JP2008287192A - Body color change device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a body color changing device for appropriately changing the body color of its own vehicle in accordance with an external environment. <P>SOLUTION: The body color changing device loaded on a vehicle, for changing the body color of its own vehicle includes: a display means 106 embedded in the outer surface of the body of its own vehicle, for displaying colors visible from the outside; determination means 101, 102 and 103 for determining the external environment of its own vehicle; and a control means 107 for controlling the color to be displayed by the display means in accordance with the external environment of its own vehicle determined by the determination means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention generally relates to a vehicle body color changing device that is mounted on a vehicle and changes the color of the vehicle body of the host vehicle, and more particularly, to a vehicle body color changing device that appropriately changes the color of the vehicle body of the host vehicle according to the external environment. .

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a vehicle body color changing device that is mounted on a vehicle and changes the color of the body of the host vehicle is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In Patent Document 1, a color variable member that can change the color of a large number attached to the entire outer wall or a part of an object such as a vehicle is controlled to change the color and the like, and the appearance pattern of the object is arbitrarily set to a constant pattern. A changing color control device is disclosed.
JP-A-5-158420

  However, according to the conventional device described in Patent Document 1, changing the color of the vehicle body requires a user operation through the switch 1 (or the remote control device) provided in the vehicle interior (for example, paragraph) (See description of numbers 0020-0023 and 0025).

  According to such a conventional apparatus, the user must determine and select a suitable color pattern according to the situation at that time, which is troublesome and troublesome. In addition, an incorrect color pattern may be selected in consideration of the surrounding situation due to a user's judgment error / operation error.

  The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and a main object thereof is to provide a vehicle body color changing device that appropriately changes the color of the vehicle body of the host vehicle in accordance with the external environment.

  One aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object is a vehicle body color changing device that is mounted on a vehicle and changes the color of the vehicle body of the host vehicle, and is embedded in the outer surface of the host vehicle body and is visible from the outside of the host vehicle. Display means for displaying possible colors, judgment means for judging the environment outside the host vehicle, and control of the color displayed by the display means according to the status of the environment outside the host vehicle judged by the judgment means And a vehicle body color changing device.

  In the above aspect, the control means may change or display the color itself displayed by the display means, for example, according to the environmental conditions outside the host vehicle determined by the determination means. The hue, lightness, or saturation of the current color may be changed.

  In the above aspect, the display unit includes, for example, a flexible liquid crystal display (for example, electronic paper) attached to the outer surface of the vehicle body. The liquid crystal display is preferably a transmissive liquid crystal display or a reflective liquid crystal display that does not require a backlight. In this case, it is preferable that the display means includes a clear layer on the outer surface of the liquid crystal display and a reflector between the vehicle body and the liquid crystal display.

  In the above aspect, for example, A) When the determination unit detects the illuminance of the surrounding environment of the host vehicle and the control unit detects that the illuminance of the surrounding environment of the host vehicle detected by the determination unit is lower than a predetermined level, The color displayed by the display means may be controlled (for example, changed to a more conspicuous color, etc.) so that the visibility of the vehicle body from the outside of the host vehicle is a predetermined level or more, Alternatively, B) When the determination means determines the road visibility at the current position of the own vehicle, and the control means determines that the vehicle's current position at the current position determined by the determination means is lower than a predetermined level, The color displayed by the display means is controlled so that the visibility of the vehicle body from the outside of the host vehicle exceeds a predetermined level (for example, change to a more conspicuous color, etc.) Or C) the determination means determines the use of the facility that the host vehicle is the destination of, and the control means determines the facility that the host vehicle determined by the determination means is the destination of Depending on the application, it may be configured to control the color displayed by the display means (for example, white at a wedding hall and black at a funeral hall), or D) the determination means Measures the temperature of the surrounding environment of the host vehicle, and the control means reduces the amount of heat absorbed by the vehicle body of the own vehicle when the temperature of the surrounding environment of the host vehicle measured by the judging means is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. The color displayed by the display means may be controlled (for example, changed to a brighter color), or E) any two or more of A) to D) above It may be a combination

  According to the above aspect, the user's convenience is improved because the vehicle body of the host vehicle is dynamically changed to an appropriate color according to the environment outside the host vehicle without requiring a user operation.

  In the above aspect, from the viewpoint of respecting the user's intention, the vehicle body color changing device further includes an input unit for the user to specify an arbitrary color, and the control unit displays the display unit with the display unit. The color to be changed may be changed to a color designated by the user through the input means.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the vehicle body color change apparatus which changes the color of the vehicle body of the own vehicle appropriately according to an external environment can be provided.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The basic concept of the liquid crystal display device, the main hardware configuration, the operating principle, the basic control method, and the like are known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail.

  Hereinafter, a vehicle body color changing device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a vehicle body color changing device 100 according to the present embodiment.

  The vehicle body color changing device 100 is configured to be able to acquire information from the navigation system 101 mounted on the host vehicle. Here, the navigation system 101 may be a general navigation system known to those skilled in the art.

  In the present embodiment, the navigation system 101 stores and holds at least map information in advance, detects the current position of the vehicle using, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System), and the like at the current position of the vehicle. It is possible to provide information on surrounding conditions, particularly road visibility, and information on facility information of the destination (for example, use of the facility) when the destination is set by the user. Shall.

  The vehicle body color changing device 100 further includes an ambient illuminance detection unit 102 that detects the illuminance (brightness / darkness) of the surrounding environment of the host vehicle. In the present embodiment, the ambient illuminance detection unit 102 is, for example, a conlight sensor.

  The vehicle body color changing device 100 further includes an ambient temperature measuring unit 103 that measures the temperature (outside air temperature) of the surrounding environment of the host vehicle. In this embodiment, the ambient temperature measuring unit 103 may be a general outside air temperature sensor known to those skilled in the art.

  The vehicle body color changing device 100 further includes a user input unit 104 for the user to input, specify, and set an arbitrary vehicle body color. The user input unit 104 is preferably provided at a position where the driver of the host vehicle can easily operate, for example, as a steering switch. Alternatively, the user input unit 104 may be configured to be remotely operable by a remote control device. Alternatively, the user input unit 104 may be realized as a touch panel display device integrated with the display device of the navigation system 101.

  The vehicle body color changing apparatus 100 further controls a predetermined vehicle body color (initial color / basic color) and a predetermined correspondence relationship indicating how the vehicle body color is changed when what conditions are satisfied. A storage unit 105 that stores and holds the table is included. The storage unit 105 may be a storage medium of any type / standard. Further, the control table stored and held in the storage unit 105 may be appropriately updated to the latest version / content using communication, for example. Further, the specification / setting of the vehicle body color by the user through the user input unit 104 may be a change of the default color stored and held in the storage unit 105.

  The vehicle body color changing apparatus 100 further includes a display unit 106 that is provided on the entire or part of the outer surface of the vehicle body (body) of the host vehicle instead of painting and displays a color that is visible from the outside of the host vehicle. In this embodiment, the display unit 106 has a laminated structure. This laminated structure will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a stacked structure of the display unit 106 of the vehicle body color changing device 100 according to the present embodiment.

  In this embodiment, the display unit 106 has a structure composed of three layers, a reflecting plate 202, a liquid crystal display 203, and a clear layer 204 in order from the side closer to the vehicle body (body) 201 to the outside of the vehicle.

  The liquid crystal display 203 is a display having flexibility and a high degree of freedom of shape, such as electronic paper, so that it can be attached to a vehicle body (mainly an iron plate) instead of conventional painting. Shall.

  The liquid crystal display 203 is preferably a display that does not require a backlight, such as a reflective liquid crystal display.

  The liquid crystal display 203 is connected to the control unit 107, and the color displayed by the control unit 107 is controlled.

  A painting effect such as metallic mica is realized by expressing the painting effect on the reflector 202.

  The clear layer 204 mainly plays a role of UV protection and protection of the liquid crystal display 203, and may be realized by pasting glass or the like on the liquid crystal display 203, or by spraying as in the past. May be.

  For the adhesion between the liquid crystal display 203 and the reflection plate 202 and the adhesion between the reflection plate 202 and the vehicle body 201, for example, an adhesive known to those skilled in the art such as that used in existing liquid crystal display devices is used. It is done.

  The display unit 106 having such a laminated structure is provided on all or part of the outer surface of the vehicle body instead of the conventional painting. In the case where it is provided only on a part of the vehicle body, for example, the display unit 106 is provided only on the front bumper in order to make it easier for other vehicles to notice the presence of the host vehicle in a place with poor visibility.

  Next, the flow of the vehicle body color changing process performed by the vehicle body color changing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the ignition switch (IG) is turned on (“YES” in S301), the processing related to this flow is started.

  First, the control unit 107 sets the default color stored and held in the storage unit 105 as the vehicle body color (S302). The default color may be an initial color that is fixedly fixed and cannot be changed, or may be a last set last color that may change each time.

  Next, the control unit 107 determines from the navigation system 101 whether or not the destination of the host vehicle and the facility information of the destination input / set by the user in the navigation system 101 can be acquired (S303).

  In the present embodiment, the facility information includes at least usage information indicating what purpose the facility is mainly used for.

  When the destination of the host vehicle and the facility information of the destination can be acquired from the navigation system 101 (“YES” in S303), the control unit 107 changes the body color to be suitable for the destination according to the use of the destination. Change (S304).

  Specifically, for example, it is conceivable to select a bright color when the destination is a wedding hall and a dark color when the destination is a funeral hall. Thereby, since the vehicle body color suitable for the atmosphere is realized, one vehicle can be used for various scenes.

  If it is considered that the default color is sufficient for the destination atmosphere, or if it is difficult to identify a color suitable for the destination, even if the facility information for the destination can be obtained, the vehicle body color is not necessarily used. It is not necessary to change.

  In the first place, when the destination is not set or when the facility information of the set destination cannot be acquired (“NO” in S303), S304 is skipped.

  Next, the control unit 107 determines whether or not a vehicle body color is designated / set by the user through the user input unit 104 (S305).

  When the vehicle body color is designated / set by the user through the user input unit 104 (“YES” in S305), the control unit 107 changes the vehicle body color to the vehicle body color designated / set by the user from the viewpoint of respecting the user's intention. (S306).

  If the user has not designated / set the desired vehicle body color (“NO” in S305), S306 is skipped.

  As described above, the vehicle body color designated / set by the user through the user input unit 104 is always handled as setting / changing of the default color, and when the vehicle is traveling, the external environment is processed as in the processes in S304, S308, and S310. Of course, it is possible to change only the vehicle body color that is automatically performed according to the above.

  Next, the control unit 107 determines whether or not the visibility from the outside of the host vehicle has decreased below a certain level (S307).

  When it is determined that the visibility from the outside of the host vehicle has decreased below a certain level (“YES” in S307), the control unit 107 makes the presence of the host vehicle stand out from the viewpoint of preventive safety, and In order to improve the visibility (easy to see) from other vehicles, the vehicle body color is changed to a conspicuous color (S308).

  More specifically, 1) The illuminance of the surrounding environment detected by the ambient illuminance detection unit 102 is lower than a predetermined level due to, for example, the time zone being evening to night or rainy or cloudy weather. 2) When it is determined that the road prospect at the current position of the host vehicle obtained from the navigation system 101 is lower than a predetermined level, the visibility from the outside of the host vehicle becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined level. In this way, the body color is changed to a conspicuous color.

  Thereby, since the visibility from the other vehicle of the own vehicle is improved, the safety during traveling of the own vehicle is improved.

  When a color that is considered to be sufficiently conspicuous is already set as the vehicle body color, it is not always necessary to change the vehicle body color. In addition, if it is judged that it is possible to make it stand out enough by changing the hue, brightness, or saturation of the color without changing the color itself, the three attributes of these colors can be changed. You may make the body color stand out.

  When it is determined that the visibility from the outside of the host vehicle is secured to a certain level (“NO” in S307), S308 is skipped.

  Next, the control unit 107 determines whether or not the temperature (outside temperature) of the environment surrounding the host vehicle measured by the ambient temperature measurement unit 103 is equal to or higher than a predetermined value (S309).

  When the outside air temperature measured by the ambient temperature measurement unit 103 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the control unit 107 changes the vehicle body color to a bright color so that the amount of heat absorbed by the vehicle body of the host vehicle is reduced. (S310).

  As a result, an increase in the passenger compartment temperature is relatively suppressed, and thus the cooling efficiency is improved, which helps improve fuel efficiency.

  When a color that is considered bright enough to reduce heat absorption by the vehicle body is already set as the vehicle body color, it is not always necessary to change the vehicle body color. Moreover, even if the color itself is not changed, if it is judged that it is possible to brighten enough to reduce the heat absorption by the vehicle body by changing the hue, brightness, or saturation of the color. The body color may be brightened by changing the three attributes of these colors.

  When the outside air temperature around the host vehicle is lower than the predetermined value (“NO” in S309), S310 is skipped.

  If the IG is not turned off (“NO” in S311), the process returns to S303, and the subsequent processing flow is repeated.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, the liquid crystal display is employed in place of the entire or part of the vehicle body (body) by applying the display technology that is increasing in the degree of freedom of the shape. Since the color displayed on the display is automatically changed to an appropriate color according to the environment outside the vehicle, the judgment and operation by the user is unnecessary, and the user is not bothered, so the user convenience is improved. .

  In the above-described embodiment, as an example, the vehicle body color changing device 100 a) changes the vehicle body color according to the destination using the navigation system 101, and b) the road view using the navigation system 101. Change of the body color according to the situation, c) Change of the body color according to the illuminance of the surrounding environment of the host vehicle using the ambient illuminance detection unit 102, and d) Surrounding of the host vehicle using the ambient temperature measurement unit 103 It is assumed that the vehicle body color is all changed according to the environmental temperature. However, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the present invention can be configured to perform any one or more of the above a) to d).

  Moreover, in the said one Example, it is not essential to be comprised so that e) the vehicle body color may be changed according to user specification using the user input part 104. FIG.

  As shown in the embodiments, the present invention is typically applied particularly to a vehicle body. However, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the present invention can be applied to any moving body other than a vehicle. . The power source type, fuel type, weight, size, moving (running, flying, propulsion) performance, etc. of the target moving body are all unquestioned.

It is a schematic block diagram of the vehicle body color change apparatus which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the laminated structure of the display part of the vehicle body color change apparatus which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the vehicle body color change process by the vehicle body color change apparatus which concerns on one Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Car body color change apparatus 101 Navigation system 102 Ambient illumination detection part 103 Ambient temperature measurement part 104 User input part 105 Storage part 106 Display part 107 Control part 201 Car body (body)
202 reflector 203 liquid crystal display 204 clear layer

Claims (11)

A vehicle body color changing device that is mounted on a vehicle and changes the color of the vehicle body of the host vehicle,
Display means embedded in the outer surface of the vehicle body and displaying a color visible from the outside of the vehicle;
A judging means for judging the environment outside the host vehicle;
A vehicle body color changing apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls a color displayed by the display unit according to an environmental condition outside the host vehicle determined by the determination unit. The vehicle body color changing device according to claim 1,
The determination means detects the illuminance of the environment surrounding the host vehicle,
When the illuminance of the surrounding environment of the host vehicle detected by the determining unit is lower than a predetermined level, the control unit uses the display unit so that the visibility of the body of the host vehicle from the outside of the host vehicle is equal to or higher than the predetermined level. A vehicle body color changing device that controls a displayed color. The vehicle body color changing device according to claim 1 or 2,
The determination means determines the road visibility at the current position of the host vehicle,
When the road visibility at the current position of the host vehicle determined by the determination unit is lower than a predetermined level, the control unit displays the display so that the visibility of the body of the host vehicle from the outside of the host vehicle is equal to or higher than the predetermined level. A vehicle body color changing device for controlling a color displayed by means. The vehicle body color changing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The determination means determines the use of the facility that the host vehicle is a destination of,
The vehicle color changing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means controls the color displayed by the display means in accordance with the use of the facility which is determined as the destination by the own vehicle determined by the determining means. The vehicle body color changing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The determination means measures the temperature of the environment surrounding the host vehicle,
The control means controls the color displayed by the display means so that the amount of heat absorbed by the vehicle body of the own vehicle is reduced when the temperature of the environment surrounding the own vehicle measured by the judging means is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. A vehicle body color changing device characterized by that. The vehicle body color changing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
It further has an input means for the user to specify an arbitrary color,
The vehicle body color changing apparatus, wherein the control means changes the color displayed by the display means to a color designated by a user through the input means. The vehicle body color changing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The vehicle body color changing device according to claim 1, wherein the control means changes a color displayed by the display means in accordance with an environmental condition outside the host vehicle determined by the determining means. The vehicle body color changing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The control means changes the hue, brightness, or saturation of the color displayed by the display means in accordance with the environmental conditions outside the host vehicle determined by the determination means. Body color changing device. The vehicle body color changing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The vehicle body color changing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display means includes a flexible liquid crystal display attached to an outer surface of the vehicle body. The vehicle body color changing device according to claim 9,
The vehicle body color changing device according to claim 1, wherein the display means includes a clear layer on an outer surface of the liquid crystal display. The vehicle body color changing device according to claim 9 or 10,
The vehicle body color changing device, wherein the display means includes a reflector between the vehicle body and the liquid crystal display.

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