JPH06312611A - Overturn alarm device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To drive an alarm when the dangerous driving state with the risk of a vehicle overturn continues for the specified time so as to urge a driver to safe driving. CONSTITUTION:An overturn alarm device for a vehicle is provided with a lateral acceleration sensor 9 disposed in the center-of-gravity position of the vehicle, a steering angle sensor 5 disposed at steering mechanism, vehicle height sensors 1a-4a disposed at the suspension mechanism of the respective wheels, an overturn risk computing means for obtaining the state of lateral acceleration detected by the lateral acceleration sensor 9 being the specified value or more, the steering angle detected by the steering angle sensor 5 being the specified value or more and the vehicle height of at least one of the wheels detected by the vehicle height sensors 1a-4a being the specified value or more, and an alarm driving means for driving an alarm 6 when the dangerous driving state continues for the specified time.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle rollover warning device for preventing reckless driving such as a sharp turn.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A device for preventing a vehicle from rolling over is required especially for an RV vehicle or the like that is capable of traveling on rough terrain. JP-A 1-1685
The one disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 55 is based on signals such as a vehicle height sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, and a steering angle sensor that detect vertical displacements of wheels when the vehicle is turning, and determines whether the inner wheel is lifted up and brake slipping is performed. The control is stopped, the output of the engine is reduced to prevent the rollover, and what is disclosed in JP-A-3-125617 is a hydraulic suspension mechanism when the center-of-gravity slip angle during turning of the vehicle is not within an appropriate range. The vehicle height is lowered to avoid rollover. However, the former is equipped with a traction control device and an anti-skidding control device, and the latter is equipped with a hydraulic suspension mechanism having a vehicle height adjustment function, both of which are very expensive. . Further, both of them work to automatically prevent the vehicle from rolling over regardless of the driver's intention if the vehicle satisfies a dangerous condition, and there is no room for the driver's intention to intervene.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a driver with a safe driving when a dangerous driving state in which a vehicle may roll over is maintained for a predetermined time. An object is to provide an inexpensive and practical vehicle rollover warning device that prompts.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object, the structure of the present invention has a lateral acceleration sensor disposed at the center of gravity of a vehicle, a steering angle sensor disposed in a steering mechanism, and a wheel. At least one wheel detected by the vehicle height sensor and the lateral acceleration detected by the lateral acceleration sensor, the lateral acceleration detected by the lateral acceleration sensor being a predetermined value or more, and the steering angle detected by the steering angle sensor being a predetermined value or more. And a rollover risk degree calculating means for obtaining a state in which the vehicle height is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, and an alarm device driving means for driving an alarm device when a dangerous driving state lasts for a predetermined time.

[0005]

The steering angle detected by the steering angle sensor during turning of the vehicle is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and the absolute value of the lateral acceleration detected by the lateral acceleration sensor is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, and the steering mechanism is mounted on each wheel suspension mechanism. When the vehicle height detected by one of the vehicle height sensors is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, it is determined that the risk of vehicle rollover is high, and when a dangerous driving state continues for a predetermined time, an alarm device installed on the instrument panel is sounded. Or make it blink.

[0006]

1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle rollover warning device according to the present invention. The vehicle is provided with a lateral acceleration sensor 9 at a position suitable for detecting lateral acceleration, preferably at a position of a center of gravity, and a steering angle sensor 5 for detecting a rotation amount facing a steering mechanism, for example, a steering wheel or a steering shaft. A vehicle height that detects the vehicle height of each wheel 1 to 4 (strictly, the distance between the vehicle frame and the axle) in each suspension mechanism that is provided and that suspends the left and right front wheels 1 and 2 and the left and right rear wheels 3 and 4. Sensors 1a, 2a, 3a, 4
a is provided, and the alarm device 6 is provided near the instrument panel 7 on the opposite wall of the handle 8. Preferably, the vehicle speed sensor 12 is connected to the speedometer.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the present invention, the electronic control unit 10 includes a rollover risk degree calculating means 13 and an alarm device driving means 14.
Based on the signal from the start key switch 15 and the detection signals from the sensors 12, 9, 5, 1a to 4a, the lateral acceleration gY of the vehicle is a predetermined value go or more and the steering angle θ of the steering wheel is a predetermined value θo. As described above, the degree of danger of vehicle rollover is obtained from the condition that the vehicle height xi of each wheel is equal to or greater than the predetermined value xo, and when the dangerous driving state lasts for the predetermined time, the output signal is output to the drive circuit as the alarm device drive means 14. It sends and drives the alarm device 6.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a control program for performing the above-mentioned control in the electronic control unit 10 composed of, for example, a microcomputer. p11 to p22 represent each step of the control program. This control program is repeatedly executed every predetermined time. This control program starts on p11,
In p12, the arithmetic unit is initialized, and in p13, it is determined whether or not the engine start key switch 15 is ON. Start key switch 15
If it is OFF, the process proceeds to p22, and if the start key switch 15 is ON, it is determined in p14 whether the vehicle speed V is higher than 0 (running).

When the vehicle speed V is 0 at p14, the routine proceeds to p22, and when the vehicle speed V is larger than 0, it is judged at p15 whether the steering angle θ to the left or right is larger than a predetermined value θo. If the steering angle θ is smaller than the predetermined value θo, proceed to p17, where the steering angle θ
Is greater than the specified value θo, the steering angular velocity dθ / d is set at p16.
It is determined whether t is larger than the predetermined value θa.

When the steering angular velocity dθ / dt is smaller than the predetermined value θa at p16, the lateral acceleration in the left or right direction at p17.
It is determined whether gY is larger than the predetermined value g1. That is,
Even if the steering angle θ is small, or if the steering angle θ is large and the steering wheel is operated gently,
From the value of the lateral acceleration, it is determined whether or not there is a risk of rolling over. When the lateral acceleration gY is smaller than the predetermined value g1, the process proceeds to p22, and when the lateral acceleration gY is larger than the predetermined value g1, the process proceeds to p19.

If the steering angular velocity dθ / dt is greater than the predetermined value θa at p16 (the steering wheel is suddenly turned off), p18
The lateral acceleration gY in the left or right direction is a predetermined value go (go> g
Determine whether it is greater than 1). When the lateral acceleration gY is smaller than the predetermined value go, the process proceeds to p22, and when the lateral acceleration gY is larger than the predetermined value go, p19 is performed to check whether or not the vehicle height xi of at least one wheel is larger than the predetermined value xo. Determine.

When the vehicle height xi of any wheel is smaller than the predetermined value xo at p19, the routine proceeds to p22, and when the vehicle height xi of any one wheel is larger than the predetermined value xo, the wheel is in a floating state. The duration of this dangerous driving situation as
Time ti is measured, and it is determined in p20 whether the duration ti of the dangerous driving state is larger than a predetermined value to. If the duration ti is smaller than the predetermined value to, the process proceeds to p22 (if one wheel is in a lifted state, the alarm device 6 is not driven if it is instantaneous due to a road surface change). Is a predetermined value
If it is larger than to, drive the alarm device 6 on p21 and
Ends with.

Each predetermined value θo, θa, go, g1, xo,
to is preset to a value before the vehicle rolls over. In the embodiment described above, steps p13 and p14 of the control program
One of them may be omitted.

In the present invention, since the start key switch 15 or the vehicle speed sensor 12 is used, the alarm device 6 does not malfunction even if the vehicle is parked on a road surface inclined sideways. Further, when the vehicle travels straight or turns and passes through a large depression on the road, the vehicle height of a certain wheel increases momentarily (the wheel floats up), but the alarm device 6 does not malfunction. In short, the alarm device 6 is activated during a reckless driving such as when the vehicle travels on a dangerous laterally sloping road (irregular terrain), when the vehicle makes a sharp turn even on a flat road.

[0015]

As described above, according to the present invention, the lateral acceleration sensor disposed at the center of gravity of the vehicle, the steering angle sensor disposed in the steering mechanism, and the vehicle height sensor disposed in the suspension mechanism for each wheel. When,
Obtain a state in which the lateral acceleration detected by the lateral acceleration sensor is a predetermined value or more, the steering angle detected by the steering angle sensor is a predetermined value or more, and the vehicle height of at least one wheel detected by the vehicle height sensor is the predetermined value or more. It is provided with a rollover risk degree calculation means and an alarm device drive means for driving an alarm device when a dangerous driving state lasts for a predetermined time, and relates to the steering angle, the lateral acceleration, and the vehicle height of each wheel. Since the alarm device is driven when the risk of vehicle rollover is high, the configuration is simple and inexpensive, and it is economical because it can be used in vehicles without a traction control device or hydraulic suspension mechanism. The driver can check dangerous driving conditions on rough terrain, etc., which helps raise awareness of safe driving.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front sectional view of a vehicle rollover warning device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the rollover warning device.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a control program of the rollover warning device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1-4: Wheels 1a-4a: Vehicle height sensor 5: Steering angle sensor 6: Alarm device 9: Lateral acceleration sensor 10: Electronic control device 12: Vehicle speed sensor 13: Rollover risk calculating means
14: Alarm driving means

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A lateral acceleration sensor provided at a center of gravity of a vehicle, a steering angle sensor provided at a steering mechanism, a vehicle height sensor provided at a suspension mechanism for each wheel, and a lateral acceleration sensor. A rollover risk calculating means for obtaining a state in which the lateral acceleration is a predetermined value or more, the steering angle detected by the steering angle sensor is a predetermined value or more, and the vehicle height of at least one wheel detected by the vehicle height sensor is a predetermined value or more. A rollover warning device for a vehicle, comprising: a warning device driving means for driving a warning device when a dangerous driving state lasts for a predetermined time.