left side whole flag corresponding to “entire vehicle left side”, left side front / center flag corresponding to “from front of vehicle left side to approximately center”, left side front corresponding to “front of vehicle left side” Each setting area is set for the flag. In addition, an external environment flag setting area and an activation state flag setting area are set in the RAM. The vehicle exterior environment flag is set to ON when the vehicle exterior environment determination unit 19 described later determines that the brightness outside the vehicle is a second state in which it is relatively difficult to visually recognize the water particles ejected from the injection device 12. . The activation state setting flag is set to on when the vehicle alarm device 1 is activated, and off when the vehicle alarm device 1 is stopped, by an activation control unit 18 described later.

  In addition, a data storage area for storing the detection results of the speed sensor 3, the steering angle sensor 4, and the illuminance sensor 6 and the weather information received by the communication device 7 is set in advance in the RAM. The data storage area is an area in which an upper limit (upper limit data number) of the number of storable data is set in advance, and when the stored data number reaches the upper limit data, the control unit 11 can detect a new detection result or weather. When storing the information, the oldest stored detection result and weather information among the already stored detection results and weather information are deleted, and a new detection result and weather information are stored.

  The CPU includes a start control unit 18 that executes start control processing according to the start control program, an out-of-vehicle environment determination unit 19 that performs out-of-vehicle environment determination processing according to the out-of-vehicle environment determination program, and an alarm that executes alarm region generation determination processing according to the alarm region occurrence determination program Region generation determination unit 20, warning region determination unit 21 that executes warning region determination processing according to the warning region determination program, injection control unit 22 that performs injection control processing according to the injection control program, and irradiation control unit that performs irradiation control processing according to the irradiation control program 23 functions.

  The activation control unit 18 controls activation and stop of the vehicle alarm device 1. When a switch pressing signal is input from the alarm switch 10 to the control unit 11, the activation control unit 18 stops when the vehicle alarm device 1 is activated at the time of input, and activates when the vehicle alarm device 1 is stopped. The activation control unit 18 sets the activation state flag in the storage unit 24 to ON when the vehicle alarm device 1 is activated, and sets it to OFF when the vehicle alarm device 1 is to be stopped.

  The outside environment determination unit 19 determines whether the brightness outside the vehicle is in the first state where the water particles injected from the injection device 12 are relatively easy to see or in the second state where it is relatively difficult. 6 is determined based on the illuminance detected. Specifically, the illuminance detected by the illuminance sensor 6 is compared with a preset reference illuminance, and when the detected illuminance exceeds the reference illuminance, the first state is determined. On the other hand, when the detected illuminance is less than or equal to the reference illuminance, the second state is determined. When the vehicle exterior environment determination unit 19 determines that the vehicle is in the second state, the vehicle exterior environment determination unit 19 sets the vehicle exterior environment flag in the storage unit 24 to ON. The reference illuminance is defined in the outside environment determination program. The reference illuminance may be stored in advance in the storage unit 24, and the external environment determination unit may read out from the storage unit 24 at the time of the determination. In addition, the vehicle exterior environment determination part 19 may receive weather information from the communication apparatus 7 and may determine based on the received weather information whether it is the said 1st state or a 2nd state. In this case, for example, when the weather information indicates clear weather, it is determined as the first state, and when the weather information indicates cloudy weather or rainy weather, it is determined as the second state. Further, the outside environment determination unit 19 requests the timing unit 8 to output the current date and time information, and based on the current date and time information included in the date and time signal received from the timing unit 8, the first state or the second state It may be determined. For example, when the date and time information is included in the daytime (5am to 6pm), it is determined as the first state, and is included in the nighttime (6pm to 5am) Is determined to be in the second state. Daytime and nighttime hours are defined on the outside environment judgment program according to the season (for example, summer from April to September, and winter from October to March) (for example, during the daytime in summer) The time zone is defined as 5 am to 6 pm, and the winter time zone is defined as 6 am to 5 pm). The season and the time zone corresponding to the season are specified based on the date information included in the date and time signal, and determination is performed.

  As described above, the illuminance detected by the illuminance sensor 6, the weather information received by the communication device 7, and the date / time information measured by the timekeeping unit 8 are information that can determine the brightness outside the vehicle. The device 7 and the time measuring unit 8 constitute information acquisition means for acquiring information capable of determining the brightness outside the vehicle.

  The alarm area occurrence determination unit 20 determines whether the alarm area has occurred. Specifically, when the direction indication signal output from the direction indicator 5 is input to the control unit 11, the alarm area generation determination unit 20 detects the direction indication signal and also updates the latest travel from the storage unit 24. The speed is read, and the read traveling speed is compared with a first reference speed set in advance (for example, 15 kilometers per hour). When the traveling speed is equal to or lower than the first reference speed, the alarm area generation determination unit 20 refers to the activation state flag in the storage unit 24 and determines that an alarm area has occurred when the flag is on. On the other hand, when the read traveling speed exceeds the first reference speed, or when the activation state flag of the storage unit 24 is off, the alarm region generation determination unit 20 determines that no alarm region has occurred. . The first reference speed is defined in the alarm area generation program. The first reference speed may be stored in advance in the storage unit 24, and the alarm region generation determination unit 20 may read out from the storage unit 24 at the time of the determination.

  When the warning area generation determination unit 20 determines that the warning area has occurred, the warning area determination unit 21 determines a generation location and a generation range of the warning area. Specifically, the latest steering angle is read from the storage unit 24, and the location where the warning area is generated is determined to be either the left or right side of the vehicle 2 based on the read steering angle. For example, when the steering angle is a negative value, the location where the warning area is generated is determined on the left side of the vehicle 2. On the other hand, when the steering angle is a positive value, the location where the warning area is generated is determined on the right side of the vehicle 2. The warning area determination unit 21 determines the generation range of the warning area based on the latest steering angle and travel speed read from the storage unit 24. Specifically, when the absolute value of the steering angle exceeds the reference angle (for example, 30 degrees) and the traveling speed exceeds the second reference speed (for example, 10 km / h), the generation range is set to “vehicle side The whole part is decided. When the absolute value of the steering angle exceeds the reference angle and the traveling speed is equal to or less than the second reference speed, the generation range is determined as “from the front side of the vehicle side portion to approximately the center”. Further, when the absolute value of the steering angle is equal to or less than the reference angle and the traveling speed is equal to or less than the second reference speed, the generation range is determined as “front of the vehicle side portion”. The reference angle and the second reference speed are defined in the warning area determination program. The reference angle and the second reference speed may be stored in advance in the storage unit 24, and the warning area determination unit 21 may read out from the storage unit 24 at the time of the determination. The warning area determination unit 21 also determines the right side whole flag, the right side front / center flag, the right side front flag, the left side whole flag, the left side of the storage unit 24 according to the determined place and range of the warning area. Either the front / center flag or the left front flag is set to ON.

  Further, when the warning area determination unit 21 determines that the generation range of the warning area is “from the front of the vehicle side part to approximately the center” or “the front side of the vehicle side part”, the warning area determination part 21 refers to the vehicle environment flag in the storage unit 24. When the vehicle exterior environment flag is on, the determined generation range of the warning area is changed to “entire vehicle side portion”. That is, when the alarm area determination unit 21 determines that the brightness outside the vehicle is the second state in which it is relatively difficult to visually recognize the water particles injected from the injection device 12, the alarm area determination unit 21 Is determined to be “the entire side of the vehicle” which is the maximum range.

  The injection control unit 22 transmits an injection instruction signal to the injection device 12 when the alarm region occurrence determination unit 20 determines that an alarm region has occurred. Specifically, the injection control unit 22 refers to the right side whole flag, right side front / center flag, right side front flag, left side whole flag, left side front / center flag, left side front flag of the storage unit 24. In addition, the injection table 25 stored in the storage unit 24 is referred to, and the injection port 16 corresponding to the generation location and generation range of the alarm region indicated by the on-state flag is specified. The injection control unit 22 transmits to the injection device 12 an injection instruction signal that instructs to inject water particles from the specified injection port 16 in the form of a mist. For example, when the left side whole flag of the storage unit 24 is in the on state, the injection control unit 22 transmits an injection instruction signal to the injection device 12 so as to inject water particles from all the left side injection ports in a mist form.

  The irradiation control unit 23 sets the lighting device to a non-irradiation state in which light is not irradiated when the in-vehicle environment determination unit 19 determines the first state when the injection device 12 injects particles into the alarm region. On the other hand, when the vehicle exterior environment determination part 19 determines with a 2nd state, an illuminating device is set to the irradiation state which irradiates light. Specifically, the irradiation control unit 23 refers to the vehicle exterior environment flag in the storage unit 24, and when the vehicle exterior environment flag is off, that is, the illumination determination unit determines the brightness outside the vehicle in the first state (injection from the injection device 12). When it is determined that it is relatively easy to visually recognize the water particles, the illumination device is maintained in a non-irradiated state where no light is irradiated. On the other hand, when the vehicle exterior environment flag in the storage unit 24 is on, that is, the illumination determination unit determines that the brightness outside the vehicle is in the second state (a state in which it is relatively difficult to visually recognize water particles ejected from the ejection device 12). The right side whole flag, right side front / center flag, right side front flag, left side whole flag, left side front / center flag, left side front flag of the storage unit 24, Referring to the irradiation table 26 stored in 24, the LED lamp 17 corresponding to the generation location and generation range of the alarm region indicated by the ON state flag is specified. The irradiation control unit 23 emits the identified LED lamp 17 and transmits an irradiation instruction signal to the irradiation device 13 so as to irradiate the warning area with light. For example, when the entire left side flag of the storage unit 24 is in an on state, the irradiation control unit 23 emits an all left LED lamp and transmits an irradiation instruction signal to the injection device 12 so as to irradiate the warning area.

  Next, alarm processing of the vehicle alarm device 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S1 of FIG. 8, when the direction indication signal output from the direction indicator 5 is input to the control unit 11, the alarm region generation determination unit 20 detects the direction indication signal, and proceeds to step S2.

  In step S2, the warning area occurrence determination unit 20 reads the latest traveling speed stored in the storage unit 24, and proceeds to step S3.

  In step S3, the warning area occurrence determination unit 20 compares the read traveling speed with a preset first reference speed (for example, 15 kilometers per hour) to determine whether the traveling speed is equal to or less than the first reference speed. To do. When it is determined that the traveling speed is equal to or lower than the first reference speed (step S3: YES), the process proceeds to step S4. On the other hand, when it is determined that the read traveling speed exceeds the first reference speed (step S3: NO), the alarm region generation determination unit 20 determines that no alarm region has occurred, and the vehicle alarm device 1 ends the alarm process.

  In step S4, the alarm region occurrence determination unit 20 refers to the activation state flag in the storage unit 24 and determines whether or not the activation state flag is on. When determining that the activation state flag is on (step S4: YES), the alarm area occurrence determination unit 20 determines that an alarm area has occurred, and proceeds to step S5. On the other hand, when it determines with a starting state flag being OFF (step S4: NO), the warning area generation | occurrence | production determination part 20 determines with the alarm area not having generate | occur | produced, and the vehicle alarm device 1 complete | finishes an alarm process. To do.

  In step S5, the warning area determination unit 21 executes a warning area determination process to determine a warning area. Hereinafter, the alarm area determination process executed by the alarm area determination unit 21 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S11 of FIG. 9, the warning area determination unit 21 reads the latest traveling speed and steering angle stored in the storage unit 24, and proceeds to step S12.

  In step S12, the warning area determination unit 21 determines the occurrence location of the warning area based on the read steering angle, and proceeds to step S13. For example, when the read steering angle is minus 45 degrees, the generation location of the warning area is determined on the left side of the vehicle 2.

  In step S13, the warning area determination unit 21 determines whether or not the absolute value of the read steering angle exceeds a reference angle (for example, 30 degrees). When it determines with exceeding (step S13: YES), it transfers to step S14. On the other hand, when it determines with the absolute value of a steering angle being below a reference angle (step S13: NO), it transfers to step S17.

  In step S14, the warning area determination unit 21 determines whether or not the read travel speed exceeds a second reference speed (for example, 10 km / h). When it determines with having exceeded (step S14: YES), it transfers to step S15. On the other hand, when it is determined that the traveling speed is equal to or lower than the second reference speed (step S14: NO), the process proceeds to step S16.

  In step S15, the warning area determination unit 21 determines the generation range of the warning area as “the entire vehicle side part”, and ends the warning area determination process. Therefore, for example, when the driver turns the steering wheel 45 degrees to the left in order to turn the vehicle 2 left, and the traveling speed of the vehicle 2 is reduced to 12 km / h, the warning area determination unit 21 generates the warning area. The occurrence range of the place and the warning area is determined as “the entire left side of the vehicle”. Further, the alarm region determination unit 21 sets the left side overall flag of the storage unit 24 to ON.

  In step S <b> 16, the warning area determination unit 21 determines the generation range of the warning area as “from the front of the vehicle side part to approximately the center”, and proceeds to step S <b> 18. Therefore, for example, when the driver turns the steering wheel 45 degrees to the left in order to turn the vehicle 2 left, and the traveling speed of the vehicle 2 is reduced to 8 km / h, the warning area determination unit 21 generates the warning area. The place and the generation range of the warning area are determined as “from the front left side of the vehicle to the approximate center”. Further, the warning area determination unit 21 sets the left side front / center flag of the storage unit 24 to ON.

  In step S17, the warning area determination unit 21 determines the generation range of the warning area as “in front of the vehicle side part”, and proceeds to step S18. Therefore, for example, when the driver turns the steering wheel 20 degrees to the left in order to turn the vehicle 2 to the left, the warning area determination unit 21 sets the generation area of the warning area and the generation range of the warning area to “the front side of the left side of the vehicle”. Decided. Further, the warning area determination unit 21 sets the left side front flag of the storage unit 24 to ON.

  In step S18, the warning area determination unit 21 refers to the vehicle environment flag in the storage unit 24 and determines whether or not the vehicle environment flag is on. When it determines with a vehicle exterior environment flag being ON (step S18: YES), it transfers to step S19. On the other hand, when it determines with a vehicle exterior environment flag being OFF (step S18: NO), a warning area | region determination process is complete | finished.

  In Step S19, the warning area determination unit 21 changes the generation range of the warning area determined in Step S16 or Step S17 to “the entire vehicle side part”. That is, the warning area determination unit 21 is, for example, “from the front of the left side of the vehicle to approximately the center” and “the front of the left side of the vehicle”, which are the generation locations and generation ranges of the warning areas determined in the above examples of steps S16 and S17. Is changed to “the entire left side of the vehicle” and determined, the entire left side flag of the storage unit 24 is set to ON, and the warning area determination process is terminated.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 8, when the warning area determination unit 21 determines the generation location and generation range of the warning area in step S5, the process proceeds to step S6.

  In step S6, the injection control unit 22 refers to the right side whole flag, right side front / center flag, right side front flag, left side whole flag, left side front / center flag, left side front flag of the storage unit 24. In addition, the injection table 25 stored in the storage unit 24 is referred to, and the injection port 16 corresponding to the generation range of the alarm region indicated by the ON state flag is specified. The injection control unit 22 transmits to the injection device 12 an injection instruction signal instructing to inject water particles from the specified injection port 16 in the form of a mist, and the injection device 12 that has received the injection instruction signal responds to the injection instruction signal. The water particles are ejected from the ejection port 16 (see FIGS. 3 to 5), and the process proceeds to step S7.

  In step S7, the irradiation control unit 23 refers to the vehicle environment flag in the storage unit 24 and determines whether or not the vehicle environment flag is on. If it determines with it being ON (step S7: YES), it will transfer to step S8. On the other hand, when it determines with it being OFF (step S7: NO), it transfers to step S9.

  In step S8, the irradiation control unit 23 refers to the right side whole flag, right side front / center flag, right side front flag, left side whole flag, left side front / center flag, left side front flag of the storage unit 24. In addition, the irradiation table 26 stored in the storage unit 24 is referred to, and the LED lamp 17 corresponding to the generation location and generation range of the alarm region indicated by the ON state flag is specified. The irradiation control unit 23 emits the identified LED lamp 17, transmits an irradiation instruction signal to the irradiation device 13 so as to irradiate light to the alarm region, sets the irradiation device 13 to the irradiation state, The irradiation device 13 set to the irradiation state turns on the LED lamp 17 corresponding to the irradiation instruction signal (see FIGS. 4 and 5), and proceeds to step S9.

  In step S9, the warning area occurrence determination unit 20 determines whether or not the detection of the direction instruction signal is continued. When it determines with the detection of a direction instruction signal continuing (step S9: YES), it transfers to step S5. On the other hand, when it determines with the detection not continuing (step S9: NO), it transfers to step S10.

  In step S10, the injection control unit 22 transmits an injection end instruction signal, and when the irradiation control unit 23 transmits an irradiation instruction signal to the irradiation device 13 in step S7, transmits an irradiation end instruction signal. The alarm process is terminated. The injection device 12 that has received the injection end instruction signal stops the injection. Further, the irradiation device 13 that has received the irradiation end instruction signal turns off the LED lamp 17.

  According to the present embodiment, the alarm region generation determination unit 20 detects a direction indication signal, and the alarm region is generated when the traveling speed is equal to or lower than the first reference speed and the activation state flag of the storage unit 24 is on. When it is determined that the injection has been performed, the injection device 12 receives the injection instruction signal from the injection control device, sends the water stored in the tank 14 to the injection port 16 by the pump 15 and pressurizes the water, and the warning basin from the injection port 16 Water particles are sprayed in a mist for a predetermined time. For this reason, the generation | occurrence | production place and generation | occurrence | production area | region of an alarm area | region can be made to visually recognize by the particle | grains of the water injected to the alarm area | region. Therefore, it is possible to prompt a pedestrian or the like to take an action to prevent entry before entering the warning area. In addition, it is possible to prompt a pedestrian or the like to take an appropriate action to escape from the warning region to a pedestrian or the like in the warning region.

  The warning area determination unit 21 of the vehicle warning device 1 determines the generation location and generation range of the warning area based on the steering angle and the traveling speed, and the injection control unit 22 determines the generation location and generation range of the warning area. The injection device 12 transmits an injection instruction signal instructing to inject water particles from the corresponding injection port 16 in the form of a mist to the injection device 12, and the injection device 12 that has received the injection instruction signal transmits the water particles to the location where the alarm region is generated and The fuel is ejected from the ejection port 16 corresponding to the generation range to the alarm area. For this reason, the optimal warning area | region according to the driving | running | working state of the vehicle 2 can be determined. Moreover, a pedestrian etc. can be made to visually recognize an alarm area | region by injecting water particle | grains to this alarm area | region.

  Further, the alarm area determination unit 21 of the vehicle alarm device 1 is in a second state in which the outside environment determination unit 19 is relatively difficult to visually recognize the water particles injected from the injection device 12 with the brightness outside the vehicle. When the determination is made, based on the steering angle and the traveling speed, the generation range is changed to “the entire side of the vehicle”, which is the maximum range, of the determined alarm region generation location and generation range, and is determined. For this reason, when the outside environment determination unit 19 is in a state where the brightness of the outside of the vehicle is relatively difficult to visually recognize the water particles injected from the injection device 12, the pedestrian can be maximized by maximizing the generation range of the warning area. Can make it easier to visually recognize the alarm area.

  Further, the irradiation control unit 23 refers to the vehicle exterior environment flag in the storage unit 24, and when the vehicle exterior environment flag is off, that is, the illumination determination unit sets the brightness outside the vehicle to the first state (water ejected from the injection device 12). When it is determined that the particles are relatively easily visible, the illumination device is maintained in a non-irradiated state where no light is irradiated. On the other hand, when the vehicle exterior environment flag in the storage unit 24 is on, that is, the illumination determination unit determines that the brightness outside the vehicle is in the second state (a state in which it is relatively difficult to visually recognize water particles ejected from the ejection device 12). If so, an irradiation instruction signal is transmitted to the irradiation device 13 so as to irradiate the warning area with light. For this reason, when the brightness outside the vehicle is in a state where it is relatively difficult to visually recognize the particles ejected from the ejection means, the irradiation device 13 irradiates light to the alarm region, so that the irradiated light is reflected by the particles. By this, it is possible to make a pedestrian or the like visually recognize the warning area. Further, when the brightness outside the vehicle is in a state where it is relatively easy to visually recognize the particles ejected from the ejection means, the irradiation control unit 23 sets the irradiation device 13 to the non-irradiation state. It is possible to prevent energy from being emitted from the LED lamp 17 of the irradiation device 13 and to save energy.

  As mentioned above, although the embodiment to which the invention made by the present inventor is applied has been described, the present invention is not limited to the description and the drawings that form part of the disclosure of the invention according to this embodiment.

  For example, the activation control unit 18 constantly monitors the object detection signal output from the object detection device 9, and when the object detection signal is input to the control unit 11, the vehicle alarm device 1 is activated and the object detection signal is input. When it is not done, the vehicle alarm device 1 may be stopped. In this case, when a pedestrian or the like is present in a predetermined region around the side and rear of the vehicle 2, an object detection signal is input from the object detection device 9 to the control unit 11, and the activation control unit 18 is a vehicle alarm device. 1 is activated, the vehicle alarm device 1 can issue an alarm even if the driver or the like forgets to press the alarm switch 10. In addition, when there is no pedestrian or the like in a predetermined area on the side and rear of the vehicle 2, the object detection signal is not input to the control unit 11, and the activation control unit 18 stops the vehicle alarm device 1. Since it is possible to prevent water particles from being jetted by the jetting device 12 and light emission from the LED lamp 17 by the irradiation device 13 when it is not necessary to issue an alarm, energy saving can be realized.

  In the present embodiment, the warning area determination unit 21 determines an optimal alarm area generation range from a plurality of preset alarm area generation ranges based on the steering angle, the traveling speed, and the brightness outside the vehicle. Although the example has been described, the generation range may be calculated and determined by substituting the steering angle, the traveling speed, and the brightness outside the vehicle into a predetermined calculation formula.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the injection device 12 injects a predetermined amount of water particles from the injection port 16 in the form of a mist for a predetermined time, the irradiation device 13 lights the LED lamp 17 with a predetermined light amount, and emits light to the alarm area. Although an example of irradiation has been described, the amount of water and the amount of light may be made variable according to the traveling state (steering angle, traveling speed) of the vehicle 2, the brightness outside the vehicle, and the detection result of the object detection device 9. For example, when the steering angle is relatively large and the traveling speed is relatively fast, the amount of water and the amount of light may be increased. Further, when the detection result of the object detection device 9 indicates that the object and the vehicle 2 are relatively close to each other, the amount of water and the amount of light may be increased. By increasing the amount of water and the amount of light, the pedestrian can more easily see the warning area.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which six injection ports 16 of the injection device 12 are provided at both ends of the vehicle 2 and three LED lamps 17 of the irradiation device 13 are provided at both ends of the vehicle 2 has been described. However, by providing one injection port 16 and one LED lamp 17 at both ends, the amount of water is increased or decreased by the injection device 12, and the amount of light is increased or decreased by the irradiation device 13, so that water particles are appropriately injected to the changing alarm region, May be irradiated.

  Further, the irradiation control unit 23 causes the irradiation device 13 to switch the light emission pattern of the LED lamp 17 according to the traveling state (steering angle, traveling speed) of the vehicle 2, the brightness outside the vehicle, and the detection result of the object detection device 9. The irradiation instruction signal may be transmitted, and the irradiation device 13 may switch the light emission pattern according to the irradiation instruction signal and cause the LED lamp 17 to emit light. For example, when the steering angle is relatively large and the traveling speed is relatively fast, or when the detection result of the object detection device 9 indicates that the object and the vehicle 2 are relatively close to each other, a pedestrian or the like The light emission pattern of the LED lamp 17 may be switched so as to blink in a short cycle so as to pull the light strongly.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the injection control part 22 specifies the injection port 16 corresponding to the generation | occurrence | production location and generation | occurrence | production range of the warning area | region which the warning area | region determination part 21 determined, and water particle | grains are fogged from the specified injection hole 16. Although the example which transmits the injection instruction | indication signal which instruct | indicates to inject in a shape to the injection device 12 was demonstrated, the visual recognition of the water particle from which the external environment determination part 19 was injected from the injection device 12 by the brightness outside a vehicle is comparatively When it is determined that the second state is difficult, the injection control unit 22 causes the injection port 16 (that is, the entire vehicle right side or the entire vehicle left side) corresponding to the case where the generation range of the warning area is maximum (that is, the entire vehicle left side). You may transmit the injection instruction | indication signal which instruct | indicates to inject the water particle from the right side injection port or all the left side injection ports in the shape of a mist to the injection device 12.

  In the present embodiment, the example in which the warning area is provided on the side portion of the vehicle 2 has been described. However, the warning area may be provided on the rear side of the vehicle.

  In the present embodiment, the irradiation device 13 having an LED lamp has been described. However, instead of the LED lamp, other light sources such as an HID lamp, a halogen lamp, a fluorescent lamp, and an incandescent lamp may be used. Further, a laser device that emits a visible light laser may be used as the irradiation device 13.

  That is, it should be added that other embodiments, examples, operation techniques, and the like made by those skilled in the art based on this embodiment are all included in the scope of the present invention.

  The present invention is widely applicable to an alarm device for a vehicle that issues an alarm to a third party outside the vehicle.

1: Vehicle alarm device 2: Vehicle 3: Speed sensor (traveling state detection means)
4: Steering angle sensor (running state detection means)
5: Direction indicator 6: Illuminance sensor (information acquisition means)
7: Communication device (information acquisition means)
8: Timekeeping section (information acquisition means)
9: Object detection device 10: Alarm switch 11: Control unit 12: Injection device (injection means)
13: Irradiation device (irradiation means)
14: Tank 15: Pump 16: Injection port 16a: Front injection port 16b: Center injection port 16c: Rear injection port 17: LED lamp 17a: Front LED lamp 17b: Center LED lamp 17c: Rear LED lamp 18: Activation control unit 19 : Outside environment judgment unit (outside car environment judging means)
20: Alarm area occurrence determination unit (alarm area occurrence determination means)
21: Alarm area determination unit (alarm area determination means)
22: Injection control unit 23: Irradiation control unit (irradiation control means)
24: Storage unit 25: Injection table 26: Irradiation table W: Injection region L: Irradiation region

Claims (4)

A vehicle warning device mounted on a vehicle,
An alarm region for determining whether or not an alarm region that should be informed of prohibition of entry to the third party has occurred around the vehicle in order to avoid contact between the vehicle being traveled and a third party outside the vehicle Occurrence determination means;
The vehicle alarm device, comprising: an injection unit that injects particles having desired reflection characteristics into the alarm region when the alarm region generation determination unit determines that the alarm region has occurred. The vehicle alarm device according to claim 1,
Traveling state detecting means for detecting the traveling state of the vehicle;
When the warning area determination means determines that the warning area has occurred, the warning area determination means determines the generation location and the generation range of the warning area based on the running condition detected by the running condition detection means; Prepared,
The vehicular alarm device, wherein the ejection unit ejects the particles into an alarm area determined by the alarm area determination unit. A vehicle warning device mounted on a vehicle,
Traveling state detecting means for detecting the traveling state of the vehicle;
Information acquisition means for acquiring information capable of determining brightness outside the vehicle ;
Warning area generation determination means for determining whether or not an alarm area that should be notified of entry prohibition to a third party outside the vehicle has occurred around the vehicle;
When the warning area determination means determines that the warning area has occurred, based on the driving state detected by the driving state detection means and the information acquired by the information acquisition means, the generation location and the generation range of the warning area Alarm area determining means for determining
A vehicle alarm device comprising: an injection unit that injects particles having desired reflection characteristics into the alarm region when the alarm region generation determination unit determines that the alarm region has occurred . The vehicle alarm device mounted on a vehicle,
Information acquisition means for acquiring information capable of determining brightness outside the vehicle;
Warning area generation determination means for determining whether or not an alarm area that should be notified of entry prohibition to a third party outside the vehicle has occurred around the vehicle;
An injection means for injecting particles having desired reflection characteristics to the alarm area when the alarm area occurrence determination means determines that the alarm area has occurred;
Irradiation means that can be set to an irradiation state of irradiating light to the alarm region and a non-irradiation state of not irradiating,
Based on the information acquired by the information acquisition unit, whether the brightness outside the vehicle is the first state in which the particles injected from the injection unit are relatively easy to see or the second state is difficult. Vehicle exterior environment judgment means for judging,
When the injecting means injects particles into the warning area, if the vehicle exterior environment determining means determines that it is in the first state, the irradiation means is set to the non-irradiation state, and in the second state, And an irradiation control means for setting the irradiation means to the irradiation state when the outside environment determination means determines that there is an alarm device for a vehicle.

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