JP2021146760A - Control device - Google Patents

Abstract

To urge a driver to awaken while suppressing an increase in CO2 density in a vehicle cabin.SOLUTION: A control device includes: a specification unit 122 for specifying an awakening degree of a driver driving a vehicle 100; and a temperature control unit 123 for, when the awakening degree specified by the specification unit 122 is changed to a first threshold or lower, lowering the temperature in a vehicle cabin by operating an air-conditioning device 3 provided to the vehicle 100 in an inside air circulation mode for circulating the air inside the vehicle cabin, and when the awakening degree specified by the specification unit 122 exceeds a second threshold higher than the first threshold after operating the air-conditioning device 3 in the inside air circulation mode, operating the air-conditioning device 3 in an outside air introduction mode for introducing outside air to the vehicle cabin and lowering the temperature inside the vehicle cabin.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a control device that controls an air conditioner.

The driver may feel drowsy while driving. Non-Patent Document 1 describes that it has an effect of promoting awakening of the driver by lowering the temperature in the vehicle interior.

Guo Bell, et al., "Effects of changes in vehicle temperature on driver alertness and thermal comfort", Proceedings of the Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan, Japan, March 2018, Vol.49, No.2, 365-370

In order to rapidly reduce the temperature inside the vehicle interior, it is conceivable to operate the air conditioner in the inside air circulation mode that circulates the air inside the vehicle interior. However, when the air conditioner is operated in the inside air circulation mode, the driver may feel tired due to the increase in _{the CO 2 concentration in the vehicle interior.}

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a control device capable of promoting awakening of a driver while suppressing an increase in _{CO 2 concentration in a vehicle interior.} ..

The control device according to the first aspect of the present invention is the specific unit that specifies the arousal level of the driver who drives the vehicle, and the awakening level specified by the specific unit changes to a value equal to or lower than the first threshold value. The air conditioner provided in the vehicle is operated in the inside air circulation mode for circulating the air in the vehicle interior to lower the temperature in the vehicle interior, and the air conditioner is operated in the inside air circulation mode. When the arousal level specified by the specific unit exceeds the second threshold value higher than the first threshold value, the air conditioner is operated in the outside air introduction mode for introducing the outside air into the vehicle interior, and the inside of the vehicle interior is operated. A temperature control unit for lowering the temperature is provided.

When the arousal degree specified by the specific unit changes to the first threshold value or less, the temperature control unit sets the target temperature of the air conditioner before the arousal degree changes to the first threshold value or less. It may be lower than the target temperature. The temperature control unit may increase the air volume of the air conditioner when the arousal level specified by the specific unit changes to or less than the first threshold value.

The control device includes an image acquisition unit that acquires an image captured by the driver, a detection unit that detects the position of the neck of the driver based on the image acquired by the image acquisition unit, and the like. Further, a wind direction control unit that directs the wind generated by the air conditioner toward the neck detected by the detection unit when the arousal degree specified by the specific unit changes to or less than the first threshold value. You may prepare.

In the control device, after the temperature control unit operates the air conditioner in the inside air circulation mode to lower the temperature in the vehicle interior, the arousal degree specified by the specific unit determines the second threshold value. A notification unit may be further provided to notify the driver that the driver's drowsiness has been detected if the temperature is not exceeded within the period.

The control device has a specific unit that specifies the arousal degree of the driver who drives the vehicle, a concentration acquisition unit that acquires the carbon dioxide concentration in the vehicle interior of the vehicle, and the arousal degree specified by the specific unit. When the temperature changes below the threshold value of, the air conditioner provided in the vehicle is operated in the inside air circulation mode for circulating the air in the vehicle interior to lower the temperature in the vehicle interior, and the air conditioner is moved to the above. After operating in the inside air circulation mode, when the carbon dioxide concentration acquired by the concentration acquisition unit exceeds the reference value, the air conditioner is operated in the outside air introduction mode for introducing the outside air into the vehicle interior, and the vehicle interior is operated. A temperature control unit for lowering the temperature of the vehicle may be provided.

According to the present invention, there is an effect of promoting awakening of the driver while suppressing an increase in _{the CO 2 concentration in the vehicle interior.}

It is a figure which shows the outline of the vehicle which mounted the control device of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of a vehicle. It is a flowchart which shows the processing procedure which urges the driver's awakening by a control device. It is a figure which shows the structure of the vehicle which mounted the control device of 2nd Embodiment.

<First Embodiment>
[Overview of control device]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a vehicle 100 equipped with the control device 1 of the first embodiment. The control device 1 is realized by, for example, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) that electronically controls each part of the vehicle 100 by a computer. The control device 1 controls an air conditioner provided in the vehicle 100.

FIG. 1A shows an example in which the air conditioner operates in the inside air circulation mode. FIG. 1B shows an example in which the air conditioner operates in the outside air introduction mode. While operating in the inside air circulation mode, the air conditioner circulates the air in the vehicle interior as shown by the arrow in FIG. 1A to lower the temperature in the vehicle interior. In the inside air circulation mode, the air conditioner further cools the already cooled air, so that the passenger compartment can be cooled rapidly.

While operating in the outside air introduction mode, the air conditioner introduces outside air into the vehicle interior as shown by the arrow in FIG. 1B to lower the temperature inside the vehicle interior. When the air conditioner operates in the outside air introduction mode, it takes more time to cool the vehicle interior than in the inside air circulation mode.

The control device 1 specifies the arousal level indicating the degree of arousal of the driver based on the captured image of the driver driving the vehicle 100. The alertness shall be low enough to make the driver sleepy. When the driver's arousal level changes to or less than the first threshold value, the control device 1 operates the air conditioner in the inside air circulation mode to lower the temperature inside the vehicle interior. The control device 1 can promote the awakening of the driver by lowering the temperature inside the vehicle interior. At this time, since the control device 1 rapidly lowers the temperature inside the vehicle interior in the inside air circulation mode, the effect of promoting the awakening of the driver can be further increased as compared with the case where the temperature is lowered in the outside air introduction mode. ..

After operating the air conditioner in the inside air circulation mode, the control device 1 operates the air conditioner in the outside air introduction mode to lower the temperature in the vehicle interior when the arousal level exceeds the second threshold value. The second threshold value is higher than the first threshold value. In the inside air circulation mode, since the outside air is not introduced, the CO ₂ concentration in the vehicle interior gradually increases. If the driver does not ventilate for a long time, the driver feels tired and tired due to the increase in _{CO 2 concentration, and tends to become sleepy.} The control device 1 operates the air conditioner in the outside air introduction mode when the driver's arousal level recovers to the extent that it exceeds the second threshold value. At this time, the air conditioner can reduce _{the CO 2} concentration that has risen while operating in the inside air circulation mode by introducing outside air into the vehicle interior. In this way, the control device 1 can suppress adverse effects on the driver such as fatigue and fatigue caused by the high _{CO 2 concentration, and can prepare an environment in which the driver can drive comfortably.} Further, the control device 1 can maintain the driver awake state by lowering the temperature inside the vehicle even in the outside air introduction mode.

[Vehicle configuration]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the vehicle 100. The vehicle 100 includes a control device 1, an image pickup unit 2, an air conditioner 3, and a speaker 4. The control device 1 includes a storage unit 11 and a control unit 12.

The imaging unit 2 images the driver while the vehicle 100 is traveling. The imaging unit 2 images, for example, a range including the driver's face and neck. The imaging unit 2 may image the driver's upper body. The air conditioner 3 is provided in the vehicle 100. The air conditioner 3 lowers the temperature inside the vehicle interior. The speaker 4 converts an electric signal into sound.

The storage unit 11 has, for example, a storage medium such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The storage unit 11 stores various programs and various data for operating the control unit 12. The control unit 12 functions as an image acquisition unit 121, a specific unit 122, a temperature control unit 123, a detection unit 124, a wind direction control unit 125, and a notification unit 126 by executing a program stored in the storage unit 11.

The image acquisition unit 121 acquires an image captured by the driver from the image pickup unit 2. For example, the image acquisition unit 121 controls the image pickup unit 2 and acquires an image captured by the driver at predetermined intervals. The predetermined period is, for example, several tens of milliseconds. The image acquisition unit 121 outputs the acquired captured image to the specific unit 122 and the detection unit 124.

The identification unit 122 specifies the arousal level of the driver who drives the vehicle 100. The specific unit 122 analyzes the captured image acquired by the image acquisition unit 121. For example, the identification unit 122 identifies the degree of opening of the driver's eyes in the generated plurality of captured images. The identification unit 122 specifies the arousal level corresponding to the degree of opening of the eyes. When the driver shows the same degree of eye opening as during awakening except for a very short time corresponding to blinking or the like, the specific unit 122 assigns a relatively high value as the driver's arousal degree. .. The specific unit 122 assigns a relatively low value as the driver's arousal level when the driver keeps his / her eyes almost closed for several seconds. In addition, the identification unit 122 may specify the arousal level of the driver by determining whether or not there is an abnormal operation such as the driver falling down. The specific unit 122 notifies the temperature control unit 123, the wind direction control unit 125, and the notification unit 126 of the specified arousal level.

[Control of temperature inside the vehicle]
The temperature control unit 123 operates the air conditioner 3 based on the arousal level specified by the specific unit 122 to lower the temperature inside the vehicle interior. The temperature control unit 123 determines whether or not the arousal level has changed to or less than the first threshold value. The first threshold value is, for example, a value indicating that the driver feels drowsy. When the temperature control unit 123 determines that the arousal level has changed to or less than the first threshold value, the temperature control unit 123 operates the air conditioner 3 in the inside air circulation mode to lower the temperature inside the vehicle interior.

For example, if the air conditioner 3 is operating in the outside air introduction mode, the temperature control unit 123 switches the outside air introduction mode to the inside air circulation mode to operate the air conditioner 3. At this time, the temperature control unit 123 sets the target temperature of the air conditioner 3 lower than the target temperature before the arousal degree changes to the first threshold value or less.

The temperature control unit 123 can rapidly cool the vehicle interior by operating the air conditioner 3 by lowering the target temperature in the inside air circulation mode. Therefore, the temperature control unit 123 can increase the effect of promoting the awakening of the driver. Further, when the arousal degree changes to the first threshold value or less, the temperature control unit 123 may increase the air volume of the air conditioner 3 as compared with before the arousal degree changes to the first threshold value or less. The temperature control unit 123 can lower the sensible temperature of the driver and promote the awakening of the driver by increasing the air volume of the air conditioner 3 in the inside air circulation mode. On the other hand, the temperature control unit 123 may control the air conditioner 3 so as not to operate in the inside air circulation mode when it is determined that the arousal degree exceeds the first threshold value.

After operating the air conditioner 3 in the inside air circulation mode, the temperature control unit 123 determines whether or not the arousal level specified by the specific unit 122 exceeds the second threshold value higher than the first threshold value. The second threshold value is, for example, the lowest value assumed as the arousal level when the driver is driving the vehicle 100 as usual. When the temperature control unit 123 determines that the arousal level exceeds the second threshold value, the temperature control unit 123 lowers the temperature inside the vehicle interior by operating the air conditioner 3 in the outside air introduction mode in order to reduce _{the CO 2 concentration in the vehicle interior.} ..

The detection unit 124 detects the position of the driver's neck based on the captured image acquired by the image acquisition unit 121. For example, the detection unit 124 uses a trained machine learning model in which the captured image captured by the imaging unit 2 in a range including the driver's face and neck is used as input data and the position of the driver's neck is used as output data. By using it, the position of the driver's neck is detected.

The wind direction control unit 125 directs the wind generated by the air conditioner 3 toward the neck detected by the detection unit 124 when the arousal level specified by the specific unit 122 changes to the first threshold value or less. In the storage unit 11, each of the pixel positions of the captured image, the vertical angle of the fan for directing the wind in the direction corresponding to the pixel position, and the left and right of the fan for directing the wind in the direction corresponding to the pixel position. The wind direction table associated with the angle of direction is stored. The wind direction control unit 125 reads out the wind direction table stored in the storage unit 11, and specifies the vertical and horizontal angles associated with the pixel position of the neck detected by the detection unit 124 in the wind direction table, respectively. The wind direction control unit 125 adjusts the direction of the wind direction adjusting plate for adjusting the wind direction of the air conditioner 3 based on the specified vertical and horizontal angles. In this way, the wind direction control unit 125 can blow the wind generated by the air conditioner 3 to the neck of the driver to promote the awakening of the driver.

In the notification unit 126, after the temperature control unit 123 operates the air conditioner 3 in the inside air circulation mode to lower the temperature inside the vehicle interior, the arousal level specified by the specific unit 122 exceeds the second threshold value within a predetermined period. If not, the driver is notified that the driver's drowsiness has been detected. The predetermined period is, for example, the time required to determine whether or not the effect of promoting the awakening of the driver by operating the air conditioner 3 in the internal air circulation mode has been achieved. For example, the notification unit 126 voice-outputs a message indicating that the driver's drowsiness has been detected when the arousal level specified by the specific unit 122 does not exceed the second threshold value within a predetermined period. In this way, the notification unit 126 can promote the driver's awakening by voice output when the driver's arousal level is not restored even after the temperature in the vehicle interior is lowered by the temperature control unit 123.

[Processing procedure for switching the operation mode of the air conditioner by the control device]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for promoting the awakening of the driver by the control device 1. This processing procedure starts while the vehicle 100 is running. First, the image acquisition unit 121 acquires an image captured by the driver from the image pickup unit 2 (S101).

The identification unit 122 identifies the driver's arousal level by analyzing the captured image acquired by the image acquisition unit 121 (S102). The temperature control unit 123 determines whether or not the arousal level specified by the specific unit 122 has changed to or less than the first threshold value (S103). When the temperature control unit 123 determines that the arousal level is equal to or lower than the first threshold value (YES in S103), the temperature control unit 123 operates the air conditioner 3 in the inside air circulation mode to lower the temperature inside the vehicle interior (S104). After operating the air conditioner 3 in the inside air circulation mode, the identification unit 122 specifies the arousal level of the driver again (S105).

The temperature control unit 123 determines whether or not the arousal level specified by the specific unit 122 exceeds the second threshold value (S106). When the temperature control unit 123 determines that the arousal level exceeds the second threshold value (YES in S106), the temperature control unit 123 lowers the temperature inside the vehicle interior by operating the air conditioner 3 in the outside air introduction mode (S107). ..

After operating the air conditioner 3 in the outside air introduction mode, the temperature control unit 123 determines whether or not the end condition of the outside air introduction mode is satisfied (S108). For example, the temperature control unit 123 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed as an end condition. _{The temperature control unit 123 uses, for example, a value at which the CO 2} concentration in the vehicle interior is expected to decrease to the extent that the driver can drive the vehicle 100 without feeling fatigue or fatigue as the predetermined time. Further, the temperature control unit 123 may determine whether or not a predetermined amount of outside air has been introduced as the end condition or whether the arousal level exceeds the third threshold value higher than the second threshold value, and a plurality of end conditions may be combined. May be determined. As the predetermined amount, the temperature control unit 123 uses, for example, _{a value at which the CO 2} concentration in the vehicle interior is expected to decrease to the extent that the driver can drive the vehicle 100 without feeling fatigue or fatigue.

When it is determined that the end condition is satisfied (YES in S108), the temperature control unit 123 ends the process. When the temperature control unit 123 determines that the arousal level is higher than the first threshold value in the determination of S103 (NO in S103), the temperature control unit 123 returns to the process of S101. When the temperature control unit 123 determines in the determination of S106 that the arousal level is equal to or less than the second threshold value (NO in S106), the temperature control unit 123 returns to the process of S104. When the temperature control unit 123 determines in the determination of S108 that the end condition is not satisfied, the temperature control unit 123 continues to operate the air conditioner 3 in the outside air introduction mode and returns to the process of S101.

[Effect of this embodiment]
In the first embodiment, when the driver's arousal level changes below the first threshold value, the temperature control unit 123 operates the air conditioner 3 in the inside air circulation mode to drive the vehicle more rapidly than in the outside air introduction mode. By lowering the temperature in the room, it is possible to promote the awakening of the driver. The temperature control unit 123 operates the air conditioner 3 in the outside air introduction mode when the driver's alertness recovers beyond the second threshold value. In this way, the temperature control unit 123 can suppress adverse effects on the driver such as fatigue and fatigue caused by the high _{CO 2 concentration, and can prepare an environment in which the driver can drive comfortably.} Further, the temperature control unit 123 can maintain the driver awake state by lowering the temperature inside the vehicle interior in the outside air introduction mode.

<Second embodiment>
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle 100 equipped with the control device 1 of the second embodiment. The vehicle 100 shown in FIG. 4 is different from the vehicle 100 of FIG. 2 in that it does not include the speaker 4 and the notification unit 126 and further includes the CO _{2 concentration measuring device 201 and the concentration acquisition unit 202.} It is the same as the vehicle 100 of. The same functional blocks as those in FIG. 2 are designated by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 2, and the description thereof will be omitted.

CO ₂ concentration measuring device 201 measures the CO ₂ concentration in the vehicle cabin. For example, CO ₂ concentration measuring device 201, non-dispersive infrared: by (NDIR Nondispersive Infrared) spectroscopy, measuring the absorption of CO ₂ has absorbed infrared of a specific frequency, CO ₂ corresponding to the absorption Calculate the concentration. Concentration acquisition unit 202 of the control unit 12, the CO ₂ concentration measuring device 201 obtains the CO ₂ concentration in the vehicle cabin measured.

Similar to the first embodiment, the temperature control unit 123 operates the air conditioner 3 in the inside air circulation mode to lower the temperature inside the vehicle interior when it determines that the arousal level has changed to the first threshold value or less. .. After operating the air conditioner 3 in the inside air circulation mode, the temperature control unit 123 _{determines whether or not the CO 2} concentration acquired by the concentration acquisition unit 202 exceeds the reference value. The reference value is, for example, a value at which the driver may feel tired or tired. When the temperature control unit 123 determines that the CO ₂ concentration acquired by the concentration acquisition unit 202 exceeds the reference value, the temperature control unit 123 operates the air conditioner 3 in the outside air introduction mode to lower the temperature inside the vehicle interior.

On the other hand, when the temperature control unit 123 determines that the CO ₂ concentration acquired by the concentration acquisition unit 202 is equal to or less than the reference value, the temperature control unit 123 operates the air conditioner 3 as it is in the inside air introduction mode to lower the temperature inside the vehicle interior. In this way, the temperature control unit 123 _{can suppress an increase in the CO 2} concentration in the vehicle interior, so that the driver can be suppressed from being adversely affected by fatigue, fatigue, and the like.

After operating the air conditioner 3 in the outside air introduction mode, the temperature control unit 123 returns the air conditioner 3 to the inside air introduction mode and operates the air conditioner 3 or stops the air conditioner 3 when a predetermined termination condition is satisfied. The termination condition is, for example, that the CO ₂ concentration is lower than the predetermined concentration. The predetermined concentration is, for example, a value lower than the reference value.

Although the present invention has been described above using the embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist thereof. be. For example, all or a part of the device can be functionally or physically distributed / integrated in any unit. Also included in the embodiments of the present invention are new embodiments resulting from any combination of the plurality of embodiments. The effect of the new embodiment produced by the combination also has the effect of the original embodiment.

1 Control device 2 Imaging unit 3 Air conditioner 4 Speaker 11 Storage unit 12 Control unit 100 Vehicle 121 Image acquisition unit 122 Specific unit 123 Temperature control unit 124 Detection unit 125 Wind direction control unit 126 Notification unit 201 Concentration measuring device 202 Concentration acquisition unit

Claims (6)

A specific part that identifies the arousal level of the driver who drives the vehicle,
When the arousal level specified by the specific unit changes to or less than the first threshold value, the air conditioner provided in the vehicle is operated in the inside air circulation mode for circulating the air in the vehicle interior of the vehicle to operate the vehicle. After lowering the temperature in the room and operating the air conditioner in the inside air circulation mode, when the arousal level specified by the specific unit exceeds a second threshold value higher than the first threshold value, the said A temperature control unit that operates the air conditioner in an outside air introduction mode that introduces outside air into the vehicle interior to lower the temperature inside the vehicle interior.
A control device comprising. When the arousal degree specified by the specific unit changes to the first threshold value or less, the temperature control unit sets the target temperature of the air conditioner before the arousal degree changes to the first threshold value or less. Lower than the target temperature,
The control device according to claim 1. The temperature control unit increases the air volume of the air conditioner when the arousal level specified by the specific unit changes to or less than the first threshold value.
The control device according to claim 1 or 2. An image acquisition unit that acquires an captured image of the driver, and an image acquisition unit.
A detection unit that detects the position of the driver's neck based on the captured image acquired by the image acquisition unit.
Further, a wind direction control unit that directs the wind generated by the air conditioner toward the neck detected by the detection unit when the arousal level specified by the specific unit changes to or less than the first threshold value. Prepare, prepare
The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. After the temperature control unit operates the air conditioner in the inside air circulation mode to lower the temperature in the vehicle interior, the alertness specified by the specific unit does not exceed the second threshold value within a predetermined period. In this case, a notification unit for notifying the driver that the driver's drowsiness has been detected is further provided.
The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A specific part that identifies the arousal level of the driver who drives the vehicle,
A concentration acquisition unit that acquires the carbon dioxide concentration in the vehicle interior of the vehicle, and
When the arousal degree specified by the specific unit changes to or less than the first threshold value, the air conditioner provided in the vehicle is operated in the inside air circulation mode for circulating the air in the vehicle interior of the vehicle to operate the vehicle. After lowering the temperature in the room and operating the air conditioner in the inside air circulation mode, when the carbon dioxide concentration acquired by the concentration acquisition unit exceeds the reference value, the air conditioner is used to introduce outside air into the vehicle interior. It is provided with a temperature control unit that operates in the outside air introduction mode to be introduced and lowers the temperature inside the vehicle interior.
Control device.

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