JP2000016168A - Deceleration display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a deceleration display device and its driving circuit whereby it is possible to display deceleration by brakes as well as decelerations caused otherwise and indicate distinctly the size of the deceleration. SOLUTION: A deceleration display device is configured with a deceleration meter and a displaying means 18 to light up the display region corresponding to the size of deceleration sensed, wherein the displaying means has a support and a plurality of light emitting elements installed on the support, and part of these elements are arranged in such a way as casting light toward a specic direction while the remaining ones arranged in such a way as casting light in different directions from the specific, and the beams of light emitted by the later named group of elements are deflected toward the specific direction. A driving circuit for this display device comprises a deceleration sensing part to convert the deceleration sensed by the meter into a voltage signal corresponding to the size of deceleration, a switching element to be put under on-off control in accordance with the given voltage signal, and light emitting element connected with the switching element and emitting light when it is on.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a deceleration display, and more particularly, to displaying a deceleration of a vehicle during driving on a display such as a light so that a driver of a following vehicle can decelerate the preceding vehicle. (In addition, a deceleration display driving circuit).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 12 is a view showing a conventional brake light of an automobile. As shown in FIG. 12, on the back of the automobile 10, there is a brake light 12 (also called a stop light) that lights up when a brake is depressed. The brake lights include those integrated with a vehicle width light that indicates the width of the vehicle, and those mounted at another place (for example, a spoiler 14, a room, on a roof, or the like). In any case, when the brake is depressed, the driver of the succeeding vehicle is informed that the brake is depressed (that is, deceleration occurs), and a warning is given so that a collision does not occur.

The light is displayed by increasing the brightness of the light or turning on the light that has been turned off to change the light intensity.

[0004]

As described above, in the prior art, the light is turned on only when the brake is depressed, that is, the brake is not depressed, but for some reason ( For example, when the vehicle decelerates due to an engine braking operation or a breakdown or accident, the light is not turned on, so the driver of the following vehicle may miss the deceleration or be late in noticing, leading to an accident. Met.

Also, since the display for deceleration by the brake is based on a change in light intensity (including lighting), it is difficult to visually judge the magnitude of deceleration, and it is also easy to cause an accident. .

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to display not only deceleration by a brake but also other decelerations,
An object of the present invention is to provide a deceleration indicator for visually displaying the magnitude of deceleration clearly.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a deceleration display drive circuit suitable for a deceleration display of the type described above.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a deceleration meter for detecting deceleration and a display area corresponding to the magnitude of deceleration detected by the deceleration meter. And a display means for turning on the light.

The present invention further provides a deceleration indicator having a deceleration meter for detecting deceleration and display means for lighting a display area corresponding to the magnitude of the deceleration detected by the deceleration meter. The display means has a support and a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged on the support, and some of the plurality of light-emitting elements are arranged to emit light in a specific direction. The remaining portions of the plurality of light emitting elements are arranged to emit light in a direction different from the specific direction, and light emitted from the light emitting element directed in the different direction is the specific light. The deceleration display is characterized by being deflected so as to be directed in the direction of.

[0010] The present invention further drives a deceleration indicator having a deceleration meter for detecting deceleration and display means for lighting a display area corresponding to the magnitude of the deceleration detected by the deceleration meter. A deceleration detector driving circuit for converting the deceleration detected by the deceleration meter into a voltage signal corresponding to the magnitude of the deceleration, and turning on in response to the voltage signal of the deceleration detector. .Using a deceleration display driving circuit, comprising: a switching element that is controlled to be turned off; and a light emitting element that is connected to the switching element and emits light when the switching element is on. It is.

[0011]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a rear view of an automobile for explaining how to display an indicator used in the present invention. In FIG. 1, an indicator 18 is disposed on a spoiler 14 on the back of the automobile 10, and the indicator 18 has a plurality of areas 20.
a to 20d (four regions in the illustrated example) are composed of a plurality of lights (which may include brake lights). One area may be lit by one light or a plurality of lights. FIG. 1 shows, as a representative example, that the deceleration is displayed in four areas (20a to 20d) according to the size. The minimal region 20a corresponds to the smallest deceleration, the small region 20b corresponds to the next smallest deceleration, the middle region 20c corresponds to the moderate deceleration, and the large region 20d corresponds to the largest deceleration. It is lit.

FIG. 2 is a graph conceptually showing the relationship between the deceleration and the lighting area of the light among the display methods used in the present invention. In FIG. 2, the horizontal axis represents the deceleration, and the vertical axis represents the lighting area. FIG. 2a shows that the lighting area of the light increases from 0 to 100% depending on the magnitude of the deceleration. FIG. 2B shows that the light is lit with a small area even without deceleration, and the lit area increases when deceleration occurs. FIG. 2c shows that the light is not turned on until the deceleration reaches a certain value, and when the light exceeds the value, the light is turned on, and thereafter, the area increases according to the deceleration. In FIG.
Although the increase in the lighting area is conceptually drawn as a straight line, specifically, it is a stepwise increase.

Next, as described above, according to the deceleration,
It will be described whether changing the lighting area is more effective in preventing rear-end collision than ordinary lighting. FIG.
FIG. 4 and FIG. 4 are diagrams for explaining a phenomenon in which a driver of a following vehicle recognizes that a preceding vehicle approaches.

The driver of the succeeding vehicle is greatly affected by a change in the angle (see FIG. 3 where θ changes to θ ′) when the change in distance from the preceding vehicle 10 is viewed with the left and right eyes, and when the preceding vehicle approaches. (In FIG. 4, θ is θ ′
), Thereby recognizing the contraction between the vehicles.

In the present invention, utilizing the phenomenon that the front vehicle 10 looks large when the distance between the vehicles is reduced as in the latter case,
When the driver steps on the brakes, applies the engine brake, or decelerates due to some kind of accident or breakdown, the lighting area of the light (brake lamp) increases in response to the magnitude of the deceleration, It makes the following vehicle appear as if it is approaching more closely, prompts the driver of the following vehicle to recognize early that the preceding vehicle is decelerating, and warns of a possible approach to the preceding vehicle immediately afterwards. .

Next, the change in the lighting area will be described in more detail. 5 and 6 are conceptual diagrams for explaining changes in the lighting area. FIG. 5 shows a one-dimensional system for changing the length in the horizontal direction. Deceleration indicator 18 '
Means that as the deceleration becomes minimum or maximum, the lighting area becomes 2
Change from 0a 'to 20e'. FIG. 6 shows a two-dimensional system for increasing the lighting area in the vertical direction in addition to the horizontal direction. The deceleration display 18 "changes the lighting area from 20a" to 20e "as the deceleration becomes minimum or maximum. A two-dimensional effect is more preferable because it is more effective.

Next, the deceleration measuring means used in the present invention will be described. Note that the measuring means described below is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited thereto. 7 and 8 show deceleration (acceleration), respectively.
FIG. 7 shows a weight type decelerometer using gravity, and FIG. 8 shows a weight type decelerator using a spring.

Referring to FIG. 7, a deceleration meter 30 includes a support shaft 34.
And a sensor 36 for detecting a deceleration at a value corresponding to the deceleration from the motion of the weight 32 which rotates when the deceleration occurs. In FIG. 8, a deceleration meter 40 includes a weight 42 supported between two springs 44, 44, and a deceleration from the movement of the weight 42, which moves laterally with respect to the spring when deceleration occurs. And a sensor 46 for detecting the deceleration with a value corresponding to.

Next, the arrangement of individual light emitting elements when the lighting area is changed according to the deceleration will be described. FIG. 9 is a view for explaining a case where the lighting area is changed in the horizontal direction, as described with reference to FIG. 5, in which FIG. 9a is a front view of the display, and FIG. 9b is FIG. 9a. It is sectional drawing which followed the line XX of FIG.

In FIG. 9, the display 50 has a center indicator 50 a, a left indicator 50 b, and a right indicator 50 c, and these indicators 50 a to 50 c are arranged on a support 52. As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 8b, for example, a light emitting element 54 such as an LED is disposed at the position of the central indicator light. However, the leftmost light emitting element is directed to emit light in the left direction, and the rightmost light emitting element is provided to emit light in the right direction. Prisms 56b and 56c are disposed at positions corresponding to the left indicator light 50b and the right indicator light 50c on both sides of the light emitting element, and the light emitted from the leftmost or rightmost light emitting element is prisms 56b and 56c, respectively. The light is totally reflected, changes its direction at right angles, and faces forward. Note that a mirror can be used instead of the prism.

FIG. 10 illustrates, as described in connection with FIG.
FIG. 10A is a diagram for explaining a case where the lighting area is changed not only in the horizontal direction but also in the vertical direction. FIG. 10A is a front view of the display device, and FIG. 10B is a diagram along the line Y-Y in FIG. 10c is a cross-sectional view, FIG. 10c is a cross-sectional view along line BB of FIG. 10a, and FIG. 10d is at lines AA, BB, CC, DD of FIG. 10a, respectively. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view mainly showing a light-emitting element.

As is apparent from FIGS. 10A and 10D, a number of light emitting elements 64 constituting the light are arranged in a row substantially horizontally on the support 62 facing the front, left and right sides. The lens 66 occupies substantially the same area as the support 62 and surrounds the light 64.
Are arranged with respect to the support 62. The lens 66 has a portion where the upper and lower end surfaces and the left and right end surfaces are formed at an angle of approximately 45 ° with respect to the light emission direction of the light, and constitutes a total reflection surface for light. For this reason, light directed up, down, left, and right with respect to the front is deflected at approximately 90 °, that is, at a right angle on the total reflection surface, and directed toward the front.

The configuration described above with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10 is preferable because the arrangement of the light emitting elements can be made much more compact than the lighting area. Of course, the light emitting elements may be individually arranged so as to face the front within the lighting area.

Next, a circuit suitable for use in the display of the present invention will be described. FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram of the display. The display of the illustrated embodiment shows three stages of deceleration (small, medium, large) as an example. The display 100 mainly includes four blocks 100A to 100D.
It is a deceleration detecting section, and blocks 100B, 100C, 1
00D is a small, medium, and large deceleration display section, respectively. The small deceleration display section 100B is lit at the time of small deceleration, and is continuously lit at the time of medium and large deceleration, and the middle deceleration display section 100C is at the time of medium deceleration. The light is turned on, and the light is continuously turned on when a large deceleration occurs, and the large deceleration indicator is turned on only when the large deceleration is performed.

The deceleration detecting section 100A includes, in its circuit,
Main elements include a Zener diode ZD1, a photodiode (hereinafter, referred to as a light emitting diode) D1 as a light emitting element, and a phototransistor (hereinafter, referred to as light receiving transistor) Q1 as a light receiving element. In addition, you may use the waveform shaping circuit A as needed. The connections between the elements are as shown. The Zener diode ZD1 responds to the fluctuation of the power supply voltage VCC.
It is arranged to supply a constant voltage to the light emitting diode D1 and the light receiving transistor Q1. Therefore, the amount of light emitted from the light emitting diode D1 is kept constant.

The light emitting diode D1 and the light receiving transistor Q1 are formed, for example, by a hole (not shown) formed in the weight or weight of the deceleration sensor described with reference to FIGS. The opening area of the region sandwiched between the sensors including the light emitting and light receiving elements is formed so as to increase as the deceleration increases, so that the amount of transmitted light increases.) A photo interrupter is configured together with a filter that changes according to the position. Therefore, as the deceleration increases, the amount of light incident on the light receiving transistor Q1 increases, the current flowing through the light receiving transistor Q1 increases, and the connection point J of the resistor R1 on the light receiving transistor Q1 side.
At which the voltage becomes higher.

The small deceleration display section 100B includes, as main elements, a transistor Q2 as a switching element, four diodes D2 to D5 connected between its collector and a power supply VCC, and a transistor Q3 as a switching element. And four diodes D6 to D9 connected between the collector and the power supply VCC. The emitters of the transistors Q2 and Q3 are grounded,
The base is connected to a connection point J via a resistor. A group consisting of a transistor Q2 and light emitting diodes D2 to D5; a transistor Q3 and light emitting diodes D6 to D5;
Since the group consisting of 9 has the same function, only the former will be described.

The transistor Q2 is turned on or off depending on the level of the potential of the base with respect to the emitter. When the transistor Q2 is turned on, a current flows through the light emitting diodes D2 to D5 connected between the power supply VCC and the collector of the transistor Q2 to emit light, and the light is turned on. When the transistor Q2 is off, no current flows through the light emitting diodes D2 to D5, the light emitting diodes D2 to D5 do not emit light, and the light remains off.

Now, when the vehicle is not decelerating, the light receiving transistor Q1 does not receive the light emitted by the light emitting diode D1.
, No current flows, and the voltage at the junction J is close to zero. As a result, the base potential of the transistor Q2 is almost equal to the emitter potential, and the transistor Q2 is off. Therefore, the diodes D2 to D5 do not emit light.

When a small deceleration occurs in the vehicle for some reason, the light receiving transistor Q1 receives a little light emitted from the light emitting diode D1, and a small current flows through the light receiving transistor Q1. For this reason,
The potential at the connection point J becomes higher, and the base potential of the transistor Q2 becomes higher than the emitter voltage. As a result, the transistor Q2 turns on, the light emitting diodes D2 to D5 emit light, and the light is turned on. .

The middle deceleration display section 100C includes, as main elements, a transistor Q4 as a switching element, three diodes D10 to D12 connected between a collector thereof and a power supply VCC, and an emitter between the emitter thereof and ground. One connected diode D13, a transistor Q5 as a switching element, and three diodes D14 to D1 connected between a collector thereof and a power supply VCC.
6. It has one diode D17 connected between its emitter and ground. The base is connected to the connection point J via a resistor. Since the group consisting of the transistor Q4 and the light emitting diodes D10 to D13 and the group consisting of the transistor Q5 and the light emitting diodes D14 to D17 have the same function, only the former will be described.

The transistor Q4 is turned on or off depending on the level of the potential of the base with respect to the emitter. When the transistor Q4 is turned on, current flows through the light emitting diodes D10 to D12 connected between the power supply VCC and the collector of the transistor Q4 and the light emitting diode D13 connected between the emitter and the ground to emit light. Lights up. When the transistor Q4 is off, no current flows through the light-emitting diodes D10 to D13, the light-emitting diodes do not emit light, and the lights remain off.

In the middle deceleration display section 100C, the emitter of the transistor Q4 is connected to the light emitting diode D
Since 13 exists between the emitter and the ground, the potential is higher by the forward voltage drop, and therefore, the rise in the potential at the connection point J that occurs in the case of small deceleration,
When the base potential of the transistor Q4 rises, the transistor Q4 does not turn on. When there is a rise in the potential corresponding to the middle deceleration, the transistor Q4 turns on, and the light emitting diodes D10 to D13 emit light. The light turns on.

The large deceleration display section 100D includes, as main elements, a transistor Q6 as a switching element, two diodes D18 and D19 connected between the collector and the power supply VCC, and an emitter and the ground. Two connected diodes D20 and D21, a transistor Q7 as a switching element, and two diodes D2 connected between a collector thereof and a power supply VCC.
2, D23, 2 connected between its emitter and ground
It has two diodes D24 and D25. And
The base is connected to a connection point J via a resistor. A group consisting of a transistor Q6 and light emitting diodes D18 to D21; a transistor Q7 and a light emitting diode D2;
Since the group consisting of 2 to D25 has the same function, only the former will be described.

The transistor Q6 is turned on or off depending on the level of the potential of the base with respect to the emitter. When the transistor Q6 is turned on, current flows through the light emitting diodes D18 and D19 connected between the power supply VCC and the collector of the transistor Q6 and the light emitting diodes D20 and D21 connected between the emitter and the ground to emit light. , The light will be lit. When the transistor Q6 is off, the light emitting diodes D18 to D21
No current flows, no light is emitted, and the light remains off.

In the large deceleration display section 100D, the emitter of the transistor Q6 is connected to the light emitting diode D
20, D21 is present between the emitter and ground, the potential is higher by the forward voltage drop of the two diodes, and therefore the connection point J which occurs in the case of small or medium deceleration. In other words, when the base potential of the transistor Q6 rises, the transistor Q6 does not turn on, and the potential corresponding to the large deceleration rises.
The transistor Q6 is turned on, and the light emitting diodes D18 to D18
21 emits light and the light is turned on.

As is apparent from FIG. 11 and the description thereof, this circuit has a relatively simple configuration, and the transistor that turns on and off has an on / off switching function, and is capable of determining the magnitude of deceleration. Is also used. The light emitting element has a function of lighting a light by emitting light, and is also used for generating a reference voltage for determining the magnitude of deceleration (an emitter voltage of a transistor which is a reference voltage for determining ON / OFF). . As a result,
The circuit requires a small number of components, and the cost and size of the device can be reduced.

The description of the circuit of FIG.
This corresponds to the characteristic shown in FIG. 2A, but is changed to the characteristic shown in FIG. 2B and FIG. 2C by appropriately selecting a reference voltage value that determines the on / off switching of the transistor for detecting the deceleration. You can also. Also, the circuit can be modified so that one of these characteristics can be selected.

[0040]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A deceleration indicator is provided which displays other decelerations in addition to deceleration by the brake, and which clearly displays the magnitude of the deceleration. In addition, a deceleration display drive circuit suitable for a deceleration display of the type described above is obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a rear view of an automobile for explaining how to display a deceleration indicator used in the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a graph conceptually showing a relationship between deceleration and a lighting area of a light among display methods used in the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a phenomenon in which a driver of a following vehicle recognizes that a preceding vehicle is approaching;

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a phenomenon in which a driver of a following vehicle recognizes that a preceding vehicle approaches.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a change in a lighting area.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a change in a lighting area.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a deceleration (acceleration) meter suitable for use in the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a deceleration (acceleration) meter suitable for use in the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a view for explaining a case where the lighting area is changed in the horizontal direction as described in relation to FIG. 5, in which FIG. 9a is a front view of the display; 9b
Fig. 9b is a sectional view along the line XX of Fig. 9a.

10 is a diagram for explaining a case where the lighting area is changed in the vertical direction in addition to the horizontal direction. FIG. 10a is a front view of the display, and FIG. 10b is FIG.
FIG. 10c is a cross-sectional view along line Y-Y of FIG.
10a is a cross-sectional view along the line BB of FIG. 10a, and FIG. 10d is the line AA, BB, CC, DD of FIG.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view mainly showing the light-emitting element of FIG.

FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram of a display.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a conventional deceleration display.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 automobile 12 brake light 14 spoiler 18 display 30 decelerator 32 weight 34 support shaft 36 sensor 40 decelerator 42 weight 44 spring 46 sensor 50 display 56b, 56c prism 62 support 66 lens 100 display 100A deceleration detection Section 100B small deceleration display section 100C medium deceleration display section 100D large deceleration display section

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A deceleration indicator comprising: a deceleration meter for detecting a deceleration; and display means for lighting a display area corresponding to the magnitude of the deceleration detected by the deceleration meter. . 2. The deceleration indicator according to claim 1, wherein
The display area in which the display means is turned on is a narrow area when the deceleration is small, and is a wide area as the deceleration is increased. 3. The deceleration display device according to claim 2,
A deceleration display device characterized in that a display area in which the display means is turned on expands in at least one direction according to the magnitude of deceleration. 4. A deceleration display having a deceleration meter for detecting deceleration and display means for lighting a display area corresponding to the magnitude of deceleration detected by the deceleration meter, wherein the display means is: A support, and a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged on the support, and a part of the plurality of light-emitting elements is arranged to emit light in a specific direction; The remaining part of the light emitting element is arranged to emit light in a direction different from the specific direction, and light emitted from the light emitting element directed in the different direction is directed to the specific direction. A deceleration indicator. 5. The deceleration display according to claim 4,
The plurality of light-emitting elements are arranged in a row, a part of the light-emitting elements is arranged to emit light in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the support, and the remaining part of the light-emitting elements is It is arranged to emit light in a direction parallel to the surface of the support, and the light emitted in the parallel direction is deflected so as to be directed in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the support. Deceleration indicator. 6. The deceleration indicator according to claim 5,
A deceleration display, wherein the light emitting elements arranged to emit light in a direction parallel to the surface of the support are light emitting elements at both ends of the light emitting elements arranged in a line. 7. The deceleration display according to claim 4, wherein the light emitted from the light emitting element is deflected by a prism or a mirror. . 8. The deceleration display according to claim 5, wherein
The light emitting element arranged to emit light in a direction parallel to the surface of the support may include a light emitting element that emits light in a direction parallel to the surface of the support, up, down, left and right. Deceleration indicator. 9. The deceleration display according to claim 8, wherein
Light emitted in the up, down, left, and right directions in a direction parallel to the surface of the support is a total reflection formed on the up, down, left, and right end faces of a lens attached to the support so as to surround the light emitting element. A deceleration indicator characterized by being deflected by a surface. 10. A deceleration indicator for driving a deceleration indicator having a deceleration meter for detecting deceleration and display means for lighting a display area corresponding to the magnitude of deceleration detected by the deceleration meter. A speed indicator drive circuit, a deceleration detection unit that converts the deceleration detected by the deceleration meter into a voltage signal corresponding to the magnitude thereof, and on / off controlled in accordance with the voltage signal of the deceleration detection unit. A switching element connected to the switching element, and a light emitting element that emits light when the switching element is turned on. 11. The deceleration display drive circuit according to claim 10, wherein a plurality of said switching elements are provided, and each switching element is turned on in accordance with a different magnitude of a voltage signal of said deceleration detecting section. A deceleration display drive circuit characterized in that it is controlled to be off. 12. The deceleration display driving circuit according to claim 11, wherein a light emitting element connected to the switching element is used for determining a reference voltage at the time of on / off control of the switching element. Characteristic deceleration display drive circuit. 13. The deceleration display drive circuit according to claim 12, wherein the switch element is a transistor,
The light-emitting element is a diode connected between the collector of the transistor and a power supply, or a diode connected between the emitter of the transistor and ground, and the light-emitting element depends on the number of diodes connected between the emitter of the transistor and ground. A deceleration display drive circuit, wherein a reference voltage for on / off control of a transistor is determined. 14. The deceleration display driving circuit according to claim 10, wherein the deceleration detecting unit receives a different amount of light depending on the deceleration, and converts the received light into a voltage signal corresponding to the amount of light. A deceleration display drive circuit characterized by being configured as follows.