Front passenger seat side side-view mirror control device

Abstract

To provide a front passenger seat side side-view mirror control device which can suppress impairment of a front passenger side side-view mirror.SOLUTION: A front passenger side side-view mirror control device 1 comprises: a support mechanism 10 which supports a front passenger side side-view mirror M1 of a vehicle C; a motor 20 which is capable of turning the support mechanism 10 toward a vehicle body side of the vehicle C; a motor control part 30a which is capable of controlling the motor 20; a direction indicator 50 which is capable of detecting a course change schedule of the vehicle C and sending the detected schedule to the motor control part 30a; and a speed detection part 60 which is capable of detecting a travel speed of the vehicle C sending the detected speed to the motor control part 30a. The motor control part 30a controls the motor 20 so as to: when receiving the course changer schedule toward a driver seat side of the vehicle C and the travel speed indicating a stop of the vehicle C, turn the support mechanism 10 toward a vehicle body side of the vehicle C; and, when no longer receiving at least any of the schedule and the stop indication, control the motor 20 to turn the support mechanism 10 to return into an original state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a passenger side mirror control device. [Background technology]

[0002] Vehicles are provided with side mirrors for checking the conditions to the left, right, and rear of the vehicle. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration for adjusting the position of an outside mirror by rotating the outside mirror with a stay drive motor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 6-72748 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, when a large vehicle with a wide width, such as a truck or a bus, is waiting to turn right on a narrow road and another large vehicle is overtaking from the left lane, the distance between the left side mirror (passenger side side mirror) of the vehicle and the right side mirror of the other vehicle becomes narrow. As a result, the side mirrors of both vehicles may come into contact with each other, possibly damaging the passenger side side mirror of the vehicle.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide a passenger side side mirror control device that can suppress damage to the passenger side side mirror. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve at least some of the problems described above, and can be realized in the following aspects or application examples.

[0007] The passenger side side mirror control device of this application example includes a support mechanism that supports the passenger side side mirror of a vehicle, a motor capable of rotating the support mechanism toward the body side of the vehicle, a motor control unit capable of controlling the motor, a turn indicator capable of detecting a planned lane change of the vehicle and transmitting it to the motor control unit, and a speed detection unit capable of detecting the traveling speed of the vehicle and transmitting it to the motor control unit, wherein the motor control unit controls the motor to rotate the support mechanism toward the body side of the vehicle when it receives a plan to change lane of the vehicle to the driver's side and a signal that the vehicle will stop, and controls the motor to rotate the support mechanism back to its original state when it no longer receives at least one of the plan to change lane of the vehicle to the driver's side and the signal that the vehicle will stop.

[0008] According to this application example, when the motor control unit receives a signal indicating that the vehicle will change course toward the driver's seat and that the vehicle will stop, the motor control unit can rotate the passenger side mirror toward the vehicle body together with the support mechanism. As a result, for example, when a vehicle is stopped in the right lane of a two-lane road with the intention of turning right while waiting at a traffic light, it is possible to avoid contact between the passenger side mirror of the vehicle and another vehicle traveling from behind the vehicle in the left lane of the two-lane road.

[0009] In addition, according to this application example, when at least one of a planned lane change to the driver's side of the vehicle and a stop of the vehicle is no longer received, the passenger side mirror can be rotated together with the support mechanism to return it to its original state, making the passenger side mirror usable again.

[0010] Furthermore, according to this application example, the motor control unit can automatically control the passenger side mirror, so that an increase in the driving burden on the driver can be avoided.

[0011] Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to suppress damage to the passenger side mirror without increasing the driving burden on the driver while allowing the passenger side mirror to be used as necessary. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a passenger-side side mirror control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the passenger seat side mirror control device according to the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a passenger-side side mirror control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a passenger-side side mirror control device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] (Configuration of passenger side mirror control device according to the present invention) The configuration of a first embodiment of a passenger-side side mirror control device according to the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a first embodiment of a passenger-side side mirror control device according to the present invention. The passenger-side side mirror control device 1 is provided, for example, in a vehicle C (specifically, a large vehicle such as a bus or truck) having a vehicle body B, a passenger-side side mirror M1, and a driver-side side mirror M2. The passenger-side side mirror control device 1 includes a support mechanism 10, a motor 20, a VCU 30 (control unit), an automatic control switch 40, a direction indicator 50, and a speed sensor 60 (speed detection unit).

[0014] The support mechanism 10 supports the passenger side side mirror M1 at one end, and is connected to the vehicle body B at the other end. The support mechanism 10 is provided with a rotatable support stay 10a at the other end. When the support stay 10a rotates, the entire support mechanism 10 and the passenger side side mirror M1 rotate between the vehicle exterior (passenger side in the vehicle width direction) and the vehicle body side (driver side and front of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction). A well-known support mechanism can be used as the support mechanism 10. The passenger side side mirror M1 is rotated to the vehicle exterior when in use (for example, when the vehicle C is traveling), and is rotated to the vehicle body side when not in use (for example, when the vehicle C is stopped or parked).

[0015] The motor 20 is provided so as to rotate the support stay 10a, thereby enabling the entire support mechanism 10 and the passenger-side side mirror M1 to rotate.

[0016] The VCU 30 (control unit) serves to control the entire vehicle C. The motor control unit 30a of the VCU 30 is capable of controlling the rotation (e.g., the rotation direction and the rotation angle, etc.) of the motor 20 by a control signal S4 based on a signal S1 from an automatic control switch 40, a signal S2 from a direction indicator 50, and a signal S3 from a speed sensor 60, which will be described later. The VCU 30 can adjust the rotation positions of the support mechanism 10 and the passenger side mirror M1 by controlling the rotation of the motor 20.

[0017] The automatic control switch 40 is capable of transmitting a signal S1 regarding whether or not to implement an automatic control mode for the passenger side mirror M1 to the VCU 30 based on information I1 input by the driver of the vehicle C. The automatic control switch 40 is provided, for example, on the instrument panel of the vehicle C, and is set to OFF when the engine of the vehicle C is started.

[0018] The direction indicator 50 is capable of detecting a planned lane change of the vehicle C based on information I2 input by the driver of the vehicle C, and transmitting the detected planned lane change (i.e., the planned direction of travel) to the VCU 30 as a signal S2.

[0019] The speed sensor 60 detects information I3 relating to the traveling speed of the vehicle C and is capable of transmitting the detected information I3 relating to the traveling speed as a signal S3 to the VCU 30. As the speed sensor 60, for example, a sensor that detects the number of rotations of a drive shaft connected to a drive wheel of the vehicle C can be used.

[0020] Next, the operation of the first embodiment of the passenger side mirror control device according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 2 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the first embodiment of the passenger side mirror control device according to the present invention. In step S1, the motor control unit 30a judges whether the control of the passenger side mirror M1 is in the automatic control mode, that is, whether a signal S1 indicating that the automatic control switch 40 is turned ON is received. If step S1 is Yes, that is, if the control of the passenger side mirror M1 is in the automatic control mode, the motor control unit 30a proceeds to step S2. On the other hand, if step S1 is No, that is, if the control of the passenger side mirror M1 is not in the automatic control mode, the motor control unit 30a ends the flow.

[0021] In step S2, the motor control unit 30a determines whether or not a course change to the driver's seat side is planned, that is, whether or not a signal S2 indicating that a course change to the driver's seat side of the vehicle C is planned is received from the turn indicator 50. If step S2 is Yes, that is, if a course change to the driver's seat side is planned, the motor control unit 30a proceeds to step S3. On the other hand, if step S2 is No, that is, if a course change to the driver's seat side is not planned, the motor control unit 30a proceeds to step S6.

[0022] In step S3, the motor control unit 30a determines whether the vehicle C is stopped, that is, whether a signal S3 indicating that the traveling speed of the vehicle C is 0 [m / s] is received from the speed sensor 60. If step S3 is Yes, that is, if the vehicle C is stopped, the motor control unit 30a proceeds to step S4. On the other hand, if step S3 is No, that is, if the vehicle C is not stopped, the motor control unit 30a proceeds to step S6.

[0023] In step S4, the motor control unit 30a judges whether the support mechanism 10 is rotated toward the outside of the vehicle, that is, whether a signal S4 for positioning the support mechanism 10 and the passenger side mirror M1 toward the outside of the vehicle is sent to the motor 20. If step S4 is Yes, that is, if the support mechanism 10 is rotated toward the outside of the vehicle, the motor control unit 30a proceeds to step S5. On the other hand, if step S4 is No, that is, if the support mechanism 10 is not rotated toward the outside of the vehicle, the motor control unit 30a ends the flow.

[0024] In step S5, the motor control unit 30a rotates the motor 20 in one direction to rotate the support mechanism 10 and the passenger-side side mirror M1 attached thereto toward the vehicle body.

[0025] In step S6, the motor control unit 30a judges whether the support mechanism 10 is rotated toward the vehicle body, that is, whether a signal S4 for positioning the support mechanism 10 and the passenger side mirror M1 toward the vehicle body is sent to the motor 20. If step S6 is Yes, that is, if the support mechanism 10 is rotated toward the vehicle body, the motor control unit 30a proceeds to step S7. On the other hand, if step S6 is No, that is, if the support mechanism 10 is not rotated toward the vehicle body, the motor control unit 30a ends the flow.

[0026] In step S7, the motor control unit 30a rotates the motor 20 in the opposite direction to that in step S5, thereby rotating the support mechanism 10 and the passenger-side side mirror M1 attached thereto toward the outside of the vehicle.

[0027] (Effect of passenger side mirror control device) According to the passenger side side mirror control device 1, when the motor control unit 30a receives a notification that the vehicle C plans to change course to the driver's side and that the vehicle C will stop, the motor control unit 30a can rotate the passenger side side mirror M1 toward the vehicle body of the vehicle C together with the support mechanism 10. As a result, for example, when the vehicle C is stopped in the right lane of a two-lane road with the intention of turning right while waiting at a traffic light, it is possible to avoid contact (particularly contact between the side mirrors) between the passenger side side mirror M1 of the vehicle C and another vehicle traveling from behind the vehicle C in the left lane of the two-lane road.

[0028] In addition, when at least one of a planned lane change to the driver's seat side of vehicle C and a stop of vehicle C is no longer received, the passenger side mirror M1 can be rotated together with the support mechanism 10 to return to its original state, thereby making the passenger side mirror M1 usable again.

[0029] Furthermore, since the passenger side side mirror M1 can be automatically controlled by the motor control unit 30a, an increase in the driving burden on the driver of the vehicle C can be avoided.

[0030] Therefore, the passenger side mirror M1 can be used as needed, while preventing damage to the passenger side mirror M1 without increasing the driving burden on the driver of the vehicle C.

[0031] (others) It is preferable that the vehicle C is provided with a camera, an electronic mirror, or the like that allows the driver to see behind the passenger side when the passenger side side mirror M1 is not in use.

[0032] Second Embodiment The configuration of a second embodiment of a passenger-side side mirror control device according to the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a second embodiment of a passenger-side side mirror control device according to the present invention. Regarding the second embodiment, only configurations and operations different from those of the first embodiment will be described, and descriptions of configurations and operations common to the first embodiment will be omitted. In addition, since the effects of the second embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment, descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0033] The passenger side side mirror control device 1-2 has a support mechanism 10-2 instead of the support mechanism 10 shown in Fig. 1, and otherwise has the same configuration as the passenger side side mirror control device 1 shown in Fig. 1. The support mechanism 10-2 has a power transmission mechanism 10b connected to the motor 20, a support stay 10a connected to the power transmission mechanism 10b, and a support portion 10c connected to the support stay 10a and supporting the passenger side side mirror M1. The power transmission mechanism 10b operates due to the rotation of the motor 20, which causes the support stay 10a to rotate, thereby rotating the support portion 10c and the passenger side side mirror M1.

[0034] Third embodiment The configuration of a passenger-side side mirror control device according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a passenger-side side mirror control device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Regarding the third embodiment, only configurations and operations different from those of the first embodiment will be described, and descriptions of configurations and operations common to the first embodiment will be omitted. In addition, since the effects of the third embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment, descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0035] The passenger side side mirror control device 1-3 includes a support mechanism 10-3 instead of the support mechanism 10 shown in Fig. 1, and otherwise has the same configuration as the passenger side side mirror control device 1 shown in Fig. 1. The support mechanism 10-3 includes a connecting portion 10d connected to the vehicle body B, a support stay 10a connected to the connecting portion 10d, and a support portion 10c connected to the support stay 10a and supporting the passenger side side mirror M1. The motor 20 is provided inside the support mechanism 10-3 so as to be able to rotate the support stay 10a. When the support stay 10a rotates due to the rotation of the motor 20, the support portion 10c and the passenger side side mirror M1 rotate.

[0036] Although the description of the embodiments of the passenger side side mirror control device according to the present invention has been completed above, the aspects of the present invention are not limited to these embodiments. In the vehicle C of each of the above embodiments, the driver's seat is on the right side of the vehicle and the passenger seat is on the left side of the vehicle, but the passenger side side mirror control device according to the present invention can also be applied to a vehicle in which the driver's seat is on the left side of the vehicle and the passenger seat is on the right side of the vehicle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 1, 1-2, 1-3 Passenger side side mirror control device 10 Support mechanism 10a Support stay 10b Power transmission mechanism 10c Support part 10d connection part 20 Motor 30 VCU (control unit) 30a Motor control unit 40 Automatic control switch 50 Turn signal 60 Speed ​​sensor (speed detection part) B. Body C Vehicle I1~I3 Information M1 passenger side mirror M2 Driver's side mirror S1~S4 signal

Claims

1. A support mechanism for supporting a passenger side side mirror of a vehicle; a motor capable of rotating the support mechanism toward a vehicle body of the vehicle; A motor control unit capable of controlling the motor; A turn indicator capable of detecting a course change plan of the vehicle and transmitting the detected course change plan to the motor control unit; a speed detection unit capable of detecting a traveling speed of the vehicle and transmitting the detected traveling speed to the motor control unit; The motor control unit includes: When a course change plan to the driver's seat side of the vehicle and a stop of the vehicle are received, the motor is controlled to rotate the support mechanism toward the vehicle body side of the vehicle. Passenger side side mirror control unit.

2. The motor control unit: When at least one of a course change plan to the driver's seat side of the vehicle and a stop of the vehicle is no longer received, the motor is controlled to rotate the support mechanism to return to the original state.

2. The passenger side side mirror control device according to claim 1.

3. Further comprising an automatic control switch, The motor control unit includes: When the automatic control switch is turned ON, When a course change plan to the driver's seat side of the vehicle and a stop of the vehicle are received, the motor is controlled to rotate the support mechanism toward the vehicle body side of the vehicle.

2. The passenger side side mirror control device according to claim 1.

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