JPH05139254A - Travel view securing device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To secure travel view without troublesome switch operation at the time of starting driving in the degraded state of travel view especially during snowfall or the like by automatically operating a device (such as a rear defogger and a front defroster) effective in removing the factor of the degradation. CONSTITUTION:When a snowfall flag is set to '1' espacially in the snowfall state or within the specified time after the release of snowfall at the operated time of an ignition switch, a rear defogger, for instance, is turned on for 15 minutes, for instance, and then automatic wiper control (automatic wiper control performed at operating intervals based on the amount of rainfall detected by a rain sensor) is performed (steps 14-18).

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle traveling visibility securing device, and more particularly, to automatically secure the traveling visibility even when the traveling visibility of a vehicle is deteriorated due to snowfall during parking. The invention relates to a traveling visibility securing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when, for example, snow falls during parking, the driving visibility is extremely poor when the driver tries to start driving thereafter. For example, the rear window or the rearview mirror is clouded (snow or temperature in the passenger compartment). It is often caused by frosting and icing. Therefore, the driver manually operates the rear defogger, the front defroster, the rearview mirror heat ray, etc. for removing the above-mentioned cloudiness at the start of driving in order to secure the traveling visibility. There was a problem that it was annoying.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made based on the above technical background, and is effective for removing the cause of the deterioration at the start of operation in the state where the traveling visibility is deteriorated. Rear defogger, front defroster, rearview mirror heat ray, headlight wiper motor,
Alternatively, the wiper motor or the like of the rearview mirror is automatically operated to secure and improve the traveling field of view without troublesome switch operation.

Further, according to the present invention, when a rain sensor (for example, an optical rain sensor) for detecting a raindrop diameter detects a specific signal as described below, it is determined that the snowfall state occurs, and the snowfall state or immediately thereafter. Since the traveling visibility is particularly poor as described above, when it is determined that such a snowfall condition has occurred, various devices that are effective for removing the above-mentioned factors that deteriorate the visibility are automatically By performing the control so as to operate, it is possible to easily secure the traveling visual field described above.

That is, in general, when the diameters of raindrops and snow are compared, they are extremely different, and even if the raindrop diameter is large, it is usually 2
The diameter of snow is usually about 5 mmφ or more, while it is about 3 mmφ. Therefore, when snow is detected using a raindrop detection device that uses a normal rain sensor, the frequency of occurrence of a certain signal (a signal near the saturation value as described below) is much higher than when it is raining. Get higher

FIG. 6 exemplifies the structure of a rain sensor (optical rain sensor) 1 of this type. A light emitting section for lighting the light emitting element 12 in a pulsed manner and a light receiving section for detecting a change in the amount of light received by the light receiving element 13. A raindrop pulse processing unit that converts the detected change in the amount of received light into a raindrop signal, and a power control unit that constantly stabilizes the amount of received light. That is, in the light emitting portion, for example, a light emitting element 1 such as an LED
2 is pulse-lit by the LED drive circuit 11 (the output waveform of which is shown as 11 '), and the detection beam B is emitted from the light emitting element. When raindrops pass through the detection beam, part of the beam is blocked, and the amount of light received by the light-receiving element (eg, photodiode) 13 on the light-receiving portion side changes depending on the size and number of raindrops. In this manner, the pulsed light from the light emitting element 12 is received by the light receiving element 13,
When converted into an electric signal, only the fundamental frequency component of the light emission pulse is detected by the LC resonance circuit 14 and amplified by the preamplifier 15, a change in the amount of light received when a raindrop passes through the detection beam B causes a change in the amount of light received by the preamplifier. It can be detected as an amplitude change (its output waveform is shown as 15 '). Then, the amplitude change ΔVp of the preamplifier output is the change in the amount of light received by the light receiving element ΔP = πa ² / Sp (where Sp is the detection beam B
The propagation direction cross-section area, a is proportional to the raindrop radius).

Next, in the raindrop pulse processing section, the detection circuit 16 extracts only the amplitude change ΔVp of the output of the preamplifier and outputs it as a raindrop pulse signal (the output waveform of the detection circuit 16 is shown as 16 '). The pulse width of this raindrop pulse signal changes according to the vehicle speed, and the vehicle speed is 100 km /
At h, it becomes a pulse signal of several 10 kHz. Therefore, in order to distinguish between the pulse noise generated in the vehicle and the raindrop pulse signal, the amplitude value ΔV of the raindrop pulse signal corresponding to the raindrop diameter.
The raindrop pulse signal is converted into a low-frequency signal (the waveform of which is shown as 17 ') by the pulse expansion circuit 17 while holding only the information of p. Here, the pulse expansion circuit 17 performs amplification and peak detection at the same time, so that the raindrop pulse signal has an amplitude value Vp proportional to ΔVp.
Convert to a Hz raindrop signal (shown by waveform 17 'above).

The power control section constantly monitors the output of the detection circuit of the raindrop pulse processing section, and controls the light emission power on the light emitting side, that is, the drive current for the light emitting element (LED) so that the light receiving level of the light receiving element becomes constant. Feedback control. If the detection beam B remains completely blocked, such as when snow or the like adheres to the light emitting / receiving window of the sensor, raindrop detection cannot be performed. The output (the output is maximized because the gain is controlled by the feedback control at this time) is also used as a control signal to the fail-safe circuit 19, and the fail-safe circuit 19 is connected to the controller (auto wiper controller) side. A fail-safe signal is output to ensure that the wiper operates at every predetermined intermittent time.

On the other hand, the raindrop signal shown by the waveform 17 'output from the pulse expansion circuit 17 is also input to the controller (auto wiper controller) side and pulsed by a comparator having a predetermined threshold value. The amplitude value Vp of the raindrop signal is converted into pulse width information. Then, the pulse width information (corresponding to the raindrop diameter and the number of raindrops) is read by the software counter of the microcomputer in the controller, and the degree of rainfall is determined by the integrated value of the number of readings.

FIG. 7 shows the waveforms (input to the controller side) from the pulse expansion circuit in the rain sensor during snowfall and rain, respectively.
At the time of rainfall, as shown in FIG. 7 (B), the amplitude value of the output waveform takes various values in proportion to the raindrop diameter, while at the time of snowfall, the diameter is extremely larger than that of rain as described above. The frequency at which the detection beam is almost completely blocked increases, and the amplitude value of the output waveform output from the pulse expansion circuit reaches a predetermined saturation value as shown in FIG. 7A. The frequency becomes extremely high, so that the frequency at which the amplitude value is substantially within a predetermined range (that is, near the saturation value) becomes extremely high.

Based on such a technical background, in the present invention, among the output signals from the rain sensor (from the pulse expansion circuit), there is a constant raindrop pulse signal having an amplitude near the saturation value. If a certain number or more occur within the time, it is determined to be a snowfall state, and when it is determined to be the snowfall state or immediately after that, various devices that are effective for removing the factors of the above-mentioned visibility deterioration are automatically activated. In this way, the traveling visibility can be secured without any troublesome switch operation.

[0012]

In order to solve the above problems, according to the present invention, there is provided a means for automatically activating a device for securing a traveling visibility when an ignition switch is operated. A travel visibility securing device is provided. Further, according to the present invention, in the traveling visibility ensuring device having the above-mentioned configuration, means for determining whether or not the diameter of the raindrop pulse detected by the rain sensor is within a predetermined range, and the determined diameter is within the predetermined range Means for determining a snowfall state when a predetermined number or more raindrop pulses are detected within a predetermined time period, and when the ignition switch is operated within a predetermined time period after the snowfall state or when the snowfall state is released, There is provided a traveling visibility securing device for a vehicle, characterized in that the device for securing the traveling visibility is automatically operated.

As the device for ensuring the traveling visibility, the rear defogger, the front defroster, the heat rays of the rearview mirror, the headlight or the wiper motor of the rearview mirror, etc. are referred to.

[0014]

According to the above construction, when the ignition switch is actuated when the driver gets on the vehicle, the device for securing the traveling visibility is automatically operated so that the traveling visibility can be controlled without any troublesome switch operation. You can secure it.

Further, according to the above configuration, the snowfall state can be reliably determined, and the ignition switch is operated when the snowfall state is determined or within a predetermined time after the snowfall state is released. In this case, the device for ensuring the traveling visibility is automatically operated.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows a circuit configuration of a traveling visibility securing device as an embodiment of the present invention. In a microcomputer 35 provided in an auto wiper controller 3,
The voltage of the B power supply line (that is, the line to which the battery power is directly connected regardless of the state where the engine key is removed) is supplied via the power supply circuit 31. Further, the raindrop signal and the failsafe signal output from the rain sensor 1 are supplied to the auto wiper controller 3, and these respective signals are input to the input circuit 3 thereof.
2, the pulse width of the pulsed raindrop signal (that pulse width corresponds to the raindrop diameter and the number of raindrops as described above) is input to the microcomputer 35 (that is, pulsed by the comparator). The software counter reads and integrates every predetermined time interval.

In the microcomputer 35, the cam switch 41 of the wiper motor 4 is in the off position (arm potential) from when the wiper arm is in the stop position to when it moves about 10 °, and when the wiper arm moves, it is in the on position. (The voltage side of the ignition line iG to which the battery voltage is applied at the time of operating the ignition key) is switched to, and then the wiper arm maintains the ON position until it moves to the position where the end is full and returns to the stop position again. A signal from the wiper arm is switched to the off position again when the wiper arm returns to the stop position) is also input via the input circuit 34. The microcomputer 35 determines the degree of rainfall by reading and integrating the raindrop signal from the rain sensor as described above, and the operating state of the wiper (the wiper is in operation by the signal from the cam switch). It is detected that the wiper motor 4 (and therefore the wiper) has been operated once or returned to the stop position, and the wiper motor 4 (and hence the wiper) is operated at high speed or low speed at predetermined operation intervals according to the rainfall amount at that time through the front wiper drive device 36. Let

Further, in the microcomputer 35, since the voltage is supplied from the + B power source line, even when the ignition key is removed (that is, even when the driver is away from the vehicle while parked, for example). The snowfall state is always determined by the operation procedure described below, and when the ignition key switch (IG) 2 is turned on (that is, the switch (I
G) When 2 is turned on and its ON signal is supplied to the microcomputer 35 via the input circuit 33), it is determined that the snowfall state is as described above or the snowfall state is released. If it is within a predetermined time after the start of the operation, control is performed so that the device 5 (for example, the rear defogger or the like) that secures the traveling visibility is automatically activated through the drive device 37.

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are flowcharts showing the operation procedure for making snowfall determination by the device shown in FIG. 1, which starts at step 1, initialization processing is performed at step 2, and step 3 is performed. Then, the number of times of reading the pulse width information of the raindrop pulse from the rain sensor (pulse extension circuit) is integrated. Then, in step 4, it is determined whether or not the integrated value of the raindrop pulse is, for example, 45 milliseconds or more (that is, the magnitude of the sensor signal). Here, the integrated value of 45 milliseconds is the pulse width (that is, snow) of the pulsed raindrop signal when the amplitude value of the output waveform from the pulse expansion circuit of the rain sensor reaches the vicinity of the saturation value. In this case, the pulse width is the time integrated value. In the above example, the magnitude of the sensor signal is determined by whether or not the pulse integrated value is 45 milliseconds or more. Instead, for example, the pulse integrated value of the sensor signal corresponds to a snowflake. It may be determined whether or not it is within a predetermined range (for example, 45 milliseconds or more and 50 milliseconds or less).

If YES in step 4 (that is, the pulse integrated value is equal to or more than a predetermined value (for example, 45 milliseconds or more) or within a predetermined range (for example, 45 milliseconds or more and 50 milliseconds or less), raindrop pulse (snow) (Corresponding to the crystal of the above) is detected), the number of the detected raindrop pulses is counted in step 5, and it is determined in step 6 whether or not the counted number is 5 or more.

While the determination in step 6 is “NO”, in addition to the case where the determination in step 4 is “NO”,
In step 7, the elapsed time after the start of counting the number is counted, and in step 8, it is determined whether the elapsed time has passed 2 seconds. If the answer in step 8 is YES (that is, 2 seconds elapse before 5 or more raindrop pulses whose pulse integrated value is determined to be 45 milliseconds or more are not detected in step 4), every 2 seconds. In step 9, the snow release counter is incremented by 1 (counted up), and in step 10, the snow flag is set to "0" (that is, the snowfall state has disappeared,
In other words, it is determined that the snow is released, and the count value of the number counted in step 5 is cleared.

On the other hand, (2
If the determination in step 6 above is YES (within 2 seconds) (within 2 seconds, 5 or more raindrop pulses whose pulse integrated value is determined to be 45 milliseconds or more in step 4 are detected, that is, the snowfall state) If it is determined that the snow flag is “1”, the process proceeds to step 11 and step 1
In step 2, the snow control flag is also set to "1", and in step 13, the count value of the snow release counter is cleared.

After the processing procedure as described above is performed, when the determination at step 8 is NO, and at step 14, it is determined whether the snow control flag is "1". If yes (this means that the snowfall was present or at least before that time), the routine proceeds to step 15, where it is determined whether the snow flag is also "1". If the determination in step 15 is also YES, it is determined that the snowfall state is present, and in this case, control proceeds to step 17 and control (snow detection control) different from the normal snowfall state is performed. If the determination in step 15 is no, the process proceeds to step 16 and it is determined whether or not the count value of the snow release counter is 3 or more. If the result is no (that is, the snowfall state is (If 6 seconds have not elapsed after being released), the process still proceeds to step 17, and in this case, the snow detection control similar to that in the snowfall state is performed. On the other hand, if the determination in step 16 is YES (that is, if the snowfall state is released for 6 seconds or more), the determination in step 14 is NO and step 1
In step 8, the snow control flag is set to "0", and in step 19, the automatic wiper control is performed at the operation interval according to the amount of rainfall detected by the rain sensor, which is performed during the rainfall. In this way, while the snow control flag is set to "1", the snow detection control different from that at the time of rainfall is performed as shown in step S17.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are flowcharts showing an operation procedure for automatically securing a visual field by the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, which starts in step 1 and is initialized in step 2. , When the ignition switch (IG) is not turned on in step 3 (for example, when the driver is away from the vehicle)
Advances to step 4, and it is determined whether or not the snowfall flag is currently set to "0".

When the snowfall flag is set to "0", the routine proceeds to step 5, where the snow determination is made (that is, the snow control flag becomes "1" by the processing procedure shown in FIGS. 4 and 5). Therefore, it is determined whether or not the snow detection control should be performed. And step 5
If the snow determination in step is no (that is, the snow control flag is “0”), the process directly proceeds to step 13, the determination counter is cleared and the process returns to step 3, but the snow determination in step 5 is yes (that is, If the snow control flag is "1"), the determination counter is incremented in step 6, and if it is detected in step 7 that the state of the snow determination yes continues for 1 hour, the process proceeds to step 8. After the snowfall flag is set to "1", the determination counter is cleared in step 13 and the process returns to step 3.

In step 4, the snowfall flag
If it is determined to be “1”, go to step 9.
Then, the snow determination is made, and the snow determination in step 9 is also performed.
If yes (that is, the snow control flag is "1")
Continues to step 13 and the judgment counter is cleared.
Then, the procedure returns to step 3, but the snow judgment in step 9
Know (that is, the snow control flag is “0”)
If so, the judgment counter is incremented in step 10.
Then, in step 11, the state of the snow judgment know continues for 3 hours.
Is detected (that is, once snowfall occurs,
After that, if there is no snowfall for 3 hours,
If it is), go to step 12 and the snowfall flag
After setting to "0", the judgment counter is set in step 13.
Clear and return to step 3.

The determination of the snowfall state as described above is always performed before the ignition switch (IG) is turned on (for example, during parking), and then when the ignition switch is turned on, for example, at the time of riding. From step 3 to step 14, it is determined whether or not the snowfall flag is "1". In the case of yes, the routine proceeds to step 15, and the device (for example, rear defogger) for securing the traveling visual field is operated for 15 minutes, for example. Next, at steps 16 and 17, it is judged whether or not the ignition switch and the wiper switch are turned off, respectively, and if both are known, the routine proceeds to step 18, and automatic wiper control (with a rain sensor is performed until either of them is turned off. Automatic wiper control is performed at operating intervals according to the detected rainfall.

[0028]

According to the present invention, a device for securing the traveling visibility can be automatically activated at the start of driving of the vehicle, so that it is not necessary to perform a troublesome switch operation and the traveling visibility can be easily changed. It can be secured and improved. Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to reliably determine the snowfall state, and the traveling visibility deteriorates as in the snowfall state or when the operation is started within a predetermined time after the snowfall state is released. The same effect as above can be obtained even in the case where the vehicle is in the open state (for example, due to snowfall during parking).

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of a traveling visibility securing device as one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of an operation procedure for ensuring a visual field by the device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of an operation procedure for ensuring a visual field by the device shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of an operation procedure for performing snow determination by the device shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure for performing snow determination by the device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing one specific example of the configuration of a rain sensor.

FIG. 7 is a waveform diagram of the output (raindrop signal) of the rain sensor during rain and snow.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Rain sensor 2 ... Ignition switch 3 ... Auto wiper controller 4 ... Wiper motor 5 ... Device for ensuring traveling visibility (eg rear defogger)

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A traveling visibility ensuring apparatus for a vehicle, comprising means for automatically activating a device that secures a traveling visibility when an ignition switch is activated. 2. Means for determining whether or not the diameter of the raindrop pulse detected by the rain sensor is within a predetermined range, and a predetermined number or more of raindrop pulses having the determined diameter within the predetermined range are detected. Means for determining a snowfall state in the event of a snowfall, and when the ignition switch is actuated within the predetermined time after the snowfall state or the release of the snowfall state,
The vehicle traveling visibility securing device according to claim 1, further comprising means for automatically operating a device securing a traveling visibility.