Alcohol detection device

Abstract

An alcohol detection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: an alcohol sensor capable of detecting an alcohol component included in the exhaled breath of an occupant of a vehicle; and a control circuit capable of performing control so that the alcohol sensor does not perform an initialization operation in a period in which one or more of a plurality of doors are open on the basis of a detection result of a door sensor that is capable of detecting the opening / closing states of the plurality of doors in the vehicle, and capable of performing control so that the alcohol sensor performs the initialization operation after all of the plurality of doors are closed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an alcohol detection device capable of detecting an alcohol component contained in the breath of an occupant.

Background Art

[0002] Vehicles often have devices for determining whether an occupant has been drinking. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a device that prompts alcohol detection by closing the driver's door when the driver's door is open.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0004] The alcohol detection device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure First includes an alcohol sensor and a control circuit. The alcohol sensor is capable of detecting an alcohol component contained in the breath of an occupant of a vehicle. The control circuit can control the alcohol sensor so that it does not perform an initialization operation during a period when one or more of a plurality of doors in the vehicle are in an open state, based on the detection results of a door sensor capable of detecting the open / closed states of the plurality of doors, and can control the alcohol sensor to perform an initialization operation after all of the plurality of doors are in a closed state. The alcohol sensor described above has a blowhole into which an occupant can blow their breath, and a cover provided over the blowhole that can take on a first state in which the blowhole is covered, or a second state in which the blowhole is exposed. The control circuit can set the cover to the first state when one or more of the multiple doors are open, and can set the cover to the second state when all of the multiple doors are closed. A second alcohol detection device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises an alcohol sensor and a control circuit. The alcohol sensor is capable of detecting alcohol components contained in the breath of a vehicle occupant. The control circuit is capable of controlling the alcohol sensor to not perform an initialization operation when one or more of the doors are open, based on the detection results of a door sensor capable of detecting the open / closed state of multiple doors in the vehicle, and to perform an initialization operation after all of the doors are closed. The control circuit is capable of stopping the power supply to the alcohol sensor when one or more of the doors are open, and can supply power to the alcohol sensor after all of the doors are closed.

[0005] The alcohol detection device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure The thirdThe alcohol detection device comprises an alcohol sensor and a control circuit. The alcohol sensor is capable of detecting alcohol components in the breath of vehicle occupants. The control circuit is capable of controlling the alcohol sensor to not perform an initialization operation when one or more of the doors are unlocked, based on the detection results of a door lock sensor capable of detecting the lock state of multiple doors in the vehicle, and to perform an initialization operation after all of the doors are locked. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] The accompanying drawings are provided for further understanding of this disclosure and are incorporated herein and constitute part of this specification. The drawings illustrate one embodiment and, together with the specification, serve to illustrate the principles of this disclosure.

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example configuration of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing one example configuration of the vehicle shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram showing one example of the configuration of the passenger compartment in the vehicle shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating one example configuration of the alcohol sensor shown in Figure 2. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the alcohol detection device shown in Figure 2. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a block diagram showing one example of the configuration of a modified vehicle. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the alcohol detection device shown in Figure 2. [Figure 8A] Figure 8A is an explanatory diagram showing one operating state of an alcohol sensor relating to another modified example. [Figure 8B]Figure 8B is an explanatory diagram illustrating another operating state of an alcohol sensor relating to another modification. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of operation for an alcohol detection device relating to another modification. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Alcohol detection devices require high accuracy in detecting alcohol components, and further improvements in detection accuracy are expected.

[0009] It is desirable to provide an alcohol detection device that can improve the accuracy of alcohol detection.

[0010] Hereinafter, several exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description is intended to illustrate specific examples of the present disclosure and should not be construed as limiting the disclosure. For example, elements such as numerical values, shapes, materials, parts, the location of each part, and the method of connecting each part are merely examples and should not be construed as limiting the disclosure. Furthermore, in the following exemplary embodiments, components not described in separate sections based on the highest-level concepts of the present disclosure are optional and may be provided as needed. The drawings are schematic and are not intended to be to scale. Throughout this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same function and substantially the same configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted. Furthermore, components not directly related to an embodiment of the present disclosure are not shown in the drawings.

[0011] <Embodiment> [Example Configuration] Figures 1 and 2 show an example configuration of a vehicle 1 equipped with an alcohol detection device according to an embodiment. The vehicle 1 comprises an alcohol detection device 10, a door sensor 8, and a vehicle control unit 20.

[0012] The alcohol detection device 10 includes an alcohol sensor 11 and an alcohol sensor control unit 12.

[0013] The alcohol sensor 11 is configured to detect the alcohol component contained in the driver's breath. In the alcohol sensor 11, for example, when the driver blows air toward the blowing port 11A (described later) of the alcohol sensor 11, the alcohol component contained in the driver's breath is detected. The alcohol sensor 11 becomes available by performing an initialization operation for adjusting the so-called zero point. That is, the alcohol sensor 11 is calibrated by this initialization operation and can detect the alcohol component with high detection accuracy. The initialization operation of the alcohol sensor 11 is controlled by the alcohol sensor control unit 12.

[0014] The alcohol sensor control unit 12 is configured to control the operation of the alcohol sensor 11 based on an instruction from the vehicle control unit 20. Specifically, as will be described later, the alcohol sensor control unit 12 is configured to control the operation of the alcohol sensor 11 based on the open / closed state of each of a plurality of doors in the vehicle 1.

[0015] The door sensor 8 is configured to detect the open / closed state of each of a plurality of doors in the vehicle 1. The plurality of doors includes, for example, the driver's seat door, the passenger seat door, the left and right doors of the rear seat, and the rear gate. The door sensor 8 supplies the detection results regarding the open / closed state of each of the plurality of doors to the vehicle control unit 20.

[0016] The vehicle control unit 20 is configured to include, for example, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) and to control the vehicle 1. In this example, the vehicle control unit 20 supplies information on the open / closed states of each of the plurality of doors to the alcohol sensor control unit 12 based on the detection results of the door sensor 8. Further, the vehicle control unit 20 causes the vehicle 1 to travel when the amount of the alcohol component contained in the driver's breath is less than or equal to a predetermined amount based on the detection results of the alcohol sensor 11. Also, the vehicle control unit 20 prevents the vehicle 1 from traveling when the amount of the alcohol component contained in the driver's breath is greater than the predetermined amount. Specifically, for example, when the amount of the alcohol component contained in the driver's breath is greater than the predetermined amount, the vehicle control unit 20 does not start a power source such as an engine or a motor.

[0017] FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of the passenger compartment in the vehicle 1. This vehicle 1 is a vehicle having a driver's seat on the right side. Note that the present invention is not limited thereto, and the driver's seat may be on the left side. The vehicle 1 includes a door 31, a door mirror 33, a front window 34, a side window 35, a front pillar 36, and a center pillar 37. The door 31 is a door on the side surface of the vehicle 1 and is a door for the driver to get on and off. In this example, the alcohol sensor 11 is attached to the inner surface panel facing the passenger compartment in the door 31.

[0018] FIG. 4 shows a configuration example of the alcohol sensor 11. The alcohol sensor 11 has an air inlet 11A. The alcohol sensor 11 is configured to detect the alcohol component contained in the driver's breath when the driver seated in the driver's seat blows air toward the air inlet 11A.

[0019] The door mirror 33 is provided on the outer surface of the door 31. The front windshield 34 is provided at the front of the passenger compartment in the vehicle 1. The side windows 35 are provided on the door 31. The front pillar 36 supports the roof of the vehicle 1 at the end of the front windshield 34. The center pillar 37 supports the roof of the vehicle 1 near the center of the side of the vehicle 1.

[0020] In the alcohol detection device 10, the alcohol sensor control unit 12 controls the operation of the alcohol sensor 11 so that, for example, the alcohol sensor 11 does not perform an initialization operation during a period when one or more of the doors of the vehicle 1 are open. The alcohol sensor control unit 12 then controls the operation of the alcohol sensor 11 so that, for example, the alcohol sensor 11 performs an initialization operation after all of the doors of the vehicle 1 are closed. As a result, the alcohol detection device 10 can perform an initialization operation when the doors are closed, without being affected by, for example, the impact, wind pressure, or changes in air pressure inside the vehicle that occur when the doors are opened and closed. As a result, the alcohol detection device 10 can improve its detection accuracy.

[0021] Here, the alcohol sensor 11 corresponds to a specific example of the "alcohol sensor" in one embodiment of the present disclosure. The alcohol sensor control unit 12 corresponds to a specific example of the "control circuit" in one embodiment of the present disclosure. The vehicle 1 corresponds to a specific example of the "vehicle" in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] [Action and function] Next, the operation and function of the alcohol detection device 10 of this embodiment will be described.

[0023] (Overview of overall operation) First, the operation of vehicle 1 will be explained with reference to Figure 2. The alcohol sensor 11 detects the alcohol component contained in the driver's breath. The alcohol sensor control unit 12 controls the operation of the alcohol sensor 11 based on instructions from the vehicle control unit 20. The door sensor 8 detects the open / closed state of each of the multiple doors on vehicle 1. Based on the detection results of the door sensor 8, the vehicle control unit 20 supplies information about the open / closed state of each of the multiple doors to the alcohol sensor control unit 12. Furthermore, based on the detection results of the alcohol sensor 11, the vehicle control unit 20 drives vehicle 1 if the amount of alcohol component contained in the driver's breath is below a predetermined amount, and prevents vehicle 1 from driving if the amount of alcohol component contained in the driver's breath is above a predetermined amount.

[0024] (Detailed operation) Figure 5 shows an example of the operation of the alcohol detection device 10. The alcohol detection device 10 is supplied with information from the vehicle control unit 20 regarding the open / closed state of each of the multiple doors in the vehicle 1. Based on this information, the alcohol detection device 10 controls the operation of the alcohol sensor 11. This operation will be described in detail below.

[0025] First, the alcohol sensor control unit 12 checks whether one or more of the multiple doors are open based on the information about the open / closed state of each of the multiple doors supplied by the vehicle control unit 20 (step S101). If all of the multiple doors are closed ("N" in step S101), the alcohol sensor control unit 12 repeats the process in step S101 until one or more of the multiple doors are open.

[0026] In step S101, if one or more of the multiple doors are open ("Y" in step S101), the alcohol sensor control unit 12 stops supplying power to the alcohol sensor 11 (step S102). In this way, the operating mode of the alcohol detection device 10 enters a standby mode, waiting for the detection of alcohol components.

[0027] Next, the alcohol sensor control unit 12 checks whether all of the doors are closed based on the information about the open / closed state of each of the doors supplied by the vehicle control unit 20 (step S103). If one or more of the doors are still open ("N" in step S103), the alcohol sensor control unit 12 repeats the process in step S103 until all of the doors are closed.

[0028] In step S103, if all of the doors are closed ("Y" in step S103), the alcohol sensor control unit 12 supplies power to the alcohol sensor 11 (step S104).

[0029] Then, the alcohol sensor control unit 12 controls the operation of the alcohol sensor 11 so that it performs an initialization operation (step S105). The alcohol sensor 11 is calibrated by this initialization operation and can detect alcohol components with high detection accuracy. In this way, the operating mode of the alcohol detection device 10 becomes a detection mode in which alcohol components can be detected.

[0030] This completes the process. Afterwards, the driver, seated in the driver's seat, breathes into the inlet 11A of the alcohol sensor 11. As a result, the alcohol detection device 10 detects the alcohol component contained in the driver's breath. Based on the detection result of the alcohol sensor 11, the vehicle control unit 20 drives the vehicle 1 if the amount of alcohol component in the driver's breath is below a predetermined amount, and prevents the vehicle 1 from driving if the amount of alcohol component in the driver's breath is greater than the predetermined amount.

[0031] The alcohol sensor control unit 12 may, for example, supply power to the alcohol sensor 11 during the period before the vehicle 1 starts moving, or it may continuously supply power to the alcohol sensor 11 while the vehicle 1 is moving. For example, if power is continuously supplied while the vehicle 1 is moving, the vehicle control unit 20 may, for example, if the amount of alcohol in the driver's breath exceeds a predetermined amount while driving, issue a predetermined warning to the driver and then shut down the power source such as the engine or motor. As a result, the alcohol detection device 10 can stop the vehicle 1 from moving even if, for example, the driver drinks alcohol after starting to drive.

[0032] Thus, the alcohol detection device 10 includes an alcohol sensor 11 capable of detecting alcohol components in the breath of occupants of the vehicle 1, and an alcohol sensor control unit 12 that can control the alcohol sensor 11 not to perform an initialization operation when one or more of the doors in the vehicle 1 are open, based on the detection results of a door sensor 8 capable of detecting the open / closed state of multiple doors in the vehicle 1, and can control the alcohol sensor 11 to perform an initialization operation after all of the doors are closed. As a result, the alcohol detection device 10 can improve the accuracy of alcohol component detection.

[0033] In other words, for example, if the alcohol sensor 11 performs an initialization operation with the door open, the initialization operation may not be performed correctly depending on environmental conditions such as wind. Also, for example, if the alcohol sensor 11 performs an initialization operation when the door is opened or closed, the initialization operation may not be performed correctly due to the impact, wind pressure, or changes in air pressure inside the vehicle that accompany the opening and closing of the door. If the initialization operation is not performed correctly in this way, the calibration of the alcohol sensor 11 may be insufficient, and the detection accuracy of the alcohol detection device 10 may decrease.

[0034] On the other hand, in the alcohol detection device 10 according to this embodiment, the power supply to the alcohol sensor 11 is stopped when one or more of the multiple doors are open, so that the alcohol sensor 11 does not perform an initialization operation. Then, after all of the multiple doors are closed, power is supplied to the alcohol sensor 11, and the alcohol sensor 11 performs an initialization operation. As a result, in the alcohol detection device 10, for example, the alcohol sensor 11 performs an initialization operation after all of the multiple doors are closed, so the initialization operation can be performed at a time when the environment has stabilized, after impacts, wind pressure, and changes in air pressure inside the vehicle have occurred due to the opening and closing of the doors. As a result, the alcohol detection device 10 can properly calibrate the alcohol sensor 11, thereby improving the accuracy of alcohol detection.

[0035] Furthermore, in the alcohol detection device 10, the alcohol sensor control unit 12 is capable of stopping the power supply to the alcohol sensor 11 when one or more of the multiple doors are open, and being able to supply power to the alcohol sensor 11 when all of the multiple doors are closed. As a result, in the alcohol detection device 10, for example, the alcohol sensor 11 can be prevented from operating when one or more of the multiple doors are open, thereby reducing the possibility of detection accuracy decreasing due to environmental factors such as wind. Also, power is supplied to the alcohol sensor 11 after all of the multiple doors are closed, and the alcohol sensor 11 performs an initialization operation, so for example, the initialization operation can be performed just before the driver blows air into the inlet 11A. As a result, for example, the initialization operation and the alcohol component detection operation can be performed during a short period after all of the multiple doors are closed, when environmental conditions such as temperature are kept constant, thereby improving the detection accuracy of alcohol components.

[0036] [effect] As described above, in this embodiment, an alcohol sensor capable of detecting alcohol components contained in the breath of a vehicle occupant and an alcohol sensor control unit capable of controlling the alcohol sensor not to perform an initialization operation when one or more of the doors are open, based on the detection results of a door sensor capable of detecting the open / closed state of multiple doors in the vehicle, and controlling the alcohol sensor 11 to perform an initialization operation after all of the doors are closed, are provided, thereby improving the accuracy of alcohol component detection.

[0037] In this embodiment, the alcohol sensor control unit can stop supplying power to the alcohol sensor when one or more of the multiple doors are open, and can supply power to the alcohol sensor when all of the multiple doors are closed, thereby improving the accuracy of alcohol detection.

[0038] [Example 1] In the above embodiment, the operation of the alcohol sensor 11 was controlled based on the open / closed state of the door, but it is not limited to this. Alternatively, for example, the operation of the alcohol sensor 11 may be controlled based on the locked state of the door. A vehicle 1A according to this modified example will be described in detail below.

[0039] Figure 6 shows an example configuration of vehicle 1A. Vehicle 1A is equipped with an alcohol detection device 10A, a door lock sensor 9, and a vehicle control unit 20A.

[0040] The alcohol detection device 10A has an alcohol sensor control unit 12A. The alcohol sensor control unit 12A is configured to control the operation of the alcohol sensor 11 based on instructions from the vehicle control unit 20A. The alcohol sensor control unit 12A is configured to control the operation of the alcohol sensor 11 based on the locking status of each of the multiple doors in the vehicle 1.

[0041] The door lock sensor 9 is configured to detect the lock state of each of the multiple doors in the vehicle 1. The door lock sensor 9 supplies the detection results for each of the multiple doors' lock states to the vehicle control unit 20A.

[0042] The vehicle control unit 20A is configured to control vehicle 1A. In this example, the vehicle control unit 20A supplies information about the lock state of each of the multiple doors to the alcohol sensor control unit 12A based on the detection result of the door lock sensor 9. The vehicle control unit 20A also operates vehicle 1 if the amount of alcohol in the driver's breath is below a predetermined amount, based on the detection result of the alcohol sensor 11, and does not operate vehicle 1 if the amount of alcohol in the driver's breath is above a predetermined amount.

[0043] Figure 7 shows an example of operation of the alcohol detection device 10A.

[0044] First, the alcohol sensor control unit 12A checks whether one or more of the doors are in an unlocked state based on the information about the lock state of each of the multiple doors supplied by the vehicle control unit 20A (step S111). If all of the multiple doors are in a locked state ("N" in step S111), the alcohol sensor control unit 12A repeats the process in step S111 until one or more of the multiple doors are in an unlocked state.

[0045] In step S111, if one or more of the multiple doors are in an unlocked state ("Y" in step S111), the alcohol sensor control unit 12A stops supplying power to the alcohol sensor 11 (step S102). In this way, the operating mode of the alcohol detection device 10A enters a standby mode, waiting for the detection of alcohol components.

[0046] Next, the alcohol sensor control unit 12A checks whether all of the doors are locked based on the information about the lock state of each of the doors supplied by the vehicle control unit 20A (step S113). If one or more of the doors are still unlocked ("N" in step S113), the alcohol sensor control unit 12A repeats the process in step S113 until all of the doors are locked.

[0047] In step S113, if all of the lock states of the multiple doors are in the locked state ("Y" in step S113), the alcohol sensor control unit 12A supplies power to the alcohol sensor 11 (step S104).

[0048] Then, the alcohol sensor control unit 12A controls the operation of the alcohol sensor 11 so that it performs an initialization operation (step S105). The alcohol sensor 11 is calibrated by this initialization operation and can detect alcohol components with high detection accuracy. In this way, the operating mode of the alcohol detection device 10 becomes a detection mode in which alcohol components can be detected.

[0049] This completes the process.

[0050] The modified alcohol detection device 10A includes an alcohol sensor 11 capable of detecting alcohol components in the breath of occupants of the vehicle 1A, and an alcohol sensor control unit 12A that can control the alcohol sensor 11 not to perform an initialization operation when one or more of the doors are unlocked, based on the detection results of a door lock sensor 9 capable of detecting the lock state of multiple doors in the vehicle 1A, and can control the alcohol sensor to perform an initialization operation after all of the doors are locked. As a result, in the alcohol detection device 10A, for example, the alcohol sensor 11 performs an initialization operation after all of the doors are locked. Therefore, the initialization operation can be performed at a time when the environment has stabilized, after impacts, wind pressure, and changes in air pressure inside the vehicle have occurred due to opening and closing the doors, thus improving the accuracy of alcohol component detection.

[0051] [Differentiation 2] In the above embodiment, the alcohol sensor 11 is configured to detect the alcohol component contained in the driver's breath blown into the blowing port 11A. The alcohol sensor 11 may have a cover 11B that can cover the blowing port 11A, as shown in Figures 8A and 8B. This cover 11B can be in one of two states: a closed state (closed state SA) that covers the blowing port 11A, as shown in Figure 8A, or an open state (open state SB) that exposes the blowing port 11A, as shown in Figure 8B. When the cover 11B is in the open state SB, the alcohol sensor 11 can detect the alcohol component contained in the driver's breath blown into the blowing port 11A, for example. When the cover 11B is in the closed state SA, the blowing port 11A of the alcohol sensor 11 is not exposed, so the possibility of rain entering the inside of the alcohol sensor 11 can be reduced, for example. The state of the cover 11B is set, for example, based on instructions from the alcohol sensor control unit 12.

[0052] Figure 9 shows an example of operation of the alcohol detection device 10 according to this modified example.

[0053] First, the alcohol sensor control unit 12 in this modified example checks whether one or more of the multiple doors are open based on the information about the open / closed state of each of the multiple doors supplied from the vehicle control unit 20 (step S101). If all of the multiple doors are closed ("N" in step S101), the alcohol sensor control unit 12 repeats the process in step S101 until one or more of the multiple doors are open.

[0054] In step S101, if one or more of the multiple doors are open ("Y" in step S101), the alcohol sensor control unit 12 according to this modified example sets the state of the cover 11B of the alcohol sensor 11 to the closed state SA (step S122).

[0055] Next, the alcohol sensor control unit 12 stops supplying power to the alcohol sensor 11 (step S102). In this way, the operating mode of the alcohol detection device 10A enters a standby mode, waiting for the detection of alcohol components. In standby mode, the alcohol sensor 11 can be protected, for example, from rain entering the inside of the alcohol sensor 11.

[0056] Next, the alcohol sensor control unit 12 checks whether all of the doors are closed based on the information about the open / closed state of each of the doors supplied by the vehicle control unit 20 (step S103). If one or more of the doors are still open ("N" in step S103), the alcohol sensor control unit 12 repeats the process in step S103 until all of the doors are closed.

[0057] In step S103, if all of the doors are closed ("Y" in step S103), the alcohol sensor control unit 12 supplies power to the alcohol sensor 11 (step S104).

[0058] Next, the alcohol sensor control unit 12 controls the operation of the alcohol sensor 11 so that it performs an initialization operation (step S105). The alcohol sensor 11 is calibrated by this initialization operation and can detect alcohol components with high detection accuracy.

[0059] Then, the alcohol sensor control unit 12 sets the cover 11B of the alcohol sensor 11 to the open state SB (step S126). In this way, the operating mode of the alcohol detection device 10 becomes a detection mode in which alcohol components can be detected.

[0060] This completes the process.

[0061] Here, the inlet 11A corresponds to a specific example of the "inlet" in one embodiment of the present disclosure. The cover 11B corresponds to a specific example of the "cover" in one embodiment of the present disclosure. The closed state SA corresponds to a specific example of the "first state" in one embodiment of the present disclosure. The open state SB corresponds to a specific example of the "second state" in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0062] In the modified alcohol detection device 10, the alcohol sensor 11 has an inlet 11A into which an occupant can blow their breath, and a cover 11B provided on the inlet 11A that can take on a closed state SA that covers the inlet 11A or an open state SB that exposes the inlet 11A. The alcohol sensor control unit 12 can set the cover to the closed state SA when one or more of the multiple doors are open, and can set the cover to the open state SB when all of the multiple doors are closed. This reduces the possibility of rain entering the inside of the alcohol sensor 11, for example, and protects the alcohol sensor 11.

[0063] [Difference 3] In the above embodiment, the alcohol sensor 11 was attached to the inner panel of the door 31, but it is not limited to this. Alternatively, for example, the alcohol sensor 11 may be attached to the inside of the door 31. Specifically, for example, the alcohol sensor 11 can be attached to the space between the outer panel facing the outside of the vehicle 1 and the inner panel facing the passenger compartment of the vehicle 1. Also, for example, the alcohol sensor 11 may be made removable from the inner panel of the door 31. Furthermore, for example, the alcohol sensor 11 may be attached to another part of the interior of the vehicle 1.

[0064] [Other variations] Furthermore, two or more of these variations may be combined.

[0065] While several embodiments of this disclosure have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, this disclosure is by no means limited to the embodiments described above. Those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope defined by the claims. This disclosure is intended to encompass such modifications and changes insofar as they fall within the scope of the claims and their equivalents.

[0066] For example, in the above embodiments, the technology was applied to a vehicle with the driver's seat on the right side, but it is not limited to this, and may be applied to a vehicle with the driver's seat on the left side instead.

[0067] The effects described herein are illustrative only, and the effects of this disclosure are not limited to those described herein. Therefore, other effects may be obtained with respect to this disclosure.

[0068] Furthermore, this disclosure may take the following forms:

[0069] (1) An alcohol sensor capable of detecting alcohol components in the breath of vehicle occupants, A control circuit is capable of controlling the alcohol sensor to not perform an initialization operation during a period when one or more of the doors in the vehicle are open, based on the detection results of a door sensor capable of detecting the open / closed state of multiple doors in the vehicle, and controlling the alcohol sensor to perform the initialization operation after all of the doors are closed. An alcohol detection device equipped with [a specific feature]. (2) The aforementioned alcohol sensor is An inlet into which the occupant can blow the exhaled air, A cover provided at the aforementioned air intake, which can take on a first state in which it covers the air intake or a second state in which it exposes the air intake. It has, The aforementioned control circuit is During the period in which one or more of the aforementioned doors are open, it is possible to return the cover to the first state. During the period when all of the aforementioned doors are closed, it is possible to change the state of the cover to the second state. The alcohol detection device described in (1) above. (3) The aforementioned control circuit is During the period in which one or more of the aforementioned doors are open, it is possible to stop the power supply to the alcohol sensor. Power can be supplied to the alcohol sensor after all of the aforementioned doors have been closed. The alcohol detection device described in (1) or (2) above. (4) An alcohol sensor capable of detecting alcohol components in the breath of vehicle occupants, A control circuit is provided that, based on the detection results of a door lock sensor capable of detecting the locked state of multiple doors in the vehicle, can control the alcohol sensor so that it does not perform an initialization operation during a period when one or more of the multiple doors are in an unlocked state, and can control the alcohol sensor so that it performs the initialization operation after all of the multiple doors are locked. An alcohol detection device equipped with [a specific feature]. (5) The aforementioned alcohol sensor is An inlet into which the occupant can blow the exhaled air, A cover provided at the aforementioned air intake, which can take on a first state in which it covers the air intake or a second state in which it exposes the air intake. It has, The aforementioned control circuit is During a period in which one or more of the aforementioned doors are in an unlocked state, the state of the cover can be changed to the first state. During the period when all of the aforementioned doors are locked, it is possible to change the state of the cover to the second state. The alcohol detection device described in (4) above. (6) The aforementioned control circuit is During the period when one or more of the aforementioned doors are in an unlocked state, it is possible to stop the power supply to the alcohol sensor. After all of the aforementioned doors are locked, it is possible to supply power to the alcohol sensor. The alcohol detection device described in (4) or (5) above.

[0070] The alcohol sensor control unit 12 shown in Figure 2 can be implemented by a circuit including at least one semiconductor integrated circuit, such as at least one processor (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU)), at least one application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) and / or at least one field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The at least one processor can be configured to perform all or some of the functions of the alcohol sensor control unit 12 shown in Figure 2 by reading instructions from at least one non-transient, tangible computer-readable medium. Such a medium can take various forms, including, but is not limited to, various magnetic media such as hard disks, various optical media such as CDs or DVDs, and various semiconductor memories (i.e., semiconductor circuits) such as volatile or non-volatile memory. Volatile memory may include DRAM and SRAM. Non-volatile memory may include ROM and NVRAM. An ASIC is an integrated circuit (IC) specialized to perform all or some of the functions of the alcohol sensor control unit 12 shown in Figure 2. An FPGA is an integrated circuit designed to be configurable after manufacturing to perform all or some of the functions of the alcohol sensor control unit 12 shown in Figure 2.

Claims

1. An alcohol sensor capable of detecting alcohol components in the breath of vehicle occupants, A control circuit is available that, based on the detection results of a door sensor capable of detecting the open / closed state of multiple doors in the vehicle, can control the alcohol sensor so that it does not perform an initialization operation during the period when one or more of the multiple doors are open, and can control the alcohol sensor so that it performs the initialization operation after all of the multiple doors are closed. Equipped with, The aforementioned alcohol sensor is An inlet into which the occupant can blow the exhaled air, A cover provided at the aforementioned air intake, which can take on a first state in which the air intake is covered or a second state in which the air intake is exposed. It has, The aforementioned control circuit is During the period in which one or more of the aforementioned doors are open, it is possible to return the cover to the first state. During the period when all of the aforementioned doors are closed, it is possible to change the state of the cover to the second state. Alcohol detection device.

2. An alcohol sensor capable of detecting alcohol components contained in the breath of a vehicle occupant, A control circuit is available that, based on the detection results of a door sensor capable of detecting the open / closed state of multiple doors in the vehicle, can control the alcohol sensor so that it does not perform an initialization operation during the period when one or more of the multiple doors are open, and can control the alcohol sensor so that it performs the initialization operation after all of the multiple doors are closed. Equipped with, The aforementioned control circuit is During the period in which one or more of the aforementioned doors are open, it is possible to stop the power supply to the alcohol sensor. Power can be supplied to the alcohol sensor after all of the aforementioned doors have been closed. Alcohol detection device.

3. An alcohol sensor capable of detecting alcohol components in the breath of vehicle occupants, A control circuit is provided that, based on the detection results of a door lock sensor capable of detecting the locked state of multiple doors in the vehicle, can control the alcohol sensor so that it does not perform an initialization operation during the period when one or more of the multiple doors are in an unlocked state, and can control the alcohol sensor so that it performs the initialization operation after all of the multiple doors are locked. An alcohol detection device equipped with [a specific feature].

4. The aforementioned alcohol sensor is An inlet into which the occupant can blow the exhaled air, A cover provided at the aforementioned air intake, which can take on a first state in which the air intake is covered or a second state in which the air intake is exposed. It has, The aforementioned control circuit is During a period when one or more of the aforementioned doors are in an unlocked state, the state of the cover can be changed to the first state. During the period when all of the aforementioned doors are locked, it is possible to set the cover to the second state. The alcohol detection device according to claim 3.

5. The aforementioned control circuit is During the period when one or more of the aforementioned doors are in an unlocked state, it is possible to stop the power supply to the alcohol sensor. After all of the aforementioned doors are locked, it is possible to supply power to the alcohol sensor. The alcohol detection device according to claim 3.

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