专利摘要:
The present invention relates to a driver drowsiness detection and alarm system comprising a plurality of markings in ring configuration around an outer cylindrical surface of a steering wheel column unit of a vehicle, and an optical sensor unit close to the plurality of markings for detecting movement of the markings wherein the optical sensor unit is connected to a means for alarming the driver if the steering wheel does not move for a prescribed period of time while the motor vehicle is moving, characterized in that the optical sensor unit comprises an optical detector and a light transmitter close to each other. The present invention further relates to a kit of parts for such a driver drowsiness detection and alarm system.
公开号:BE1025830B1
申请号:E2014/0858
申请日:2014-12-19
公开日:2019-07-23
发明作者:Winckel Ronald Van;Winckel Jelle Van;Andre Convents;Thomas Dietvorst;De Casseye Rohny Van
申请人:Demerstee Transport Solutions Bvba;
IPC主号:
专利说明:

A driver's drowsiness detection and alarm system
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a driver's drowsiness detection and alarm system. The present invention further relates to a kit of parts for such a driver drowsiness detection and alarm system. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known that bus or truck drivers who suffer from sleepiness (also referred to as somnolence or sleep drunkenness) are a serious problem and cause a significant number of fatal accidents.
Many attempts to solve this problem by means of a driver's sleepiness detection and alarm system are known in the prior art. Most of these systems are based on the fact that even when driving in a straight line, drivers of large vehicles such as buses and trucks are forced to continuously correct the direction of travel by often making minimal steering wheel movements. The driver is alerted by audio and / or visual signals when the system does not detect any movements for a specified period of time, assuming the driver suffers from drowsiness.
Conventional driver drowsiness detection and alarm systems, such as described in US 2004 113 800, use a plurality
BE2014 / 0858 to markings on an optical tape around the outer cylindrical surface of the steering column, and a light emitter and electro-optical sensor is close to the plurality of markings for detecting movement of the pre-written steering wheel,
A systems is tags.
time period
If there is no movement, the driver is alerted.
a the first problem of this conventional one, because light sent to the steering column and reflected by either the markings or the surface between the markings, has to be detected by the detector and because for practical reasons the transmitter and the detector are mounted at a certain angle to each other, it is a detector requirement in focus that the transmitter can easily handle the decrease as well as the vibration of the
One is that both the channel and the are. It is clear that during the installation the detector can be brought into focus.
it not both the
In addition, the vehicle lead to dramatic measurement accuracy.
Another problem with such conventional systems is that because the electro-optical sensor must be connected to an electrical power source and because it is mounted very close to the steering column, the sensor is sensitive to electrical interference, moisture content and temperature intervals. Furthermore, a connection to an electrical power supply close to the steering column can trigger safety problems.
An additional problem is that because of the distance between the electro-optical sensor and the cockpit
BE2014 / 0858 is significant, amplifiers are required in order to obtain useful signals at the cockpit for triggering the alarm system.
Taking the disadvantages described above into consideration, the present invention provides as a first goal a driver drowsiness detection and alarm system that suffers less from focus problems and is more resistant to vibrations, leading to increased measurement accuracy.
It is a second object of the present invention to provide a driver's sleepiness detection and alarm system that is less sensitive to electrical interference, moisture content and temperature intervals.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a driver's sleepiness detection and alarm system that achieves higher safety standards.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a driver drowsiness detection and alarm system that has less stringent or even minimal gain requirements.
A general object of the present invention is to provide a driver's drowsiness detection and alarm system that is sufficiently accurate to alert the driver in time to correct dangerous situations, preferably after driving at a speed of 100 km / hour less than 1 meter.
BE2014 / 0858
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a driver's drowsiness detection and alarm system developed for the aftermarket and designed in a kit which can be used in large vehicles (trucks and buses) without modification of the construction of the vehicle within 30 minutes can be installed, while this system satisfies the accuracy and safety requirements.
The present invention meets the above objectives by using an optical sensor unit comprising an optical detector and a light emitter that are close to each other. Summary of the invention
The present invention is directed to a driver drowsiness detection and alarm system comprising a plurality of markings in ring configuration around an outer cylindrical surface of a steering wheel column unit of a vehicle, and an optical sensor unit close to the plurality of markings for detecting movement of the markings wherein the optical sensor unit is connected to a means for alarming the driver if the steering wheel does not move for a prescribed period of time while the motor vehicle is moving, characterized in that the optical sensor unit comprises an optical detector and a light transmitter close to each other.
BE2014 / 0858
Additionally, the present invention is directed to a kit of parts for such a driver drowsiness detection and alarm system. Brief description of the figures
FIG 1 illustrates a driver drowsiness detection and alarm system in accordance with the present invention.
FIG 2 illustrates a ring configuration for a driver drowsiness alarm system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
FIG 3 illustrates a ring configuration for a driver drowsiness alarm system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
Description of the invention
According to a first embodiment of the present invention and as illustrated in FIG 1, a driver's drowsiness detection and alarm system comprises a plurality of markings in ring configuration (a) around an outer cylindrical surface of a steering wheel column unit of a vehicle (b), and an optical sensor unit (c, d, e, f, g, h, i) close to the plurality of markers for detecting movement of the markers, the optical sensor unit being connected to a driver alert device if the steering wheel is prescribed time period does not move while the motor vehicle is moving,
BE2014 / 0858, characterized in that the optical sensor unit comprises an optical detector (c) and a light emitter (f) which are close to each other.
By using an optical sensor unit comprising an optical detector and a light emitter that are close to each other (as shown in cross-section AA), focusing both the detector and the light emitter may be less difficult and may be less difficult compared to conventional systems require less accuracy. Moreover, since both the detector and the transmitter are close to each other, their movements due to vibrations of the vehicle will be synchronous, leading to improved measurement accuracy.
In an embodiment in accordance with the present invention, the light emitter can be surrounded by the optical detector or a plurality of optical detectors (such as shown in cross-section A'-A '), and vice versa. When a transmitter surrounded by detectors is used, and vice versa, it is even possible that the detector and the transmitter (s) do not have to be focused separately and can even be more resistant to vibrations of the vehicle, in particular when detector and transmitter (s) are fixed together.
In accordance with the present invention, the optical detector used can be such a gray-scale scale detector that a distinction can be made between the marks and dirt or other undesirable substances present on the ring configuration of marks.
BE2014 / 0858
In an embodiment of the present invention, the optical detector can be an infrared (IR) detector and the light emitter can be an infrared (IR) transmitter. The wavelengths used can be from 400 to 1 650 nm, or between 600 and 1 100 nm, or preferably between 800 and 1 000 nm.
In a particular embodiment in accordance with the present invention, the optical sensor unit may be a fiber optic sensor unit. Because at the observation point - in this case close to the markings on the outer cylindrical surface of a part of the steering wheel column - optical fiber is used, which is primarily a passive mechanical component comprising neither moving parts nor an electrical switching system, such a fiber optic sensor unit can be more resistant to electrical interference, moisture content and temperature intervals. Furthermore, due to the absence of an electrical switching system at the observation point, there is no risk of sparks or electric shocks (during installation or repair), so that high safety levels can be achieved.
Preferably, such fiber optic sensor unit may be an extrinsic fiber optic sensor unit, that is, the fiber functions as a means of transmitting signals from a remote observation point to the electronics processing the signals. As a result, such an extrinsic fiber optic sensor unit is preferred as a unit for isolating the electronics from fiber optic sensor unit (in this case
BE2014 / 0858 case the remote sensor to which it connects) against electrical interference, moisture content and temperature intervals. Additionally, the electronics of the fiber optic sensor unit can be installed close to or in the cockpit, so that the use of signal amplifiers can be reduced or even avoided.
In an even more preferred embodiment and as also shown in FIG. 1, a fiber optic branched in two can be used, wherein the transmitter (f) and the detector (c) or the plurality of detector fibers in a compact observation head ( i) be combined. When the markers are in front of the observation head, light from the electronics of the transmitter (h) reflects through the transmitter fiber (g) on the markers (a) (or on the space between the markers) and back in the detector fiber (s) ( d) again toward the electronics of the detector (e).
Alternatively, the transmitter and detector fibers are positioned opposite each other. Observation is achieved when the light beam extending from the transmitter fiber to the detector fiber is interrupted by the markings. In this case, the ring configuration of markers is required to be fixed on a transparent support connected to the steering column.
In an embodiment in accordance with the present invention, the plurality of markings in ring configuration around an outer cylindrical surface of the steering wheel column unit may
BE2014 / 0858 a vehicle is located on a ring or disk mounted on a part of the steering column. In particular, the ring configuration can be provided on a disk which is fixed around the steering column perpendicular to the axis of the column.
The ring configuration can have a diameter from 40 to 100 mm, or from 50 to 90 mm, or preferably from 60 to 80 mm. Combining such a diameter with an optical sensor unit as used in the embodiments described above can result in a driver's drowsiness detection and alarm system that is sufficiently accurate to alert the driver in time to avoid dangerous situations, preferably after driving at a speed of 100 km / h less than 1 meter has been deviated from.
The marks may have a spacing of less than 4 mm, or less than 2 mm, or about 1 mm, and a width or diameter of less than 4 mm, or less than 2 mm, or about 1 mm, while the optical sensor unit may have a resolution of less than 1 mm, less than 0.5 mm, or less than 0.25 mm, that is, the dot size of the transmitted light beam to be detected by the detector is less 1 mm, less than 0.5 mm, or less than 0.25 mm.
The distance between the optical detector and the plurality of markings can be less than 10 mm, less than 4 mm, or even less than 1 mm.
In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the ring configuration has
BE2014 / 0858 markers with a diameter of 80 mm. The markers have a width of 1 mm and a mutual distance of 1 mm, and the optical sensor unit has a resolution of 0.25 mm. This combination results in a measurement of the angle of movement of the steering column with an accuracy of 1 ° 25, which is a significant improvement compared to conventional systems.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the ring configuration as described above can be adapted such that it can be mounted on steering columns of different diameters.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the ring configuration can be mounted on the cylindrical surface of the steering column by means of claws, clamps or arms positioned such that they can perform a gripping movement or engage the steering column. For example, a gear system can be used to activate said claws, clamps or arms. The number of claws, clamps or arms can vary between 2 and 10, or between 2 and 8, or between 2 and 6.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mounting system on the inside of said ring configuration, facing the steering column, may comprise a plurality of claws (k) (shown in FIG. 2).
In the specific embodiment shown in FIG. 2, 4 claws are used. Further
BE2014 / 0858, the said claws (k) can be activated by a gear system comprising a screw or a wheel or a worm drive system (1). They may further comprise a plurality of teeth (j) that face the cylindrical surface of the steering column for better fixation and connection to said surface of the steering column. The teeth (j) can be made from different types of materials, such as, for example, and not limited to: any type of rubber, metal, plastic or a combination thereof.
The ring configuration can vary from 40 to 100 mm, or from 50 to 90 mm, or preferably from 60 to 80 mm.
Figure 3 shows a device according to the present invention in which the claws (k) are maximally activated. By varying the position or angle of the jaws (k), the device described herein can be used on different types of vehicles with different diameters of the steering column. Therefore, processes and costs for manufacturing devices according to the present invention can be reduced in that only one device is suitable for different types of vehicles.
Additionally, the driver drowsiness detection and alarm system may include additional wheel sensor means located in the vicinity of a wheel hub for monitoring the wheel movements.
A driver drowsiness detection and alarm system in accordance with the present invention may comprise additional control means
BE2014 / 0858 that are suitable for memorizing steering wheel movement data, setting up a behavioral profile of the driver based on the movement data, and adjusting alarm conditions.
Such control means can, depending on the behavior of the vehicle and / or the driver, develop a baseline for normal steering correction by determining the average angles of movement of the steering column when driving on straight roads and by determining the average time interval between each correction to decide.
Furthermore, it is surprising that it has been found that the lack of inaccuracy or malfunctioning of the prior art systems is due, among other things, to the fact that a steering wheel column of the vehicle does not move exactly centrically about its axis and therefore the distance between the plurality of marks around the outer cylindrical surface of the steering column and the detector unit constantly varies in the case that the optical sensor unit is not mounted at a fixed distance from the plurality of marks in ring configuration. It is therefore preferred that the optical sensor unit can be mounted at a fixed distance from the ring configuration.
Preferably, the optical sensor unit and the ring configuration can be included in one and the same motion detection component. Such a component can then become around an outer cylindrical surface of a part of a steering wheel column unit of a vehicle
BE2014 / 0858 mounted, potentially also by means of a mounting system with claws, clamps, or arms as described in the previous paragraphs.
The driver's drowsiness detection and alarm system can be activated above 60 km / h and can have dual means for alarming the driver. After detecting an angle of movement of the steering column of at least 3 ° 75, preferably at least 2 ° 50, and most preferably at least 1 ° 25, a first timer can be activated in which a first alarm, preferably visually, is initiated that will be activated if during a first time period of 5 seconds, preferably 3 seconds and most preferably 2 seconds, a steering column movement is missing. After the driver fails to move the steering wheel in that period, a second timer starts. After the driver has failed to move the steering wheel in a second time period of 5 seconds, preferably 3 seconds and most preferably 2 seconds, a second alarm, preferably an audio alarm, can be triggered.
Additionally, in an embodiment in accordance with the present invention, a kit of parts for a driver drowsiness detection and alarm system is provided, comprising:
- a carrier bearing a plurality of markings for connection around an outer cylindrical surface of a part of a steering wheel column unit of a vehicle,
BE2014 / 0858
- an optical sensor unit for mounting close to the plurality of markings, said optical sensor unit being adapted to detect movement of the markings and to be connected to a means for alarming the driver if the steering wheel does not move for a prescribed period of time while the motor vehicle is moving, characterized in that the optical sensor unit comprises an optical detector and a light emitter which are close to each other.
By using an optical sensor unit comprising an optical detector and a light emitter that are close to each other during installation, focusing problems can be reduced or even minimized such that the system in large vehicles (trucks and buses) without modification of the vehicle's construction can be installed within 30 minutes, while the accuracy and safety requirements are sufficiently met.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the carrier may comprise a tape that bears a plurality of markings. Such a tape can be easily glued to the steering column to form a ring configuration, or it can be self-adhesive.
Alternatively, the carrier may comprise a ring or disc that bears the markings that are fixed to the outer cylindrical surface of a steering wheel column unit of a vehicle
BE2014 / 0858. It is clear that both tape and ring or disc can be supplied in the kit of parts in such a way that after installation of the system the tape can be fixed on the ring or disc. The ring or disc can have a diameter from 40 to 100 mm, or from 50 to 90 mm, or preferably from 60 to 80 mm.
For reasons of improved accuracy as previously explained, the optical sensor unit can be adapted to be mounted at a fixed distance from the carrier bearing the plurality of markings. Preferably, the optical sensor unit and the carrier can be enclosed in one and the same motion detection component to be fixed around an outer cylindrical surface of a part of a steering wheel column unit of a vehicle. Or, the optical sensor unit and the carrier may be adapted to be mounted in one and the same motion detection component to be fixed around an outer cylindrical surface of a portion of a steering wheel column of the vehicle.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the optical sensor unit may comprise an IR transmitter and an IR detector. Preferably, the optical sensor unit can be a fiber optic sensor unit, resulting in a system with the advantages as previously described.
Furthermore, such a kit of parts may additionally comprise the means for alarming the driver, such as audio and / or visual alarms for installation in the cockpit.
BE2014 / 0858
Furthermore, such a kit of parts may comprise additional wheel sensor means for being installed on a wheel hub for observing the wheel movements.
权利要求:
Claims (19)
[1]
CONCLUSIONS
A driver drowsiness detection and alarm system comprising a plurality of markings in ring configuration around an outer cylindrical surface of a steering wheel column unit of a vehicle, and an optical sensor unit near the plurality of markings for detecting movement of the markings, the optical sensor unit is connected to a means for alerting the driver if the steering wheel does not move for a prescribed period of time while the motor vehicle is moving, characterized in that the optical sensor unit comprises an optical detector and a light transmitter close to each other .
[2]
A driver drowsiness detection and alarm system according to claim 1, wherein the optical sensor unit is mounted at a fixed distance from the plurality of markings in ring configuration.
[3]
A driver drowsiness detection and alarm system according to claim 2, wherein the optical sensor unit and the ring configuration are enclosed in one and the same motion detection component.
[4]
A driver drowsiness detection and alarm system according to claim 1, wherein the light emitter is surrounded by the optical detector or a plurality of optical detectors.
[5]
A driver's drowsiness detection and alarm system according to claims 1 to 4, wherein the optical detector is a gray-scale scale detector.
BE2014 / 0858
[6]
6. - A driver's drowsiness detection and alarm system according to any of the preceding, wherein the optical detector is an IR detector and the light emitter is an IR emitter.
[7]
A driver drowsiness detection and alarm system according to claim 6, wherein the optical sensor unit is a fiber optic sensor unit.
[8]
A driver drowsiness detection and alarm system according to claim 7, wherein the optical sensor unit is an extrinsic fiber optic sensor unit.
[9]
9. - A driver's drowsiness detection and alarm system according to one of the preceding, wherein the ring configuration has a diameter from 60 to 80 mm.
[10]
10. - A driver's drowsiness detection and alarm system according to one of the preceding, additionally comprising a wheel sensor means in the vicinity of a wheel hub for observing the wheel movements.
[11]
11. - A driver's drowsiness detection and alarm system according to one of the preceding, additionally comprising a control means suitable for memorizing steering wheel movement data, establishing a driver's behavioral profile based on the movement data, and adjusting the alarm conditions. .
[12]
12. - A kit of parts for a driver's sleepiness detection and alarm system comprising:
BE2014 / 0858
- a carrier bearing a plurality of markings to be fixed around an outer cylindrical surface of a part of a steering wheel column unit of a vehicle,
- an optical sensor unit for mounting close to the plurality of markings, said optical sensor unit being adapted to detect movement of the markings and to be connected to a means for alarming the driver if the steering wheel does not move for a prescribed period of time while the motor vehicle is moving, characterized in that the optical sensor unit comprises an optical detector and a light emitter which are close to each other.
[13]
A kit of parts for a driver drowsiness detection and alarm system according to claim 12, wherein the carrier comprises a tape bearing a plurality of markings to be fixed in ring configuration.
[14]
A kit of parts for a driver's drowsiness detection and alarm system according to claims 12 to 13, wherein the carrier comprises a ring or disk for being fixed to the outer cylindrical surface of a steering wheel column unit of a vehicle.
[15]
A kit of parts for a driver drowsiness detection and alarm system according to claims 12 to 14, wherein the carrier comprises means for engaging different diameters of steering wheel columns.
BE2014 / 0858
[16]
A kit of parts for a driver's drowsiness detection and alarm system according to claim 14, wherein the ring or disk has a diameter from 60 to 80 mm.
[17]
A kit of parts for a driver's drowsiness detection and alarm system according to claims 10 to 15, further comprising the means for alerting the driver.
[18]
A kit of parts for driver drowsiness detection and alarm system according to claims 10 to 17, wherein the optical sensor unit is adapted to be mounted at a fixed distance from the carrier bearing the plurality of markings.
[19]
A driver drowsiness detection and alarm system according to claim 19, wherein the optical sensor unit and the carrier are enclosed in one and the same motion detection component to be fixed around an outer cylindrical surface of a part of a steering wheel column unit of a vehicle.
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同族专利:
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法律状态:
2019-08-21| FG| Patent granted|Effective date: 20190723 |
优先权:
申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
EP13199625.8|2013-12-27|
EP13199625.8A|EP2889186A1|2013-12-27|2013-12-27|A driver drowsiness detection and alerting system|
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