vehicle

Abstract

Provided is a vehicle which can reduce troublesomeness and appropriately notify of vehicle surroundings information.　This vehicle comprises: a vehicle surroundings detection sensor (140) that detects the surrounding environment of the vehicle (1); a speed sensor (152) that detects the speed of the vehicle (1); and a plurality of vehicle surroundings information display regions (53, 54, 55, 56) that display vehicle surroundings information detected by the vehicle surroundings detection sensor (140). The vehicle surroundings information display regions (53, 54, 55, 56) used to carry out display change in accordance with the speed detected by the speed sensor (152).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Vehicles that are equipped with information display means for displaying vehicle status information, vehicle surroundings information, and the like are known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for mounting information display means on the front fender mirror or side mirror for displaying vehicle information useful for driving the vehicle, such as the vehicle's speed, fuel, and control system status. Patent Document 2 discloses a technology that includes a pair of left and right imaging devices that capture images of the left and right rear sides of the vehicle, respectively, and a pair of displays that are positioned in front of the driver's seat and display the images captured by the pair of imaging devices, and that moves the pair of displays forward of the vehicle from a reference position so that the distance between the pair of displays becomes narrower as the vehicle's traveling speed increases. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-32913 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6717009 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, since vehicle mirrors are originally intended to allow the driver to see areas that the driver cannot see, if vehicle information is constantly displayed on the mirror, as described in Patent Document 1, this can easily become annoyance to the driver as excessive notifications. On the other hand, in order to notify the driver of vehicle information as needed, it is possible to move the display to make the driver aware of it, as described in Patent Document 2. However, the technology of moving the display itself is difficult to apply to vehicles such as motorcycles, where the location where the display can be moved is limited. The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has an object to provide a vehicle that can reduce annoyance and appropriately notify a driver of vehicle surrounding information. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] This specification contains the entire contents of Japanese patent application No. 2021-107013, filed on June 28, 2021. The vehicle is equipped with a vehicle surroundings detection sensor that detects the vehicle's surrounding environment, a speed sensor that detects the vehicle's speed, and a plurality of vehicle surroundings information display areas that display the vehicle surroundings information detected by the vehicle surroundings detection sensor, and is characterized in that the vehicle surroundings information display area to be displayed is changed depending on the speed detected by the speed sensor. Effect of the Invention

[0006] This reduces annoyance and provides appropriate information about the area around the vehicle. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a right side view of a motorcycle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the front part of the motorcycle as viewed from the rear right side. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the speed of a motorcycle and the field of view and blind spots. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the ECU together with its peripheral configuration. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the indicator display process of the ECU. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an example of an arrangement of indicators according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description, directions such as front, rear, left, right, up and down are the same as directions relative to the vehicle body unless otherwise specified. In addition, the symbol FR in each drawing indicates the front of the vehicle body, the symbol UP indicates the upper side of the vehicle body, and the symbol LH indicates the left side of the vehicle body.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a right side view of a motorcycle 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The motorcycle 1 is a vehicle in which an engine 11 as a power unit is supported on a body frame 10, a steering system 12 that supports a front wheel 2 so as to be steerable is supported at the front end of the body frame 10 so as to be steerable to the left and right, and a swing arm (not shown) that supports a rear wheel 3 is provided at the rear of the body frame 10. The rear wheel 3 is a drive wheel that is driven by the engine 11. The motorcycle 1 is a saddle-ride type vehicle in which a rider (passenger) sits astride on a seat 14, and the seat 14 is provided above the rear part of the body frame 10. The power unit may be an electric motor.

[0010] The seat 14 is supported from below by the body frame 10, and is disposed between the front wheels 2 and the rear wheels 3 in the vehicle front-rear direction. The seat 14 is disposed above and rear of the engine 11. The front wheel 2 is supported at the lower end of a steering system 12. A steering handle 20 for steering is provided at the upper end of the steering system 12. The handle 20 is disposed in front of and above the seat 14. The handle 20 is supported by a vehicle front portion 10a located in front of the seat 14 on the vehicle body, and is steered left and right relative to the vehicle front portion 10a.

[0011] The handlebars 20 rotate about a steering shaft 20a disposed in the front body 10a. The steering shaft 20a is located in the center of the vehicle width of the motorcycle 1, similar to the front wheel 2. The steering shaft 20a is part of the steering system 12, and is tilted backward with respect to the vertical direction in a side view of the vehicle. The steering wheel 20 includes a rod-shaped handle portion 20b extending outward on the left and right sides of a steering shaft 20a in the center of the vehicle width, and a pair of grip portions 20c provided on the outer ends of the handle portion 20b in the vehicle width direction. The driver seated in the seat 14 holds the left and right grip portions 20c with his / her left and right hands, respectively, to steer the steering wheel 20.

[0012] The motorcycle 1 is provided with a body cover 22 that covers the body including the body frame 10. A front cover 23 that covers an upper part of the steering system 12 and the front end of the body frame 10 from the front and sides, and a center cover 24 that covers the body between the handlebars 20 and the seat 14 from above and sides, are provided in the front part of the body cover 22. The body front part 10a is made up of the body frame 10, the body cover 22, etc. The motorcycle 1 is provided with a windscreen 25 extending upward from the front cover 23 in front of the handlebars 20.

[0013] The motorcycle 1 is provided with a pair of left and right rearview mirrors 26 that extend outward in the vehicle width direction from the left and right side portions of the front cover 23. The left and right rearview mirrors 26 are disposed outward in the vehicle width direction relative to the windscreen 25. The rearview mirrors 26 are located near the lower end portion of the windscreen 25. In addition, the motorcycle 1 is provided with a front fender 28 that covers the front wheel 2 from above. The front fender 28 is supported by a lower part of the steering system 12.

[0014] The motorcycle 1 is equipped with a headlight 29a and a pair of left and right turn signals 29b as lighting devices. The headlight 29a is provided at the front end of the front cover 23, and the turn signals 29b are provided in front of the left and right rearview mirrors 26, respectively.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the front part of the motorcycle 1 as seen from the rear right side. In the explanation from FIG. 2 onwards, a pair of left and right configurations may be distinguished by adding an "L" to the symbol on the left side and an "R" to the symbol on the right side, and may also be indicated by only the symbol without the "L" and "R".

[0016] The motorcycle 1 is equipped with a display device 30, which displays information related to the state of the motorcycle 1, behind the windscreen 25. The display device 30 is disposed in front of and above the handlebars 20. The display device 30 is a meter unit that displays the state of the motorcycle 1, such as the vehicle speed of the motorcycle 1.

[0017] The display device 30 includes instruments 31, 32 that display information relating to the state of the motorcycle 1 (vehicle speed, engine RPM), and a monitor 33 that displays various information. The monitor 33 includes a known display panel such as a liquid crystal panel, and displays various information including information relating to the motorcycle 1 toward the rider at the upper rear side.

[0018] The display device 30 of this embodiment has a longitudinal shape that is long in the vehicle width direction. When viewed from the driver, the size of the display device 30 in the left-right direction is larger than the size in the up-down direction (front-rear direction). A monitor 33 is provided in the center of the display device 30 in the vehicle width direction, and instruments 31, 32 are provided on both the left and right sides of the monitor 33, respectively. The display device 30 is surrounded by a meter visor 34.

[0019] The motorcycle 1 includes an operation unit 35 for the rider to operate each part of the motorcycle 1, which includes a pair of handle-side operation units 36 provided on the left and right handle units 20b, respectively, and a central operation unit 37 located in the center of the vehicle width behind the display device 30. The operation unit 35 is located forward of the seat 14. By operating the operating unit 35, for example, operation of lighting devices such as the headlight 29a and the turn signals 29b, operation of an audio system mounted on the motorcycle 1, operation of a navigation system mounted on the motorcycle 1, operation of the driving mode of the engine 11, operation to change the characteristics of the electronically controlled suspension of the front wheel 2 and the rear wheel 3, operation of various operation menus displayed on the monitor 33, etc. can be performed.

[0020] The motorcycle 1 is provided with a plate-shaped operation unit support part 38 that extends forward from the front end part 24a of the center cover 24 in the vehicle width direction center. The operation unit support part 38 extends forward from the center cover 24, passing above the handlebars 20, and is connected to the rear end part of the display device 30. The operation unit support part 38 is located above the vehicle width direction center part of the handlebars 20, and covers the steering shaft 20a from above. The operation unit support part 38 constitutes a part of the body cover 22.

[0021] The central operating section 37 is provided on an operating section support section 38 and is positioned between the center cover 24 and the display device 30 . The central operation unit 37 includes a pressing operation unit 37a consisting of a plurality of operation buttons, and a stick-shaped operator 37b protruding upward from an operation unit support portion . The operating element 37b is disposed in front of the pushing operation portion 37a and protrudes upward from the pushing operation portion 37a. The operating element 37b is located in the center in the vehicle width direction. Each part of the motorcycle 1 can be operated by a tilting operation of tilting the operating element 37b in a desired direction and a rotating operation of rotating the operating element 37b about the axis of the operating element 37b.

[0022] Rearview mirrors (mirror bodies) 26L, 26R are located on the left and right sides of the display device 30. Each rearview mirror 26L, 26R includes a mirror body (mirror) 41L, 41R that reflects the left and right rear views, and a support stay (connecting portion) 42L, 42R that connects the mirror body 41L, 41R to the motorcycle 1. The support stays 42L, 42R are provided on the left and right outer side portions of the meter visor 34. That is, the rearview mirrors 26L, 26R are provided adjacent to the display device 30. When viewed from the driver, specifically, when viewed in the normal direction of the display screen of the monitor 33, the rearview mirrors 26L, 26R extend on a longitudinal extension of the display device 30.

[0023] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the speed of the motorcycle 1, the visual fields θ0 to θ4, and the blind spots AL and AR. In this embodiment, the display device 30 and the rearview mirrors 26L and 26R are provided with a BSI display device 50 (see FIG. 2) as an information display device. The BSI display device 50 displays information on the presence or absence of another vehicle (object) 200 in blind spots (blind spot areas) AL and AR as an example of vehicle surrounding information. BSI is an abbreviation of Blind Spot Information. The blind spots AL and AR are ranges that the driver looking ahead cannot see, or ranges that the driver cannot see through the rearview mirror 26. In the case of the motorcycle 1, the blind spots AL and AR of the driver correspond to the motorcycle 1 driven by the driver, that is, the side rear area of ​​the vehicle 1. Specifically, in FIG. 3, the left blind spot AL corresponds to the left area of ​​the vehicle 1 sandwiched between the range θ0 to θ4 that the driver R1 looking ahead can see without moving his / her eyes and the range AB that can be seen through the rearview mirror 26. The right blind spot AR corresponds to the area on the right side of the vehicle 1 sandwiched between the range θ0 to θ4 that the driver R1 can see without moving his / her eyes and the range AB that can be seen through the rearview mirror .

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, the BSI display device 50 of the present embodiment includes a meter indicator 51 provided on the display device 30, and a pair of left and right mirror indicators 52 provided on the rearview mirrors 26L and 26R.

[0025] In this embodiment, the meter indicator 51 includes a plurality of indicators (vehicle surrounding information display areas) 53, 54L, and 54R. In detail, the meter indicator 51 includes a meter center indicator 53 provided in the center of the display device 30 in the vehicle width direction, and a pair of left and right meter end indicators 54L and 54R provided at the outer end of the display device 30 in the vehicle width direction. The indicators 53, 54L, and 54R are provided at the upper part of the display device 30. That is, the indicators 53, 54L, and 54R are provided on the upper side of each part in the left and right direction of the display device 30. In particular, in this embodiment, the indicators 53, 54L, and 54R are provided close to the upper edge of the display device 30. The indicator 53 in the meter center is provided above the monitor 33. The meter end indicators 54L and 54R are provided on the outer side of the instruments 31 and 32 in the vehicle width direction, respectively.

[0026] In this embodiment, the mirror indicator 52 includes a plurality of indicators (vehicle surrounding information display areas) 55L, 55R, 56L, and 56R. In detail, the mirror indicator 52 includes a pair of left and right mirror support indicators 55L and 55R provided on the support stays 42L and 42R of the rearview mirrors 26L and 26R, and a pair of left and right mirror indicators 56L and 56R provided on the mirror bodies 41L and 41R of the rearview mirrors 26L and 26R. The mirror support indicators 55L and 55R are provided in the longitudinal middle parts of the support stays 42L and 42R. The mirror support indicators 55L and 55R are provided on the upper parts of the support stays 42L and 42R. The mirror indicators 56L and 56R are provided on the upper parts of the mirror bodies 41L and 41R. Particularly, in this embodiment, the mirror indicators 56L and 56R are provided in positions close to the upper edges of the mirror bodies 41L and 41R. The mirror indicators 56L, 56R are provided on the outer sides in the vehicle width direction. By placing the indicators 53 to 56 above the respective components, the indicators 53 to 56 can be disposed in positions where the driver can easily notice them.

[0027] In the BSI display device 50, the indicators 53-56 are provided at positions that are symmetrical on the left and right sides with respect to the center line C (see FIG. 3) in the vehicle width direction of the motorcycle 1. Therefore, in the motorcycle 1, which is an example of a vehicle with a good balance in the left and right direction and a rider on the center line C in the vehicle width direction, it is possible to more effectively notify the rider of vehicle surroundings information.

[0028] The indicators 53 to 56 have the same basic configuration. The indicators 53 to 56 are configured to display a BSI image (not shown) by illuminating a light source (not shown). The left indicators 54L to 56L are configured to display BSI images (not shown) simulating the host vehicle 1 and another vehicle 200 approaching or entering the left blind spot AL according to their installation positions on the left side.

[0029] The right indicators 54R to 56R are configured to display BSI images simulating the host vehicle 1 and another vehicle 200 approaching or entering the blind spot AR on the right side, depending on the installation position on the right side. The indicator 53 at the center of the meter is configured to be able to display BSI images corresponding to the left and right on one indicator 53. That is, for example, a left light source (not shown) and a right light source (not shown) are provided, and a BSI image simulating the host vehicle 1 and another vehicle 200 approaching and entering the blind spot AL on the left side of the host vehicle 1 can be displayed by the left light source being illuminated, and a BSI image simulating the host vehicle 1 and another vehicle 200 approaching and entering the blind spot AR on the right side of the host vehicle 1 can be displayed by the right light source being illuminated.

[0030] The meter indicator 51 and the mirror indicator 52 are adjacent to the display device 30 and the rearview mirrors 26L, 26R, so that they can be visually and functionally integrated, and the lighting positions of the indicators 53 to 56 can be easily changed as if they were continuous. This makes it easier for the driver to notice notifications from the indicators 53 to 56, and improves the design.

[0031] In particular, in this embodiment, on both the left and right sides, the distance in the vehicle width direction from indicator 54 at the meter end to indicator 55 at the mirror support part is smaller than the distance from indicator 53 at the center of the meter to indicator 54 at the meter end. Also, on both the left and right sides, the distance in the vehicle width direction from indicator 55 at the meter end to indicator 56 at the mirror support part is smaller than the distance from indicator 53 at the center of the meter to indicator 54 at the meter end.

[0032] In FIG. 3, it is known that the range that the driver R1 can see without moving his / her eyes, that is, the visual field θ0 to θ4, becomes narrower as the speed of the host vehicle 1 increases. In general, when the speed of the host vehicle 1 is 0 km / h, the driver R1 has a visual field θ0 of 200° in total in the left-right direction with respect to the front of the vehicle (front center line C in the vehicle width direction). In addition, when the speed of the host vehicle 1 is 40 km / h, the driver R1 is assumed to have a visual field θ1 of a total range of 100° in the left and right directions with respect to the front of the vehicle.

[0033] Furthermore, when the speed of the host vehicle 1 is 70 km / h, the driver R1 is assumed to have a visual field θ2 of 75° in total in the left-right direction with respect to the front of the vehicle. In addition, when the speed of the host vehicle 1 is 100 km / h, the driver R1 is assumed to have a visual field θ3 of 40° in total in the left and right directions with respect to the front of the vehicle. Furthermore, when the speed of the host vehicle 1 is 130 km / h, the driver R1 is assumed to have a visual field θ4 of 30° in total in the left and right directions with respect to the front of the vehicle.

[0034] In this embodiment, the indicators 56L, 56R of the mirror are provided inside the field of view θ2 and outside the field of view θ3. The indicators 55L, 55R of the mirror support are provided inside the mirror indicators 56L, 56R in the vehicle width direction and at a position corresponding to the outer end of the field of view θ3. The indicators 54L, 54R of the meter end are provided inside the mirror indicators 55L, 55R in the vehicle width direction and at a position corresponding to the outer end of the field of view θ3. The indicator 53 of the meter center is provided in the center of the display device 30 in the vehicle width direction, and is therefore provided inside the meter end indicators 54L, 54R in the vehicle width direction and inside the fields of view θ0 to θ4.

[0035] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the ECU 100 together with its peripheral configuration. The host vehicle 1 includes an ECU 100. ECU is an abbreviation of Electronic Control Unit. The ECU 100 is a computer device including a control unit 110, a storage unit 120, a communication interface circuit, and the like. The storage unit 120 includes memories such as ROM and RAM. ROM is an abbreviation of Read Only Memory. RAM is an abbreviation of Random access memory. The storage unit 120 stores the control program executed by the control unit 110. The storage unit 120 also stores data processed by the control unit 110 when the control unit 110 executes the computer program and data of the processing results.

[0036] The control unit 110 is composed of a CPU, a microcomputer, etc., and controls each part of the ECU 100 by executing a program. CPU is an abbreviation of Central Processing Unit. The control unit 110 may be an SoC that integrates the control unit 110 and the storage unit 120. SoC is an abbreviation of System-on-a-chip.

[0037] The ECU 100 is connected to a vehicle front monitoring sensor 130, a vehicle surroundings detection sensor 140, and an in-vehicle sensor 150. The ECU 100 is also connected to a BSI display device 50. The vehicle front monitoring sensor 130, the vehicle surroundings detection sensor 140, the in-vehicle sensor 150, and the BSI display device 50 are connected to the ECU 100 via communication lines so as to be able to transmit and receive signal information such as detection signals and control signals to and from the ECU 100.

[0038] The vehicle forward monitoring sensor 130 monitors the front of the host vehicle 1, that is, the front of the vehicle. The vehicle forward monitoring sensor 130 includes a forward monitoring radar 131, a forward monitoring laser 132, a forward monitoring camera 133, and a forward monitoring drive recorder 134.

[0039] The forward monitoring radar 131 detects the distance and direction to an object in front of the vehicle by emitting radio waves toward the front of the vehicle and measuring the waves reflected from the object in front of the vehicle. The forward monitoring radar 131 detects a preceding vehicle traveling in front of the vehicle and an obstacle in front of the vehicle as the object in front of the vehicle. The radio waves of the forward monitoring radar 131 are, for example, millimeter waves.

[0040] The forward monitoring laser 132 emits a laser beam toward the front of the vehicle and detects at least the distance to an object in front of the vehicle by measuring the reflected laser beam from the object in front of the vehicle. The forward monitoring laser 132 detects at least the distance to a preceding vehicle traveling in front of the vehicle and an obstacle in front of the vehicle. The forward monitoring laser 132 in this embodiment is configured by a LiDAR. LiDAR is an abbreviation of Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging or Light Detection and Ranging. The laser beam of the forward monitoring laser 132 is, for example, infrared light. The forward monitoring laser 132 may be a scanning LiDAR, and may detect the distance and direction to an object in front of the vehicle.

[0041] The forward monitoring camera 133 captures an image of the area in front of the vehicle. The forward monitoring camera 133 is composed of a solid-state imaging element such as a CCD or a CMOS. CCD is an abbreviation of Charge Coupled Device. CMOS is an abbreviation of Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor.

[0042] The forward monitoring drive recorder 134 records monitoring information from the forward monitoring radar 131, the forward monitoring laser 132, and the forward monitoring camera 133. The forward monitoring drive recorder 134 may be configured to record at least the imaging information from the forward monitoring camera 133. The forward monitoring drive recorder 134 may be provided with a dedicated camera in addition to the forward monitoring camera 133. Also, the forward monitoring drive recorder 134 may be configured to record only when a large acceleration acts on the host vehicle 1 based on the acceleration.

[0043] The vehicle surroundings detection sensor 140 detects the surrounding environment of the host vehicle 1. The vehicle surroundings detection sensor 140 detects the surroundings of the vehicle 1, such as the sides of the host vehicle 1 and the rear of the host vehicle 1, as the surrounding environment of the host vehicle 1. The vehicle surroundings detection sensor 140 may detect a range overlapping with the front of the host vehicle 1 as the vehicle surroundings. The vehicle surroundings detection sensor 140 includes a surroundings detection radar 141, a surroundings detection laser 142, a surroundings detection camera 143, and a surroundings detection drive recorder 144.

[0044] The periphery detection radar 141 detects the distance and direction to objects around the vehicle by emitting radio waves toward the periphery of the vehicle and measuring the reflected waves from the objects around the vehicle. The periphery detection radar 141 detects vehicles running parallel to the vehicle and following vehicles running behind the vehicle as objects around the vehicle. The periphery detection radar 141 also detects obstacles around the vehicle as objects around the vehicle. The periphery detection radar 141 is, for example, a millimeter wave. A plurality of periphery detection radars 141 may be provided, for example, on the left and right sides of the host vehicle 1.

[0045] The periphery detection laser 142 emits laser light toward the periphery of the vehicle and detects at least the distance to the object around the vehicle by measuring the reflected laser light from the object around the vehicle. The periphery detection laser 142 detects at least the distance to the object around the vehicle, such as a vehicle running parallel to the vehicle or a following vehicle, and an obstacle around the vehicle. The periphery detection laser 142 in this embodiment is configured with a LiDAR. The periphery detection laser 142 may be a scanning LiDAR, and may detect the distance and direction to the object around the vehicle. A plurality of periphery detection lasers 142 may be provided on the left and right sides of the host vehicle 1, for example.

[0046] The periphery detection camera 143 captures an image of the periphery of the vehicle. The periphery detection camera 143 is configured with a solid-state image pickup element such as a CCD or a CMOS. A plurality of periphery detection cameras 143 may be provided on the left and right sides of the host vehicle 1, for example.

[0047] The periphery detection drive recorder 144 records detection information from the periphery detection radar 141, the periphery detection laser 142, and the periphery detection camera 143. The periphery detection drive recorder 144 may be configured to record at least the imaging information of the periphery detection camera 143. The periphery detection drive recorder 144 may be provided with a dedicated camera in addition to the periphery detection camera 143. Furthermore, the periphery detection drive recorder 144 may be configured to record only when a large acceleration acts on the host vehicle 1 based on the acceleration.

[0048] The on-vehicle sensor 150 detects the state of the host vehicle 1, such as the speed and engine revolutions of the host vehicle 1. The on-vehicle sensor 150 includes an acceleration sensor 151, a vehicle speed sensor 152, and an engine revolutions sensor 153.

[0049] The acceleration sensor 151 detects the acceleration of the host vehicle 1 as a state of the host vehicle 1. The acceleration sensor 151 of this embodiment detects the acceleration in the forward / rearward direction of the host vehicle 1. The acceleration sensor 151 also detects the acceleration in the left / right direction of the host vehicle 1. Furthermore, the acceleration sensor 151 detects the rotational angular velocity of the host vehicle 1 in the yaw direction.

[0050] A vehicle speed sensor (speed sensor) 152 detects the speed of the host vehicle 1, that is, the vehicle speed, as a state of the host vehicle 1.

[0051] The engine speed sensor 153 detects the speed of the engine 11 as a state of the host vehicle 1 .

[0052] The BSI display device 50 includes a meter indicator 51 and a mirror indicator 52 . The meter indicator 51 includes an indicator 53 in the center of the meter, and a pair of indicators 54L and 54R at the left and right ends of the meter. The mirror indicator 52 includes a pair of left and right mirror support indicators 55L, 55R, and a pair of left and right mirror support indicators 56L, 56R. The BSI display device 50 is controlled by a control unit 110 .

[0053] The ECU 100 realizes various functional configurations by the control unit 110 executing the control program stored in the storage unit 120. The ECU 100 of this embodiment has, as its functional configurations, an obstacle detection determination means 111, a display area change means 112, and an indicator control means 113.

[0054] The obstacle detection determination means 111 determines, based on information input from the vehicle front monitoring sensor 130 and the vehicle surroundings detection sensor 140, whether or not an obstacle has been detected in front of or around the vehicle. The obstacle detection judgment means 111 of this embodiment judges whether or not another vehicle 200 that may be an obstacle has been detected in front of the vehicle based on monitoring information from the forward monitoring radar 131, forward monitoring laser 132, and forward monitoring camera 133 of the vehicle forward monitoring sensor 130. In addition, the obstacle detection judgment means 111 judges whether or not another vehicle 200 that may be an obstacle has been detected around the vehicle based on detection information from the periphery detection radar 141, periphery detection laser 142, and periphery detection camera 143 of the vehicle periphery detection sensor 140.

[0055] In particular, the obstacle detection determination means 111 of this embodiment, when determining whether or not another vehicle 200 has been detected around the vehicle, determines whether or not another vehicle 200 approaching or entering the blind spots AL, AR of the vehicle 1 has been detected. For example, the obstacle detection determination means 111 can determine that the other vehicle 200 has been detected in the left blind spot AL when it is detected that the direction and distance from the vehicle 1 to the other vehicle 200 are located in a certain area on the left rear side of the vehicle 1 that is set in advance taking into account a margin. Also, the obstacle detection determination means 111 can determine that the other vehicle 200 has been detected in the right blind spot AR when it is detected that the direction and distance from the vehicle 1 to the other vehicle 200 are located in a certain area on the right rear side of the vehicle 1 taking into account a margin.

[0056] The display area changing means 112 changes the indicators 53-56 that display the vehicle surroundings information according to the vehicle speed. When the vehicle is traveling at a low speed, the display area changing means 112 changes the indicators to be controlled to the indicators 54-56 located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction among the multiple indicators 53-56. When the vehicle is traveling at a high speed, the display area changing means 112 changes the indicators to be controlled to the indicators 53-55 located on the inner side in the vehicle width direction among the multiple indicators 53-56.

[0057] In this embodiment, the display area change means 112 presets a number of speed thresholds based on the fields of view θ0 to θ4, and each time the vehicle speed exceeds a larger threshold, the indicator 53 to 56 to be controlled is changed to an indicator 53 to 56 that is more inward in the vehicle width direction. In detail, the display area changing means 112 acquires the vehicle speed from the vehicle speed sensor 152. Then, when the vehicle speed is less than 40 km / h (first threshold), the display area changing means 112 changes the control target to the mirror indicators 56L, 56R. Also, when the vehicle speed is 40 km / h (first threshold speed) or more and less than 70 km / h (second threshold), the display area changing means 112 changes the control target to the mirror stay indicators 55L, 55R. Furthermore, when the vehicle speed is 70 (second threshold speed) km / h or more and less than 100 km / h (third threshold), the display area changing means 112 changes the control target to the indicators 54L, 54R at the meter end. Also, when the vehicle speed is 100 km / h (fourth threshold) or more, the display area changing means 112 changes the control target to the indicator 53 at the center of the meter.

[0058] The indicator control means 113 controls the BSI display device 50 based on the determination result of the obstacle detection determination means 111. In this embodiment, when another vehicle 200 is detected in the blind spots AL, AR, the indicator control means 113 controls the indicators 53 to 56 set (changed) by the display area change means 112 as control targets.

[0059] When another vehicle 200 is detected in the left blind spot AL, the indicator control means 113 turns on the indicators 53, 54L, 55L, and 56L corresponding to the left side, which are the indicators 53 to 56L set by the display area changing means 112. When another vehicle 200 is detected in the right blind spot AR, the indicator control means 113 turns on the indicators 53, 54R, 55R, and 56R corresponding to the right side, which are the indicators 53 to 56R set by the display area changing means 112. When another vehicle 200 is no longer detected in the blind spots AL and AR, the indicator control means 113 turns off the indicators 53 to 56.

[0060] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the indicator display process of the ECU 100. In the present embodiment, the indicator display process is started, for example, when a driving assistance operation is inputted through the operation unit 35, and is repeated periodically at an appropriate timing.

[0061] The ECU 100 determines whether or not an object is present in the blind spots AL and AR, that is, whether or not another vehicle 200 has been detected in the blind spots AL and AR (step S1). When there is no object in the blind spots AL and AR (step S1 / NO), the ECU 100 ends the indicator display process with the indicators 53 to 56 turned off.

[0062] When an object is present in the blind spots AL and AR (step S1 / YES), the ECU 100 acquires the vehicle speed from the vehicle speed sensor 152 (step S2). When the ECU 100 acquires the vehicle speed from the vehicle speed sensor 152, the ECU 100 determines whether the vehicle speed is 40 km / h or higher (step S3). If the vehicle speed is not 40 km / h or more (step S3 / NO), the ECU 100 lights up the indicator 56 of the mirror for indication (step S9).

[0063] If the vehicle speed is 40 km / h or more (step S3 / YES), the ECU 100 determines whether the vehicle speed is 70 km / h or more (step S4). If the vehicle speed is not 70 km / h or more (step S4 / NO), the ECU 100 lights up the indicator 55 of the mirror support portion to provide an indication (step S8).

[0064] If the vehicle speed is 70 km / h or more (step S4 / YES), the ECU 100 judges whether the vehicle speed is 100 km / h or more (step S5). If the vehicle speed is not 100 km / h or more (step S5 / NO), the ECU 100 lights up the indicator 54 at the end of the meter to display it (step S7).

[0065] If the vehicle speed is 100 km / h or more (step S5 / YES), the ECU 100 lights up the indicator 53 in the center of the meter (step S6). After displaying the indicators 53 to 56, the ECU 100 ends the indicator display process.

[0066] In this embodiment, when the vehicle (motorcycle) 1 is traveling and another vehicle 200 approaching or entering the blind spots AL, AR is detected by the vehicle surroundings detection sensor 140 or the like, the BSI display device 50 is turned on and a BSI image is displayed. This makes it easier for the driver R1 to notice the other vehicle 200 approaching or entering the blind spots AL, AR.

[0067] At this time, in this embodiment, the control target, i.e., the lighting position, of the indicators 53-56 of the BSI display device 50 is changed according to the vehicle speed. Therefore, compared to a case where the lighting position of the BSI display device 50 is not changed, the notification of the BSI is less likely to be excessive information compared to the original display information of the display device 30 and the rearview mirror 26. Also, compared to a case where the BSI image continues to be displayed on the rearview mirror 26, which is the outer end in the vehicle width direction, the lighting position is switched according to the field of view θ0-θ4, which narrows depending on the vehicle speed, and it is possible to properly notify the driver without moving the indicators 53-56 themselves.

[0068] As described above, according to this embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle 1 includes a vehicle surroundings detection sensor 140 that detects the surrounding environment of the vehicle 1, a vehicle speed sensor 152 that detects the vehicle speed, and a plurality of indicators 53, 54, 55, 56 that display vehicle surroundings information detected by the vehicle surroundings detection sensor 140. In the vehicle 1, the indicators 53, 54, 55, 56 to be displayed as control targets are changed according to the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor 152. Therefore, the indicators 53, 54, 55, 56 are changed according to the size of the visual fields θ0 to θ4 that change according to the magnitude of the vehicle speed, so that appropriate notification according to the state of the driver R1 can be given. This reduces annoyance and allows appropriate notification of vehicle surroundings information.

[0069] In this embodiment, when the vehicle is traveling at a low speed, the vehicle surroundings information is displayed by the indicators 53, 54, 55, 56 located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction among the multiple indicators 53, 54, 55, 56, and when the vehicle is traveling at a high speed, the vehicle surroundings information is displayed by the indicators 53, 54, 55, 56 located on the inner side in the vehicle width direction among the multiple indicators 53, 54, 55, 56. Therefore, the vehicle surroundings information can be appropriately notified to the driver R1 by displaying the vehicle surroundings information by the indicators 53, 54, 55, 56 that are closer to the center line C in the vehicle width direction in accordance with the fact that the field of view θ0 to θ4 of the driver R1 narrows toward the center as the vehicle speed increases.

[0070] Moreover, this embodiment further includes a display device 30 that displays at least information related to the state of the vehicle 1, and a rearview mirror 26 that includes a connection part 42 that connects the vehicle 1 to a mirror 41 that reflects the rear, and indicators 53, 54, 55, 56 are provided on at least one of the display device 30 or the rearview mirror 26. Therefore, by providing the indicators 53, 54, 55, 56 on the display device 30 and the rearview mirror 26, it is possible to efficiently notify the driver R1 of vehicle surroundings information by utilizing devices provided on the vehicle 1.

[0071] In this embodiment, a plurality of indicators 53, 54, 55, 56 are provided on at least one of the display device 30 and the rearview mirror 26. Therefore, by providing a plurality of indicators 53, 54, 55, 56 in one component, the display locations (control targets) of the indicators 53, 54, 55, 56 can be continuously changed in accordance with changes in the vehicle speed.

[0072] In this embodiment, a plurality of rear-view mirrors 26L, 26R are provided on the vehicle 1, and the display device 30 and the plurality of rear-view mirrors 26L, 26R are adjacent to each other. Therefore, since the display device 30 and the rear-view mirrors 26L, 26R are adjacent to each other, the indicators 53, 54, 55, 56 can be changed as if they were continuous, which makes it easier for the driver R1 to notice them and improves the design.

[0073] In this embodiment, the indicators 53, 54, 55, 56 are provided on at least one of the upper part of the display device 30 and the upper part of the rearview mirrors 26L, 26R. By placing the indicators 53, 54, 55, 56 above the respective components, the indicators 53, 54, 55, 56 can be disposed in positions where the driver can easily notice them.

[0074] In addition, in this embodiment, the indicators 53, 54, 55, 56 are provided at positions that are symmetrical with respect to the vehicle width centerline C of the vehicle 1. This provides a good balance in the left-right direction, and makes it easier to notify the driver R1 of vehicle surroundings information more effectively in a vehicle in which the driver is located on the vehicle width centerline C. Therefore, the BSI display device 50 of this embodiment is more suitable for a motorcycle 1 in which the display device 30 and the rearview mirrors 26L, 26R are closer to each other than for a four-wheeled vehicle.

[0075] [Other embodiments] The above-described embodiment merely shows one aspect of the present invention, and any modification and application can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0076] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an arrangement of indicators 53, 54, 55, and 56 in another embodiment. In the above embodiment, the indicator 53 in the center of the meter is configured to indicate that another vehicle 200 is approaching or entering the left and right blind spots AL, AR with a single indicator 53. However, instead of this, for example, as shown in Fig. 6, a pair of left and right meter center indicators 53L1, 53R1 may be provided in the center of the display device 30 in the vehicle width direction, and the approach and entry of another vehicle 200 into the left and right blind spots AL, AR may be indicated by separate left and right indicators 53L1, 53R1.

[0077] In the above embodiment, the BSI display device 50 has been described as having a configuration including the meter indicator 51 and the mirror indicator 52. However, instead of this, the BSI display device 50 may be configured to have only one of the meter indicator 51 and the mirror indicator 52, or, for example, the BSI display device 50 may be configured to have only the meter indicator 51 while omitting the mirror indicator 52.

[0078] In the above embodiment, the meter indicator 51 includes the indicator 53 at the center of the meter and the indicators 54L and 54R at the ends of the meter, and the mirror indicator 52 includes the indicators 55L and 55R at the mirror support and the indicators 56L and 56R at the mirror. However, the number of indicators is not limited to these. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a configuration may be provided in which multiple indicators 53L1 and 53R1 at the center of the meter, multiple indicators 54L, 54L1, 54L2, 54R, 54R1, and 54R2 at the ends of the meter, multiple indicators 55L, 55L1, 55L2, 55R, 55R1, and 55R2 at the mirror support, and multiple indicators 56L, 56L1, 56L2, 56R, 56R1, and 56R2 at the mirror. When multiple indicators are provided, it is preferable that the indicators are provided at positions shifted in the vehicle width direction so as to correspond to the field of view that changes depending on the vehicle speed. Also, a plurality of thresholds may be set according to the field of view, and each time the speed exceeds a larger threshold, the indicator to be controlled may be changed to an indicator that is more inward in the vehicle width direction.

[0079] In the above embodiment, a configuration has been described in which the indicator control means 113 turns on and off the indicators 53 to 56 based on whether or not another vehicle 200 is detected in the blind spots AL and AR. However, the indicator control means 113 may also perform control to switch between lighting control and blinking control, etc., depending on the position, for example, distance, of the other vehicle 200 in the blind spots AL and AR.

[0080] In the above embodiment, the indicators 53 to 56 are configured to display a BSI image depending on whether the light source is turned on or off. However, the indicators may be indicators using a display that displays a BSI image.

[0081] In the above embodiment, the indicators 53 to 56 are configured to display the BSI image as the vehicle surroundings information display area, but a display capable of displaying the speed and the like may also be used.

[0082] In the above embodiment, the motorcycle 1 has been described as an example of a vehicle, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention may be applied to a display device and a mirror body of a four-wheeled vehicle.

[0083] [Configuration supported by the above embodiment] The above embodiment supports the following configurations.

[0084] (Configuration 1) A vehicle equipped with a vehicle surroundings detection sensor that detects the vehicle's surrounding environment, a speed sensor that detects the vehicle's speed, and a plurality of vehicle surroundings information display areas that display the vehicle surroundings information detected by the vehicle surroundings detection sensor, characterized in that the vehicle surroundings information display area to be displayed is changed depending on the speed detected by the speed sensor. According to this configuration, the vehicle surroundings information display area is changed according to the size of the field of view, which changes according to the speed of the vehicle, so that appropriate notification can be given according to the driver's condition, thereby reducing annoyance and providing appropriate notification of vehicle surroundings information.

[0085] (Configuration 2) The vehicle described in configuration 1, characterized in that, when traveling at low speeds, the vehicle surroundings information is displayed in one of the plurality of vehicle surroundings information display areas that is located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, and when traveling at high speeds, the vehicle surroundings information is displayed in one of the plurality of vehicle surroundings information display areas that is located on the inner side in the vehicle width direction. With this configuration, since the driver's field of view narrows toward the center as the vehicle speed increases, the vehicle surroundings information is displayed in a vehicle surroundings information display area that is closer to the center in the vehicle width direction, thereby allowing the driver to be appropriately notified of the vehicle surroundings information.

[0086] (Configuration 3) A vehicle as described in configuration 1 or 2, further comprising a display device that displays at least information regarding the state of the vehicle, and a mirror body including a connection portion that connects the vehicle and a mirror that shows the rear, and the vehicle surrounding information display area is provided on at least one of the display device or the mirror body. According to this configuration, by providing the vehicle surroundings information display area on the display device and the mirror body, the vehicle surroundings information can be efficiently notified to the driver by using the devices provided in the vehicle.

[0087] (Configuration 4) The vehicle according to configuration 3, wherein the vehicle surroundings information display area is provided in a plurality of areas on at least one of the display device and the mirror body. According to this configuration, by providing a plurality of vehicle surrounding information display areas in one component, it is possible to continuously change the display location of the vehicle surrounding information display area in accordance with changes in the vehicle speed.

[0088] (Configuration 5) The vehicle according to configuration 3 or 4, characterized in that a plurality of the mirror bodies are provided on the vehicle, and the display device and the plurality of mirror bodies are adjacent to each other. With this configuration, the display device and the mirror body are adjacent to each other, so that the vehicle surrounding information display area can be changed as if it were continuous, making it easier for the driver to notice and improving the design.

[0089] (Configuration 6) The vehicle according to any one of configurations 3 to 5, wherein the vehicle surroundings information display area is provided on at least one of an upper portion of the display device or an upper portion of the mirror body. According to this configuration, by positioning the vehicle surroundings information display area above each component, the vehicle surroundings information display area can be disposed in a position where the driver can easily notice it.

[0090] (Configuration 7) A vehicle as described in any one of configurations 1 to 6, characterized in that the vehicle surroundings information display area is provided in a position that is symmetrical on the left and right sides with respect to the center in the width direction of the vehicle. This configuration provides a good balance in the left-right direction, and makes it easier to notify the driver of vehicle surroundings information more effectively in a vehicle in which the driver is located in the center of the vehicle width. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 1 Motorcycles (saddle-type vehicles, self-vehicles, vehicles) 26, 26L, 26R Rearview mirror (mirror body) 30 Display device 41, 41L, 41R Mirror body (mirror) 42, 42L, 42R Support stay (connection part) 53, 53L, 53L1, 53R, 53R1 Indicator in the center of the meter (area displaying information about the vehicle's surroundings) 54, 54L, 54L1, 54L2, 54R, 54R1, 54R2 Indicators at the end of the meter (area displaying information around the vehicle) 55, 55L, 55L1, 55L2, 55R, 55R1, 55R2 Mirror support indicator (vehicle surrounding information display area) 56, 56L, 56L1, 56L2, 56R, 56R1, 56R2 Mirror indicators (area displaying information about the vehicle's surroundings) 140 Vehicle Surrounding Detection Sensor 152 Vehicle speed sensor (speed sensor)

Claims

1. A vehicle surroundings detection sensor (140) for detecting the surrounding environment of the vehicle (1); A speed sensor (152) for detecting the speed of the vehicle (1); a plurality of vehicle surroundings information display areas (53, 54, 55, 56) for displaying vehicle surroundings information detected by the vehicle surroundings detection sensor (140); In a vehicle equipped with The vehicle surrounding information display area (53, 54, 55, 56) is provided in at least two or more components provided in the vehicle (1), displaying the vehicle surroundings information in different vehicle surroundings information display areas (53, 54, 55, 56) according to the speed detected by the speed sensor (152); During low-speed driving, the vehicle surroundings information is displayed in the vehicle surroundings information display area (53, 54, 55, 56) that is located on the outer side in a vehicle width direction among the plurality of vehicle surroundings information display areas (53, 54, 55, 56), and during high-speed driving, the vehicle surroundings information is displayed in the vehicle surroundings information display area (53, 54, 55, 56) that is located on the inner side in a vehicle width direction among the plurality of vehicle surroundings information display areas (53, 54, 55, 56), The vehicle surroundings information displayed in the vehicle surroundings information display area (53, 54, 55, 56) is the same, and is information regarding another vehicle (200) approaching or entering a blind spot (AL, AR) of the driver of the vehicle (1).

2. 2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the blind spots (AL, AR) are ranges that change depending on the speed of the vehicle (1).

3. 2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the blind spots (AL, AR) are in ranges that do not change depending on the speed of the vehicle (1).

4. The vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the display position of the vehicle surrounding information display area (53, 54, 55, 56) is changed so as to be displayed within the driver's field of vision in response to changes in speed.

5. A vehicle surroundings detection sensor (140) for detecting the surrounding environment of the vehicle (1); A speed sensor (152) for detecting the speed of the vehicle (1); a plurality of vehicle surroundings information display areas (53, 54, 55, 56) for displaying vehicle surroundings information detected by the vehicle surroundings detection sensor (140); In a vehicle equipped with The vehicle surrounding information display area (53, 54, 55, 56) is provided in at least two or more components provided in the vehicle (1), displaying the vehicle surroundings information in different vehicle surroundings information display areas (53, 54, 55, 56) according to the speed detected by the speed sensor (152); During low-speed driving, the vehicle surroundings information is displayed in the vehicle surroundings information display area (53, 54, 55, 56) that is located on the outer side in a vehicle width direction among the plurality of vehicle surroundings information display areas (53, 54, 55, 56), and during high-speed driving, the vehicle surroundings information is displayed in the vehicle surroundings information display area (53, 54, 55, 56) that is located on the inner side in a vehicle width direction among the plurality of vehicle surroundings information display areas (53, 54, 55, 56), The vehicle (1) is characterized in that the display position of the vehicle surroundings information display area (53, 54, 55, 56) is changed so that the information is displayed within the driver's field of vision in response to a change in speed.

6. A display device (30) for displaying at least information regarding the state of the vehicle; A rear-view mirror (41); A connection portion (42) that connects the vehicle and the mirror (41); Further equipped with 6. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle surrounding information display area (53, 54, 55, 56) is provided on at least two of the display device (30), the connection portion (42) or the mirror (41).

7. 7. The vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the vehicle surrounding information display area (53, 54, 55, 56) is provided in a plurality of areas on at least two of the display device (30), the connection portion (42) and the mirror (41).

8. The vehicle according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the connection portion (42) and the mirror (41) are provided in plurality on the vehicle (1), and the display device (30) and the plurality of connection portions (42) are adjacent to each other.

9. A vehicle as described in any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the vehicle surrounding information display area (53, 54, 55, 56) is provided on at least two of the upper part of the display device (30), the upper part of the connection portion (42), or the upper part of the mirror (41).

10. 10. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle surroundings information display areas (53, 54, 55, 56) are provided at positions that are symmetrical on the left and right sides with respect to the centre in the width direction of the vehicle (1).

Images