JPH1148819A - Safety device for automobile - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a safety device for an automobile which is useful for prevention of dozing driving and 'free hands' driving in the case of a safety device for an automobile. SOLUTION: A plurality of switches 3 to 6, which are turned off when they are grasped together with a steering wheel with grasping power greater than a predetermined power, are embedded in the steering wheel of an automobile circumferentially at appropriate intervals, and an alarm is given to a driver and fellow passengers by a buzzer 9 actuated when all these switches are turned on, whereby the driver is caused to grasp the steering wheel again to end the 'free hands' driving or the driver is caused to wake up from dozing and to grasp the steering wheel again to end the dozing driving. Further, when a state that all the switches 3 to 6 are on continues longer than a fixed period of time, a brake driving means 13 is actuated and the automobile is stopped by its brakes being actuated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle safety device, and more particularly to a vehicle safety device that is useful for preventing drowsy driving and hand-free driving.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art It goes without saying that it is necessary to prevent drowsy driving and off-hand driving that may cause an automobile accident from the viewpoint of accident prevention. No effective means have been found, and thus no effective means to prevent drowsy or off-hand driving has been found so far.

[0003] In an automobile equipped with an automatic transmission,
It has been reported that a driver who got off with his transmission set to the D-range was hit by his own vehicle. However, no effective means to prevent such an accident has been found so far.

[0004]

By the way, the inventor of the present invention has experienced that when the driver falls asleep, the driver's grip on the steering wheel is reduced, and it is found that the driver can detect the falling asleep by detecting the decrease in the grip force. Was.

[0005] The present invention has been completed based on such knowledge, and has as its object to provide an automobile safety device capable of preventing drowsy driving and unattended driving.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a vehicle safety device according to the present invention is embedded in a handlebar 8 of a vehicle at an appropriate interval in a circumferential direction and has a predetermined gripping force. Technical means that a plurality of switches 2 to 5 that are turned off when the user holds the switch and an alarm 9 that is activated when all the switches 2 to 5 are turned on are provided.

According to this, when the handle 8 is gripped with a force greater than a predetermined grip force, at least one of the switches 2 to 5 embedded in the handle 8 is turned off,
The alarm 9 is not actuated, but when the handle 8 is released or when the force of gripping the handle 8 decreases due to falling asleep, a plurality of switches 2 embedded in the handle 8 are released.
5 are all turned off, and the alarm 9 is activated. By the operation of the alarm 9, a warning is given to the driver or the passenger for the drowsy driving or the off-hand driving, and the suspension is urged,
Also, the driver is awakened from falling asleep.

Next, in the vehicle safety device according to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, the vehicle safety device is buried in the vehicle handle 8 at an appropriate interval in the circumferential direction, and the handle 8 is gripped with a predetermined gripping force. Switches 2 to 5 which are turned off when the vehicle is turned on, and brake driving means 13 which operates the brake of the vehicle when all of these switches are turned on.
Technical means of providing the following may be adopted.

In this case, if the handle 8 is gripped with a predetermined grip force, at least one of the plurality of switches 2 to 5 embedded in the handle 8 is turned off and the brake is not operated. When the gripping force on the steering wheel 8 drops below a certain level due to the release of the steering wheel 8 or falling asleep, all of the switches 2 to 5 embedded in the steering wheel 8 are turned off, and the brake driving means 13 operates to release the brake of the vehicle. This makes it possible to stop the car and to surely prevent the drowsy driving and the off-hand driving from being continued.

Further, in the vehicle safety device according to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, the vehicle safety device is buried in the vehicle handle 8 at an appropriate interval in the circumferential direction, and the handle 8 is gripped with a predetermined grip force. Technical means that includes a plurality of switches 2 to 5 that are turned off at the same time, and a brake driving unit 13 that operates a brake of the vehicle when all of the switches 2 to 5 are continuously turned on for a predetermined time or more. Can also be adopted.

In this case, if the handle 8 is gripped with a predetermined grip force, at least one of the plurality of switches 2 to 5 embedded in the handle 8 is turned off and the brake is not operated. If the state in which the force of gripping the steering wheel 8 drops below a certain level due to letting go or falling asleep continues for a certain period of time or more, the brake driving means 13 operates to apply the brake of the vehicle and stop the vehicle. That is, if the release of the steering wheel 8 and the falling asleep are stopped within a certain period of time, and the steering wheel 8 is re-grip with a predetermined grip force or more, smooth driving is continued without operating the brake of the vehicle, and the releasing operation for a certain period of time is performed. If the driver continues to fall asleep, the driver applies the brakes to stop the vehicle and stop dangerous driving.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A safety device for a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.

As shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 1, a vehicle safety device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of safety devices connected in series to a power source 2 via a service switch 1 for turning the device on and off. Here, four switches 3 to 6 and a relay (relay coil) 7 are provided.

As shown in the front view of FIG. 2, each of the switches 3 to 6 is embedded in the handle 8 at an appropriate interval in the circumferential direction, and is gripped by hand together with the handle 8 as shown in the sectional view of FIG. At this time, it is turned off, and as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG.

Here, the configuration of each of the switches 3 to 6 is turned off when the user grips with the handle 8 with a force exceeding a predetermined gripping force, and is turned on when the gripping force with the handle 8 becomes less than the predetermined gripping force. If, for example, the switch 3 is taken as an example, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG.
An operator 3a fitted to the lower surface of the handle 8 so as to be able to move up and down.
A spring 3b for pressing the operator 3a downward with a predetermined pressure, and a normally-closed switch body 3c which is turned off by the operator 3a which is pushed upward by a certain amount against the spring 3b. Can be.

The distance between the switches 3 to 6 may be equal, but here, as shown in FIG. 2, a standard position having a handle 8 in a neutral position (so-called 1 position).
The switches 3 to 6 are arranged at a position (0:10) and a position (for example, a position at 8:20) that can be relatively frequently changed when operating the steering wheel.

When the service switch 1 is turned on, the relay 6 includes an alarm device circuit 10 for connecting an alarm device 9 such as a buzzer to the power source 2 in series, and a timer circuit 12 for connecting a timer switch 11 to the power source 2 in series. Is turned on when all of the switches 2 to 4 are turned on.
Turn off when any one of .about.6 is off.

Accordingly, if the drowsy driving or the hand-off driving occurs when the service switch 1 is turned on, the switches 3 to 6 are all turned on, so that the alarm 9 is activated by energization to generate a predetermined sound. Then, the driver or the passenger is warned that a drowsy driving or a driving without driving has occurred. In addition, in the case of a drowsy driving, this sound wakes the driver up to prevent drowsiness.
A warning is given to the driver and the passenger to urge the driver or passenger to stop driving.

In the case of drowsy driving, when the driver notices this sound and wakes up again, he / she re-grips the steering wheel 8, one of the switches 3 to 6 is turned off, and the operation of the alarm 9 is stopped. In the case of the stop-and-go operation, when the driver stops the release operation and re-grips the handle 6, one of the switches 3 to 6 is turned off and the operation of the alarm 9 is stopped.

The timer switch 11 is started by the start of energization, and is reset by the stop of energization.
Brake driving means 13 for operating the main brake of the vehicle when a certain time (for example, 1 to 3 seconds) has elapsed in the energized state
Turn on.

The configuration of the brake driving means 13 is not particularly limited as long as it is turned on by the time-up of the timer switch 11 and the vehicle can be stopped by activating the main brake of the vehicle. It may be constituted by a solenoid which is turned on by the time-up of the timer switch 11 and drives the master cylinder provided in the hydraulic main brake system to the depressed position.

The operation of the brake driving means 13 is automatically performed by resetting the timer switch 11 when at least one of the switches 3 to 6 is turned off by the driver re-grip the steering wheel. You may be comprised so that it may be cancelled | released.

However, if the operation of the brake driving means 13 is released by a special reset operation, the driver can be surely awakened from dozing by having the driver perform the special reset operation. Since it is possible to determine whether or not to continue driving after falling asleep or to continue driving with a safe physical condition arising from falling asleep, it is advantageous in achieving safe driving.

In short, according to the vehicle safety device of this embodiment, when all of the switches 3 to 6 provided on the steering wheel are turned on by a drowsy driving or a release driving, the alarm 9 starts to sound and the driver or the passenger Is given a warning that the vehicle is in a dangerous driving state, such as driving away from home or driving asleep. Then, within a certain period of time, the driver re-grips the steering wheel by himself / herself based on this warning, or the driver urges him / her to grip the steering wheel again to recover a safe driving state, so that the driver can release the vehicle without driving or falling asleep. Can be prevented from continuing.

If the driver does not re-grip the steering wheel with a predetermined grip force or more while the alarm device 9 has been sounding for a certain period of time after the alarm device 9 starts sounding, the brake of the automobile is operated. The brake driving means 13 is operated to stop the vehicle, whereby it is possible to reliably prevent dangerous drowsy driving and uncontrolled driving from continuing.

The service switch 1 is not particularly limited. For example, the service switch 1 can be linked to a side brake of an automobile such that the side switch is turned off when the side brake is on and turned on when the side brake is off.

Further, another switch which is turned off when the side brake is on and turned on when the side brake is off may be connected to the service switch 1 in series.
In these cases, forget to pull the side brake and
Then, the alarm 9 sounds and prompts the driver to apply the side brake. Also, if the side brake is not applied even if the alarm 9 continues to sound for a certain period of time or more, the brake driving means 13 operates to prevent the vehicle from running away. Therefore, for example, even if the driver forgets to apply the side brake and gets off with the automatic transmission in a driving range such as the D range or the R range, there is no danger that the car will start running unattended. It is possible to reliably prevent an accident in which a driver is hit.

In the above embodiment, the brake driving means 13 is operated when all the switches 3 to 6 provided on the handle 8 are continuously turned on for a predetermined time or more. Start of 13 handle 8
It is not essential to the present invention to delay the operation when all the switches 3 to 6 provided in the steering wheel 8 are turned off. When the switches 3 to 6 provided in the handle 8 are all turned off, the brake driving means 13 is operated. It may be configured as follows.

In the above embodiment, the brake driving means 1
3, the main brake is operated, but a brake driving means for operating the side brake may be provided together with or instead of the main brake.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, a buzzer is used as the alarm 9, but together with or instead of this,
A chime, a bell, a sound generator, a musical sound generator, or the like can be used as the alarm 9.

In the case of a vehicle equipped with a manual transmission, an engine stall may occur when the vehicle stops due to the operation of the brake driving means 13. However, even if the engine stalls, the engine may be operated by setting the transmission to neutral. The vehicle can be restarted freely, and in the case of a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission, there is no engine stall when the vehicle is stopped by the operation of the brake driving means 13; A restart can be performed.

[0032]

As described above, a plurality of switches buried in a steering wheel of an automobile at an appropriate interval in a circumferential direction, and turned off when gripping with a steering wheel with a predetermined grip force or more, and these switches. According to the present invention, when the gripping force of the steering wheel becomes smaller than a predetermined gripping force due to the release driving or the drowsy driving, all the switches provided on the steering wheel are turned on, and the alarm device is activated. Is activated, and it is warned that the off-hand driving or the drowsy driving is occurring. Thereby, in the case of the driving without driving, the driver is urged to re-grip the steering wheel by the driver himself or by the fellow passenger, and the driving without driving can be prevented from being continued. In addition, in the case of dozing driving, the driver is awakened from dozing by the sound of the alarm device, is awakened by a passenger who noticed the dozing operation by the sound of the alarm device, and furthermore, the driver who awakened himself or herself Since the passenger is prompted to re-grip the steering wheel, an effect of preventing continuous drowsy driving can be obtained.

In the case of an automobile equipped with an automatic transmission, if the driver gets off the vehicle with the transmission in a travel range other than the P range and the N range, the driver releases the steering wheel and activates an alarm to warn the driver. It is urged to perform a normal parking operation such as putting the transmission in the P range or the N range or applying the side brake, and performing the normal parking operation in accordance with this warning prevents the vehicle from running out of control. In addition, it is possible to reliably prevent an accident in which the driver who gets off the vehicle is hit by the vehicle.

Next, a plurality of switches which are buried in the steering wheel of the automobile at an appropriate interval in the circumferential direction and which are turned off when gripping together with the steering wheel with a predetermined grip force, and when all of these switches are turned on. According to the present invention provided with the brake driving means for operating the brake of the vehicle, when the gripping force of the steering wheel is smaller than a predetermined gripping force due to the release driving or the drowsy driving, all the switches provided on the steering wheel are turned on, and the brake driving is performed. It is possible to obtain the effect of reliably preventing the vehicle from being stopped by the operation of the means and the continuous driving without letting go or falling asleep.

In the case of an automobile equipped with an automatic transmission, when the vehicle is disembarked while the transmission is in a travel range other than the P range and the N range, the brake driving means is activated at the same time as the steering wheel is released and the vehicle is operated. Can be prevented from running away, and an accident in which the driver gets off the vehicle can be reliably prevented.

Next, a plurality of switches which are buried in the steering wheel of the automobile at appropriate intervals in the circumferential direction and which are turned off when the steering wheel is gripped with a predetermined gripping force, and all of these switches are continuous for a predetermined time or more. According to the present invention, there is provided a brake driving means for operating a brake of the vehicle when the vehicle is turned on. In this case, it is possible to smoothly shift to a safe driving state without operating the brake driving means, while a state in which the gripping force of the steering wheel is smaller than a predetermined gripping force due to a release operation or a dozing operation for a predetermined time. In the case of continuous driving, the vehicle is stopped by activating the brake driving means, thereby making it possible to continuously perform the hand-off operation and the dozing operation. It is possible to obtain the effect of really prevented.

In a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission, when the vehicle is disembarked with the transmission in the travel range, the brake driving means is activated after a certain period of time has passed since the steering wheel is released, causing the vehicle to run away. This prevents the driver getting off the vehicle from accidentally being hit by the vehicle.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an electric circuit diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the handle of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the handle of the present invention when the switch is turned on.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the handle of the present invention when the switch is turned off.

[Explanation of symbols]

 3, 4, 5, 6 switch 8 handle 9 alarm 13 brake driving means

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of switches embedded in a steering wheel of an automobile at an appropriate interval in a circumferential direction, the switches being turned off when the steering wheel is gripped together with the steering wheel with a predetermined gripping force, and activated when all the switches are turned on. A safety device for a vehicle, comprising: 2. A plurality of switches embedded in a steering wheel of an automobile at an appropriate interval in a circumferential direction, the switches being turned off when the handle is gripped together with the handle with a predetermined grip force or more, and the switches being turned on when all the switches are turned on. A vehicle safety device comprising a brake driving means for operating a vehicle brake. 3. A plurality of switches buried in a steering wheel of an automobile at an appropriate interval in a circumferential direction and turned off when the steering wheel is gripped with a predetermined grip force, and all of these switches are continuously operated for a predetermined time or more. And a brake driving means for operating a brake of the vehicle when the vehicle is turned on.