JP2018083614A - Drowsiness suppression device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a drowsiness suppression device which prevents air for awakening from being hindered by air conditioning air, and which can allow the air for awakening to surely reach an operator.SOLUTION: A drowsiness suppression device 10 includes: an injection part 140 for injecting air for awakening toward an operator M of a vehicle MV; an injection control part 120 for controlling an operation of the injection part 140; and an air conditioning control part 130 for controlling an operation of an air conditioner 20 provided at the vehicle MV. When the injection part 140 injects the air for awakening, the air conditioning control part 130 changes an operation state of the air conditioner 20 so that the air conditioning air blown out of the air conditioner 20 does not prevent the air for awakening from reaching the operator M.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present disclosure relates to a drowsiness suppressing device provided in a vehicle.

  Development of a drowsiness control device is underway. The drowsiness suppressing device awakens the driver by injecting air for awakening (for example, cold air) toward the driver when it is detected that the driver feels drowsy while the vehicle is running. It is a device to let you.

  The drowsiness suppressing device described in Patent Literature 1 described below can provide a driver with sufficient arousal stimulation by injecting low-temperature awakening air toward the surface of the driver's neck. In addition, as awakening air injected toward the driver from the drowsiness suppressing device, low-temperature air may be used as described above, but scented air may be used instead.

JP 2007-106360 A

  In the drowsiness suppressing device described in Patent Literature 1, control for injecting wake-up air is performed independently of control of an air conditioner provided in the vehicle. In such a configuration, for example, when wake-up air is jetted when air-conditioned air is blown toward the driver's face, the flow of wake-up air is hindered by the air-conditioned wind, Air may not reach the driver.

  An object of the present disclosure is to provide a drowsiness suppressing device that prevents the flow of wake-up air from being hindered by air-conditioning wind and can reliably cause the wake-up air to reach the driver.

  The drowsiness suppressing device according to the present disclosure is a drowsiness suppressing device (10) provided in a vehicle (MV), and an injecting unit (140, 141, 142) that injects wake-up air toward a driver (M) of the vehicle. ), An injection control unit (120) for controlling the operation of the injection unit, and an air conditioning control unit (130) for controlling the operation of the air conditioner (20) provided in the vehicle. When the ejection unit ejects the awakening air, the air conditioning control unit changes the operation state of the air conditioning device so that the air conditioning air blown from the air conditioning device does not hinder the arrival of the awakening air to the driver.

  In the drowsiness suppressing device having such a configuration, control for injecting awakening air and control of the air conditioner are performed in cooperation with each other. Specifically, when the injecting unit injects awakening air, the air conditioning controller operates the air conditioner so that the air conditioning air blown from the air conditioning unit does not prevent the awakening air from reaching the driver. Change state.

  Examples of the control for changing the operating state of the air conditioner include control for temporarily reducing the air volume of the conditioned air and control for temporarily changing the air direction of the air conditioned air in a direction different from the driver's face. It is done. By such control, the flow of the wake-up air is not hindered by the conditioned air, so that the wake-up air can surely reach the driver.

  According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a drowsiness suppressing device capable of preventing the flow of wake-up air from being hindered by the conditioned air and ensuring that the wake-up air reaches the driver.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a state of a vehicle interior of a vehicle provided with the drowsiness suppressing device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the injection unit of the drowsiness suppressing device according to the present embodiment as viewed from the rear side. FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of the drowsiness suppressing device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing executed by the control device shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of a drowsiness suppressing device according to a modification.

  Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In order to facilitate the understanding of the description, the same constituent elements in the drawings will be denoted by the same reference numerals as much as possible, and redundant description will be omitted.

  The drowsiness suppressing device 10 according to the present embodiment is a device provided in the vehicle MV, and is configured as a device for preventing the driver M of the vehicle MV from falling asleep during driving. An outline of the drowsiness suppressing device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, only the camera 11, the ejection unit 140, and the notification unit 150 of the drowsiness suppressing device 10 are illustrated, and the other portions are not illustrated. The overall configuration of the drowsiness suppressing device 10 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The drowsiness suppressing device 10 acquires an image including the face of the driver M by the camera 11 and analyzes the image to determine whether or not the driver M is drowsy. For example, when both sides of the driver M are closed halfway or when it is confirmed that a state where the eye is closed for a long time continues for a predetermined period, the drowsiness suppressing device 10 makes the driver M sleepy. Is determined to have occurred.

  If it is determined that the driver M is drowsy while traveling, the drowsiness suppressing device 10 injects the awakening air from the injection unit 140 toward the driver M, thereby awakening the driver M. As shown in FIG. 2, the injecting unit 140 is a device that is attached to the driver's seat ST at a position near and behind the headrest HR. The injection unit 140 includes a cold air injection unit 141 and a scent injection unit 142.

  The cold air injection unit 141 is a part that injects low-temperature air (air having a temperature lower than the temperature in the passenger compartment) as awakening air. An air conditioning mechanism using a Peltier element (not shown) or a cold storage material is accommodated inside the cold air injection unit 141, and air cooling, that is, generation of awakening air is performed by these. A part of the cold air injection unit 141 extends from the left side of the headrest HR toward the neck of the driver M, and an injection port 143 is formed at the tip thereof.

  The cold air injection unit 141 sends out low-temperature awakening air generated inside by a fan (not shown) and injects the air toward the driver's M neck from the injection port 143. As a result, the driver M is awakened. In FIG. 1, the flow of awakening air ejected from the ejection port 143 is indicated by an arrow AR1. The operation of the cold air injection unit 141 is controlled by a control device 100 (see FIG. 3) described later.

  The scent ejection unit 142 is a part that ejects scented air as awakening air. For example, a solid material or a non-woven fabric (not shown) containing a scent component is accommodated in the scent injection unit 142, thereby generating scented air (that is, awakening air). A part of the scent injection unit 142 extends from the right side of the headrest HR toward the neck of the driver M, and an injection port 144 is formed at the tip thereof.

  The scent injection unit 142 sends out scented awakening air generated inside by a fan (not shown), and injects it toward the vicinity of the face of the driver M from the injection port 144. As a result, the driver M is awakened. In FIG. 1, the flow of awakening air ejected from the ejection port 144 is indicated by an arrow AR2. The operation of the scent injection unit 142 is controlled by the control device 100.

  The low temperature awakening air injection from the cold air injection unit 141 and the injection of the scented awakening air from the scent injection unit 142 are selectively performed instead of simultaneously. A specific control mode will be described later.

  In addition to the drowsiness suppressing device 10 described above, the vehicle MV is provided with an air conditioner 20 (not shown in FIG. 1; see FIG. 3) for air conditioning the vehicle interior. As shown in FIG. 1, blowout ports 211 and 212 for blowing conditioned air from the air conditioner 20 toward the passenger compartment are formed in the instrument panel IP on the front side of the driver's seat ST. The conditioned air from the outlets 211 and 212 is blown out toward the face of the driver M. In FIG. 1, the flow of the conditioned air blown from the blowout port 211 is indicated by an arrow AR3. Further, the flow of the conditioned air blown from the blowout port 212 is indicated by an arrow AR4.

  An air outlet (not shown) for blowing air-conditioned air toward the driver M's feet is also formed in the passenger compartment. Since such a plurality of outlets are provided, the air conditioner 20 can switch between a so-called face mode, a bi-level mode, and a foot mode. Of these three wind direction modes, the face mode is a mode in which conditioned air is blown out from the outlets 211 and 212 toward the face of the driver M. The bi-level mode is a mode in which conditioned air is blown toward both the face and the feet of the driver M. The foot mode is a mode in which conditioned air is blown toward the driver M's feet. These wind direction modes are switched by opening and closing a door (not shown) provided in the air conditioner 20. As the specific shape and operation of the door, known ones can be adopted, and detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  The air conditioner 20 is configured to execute an outside air introduction mode for taking in air from outside the vehicle MV and an inside air circulation mode for taking in air from the vehicle interior of the vehicle MV. Of these two circulation modes, in the outside air introduction mode, outside air is taken in by the air conditioner 20, and the outside air is blown out as conditioned air after the temperature is adjusted. In the inside air circulation mode, air in the passenger compartment is taken in by the air conditioner 20, and the temperature of the air is adjusted and then blown out as conditioned air. Since a known mechanism can be adopted for switching between the outside air introduction mode and the inside air circulation mode, detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  In the face mode, conditioned air is blown out from the air conditioner 20 toward the face of the driver M (arrows AR3 and AR4). In this state, when wake-up air is injected from the drowsiness suppressing device 10 (arrows AR1 and AR2), the flow of the wake-up air is obstructed by the conditioned air, and a sufficient amount of wake-up air is generated by the driver. M may not be reached. As a result, there is a concern that the driver M cannot be sufficiently awakened.

  In the inside air circulation mode, air in the passenger compartment is taken in by the air conditioner 20 and passes through an evaporator (not shown) provided in the air conditioner 20. In such a state, when scented awakening air is ejected from the scent ejection unit 142, the scent component contained in the awakening air may adhere to the surface of the evaporator. In this case, there is a concern that the scent component adhering to the surface of the evaporator may cause a bad odor later.

  Therefore, in the drowsiness suppressing device according to the present embodiment, the above-described problem is solved by performing control for injecting wake-up air in cooperation with control of the air conditioner 20. Prior to describing the details of the control, the overall configuration of the drowsiness suppressing device 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The drowsiness suppressing device 10 includes a control device 100 and a notification unit 150 in addition to the camera 11 and the ejection unit 140 described above.

  The control device 100 is a device for controlling the overall operation of the drowsiness suppressing device 10, and is configured as a computer system having a CRU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The control device 100 includes a drowsiness determination unit 110, an injection control unit 120, and an air conditioning control unit 130 as functional control blocks.

  The drowsiness determination unit 110 is a part that determines whether or not the driver M is drowsy by acquiring an image including the face of the driver M from the camera 11 and analyzing the image. In the present embodiment, a CCD camera is used as the camera 11. The sleepiness determination unit 110 acquires an image captured by the camera 11 as electronic data.

  Note that the determination by the drowsiness determination unit 110 may use a device or method different from the above. For example, it is possible to determine whether or not the driver M is drowsy by acquiring the brain wave of the driver M with a sensor and analyzing the brain wave.

  The injection control unit 120 is a part that controls the operation of the injection unit 140. The injection control unit 120 controls low-temperature awakening air injection from the cold air injection unit 141 and injection of scented awakening air from the scent injection unit 142, respectively.

  The air conditioning control unit 130 is a part that controls the operation of the air conditioner 20. The air conditioning control unit 130 controls the operation of the air conditioner 20 by communicating with the air conditioning ECU 200 included in the air conditioner 20.

  The air conditioner 20 is configured as a refrigeration cycle having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator (all not shown), and cools the air by performing heat exchange between the refrigerant passing through the evaporator and the air. I do. The cooled air is blown out into the vehicle compartment from the air outlet 211 or the like as conditioned air. The air conditioning ECU 200 adjusts the amount of conditioned air blown out by changing the rotational speed of a fan provided inside. In addition, the air conditioning ECU 200 adjusts the direction of the conditioned air by performing a process of switching to one of the face mode, the bi-level mode, and the foot mode. Further, the air conditioning ECU 200 also performs a process of switching between the outside air introduction mode and the inside air circulation mode.

  In normal times, the air conditioning ECU 200 controls the operation of the air conditioner 20 independently of the drowsiness suppressing apparatus 10. However, when a control signal is sent from the air conditioning control unit 130, the operating state of the air conditioner 20 is changed based on the control signal.

  It may replace with such an aspect and the aspect which the air conditioning control part 130 of the control apparatus 100 always controls operation | movement of the air conditioning apparatus 20 may be sufficient. That is, the air conditioning control unit 130 may function as the air conditioning ECU 200.

  The notification unit 150 is a part that notifies the driver M when the air conditioning control unit 130 changes the operating state of the air conditioner 20. In this embodiment, the alerting | reporting part 150 is LED provided in instrument panel IP (refer FIG. 1). Instead of such an embodiment. The notification unit 150 may be a device that emits sound. Moreover, the alerting | reporting part 150 may display a character etc. on the display of a navigation system.

  The specific contents of the processing performed by the control device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The series of processes shown in FIG. 4 is repeatedly executed every time a predetermined control cycle elapses.

  In the first step S01, it is determined whether or not the driver M is drowsy. This process is performed by the drowsiness determination unit 110 as described above. If the driver M is not drowsy, the process of step S01 is repeated. If the driver M is drowsy, the process proceeds to step S02.

  In step S02, notification by the notification unit 150, that is, lighting of the LED is performed. In step S03 following step S02, it is determined whether or not the air conditioner 20 is operating, that is, whether or not the conditioned air is blown into the vehicle interior. If the air conditioner 20 is stopped, the process proceeds to step S08 described later. If the air conditioner 20 is operating, the process proceeds to step S04.

  The air conditioner 20 according to the present embodiment can select at least three of “Air”, which is the largest air amount, “Mid” which is the medium air amount, and “Low” which is the smallest air amount. It has a configuration. In step S04, it is determined whether or not the current air-conditioning air volume is greater than Low. When the air volume is Low, the process proceeds to Step S06 described later. If the air volume is larger than Low, the process proceeds to step S05.

  In step S05, a process of changing the air volume to Low (that is, changing the operating state of the air conditioner 20) is performed. This process is performed when the air conditioning control unit 130 transmits a control signal to the air conditioning ECU 200. In step S06 following step S05, it is determined whether or not the current wind direction mode is the face mode. If the mode is other than the face mode (that is, the bi-level mode or the foot mode), the process proceeds to step S08 described later. If it is the face mode, the process proceeds to step S07.

  In step S07, a process of changing the wind direction mode from the face mode to the bi-level mode (that is, changing the operating state of the air conditioner 20) is performed. Thereby, it will be in the state which the air volume of the air-conditioning wind which faces the driver | operator's M face fell further.

  In step S08 following step S07, a process of injecting low-temperature awakening air from the cold air injection unit 141 is performed. As already described, this process is performed by the injection control unit 120.

  Low-temperature wake-up air is jetted toward the neck of the driver M from the jet port 143 of the cool air jet unit 141. At this time, the air volume of the conditioned air blown from the air conditioner 20 is small (step S05), and the air volume of the conditioned air toward the face of the driver M is further reduced (step S07). For this reason, the awakening air injected from the cold air injection unit 141 reliably reaches the neck of the driver M without being hindered by the flow of the conditioned air. Thereby, the driver | operator M can be awakened reliably.

  When a predetermined time elapses after the process of step S08 is started, the process proceeds to step S09. In step S09, a process for stopping the jetting of the awakening air from the cold air jetting unit 141 is performed. This process is performed by the injection control unit 120. The “predetermined time” in the above is set in advance as a time required for the driver M, who is blown with cold air to the neck, to become awake.

  In step S10 following step S09, processing for returning the state of the air conditioner 20 to the original state (the state when step S03 was performed) is performed. For example, if the air volume is Mid immediately before the transition to Step S04, a process of returning the air volume changed to Low to Mid is performed. Further, for example, when the face mode is set immediately before the transition to step S06, a process of returning the wind direction mode that has been changed to the bi-level mode to the face mode is performed.

  In step S11 subsequent to step S10, a process for terminating the notification by the notification unit 150, that is, the LED is turned off.

  As described above, in the drowsiness suppressing device 10 according to the present embodiment, when the cold air injecting unit 141 injects the awakening air, the awakening air to the driver M is conditioned by the conditioned air blown from the air conditioning device 20. The air conditioning control unit 130 changes the operation state of the air conditioner 20 in advance so that the arrival is not hindered. As a result, the awakening air can surely reach the neck of the driver M.

  Specifically, the air conditioning control unit 130 changes the operation state of the air conditioner 20 so that the air volume of the conditioned air is reduced (step S05). It replaces with such an aspect, and it is good also as the air-conditioning control part 130 changing the operation state of the air conditioner 20 so that blowing of an air-conditioning wind may stop. Thereby, it can prevent more reliably that the arrival of the awakening air to the driver M is hindered by the conditioned air.

  In addition, the air conditioning control unit 130 changes the operating state of the air conditioner 20 so that the direction of the conditioned air changes when the cold air injecting unit 141 injects awakening air. Specifically, by switching to the bi-level mode, the operating state of the air conditioner 20 is changed so that at least a part of the conditioned air is directed to the feet of the driver M (step S07). Instead of such an aspect, a process of switching to the foot mode may be performed in step S07. That is, the process of changing the operating state of the air conditioner 20 may be performed so that the entire conditioned air is directed toward the driver M.

  Further, for example, by controlling the air conditioner 20 so that the direction of the louver provided at the outlet 211 changes, the direction of the conditioned air is changed to a direction not facing the face of the driver M. There may be.

  Only one of the processes in step S05 and step S07 may be executed. For example, only the process of setting the air volume to Low in step S05 may be performed, and the process of leaving the face mode in step S07 may be performed.

  In the present embodiment, the notification to the driver by the notification unit 150 is started in step S02 and is ended in step S11. That is, the alerting | reporting part 150 alert | reports to a driver | operator over the whole period when the cold air injection part 141 injects awakening air. Thus, the notification unit 150 notifies that the air conditioning control unit 130 will change the operation state of the air conditioner 20 from now on.

  Instead of such a mode, for example, the notification to the driver by the notification unit 150 may be performed after the processing of either step S05 or step S07 is performed. In this way, the notification unit 150 may notify that the air conditioning control unit 130 has changed the operation state of the air conditioner 20.

  As a result, the driver M can recognize that the operating state of the air conditioner 20 has been changed by the drowsiness suppressing device 10. As a result, the driver M is prevented from feeling uncomfortable.

  The processes performed after step S11 will be described with reference to FIG. In step S12 following step S11, the sleepiness determination unit 110 determines again whether or not the driver M is drowsy. If the driver M is not drowsy, the process of step S12 is repeated. If the driver M is drowsy, the process proceeds to step S13.

  In step S13, notification by the notification unit 150, that is, lighting of the LED is performed. In step S14 following step S13, it is determined whether or not the air conditioner 20 is operating, that is, whether or not conditioned air is blown into the vehicle interior. If the air conditioner 20 is stopped, the process proceeds to step S21 described later. If the air conditioner 20 is operating, the process proceeds to step S15.

  In step S15, it is determined whether or not the current airflow volume is greater than Low. If the air volume is Low, the process proceeds to Step S17 described later. If the air volume is greater than Low, the process proceeds to step S16.

  In step S16, a process of changing the air volume to Low (that is, changing the operating state of the air conditioner 20) is performed. This process is performed when the air conditioning control unit 130 transmits a control signal to the air conditioning ECU 200. In step S17 following step S16, it is determined whether or not the current wind direction mode is the face mode. When the mode is other than the face mode (that is, the bi-level mode or the foot mode), the process proceeds to step S19 described later. If it is the face mode, the process proceeds to step S18.

  In step S18, a process of changing the wind direction mode from the face mode to the bi-level mode (that is, changing the operating state of the air conditioner 20) is performed. Thereby, it will be in the state which the air volume of the air-conditioning wind which faces the driver | operator's M face fell further.

  In step S19 following step S18, it is determined whether or not the current circulation mode is the inside air circulation mode. If the current circulation mode is not the inside air circulation mode but the outside air introduction mode, the process proceeds to step S21 described later. If the current circulation mode is the inside air circulation mode, the process proceeds to step S20.

  In step S20, processing for switching the circulation mode to the outside air introduction mode (that is, changing the operating state of the air conditioner 20) is performed. This process is performed when the air conditioning control unit 130 transmits a control signal to the air conditioning ECU 200.

  In step S <b> 21 following step S <b> 20, a process of injecting scented awakening air from the scent injection unit 142 is performed. As already described, this process is performed by the injection control unit 120.

  From the injection port 144 of the scent injection unit 142, scented awakening air is injected toward the face of the driver M. At this time, the air volume of the conditioned air blown from the air conditioner 20 is reduced (step S16), and the air volume of the conditioned air toward the face of the driver M is further reduced (step S18). For this reason, the awakening air jetted from the scent jetting unit 142 reliably reaches the face of the driver M without being hindered by the flow of the conditioned air. As a result, the driver M can be reliably awakened.

  The circulation mode of the air conditioner 20 is switched to the outside air introduction mode. For this reason, in the evaporator which the air conditioner 20 has, the scented air in a vehicle interior does not pass, but the fresh air introduced from the outside passes. For this reason, the scent component contained in the awakening air does not adhere to the surface of the evaporator, and the scent component is prevented from causing a bad odor later.

  After a predetermined time has elapsed after the processing in step S21 is started, the process proceeds to step S22. In step S <b> 22, processing for stopping the ejection of awakening air from the scent ejection unit 142 is performed. This process is performed by the injection control unit 120. The “predetermined time” in the above is set in advance as a time required for the driver M, who is blown with scented air, to be awakened.

  In step S23 following step S22, processing for switching the air direction mode of the air conditioner 20 to the face mode and processing for changing the amount of air blown from the air conditioner 20 to Low are performed. This process is performed when the air conditioning control unit 130 transmits a control signal to the air conditioning ECU 200. In the air conditioner 20, the conditioned air is blown out in a state where the wind direction mode is the face mode and the air volume is Low. In addition, when determination in step S14 is No, the air conditioner 20 has stopped operating at the time of execution of step S23. In this case, when the process of step S23 is performed, the blowing of conditioned air from the air conditioner 20 is started. The process of step S23 is performed in order to replace the scented air existing around the driver M (particularly in the vicinity of the face) with fresh air.

  After the process of step S23 is started, when a predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S24. Here, the “predetermined time” is set in advance as a time required until the scented air present in the vicinity of the face of the driver M is replaced with fresh air. It is.

  In step S24, the process which returns the state of the air conditioner 20 to the original state (state when step S14 was performed) is performed. For example, if the air volume is Mid immediately before the transition to Step S15, a process of returning the air volume changed to Low to Mid is performed. Further, for example, when the face mode is set immediately before the transition to step S17, a process of returning the wind direction mode changed to the bi-level mode to the face mode is performed. Further, for example, in the case of the inside air circulation mode immediately before the transition to step S19, processing for returning the circulation mode that has been changed to the outside air introduction mode to the inside air circulation mode is performed. For example, when the air conditioner 20 has stopped in step S14, the process which stops the air conditioner 20 is performed.

  In step S25 following step S24, a process for terminating the notification by the notification unit 150, that is, the LED is turned off.

  As described above, in the drowsiness suppressing device 10 according to the present embodiment, when the scent ejection unit 142 ejects the awakening air, the awakening air to the driver M is conditioned by the conditioned air blown from the air conditioning device 20. The air conditioning control unit 130 changes the operation state of the air conditioner 20 in advance so that the arrival is not hindered. As a result, the awakening air can surely reach the face of the driver M.

  Specifically, the air-conditioning control unit 130 changes the operation state of the air-conditioning apparatus 20 so that the air volume of the air-conditioning air is reduced (step S16). It replaces with such an aspect, and it is good also as the air-conditioning control part 130 changing the operation state of the air conditioner 20 so that blowing of an air-conditioning wind may stop. Thereby, it can prevent more reliably that the arrival of the awakening air to the driver M is hindered by the conditioned air.

  The air conditioning control unit 130 changes the operating state of the air conditioner 20 so that the direction of the conditioned air changes when the scent injection unit 142 ejects the awakening air. Specifically, by switching to the bi-level mode, the operating state of the air conditioner 20 is changed so that at least a part of the conditioned air is directed to the feet of the driver M (step S18). Instead of such an aspect, a process of switching to the foot mode may be performed in step S18. That is, the process of changing the operating state of the air conditioner 20 may be performed so that the entire conditioned air is directed toward the driver M.

  The air conditioning control unit 130 changes the operating state of the air conditioner 20 so that the conditioned air is blown out in the outside air introduction mode when the scent ejection unit 142 ejects the awakening air (step S20). This prevents the scent component from adhering to the evaporator of the air conditioner 20, and prevents the scent component from causing a bad odor later. In addition, since the scented air does not go into the vehicle interior, there is an effect that the scent component is prevented from adhering to the interior material of the vehicle MV.

  The air conditioning control unit 130 controls the air conditioner 20 so that the blowing of the conditioned air in the outside air introduction mode continues for a certain period after the ejection of the awakening air by the scent ejection unit 142 is completed (step S23). Thereby, the scented air existing around the driver M (particularly in the vicinity of the face) can be replaced with fresh air. As a result, it is prevented that the driver M gets used to the scented air and the awakening effect by the scented air is reduced. Moreover, there is an effect that the scent component is prevented from adhering to the interior material of the vehicle MV by discharging the scented air to the outside of the vehicle.

  In step S23, the wind direction mode is switched to the face mode so that the air in the vicinity of the face of the driver M is quickly replaced with fresh air. At this time, the air volume is switched to Low so as not to give the driver M a great sense of incongruity. In step S23, a part of the conditioned air that is blown out may be directed toward the face of the driver M. Specifically, the wind direction mode may be switched to the bi-level mode instead of the face mode.

  Only one or two of these processes in steps S16, S18, and S20 may be executed. For example, only the process of setting the air volume to Low in step S16 may be performed, and the process of leaving the face mode in step S18 may be performed.

  In the present embodiment, the notification to the driver by the notification unit 150 is started in step S13 and is ended in step S25. That is, the notification to the driver by the notification unit 150 is performed over the entire period in which the scent injection unit 142 injects the awakening air. Thus, the notification unit 150 notifies that the air conditioning control unit 130 will change the operation state of the air conditioner 20 from now on.

  Instead of such a mode, for example, the notification to the driver by the notification unit 150 may be performed after any one of the processes of Step S16, Step S18, and Step S20 is performed. In this way, the notification unit 150 may notify that the air conditioning control unit 130 has changed the operation state of the air conditioner 20.

  As a result, the driver M can recognize that the operating state of the air conditioner 20 has been changed by the drowsiness suppressing device 10. As a result, the driver M is prevented from feeling uncomfortable.

  In the drowsiness suppressing device according to the present embodiment, each time it is determined that the driver M has drowsiness, the low temperature awakening air is injected from the cold air injection unit 141, and the scent is supplied from the scent injection unit 142. The awakening air injection is repeated alternately. This prevents the driver M from getting used to the awakening stimulus, so that the driver M can always be awakened reliably.

  However, the awakening air injected from the injection unit 140 may be one type instead of two types as in the present embodiment. That is, the aspect which has only any one of the cold air injection part 141 and the fragrance injection part 142 may be sufficient. Further, the awakening air ejected from the ejecting unit 140 may be air having a normal temperature and no scent.

  In the present embodiment, only when it is determined from the image acquired by the camera 11 that the driver M is drowsy, the process of injecting wake-up air from the injection unit 140 is performed. Instead of such a mode, the driver M who feels drowsy may manually wake up the awakening air from the jetting unit 140 by manually operating a switch (not shown). In this case, in step S01 of FIG. 4, it may be determined that the driver M is drowsy because the switch is operated. The same applies to step S12 in FIG.

  In order for the air-conditioning control unit 130 to change the operating state of the air-conditioning device 20, it is sufficient to change at least the air-conditioning wind direction toward the driver's seat. For this reason, when the conditioned air toward the driver seat and the conditioned air toward the passenger seat can be independently changed, the conditioned air toward the passenger seat may remain constant.

  In this embodiment, the example in case the injection part 140 is arrange | positioned at the back side of the driver's seat ST was demonstrated. The injection unit 140 may be arranged at a position different from the above. For example, the injection part 140 may be arrange | positioned on the ceiling of the compartment.

  A modification of the drowsiness suppressing device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 5, reference numeral DT denotes a door trim of the vehicle MV. Hereinafter, this door trim is referred to as “door trim DT”. In FIG. 5, a reference symbol CC is a center console of the vehicle MV. Hereinafter, this center console is referred to as “center console CC.” In FIG. 5, the symbol CE is attached to the ceiling of the vehicle MV, and in the following, this ceiling is referred to as “ceiling CE”. Is written. In FIG. 5, reference numeral AP is attached to a pillar that supports the ceiling CE of the vehicle MV, and is referred to as a so-called “A pillar”. Hereinafter, this pillar is referred to as “pillar AP”.

  In this modification, the injection unit 140 is not provided near the headrest HR of the driver's seat ST, but is disposed at a position different from the passenger compartment (for example, inside the instrument panel IP). With such a configuration, the injection port 143 for blowing out low-temperature awakening air and the injection port 144 for blowing out scented awakening air can be arranged at arbitrary positions in the vehicle interior. .

  For example, the injection port 143 for blowing out low-temperature awakening air may be disposed on the instrument panel IP (a position denoted by reference numeral C1 in FIG. 5). Similarly, the ejection port 144 for blowing out scented awakening air may be disposed on the instrument panel IP (the position denoted by reference numeral F1 in FIG. 5).

  Further, the injection port 143 for blowing out the low-temperature awakening air may be disposed on the door trim DT (the position denoted by reference numeral C2 in FIG. 5). Similarly, the injection port 144 for blowing out scented awakening air may be disposed on the door trim DT (the position denoted by reference numeral F2 in FIG. 5).

  Moreover, you may arrange | position the injection port 143 for blowing off the low temperature awakening air on the center console CC (position to which the code | symbol C3 was attached | subjected in FIG. 5). Similarly, the ejection port 144 for blowing out scented awakening air may be disposed on the center console CC (a position denoted by reference numeral F3 in FIG. 5).

  Further, the ejection port 144 for blowing out scented awakening air is provided on the ceiling CE (the position indicated by the reference numeral F4 in FIG. 5) or on the pillar AP (the position indicated by the reference numeral F5 in FIG. 5). You may arrange.

  The position where the low-temperature awakening air blown from the injection port 143 hits may be the neck of the driver M as in the embodiment shown in FIG. Good.

  Moreover, the temperature of the low-temperature awakening air blown out from the injection port 143 is preferably 18 ° C. or lower, and the wind speed is preferably 2 m / second or higher. Furthermore, the wind speed of the low-temperature wake-up air that is blown out may be constant, or the wind speed may be varied. These points apply not only to the modified example shown in FIG. 5 but also to the embodiment shown in FIG.

  The present embodiment has been described above with reference to specific examples. However, the present disclosure is not limited to these specific examples. Those in which those skilled in the art appropriately modify the design of these specific examples are also included in the scope of the present disclosure as long as they have the features of the present disclosure. Each element included in each of the specific examples described above and their arrangement, conditions, shape, and the like are not limited to those illustrated, and can be changed as appropriate. Each element included in each of the specific examples described above can be appropriately combined as long as no technical contradiction occurs.

10: Sleepiness control device 20: Air conditioner 120: Injection control unit 130: Air conditioning control unit 140: Injection unit M: Driver MV: Vehicle

Claims (11)

A drowsiness suppressing device (10) provided in a vehicle (MV),
An injecting section (140, 141, 142) for injecting wake-up air toward the driver (M) of the vehicle;
An injection control unit (120) for controlling the operation of the injection unit;
An air conditioning controller (130) for controlling the operation of the air conditioner (20) provided in the vehicle,
When the jetting unit jets the wake-up air, the air-conditioning control unit causes the air-conditioning device to prevent the air-conditioning air blown from the air-conditioning device from preventing the wake-up air from reaching the driver. Drowsiness control device that changes the operating state of the. When the jetting unit jets the awakening air, the air conditioning control unit
The drowsiness suppressing device according to claim 1, wherein an operation state of the air conditioner is changed so that an air volume of the air conditioned air is reduced. When the jetting unit jets the awakening air, the air conditioning control unit
The drowsiness suppressing device according to claim 1, wherein an operation state of the air conditioner is changed so that the blowing of the air conditioned air stops. When the jetting unit jets the awakening air, the air conditioning control unit
The drowsiness suppressing device according to claim 1, wherein an operation state of the air conditioner is changed so that a direction in which the air conditioned air is directed changes. When the jetting unit jets the awakening air, the air conditioning control unit
The sleepiness suppression device according to claim 4, wherein the operation state of the air conditioner is changed so that at least a part of the air conditioned air is directed toward the driver's feet.   The sleepiness suppression device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the awakening air is air having a temperature lower than a temperature in a vehicle interior of the vehicle.   The sleepiness suppression device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the awakening air is scented air. The air conditioner is capable of executing an outside air introduction mode for taking air from outside the vehicle and an inside air circulation mode for taking air from the vehicle interior of the vehicle,
When the jetting unit jets the awakening air, the air conditioning control unit
The drowsiness suppression device according to claim 7, wherein an operation state of the air conditioner is changed so that the air-conditioning air is blown out in the outside air introduction mode. After the ejection of the awakening air by the ejection unit is completed,
The sleepiness control device according to claim 8, wherein the air conditioning control unit controls the air conditioning device so that the blowing of the conditioned air in the outside air introduction mode continues for a certain period. After the ejection of the awakening air by the ejection unit is completed,
The air-conditioning control unit controls the air-conditioning apparatus so that the blowing of the air-conditioned air in the outside air introduction mode continues for a certain period after at least a part of the air-conditioned air is directed toward the driver's face. The drowsiness suppressing device according to claim 8.   11. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a notifying unit (150) for notifying a driver that the air conditioning control unit has changed or will change the operation state of the air conditioner. Drowsiness suppression device.

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