JP2001213190A - Vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric vehicle with improved safety in running. SOLUTION: This vehicle is provided with a control means driving a motor based on the instructions of an accelerator and a voice generation means outputting a voice indicating running motion on as to operate the voice generation means when a detection sensor detects the contact of a user by providing the detection sensor detesting the contact with a handle on the handle steering a steering wheel.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle, such as an electric three-wheeled vehicle, an electric wheelchair, an electric vehicle, or the like, which runs by driving a driving device by a user's operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional vehicle is disclosed in, for example,
As disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 5444, for example, when a body of a wheelchair is provided with a voice synthesis speaker that emits a voice for recognizing an action during traveling and a horn to operate a wheelchair such as an elderly person who cannot speak loudly It is configured to improve the safety during traveling by loudspeaking with a voice from a speaker or issuing a warning by horn when there is danger. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, when the user performs a wheelchair operation, a running state corresponding to the operation is emitted from a voice synthesis speaker.

However, with the above-described configuration, when the operation for traveling is performed, the traveling state is reported by voice at the same time, and the operation is always reported at the same time as the traveling operation is performed.

[0004] Therefore, since the sound is emitted at the same time as the start of the driving operation, the user can start the driving without listening to the sound. For example, if the user sets the traveling direction incorrectly, the user may move forward. Then, there is a problem that the driver may move backward in a recognized state, which is a sudden start for the user and is very dangerous.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle with improved safety during traveling.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle body on which a user can ride, a driving device provided on the vehicle body for driving driving wheels, and a driving force of the driving device. An accelerator for instructing, a control unit for outputting a drive signal for driving the driving device based on the instruction of the accelerator, and a sound generating unit for outputting a sound indicating a running operation, and Detection means for detecting
Since the control means starts the output of the sound generation means by the detection of the detection means, first, when the user gets on, the detection means detects the boarding, and the set traveling state Announce by voice by means of voice generation. Then, the traveling is started by the operation of the accelerator.

According to a second aspect of the present invention,
A steering wheel for steering a steered wheel is provided in the vicinity of the accelerator, and the detecting means is provided on the accelerator, so that when the user gets on the vehicle, the user first operates the steering wheel before operating the accelerator. The detection means detects the grip and the grip of the steering wheel, and at that time, the voice generation means emits a voice such as "Go forward". Then, traveling is started by the accelerator operation.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the detection means is provided at a position of the handle opposite to the position at which the accelerator is provided. Also, the detection means detects when it is pressed forward by the user's hand, and emits a sound.

Further, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the detecting means is constituted by a pressure-sensitive sensor. Therefore, when the user touches the steering wheel when the user gets on the vehicle, the sensor is touched by the pressure-sensitive sensor. The sound pressure is detected when the sound is generated.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a traveling direction changeover switch for switching a traveling direction, wherein the voice generating means operates continuously when at least the traveling direction changeover switch is set to the reverse side. Therefore, the traveling direction changeover switch is set to reverse, and when the steering wheel is squeezed, a voice such as "reverse" is output by the voice generating means. Then, even when the vehicle is running by the operation of the accelerator, the sound does not stop, and the sound such as "reverse" is repeated continuously.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the control means does not accept the operation of the accelerator unless the detection means detects the user's entry, so that the control means does not get on. When the accelerator is operated or the accelerator is accidentally touched, the accelerator operation is not accepted and the vehicle does not start.

Further, according to the configuration of claim 7, the control means, when the detection means detects the user's entry and the time during which the accelerator operation is not performed reaches a predetermined time,
Since the operation of the voice utterance means is stopped, even if a state where the accelerator is not operated while riding the vehicle, such as waiting for a signal or stopping for a long time, no sound is continuously generated, and a predetermined The sound stops after a lapse of time.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, taking an electric tricycle as an example.

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of the electric tricycle of the embodiment as viewed from the front, FIG. 2 is a front view showing a steering wheel, a display panel, and an accelerator lever, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the embodiment. is there.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a vehicle body of an electric tricycle provided with driving wheels (rear wheels) 2 driven by a motor on both sides of a rear portion and one front wheel 3 at a front portion. 3
And a handle 5 whose both sides are bent in a U-shape is attached to the upper end of the handle shaft, and between the front wheel 3 and the rear wheel 2 when a user gets on the vehicle. A floor portion 6 for placing a foot is provided, and a cover 7 for storing a battery, a motor, and the like is provided behind the floor portion 6, and a seat 8 for a user to ride on is mounted thereon. ing.

Reference numeral 9 denotes detection means, which is provided at a position of the grip portion 5a of the handle 5 opposite to an accelerator 12 to be described later and detects a user's contact with or gripping of the handle 5, that is, a detection sensor. The sensor 9 is formed of a pressure-sensitive switch, and outputs a signal when the user touches the handle 5.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a display panel provided at the center of the steering wheel 5 for displaying the remaining amount of the battery, the traveling speed, the forward / reverse movement, etc. The display panel 10 has a traveling direction changeover switch 10a for switching the forward / reverse direction. And a power switch 11 for turning on / off the power.
And a built-in voice speaker (not shown) for outputting a running state by voice before starting running.

Numeral 12 denotes an accelerator lever which is connected by a shaft and operates integrally. The accelerator lever 12 is attached to both sides of the display panel 10. When the accelerator lever 12 is pressed from above, the advance indicated by the traveling direction switch 10b is performed. And travels at a speed corresponding to the amount by which the accelerator lever 12 is pressed.

Next, a control circuit according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

Reference numeral 20 denotes a microcomputer (hereinafter, abbreviated as "microcomputer") which constitutes control means. The microcomputer 20 receives, as inputs, the power switch 11 and the traveling direction changeover switch 10a in conjunction with the accelerator lever 12. Signals from a potentiometer 14 for detecting the operation amount, a motor speed detection circuit 16 for detecting the rotation speed of the motor 15, and a detection sensor 9 for detecting contact or gripping of the handle 5 by the user are input. The outputs include a signal for controlling a motor drive circuit 17 for driving the motor 15, a signal for controlling an electromagnetic brake drive circuit 19 for driving an electromagnetic brake 18, and an audio circuit 25 for emitting audio from an audio speaker 26. Signal, the display panel 10
A signal or the like for controlling the display drive circuit 20 for driving is output. The signals for controlling the motor drive circuit 17 include a normal motor drive signal for controlling the rotation speed of the motor 15, a power generation braking signal for performing power generation braking by the motor 15, and a forward / reverse rotation of the motor 15. There is a motor forward / reverse signal that switches between

The power switch 11 is connected to a battery 21
When the power switch 11 is turned on, the relay coil 22 connected to the power switch 11 is excited, and the power relay switch 23 is turned on. When the power relay switch 12 is turned on, the power from the battery 21 can be supplied to the motor 15, and the microcomputer 20, the traveling direction switch 10 b, and the potentiometer 14 of the accelerator lever 12 are supplied with, for example, 5 VDC. The power of the battery 21 is supplied to a power supply circuit 24 that supplies a constant voltage.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention having the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the power switch 11 is turned on,
When the power relay switch 23 is turned on, this flowchart operates. First, the detection sensor 9 provided on the handle 5 detects whether or not the user touches the handle 5 (S1). At this time, if the driver does not hold the steering wheel 5, it is determined that the vehicle is not running and the steering wheel 5
Does not proceed from S1 to the next step until is detected.
When the handle 5 is gripped, the traveling direction switch 10a
Is in the forward direction (S2), and if it is forward, the counter measures the time since the start of gripping of the steering wheel 5 is detected (S3). And "I'm going forward"
Is announced (S4), and it is confirmed whether or not the accelerator 12 is operated (S5).

When the accelerator 12 is operated, the value of the counter for measuring the passage of time is cleared (S
6) Stop the sound (S7) and perform travel control (S7).
8). In this travel control, the microcomputer 20 outputs a motor drive signal so as to travel at a speed corresponding to the operation amount of the accelerator 12.

If the state in which the accelerator 12 is not operated in S5 continues for a long time, for example, 30 seconds (S5).
9) The utterance of the voice is stopped (S10), and the process returns to S1 for detecting whether or not the steering wheel 5 is held.

When the steering wheel 5 is gripped and the traveling direction changeover switch 10a is in the reverse direction (S2), the time from when the start of gripping of the steering wheel 5 is detected is measured by a counter (S11). Then, an announcement of "reverse" is made (S12), and it is confirmed whether or not the accelerator 12 has been operated (S13).

When the accelerator 12 is operated, the value of the counter for measuring the passage of time is cleared (S1).
4) Run control is performed (S15). In this travel control, the microcomputer 20 outputs a motor drive signal so as to travel at a speed corresponding to the operation amount of the accelerator 12.

If the state in which the accelerator 12 is not operated in S13 continues for a long time, for example, 30 seconds (S13).
16) The utterance of the voice is stopped (S17), and the process returns to S1 for detecting whether the steering wheel 5 is held.

As described above, in the present invention, the detection sensor 9 for detecting the grip of the handle 5 is provided on the grip 5a of the handle 5, but the invention is not limited to this, and the user can sit on the seat 8 on which the user sits. Detection sensor 9 for detecting that
A detection sensor 9 such as an optical sensor for detecting that the user has crossed the floor section 6 may be provided to detect that the user is in use operation and to output a voice.

In this embodiment, a motor is used as the driving device. However, a driving device such as an engine may be used without being limited to the motor.

Further, in this embodiment, the embodiment is described for an electric tricycle, but the present invention may be applied to any vehicle such as a golf cart and an electric car.

As described above, since the sound is generated by the detection of the detection sensor 9 for detecting the ride of the user, the running state can be notified by the voice before the start of the driving operation. Can surely hear the voice before entering the traveling operation. Therefore, even if there is an error in the setting of the traveling direction or the like, it is possible to confirm in advance and to travel safely.

Further, a detection sensor 9 is provided on the handle 5,
Since the sound is generated by the detection of the detection sensor 9, the running state can be notified by voice before starting the operation of the running, and the user can surely hear the sound before starting the running operation. Therefore, even if there is an error in the setting of the traveling direction or the like, it is possible to confirm in advance, and it is possible to travel safely.

Further, since the handle 5 is provided at a position opposite to the position where the accelerator 12 is provided, it is possible to detect a grip on the handle at a portion which the handle 5 always has before operating the accelerator 12. Since the sound can be produced by squeezing, the safety is improved.

Further, the detection sensor 9 is composed of a pressure-sensitive sensor, and can improve safety with a simple configuration.

When the traveling direction changeover switch 10a is set to the reverse side, a voice is uttered continuously, and during the backward traveling, the voice of "reverse" is continuously output, which is safe.

If the detection sensor 9 does not detect the user's contact with the accelerator 5, the operation of the accelerator 12 will not be accepted even if the accelerator 12 is operated. If touched, the operation of the accelerator will not be accepted and will not start, so it is safe.

Further, when the detection sensor 9 detects the contact of the user with the accelerator 12 and the time during which the accelerator operation is not performed reaches a predetermined time, no sound is produced. Even if the state where the accelerator 12 is not operated while holding the handle 5 is continued, no sound is continuously generated, so that unpleasant sounds are not heard while improving safety.

[0039]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a vehicle body on which a user can ride, a motor provided on the vehicle body for driving driving wheels by a battery, and an accelerator for instructing the driving force of the motor are provided. Control means for outputting a drive signal for driving the motor based on the instruction of the accelerator,
Sound generating means for outputting a sound indicating the traveling operation,
Detecting means for detecting the user getting on the vehicle body is provided, and the control means starts output of the voice generating means by detection of the detecting means. Since the vehicle is notified by voice before starting traveling, it is possible to notify the traveling state by voice before starting the traveling operation, and the user can surely hear the voice before entering the traveling operation. Even if there is an error in the setting of the driving direction, etc., it can be confirmed in advance,
It has effects such as being able to run safely.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a steering wheel for steering a steered wheel is provided in the vicinity of the accelerator, and the detecting means is provided on the steering wheel. Since it can be detected and generated before entering the traveling, the traveling state can be notified by voice, and the user can surely hear the voice before entering the traveling operation, so the traveling direction Even if there is an error in the setting, etc., it is possible to check in advance, and it is possible to achieve an effect that the vehicle can travel safely.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the detecting means is provided at a position of the handle opposite to a position at which the accelerator is provided. A grip on the steering wheel can be detected by a part that is always held, and a voice can be uttered by the grip, so that effects such as improvement in safety can be achieved.

Further, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the detecting means is constituted by a pressure-sensitive sensor, there is an effect that the safety can be improved with a simple configuration. .

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a traveling direction changeover switch for switching a traveling direction, and the voice generating means operates continuously at least when the traveling direction changeover switch is set to the reverse side. Since the sound is continuously output during the reverse traveling in which it is difficult for the surrounding people to confirm the traveling direction, there is an effect such as safety.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the control means does not accept the operation of the accelerator unless the detection sensor detects the contact of the user with the accelerator. When the accelerator is operated without holding the steering wheel or when the accelerator is accidentally touched, the operation of the accelerator is not accepted and the vehicle does not start, so that the effect such as safety can be obtained.

Further, according to the configuration of claim 7, the control means is configured to detect when the detecting means detects that the user gets on the vehicle and the time during which the accelerator operation is not performed reaches a predetermined time.
Since the operation of the voice uttering means is stopped, even if a state where the accelerator is not operated while holding the steering wheel, such as waiting for a signal or stopping for a long time, no sound is continuously generated. In addition, since an unpleasant sound is not heard while improving safety, it is possible to improve the usability.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of an electric tricycle showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the handle, a display panel, and an accelerator lever.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the control circuit.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of the control circuit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 Battery 2 Drive wheel 15 Motor 12 Accelerator 3 Steering wheel 20 Control means (microcomputer) 26 Sound generation means (speaker) 9 Detecting means (detection sensor) 10a Traveling direction switch

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) B60Q 5/00 620 B60Q 5/00 620A 630 630E 670 670D B62D 1/04 B62D 1/04 B62J 39/00 B62J 39/00 JF B62K 5/04 B62K 5/04 BF term (reference) 3D011 AA03 AD01 AD11 AD18 3D030 DB13 DB15 DB17 3D037 EA01 EA07 EA08 EB01 EB03 EB16 EB25 EC05 FA23 FA24 FA26 FA27 FB09 5H115 PA08 PG06 QI07 QN02 QN12 SJ12 TB01 TO01 TO21 TO30 TZ07 UB07 UI15

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A vehicle body on which a user can ride, a driving device provided on the vehicle body for driving driving wheels, an accelerator for instructing a driving force of the driving device, and the driving device based on an instruction of the accelerator. Control means for outputting a drive signal for driving; and sound generation means for outputting sound indicating a traveling operation, and detection means for detecting a user's entry into the vehicle body, wherein the control means A vehicle, wherein the output of the voice generating means is started by the detection of the means. 2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a steering wheel for steering a steered wheel is provided near the accelerator, and the detecting means is provided on the accelerator. 3. The vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the detection means is provided at a position of the handle opposite to a position at which the accelerator is provided. 4. The vehicle according to claim 2, wherein said detecting means comprises a pressure sensor. 5. The vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a traveling direction changeover switch for switching a traveling direction, wherein the voice generating means operates continuously when at least the traveling direction changeover switch is set to the reverse side. Vehicle. 6. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the control unit does not accept the operation of the accelerator unless the detection unit detects the ride of the user. 7. The control means stops the operation of the voice utterance means when the detection means detects a ride of the user and when a time during which the accelerator operation is not performed reaches a predetermined time. The vehicle according to claim 1, which performs the following.