JP2014102770A - Inter-vehicular distance alerting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inter-vehicular distance remainder device, which allows a driver in a succeeding vehicle to sensuously and appropriately grasp an inter-vehicular distance to the preceding vehicle by a quantitative visual effect similar to a bar graph display without averting the line of sight from the front viewing field during driving, while no additional component is disposed in the succeeding vehicle, which can alert on an inter-vehicular distance not only at night but in the daytime, and which can appropriately alert even a driver of a vehicle with a high driver seat such as a truck and a bus.SOLUTION: A rear part of an own vehicle 3 is provided with a display device 2a in which a visible length of an alerting part (reflector 8a) that is visually recognized by a driver 5 in the succeeding vehicle 4 varies to expand and shrink like a belt in accordance with an inter-vehicular distance between the own vehicle and the succeeding vehicle. The display device 2a includes the reflector 8a disposed on a rear bumper 7 and a liquid crystal panel 91 covering the reflector 8a, in which at least a part of the liquid crystal panel 91 is changed from opaque to transparent to change the visible length of the reflector 8a, which transmits through the liquid crystal panel 91.

Description

  The present invention relates to an inter-vehicle distance alerting device that displays caution information according to the inter-vehicle distance between a host vehicle and a following vehicle at the rear part of the host vehicle and alerts the driver of the following vehicle to the inter-vehicle distance.

  Obtained from the distance sensor, a distance sensor that measures the distance between the preceding vehicle and the preceding vehicle was installed in the following vehicle as a technology that allows the driver of the following vehicle to recognize the information about the distance between the preceding vehicle and the following vehicle traveling behind it. A method in which information related to the inter-vehicle distance is audibly recognized by voice alarm in the driver's cab of the following vehicle (Patent Document 1), or a method in which an image is displayed and visually recognized in the driver's cab of the following vehicle (Patent Document 2). Etc. are known.

  According to the method of recognizing audibly, a voice alarm may not be heard by the driver depending on the level of in-vehicle noise, and the recognition may be delayed, and the effect may be insufficient in an automobile with low soundproof performance. The method of visually recognizing is irrelevant to the noise in the car, but if a display monitor or flashing device that displays information on the distance between the cars is installed inside or above the instrument panel, the driver will be able to If the line of sight is not moved from the front view to the vicinity of the instrument panel, the inter-vehicle distance information cannot be recognized, and the front confirmation may be insufficient. If information on the distance between the vehicles is displayed on the windshield using a head-up display or the like (Patent Document 3), the problem of confirmation of the front is improved, but there is a possibility of illusion and motion sickness. There is also a possibility that the polarizing film attached to the glass surface partially obstructs the field of view.

  As another method, a plurality of reflectors having different reflection angles for reflecting the headlight light of the following vehicle are arranged in the rear part of the preceding vehicle in order of the reflection angle so that the headlight light of the following vehicle is reflected. There has been known an invention in which a reflector visually recognized by a driver of a following vehicle as light is made different according to the inter-vehicle distance (Patent Document 4). According to the present invention, the driver of the succeeding vehicle visually recognizes the reflector at the rear of the preceding vehicle while driving, and the distance between the preceding vehicle and the preceding vehicle is changed by the change in the position of the reflector that appears to be reflected as the reflected light of the headlight light. Since the distance can be recognized, it is not necessary to shift the line of sight from the front view during driving, and various problems caused by a head-up display and the like do not occur.

JP 2001-216599 A JP-A-10-31800 JP 2006-163501 A JP-A-10-91109

  However, in the present invention, since the reflected light of the headlight of the following vehicle is used, it is effective at night, but does not function during the day when the headlight of the following vehicle is not turned on.

  In addition, each reflector is arranged side by side in the order of the reflection angle, and since the driver of the following vehicle visually recognizes the reflector having the reflection angle corresponding to the inter-vehicle distance, the reflection that the driver visually recognizes according to the change in the inter-vehicle distance. The body changes one after another. That is, a reflector that has been seen shining at a certain inter-vehicle distance becomes invisible when the inter-vehicle distance is shortened or lengthened, and the adjacent reflector appears to shine. For this reason, the driver of the following vehicle can only visually recognize that the position of the shining reflector moves according to the change in the inter-vehicle distance, and can visually recognize it to expand and contract in a belt shape that exhibits a higher alerting power. I can't let you.

  In addition, since the reflection angle of each reflector is set according to the height of the driver's seat when the following vehicle is a passenger car, the height of the driver's seat such as a large truck or bus is higher than that of the passenger car. In the case of a tall vehicle, the appearance of each reflector changes depending on the height of the driver's line of sight, and an appropriate alerting effect may not be obtained.

  The purpose of the present invention, which was created in view of the above circumstances, is to provide the driver of the following vehicle with no additional parts in the following vehicle without changing the distance between the preceding vehicle and the line of sight while driving from the front view. In addition, the quantitative visual effects similar to the bar graph display can be grasped sensuously and appropriately, alerting the distance between vehicles not only at night but also in the daytime, and for drivers of vehicles with high driver seats such as trucks and buses However, the object is to provide an inter-vehicle distance alerting device that can appropriately alert attention.

  According to the present invention created to achieve the above-described object, the inter-vehicle distance warning device that visually alerts the driver about the inter-vehicle distance between the own vehicle and the following vehicle with respect to the following vehicle traveling behind the own vehicle. And a display device that is attached to the rear part of the own vehicle and has a visual length of the alerting portion visually recognized from the succeeding vehicle that expands and contracts according to the distance between the own vehicle and the following vehicle. An inter-vehicle distance warning device is provided.

  The display device includes a display plate attached to the rear portion of the host vehicle along the vehicle width direction, and a cover that is arranged so as to cover the rear of the display plate and changes the visual length of the display plate with respect to the following vehicle, The visual recognition length of the display board changed by the cover may correspond to the visual recognition length of the alerting portion.

  The cover may be formed of a liquid crystal panel, and the viewing length of the display plate that transmits the liquid crystal panel may be changed by changing at least part of the liquid crystal panel from opaque to transparent or from transparent to opaque.

  When the viewing length of the display panel is increased, the liquid crystal panel is transparent from the center of the liquid crystal panel in the vehicle width direction first, and then from the center to the vehicle width of the liquid crystal panel. The left and right direction portions may be sequentially transparent.

  The cover is composed of a shielding plate that is movable along the vehicle width direction with respect to the display plate, and changes the area that covers the display plate by moving the shielding plate, and changes the visible length of the display plate. There may be.

  The shielding plate includes a left shielding plate that covers a left side portion of the display plate in the vehicle width direction and a right shielding plate that covers a right side portion of the display plate in the vehicle width direction. The left shielding plate and the right shielding plate may be moved away from a state where the plate and the right shielding plate are connected to cover the entire display plate.

  The display device may be provided on a rear bumper of the own vehicle, and the display plate may be a reflector.

  Another reflector may be attached to the rear bumper so as to be adjacent to the reflector.

  In addition, according to the present invention created to achieve the above-described object, the inter-vehicle distance alerting system that visually alerts the inter-vehicle distance between the own vehicle and the following vehicle to the following vehicle traveling behind the own vehicle. A measuring device for measuring a distance between the own vehicle and the following vehicle, a reflector or a display plate attached to the rear bumper of the own vehicle along the vehicle width direction, and a reflector; Alternatively, the liquid crystal panel arranged to cover the back of the display board and the liquid crystal panel by changing at least part of the liquid crystal panel from opaque to transparent or from transparent to opaque according to the inter-vehicle distance measured by the measuring device And a control device that controls the visual length of the reflector or the display plate that passes through the vehicle.

  In addition, according to the present invention created to achieve the above-described object, the inter-vehicle distance alerting system that visually alerts the inter-vehicle distance between the own vehicle and the following vehicle to the following vehicle traveling behind the own vehicle. A measuring device for measuring a distance between the own vehicle and the following vehicle, a reflector or a display plate attached to the rear bumper of the own vehicle along the vehicle width direction, and a reflector; Alternatively, the shield plate is disposed so as to cover the rear of the display plate and is movable in the vehicle width direction, and the shield plate is moved by the measuring device according to the inter-vehicle distance, so that the shield plate is a reflector or display plate. And a control device that controls the visual length of the reflector or the display board with respect to the following vehicle.

  Another reflector or display board is attached to the rear bumper next to the reflector or display board in the vehicle width direction, and the other reflector or display board has a shielding plate behind the reflector or display board in the vehicle width direction. It may be arranged behind the shielding plate when it is moved next to the screen so that the shielding plate is hidden behind another reflector or display plate.

  According to the inter-vehicle distance warning device according to the present invention, the driver of the following vehicle does not displace the inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle, without diverting the line of sight during driving from the front view, and without providing any additional parts on the following vehicle, Quantitative visual effects similar to the bar graph display can be grasped sensuously and appropriately, alerting the distance between vehicles not only at night but also in the daytime, and suitable for drivers of vehicles with high driver seats such as trucks and buses Can call attention to.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of the inter-vehicle distance alerting device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, (a) is schematic, (b) is a system diagram, (c) is the attachment position of the display apparatus which is the principal part. It is a perspective view of the track shown. It is explanatory drawing which shows the action | operation of a display apparatus, (a)-(d) is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that the visual recognition length of an alerting | calling part changes according to the distance between vehicles. It is explanatory drawing of the inter-vehicle distance alerting apparatus which concerns on 1st modified embodiment (liquid crystal panel type) of this invention, (a) is a top view of the rear bumper part in which the display apparatus which is a principal part was incorporated, (b) These are the IIIb-IIIb sectional view taken on the line of Fig.3 (a). It is explanatory drawing which shows the action | operation of the said display apparatus, (a)-(d) is a mode that the permeation | transmission part of a liquid crystal panel is controlled according to the distance between vehicles, and a mode that the visual recognition length of the reflector as a warning part changes. Explanatory drawing shown, (e) is explanatory drawing which shows the reflector through which all were permeate | transmitted, and another reflector arrange | positioned next to it. It is explanatory drawing of the inter-vehicle distance alerting apparatus which concerns on 2nd modified embodiment (shielding plate type) of this invention, (a) is a top view of the rear bumper part in which the display apparatus which is a principal part was incorporated, (b) FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a display device. It is explanatory drawing which shows the action | operation of the said display apparatus, (a)-(d) is a mode that the visual recognition length of the reflector as a warning part exposed as a shielding board moves according to the distance between vehicles changes. (E) is explanatory drawing which shows the reflector from which all were exposed, and another reflector arrange | positioned next to it. It is the VII-VII sectional view taken on the line of Fig.6 (a). (A) is the VIIIa-VIIIa sectional view taken on the line of FIG.6 (c), (b) is the VIIIb-VIIIb sectional view taken on the line of FIG.6 (c).

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific numerical values shown in the embodiment are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the invention, and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In the present specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not illustrated. To do.

(Overview of the inter-vehicle distance warning device 1)
The outline | summary of the inter-vehicle distance alerting apparatus 1 which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated using FIG. 1, FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of the inter-vehicle distance alerting device 1, FIG. 1B is a system diagram of the inter-vehicle distance alerting device 1, and FIG. 1C is a main part of the inter-vehicle distance alerting device 1. The perspective view of the own vehicle (truck) 3 which shows the attachment position of the apparatus 2, FIG.2 (a)-FIG.2 (d) are visual recognition length of the alerting part (display board 8) of the display apparatus 2 according to the distance between vehicles. Shows how changes occur.

  As shown in FIG. 1 (a), this inter-vehicle distance alerting device 1 is configured so that the driver 5 of the succeeding vehicle 4 traveling behind the own vehicle (truck) 3 has an inter-vehicle distance between the own vehicle 3 and the succeeding vehicle 4. The visual length of the alerting portion that is visually recognized by the driver 5 of the following vehicle 4 at the rear portion of the own vehicle 3 according to the distance between the own vehicle 3 and the following vehicle 4 Is provided with a display device 2 that expands and contracts in a band shape. The display device 2 is attached to the rear bumper 7 of the host vehicle 3 so as to be included in the range of the front view 6 when the driver 5 of the following vehicle 4 is driving. As shown in FIGS. 2A to 2D, the display device 2 is disposed so as to cover the display board 8 attached to the rear bumper 7 along the vehicle width direction and the rear of the display board 8. And a cover 9 for changing the viewing length of the display board 8 with respect to the driver 5 of the following vehicle 4. The visual recognition length of the display board 8 changed by the cover 9 corresponds to the visual recognition length of the alerting portion.

(Display device 2)
2A to 2D, specifically, a liquid crystal panel is used for the cover 9, and at least a part of the liquid crystal panel is changed from opaque to transparent or from transparent to opaque. By doing so, a liquid crystal display device is conceivable in which the visual length of the display plate 8 transmitting through the liquid crystal panel is expanded and contracted in a band shape. Further, the cover 9 uses a shielding plate that is movable along the vehicle width direction (longitudinal direction, horizontal direction) with respect to the display plate 8, and changes the area that covers the display plate 8 by moving the shielding plate. A mechanical display device that can expand and contract the visual length of the display board 8 is also conceivable. The detailed structure of the liquid crystal type and mechanical display device 2 will be described later. Instead of the display board 8 and the cover 9, a plurality of lighting lamps are arranged in the rear bumper 7 in the vehicle width direction, and the lighting length of the lamps is changed in a strip shape by switching on / off of each lamp. Display devices are excluded unless the law is amended, as lamps that illuminate the back of the vehicle are not permitted by law.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A to 2D, in the liquid crystal type or mechanical type display device 2, the display board 8 whose viewing length is changed by the cover 9 is formed at the center of the rear bumper 2. A rectangular reflector 8a formed along the vehicle width direction is provided. However, the display board 8 of the display device 2 is not limited to the reflector 8a, and may be a display object that is permitted by law, such as a painted display board or dial. Based on laws and regulations, the reflector 8a is a striped type when the host vehicle 3 is a truck or a tractor, and a frame type when the host vehicle 3 is a trailer. The rear bumper 7 is provided with another display board 10 (another reflector 10a) of the same type on the left and right sides of the display board 8 (reflector 8a) so as to be connected to the left and right sides.

(Measurement device 11)
As shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C, the inter-vehicle distance alerting device 1 measures the inter-vehicle distance attached to the own vehicle 3 in order to measure the inter-vehicle distance between the own vehicle 3 and the following vehicle 4. A device 11 is provided. The inter-vehicle distance measuring device 11 has a millimeter wave radar, an infrared radar, an image recognition camera, and the like installed rearward at the rear part of the own vehicle 3. In the millimeter wave radar and the infrared radar, the sensor is directed toward the succeeding vehicle 4. The inter-vehicle distance is calculated by irradiating the signal 12 and receiving the reflected wave from the succeeding vehicle 4, and the image recognition camera calculates the inter-vehicle distance by photographing the succeeding vehicle 4 and image-processing the image.

(Control device 13)
As shown in FIG. 1 (a) and FIG. 1 (b), the inter-vehicle distance alerting device 1 alerts by controlling a cover 9 (liquid crystal panel, shielding plate, etc .: see FIG. 2) of the display device 2. The control apparatus 13 which changes the visual recognition length of the display board 8 as a part is provided. The control device 13 is disposed in the vicinity of the inter-vehicle distance measuring device 11 and the display device 2, and controls the cover 9 according to the inter-vehicle distance measured by the inter-vehicle distance measuring device 11 to display the display plate 8 (reflector). Control the visual length of 8a). In the present embodiment, the control device 13 changes the viewing length of the reflector 8a of the display device 2 from the normal state where the viewing length shown in FIG. 2A is zero as shown in FIG. A first state in which a short length (narrow width) is visually recognized at the center of the display device 2, and a second state in which the visual length becomes symmetrically longer as the inter-vehicle distance becomes shorter as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2D, the control is performed in three stages, ie, the third state in which the visual recognition length is the maximum (MAX).

(Control content)
Specifically, when the inter-vehicle distance between the own vehicle 3 and the succeeding vehicle 4 is longer than a first predetermined distance L1 (not shown), the control device 13 takes care of the display device 2 as shown in FIG. The visible length of the arousing part (reflector 8a), that is, the length visually recognized by the driver 5 of the following vehicle 4 is set to zero (normal state). The first predetermined distance L1 is set to a distance at which the inter-vehicle distance is considered to be safe. When the inter-vehicle distance is longer than the first predetermined distance L1, the driver 5 of the succeeding vehicle 4 is not alerted about the inter-vehicle distance. . In the present embodiment, the first predetermined distance L1 is set to a maximum detection distance at which the inter-vehicle distance measuring device 11 can detect the succeeding vehicle 4, and is hereinafter also referred to as a maximum detection distance L1.

  When the inter-vehicle distance approaches from the far distance to the first predetermined distance (maximum detection distance) L1, and the inter-vehicle distance measuring device 11 recognizes the succeeding vehicle 4, the display device 2 is controlled by the control device 13, as shown in FIG. In addition, the alerting part (reflector 8a) is visually recognized in the center of the display device 2 with a predetermined short length visible from the driver 5 of the succeeding vehicle 4 (first state). Thereby, the driver 5 of the succeeding vehicle 4 recognizes that the inter-vehicle distance with the preceding vehicle 3 has entered the monitoring range of the preceding vehicle 3, and is aware of the inter-vehicle distance. The first state makes the driver 5 of the succeeding vehicle 4 recognize that the inter-vehicle distance is a caution state.

  When the inter-vehicle distance further approaches from the first predetermined distance L1, the control device 13 moves the display device 2 to the second predetermined distance L2 (not shown: L2 <L1) in the range shown in FIG. Maintain one state. Hereinafter, the second predetermined distance L2 is also referred to as the longest attention calling distance L2. That is, in the range of the inter-vehicle distance from the maximum detection distance L1 to the longest attention calling distance L2, the first state in which the attention calling part (reflector 8a) is visually recognized with a predetermined narrow width at the center of the display device 2 is maintained. The driver 5 of the following vehicle 4 is kept aware that the distance between the preceding vehicle 3 and the preceding vehicle 3 is in a caution state.

  When the inter-vehicle distance is further approached from the second predetermined distance L2, within the range up to the third predetermined distance L3 (not shown: L3 <L2), the control device 13 performs the inter-vehicle distance as shown in FIG. Is shortened, the visual recognition length of the alerting part (reflector 8a) of the display device 2 is lengthened symmetrically (second state). Hereinafter, the third predetermined distance L3 is also referred to as the shortest attention calling distance. That is, in the range where the inter-vehicle distance is from the longest attention drawing distance L2 to the shortest attention drawing distance L3, the visual recognition length of the reflector 8a is increased equally in the left-right direction as the inter-vehicle distance is shortened. The driver 5 is consciously aware of the inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle 3 by a quantitative visual effect similar to the bar graph display, and effectively alerts the inter-vehicle distance. The second state makes the driver 5 of the following vehicle 4 recognize that the inter-vehicle distance has entered a dangerous state.

  When the inter-vehicle distance further approaches the third predetermined distance L3, the control device 13 maximizes the visual recognition length of the reflector 8a of the display device 2 as shown in FIG. Keep that state until the inter-vehicle distance is zero (collision). That is, when the inter-vehicle distance is closer than the shortest alerting distance L3, the visual recognition length of the reflector 8a as the alerting part becomes maximum, and the inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle 3 is immediately decelerated to the driver 5 of the succeeding vehicle 4. Recognize that it is the distance that should be used for avoiding rear-end collisions. The third state makes the driver 5 of the following vehicle 4 recognize that the inter-vehicle distance is an emergency state. Further, as shown in FIG. 2D, the reflector 8a having the maximum length is connected to another reflector 10a attached to both sides of the reflector 8a, and these are connected to the driver of the succeeding vehicle 4. 5, the alerting effect is enhanced.

  On the other hand, when the inter-vehicle distance increases conversely from the third state shown in FIG. 2 (d), the visual recognition length of the alerting portion (reflector 8a) of the display device 2 is as shown in FIG. 2 (c), FIG. 2 (b), As shown in FIG. 2A, the control device 13 controls the display device 2 so as to be shortened through the reverse steps according to the inter-vehicle distance. The above-described control content is an example and is not limited, and the control operation may be changed in accordance with traveling conditions such as normal traveling, high-speed traveling, and traffic jam traveling. Further, the first predetermined distance L1 may be increased as the traveling speed of the host vehicle 3 increases.

(Action / Effect)
According to the inter-vehicle distance alerting device 1 described above, the visual recognition length of the alerting portion (reflector 8a) that is visually recognized by the driver 5 of the succeeding vehicle 4 at the rear of the own vehicle 3 according to the inter-vehicle distance from the succeeding vehicle 4. Since the display device 2 that changes in the shape of a belt is provided, the driver 5 of the succeeding vehicle 4 can change the distance between the preceding vehicle 3 and the additional components to the succeeding vehicle 4 without diverting the line of sight during driving from the front view. Without any provision, a quantitative visual effect (scale effect) similar to that of a bar graph display can be grasped appropriately.

  Further, since the reflected light of the headlight light of the following vehicle 4 is not used as in the conventional example, the driver 5 of the following vehicle 4 can be alerted about the inter-vehicle distance not only at night but also in the daytime. Even if 4 is a vehicle in which the driver's seat such as a truck or a bus is higher than that of the passenger car, the driver 5 can be appropriately alerted of the inter-vehicle distance.

  Since the inter-vehicle distance warning device 1 provided at the rear of the own vehicle (preceding vehicle) 3 autonomously alerts the driver 5 of the following vehicle 4 to appropriate attention according to the inter-vehicle distance from the following vehicle 4. This reduces the burden of checking the distance from the following vehicle 4 by frequently looking into the rearview mirror, and can concentrate on driving. On the other hand, the driver 5 of the succeeding vehicle 4 drives the line of sight from the front as in the conventional example in which information related to the distance from the preceding vehicle 3 is displayed in the vicinity of the instrument panel of the cab of the succeeding vehicle 4 or on the windshield. It is possible to recognize the caution regarding the inter-vehicle distance while keeping the line of sight during driving in the forward field of view without moving into the room, and it is freed from the troublesomeness of moving the line of sight alternately between the front and the vicinity. As a result, the burden of confirmation on the inter-vehicle distance can be reduced for both drivers, leading to suppression of rear-end collisions.

  In other words, the frequent inter-vehicle distance confirmation operation of both drivers by the driver of the own vehicle (preceding vehicle) 3 looking into the rearview mirror and the driver 5 of the following vehicle 4 moving the line of sight from the front view to the driver's cabin is dangerous. Although there is a possibility of delay in avoidance determination, according to the inter-vehicle distance alert device 1 according to the present embodiment, the driver of the own vehicle (preceding vehicle) 3 alerts the inter-vehicle distance provided at the rear of the own vehicle 3. It is possible to concentrate on driving operation without being aware of the operation of the device 1 and the driver 5 of the following vehicle 4 does not need to divert the line of sight of driving from the front view, thus reducing the burden on both drivers and suppressing rear-end collisions. It leads to.

(First modified embodiment: liquid crystal panel type)
3 and 4 show an inter-vehicle distance warning device 1a according to a first modification of the present invention. 3A is a plan view of a rear bumper portion in which a liquid crystal panel type inter-vehicle distance warning device 1a is incorporated, FIG. 3B is a sectional view taken along line IIIb-IIIb in FIG. 3A, and FIG. 4 (d) to 4 (d) are explanatory views showing how the viewing length of the reflector 8a is changed by controlling the transmission part of the liquid crystal panel 91 according to the inter-vehicle distance, and FIG. 4 (e) is all transmitted. It is explanatory drawing which shows the reflector 8a and another reflector 10a arrange | positioned adjacent to it. The inter-vehicle distance alerting device 1a according to the present embodiment basically has the same configuration as that of the previous embodiment described above, and therefore similar parts will be briefly described and different parts will be described in detail.

  As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, this inter-vehicle distance alerting device 1 a provides the inter-vehicle distance between the own vehicle 3 and the following vehicle 4 to the driver 5 of the following vehicle 4 traveling behind the own vehicle (truck) 3. The measurement device 11 provided in the own vehicle 3 for measuring the distance between the own vehicle 3 and the following vehicle 4 and the rear bumper 7 of the own vehicle 3 along the vehicle width direction. Reflector 8a attached, liquid crystal panel 91 arranged to cover the back of reflector 8a, and at least part of liquid crystal panel 91 is opaque to transparent according to the inter-vehicle distance measured by measuring device 11 Or a control device 13a that controls the viewing length of the reflector 8a that transmits the liquid crystal panel 91 by changing the color from transparent to opaque. Since the structure of the reflector 8a is the same as that of the previous embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the measuring device 11 is attached to the end cross member 15 of the body frame 14 of the host vehicle 3. The vehicle body frame 14 has a pair of side rails 16 spaced apart in the vehicle width direction and a plurality of cross members provided across the left and right side rails 16, and is an end cross member that is the rearmost cross member. A measuring device 11 is attached to the center of the cross member 15. Since the structure of the measuring device 11 is the same as that of the previous embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. A control device 13 a is attached to the end cross member 15. The control device 13a is connected to the liquid crystal panel 91 by the wiring 17, is connected to the measuring device 11 by a wiring or a connector (not shown), and controls the liquid crystal panel 91 according to the inter-vehicle distance measured by the measuring device 11.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a rear bumper 7 is attached to the rear end of the side rail 16 of the body frame 14 via a stay 18, and the reflector 8 a and the liquid crystal panel described above are attached to the rear bumper 7. 91 is attached. In the present embodiment, a closed bumper is used for the rear bumper 7 and the reflector 8a and the liquid crystal panel 91 are attached to the rear surface thereof. However, the rear bumper 7 is an open section, and the reflector 8a and the liquid crystal panel 91 are provided therein. May be attached. The reflectors 8a and the liquid crystal panel 91 correspond to the display plate 8 and the cover 9 described with reference to FIG. 2 in the previous embodiment, and constitute the display device 2a. In other words, the display device 2a includes a reflector 8a serving as a display plate 8 attached to the rear bumper 7 of the host vehicle 3 along the vehicle width direction, and a driver of the succeeding vehicle 4 disposed so as to cover the rear of the reflector 8a. 5 is provided with a liquid crystal panel 91 as a cover 9 for changing the visual recognition length of the reflector 8a with respect to 5, and the visual recognition length of the reflector 8a changed by the liquid crystal panel 91 corresponds to the visual recognition length of the alerting portion. .

  As shown in FIG. 4E, the display device 2a is attached to the center of the rear bumper 7 in the vehicle width direction, and the reflector 8a of the display device 2a It arrange | positions so that it may connect with another reflector 10a attached by the request | requirement. Thereby, the alerting effect can be enhanced and the commercial value of the rear bumper 7 as a unit is improved. As shown in FIG. 3B, the display device 2 a is attached to a holding frame 19 attached to the rear bumper 7. A reflector 8a is attached to the holding frame 19, and a liquid crystal panel 91 is attached on the reflector 8a. Therefore, by removing the holding frame 19 from the rear bumper 7, the display device 2a can be removed by the assembly. As shown in FIG. 4A to FIG. 4E, the liquid crystal panel 91 starts from the state in which the entire liquid crystal panel 91 is opaque when the viewing length of the reflector 8a is increased. The central part in the vehicle width direction becomes transparent, and thereafter, the left and right parts in the vehicle width direction of the liquid crystal panel 91 become transparent sequentially from the central part.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3B and 4D, the liquid crystal panel 91 includes a liquid crystal unit 91c having a liquid crystal cell 91b sandwiched between two polarizing plates 91a, and the length of the reflector 8a. It is configured to be connected in multiple directions (vehicle width direction, horizontal direction), and can be switched between opaque and transparent for each liquid crystal unit 91c. Each liquid crystal unit 91c becomes opaque (black) when a voltage is applied to the liquid crystal cell 91b, and becomes transparent when the voltage is released. The shape of the liquid crystal unit 91c is a vertically long rectangle, but other shapes may be used.

  When the viewing length of the reflector 8a is increased, the liquid crystal panel 91 composed of the liquid crystal unit 91c is changed from the state in which all of the liquid crystal unit 91c is opaque as shown in FIG. 4A. As shown in FIG. 4, the center liquid crystal unit 91c in the vehicle width direction becomes transparent, and thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 4C and 4D, the left and right liquid crystal units 91c in the vehicle width direction are sequentially and symmetrically transparent. It becomes. That is, each liquid crystal unit 91c is changed from opaque to transparent and from transparent to opaque as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4D by the control device 13a according to the inter-vehicle distance measured by the measuring device 11. The visible length of the reflector 8a that is changed and appears to pass through the liquid crystal panel 91 is expanded and contracted in a belt-like manner as in the previous embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 2 (a) to 2 (d). Since the basic operational effects of this embodiment are the same as those of the previous embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

(Second modified embodiment: mechanical type)
5 to 8 show an inter-vehicle distance warning device 1b according to a second modification of the present invention. FIG. 5A is a plan view of a rear bumper portion in which the shielding plate type inter-vehicle distance warning device 1b is incorporated, and FIG. 5B is an exploded perspective view of the display device 2b. 6 (a) to 6 (d) are explanatory diagrams showing how the visible length of the reflector 8a changes as the shielding plate 92 is moved according to the inter-vehicle distance, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the reflector 8a exposed, and another reflector 10a arrange | positioned adjacent to it. 7 is a sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 6A, FIG. 8A is a sectional view taken along line VIIIa-VIIIa in FIG. 6C, and FIG. 8B is a sectional view taken along line VIIIb-VIIIb in FIG. It is line sectional drawing. Since the inter-vehicle distance alerting device 1b according to the present embodiment has basically the same configuration as that of the previous embodiment described above, the same parts will be described briefly, and the different parts will be described in detail.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the inter-vehicle distance alerting device 1 b is configured such that the inter-vehicle distance between the own vehicle 3 and the succeeding vehicle 4 with respect to the driver 5 of the succeeding vehicle 4 traveling behind the own vehicle (truck) 3. The measurement device 11 provided in the own vehicle 3 for measuring the distance between the own vehicle 3 and the following vehicle 4 and the rear bumper 7 of the own vehicle 3 along the vehicle width direction. The reflector 8a is attached so as to cover the rear of the reflector 8a, and is movable in the vehicle width direction. The shield plate 92 is provided in accordance with the inter-vehicle distance measured by the measuring device 11. And a control device 13b that controls the viewing length of the reflector 8a with respect to the driver 5 of the succeeding vehicle 5 by changing the area where the shielding plate 92 covers the reflector 8a by moving the reflector 8a.

  Since the measuring device 11 is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. The reflector 8a and the shielding plate 92 correspond to the display plate 8 and the cover 9 described with reference to FIG. 2 in the above-described embodiment, and constitute the display device 2b. The control device 13b moves the shielding plate 92 according to the inter-vehicle distance measured by the measuring device 11, changes the area where the shielding plate 92 covers the reflector 8a, and visually recognizes the reflector 8a with respect to the driver 5 of the following vehicle 5. The length is controlled to expand and contract in a band shape. The shielding plate 92 includes a left shielding plate 92a that covers the left side portion of the reflector 8a in the vehicle width direction and a right shielding plate 92b that covers the right side portion of the reflector 8b in the vehicle width direction, and increases the visual recognition length of the reflector 8a. In this case, the left shielding plate 92a and the right shielding plate 92b move away from the state in which the left shielding plate 92a and the right shielding plate 92b are connected to cover all of the reflector 8a. Hereinafter, the display device 2b including the left shielding plate 92a and the right shielding plate 92b will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the display device 2b includes a left rack member 21a to which the left shielding plate 92a is attached, a right rack member 21b to which the right shielding plate 92b is attached, the left rack member 21a and the right rack member. The front holding member 22 and the rear holding member 23 that sandwich the guide 21b from the front and rear and guide it in the vehicle width direction, the reflector 8a as the display plate 8 attached to the rear surface of the rear holding member 23, and the left rack provided on the left rack member 21a 24a, a right rack 24b provided on the right rack member 21b, and a gear assembly 26 having a pinion 25 that meshes with the racks 24a and 24b.

  A mounting portion 27a to which the left shielding plate 92a is attached projects from the lower portion of the left rack member 21a (see FIG. 8B), and the right shielding plate 92b is attached to the upper portion of the right rack member 21b. A mounting portion 27b is protruded (see FIG. 8A). The left rack member 21a and the right rack member 21b are respectively formed with guide convex portions 28a and 28b along the longitudinal direction (the vehicle width direction and the horizontal direction). Guide recesses 29a and 29b with which the guide protrusions 28a and 28b engage are formed along the longitudinal direction. As shown in FIG. 5B, the front holding member 22 is formed with a hole 30 through which the pinion 25 of the gear assembly 26 is inserted. As shown in FIG. 7, the display device 2 b is accommodated inside a rear bumper 7 (open-section bumper).

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the gear assembly 26 is connected to a wire 32 that is driven to rotate forward and backward by a motor 31. The wire 32 has a flexible sheath (tube body) fixed to the housing of the motor 31 and a flexible core wire inserted through the inside thereof. One end of the core wire is connected to the rotation shaft of the motor 31, and the core wire Is connected to the gear assembly 26 via a worm gear mechanism.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, a worm gear mechanism worm 33 is provided at the other end of the core of the wire 32, and a worm wheel (worm gear) 34 with which the worm 33 meshes is provided in the gear assembly 26. A pinion (spur gear) 25 is connected to the worm wheel 34 via a shaft. According to this configuration, when the core wire of the wire 32 is rotated by the motor 31, the pinion 25 is rotated via the worm gear mechanism (worm 33, worm wheel 34), and the left shielding plate according to the rotation direction of the wire 32. 92a and the right shielding plate 92b are moved so as to approach or separate from each other. The rotation direction and the rotation amount (rotation angle) of the motor 31 that rotates the wire 32 are controlled by the control device 13b according to the inter-vehicle distance measured by the measurement device 11. The motor 31 and the control device 13 b are attached to the end cross member 15.

  When the viewing length of the reflector 8a is increased, the left shielding plate 92a and the right shielding plate 92b are formed by connecting the left shielding plate 92a and the right shielding plate 92b without gaps as shown in FIG. 6A. First, as shown in FIG. 6B, the central reflector 8a in the vehicle width direction is exposed with a predetermined narrow width (short length) that the driver 5 of the succeeding vehicle 4 can visually recognize. Thus, the left shielding plate 92a and the right shielding plate 92b are slightly separated from each other, and then the left and right reflectors 8a in the vehicle width direction are sequentially exposed as shown in FIGS. 6 (c) and 6 (d). The left shielding plate 92a and the right shielding plate 92b are separated. That is, the left shielding plate 92a and the right shielding plate 92b are closely spaced as shown in FIGS. 6A to 6D by the control device 13b according to the inter-vehicle distance measured by the measuring device 11, The visible length of the reflector 8a exposed between the left shielding plate 92a and the right shielding plate 92b is expanded and contracted in a band shape as in the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 2 (a) to 2 (d). .

  Further, the left shielding plate 92a and the right shielding plate 92b are positioned in front of another reflector 10a when moved to the left and right in the vehicle width direction as shown in FIGS. 6 (a) to 6 (e). Therefore (see FIGS. 8A and 8B), it does not cover another reflector 10a. That is, at this time, the left and right shielding plates 92a and 92b are hidden behind the other reflector 10a when viewed from the rear. As a result, the driver 5 of the succeeding vehicle 4 sees the exposed central reflector 8a and another reflector 10a in a row, so that the alerting effect for the driver 5 is enhanced. Since the basic operational effects of this embodiment are the same as those of the previous embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications within the scope of the claims. Needless to say, examples and modifications also belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is used in an inter-vehicle distance alerting device that alerts the driver of the following vehicle to the following vehicle distance by displaying caution information based on the inter-vehicle distance between the own vehicle and the following vehicle at the rear of the own vehicle. it can.

1 Inter-vehicle distance warning device 2 Display device 3 Own vehicle (preceding vehicle)
4 Subsequent vehicle 7 Rear bumper 8 Display panel 8a Reflector 9 Cover 91 Liquid crystal panel 92 Shielding plate 92a Left side shielding plate 92b Right side shielding plate 10a Another reflector 10b Another reflector 11 Measuring device 13 Control device

Claims (11)

An inter-vehicle distance warning device that visually alerts the driver about the inter-vehicle distance between the vehicle and the vehicle following the vehicle traveling behind the vehicle,
A display device attached to a rear portion of the host vehicle, wherein a visual length of a warning portion visually recognized from the succeeding vehicle is expanded and contracted according to a distance between the host vehicle and the following vehicle; An inter-vehicle distance warning device characterized by that.   The display device includes a display plate attached to a rear portion of the own vehicle along a vehicle width direction, and a cover arranged to cover a rear side of the display plate and changing a visible length of the display plate with respect to the succeeding vehicle. The inter-vehicle distance warning device according to claim 1, wherein a visual recognition length of the display board changed by the cover corresponds to a visual recognition length of the attention calling portion.   The said cover consists of liquid crystal panels, The visual recognition length of the said display board which permeate | transmits the said liquid crystal panel is changed by making at least one part of this liquid crystal panel from opaque to transparent or transparent to opaque. The inter-vehicle distance warning device described in 1.   In the liquid crystal panel, when the visual length of the display plate is increased, the liquid crystal panel is transparent from the center in the vehicle width direction first, and then the liquid crystal panel is transparent from the center. The inter-vehicle distance alerting device according to claim 3, wherein left and right portions of the liquid crystal panel in the vehicle width direction are sequentially transparent.   The cover is made of a shielding plate that is movable along the vehicle width direction with respect to the display plate, and the area of the display plate is changed by the movement of the shielding plate, and the viewing length of the display plate is increased. The inter-vehicle distance alerting device according to claim 2, which is changed.   The shielding plate includes a left shielding plate that covers a left side portion of the display plate in the vehicle width direction and a right shielding plate that covers a right side portion of the display plate in the vehicle width direction, and increases the visual recognition length of the display plate. The inter-vehicle distance according to claim 5, wherein the left shielding plate and the right shielding plate move away from a state in which the left shielding plate and the right shielding plate are connected to cover all of the display plate. Alert device.   The inter-vehicle distance warning device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the display device is provided on a rear bumper of the host vehicle, and the display plate is formed of a reflector.   The inter-vehicle distance warning device according to claim 7, wherein another reflector is attached to the rear bumper so as to be adjacent to the reflector. An inter-vehicle distance warning device that visually alerts the driver about the inter-vehicle distance between the vehicle and the vehicle following the vehicle traveling behind the vehicle,
A measuring device provided in the own vehicle for measuring an inter-vehicle distance between the own vehicle and the following vehicle;
A reflector or a display plate attached to the rear bumper of the host vehicle along the vehicle width direction;
A liquid crystal panel arranged so as to cover the back of the reflector or the display board;
The visible length of the reflector or the display plate that transmits the liquid crystal panel by changing at least a part of the liquid crystal panel from opaque to transparent or from transparent to opaque according to the inter-vehicle distance measured by the measuring device. And a control device for controlling the distance between vehicles. An inter-vehicle distance warning device that visually alerts the driver about the inter-vehicle distance between the vehicle and the vehicle following the vehicle traveling behind the vehicle,
A measuring device provided in the own vehicle for measuring an inter-vehicle distance between the own vehicle and the following vehicle;
A reflector or a display plate attached to the rear bumper of the host vehicle along the vehicle width direction;
A shielding plate arranged so as to cover the back of the reflector or the display plate and movable in the vehicle width direction;
The area where the shielding plate covers the reflector or the display plate is changed by moving the shielding plate according to the inter-vehicle distance measured by the measuring device, and the reflector or the display plate is visually recognized with respect to the following vehicle. An inter-vehicle distance alerting device comprising a control device for controlling a length.   Another reflector or display board is attached to the rear bumper next to the reflector or display board in the vehicle width direction, and the other reflector or display board has a shielding plate behind the reflector or display board. 11. The inter-vehicle distance warning according to claim 10, wherein when the vehicle is moved next to the vehicle in the vehicle width direction, the vehicle is disposed behind the shielding plate, and the shielding plate is hidden behind the other reflector or the display plate. apparatus.

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