JP5238538B2 - Alarm device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an alarm device mounted on a vehicle or the like.

In vehicles and the like, attention is given to passengers by various alarm outputs. In order to increase the alarm effect, a combination of an audible alarm such as an alarm sound output and a visual alarm such as an icon blinking display by a display device is also performed.
For example, an alarm device for alarming non-wearing of a seat belt, a so-called seat belt reminder, blinks a lamp as a visual warning means when a non-wearing is detected and a predetermined vehicle speed is exceeded. There is one that outputs an alarm sound from a speaker as an audible alarm means in synchronism with a lamp when it elapses (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 7 is a time chart showing the alarm sound and the lamp operation timing in this type of conventional seat belt reminder, in which the alarm sound output and the lamp blinking are operated synchronously at a predetermined cycle. The same applies to any of the first alarm group, the second alarm group, and the third alarm group.

  Some alarms have a plurality of different alarm levels and change the alarm cycle according to the alarm level. For example, the alarm level is set on the basis of the time until contact (hereinafter referred to as contact time) when there is a possibility of contact between the host vehicle and the obstacle, and the alarm level is set to a higher alarm level as the contact time becomes shorter. Depending on the situation, the alarm sound output and the alarm display cycle by the display device may be changed.

  FIG. 6 is a time chart showing the operation timing of the alarm sound and the alarm display in the conventional alarm device that performs this kind of contact possibility alarm. The higher the alarm level, the higher the alarm level and the operation cycle of the alarm display. As well as shortening the continuous operation time per time, the degree of urgency is recognized.

JP 2003-327078 A

  However, in the conventional alarm device that combines the audio alarm and the visual alarm, the operation of the audio alarm and the visual alarm is always executed in synchronization with each other. There is a problem of fading.

  In order to increase the alarm effect, it is also possible to simply increase the sound pressure of the alarm sound, increase the brightness of the lamp, or increase the contrast of the display. There is a problem that the troublesomeness becomes very strong at the time of false alarm. In addition, such changes may not be possible due to device limitations.

  Therefore, the present invention provides an alarm device that is less likely to get used to alarms and that can increase the alarm effect.

The alarm device according to the present invention employs the following means in order to solve the above problems.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, while a state to be alarmed is continuously detected, visual alarm means (for example, a seat belt non-wearing warning light 8 in an embodiment described later) and auditory alarm means (for example, In an alarm device (for example, an alarm device 1B in an embodiment to be described later) provided with a control means (for example, a control device 15 in an embodiment to be described later) that operates the speaker 7) in an embodiment described later intermittently in synchronization. The control means terminates the synchronous control of the visual alarm means and the audible alarm means when the number of activations of the both alarm means reaches a predetermined number of times, and the visual alarm means and the audible alarm means Is provided with a phase difference and is operated intermittently.
With this configuration, the visual alarm means and the auditory alarm means operate with a phase difference after the number of times the alarm means has been activated reaches a predetermined number of times, thereby increasing the sense of discomfort.

The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that, in the invention according to claim 1, the control means increases the phase difference as the number of activations of the two alarm means increases.
By comprising in this way, a discomfort can be strengthened, so that the frequency | count of an action | operation of an alarm means increases.

The invention according to claim 3 has a plurality of different alarm levels, and according to the alarm level, a visual alarm means (for example, a head-up display device 5 in an embodiment described later) and an audio alarm means (for example, an after-mentioned alarm level). Control means (for example, an embodiment to be described later) that activates the visual alarm means and the auditory alarm means synchronously when the speaker 4) is activated and the alarm level is at a predetermined level. In the alarm device (e.g., alarm device 1A in the embodiment described later), the control means is configured to provide the visual alarm means when the alarm level is higher than the predetermined level. And the auditory alarm means are operated intermittently with a phase difference.
With this configuration, when the alarm level becomes higher than a predetermined level, the visual alarm means and the audio alarm means operate with a phase difference, so that a sense of discomfort is strengthened.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the contact possibility determining means for determining the possibility of contact between the host vehicle and the obstacle (for example, the contact possibility determining unit 11 in an embodiment described later). The alarm level is set according to the degree of contact possibility determined by the contact possibility determination unit, and the control unit increases the phase difference as the alarm level increases. .
By comprising in this way, a sense of incongruity can be strengthened, so that an alarm level becomes high.

According to the first aspect of the invention, since the alarm means is changed to an alarm with a strong sense of incongruity after the number of activations of the alarm means reaches a predetermined number, it is difficult to get used to the alarm and the alarm can be effectively performed.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, as the number of operations of the alarm means increases, the sense of incongruity can be strengthened and the alarm can be emphasized, so that the alarm can be effectively performed.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the alarm level is higher than the predetermined level, it is possible to perform an alarm with a strong sense of incongruity. This can be done effectively.
According to the invention which concerns on Claim 4, since a sense of incongruity can be strengthened and an alarm can be emphasized, so that an alarm level becomes high, it can make it easier to recognize the urgency with respect to a contact possibility.

It is a block diagram in Example 1 of the alarm device which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the display position of the flash light emission image when it sees through a windshield from a driver's seat in Example 1. FIG. In the alarm device of Example 1, it is a figure which shows the alarm level with respect to a contact possibility with a front obstruction, and the output pattern of an alarm sound and a virtual image display. It is a block diagram in Example 2 of the alarm device which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the output pattern of the alarm sound and warning light in the seatbelt reminder which is an alarm device of Example 2. FIG. In the conventional alarm device, it is a figure which shows the output level of the alarm level with respect to a contact possibility with a front obstruction, an alarm sound, and a virtual image display. It is a figure which shows the warning sound and the output pattern of a lamp in the conventional seatbelt reminder.

  Embodiments of an alarm device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings of FIGS. In addition, each following Example is the aspect of the alarm device mounted in the vehicle.

<Example 1>
First, Embodiment 1 of an alarm device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings of FIGS. The alarm device in the first embodiment is an alarm device for alerting the occupant when there is a possibility that the host vehicle may come in contact with an obstacle ahead.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an alarm device 1A according to the first embodiment. The alarm device 1A includes a radar 2 that detects an obstacle ahead of the vehicle, a vehicle state sensor 3, and a speaker 4 as an auditory alarm means. A head-up display device (hereinafter abbreviated as HUD) 5 as a visual alarm means and a control device (control means) 10 are provided.

  The radar 2 emits an electromagnetic wave such as a laser beam or a millimeter wave toward a scanning area of a predetermined angle ahead of the traveling direction of the host vehicle, and reflects the reflected wave reflected by an object (for example, a vehicle or a pedestrian). The object is detected by reception, the relative distance between the object and the host vehicle, the relative speed between the object and the host vehicle, the size of the object, and the like are detected, and the detection results are output to the control device 10.

The vehicle state sensor 3 includes a vehicle speed sensor that detects the vehicle speed of the host vehicle, a yaw rate sensor that detects a yaw rate generated in the host vehicle, a steering angle sensor that detects the steering angle of the host vehicle, and controls the output of each sensor. Output to the device 10.
The control device 10 includes a contact possibility determination unit (contact possibility determination unit) 11 and an alarm control unit (alarm control unit) 12.

  The contact possibility determination unit 11 estimates the traveling locus of the host vehicle based on various signals input from the vehicle state sensor 3, and the object detected by the radar 2 based on the output of the radar 2 is a predetermined distance from the host vehicle. Within the estimated travel locus of the host vehicle, and if it exists, the host vehicle may come into contact with the object (front obstacle). Is output to the alarm control unit 12.

  The alarm control unit 12 calculates a predicted time (hereinafter referred to as a predicted collision time) until the host vehicle comes into contact with a front obstacle when a determination signal indicating the possibility of contact is input from the contact possibility determination unit 11. Based on the calculated collision prediction time, a control signal is output to the speaker 4 and the HUD 5 to control the operation.

The speaker 4 outputs an alarm sound in the vehicle based on the control signal input from the alarm control unit 12 to urge the passenger to be alerted.
Based on the control signal input from the alarm control unit 12, the HUD 5 displays a virtual image by flash light emission at a predetermined position in the driver's front visual field. As shown in FIG. 2, the flash emission image F displayed by the HUD 5 is set so as to be recognized a predetermined distance ahead of the windshield 21 on the line of sight when the driver turns his line of sight toward the front of the vehicle. ing. That is, the driver recognizes the flash emission image F through the windshield 21 slightly above the meter 22.
The speaker 4 and the HUD 5 are controlled in association with each other by the alarm control unit 12, and the alarm sound output from the speaker 4 and the flash emission image F displayed by the HUD 5 cooperate to urge the driver to look forward.

Next, the operation control of the speaker 4 and the HUD 5 executed in the front warning control unit 12 will be described with reference to the time chart of FIG.
As described above, the alarm control unit 12 calculates the predicted collision time when a determination signal indicating the possibility of contact is input from the contact possibility determination unit 11. Then, an alarm level is set based on the calculated collision prediction time, and the operation of the speaker 4 and the HUD 5 is controlled according to the alarm level.

As shown in the time chart of FIG. 3, the alarm levels are set in three stages of levels 1, 2, and 3 in order from the lowest.
<Level 1>
Level 1 is an alarm level applied at the initial stage of alarm, and in the first embodiment, it is applied in the range of 4 to 2.5 seconds in the collision prediction time. At level 1, the alarm sound output from the speaker 4 and the display of the flash emission image F from the HUD 5 are operated intermittently three times in synchronization. Both the speaker 4 and the HUD 5 have a single operation time (continuous blowing time and continuous display time) set to t1, and an operation cycle (sounding interval and display interval) set to T1.

<Level 2>
Level 2 is an alarm level applied in the middle of the alarm, and in the first embodiment, it is applied in the range of 2.5 to 1.5 seconds in the collision prediction time. In this level 2, the HUD 5 is first activated, the speaker 4 is activated with a slight time difference, and the HUD 5 and the speaker 4 are intermittently operated four times while maintaining this time difference.
More specifically, first, display of the flash emission image F by the HUD 5 is executed with one operation time (continuous display time) as t2 and an operation cycle (display interval) as T2. Then, in level 2, the alarm sound output by the speaker 4 is delayed by a predetermined time shorter than t2 from the start of display of the first flash emission image F of the HUD 5, and the operation time of one time (continuous blowing time) is set to 1 of the HUD 5. The operation time (continuous display time) is set to t2 and the operation cycle (display interval) is set to T2 which is the same as the operation cycle (sounding cycle) of the HUD 5. That is, at level 2, the HUD 5 and the speaker 4 are operated intermittently by providing a phase difference while partially overlapping.
The level 2 operation time t2 is shorter than the level 1 operation time t1, and the level 2 operation cycle T2 is set shorter than the level 1 operation cycle T1 (t1> t2, T1> T2).

  As described above, when the HUD 5 and the speaker 4 are intermittently operated with a phase difference, the occupant feels a strong sense of discomfort and is less likely to get used to the alarm. Further, the difference between level 1 and level 2 becomes clear, and the occupant can surely recognize that the level has shifted to a higher alarm level by recognizing level 2 that makes the sense of discomfort stronger. In other words, the warning can be effectively performed according to the degree to which the alarm should be emphasized.

<Level 3>
Level 3 is an alarm level that is applied at the end of the alarm for the purpose of reducing damage. In the first embodiment, the level is applied in a range of 1.5 to 0 seconds in the predicted collision time. At this level 3, the phase difference between the operation of the HUD 5 and the speaker 4 is further increased than that at the level 2, and the operation is performed intermittently.
More specifically, first, display of the flash emission image F by the HUD 5 is executed with one operation time (continuous display time) as t3 and an operation cycle (display interval) as T3. When the display of the first flash emission image F of the HUD 5 is completed at level 3 (that is, after a time t3 delay from the display start of the first flash emission image F), the alarm sound output by the speaker 4 is output once. The operation time (continuous blowing time) is set to t3, which is the same as the one operating time (continuous display time) of HUD5, and the operation cycle (sounding interval) is set to T3, which is the same as the operation cycle (display cycle) of HUD5. That is, at level 3, the HUD 5 and the speaker 4 are alternately and intermittently operated without overlapping.
The level 3 operating time t3 is shorter than the level 2 operating time t2, and the level 3 operating cycle T3 is set shorter than the level 2 operating cycle T2 (t2> t3, T2> T3).

  As described above, when the phase difference between the operation of the HUD 5 and the speaker 4 is increased as the alarm level is higher, the uncomfortable feeling felt by the passenger can be increased as the alarm level is higher. As a result, the occupant can more easily recognize the degree of urgency with respect to contact possibility.

  In Example 1 described above, the operating time t and the operating cycle T of the speaker 4 and the HUD 5 are shortened as the alarm level becomes higher. However, the operating time t and the operating cycle T are the same at any alarm level. Only the phase difference may be increased as the alarm level increases. Further, the number of alarm levels and the number of alarm operations at each alarm level are examples, and the alarm level can be set to four or more classes, or the number of alarm operations at each alarm level can be increased.

<Example 2>
Next, a second embodiment of the alarm device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings of FIGS. The alarm device according to the second embodiment is an aspect as a seat belt reminder that issues an alarm for non-wearing of the seat belt.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of the alarm device 1B according to the second embodiment. The alarm device 1B includes a seat belt switch 6 that is turned on when a seat belt (not shown) is worn, and a speaker 7 as an audible alarm means. , A seat belt non-wearing warning light (hereinafter abbreviated as warning light) 8 and a control device (control means) 15 provided on the display unit of the meter as visual warning means.
The seat belt switch 6 outputs an ON signal to the control device 15 when the seat belt is worn.
The speaker 16 outputs an alarm sound in the vehicle to urge the occupant to wear the seat belt, and the warning light 8 flashes to urge the occupant to wear the seat belt.

The control device 15 includes a seat belt wearing determination unit 16 and an alarm control unit 17.
The seat belt wearing determination unit 16 is based on whether or not an ON signal is input from the seat belt switch 6 when a predetermined condition (for example, the vehicle door is closed, the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, or the like) is satisfied. Then, it is determined whether or not the seat belt is worn, and while it is determined that the seat belt is not worn, a determination signal indicating that the seat belt is not worn is output to the alarm control unit 17.

The alarm control unit 17 outputs a control signal to the speaker 7 and the seat belt non-wearing warning lamp 8 in accordance with the number of times of the alarm when the seat belt non-wearing determination signal is input from the seat belt wearing determination unit 16. , Perform operation control.
The speaker 7 and the warning light 8 are controlled in association with each other by the alarm control unit 17, and the warning sound output from the speaker 7 and the blinking of the warning light 8 cooperate to urge the driver to wear the seat belt.

Next, the operation control of the speaker 7 and the warning lamp 8 executed in the front warning control unit 17 will be described with reference to the time chart of FIG.
As shown in the time chart of FIG. 5, the form of alarm by the speaker 7 and the warning lamp 8 is made different according to the number of alarm operations from the start of alarm.
From the first alarm operation to the third alarm operation (hereinafter referred to as the first alarm group), the output of the alarm sound by the speaker 7 and the lighting by the warning lamp 8 are operated intermittently. Both the speaker 4 and the warning lamp 8 have a single operation time (continuous blowing time and continuous lighting time) set to t4, and an operating cycle (sounding interval and lighting interval) set to T4.

The fourth to sixth alarm operations (hereinafter referred to as the second alarm group) are executed a predetermined time after the third alarm lamp 8 is turned on. In this second alarm group, the warning light 8 is first activated, the speaker 7 is activated with a slight time difference, and the warning light 8 and the speaker 7 are operated intermittently while maintaining this time difference. It is done.
More specifically, the fourth warning lamp 8 is turned on at the same operation time (continuous lighting time) t4 as in the first alarm group, and the operation cycle (lighting interval) is the first alarm group. This is executed as T4 which is the same as in the above. Then, after a predetermined time shorter than t4 from the start of lighting of the fourth warning lamp 8, the output of the alarm sound from the fourth speaker 7 is changed to the first operation time (continuous blowing time) as the first. It is set as t4 which is the same as that in the alarm group, and the operation cycle (sounding interval) is executed as T4 which is the same as that in the first alarm group. That is, in the second alarm group, the warning light 8 and the speaker 7 are partially operated while being partially overlapped to provide a phase difference.

  As described above, when the warning lamp 8 and the speaker 7 are intermittently operated with a phase difference in the second alarm group, the occupant feels a strong sense of discomfort and can be less likely to get used to the alarm. . Further, the difference between the first alarm group and the second alarm group becomes clear, and the occupant can surely recognize that the vehicle has shifted to the second alarm group.

The seventh to ninth alarm operations (hereinafter referred to as a third alarm group) are executed after the predetermined time period from the end of the sixth warning lamp 8 lighting. In the third alarm group, the alarm lamp 8 and the speaker 4 are operated intermittently by increasing the phase difference between the operation of the speaker 4 and the speaker 4 more than in the second alarm group.
More specifically, the seventh warning lamp 8 is turned on at the same operation time (continuous lighting time) t4 as in the first and second alarm groups, and the operating cycle (lighting interval) is the first. And the same T4 as in the second alarm group. When the lighting of the seventh warning light 8 ends (that is, after the time t4 has elapsed after the seventh warning light 8 starts to be turned on), an alarm sound is output from the seventh speaker 7. One operation time (continuous blowing time) is set to t4 which is the same as in the first and second alarm groups, and the operation cycle (sounding interval) is executed as T4 which is the same as in the first and second alarm groups. . That is, in the third alarm group, the warning lamp 8 and the speaker 7 are alternately and intermittently operated without overlapping.
In addition, after the 9th alarm operation | movement is complete | finished, the alarm by a 3rd alarm group is repeated with a fixed period.

  Thus, if the phase difference between the operation of the warning lamp 8 and the speaker 7 is increased as the number of operations increases, the sense of discomfort can be increased as the number of operations increases. As a result, the alarm can be emphasized as the number of operations increases, and the alarm can be effectively performed.

  In the second embodiment described above, the operation time t4 and the operation cycle T4 are the same in any alarm group. However, the operation time and the operation cycle of the speaker 7 and the warning light 8 are increased as the alarm group progresses to the later alarm group. It may be shortened.

[Other Examples]
The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above.
For example, the alarm device according to the first embodiment is not limited to an alarm for the possibility of contact between an obstacle (such as a vehicle or a pedestrian) detected by a radar and the host vehicle, but an obstacle detected by a corner sensor or back sonar. It can also be applied to warnings about the possibility of contact with the vehicle.
Further, the alarm device according to the second embodiment is not limited to a seat belt reminder, and can be applied to an alarm when, for example, a half door or a side brake is not released.

1A, 1B Alarm device 4, 7 Speaker (audible alarm means)
5 Head-up display device (visual warning means)
8 Seat belt non-wearing warning light (visual warning means)
10, 15 Control device (control means)
11 Contact possibility determination part (contact possibility determination means)

Claims (4)

In an alarm device comprising control means for intermittently operating the visual alarm means and the audio alarm means while the state to be alarmed is continuously detected,
The control means terminates the synchronous control of the visual alarm means and the audible alarm means when the number of activations of the both alarm means reaches a predetermined number of times, and the visual alarm means and the audible alarm means Is provided with a phase difference and is operated intermittently.   2. The alarm device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit increases the phase difference as the number of activations of the two alarm units increases. A plurality of different alarm levels, and the visual alarm means and the audio alarm means are activated according to the alarm levels, and when the alarm level is at a predetermined level, the visual alarm means and the audio alarm means are In an alarm device comprising a control means that operates intermittently synchronously,
When the alarm level is higher than the predetermined level, the control unit intermittently operates the visual alarm unit and the auditory alarm unit with a phase difference. Alarm device. Provided with a contact possibility determination means for determining the contact possibility between the host vehicle and the obstacle,
The alarm level is set according to the degree of contact possibility determined by the contact possibility determination means,
The alarm device according to claim 3, wherein the control unit increases the phase difference as the alarm level increases.

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