JP2008044397A - Mirror control device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mirror control device for independently controlling right-left mirrors in response to a traveling state of one's own vehicle. <P>SOLUTION: This mirror control device S has a traffic lane information acquiring means 100 acquiring traffic lane information on a traveling road, one's own vehicle lane detecting means 101 detecting a traffic lane of making one's own vehicle travel, and a mirror control means 104 independently controlling the right-left mirrors based on the traffic lane information acquired by the traffic lane information acquiring means 100 and the one's own vehicle traveling traffic lane detected by the one's own vehicle lane detecting means 101. The mirror control device S also has a road kind detecting means 103 detecting a kind of traveling road. The mirror control means 104 determines a control range of the mirrors based on the kind of road detected by the road kind detecting means 103. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a mirror control device, and more particularly to a mirror control device that independently controls left and right mirrors in accordance with the traveling state of a host vehicle.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a door mirror control device including a vehicle speed detection unit that detects a vehicle speed and a correction unit that corrects an angle of a door mirror according to the vehicle speed is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The above-mentioned door mirror control device raises the door mirror main body to approximately 90 ° with respect to the door during low-speed traveling, while driving the door mirror actuator to automatically reduce the angle of the door mirror main body with respect to the door during high-speed traveling. . The door mirror control device adjusts the mirror surface angle in accordance with the change in the angle of the door mirror body.

Thereby, the said door mirror control apparatus can reduce the air resistance by the door mirror at the time of driving | running | working, maintaining a back view.
JP-A-7-277077

  However, the door mirror control device described in Patent Document 1 only corrects the angles of the left and right door mirrors in the same way depending on the vehicle speed, and the rear view that the driver wants to visually recognize with the respective door mirrors is left and right. Even if they are different, the left and right door mirrors cannot be controlled separately and the driver's request cannot be satisfied.

  In view of the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a mirror control device that independently controls left and right mirrors according to the traveling state of the host vehicle.

  In order to achieve the above object, the mirror control device according to the first invention includes a lane information acquisition unit that acquires lane information of a road on which the vehicle travels, a host lane detection unit that detects a lane on which the host vehicle is traveling, Mirror control means for independently controlling left and right mirrors based on lane information acquired by the lane information acquisition means and a lane in which the host vehicle detected by the own lane detection means travels. And

  Further, the mirror control device according to the second invention is a mirror control means for independently controlling the left and right mirrors based on instructions from the driving support device for route guidance to the destination, maintaining the distance between vehicles or maintaining the lane. It is characterized by providing.

  The third invention is a mirror control device according to any one of the first and second inventions, comprising road type detection means for detecting the type of road on which the vehicle travels, wherein the mirror control means comprises the road The control range of the mirror is determined based on the type of road detected by the type detection means.

  The fourth invention is a mirror control device according to any one of the first to third inventions, wherein the mirror control means changes a front projection area of a mirror body.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mirror control device according to the fourth aspect of the invention, wherein the mirror control means changes a mirror surface angle in accordance with a change in a front projection area of the mirror body.

  With the above-described means, the present invention can provide a mirror control device that independently controls the left and right mirrors according to the traveling state of the host vehicle.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a mirror control device according to the present invention. The mirror control device S includes a control unit 1, and includes a car navigation system 2, a camera 3, a road-to-vehicle communication device 4, an inter-vehicle distance control device (ACC: Adaptive Cruise Control) 5, and a lane keeping assist device (LKA: Lane Keep Assist). ) 6, receiving signals from the steering angle sensor 7 and the direction indicator 8, door mirror actuators 9R (right), 9L (left), mirror surface actuators 10R (right), 10L (left) and room mirror actuators 11R (right), A control signal is output to 11L (left).

  The control unit 1 is a computer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), an NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random Access Memory), and the like. Programs corresponding to the lane detection unit 101, the traveling state detection unit 102, the road type detection unit 103, and the mirror control unit 104 are stored in the NVRAM, and these programs are expanded on the RAM to cause the CPU to execute corresponding processing.

  The control unit 1 is connected to each device via an in-vehicle network such as CAN (Control Area Network) or LIN (Local Interconnect Network).

  The car navigation system 2 calculates the route to the destination based on the position information of the vehicle acquired by GPS (Global Positioning System) and the map database stored in the hard disk or DVD, and guides the vehicle to the destination. It is the driving assistance device for doing.

  The camera 3 is a device for acquiring an image around the vehicle, and outputs the acquired image to the control unit 1. The camera 3 outputs an image obtained by photographing the front or rear of the vehicle to the control unit 1 so that the control unit 1 can recognize the number of lanes on the road and the own lane (the lane in which the own vehicle is traveling).

  The camera 3 is, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) camera or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) camera installed outside the vehicle compartment such as near the bumper, front grill or license plate, or inside the vehicle interior such as near the dashboard or room mirror. There may be an infrared camera or the like that can capture images at night. Further, the camera 3 may be a camera that captures a moving image or a camera that captures a still image.

  The road-to-vehicle communication device 4 is a device for controlling communication between a vehicle and an information transmitter / receiver installed on a road. For example, a signal from a magnetic nail installed near a license plate and embedded in a road To detect the lane in which the vehicle is traveling.

  The inter-vehicle distance control device 5 is a driving support device for automatically controlling the accelerator, brake, shift position, etc. in order to maintain the inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle at a predetermined distance. Measure the travel speed of the vehicle and the inter-vehicle distance between the preceding vehicle and the host vehicle, and when the inter-vehicle distance is less than the predetermined distance, the braking force is automatically generated to make the traveling speed of the host vehicle comparable to the preceding vehicle. So that the inter-vehicle distance becomes a predetermined distance.

  The lane keeping assist device 6 is a driving assist device for automatically controlling the steering angle so that the host vehicle can continuously travel in a predetermined lane. For example, the lane keeping assist device 6 determines the lane based on an image in front of the vehicle taken by the camera 3. A white line to be separated is detected by image processing, and when the own vehicle approaches one of the left and right white lines, the steering angle is automatically controlled to maintain a constant distance between the left and right white lines and the own vehicle.

  The steering angle sensor 7 is a sensor for measuring the rotation angle of the steering shaft related to the steering angle of the wheel. For example, the steering shaft reads a magnetic resistance by a magnet embedded in the steering shaft by an MR (Magnetic Resistance) element. Detects rotation.

  The direction indicator 8 is a device for indicating the traveling direction of the host vehicle to other vehicles, and blinks the blinker lamp when, for example, the blinker lever disposed near the steering wheel is operated.

  Next, operations of various actuators will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the right door mirror device DM1, and the right door mirror device DM1 includes a door mirror actuator 9R, a mirror surface actuator 10R, and a mirror M1.

  2A is a top view showing a standard state of the right door mirror device DM1, and FIG. 2B is a right door mirror device that rotates to the vehicle body side (storage side) on the XY plane around the door mirror actuator 9R. It is a top view of DM1.

  2C is a view of the right door mirror device DM1 that rotates on the YZ plane toward the vehicle body side (storage side) with the door mirror actuator 9R as the center, as viewed from the rear of the vehicle, and FIG. It is AA sectional drawing in 2 (C).

  FIG. 2E is a top view of the right door mirror device DM1 that moves on the Y axis toward the vehicle body.

  In FIG. 2A, the right door mirror device DM1 forms a main body angle α between the center line CL and the X axis, and the mirror M1 forms a mirror surface angle β with the right door mirror device DM1. To do. The main body angle α and the specular angle β are both angles formed on the XY plane.

  FIG. 2B shows a state in which the right door mirror device DM1 is rotated to the vehicle body side on the XY plane in order to reduce the front projection area and reduce the air resistance of the host vehicle. ) Will increase compared to. Further, the specular angle β is adjusted according to the change in the main body angle α so as to ensure a predetermined rear view.

  FIG. 2C shows a state in which the right door mirror device DM1 is rotated counterclockwise to reduce the front projected area and the air resistance of the host vehicle, and the main body angle γ is as shown in FIG. ).

  In FIG. 2D, the mirror M1 forms a mirror surface angle δ with the right door mirror device DM1. The mirror surface angle δ is adjusted according to a change in the body angle γ so as to ensure a predetermined rear field of view.

  FIG. 2E shows a state in which the right door mirror device DM1 is moved to the vehicle body side on the Y axis to reduce the projection area P in order to reduce the front projection area and reduce the air resistance. This is a state in which the part is accommodated in the vehicle body.

  The door mirror actuators 9L and 9R are devices for driving the left and right door mirror devices. For example, the door mirror actuators 9L and 9R are configured by a motor or a linear actuator, and increase or decrease the body angle α between the center line CL of the door mirror device and the X axis.

  Further, the door mirror actuators 9L and 9R increase / decrease the main body angle α, increase / decrease the main body angle γ between the center line CL of the door mirror device and the Z axis, and expand / contract the protruding portion P of the door mirror device from the vehicle body. Or you may.

  The mirror surface actuators 10L and 10R are devices for driving the mirror M1 in the left and right door mirror devices. Like the door mirror actuators 9L and 9R, the mirror surface actuators 10L and 10R are configured by motors and linear actuators, and the mirror surface angle between the mirror M1 and the door mirror device. Increase or decrease β and δ.

  The mirror surface actuators 10L and 10R increase or decrease the mirror surface angles β and δ according to the main body angles α and γ and the length of the protruding portion P changed by the door mirror actuators 9L and 9R. This is to adjust (enlarge) the rear field of view narrowed by driving the door mirror actuators 9L and 9R.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the room mirror device RM. The room mirror device RM includes a mirror M2, auxiliary mirrors M3 and M4, and room mirror actuators 11R and 11L. FIGS. 3A1 and 3A2 are a top view and a front view showing the standard state of the room mirror device RM, respectively. FIGS. 3B1 and 3B2 are respectively shown on the right side by the mirror control device S. It is the top view and front view of the room mirror apparatus RM which moved the auxiliary mirror M3 to the right side and expanded the mirror surface.

  The room mirror actuators 11R and 11L are devices for moving the left and right auxiliary mirrors M3 and M4 in the room mirror device RM, and include, for example, a motor or a linear actuator.

  Next, various units included in the control unit 1 will be described.

  The lane information acquisition unit 100 is a unit for acquiring lane information. For example, the lane information acquisition unit 100 performs image processing such as binarization processing, edge processing, and filter processing on an image in front of the vehicle photographed by the camera 3 to obtain a white line on the road surface To get lane information.

  Alternatively, the lane information acquisition unit 100 may acquire the lane information by reading position information from a magnetic nail or the like embedded in the road via the road-to-vehicle communication device 4.

  Furthermore, the lane information acquisition means 100 may acquire the position on the map of the own vehicle using the car navigation system 2, and read and acquire the lane information of the road where the own vehicle is located from the map database.

  The “lane information” is information relating to the lane and includes the number of lanes, the lane width, the radius of curvature of the lane, the lane gradient, and the like.

  The own lane detecting means 101 is means for detecting the lane in which the own vehicle travels. For example, the own lane detecting means 101 performs image processing on the image taken by the camera 3 to detect the own lane or via the road-to-vehicle communication device 4. Then, the position information is read from the magnetic nail embedded in the road, and the lane in which the vehicle travels is detected.

  The traveling state detection unit 102 is a unit for detecting the traveling state of the host vehicle, for example, based on the lane information acquired by the lane information acquisition unit 100 and the own lane detected by the own lane detection unit 101. It is detected how many lanes from the left of the lane the vehicle is traveling on.

  Further, the traveling state detection unit 102 detects whether the inter-vehicle distance control device 5 or the lane keeping support device 6 is operating based on a signal from the inter-vehicle distance control device 5 or the lane keeping support device 6. It is detected whether or not the vehicle is running with driving assistance.

  The traveling state detection means 102 detects whether or not the vehicle is traveling under a route guidance service based on a signal from the car navigation system 2.

  Further, the traveling state detection means 102 detects a traveling state such as whether the vehicle is making a right or left turn or a lane change based on signals from the steering angle sensor 7, the direction indicator 8, the yaw rate center, and the like. It may be.

  The road type detection unit 103 is a unit for detecting the type of road. For example, the road type detection unit 103 acquires a position on the map of the own vehicle using the car navigation system 2 and maps the lane information of the road on which the own vehicle is located. Read from the database to detect the type of road.

  “Types of roads” include automobile-only roads where only cars pass, general roads where cars, bicycles and pedestrians pass, roads where cars and motorcycles pass.

  The mirror control means 104 is a means for controlling the driving of various mirror devices based on the running state detected by the running state detection means 102, and various types based on the road type detected by the road type detection means 103. Determine the control range of the mirror device.

  Since the road type detection unit 103 detects the road type based on the map database, the mirror control unit 104 determines the control range more reliably and appropriately compared to the case where the control range is determined based on the vehicle speed. Can do. For example, when a highway is detected by the road type detection unit 103, the mirror control unit 104 more actively controls the door mirror device DM. This is because the traffic situation on the highway (confluence vehicles, lane changes, etc.) is considered to be more stable than the traffic situation on ordinary roads, regardless of the speed of vehicles traveling on the highway.

  The “control range” is the main body angle α (see FIG. 2A), the main body angle γ (see FIG. 2C) of the door mirror body in the right door mirror device DM1, or the mirror surface of the mirror surface in the right door mirror device DM1. The angle range in the case of the angle β (see FIG. 2A) and the mirror surface angle δ (see FIG. 2D), or the distance range in the case of moving the right door mirror device DM1 in the vehicle body direction (see FIG. 2 (E)), and the distance range when the auxiliary mirrors M3 and M4 of the room mirror device RM are moved (see FIG. 3).

  Next, the control content of the door mirror device DM by the mirror control means 104 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a vehicle traveling on a three-lane road. FIG. 4 (A) shows a case where the host vehicle is traveling in the leftmost lane, and FIG. The case where the vehicle is traveling in the center lane is shown, and FIG. 4C shows the case where the vehicle is traveling in the rightmost lane.

  The traveling state detection unit 102 determines which lane of the road the host vehicle is based on the lane information acquired by the lane information acquisition unit 100 and the lane on which the host vehicle detected by the own lane detection unit 101 travels. Detect if you are driving.

  When the host vehicle is traveling in the leftmost lane (see FIG. 4A), the mirror control means 104 sets the right door mirror device DM1 in the standard state (see FIG. 2A), and the left door mirror. The body angle α of the device DM2 is increased to reduce the front projection area. Further, the mirror control means 104 moves the auxiliary mirror M3 of the room mirror device RM to the right side to expand the mirror surface.

  This is to reduce the air resistance by the left door mirror device DM2 and improve fuel efficiency and acceleration, and since there is no other lane on the left side of the lane on which the vehicle is traveling, the rear view by the left door mirror device DM2 should be narrowed. Because you can. In addition, there is another lane on the right side of the lane in which the host vehicle travels, and therefore it is necessary to ensure a predetermined rear view. The mirror control means 104 may extend the rear field of view by reducing the main body angle α of the right door mirror device DM1. This is to extend the rear view by the right door mirror device DM1.

  When the host vehicle is traveling in the center lane (see FIG. 4B), the mirror control means 104 sets the right door mirror device DM1 and the left door mirror device DM2 to the standard state or the angle of the main body. Increase α slightly to reduce the forward projected area. The increase angle of the main body angle α is assumed to be smaller than when the host vehicle is traveling in the leftmost lane.

  This is because there are other lanes on both sides of the lane in which the host vehicle travels, and it is necessary to house another vehicle approaching from behind in the rear view by the door mirror device DM.

  When the host vehicle is traveling in the rightmost lane (see FIG. 4C), the mirror control means 104 sets the main body angle α of the right door mirror device DM1 while keeping the left door mirror device DM2 in the standard state. Increase the forward projection area. Further, the mirror control means 104 moves the auxiliary mirror M4 of the room mirror device RM to the left side to expand the mirror surface.

  This is to reduce the air resistance by the right door mirror device DM1 and improve fuel efficiency and acceleration, and there is no other lane on the right side of the lane on which the host vehicle travels, so the rear view by the right door mirror device DM1 is narrowed. Because you can. In addition, since another lane exists on the left side of the lane in which the host vehicle travels, it is necessary to secure a predetermined rear view.

  The mirror control means 104 determines the control range of the door mirror device DM based on the road type detected by the road type detection means 103.

  For example, when the road on which the vehicle travels is an automobile-only road, the mirror control means 104 widens the control range of the door mirror device DM so as to reduce the front projection area to the maximum (for example, adjacent to the rear of 5 m). Keep the rear view to the extent that you can see half of the lane you ’re driving.)

  This is because automobile-only roads have fewer intersections and junctions than ordinary roads, so there are few vehicles that change lanes, and it is considered that there are fewer slips through bicycles and motorcycles.

  On the other hand, when the road on which the vehicle travels is a general road, the mirror control means 104 restricts the control range of the door mirror device DM and has a fixed rear view (for example, the extent to which the entire adjacent lane can be visually recognized 5 m behind). Ensure that the rear field of view is not too narrow.

  When the mirror control unit 104 detects that the host vehicle is traveling while receiving driving assistance from the lane keeping assist device 6 by the traveling state detection unit 102, the body angle α of the right door mirror device DM1 and the left door mirror device DM2 is detected. To reduce the front projection area.

  This is because the mirror control means 104 determines that the frequency of changing lanes is low when driving assistance is provided by the lane keeping assist device 6.

  Similarly, when receiving driving assistance from the car navigation system 2 or the inter-vehicle distance control device 5, the mirror control means 104 increases the main body angle α of the right door mirror device DM1 and the left door mirror device DM2 to reduce the front projection area. . The mirror control means 104 may execute this control only when the own vehicle is traveling on an automobile-only road, but is performed when traveling on a general road while limiting the control range. You may make it do.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state where the vehicle in which the lane keeping assist device 6 is operated travels on a three-lane road on one side.

  As shown in FIG. 5, even if the mirror control means 104 is in the lane in which the vehicle is traveling, for example, when it receives a crosswind and moves too far to the left side of the lane, the body angle of the left door mirror device DM2 Reduce α or return to the standard state. Further, the mirror control means 104 may expand the mirror surface by moving the auxiliary mirror M4 of the room mirror device RM to the left side.

  This is because there is a possibility of deviating from the currently running lane to the left lane, and the driver should quickly check the left rear.

  Similarly, when it is too close to the right side, the mirror control means 104 reduces the main body angle α of the right door mirror device DM1 or returns it to the standard state.

  Further, the mirror control means 104 is receiving a route guidance service by the car navigation system 2 and increases the main body angle α of the right door mirror device DM1 and the left door mirror device DM2 to reduce the front projection area. In addition, when the lane change guidance is received from the car navigation system 2, the body angle α of the door mirror device DM in the direction in which the lane is to be changed is increased, or the door mirror device DM is in a standard state and a predetermined rear view In advance (before changing lanes). In this case, the mirror controller 104 may extend the mirror surface by moving the auxiliary mirrors M3 and M4 of the room mirror device RM.

  This is because the driver needs to confirm the rear by the door mirror device DM when changing the lane, so that the driver can confirm the rear without delay when trying to confirm the rear.

  As described above, the mirror control means 104 controls the door mirror device DM based on the output from the driving support device such as the car navigation system 2, the inter-vehicle distance control device 5 or the lane keeping support device 6, so that the door mirror is based on the vehicle speed. Compared with the case where the device DM is controlled, more appropriate control can be performed in a timely manner.

  Further, the mirror control means 104 may control the door mirror device DM and the room mirror device RM based on the output of the steering angle sensor 7 or the direction indicator 8.

  The mirror control means 104 recognizes that the steering wheel is steered to the right when the main body angle α of the right door mirror device DM1 and the left door mirror device DM2 is increased to reduce the front projection area, When it is recognized that the blinker lamp has started blinking, the main body angle α of the right door mirror device DM1 is reduced or returned to the standard state. This is so that the right rear side of the vehicle can be seen in a timely manner. In this case, the mirror control means 104 may extend the mirror surface by moving the auxiliary mirror M3 of the room mirror device RM to the right.

  Thus, even when the mirror control means 104 is controlling the door mirror device to a predetermined state in order to reduce the air resistance by the door mirror device DM, it is necessary to secure the rear view by the driver's operation. When recognizing that there is, it is possible to control the door mirror device DM quickly and reliably to ensure the rear view.

  Next, the flow of processing for controlling the door mirror device DM by the mirror control device S will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the mirror control device S determines whether or not the door mirror device DM is in the retracted state (step S1). If the door mirror device DM is in the retracted state (YES in step S1), the mirror control device S ends the process.

  The “retracted state” means a state in which the door mirror device DM is stored on the vehicle body side to ensure a rear view and the function as the door mirror device DM cannot be performed. The “operating state” means that the function as the door mirror device DM can be performed. State.

  In this case, the mirror control device S may forcibly place the door mirror device DM in a standard state (see FIG. 2A) until the driver performs an operation for starting use of the door mirror device DM. You may make it wait.

  When the door mirror device DM is in operation (NO in step S1), the mirror control device S causes the road type detection means 103 to detect the type of road (step S2). This is because the control range of the door mirror device DM is determined based on the type of road.

  Thereafter, the mirror control device S causes the traveling state detection unit 102 to detect the traveling state of the host vehicle. The travel state detection unit 102 causes the lane information acquisition unit 100 to acquire lane information (step S3), and causes the own lane detection unit 101 to detect the lane in which the host vehicle travels (step S4). Detect state.

  This is to determine the control content by the door mirror device DM for ensuring a rear view suitable for the lane in which the host vehicle is traveling. Note that the control of the door mirror device DM is executed within the control range determined as described above.

  Thereafter, the mirror control device S causes the driving state detection means 102 to confirm the operating state of the driving support devices such as the car navigation system 2, the inter-vehicle distance control device 5, and the lane keeping support device 6 (step S5).

  This is because the door mirror device DM is controlled to reduce the front projection area of the door mirror device DM when the driving support device is operating. When the driving assistance device is operating, it can be determined that the vehicle is traveling while maintaining the current lane, and since there is little lane movement, the rear view to be secured should be set narrower to reduce air resistance. This is because priority can be given.

  The mirror control device S gives priority to the control for reducing the front projection area of the door mirror device DM over the control content determined as described above. This is to perform control most suitable for the current running state.

  Thereafter, the mirror control device S acquires the output of the steering angle sensor 7 or the direction indicator 8 and determines the control content of the door mirror device DM corresponding to the operation content of the driver (step S6). The control content of the door mirror device DM corresponding to the operation content of the driver has priority over any control content described above. This is to perform control most suitable for the current running state.

  Thereafter, the mirror control device S separately controls the right door mirror device DM1 and the left door mirror device DM2 by the mirror control means 104 based on the determined control content (step S7), and ends the processing.

  Next, the flow of processing for controlling the room mirror device RM by the mirror control device S will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the mirror control device S causes the traveling state detection unit 102 to detect the traveling state of the host vehicle. The travel state detection unit 102 causes the lane information acquisition unit 100 to acquire lane information (step S11), and causes the own lane detection unit 101 to detect the lane in which the host vehicle travels (step S12). Detect state.

  This is to determine the contents of control by the room mirror device RM for ensuring a rear view suitable for the lane in which the host vehicle is traveling. Note that the control of the room mirror device DM does not depend on the type of road. This is because the room mirror device RM is arranged in the vehicle interior and does not affect the air resistance, and is controlled in consideration of the balance between securing the rear view and securing the front view.

  Thereafter, the mirror control device S causes the driving state detection means 102 to confirm the operating states of the driving support devices such as the car navigation system 2, the inter-vehicle distance control device 5, and the lane keeping support device 6 (step S13).

  This is to limit the control of the room mirror device RM when the driving support device is operating. When the driving support device is operating, it can be determined that the vehicle travels while maintaining the current lane, and the lane movement is small, so the mirror surface of the room mirror device RM is expanded to expand the rear view. This is because priority is given to securing the forward view.

  Thereafter, the mirror control device S acquires the output of the steering angle sensor 7 or the direction indicator 8 and determines the control content of the room mirror device RM corresponding to the operation content of the driver (step S14). The control content of the room mirror device RM corresponding to the operation content of the driver has priority over any control content described above. This is to perform control most suitable for the current running state.

  Thereafter, the mirror control device S controls the mirror surface area of the room mirror device RM by the mirror control means 104 based on the determined control content (step S15), and ends the process.

  With the above configuration, the mirror control device S can separately control the left and right door mirror devices according to the traveling state of the host vehicle. The rear view expected by the driver with respect to the door mirror device differs depending on the left and right, but the mirror control device S determines the expected rear view from the traveling state of the host vehicle and provides the necessary and sufficient rear view by each door mirror device. While providing to the driver, it is possible to reduce the front projection area of the door mirror device and reduce the air resistance, thereby improving fuel economy and acceleration.

  Further, the mirror control device S can determine the necessary and sufficient rear field of view according to the driving state separately on the left and right sides while maintaining or improving the fuel consumption and acceleration, and can provide the rear field of view to the driver in a timely manner. .

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and substitutions can be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Can be added.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, various mirror devices are controlled regardless of the traveling speed of the own vehicle, but the control content may be changed according to the traveling speed. This is because the effect on the air resistance due to the difference in the projected area on the front surface increases as the traveling speed increases.

  Further, the mirror control device S may control various mirror devices according to the road gradient and the curvature radius of the road acquired by the lane information acquisition unit 100. This is because the rear view according to the road condition is obtained.

  Moreover, although the mirror control apparatus S expands the mirror surface area of the room mirror apparatus RM and expands a rear view, you may make it adjust a rear view by controlling the mirror surface angle of the room mirror apparatus RM.

  In addition, the mirror control device S changes the mirror surface angle of the door mirror device DM to a predetermined angle to provide the driver with an appropriate rear view, but operates by repeatedly increasing and decreasing the mirror surface angle so that the mirror surface swings left and right. A person may be provided with a wider rear view.

  Further, the mirror control device S may control a fender mirror, a side under mirror, and the like, similarly to the door mirror device DM.

  Further, the mirror control device S reduces the front projection area of the door mirror device DM on the side where no adjacent lane exists based on the acceleration instruction from the inter-vehicle distance control device 5, and the side where the adjacent lane exists based on the deceleration instruction. The door mirror device DM may be controlled to enlarge the rear view of the door mirror device DM.

  The mirror control device S controls various mirror devices based on instructions from the driving support device. The driving support device automatically controls the brake and the steering angle when the obstacle is recognized. Or a device for calling attention when entering a predetermined area such as a school zone.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of a mirror control apparatus. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a right door mirror apparatus. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a room mirror apparatus. It is FIG. (1) for demonstrating the control content of the door mirror apparatus by a mirror control apparatus. It is FIG. (2) for demonstrating the control content of the door mirror apparatus by a mirror control apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process in which a mirror control apparatus controls a door mirror apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process in which a mirror control apparatus controls a room mirror apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Control apparatus 2 Car navigation system 3 Camera 4 Road-to-vehicle communication apparatus 5 Inter-vehicle distance control apparatus 6 Lane keeping support apparatus 7 Steering angle sensor 8 Direction indicator 9L, 9R Door mirror actuator 10L, 10R Mirror surface actuator 11L, 11R Room mirror actuator 100 Lane Information acquisition means 101 Own lane detection means 102 Traveling state detection means 103 Road type detection means 104 Mirror control means CL Center line DM, DM1, DM2 Door mirror device M1, M2 Mirror M3, M4 Auxiliary mirror P Projected part RM Room mirror device S Mirror Control device α, γ Body angle β, δ Specular angle

Claims (5)

Lane information acquisition means for acquiring lane information of the road on which the vehicle travels;
Own lane detecting means for detecting the lane in which the own vehicle is traveling;
Mirror control means for independently controlling the left and right mirrors based on the lane information acquired by the lane information acquisition means and the lane in which the host vehicle detected by the own lane detection means travels;
A mirror control device comprising:   A mirror control device comprising mirror control means for independently controlling left and right mirrors based on instructions from a driving support device for route guidance to a destination, inter-vehicle distance maintenance or lane maintenance. Provided with road type detection means for detecting the type of road to travel,
The mirror control means determines a control range of the mirror based on the road type detected by the road type detection means;
The mirror control device according to claim 1, wherein The mirror control means changes the front projection area of the mirror body.
The mirror control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein   The mirror control device according to claim 4, wherein the mirror control unit changes a mirror surface angle according to a change in a front projection area of the mirror body.

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