JPH0683510U - Vehicle obstacle detection device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] To provide a "vehicle obstacle detection device" that is compatible with vehicle types. [Configuration] A warning distance is set in a data table relating to a front set distance that defines a front warning zone monitored by a front sensor 1 and a rear set distance that defines a rear warning zone monitored by a rear sensor 2, which is preset for each vehicle type. It is stored in the memory 18 in the circuit 17.
Then, by operating the vehicle type selection switch 6 and the mode selection switch 7, a warning distance setting circuit 17 is set so as to automatically set the front set distance and the rear set distance corresponding to the vehicle type while looking up the data table. Constitute.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to an obstacle detection device for a vehicle that is compatible with vehicle types.

[0002]

[Prior art]

 In recent years, various vehicle technologies for improving convenience have been developed as passenger cars have become more sophisticated. One such technology is a device that informs the driver of the front, rear, left, and right corners of a vehicle that is blind spot from the driver's seat.

This type of device detects obstacles in the vicinity of the vehicle by using ultrasonic waves, lasers, radio waves, infrared rays, etc. For example, a sensor is attached to each corner of the front bumper and the rear bumper, and the vehicle corner is mounted. It is configured to detect obstacles close to the vehicle and inform the driver of the distance between them and the obstacles with a buzzer or indicator light.

Recently, in order to detect the entire surroundings of the front bumper and the rear bumper of a vehicle with one sensor, as shown in FIGS. 3 (A) to 3 (D), Under the floor portion 25, a device is being developed in which a front sensor 1a for detecting an obstacle near the front bumper 26 and a rear sensor 2a for detecting an obstacle near the rear bumper 27 are attached. In this case, the front sensor 1a and the rear sensor 2a respectively cover the entire circumference of the front bumper 26 and the rear bumper 27 below the floor portion 25 of the vehicle without being affected by the left and right tires (the front tire 28 and the rear tire 29). It is installed in a position where it can move.

In FIG. 3A, “θ _VF ” and “θ _VR ” are the vertical divergence angle of the front sensor 1 a (hereinafter referred to as the elevation angle) and the elevation angle of the rear sensor 2 a. Further, “θ _HF ” and “θ _HR ” in FIG. 3B are the spread angle of the front sensor 1a in the horizontal direction (hereinafter, simply referred to as “spread angle”) and the spread angle of the rear sensor 2a, respectively. “R _F ” and “R _R ” are the front set distance that defines the warning zone P in front of the vehicle monitored by the front sensor 1a, and the rear set distance that defines the warning zone Q behind the vehicle monitored by the rear sensor 2a. Is. The elevation angle and spread angle of each sensor 1a, 2a are determined by the directional characteristics of the sensor, and the front setting distance and the rear setting distance can be set arbitrarily.

[0006]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 However, in the device shown in FIG. 3, the elevation angles (θ) of the sensors 1a and 2a are generally set on the front side and the rear side._VF, Θ_VR) And spread angle (θ_HF, Θ _HR ), And the set distance (R_F, R_R) Is different. Therefore, a dedicated system setting is required for each vehicle type on the front side and the rear side, and there is a certain limit to improving design efficiency and reducing costs.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an obstacle detection device for a vehicle, which is compatible with vehicle types.

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 The present invention for achieving the above object includes a first detection sensor for detecting an obstacle in the vicinity of a front bumper and a second detection sensor for detecting an obstacle in the vicinity of a rear bumper on the lower side of a vehicle floor. In the vehicle obstacle detection device, which is arranged so as to issue a warning when the distance to each obstacle becomes equal to or less than the set value, it is monitored by the first detection sensor set for each vehicle type. Storage means for storing a data table relating to a first set distance defining a front warning zone and a second set distance defining a rear warning zone monitored by the second detection sensor, and inputting vehicle type information Vehicle type information input means, mode information input means for inputting mode information, vehicle type information input by the vehicle type information input means, and input by the mode information input means Distance setting means for setting the first set distance and the second set distance corresponding to the vehicle type while looking up the above-mentioned data table stored in the storage means based on the stored mode information. Is characterized by.

[0009]

[Action]

 In the present invention thus constructed, the storage means is monitored by the first set distance and the second detection sensor that define the forward warning zone monitored by the first detection sensor that is set in advance for each vehicle type. And a second set distance that defines a rear warning zone that is set. When the vehicle type information is input by the vehicle type information input means, the distance setting means responds to the vehicle type according to the mode information input by the mode information input means while looking up the data table stored in the storage means. The first set distance or the second set distance to be set is set. Therefore, by switching the mode information, the first set distance and the second set distance suitable for the vehicle type are automatically set.

[0010]

【Example】

 An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an obstacle detection device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a data table. It should be noted that FIG. 3 is appropriately referred to in the description of the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the obstacle detection device according to the present embodiment includes a front sensor 1 as a first detection sensor on the input side as a first detection sensor for detecting an obstacle in the vicinity of a front bumper of a vehicle, and a rear bumper of the vehicle. A rear sensor 2 as a second detection sensor for detecting an obstacle in proximity to the vehicle, a shift position detection switch 3 for detecting the shift position of the vehicle, an ignition switch 4 for activating the vehicle in a driving state, and a warning distance. A distance setting switch 5 for adjustment, a vehicle type selection switch 6 as vehicle type information input means for selecting a vehicle type, and a mode selection switch 7 as mode information input means for selecting a front side or rear side mode. In addition, on the output side, a buzzer 8 is provided to warn the driver that an obstacle has approached the bumper of the vehicle. These are connected to the controller 9.

The front sensor 1 and the rear sensor 2 are devices that measure the distance to an obstacle using, for example, laser, infrared rays, radio waves, ultrasonic waves, etc. When ultrasonic waves are used, for example, ultrasonic sensors are used. It is composed of. In this embodiment, in order to share the system between the front side and the rear side, the front sensor 1 and the rear sensor 2 are composed of sensors having the same characteristics, and the elevation angle and the spread angle are set to be the same for each sensor. . This setting is made, for example, by making the antenna shapes of the transmitting and receiving parts of the sensor the same. Further, the mounting positions of the front sensor 1 and the rear sensor 2 are set in advance for each vehicle type. The tires 28, 29 are mounted at optimal positions overlooking the front bumper 26 and the rear bumper 27 while avoiding the influence of the tires 28, 29 (see FIGS. 3A to 3D).

The controller 9 controls the drive of the buzzer 8 by processing the input signals of the sensors 1 and 2 and the switches 3 to 7. The controller 9 includes a sensor operating circuit 10 for operating the front sensor 1, an obstacle detecting circuit 11 for detecting an obstacle in front of the vehicle based on an input signal from the front sensor 1, and a sensor operating circuit for operating the rear sensor 2. 12, an obstacle detection circuit 13 that detects an obstacle behind the vehicle based on an input signal from the rear sensor 2, and an input signal processing circuit 14 that processes the input signals of the shift position detection switch 3 and the ignition switch 4, etc. A control judgment circuit 15 for calculating various input signals to judge whether or not to issue a warning, and a buzzer drive circuit 16 for driving the buzzer 8 to sound. Each of the sensor operating circuits 10 and 12 operates the front sensor 1 and the rear sensor 2 in accordance with a command from the control determination circuit 15. Each obstacle detection circuit 11 and 13 has a built-in circuit that calculates the distance to the obstacle based on the signals from the sensors 1 and 2, and the measured distance data is input to the control determination circuit 15. . The control determination circuit 15 operates the front sensor 1 or the rear sensor 2 depending on the position of the shift position detection switch 3, specifically, the forward position or the backward position when the ignition switch 4 is turned on. Input the data of the obstacle detection and the distance to the obstacle, and check whether the measured distance is less than the front set distance or the rear set distance, which will be described later, to determine whether or not a warning should be issued. And issue a command. The buzzer drive circuit 16 drives the buzzer 8 to emit sound according to the instruction of the control determination circuit 15.

Further, the controller 9 has a warning distance setting circuit 17 as a distance setting means for setting a distance defining a warning zone monitored by the sensors 1 and 2. In this embodiment, as the distance, the front set distance R _F (see FIG. 3B) is set as the first set distance that defines the warning zone P in front of the vehicle monitored by the front sensor 1, and the rear sensor 2 is set as the monitored distance. A rear set distance R _R (see FIG. 3B) is set as a second set distance that defines the warning zone Q behind the vehicle. As described above, when the distance to the obstacle becomes the front set distance R _F or the rear set distance R _R or less, the buzzer 8 is sounded and a warning is issued. Further, the front set distance R _F and the rear set distance R _R are set in advance for each vehicle type as shown in FIG. 2, and these set data are stored in the form of a data table as storage means in the warning distance setting circuit 17. Stored in the memory 18 of. In this way, the setting distance is determined for each vehicle type on the front side and the rear side, because the width of the bumper and the installation position of the tire in the front-rear direction are different, so the sensor mounting position is made relative to the front side and the rear side. And, of course, these circumstances differ depending on the car model.

The controller 9 inputs the vehicle type signal selected by the vehicle type selection switch 6 to the warning distance setting circuit 17 and the mode signal selected by the mode selection switch 7 as well as the warning distance. It has a mode signal input means 20 for inputting to the setting circuit 17, and a set distance input circuit 21 for inputting the distance signal set by the distance setting switch 5 to the warning distance setting circuit 17.

When the vehicle type signal selected by the vehicle type selection switch 6 is input through the vehicle type signal input circuit 19, the warning distance setting circuit 17 receives the data table in the memory 18 according to the mode selected by the mode selection switch 7. While looking up, the front set distance R _F or the rear set distance R _R corresponding to the vehicle type is read and set as the set value of the system. Further, the setting distance data in the data table and the setting distance once set are changed by operating the distance setting switch 5. In this way, by operating the vehicle type selection switch 6 and the mode selection switch 7, the front set distance R _F and the rear set distance R _R that match the vehicle type are automatically set.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the front sensor 1 and the rear sensor 2 are commonly used, and the front setting automatically matching the vehicle type is performed only by operating the vehicle type selection switch 6 and the mode selection switch 7. Since the distance R _F and the rear set distance R _R can be set, it becomes possible to support multiple vehicle types with one system, and it is possible to minimize the variations in equipment and improve design efficiency. And cost reduction.

[0018]

[Effect of device]

 As described above, according to the present invention, the set distance of each warning zone is set in advance for each vehicle type and stored in the form of a data table, which makes it possible to support vehicle types, improve design efficiency and reduce costs. Can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an obstacle detection device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a data table.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an installation example of a sensor.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... Front sensor (first detection sensor) 2 ... Rear sensor (second detection sensor) 6 ... Vehicle type selection switch (vehicle type information input means) 7 ... Mode selection switch (mode information input means) 8 ... Buzzer 9 ... Controller 17 ... Warning Distance setting circuit (distance setting means) 18 ... Memory (storage means) 25 ... Floor portion 26 ... Front bumper 27 ... Rear bumper

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A first detection sensor (1) for detecting an obstacle near a front bumper (26) and a rear bumper (2).
Second detection sensor (2) for detecting obstacles close to 7)
And under each floor of the vehicle (25),
In an obstacle detection device for a vehicle, which issues a warning when the distance to each obstacle is less than or equal to a set value, a front warning that is monitored by the first detection sensor (1) preset for each vehicle type. First to define the zone
A storage means (18) for storing a data table relating to a set distance and a second set distance defining a rear warning zone monitored by the second detection sensor (2), and a vehicle type information input means (6) for inputting vehicle type information. ), Mode information input means (7) for inputting mode information, and based on the vehicle type information input by the vehicle type information input means (6) and the mode information input by the mode information input means (7). Distance setting means (17) for setting the first set distance and the second set distance corresponding to the vehicle type while looking up the data table stored in the storage means (18). An obstacle detection device for a vehicle.