JP4887702B2 - Emergency call device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an emergency notification device that is mounted on a vehicle and transmits a signal that notifies the emergency situation from the vehicle in an emergency situation such as an accident.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an emergency call system that transmits an emergency radio signal when a signal that triggers an emergency call, such as an airbag activation signal or an emergency call transmission button operation signal, is known (for example, a patent) Reference 1). This emergency call system switches from the main battery to an auxiliary primary battery as a sub power source when the voltage of the main battery falls below a predetermined threshold voltage so that an emergency radio signal can be transmitted reliably in an emergency. Is. The predetermined threshold voltage is set to the lowest voltage at which the emergency radio signal generation circuit can operate. When the voltage of the main battery falls below the threshold voltage, the power source is always supplied from the main battery to the auxiliary primary battery. It is designed to switch.
Table 01/081120

  In the emergency call system described above, the power supply is switched to the auxiliary primary battery when the voltage of the main battery is equal to or lower than the above threshold voltage, even if a signal for triggering an emergency call is not input. However, in an actual vehicle, the voltage of the main battery is likely to be unstable even in an emergency, and even if the voltage of the main battery simply decreases, the emergency notification system described above switches to the auxiliary primary battery. Therefore, the auxiliary primary battery may be consumed greatly. In particular, when the main battery is removed or the voltage of the main battery remains below the threshold voltage, the state of switching to the auxiliary primary battery is continued, so that the auxiliary primary battery is consumed much more. There is a risk.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an emergency notification device that can ensure a power supply in an emergency while minimizing the consumption of a sub power supply.

In order to solve the above problems, according to one aspect of the present invention,
In the emergency call device that executes emergency call processing when event information representing occurrence of an emergency situation is detected, when the voltage of the main power supply is equal to or lower than a predetermined value, the power supply switching means for switching from the main power supply to the sub power supply, An emergency call device is provided, wherein the power supply switching means switches from the sub power supply to the main power supply when the event information is not detected within a predetermined time after switching to the sub power supply.

  According to this aspect, even when an emergency situation has not occurred and switching of the power supply is not necessary, the event information indicating the occurrence of the emergency situation is within the predetermined time after switching even if the main power supply voltage is switched to the sub power supply. If not, the main power source is switched (returned), so that the consumption of the sub power source can be minimized. Further, when the voltage of the main power source becomes a predetermined value or less, the sub power source is switched, so that it is possible to ensure the power source for executing the emergency call process.

  Here, examples of the event information include collision detection information by a device that detects a vehicle collision, operation information by an emergency switch operated by an occupant in an emergency, and the like.

According to another aspect of the present invention,
In order to start the emergency call process within a predetermined time after switching from the main power supply to the sub power supply when the voltage of the main power supply drops below the predetermined value, switching from the main power supply to the sub power supply If necessary event information is not detected, a power source switching method can be provided in which the power source for executing emergency call processing is switched from the sub power source to the main power source.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to ensure the power supply in an emergency while minimizing the consumption of the sub power supply.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an emergency call system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The emergency call device 1 is a device that makes an emergency call to a center 30 (police, fire department, hospital, security company, emergency management center, etc.) that is a call destination in an emergency such as an accident, sudden illness, or burglary. The emergency call device 1 wirelessly transmits information such as current vehicle position information, vehicle registration information, audio information, and image information to the center 30 via the communication antenna 2. The emergency call device 1 also receives information such as voice information, image information, and remote operation control signals from the center 30 via the communication antenna 2.

  The emergency call device 1 is connected to a GPS antenna 4 that receives data from a GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite, and data received by the GPS antenna 4 is input to the GPS device 17. The GPS device 17 is a device that specifies the position of the own vehicle by two-dimensional or three-dimensional coordinate data based on data received from a GPS satellite via the GPS antenna 4. Moreover, the position of the own vehicle on a map can be specified by using the map information which a navigation system etc. have.

  Further, the emergency call device 1 is connected to a microphone 5 that collects voices of the passengers and the surroundings and a speaker 6 that outputs voices to the passengers and the surroundings. The hands-free system 16 is a device for performing a hands-free call between the center 30 and an occupant using the microphone 5 and the speaker 6.

  The emergency call communication unit 11 of the emergency call device 1 has a data transmission / reception function and a voice call function between the center 30 and the emergency communication device 1. By using the data transmission / reception function and the voice call function, information including the position information of the own vehicle by the GPS device 17 and the voice information by the hands-free system 16 can be transmitted to the center 30, and the voice information and image information from the center 30 can be transmitted. Can be received.

  The emergency event signal 3 is a signal for the emergency call device 1 to start an emergency call process, and is a signal input to the emergency call device 1. The emergency event signal 3 is, for example, an operation signal from an emergency call switch operated by an occupant in an emergency such as an accident or sudden illness, a collision detection signal output when the collision detection sensor detects an impact, or a collision safety device is activated. This is a start signal (for example, a start (ignition) signal of the air bag ECU) indicating that this has occurred.

  The main battery 7 is a main power source that supplies power to each electric load mounted on the vehicle, and can also be used as a power source that supplies power to the starter when the engine is started. The main battery 7 is also a main power source for the emergency call device 1. When the key switch 8 is ON, power can be supplied from the main battery 7. The key switch 8 is a switch that operates when the driver starts or stops the engine, and is turned on when the engine is started and turned off when the driver is stopped. ON / OFF switch information of the key switch 8 is input to the emergency call device 1.

  When the vehicle collides due to a traffic accident or the like, the backup battery 19 is not supplied with power from the main battery 7 because the main battery 7 itself is damaged or the power supply line from the main battery 7 is disconnected. When it becomes possible, it is a sub power source that supplies power to at least the emergency call device 1 as an alternative power source for the main battery 7.

  The power source switching unit 18 switches the power source of the emergency call device 1 from the main battery 7 to the backup battery 19 or from the backup battery 19 to the main battery 7 in accordance with the power source switching signal output from the control unit 12. For example, the power supply switching unit 18 connects a power supply line for supplying power from the backup battery 19 to the emergency call device 1 in order to enable power supply from the backup battery 19 when the power supply switching signal is at the Hi level. When the switching signal is at the Lo level, the power supply line for supplying power from the backup battery 19 to the emergency call device 1 is cut off in order to disable power supply from the backup battery 19.

  The switch indicator 20 is a device that informs an occupant, a serviceman, or the like by lighting or flashing that the power source has been switched from the main battery 7 to the backup battery 19. Thereby, it becomes easy to grasp from the outside that the power source has been switched.

  The storage unit 15 stores information such as the control result of the control unit 12, information necessary for communication with the center 30, and a vehicle registration number.

  The control unit 12 is connected to the GPS device 17, the hands-free system 16, the emergency notification communication unit 11, the power supply switching unit 18, the switch indicator 20, the storage unit 15, and the like, and controls the entire emergency notification device 1. When the emergency event signal 3 is detected, the control unit 12 turns on the emergency call flag provided for itself and starts the emergency call process as the entire operation of the emergency call device 1 using the above-described emergency call communication unit 11 or the like. To do. Although the details will be described later, the control unit 12 generates a power switch signal for switching the power of the emergency call device 1 from the main battery 7 to the backup battery 19 or from the backup battery 19 to the main battery 7 when a predetermined condition is satisfied. Output to the power supply switching unit 18. The control unit 12 may be realized by a plurality of circuit elements such as a microcomputer, a ROM that stores an emergency call processing program, a RAM that temporarily stores data, an input interface, and an output interface.

  Next, an emergency call process executed by the emergency call device 1 in the present embodiment will be described. When the key switch 8 is turned on and power is supplied from the main battery 7, the emergency call device 1 is activated. The control unit 12 outputs an emergency event signal 3 that is output when an occupant operates an emergency call switch in an emergency such as an accident, sudden illness, or burglar, a collision detection sensor detects a collision, or a safety device is activated. Is detected, the emergency call flag is turned ON and the emergency call process is started.

  The control unit 12 that has detected the emergency event signal 3 outputs a signal requesting the GPS device 17 for the current position information. The GPS device 17 outputs data such as position information to the control unit 12 in response to the position information request signal from the control unit 12. The control unit 12 acquires data necessary for communication from the storage unit 15 to the center 30 and requests the emergency call communication unit 11 to start communication with the center 30. The emergency call communication unit 11 starts communication with the center 30 using the communication antenna 2. When communication with the center 10 is established, the emergency communication communication unit 11 outputs communication establishment information to the control unit 12.

  The control unit 12 that has received the communication establishment information from the emergency communication contact unit 11 transmits the data such as the vehicle position information acquired from the GPS device 17 and the voice data from the hands-free system 16 to the center 30. 11 is instructed.

  By the way, in such an emergency call system, even if the main battery 7 is damaged due to an impact at the time of an accident or the like, it is important to secure a power source that can continuously execute the emergency call process. A battery 19 is employed. The backup battery 19 preferably uses a primary battery (unchargeable) that is superior to a secondary battery (rechargeable) in terms of life and performance, and there is a need to suppress wasteful power consumption as much as possible.

  The emergency call device 1 according to the present embodiment operates as follows to switch the power source from the main battery 7 to the backup battery 19 so that the emergency call process can be continuously executed. FIG. 2 is a control flow of the power source switching operation when the voltage drop of the main battery 7 is detected.

  When detecting that the key switch 8 is turned on, the control unit 12 determines whether or not the voltage of the main battery 7 is less than a predetermined threshold voltage (for example, 9 V) (step 2). If the voltage of the main battery 7 is not less than 9 V, the control unit 12 outputs a power supply switching signal that causes the power supply switching unit 18 to continue to use the main battery 7 as the power source of the emergency call device 1 (step 4). At this time, the power supply line for supplying power from the backup battery 19 to the emergency call device 1 remains cut off.

  On the other hand, when the voltage of the main battery 7 is less than 9 V, the control unit 12 confirms whether or not the backup battery 19 is connected by monitoring the voltage of the backup battery 19 (step 6). When it is confirmed that the backup battery 19 is connected, the control unit 12 outputs a power switch signal for switching the power of the emergency call device 1 from the main battery 7 to the backup battery 19 to the power switch unit 18. (Step 8). The power supply switching unit 18 connects a power supply line for supplying power from the backup battery 19 to the emergency call device 1 in order to switch the power supply of the emergency call device 1 from the main battery 7 to the backup battery 19 in accordance with the power supply switching signal in Step 8. .

  In order to prevent the backup battery 19 from being consumed due to a temporary voltage drop due to the engine starting, the ACC (accessory) power supply is turned on from OFF for a certain period of time. It is desirable to perform control that prohibits switching of the power source to the backup battery 19 until the time has elapsed (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-278885).

  Next, the control unit 12 refers to the emergency call flag to check whether an emergency call is being made (whether the emergency call process has already been started) (step 10). If the emergency call flag is ON, it is determined that an emergency call has already been made, and the control unit 12 outputs to the power supply switching unit 18 a power switch signal that allows the main battery 7 to be used continuously as the power source of the emergency call device 1 ( Step 12). As a result, the backup battery 19 continues to be used as a power source for the emergency call device 1.

  On the other hand, if the emergency call flag is OFF, the controller 12 monitors the input of the emergency event signal 3 through the emergency call flag, assuming that the emergency call process has not yet started (step 14). If the emergency event signal 3 is not detected even after a predetermined time (for example, 800 ms) after the power of the emergency call device 1 is switched from the main battery 7 to the backup battery 19 in step 8, the control is performed. The unit 12 outputs a power switching signal for switching the power of the emergency call device 1 from the backup battery 19 to the main battery 7 to the power switching unit 18 (step 18). The power supply switching unit 18 cuts off the power supply line for supplying power from the backup battery 19 to the emergency call device 1 in order to switch the power supply of the emergency call device 1 from the backup battery 19 to the main battery 7 in accordance with the power supply switching signal in Step 18. .

  That is, in the control flow of FIG. 2, even if the power source is switched to the backup battery 19 due to a decrease in the voltage of the main battery 7, if the emergency event signal 3 is not detected, the power source is switched from the backup battery 19 to the main battery 7. (Return). Thereby, the power supply of the emergency call apparatus 1 can be ensured reliably, suppressing consumption of the backup battery 19 to the minimum.

  For example, when the main battery 7 is suddenly removed while maintenance or unintentional operation is performed while the key switch 8 is ON, even if the power is switched to the backup battery 19 due to a voltage drop due to the removal (step 8), In such a case, since the emergency event signal 3 is not output (step 16; Yes), the power supply line for supplying power from the backup battery 19 to the emergency notification device 1 is cut off (step 18). Consumption can be reduced.

  Further, when a collision occurs due to an accident or the like, the emergency call device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention usually detects a collision detection signal from a collision detection sensor or a collision safety device activation signal (that is, an emergency event signal 3). When the emergency call process described above is started and the power supply line from the main battery 7 is disconnected or the main battery 7 is damaged due to the collision, the backup battery The power source is switched to 19. However, in rare cases, the input of the emergency event signal 3 is delayed, and before the emergency event signal 3 is input to the emergency call device 1, the power supply from the main battery 7 is disconnected due to disconnection of the power supply line from the main battery 7, etc. It may be impossible. However, even in such a case, while the power source is switched to the backup battery 19 and the power source is secured (step 8), the time considering the delay of the emergency event signal 3 in advance is set as the predetermined time in step 16. In this case (in this embodiment, set to 800 ms), the power supply to the backup battery 19 does not remain switched, so that the consumption of the backup battery 19 can be suppressed.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and substitutions can be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Can be added.

  For example, instead of processing the control flow of FIG. 2 only when the key switch 8 is in the ON state, the control flow of FIG. 2 may be processed even after the key switch 8 is switched from the ON state to the OFF state. That is, even if the control unit 12 detects that the key switch 8 has been switched from the ON state to the OFF state, the control unit 12 does not immediately stop the processing of the control flow in FIG. 2) The control flow process of FIG. 2 is continued. In the event of a collision, the key switch 8 may be forced to the OFF side due to the signal line of the key switch 8 being disconnected or the driver's body unexpectedly hitting the operation section of the key switch 8 in the passenger compartment. Because. The predetermined period after the OFF state is detected is the time from when the collision detection signal from the collision detection sensor or the collision safety device activation signal (that is, the emergency event signal 3) is output until the emergency call device 1 is reached. You can decide accordingly. That is, if the emergency event signal 3 is output, the predetermined period after the OFF state is detected may be set to a time that the emergency call device 1 can always detect.

  In the above-described embodiment, a battery is used as the main power source, but a generator may be used.

It is a block diagram which shows the example of 1 structure of the emergency call system which is embodiment of this invention. 4 is a control flow of a power source switching operation when a voltage drop of the main battery 7 is detected.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Emergency call equipment 7 Main battery 12 Control part 18 Power supply switching part 19 Backup battery

Claims (4)

In an emergency call device that executes emergency call processing when collision detection information is detected by a device that detects a vehicle collision ,
When the voltage of the main power supply is below a predetermined value, the power supply switching means for switching from the main power supply to the sub power supply is provided,
The emergency notification device, wherein the power switching means switches from the sub power source to the main power source when the collision detection information is not detected within a predetermined time after switching to the sub power source. In an emergency call device that performs emergency call processing when operation information is detected by an emergency switch operated by an occupant in an emergency ,
When the voltage of the main power supply is below a predetermined value, the power supply switching means for switching from the main power supply to the sub power supply is provided,
The emergency notification device, wherein the power switching means switches from the sub power source to the main power source when the operation information is not detected within a predetermined time after switching to the sub power source. In order to start the emergency call process within a predetermined time after switching from the main power supply to the sub power supply when the voltage of the main power supply drops below the predetermined value, switching from the main power supply to the sub power supply A power switching method for switching the power source for executing emergency call processing from the sub power source to the main power source when necessary event information is not detected ,
The event information is a power switching method, wherein the event information is collision detection information by a device that detects a vehicle collision. In order to start the emergency call process within a predetermined time after switching from the main power supply to the sub power supply when the voltage of the main power supply drops below the predetermined value, switching from the main power supply to the sub power supply A power switching method for switching the power source for executing emergency call processing from the sub power source to the main power source when necessary event information is not detected ,
The power source switching method, wherein the event information is operation information by an emergency switch operated by an occupant in an emergency.

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