JP4375807B2 - Drunk driving prevention device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for preventing a driver whose so-called blood concentration of ethyl alcohol is above a predetermined value from driving a car (so-called “drinking driving”).

If the blood concentration of ethyl alcohol is in a state of a predetermined value or more, careful judgment becomes difficult and reaction becomes worse. For this reason, it is very dangerous to drive a car in such a state (the state in which the blood concentration of ethyl alcohol is a predetermined value or more), which may cause a serious accident. Therefore, drunk driving is strictly prohibited by various laws and regulations.
However, drunk driving does not end, and the occurrence of serious accidents caused by drunk driving does not end.

Also in the prior art, a technique has been proposed in which an automobile cannot be driven when alcohol is detected (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
However, since the conventional technology detects the presence or absence of alcohol based on the thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity of alcohol gas, there is a problem in that it is difficult to detect alcohol unless the breath is concentrated by various means. is doing.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-150853

  The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and driving an automobile in a state where the blood concentration of ethyl alcohol is not less than a predetermined value without using a means for concentrating exhaled breath ( The purpose is to provide a drunk driving prevention device that can prevent so-called “drinking driving”).

  As a result of various studies, the inventor has found that the concentration of acetaldehyde contained in body odor corresponds to the concentration of ethyl alcohol in the blood, and the measurement of acetaldehyde concentration collects exhaled breath containing ethyl alcohol as in the prior art. Focused on the lack of necessity. Then, attention was paid to the fact that collection of exhaled breath and concentration of the collected exhaled breath became unnecessary if an indicator substance (for example, acetaldehyde) indicating the fact of drinking that was included in the body odor was measured.

According to the present invention, in a drunk driving prevention mechanism that stops a car engine (2) when a driver whose ethyl alcohol blood concentration is equal to or higher than a predetermined value is driving a car, it reacts with acetaldehyde in a 1: 1 ratio. An acetaldehyde sensor (3) is provided in at least one of the seat cushion (91), seat back (92), and headrest (93) of the driver seat (9), and based on a detection signal from the acetaldehyde sensor (3) A control unit (4) for determining whether the driver is drunk or drunk is provided. The control unit (4) stores the output of the database (43) and the acetaldehyde sensor (3) in the database (43). A comparison circuit (41) for comparing with a stored threshold value and the acetaldehyde sensor (3 And a determination circuit (42) for stopping the engine of the vehicle if the output of the vehicle is higher than a threshold, and a release switch (2) that enables the start of the engine (2) of the vehicle even if an acetaldehyde concentration exceeding the threshold is detected. 5), when the acetaldehyde is detected, the control unit (4) determines whether or not the detected acetaldehyde concentration is equal to or higher than a threshold value, and if it is equal to or higher than the threshold value, the engine (2) is stopped. In addition, it has a function of recording in the database (43) when the release switch (5) is turned on.

Here, “ stop the engine ” means, for example, a control for controlling the governor or the like to cut off the fuel supply to the engine, a control for cutting off the current supply to the ignition system, or a cut off of the current supply to the starter motor Control to prevent the transmission from entering any position other than the neutral (N) position or the parking position (P), control to prevent the side brake from being released, or control to prevent the ignition key from rotating.

Further, according to the present invention, in the drunk driving prevention mechanism for stopping the engine (2) of the automobile when the driver whose ethyl alcohol blood concentration is equal to or higher than a predetermined value drives the automobile, acetaldehyde and 1: 1 are used. Substance determination sensors (A, B, C, D) that do not react and react with a plurality of substances are provided in at least one of the seat cushion (91), the seat back (92), and the headrest (93) of the driver seat (9). The presence or absence of acetaldehyde using the graphic pattern obtained by plotting each output of those substance determination sensors (A, B, C, D) on each axis (A, B, C, D) and connecting the plots Control unit (40) for determining the vehicle, and a release switch that allows the vehicle to start even if the control unit (40) determines that it is drunk or drunk 5), and its control unit (40) has a substance determination block (44), a concentration determination block (45), a comparison block (46), and a database (43), and the substance determination block (44) It consists of a pattern creation block (441), a pattern comparison block (442), and a determination block (443). The control unit (40) receives and receives information from the substance determination sensors (A, B, C, D). The pattern of the prepared substance is created, the pattern of the created substance and the pattern of acetaldehyde stored in the database (43) are compared in the pattern comparison block (442), and the comparison result is detected in the determination block (443) Whether or not the substance determined by the substance determination block (44) is an acetaldehyde. In the case of an aldehyde, the concentration determination block (45) determines the concentration of the acetaldehyde, which is stored in the database (43) and compared with the acetaldehyde concentration threshold value in the concentration determination block (45), and the detected alcohol concentration is greater than the threshold value. In this case, a control signal is sent to the engine (2) to stop the engine (2), and the date and time when the release switch (5) is turned on is stored in the database (43).

Furthermore, according to the present invention, a drunk driving signal generating means (6) having a starting antenna (61) and a display means (7) are provided, and the control unit (4) is capable of speeding the vehicle if the release switch (5) is on. If the vehicle speed is not zero, the display means (7) is activated and the drinking signal generating means (6) transmits a drinking signal.

According to the present invention, the alcohol sensor (3A) is provided at a position where the driver's exhalation collides, and the control unit (4) has a function of stopping the engine (2) if the alcohol concentration is equal to or higher than a predetermined concentration. ing.

  In the present invention, for example, a thin film sensor can be used as the acetaldehyde sensor.

  Here, the above-described thin film sensor is composed of a porous material (for example, metal oxide semiconductor) in which a large number of nano-level micropores are formed, and molecules of a substance to be detected enter the nano-level micropores. Therefore, a sensor that exhibits the required selectivity as a sensor can be used.

According to the present invention having the above-described configuration, a sensor (3: a thin film sensor that detects only acetaldehyde) that detects an indicator of alcohol consumption (3: a thin film sensor that detects only acetaldehyde) sits in the driver's seat of the automobile (1). It detects whether or not the indicator substance is included in the body odor of the wearer (driver or driver), and the indicator substance is sufficient even if it does not concentrate the body odor (or acetaldehyde contained in the body odor) Since it is detectable, the indicator substance which shows having drunk can be detected, without using the means to concentrate body odor (or acetaldehyde contained in body odor).
Therefore, since the space of the means for concentrating body odor (or acetaldehyde contained in body odor) is unnecessary, the drunk driving prevention device of the present invention can be easily installed in the automobile (1).

  In the present invention, if the vehicle has the operation means (release switch 5) and the vehicle can be started when the operation means (release switch 5) is activated (Claim 2), the passenger is drinking. However, if the driver is not drinking or in an emergency situation where drunk driving is performed for the treatment (disinfection) of an injured person, the car (1) can be started and driven. It becomes possible.

Further, in the present invention, when the operation means (5) is operated, if the display means (7) displays that the drunk driving is performed (Claim 4), the vehicle ( Since it is possible to warn the surroundings that 1) is drunk driving, it is possible to prevent accidents caused by drunk driving.
Alternatively, if it is configured so that drunk driving is performed to the outside (for example, police station 8) wirelessly (Claim Station 8), a police officer is dispatched, etc. It is possible to adopt a certain means, and it is possible to avoid the occurrence of a tragic accident caused by drunk driving.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
First, a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
1st Embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 is embodiment using the sensor (for example, thin film sensor) which reacts with acetaldehyde 1: 1 (it reacts only with acetaldehyde).

  Here, as a sensor that reacts 1: 1 with acetaldehyde, for example, a plurality of defects (pores of molecular size) having the same shape as the shape of acetaldehyde molecules are formed on a thin film having only a molecular thickness. A sensor of the type that is formed and configured so that molecules that have passed through the thin film collide with the piezoelectric element is used. And the piezoelectric element which the molecule | numerator which permeate | transmitted the said thin film collides is comprised so that the voltage proportional to the number of molecules which permeate | transmitted the said thin film may be generated.

In such a sensor, a gas containing acetaldehyde molecules is caused to collide with the thin film. As a result, only acetaldehyde molecules penetrate the thin film. Acetaldehyde molecules that have passed through the thin film collide with the piezoelectric element and generate a voltage.
Here, since the generated voltage is proportional to the number of acetaldehyde molecules permeated through the thin film, that is, the molar concentration, it is possible to judge not only whether or not acetaldehyde molecules are present in the gas but also its concentration.

In FIG. 1, the drunk driving prevention apparatus 100 of 1st Embodiment is provided in the vehicle which is not shown in figure.
The drunk driving prevention device 100 includes an engine 2 mounted on a vehicle (not shown), an indicator substance (for example, acetaldehyde) indicating that the driver has drunk, and an acetaldehyde sensor 3 that detects the concentration of the indicator substance. And a control unit 4 and a release switch 5.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the acetaldehyde sensor 3 is provided in at least one place of a seat cushion 91, a seat back 92, and a headrest 93 in a driver seat (driver seat) 9. Here, the acetaldehyde sensor 3 may be disposed at any one of the seat cushion 91, the seat back 92, and the headrest 93, or may be disposed at any or all of the seat cushion 91, the seat back 92, and the headrest 93. You may do it.

  The control unit 4 is configured to determine whether the driver is drunk or drunk based on the detection signal from the acetaldehyde sensor 3. For example, when the passenger in the front passenger seat is drinking, the release switch 5 controls the control unit 4 even if the driver erroneously determines that the driver is drunk or drunk and tries to prohibit the driving operation. The prohibition command of unit 4 can be canceled.

  The control unit 4 includes a comparison circuit 41, a determination circuit 42, and a database 43 that is a storage device. The comparison circuit 41 receives the output signal from the acetaldehyde sensor 3, compares the information included in the received signal with the data stored in the database 43 (threshold indicating that it is drunk or drunk), The comparison result is sent to the determination circuit 42. The determination circuit 42 determines whether or not the driver falls under drunk or drunk based on the signal indicating the comparison result sent from the comparison circuit. Then, a control signal such as a signal for prohibiting injection of an injection pump (not shown) of the engine 2 is transmitted to the engine 2.

  As described above, the acetaldehyde sensor 3 is a sensor that can detect acetaldehyde (a sensor that reacts 1: 1 with acetaldehyde), and is configured to detect both the presence of acetaldehyde and its concentration. Has been.

Acetaldehyde contained in the body odor of the driver is diffused from the chest, back, and buttocks of the driver, and stays around the driver through the driver's clothing.
The acetaldehyde sensor 3 provided in at least one place of the seat cushion 91, the seat back 92, and the headrest 93 of the driver's seat 9 detects the presence and concentration of acetaldehyde staying around the driver as shown in FIG. It is configured as follows.
Depending on the amount (thickness) of the driver's clothing or the type of clothing, acetaldehyde may be difficult to permeate out of the clothing. In such a case, if the acetaldehyde sensor 3 is provided at a plurality of locations of the seat cushion 91, the seat back 92, and the headrest 93, it is possible to prevent a detection failure.

  Although not shown, the acetaldehyde sensor 3 may be provided at a position in the seat belt that contacts the chest of the driver.

  As described above, the control unit 4 compares the output signal voltage of the acetaldehyde sensor 3 with the threshold value stored in the database 43 (comparison circuit 41), and determines whether or not the acetaldehyde concentration is equal to or higher than the threshold value ( In the determination circuit 42), when the acetaldehyde concentration is equal to or higher than the threshold value, a control signal is generated in the engine 2 of the automobile to prevent starting.

As described above, the release switch 5 is a device that enables the engine 2 of the automobile to be started even if an acetaldehyde concentration equal to or higher than a threshold value is detected.
For example, when the passenger is drinking but the driver is not drinking, or when ethyl alcohol is used to treat (disinfect) a person who has been injured, the ethyl alcohol is changed to acetaldehyde by some action. It is provided in order to eliminate the inconvenience that the car cannot start. Details will be described later with reference to FIG.

FIG. 3 is a control flowchart showing the operation in the first embodiment.
In step S <b> 1 of FIG. 3, the control unit 4 determines whether or not acetaldehyde is detected by the acetaldehyde sensor 3.
If acetaldehyde is detected (YES in step S1), the process proceeds to step S2. If acetaldehyde is not detected (NO in step S1), the engine is made operable in step S5, and the process proceeds to step S6.

  In step S2, it is determined whether or not the acetaldehyde concentration is a predetermined value or more. If the acetaldehyde concentration is equal to or higher than the predetermined concentration (YES in step S2), the process proceeds to step S3. If the acetaldehyde concentration is less than the predetermined concentration (NO in step S2), the engine is allowed to operate in step S5 and the process proceeds to step S6.

In step S3, the control unit 4 determines whether or not the engine is operating. If the engine is operating (YES in step S3), the process proceeds to the next step S4. If the engine is not operating (NO in step S3), the process proceeds to step S6.
In step S4, the control unit 4 stops the engine.

In step S6, it is determined whether or not to end the control. If the control is to be terminated (YES in step S6), the control is terminated as it is.
If the control is to be continued (NO in step S6), the process returns to step S1, and step S1 and subsequent steps are repeated again.

In FIGS. 1 to 3, when the acetaldehyde concentration in the body odor of the driver exceeds the threshold, the engine 2 of the vehicle in operation is stopped by the control signal from the control unit 4, or the engine 2 in the stopped state is stopped. It is configured to prevent starting.
As a specific method of stopping the engine 2 or preventing starting, for example,
Controlling the governor (not shown) to cut off the fuel supply to the engine 2;
Shut off the current supply to the ignition system (not shown),
Shut off the current supply to the starter motor (not shown)
The transmission (not shown) is configured not to enter other than the neutral (N) position and the parking position (P).
Configure so that the side brake (not shown) is not released, or
An ignition key (not shown) is configured not to rotate.
Etc. are applicable.

  Even when acetaldehyde is detected, if the engine 2 is not operating, it is not necessary to perform the control of “Is the engine operating?” (Step S3). Alternatively, instead of determining whether or not the engine is operating, it may be determined whether or not the vehicle speed is zero.

In step S2 for determining “whether or not the acetaldehyde concentration is equal to or higher than a predetermined concentration (threshold value)”, as shown in FIG. 4, for example, the instantaneous value (peak value) of the acetaldehyde concentration (line Lγ) that changes with time. When the value exceeds the threshold Ls, “YES” is determined.
This is because, from the viewpoint of risk prevention, when the blood alcohol concentration may exceed the threshold value, the above-described “engine stop” (step S4) is controlled without omission.

The release switch 5 described above will be described with reference to FIG.
As described above, for example, when the passenger is drinking but the driver is not drinking, or when the injured person is treated (disinfected) using ethyl alcohol, the ethyl alcohol is acetaldehyde by some action. The release switch 5 is provided in order to eliminate the inconvenience that the vehicle cannot start when the vehicle is changed.

  When the release switch 5 is operated, even if the acetaldehyde sensor 3 detects acetaldehyde having a predetermined concentration or more, the “engine stop” control in step S4 shown in FIG. 3 is not performed.

  FIG. 5 shows a control flowchart of the release switch 5. In FIG. 5, in step S11, the control unit 4 determines whether or not the release switch is ON. If the release switch is ON (step S11 is YES), the process proceeds to step S12. On the other hand, if the release switch is not ON (step S11 is NO), the loop of step S11 is repeated.

  In step S12, the date and time when the release switch 5 is turned on is stored in the database 43, and the process of step S4 in FIG. 3 is canceled (step S13), and the control is terminated.

  By storing the date and time when the release switch 5 was turned on in the database 43, it is possible to clarify that the release switch 5 did not operate abnormally when an accident occurred with the release switch 5 turned on. I can do it. In other words, if a person in a drought has intentionally actuated the release switch 5, by recording that fact, if that person causes an accident, the "release switch will operate without permission. It is possible to prevent the defense of "has been done" in advance.

  The release switch 5 is preferably provided at a location separated from the driver's seat. That is, it is preferable that the release switch 5 is disposed at a place where it is difficult for the driver to operate. For example, it is suitable to be installed under the rear seat or inside the trunk.

  In FIG. 5, after canceling the process of step S4 (FIG. 3) and allowing the vehicle to start, if the predetermined condition is satisfied, the process of step S13 of FIG. 5 is canceled and the step of FIG. It is preferable to make the process of S4 effective. That is, the control of FIGS. 3 and 5 is repeated.

By repeating the control in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, even if a person in the saddle state intentionally operates the release switch 5, the engine stops after a certain period of time. The situation of doing is prevented.
As the above-mentioned certain conditions (conditions for enabling the process in step S4 in FIG. 3 again), for example, a condition that “a predetermined time has elapsed” or a condition that “the engine has been stopped (cut off)” is considered. It is done.

Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
1 to 5 uses a sensor (for example, a thin film sensor 3) that reacts with acetaldehyde at a ratio of 1: 1. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, a combination of a plurality of types of sensors that do not react 1: 1 with acetaldehyde but react with a plurality of substances, and a radar chart pattern is created with such a plurality of types of sensor outputs. The presence or absence of acetaldehyde is determined based on the pattern similarity.

6 to 8 show radar chart patterns created by combining outputs of a plurality of sensors (for example, four types of sensors A, B, C, and D). The outputs of the four types of sensors A to D are plotted on the axes A to D in FIGS. Here, the four types of sensors A to D react to acetaldehyde, but do not react 1: 1 with acetaldehyde.
The output of each of the four types of sensors (A to D) is plotted on axes A to D in FIGS. 6 to 8, and a pattern obtained by connecting the plots is used to determine whether acetaldehyde is present. To do.

FIG. 6 shows the graphic pattern obtained by plotting the outputs of the four types of sensors on the axes A to D of FIGS. 6 to 8 and connecting the plots when acetaldehyde is detected (output of acetaldehyde). pattern).
FIG. 7 plots detection signal outputs of four types of sensors (A to D) for unknown substances on axes A to D of FIGS. 6 to 8, and shows a graphic pattern obtained by connecting the plots with a broken line. ing. At the same time, the graphic pattern of acetaldehyde is shown by a solid line.
Since the two graphic patterns are completely different, as a result of pattern recognition, it can be determined that the unknown substance is not acetaldehyde.

FIG. 8 is similar to FIG. 7, and is obtained by plotting sensor output patterns of unknown substances (detection signal outputs of types of sensors A to D on axes A to D in FIGS. 6 to 8 and connecting the plots. The graphic pattern) is indicated by a broken line, and the sensor output pattern of acetaldehyde is indicated by a solid line.
Since the wavy graphic pattern and the solid graphic pattern roughly match, the unknown substance can be determined to be acetaldehyde.

Based on FIG. 9, the structure of 2nd Embodiment is demonstrated.
In FIG. 9, the drunk driving prevention apparatus 101 of the second embodiment is provided in a vehicle not shown. The drunk driving prevention apparatus 101 includes an engine 2 mounted on a vehicle (not shown), different types of acetaldehyde sensors (substance determination sensors) AD for detecting the acetaldehyde concentration in the body odor of the driver, and a control unit. 40 and a release switch 5.
The control unit 40 is configured to determine whether or not the driver is in a state corresponding to “drinking” or “alcoholic” based on detection signals from the acetaldehyde sensors A to D. For example, when the passenger in the front passenger seat is drinking, the release switch 5 erroneously determines that the control unit 40 is “drinking or drunk” and prohibits the driving operation. It is configured to make it possible (to cancel the prohibition command for driving operation).

The control unit 40 includes a substance determination block 44, a concentration determination block 45, a comparison block 46, and a database 43.
The substance determination block 44 includes a pattern creation block 441, a pattern comparison block 442, and a determination block 443.

  The pattern creation block 441 receives information from the four types of sensors (A to D) and creates a pattern of the received substance. The pattern comparison block 442 compares the acetaldehyde pattern stored in the database 43 with the detected substance pattern based on, for example, a conventionally known pattern recognition technique. In decision block 443 to which the comparison result is sent, it is determined whether or not the detected substance is acetaldehyde.

In the concentration determination block 45, when the substance determined in the substance determination block 44 is acetaldehyde, the concentration (acetaldehyde concentration) is determined.
The comparison block 46 compares the acetaldehyde concentration threshold stored in the database 43 with the acetaldehyde concentration determined by the concentration determination block 45. When the acetaldehyde concentration (detected value of acetaldehyde concentration) determined by the concentration determination block 45 is larger than the threshold value, control for prohibiting the driving operation is performed. A specific example of the control for prohibiting the driving operation is the same as that described in the first embodiment.

In the second embodiment, since a plurality of sensors A to D are combined and acetaldehyde is detected by a graphic pattern (see FIGS. 6 to 8) obtained from the sensor output, unlike the first embodiment, the acetaldehyde concentration is directly set. It is difficult to measure. Therefore, in addition to the substance determination block 44 that determines the presence or absence of acetaldehyde from the sensor output, a concentration determination block 45 that determines the acetaldehyde concentration is provided.
In the concentration determination block 45, a known technique is applied to determine the acetaldehyde concentration.

Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
In the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, when the release switch 5 is not operated, it is the same as the first embodiment and / or the second embodiment, but when the release switch 5 is operated, This is different from the first embodiment and / or the second embodiment.
In the third embodiment, acetaldehyde of a predetermined concentration or more is detected, but when the release switch 5 is activated and the vehicle is traveling (vehicle speed ≠ 0), “the drunk driving is being performed” In addition, a message indicating that “the drunk driving is being performed” is communicated to the police station (the competent institution) using a wireless LAN or the like.

  In FIG. 10, the drunk driving prevention apparatus 102 of 3rd Embodiment equips the motor vehicle 1 provided with the engine 2 with the same acetaldehyde sensor 3, the control unit 4, and the cancellation | release switch 5 as 1st Embodiment, and drunk driving signal A generating means 6 and a display means 7 are provided. The drunk driving signal generating means 6 has a transmitting antenna 61.

Based on FIG. 11, the control method of 3rd Embodiment is demonstrated.
In step S <b> 21, the control unit 4 determines whether acetaldehyde is detected by the acetaldehyde sensor 3.
If acetaldehyde is detected (YES in step S21), the process proceeds to step S22. If acetaldehyde is not detected (NO in step S21), the engine is made operable in step S24, and the process proceeds to step S29.

  In step S22, it is determined whether or not the acetaldehyde concentration is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. If it is equal to or higher than the predetermined concentration (YES in step S22), the process proceeds to step S23. If the acetaldehyde concentration is less than the predetermined concentration (NO in step S22), it is determined in step S24 that the engine can be operated, and the process proceeds to step S29.

  In step S23, the control unit 4 determines whether or not the release switch 5 is ON. If release switch 5 is ON (step S23 is YES), the process proceeds to step S25, and if release switch 5 is not ON (step S23 is NO), the process proceeds to step S27.

In step S25, the control unit 4 determines whether the vehicle speed is not 0, that is, whether the automobile 1 is traveling.
If the vehicle speed is not 0 (YES in step S25), the display means 6 is operated in step S26, and after the drinking signal generating means 6 transmits a drinking signal, the process proceeds to step S29.
On the other hand, if the vehicle speed is 0 (NO in step S25), it is determined that the automobile 1 is not running and the danger is low, and the process directly proceeds to step S29 without operating the display means 6.

In step S27, the control unit 4 determines whether the vehicle speed is not 0, that is, whether the automobile 1 is traveling.
If the vehicle speed is not 0 (YES in step S27), control for stopping the engine 2 is performed in step S28, and the process proceeds to step S29. On the other hand, if the vehicle speed is 0 (NO in step S27), the process directly proceeds to step S29.

In step S29, the control unit 4 determines whether or not to end the control.
If the control is to be continued (NO in step S29), the process returns to step S21, and step S21 and subsequent steps are repeated again.

According to the third embodiment of FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, by configuring as described above, when the driver in the saddle state operates the release switch 5 and drives the automobile 1, Can be dealt with.
That is, when the driver in a drought has operated the release switch 5 and caused the vehicle 1 to travel, the control unit 4 outputs a drunk driving signal transmission means 6 to the drunk driving signal transmission means 6, and the vehicle 1 The display means 7 attached to the rear part displays that the drunk driving is in progress. For this reason, other automobiles running in the vicinity of the automobile 1 can recognize that the automobile 1 is in the drunk driving state, and therefore can be prevented from being involved in an accident or the like.

  On the other hand, a signal indicating drunk driving is transmitted from the antenna 61 of the drunk driving signal transmitting means 6 to the nearest police station 8. As a result, the police station that has received the signal can dispatch a police officer to the car 1 to order a stop of travel. As a result, it is possible to positively prevent the car 1 from causing a tragic accident due to drunk driving, and to suppress drunk driving for the drinker.

  In addition, when the passenger is drinking but the driver is not drinking or when ethyl alcohol is used for the treatment (disinfection) of the injured person, the methyl alcohol is changed to acetaldehyde by some action. Even when it is appropriate to operate the release switch 5, the police 8 is contacted. However, in such a case, even if a police officer is ordered to stop and ask a job question, if the driver accurately explains the situation in response to the police officer's question, there will be no disadvantage to the driver.

Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
The fourth embodiment of FIGS. 10 and 11 is an embodiment in which an alcohol sensor 3A is additionally provided to the first embodiment of FIGS.
In the fourth embodiment, an alcohol sensor 3A is additionally provided so that the concentration of ethyl alcohol contained in the breath of the driver is detected by the alcohol sensor 3A, and this alcohol concentration and the acetaldehyde concentration contained in the body odor in the first embodiment When any one of the above becomes a predetermined concentration or more, the automobile engine is forcibly stopped.

The alcohol sensor 3A is installed at a site where exhaled breath of a person seated on a driver seat (not shown) collides. As such a position, for example, there is a center portion (pad portion) of a steering wheel (not shown) and an instrument panel (not shown).
Further, even if the alcohol sensor 3A is provided on the opposite side (back side) of the reflection surface of the rearview mirror (not shown) or the ceiling portion (not shown) directly above the driver seat, the alcohol contained in the breath can be detected.
In the case of a so-called “open car”, there is no ceiling directly above the seat belt, and there is a high possibility that exhaled air will diffuse into the atmosphere. In such a case, for example, an alcohol sensor 3A may be provided in a driver's seat belt (not shown) or a driver's seat.

FIG. 13 is a control flowchart showing the operation in the fourth embodiment.
In step S31 of FIG. 13, the control unit 4 determines whether acetaldehyde is detected by the acetaldehyde sensor 3 or alcohol is detected by the alcohol sensor 3A.

  If either acetaldehyde or alcohol is detected (YES in step S31), the process proceeds to step S32. If not detected (NO in step S31), the engine is operated in step S35 and the process proceeds to step S36.

  In step S32, it is determined whether either the alcohol concentration or the acetaldehyde concentration is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. If either one is equal to or higher than the predetermined concentration (YES in step S32), the process proceeds to step S33, where the concentration is lower than the predetermined concentration. If so (NO in step S32), the engine is operated in step S35 and the process proceeds to step S6.

In step S33, the control unit 4 determines whether or not the engine is operating. If the engine is operating (step S33 is YES), the process proceeds to the next step S34, and if not (step S33 is NO), the process proceeds to step S36.
In step S34, the control unit 4 stops the engine, and in step S36, it is determined whether or not to end the control.

  When the control is continued (NO in step S36), the process returns to step S31, and step S1 and subsequent steps are repeated again.

In the fourth embodiment shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, since the acetaldehyde sensor 3 and the alcohol sensor 3A are used in combination, even if either the acetaldehyde sensor 3 or the alcohol sensor 3A breaks down, the driver can drink alcohol. Because it detects reliably and makes the engine impossible to operate, drunk driving can be reliably prevented.
Further, it is possible to prevent a drunk driving without fail by preventing a malfunction that it is not detected despite drinking.

It should be noted that the illustrated embodiment is merely an example, and is not a description to limit the technical scope of the present invention.
In the above-described example, acetaldehyde and its concentration are detected, but other substances included in the body odor of the person who drank the drink may be configured to detect a substance that indicates drunk. .
In the illustrated embodiment, the concentration of acetaldehyde in the body odor of the person seated on the driver seat is detected by the driver seat. It is also possible to execute control.

The block diagram which showed the whole structure of 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a sensor arrangement diagram around the driver's seat in the first embodiment. The flowchart which shows the control of 1st Embodiment. The characteristic view which showed the time change of the acetaldehyde density | concentration. The flowchart which showed the control when the cancellation switch was operated in 1st Embodiment. The characteristic diagram which displayed the pattern at the time of detecting acetaldehyde with four sensors in 2nd Embodiment. The characteristic view which shows the pattern at the time of detecting unknown substances other than acetaldehyde with four sensors. The characteristic view which shows the detected pattern in case an unknown substance is acetaldehyde. The block diagram of 2nd Embodiment. The block diagram of 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the control of 3rd Embodiment. The block diagram of 4th Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the control of 4th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Automobile 2 ... Engine 3 ... Acetaldehyde sensor 4, 40 ... Control means / control unit 5 ... Release switch 6 ... Drunk driving signal transmission means 7 ... Display means 41- Comparison circuit 42 ... Determination circuit 43 ... Database 44 ... Substance determination block 45 ... Concentration determination block 46 ... Comparison block 100, 101, 102 ... Drinking driving prevention device 441 ... Pattern creation block 442 ... Pattern comparison block 443 ... Judgment block

Claims (4)

An acetaldehyde sensor (3) that reacts 1: 1 with acetaldehyde in a drunk driving prevention mechanism that stops the engine (2) of a car when a driver whose blood concentration of ethyl alcohol is above a predetermined value drives the car Is provided in at least one of the seat cushion (91), the seat back (92), and the headrest (93) of the driver seat (9), and the driver can drink or drink alcohol based on the detection signal from the acetaldehyde sensor (3). A control unit (4) for determining whether or not it is tinged. The control unit (4) has a database (43) and a threshold value stored in the database (43) for the output of the acetaldehyde sensor (3). The comparison circuit (41) to be compared and the output of the acetaldehyde sensor (3) are less than a threshold value. A determination circuit (42) for stopping the automobile engine, and a release switch (5) that allows the automobile engine (2) to be started even if an acetaldehyde concentration equal to or higher than the threshold is detected. When the acetaldehyde is detected, the control unit (4) determines whether or not the detected acetaldehyde concentration is greater than or equal to a threshold value. If the detected acetaldehyde concentration is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the control unit (4) stops the engine (2) and the release switch ( 5) A drunk driving prevention mechanism characterized by having a function of recording in the database (43) the time when 5 becomes ON. In a drunk driving prevention mechanism that stops a car engine (2) when a driver whose ethyl alcohol blood concentration is equal to or higher than a predetermined value drives a car, a plurality of substances that do not react 1: 1 with acetaldehyde A substance determination sensor (A, B, C, D) that reacts is provided in at least one of the seat cushion (91), the seat back (92), and the headrest (93) of the driver's seat (9). A control unit (40) for determining the presence or absence of acetaldehyde using a graphic pattern obtained by plotting each output of (A, B, C, D) on each axis (A, B, C, D) and connecting the plots. ) And a release switch (5) that allows the car to start even if the control unit (40) determines that it is drunk or drunk. The control unit (40) includes a substance determination block (44), a concentration determination block (45), a comparison block (46), and a database (43). The substance determination block (44) includes a pattern creation block (441) and a pattern. Comprising a comparison block (442) and a determination block (443), the control unit (40) receives information from the substance determination sensor (A, B, C, D) and creates a pattern of the received substance, The pattern of the created substance and the pattern of acetaldehyde stored in the database (43) are compared in the pattern comparison block (442), and whether the substance detected in the determination block (443) is acetaldehyde is compared. If the substance determined in the substance determination block (44) is acetaldehyde The acetaldehyde concentration is determined in the degree determination block (45), stored in the database (43) and compared with the threshold value of the acetaldehyde concentration in the concentration determination block (45), and if the detected alcohol concentration is greater than the threshold value, the engine A drunk driving prevention mechanism having a function of sending a control signal to (2) to stop the engine (2) and storing the date and time when the release switch (5) is turned on in the database (43). A drunk driving signal generating means (6) having a starting antenna (61) and a display means (7) are provided, and the control unit (4) determines whether the vehicle speed is not zero if the release switch (5) is on. 3. The drunk driving prevention mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the drunk driving prevention mechanism has a function of judging and operating the display means (7) if the vehicle speed is not zero and transmitting a drinking signal from the drinking signal generation means (6). The drunk driving prevention according to claim 1, wherein an alcohol sensor (3A) is provided at a position where the breath of the driver collides, and the control unit (4) has a function of stopping the engine (2) when the alcohol concentration is a predetermined concentration or more. mechanism.

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