JP2010061596A - Awakening device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an awakening device capable of instantaneously making a driver of a vehicle, a freight car or the like return to a wakeful state by automatically detecting a dangerous state when the driver becomes sleepy and dashing water in the face and head of the driver. <P>SOLUTION: When the driver becomes sleepy while driving an automobile, water stored in a water tank 12 is powerfully jetted from a jetting nozzle 18 to the face and head of the driver. Thus, since not only the driver instantaneously awakens but also the clothes of the upper half body are turned into a wet state, the driver does not become sleepy again in a short time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a device for forcibly awakening a driver with an emergency measure when a driver driving a car is attacked by a sleeper and an accident is likely to occur.

  In the modern automobile society, there are many traffic accidents, especially rear-end collisions. There are a lot of accidents caused by lack of sleep or fatigue caused by a driver's instantaneous sleep, rear-end collisions or side effects, or rear-end collisions that occur when not concentrating on driving. Reducing these traffic accidents as much as possible is a modern proposition.

When measuring the distance between the vehicle in front of the vehicle and the vehicle ahead, when the degree of approach exceeds a preset value and enters the danger zone, or when the camera image goes over the center line Alarm display (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-192999), alarm sound (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-309958), seat vibration (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-108848), alarm by heating / cooling air (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-290499, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-50888, special As for the system that emits Kaihei 9-173458) and the use of a fragrance for awakening (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-310054), etc., practical application studies have progressed, and some have been put into practical use.
JP 2006-192999 A JP 2004-290499 A

  However, these measures are not always able to wake up instantaneously when attacked by a sleeper. For this reason, it is the most reliable method to notify the danger situation sensibly, and this practical application has been a problem.

    As described above, many methods for informing the driver of the degree of danger have been devised as described above, but they have not yet fully exhibited their awakening functions. The present invention provides an awakening device having a function of awakening surely and instantaneously by putting high-pressure water on a driver's face and head. More specifically, a water discharge tank for discharging water using high-pressure gas from the nozzle toward the driver's face and head, a valve drive circuit for controlling a water discharge opening / closing valve provided in the nozzle, and a vehicle A wake-up device for a motor vehicle driver comprising a driving state monitoring circuit for monitoring the abnormal driving state of the vehicle and a control circuit for operating the valve driving circuit by determining an output signal from the monitoring circuit It is.

  When driving, falling asleep at the moment of sleepiness often induces major traffic accidents. A method for awakening instantaneously immediately before the occurrence of a danger and maintaining normal driving without being attacked by a sleeper again after waking up is the most appropriate awakening method by applying water to the driver's face and head. In addition, wearing clothes with water is not comfortable and will not be attacked by sleepiness. It is possible for the driver to wake up most reliably and maintain the wakeful state for a long time.

  High-pressure air is stored in a high-pressure air tank with a small compressor using the engine rotation of the automobile, and directly connected to the water tank via a solenoid valve. One of the water tanks is connected to a water injection nozzle fixed at the upper front of the driver, and a warning signal is issued from the danger signal generation circuit when there is a risk of rear-end collision or when the vehicle crosses the center line. In this case, the above-described solenoid valve is operated, and the water in the water tank is sprayed from the water jet nozzle onto the face and head of the driver by the air pressure of the high-pressure air tank, so that the driver is awakened instantaneously.

    Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a wake-up device, which is a feature of the present invention, will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the present invention, in which 1 is a front distance sensor, 2 is a front measurement circuit, and 3 is a risk analysis circuit. Reference numeral 4 is a monitor camera for monitoring the front center line and the like, and 5 is an identification circuit for identifying whether or not the vehicle is in a normal operation state. 8 is a timer circuit, and 9 is a valve drive circuit. In response to a command signal from the risk analysis circuit 3, the valve drive circuit 9 is operated for a time preset by the timer circuit 8.

  Reference numeral 10 denotes an electromagnetic valve, which is operated only for a time during which the valve drive circuit 9 is operated, and puts the connected piping line into an ON state, that is, a conductive state. 11 is a compressor which stores high-pressure air, and 12 is a water tank. 21 is a driver, 18 is a water injection nozzle, and 20 is a pressure regulator. While the electromagnetic valve 10 is operating, the water in the water tank 12 pushed out by the high-pressure air of the compressor 11 is the pressure regulator 20. The water is sprayed and injected from the water spray nozzle 18 toward the face and head of the driver 21 with the pressure adjusted in step (b). Reference numeral 13 denotes a water supply port, and reference numeral 14 denotes a cap of the water tank 12. Reference numerals 15, 16, 17 and 22 are pipes connecting the constituent devices. The above is an important component of the present invention.

  FIG. 2 shows a state in which the awakening device of the present invention is installed as seen from the driver side of the right steering wheel. In the figure, reference numeral 19 denotes a compressor driving belt, which rotates the compressor 11 serving as a high-pressure air source from engine rotation. FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail view of the water tank 12 of FIG. 2, and the water tank 12 is provided with a water supply port 13 and a cap 14. FIG. 4 is a front view of a vehicle equipped with the awakening device of the present invention, and shows a state in which the front distance sensor 1 and the camera 4 are attached to the forefront. In the figure, 21 is a driver and 31 is a vehicle body. FIGS. 2 and 4 both show a state where water is injected from the water injection nozzle 18 toward the driver's face and head when the operation is abnormal.

  The ratio of rear-end collisions or lane departures in traffic accidents is high. The cause of the accident is that the driver is not concentrating on driving such as snoozing driving and side-by-side driving. Many proposals have been made regarding the awakening function for a driver's sleep, but only a part has been put into practical use. The present invention provides a wake-up device that brings a driver to a mental state that can concentrate on driving with a simple mechanism and does not cause repeated drowsiness. With respect to rear-end collision, there may be a rear-end collision with a car ahead or due to sleepiness. A frontal collision generally occurs when an oncoming lane is entered beyond the center line.

  The functions shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 are used when there is a high possibility of a rear-end collision with the car ahead due to sudden sleepiness, and when the vehicle deviates from the lane and crosses the center line into the opposite lane or enters the sidewalk It shows a function for awakening the driver immediately before and an arrangement of components that make the function work. An example is given below for detailed explanation. The distance from the vehicle running ahead is detected by the front distance sensor 1 and transmitted to the front measurement circuit 2 to constantly measure the inter-vehicle distance. A distance signal from the vehicle ahead of the front measurement circuit 2 is continuously transmitted to the risk analysis circuit 3. When the distance from the preceding vehicle falls within a preset distance S from the preceding vehicle and the distance approach degree y from the preceding vehicle per unit time Δt exceeds the allowable approach value z, the risk analysis circuit 3 In order to urge the driver to wake up, a signal is sent to the timer circuit 8, and the electromagnetic valve 10 is operated by the time valve driving circuit 9 set by the timer circuit 8. That is, the valve is opened for the time set by the timer circuit 8 and the water stored in the water tank 12 by the high-pressure air of the compressor 11 is supplied from the water injection nozzle 18 by the water pressure set by the pressure regulator 20. The water is sprayed into the driver's face and head. As a result, the driver not only wakes up reliably, but also the upper part of the upper body clothes is in a water retaining state, so the possibility that sleepiness will occur again in a short time becomes extremely low. Since the driver is forced to stop in the parking area for cleaning the interior of the water injected from the water injection nozzle 18 or changing clothes, the driver can park and sleep in a safe place.

  The camera 4 monitoring the front monitors the center line and the sidewalk line in the traveling direction, and transmits the camera image to the identification circuit 5. The identification circuit 5 constantly checks whether the running vehicle is in the pedestrian line including the center line and the guard for the sidewalk. Transmit the signal to convey. The risk analysis circuit 3 determines whether or not the traveling speed exceeds a predetermined set value A (km / h), and the center line or pedestrian at a speed exceeding A (km / h). When the line is exceeded, an output signal is transmitted to the timer circuit 8, and water is sprayed from the water spray nozzle 18 toward the driver's face and head in the same manner as in the rear-end collision avoidance to wake up the driver.

  FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a state in which water is sprayed toward the face and head of the driver in danger. 2, 4, and 8 show a state where there is one water injection nozzle, reference numeral 23 shown in FIG. 9 denotes a water injection nozzle. By providing a plurality of water injection nozzles, a driver can be surely provided. It is possible to awaken. Although the above description shows the state in which water is injected from the water injection nozzles 18 and 23 toward the driver 21, a cover is attached so that the injection nozzle cannot be directly seen in the normal state, or at the rear part of the sun visor. The function of setting and moving these covers or sun visors to cause water injection in the event of abnormal operation can be easily considered, but since this is within the scope of the main purpose of the present invention, it will not be described here.

  As described above, the wake-up device according to the present invention provides a device that can wake up the driver surely and instantaneously, and can operate normally without being attacked by a sleeper after the wake-up device is activated. To do.

  A second embodiment of the awakening device provided by the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the first embodiment, the awakening device of the present invention is shown in detail in a state where the waking device of the present invention is provided in advance in the vehicle body. However, in the second embodiment, the waking device of the present invention is made into a kit and attached to an existing vehicle. It is aimed at. For this reason, there is no difference in basic functions compared to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the function of the kit of the present invention. In the figure, 50 is an awakening device kit, 51 is a front distance sensor, 52 is a camera, and 54 and 55 are connectors for connecting these sensors and the awakening device set 50. 57 is a front measurement circuit, and 58 is an identification circuit, which have the same functions as the front measurement circuit 2 and the identification circuit 5 described in the first embodiment. Similarly, 60 is a risk analysis circuit, 61 is a timer circuit, 62 is a valve drive circuit, 63 is an electromagnetic valve, 64 is a water tank, 65 is a small high-pressure cylinder, 66 is a water supply cap, 67 is a port for supplying high-pressure air, Reference numeral 68 denotes an injection connection port. 70 is a power plug, and 71 is a power connector for supplying electricity for driving the awakening device 50. 73 is a pressure regulator, 69 is a water injection nozzle, and 82 to 87 are pipes that connect components between the small high pressure cylinder 65 and the water injection nozzle 69. The gas stored in the small high-pressure cylinder is air or non-toxic and non-flammable.

  These functions have the same functions as the risk analysis circuit 3, the timer circuit 8, the valve drive circuit 9, the electromagnetic valve 10, and the water tank 12 described in the first embodiment. FIG. 6 shows a state in which the kit device is attached to the vehicle body, and functionally corresponds to the function shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is an enlarged detailed view of a kit portion. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 72 denotes a holding bracket for fixing the small high-pressure cylinder 65. 6 and 7, the power plug 70 is depicted in a suspended state, but this is connected to the power supply unit of the vehicle body and serves as a driving power source for the awakening kit 50.

  The kit of the awakening device of the present invention shown in the second embodiment is devised for the purpose of being attached to an existing automobile, and can be easily attached to an existing freight vehicle that frequently travels at night. Setting is possible even in a small car, and it can be awakened by responding quickly to an emergency in a side-by-side driving and jetting water to the driver.

  Conventional awakening devices can temporarily awaken a driver's sleep. However, when driving for a long time, the body's reaction gradually becomes dull in the temporary awakening due to light, sound, vibration, odor, gum, drinks, etc., and the effect of the awakening function gradually decreases. Although it is possible to take the driver out of drowsiness by providing these conventional awakening functions in combination, the mechanism becomes complicated and the installation cost effectiveness is greatly deteriorated. The device according to the invention has the great feature that the sprayed water wets not only the face and head but also the outerwear and underwear. The wet underwear will not let the driver feel sleepy for a long period of time, enters the parking area, and must change the underwear while the vehicle is stopped. For this reason, it is possible to reliably keep the awake state up to the parking area.

  Regarding the functions of this device, the features of the present invention have been described so far in terms of preventing accidents leading to driver's sleep or careless driving, but the present invention also demonstrates its functions for accident prevention driving of elderly people. To do. As humans become older, their attention, reflex function, and instantaneous power decrease, and the number of cases leading to the occurrence of accidents increases. In addition, since the sensitivity to light, sound, odor and the like also decreases with age, it is difficult to wake up instantaneously in a vehicle equipped with these as wake-up functions. In addition, even for a driver who has a physical disability with respect to light and sound, the device of the present invention has a feature that can instantly awaken and reliably detect danger regarding drowsiness, side effects, rear-end collision danger, and the like.

  As described above, as soon as the device according to the present invention senses that the driver has fallen into the above state, the driver is surely awakened by spraying high-pressure water onto the driver's face and head. In addition, since the awake state can be maintained for a long time, it is possible to surely reduce traffic accidents caused by the driver's sleep or driving aside.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of this invention. It is the state figure which installed the awakening apparatus of this invention in the driver | operator side of the right steering wheel. It is the figure which expanded and detailed the water tank part shown in FIG. It is a front view of the car which attached the awakening device of the present invention. The function when the device of the present invention is made into a kit is shown in a block diagram. It shows a state in which the device as a kit is attached to a vehicle body. FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail view of a kit. It is an enlarged detailed view of a state where water is sprayed on the driver's face and head. It is an enlarged detail drawing of the state which is also injecting water.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Front distance sensor 2 Front measurement circuit 3 Risk analysis circuit 4 Surveillance camera 5 Identification circuit 8 Timer circuit 9 Valve drive circuit 10 Electromagnetic valve 11 Compressor 12 Water tank 13 Water supply port 14 Cap 15-17, 22 Piping which connects components DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 18 Water injection nozzle 19 Compressor drive belt 20 Pressure regulator 21 Driver 31 Car body 50 Awakening device kit 51 Front distance sensor 52 Camera 57 Front measurement circuit 58 Identification circuit 60 Risk analysis circuit 61 Timer circuit 62 Valve drive circuit 63 Electromagnetic valve 64 Water tank 65 Small high-pressure cylinder 66 Water supply port cap 69 Water injection nozzle 70 Power plug 72 Holding bracket 73 Pressure regulator 82 to 87 Piping for connecting components

Claims (4)

  A water discharge tank for discharging water from the nozzle to the driver's face and head using high-pressure gas, a valve drive circuit for controlling a water discharge opening / closing valve provided on the nozzle, and an abnormal running state of the vehicle An awakening device for an automobile driver comprising a running state monitoring circuit for monitoring the vehicle and a control circuit for operating the valve drive circuit by determining an output signal from the monitoring circuit.     A sensor that measures the distance between the vehicles, a calculation circuit that calculates the rear-end collision time from the distance between the vehicles and the speed of the vehicle, and generates a danger signal when the calculated value reaches a preset danger level The awakening device for a motor vehicle driver according to claim 1, further comprising a danger signal generation circuit.     A camera that monitors the center line during driving and a danger signal generation circuit that detects a deviation of the vehicle from the center line and generates a danger signal when the detection signal exceeds a preset danger level. 2. A wake-up device for a motor vehicle driver according to claim 1. A water discharge tank for discharging water from the nozzle toward the driver's face and head using a high pressure gas tank, a valve drive circuit for controlling a water discharge opening / closing valve provided in the nozzle, and an abnormal running state of the vehicle 2. A wake-up device for a motor vehicle driver according to claim 1, wherein a running state monitoring circuit for monitoring the vehicle and a control circuit for operating the valve drive circuit by determining an output signal from the circuit are made into a kit.

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