Device for warning of forgetting to close lid

Abstract

To provide guidance so as to prevent a vehicle from being driven with a lid of an overhead console left open.SOLUTION: A warning device for warning of forgetting to close a lid of an overhead console arranged in a roof space under a roof located above and in front of a driver's seat of a vehicle, comprises: illumination devices 16, 17, 18 which are installed inside or outside the overhead console and operated in a normal lighting mode or a warning lighting mode; an open / close sensor 32 which detects an opening / closing state of the lid; a state sensor 33 which detects whether or not the vehicle is in a ready-to-start state; and a control device 20 which causes the illumination devices 16, 17, 18 to turn on in the warning lighting mode when the open / close sensor 32 detects that the lid is in the open state and the state sensor 33 detects that the vehicle is in the ready-to-start state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a lid forgetting warning device that warns of forgetting to close the lid of an overhead console.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, vehicles (generally trucks) equipped with a so-called super high roof, in which the roof is made higher than a conventional high roof, have been known. Some of these trucks are provided with an overhead console (also referred to as an "overhead console box") that utilizes the wide overhead space under the super high roof (see Patent Document 1). This overhead console is generally provided in the overhead space in front of the driver's seat and the passenger seat, opening toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0003] Some overhead consoles have a storage space divided into upper and lower stages. In this case, generally, the storage space in the lower stage can be reached by the passenger while sitting on the seat, but the storage space in the upper stage is often out of reach for the passenger while sitting on the seat. In addition, the overhead console is provided with a lid to prevent the stored items inside the overhead console from flying out during driving.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, it is conceivable that the passenger may drive with the lid of the overhead console open. In this case, the stored items inside the overhead console may fly out, which may interfere with the driver's operation or damage the stored items.

[0006] The present invention was conceived by paying attention to such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a lid-closure-forgetting warning device that can guide the vehicle not to run with the lid of the overhead console open.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The present invention was made to solve at least part of the above problems, and can be realized as the following aspects or application examples. The lid-closure-forgetting warning device according to this application example is a lid-closure-forgetting warning device that warns of forgetting to close the lid of an overhead console disposed in a roofed space in front of the upper part of the driver's seat of a vehicle, and is equipped inside or outside the overhead console box, and includes a lighting device having a normal lighting mode and a warning lighting mode, an opening / closing sensor that detects the open / closed state of the lid, a state sensor that detects whether the vehicle is in a state where it can start, and a control device that lights the lighting device in the warning lighting mode when the opening / closing sensor detects that the lid is in an open state and the state sensor detects that the vehicle is in a state where it can start.

[0008] According to this application example, when the vehicle is in a state where it can start and it is detected that the lid is in an open state, the lighting device equipped inside or outside the overhead console is lit in the warning lighting mode, so that the driver before starting can be notified that the lid is in an open state. Thereby, it is possible to guide the vehicle not to run with the lid in an open state, and during running, the risk that the stored items in the overhead console will fly out can be reduced.

Effects of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to guide the vehicle not to run with the lid in an open state, and during running, the risk that the stored items in the overhead console will fly out can be reduced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] With reference to the drawings, the embodiments of the present case will be described. The following embodiments are merely examples, and there is no intention to exclude various modifications and applications of technologies not explicitly stated in these embodiments. Each configuration of the following embodiments can be implemented with various modifications without departing from their gist. Also, they can be selected as necessary, or appropriately combined.

[0012] Note that the vehicle 1 according to the embodiment described below is a truck equipped with a so - called super high - roof. Also, in FIGS. 2 to 5 for reference, it is assumed that the vehicle is on a horizontal plane, and the front of the vehicle is "FR", the rear of the vehicle is "RR", the right side in the vehicle width direction is "RH", the left side in the vehicle width direction is "LH", vertically upward is "UP", and vertically downward is "DW", which are indicated by arrows.

[0013] [1. Configuration] First, the interior 2 of the vehicle 1 according to the embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment includes a super high roof 3 whose roof is higher than a conventional general high roof. Therefore, a wide space is secured under the ceiling portion 3a above the driver's seat 4 and the passenger seat 5 in the passenger compartment 2 of the vehicle 1. Using this space, an overhead console (overhead console box) 10 is equipped above the front windshield 6 and in front of the heads of the driver's seat 4 and the passenger seat 5.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the overhead console 10 of the present embodiment is divided into upper and lower two shelves, and each of the upper and lower parts is divided into a total of three compartments (hereinafter, each compartment is referred to as a box) 11 on the left, right, and center. In the present embodiment, lids 12 are respectively equipped on each of the left, center, and right boxes 11 in the upper stage and each of the left and right boxes 11 in the lower stage. Note that the central box 11 in the lower stage is not provided with a lid.

[0015] Each lid 12 is provided with a hinge 13 at the upper edge portion, a spring damper 14 is provided between the back surface 12a of the lid and the ceiling portion 11a of the box, and an opening handle 15 is provided on the outer surface of the lower edge portion. When the opening degree of the lid 12 becomes larger than a predetermined opening degree, the spring damper 14 biases the lid 12 in the opening direction, and when the opening degree of the lid 12 becomes smaller than the predetermined opening degree, the spring damper 14 biases the lid 12 in the closing direction.

[0016] Although not shown, each lid 12 is provided with a locking mechanism that holds the lid 12 in a closed state when the lid 12 is closed, and is locked in a closed state when the lid 12 is closed. When the opening handle 15 is pulled, the locking mechanism is released, and then the lid 12 is pivoted to the open side. When the opening degree of the lid 12 becomes larger than a predetermined opening degree, it rotates to the open side by the action of the spring damper 14 and is held in an open state.

[0017] Several lighting devices are equipped inside and outside the overhead console 10 configured as described above. Inside each box 11 of the overhead console 10, as shown in FIG. 4 for example, an LED downlight (LED downlight in the storage section) 16 that irradiates light downward from the box ceiling portion 11a into the box 11 is installed.

[0018] Also, above the uppermost part of the overhead console 10 (i.e., above the upper stage portion), as shown in FIG. 4 for example, an upper indirect lighting LED illumination (hereinafter also referred to as "upper LED illumination") 17 that irradiates light toward the ceiling portion 3a is installed.

[0019] Furthermore, at the upper and lower intermediate part of the overhead console 10 (i.e., above the lower stage portion) and above the side garnish, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 for example, a lower and side garnish indirect lighting LED illumination (hereinafter also referred to as "lower & side garnish LED illumination") 18 that irradiates light toward the ceiling portion 3a is linearly installed.

[0020] Note that FIG. 5(a) shows a state where these indirect lighting LED illuminations 17 and 18 are turned off, and FIG. 5(b) shows a state where these indirect lighting LED illuminations 17 and 18 are turned on. In FIG. 5(b), for the sake of convenience, the higher the brightness by the indirect lighting LED illuminations 17 and 18, the darker the color is expressed.

[0021] The lid-closure-forgetfulness warning device according to this embodiment uses these lighting devices 16 to 18, and includes these lighting devices 16 to 18, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 20 as a control device, and sensors 31 to 34 described below.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, a start switch 31, a lid sensor 32, a shift position sensor 33, and a travel sensor 34 are connected to the ECU. The ECU 20 controls the lighting devices 16 to 18 based on the detection information input from each of the sensors 31 to 34.

[0023] The start switch 31 is an ignition switch in the case of an engine vehicle and a power switch in the case of an electric vehicle. When the start switch 31 is set to on, an "on" signal is output, and the ECU 20 starts controlling the main systems upon receiving this on signal.

[0024] The lid sensor 32 is an open / close sensor that detects the open / closed state of the lid 12. For example, if the lid 12 is closed and the locking mechanism is activated, the lid sensor 31 outputs a signal indicating the closed state, and if the lid 12 is open and the locking mechanism is released, it outputs a signal indicating the open state.

[0025] The shift position sensor 33 is a state sensor that detects whether the vehicle 1 is in a state where it can start moving. The shift position sensor 33 outputs a selected range signal, which can be broadly classified into a signal indicating a range where the vehicle can run (such as the D range) and a signal indicating a parking state (such as the P range). It is possible to determine whether the vehicle 1 is in a state where it can start moving from the selected range signal.

[0026] The travel sensor 34 is a sensor that detects whether the vehicle 1 is traveling. For example, a vehicle speed sensor or a rotation angle sensor for the rotating shaft of a travel drive source such as a wheel, an engine, or a motor can be applied to this travel sensor 34.

[0027] Here, the control of the lighting devices 16 - 18 based on the signals from the respective sensors 31 - 34 by the ECU 20 will be described. In the ECU 20, the lighting devices 16 - 18 are lit white during normal times, and when warning of forgetting to close the lid 12, the lighting devices 16 - 18 are made to blink red. The following will be described using the flowchart of FIG. 6. The flowchart of FIG. 6 is repeatedly executed at a predetermined cycle. "F" in the flowchart is a control flag, where F = 1 indicates that the forgetting-to-close warning is on, and F = 0 indicates that the forgetting-to-close warning is off.

[0028] First, the ECU 20 determines whether the start switch 31 is on (step S2). If it is determined that the start switch 31 is not set to on, the process returns. If it is determined in step S2 that the start switch 31 is set to on, the ECU 20 determines whether the shift position sensor 33 is set to the driving range (step S4).

[0029] If it is determined in step S4 that the shift position sensor 33 is not set to the driving range, the flag F is set to 0 (step S24), the LED downlight 16 is turned on white (step S26), the upper LED illumination 17 is turned on white (step S28), the lower & side garnish LED illumination 18 is turned on white (step S30), and the process returns. The white lighting of these LED illuminations 17 and 18 aims to give the passengers a sense of relaxation through indirect lighting.

[0030] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S4 that the shift position sensor 33 is set to the driving range, based on the information from the lid sensor 32, the ECU 20 determines whether the lid 12 is in the open state (step S6). If it is determined in step S6 that the lid 12 is not in the open state, similar to the above, the flag F is set to 0 (step S24), the LED downlight 16 is turned on white (step S26), the upper LED illumination 17 is turned on white (step S28), the lower & side garnish LED illumination 18 is turned on white (step S30), and the process returns.

[0031] On the other hand, in step S6, if it is determined that the lid 12 is in the open state, it is determined whether the vehicle 1 is stopped or running based on the information from the traveling sensor 34 (step S8). In step S8, if it is determined that the vehicle 1 is not stopped (i.e., the vehicle 1 has started), the LED downlight 16 is turned off (step S32), the upper LED illumination 17 is turned off (step S34), the lower & side garnish LED illumination 18 is turned off (step S36), and the control ends. After that, if the vehicle stops, the control starts.

[0032] On the other hand, in step S8, if it is determined that the vehicle 1 is stopped, it is determined whether the flag F is 0 (step S10). In step S10, if it is determined that the flag F is 0, the flag F is set to 1, the count of the timer is started (step S12), and it is determined whether the count value t of the timer has become equal to or greater than the threshold value ts (step S14). Note that the threshold value ts is, for example, a count value corresponding to 10 seconds.

[0033] In step S14, if it is determined that the count value t of the timer is not equal to or greater than the threshold value ts, that is, if it is less than 10 seconds after the flag F becomes 1 (corresponding to the closed-forgotten warning control being on), the LED downlight 16 is blinked red (step S16), the upper LED illumination 17 is blinked red (step S18), the lower & side garnish LED illumination 18 is blinked red (step S20), and the process returns.

[0034] Also, in step S10, if it is determined that the flag F is not 0 (i.e., 1), the process directly proceeds to step S14, and in the same manner as above, the LED downlight 16 is blinked red, the upper LED illumination 17 is blinked red (step S18), the lower & side garnish LED illumination 18 is blinked red (step S20), and the process returns.

[0035] In addition, when the driver notices the open state of the lid 12 due to the warning of such red blinking and closes the lid 12, in the subsequent control cycle, in step S6, it is determined that the lid 12 is not in the open state. Then, in the same manner as above, the flag F is set to 0 (step S24), the LED downlight 16 is lit white (step S26), the upper LED illumination 17 is lit white (step S28), the lower & side garnish LED illumination 18 is lit white (step S30), and the process returns.

[0036] On the other hand, in step S14, if it is determined that the count value t of the timer is equal to or greater than the threshold value ts, the timer is stopped, the timer is reset to 0 (step S22), and in the same manner as above, the flag F is set to 0 (step S24), the LED downlight 16 is lit white (step S26), the upper LED illumination 17 is lit white (step S28), the lower & side garnish LED illumination 18 is lit white (step S30), and the process returns.

[0037] In this way, when a certain period of time (here, 10 seconds) has elapsed, the warning by the red blinking of the LED downlight 16 and the LED illuminations 17 and 18 is stopped and changed to white lighting. This is because if the warning is given for a certain period of time, the driver can sufficiently recognize that the lid 12 is in the open state, and if the driver still keeps the lid 12 in the open state, it can be assumed that the driver deliberately keeps the lid 12 open. In this case, if the red blinking continues indefinitely, it will rather give the driver a feeling of annoyance, so this is to avoid that.

[0038] [2. Operations and Effects] Since the lid forgetting warning device according to this embodiment is configured as described above, the following operations and effects can be obtained.

[0039] That is, when the vehicle 1 stops and enters the preparation stage for driving (set in the driving range), if the lid 12 of any box 11 of the overhead console 10 is open, the LED downlight 16 blinks red, and the upper LED illumination 17 and the lower & side garnish LED illumination 18 blink red.

[0040] In this way, by the LED illuminations 17 and 18 in front of the driver's head blinking red, the driver's eyes can be directed upward and forward, and the driver will see the red blinking of the LED downlight 16 in the box 11 with the lid 12 open. Then, when the driver notices that the lid 12 of the box 11 is open and closes the lid 12, the situation of driving with the lid 12 open can be avoided. Thus, according to this device, it is possible to guide the vehicle not to drive with the lid 12 open, and the risk of the stored items in the overhead console flying out during driving can be reduced.

[0041] [3. Others] The configuration of the above embodiment is an example, and it can be appropriately modified and implemented without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, not only the LED downlight 16 blinks red, but also the upper LED illumination 17 and the lower & side garnish LED illumination 18 blink red to enhance the warning appeal to the driver. However, for a vehicle without the LED illuminations 17 and 18, for example, only the LED downlight 16 may blink red.

[0042] For attention - getting purposes, the light color of the lighting devices 16 - 18 is set to red, but this is not limited either. For example, various colors of light or combinations thereof, such as emitting multiple colors alternately, can be used. Further, in addition to the warning by lighting, a warning message may be issued through voice or a display. In the above-described embodiment, a truck is exemplified as the vehicle 1. However, the warning device of the present case can be widely applied not only to trucks but also to vehicles equipped with an overhead console.

Explanation of Signs

[0043] 1 Vehicle 2 Passenger Compartment 3 Super High Roof 3a Ceiling Portion 4 Driver's Seat 5 Passenger Seat 6 Front Window 10 Overhead Console 11 Box 11a Box Ceiling Portion 12 Lid 12a Back Side of Lid 13 Hinge 14 Spring Damper 15 Handle 16 LED Downlight (Lighting Device) 17 Upper LED Illumination (Lighting Device) 18 Lower & Side Garnish LED Illumination (Lighting Device) 20 ECU (Control Device) 31 Start Switch 32 Lid Sensor (Open / Close Sensor) 33 Shift Position Sensor (State Sensor) 34 Travel Sensor

Claims

【Claim 1】 An overhead console lid forgetting-to-close warning device for warning of forgetting to close the lid of an overhead console disposed in a roof space in front of the upper part of the driver's seat of a vehicle, a lighting device equipped inside or outside the overhead console and having a normal lighting mode and a warning lighting mode; an opening / closing sensor for detecting the open / closed state of the lid; a state sensor for detecting whether or not the vehicle is in a state where it can start; and a control device that lights the lighting device in the warning lighting mode when the opening / closing sensor detects that the lid is in an open state and the state sensor detects that the vehicle is in a state where it can start. The overhead console lid forgetting-to-close warning device, characterized by the above.

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