JP7029908B2 - Visibility control device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a visibility control device, particularly a visibility control device capable of facilitating an understanding of a driving environment by an occupant during normal driving control during automatic driving or driving support.

In order for the occupants to feel reassured during autonomous driving in an autonomous vehicle, it is equipped with a HUD device that displays the obstacle mark, alert mark, and traveling direction mark on the landscape in front of the vehicle when an obstacle approaches. Vehicle display devices are known (see Patent Document 1).

JP-A-2017-0911115

For example, when driving manually as a driver, the occupant of the vehicle monitors the surrounding environment in front of the vehicle through the front window. During automatic driving or driving support, the occupant will pass the driving initiative to the vehicle, which reduces the need to monitor the occupant's surroundings and may reduce awareness of the surrounding environment while driving. There is.

Although the conventional display device for vehicles as described above can display a display that calls attention when dealing with an object such as a preceding vehicle during automatic driving, when dealing with an appropriate object as automatic driving control. Other than that, it did not call attention to the occupants. In other words, it was not intended to simply alert the occupants during normal driving during automatic driving or driving support.

Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a visibility control device that promotes the understanding of the driving environment by the occupants during normal driving control that does not correspond to an appropriate object during automatic driving or driving support. That is.

As a means for solving the above-mentioned problems, the visibility control device according to the present invention has a detection unit that detects at least one of the vehicle state, the occupant state, and the surrounding environment of the vehicle, and the detection result of the detection unit. In a view control device provided in a vehicle capable of automatic driving control or driving support control based on the above, a shielding unit capable of shielding at least a part of the front window and a shielding control unit controlling the drive of the shielding unit are provided. The shielding control unit has released the shielding state in which the front window is shielded by the shielding unit and the shielding by the shielding unit while the vehicle is performing the automatic driving control or the driving support control. Switch from the open state.

In the field of view control device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the switching control of the shielding unit by the shielding control unit is performed based on the detection result of the detection unit.

In the field of view control device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the shielding portion can shield the lower part of the front window.

In the view control device according to the present invention, the switching of the shielding unit by the shielding control unit has no or few risk factors that need to be avoided by the vehicle to which the automatic driving control or the driving support control is performed. It is preferably performed when the vehicle is in a normal running state, which is a state.

In the field of view control device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the switching control of the shielding unit by the shielding control unit is performed based on a predetermined time threshold value.

In the visual field control device according to the present invention, when the change in the detection result of the detection unit is large, the time threshold value is changed small so that the switching interval between the shielded state and the open state becomes short. Is preferable.

In the visual field control device according to the present invention, when the change in the detection result of the detection unit is large, the time threshold value is significantly changed so that the interval between switching between the shielded state and the open state becomes long. Is preferable.

In the field of view control device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the shielding control unit controls the drive of the shielding unit separately in an open state and a plurality of stages of shielding state according to the detection result of the detection unit.

In the view control device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the shielding portion shields at least below the central visual field of the occupant.

According to the present invention, the occupant can switch between the shielded state and the open state of the front window during normal driving in an automatic driving state or a driving support state, that is, when appropriate control for dealing with an object is not performed. It changes the field of vision and encourages forward monitoring through the front window. As a result, it is possible to provide a visibility control device that can promote the understanding of the occupant's driving environment during normal driving control in which the occupant's ability to concentrate on peripheral monitoring may be reduced and the driving environment does not change much. can.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a field of view control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an open state of the front window by the field of view control device shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a shielded state of the front window by the field of view control device shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control flow when switching the presence / absence of shielding of the front window by using the visibility control device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control flow in which a time threshold value for switching is changed when switching between driving and releasing the shielding unit using the field of view control device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control flow in which a time threshold value for switching is changed when switching between driving and releasing the shielding unit using the field of view control device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control flow in which a time threshold value for switching is changed when switching between driving and releasing the shielding unit using the visual field control device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a control flow in which the drive state of the shield portion is divided into a plurality of stages when the drive / release of the shield portion is switched by using the view control device shown in FIG. 1.

(Outline of basic embodiment)
An embodiment of the field of view control device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.
Note that FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a field of view control device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 and 3 are schematic views showing an open state and a shielded state of the front window by the field of view control device 1 shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control flow when the visibility control device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is used to switch between driving and releasing the shielding unit 11.

As shown in FIG. 1, the field of view control device 1 includes a shielding unit 11 and a shielding control unit 12. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle provided with the visibility control device 1 includes a detection unit 2, a driving control unit 3, and a storage unit 4. In the present embodiment, the information possessed by the detection unit 2, the operation control unit 3, and the storage unit 4 can be output to the shielding control unit 12.
The field of view control device 1 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

The detection unit 2 is a member that detects a situation, a state, an environment, etc. inside and outside the vehicle, and detects at least one of the vehicle state, the occupant state, and the surrounding environment of the vehicle. Examples of the detection target related to the vehicle state include acceleration, pitch moment, yaw moment, and the like acting in the front-rear, left-right directions of the vehicle. Examples of the detection target related to the occupant state include the physique of the occupant, the direction and height of the line of sight of the occupant, the arousal level, and the like. Examples of the detection target related to the surrounding environment of the vehicle include weather, road extension direction, road surface condition, various signs, various signs, and surrounding vehicle condition.
Specifically, various sensors, cameras, and the like can be used as the detection unit 2, and information can be taken in from the outside via a communication device for detecting the surrounding environment.

The driving control unit 3 performs automatic driving control and advanced driving support control of the vehicle by holding all or most of the initiative of acceleration / deceleration and steering of the vehicle on the vehicle side. Basically, the automatic driving control and advanced driving support control by the driving control unit 3 are divided into a plurality of levels according to the degree of retention of the above-mentioned initiative, and the driving control unit 3 changes the control level according to the surrounding environment and the like. Will be done. In the present embodiment, the operation control unit 3 constructs and updates a driving scenario according to the surrounding environment that continues to change over time, and stores the driving scenario in the storage unit 4. As the information related to the surrounding environment for constructing the driving scenario, the information detected by the detection unit 2 can be used.
As the driving control unit 3, a control arithmetic processing unit or the like used in a normal automatic driving vehicle or a driving support vehicle can be used.

The storage unit 4 stores driving scenarios, navigation information, and the like during automatic driving. The storage unit 4 in the present embodiment stores at least information necessary for driving and releasing the shielding unit 11 by the shielding control unit 12, which will be described later, and does not have to store all of the above-mentioned driving scenario and navigation information. ..
As the storage unit 4, a storage device or the like provided in a normal vehicle arithmetic processing unit can be used.

The shielding portion 11 is a member capable of shielding the front window arranged in front of the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Further, the shielding control unit 12 controls the driving of the shielding unit 11. The shielding control unit 12 can output a signal related to driving to the shielding unit 11. In the shielding control unit 12 of the present embodiment, a time threshold value (first time threshold value) used for driving control of the shielding unit 11 is set in advance. The time threshold can be appropriately set based on, for example, the ability of an occupant who is only seated without driving to concentrate on peripheral monitoring based on sustainable time.

Here, a specific form of the shielding portion 11 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. 2 and 3 schematically show a state of looking forward from the vehicle interior. A front window W that separates the vehicle interior from the outside of the vehicle is arranged in front of the occupant P, and the hood H that covers the engine room and the road surface R further ahead of the hood H can be seen through the front window W. In this embodiment, the central line L1 and the road outer line L2 are drawn on the road surface R as road markings.

Since the shielding portion 11 shown in FIG. 2 is not driven and the front window W is in the open state, the occupant P can secure a normal field of view. On the other hand, since the shielding portion 11 shown in FIG. 3 is in the driving state and the lower side of the front window W is in the shielding state, the visibility of the occupant P is compared with the open state shown in FIG. It's narrowing.

The shielding portion 11 in the present embodiment employs a shade-shaped member that is housed in the instrument panel when not driven and rises from the lower side of the front window W when driven. In particular, as shown in FIG. 3, the shielding portion 11 has substantially the same size as the front window W in the vehicle width direction, and can shield the lower side of the front window W in a region extending to both left and right ends by driving.

When the vehicle is driven on, for example, a motorway in a state where the automatic driving control or the advanced driving support control of the vehicle is performed by the driving control unit 3, the vehicle often travels in a high speed zone. Normally, when the occupant P is manually driving, when traveling in the high speed zone, he / she mainly monitors the front area away from the vehicle as compared with the traveling in the low speed zone. Similarly, during automatic driving control or driving support control, it is necessary for the occupant P to monitor the surrounding environment in a region away from the vehicle. That is, there is often no problem even if the road surface R on the front side in the vicinity of the vehicle is shielded on a motorway or the like.

The broken line on the road surface R in FIG. 3 is the central visual field S of the occupant P in the vehicle traveling in the high speed zone in the automatic driving control state or the driving support control state. The central visual field S is not a front side near the hood H but a region away from the vehicle. The shielding portion 11 in the present embodiment can shield the lower side of the central visual field S of the occupant P. The central visual field S of the occupant P can be derived based on the direction of the line of sight by using, for example, an occupant monitoring camera installed in the vehicle. When the position of the central visual field S changes, the shielding control unit 12 can appropriately change the shielding region of the shielding unit 11 according to the central visual field S.

In automatic driving control and driving support control, response control for avoiding risk factors caused by various objects such as preceding vehicles and obstacles, and response control based on the absence or few risk factors that need to be avoided. Includes normal driving control, which is driving control for normal driving when is not required. The field of view control device 1 according to the present embodiment is used in a state in which normal driving control in automatic driving control and driving support control is performed, that is, in a normal driving state. It should be noted that the risk factor is such that it is determined that safe running cannot be maintained unless the own vehicle is avoided in various objects detected by the detection unit 2.

Next, the control flow when shielding and releasing the shielding using the member shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 4 shown as a flowchart.

First, the shielding control unit 12 determines whether or not there is automatic driving control or driving support control based on the signal related to the vehicle control state output from the driving control unit 3 to the shielding control unit 12 (step S1). In this step, when a signal relating to the automatic driving control state or the driving support control state of the vehicle is input from the driving control unit 3 to the shielding control unit 12, the process proceeds to the next step (YES in step S1). If this signal is not input, or if a signal related to the non-automatic operation control state or the non-operation support control state is input, this control flow is completed without driving the shielding unit 11 (NO in step S1). ..

Next, the shielding control unit 12 determines whether or not the vehicle is automatically driven or assisted by the driving control unit 3 and is in the normal driving control state (step S2). In this step, when the vehicle is in the automatic driving control state or the driving support control state from the driving control unit 3 and the signal related to the normal driving control state of the vehicle is input to the shielding control unit 12, the process proceeds to the next step (step). YES of S2). If this signal is not input, or if the signal related to the corresponding control is input, this control flow is completed without driving the shielding unit 11 (NO in step S2).

In the automatic driving control vehicle or the driving support control vehicle in the normal driving control state, the shielding control unit 12 outputs a drive signal to the shielding unit 11 to drive the vehicle (step S3). In the normal running control state, there is no problem in running or it is unlikely to occur even if at least a part of the front window W shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is shielded. By this step, as shown in FIG. 3, the shielding portion 11 moves upward from the lower end portion of the front window W to shield the lower portion of the front window W. That is, the front window W changes from the open state shown in FIG. 2 to the shielded state by the shielding portion 11 shown in FIG.

Subsequently, the shielding control unit 12 determines whether or not the driving time of the shielding unit 11 exceeds the preset time threshold value (step S4). In this step, if the driving time of the shielding unit 11 calculated from the driving of the shielding unit 11 in the previous step (step S3) exceeds a predetermined time threshold value, the process proceeds to the next step (YES in step S4). .. If the driving time of the shielding unit 11 does not exceed the predetermined time threshold value, the shielding unit 11 is continuously driven until it exceeds the predetermined time threshold value to maintain the shielding state of the front window W (NO in step S4).

Further, when the shielding unit 11 is driven beyond a predetermined time threshold value, the shielding control unit 12 releases the driving of the shielding unit 11 (step S5). When the drive of the shielding portion 11 is released, the front window W returns from the shielding state shown in FIG. 3 to the open state shown in FIG.

As described above, when the vehicle to which the automatic driving control or the driving support control is performed is in the normal driving control state, the shielding control unit 12 sets the shielding state and the open state based on a predetermined time threshold value. It can be switched.

When the vehicle to which the automatic driving control or the driving support control is performed is in the normal driving control state, the occupant P shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 prepares for the driving initiative to be returned to the occupant P. Although it is not operated, it is required to visually monitor the surrounding area. If the vehicle is not driven, the necessity of peripheral monitoring of the occupant P decreases, and the concentration on the peripheral monitoring tends to decrease.

By switching the shielding and opening of the front window W in a situation where the concentration of the occupant P on the peripheral monitoring is likely to decrease, the visibility of the occupant P is changed. Even if the occupant P loses his or her concentration on peripheral monitoring and is in a distracted state, the field of vision changes in the area close to the occupant P called the front window W. It can be directed to the front of the vehicle through. As a result, even in the normal driving control state in which the change in the traveling environment is small, the occupant P can be urged to monitor forward via the front window W, and as a result, the occupant P can be promoted to understand the traveling environment.

For example, when an object such as a preceding vehicle or an obstacle is detected in front by an appropriate sensor or a camera, it is necessary to perform response control such as avoiding the object by accelerating / decelerating and steering. Considering the possibility of passing the driving initiative from the vehicle side to the occupant side in an emergency, the occupant was urged to understand the driving environment only when the object approached the own vehicle and the response control was performed. Therefore, there is a possibility that the response to the object will be delayed when the occupant switches to manual operation. Therefore, the visual field control device according to the present invention basically switches the drive and release of the shielding unit in the normal driving control state to promote the understanding of the driving environment of the occupant, thereby providing the occupant to the situation where the response control is performed. Can be prepared.

When the response control is incorporated into the driving scenario or when the response control is started, the control by the visibility control device according to the present invention is overwritten with the control for forcing the opening of the front window. preferable. Specifically, when the need for response control arises or is performed, switching between driving and releasing the shielding unit is stopped, and if the shielding unit is in the driven state, the driving is released and driven. If not, it is preferable to forcibly open the front window by maintaining it. As a result, the field of view in front of the occupant is opened to the maximum, so that the occupant can easily visually confirm the driving environment in which the response control needs to be performed.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the presence / absence of automatic driving control or advanced driving support control and the presence / absence of normal driving control are discriminated separately in steps S1 and S2, but in the present invention, the concentration of occupants is determined. As long as the situation in which the force can be reduced can be discriminated, the discrimination may be completed in one step.

As a result of the control being performed according to the control flow shown in FIG. 4, after the drive of the shielding unit 11 is released and the front window W is opened, until the control flow shown in FIG. 4 is executed again. For the time, the time threshold value used in step S4 may be used, or another time threshold value for repeat control or the like may be appropriately set.

The time threshold value for switching between driving and releasing the shielding unit is preset in the shielding control unit 12 in the above embodiment, but may be stored in the storage unit. In this case, the shielding control unit outputs the time threshold value from the storage unit with the determination that the vehicle is in the normal driving control state by the driving control unit as a trigger.

The shielding portion in the present invention is a simple shielding of the front window including, for example, a form of physically shielding with a shade that can move up and down, a form of shielding with a so-called electronic curtain whose transparency can be adjusted by applying a voltage, and the like. It may be in the form of a display unit such as a monitor provided on the vehicle interior side of the shielding unit. Further, the size does not have to extend to the left and right ends of the front window W as in the shielding portion 11, and a plurality of monitors may be arranged in parallel in the vehicle width direction and stand up from the instrument panel.

In the present invention, the time threshold value can be set variably. When the time threshold is fixed, the front window is shielded and opened at regular intervals, so that it is possible that the occupants become accustomed to the change in visual field and their concentration on monitoring the surrounding environment is reduced again. In view of this, the time threshold value may be set with a predetermined width, and an arbitrary value may be taken when comparing the drive time of the shielding portion with the time threshold value as in step S4.
Further, in the present invention, a preset time threshold value is appropriately set based on at least one information of the vehicle state, the surrounding environment of the vehicle, and the occupant state, which is the information that can be detected by the detection unit or the like. It can also be changed to. The change form of the time threshold value will be described below with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7.

5 to 7 shown subsequently show a control flow in which the time threshold value for switching is changed when switching between driving and releasing the shielding unit 11 by using the field of view control device 1 shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows.

First, in the control flow shown in FIG. 5, the time threshold value is variable based on the vehicle state.

As shown in FIG. 5, a step (step S1 and step S2) in which the shielding control unit 12 determines whether or not automatic driving control or advanced driving support control is performed and is in a normal operation control state, the shielding control unit 12 The driving step (step S3) of the shielding unit 11 by the above is the same as the control flow shown in FIG. While the shielding unit 11 is being driven, the shielding control unit 12 determines whether or not the vehicle behavior has changed by a predetermined amount or more (step S6). In this step, the rate of change over time is derived by an appropriate arithmetic unit based on the information about the vehicle behavior detected by the detection unit 2, and the rate of change in the vehicle behavior is set in advance in, for example, the shielding control unit 12. If the first threshold value is exceeded, the process proceeds to the next step (YES in step S6).
When the rate of change in vehicle behavior does not exceed a predetermined first threshold value, a comparison step between the drive time of the shielding unit 11 and the predetermined time threshold value described above (NO in step S6 and step S4). By performing the drive release step (step S5) of the shielding unit 11 in the same manner as in the control flow shown in FIG. 4, the front window W is returned from the shielding state to the open state.

Here, as the rate of change in vehicle behavior, for example, the rate of change in parameters of the vehicle state related to the behavior of the vehicle, more specifically, the magnitudes of acceleration, pitch moment, yaw moment, etc. acting in the front-rear, left-right direction of the vehicle are detected. The ones obtained by detecting in the part 2 and deriving the rate of change of the detection result with time can be mentioned.
The threshold value (first threshold value) regarding the rate of change in vehicle behavior for comparison with the derived rate of change in vehicle behavior is, for example, what kind of vehicle behavior parameter changes and how much the occupant knows. On the other hand, it is possible to set appropriately by accumulating and analyzing in advance data as to whether it is better to further promote peripheral monitoring. The first threshold value may be set to one type or a plurality of types according to the type of information regarding the detected vehicle behavior.

Subsequently, when the rate of change in vehicle behavior exceeds the first threshold value, the time threshold value is changed and the second time threshold value is used (step S71). The second time threshold value may be set larger or smaller than the time threshold value before the change, depending on the type of the parameter related to the detected vehicle behavior.

Next, the shielding control unit 12 determines whether or not the driving time of the shielding unit 11 exceeds the second time threshold value (step S41). In this step, when the drive time of the shield unit 11 calculated from the drive of the shield unit 11 in the drive step of the shield unit 11 (step S3) exceeds the second time threshold value after the change from the time threshold value. Moves to the next step (YES in step S41). If the driving time of the shielding unit 11 does not exceed the second time threshold value, the shielding unit 11 is continuously driven until it exceeds the threshold value, and the shielding state of the front window W is maintained (NO in step S41).

When the shielding unit 11 is driven beyond the second time threshold value (YES in step S41), the shielding control unit 12 releases the driving of the shielding unit 11 (step S5). When the drive of the shielding portion 11 is released, the front window W returns from the shielding state shown in FIG. 3 to the open state shown in FIG.

As described above, when the vehicle to which the automatic driving control or the driving support control is performed is in the normal driving control state, the shielding control unit 12 sets the predetermined time threshold value or the second time according to the vehicle behavior. It is possible to switch between the shielded state and the open state based on the threshold value.

Subsequently, in the control flow shown in FIG. 6, the time threshold value is variable based on the surrounding environment.

As shown in FIG. 6, a step (step S1 and step S2) in which the shielding control unit 12 determines whether or not automatic driving control or advanced driving support control is performed and is in the normal operation control state, the shielding control unit 12 The driving step (step S3) of the shielding unit 11 by the above is the same as the control flow shown in FIG. While the shielding unit 11 is being driven, the shielding control unit 12 determines whether or not the surrounding environment has changed by a predetermined amount or more (step S8). In this step, the rate of change is derived by an appropriate arithmetic unit based on the information about the surrounding environment detected by the detection unit 2 or stored in the storage unit 4, and the rate of change in the surrounding environment is transmitted to, for example, the shielding control unit 12 in advance. If the predetermined second threshold value to be set is exceeded, the process proceeds to the next step (YES in step S8).
If the rate of change in the surrounding environment does not exceed a predetermined second threshold value, a comparison step between the above-mentioned driving time of the shielding unit 11 and the predetermined time threshold value (NO in step S8 and step S4). By performing the drive release step (step S5) of the shielding unit 11 in the same manner as the control flow shown in FIG. 4, the front window W is returned from the shielding state to the open state.

Here, the rate of change of the surrounding environment is, for example, information related to the surrounding environment of the vehicle, the rate of change of parameters, and the like. More specifically, numerical values such as weather detected by the detection unit 2, road extension direction, road surface condition, various signs, various signs, information such as surrounding vehicle conditions, navigation information stored in the storage unit 4, and the like. Then, the rate of change over time or the rate of change in the frequency of occurrence within a certain area can be derived.
The threshold value (second threshold value) regarding the rate of change of the surrounding environment for comparison with the rate of change of the surrounding environment is, for example, what kind of surrounding environment parameter changes and how much, for the occupant. By accumulating and analyzing in advance data as to whether it is better to further promote peripheral monitoring, it can be set appropriately. As an example, if it is found that the own vehicle travels on a road with many speed limit changes, branches, merging, curves, etc. based on the detection result by the detection unit 2 or the navigation information of the storage unit 4, such a road is used. Judge that there are many changes in the surrounding environment. For example, in a section where the frequency of occurrence of branching or the like is high (a section where the rate of change in the surrounding environment is high), it is possible to take a form of prompting peripheral monitoring at a high frequency. As the second threshold value, one or a plurality of types may be set in the shielding control unit 12 depending on the type of information regarding the surrounding environment to be detected or stored.

Subsequently, when the rate of change in the surrounding environment exceeds the second threshold value (YES in step S8), the time threshold value is changed and the third time threshold value is used (step S72). .. The third time threshold value may be set larger or smaller than the time threshold value before the change, depending on the type of the parameter related to the surrounding environment to be detected or stored.

Next, the shielding control unit 12 determines whether or not the driving time of the shielding unit 11 exceeds the third time threshold value (step S42). In this step, when the drive time of the shield unit 11 calculated from the drive of the shield unit 11 in the drive step of the shield unit 11 (step S3) exceeds the third time threshold value after the change from the time threshold value. Moves to the next step (YES in step S42). If the driving time of the shielding unit 11 does not exceed the third time threshold value, the shielding unit 11 is continuously driven until it exceeds the threshold value, and the shielding state of the front window W is maintained (NO in step S42).

When the shielding unit 11 is driven beyond the third time threshold value (YES in step S42), the shielding control unit 12 releases the driving of the shielding unit 11 (step S5). When the drive of the shielding portion 11 is released, the front window W returns from the shielding state shown in FIG. 3 to the open state shown in FIG.

As described above, when the vehicle to which the automatic driving control or the driving support control is performed is in the normal driving control state, the shielding control unit 12 sets the predetermined time threshold value or the third time according to the surrounding environment. It is possible to switch between the shielded state and the open state based on the threshold value.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, when the rate of change in vehicle behavior exceeds the first threshold value, and in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, when the rate of change in the surrounding environment exceeds the second threshold value, time Although the threshold value has been changed, conversely, the time threshold value may be changed when each rate of change is smaller than each threshold value. Depending on the type, performance, characteristics, driving environment, etc. of the vehicle, the importance and necessity of encouraging occupants to monitor the surrounding area may change. It is preferable to set the correlation between each threshold value and the time threshold value.

Subsequently, in the control flow shown in FIG. 7, the control level according to the degree of retention of the driving initiative by the automatic driving control by the driving control unit 3 and the advanced driving support control (hereinafter referred to as “driving control level”) is used. The time threshold is variable.

As shown in FIG. 7, a step (step S1 and step S2) in which the shielding control unit 12 determines whether or not automatic driving control or advanced driving support control is performed and is in the normal operation control state, the shielding control unit 12 The driving step (step S3) of the shielding unit 11 by the above is the same as the control flow shown in FIG. The shielding control unit 12 determines whether or not the operation control level has changed while the shielding unit 11 is being driven (step S9). In this step, when the operation control level by the operation control unit 3 changes, the process proceeds to the next process (YES in step S9).
When the operation control level has not changed, a step of comparing the drive time of the shield portion 11 and a predetermined time threshold value (NO in step S9 and step S4) and a step of releasing the drive of the shield portion 11 are performed. By performing (step S5) in the same manner as the control flow shown in FIG. 4, the front window W is returned from the shielded state to the open state.

Here, as the operation control level, for example, the automatic operation level defined in SAE J3016 (2016) adopted by NHTSA or the like can be used. According to SAE J3016, what is called automatic operation is SAE level 3-5.

Subsequently, when the operation control level changes (YES in step S9), the time threshold value is changed and the fourth time threshold value is used (step S73). As the fourth time threshold value, a time threshold value corresponding to each operation control level of SAE levels 3 to 5 can be set. In addition, the 4th time threshold is accumulated and analyzed in advance as to how much data should be urged to monitor the surroundings of the occupants in each case where the operation control level rises and conversely falls. By setting it appropriately, it can be set as appropriate.

Next, the shielding control unit 12 determines whether or not the driving time of the shielding unit 11 exceeds the fourth time threshold value (step S43). In this step, when the driving time of the shielding unit 11 calculated from the driving of the shielding unit 11 in the driving process of the shielding unit 11 (step S3) exceeds the fourth time threshold value after the change from the time threshold value. Moves to the next step (YES in step S43). If the driving time of the shielding unit 11 does not exceed the fourth time threshold value, the shielding unit 11 is continuously driven until it exceeds the threshold value, and the shielding state of the front window W is maintained (NO in step S43).

When the shielding unit 11 is driven beyond the fourth time threshold value (YES in step S43), the shielding control unit 12 releases the driving of the shielding unit 11 (step S5). When the drive of the shielding portion 11 is released, the front window W returns from the shielding state shown in FIG. 3 to the open state shown in FIG.

As described above, when the vehicle to which the automatic driving control or the driving support control is performed is in the normal driving control state, the shielding control unit 12 sets the predetermined time threshold value or the fourth according to the driving control level. It is possible to switch between the shielded state and the open state based on the time threshold value.

In the control flow shown in FIG. 7, when the driving control level of the vehicle by the driving control unit 3 is changed from SAE level 3 to 5 to SAE level 0 to 2, peripheral monitoring by the occupant is indispensable. Even if the unit 11 is driven to shield the front window W, it is possible to perform overwrite control for forcibly releasing the drive and returning to the open state. As a result, the front view of the occupant is opened to the maximum, so that the occupant can quickly visually confirm the driving environment even if most or the front part of the driving initiative is transferred to the occupant.

FIG. 8 shown subsequently is a flowchart showing a control flow in which the drive state of the shield portion 11 is divided into a plurality of stages when the drive / release of the shield portion 11 is switched by using the view control device 1 shown in FIG. It is a figure. In the control flow shown in FIG. 8, the driving state of the shielding unit 11 is divided into a plurality of stages based on the occupant state.

As shown in FIG. 8, a step (step S1 and step S2) in which the shield control unit 12 determines whether or not automatic operation control or advanced operation support control is performed and is in a normal operation control state, and a shield control unit. The process of driving the shielding unit 11 by the shielding unit 12 (step S3) and the step of the shielding control unit 12 determining whether or not the driving time of the shielding unit 11 exceeds a predetermined time threshold value (step S4) are shown in the figure. It is the same as the control flow shown in 4.
Next, while the shielding unit 11 is being driven, the shielding control unit 12 determines whether or not the biological level of the occupant is lower than a predetermined level (step S10). In this step, the biological level is derived by an appropriate arithmetic unit based on the information regarding the occupant state detected by the detection unit 2, and the biological level is set to, for example, a predetermined third threshold value preset in the shielding control unit 12. If it is lower, the process proceeds to the next step (YES in step S10).
When the biological level of the occupant is higher than the predetermined third threshold value (NO in step S10), the drive release step (step S5) of the shield portion 11 described above is performed in the same manner as the control flow shown in FIG. By doing so, the front window W is returned from the shielded state to the open state. In this case, since the drive of the shielding unit 11 is only released as usual, the control flow shown in FIG. 8 is in the completed state.

Here, the biological level includes, for example, information that may be related to a decrease in the ability of the occupant to concentrate on peripheral monitoring, height of parameters, and the like. More specifically, by quantifying the awakening information related to the drowsiness of the occupant detected by the detection unit 2 such as the in-vehicle camera, the frequency of directing the line of sight to the front window side of the occupant, and deriving it as an appropriate level. You can list what you get.
The threshold value (third threshold value) for the biological level for comparison with the biological level is, for example, how much the concentration on the peripheral monitoring is reduced and the occupant is in what state the occupant is in. By accumulating and analyzing in advance data as to whether it is better to further promote peripheral monitoring, it can be set appropriately.

Subsequently, when the biological level of the occupant is lower than the third threshold value (YES in step S10), a part of the shielding portion 11 is opened (step S51). In this embodiment, the drive release of the shielding unit 11 can be performed in two stages. This step is a step of releasing the drive of the first stage of the shielding portion 11. As the first stage drive release mode, it suffices as long as it can be grasped that the change has occurred in the shielding portion 11 by causing a change in the occupant's field of view within a range in which all the front windows are not in the open state, for example, shielding. It is possible to adopt a form in which the drive height of the portion 11 is lowered to about half.

Next, the shielding control unit 12 determines whether or not the biological level of the occupant is higher than the predetermined level (step S11). In this step, if the biological level of the occupant is higher than the third threshold value when the first stage drive release of the shielding portion 11 is performed, the process proceeds to the next step (YES in step S11).
When the biological level of the occupant is lower than the predetermined third threshold value (NO in step S11) in the state where the first stage drive release of the shielding unit 11 is performed, the shielding unit 11 is driven (step S3). As a result, the front window W is returned from the partially open state to the shielded state by changing the drive state from the first stage drive release state to the drive state again.
In this step (step S11), even if the shielding portion 11 of the previous step (step S51) is partially opened, the biological level of the occupant does not change or becomes lower, and remains lower than the third threshold value (step S11). NO) in step S11), it is highly possible that the occupant is not aware of the movement of the shielding portion 11. In this case, even when the shielding portion 11 is set to the fully open state, there is a possibility that the occupant may not notice the change of the shielding portion 11 to the fully open state.
Next, when the biological level of the occupant is higher than a predetermined third threshold value (YES in step S11) in a state where the first stage drive release of the shielding unit 11 is performed, the shielding unit 11 causes the shielding unit 11 to release the drive. The second stage drive release is performed (step S52). In this step, the shield portion 11 which has been partially opened by the drive release step (step S51) of the first stage is completely released from the drive, so that the front window W is fully opened. When the drive of the shielding portion 11 is released in the second stage, the front window W returns from the shielding state shown in FIG. 3 to the open state shown in FIG.

As described above, when the vehicle to which the automatic driving control or the driving support control is performed is in the normal driving control state, the shielding control unit 12 is the front window W by the shielding unit 11 according to the biological level of the occupant. It is possible to switch between the shielded state and the open state of the front window W while adjusting the shielding width or the opening width. In the control mode shown in FIG. 8, by detecting the biological level of the occupant before and after the first stage drive release of the shielding unit 11, it is possible to finely shield and release the shielding unit 11 according to the occupant state. Become.

In the present invention, various modifications other than the illustrated embodiment can be adopted.
For example, in any of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the time threshold value may be changed by the shielding control unit 12, or may be appropriately performed by an existing in-vehicle CPU or the like.

In any of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5 to 6, when the rate of change of the vehicle behavior or the surrounding environment is larger than the first threshold value or the second threshold value, for example, when the vehicle behavior changes frequently or a curve. When traveling in an area where there are many such factors, the time threshold value can be greatly changed so that the interval between switching between the shielded state and the open state of the front window becomes longer. As a result, when there are many changes in the vehicle or the surrounding environment, the frequency of letting the occupants see the surrounding environment is intentionally reduced, and by dealing with it on the vehicle side as much as possible, the occupants are not exposed to visual changes. , It is possible to contribute to the improvement of the sense of security of the occupants by making them understand that the vehicle is taking stable measures. Of course, the frequency is reduced, but it is also possible to suppress or prevent a decrease in the occupant's ability to concentrate on peripheral monitoring by causing a change in the occupant's field of vision by driving and releasing the shielding portion.
When the rate of change in vehicle behavior or the surrounding environment is larger than the first threshold value or the second threshold value, the time threshold value is set so that the interval between switching between the shielded state and the open state of the front window is shortened. It can be changed to a small size. As a result, when the vehicle or the surrounding environment changes a lot, the occupants can continue to monitor the changing surrounding environment while maintaining their concentration by increasing the frequency of letting the occupants see the surrounding environment. Therefore, the understanding of the occupant's surrounding environment is updated in a state close to real time, which can contribute to the improvement of the occupant's sense of security.

On the other hand, when the rate of change in the vehicle behavior or the surrounding environment is smaller than the first threshold value or the second threshold value, the time is set so that the interval between switching between the shielded state and the open state of the front window becomes longer. The value may be changed significantly, or conversely, it may be changed small so that the switching interval becomes short. Contrary to the above-mentioned modification, when there is little change in the surrounding environment, that is, in a situation where the occupant's ability to concentrate on peripheral monitoring tends to decrease, the occupant feels secure by intentionally reducing the frequency of changes in visibility. It is also possible to maintain concentration by increasing the frequency of changes in visibility.

How to change the time threshold value according to the vehicle behavior or the change of the surrounding environment can be appropriately set. For example, by deriving what kind of influence or how much influence will occur on the driving scenario on the vehicle side when the rate of change in the vehicle behavior or the surrounding environment becomes large or small, the time threshold value Can be decided whether to change to large or small.

In the illustrated embodiment, the time threshold value is set in the shielding control unit 12, but in the present invention, the time threshold value is not set, and the operation control level is set to the operation control level as described with reference to FIG. 7, for example. Depending on the situation, the drive and release of the shield may be directly switched.
That is, the trigger for switching control of the drive state of the shielding unit may be a time threshold value, a driving control level, or another vehicle state or vehicle behavior parameter as described above.

Although the embodiment to which the invention made by the present inventor is applied has been described above, the present invention is not limited by the essay and the drawings which form a part of the disclosure of the present invention according to this embodiment. That is, it should be added that all other embodiments, examples, operational techniques, and the like made by those skilled in the art based on this embodiment are of course included in the scope of the present invention.

1: Vision control device, 11: Shielding unit, 12: Shielding control unit, 2: Detection unit, 3: Operation control unit, 4: Storage unit, L1: Chuo line, L2: Road outside line, H: Hood, P: Crew, R: Road surface, S: Central field of view, W: Front window

Claims (8)

Visibility control provided for a vehicle having a detection unit that detects at least one of the vehicle state, the occupant state, and the surrounding environment of the vehicle, and capable of automatic driving control or driving support control based on the detection result of the detection unit. In the device
With a shield that can shield at least part of the front window,
A shield control unit that controls the drive of the shield unit is provided.
The shielding control unit is in a shielded state in which the front window is shielded by the shielding unit and an open state in which the shielding by the shielding unit is released while the automatic driving control or the driving support control of the vehicle is being performed. And switch,
The switching control of the shielding unit by the shielding control unit is performed based on a predetermined time threshold value.
Visibility control device. The switching control of the shielding unit by the shielding control unit is performed based on the detection result of the detection unit.
The field of view control device according to claim 1. The shielding portion can shield the lower part of the front window.
The field of view control device according to claim 1 or 2. The switching of the shielding unit by the shielding control unit is performed when the vehicle to which the automatic driving control or the driving support control is performed is in a normal driving state in which there is no or few risk factors that need to be avoided. Will be done in
The field of view control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. When the change in the detection result of the detection unit is large, the time threshold value is changed small so that the switching interval between the shielded state and the open state becomes short.
The field of view control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. When the change in the detection result of the detection unit is large, the time threshold value is significantly changed so that the switching interval between the shielded state and the open state becomes long.
The field of view control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The shielding control unit controls the driving of the shielding unit separately in the open state and the shielding state in a plurality of stages according to the detection result of the detection unit.
The field of view control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The shielding portion shields at least the lower side of the central visual field of the occupant, which is the detection result of the detecting portion, and changes the shielding region of the shielding portion according to the central visual field.
The field of view control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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