JPH10151994A - Installing condition detecting device of on-vehicle apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable an on-vehicle apparatus to sufficiently exhibit performance, and increase efficiency in work by providing a detecting object part arranged in a prescribed position of a vehicle, a detecting part which is arranged in the apparatus and detects the relative positional relationship with the detecting object part and a judging means to judge an installing position of the apparatus by a detecting result. SOLUTION: When a radar part of a radar type constant speed travel device is installed in a prescribed position of a car body, since a terminal assembly T1 and a terminal piece S1 contact with each other, a voltage level of an output part A1 becomes a low voltage level. On the other hand, when the radar is dislocated from the prescribed position of the car body, since the terminal assembly T1 and the terminal piece S1 separate from each other, the voltage level of the output part A1 becomes a high voltage level. Therefore, a microcomputer 6 for a radar can detect an installing position of the radar part by the voltage level of this output part A1. Therefore, dislocation of an installing position and the direction of an on-vehicle apparatus can be detected even after its installation without using a gauge.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device to be mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile, and a device for which the accuracy of its mounting position and orientation is required, for example, a radar for measuring a distance from a vehicle in front and a satellite broadcast receiving device. The present invention relates to an installation state detection device for an in-vehicle device that detects an installation state of an antenna or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, many electronic devices are mounted on vehicles such as automobiles. Some of these electronic devices are required to have high accuracy in mounting. For example, a radar that measures the distance to a vehicle ahead is required to have high accuracy in its mounting position and orientation due to its directivity.

[0003]

For this reason, the conventional mounting of electronic devices requiring such mounting accuracy to a vehicle is performed using a gauge or the like, and there is a problem that workability is difficult. there were. In addition, there is also a problem that the mounting position is shifted due to vibration during running after the mounting and the electronic device cannot exhibit its performance sufficiently.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and detects the state of attachment of a vehicle-mounted device to a vehicle so that the vehicle-mounted device can exhibit its performance sufficiently and contributes to an efficient mounting operation. It is intended to provide an apparatus for performing the above.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, an on-vehicle device mounting state detecting apparatus (1) according to the present invention is provided for a vehicular device for detecting a mounting position of a device mounted on a vehicle. A detection unit provided at a predetermined position of the vehicle, a detection unit provided at the device and configured to detect a relative positional relationship with the detected unit, and a detection result by the detection unit; And determining means for determining the mounting position of the device.

According to the above-described device for detecting the state of attachment of the vehicle-mounted device (1), when the mounting position of the vehicle-mounted device is shifted, the relative positional relationship between the detected portion and the detection portion changes. Is detected by the detection unit, and a shift in the mounting position of the vehicle-mounted device is detected. Therefore, the displacement of the mounting position and orientation of the in-vehicle device can be detected without using the gauge and even after the mounting,
By correcting the deviation, the performance of the vehicle-mounted device can be sufficiently exhibited.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided an on-vehicle equipment mounting state detecting device (2), wherein the detected part is provided at a predetermined position on a vehicle body of the vehicle. And a terminal that comes into contact with the protrusion when the device is mounted at a predetermined position.

[0008] According to the above-mentioned mounting state detecting device (2) for the on-vehicle equipment, the projection provided at a predetermined position of the vehicle body is a reference for mounting. These projections can be formed simultaneously with the vehicle body in the pressing step at the time of forming the vehicle body, and since the configuration itself is relatively simple, it is possible to realize the operation without any trouble and at low cost. In addition, since the reference position can be visually checked, the reference position can be used as a mark when mounting the on-vehicle device, and the workability can be improved.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided an on-vehicle device mounting state detecting device (3), wherein the terminal is connected to a power source via a resistor in the on-vehicle device mounting state detecting device (2). The detection unit outputs a change in voltage at the terminal due to a contact state with the protrusion as a detection result.

According to the mounting state detecting device (3) for the on-vehicle equipment described above, it can be realized with relatively simple circuit components and circuit configurations such as resistors, so that the assembling work and the like are not required and the cost is low. realizable.

[0011] In addition, according to the present invention, there is provided an on-vehicle device mounting state detecting device (4), wherein the on-vehicle device mounting state detecting device (1) is provided with a plurality of sets of the detected part and the detecting unit. It is characterized by:

[0012] According to the above-described apparatus for detecting the mounting state of the vehicle-mounted device (4), any deviation of the vehicle-mounted device, for example, a deviation due to a rotational movement about an axis passing through the detected part, is detected. And the detection capability can be improved.

[0013] Further, according to the present invention, there is provided an on-vehicle equipment mounting state detecting device (5), wherein the detected part is provided at a predetermined position on a vehicle body of the vehicle. And a light-receiving means for irradiating the reflecting means with a light beam, and a light-receiving means for receiving the light beam from the light-emitting means reflected by the reflecting means. It is characterized by being.

According to the apparatus for detecting the state of attachment of the on-vehicle device (5), the displacement of the on-vehicle device is detected by the non-contact type sensor, so that adverse effects due to aging can be suppressed.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided an on-vehicle equipment mounting state detecting device (6), wherein the detected part is provided at a predetermined position on a vehicle body of the vehicle. Wherein the detecting means comprises a magnetic field detecting means for detecting a magnetic field of the magnet.

According to the apparatus for detecting the state of attachment of the on-vehicle device (6), since the displacement of the on-vehicle device is detected by the non-contact type sensor, it is possible to suppress adverse effects due to aging.

[0017]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a mounting state detecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a radar type constant speed traveling apparatus according to the embodiment.

The radar type constant speed traveling device is a device for traveling at a constant speed while maintaining the inter-vehicle distance to a preceding vehicle. A radar unit 1 for measuring the distance to the preceding vehicle, and measurement and calculation in the radar unit 1 are performed. And a running control unit 10 that controls the speed by controlling the engine and the like in accordance with the determined inter-vehicle distance and the own vehicle speed.

The transmitting / receiving circuit 4 is connected with the transmitting antenna 2 and the receiving antenna 3.
Transmits a radio wave (for example, a millimeter wave) from the transmitting antenna 2,
Then, the transmission radio wave received by the reception antenna 3 is captured.
Then, an inter-vehicle distance to a preceding vehicle is detected by a method such as measuring a time difference between the transmission and the reception, and an inter-vehicle distance signal is output. The amplifying circuit 5 is connected to the transmitting / receiving circuit 4 and amplifies and outputs an inter-vehicle distance signal from the transmitting / receiving circuit 4. Microcomputer for radar (microcomputer)
Is connected to the transmission / reception circuit 4, the amplification circuit 5, and a detection unit 7 described later, controls the operation of the transmission / reception circuit 4 (transmission timing control, etc.), and processes the input signal from the amplification circuit 5 (inter-vehicle distance). (Eg, calculating the distance between vehicles from a signal). The detection unit 7 outputs a position signal to the radar microcomputer 6 according to a relative position with respect to the detection unit 8 attached to a predetermined position of the vehicle body 9 of the vehicle.

These transmitting antenna 2, receiving antenna 3,
The transmission / reception circuit 4, the amplification circuit 5, and the radar microcomputer 6 are housed in a case to form the radar unit 1. The detection section 7 and the detection section 8 are set so as to face each other in a state where the radar section 1 is attached to a regular position. The radar microcomputer 6 is configured to attach the radar unit 1 (orientation) based on the position signal from the detection unit 7.
The shift is detected, and an abnormal signal indicating the shift is output.

The constant-speed running microcomputer (microcomputer) 11 is connected to various sensors and various actuators and also connected to the radar microcomputer 6, and outputs various sensor signals and the distance between the radar microcomputer 6 and the preceding vehicle. , And performs arithmetic processing to control various actuators. The vehicle speed sensor 12 is connected to the constant speed microcomputer 11 and outputs a vehicle speed signal corresponding to the vehicle speed. Brake 13, transmission 1
4. The engine 15 is connected to the microcomputer 11 for constant-speed running, and its operation is controlled by a control signal from the microcomputer 11 for constant-speed running. That is, the difference between the target vehicle speed and the actual vehicle speed,
Further, the microcomputer 11 for constant-speed running controls the brake 13, the transmission 14, and the engine 15 in accordance with the inter-vehicle distance to the preceding vehicle. The display 17 is composed of a liquid crystal display or the like connected to the microcomputer 11 for constant-speed running, is provided on an instrument panel or the like of an automobile, and has a position shift of the radar unit 1 according to a signal from the microcomputer 11 for constant-speed running. Is displayed.
The alarm device 16 is composed of a buzzer or the like connected to the microcomputer 11 for cruising at a constant speed, and gives a voice notification of the presence of the displacement of the radar unit 1 by a signal from the microcomputer 11 for the cruising.

Next, the operation when the position of the radar unit 1 is shifted will be described. The radar unit 1 is deviated from the normal position,
When the position signal indicating the relative position with respect to the detected portion 8 from the detecting portion 7 changes, the radar microcomputer 6 determines the presence of the displacement of the radar portion 1 based on the position signal, and the microcomputer 11 for the constant speed traveling has an abnormality. Output a signal. Then, the microcomputer 11 for cruising at a constant speed receiving the abnormal signal from the microcomputer 6 for the radar,
Activates the alarm 16 and causes the display 17 to display an abnormality. Further, it is determined that the inter-vehicle distance data from the radar microcomputer 6 is abnormal. Processing such as stopping the whole (turning off the power of the constant-speed traveling device) is performed. A program for realizing these processes is provided by the microcomputer 1 for traveling at a constant speed.
1 is stored in the memory 1.

Next, an embodiment (1) of the detecting section and the detected section 8 will be described. FIG. 2 is a circuit configuration diagram showing the embodiment (1). The detection unit 7 includes a resistor R1 and a metal terminal plate T1 connected in series to the power supply + V. The terminal plate T1 is provided at a predetermined position on the surface of the case of the radar unit 1. The detected part 8 is provided at a predetermined position of the vehicle body, is composed of a terminal piece S1 formed of a metal projection with a sharpened tip, and is provided with a power source (battery) via the vehicle body.
(Grounded) to the negative terminal of When the terminal plate T1, the terminal strip S1, and the radar unit 1 are mounted at predetermined positions on the vehicle body, they are provided at positions where they come into contact with each other. Then, a detection signal is output to the radar microcomputer 6 from a connection point (output unit A1) between the resistor R1 and the terminal plate T1.

Next, the operation will be described. When the radar unit 1 is mounted at a predetermined position on the vehicle body, the terminal plate T1 is in contact with the terminal strip S1, so that the voltage level of the output unit A1 is low. On the other hand, when the radar unit 1 is displaced from the predetermined position of the vehicle body, the terminal plate T1 and the terminal strip S1 are separated, so that the voltage level of the output unit A1 becomes a high voltage level. Therefore, in the radar microcomputer 6, this output section A1
The state of attachment of the radar unit 1 can be detected based on the voltage level of.

Next, an embodiment (2) of the detecting section 7 and the detected section 8 will be described. FIG. 3 is a circuit configuration diagram showing the embodiment (2). Embodiment (1)
The same reference numerals are given to components having the same functions as in the above. The detecting unit 7 includes two sets of resistors R1 and R2 and metal terminal plates T1 and T2 connected in series to the power supply + V, a connection point (output unit A1) between the resistor R1 and the terminal plate T1, and A connection point (output unit A2) between the resistor R2 and the terminal plate T2 is composed of an OR (logical sum) circuit OR connected to the input terminal, and the terminal plates T1 and T2 are provided on a predetermined surface of the case of the radar unit 1. Position. The detected part 8 is provided at a predetermined position of the vehicle body, is composed of terminal pieces S1 and S2 formed of metal projections having sharpened tips, and is connected to the negative terminal of the power supply (battery) via the vehicle body ( Grounded). The terminal plate T1 and the terminal strip S1 and the terminal plate T2 and the terminal strip S2 are provided at positions where they come into contact with each other when the radar unit 1 is mounted at a predetermined position on the vehicle body. Then, a detection signal is output from the OR circuit OR to the radar microcomputer 6.

Next, the operation will be described. When the radar unit 1 is mounted at a predetermined position on the vehicle body, the terminal plate T1 is in contact with the terminal strip S1 and the terminal plate T2 is in contact with the terminal strip S2, so that the voltage levels of the output units A1 and A2 are both low. Voltage level, and the output of the OR circuit OR becomes a low voltage level. Conversely, when the radar unit 1 is displaced from a predetermined position of the vehicle body, the terminal plate T1 and the terminal strip S1 or the terminal plate T2 and the terminal strip S2 are separated, so that the voltage level of the output unit A1 or A2 becomes a high voltage level, The output of the OR circuit OR is at a high voltage level. Therefore, in the radar microcomputer 6, this O
The state of attachment of the radar unit 1 can be detected from the output voltage level of the R circuit OR.

Next, an embodiment (3) of the detecting section 7 and the detected section 8 will be described. FIG. 4 is a circuit configuration diagram showing the embodiment (3). The detection unit 7 includes a light emitting diode D connected to the power supply + V, an optical transistor LT and a resistor R3 connected in series to the power supply + V. When receiving light, the phototransistor LT conducts between the emitter and the collector. Further, the detected part 8 includes a reflector M provided at a predetermined position of the vehicle body. The reflecting plate M can be realized by subjecting a surface portion of the vehicle body to a mirror surface treatment or the like so as to have a sufficient reflection characteristic. The light emitting diode D and the light transistor LT are provided at a position where when the radar unit 1 is mounted at a predetermined position on the vehicle body, the light from the light emitting diode D is reflected by the reflector M and enters the light transistor LT. I have. And
Connection point between the resistor R3 and the phototransistor LT (output section A
From 3), a detection signal is output to the radar microcomputer 6.

Next, the operation will be described. When the radar unit 1 is mounted at a predetermined position on the vehicle body, a light beam from the light emitting diode D enters the optical transistor LT, so that the optical transistor LT becomes conductive and the voltage level of the output unit A3 becomes a high voltage level. . On the other hand, when the radar unit 1 is displaced from the predetermined position of the vehicle body, the light beam from the light emitting diode D does not enter the light transistor LT and the light transistor LT
Is turned off, and the voltage level of the output unit A3 becomes a low voltage level. Therefore, the radar microcomputer 6 can detect the mounting state of the radar unit 1 from the voltage level of the output unit A3.

Next, an embodiment (4) of the detecting section 7 and the detected section 8 will be described. FIG. 5 is a circuit configuration diagram showing the embodiment (4). The detection unit 7 is a magnetically sensitive element (such as a Hall element) connected in series to the power supply + V.
HD and a resistor R4, and a comparator CM comparing a voltage at a connection point A4 between the magnetically sensitive element HD and the resistor R4 with a predetermined voltage Vr.
And P. When the magnetic sensing element HD receives a magnetic force, the resistance value increases. Further, the detected part 8 includes a magnet MG provided at a predetermined position on the vehicle body. In addition, this magnet M
G can also be configured by magnetizing a part of the vehicle body. The magnetically sensitive element HD and the magnet MG are provided such that the distance between the radar unit 1 and the magnet MG is shortest when the radar unit 1 is mounted at a predetermined position on the vehicle body. Then, a detection signal is output from the comparator CMP to the radar microcomputer 6.

Next, the operation will be described. When the radar unit 1 is mounted at a predetermined position on the vehicle body, the magnetically sensitive element H
D and the magnet MG are at the shortest distance, and the resistance value of the magnetically sensitive element HD is in the maximum state. Therefore, the voltage level at the connection point A4 becomes a low voltage (less than the reference voltage Vr), and the comparator CMP
Is at a low voltage level. On the other hand, when the radar unit 1 is displaced from the predetermined position of the vehicle body, the distance between the magnetically sensitive element HD and the magnet MG becomes longer, and the resistance value of the magnetically sensitive element HD decreases. Therefore, the voltage level of the connection point A4 becomes a high voltage (the reference voltage Vr or more), and the output of the comparator CMP becomes the high voltage level. Therefore, the radar microcomputer 6 can detect the mounting state of the radar unit 1 based on the output voltage level from the comparator CMP.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a configuration of a radar-type constant-speed traveling device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit configuration diagram showing an embodiment (1) of a detection section and a detected section.

FIG. 3 is a circuit configuration diagram showing an embodiment (2) of a detection section and a detected section.

FIG. 4 is a circuit configuration diagram illustrating a detection unit and a detected unit according to an embodiment (3).

FIG. 5 is a circuit configuration diagram illustrating an embodiment (4) of a detection section and a detected section.

[Explanation of symbols]

 T1, T2: Terminal plate S1, S2: Terminal piece D: Light-emitting diode M: Reflector LT: Optical transistor HD: Magnetic sensing element MG: Magnet

Claims (6)

[Claims] An installation state detection device for an in-vehicle device for detecting an installation position of an equipment mounted on a vehicle,
A detection unit provided at a predetermined position of the vehicle, a detection unit provided on the device and detecting a relative positional relationship with the detection unit, and determining a mounting position of the device based on a detection result by the detection unit A mounting state detecting device for a vehicle-mounted device, comprising: 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detected portion is formed of a grounded conductive protrusion provided at a predetermined position on a vehicle body of the vehicle, and the detection portion is provided with the device mounted at a predetermined position. The mounting state detecting device for an in-vehicle device according to claim 1, wherein the mounting state detecting device is configured by a terminal that contacts the protrusion. 3. A power supply is connected to the terminal via a resistor, and the detection unit outputs a change in voltage at the terminal due to a contact state with the protrusion as a detection result. Item 3. An installation state detecting device for a vehicle-mounted device according to Item 2. 4. The on-vehicle device mounting state detecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of sets of the detected part and the detecting part are provided. 5. The detecting section is constituted by a reflecting section provided at a predetermined position of a vehicle body of the vehicle for reflecting a light beam, wherein the detecting section irradiates the reflecting section with a light beam; 2. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a light receiving means for receiving the light beam from said light emitting means reflected by the reflecting means. 6. The detection unit is configured by a magnet provided at a predetermined position on a vehicle body of the vehicle, and the detection unit includes:
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising magnetic field detecting means for detecting a magnetic field of the magnet.