JP5652661B2 - Warning light control system, warning light, warning light operating device, and emergency vehicle - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for controlling a light installed in a vehicle, and more particularly to a technique for controlling a light according to the movement of the vehicle.

  Various types of vehicles with lights are known. For example, an automobile equipped with a headlight or an emergency vehicle equipped with a warning light can be mentioned. Some of these vehicles change the lighting method of the light according to the movement of the vehicle.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle warning light device. According to Patent Document 1, based on a warning light mounted on a vehicle, emergency braking detection means for detecting emergency braking of the vehicle by operating a brake device and outputting a detection signal, and a detection signal from the emergency braking detection means A control device that determines emergency braking of the vehicle and controls the warning light to blink according to the preceding blinking pattern and the blinking pattern after the blinking speed is slower than the blinking speed of the preceding blinking pattern. As a result, the flashing of the warning light does not change according to the brightness of the surroundings of the vehicle, so there is no possibility of causing discomfort to the driver of the following vehicle, which contributes to improvement of traffic safety. it can.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a brake lamp lighting device. According to Patent Document 2, a brake lamp lighting device mounted on a traveling vehicle includes an auxiliary brake lamp, a sudden brake detection sensor that detects that a sudden brake has been applied to the traveling vehicle, and the sudden brake detection sensor. And a lighting control means for lighting the auxiliary brake lamp in a predetermined manner when a brake is detected.

  Patent Document 3 discloses a vehicle warning light control device. According to Patent Document 3, a vehicle speed pulse from a speedometer is given to an electronic siren amplifier for controlling the operation of a diffused warning light. The electronic siren amplifier gives a control signal corresponding to the normal operation mode from the line to the diffused warning light when the vehicle speed exceeds 5 km / h, for example, and supports the blinking operation mode when the vehicle speed is 5 km / h or less. The control signal is derived to the line. In the normal operation mode, all the rotating lamps are continuously lit and rotated. Further, in the blinking operation mode, the pair of inner rotating lights are stopped in a state in which warning light is emitted in the front-rear direction of the vehicle and are in a blinking state.

JP 2006-069245 A JP 2003-205782 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-020507

  However, in the conventional technology, there is a fear that when a vehicle starts suddenly or a vehicle suddenly increases in speed, it is difficult for pedestrians and drivers of surrounding vehicles to notice that. .

The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and its purpose is to drive a pedestrian or a surrounding vehicle when the vehicle suddenly starts or the vehicle suddenly increases its speed. The object is to provide a warning light control system, a warning light, a warning light operating device, and an emergency vehicle that make it easier for the hand to notice this.

(1)
According to an aspect of the present invention, a light control system that can be mounted on a vehicle is provided. The light control system determines whether or not the light, the acceleration sensor for measuring the vehicle acceleration, and the vehicle acceleration is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. If the vehicle acceleration is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, the light is turned on And a processor for changing the method.

(2)
Preferably, the vehicle is an emergency vehicle. The light is a warning light. The processor changes the lighting method of the light when the acceleration of the vehicle is equal to or higher than a predetermined value when the warning light is lit or blinking.

(3)
Preferably, the processor changes the light output or the blinking cycle as the lighting method when the acceleration of the vehicle is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

(4)
Preferably, the light control system further includes a timer. When the acceleration of the vehicle becomes less than a predetermined value after the change of the lighting method of the light, the processor determines whether or not a predetermined time has passed since the time when the acceleration became less than the predetermined value by referring to the timer. When a predetermined time has elapsed since the time became less than, the lighting method of the light is returned to the state before the change.

(5)
Preferably, the light control system further includes a memory that stores correspondence relationships between a plurality of predetermined values and a plurality of lighting methods. The processor changes the lighting method of the light based on the acceleration of the vehicle and the correspondence relationship.

(6)
Preferably, the light control system further includes a casing including a light, an acceleration sensor, and a processor.

(7)
According to another aspect of the present invention, a light that can be mounted on a vehicle is provided. The light includes an acceleration sensor for measuring the acceleration of the vehicle, and a processor for determining whether the acceleration of the vehicle is equal to or greater than a predetermined value and changing a lighting method when the acceleration of the vehicle is equal to or greater than the predetermined value. With.

(8)
When another situation of this invention is followed, the operating device of the light which can be mounted in a vehicle is provided. The light operating device includes an acceleration sensor for measuring the acceleration of the vehicle, and determines whether the acceleration of the vehicle is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. And a processor for changing.

(9)
According to another aspect of the invention, a vehicle is provided. The vehicle determines whether the light, the acceleration sensor for measuring the acceleration of the vehicle, and whether or not the acceleration of the vehicle is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. And a processor for changing.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when a vehicle suddenly starts up or a vehicle suddenly increases in speed, surrounding pedestrians and drivers of surrounding vehicles can easily notice that.

It is an image figure which shows the operation | movement outline | summary of the police car 10 concerning this Embodiment. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a light control system 100A according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the control process of 130 A of warning lights by the operating device 110A which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is an image figure which shows the structure of the lighting table 112A which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is an image figure which shows the structure of the modification of the lighting table 112B. It is a flowchart which shows the control process of 130 A of warning lights by the operating device 110A which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the light control system 100B in which the acceleration sensor 117 is included in the casing of the operating device 110B. It is a block diagram which shows the light control system 100C with which the acceleration sensor 117 and the function of an operating device are included in the casing of the warning light 130C.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  Below, the structure of the police car 10 is demonstrated as a typical example of a "vehicle." Further, as a representative example of “light”, the configuration of a warning light 130 </ b> A installed in the police car 10 will be described. However, the “vehicle” may be another emergency vehicle such as a fire engine or an ambulance, or another vehicle such as an ordinary car, a truck, a forklift, or a construction machine. The “light” may be any light that can be seen from the outside of the installed vehicle, such as a headlight, a fog lamp, a blinker lamp, a warning light, a brake lamp, and a diffused warning light.

[Embodiment 1]
<Overview of operation>
First, the operation | movement outline | summary of the police car 10 which concerns on this Embodiment is demonstrated. FIG. 1 is an image diagram showing an outline of the operation of the police car 10 according to the present embodiment.

  With reference to FIG. 1 (A), the police car 10 is slowing down the road. At this time, the police car 10 turns on the warning light 130A without sounding a siren (hereinafter referred to as a warning state). More specifically, in the alarm state, the warning light 130A may rotate the internal lamp or may stop the rotation of the lamp.

  Referring to FIG. 1 (B), a police officer riding in a police car 10 witnesses a site in violation of the Road Traffic Law. Alternatively, a police officer on the police car 10 is called by radio from another police officer.

  Referring to FIG. 1 (C), the police officer riding on the police car 10 steps on the accelerator to track the violator.

  With reference to FIG. 1 (D), the police car 10 accelerates rapidly in response to depression of the accelerator. In the present embodiment, the police car 10 automatically changes the lighting method of the warning light 130A when the acceleration is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. For example, the police car 10 raises the output value of the warning light 130A more than that in the guard state. Alternatively, the police car 10 starts blinking the warning light 130A. Alternatively, the police car 10 turns on the warning light 130A or the headlight when the warning light 130A or the headlight is turned off. In addition, the police car 10 may start to sound the siren.

That is, the police car 10 according to the present embodiment automatically changes the light emitted from the warning light 130A to be easily noticeable when the acceleration is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. As a result, a pedestrian around the police car 10 and a driver of the surrounding vehicle are likely to notice that the police car 10 is present and the police car 10 is accelerating.
Hereinafter, the configuration of the police car 10 for realizing such a function will be described in detail.

<Overall Configuration of Light Control System 100A>
First, the configuration of the light control system 100A mounted on the police car 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the light control system 100A according to the present embodiment.

  Referring to FIG. 2, light control system 100A according to the present embodiment includes an acceleration sensor 120A, a warning light 130A, a speaker 140, and a light operating device 110A.

  The acceleration sensor 120A measures the acceleration of the vehicle and inputs the measurement result to the operating device 110A. The acceleration sensor 120 </ b> A may be provided in the traveling system of the police car 10, or may be another gyro sensor.

  The warning light 130A lights up or blinks based on a command from the operating device 110A. More specifically, the warning light 130A according to the present embodiment includes a lighting unit such as a revolving light unit or an LED blinking unit. The warning light 130A receives a command indicating an output value, a blinking cycle, and a rotation speed from the operating device 110A, and turns on or blinks the lamp or rotates the lamp according to the command.

  The speaker 140 outputs sound based on a command from the operating device 110A. For example, the speaker 140 receives a command indicating the output value or the type of siren from the operating device 110A, and outputs a sound such as a siren in accordance with the command.

  The operating device 110A includes a processor 111, a memory 112, a communication interface 113, a switch 114, a display 115, and a clock 116.

The memory 112 is realized by various types of RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read-Only Memory), and / or a hard disk. The memory 112 includes a control program executed by the processor 111, a threshold value for determining whether or not to change the lighting method (for example, acceleration 20 m / s ² ), and the vehicle acceleration is equal to or higher than the threshold value. The lighting method of the warning light 130A in a certain case is stored.

  The communication interface 113 performs data communication with a device external to the operating device 110A. For example, the communication interface 113 passes data from the acceleration sensor 120A to the processor 111. The communication interface 113 transmits a command to the warning light 130 </ b> A and the speaker 140 based on a command from the processor 111.

  The switch 114 receives a command from the user and inputs the command from the user to the processor 111. For example, the switch 114 receives a command for designating the lighting method of the warning light 130A and a command for designating the output method of the speaker 140.

  The display 115 outputs characters and images based on commands from the processor 111. Note that the controller 110A may include a touch panel instead of the switch 114 and the display 115.

  The clock 116 inputs the current time to the processor 111. The clock 116 also serves as a timer for measuring the elapsed time from a predetermined time point, and inputs the elapsed time (timer count) to the processor 111. However, a simple timer may be used instead of the clock 116.

  The processor 111 acquires the acceleration of the vehicle from the acceleration sensor 120A via the communication interface 113. The processor 111 refers to the threshold value stored in the memory 112 to determine whether or not the acquired acceleration is equal to or greater than the threshold value. When the acquired acceleration is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the processor 111 transmits a command indicating the lighting method stored in the memory 112 to the warning light 130A via the communication interface 113.

<Light control processing by operating device 110A>
Next, control processing of the warning light 130A by the operating device 110A according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control process of warning light 130A by operating device 110A according to the present embodiment.

  Referring to FIG. 3, when processor 111 according to the present embodiment receives an instruction to shift to the guard mode via switch 114, it executes the following process. More specifically, when the processor 111 shifts to the warning mode, the processor 111 transmits a warning lighting command or a blinking command to the warning light 130A via the communication interface 113. However, the processor 111 may execute the following process (even if not in the guard mode) when the power of the controller 110A is turned on.

  The processor 111 acquires the acceleration of the vehicle from the acceleration sensor 120A via the communication interface 113 (step S102). The processor 111 determines whether or not the acquired acceleration is equal to or greater than a threshold value stored in the memory 112 (step S104).

  If the acquired acceleration is less than the threshold value (NO in step S104), processor 111 repeats the processing from step S102. If the acquired acceleration is equal to or greater than the threshold value (YES in step S104), processor 111 issues a command for designating a predetermined lighting method stored in memory 112 via communication interface 113. It transmits to the warning light 130A (step S106). The processor 111 preferably stores the lighting method before the change in the memory 112.

  The processor 111 acquires the acceleration of the vehicle from the acceleration sensor 120A via the communication interface 113 (step S108). The processor 111 determines whether or not the acquired acceleration is greater than or equal to a threshold value (step S110). If the acquired acceleration is equal to or greater than the threshold (YES in step S110), processor 111 repeats the processing from step S108.

  If the acquired acceleration is less than the threshold value (NO in step S110), processor 111 starts a timer using clock 116 (step S112). The processor 111 determines whether or not the timer count has reached a predetermined value (step S114). If the count of the timer reaches a predetermined value (YES in step S114), processor 111 transmits a command for returning to the lighting method before the change to warning light 130A via communication interface 113. (Step S116). The processor 111 repeats the process from step S102.

  If the count of the timer has not reached the predetermined value (NO in step S114), processor 111 acquires the vehicle acceleration from acceleration sensor 120A via communication interface 113 (step S120). The processor 111 determines whether or not the acquired acceleration is greater than or equal to a threshold value (step S122).

  If the acquired acceleration is less than the threshold value (NO in step S122), processor 111 repeats the processing from step S114. If the acquired acceleration is equal to or greater than the threshold value (YES in step S122), processor 111 repeats the process from step S112.

[Embodiment 2]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The light control system 100A according to Embodiment 1 described above determines whether or not to change the lighting method based on one type of threshold value. However, the light control system 100A may change the lighting method based on a plurality of threshold values (in multiple stages), or may change the lighting method in a stepless manner.

  Light control system 100A according to the present embodiment changes the lighting method based on a plurality of threshold values (in multiple stages). In addition, since the operation | movement outline | summary of the police car 10 which concerns on this Embodiment is the same as that of Embodiment 1, description is not repeated here. The configuration of the light control system 100A according to the present embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment regarding the data stored in the memory 112 and the processor 111, and other elements are the same as those of the first embodiment. The description of the other elements will not be repeated here.

  Specifically, in the present embodiment, memory 112 stores lighting table 112A. FIG. 4 is an image diagram showing a configuration of lighting table 112A according to the present embodiment.

  Referring to FIG. 4, lighting table 112A stores an acceleration range, a lighting method of warning light 130A, and a siren output method in association with each other. Thereby, the processor 111 can change the output method of the warning light 130 </ b> A and the speaker 140 according to the acceleration of the police car 10.

Hereinafter, the upper limit value (lower limit value) for each acceleration range is also referred to as a threshold value. That is, the lighting table 112A stores the acceleration of 15 m / s ² as the first threshold, stores the acceleration of 30 m / s ² as the second threshold, and sets the acceleration of 45 m / s ² as the third threshold. May be stored as the threshold value.

  The lighting table 112A is not limited to that shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is an image diagram showing a configuration of a modified example of the lighting table 112B. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the light control system 100A changes the light from the warning light 130A to be more conspicuous as the acceleration increases.

  Referring to FIG. 3, processor 111 acquires vehicle acceleration from acceleration sensor 120 </ b> A via communication interface 113. The processor 111 identifies the lighting method of the warning light 130A corresponding to the acquired acceleration by referring to the lighting table 112A. The processor 111 transmits a command indicating the specified lighting method to the warning light 130A via the communication interface 113.

<Light control processing by operating device 110A>
Next, control processing of the warning light 130A by the operating device 110A according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control process of warning light 130A by operating device 110A according to the present embodiment.

  Referring to FIG. 6, when processor 111 according to the present embodiment receives an instruction to shift to the guard mode via switch 114, processor 111 executes the following processing. More specifically, when the processor 111 shifts to the warning mode, the processor 111 transmits a warning lighting command or a blinking command to the warning light 130A via the communication interface 113. However, the processor 111 may execute the following process (even if not in the guard mode) when the power of the controller 110A is turned on.

  The processor 111 acquires the acceleration of the vehicle from the acceleration sensor 120A via the communication interface 113 (step S202). The processor 111 refers to the lighting table 112A and determines whether or not the acquired acceleration is equal to or greater than the first threshold value (step S204).

  If the acquired acceleration is less than the first threshold value (NO in step S204), processor 111 repeats the processing from step S202. When the acquired acceleration is equal to or greater than the first threshold (YES in step S204), processor 111 refers to lighting table 112A and the acquired acceleration is equal to or greater than the second threshold. Whether or not (step S206).

  If the acquired acceleration is not greater than or equal to the second threshold value (NO in step S206), processor 111 refers to lighting table 112A and issues a command to designate the first lighting method to warning light 130A. (Step S208). More specifically, the processor 111 refers to the lighting table 112A and identifies the lighting method corresponding to the range between the first threshold value and the second threshold value as the first lighting method. The processor 111 preferably stores the lighting method before the change in the memory 112. The processor 111 executes the processing from step S216.

  When the acquired acceleration is greater than or equal to the second threshold (YES in step S206), processor 111 refers to lighting table 112A and the acquired acceleration is greater than or equal to the third threshold. Whether or not (step S210). If the acquired acceleration is less than the third threshold value (if NO in step S210), processor 111 refers to lighting table 112A and issues a command to specify the second lighting method as a warning light. It transmits to 130A (step S212). More specifically, the processor 111 refers to the lighting table 112A and identifies a lighting method corresponding to a range between the second threshold value and the third threshold value as the second lighting method. The processor 111 preferably stores the lighting method before the change in the memory 112. The processor 111 executes the processing from step S216.

  If the acquired acceleration is equal to or greater than the third threshold value (YES in step S210), processor 111 refers to lighting table 112A and issues a command to specify the third lighting method as a warning light. It transmits to 130A (step S214). More specifically, the processor 111 refers to the lighting table 112A and identifies a lighting method corresponding to a range equal to or greater than the third threshold value as the third lighting method. The processor 111 preferably stores the lighting method before the change in the memory 112.

  The processor 111 acquires the acceleration of the vehicle from the acceleration sensor 120A via the communication interface 113 (step S216). The processor 111 determines whether or not the acquired acceleration is greater than or equal to the first threshold value (step S218). If the acquired acceleration is equal to or greater than the first threshold value (YES in step S218), processor 111 repeats the processing from step S206.

  If the acquired acceleration is less than the threshold value (NO in step S218), processor 111 starts a timer using clock 116 (step S220). The processor 111 determines whether or not the timer count has reached a predetermined value (step S222). When the timer count reaches a predetermined value (YES in step S222), processor 111 transmits a command for returning to the lighting method before the change to warning light 130A via communication interface 113. (Step S224). The processor 111 repeats the process from step S202.

  If the count of the timer has not reached the predetermined value (NO in step S222), processor 111 acquires the acceleration of the vehicle from acceleration sensor 120A via communication interface 113 (step S226). The processor 111 determines whether or not the acquired acceleration is greater than or equal to the first threshold value (step S228).

  If the acquired acceleration is less than the first threshold value (NO in step S228), processor 111 repeats the processing from step S222. If the acquired acceleration is equal to or greater than the first threshold value (YES in step S222), processor 111 repeats the processing from step S220.

<Other embodiments>
Regarding the first and second embodiments, the acceleration sensor may be included in the casing of the controller. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a light control system 100B in which the acceleration sensor 117 is included in the casing of the operating device 110B.

  Referring to FIG. 7, acceleration sensor 117 inputs the measured acceleration (the acceleration of operating device 110 </ b> B) to processor 111. The processor 111 may be connected to the acceleration sensor 117 via an internal bus, or may be connected to the acceleration sensor 117 via the communication interface 113. Other configurations and operations of the light control system 100B according to the present embodiment are the same as those of the first and second embodiments, and thus description thereof will not be repeated here.

  Furthermore, the acceleration sensor and the function of the operating device may be included in the casing of the warning light. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a light control system 100C in which the acceleration sensor 117 and the function of the operating device are included in the casing of the warning light 130C.

  Referring to FIG. 8, warning light 130C includes an acceleration sensor 117, a warning light driving unit 131, a processor 111, a memory 112, a communication interface 113, a switch 114, a display 115, and a clock 116. including. The warning light driving unit 131 includes a lamp and a device for rotating the lamp.

  The processor 111 may be connected to the acceleration sensor 117 and the warning light driving unit 131 via an internal bus, or may be connected to the acceleration sensor 117 and the warning light driving unit 131 via the communication interface 113. Good. Other configurations and operations of the light control system 100C according to the present embodiment are the same as those of the first and second embodiments, and thus description thereof will not be repeated here.

  It goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to a case where the object is achieved by supplying a program to a system or apparatus. Then, a storage medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention is supplied to the system or apparatus, and a program code stored in the storage medium by the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus It is possible to enjoy the effects of the present invention also by reading and executing.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code May perform part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments may be realized by the processing.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. The CPU of the board or the function expansion unit may perform part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments may be realized by the processing.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

10 police car 100A, 100B, 100C light control system 110A, 110B controller 111 processor 112 memory 112A, 112B lighting table 113 communication interface 114 switch 115 display 116 clock 117, 120 acceleration sensor 130A, 130C warning light 131 warning light drive unit 140 Speaker

Claims (8)

A warning light control system that can be installed in an emergency vehicle ,
A warning light ,
An acceleration sensor for measuring the acceleration of the emergency vehicle ;
Acceleration of the emergency vehicle to determine whether more than a predetermined value, and a processor for changing the lighting method of the 警光lamp when the acceleration of the emergency vehicle is a predetermined value or more,
The processor is a warning light control system that changes a lighting method of the warning light when the acceleration of the emergency vehicle is not less than the predetermined value when the warning light is turned on or blinking . Wherein the processor, when the acceleration of the emergency vehicle is the predetermined value or more, changes the output or blinking cycle of the 警光lamp as the lighting method, 警光lamp control system of the mounting serial to claim 1. A timer,
When the acceleration of the emergency vehicle becomes less than the predetermined value after changing the lighting method of the warning light , the processor refers to the timer and a predetermined time has elapsed since the acceleration became less than the predetermined value. The warning light control according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the lighting method of the warning light is returned to the state before the change when the predetermined time has elapsed since the value is less than the predetermined value. system. A memory for storing correspondences between a plurality of predetermined values and a plurality of lighting methods;
The warning light control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the processor changes a lighting method of the warning light based on an acceleration of the emergency vehicle and the correspondence relationship. The warning light control system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , further comprising a casing including the warning light , the acceleration sensor, and the processor. A warning light that can be mounted on an emergency vehicle ,
An acceleration sensor for measuring the acceleration of the emergency vehicle ;
The emergency acceleration of the vehicle is determined to or greater than the predetermined value, the acceleration of the emergency vehicle and a processor for changing the lighting method when a predetermined value or more, 警光lamp. A warning light operating device that can be mounted on an emergency vehicle ,
An acceleration sensor for measuring the acceleration of the emergency vehicle ;
Acceleration of the emergency vehicle is determined to or greater than the predetermined value, the acceleration of the emergency vehicle and a processor for changing the lighting method of the 警光lamp is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, 警光Light operating device. An emergency vehicle ,
A warning light ,
An acceleration sensor for measuring the acceleration of the emergency vehicle ;
Acceleration of the emergency vehicle is determined to or greater than the predetermined value, the acceleration of the emergency vehicle and a processor for changing the lighting method of the 警光lamp is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the emergency vehicle .

Images