JPH1067301A - Approach alarm device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To inform a driver of an approach alarm which is secure and without sense of incongruity or troublesomeness. SOLUTION: A secure approach alarm is transmitted to a driver by producing approach alarms simultaneously by means of a seat belt tension producing device 20 and a sound generating device 30. Also, by shifting an activation timing, taking into account of a delay time from activation of the seat belt tension producing means 20 to recognition by the driver of increase in the seat belt tension, the driver can experience approach alarms in the form of sound and seat belt tension almost at the same time. A timing to cancel the alarm is after a certain period of time has elapsed or the time detected by a brake detecting device 13, while the timing to cancel the approach alarm by the seat belt is a point in time when the alarm is determined as unnecessary by a controlling device 15 based on a relative speed of a car and an article in front and the speed of the car obtained by a distance measuring device 11 and an own vehicle speed measuring device 12.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an approach warning device for issuing a warning when a vehicle is too close to an obstacle ahead or a vehicle traveling ahead.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional approach warning device is disclosed in
A warning buzzer, a warning lamp, and a warning device that warns the driver by intermittently changing the tension of the seat belt as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 17429 and Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 6-71333 are disclosed. This is the object ahead,
For example, if it is determined that the vehicle is too close to a vehicle traveling ahead or an obstacle ahead, the seat belt retractor is driven to intermittently repeat winding and rewinding of the seat belt, or an alarm is issued by an alarm lamp or alarm buzzer. It emits.

[0003]

However, in such a conventional approach warning device, for example, when the driver is moving his / her upper body, when clothes are heavy, or when the driver wears a seatbelt by a pregnant woman. When the user does not wear the seat belt, it may be difficult or impossible to sense the tension of the seat belt. Further, it is also assumed that the warning by sound or light may not be transmitted to the driver due to oversight or oversight of the warning depending on the surrounding environment.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to control the timing of issuing and stopping a warning when a vehicle approach warning is issued using at least two or more warning devices, so that the driver can be alerted without any discomfort and complication. An object of the present invention is to provide an approach warning device for a vehicle that can surely transmit information.

[0005]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention.
The present invention will be described with reference to FIG. (1) The invention according to claim 1 is an approach warning transmitting means 15 for transmitting an approach warning signal when a distance from a forward object is less than or equal to a warning distance; Seat belt tension generating means 20 to generate
And a sound generating means 30 that operates upon receipt of an approach warning signal and generates a sound, and is applied to a vehicle approach warning device. The above-mentioned object is achieved by the fact that the seat belt tension generating means 20 and the sound generating means 30 are activated almost simultaneously based on the transmission of the approach warning signal to issue an approach warning. (2) According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the approach warning device according to the first aspect, after the approach warning signal is transmitted, from the activation of the seat belt tension generating means 20 to the start of the actual generation of the seat belt tension. The above object is achieved by controlling the activation timing of the seat belt tension generating means 20 and the sound generating means 30 so that the sound generating means 30 starts after a time interval corresponding to the time required for the operation. (3) According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the approach warning device of the second aspect, the approach warning signal transmitting means 15 independently transmits the seat belt proximity warning signal 17 and the sound proximity warning signal 18. Then, by controlling the transmission timing of the seat belt approach warning signal 17 and the transmission timing of the sound approach warning signal 18 in time series, the start timings of the seat belt tension generating means 20 and the sound generating means 30 are shifted. This achieves the above-mentioned object. (4) According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle approach warning device according to the third aspect, after the seat belt approach warning signal 17 is transmitted, the occupant is activated after the seat belt tension generating means 20 is activated. The above-described object is achieved by setting a time interval corresponding to the time required for actually recognizing an increase in seat belt tension and transmitting the sound proximity warning signal 18. (5) The invention according to claim 5 is an approach warning signal transmitting means 15 for transmitting an approach warning signal when the distance to the forward object is less than or equal to the warning distance; Is applied to a vehicle approach warning device including: a seat belt tension generating means 20 for generating a sound; and a sound generating means 30 which operates upon receiving an approach warning signal and generates a sound. When canceling the approach warning by the seat belt tension generating means 20 and the sound generating means 30, the timing of canceling the approach warning by the seat belt tension generating means 20 and the timing of canceling the approach warning by the sound generating means 30 are different. By doing so, the above object is achieved. (6) According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the approach warning device according to the fifth aspect, cancellation of the approach warning by the sound generation means 30 is performed by the approach warning signal transmission means 15 or the seat belt approach warning signal 17 or sound. Release of the approach warning by the seat belt tension generating means 20 is performed when a predetermined time has elapsed from the time when any one of the proximity warning signals 18 is transmitted, and the distance between the own vehicle and the forward object exceeds the warning distance. The above-mentioned object is achieved by performing the above. (7) The invention according to claim 7 is the approach warning device according to claim 6, further comprising brake detection means 13 for detecting a brake operation of the own vehicle, and canceling the approach warning by the sound generation means 30. The above object is achieved by performing the operation when the brake operation is detected. (8) According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the approach warning device according to the seventh aspect, cancellation of the approach warning by the sound generating means 30 is performed.
Either an arbitrarily set time has elapsed from the time when either the seat belt approach alert signal 17 or the sound approach alert signal 18 is transmitted from the approach alert signal transmitter 15 or the brake detector 13 detects a brake operation. Or,
The above object is achieved by performing the operation in accordance with the earlier timing.

[0006]

【The invention's effect】

(1) According to the approach warning device for a vehicle according to the first aspect of the present invention, the approach warning by the seat belt tension generating means and the sound generating means is performed almost simultaneously, so that the approach warning can be reliably transmitted to the driver. It is possible. (2) According to the approach warning device according to the second aspect of the present invention, the driver gives the approach warning by the sound generating means and the approach warning by the seat belt tension generating means, which are issued based on the transmission of the approach warning signal, almost simultaneously. It is possible to experience it, and it is possible to issue an approach warning without a sense of discomfort. (3) According to the approach warning device according to the third aspect of the present invention, an approach warning by sound and an approach warning by seat belt tension can be independently transmitted, and by transmitting these proximity warnings in chronological order, , It is possible to issue a reliable approach warning to the driver. (4) According to the approach warning device according to the fourth aspect of the invention, the approach warning by sound and the proximity warning by seat belt tension, which can be independently transmitted, are transmitted in chronological order, and these proximity warnings are issued by the driver. Are almost simultaneously experienced, so that it is possible to issue an approach warning with less discomfort for the driver. (5) According to the approach warning device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the timing of issuing and canceling the approach warning by the sound generating means and the seat belt tension generating means can be controlled independently, and each approach warning can be controlled independently. By setting the transmission timing and the warning transmission time, it is possible to transmit an approach warning with less discomfort and complexity for the driver. (6) According to the approach warning device of the sixth aspect of the present invention, the cancellation of the approach warning by sound is performed when a time sufficient for the driver to recognize the approach warning has elapsed while the seat belt tension is being reduced. The approach warning by the generation means is canceled when the distance to the object in front exceeds the warning distance. Even if the vehicle collides with a forward object after the occurrence, the seat belt tension generating means functions as a pretensioner, and it is possible to provide an approach warning device having both a warning generation function and an occupant protection function. (7) According to the approach warning device according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is confirmed that the driver has recognized the warning by setting the timing of canceling the approach warning by sound to the time when the driver's brake operation is detected. Since the approach warning by sound can be released at the time when the warning is given, the approach warning can be transmitted securely and without any trouble for the driver. (8) According to the approach warning device of the eighth aspect, the cancellation timing of the approach warning by sound is detected when an arbitrarily set time has elapsed after the issuance of the approach warning or when the brake operation by the driver is detected. The problem with the approach warning device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, that is, when the brake operation is performed relatively early after the warning is issued, And the problem of the approach warning device according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, that is, deceleration by simply releasing the accelerator pedal without brake operation, such as during climbing a hill. When possible, the brake operation was not detected in spite of deceleration, so that the trouble caused by the continuous sounding of the proximity alarm was eliminated, and the trouble was further reduced. Transmission of no-sensitive proximity warning is possible.

[0007]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

-First Embodiment- FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a first embodiment of an approach warning device according to the present invention. This approach warning device alerts the driver of the vehicle of an increase in seat belt tension and a warning when the distance to the forward object is equal to or less than a predetermined value based on the detected distance to the forward object and the detected vehicle speed. A warning is issued by sound.

The approach warning device 10 includes a distance measuring device 11 for measuring a distance between a forward object and the host vehicle, a host vehicle speed detecting device 12 for measuring a running speed of the host vehicle, and a driver of the host vehicle applying a brake. A brake detection device 13 for detecting that the brake has been applied;
A steering angle detection device 14 that detects a steering angle of the own vehicle,
Furthermore, based on information obtained from these detection devices,
An inter-vehicle distance serving as a criterion for issuing an alarm is calculated. Based on the calculation result, it is determined whether or not an inter-vehicle distance at which an alarm should be issued (hereinafter, referred to as an alarm distance). Tension generator 20, sound generator 30
And a control device 15 for issuing a seat belt approach warning signal 17 and a sound approach warning signal 18, respectively. The seat belt tension generator 20 receives the seat belt approach warning signal 17 and the sound approach warning signal 18.
The sound generator 30 also increases the tension of the driver's seat belt and emits a warning sound, thereby notifying that the distance to the object in front is the warning distance and prompting the driver to perform a deceleration operation.

Here, as the distance measuring device 11, for example, a laser radar disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 6-71333 is used, and as the own vehicle speed measuring device 12, an electromagnetic power generator attached to a transmission (not shown) is used. A sensor of the type, a stop lamp switch for turning on a brake light, etc., can be used as the brake detecting device 13, and a magnetic, optical, etc. encoder mounted on a steering column (not shown) can be used as the steering angle measuring device 14. It is.

Further, as the seat belt tension generating device 20, for example, a seat belt winding device disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 59-139436 can be used, and as the sound generating device 30, a buzzer or the like can be used. is there.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the seat belt tension generator 20 winds a seat belt 21 by a belt winding section 22, and one end of the seat belt 21 is connected to a seat belt anchor 23 of a center pillar. And is attached to the inner buckle 24. The sound generator 3
0 is provided on the instrument panel 31 or the like.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing of the control device 15, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the relative positional relationship between the vehicle 1 and the front object 2. The operation of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

In order to determine the change with time of the distance L to the forward object 2 during traveling of the own vehicle 1, that is, the relative speed, in step S 11, the distance L 1 between the own vehicle 1 and the forward object 2 is measured by the distance measuring device 11. , And waits for a predetermined time tms to elapse in step 12. Then, in step S13, the distance L2 between the vehicle 1 and the front object 2 is again determined.
From the distance measuring device 11 and the vehicle speed V0
Is input from the own-vehicle speed measuring device 12, and in step S14, the relative speed ΔV between the own vehicle 1 and the forward object 2 is calculated. Next, in step S15, based on the vehicle speed V0 and the relative speed ΔV, an alarm distance La, which is a reference distance for determining whether to issue an alarm, is calculated. The warning distance La is, as shown in the conceptual diagram of FIG. 6, the own vehicle speed V0 and the relative speed Δ.
V, and the relative speed ΔV between the vehicle 1 and the front object 2 is large (ΔV is a positive value when the vehicle 1 and the front object 2 are in a close relationship). That is, when the traveling speed is high, the traveling speed is high even when the relative speed is the same, for example, in the following traveling on a highway, for example, when the approach speed is high, as in the following traveling on a highway.

In step S16, the magnitude relationship between the distance L2 input in step S13 and La calculated in step S15 is determined. L2 ≦ La (1) Equation (1) is false, ie, the vehicle 1 and the front object If it is determined that the distance to the vehicle 2 is within the safety zone, the process returns to step S11, and the change in the distance between the vehicle 1 and the forward object 2 and the vehicle speed V0 are continuously monitored.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the expression (1) is true, that is, it is a distance at which an alarm should be issued, the process proceeds to step S17 for processing for issuing an approach alarm signal. Then, a seat belt approach warning signal 17 and a sound approach warning signal 18 are issued to the seat belt tension generator 20 and the sound generator 30, respectively. In response to these approach warning signals 17 and 18, the seat belt tension generating device 20 is operated, and the belt winding unit 22 winds up the seat belt 21 as shown in FIGS. A warning sound is generated, and an approach warning based on tactile sensation and hearing is given to the driver at the timing shown in FIG.

Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S300, in which the output of the above-mentioned approach warning signals 17 and 18 is stopped to release the approach warning, and thereafter, the process returns to step S11, and the own vehicle 1 is returned.
The change in the distance between the vehicle and the front object 2 and the own vehicle speed V0 are monitored. Hereinafter, the contents of the approach warning canceling process in step S300 will be described.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the approach alarm release processing. In step S31, the elapsed time T from when the approach warning signals 17 and 18 are transmitted is counted. In step S32, it is determined whether or not the elapsed time T has reached a predetermined time T0.
Returning to 31, the elapsed time T is counted.

In step 32, the elapsed time T is equal to a predetermined time T
If it is determined that it has reached 0, the process proceeds to step S33, where the transmission of the sound approach warning signal 18 is stopped, and the warning operation by the sound generator 30 is stopped accordingly. After returning the elapsed time timer to the initial value in step S34, step S35
The process proceeds to the cancellation processing of the seat belt approach warning signal 17 thereafter. It is conceivable that the above-mentioned predetermined time T0 is set to a time that is sufficient for the driver to recognize the alarm sound from the sound generating device 30 and that the driver does not feel the alarm sound bothersome.

Subsequently, steps S35 to S39
In, the warning distance La is calculated based on information from the distance measuring device 11 and the own vehicle speed measuring device 12 in the same manner as in steps S11 to S15.

If it is determined in step S40 that the distance L between the vehicle 1 and the front object 2 is shorter than the warning distance La, that is, if it is determined that the warning needs to be continued, the process proceeds to step S40.
The process returns to step 35, and the approach warning signal from the seat belt tension generator 20 is continued. When it is determined in step S40 that the distance L is longer than the warning distance La, that is, when it is determined that the warning can be released, the process proceeds to step S41, in which the transmission of the seatbelt proximity warning signal 17 is stopped, and the proximity warning by the seatbelt tension generator 20 is released. I do.

FIG. 9 is a time chart showing operation timings of the start and end of the approach warning in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, an approach warning based on the seat belt tension and an approach warning based on a sound are simultaneously issued, and the operation of the sound generator 30 is stopped when a time T0 elapses from the emission of the approach warning signal. When the inter-vehicle distance L becomes larger than the warning distance La, the operation of the seat belt tension generating device 20 is stopped.

If the driver recognizes the approach warning by the seat belt tension generating device 20 and the sound generating device 30, it is not necessary to continue the approach warning further.
After the predetermined time T0 elapses from the issuance of the approach warning, the vehicle may be released at the same time. However, in the present embodiment, after issuing the approach warning, the vehicle and the own vehicle 1 are forwardly prepared in case of a collision. By maintaining the generation of the tension of the seat belt 21 while the distance to the object 2 is within the alarm distance, it is possible to provide a function as a pretensioner.

Second Embodiment In the first embodiment described above, the seat belt approach warning signal 17 and the sound approach warning signal 18 issued from the control device 15 are received to generate seat belt tension. Device 20
Although the example in which the sound generation device 30 and the sound generation device 30 are activated almost simultaneously as shown in FIG. 7 has been described, for example, when the belt winding portion 22 of the seat belt tension generation device 20 is driven by an electric motor, the approach warning signal There is a time lag between the occurrence of the signal 16 and the actual generation of the tension of the seat belt 21. Therefore, the timing at which the driver recognizes the proximity alarm by sound and the proximity alarm by the increase in the tension of the seat belt. Is also shifted as shown in FIG.

Therefore, in order to eliminate this time lag,
By providing a delay corresponding to the time required for the driver to actually recognize the tension of the seat belt 21 after receiving the seat belt approach warning signal 17 and delaying the operation of the sound approach warning by sound, the sound approach warning is provided. , And the driver can be alerted to the approach warning by the tension of the seat belt almost simultaneously.

The operation of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Step S11 to step S in FIG.
Steps up to 16 are the same as steps S11 to S16 in the processing of FIG. 4 for explaining the operation of the first embodiment, and thus description thereof will be omitted. If step S16 is affirmed, that is, if it is determined that the distance is at which a warning should be issued, a seat belt approach warning signal 17 is transmitted in step S27. Upon receiving this signal, the belt winding unit 22 of the seat belt tension generating device 20 starts the winding operation of the seat belt 21. Step S28 is a process for waiting for a time corresponding to a time TL required until the tension is actually generated after the above-mentioned seat belt tension generating device 20 starts operating. Thereafter, in step S29, a sound approach warning signal 18 is transmitted, and upon receiving the sound approach warning signal 18, the sound generating device 30 emits a warning sound. Subsequently, in step S300, the output of these approach warning signals 17 and 18 is stopped to cancel the approach warning. The processing in step S300 is the first
The description is omitted because it is the same as that of the first embodiment.

With the above processing, as shown in FIG. 12, the driver issues an approach warning by an increase in the tension of the seat belt 21, and
The approach warning by sound can be recognized almost simultaneously.

In the above description of the operation of the second embodiment, the driver gives an approach warning by an increase in the tension of the seat belt 21 and
Although the example has been described in which control is performed so that the approach warning by sound is recognized almost simultaneously, the warning is issued after a while, for example, after the driver recognizes the tension of the seat belt by changing the delay time TL in step S28. The sound may be generated, or the order of generation of the tension of the seat belt 21 and the generation of the alarm sound and the generation time interval may be arbitrarily set. Furthermore, if the judgment levels of the alarm distance when increasing the tension of the seat belt 21 or when generating the alarm sound are made independent, for example, only the alarm sound is emitted in accordance with the expected degree of danger. By issuing the alarm sound and the tension of the seat belt 21 at the same time, it is possible to indicate the degree of danger to the driver.

Third Embodiment In the first embodiment, an example will be described in which the approach warning signal from the sound generator 30 is stopped when a predetermined time T0 elapses after the approach warning signal is transmitted. I've been, but the third
In the embodiment, when the brake operation of the driver is detected, the approach warning signal by the sound generator 30 is stopped.

Hereinafter, description will be made with reference to FIGS. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the alarm release processing according to the third embodiment. FIG. 14 is a timing chart showing the operation timing of the approach warning according to the third embodiment. The process flow will be described with reference to FIG. 13. After transmitting the approach warning signal, the signal of the brake detection device 13 is monitored in step S51 to determine whether the driver has operated the brake. When the brake operation is detected, the transmission of the sound approach warning signal 18 is stopped in step S52, and the approach warning signal by the sound generator 30 is stopped. In step S53, a sound proximity warning signal release flag indicating that the transmission of the sound proximity warning signal 18 has been stopped in response to the detection of the brake operation is set to "1", and the flow proceeds to step S54. On the other hand, if no brake operation is detected in step S51, the process proceeds to step S54.

Steps S54 to S58 are similar to those described in the first embodiment, and are based on the distance between the host vehicle 1 and the front object 2 and the host vehicle speed, and serve as a criterion for determining whether to send or cancel an alarm. This is a processing step for calculating La. In step S59, the distance L between the own vehicle 1 and the forward object 2
When it is determined that is equal to or shorter than the warning distance La, that is, it is necessary to continue the warning, the process proceeds to step S61, and the approach warning signal release flag for sound is checked. This step S6
If the sound alarm cancellation flag is "1" in step 1, that is, if the approach warning by the sound generator 30 has already been stopped due to the detection of the brake operation, the process proceeds to step S54, and the approach warning by the seat belt tension generator 20 is continued. .
On the other hand, if the sound alarm release flag is not "1" in step S61, that is, if the brake operation has not been detected yet, the process returns to step S51.

When it is determined in step S59 that the distance L is longer than the warning distance La, that is, it is determined that the approach warning can be canceled, the process proceeds to step S60, where the transmission of the seat belt approach warning signal 17 is stopped, and the seat belt tension generator 20 Cancel the approach warning operation. Subsequently, step S62
If the sound approach warning signal cancel flag is "1", that is, if the brake operation is detected in step S51 and the sound approach warning has already been stopped, the process proceeds to step S63, where the sound approach warning cancel flag is set. Reset to "0".

On the other hand, if the sound approach warning signal release flag is not "1" in step S62, that is, if the brake operation has not been detected in step S51 and the sounding device 30 has not released the approach warning signal. In step S64, the transmission of the sound proximity warning signal is canceled in step S64. It should be noted that the processing in steps S62 and S64 is performed when the driver does not perform the brake operation but the distance to the forward object 2 exceeds the warning distance, that is, when the accelerator is loosened on the uphill road, the speed of the own vehicle is increased. Is reduced, and the distance to the forward object exceeds the warning distance.

As described above, in the third embodiment, when the driver operates the brake after transmitting the approach warning signal by the seat belt tension generating device 20 and the sound generating device 30, the driver issues the approach warning. Is recognized, and the approach warning by the sound generating device 30 is canceled based on the idea that no further warning is necessary or troublesome. When it is determined that the distance between the vehicle 1 and the front object 2 has reached a safe distance, the approach warning operation by the seat belt tension generator 20 is stopped. These timings are shown in FIG. Note that, instead of detecting the driver's brake operation, the vehicle speed detection device 12 may cancel the sound alarm when the vehicle speed is detected to be reduced. This is effective when the vehicle is decelerated by the engine brake.

-Fourth Embodiment- In the above-described approach warning cancellation processing in the first and third embodiments, when a predetermined time T0 elapses after the proximity warning is transmitted, or when the driver's Although the example in which the approach warning by the sound generating device 30 is stopped when the brake operation is detected has been described, the fourth embodiment is configured such that the predetermined time T0 elapses after the approach warning is issued, or Is detected, or the approach warning by the sound generator 30 is stopped at the earlier timing.

Referring to the flowchart, FIG.
At 5, the control device 15 issues an approach warning by the seat belt tension generating device 20 and the sound generating device 30, then counts the time T elapsed after sending the approach warning signal at step S71, and at step S72, the elapsed time T
Is longer than a predetermined time T0, the process proceeds to step S74, where the transmission of the sound proximity warning signal 18 is stopped, and the transmission of the proximity warning signal by the sound generator 30 is stopped. Next, in step S75, the sound proximity alarm release flag is set to "1", and in step S76, the elapsed time T is set to "0".
After that, the process proceeds to steps S54 to S58 having the same contents as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, if T <T0 in step S72, that is, if the elapsed time T has not reached the predetermined time T0, the flow shifts to step S73 to determine whether or not the driver has performed a brake operation based on a signal from the brake detection device 13. I do. When the driver's brake operation is detected in step S73, the process proceeds to step S74, and the process proceeds to steps S54 to S58 via the sound approach warning signal canceling process as described above.

If the driver's brake operation is not detected in step S73, the process proceeds to steps S54 to S58 while maintaining the sound approach warning signal.

Thereafter, the processing from steps S54 to S58 and further from step S59 to step 64 is executed, and as described in the description of the third embodiment, the distance L between the vehicle 1 and the front object 2 is an alarm. When it is determined that the distance has been exceeded, the approach warning by the seat belt tension generator 20 is stopped, and if the transmission of the sound approach warning signal 18 has not been released, this is also released, while the own vehicle 1 and the front object 2 If the distance L is within the warning distance, step S71 or step S5 is performed according to the state of the sound proximity warning release flag.
Returning to step 4, the approach warning based on the sound and the seat belt tension or the seat belt tension is continued.

(Modification) As described above, in the first to fourth embodiments, the example in which the sound generator 30 and the seat belt tension generator 20 are provided has been described. As shown in FIG. By adding this, it becomes possible to use a visual warning together. As the display device 40, for example, lighting or blinking of pictures or characters in the instrument panel can be considered, and the timing of issuing or canceling the approach warning by the display device 40 is the same as that of the alarm by the sound generating device 30. Can be.

In the structure of each embodiment, the seat belt tension generating device 20 is constructed by pulling in the inner buckle 24 as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 in addition to those shown in FIGS. A belt tension may be generated. A detailed example of this configuration is disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application No. 6-73299.

Further, in the description of the second and third embodiments, the time from when the belt winding section 22 starts the winding operation of the seat belt 21 to when the driver senses the tension of the seat belt 21 is sensed. The start timing of the sound generation device 30 and the seat belt tension generation device 20 has been determined.
A known load sensor is installed in a mounting portion of the seat belt anchor 23 to the body shown in FIG.
After the activation of 0, the sound generator 30 may be activated when the output signal from the load sensor reaches a predetermined value, and the delay circuit may be omitted.

Further, in the above description of the embodiment, the timing of canceling the approach warning by the sound generating device 30 may be the time when a certain time has elapsed after the issuance of the approach warning or the time when the brake operation of the driver is detected. Although an example of whether or not to do is shown, it may be the time when the avoidance operation of the driver by the steering angle measuring device 14 is detected, or even before the operation of these drivers or the elapse of a certain time is detected. It goes without saying that all approach warnings are canceled when the distance from the own vehicle exceeds the warning distance due to, for example, acceleration of the vehicle ahead.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an approach warning device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an arrangement of an approach warning device in a vehicle.

FIG. 3 is an internal schematic diagram of a seat belt tension generating device.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a positional relationship between the own vehicle and a forward object.

FIG. 6 shows the relative speed ΔV between the own vehicle and a forward object and the own vehicle speed V;
Function La = f (V0, Δ
V) Conceptual diagram.

FIG. 7 is an operation timing chart of the sound generating means and the seat belt tension generating means.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing a time lag when experiencing the approach warning by the sound generating unit and the approach warning by the seat belt tension generating unit;

FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing the operation timing of an approach warning according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing the operation timing of the approach warning according to the third embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a timing chart showing the operation timing of the approach warning according to the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram showing an approach warning device that combines a display device in addition to a seat belt tension generator and a sound generator.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an attached state of an inner buckle with a retracting mechanism.

FIG. 18 is a schematic view showing an operation of an inner buckle with a retracting mechanism.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Own vehicle 2 Forward object 10 Approach warning device 11 Distance measuring device 12 Own vehicle speed measuring device 13 Brake detection device 14 Steering angle measuring device 15 Control device 17 Seat belt approach warning signal 18 Sound approach warning signal 19 Display approach warning Signal 20 Seat belt tension generator 21 Seat belt 22 Belt take-up part 23 Seat belt anchor 24 Inner buckle 30 Sound generator 31 Instrument panel 40 Display

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An approach warning transmitting means for transmitting an approach warning signal when a distance from an object ahead is equal to or less than a warning distance, and a seat belt tension generating means which operates in response to the approach warning signal and generates tension on a seat belt. A vehicle approach warning device comprising: a sound generating unit that operates in response to the approach warning signal and generates a sound, wherein the seat belt tension generating unit and the sound generating unit are based on the transmission of the approach warning signal. And vice versa at the same time to issue an approach warning. 2. The approach warning device according to claim 1, wherein the time corresponds to a time required from the activation of the seat belt tension generation means to the actual start of generation of the seat belt tension after transmitting the approach warning signal. An approach warning device for a vehicle, wherein the activation timing of the seat belt tension generating means and the sound generating means is controlled so that the sound generating means is activated after a time interval. 3. The approach warning signal according to claim 2, wherein the approach warning signal transmitting means independently transmits a seat belt proximity warning signal and a sound proximity warning signal, and the seat belt proximity warning signal. A transmission timing of the sound proximity alarm signal and a transmission timing of the sound approach warning signal are controlled in a time-series manner, so that the activation timings of the seat belt tension generating means and the sound generating means are shifted. Approach warning device. 4. The approach warning device for a vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the occupant actually increases the seat belt tension after the seat belt tension generating means is activated after transmitting the seat belt approach warning signal. A time interval corresponding to a time required for recognizing the sound, and transmitting the sound proximity warning signal at a time interval. 5. An approach warning signal transmitting means for transmitting an approach warning signal when a distance from a forward object is equal to or less than a warning distance, and a seat belt tension generating means which operates in response to the approach warning signal to generate tension on the seat belt. Means, and a sound generating means that operates upon receipt of the approach warning signal and generates a sound. When canceling the approach warning by the seat belt tension generating means and the sound generating means, An approach warning device for a vehicle, wherein timing for canceling the approach warning by the seat belt tension generating means and timing for canceling the approach warning by the sound generating means are different. 6. The approach warning device according to claim 5, wherein the release of the approach warning by the sound generating means is performed by any of the approach warning signal for the seat belt or the sound warning signal from the approach warning signal transmitting means. The warning is issued when a predetermined time has elapsed from the time when the signal is transmitted, and the cancellation of the approach warning by the seat belt tension generating means is performed when the distance between the host vehicle and the front object exceeds the warning distance. An approach warning device for a vehicle. 7. The approach warning device according to claim 6, further comprising brake detection means for detecting a brake operation of the own vehicle, wherein the release of the approach warning by the sound generation means is detected by the brake operation. An approach warning device for a vehicle, which is performed at times. 8. The approach warning device according to claim 7, wherein the canceling of the approach warning by the sound generating means is performed by the approach warning signal transmitting means from the approach warning signal for the seat belt or the approach warning signal for the sound. An approach warning device for a vehicle, wherein the time is arbitrarily determined from the time when the signal is transmitted, or the brake detecting means detects a brake operation, which is performed in accordance with the earlier timing. .