JPH1120542A - Signal lighting device for vehicle and vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To transmit deceleration running before brake operation to the other road user so as to avoid collision by transmitting information about running of a vehicle before operating a main brake device. SOLUTION: An accelerator signal lamp is on the position adjacent to a stop lamp or a high mount stop lamp. Information by light signals of the accelerator signal lamp and the light signal of the stop lamp or the high mount stop lamp can be visualized in the same range of vision. A driver of a succeeding car can previously visualize deceleration running state before braking stop of a preceding car by the light signal of the accelerator signal lamp, before visualizing the light signal of the stop lamp. Even when the driver of the preceding car operates so as to step a brake pedal after the lapse of a time from detaching his foot from an accelerator pedal, the driver of the succeeding car can easily take action such as deceleration or braking stop before approaching the preceding car.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a signal light for a vehicle, which can reduce a driver's judgment factor affecting a vehicle collision accident and provide the vehicle with an improved collision avoidance function and a safe driving function. Related to the device.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a vehicle having excellent collision avoidance functions and safe driving functions.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art The safety of an automobile is maintained by a driver or the like of the automobile by repeatedly recognizing and responding to lighting information from a lighting device installed in a preceding automobile.

[0004] The lighting device of an automobile is categorized into general automobiles and other vehicles according to the security standards of the Road Transport Vehicle Act (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as "legislation") in detail. Stipulated.

[0005] A typical automobile specified in laws and regulations is typically a passenger car. Vehicles that do not belong to general automobiles include light vehicles with caterpillars and sleds, vehicles with a width of 0.8 m or less, motorcycles, motorcycles with side wheels, large special vehicles,
Small special vehicles, light vehicles with a maximum speed of less than 20 km / h, vehicles with a maximum speed of less than 40 km / h, etc. (see Articles 32 to 41 of the Law).

[0006] In addition, the performance and test method of a lighting device for an automobile are determined in detail in JIS (JIS).
C7506, D1619, D5500, D5504
etc).

Next, the current handling will be described with respect to the conditions for mounting the lighting device on the vehicle and the relationship between the lighting device and the safety of vehicle operation. Note that JIS terms are used for the terms of automobile lighting devices.

[0008] General automobiles are required to be equipped with lighting devices for lighting, signs (also referred to as instructions), and signals (Articles 32 to 41 of the law).

Illumination lighting devices include headlamps (headlights in the law), backup lamps (backlights in the law), fog lamps (fog lights in the law), and the like.
Sign lighting devices include tail lamps (tail lights in the law) and clearance lamps (vehicle width lights in the law).
The signal lighting devices include a stop lamp (brake light in law), a high mount stop lamp (auxiliary brake light in law), a turn signal lamp (turn signal in law), and the like. The stop lamp is sometimes called a brake lamp or a stop lamp.

[0010] The lighting device is also a system that transmits information according to the color and luminous intensity of the light, etc., according to the color of the light (see Articles 32 to 41 of laws and regulations).
Lighting equipment has two lighting functions: lighting, signage, and signaling.
Combination lamps in which more than one kind are combined into one lighting device are also in practical use.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a lighting device mounted on the rear surface of a general automobile.

In FIG. 5, a tail lamp serves as a sign to notify the presence and width of a vehicle to the rear at night, and is a red lamp light that can be illuminated from a distance of 300 meters behind at night. It is a sign lamp.

The rear fog lamp serves to more clearly inform the rear of the vehicle in the event of fog, snow, or the like. This is a red lamp light sign lamp that is irradiated at a luminous intensity not exceeding. Equipment for rear fog lights is optional.

The stop lamp transmits the operation of the regular brake by the driver to the driver of the rear vehicle,
A red lamp signal lamp whose lighting can be confirmed from a distance of 100 meters behind in the daytime.

One high-mount stop lamp is provided outside the vehicle or inside the vehicle at a position higher than the stop lamp, and is used only when the stop lamp is lit to serve as a red light signal for assisting the function of the stop lamp. It is a lamp.

Therefore, as a pre-operation for the brake operation, the driver of the front vehicle releases the foot from the accelerator petal to fully close the throttle of the engine to reduce the amount of air suction into the engine, thereby reducing the idling speed. Even if an operation is performed to reduce the engine output due to the decrease in the vehicle speed, the information is not transmitted to the driver of the vehicle ahead.

The turn signal lamp serves to inform other road users that the driver intends to change the direction to the right or left, and confirms the lighting from a distance of 100 meters behind the daytime. It is a signal lamp of orange light that can be blinked at a constant period.

The backup lamp serves to inform other road users that the driver intends to reverse the automatic vehicle, and is lit only when the driver is operating the transmission to the reverse position. This is a lamp for lighting signals.

On the other hand, the performance of automobiles has been remarkably improved, and technologies relating to any of the basic performances of automobiles, that is, running, turning, and stopping, have been dramatically advanced. For example, a brake system of an automobile is an anti-lock brake that controls the pressure of the load hydraulic pressure applied to the wheel cylinder so that the friction coefficient μ between the road surface and the tire is maximized and stops the vehicle at the shortest braking distance. Equipment of key systems (often abbreviated as ABS) has become common. Automobiles are equipped with an anti-lock brake system to maintain a proper cornering force and stable steering performance regardless of the driver's skill in steering, and to stop reliably at the shortest braking distance. It has a function.

FIG. 6 shows the distance from the time when the driver releases the foot of the accelerator pedal to the time when the driver depresses the brake pedal to stop the vehicle (ie, the deceleration / braking stop distance of the vehicle, which is denoted by reference numeral a in FIG. 6). FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing the relationship between the distance to the point c and the traveling speed.

The deceleration braking stop distance of an automobile differs depending on road surface conditions, climatic conditions and driving ability of a driver.
The driving ability of the driver is exhibited by the driver when driving,
It differs depending on attention, agility and steering ability. The time required for the driver to release his / her foot from the accelerator pedal and depress the brake pedal differs depending on the driver, except for sudden braking.

The state in which the driver releases his / her foot from the accelerator pedal to decelerate the vehicle and stop the vehicle by braking the main braking device (brake) will be described below.
The distance that the vehicle travels while the deceleration braking is stopped (that is, the distance from the symbol a to the symbol c in FIG. 6) is referred to as “deceleration braking stop”.

In addition, it is assumed that the vehicle travels before the driver releases his / her foot from the accelerator pedal and steps on the brake.
The distance traveled during that time (i.e., the distance from the symbol a to the symbol b in FIG. 6) is sometimes referred to as the "deceleration travel distance before the brake operation".

FIG. 6A is an explanatory view conceptually showing the relationship between the traveling speed (vertical axis) of the automobile and the deceleration braking stop distance (horizontal axis) under general driving conditions. In FIGS. 6A to 6C, the horizontal axis represents a distance including a distance other than the deceleration braking stop distance (a distance before the symbol a), and is simply indicated as “distance”. ing.

FIG. 6B is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing the relationship between the traveling speed of the automobile and the deceleration braking stop distance under a road surface condition where the tires are liable to slip, such as rainfall and snowfall. FIG. 6C conceptually illustrates the relationship between the running speed of the vehicle and the deceleration braking stop distance when the driver takes a long time from releasing the accelerator pedal to depressing the brake pedal. FIG.

On the other hand, the distance required for collision avoidance is related to the distance including the deceleration travel distance before the brake operation (ie, the deceleration braking stop distance), and therefore, the deceleration travel before the brake operation. When the distance is long, the distance required for avoiding the collision depends on the deceleration traveling distance before the brake operation.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing the relationship between the deceleration braking stop distance of the automobile and the frequency of occurrence of collision accidents. FIG.
Indicates that the frequency of occurrence of a collision accident is greatly affected by the deceleration distance before the brake operation when the ratio of the deceleration travel distance before the brake operation to the deceleration braking stop distance is large.

[0028]

There are a number of problems represented by the following (a) to (c) in avoiding an automobile collision based on information of a current light signal (typically, a stop lamp). Was. (B) In the current signal lighting system, only information on the brake operation of the other vehicle is transmitted by the stop lamp, and the deceleration before the brake operation of the other vehicle depends on the driver's visibility and judgment. ing.

For this reason, when the vehicle travels back and forth, the driver of the rear vehicle mistakenly decelerates the deceleration state of the front vehicle before the brake operation as normal low-speed traveling, and sets the vehicle at a distance where it is difficult to avoid a collision. There is a problem that the approach may occur.

When the two vehicles are traveling in the approaching direction, if the driver mistakenly recognizes that the opponent vehicle is in a normal low-speed traveling state as decelerating traveling before the braking operation. However, there is a problem that the two vehicles may approach a distance where it is difficult to avoid a collision. (B) Under adverse conditions of the natural environment (for example, conditions such as rainfall, fog, and storms), the driver's field of view and visibility are significantly restricted, and even if the driver pays considerable attention, the vehicle in front of the vehicle There is a case where it is not possible to visually recognize the traveling state of the vehicle accurately.

For this reason, depending on the current signal light system, it may be difficult for the driver to discriminate between the deceleration running before the brake operation of the opponent vehicle and the normal low speed running even if the driver pays considerable attention. There was a problem that it would occur. (C) In the current signal light system, even a driver with low driving ability (typically, an elderly driver)
It is necessary to visually recognize the difference between the normal low-speed running of the vehicle and the decelerating running before the brake operation, and a problem that excessively low visibility and judgment ability are required for a driver having low driving ability. was there.

Therefore, the first aspect of the present invention is to transmit the decelerated running before the brake operation to other road users, thereby avoiding a collision and running safely and without any accident under various conditions. It is an object of the present invention to provide a signal lighting device that gives the vehicle a vehicle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle having a function of transmitting to a road user deceleration before braking operation.

[0034]

Means for Solving the Problems The first invention (claim 1)
The vehicle signal lighting device according to the present invention described in the above) is a vehicle signal lighting device including a signal lamp for displaying, by a light signal, that the vehicle is performing deceleration running before the main braking device is actuated. Thus, information about traveling of the vehicle before the main braking device is activated is transmitted.

Second invention (the invention according to claim 2)
The vehicle according to the vehicle is equipped with at least a vehicle signal light device equipped with a signal lamp for indicating by a light signal that the vehicle is decelerating running before the main braking device is actuated, Features.

[0036]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of a vehicle signal light device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Although FIGS. 1 to 3 are preferable specific examples of the present invention (first and second present inventions), they are examples of some specific examples included in the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a partial explanatory view of a rear surface of a passenger car in which an accelerator signal lamp is disposed beside a high-mount stop lamp. The accelerator signal lamp belongs to the signal lighting device of the present invention, and is a signal lamp for indicating a deceleration running due to a fully closed throttle associated with the operation of the main braking device or a decrease in engine output caused by the process. . Since the decelerating running state of the vehicle which is linked to the operation of the main braking device is caused by the operation of the accelerator pedal, a specific example of the present invention will be described using the term "accelerator signal lamp" for convenience.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are partial explanatory views of a rear surface of a passenger car in which an accelerator signal lamp is provided in an arrangement different from that of FIG. 1, wherein the accelerator signal lamp is located on both sides of a high mount stop lamp or a stop lamp. The case where it is arrange | positioned beside is shown.

The accelerator signal lamp shown in FIGS.
Since it is located close to the stop lamp or the high mount stop lamp, it is suitable for visually recognizing the information by the light signal of the accelerator signal lamp and the light signal of the stop lamp or the high mount stop lamp within the same field of view.

Before the driver of the rear vehicle can visually recognize the light signal of the stop lamp, the driver can visually recognize in advance that the vehicle in front is in a deceleration running state before stopping the braking by the light signal of the accelerator signal lamp.

The driver of the rear vehicle is in a case where the driver of the front vehicle depresses the brake pedal after a lapse of time from when the driver releases his / her accelerator pedal. Measures such as deceleration or braking stop before approaching can be easily taken.

The accelerator signal lamp on the rear side of the passenger car can technically be arranged arbitrarily as long as the light signal of the accelerator signal lamp can be visually recognized, and it can be singular or plural. is there.

Next, the function of the accelerator signal lamp will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing the relationship between the running speed of the vehicle and the distance to the deceleration braking stop, and is conceptually the same as FIG.

In FIG. 4, a symbol a indicates a point in time when the driver releases his / her foot from the accelerator pedal, a symbol b indicates a point in time when the driver steps on the brake pedal, and a symbol c indicates the vehicle when the main braking device is actuated. Shows that the vehicle stops and the traveling speed becomes zero.

On the vertical axis in FIG. 4, the section between a and b indicates a state in which the running speed of the vehicle is decelerated due to a decrease in the engine output due to the full closing of the throttle, and the section between b and c indicates that the vehicle is stopped by the main braking device. This shows a state in which the traveling speed of the vehicle is attenuated when the vehicle travels.

In the horizontal axis of FIG. 4, the distance between a and b indicates the distance that the vehicle has traveled with the running speed reduced due to the decrease in the engine output, and the distance between b and c indicates that the vehicle has been stopped by the operation of the main braking device. It shows the distance to reach.

The accelerator signal lamp transmits information indicating that the vehicle is in a decelerating state between a and b in FIG. 4 by a light signal. b (for example, a2 in FIG. 4)
, A3, a4, a5, or a6), which turns on or flashes, and turns off the light immediately before the main braking device starts operating or immediately before the operation starts.

From the point of driving operation, the accelerator signal lamp is used from the time when the driver releases his / her foot to depress the brake pedal to the time when the driver depresses the brake pedal (preferably, the driver operates the accelerator pedal). (When the foot is released from the pedal).

The mechanism for lighting or blinking of the accelerator signal lamp can be any mechanical and electrical mechanism (for example, a control mechanism or the like) as long as lighting or blinking can be started at that time. .

As means for lighting or blinking the accelerator signal lamp, for example, a method of controlling lighting or blinking based on input information in advance and detecting that the vehicle is in a deceleration running state before braking is detected by detecting means. To control lighting or blinking.

As the former control method, for example, there is a method of preliminarily inputting information regarding the deceleration traveling state of the vehicle before braking, and controlling lighting or blinking start based on the input information.

As the latter control method, for example, it is detected that the vehicle has entered a deceleration traveling state before braking or is in a deceleration traveling state, and based on the detected information, the lighting or blinking of the accelerator signal lamp is started. And the like.

The means for detecting the decelerated running state of the vehicle before the braking is, for example, a means for detecting the operation of the driver or a means for detecting the motion state of the vehicle (for example, the motion state of the engine). There is.

As the detecting means for detecting the operation of the driver, for example, a device for detecting the movement of the foot (for example, a light beam type detecting device) may be provided at a position near the accelerator pedal or at the position of the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal. A device for detecting the movement of the driver's foot moving from the accelerator pedal to the brake pedal and a device for detecting the movement of the foot are provided on the accelerator pedal, and −
There is one that detects information when the foot is released from the accelerator pedal in order to move the foot to the key pedal.

The detecting means for detecting the motion state of the vehicle includes a means for detecting a closed state of the throttle associated with the brake operation, a means for detecting a decrease in idle speed associated with the brake operation, and a braking means. There is one that detects a decrease in the output of the engine that leads to the operation of the device.

If the accelerator signal lamp has a mechanism for turning off or blinking the main braking device immediately before or immediately after the operation of the main braking device, its mechanical mechanism and electric mechanism (for example, a control mechanism, etc.) are used. Can be any mechanism.

The accelerator signal lamp is turned off or turned off simultaneously with the start of the operation of the main brake device, for example, by causing a control circuit for turning off or flashing the accelerator signal to function in conjunction with the operation of the main brake device. Alternatively, in cooperation with the stop lamp lighting control circuit, a function of turning off the stop lamp or ending the blinking at the same time as the stop lamp can be provided.

Accelerator signal lamps, like many automotive lighting systems, are suitably constructed to operate at low voltages. It should be noted that the present invention includes a variety of specific examples in addition to the above description, and some of them are as follows. (A) The accelerator signal lamp can technically be used together with a stop lamp or a high mount stop lamp. (B) The accelerator signal lamp can be a combination lamp structure. (C) The accelerator signal lamp can be mounted on a portion other than the rear surface of the vehicle, for example, on the front surface and / or the side surface of the vehicle.

Thus, for example, it is possible to avoid a collision accident when approaching by running from an orthogonal direction. (D) The luminous intensity and main optical axis of the accelerator signal lamp can be technically determined from the viewpoint of collision avoidance and the like. (E) A vehicle equipped with an accelerator signal lamp is typically a passenger car, but the type thereof is not particularly limited. Therefore, the accelerator signal lamp is also effective when mounted on various vehicles other than passenger vehicles (for example, trucks, buses, large special vehicles, small special vehicles, etc.).

Incidentally, in the present invention, as long as it is suitable for the present invention and does not particularly impair the effects of the present invention,
Modifications or partial changes and additions of the present invention are optional and all fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0062]

According to the signal light device for a vehicle of the first invention, various effects represented by the following (1) to (5) can be obtained. (1) The deceleration running state before the brake operation of the partner vehicle is
The signal light is transmitted to other road users (typically, the driver of the vehicle behind), eliminating the need for driver visibility and judgment required by current signal light systems.

Therefore, the driver of the following vehicle does not mistakenly recognize the decelerating running state of the preceding vehicle before the braking operation as normal low-speed running and approach a distance where it is difficult to avoid a collision. (2) Even in an environment where it is difficult to accurately recognize the traveling state of the opponent vehicle, the driver can accurately recognize the driving condition of the opponent vehicle at low speed traveling from a distance, thereby avoiding a collision accident. . (3) Under bad conditions (eg, rainfall,
Even under mist and storm conditions), the driver can accurately recognize the driving condition of the opponent vehicle at low speed traveling from a distance, thereby avoiding a collision accident. (4) Judgment as excessive visual recognition ability on the difference between normal low-speed running required for a driver with low driving ability (typically, an elderly driver) and deceleration running before brake operation. As a result, a collision accident caused by a driver having a low driving ability is avoided. (5) Under any conditions, the driving condition of the opponent vehicle can be accurately grasped, so that appropriate driving steering for avoiding a collision accident is facilitated. According to the vehicle of the second aspect of the present invention, various effects represented by the following (i) to (iii) can be obtained. (I) Equipped with a simple vehicle signal lighting device, the vehicle can have excellent collision avoidance performance even when driving under various conditions. (Ii) The vehicle has excellent collision avoidance performance regardless of its type. (Iii) The vehicle has excellent collision avoidance performance regardless of the driving ability. (Iv) The vehicle has reduced driver's visibility and judgment ability.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of an automobile according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing another specific example of the automobile of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing another specific example of the automobile of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual explanatory diagram illustrating a relationship between a traveling speed of a vehicle and a distance to stop braking.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of a rear surface of a general passenger car.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual explanatory diagram illustrating a relationship between a running speed of a vehicle and a distance to stop braking.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a relationship between a collision accident occurrence frequency and a braking stop distance.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A vehicular signal lighting device comprising a signal lamp for indicating by a light signal that the vehicle is decelerating before the main braking device is actuated. A vehicle signal light device that transmits information about the traveling of a vehicle. 2. A signal light device for a vehicle comprising a signal lamp for indicating by a light signal that the vehicle is decelerating before the main braking device is activated, is provided at least on a rear surface of the vehicle. vehicle.