JP2001213191A - Vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a user understand a motion such as a running direction and eliminate a harsh grating sound during running to improve the ease of use. 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 a running motion to stop outputting of the voice generation means by accelerator operation. When power supply is turned on, the voice indicating the running motion is outputted by a motion of the voice generation means, and the voice is stopped when the accelerator is operated. When the operation of the accelerator ends due to the atop of running, the voice is generated again.

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 tricycle, an electric wheelchair, a golf cart, or the like, which runs by driving a driving wheel by a motor or an engine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional vehicle is disclosed in, for example,
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5444 (A61G5 / 02), for example, a voice synthesis speaker that emits a voice for recognizing an action during traveling and a horn are provided on the body of a wheelchair, so that elderly people or the like who cannot speak loudly are provided. When operating a wheelchair, the system is configured to improve the safety during traveling by loudspeaking with a sound from a speaker or issuing an alarm 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.

[0003] However, with the above-described configuration, the traveling state is reported at the same time when the traveling operation is performed, and is always reported at the same time as the traveling operation is performed.

[0004] Therefore, since the sound is always emitted at the start of the running operation, the user recognizes the sound as unpleasant during the running, and the usability is deteriorated.

[0005]

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

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a driving device for driving a driving wheel, an accelerator for instructing a driving force of the driving device, and the driving device based on an instruction of the accelerator are provided. Control means for outputting a drive signal for driving the vehicle, and sound generating means for outputting a sound indicating a traveling operation, wherein the control means stops the output of the sound generating means by the accelerator operation. Therefore, when the power is turned on, a sound indicating the traveling operation is output by the operation of the sound generation means, and the sound is stopped when the accelerator is operated. Further, when the operation of the accelerator is terminated due to a stop of traveling or the like, a sound is emitted again. For this reason, before entering the running operation while the vehicle is stopped, the driving operation is always announced by voice, so that the user can understand the operation such as the driving direction and the announcement stops with the operation of the accelerator, so the sound is unpleasant during running. Ease of use is improved without the occurrence of noise.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the sound output by the sound generating means is composed of one unit of words, and the control means controls the one unit by the sound generating means when the accelerator operation is stopped. When the accelerator operation is not performed for a predetermined time or longer, the interval between words and words per unit is widened. Therefore, when the accelerator operation is not performed for a long time, for example, when waiting for a signal, etc. When the vehicle is stopped, the unit frequently announces one unit of words immediately after the vehicle stops, but after a predetermined time elapses, the announcement is made at longer intervals, so that it is annoying to the user and surrounding people. Is not heard, and the usability is improved.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the voice output by the voice generating means is composed of one unit of words, and the control means controls the one unit by the voice generating means when the accelerator operation is stopped. Is repeated continuously, and the interval between words per unit is gradually widened with the lapse of time without the accelerator operation. As described above, when the accelerator operation is not performed for a long time, For example, when the vehicle is stopped at a traffic light or the like, one unit of word is frequently announced continuously immediately after the vehicle stops,
As the time period during which the accelerator is not operated elapses and the announcement is made by gradually widening the interval between words, annoying sounds are not heard by the user or the surrounding people, and the usability is improved.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the control means stops the operation of the sound generating means when the time period during which the accelerator is not operated reaches a predetermined time. Later, when the vehicle is stopped at the same place for a long time, for example, an announcement is frequently made by the sound generation means at first, and then an announcement is made at a wider interval.If the accelerator is not operated for a predetermined time, the announcement is made. Since the operation is stopped, no unpleasant sound is heard by the user or the surrounding people, and the usability is improved.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the control means accepts the operation of the accelerator after the sound generating means outputs one unit of sound, so that the control means performs the accelerator operation in the middle of the first announcement. However, since the accelerator operation is not accepted until the announcement of one unit is completed, the user can surely hear the operation and then start the operation, so the user confirms the direction of travel etc. before starting And improve safety and usability.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a traveling direction changeover switch for switching a traveling direction, wherein the sound generating means operates continuously at least when the traveling direction changeover switch is set to the reverse side. In general, in the case of reverse traveling where it is difficult for the surrounding people to recognize the traveling direction, when the user switches the traveling direction changeover switch to reverse traveling, a sound for notifying the user of the switching content is provided. As one unit of words is emitted repeatedly while the vehicle is traveling backwards, it alerts the surrounding people,
And since the instruction of the accelerator is not accepted until the one unit word of the voice ends, the user starts the reverse traveling after recognizing the reverse traveling direction, so that the safety during the reverse traveling is further improved. improves.

[0012]

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 three-wheeled vehicle provided with driving wheels (rear wheels) 2 which are rotationally driven on both sides by a motor as a driving device, and one front wheel 3 at a front portion.
A handle shaft 4 connected to the front wheel 3 and a handle 5 whose both sides are bent in a U-shape at the upper end of the handle shaft 4 are attached to each other. A floor portion 6 is provided on which a rider puts his / her foot when the user gets on the vehicle. A cover 7 for storing a battery, a motor, and the like is provided behind the floor portion 6 so that a user can ride on the floor. Sheet 8 is attached.

Reference numeral 9 denotes an obstacle sensor provided at a front portion and a rear portion of the vehicle body 1. The obstacle sensor 9 comprises a pressure-sensitive switch.
A signal is output when the obstacle contacts the obstacle sensor, and is not output when the obstacle sensor is separated from the obstacle.

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 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 voice before the start of traveling.

Reference numeral 12 denotes an accelerator lever provided on the left and right sides of the display panel 10 and integrally connected by a shaft. When the accelerator lever 12 is pressed from above, the accelerator lever 12 moves in the traveling direction indicated by the traveling direction switch 10b. The vehicle travels and advances at a speed corresponding to the amount by which the accelerator lever 12 is pressed.

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

Reference numeral 20 denotes a microcomputer (hereinafter abbreviated as "microcomputer") which constitutes a control means. As an input, in addition to the power switch 11 and the traveling direction changeover switch 10a, the microcomputer interlocks 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 an obstacle sensor 9 for detecting an obstacle are input. The output includes 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. A control signal, a signal for controlling the display drive circuit 20 for driving the display panel 10, and the like are 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 includes 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 23 is turned on, the electric 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, a first 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 traveling direction switch 10
It is checked whether or not a is the forward direction (S1). If it is forward, it is determined whether or not the accelerator 12 is operated (S2). If the accelerator 12 is operated, it is determined whether or not the voice is uttered for the first time (S3), and if it is the first time, the utterance of "go forward" is performed (S4). Next, the value of the counter is cleared (S5). When the voice of "Go forward" is completed once, the voice is stopped (S6), and the normal running control is started (S7). At this time, the driving control is not started until the utterance of "Go forward" is completed, and the vehicle cannot be driven until the user confirms the utterance of the sound.

When the traveling direction switch 10a is on the forward side (S1) and the accelerator is not operated (S1).
2) Operate the counter (S8) and count how long the state in which the accelerator 12 is not operated is elapsed. Then, "progress" is uttered (S9), and it is determined whether or not the count of the counter, that is, the state where the accelerator 12 is not operated has passed for a predetermined time, for example, 10 seconds (S10). If the predetermined time (10 seconds) has not elapsed, the sound of "go forward" is continuously output through the routine from S1 to S10 until 10 seconds have elapsed. At this time,
If the accelerator 12 is operated on the way, the process proceeds to the S3 side, once utters "Go forward" (S4), clears the counter (S5), and shifts to traveling control (S7).

When the traveling direction switch 10a is in the forward direction and the accelerator 12 is not operated for a predetermined time (10 seconds), a blank period is inserted in the repetition of one unit of the sound "forward". It is set so that the utterance is made with a wider interval between words than usual (S1).
1). At this time, when the accelerator 12 is operated, the process proceeds to S3, in which "progress" is uttered (S4), and the counter is cleared (S5). However, if the accelerator 12 is not operated, the routine from S1 is repeated until a longer predetermined time, for example, 30 seconds, elapses (S13). After 30 seconds have elapsed, the sound is stopped and the process returns to S1 (S1).
14). Further, if the accelerator is not operated, the counter continues the state in which the predetermined time of 30 seconds has elapsed, so that S1 to S14 are repeated with the sound of S14 stopped. In this state, when the accelerator 12 is operated, the process proceeds from S2 or S12 to S3, in which "progress" is spoken, and the process proceeds to traveling control. In this case, even if the sound is stopped, it is safe to utter and run before starting.

Next, the case where the traveling direction switch 10a is switched to the reverse direction will be described.

When the traveling direction switch 10a is switched to the reverse side (S1), it is determined whether or not the accelerator 12 is operated (S15). If the accelerator 12 is operated, after the utterance of "reverse" (S16), The counter is cleared (S17), and reverse running control is performed (S18).

When the traveling direction changeover switch 10a is on the reverse side and the accelerator 12 is not operated,
It is determined whether or not the accelerator 12 has been operated (S15). If the accelerator 12 has not been operated, the counter is operated (S19).
After the utterance of "go backward" (S20), it is determined whether a predetermined time, for example, 10 seconds, has elapsed (S21). If the predetermined time has not elapsed, repeat S
Return to 1 and repeat the previous judgment. The traveling direction changeover switch 10a is set to the reverse position, and the accelerator 12
After a predetermined time of 10 seconds without operation of
A blank period is inserted in the "backwards" repetition period,
The voice of "go backward" is repeated at a predetermined interval longer than the interval of the initial utterance. At this time, when the accelerator 12 is operated, the process proceeds to S16, in which "reverse" is uttered (S16), the counter is cleared (S17), and the vehicle enters the running control (S18).

If the accelerator 12 is not operated after a longer period of time, for example, 30 seconds, the speech is stopped (S25) and the process is repeated from S1. Then, even if the state in which there is no input of the accelerator 12 continues, the state in which the sound is stopped continues, and the routine continues from S1 to S25. Then, at this time, if there is an input from the accelerator 12,
Proceeding from S15 to S16, the traveling control is performed by uttering "Go backward". At this time, in the case of the reverse, unlike the case of the forward, there is no voice stop (S6) routine.
During reverse travel, the vehicle travels while generating continuously.

FIG. 5 shows a time chart of the voice utterance in the above-mentioned flowchart. In this time chart, the horizontal axis indicates the elapsed time since the power switch 11 was turned on, and one pulse indicates one unit of speech.
In a, the traveling direction changeover switch 10a is in the forward direction,
This is the case where the accelerator 12 is not operated at all. When the predetermined time (10 seconds) elapses, the utterance is repeated at a small interval while a blank period is inserted, and stops after the predetermined time (30 seconds) elapses.

B indicates 10 without the accelerator operation.
A time chart showing a case where an accelerator operation is performed when a predetermined time of seconds elapses and a voice is uttering at a short interval, and utters continuously continuously at first, and a predetermined time (10 seconds)
After a short period of time has elapsed, the voice is uttered at a short interval, and simultaneously with the operation of the accelerator, one voice is uttered, and the utterance of the voice ends.
From this time, the electric tricycle starts running. In the case of c, the accelerator is operated when a predetermined time (30 seconds) elapses and the sound is stopped, and the sound is uttered once with the accelerator operation, and the sound is terminated by the accelerator operation. Is what you do. This time chart is a time chart only for forward travel, but in the case of reverse travel, the utterance of "reverse" is performed simultaneously with the accelerator operation in b and c.

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

First, the power switch 13 is turned on,
When the power relay switch 30 is turned on, this flowchart operates. First, it is checked whether the traveling direction switch 10a is in the forward direction (S1), and if it is forward, it is determined whether the accelerator 12 is operated (S1).
2). If the accelerator 12 is operated, it is determined whether or not the voice is uttered for the first time (S3), and if it is the first time, the utterance of "go forward" is performed (S4). Next, the value of the counter is cleared (S5). When the voice of "Go forward" is completed once, the voice is stopped (S6), and the normal running control is started (S7). At this time, the vehicle does not enter the travel control until the utterance of "Go forward" is completed, so that the vehicle cannot travel until the user confirms the contents of the voice without fail.

When the traveling direction switch 10a is on the forward side (S1) and the accelerator 12 is not operated (S2), the counter is operated to count how much time has elapsed without the accelerator being operated. (S
8). In this counter, the initial value is set to 0,
The number is increased by one as the routine passes (S9). Then, "progress" is uttered (S10), and the blank time is set to the blank time by the time T set in S9 of the previous routine.
If no operation is performed, the sound is repeated until a predetermined time elapses. Therefore, when the operation of the accelerator 12 is not performed,
The utterance is repeated by repeating "forward," and uttered at large intervals as time passes. Then, when a predetermined time, for example, 30 seconds elapses (S13),
The sound stops (S14). In the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, if the accelerator 12 is operated during this time, the process proceeds to S3, and after vocalization, the process proceeds to traveling control.

Next, the case where the traveling direction switch 10a is switched to the reverse side will be described.

When the traveling direction switch 10a is switched to the reverse side (S1), it is determined whether the accelerator 12 has been operated (S15). If the accelerator 12 has been operated, after the utterance of "reverse" (S16), The counter is cleared (S17), and reverse running control is performed (S18).

When the traveling direction switch 10a is on the reverse side (S1) and the accelerator 12 is not operated (S15), the counter is operated to count how much time has elapsed without the accelerator being operated. (S
19). The initial value of this counter is set to 0, and is incremented by 1 as the routine passes (S20). And "I'm going backwards"
(S21), and a blank time is set to S in the previous routine.
A blank period is set for the time T set at 20, and if there is no operation of the accelerator 12, the sound is repeated until a predetermined time, for example, 30 seconds elapses. Therefore, when the accelerator 12 is not operated, the utterance is repeated with "reverse" and uttered with a large interval as time elapses. Then, after a lapse of a predetermined time, for example, 30 seconds (S24), the sound stops (S25).

This embodiment is slightly different from the first embodiment in the utterance method when there is no accelerator operation.
In the present embodiment, the utterance period is made different in two stages, whereas in this embodiment, the utterance interval is gradually changed.

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. However, the present invention may be applied to any vehicle such as a golf cart and an electric car.

As described above, since the voice utterance is stopped by operating the accelerator 12, the voice is uttered when the power is turned on, but is stopped when the accelerator 12 is operated. Further, when the operation of the accelerator 12 is terminated due to a stop of traveling or the like, a sound is again emitted,
When the operation is not performed, the driving operation is always announced by voice, so that the user can understand the operation such as the driving direction, and the announcement stops with the operation of the accelerator, so that there is no harsh sound while driving and the usability is improved. I do.

When the accelerator operation is not performed, the words of one unit are continuously repeated, and when the accelerator operation is not performed for a predetermined time or more, the interval between words per unit is widened. When the accelerator is not operated for a long time while the vehicle is stopped for a long time, one unit of word is announced continuously and frequently immediately after the stop, but after a predetermined time elapses, the interval is extended and the user and surroundings are announced. No jarring sounds can be heard for humans,
Usability is improved.

When the accelerator operation is not performed, one unit of word is continuously repeated, and when the accelerator operation is not performed for a predetermined time or more, the interval between words per unit is gradually widened as time elapses. When the accelerator operation while stopped is not performed for a long time due to waiting for a traffic light or the like, one unit of word is continuously announced frequently immediately after stopping, but after a predetermined time elapses, the interval is gradually widened. The user and the surrounding people do not hear harsh sounds, and the usability is improved.

When the stop time of the accelerator operation reaches a predetermined time, the sound is stopped. Therefore, if the vehicle is stopped at the same place for a long time after traveling, the sound is often frequently started at first. Announces, then announces at longer intervals, and stops the announcement if the accelerator is not operated for a predetermined time, so that the user and surrounding people do not hear harsh sounds, Usability is improved.

Further, since the accelerator operation is accepted after outputting one unit of voice, even if the accelerator operation is performed during the first announcement, the accelerator operation is not performed until the announcement of one unit is completed. Since the reception is not accepted, the user can surely hear the sound, and then perform the start operation, so that the user can check the direction of travel and then start the operation, and the safety is improved and the usability is improved.

Further, when the traveling direction changeover switch 10a is set to the reverse side, a continuous utterance is made. Therefore, in general, when the traveling direction is difficult for the surrounding people to recognize the traveling direction, the user can enter the reverse direction. When the switch is made, the announcement of the reverse travel is repeatedly issued, which alerts the surrounding people, and the instruction of the accelerator is not accepted until the end of one unit of voice, so the user recognizes the reverse travel direction. Since the reverse traveling is started afterwards, the safety during the reverse traveling is further improved.

[0046]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a driving device for driving a driving wheel, an accelerator for instructing a driving force of the driving device, and a driving device for driving the driving device based on the instruction of the accelerator are provided. Control means for outputting a drive signal of, and a sound generating means for outputting a sound indicating the running operation, the control means is characterized by stopping the output of the sound generating means by the accelerator operation, When there is no operation of the accelerator, a sound indicating the running operation is output, and when the accelerator is operated, the sound stops.Therefore, before entering the running operation while the vehicle is stopped, the running operation is always announced by voice and the driving direction etc. In addition, the user can understand the operation of the vehicle, and the announcement stops with the operation of the accelerator.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the voice output by the voice generating means is composed of one unit of words, and the control means controls the one unit by the voice generating means when the accelerator operation is stopped. When the accelerator operation is not performed for a predetermined time or longer, the interval between words and words per unit is widened. Therefore, when the accelerator operation is not performed for a long time, for example, when waiting for a signal, etc. When the vehicle is stopped, the unit frequently announces one unit of words immediately after the vehicle stops, but after a predetermined time elapses, the announcement is made at longer intervals, so that it is annoying to the user and surrounding people. Is not heard, and effects such as improvement in usability are exhibited.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the sound output by the sound generating means is composed of one unit of words, and the control means controls the one unit by the sound generating means when the accelerator operation is stopped. Is repeated continuously, and the interval between words per unit is gradually widened with the lapse of time without the accelerator operation. Therefore, when the accelerator operation is not performed for a long time, for example, waiting for a signal When the vehicle is stopped, immediately announce the words of one unit frequently immediately after the vehicle is stopped, but as the accelerator is not operated, the time interval between words is gradually increased and the announcement is made. This makes it possible to prevent an unpleasant sound from being heard by a person or a surrounding person, and to improve the usability.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the control means stops the operation of the voice generating means when the time during which the accelerator is not operated reaches a predetermined time. After that, if the accelerator is not operated even after a predetermined time has elapsed, the announcement is stopped, so that the user and the surrounding people do not hear unpleasant sounds, thereby improving the usability. .

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the control means accepts the operation of the accelerator after the sound generating means outputs one unit of sound, so that the control means performs the accelerator operation in the middle of the first announcement. However, since the accelerator operation is not accepted until the announcement of one unit is completed, the user can surely hear the operation and then start the operation, so the user confirms the direction of travel etc. before starting This has the effect of improving safety and improving usability.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a traveling direction changeover switch for switching a traveling direction, and the sound generating means operates continuously when at least the traveling direction changeover switch is set to the reverse side. In general, in the case of reverse traveling where it is difficult for the surrounding people to recognize the traveling direction, when the user switches the traveling direction changeover switch to reverse traveling, a sound for notifying the user of the switching content is provided. As one unit of words is emitted repeatedly while the vehicle is traveling backwards, it alerts the surrounding people,
And since the instruction of the accelerator is not accepted until the one unit word of the voice ends, the user starts the reverse traveling after recognizing the reverse traveling direction, so that the safety during the reverse traveling is further improved. It has effects such as improvement.

[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 a first embodiment of the control circuit.

FIG. 5 is a time chart of the first embodiment of the control circuit.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment of the control circuit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 2 drive wheel 15 drive device (motor) 12 accelerator 20 control means (microcomputer) 26 sound generation means (speaker) 10a running direction switch

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A driving device for driving driving wheels, an accelerator for instructing a driving force of the driving device, a control means for outputting a driving signal for driving the driving device based on the instruction of the accelerator, and traveling A vehicle, comprising: a sound generation unit that outputs a sound indicating an operation, wherein the control unit stops the output of the sound generation unit by the accelerator operation. 2. The voice output by the voice generating means is composed of one unit of words, and the control means continuously repeats the one unit of words by the voice generating means when the accelerator operation is stopped. 2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein when the accelerator operation is not performed for a predetermined time or more, the interval between words per unit is widened. 3. The voice output by the voice generating means is composed of one unit of words, and the control means continuously repeats the one unit of words by the voice generating means when the accelerator operation is stopped. 2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the interval between words per unit is gradually widened as time passes without the accelerator operation. 4. The vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the control means stops the operation of the sound generation means when the time during which the accelerator is not operated reaches a predetermined time. 5. The control means according to claim 1, wherein:
The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the operation of the accelerator is received after outputting a unit sound. 6. 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.