JP2009193353A - Sobriety test device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sobriety test device capable of accurately detecting an alcohol drinking of divers and reducing a burden of the driver during sobriety test. <P>SOLUTION: An amount of steering handled by the driver is detected for the predetermined steering torque imparted to a steering wheel 16 by a steering actuator 12. As the driver in the drinking state concentrates on a preceding vehicle and a presence of a peripheral obstacle because of conscious of the drinking, the driver tends to have a decrease in response to the disturbance. Therefore, detecting the amount of steering of the driver for the steering toque (disturbance), and determining the drinking state on the basis of the detected amount of steering can absolutely acquire the behavior of the driver when drinking to accurately detect the drinking of the driver. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a drinking detection apparatus.

Conventionally, in order to prevent drunk driving, a technique is known in which an engine is stopped by remote operation when drinking is detected. For example, the remote management control system described in Patent Document 1 checks the alcohol concentration of the driver's breath, and warns the driver if the alcohol concentration exceeds a certain value. When the driver does not respond to the warning, the engine is stopped by remote operation.
JP 2004-148950 A

  However, as in the prior art described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, a drinking detection method that requires an operation of blowing exhalation to a detection sensor or blowing into a mouthpiece or the like is not hygienic and preferable. It was a mental burden on the driver. In addition, a technique for detecting drinking by analyzing a biological signal or the like is also known, but a non-contact type or a light contact type detection method has insufficient detection accuracy and may be erroneously detected.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and can detect the drinking of the driver with high accuracy and can reduce the burden on the driver when detecting the drinking. An object is to provide an apparatus.

  A drinking detection apparatus according to the present invention includes a control amount providing unit that applies a predetermined control amount to control the rotation of the steering wheel, an operation detection unit that detects an operation performed by the driver on the control amount, and an operation detection And a drinking level determination unit that determines whether or not the driver is in a drinking state based on the operation of the driver detected by the unit.

  In such a drinking detection apparatus, an operation amount operated by the driver is detected with respect to a predetermined control amount applied to the steering wheel by the control amount applying means. Here, there is a finding that drunk drivers tend to be less responsive to disturbance because they concentrate on the presence of preceding cars and surrounding obstacles from the awareness that they are drinking . Therefore, by detecting the driver's operation amount (reaction) with respect to the control amount (disturbance) and determining the drinking state based on the detected operation amount, it is possible to reliably capture the behavior of the driver at the time of drinking. It is possible to accurately detect the driver's drinking. In addition, drinking can be detected without placing a burden on the driver, such as blowing his breath regularly. Furthermore, the countermeasures regarding the impersonation of the driver, which are necessary for the conventional apparatus, are also unnecessary.

  The drinking level determination means preferably determines that the driver is in a drinking state when the operation amount of the operation detected by the operation detection means is not more than a predetermined threshold. Thus, when the driver's operation amount with respect to the predetermined control amount is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold value, it is determined that the driver is in a drunk state, so that the driver's drinking can be suitably detected.

  Further, the operation detection means has a steering operation amount acquisition means for acquiring the driver's steering operation amount with respect to the control amount, and the drinking state determination means is based on the steering operation amount acquired by the steering operation amount acquisition means. It is preferable to determine whether or not the driver is in a drinking state. Thereby, since the determination of the drinking level is performed based on the driver's steering operation amount with respect to the predetermined control amount, the driver's drinking can be suitably detected.

  Further, the operation detection means has a brake operation amount acquisition means for acquiring the driver's brake operation amount with respect to the control amount, and the drinking level determination means is based on the brake operation amount acquired by the brake operation amount acquisition means. It is preferable to determine whether or not the driver is in a drinking state. Thereby, since the determination of the drinking level is performed based on the driver's braking operation amount with respect to the predetermined control amount, the driver's drinking can be suitably detected.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, while being able to detect a driver | operator's drinking accurately, the burden of the driver | operator at the time of drinking detection can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a drinking detection apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted. FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram illustrating a drinking detection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  A drunk detection apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 is mounted on a vehicle and detects a driver's drinking state by detecting a driver's reaction to a disturbance. Specifically, in this drinking detection device 1, a predetermined control amount is applied to turn the steering wheel, and the driver's drinking state is detected based on the driver's operation with respect to the turning of the steering wheel.

  The drinking detection apparatus 1 includes an ECU 2 that controls the operation of the apparatus. The ECU 2 includes a steering angle sensor 4, a brake sensor 6, an alcohol detection sensor 8, a vehicle speed sensor 10, a steering actuator 12, and an actuation unit 14 electrically. It is connected to the.

  The steering angle sensor 4 is a sensor that detects the steering angle θ of the steering wheel 16 input by the driver. The steering angle sensor 4 detects the steering angle θ, for example, by detecting the rotation angle (steering angle) of the steering shaft. The steering angle sensor 4 transmits the detected steering angle θ to the ECU 2 as steering angle information.

  The steering angle sensor 4 functions as steering operation amount acquisition means (operation detection means) of the present invention for acquiring the driver's steering operation amount. The steering operation means only needs to be able to detect the driver's steering operation amount. For example, the steering operation amount of the driver is based on signals from the actual steering angle sensor, steering force sensor, steering sensor, and brake ECU. May be detected.

  The brake sensor 6 is a sensor that detects a brake operation amount D of the brake pedal 18. The brake sensor 6 transmits the detected brake operation amount D to the ECU 2 as brake operation amount information.

  The brake sensor 6 functions as brake operation amount acquisition means (operation detection means) of the present invention for acquiring the driver's brake operation amount. The brake operation amount acquisition means only needs to be able to detect the driver's brake operation amount. For example, based on signals from the master cylinder pressure sensor, the wheel cylinder pressure sensor, and the brake ECU, the driver's brake operation amount May be detected. The brake sensor 6 transmits the acquired brake operation amount to the ECU 2 as brake operation amount information.

  The alcohol detection sensor 8 is a sensor that detects the alcohol concentration of the driver. The alcohol detection sensor 8 is, for example, a semiconductor sensor, detects an alcohol component contained in sweat sweated from the palm by contacting the palm of the driver, and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the concentration of the alcohol component. To do. The alcohol detection sensor 8 transmits an alcohol concentration detection signal to the ECU 2.

  The vehicle speed sensor 10 is a sensor that detects a vehicle speed. For example, the vehicle speed sensor 10 detects the vehicle speed by detecting the rotational speed of a wheel. The vehicle speed sensor 10 transmits the detected vehicle speed signal to the ECU 2.

  The steering actuator 12 is applied according to a control amount signal from the ECU 2 to apply a predetermined steering torque to the steering wheel 16 via the shaft. The predetermined steering torque is, for example, such that the driver can recognize the rotation of the steering wheel 16 and does not affect safe driving. The steering actuator 12 and the ECU 2 function as a control amount providing unit of the present invention that controls the rotation of the steering wheel 16.

  The actuation unit 14 is a processing unit that executes a drunk driving prevention process based on an instruction from the ECU 2. The actuating unit 14 is a drunk driving prevention process such as a warning / warning process for warning / warning the driver by voice or video, an interlock process for preventing the vehicle from running, an engine output control process, an emergency stop process, etc. Perform the process. In the present embodiment, a warning / attention calling process is performed as the drunk driving prevention process.

  The ECU 2 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that performs arithmetic processing, a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory) serving as a storage unit, an input signal circuit, an output signal circuit, a power supply circuit, and the like.

  In the ECU 2, the alcohol concentration determination unit 20, the vehicle speed determination unit 22, the control amount provision instruction unit 24, the drinking level determination unit 26, and the actuation instruction unit 28 are configured by executing a program stored in the storage unit. .

  The alcohol concentration determination unit 20 allows the driver to drink alcohol by comparing the driver's alcohol concentration information detected by the alcohol detection sensor 8 with a predetermined threshold that can detect that there is a possibility of drinking. Judge whether there is sex. When the alcohol concentration determination unit 20 determines that the alcohol concentration exceeds the threshold value, the alcohol concentration determination unit 20 outputs drinking information indicating that the driver may drink alcohol to the vehicle speed determination unit 22.

The vehicle speed determination unit 22 determines whether or not the vehicle is traveling at a predetermined speed based on the vehicle speed signal detected by the vehicle speed sensor 10. Vehicle speed determining unit 22 receives the drinking information from the alcohol concentration determination unit 20 determines whether the vehicle has sustained T seconds a constant speed V _c. Alternatively, the vehicle speed determination unit 22 determines whether or not the vehicle speed V is within a range of predetermined vehicle speeds V _L1 and V _L2 (V _L1 <V <V _L2 ). That is, it is determined whether or not the vehicle is in a traveling state. The vehicle speed determination unit 22 outputs control start information indicating the start of the control instruction to the control amount provision instruction unit 24 when either one of the above conditions is satisfied. The predetermined vehicle speed V _L1, V _L2, for example experiment, a preset value based on experience and the like, is determinable value that is immediately after or immediately before stop start.

  When receiving the control start information from the vehicle speed determination unit 22, the control amount application instruction unit 24 transmits control amount information for applying a predetermined control amount (steering torque) to the steering actuator 12.

The drinking level determination unit 26 determines the driver based on the operation angle information detected by the steering angle sensor 4 or the brake operation amount information detected by the brake sensor 6 with respect to the steering torque applied by the steering actuator 12. Determine the drinking status. When the steering angle θ is equal to or _smaller than the predetermined steering angle θ _c (θ <θ _c ) with respect to the applied steering torque, the drinking level determination unit 26 considers that there is no response to the steering torque and is in the drinking state. Is determined. Alternatively, the drinking level determination unit 26 considers that there is no response to the steering torque when the brake operation amount D is equal to or less than a predetermined brake operation amount D _c (D <D _c ) with respect to the applied steering torque. It is determined that the person is drinking. The drinking state determination unit 26 outputs the operation instruction information to the actuation instruction unit 28 when either one of the above conditions is satisfied. The drinking level determination unit 26 functions as a drinking level determination unit of the present invention. The predetermined steering angle theta _c and the brake operating amount D _c, for example experiment, a preset value based on experience and the like, is determinable value that the driver is drunk driving.

  When the operation instruction unit 28 receives the operation instruction information from the drinking level determination unit 26, the actuation instruction unit 28 transmits an actuation instruction to the actuation unit 14 so as to execute, for example, a warning / warning.

  Next, operation | movement of the drinking detection apparatus 1 comprised in this way is demonstrated. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure executed by the drinking detection apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the alcohol detection sensor 8 measures the driver's alcohol concentration (S1). Then, the detected alcohol concentration is compared with a threshold value capable of detecting the possibility of drinking (S2), and if the alcohol concentration is equal to or higher than the threshold value, the process proceeds to step S3. On the other hand, if the alcohol concentration is equal to or lower than a threshold that allows detection of the possibility of drinking, the process is terminated.

Next, whether the vehicle has sustained a vehicle speed _{V c} T seconds, or the vehicle speed V is equal to or within the range of _V L1 <V _{<V L2} is determined (S3). When the vehicle speed Vc is _maintained for T seconds or when the vehicle speed V is within the range of V _L1 <V <V _L2 , the process proceeds to step S4. On the other hand, the vehicle speed _{V c} is not sustained T seconds, or when the vehicle speed V is not within the scope of _V L1 <V _{<V L2,} the process ends.

Subsequently, a steering torque (control amount) is applied to the steering wheel 16 (S4). Then, the steering angle θ or the brake operation amount D with respect to the applied steering torque is detected (S5). Thereafter, whether or not the detected steering angle θ is equal to or less than a predetermined steering angle θ _c (θ <θ _c ), or whether the brake operation amount D is equal to or less than a predetermined brake operation amount D _c (D <D _c ). It is judged (S6), and the detected steering angle θ is equal to or less than a predetermined steering angle θ _c (θ <θ _c ), or the brake operation amount D is equal to or less than the predetermined brake operation amount D _c (D <D _c ). In some cases, actuation is performed (S7). On the other hand, when it is determined that the detected steering angle θ is less than or equal to the predetermined steering angle θ _c (θ <θ _c ), or the brake operation amount D is not less than or equal to the predetermined brake operation amount D _c (D <D _c ). Then, the process ends.

  In such a drinking detection device 1, when the alcohol detection sensor 8 detects the alcohol concentration of the driver and it is determined that there is a possibility of a drinking state, steering torque is applied to the threaring wheel 16. . Then, with respect to the steering torque applied to the steering wheel 16, the steering angle θ at which the driver operated the steering wheel 16 or the brake operation amount D of the brake pedal 18 is detected to further determine the drinking state. A driver in a drunk state concentrates on the presence of a preceding vehicle and surrounding obstacles from the consciousness that he / she is drunk, and therefore tends to have a low response to disturbance. Therefore, the driver's steering angle θ with respect to the steering torque or the brake operation amount D is detected, and the drinking state is determined based on each detected operation amount, so that the behavior of the driver at the time of drinking is ensured. Can be caught. Therefore, the determination result of the alcohol detection sensor 8 is supported by the determination result of the drinking detection device, so that the driver's drinking can be accurately detected.

  In addition, since the detection of drinking is determined by normal driving behavior, it is possible to detect drinking without placing a burden of blowing the driver regularly. Furthermore, the countermeasures related to the impersonation of the driver, which are necessary for the conventional apparatus, become unnecessary.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was concretely demonstrated based on the embodiment, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment. In the above embodiment, the steering angle sensor 4 and the brake sensor 6 are exemplified as the operation detecting means. However, it is only necessary that the operation performed by the driver with respect to the control amount can be detected. You may determine a drinking state based on the attenuation amount of an opening degree.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, after detecting the possibility of drinking using the alcohol detection sensor 8, the drinking torque is determined by giving a steering torque, but even if the determination using the alcohol detection sensor 8 is not performed. Good.

It is a block block diagram which shows the drinking detection apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure performed with the drinking detection apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Drinking detection apparatus, 2 ... ECU (control amount provision means), 4 ... Steering angle sensor (steering operation amount acquisition means, operation detection means), 6 ... Brake sensor (brake operation amount acquisition means, operation detection means), 12 ... Steering actuator (control amount giving means), 16 ... Steering wheel, 26 ... Drinking state determination unit (drinking state determination means).

Claims (4)

A control amount applying means for applying a predetermined control amount and controlling the rotation of the steering wheel;
Operation detecting means for detecting an operation performed by the driver with respect to the control amount;
Based on the driver's operation detected by the operation detection means, a drinking state determination means for determining whether or not the driver is in a drinking state;
A drinking detection apparatus comprising:   2. The drinking state determining means determines that the driver is in a drinking state when the operation amount of the operation detected by the operation detecting means is not more than a predetermined threshold value. Drinking detection device. The operation detection means includes a steering operation amount acquisition means for acquiring a steering operation amount of the driver with respect to the control amount,
3. The drinking according to claim 1, wherein the drinking level determination means determines whether or not the driver is in a drinking state based on a steering operation amount acquired by a steering operation amount acquisition unit. Detection device. The operation detection means includes a brake operation amount acquisition means for acquiring a brake operation amount of the driver with respect to the control amount,
The said drinking level determination means determines whether the said driver | operator is in a drinking state based on the brake operation amount acquired by the said brake operation amount acquisition means, Any one of Claims 1-3 characterized by the above-mentioned. A drinking detection apparatus according to claim 1.

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