Warning device

Abstract

To provide a warning device capable of quickly and accurately warning, by voice, the un-intended advance or retreat of a vehicle due to an erroneous stepping of a pedal.SOLUTION: A warning device according to the invention comprises: determination means 6 configured to: determine that either one of an advancing condition for a vehicle to advance with stepping operation of a brake pedal being released, and a retreating condition for the vehicle to retreat with the stepping operation of the brake pedal being released, is satisfied; and warning means configured to, upon the determination means 6 determining that the advancing condition or the retreating condition is satisfied, warn, by voice and light emission, of the vehicle advance or the vehicle retreat, according to the condition. Therein: the advancing condition is set so that, with the driving source of the vehicle being in a driving state, speed change operation means of the vehicle has been operated to be set to a drive position, and the depression operation of the brake pedal has been released; and the retreating condition is set so that, with the driving source of the vehicle being in the driving state, the speed change operation means of the vehicle has been operated to be set to a reverse position, and the depression operation of the brake pedal has been released.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a warning device that is applied to a vehicle having an automatic transmission and a brake pedal and an accelerator pedal that can be operated by the driver at will, and that warns the driver inside the vehicle of the vehicle's forward movement. [Background technology]

[0002] Vehicles such as automobiles equipped with torque converter type automatic transmissions are equipped with only a brake pedal and an accelerator pedal as pedals that the driver can operate at will while driving, and are relatively easy to drive compared to vehicles equipped with manual transmissions that require clutch operation. However, in recent years, there have been many accidents caused by elderly drivers mistaking the accelerator pedal for the brake pedal, which has become a social problem.

[0003] Therefore, with the aim of avoiding the driver's panicked state that can lead to pedal misapplication, the applicant considered visualizing the vehicle's state by displaying to the driver a state in which the vehicle is stopped (braking state) and a state in which the vehicle may move forward or backward (non-braking state).The applicant proposed a display device that allows even elderly people to drive with more ease by visualizing the state, thereby preventing pedal misapplication when starting or stopping the vehicle (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-192970 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the above-mentioned conventional technology, the braked and non-brake states are visualized and warned by illuminating the light emitting means, so that the driver may not fully understand the warning in a scene with poor visibility such as backlighting. Also, when the vehicle moves forward or backward inadvertently due to pedal misapplication, it is necessary to warn the driver very quickly and accurately.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a warning device that can quickly and accurately warn by voice if a vehicle moves forward or backward inadvertently due to pedal misapplication. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The invention described in claim 1 is a warning device that is applied to a vehicle comprising an automobile equipped with an automatic transmission and equipped with a brake pedal and an accelerator pedal that can be depressed at the driver's discretion, and warns the driver inside the vehicle of the vehicle moving forward, and is equipped with a discrimination means for discriminating whether a forward condition, in which the brake pedal is released and the vehicle moves forward, or a reverse condition, in which the brake pedal is released and the vehicle moves backward, has been met, and a warning means for issuing an audio warning of the vehicle moving forward or backward depending on the condition when the discrimination means determines that the forward condition or the reverse condition has been met, and is characterized in that the forward condition is determined to be when the vehicle's drive source is in a driving state, and the vehicle's gear shifting means is operated to the drive position and the brake pedal is released, and the reverse condition is determined to be when the vehicle's drive source is in a driving state, and

[0008] The invention according to claim 2 is the warning device according to claim 1, characterized in that the warning means warns of forward and backward movement of the vehicle by emitting light from a light emitting means, in addition to the warning by voice.

[0009] The invention as set forth in claim 3 is the warning device as set forth in claim 2, characterized in that the light emitting means are made to emit light of different colors, making it possible to distinguish between forward and backward travel of the vehicle.

[0010] The invention according to claim 4 is the warning device according to claim 1, characterized in that the forward warning and the backward warning are given in different voices, that is, a male voice and a female voice.

[0011] The invention described in claim 5 is characterized in that, in the warning device described in claim 4, when the discrimination means determines that the forward movement condition is met, the warning means outputs a pronunciation of "Going forward" or "Going forward" in one of a male and female voice, and when the discrimination means determines that the backward movement condition is met, the warning means outputs a pronunciation of "Going backward" or "Going backward" in the other of a male and female voice.

[0012] The invention described in claim 6 is characterized in that, in the warning device described in claim 1, the device is controlled to switch between not issuing an audio warning or issuing another audio warning when it is determined that the vehicle does not move forward or moves backward despite the forward movement condition being satisfied, or that the vehicle does not move backward or moves forward despite the reverse movement condition being satisfied.

[0013] The invention described in claim 7 is characterized in that, in the warning device described in claim 6, the device is connected to a tilt angle detection means that detects the tilt angle of the vehicle, and is controlled to switch between not issuing an audio warning and issuing another audio warning when the vehicle tilt angle detected by the tilt angle detection means is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value and it is determined that the vehicle does not move forward or moves backward despite the forward movement condition being satisfied, or that the vehicle does not move backward or moves forward despite the reverse movement condition being satisfied.

[0014] The invention according to claim 8 is the warning device according to claim 1, characterized in that the warning means does not issue a warning by voice when the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the invention of claim 1, there is provided a discrimination means for discriminating whether a forward movement condition, in which the brake pedal is released and the vehicle moves forward, or a reverse movement condition, in which the brake pedal is released and the vehicle moves backward, is met, and a warning means for issuing an audio warning of the forward or reverse movement of the vehicle depending on the condition when the discrimination means determines that the forward movement condition or the reverse movement condition is met. The forward movement condition is that the vehicle's gear shifting means is operated to the drive position and the brake pedal is released when the vehicle's drive source is in a driving state, and the reverse movement condition is that the vehicle's gear shifting means is operated to the reverse position and the brake pedal is released when the vehicle's drive source is in a driving state, so that an audio warning can be issued quickly and accurately against inadvertent forward or reverse movement of the vehicle due to pedal misapplication.

[0016] According to the invention of claim 2, in addition to the audio warning, the light emitting means emits light to warn the driver of the vehicle's forward and backward movements, so that the driver can grasp the warning both audibly and visually, and more accurate and smooth warning can be provided.

[0017] According to the invention of claim 3, the light colors of the light emitting means are made different so that it is possible to distinguish between forward and backward movement of the vehicle. Therefore, in addition to audio warnings, warnings can be given accurately and smoothly by light emitted from the light emitting means.

[0018] According to the invention of claim 4, the forward warning and the reverse warning are given in different voices, a male voice and a female voice, so that forward and reverse can be distinguished by the type of voice.

[0019] According to the invention of claim 5, when the discrimination means determines that the forward movement condition is satisfied, the warning means outputs a pronunciation of "Going forward" or "Going forward" in one of the male and female voices, and when the discrimination means determines that the backward movement condition is satisfied, the warning means outputs a pronunciation of "Going backward" or "Going backward" in the other of the male and female voices, thereby making it possible to issue an easy-to-understand warning by voice.

[0020] According to the invention of claim 6, on the condition that it is determined that the vehicle does not move forward or moves backward despite the forward movement condition being satisfied, or that the vehicle does not move backward or moves forward despite the reverse movement condition being satisfied, switching control is performed to not issue an audio warning or to issue another audio warning, so that it is possible to avoid an erroneous warning being issued when the vehicle does not move forward or moves backward despite the forward movement condition being satisfied, or when the vehicle does not move backward or moves forward despite the reverse movement condition being satisfied.

[0021] According to the invention of claim 7, the device is connected to a tilt angle detection means which detects the tilt angle of the vehicle, and is controlled to switch between not issuing an audio warning and issuing another audio warning on the condition that the tilt angle of the vehicle detected by the tilt angle detection means is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value and that the vehicle does not move forward or moves backward despite the forward movement condition being satisfied, or that the vehicle does not move backward or moves forward despite the reverse movement condition being satisfied. Therefore, it is possible to avoid issuing an erroneous warning when the vehicle does not move forward or moves backward on a slope or the like despite the forward movement condition being satisfied, or when the vehicle does not move backward or moves forward despite the reverse movement condition being satisfied.

[0022] According to the invention of claim 8, the warning means does not issue an audio warning when the vehicle speed is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, thereby preventing audio warnings from being issued excessively frequently when the vehicle speed is equal to or greater than the predetermined value. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall outline of a warning device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a warning means provided with a light-emitting means of the warning device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a warning means provided with a light emitting means of the warning device. [Figure 4] A flowchart showing the control process of the warning device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an overall outline of a warning device according to a second embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a warning means provided with a light-emitting means of the warning device. [Figure 7] A flowchart showing the control process of the warning device. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an overall outline of a warning device according to a third embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 9] A flowchart showing the control process of the warning device. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an overall outline of a warning device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 11] A flowchart showing the control process of the warning device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The warning device of the first embodiment warns the driver inside the vehicle of the vehicle moving forward and backward, and as shown in FIG. 1, is configured to include an ignition switch 1 which is a starting means for the drive source (engine) equipped in the vehicle, a brake 2 which is a braking means, a gear shift operation means 3, a control unit 5 capable of receiving electrical signals from a small lamp 4, and a speaker 12 and LEDs (a, b, c) which serve as warning means.

[0025] The vehicle to which this embodiment is applied is an automobile equipped with a torque converter type automatic transmission, and is provided with a brake pedal and an accelerator pedal as pedals that the driver can depress at will while driving. When the engine or other driving source is running, the vehicle can be stopped by depressing the brake pedal, and the vehicle can be moved forward or backward by releasing the brake pedal and depressing the accelerator pedal.

[0026] In addition, the vehicle is equipped with a gear shifting means that can be operated by the driver between the parking position (P range), reverse position (R range), neutral position (N range) and drive position (D range), and when in the parking position or neutral position, the vehicle is maintained stopped, and when in the drive position or reverse position, the vehicle can move forward or backward.

[0027] In particular, since the vehicle to which this embodiment is applied is an automobile equipped with an automatic transmission, when the gear shift operation means 3 is operated to the drive position and the brake pedal is released, the vehicle moves forward due to creep, and when the accelerator pedal is further depressed, the forward movement of the vehicle is accelerated. On the other hand, when the gear shift operation means 3 is operated to the reverse position and the brake pedal is released, the vehicle moves backward due to creep, and when the accelerator pedal is further depressed, the backward movement of the vehicle is accelerated.

[0028] In other words, when the vehicle's drive source (engine) is in a driving state, if the vehicle's gear shift operating means 3 is operated to the drive position and the brake pedal is released (this is called the forward condition), the vehicle will move forward regardless of whether the accelerator pedal is pressed or not, and when the vehicle's drive source (engine) is in a driving state, if the vehicle's gear shift operating means 3 is operated to the reverse position and the brake pedal is released (this is called the reverse condition), the vehicle will move backward regardless of whether the accelerator pedal is pressed or not.

[0029] The control unit 5 is composed of a microcomputer etc. attached to the vehicle, and can receive electrical signals when the ignition switch 1 is turned on, when the brake pedal is depressed and the brakes 2 are applied, when the gear shift operating means 3 is in the drive position or reverse position, and when the small lamps are turned on. The control unit 5 also has a discrimination means 6 and a dimming means 7.

[0030] The discrimination means 6 discriminates whether a forward movement condition, in which the brake pedal is released and the vehicle moves forward, or a reverse movement condition, in which the brake pedal is released and the vehicle moves backward, is met. When it is determined that the forward movement condition is met, the discrimination means 6 is configured to transmit an output signal to an audio warning means having an audio module 8 and a speaker 12, and to an illumination warning means having an LED driver (9-11) and LEDs (a-c).

[0031] The voice module 8 is electrically connected to the control unit 5 and the speaker 12, and is configured to have a speaker driver 8a for operating the speaker 12, and a memory 8b in which voice data and the like are stored. Voices (e.g., "Go forward," "Go backward," etc.) consisting of male voices (pronunciation with a male voice quality) and female voices (pronunciation with a female voice quality) are stored in advance in the memory 8b.

[0032] When the discrimination means 6 determines that the forward movement condition is met and a corresponding control signal is sent to the voice module 8, a voice message saying "Going forward" or "Going forward" is output from the speaker 12 in a male voice stored in the memory 8b to warn the user, and when the discrimination means 6 determines that the backward movement condition is met and a corresponding control signal is sent to the voice module 8, a voice message saying "Going backward" or "Going back" is output from the speaker 12 in a female voice stored in the memory 8b to warn the user.

[0033] The speaker 12 is installed in the vehicle and is capable of outputting voice and sound effects, and is capable of outputting a voice warning of the vehicle's forward or reverse movement to warn the driver in the vehicle of the forward or reverse movement of the vehicle. The speaker 12 may be one already installed in the vehicle or may be one installed separately, and if installed separately, it is preferable to install it on the light-emitting means 13 described later.

[0034] The LED drivers (9-11) are for operating the LEDs (a-c) which are light emitting means, and are configured to light up or blink the LEDs according to the forward or reverse conditions to warn by emitting light. Specifically, the light emitting means 13 according to this embodiment is configured to have a case made up of a cover member 17 to which a display plate 21 is attached and a main body member 18 to which a fixing plate 22 is attached, and the LEDs (a, b, c), as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

[0035] The display board 21 is configured to have a display section 14 displaying the letter "D," a display section 15 displaying the letter "B," and a display section 16 displaying the letter "R," and these display sections (14-16) are disposed in positions corresponding to the respective LEDs (a-c). Furthermore, the display sections (14-16) are each made of a material that can transmit light (transparent material or translucent material), and are capable of transmitting the light of the LEDs (a-c) to be illuminated and displayed.

[0036] When the brake pedal is depressed, LED(b) is turned on (other LEDs are turned off), and when the discrimination means 6 determines that the forward movement condition is satisfied, LED(a) is turned on (other LEDs are turned off), and when the discrimination means 6 determines that the reverse movement condition is satisfied, LED(c) is turned on (other LEDs are turned off). Therefore, in this embodiment, in addition to the audio warning, the light emitting means 13 is configured to emit light to warn of the forward and reverse movement of the vehicle.

[0037] Furthermore, the light emitting means 13 according to this embodiment are configured to emit light in different colors, so that it is possible to distinguish between forward and backward movement of the vehicle according to the emitted light color. For example, it is preferable that the display section 15 with "B" emits light in blue, the display section 14 with "D" emits light in red, and the display section 16 with "R" emits light in yellow, so that the driver can easily distinguish between forward and backward movement of the vehicle by color.

[0038] Each of the LEDs (a-c) is connected to an LED driver (9-11) via a wire W. The light emitting means 13 according to this embodiment has legs 19 extending from the lower part of a main body member 18, and can be installed inside a vehicle by fixing a fixing part 20 formed on the legs 19 to the dashboard of the vehicle or the like. The main body member 18 is preferably configured to be swingable left and right and up and down, in which case the display unit (14-16) can be held in a state where it is easy for the driver to see.

[0039] The light control means 7 is configured to reduce the amount of light irradiation (light emission amount) of each of the LEDs (a-c) when the parking lamp 4 is turned on. That is, when the parking lamp 4 is turned on, since the surrounding environment is dark, the amount of light irradiation (light emission amount) of each of the LEDs (a-c) is reduced, so that the light of the light-emitting means 13 is prevented from being dazzling and thus from interfering with driving.

[0040] Next, the control of the warning device according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, in S1, it is determined whether the ignition switch 1 is turned on. If it is determined that the ignition switch 1 is turned on and the drive source (engine) is in a driving state, it is determined in S2 whether the gear shift operating means 3 is operated to the drive position.

[0041] Thereafter, if it is determined that the gear shift operating means 3 has been operated to the drive position, the process proceeds to S6, where it is determined whether or not the brake pedal has been released. If it is determined in S6 that the brake pedal has been released, it is determined that the forward movement condition has been satisfied, and the process proceeds to S7, where a forward movement warning is issued. The forward movement warning is issued by outputting a male voice message saying "Going forward" from the speaker 12, lighting the LED(a) of the light-emitting means 13, and lighting the display unit 14.

[0042] On the other hand, if it is not determined in S2 that the gear shift operating means 3 is in the drive position, the process proceeds to S3, where it is determined whether the gear shift operating means is in the reverse position, and if it is determined that it is in the reverse position, the process proceeds to S4, where it is determined whether the brake pedal has been released. If it is determined in S4 that the brake pedal has been released, it is determined that the reverse condition is satisfied, and the process proceeds to S5, where a warning to reverse is issued. The warning to reverse is issued by outputting a female voice message from the speaker 12 saying "Reverse" and by lighting the LED(c) of the light-emitting means 13 and lighting the display unit 16.

[0043] In this way, after the forward warning or reverse warning is issued, a series of controls are terminated. If it is determined in S4 and S6 that the brake pedal is being depressed, the LED(b) of the light-emitting means 13 is turned on and the display unit 15 is turned on.

[0044] According to this embodiment, when the vehicle's drive source is in a driving state, an audio warning is given inside the vehicle to prevent the vehicle from moving forward if the vehicle's gear shift operating means 3 is operated to the drive position and the brake pedal is released, so that an audio warning can be given quickly and accurately to prevent the vehicle from moving forward inadvertently due to pedal misapplication.

[0045] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the vehicle's drive source is in a driving state, an audio warning is given inside the vehicle if the vehicle's gear shift operating means is operated to the reverse position and the brake pedal is released, so that an audio warning can be given quickly and accurately against inadvertent forward or backward movement of the vehicle due to pedal misapplication.

[0046] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the forward warning and the reverse warning are given in different voices, a male voice and a female voice, so that forward and reverse can be distinguished by the type of voice. Note that in this embodiment, the forward warning is given in a male voice and the reverse warning is given in a female voice, but the forward warning may be given in a female voice and the reverse warning may be given in a male voice, and the warning voice is not limited to pronunciations such as "forward" and "reverse."

[0047] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, in addition to the warning by voice, the warning of the forward and backward movement of the vehicle is given by the light emission of the light emitting means 13, so that the driver can grasp the warning both audibly and visually, and more accurate and smooth warning can be given. Also, since the light emission colors of the light emitting means are made different from each other to make it possible to distinguish the forward and backward movement of the vehicle, in addition to the warning by voice, the warning by the light emission of the light emitting means 13 can be given accurately and smoothly.

[0048] In addition, according to this embodiment, when the discrimination means 6 determines that the forward or reverse condition is satisfied, a warning is given by sound and light to warn of the forward or reverse of the vehicle according to the condition, so that it is possible to quickly and accurately warn by sound of inadvertent forward or reverse of the vehicle caused by pedal misapplication. In particular, since a warning of starting or reverse can be given regardless of the operation state of the accelerator pedal, a sensor for detecting the depression of the accelerator pedal or the like is not required, and it is possible to reliably avoid the installation of such a sensor hindering the accelerator operation.

[0049] Furthermore, when the drive source of the vehicle is in a driving state, the vehicle's gear shifting means is operated to the drive position or reverse position and the brake pedal is released, so a signal from a vehicle speed sensor for detecting the vehicle speed is not required. As a result, even when applied to a vehicle equipped with a vehicle speed sensor that detects the vehicle speed by generating a pulse signal when the wheels rotate once, it is possible to warn of the vehicle's forward or backward movement before the wheels rotate once.

[0050] In particular, the warning means in this embodiment is characterized in that when the discrimination means 6 determines that the forward condition is met, it outputs from the speaker one of a male and female voices saying "Going forward" or "Going forward," and when the discrimination means 6 determines that the backward condition is met, it outputs from the speaker the other of a male and female voices saying "Going backward" or "Going backward," thereby making it possible to issue an easy-to-understand warning by voice.

[0051] Next, a warning device according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the warning device according to the second embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5, a cancel button 23 is formed on the control unit 5, and the cancel button 23 according to this embodiment is composed of a push button or the like formed on the upper part of the cover member 17, as shown in Fig. 6. Note that the cancel button 23 is not limited to a push button, and may be an operation unit (cancel operation unit) of another form.

[0052] When the cancel button 23 is pressed, it can be switched so that the discrimination by the discrimination means 6, the warning by voice from the speaker 12, and the warning by light from the light emitting means (LEDs (a-c)) are not performed. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, when it is determined that the cancel button 23 is on (i.e., pressed), all the subsequent controls (S1-S7) are skipped at Sa. This makes it possible to avoid warning a driver who does not need a warning for pedal misapplication.

[0053] 8, the warning device according to the third embodiment has a switching control means 25 in the control unit 5, and is connected to a tilt angle detection means 24 that detects the tilt angle of the vehicle. Then, on the condition that the tilt angle of the vehicle detected by the tilt angle detection means 24 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value and that the vehicle does not move forward or moves backward despite satisfying the forward movement condition, or that the vehicle does not move backward or moves forward despite satisfying the backward movement condition, switching control may be performed to not issue an audio warning or to issue another audio warning.

[0054] For example, in the case where no audio warning is given even though the forward movement condition or reverse movement condition is satisfied, as shown in FIG. 9, if it is determined in S4 that the brake pedal has been released, it is determined in Sb whether the tilt angle is equal to or greater than a predetermined angle (equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold), and if it is determined that the tilt angle is equal to or greater than the predetermined angle, the reverse movement warning in S5 is skipped, and if it is determined in S6 that the brake pedal has been released, it is determined in Sc whether the tilt angle is equal to or greater than a predetermined angle (equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold), and if it is determined that the tilt angle is equal to or greater than the predetermined angle, the forward movement warning in S7 is skipped.

[0055] If the tilt angle is equal to or greater than a predetermined angle (above a predetermined threshold) in Sb or Sc, S5 and S7 may be skipped and another warning may be given by voice. This makes it possible to avoid erroneous warnings when the vehicle does not move forward or moves backward on a slope or the like even though the forward movement conditions are met, or when the vehicle does not move backward or moves forward even though the backward movement conditions are met.

[0056] 10, the warning device according to the fourth embodiment has a switching control means 25 in the control unit 5, and is connected to a vehicle speed detection means 26 that detects the vehicle speed. The warning means (speaker 12) is configured not to issue an audio warning when the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection means 26 is equal to or higher than a predetermined value (for example, when the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than 8 km / h).

[0057] For example, as shown in Fig. 11, when it is determined in S4 that the brake pedal has been released, it is determined in Sd whether the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than a predetermined value (8km / h or higher), and if it is determined that it is equal to or higher than the predetermined value, the backward movement warning in S5 is skipped, and when it is determined in S6 that the brake pedal has been released, it is determined in Se whether the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than a predetermined value (8km / h or higher), and if it is determined that it is equal to or higher than the predetermined value, the forward movement warning in S7 is skipped. In this case, it is possible to prevent voice warnings from being issued excessively frequently when the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than the predetermined value.

[0058] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the forward movement of the vehicle may be exclusively warned by voice, and the vehicle may not be warned in reverse, or the warning by light emission from the light emitting means 13 may not be given. In addition, the forward movement condition and reverse movement condition for issuing the warning are that the vehicle's gear shifting means is operated to the drive position (for forward movement condition) or the reverse position (for reverse movement condition) when the vehicle's drive source is in a driving state, and the brake pedal depression operation is released, but other conditions for the vehicle to move forward or reverse may also be used. Note that the vehicle to which the present embodiment is applied uses an engine as a drive source, but the present embodiment may be applied to vehicles using other drive sources such as a motor. [Industrial Applicability]

[0059] The present invention can also be applied to devices with other functions added thereto, so long as they have the same gist as the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 1. Ignition switch 2 Brake 3. Gear shifting means 4. Small lamp 5. Control section 6 Discrimination means 7. Dimming Method 8 Audio Module 8a Speaker driver 8b Audio data 9~11 LED Driver 12 Speaker (Warning means) 13 Light emitting means (warning means) 14~16 Display section 17 Cover member 18 Main body parts 19 Legs 20 Fixed part 21 Display board 22 Fixed plate 23 Cancel button (cancel operation part) 24 Tilt angle detection means 25 Switching button (switching control means) 26 Vehicle speed detection means a~c LED

Claims

1. A warning device for a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission and having a brake pedal and an accelerator pedal that can be operated by a driver at will, for warning a driver in the vehicle of the vehicle's forward movement, comprising: a determination means for determining whether a forward movement condition in which the vehicle moves forward when the brake pedal is released and a reverse movement condition in which the vehicle moves backward when the brake pedal is released are satisfied; a warning means for warning the driver of the vehicle to move forward or backward by voice in response to a condition determined by the determining means that the forward movement condition or the reverse movement condition is satisfied; and the forward condition is that the vehicle's gear shifting means is operated to a drive position and the brake pedal is released when the drive source of the vehicle is in a driving state, and the reverse condition is that the vehicle's gear shifting means is operated to a reverse position and the brake pedal is released when the drive source of the vehicle is in a driving state.

2. 2. The warning device according to claim 1, wherein said warning means warns of forward and backward movement of the vehicle by emitting light from a light emitting means in addition to the warning by voice.

3. 3. The warning device according to claim 2, wherein the light emitting means emits light in different colors so that forward and backward movement of the vehicle can be distinguished from each other.

4. 2. The warning device according to claim 1, wherein the forward warning and the reverse warning are given in different voices, a male voice and a female voice.

5. The warning device according to claim 4, characterized in that when the discrimination means determines that the forward movement condition is met, the warning means outputs a pronunciation of "We are moving forward" or "We are moving forward" in one of a male and female voice, and when the discrimination means determines that the backward movement condition is met, the warning means outputs a pronunciation of "We are moving backward" or "We are backing up" in the other of a male and female voice.

6. 2. The warning device according to claim 1, characterized in that switching control is performed to not issue an audio warning or to issue another audio warning on the condition that it is determined that the vehicle does not move forward or moves backward despite the forward movement condition being satisfied, or that the vehicle does not move backward or moves forward despite the reverse movement condition being satisfied.

7. 7. The warning device according to claim 6, further comprising: a tilt angle detection means for detecting a tilt angle of the vehicle; and a switching control for switching between not issuing an audio warning and issuing another audio warning when the tilt angle of the vehicle detected by the tilt angle detection means is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value and it is determined that the vehicle does not move forward or moves backward despite the forward movement condition being satisfied, or that the vehicle does not move backward or moves forward despite the reverse movement condition being satisfied.

8. 2. The warning device according to claim 1, wherein said warning means does not issue an audio warning when the vehicle speed is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

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