Passenger-side side mirror control device

Abstract

The aim is to reduce damage to the passenger-side side mirror and to shorten the time during which the driver is unable to check the rear on the passenger side using the passenger-side side mirror. [Solution] The vehicle has a drive mechanism 6 that allows the passenger-side mirror to move between a first position, which is the position when the vehicle is in motion, and a second position, which is the position when the passenger-side mirror is not in use, and a control unit 9 that, when the conditions for retracting the passenger-side mirror are met, including the vehicle being about to change course toward the driver's side and the vehicle being stationary, uses the drive mechanism to move the passenger-side mirror to a position between the first and second positions, so that the passenger-side mirror does not protrude outward from the passenger-side side of the vehicle body.

Description

【Technical Field】 【0001】 The present invention relates to a passenger seat side mirror control device. 【Background Art】 【0002】 Vehicles are provided with side mirrors for checking the situations on the left and right rear sides. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which the position of an outside mirror is adjusted by rotating the outside mirror by a stay driving motor. 【Prior Art Documents】 【Patent Documents】 【0003】 【Patent Document 1】 Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 6-72748 【Summary of the Invention】 【Problems to be Solved by the Invention】 【0004】 By the way, for example, in a large vehicle with a wide vehicle width such as a truck or a bus, when a large other vehicle overtakes and drives from the left lane while waiting to turn right on a road with a narrow road width, the distance between the left side mirror (passenger seat side mirror) of the own vehicle and the right side mirror of the other vehicle becomes narrow. For this reason, there is a possibility that the side mirrors of both vehicles come into contact with each other and the passenger seat side mirror of the own vehicle is damaged. 【0005】 This case was devised by paying attention to such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a passenger seat side mirror control device that can suppress damage to the passenger seat side mirror and shorten the time when the driver cannot perform rearward confirmation on the passenger seat side using the passenger seat side mirror. 【Means for Solving the Problems】 【0006】 This case was made to solve at least a part of the above problems, and can be realized as the following aspects or application examples. 【0007】 The passenger-side side mirror control device according to this application example has a drive mechanism that allows the passenger-side side mirror of a vehicle to move between a first position, which is the position when the vehicle is in motion, and a second position, which is the position when the passenger-side side mirror is not in use. Furthermore, when the conditions for retracting the passenger-side side mirror are met, including the vehicle intending to change lanes toward the driver's side and the vehicle being stationary, the control unit has the drive mechanism to move the passenger-side side mirror so that it does not protrude outward from the passenger-side side of the vehicle body between the first and second positions. 【0008】 According to this application example, for instance, when the vehicle is stopped at an intersection to change lanes towards the driver's side, the conditions for retracting the passenger-side mirror are met, preventing the passenger-side mirror from coming into contact with a following vehicle approaching from behind (especially contact between the two side mirrors). Furthermore, it is highly convenient as the driver does not need to perform any operations to prevent the passenger-side mirror from coming into contact with a following vehicle. 【0009】 Furthermore, the control unit ensures that the passenger-side mirror does not protrude outward from the passenger-side side of the vehicle body between a first position, which is the position when the vehicle is in motion, and a second position, which is the position when the passenger-side mirror is not in use. This shortens the time it takes for the passenger-side mirror to move to a position where contact with a following vehicle can be avoided, thus preventing contact with a following vehicle (especially contact between side mirrors). Additionally, when a following vehicle passes by the vehicle and there is no longer a risk of the passenger-side mirror contacting the following vehicle, the passenger-side mirror is returned to the first position. In this case, the time required for the passenger-side mirror to return to the second position is shortened, reducing the time during which the driver is unable to check the rear on the passenger side using the passenger-side mirror. 【0010】 In the passenger-side side mirror control device according to this application example, it is preferable that the passenger-side side mirror retraction condition includes the vehicle width distance between the vehicle and a following vehicle traveling behind it being less than or equal to a first distance threshold. 【0011】 When the distance in the vehicle width direction between a vehicle and a following vehicle traveling behind it is less than or equal to a first distance threshold, there is a high probability that the side mirrors of the vehicle and the following vehicle will come into contact. In such cases, by implementing a control that prevents the passenger-side side mirror from protruding outward from the passenger-side side of the vehicle body, the time during which the driver is unable to check the rear on the passenger side using the passenger-side side mirror can be reduced. 【0012】 In the passenger-side side mirror control device according to this application example, it is preferable that the passenger-side side mirror retraction condition includes the vehicle speed of a following vehicle traveling behind the vehicle exceeding a speed threshold. 【0013】 If a following vehicle is traveling at a speed exceeding a speed threshold, there is a high probability that the passenger-side mirror will malfunction if the side mirrors come into contact. In this case, by implementing a control that prevents the passenger-side mirror from protruding outward from the passenger-side side of the vehicle's body, contact between the passenger-side mirror and the following vehicle can be avoided, and damage to the passenger-side mirror can be suppressed. 【0014】 In the passenger-side side mirror control device according to this application example, it is preferable that the passenger-side side mirror retraction condition includes the vehicle-length distance between the rear of the vehicle and the front of a following vehicle traveling behind the vehicle being less than or equal to a second distance threshold. 【0015】 In this case, when a following vehicle is driving close to the vehicle, control is implemented to prevent the passenger-side mirror from protruding outward from the passenger-side side of the vehicle. This also reduces the time during which the driver is unable to check the rear on the passenger side using the passenger-side mirror. [Effects of the Invention] 【0016】 According to this case, it is possible to reduce damage to the passenger-side side mirror and shorten the time during which the driver is unable to check the rear on the passenger side using the passenger-side side mirror. [Brief explanation of the drawing] 【0017】 [Figure 1] This figure illustrates the configuration of a passenger-side side mirror control device according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 1 illustrates an example of an image captured by the camera shown. [Figure 3] This is a top view of the passenger-side side mirror unit, showing the passenger-side side mirror in its extended state. [Figure 4] This is a top view of the passenger-side side mirror unit, showing the passenger-side side mirror in its fully retracted state. [Figure 5] This is a top view of the passenger-side side mirror unit, showing the passenger-side side mirror in a partially retracted state. [Figure 6] Figure 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example of control in the passenger-side mirror control device. [Modes for carrying out the invention] 【0018】 The embodiments of this invention will be described with reference to the drawings. These embodiments are merely illustrative and do not preclude the application of various modifications or technologies not explicitly shown in the following embodiments. Each component of these embodiments can be modified in various ways without departing from their intended purpose. Furthermore, components can be selected or combined as needed. 【0019】 [1. Configuration] The configuration of the first embodiment of the passenger seat side mirror control device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1. 【0020】 In the following description, the forward direction of the vehicle is defined as the front FR, the opposite direction (the backward direction of the vehicle) is defined as the rear RR, and the left and right (left LH and right RH) are defined based on the state where the vehicle is facing the front FR. Also, the front-rear direction is also referred to as the vehicle length direction, and the left-right direction is also referred to as the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, the direction orthogonal to both the vehicle length direction and the vehicle width direction is referred to as the up-down direction. The vehicle is on a horizontal road surface and is in a posture where the up-down direction coincides with the vertical direction (the downward direction coincides with the direction of gravity). In this posture, the vertically upward direction is the height direction. Also, with respect to the driver's seat, the passenger seat side may be referred to as the outside, and the side from the passenger seat to the driver's seat side may be referred to as the inside. 【0021】 Also, in the following description, an example where the passenger seat is formed on the left side of the vehicle is shown. 【0022】 FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a passenger seat side mirror control device 1 according to an embodiment. The passenger seat side mirror control device 1 is provided in a vehicle (specifically, a large vehicle such as a bus or a truck) having, for example, a vehicle body 10 (see FIGS. 2 to 5) and a passenger seat side mirror unit 11 (see FIGS. 3 to 5). 【0023】 The passenger seat side mirror control device 1 includes a control device 2, a camera 21, a speed sensor 22, a direction indicator 23, a radar sensor 24, and a side mirror mechanism unit 6. 【0024】 The camera 21 is, for example, a photographing device that is attached to an upper position of the passenger seat side mirror unit 11 and photographs the rear of the passenger seat side of the vehicle on which it is mounted (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the host vehicle). 【0025】 FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an image photographed by the camera 21 shown in FIG. 1. 【0026】 The shooting range of camera 21 may include the passenger-side side and the rear of the passenger-side of the vehicle body 10, as shown in Figure 2. 【0027】 The turn signal 23 detects the vehicle's planned lane change based on information input by the vehicle driver, such as by operating a turn signal lever (not shown). The turn signal 23 transmits the detected planned lane change (i.e., the planned direction of travel) to the control device 2. The speed sensor 22 detects information regarding the vehicle's speed and transmits the detected speed information to the control device 2. As the speed sensor 22, for example, a sensor that detects the rotational speed of the drive shaft connected to the vehicle's drive wheels can be used. 【0028】 The radar sensor 24 has, for example, a millimeter-wave radar unit that measures the distance, speed, and angle to an object using millimeter-wave radio waves. The millimeter-wave radar unit is positioned, for example, at the rear of a vehicle, to emit millimeter-wave radar in the opposite direction of the vehicle's movement, and receives radio waves reflected by other vehicles following behind the vehicle. Based on the transmitted and received radio waves, the radar sensor 24 calculates the position of the following vehicle, the distance between the vehicle and the following vehicle, and the speed of the following vehicle. 【0029】 The position of the following vehicle includes the right side of the vehicle body of the following vehicle traveling in the adjacent lane on the passenger side of the vehicle's own vehicle, which is located on the left side (passenger side) of the vehicle's own vehicle. The right side of the vehicle body of the following vehicle traveling in the adjacent lane on the passenger side of the vehicle's own vehicle, which is the side facing the vehicle's own vehicle, may be called the opposing side of the following vehicle. The radar sensor 24 may calculate (measure) the distance in the vehicle width direction between the passenger side of the vehicle body 10 of the vehicle's own vehicle and the opposing side of the following vehicle as the distance between the vehicle's own vehicle and the following vehicle. 【0030】 In the video shown in Figure 2, the line indicated by symbol A (dotted line) represents the position of the passenger-side side of the vehicle body 10 (the position of the edge along the vehicle length). The line indicated by symbol C (thick solid line) represents the position of the opposite side of the following vehicle (the position of the edge along the vehicle length). 【0031】 The distance between the line indicated by symbol A and the line indicated by symbol C corresponds to the distance in the vehicle width direction between the passenger-side side of the vehicle body 10 and the opposing side of the following vehicle. 【0032】 Furthermore, the position of the following vehicle includes the position of the foremost part of the vehicle body of the following vehicle traveling in the adjacent lane on the passenger side of the vehicle's own vehicle. The foremost part of the vehicle body of the following vehicle traveling in the adjacent lane on the passenger side of the vehicle's own vehicle can be referred to as the front of the following vehicle. The radar sensor 24 may calculate (measure) the distance in the vehicle length direction between the front of the following vehicle and the rearmost part of the vehicle body 10 as the distance between the vehicle's own vehicle and the following vehicle. The calculation result from the radar sensor 24 is input to the control device 2. 【0033】 The side mirror mechanism 6 comprises a passenger-side side mirror unit 11 and a mechanism for retracting and unfolding the passenger-side side mirror unit 11. 【0034】 Figures 3 to 5 are top views of the passenger-side mirror unit 11, with Figure 3 showing the extended state of the passenger-side mirror unit 11 (passenger-side mirror 12, etc.), Figure 4 showing the fully retracted state, and Figure 5 showing the partially retracted state. The extended, fully retracted, and partially retracted states of the passenger-side mirror 12 will be described later. 【0035】 As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the passenger-side side mirror unit 11 includes a passenger-side side mirror 12, an under mirror 13, and a support stay 14. 【0036】 The passenger-side side mirror 12 is a mirror that allows the driver to visually check the area behind the passenger side. The under mirror 13 is a mirror that allows the driver to visually check the area around the front lower part of the vehicle. These passenger-side side mirror 12 and under mirror 13 are attached to the support stay 14. 【0037】 The support stay 14 protrudes forward from the front passenger side position (front left position) of the vehicle body 10, and the passenger side mirror 12 and under mirror 13 are attached to its front end. The side of the support stay 14 opposite to the side to which the passenger side mirror 12 and under mirror 13 are attached (the rear side) is rotatably attached to a pivot axis 15 which is positioned almost vertically. 【0038】 The side mirror mechanism 6 includes, for example, a motor (not shown), and the support stay 14 is rotated around the rotation axis 15 by this motor. The rotation of the motor is controlled by the side mirror retraction control unit 9, which will be described later. 【0039】 The support stay 14 is rotated outward (to the left) on the passenger side, and the position where it is furthest outward can be considered the extended state of the passenger-side mirror 12. Figure 3 shows the extended state of the passenger-side mirror 12. The position of the passenger-side mirror 12 in this extended state is the position when the vehicle is in motion, and is an example of the first position. 【0040】 Furthermore, in the unfolded state of the driver's side mirror and the passenger's side mirror 12, the length (amount of protrusion) that these side mirrors can project outward in the vehicle width direction from each side of the vehicle body 10 is, for example, set at less than 250 mm in Japan according to safety standards. 【0041】 In situations where the passenger-side mirror 12 is used, such as when the vehicle is in motion, it is desirable that the passenger-side mirror unit 11 be in the extended state. The extended state can be referred to as the steady state or the driving state. 【0042】 In the image captured by the camera 21 illustrated in Figure 2, the line indicated by symbol B (dashed line) represents the tip position of the passenger-side mirror 12 of the vehicle when the passenger-side side mirror unit 11 is extended (driving state) (the position furthest from the passenger-side side of the vehicle body 10 in the vehicle width direction). 【0043】 In Figure 2, the distance between the dashed line indicated by symbol A and the dashed line indicated by symbol B represents the distance that the passenger-side mirror 12 protrudes outward (to the left) from the passenger-side side of the vehicle body 10 when deployed (driving state), and in this embodiment, it is less than 250 mm. 【0044】 Furthermore, rotating the support stay 14 in the opposite direction (right, inward) to the outward direction (left) on the passenger side, bringing the passenger-side mirror 12 closest to the front of the vehicle, can be considered the fully retracted state of the passenger-side mirror 12. Figure 4 shows the fully retracted state of the passenger-side mirror 12. 【0045】 The side mirror mechanism 6 is preferably configured to fully retract the passenger-side side mirror unit 11 (passenger-side side mirror 12, etc.) when the passenger-side side mirror unit 11 is not in use, such as when the vehicle is parked. The position of the passenger-side side mirror 12 in the fully retracted state is the position of the passenger-side side mirror 12 when it is not in use, and is an example of a second position. 【0046】 The side mirror mechanism 6 may rotate the support stay 14 using a motor and fix the support stay 14 at an intermediate position between the extended state and the fully retracted state of the passenger-side side mirror 12. 【0047】 The state in which the passenger-side mirror 12 is positioned between the extended state and the fully retracted state, and does not protrude outward (to the left) from the passenger-side side of the vehicle body 10, can be called the half-retracted state of the passenger-side mirror 12. Figure 5 shows the half-retracted state of the passenger-side mirror 12. The position of the passenger-side mirror 12 in the half-retracted state is between the position of the passenger-side mirror 12 in the extended state (first position) and the position of the passenger-side mirror 12 in the fully retracted state (second position). This half-retracted state is an example of a state in which the passenger-side mirror 12 does not protrude outward from the passenger-side side of the vehicle body 10. 【0048】 The time required to move the passenger-side side mirror unit 11 from the extended state to the partially retracted state is approximately half the time required to move it from the extended state to the fully retracted state. Furthermore, the time required to move the passenger-side side mirror unit 11 from the partially retracted state to the extended state is approximately half the time required to move it from the fully retracted state to the extended state. 【0049】 The side mirror mechanism 6 rotates the support stay 14 using a motor to move and fix the passenger-side side mirror unit 11 (passenger-side side mirror 12, etc.) to positions corresponding to the extended state, fully retracted state, and partially retracted state. 【0050】 The side mirror mechanism 6 is an example of a drive mechanism that allows the passenger-side side mirror 12 of the vehicle to move between a first position (the extended position), which is the position when the vehicle is in motion, and a second position (the fully retracted position), which is the position when the passenger-side side mirror 12 is not in use. 【0051】 The control device 2 has the functions of a following vehicle speed detection unit 7, a judgment unit 8, and a side mirror retraction control unit 9. 【0052】 The control device 2 is an electronic control unit (ECU) configured as an LSI (Large Scale Integration) device or embedded electronic device that integrates, for example, a microprocessor, ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The control device 2 performs various controls by executing software programs stored in memory devices such as ROM and RAM. The control device 2 may be configured as part of an electronic control unit (VCU: Vehicle Control Unit) for the overall control of various devices installed in the vehicle, or it may be configured as an electronic control unit separate from the VCU. 【0053】 The following vehicle speed detection unit 7 detects the speed of the nearest following vehicle behind the vehicle itself. The following vehicle speed detection unit 7 may, for example, obtain the vehicle speed of the following vehicle based on the calculation results from the radar sensor 24. 【0054】 The determination unit 8 determines whether the conditions for retracting the passenger-side mirror, which will be described later, have been met. In this passenger-side mirror control device 1, the determination unit 8 determines that the conditions for retracting the passenger-side mirror have been met when all of the following conditions 1 to 5 are met, and rotates the passenger-side mirror unit 11 to a partially retracted state. 【0055】 (Condition 1) The vehicle is scheduled to change lanes towards the driver's side (turn right). For example, if the driver operates the turn signal lever and the turn signal 23 detects an intention to change lanes toward the driver's side of the vehicle, the determination unit 8 determines that condition 1 has been met. 【0056】 (Condition 2) The vehicle is stationary. For example, if the information regarding the vehicle's speed detected by the speed sensor 22 indicates that the vehicle speed is 0 km / h, the determination unit 8 determines that the vehicle is stationary and that condition 2 is met. 【0057】 (Condition 3) The distance in the width direction between the following vehicle and your vehicle is less than or equal to the first distance threshold. The determination unit 8 determines that condition 3 is met if the distance in the vehicle width direction between the passenger-side side of the vehicle body 10 and the opposing side of the following vehicle, as measured by the radar sensor 24, is less than or equal to the first distance threshold. The first distance threshold may be, for example, 500 mm. 【0058】 The first distance threshold may be determined according to the amount of outward protrusion of the side mirrors in the vehicle width direction, for example, based on the sum of the amount of outward protrusion of the driver's side side mirror (driver's side mirror) and the passenger's side side mirror (passenger's side mirror 12). 【0059】 If, in the extended state of both the driver's side mirror and the passenger's side mirror of both the own vehicle and the following vehicle, the protrusion amount of each side mirror is less than 250 mm, then contact between the side mirrors will be avoided if the distance in the vehicle width direction between the passenger's side of the vehicle body 10 and the opposing side of the following vehicle is 500 mm (first distance threshold) or more. If the distance in the vehicle width direction between the following vehicle and the own vehicle is less than or equal to the first distance threshold, i.e., condition 3 is met, then there is a high probability that contact will occur between the passenger's side mirror 12 of the own vehicle and the driver's side mirror of the following vehicle. 【0060】 When the determination unit 8 detects that a following vehicle has approached its own vehicle to within a first distance threshold in the vehicle width direction, it determines that condition 3 has been met. 【0061】 (Condition 4) The speed of the following vehicle is faster than the speed threshold. The determination unit 8 determines that condition 4 is met when the vehicle speed of the following vehicle, as measured by the radar sensor 24, exceeds a speed threshold (for example, 10 km / h). 【0062】 (Condition 5) The distance between the following vehicle and your vehicle is less than or equal to the second distance threshold. The determination unit 8 determines that condition 5 is met if the distance in the vehicle-length direction between the front of the following vehicle and the rearmost part of the vehicle body 10, as measured by the radar sensor 24, is less than or equal to the second distance threshold. The second distance threshold may be, for example, 0 mm. 【0063】 In other words, the determination unit 8 determines that condition 5 is met when it detects that a following vehicle has approached its own vehicle to within a second distance threshold in the vehicle length direction. 【0064】 The determination unit 8 may determine that its own vehicle is stopped for a right turn if at least conditions 1 and 2 above are met. The state of a vehicle being stopped for a right turn can be referred to as being stopped for a right turn. 【0065】 Furthermore, if the determination unit 8 determines that the conditions for folding the passenger-side mirror are met, it issues an instruction to the side mirror folding control unit 9. This instruction can be called a passenger-side mirror folding instruction. 【0066】 When the side mirror retraction control unit 9 receives a retraction instruction for the passenger-side side mirror from the judgment unit 8, it controls the side mirror mechanism unit 6 to rotate the motor and put the passenger-side side mirror 12 into a partially retracted state. 【0067】 Furthermore, the side mirror retraction control unit 9 controls the side mirror mechanism 6 to rotate the motor and extend the passenger-side mirror 12 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the passenger-side mirror 12 was partially retracted. This predetermined time can be called the time threshold. 【0068】 The time threshold should preferably be longer than the time required for a following vehicle that meets conditions 3-4 to pass alongside the vehicle, especially when the passenger-side mirror retraction condition is met, and may be set appropriately according to the length of the vehicle. For example, if the length of the vehicle (length in the front-to-back direction) is 12m, it takes approximately 4.3 seconds to travel this 12m at 10km / h, so the time threshold can be set to 5 seconds, which is longer than 4.3 seconds. 【0069】 The side mirror retraction control unit 9 is an example of a control unit that, when the conditions for retracting the passenger-side mirror are met, including the condition that the vehicle is planning to change course toward the driver's side (condition 1) and the vehicle is stationary (condition 2), uses the side mirror mechanism 6 to move the passenger-side mirror 12 to a state between the first position (the position in the extended state) and the second position (the position in the fully retracted state) in which the passenger-side mirror 12 does not protrude outward from the passenger-side side of the vehicle body 10 (a semi-retracted state). 【0070】 [2. Control] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of control in the passenger-side mirror control device 1 shown in Figure 1. 【0071】 The process shown in the flowchart of Figure 6 may be started, for example, when the control device 2 is started up, and may also be executed repeatedly at regular intervals. 【0072】 In step S1, the determination unit 8 of the control device 2 checks whether the vehicle is stopped to make a right turn. The determination unit 8 determines that the vehicle is stopped to make a right turn if, for example, both of the above conditions are met: condition 1 (the vehicle is planning to change lanes towards the driver's side) and condition 2 (the vehicle is stopped). If the vehicle is stopped to make a right turn (Yes in step S1), the process proceeds to step S2. 【0073】 In step S2, the determination unit 8 determines whether the following vehicle is within a predetermined range in the width direction. The determination unit 8 determines that the following vehicle is within the predetermined range in the width direction if condition 3 above (the distance in the width direction between the following vehicle and the own vehicle is less than or equal to the first distance threshold (for example, 500 mm)) is met. If the following vehicle is within the predetermined range in the width direction (Yes in step S2), the process proceeds to step S3. 【0074】 In step S3, the determination unit 8 determines whether the speed of the following vehicle exceeds the speed threshold. The determination unit 8 determines that the speed of the following vehicle exceeds the speed threshold if condition 4 above (the speed of the following vehicle is faster than the speed threshold (for example, 10 km / h)) is met. If the speed of the following vehicle exceeds the speed threshold (Yes in step S3), the process proceeds to step S4. 【0075】 In step S4, the determination unit 8 determines whether the following vehicle has reached the rear end of the vehicle. The determination unit 8 determines that the following vehicle has reached the rear end of the vehicle if the above condition 5 (the distance between the following vehicle and the vehicle is less than or equal to the second distance threshold (e.g., 0 mm)) is met. If the following vehicle has reached the rear end of the vehicle (Yes in step S4), the process proceeds to step S5. 【0076】 If the Yes route is selected in all of the above steps S1 to S4, then all of the above conditions 1 to 5 are met, and the conditions for folding the passenger-side mirror are met. Therefore, the determination unit 8 issues an instruction to the side mirror folding control unit 9 to fold the passenger-side mirror. 【0077】 In step S5, the side mirror retraction control unit 9 controls the side mirror mechanism 6 to rotate the motor and partially retract the passenger-side mirror 12. As a result, the passenger-side mirror 12 is positioned so that it does not protrude outward (to the left) from the passenger-side side of the vehicle body 10. 【0078】 Subsequently, in step S6, the side mirror retraction control unit 9 checks whether the elapsed time since step S5, when the passenger-side mirror 12 was placed in a partially retracted state, is equal to or greater than a time threshold. If the time threshold (e.g., 5 seconds) has not elapsed (No in step S6), step S6 is repeated. If the time threshold (e.g., 5 seconds) has elapsed (Yes in step S6), the process proceeds to step S7. 【0079】 In step S7, the side mirror retraction control unit 9 controls the side mirror mechanism unit 6 to rotate the motor and extend the passenger-side side mirror 12. After that, the process ends. 【0080】 Furthermore, the process terminates in the following cases: in step S1, the vehicle is not stopped to turn right (No. of step S1); in step S2, the following vehicle is not within a predetermined range in the width direction (No. of step S2); in step S3, the speed of the following vehicle is below the speed threshold (No. of step S3); and in step S4, the following vehicle has not reached the rear end of the vehicle (No. of step S4). 【0081】 In the flowchart shown in Figure 6, for example, the processing order of steps S2 to S4 is not limited to this and can be changed as appropriate. That is, the processing order of steps S2 to S4 may be rearranged, and at least some of the steps may be performed in parallel. 【0082】 [3. Action and Effects] The embodiment described above provides the following effects and advantages. 【0083】 In the passenger-side mirror control device 1 according to this application example, when the determination unit 8 detects that the conditions for retracting the passenger-side mirror have been met, including the fact that the vehicle is planning to change lanes toward the driver's side (condition 1) and the vehicle is stationary (condition 2), the side mirror mechanism 6 puts the passenger-side mirror 12 into a partially retracted state. In the partially retracted state of the passenger-side mirror 12, the passenger-side mirror 12 is positioned so as not to protrude outward (to the left) from the passenger-side side of the vehicle body 10. 【0084】 The above-mentioned conditions for folding the passenger-side mirror are met, for example, when the vehicle is stopped in preparation for turning right. Therefore, when the vehicle is stopped in preparation for turning right at an intersection or the like, even if another vehicle (following vehicle) approaching from behind tries to stop alongside the vehicle or pass right beside it, the passenger-side mirror unit 11 can be rotated to a semi-folded position in advance to avoid contact with such following vehicles (especially contact between side mirrors), thereby suppressing damage to the passenger-side mirror 12. Furthermore, in this case, the driver does not need to perform any operations to avoid the passenger-side mirror 12 coming into contact with the following vehicle, thus avoiding an increase in the driver's burden. 【0085】 Furthermore, when the judgment unit 8 detects that the conditions for retracting the passenger-side mirror have been met, the side mirror mechanism 6 sets the passenger-side mirror 12 to a partially retracted state rather than a fully retracted state. The transition of the passenger-side mirror unit 11 from the extended state to the partially retracted state can be performed in about half the time it takes to transition from the extended state to the fully retracted state. Therefore, the passenger-side mirror 12 can be quickly moved to a state where it will not come into contact with a following vehicle, thereby preventing the passenger-side mirror 12 from coming into contact with a following vehicle (especially contact between side mirrors). In addition, by shortening the transition time of the passenger-side mirror 12 to a retracted state (a state where side mirrors do not come into contact with each other), the load on the motor of the side mirror mechanism 6, for example, can be reduced. 【0086】 The conditions for retracting the passenger-side mirror also include the condition that the distance in the vehicle width direction between the following vehicle and the own vehicle is less than or equal to a first distance threshold (condition 3). When the distance in the vehicle width direction between the passenger-side side of the vehicle body 10 and the opposing side of the following vehicle, as measured by the radar sensor 24, is less than or equal to the first distance threshold (for example, 500 mm), the side mirror retraction control unit 9 controls the passenger-side mirror 12 to a partially retracted state. This ensures that when the distance in the vehicle width direction between the following vehicle and the own vehicle is short and there is a high possibility of contact between the side mirrors, the side mirror retraction control unit 9 controls the passenger-side mirror 12 to a partially retracted state. This prevents damage to the passenger-side mirror 12. 【0087】 The conditions for folding the passenger-side mirror also include the condition that the speed of a following vehicle exceeding a speed threshold (condition 4). When the speed of the following vehicle measured by the radar sensor 24 exceeds the speed threshold (for example, 10 km / h), the side mirror folding control unit 9 controls the passenger-side mirror 12 to a partially folded state. 【0088】 If a following vehicle is traveling at a speed exceeding a speed threshold (e.g., 10 km / h), there is a high probability that the passenger-side mirror 12 will be damaged if the side mirrors come into contact with each other. Therefore, when a following vehicle is traveling at a speed exceeding a speed threshold (e.g., 10 km / h), the side mirror retraction control unit 9 controls the passenger-side mirror 12 to a partially retracted state, thereby preventing the passenger-side mirror 12 from coming into contact with the following vehicle (especially contact between the side mirrors) and suppressing damage to the passenger-side mirror 12. 【0089】 The conditions for retracting the passenger-side mirror further include the condition that the lengthwise distance between the rear of the vehicle and the front of the following vehicle is less than or equal to a second distance threshold (condition 5). When the lengthwise distance between the front of the following vehicle and the rear of the vehicle body 10, as measured by the radar sensor 24, is less than or equal to the second distance threshold (e.g., 0 m), the side mirror retraction control unit 9 controls the passenger-side mirror 12 to a partially retracted state. As a result, when the following vehicle approaches the rear of the vehicle, the side mirror retraction control unit 9 controls the passenger-side mirror 12 to a partially retracted state. In other words, when the following vehicle is not approaching the rear of the vehicle, the passenger-side mirror 12 remains in the extended state, thus reducing the time the passenger-side mirror 12 is in a partially retracted state and reducing the time the driver is unable to check the rear on the passenger side using the passenger-side mirror 12. 【0090】 The side mirror folding control unit 9 rotates the motor relative to the side mirror mechanism 6 to extend the passenger-side mirror 12 when a time threshold (for example, 5 seconds) or more has elapsed since the passenger-side mirror 12 was partially folded. 【0091】 As a result, when a following vehicle passes alongside the vehicle and there is no longer a risk of the passenger-side mirror 12 coming into contact with the following vehicle, the passenger-side mirror 12 automatically and quickly moves from a semi-folded state to an extended state. 【0092】 This makes the passenger-side mirror 12 usable again. It also reduces the time the driver is unable to use the passenger-side mirror 12. Furthermore, the driver does not need to manually return the partially folded passenger-side mirror 12 to the fully extended position, thus avoiding an increase in the driver's workload. 【0093】 Furthermore, transitioning the passenger-side side mirror unit 11 from a partially retracted state to an extended state can be done in approximately half the time compared to transitioning it from a fully retracted state to an extended state. Therefore, the passenger-side side mirror 12 can be quickly released from a partially retracted state (transitioned to a fully retracted state), reducing the time during which the driver cannot use the passenger-side side mirror 12, that is, the time during which the driver cannot use the passenger-side side mirror 12 to check behind the passenger side. 【0094】 Therefore, while using the passenger-side mirror 12 as needed, damage to the passenger-side mirror 12 can be suppressed without increasing the driver's burden. 【0095】 [4. Others] The disclosed technology is not limited to the embodiments described above and can be implemented in various modified forms without departing from the spirit of this embodiment. 【0096】 For example, the above-described embodiment shows an example where the passenger seat is located on the left side of the vehicle, but it is not limited to this. The passenger seat may also be on the left side of the vehicle. 【0097】 Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, the determination unit 8 determines that the passenger-side mirror retraction condition is met when all of the above conditions 1 to 5 are met, but it is not limited to this. For example, the determination unit 8 may determine that the passenger-side mirror retraction condition is met when at least condition 1 and condition 2 of conditions 1 to 5 are met. Also, the determination unit 8 may determine that the passenger-side mirror retraction condition is met when at least one of conditions 3 to 5 is met in addition to conditions 1 and 2. Moreover, other conditions may be added to the passenger-side mirror retraction condition. 【0098】 Furthermore, the passenger-side side mirror unit 11 may also be equipped with, for example, a side under mirror positioned below the passenger-side side mirror 12, for the driver to see the area near the front tire on the passenger side. 【0099】 In the embodiment described above, an example is shown where the first distance threshold is 500 mm, but it is not limited to this. The first distance threshold may be appropriately changed depending on the amount of outward protrusion of the side mirror in the vehicle width direction, etc. 【0100】 Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment shows an example where the speed threshold is 10 km / h, it is not limited to this, and the speed threshold may be changed as appropriate. 【0101】 Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment shows an example where the second distance threshold is 0m, it is not limited to this, and the second distance threshold may be changed as appropriate. 【0102】 Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the radar sensor 24 measures the distance between the vehicle and the following vehicle (the distance in the vehicle width direction between the passenger-side side of the vehicle body 10 and the opposite side of the following vehicle, and the distance in the vehicle length direction between the front of the following vehicle and the rearmost part of the vehicle body 10), but it is not limited to this. The distance between the vehicle and the following vehicle may be measured (calculated) using devices other than the radar sensor 24. 【0103】 [5. Addendum] (Note 1) A drive mechanism that allows the passenger-side side mirror of a vehicle to move between a first position, which is the position when the vehicle is in motion, and a second position, which is the position when the passenger-side side mirror is not in use. When the conditions for retracting the passenger-side mirror are met, including the vehicle intending to change lanes toward the driver's side and the vehicle being stationary, the control unit controls the drive mechanism to move the passenger-side mirror so that it does not protrude outward from the passenger-side side of the vehicle body between the first and second positions. A passenger-side side mirror control device characterized by comprising the following: 【0104】 (Note 2) The passenger-side mirror retraction condition includes that the distance in the vehicle width direction between the vehicle and a following vehicle traveling behind it is less than or equal to a first distance threshold. The passenger-side side mirror control device as described in Appendix 1, characterized in that it is a passenger-side side mirror control device as described in Appendix 1. 【0105】 (Note 3) The conditions for retracting the passenger-side mirror include the vehicle speed of a following vehicle exceeding a speed threshold. A passenger-side side mirror control device as described in Appendix 1 or 2, characterized in that it is a passenger-side side mirror control device as described in Appendix 1 or 2. 【0106】 (Note 4) The passenger-side mirror retraction condition includes the fact that the length of the vehicle between the rear of the vehicle and the front of a following vehicle traveling behind it is less than or equal to a second distance threshold. A passenger-side side mirror control device as described in any one of the appendices 1 to 4, characterized in that it is a passenger-side side mirror control device. [Explanation of Symbols] 【0107】 1. Passenger-side side mirror control device 2 Control device 6. Side mirror mechanism 7. Following vehicle speed detection unit 8 Judgment Department 9. Side mirror retraction control unit 10 car bodies 11. Passenger-side side mirror unit 12. Passenger-side side mirror 13 Under Mirror 14 Support stays 15 Rotation axis 21 Cameras 22 Speed ​​sensor 23 Turn signal 24 Radar sensors

Claims

[Claim 1] A drive mechanism that allows the passenger-side side mirror of a vehicle to move between a first position, which is the position when the vehicle is in motion, and a second position, which is the position when the passenger-side side mirror is not in use. When the conditions for retracting the passenger-side mirror are met, including the vehicle intending to change lanes toward the driver's side and the vehicle being stationary, the control unit controls the drive mechanism to move the passenger-side mirror so that it does not protrude outward from the passenger-side side of the vehicle body between the first and second positions. A passenger-side side mirror control device characterized by comprising the following:

Images