Parking brake control device

Abstract

To prevent a vehicle from being started in such a condition that a wheel stopper is installed.SOLUTION: A parking brake control device 100 comprises a storage detection part 11 which detects whether or not to store a wheel stopper W into a wheel stopper storage part 3 which is provided on a vehicle and a brake control part 13 which activates a parking brake 2 when it is not detected by the storage detection part 11 that the wheel stopper W is stored.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

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[0005] , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a parking brake control device that controls the parking brake of a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] For example, vehicles such as large vehicles are equipped with wheel stoppers installed in front of and behind (front and / or rear) the tires. When performing maintenance work or the like on such a vehicle, a wheel stopper is installed on the tire to prevent the vehicle from starting. In particular, there is also work performed with the engine running, and when the vehicle is an autonomous vehicle, a wheel stopper is required to prevent accidental starting due to autonomous driving or remote instructions.

[0003] As a device for preventing the vehicle from starting when performing work on the vehicle, for example, there is one described in Patent Document 1. In this device, in order to prevent the vehicle from starting unintentionally when performing work on the vehicle, the starting circuit for starting the vehicle is interrupted. [[ID=​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

[0007] The parking brake control device according to the present invention is a parking brake control device for controlling the parking brake of a vehicle, comprising: a storage detection unit for detecting whether or not a wheel chock is stored in a wheel chock storage unit provided in the vehicle; and a brake control unit for activating the parking brake when the storage detection unit does not detect that the wheel chock is stored.

[0008] This parking brake control device prevents the vehicle from moving by activating the parking brake if the wheel chocks are not detected to be retracted by the retraction detection unit. In other words, the vehicle cannot move unless the wheel chocks are removed from the front and rear of the tires and retracted. In this way, the parking brake control device can prevent the vehicle from moving when the wheel chocks are in place.

[0009] The parking brake control device may further include an obstruction structure that can switch between a storage obstruction state that hinders the storage of the wheel chocks into the wheel chock storage section and a storage permit state that allows the storage of the wheel chocks, and a locking unit that can releasely prohibit the switching of the state from the storage obstruction state to the storage permit state.

[0010] In this parking brake control device, for example, a worker performing vehicle maintenance can place wheel chocks in front of and behind the tires and lock the locking mechanism to prevent the obstruction structure from switching from a retraction obstruction state to a retraction-permitted state. In this state, a third party cannot retract the wheel chocks into the wheel chock storage compartment because the locking mechanism is locked. As a result, the parking brake control device can prevent the wheel chocks from being unintentionally retracted into the wheel chock storage compartment by a third party, thereby preventing the vehicle from starting unintentionally.

[0011] The parking brake control device further includes an obstruction state detection unit for detecting the state of the obstruction structure. The brake control unit releases the parking brake when the obstruction state detection unit detects that the obstruction structure has changed from an obstruction state to an allowable state, and the storage detection unit subsequently detects that the wheel chock is stored. However, if the storage detection unit does not detect that the wheel chock is stored and the obstruction state detection unit has detected that the obstruction structure is in an obstruction state, and the storage detection unit detects that the wheel chock is stored without the obstruction state detection unit detecting that the obstruction structure has changed to an allowable state, the parking brake does not need to be released.

[0012] Here, the phrase "when the storage detection unit has not detected the wheel chock being stored, but the obstruction state detection unit has detected that the obstruction structure has changed from an obstruction state to a storage-permitted state, and subsequently the storage detection unit has detected the wheel chock being stored" refers to the case where an operator switches the obstruction structure to a storage-permitted state in order to store the wheel chock, and the wheel chock stored in the wheel chock storage section is detected by the storage detection unit. In other words, it refers to the case where the obstruction structure has been switched and the wheel chock has been correctly stored in the wheel chock storage section. In this case, the parking brake control device can release the parking brake, enabling appropriate parking brake control in accordance with the storage of the wheel chock.

[0013] On the other hand, the above-mentioned "when the storage detection unit detects the storage of the wheel chock from a state in which the storage detection unit has not detected the storage of the wheel chock and the obstruction state detection unit has detected that the obstruction structure is in a storage obstruction state, without the obstruction state detection unit detecting that the obstruction structure has entered a storage-permissible state" refers to a situation in which the storage detection unit detects the storage of the wheel chock even though the obstruction structure has not been switched to a storage-permissible state. In other words, because the obstruction structure has not been switched, the wheel chock is not properly stored in the wheel chock storage unit. In this case, the parking brake control device does not release the parking brake, allowing for appropriate parking brake control in accordance with the storage of the wheel chock. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent a vehicle from starting while a wheel chock is installed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a vehicle to which the parking brake control device according to this embodiment is applied. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the wheel chock storage section, seen from the side. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a front view of the wheel chock storage compartment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the brake control device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0017] The parking brake control device 100 shown in FIG. 1 controls a parking brake 2 provided in a vehicle V such as an autonomous vehicle. This vehicle V has two wheel stoppers W and further includes a wheel stopper storage portion 3 for storing the two wheel stoppers W. However, the number of wheel stoppers W provided in the vehicle V and the number of wheel stoppers W stored in the wheel stopper storage portion 3 are not limited to two. The wheel stopper W is installed before and after the tire T and is for preventing the vehicle V from starting. As the wheel stopper W and the parking brake 2, various well-known configurations can be used. Further, the vehicle V includes a notification portion 4 for presenting information to an operator or the like of the vehicle V. The notification portion 4 includes, for example, a speaker that outputs sound, a display device such as a display, a lamp, and the like.

[0018] First, the configuration around the wheel stopper storage portion 3 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the wheel stopper storage portion 3 has a box shape with an opening 3a. The wheel stopper storage portion 3 can store the wheel stopper W inside through the opening 3a and can take out the wheel stopper W through the opening 3a. The wheel stopper storage portion 3 is provided at an appropriate position, such as a position near the tire T of the vehicle V.

[0019] The wheel stopper storage portion 3 is provided with a plate-shaped lid (obstruction structure) 31 that can open and close the opening 3a. For example, the lid 31 is swingably attached to the edge of the opening 3a of the wheel stopper storage portion 3 by a hinge or the like.

[0020] In a state where the lid 31 is closed (the state shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 2), the wheel stopper W cannot be stored in the wheel stopper storage portion 3, and the wheel stopper W cannot be taken out from the wheel stopper storage portion 3. That is, the state where the lid 31 is closed is a storage obstruction state that obstructs the storage of the wheel stopper W in the wheel stopper storage portion 3.

[0021] Further, in a state where the lid 31 is opened (the state shown by the solid line in FIG. 2), the wheel stopper W can be stored in the wheel stopper storage portion 3, and the wheel stopper W can be taken out from the wheel stopper storage portion 3. That is, the state where the lid 31 is opened is a storage allowable state that allows the storage of the wheel stopper W in the wheel stopper storage portion 3.

[0022] Thus, the lid 31 can switch between a storage-impeding state (closed state) and a storage-permissible state (open state). Note that the lid 31 may cover the entire opening 3a, or may cover only a part of the opening 3a as long as it can prevent the locking W from being stored in the locking storage part 3. Also, the lid 31 may be attached to the locking storage part 3 or may be removable from the locking storage part 3 as long as it can switch between the storage-impeding state and the storage-permissible state.

[0023] The locking storage part 3 is provided with a locking part 32 that can prohibit the state switch of the lid 31 from the closed state (storage-impeding state) to the open state (storage-permissible state) in a releasable manner. For example, the locking part 32 may be attached to the lid 31 and engage with the edge of the opening 3a of the locking storage part 3 to prevent the lid 31 from opening. The configuration of the locking part 32 is not particularly limited as long as it can prohibit the state switch of the lid 31 in a releasable manner. For example, the locking part 32 may include a lock and a key and be configured to be locked when an operator uses the key.

[0024] Here, after the operator takes out the locking W from the locking storage part 3, the operator closes the lid 31 and locks the locking part 32 so that the lid 31 cannot be opened. This can prevent the locking W from being inadvertently stored in the locking storage part 3 by a third party. Also, after the operator stores the locking W in the locking storage part 3, the operator can lock the locking part 32 so that the locking W cannot be taken out.

[0025] The wheel chock storage section 3 is provided with a storage sensor S1 and a state sensor S2. The storage sensor S1 detects whether or not a wheel chock W is stored inside the wheel chock storage section 3. The storage sensor S1 may be, for example, a non-contact sensor, or it may be a switch that detects presence or absence by physical contact. The storage sensor S1 may be, for example, provided on the inner surface of the wheel chock storage section 3. The storage sensor S1 can detect the presence or absence of each of the two wheel chocks W stored inside the wheel chock storage section 3. In this embodiment, two storage sensors S1 are provided (see Figure 3). Furthermore, it is preferable that the storage sensor S1 be provided in a position that is difficult to reach from the opening 3a of the wheel chock storage section 3, towards the back.

[0026] The state sensor S2 detects the state of the lid 31. Here, the state sensor S2 can detect whether the lid 31 is open or closed. As long as the state of the lid 31 can be detected, the type and installation location of the state sensor S2 are not limited.

[0027] Next, the details of the control device 1 will be described. The control device 1 shown in Figure 4 is physically composed of an electronic control unit having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. In this electronic control unit, for example, various functions described below are realized by executing a program recorded in the ROM or RAM with the CPU. Functionally, the control device 1 includes a storage detection unit 11, a malfunction state detection unit 12, a brake control unit 13, and a notification control unit 14.

[0028] The storage detection unit 11 detects whether or not the wheel chocks W are stored in the wheel chock storage unit 3 based on the detection result of the storage sensor S1. Here, the storage detection unit 11 detects whether or not both wheel chocks W are stored in the wheel chock storage unit 3.

[0029] The malfunction state detection unit 12 detects the state of the lid 31 based on the detection result of the state sensor S2. Here, the malfunction state detection unit 12 detects whether the lid 31 is closed or open.

[0030] The brake control unit 13 controls the parking brake 2. Here, the brake control unit 13 activates the parking brake 2 if the storage detection unit 11 does not detect that the wheel chocks W have been stored in the wheel chock storage unit 3. As a result, for example, if a worker removes the wheel chocks W from the wheel chock storage unit 3 and places them in front of and behind the tires T for maintenance of the vehicle V, the parking brake 2 will be activated, preventing the vehicle V from starting.

[0031] On the other hand, if the storage detection unit 11 detects that the wheel chock W is stored in the wheel chock storage unit 3, the brake control unit 13 releases the operation of the parking brake 2 based on whether or not the wheel chock W is stored. In this case, the parking brake 2 may be activated based on control other than the presence or absence of the wheel chock W.

[0032] Furthermore, in order to release the parking brake 2 with greater precision, the brake control unit 13 uses the detection results of the obstruction state detection unit 12 in addition to the detection results of the storage detection unit 11. Specifically, if the storage detection unit 11 has not detected that the wheel chock W is stored, the brake control unit 13 detects that the cover 31 has changed from a closed state to an open state using the obstruction state detection unit 12, and then the storage detection unit 11 detects that the wheel chock W is stored, the brake control unit 13 releases the parking brake 2.

[0033] In this context, "when the storage detection unit 11 has not detected the storage of the wheel chock W, the obstruction state detection unit 12 detects that the lid 31 has changed from a closed state to an open state, and then the storage detection unit 11 detects the storage of the wheel chock W" refers to the case where an operator opens the lid 31 to store the wheel chock W, and the wheel chock W stored in the wheel chock storage unit 3 is detected. In other words, this refers to the case where the lid 31 is opened and the wheel chock W is properly stored in the wheel chock storage unit 3. In this case, the brake control unit 13 releases the operation of the parking brake 2. This allows the vehicle V to start moving.

[0034] On the other hand, the brake control unit 13 does not release the parking brake 2 if, from a state in which the storage detection unit 11 has not detected the storage of the wheel chock W and the obstruction state detection unit 12 has detected that the lid 31 is closed, the storage detection unit 11 detects that the wheel chock W is stored without the obstruction state detection unit 12 detecting that the lid 31 has been opened.

[0035] In this context, "when the storage detection unit 11 detects the storage of the wheel chock W, even though the storage detection unit 11 has not detected that the wheel chock W is stored and the obstruction detection unit 12 has detected that the lid 31 is closed, and the obstruction detection unit 12 has not detected that the lid 31 has been opened" refers to a situation where the storage detection unit 11 detects the storage of the wheel chock W even though the lid 31 is not open. In other words, because the lid 31 is not open, the wheel chock W is not properly stored in the wheel chock storage unit 3.

[0036] The condition in which the wheel chock W is not properly stored in the wheel chock storage section 3 can occur, for example, when an unusual method is used to make it appear as if the wheel chock W is properly stored. In this case, when the lid 31 is closed and the locking section 32 is locked, a third party cannot open the lid 31 and therefore cannot store the wheel chock W in the wheel chock storage section 3. For this reason, if a third party wants to release the parking brake 2, they might, for example, insert a rod through the gap between the wheel chock storage section 3 and the lid 31 to activate the storage sensor S1 and make it appear as if the wheel chock W is stored. In this condition in which the wheel chock W is not properly stored in the wheel chock storage section 3, the brake control unit 13 does not release the parking brake 2 and maintains the operating state of the parking brake 2. As a result, the vehicle V cannot start when the wheel chock W is not properly stored.

[0037] The notification control unit 14 provides notification using the notification unit 4. Here, if the storage detection unit 11 does not detect that the wheel chocks W are stored when maintenance or other work is completed, the notification control unit 14 will notify through the notification unit 4 that the wheel chocks W are not stored. Also, if the storage detection unit 11 detects that the wheel chocks W are stored when the vehicle V has finished running, the notification control unit 14 may notify through the notification unit 4 that the wheel chocks W have been forgotten to be installed.

[0038] In this embodiment, a parking brake control device 100 is configured to control the parking brake 2 of the vehicle V, comprising a storage detection unit 11, an obstruction state detection unit 12, a brake control unit 13, a cover 31, and a locking unit 32.

[0039] As described above, the parking brake control device 100 activates the parking brake 2 if the storage detection unit 11 does not detect that the wheel chocks W are stored, thereby preventing the vehicle V from starting. In other words, the vehicle V cannot start unless the wheel chocks W are removed from the front and rear of the tires T and stored. In this way, the parking brake control device 100 can prevent the vehicle V from starting with the wheel chocks W installed. Furthermore, by detecting whether or not the wheel chocks W are stored, the parking brake control device 100 can easily prevent the vehicle V from starting with the wheel chocks W installed.

[0040] In this case, when performing maintenance work on vehicle V, the vehicle can be prevented from starting by removing the key. However, if the key is removed, inspection work that can only be performed when the engine is running (idling) cannot be performed. In contrast, the parking brake control device 100 of this embodiment is configured to prevent vehicle V from starting by activating the parking brake 2, so that vehicle V can be prevented from starting even when performing work that can only be performed when the engine is running.

[0041] The parking brake control device 100 is equipped with a lid 31 that can open and close the opening 3a of the wheel chock storage section 3. Furthermore, the parking brake control device 100 is provided with a locking mechanism 32 that prevents the lid 31 from switching from a closed state to an open state. Therefore, with this parking brake control device 100, for example, a worker performing maintenance on a vehicle V can place wheel chocks W in front of and behind the tires T and lock the locking mechanism 32 so that the lid 31 cannot be opened from the closed state. In this state, a third party cannot store the wheel chocks W in the wheel chock storage section 3 because the locking mechanism 32 is locked. As a result, the parking brake control device 100 can prevent the wheel chocks W from being unintentionally stored in the wheel chock storage section 3 by a third party, and can prevent the vehicle V from starting unintentionally.

[0042] The brake control unit 13 releases the parking brake 2 if, when the storage detection unit 11 has not detected the wheel chock W being stored, the obstruction state detection unit 12 detects that the cover 31 has changed from a closed state to an open state, and then the storage detection unit 11 detects that the wheel chock W is stored. In other words, this detection occurs when the cover 31 is opened and the wheel chock W is properly stored in the wheel chock storage unit 3. In this case, the brake control unit 13 releases the parking brake 2, enabling appropriate control of the parking brake 2 according to the storage of the wheel chock W.

[0043] On the other hand, the brake control unit 13 does not release the parking brake 2 if, while the storage detection unit 11 has not detected that the wheel chock W is stored and the obstruction detection unit 12 has detected that the lid 31 is closed, the storage detection unit 11 detects that the wheel chock W is stored without the obstruction detection unit 12 detecting that the lid 31 has been opened. In other words, this detection occurs when the lid 31 is not opened and therefore the wheel chock W is not properly stored in the wheel chock storage unit 3. In this case, the parking brake control device 100 maintains the operating state of the parking brake 2 without releasing it and prohibits the vehicle V from starting. In this way, the parking brake control device 100 is able to control the parking brake 2 appropriately according to the storage of the wheel chock W.

[0044] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, the parking brake control device 100 is not limited to using a cover 31 as an obstruction structure that hinders the storage of the wheel chocks W in the wheel chock storage section 3. For example, the parking brake control device 100 may include an obstruction object (for example, a rod-shaped member, etc.) that can be positioned to cross the opening 3a of the wheel chock storage section 3 as an obstruction structure. This obstruction object may be attached to the wheel chock storage section 3 or removable from the wheel chock storage section 3, as long as it can switch between a storage obstruction state and a storage permit state. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0045] 2...Parking brake, 3...Wheel chock storage unit, 11...Storage detection unit, 12...Obstruction state detection unit, 13...Brake control unit, 31...Lid (obstruction structure), 32...Locking unit, 100...Parking brake control device, V...Vehicle, W...Wheel chock.

Claims

1. A parking brake control device that controls the parking brake of a vehicle, A storage detection unit for detecting whether or not a wheel chock is stored in a wheel chock storage compartment provided on the vehicle, If the storage detection unit does not detect the storage of the wheel chock, the brake control unit activates the parking brake. An obstruction structure that can switch between a storage obstruction state in which the storage of the wheel chock into the wheel chock storage section is hindered and a storage permit state in which the storage of the wheel chock is permitted, A parking brake control device comprising a locking unit that reversibly prohibits the switching of the state of the obstruction structure from the storage obstruction state to the storage permit state.

2. The system further includes a fault condition detection unit for detecting the state of the fault structure, The brake control unit, If the storage detection unit has not detected the wheel chock being stored, but the obstruction state detection unit has detected that the obstruction structure has changed from the storage obstruction state to the storage permit state, and the storage detection unit subsequently detects that the wheel chock is stored, then the parking brake is released. The parking brake control device according to claim 1, wherein if the storage detection unit detects that the wheel chock is stored when the storage detection unit has not detected that the wheel chock is stored and the obstruction state detection unit has detected that the obstruction structure is in the storage obstruction state, and the obstruction state detection unit has not detected that the obstruction structure has returned to the storage-permitted state, the parking brake control device does not release the operation of the parking brake.

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