JP4485901B2 - Vehicle lamp - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a lamp mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile, an aircraft, and a ship, and more particularly to a vehicle lamp suitable for application to a marker lamp for another vehicle.

  Vehicles such as automobiles, airplanes and ships are equipped with lamps as indicator lamps for indicating the direction of travel and the deceleration state as well as lamps for illumination. For example, a car's lamp is a clearance lamp (width lamp) or tail lamp (tail light) for indicating the presence of the vehicle to other vehicles at night, a turn signal lamp (direction light) indicating the traveling direction, a deceleration state It is equipped with stop lamps (stop lights) that indicate (during braking) and indicator lights such as hazard lamps. Among such indicator lights, the stop lamp is particularly important for preventing the rear-end collision of the following vehicle by indicating the sudden deceleration or sudden stop of the own vehicle. However, since the conventional stop lamp is lit only when the driver depresses the brake pedal for a predetermined stroke, it is possible to determine whether the vehicle is in a slow deceleration state or a sudden deceleration state from the following vehicle. It is difficult, and it is difficult for the following vehicle side to recognize the inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle and determine the deceleration state of the preceding vehicle, and it is difficult to avoid an accident such as a rear-end collision if the determination is incorrect.

In order to solve such a problem, Patent Document 1 proposes a technique for changing the lighting form of the stop lamp according to the deceleration state. For example, in the case of sudden deceleration, another stop lamp is added in addition to the normal stop lamp. The lamp is on. Alternatively, a different color stop lamp is lit. Further, Patent Document 2 proposes a technique for controlling the operation of devices such as lamps provided in an automobile so as to perform expression operations using these devices and indicating the state of the own vehicle with respect to other vehicles. Has been.
JP 2001-213232 A JP 2002-274277 A

  Since Patent Document 1 lights a plurality of stop lamps or a stop lamp different from a normal one at the time of sudden deceleration, it is necessary to provide a plurality of stop lamps, and the number of lamps equipped in an automobile increases. There is a problem that it is necessary to secure a space for disposing the vehicle and restricts the degree of freedom in designing the automobile. Further, Patent Document 2 has a very complicated configuration for performing the expression operation, and it is difficult for the following vehicle to accurately recognize the traveling state of the preceding vehicle by the expression operation. As described above, the conventional technique does not make it easy to check the indication of each lamp with another vehicle without changing the form of the existing lamp including the stop lamp, and thus a new problem arises. .

  The object of the present invention is to improve visibility to other vehicles by controlling the blinking state of each lamp without changing the form of existing lamps, and at the same time to recognize a running state different from the normal time in an emergency etc. A vehicle lamp that enables the above is provided.

The present invention includes a lamp provided in a vehicle and a lighting control unit that controls lighting of the lamp, and the lighting control unit combines a plurality of flashing signals having different frequencies in time series, and is based on the combined flashing signal. The flashing control of the lamp is performed , and one of the flashing signals having different frequencies is a flashing signal having a frequency of 1 to 2 Hz having a large optical threshold that is an angle range that can be visually recognized by human eyes. One of them is a blinking signal having a frequency of 3 to 5 Hz with a high stimulus intensity that is conspicuous to the human eye. The lighting control means is configured to control blinking of the lamp based on a switching signal of a switch operated by an occupant and an output signal from a sensor that detects a traveling state of the vehicle.

According to the present invention, a blinking signal having a frequency of 1 to 2 Hz having a high optical threshold for human eyes and a blinking signal having a frequency of 3 to 5 Hz having a high stimulus intensity for human eyes are combined in time series. The flashing signal is generated and the lamp is flashed based on the combined flashing signal, so that the flashing state of the lamp can be easily seen from other vehicles, and the traveling state in an emergency etc. can be easily recognized by other vehicles. It will be extremely effective in terms of safe traffic.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a main part of an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an automobile. There are stop lamps, turn signal lamps, head lamps, clearance lamps, tail lamps, backup lamps, etc. as automotive lamps, but here the present invention is mainly applied to stop lamps and turn signal lamps. Are shown as other lamps. The lighting of the stop lamp SL, the turn signal lamp TSL, and the other lamps EXL is controlled by the lighting control unit 1 provided on the vehicle body side, either integrally with these lamps or separately from the lamps. As will be described later, the lighting control unit 1 is configured to be able to blink each lamp according to the situation while continuously lighting each lamp. The lighting control unit 1 receives signals of a stop switch (brake switch) 101, a turn signal switch 102, and a hazard switch 103 that are turned on and off by a driver's operation as signals for performing lighting control. . In addition, in order to detect the traveling state of the automobile, signals from the vehicle speed sensor 104, the other vehicle / pedestrian detection sensor 105, the illuminance sensor 106, and the airbag sensor 107 are input.

  The stop switch 101 outputs a stop signal when the driver depresses the brake pedal for a predetermined stroke. The turn signal switch 102 and the hazard switch 103 output a turn signal signal and a hazard signal when each switch is operated by the driver. The vehicle speed sensor 104 outputs a high speed signal when the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, for example, 80 km / h. The other vehicle / pedestrian detection sensor 105 outputs a warning signal when it is detected that another vehicle or a pedestrian is present in the vicinity of the automobile. The illuminance sensor 106 detects the ambient brightness and outputs an illuminance signal when the brightness is higher than a predetermined value such as daytime. The airbag sensor 107 outputs an emergency signal when the airbag operates.

  Further, the signal of the stop switch 101 is also input to the sudden deceleration determination unit 2, and the sudden deceleration signal when the sudden deceleration determination unit 2 determines that the vehicle is in a sudden deceleration state is used as the lighting control unit 1. Is configured to input. The sudden deceleration determination unit 2 monitors the amount of depression of the brake petal. When the amount of change in the amount of depression, that is, when the depression speed or acceleration of the brake pedal is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the sudden deceleration determination unit 2 A deceleration signal is output.

  The lighting control unit 1 inputs signals from the switches and sensors 101 to 107 and a signal from the sudden deceleration determination unit 2, and the traveling state of the vehicle is in a state where there is a problem in safe driving. Judge whether it is better to inform other vehicles of this condition, and blink any one or all of the stop lamp, turn signal lamp, other lamps when it is determined that it is necessary to inform Are provided with a blinking control section 11 for sending a blinking signal to each lamp. The lighting control unit 1 includes first to Nth (N is an integer of 2 or more) flashing signal generation circuits 12-1 to 12-N that generate flashing signals having different frequencies, and each flashing signal generation circuit 12. And a mixer circuit 13 that combines and mixes the blinking signals from −1 to 12-N on the time axis. In the mixer circuit 13, the combination of the flashing signals having different frequencies is determined based on the control signal from the flashing control unit 12, and the mixed flashing signal is output to the flashing driving unit 14. The blinking drive unit 14 controls each lamp based on the mixed blinking signal to cause each lamp to blink.

  Here, FIG. 2 shows the maximum value of the viewing angle that can be visually recognized by human eyes when the lamps are blinked at different frequencies. Here, an example is shown in which 16 subjects were measured. ing. The horizontal axis is the blinking frequency of the lamp, and the vertical axis is the light threshold, which is the horizontal angle when the lamp is deflected to the right with respect to the front of the person, and the left visual field by the left eye It is shown to which angle blinking of the lamp can be visually recognized with respect to the right visual field by the right eye and the right eye. As can be seen from the figure, the optical threshold is maximized at a frequency of 1 to 2 Hz.

  On the other hand, FIG. 3 shows the frequency of flashing stimulation to human eyes when the lamps flash at different frequencies. Here, an example is shown in which 20 subjects were measured. Show. The horizontal axis is the flashing frequency of the lamp, and the vertical axis is the stimulus intensity. Here, it shows which one of the pair of lamps with different flashing frequencies is conspicuous, that is, the stimulus intensity is high. In this experiment, points were given to the person with the highest stimulus intensity after experimenting in combination, and the cumulative value of the points was shown as the stimulus intensity. As can be seen from the figure, the stimulation intensity is high at a frequency of 3 to 5 Hz.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, by combining the blinking signal of 2 Hz with the maximum light threshold and the blinking signal of 4 Hz with the maximum stimulus intensity, the light threshold and the stimulus intensity are respectively in the maximum state. The lamp can be blinked, and visibility from other vehicles can be improved. In order to realize this, in the flashing control unit 1, the first flashing signal generation circuit 12-1 generates a flashing signal having a frequency of 2 Hz with a high optical threshold, and the second flashing signal generation circuit 12-2 It is assumed that a blinking signal having a high stimulation intensity and a frequency of 4 Hz is generated. The third flashing signal generation circuit to the Nth flashing signal generation circuit further generate a flashing signal having a frequency different from that described above. Then, the mixer circuit 13 mixes the flashing signals including the flashing signals of 2 Hz and 4 Hz alternately or in a predetermined combination on the time axis, and outputs the mixed flashing signal to the flashing drive unit 14. 14 blinks each lamp based on the blinking signal and the signal from the blinking control unit 11.

  FIGS. 4A to 4D are timing diagrams for explaining different blinking operations of A blinking or D blinking, with the horizontal axis indicating time, and the stippling portion indicating the lighting timing. As shown in FIG. 4 (a), A flashing is a flashing example in which flashing signals of two frequencies of different frequencies are alternately repeated for the same time, and the first 1 second is flashed at 2 Hz, and the next 1 second is flashing. It blinks at 4 Hz, and thereafter this is repeated alternately. B to D blinking is an example of blinking in which two large and small frequencies having different frequencies are alternately repeated for different times. B flashing is a low frequency flashing longer than a high frequency flashing. As shown in Fig. 4 (b), the first flashes at 2 Hz for the first second and then flashes at 4 Hz for 0.5 second. Thereafter, this is repeated alternately. C flashing is a flashing time with a small frequency, and as shown in FIG. 4C, the first 2 seconds is flashed at 2 Hz, then 0.5 seconds is flashed at 4 Hz, and thereafter This is repeated alternately. D flashing is a flashing time with a high frequency, and as shown in FIG. 4D, the first 1 second is flashed at 2 Hz, and the next 2 seconds is flashed at 4 Hz.

  The above is an example in which two flashing signals of 2 Hz and 4 Hz are mixed, but it is also possible to combine flashing of different frequencies. For example, although not shown, three flashing signals having different frequencies are respectively the same time, Alternatively, it is also possible to perform blinking in combination at different times.

  By blinking in combination with a blinking signal with a large light threshold and a blinking signal with a high stimulus intensity, the light threshold and the stimulus intensity are both high, and thus the lamp blinks in a conspicuous form over a wide angle range. This makes it possible to improve the visibility of the lamps from other vehicles.

  A plurality of modes for controlling lighting or blinking of each lamp mounted on the vehicle by the lighting control unit of the vehicle shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

(A) Stop lamp blinking during sudden deceleration When the brake pedal is depressed for a predetermined stroke by the driver during sudden deceleration, the stop switch 101 outputs a stop signal. This stop signal is input to the lighting control unit 1 and also to the rapid deceleration determination unit 2. The sudden deceleration determination unit 2 determines that the amount of change in the amount of depression of the brake petal, that is, the depression speed or acceleration of the brake pedal is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and inputs the sudden deceleration signal to the lighting control unit 1 To do. As a result, the lighting control unit 1 continuously lights the stop lamp SL as usual when it is not in the sudden deceleration state, but when it is determined that it is in the sudden deceleration state, the stop lamp SL is at any timing shown in FIGS. Make SL blink. This makes it possible to blink the stop lamp SL in a state where the light threshold for other vehicles such as the following vehicle is wide and the stimulus intensity is high at the time of sudden deceleration with high risk, and visibility for the driver of other vehicles is improved. It is effective in avoiding danger in advance.

(B) Turn signal lamp flashing at the time of sudden deceleration When the driver depresses the brake pedal for a predetermined stroke at the time of sudden deceleration, a stop signal from the stop switch 101 is input to the sudden deceleration determination unit 2 and suddenly decelerates from here. Inputting a signal to the lighting control unit 1 is the same as (A). Further, when the turn signal switch 102 is operated by the driver, a turn signal signal is input from the turn signal switch 102 to the lighting control unit 1. At this time, the lighting control unit 1 causes the turn signal lamp to blink at a predetermined cycle as usual when it is not in the rapid deceleration state, but when it is determined to be in the rapid deceleration state, the timing of any of FIGS. Turn on the turn signal lamp TSL. As a result, when changing the course of the car at the time of sudden deceleration with high danger, the Tan signal lamp TSL can be blinked in a state where the light threshold for other cars such as the following car is wide and the stimulation intensity is high, The visibility of the driver of another vehicle can be improved, and this is possible in avoiding danger.

(C) Hazard lamp blinks during sudden deceleration When the driver depresses the brake pedal for a predetermined stroke during sudden deceleration, a stop signal from the stop switch 101 is input to the sudden deceleration determination unit 2, from which the sudden deceleration signal Is input to the lighting control unit 1 as in (A). Further, when the hazard switch 103 is operated by the driver, a hazard signal is input from the hazard switch 103 to the lighting control unit 1. At this time, when the lighting control unit 1 is not in the sudden deceleration state, the hazard lamp (usually also used as the left and right turn signal lamps) TSL blinks at a predetermined cycle as usual. 4 The hazard lamp TSL is blinked at any timing of (a) to (d). This makes it possible to blink the hazard lamp TSL in a state where the light threshold for other vehicles such as the following vehicle is wide and the stimulation intensity is high when the vehicle stops at a high-risk sudden deceleration. The visibility for the driver can be improved, and this is possible in avoiding danger.

(D) Flashing of the lamp during high-speed driving A speed signal is output from the vehicle speed sensor 104 during driving of the automobile, but when the vehicle speed is high, for example, 80 km / h or more, the high-speed signal is output from the vehicle speed sensor 104 and is lit. Input to the controller 1. At the same time, when a stop signal from the stop switch 101 or a turn signal signal from the turn signal switch 102 is input to the lighting control unit 1, the lighting control unit 1 lights and blinks the stop lamp SL and the turn signal lamp TSL. In this case, the stop lamp SL and the turn signal lamp TSL are blinked at any timing shown in FIGS. As a result, during high-speed driving with high risk, the light threshold for other vehicles such as the following vehicle is wide and the stimulus intensity is high, and the stop lamp SL, turn signal lamp TSL is lit for the driver of the other vehicle, This makes it possible to visually recognize the blinking, so that the visibility of the driver of the other vehicle can be improved, and it is possible to avoid danger beforehand.

(E) Flashing of a lamp when another vehicle / pedestrian is detected When the other vehicle / pedestrian detection sensor 105 detects that another vehicle / pedestrian is present in the vicinity of the own vehicle, a warning signal is lit. Input to the controller 1. At the same time, when a stop signal from the stop switch 101 or a turn signal signal from the turn signal switch 102 is input to the lighting control unit 1, the lighting control unit 1 lights and blinks the stop lamp SL and the turn signal lamp TSL. In this case, the stop lamp SL and the turn signal lamp TSL are blinked at any timing shown in FIGS. As a result, the stop lamp SL and the turn signal lamp TSL can be blinked in a state where the light threshold is wide and the stimulus intensity is high with respect to other vehicles such as the following vehicle and the side vehicle, and visibility to the driver of the other vehicle is improved. It is possible to predict that the vehicle will take measures to avoid other vehicles or walking vehicles, such as sudden deceleration or sudden stop, and it will be possible to avoid danger in advance .

(F) Lamp blinking during daytime driving When the automobile is running in the daytime, the illuminance sensor 106 detects ambient brightness, and an illuminance signal indicating that it is daytime is input to the lighting control unit 1. The At the same time, when a stop signal from the stop switch 101 or a turn signal signal from the turn signal switch 102 is input to the lighting control unit 1, the lighting control unit 1 lights and blinks the stop lamp SL and the turn signal lamp TSL. In this case, the stop lamp SL and the turn signal lamp TSL are blinked at any timing shown in FIGS. As a result, it is possible to blink these lamps in a state where the light threshold for other vehicles such as the following vehicle and the side vehicle is wide and the stimulus intensity is high, and even in a daytime bright environment, the Stomplum SL and the turn signal lamp TSL The visibility of blinking can be improved, and it is possible to avoid danger beforehand.

(G) Flashing of a plurality of lamps in case of emergency When an airbag is operated, such as when a car collides, an emergency signal is input from the airbag sensor 107 to the lighting control unit 1. At this time, the lighting control unit 1 blinks the stop lamp SL and the turn signal lamp TSL including the other lamps EXL such as the main lamps mounted on the automobile, for example, the head lamp and the clearance lamp. At this time, the plurality of lamps are blinked at any timing shown in FIGS. This makes it possible to flash these lamps even from a distant position with a wide light threshold for other vehicles such as the following vehicle and the side vehicle and a high stimulus intensity, thereby improving the visibility of these multiple lamps to other vehicles. It is possible to avoid danger before it happens.

  In addition, the blink signal of this invention is not restricted to the combination of FIG. 4 (a)-(d) of an Example, A blink signal can be obtained by combining the blink signal of a different frequency with arbitrary forms. In addition, the blinking form of the lamp in the present invention is not limited to the above-described forms (A) to (G), and is applied when lighting and blinking the lamp of the own vehicle with high visibility with respect to other vehicles. Is possible. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to automobile lamps, and can also be applied to aircraft and ship lamps.

It is a block block diagram of the principal part of the Example which applied this invention to the lamp | ramp of a motor vehicle. It is a figure which shows the relationship between a blink frequency and an optical threshold. It is a figure which shows the relationship between blinking frequency and irritation | stimulation intensity | strength. It is a timing diagram which shows the example of mixing of a different blink frequency.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Lighting control part 11 Flashing control part 12-1-12-N Flashing signal generation circuit 13 Mixer circuit 14 Flashing drive part 2 Rapid deceleration judgment part 101 Stop switch 102 Turn signal switch 103 Hazard switch 104 Vehicle speed sensor 105 Other vehicle / pedestrian Detection sensor 106 Illuminance sensor 107 Air bag sensor

Claims (2)

A lamp provided in a vehicle; and a lighting control unit that controls lighting of the lamp, wherein the lighting control unit combines a plurality of flashing signals having different frequencies in time series, and the lamp based on the combined flashing signal. One of the flashing signals having different frequencies is a flashing signal having a frequency of 1 to 2 Hz having a large optical threshold for the human eye, and the other is a stimulus signal for the human eye. A vehicle lamp characterized by a flashing signal having a high frequency of 3 to 5 Hz . 2. The vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the lighting control unit controls blinking of the lamp based on a switching signal of a switch operated by an occupant or an output signal from a sensor that detects a traveling state of the vehicle. Lamps.

Images