JP3894709B2 - Vehicle driving support device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus that supports driving of a driver who is deficient in various capabilities required for driving a vehicle, such as an elderly person.
[0002]
[Prior art]
With recent technological innovations, various driving support devices are incorporated in automobiles. Specifically, there are those that adjust the height / angle of the seat and the handle using a hydraulic mechanism, and those that adjust the angle of the door mirror using an adjustment motor.
[0003]
On the other hand, in recent years, the driving population of elderly people is increasing as the spread of automobiles progresses. Elderly people are inferior in driving ability compared to the middle-aged / youth, and thus require a separate driving assistance device that is not necessary for the middle-aged / youth. Specifically, an elderly person needs a driving support device that compensates for the physical ability that the elderly person lacks in the physical ability required for driving the vehicle.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
If it is assumed that a driving assistance device for elderly people is developed and incorporated in a vehicle such as an automobile, the driving assistance device remains operable if the vehicle incorporating the driving assistance device can be used as a dedicated vehicle for elderly people. I can keep it. In reality, however, a group such as a family or a company often shares a single car, and in that case, even if a driving support device for elderly people is provided in the vehicle, the device can operate. The current situation is that it cannot be left in a state. Otherwise, it will be difficult for other group members to drive because of the extra driving assistance.
[0005]
For these reasons, even if a driving support device for the elderly is provided in the vehicle, the elderly must reset the driving support device for the elderly for each time they drive. End up. However, in many cases, elderly people are not good at operating unfamiliar devices, and there is a concern that the above re-setting operation takes time and the setting may not be successful.
[0006]
Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle driving support device that can easily reproduce a preset support mode.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention provides a memory card for storing information on the ability that the driver lacks in various physical abilities required for driving the vehicle, and the memory card provided in the driving target vehicle. Yes but reading means for reading the information stored, based on the information that the reading unit is provided read on the driving target vehicle, and the ability correction means to compensate for the lack ability of the driver during the driving operation The insufficient ability is a visual ability, and the ability correction means constitutes a vehicle driving support device that changes a lighting form or a display form of a display meter of a driving target vehicle so as to supplement a driver's visual ability. is doing.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a memory card that stores information related to the ability that the driver lacks in various physical abilities required for driving the vehicle, and a read that reads the information that is provided in the driving target vehicle and stored in the memory card. And an ability correcting means for compensating for the driver's insufficient ability during the driving operation based on the information provided in the driving target vehicle and read by the reading means , and the insufficient ability is visual ability The ability correction means constitutes a vehicle driving support device that changes the illumination form or display form of the display meter of the driving target vehicle so as to supplement the driver's visual ability. Has an effect.
[0009]
In other words, the shortage ability correcting operation by the ability correcting means can be performed only by reading the information on the memory card by the reading means. As described above, according to the present invention, the setting of the correcting operation of the capability correcting unit can be performed only by reading the memory card, and no troublesome operation is required.
[0020]
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of an automobile A incorporating a vehicle driving support device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0021]
This vehicle driving support device 1 is a device that provides driving support for a driver who is deficient in various physical abilities required for vehicle driving, such as an elderly person, and includes a power steering mechanism B of a car A, a measurement data display unit, and the like. C, power window mechanism D, air conditioner E, and pedal assist mechanism F are targeted for support.
[0022]
Next, the configuration of the vehicle driving support device 1 will be described. The vehicle driving support apparatus 1 includes a memory card 2, a reading unit 3, a writing unit 4, and a capability correcting unit 5. The reading unit 3, the writing unit 4, and the capability correcting unit 5 are incorporated in the automobile A. The memory card 2 is provided so that it can be inserted into and removed from the reading means 3 and writing means 4 incorporated in the automobile A.
[0023]
The reading unit 3 includes a reading unit 6 and a reading control unit 7. The reading unit 6 includes a memory card mounting unit (not shown in FIG. 1), and reads information from the memory card 2 mounted on the memory card mounting unit. The reading control unit 7 controls the information reading operation by the reading unit 6, and further outputs the read information to the capability correction unit 5.
[0024]
The writing unit 4 includes a writing unit 8 and a writing control unit 9. The writing unit 8 includes a memory card mounting unit (not shown in FIG. 1), and writes information to the memory card 2 mounted on the memory card mounting unit. The writing control unit 9 controls the information writing operation by the writing unit 8.
[0025]
The ability correction means 5 includes a correction control unit 10, a steering adjustment unit 11, a display adjustment unit 12, an external sound introduction adjustment unit 13, and a pedal depression force adjustment unit 14. The steering adjustment unit 11 acts on the power steering mechanism B to arbitrarily adjust the rotational load of the steering (not shown). The display adjustment unit 12 acts on the measurement data display unit C to adjust its display form. The outside sound introduction adjusting unit 13 acts on the power window mechanism D and the air conditioner E, and adjusts the sealing performance of the vehicle window (power window mechanism D) and the air introduction path (air conditioner E) to thereby improve the interior of the vehicle. The degree of introduction of vehicle exterior noise is adjusted. The pedal depression force adjusting unit 14 acts on the pedal assist mechanism F to adjust the reactivity of the operation pedal (particularly the brake pedal). The correction correct control unit 10 controls the adjustment level of each of the adjustment units 11 to 14 based on the information of the memory card 2 input from the reading control unit 7.
[0026]
Hereinafter, the driving support operation by the vehicle driving support device 1 will be described. First, the information writing operation to the memory card 2 will be described.
[0027]
As shown in FIG. 2, the driver who desires driving assistance by the vehicle driving assistance device 1 attaches the memory card 2 in the unwritten state to the memory card attachment part 8 a included in the writing part 8. The memory card mounting portion 8a is provided on the operation panel 15 of the driver's seat of the car A, for example. In this state, information on the ability that the driver lacks in various physical abilities required for driving is written to the memory card 2. Writing is performed by transmitting and receiving electrical signals between the terminals 2a and 8b in a state where the input / output terminal 2a of the memory card 2 is in contact with the writing terminal 8b of the memory card mounting portion 8a.
[0028]
Information is written via an operation switch (not shown) of the writing unit 8, and the operation is controlled by the writing control unit 9. The operation switch is provided on the operation panel 15, for example. The operation switch may be configured as a dedicated switch, but may be provided in the form of a touch panel switch on a liquid crystal display (not shown) used in a car navigation system or the like.
[0029]
As the information to be input here, the deficiency level may be digitized and input for the ability that the driver is deficient in various physical abilities required for driving, or the adjustment levels of the respective adjustment units 11 to 14 may be numerical values. (In this example, the deficiency level is expressed as numerical information). In other words, what is input here is information on the ability that the driver lacks in various physical abilities required for driving, and information that can control the level of adjustment work in each of the adjustment units 11 to 14. Anything may be used.
[0030]
When the writing of information to the memory card 2 is completed, the memory card 2 is taken out from the memory card mounting portion 8a, and the written memory card 2 is stored together with the ignition key 16 (also serving as a door lock key). As shown in FIG. 3, the memory card 2 does not need to be lost if it is connected to the ignition key 16 by a connecting string 17.
[0031]
After finishing the above preparatory work, the driver gets into the automobile with the memory card 2 together with the ignition key 16. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the ignition key 16 is inserted into the key hole 18 of the ignition device, and the memory card 2 is mounted in the memory card mounting portion 6 a of the reading unit 6. The keyhole 18 and the memory card mounting portion 6a are provided on the operation panel 15, for example.
[0032]
In this state, the information regarding the ability that the driver lacks in various physical abilities required for driving is read from the memory card 2. Reading is performed by transmitting and receiving electrical signals between the terminals 2a and 6b in a state where the input / output terminal 2a of the memory card 2 is in contact with the reading terminal 6b of the memory card mounting portion 6a. The reading operation is controlled by the reading control unit 7, and the read information is supplied to the correction control unit 10 of the capability correcting unit 5 through the reading control unit 7.
[0033]
Based on the supplied information, the correction control unit 10 creates control signals of adjustment levels by the adjustment units 11 to 14 and outputs the control signals to the adjustment units 11 to 14. The adjustment units 11 to 14 supplied with these control signals perform the following adjustments.
[0034]
First, adjustment by the steering adjustment unit 11 will be described. The steering adjustment unit 11 adjusts the degree of control for assisting the rotational steering for the steering by the power steering mechanism B based on the control signal supplied from the correction control unit 10.
[0035]
The power steering mechanism B is a mechanism that reduces the load applied from the steering side to the steering operation by the driver by a hydraulic mechanism or the like, and basically increases the reduction amount of the rotational load as the vehicle speed decreases, Easy to steer.
[0036]
Therefore, when the correction control unit 10 understands how much the driver's arm strength is inferior to that of the healthy person based on the information supplied from the memory card 2, the load reduction corresponding to the degree of decrease in the arm strength is achieved. An amount control signal is generated and supplied to the steering adjustment unit 11. The steering adjustment unit 11 sets the load reduction adjustment amount of the power steering mechanism B based on the control signal supplied from the correction control unit 10, thereby giving the driver the optimum steering steering ability.
[0037]
Next, adjustment of the display adjustment unit 12 will be described. The display adjustment unit 12 adjusts the display form of the measurement data display unit C based on the control signal supplied from the correction control unit 10. For example, although there is no problem in the driving aptitude test for the elderly's eyesight, there is a tendency that it is difficult to identify a display body with low contrast or a display body with low luminance.
[0038]
Therefore, when the correction control unit 10 understands how much the driver's visual ability is inferior to that of a normal person based on the information supplied from the memory card 2, a control signal corresponding to the degree of the visual ability deterioration is obtained. Is supplied to the display adjustment unit 12. The display adjustment unit 12 adjusts the display brightness and display contrast of the measurement data display unit C (specifically, increases adjustment) based on the supplied control signal. Thereby, the visibility of the optimal measurement data is given to the driver.
[0039]
Some drivers who are elderly and suffer from cataract have handicaps that cannot distinguish between green and blue and can only see these colors as gray. Therefore, when such information on handicap is stored in the memory card 2, the correction control unit 10 that has read the information, for example, sends a control signal indicating the following correction to the display control unit 12. Supply. That is, in the measurement data display unit C, for example, a blue display unit and a green display unit are included in the measurement data display unit C because the blue illumination and the green illumination coexist in the backlight illumination. If they are mixed, a driver having the handicap may have difficulty in visually recognizing measurement data (distinguishing the display body). In this case, the display adjustment unit 12 uses a technique of changing the color of at least one backlight illumination to another color, so that a blue display body and a green display body are mixed in the measurement data display unit C. This makes it possible to give the driver visibility of the optimum measurement data.
[0040]
Next, adjustment of the external sound introduction adjustment unit 13 will be described. The outside sound introduction adjusting unit 12 adjusts the degree of introduction of outside sound based on the control signal from the correction control unit 10.
[0041]
The sound insulation performance of recent automobiles has been improved, and there is no problem with the comfort in the car. However, since the sound insulation performance is too high, it is difficult to hear the sound outside the vehicle, making it difficult to judge the situation by sound. This is particularly noticeable in elderly people who begin to lose hearing and drivers who have some disabilities in their ears. In particular, for elderly people who suffer from a decline in situational judgment, the loss of sound information can be a factor in making situational mistakes.
[0042]
Therefore, when the correction control unit 10 understands how much the driver's hearing is inferior to that of a normal person based on the information supplied from the memory card 2, the control signal corresponding to the degree of hearing loss is output. The sound is supplied to the sound introduction adjusting unit 13. The outside sound introduction adjusting unit 13 adjusts the power window mechanism D and the air conditioner E based on the supplied control signal to reduce the sound insulation of the automobile A, thereby introducing the outside sound into the vehicle. . Specifically, the introduction of the outside sound is performed as follows.
[0043]
In the power window mechanism D, outside sound is introduced by slightly opening the glass window in a range where wind and rain do not enter the vehicle. The degree of sound introduction is adjusted by changing the opening width of the glass window. In the air conditioner E, outside sound is introduced by partially releasing the sealing property of the ventilation path connecting the outside air introduction port and the adjustment-in-vehicle outlet. The degree of sound introduction is adjusted by changing the sealing performance of the ventilation path.
[0044]
Next, adjustment of the pedal effort adjusting unit 14 will be described. The pedal depression force adjusting unit 14 adjusts the response to the driver's stepping operation on the operation pedal based on the control signal from the correction control unit 10.
[0045]
Due to recent advances in automobile technology, a mechanism (pedal assist mechanism F) has been developed that assists brake operation so that it can be stopped reliably in the shortest distance by combining a hydraulic mechanism and a control computer. In this pedal assist mechanism F, whether a depression operation force applied to the operation pedal is detected, a brake operation corresponding to the depression operation is performed, a brake operation more than the depression operation is performed, or a pumping brake operation is performed. After making such a determination, the brake operation according to the determination is performed, so that the vehicle can be reliably stopped at the shortest distance.
[0046]
Therefore, when the correction control unit 10 understands how much the driver's pedaling force is inferior to that of a normal person based on the information supplied from the memory card 2, the control signal corresponding to the degree of depression of the pedaling is pedaled. This is supplied to the treading force adjustment unit 14. The pedal depression force adjusting unit 14 adjusts the pedal assist mechanism F based on the supplied control signal, thereby realizing an optimal brake operation for the driver. Specifically, the pedal assist mechanism F is adjusted as follows. That is, the degree of brake operation assistance is adjusted according to the degree of decrease in the driver's pedal effort.
[0047]
In the embodiment described above, information obtained by quantifying the deficiency level of the ability that the driver lacks in various physical abilities required for driving is stored in the memory card 2. Needless to say, information directly indicating the adjustment amount may be stored.
[0048]
In the above-described embodiment, only the mounting operation of the memory card 2 (mounting operation with respect to the memory card mounting portion 6a) is performed alone. However, as shown in FIG. 4, provided with a 'memory card mounting portion 6a to' ignition key 16, the back portion 19 of the keyhole 18 of the ignition device operated by the ignition key 16 ', input and output terminals of the memory card 2 A reading terminal 6b ′ that is electrically connected to 2a and transmits and receives signals may be provided. In this way, if the memory card 2 is attached to the ignition key 16 ′ before driving, the information on the memory card 2 is simultaneously read by the reading means 3 when the engine ignition operation is performed by the ignition key 16 ′. A can be loaded into A, and there is no need to separately set a reading operation of the memory card 2, and the operability is improved. In particular, in the case of an elderly person, the operation of mounting the memory card 2 having a relatively small shape on the side of the vehicle every time it is driven takes more time than expected and is difficult to perform reliably. Therefore, once the memory card 2 is mounted in the memory card mounting portion 6a ′ of the ignition key 16 ′ , the memory card 2 need not be mounted thereafter. It will be very convenient for the driver.
[0049]
In order to realize the configuration of FIG. 4, the relay terminal 6c is electrically connected to the memory card mounting portion 6a ′ , and the relay terminal 6d (electrically insulated from the metal key tip) is provided at the tip of the ignition key 16 ′. ), The relay terminal 6c and the relay terminal 6d need to be electrically connected inside the ignition key 16 ′ . Here, the relay terminal 6c is connected to the input / output terminal 2a of the memory card 2, and the relay terminal 6d is connected to the reading terminal 6b ′ .
[0050]
Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a memory card mounting portion 6a ″ may be provided in the vicinity of the door lock mechanism 20. Then, a double lock mechanism using the memory card 2 can be configured. That is, even if the door lock mechanism 20 is released with the ignition key 16 (also serving as the lock release key), the door lock is released unless the memory card 2 is attached to the memory card attachment portion 6a ″. You can make it impossible.
[0051]
As described above, in the embodiment described above, the ability correction means of the present invention is caused to act in the steering operation, the display form of the display unit, the introduction of external sound, and the pedal operation. A capability correcting means may be operated.
[0052]
One is to measure the distance between the vehicle body and the obstacle during reverse driving, and issue a warning when the vehicle body approaches the obstacle more than necessary. The setting may be adjusted based on age information stored in the memory card 2. For example, the higher the age is, the shorter the setting of the separation distance is, so that the warning is issued earlier than the driver of the middle age / youth. This makes it difficult to cause a collision with an obstacle.
The volume of a warning sound (sound of a warning voice, pronunciation of a warning buzzer, etc.) emitted from the automobile side to the driver may be adjusted based on information related to hearing stored in the memory card 2 . This makes it possible to reliably transmit a warning even to a driver who has a slight impairment in hearing.
[0053]
In the above-described embodiment, the present invention is implemented in an automobile. However, it goes without saying that the present invention can also be implemented in a motorcycle. In this case, an adjustment operation based on the information in the memory card 2 is performed on the assist mechanism of the brake or clutch lever, so that the operation of the brake operation and the clutch operation of the driver whose gripping power is reduced can be ensured. Can give sex. Further, by performing an adjustment operation based on the information in the memory card 2 for the suspension mechanism, it is possible to give a soft ride comfort to an elderly driver and reduce driving fatigue.
[0054]
Further, as described above, the memory card 2 stores information related to the ability that the driver lacks in various physical abilities required for driving the vehicle, as well as seat setting adjustment information (automatic seat setting mechanism). ), Center mirror setting adjustment information (if there is a center mirror automatic setting mechanism), door mirror angle adjustment information (if there is a door mirror automatic angle adjustment mechanism), in-vehicle audio equipment and air conditioner setting adjustment information It can also be stored and used. Furthermore, it is also possible to store an operation record of a car.
[0055]
In the above-described embodiment, information related to a single driver is stored in one memory card 2. However, information related to a plurality of drivers may be stored in one memory card 2. Good. In this case, the driver identifies the driver by responding to an inquiry regarding the driver identification issued from the automobile A side via the display unit or the like by an operation switch (for example, a touch panel switch on the display unit). do it.
[0056]
In the embodiment described above, the writing unit 4 for writing information to the memory card 2 is provided in the car A. In addition, an information input device such as a personal computer provided separately from the car A is written. It can also be used as a loading means.
[0057]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, by reading the information stored in the memory card by the reading means, the set support mode can be easily reproduced, and the new operation such as the elderly can be remembered and executed. Even a driver who is not good at driving can use the driving assistance device well.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle driving support apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part showing a configuration of a writing unit.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part showing a configuration of a reading unit.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part showing a modification of reading means.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part showing still another modification of the reading means.
[Explanation of symbols]
B Power steering mechanism C Measurement data display part D Power window mechanism E Air conditioner F Pedal assist mechanism 2 Memory card 3 Reading means 4 Writing means 5 Capability correcting means 6a Memory card mounting part 7 Reading control part 8 Writing part 8a Memory Card mounting unit 9 Write control unit 10 Correction control unit 11 Steering adjustment unit 12 Display adjustment unit 13 External sound introduction adjustment unit 14 Pedal pedal force adjustment unit 16 Ignition key

Claims (1)

A memory card for storing information on the ability that the driver lacks in various physical abilities required for driving the vehicle;
Reading means for reading the information stored in the memory card provided in the driving target vehicle;
Based on the information provided in the driving target vehicle and read by the reading means, ability correcting means for supplementing the driver's insufficient ability during the driving operation;
I have a,
The insufficient ability is a visual ability, and the ability correction means changes a lighting form or a display form of a display meter of a driving target vehicle so as to supplement a driver's visual ability.
A vehicle driving support device.

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