JP7311837B2 - vehicle - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle capable of recognizing the running state of the vehicle from outside the vehicle.

In recent vehicles, multiple modes with different acceleration performance can be set in advance so that the driver can choose between driving that emphasizes acceleration and driving that emphasizes fuel efficiency. Some have selectable modes.
By the way, in recent years, driving in a vehicle has been regarded as a problem.
For example, when the vehicle of a person who wants to drive slowly approaches the vehicle of a person who is in a hurry, the vehicle of the person who wants to drive slowly gives way to the vehicle. Conceivable.

On the contrary, it is thought that the act leading to the act of agitating the person who is in a hurry overtakes the vehicle of the person who wants to travel slowly earlier can be reduced.
It is possible to reduce such inciting and inciting driving by grasping the feeling of the driver (passenger) whether he is in a hurry or wants to drive slowly.
However, in the case of vehicles, there is only a proposal to provide a light-emitting device on the upper surface of the vehicle body to indicate whether or not it is possible to travel in a specified travel area, as in Patent Document 1.

JP 2009-184636 A

For this reason, there are no proposals to try to reduce inciting and incited driving, and there is a demand for an effective technology for reducing inciting and incited driving, which has become a social problem.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle capable of reducing the risk of being driven or driven.

An aspect of the present invention is a vehicle having a plurality of modes that enable the vehicle to run with different acceleration performances, and having a mode selection unit that allows selection of a desired mode from among the modes, wherein: and an acceleration notification unit for visually notifying the surroundings of the acceleration performance of the vehicle by changing the external surface condition of the vehicle according to the selection of the mode.

According to the present invention, the act of selecting a desired mode from among a plurality of modes having different acceleration performances during vehicle travel is one act that expresses the emotions of the driver. In other words, the content of the selected mode reflects the feeling of the passenger (driver) (whether they are in a hurry or want to travel slowly).
Selection of this mode changes the external state of the vehicle, and the acceleration of the running vehicle is visually notified to the surroundings. That is, it is possible to recognize from outside the vehicle whether the vehicle is in a hurry or the vehicle is desired to travel slowly.

As a result, when there are vehicles lined up in front and behind, and a person in a hurry approaches a vehicle that is traveling slowly, the occupants of the slowly traveling vehicle will It is possible to recognize whether the vehicle is being driven in a hurry from the condition of the external surface of the vehicle. Thus, giving way early reduces the risk of being fanned.
Conversely, the occupants of a vehicle in a hurry can recognize from the condition of the external surface of the vehicle running ahead of their own vehicle whether they are driving the vehicle with the feeling of wanting to drive slowly. Therefore, by overtaking early, the chance of falling into an act of inciting is reduced.

In other words, the front and back vehicles driven by passengers with conflicting feelings are encouraged to change lanes early, judge the timing of overtaking, and select the driving route so that they do not interfere. Occurs less frequently.
Therefore, it is possible to provide a vehicle capable of reducing the risk of being driven or being driven.

1 is a configuration diagram showing each part of a vehicle that is a mode according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. The perspective view which shows the light-emitting device (acceleration alerting|reporting part) provided in the outer surface of the same vehicle. Explanatory drawing explaining the situation in which the risk of inciting and inciting driving is reduced. Explanatory drawing similarly explaining a different situation.

The present invention will be described below based on one embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG.
FIG. 1 shows a vehicle, here for example a hybrid vehicle. Of course, a gasoline vehicle, a diesel vehicle, or an EV may be used.
Referring to FIGS. 1(a) to 1(c), each part of the hybrid vehicle will be described. Reference numeral 1 in FIG. space), 5 denotes a power unit chamber formed in the front part of the vehicle interior 3, and 7 denotes an instrument panel provided in the vehicle interior 3. As shown in FIG. Incidentally, 1x denotes a front wheel arranged at the front of the vehicle body, 1y denotes a rear wheel arranged at the rear of the vehicle body, and 1z denotes a steering wheel for steering the vehicle left and right (in the vehicle width direction).

The power unit chamber 5 contains, for example, a motor 11 for driving the front wheels 1x, an inverter 11a connected to the motor 11, and a generator 15 for generating power using the engine 13 as a drive source. A battery 17 is provided under the floor of the vehicle body 1 , and the power generated by the generator 15 is input to the battery 17 , and the battery power of the battery 17 is output to the inverter 11 a of the motor 11 . Incidentally, the battery 17 is provided with a battery state sensor 17a that detects the battery state such as the SOC (remaining amount of electric power) of the battery 17 .

For example, a controller 19 (constituted by an ECU, for example) is installed in the vehicle interior 3 . The controller 19 is connected to the devices described above, an accelerator sensor provided on an accelerator pedal (none shown), a brake switch provided on a brake pedal (none shown), and the like. Of course, the controller 19 is also connected to a selector unit (not shown) for selecting various ranges.

A touch switch unit 25 using, for example, a touch panel is connected to the controller 19 as an input device for selecting a mode required for hybrid running or making the vehicle drivable by operation of the passenger. Of course, instead of a touch panel, a device in which commonly used switches and a display section (meter) are separated may be used.
For example, as shown in FIG. 1B, the touch switch section 25 has a setting section E1 and an on/off section E2 for turning on/off the travelable state. Of these, the setting section E1 is provided with a driver selection mode X, which is a mode selection section for selecting a mode required for hybrid driving. Switches Y for making the vehicle operable are provided in the on/off section E2. Suggested as "operable state" in Figure 1.

The switches Y are for turning on/off a drivable state, which is a state in which it is possible to permit the vehicle to run and to permit the engine 13 to start. It has a ready-on section β1 that is "ON" and a ready-off section β2 that is "READY-OFF" for canceling the operable state.
Incidentally, when the ready-on portion β1 is turned on while depressing the brake pedal, for example, the vehicle becomes drivable, that is, the vehicle is permitted to run and the start of the engine 13 is permitted. , the operable state is canceled by the OFF operation.

The driver selection mode X has a mode group α related to battery charging and a mode group γ related to vehicle running.
The mode group α related to battery charging includes a plurality of modes with different engine starting frequencies, for example, a normal mode in which the engine 13 is automatically started and charging is possible using the SOC value normally used as a threshold. α1, EV mode α2 that suppresses the frequency of use of the engine 13 lower than normal, save mode α3 that saves the frequency of use of the engine 13 so that the current SOC value is maintained, and manual operation by the passenger It has a plurality of switches such as a charge mode section α4 for (forcibly) starting the engine 13 and charging the battery 17 via the generator 15 .

A mode group γ relating to vehicle running consists of a plurality of modes with different acceleration performances. For example, normal mode γ1 (acceleration performance: medium) that provides acceleration performance suitable for normal driving acceleration performance, sports mode γ2 (acceleration performance: high) that emphasizes acceleration performance that provides higher acceleration performance than the normal mode γ2 (acceleration performance: high), and acceleration It is configured with a plurality of switches that enable selection of vehicle acceleration performance, such as eco mode γ3 (acceleration performance: small), which provides low acceleration performance that emphasizes electricity consumption (equivalent to fuel consumption of a gasoline vehicle). Any of the modes γ1 to γ3 controls the operation of the motor 11 to ensure desired acceleration performance.

As a result, for example, in a hybrid vehicle, the ready-on part β1 is operated (turned on) while stepping on the brake pedal. A desired mode is selected from the driver selection modes X (mode group α, mode group γ). Then, when the selector unit is shifted to the drive range (none of which is shown) and the accelerator pedal (not shown) is stepped on, modes α1 to α3 selected from the mode group α related to battery charging are selected according to the opening of the accelerator pedal. , the vehicle travels based on modes γ1 to γ3 selected from a mode group γ relating to travel of the vehicle.

Such a hybrid vehicle is provided with an acceleration notification device 31 that notifies the surroundings of the acceleration of the vehicle that is currently running.
This is done by displaying the current surroundings on the outer surface of the vehicle by the action of the passenger selecting one of the various modes γ1 to γ3 of the mode group γ, which is an action that expresses the emotions of the passenger (driver) who drives the vehicle. An acceleration notification unit that visually notifies the acceleration of the vehicle, here, a structure is used in which a light-emitting device that changes the emission color according to selection of various modes γ1 to γ3 is provided.

That is, the controller 19 is assigned in advance light emission modes with different light emission colors for each of the various modes γ1 to γ3. This light emission mode is stored (set) as a state mode representing running with different acceleration performance of the vehicle.
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the middle and lower side surfaces of the vehicle body 1 (including the door) in the width direction, and the front and rear surfaces of the vehicle body 1 can emit light in multiple colors as the light emitting devices described above. Strip-shaped LED light-emitting devices 31a and 31b are provided which are composed of a plurality of LEDs. That is, the LED light emitting devices 31a and 31b emit light toward the outside of the vehicle.

Only one side of the LED light emitting device 31a on the side of the vehicle body is shown. These LED light emitting devices 31 a and 31 b are connected to the controller 19 .
Specifically, as the emission colors of the LED light emitting devices 31a and 31b, emission colors corresponding to the state modes are assigned to each of the modes γ1 to γ3, as will be described later.
Further, in the controller 19, based on the selected modes γ1 to γ3, the LED light emitting devices 31a and 31b are set to emit light with the assigned emission color. As a result, the intentions and emotions selected in various modes γ1 to γ3 are displayed outside the vehicle.

In other words, the acceleration performance of each of the selected modes γ1 to γ3 represents part of the emotions of the passenger (driver), so this emotion is known to the surroundings as changes in the colors of light emitted from the LED light emitting devices 31a and 31b (changes in acceleration). be closed. For this reason, the LED light emitting devices 31a and 31b are colored blue in the normal mode γ1, and are colored blue in the sports mode γ2, which provides high acceleration performance, so that the emotions of the occupants can be easily recognized visually from the surroundings (outside the vehicle). "Vermilion" is emitted, and "green" is emitted in the eco mode γ3 with low acceleration performance.

From these changes in the vehicle's external surface condition (light emitting color of the LED light emitting device), the acceleration performance of the vehicle that is currently running can be interpreted as the emotions of the passengers. Whether or not the vehicle is running is notified to the surroundings. In other words, depending on the selection of modes that enable the vehicle to run with different acceleration performances, that is, the selection of each of the modes γ1 to γ3, the state of the outer surface of the vehicle body is changed (changes in the color of the emitted light), thereby It is designed to recognize what kind of emotions the driver is feeling while driving.

Based on this recognition, the timing of lane changes, overtaking, and travel routes are selected so that vehicles in front and behind do not interfere with each other, and the risks and opportunities of driving under pressure are avoided as much as possible.
That is, the operation of the acceleration notification device 31 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG.
Now, for example, on a two-lane road S having a driving lane S1 and an overtaking lane S2, the vehicle M1 is traveling slowly in the eco mode γ3 (acceleration performance: low) in the driving lane S1, and the vehicle follows behind the vehicle M1. Assume that M2 is running in a sport mode γ2 (acceleration performance: high), which runs quickly (Fig. 3).

Here, both vehicles M1 and M2 are hybrid vehicles described above, and both are equipped with the acceleration notification device 31 described above.
As a result, the LED light emitting devices 31a and 31b on the outer surface of the vehicle body of the vehicle M1 emit light in "green" corresponding to the eco mode γ3. Also, the LED light emitting devices 31a and 31b on the outer surface of the vehicle body of the vehicle M2 emit light in "vermilion" corresponding to the sports mode γ2. That is, the vehicle M1 selects the eco mode γ3 to inform the surroundings that it is traveling with low acceleration performance, and the vehicle M2 selects the sports mode γ2 to notify that it is traveling with high acceleration performance. is announced to the surroundings.

At this time, the occupant (driver) of the vehicle M1 quickly visually recognizes the color of light emitted by the vehicle M2 (sport mode γ2), and the occupant (driver) driving the vehicle M2 is in a hurry or accelerates. It can be seen that the driver is driving with the feeling of wanting to have fun.
The occupant (driver) of the vehicle M2 quickly recognizes the color of light emitted by the vehicle M1 (eco mode γ3), and the occupant (driver) who is driving the vehicle M1 feels that he/she wants to travel slowly or accelerate slowly. It can be seen that driving with

Therefore, when the vehicle M2 approaches the vehicle M1, the occupant (driver) of the vehicle M2 who is in a hurry quickly recognizes the color of light emitted from the vehicle M1 (vehicle outer surface shape), and the occupant (driver) driving the vehicle M1 ( Driver) Recognizes that the driver is driving with a desire to drive slowly (or accelerate slowly). Based on this recognition, the passenger (driver) of the vehicle M2 passes the vehicle early as indicated by the solid-line arrow Y1 in FIG.

Alternatively, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the vehicle M1 travels slowly in the overtaking lane S2 in the eco mode γ3 (acceleration performance: small), and the sports mode γ2 in which the vehicle M2 travels quickly behind the vehicle M1. (acceleration performance: high), the occupant (driver) driving the vehicle M1 can recognize the occupant (driver) of the vehicle M2 traveling behind the own vehicle from the color of the light emitted from the vehicle M2. ), it is recognized that the driver is driving with the feeling of being in a hurry.

The occupant (driver) of the vehicle M1 can reduce the risk of being driven by giving way (passing lane S2) early as indicated by the solid-line arrow Y2 in FIG.
In other words, the front and rear vehicles M1 and M2, which are driven by passengers with conflicting emotions, are prompted to change lanes, determine the timing of overtaking, and select a driving route early so as not to interfere with each other. Therefore, the frequency of occurrence of rushing driving is reduced.

Therefore, it is possible to reduce the risk of driving the vehicles M1 and M2 while being driven.
Moreover, since the LED light emitting devices 31a and 31b (light emitting devices) provided on the outer surface of the vehicle body are used to notify the change in the acceleration performance of the vehicles M1 and M2, a simple configuration is sufficient. In addition, the LED light emitting devices 31a and 31b emit light in different colors for each of the modes γ1 to γ3, so that the difference in acceleration performance for each of the modes γ1 to γ3 can be accurately recognized from the outside (surroundings) of the vehicle. can.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to one embodiment, and various changes may be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, in one embodiment, the light-emitting devices provided on the outer surface of the vehicle body (front, back, left, and right) are used to visually notify the surroundings of each change in the acceleration performance of the vehicle. As a form, the LED light emitting devices 31a and 31b (light emitting devices) provided on the outer surface of the vehicle body are controlled by the controller 19 to be set to one of the modes γ1 to γ3 in which the acceleration performance is improved more than usual, and in this embodiment, the sports mode. Only when γ2 is selected, it may be made to emit light in the assigned emission color, and normally not to emit light.

In this way, even if only the sport mode γ2, in which the acceleration performance is improved more than usual, can be recognized from the surroundings by the light emission of the LED light emitting devices 31a and 31b, it is possible for the side to be yelled at to give way early. Similar to the one embodiment, it is possible to reduce the risk of driving while being driven. In this case, the power consumption of the LED light emitting devices 31a and 31b (light emitting devices) can be reduced.

Alternatively, each mode may be recognized by means other than the light emitting device, for example, a change in the exterior state of accessories provided on the outer surface of the vehicle body.
In this case, for example, as an acceleration notification unit, it is normally housed in the vehicle body 1 as indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIGS. For example, a variable front spoiler device 51a, a variable side spoiler device 51b, and a variable rear spoiler device 51c, which are various spoiler devices, are provided. Then, the controller 19 assigns an exterior mode that changes the exterior shape to a different exterior shape for each of the modes γ1 to γ3, and each spoiler device 51a to 51c changes to the assigned exterior state according to the selection of the mode γ1 to γ3. can be In this embodiment, both the changes in the exterior state of the spoiler devices 51a to 51c and the light emitting operation of the LED light emitting device 31 of the embodiment are combined.

In this way, since the portion where the outer surface state of the vehicle changes increases, it is possible to more accurately notify the surrounding (outside the vehicle) vehicles of what emotions the vehicle is driving. . Of course, the exterior state of the spoiler devices 51a to 51c may be changed so that only the sport mode, in which acceleration performance is improved over normal, can be recognized. In this case, the LED light emitting device 31 may not be used, and only the spoiler devices 51a to 51c may be used.

1 vehicle body 25 touch switch section (mode selection section)
31 acceleration notification device 19 controller 31a, 31b LED light emitting device (acceleration notification unit)
51a, 51b, 51c variable front spoiler device, variable side spoiler device, variable rear spoiler device (equipment)
γ1 to γ3 multiple modes

Claims (5)

A vehicle having a mode selection unit in which a plurality of modes that enable the vehicle to travel with different acceleration performances are set and a desired mode can be selected from among the modes,
an acceleration notification unit provided on the outer surface of the vehicle body for visually notifying the surroundings of the acceleration performance of the vehicle by changing the state of the outer surface of the vehicle according to the selection of the mode;
A vehicle characterized by having 2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the acceleration notification unit is composed of a light emitting device capable of emitting light. 3. The vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the light emitting device emits light in a light emission color assigned to each mode. 3. The vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the light emitting device emits light only when a mode in which acceleration performance is improved more than usual is selected, and normally does not emit light. The acceleration notification unit is normally stored in the vehicle body, and when requested, has equipment that projects from the vehicle body to the outside of the vehicle so that changes in the exterior of the vehicle can be recognized from the surroundings,
2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the accessories change in assigned exterior states according to the selection of the mode.

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