JP2009138325A - Vehicle controller - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicle controller allowing a child lock to achieve its purpose really. <P>SOLUTION: This vehicle controller is provided with an in-vehicle machine 1 mounted on a vehicle and a portable machine 50 carried by an occupant in the vehicle, communicating between the in-vehicle machine and it by utilizing a human body as a signal transmission path, and having the set predetermined ID. The in-vehicle machine is provided with a locking mechanism 32 for performing child lock for a predetermined door of the vehicle, a communication controlling means 2 communicating between an electrode of the in-vehicle machine and an electrode of the portable machine via the occupant and processing the signal received by the electrode of the in-vehicle machine, a determining means 24 for determining whether the ID of the portable machine is correct or not based on the processed signals, and a lock controlling means 30 for outputting on/off signals for operating the child lock or releasing the operation into the locking mechanism of the door to which the child lock is applied based on the results of determination. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle control device that electrically performs child lock operations and non-operations.

The child lock is a kind of door lock that maintains the closed state of the door, and is applied to a door of a vehicle, for example.
In detail, this kind of child lock is applied to the rear seat door, and the rear seat door is configured not to be released from the inside of the vehicle while the vehicle is running, so as to protect the passenger (for example, a child) in the rear seat. And installed in the vehicle. Specifically, in the child lock operation state, the door does not open even when the door handle is pulled, and the door opens when the door handle is pulled from outside the vehicle.

  Further, the child lock operation or non-operation is often performed by switching an operation lever (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The operation lever is provided at an end surface portion of the door, in other words, at a position where it cannot be visually recognized from inside the vehicle when the door is closed.

JP-A-10-61289

  By the way, when the operation and non-operation of the child lock are mechanically performed by using the operation lever as in the conventional technique described above, there is a concern that the child lock is contrary to the purpose. Unless the rear seat door is opened from the outside of the vehicle, the rear seat door cannot be opened from the inside of the vehicle by any means. Should the vehicle face an emergency, the rear seat occupant It is because it cannot escape from.

  Here, it is conceivable that the operation or non-operation of the child lock is set by, for example, an operation panel installed on the instrument panel of the vehicle instead of the operation lever. However, if the child lock can be simply set on the operation panel, the child lock can be changed from the operating state to the non-operating state by touching the operation panel, and this does not achieve the child lock purpose. There's a problem.

As described above, in order for the child lock to truly achieve its purpose, some measures are necessary. However, in the above-described conventional technology, no special consideration is given to this point.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle control device that solves the above-described problems and that enables child locks to truly achieve the object.

  A first invention for achieving the above object is carried by a vehicle-mounted device mounted on a vehicle and a vehicle occupant, and communicates with the vehicle-mounted device using a human body as a signal transmission path. A vehicle control device including a portable device having a predetermined ID set, wherein the vehicle-mounted device includes a lock mechanism that performs child lock on a predetermined door of the vehicle, an electrode of the vehicle-mounted device, and an electrode of the portable device; Communication control means for processing a signal received by the electrode of the in-vehicle device and a determination means for determining whether the ID of the portable device is correct or not based on the processed signal. And a lock control means for outputting an on / off signal for operating or releasing the child lock to the lock mechanism of the target door to which the child lock is applied based on the determination result.

  According to the first invention, human body communication is performed between the in-vehicle device and the portable device. Specifically, the in-vehicle device and the portable device each have an electrode, and communication is performed between these electrodes via an occupant carrying the portable device, and a signal from the electrode of the portable device is transmitted to the electrode of the in-vehicle device. Received. This signal is processed by the communication control means and output to the determination means.

  Here, the determination unit determines whether the ID of the portable device is correct based on the processed signal, and the result is output to the lock control unit. Next, the lock control means outputs an on / off signal to the lock mechanism based on the determination result to operate the child lock or cancel this operation. By utilizing the human body communication, the child lock operation or non-operation is performed according to the operation of the occupant carrying the portable device, and the occupant who does not have the portable device cannot perform the child lock operation or non-operation. Thus, child locks can truly achieve their purpose.

  In addition, whether the ID is correct or not by the determination means is determined based on a signal by human body communication using the human body of the occupant carrying the portable device as a signal transmission path rather than communication by radio waves that are radiation waves. It is excellent, is not affected by disturbance, can be reliably and promptly determined, and contributes to improving the reliability of a vehicle control device such as a keyless entry device.

According to a second aspect of the invention, in the configuration of the first aspect of the invention, there is provided mode selection means capable of setting a plurality of release modes for the child lock.
According to the second invention, in addition to the operation of the first invention, the lock control means can output an on / off signal to the lock mechanism to electrically set the child lock. Compared with the operation only by switching the operation lever, various releases according to the situation of the vehicle and its occupant are possible, and the convenience of the child lock is improved.

According to a third invention, in the configuration of the first invention, when the determination means authenticates the portable device ID as valid, the lock control means outputs an off signal to the lock mechanism to cancel the child lock operation. On the other hand, when this ID is not authenticated, the child lock is operated by outputting an ON signal to the lock mechanism.
According to the third invention, in addition to the action of the first invention, there is a concern that the child lock may be contrary to the protection of the occupant when the door is not always opened from the inside of the vehicle by the operation of the child lock. . However, according to the present invention, when a person with a legitimate portable device performs a predetermined operation, it is authenticated that the legitimate device is legitimate. Therefore, the lock control means deactivates the child lock and the door is always opened from the inside of the vehicle. The situation that is not done is avoided. On the other hand, in the operation of a person who does not have a regular portable device, the function of the child lock is maintained, so the child lock can truly achieve its purpose.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in the configuration of the third aspect of the invention, the human body approaches or comes into contact with the electrode of the in-vehicle device in accordance with the opening operation of the child lock target door, and the determination means authenticates the portable device ID as normal The lock control means outputs an off signal to the lock mechanism to release the child lock operation, and outputs an on signal to the lock mechanism to activate the child lock when the ID is not authorized. It is characterized by that.
According to the fourth aspect of the invention, in addition to the action of the third aspect of the invention, when the person who performs the door opening operation approaches at least the electrode of the in-vehicle device, the ID of the portable device is authenticated. Avoiding the situation where the vehicle is not always opened from the inside of the vehicle can be performed more quickly.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, in the configuration of the fourth aspect of the invention, the electrode of the in-vehicle device is installed at or near a door handle for operating a child lock target door.
According to the fifth invention, in addition to the operation of the fourth invention, if the electrode of the vehicle-mounted device is installed at or near the door handle for operating the child lock target door, the door handle opening operation is performed. At that time, the correctness of the ID of the portable device is completed. Therefore, the operator of the door handle does not need to touch the operation panel, for example, and the subsequent processing is accelerated, and the operator can intuitively obtain whether the ID is correct.

According to a sixth aspect, in the configuration of the second aspect, the in-vehicle device further includes display means for displaying the mode selected by the mode selection means.
According to the sixth invention, in addition to the operation of the second invention, the current mode is displayed on the display means. Therefore, even if a plurality of release modes for the child lock can be set, the occupant Can recognize the current mode and respond quickly.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the second aspect of the invention, when the opening operation of the child lock target door is performed a predetermined number of times in a predetermined period, the lock control means is a signal processed by the communication control means. It has a mode in which the child lock operation is released by outputting an off signal to the lock mechanism without waiting.
According to the seventh invention, in addition to the action of the second invention, when the door is not always opened from the inside of the vehicle due to the operation of the child lock, there is a concern that the child lock is contrary to the protection of the passenger. . However, according to the present invention, when the opening operation of the target door is performed a predetermined number of times in a predetermined period, the lock control means releases the child lock operation regardless of the result of the human body communication. . Therefore, if the vehicle faces an emergency, the target door is opened, so the child lock can truly achieve its purpose.

The eighth invention is characterized in that, in the configurations of the second and seventh inventions, there is a mode for maintaining the operation of the child lock even when the child lock target door is opened.
According to the eighth invention, in addition to the effects of the second and seventh inventions, if there is a mode for maintaining the operation of the child lock even if the target door is opened, the target door Passengers are protected and, together with the other modes, contribute to the child lock objective.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the control apparatus for vehicles which a child lock truly achieves the objective can be provided by using a human body communication and setting electrically.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a keyless entry device (vehicle control device) according to the present embodiment, and the device includes an in-vehicle device 1 and a portable device 50.
The in-vehicle device 1 is mounted on a vehicle and performs human body communication with the portable device 50.

  Specifically, the vehicle-mounted device 1 of the present embodiment includes a door handle portion 4 that can open and close the door of the vehicle. The door handle portion 4 includes an in-vehicle handle (door handle) 6 and an out-of-vehicle handle 10, and the in-vehicle handle 6 and the out-of-vehicle handle 10 are respectively installed at appropriate positions on the inner surface of the door and the outer surface of the door. The vehicle interior handle 6 opens and closes the door from the inside of the vehicle, and the vehicle exterior handle 10 opens and closes the door from the outside of the vehicle.

  The opening operation of the vehicle interior handle 6 and the vehicle exterior handle 10 is detected by the vehicle interior switch 36 and vehicle exterior switch 38, respectively. When the vehicle interior handle 6 is operated, the vehicle interior switch 36 outputs an ON signal to an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 18. To do. When the vehicle outside handle 10 is operated, the vehicle outside SW 38 outputs an ON signal to the ECU 18.

  Moreover, the door handle part 4 is connected to the door attaching / detaching part 12 through a wire. The door attaching / detaching portion 12 includes a latch 14 pivotally supported by the door and a striker 16 fixed to the vehicle body. When the latch 14 and the striker 16 are engaged, the door is closed. When the latch 14 and the striker 16 are disengaged, the door is opened. Note that the door attaching / detaching unit 12 of this embodiment is electrically connected to the warning unit 44, and the warning unit 44 makes the occupant recognize the so-called half-door state by ringing a buzzer or lighting a lamp.

  Here, an in-vehicle device side electrode (electrode) 8 is installed in the in-vehicle handle 6 of the present embodiment, particularly in the in-vehicle handle 6 of the rear seat door (target door) or in the vicinity thereof. The communication module (communication control means) 2 is electrically connected. The communication module 2 performs a predetermined process on the signal received by the in-vehicle device side electrode 8 and outputs the processed signal to the ECU 18.

  The ECU 18 includes a CPU 20 that performs various calculations, and a determination unit (determination unit) 24 that determines whether an ID (Identification Data) from the portable device 50 is normal based on the processing signal. These calculation results, determination results, and regular IDs used for the determination are stored in the memory 22 of the ROM or RAM. The ECU 18 also has a timer 26 and a counter 28, and measures the operation period and the number of operations of the in-vehicle handle 6 by child lock control described later.

The memory 22 also stores a control program, and the ECU 18 outputs various control signals to the body control module (BCM) 30.
The BCM 30 is connected to each function of the in-vehicle device 1 via a communication network such as a CAN (Controller Area Network), and is electrically connected to a door lock unit (lock mechanism) 32 in this embodiment. In other words, the BCM 30 of this embodiment has a function as a lock control unit and executes child lock control.

  The door lock portion 32 has a latch holding portion 34. The latch holding unit 34 is driven by a motor 37, and the motor 37 is driven by an ON signal from the BCM 30. Then, the engagement between the latch 14 of the rear seat door and the striker 16 is maintained, and the child lock is brought into the locked state. Thereby, even if the interior door handle 6 of the rear seat door is operated, the door is not opened, and the passenger in the rear seat is protected.

  The door lock portion 32 has an in-vehicle door lock SW35. The in-vehicle door lock SW35 is provided to detect the operation of a door lock knob (not shown) provided in the vehicle. When the door lock knob is pushed in and the door lock SW 35 is operated, the display unit 40 displays a locked state. In this case, if the in-car door handle 6 or the out-of-car door handle 10 is operated, the latch holding part 34 is controlled by the ECU 18 so as not to be released, so that the operation is equivalent to a normal door lock. Be controlled.

By the way, the portable device 50 described above is carried by a vehicle occupant, for example, a driver, and has a size that can be held with one hand of the driver.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the portable device 50 has a portable device-side electrode (electrode) 54 installed inside the main body 52, and between the vehicle-mounted device-side electrode 8 described above, In the present embodiment, communication is performed via the electric field layer of an occupant (owner) carrying the portable device 50.

  More specifically, as shown by the dotted line in the figure, when the holder wearing the portable device 50 comes into contact with the in-car door handle 6, the portable device side electrode 54, the electric field layer (surface electric field) of the owner, A communication path is formed by the side electrode 8, and signals can be exchanged between the internal circuit of the portable device 50 having the CPU 57 and the memory 58 and the communication module 2.

  In addition to the case where the above-mentioned holder directly touches the in-car door handle 6, in the case where the owner indirectly touches the in-car door handle 6, for example, the portable device 50 is not held as long as the owner touches the inside door handle 6. Even when the occupant directly touches the vehicle interior door handle 6, human body communication can be performed between the portable device side electrode 54 and the in-vehicle device side electrode 8. In addition, since this method performs signal communication using an electric field generated in the human body in accordance with the signal, the communication is established if the communication is within close range without contacting the electrode completely. .

  As a result, a low frequency request signal directed from the in-vehicle device side electrode 8 to the portable device side electrode 54 via the owner, or the in-vehicle device side via the owner from the portable device side electrode 54 when this request signal is received. Each of the high-frequency answer signals directed to the electrodes 8 can be transmitted. This answer signal includes the ID of the portable device 50, is configured with an identification symbol to identify the portable device 50, and is stored in the memory 58.

In the present embodiment, a plurality of release modes for child lock can be determined.
Specifically, the portable device 50 of this embodiment has three mode selection buttons (mode selection means) 56, and the child lock is locked when each button for selecting the modes 1 to 3 is pressed by the occupant. The control program for unlocking is called from the memory 58 and transmitted to the in-vehicle device side electrode 8 if the hand touches the in-vehicle device side electrode 8. As a result, the ECU 18 calls the control program for the corresponding mode from the memory 22 and outputs it to the BCM 30. At the same time, the ECU 18 outputs the corresponding mode to the display unit 40 and can check the current mode set in the portable device 50 in the vehicle.

Note that setting the first mode 1 among these three modes enables child lock (locked state). However, in this mode 1, when the in-vehicle door handle 6 in which the child lock is enabled is pulled an arbitrary number of times within an arbitrary time, the in-vehicle SW 36 detects this operation and opens the door lock.
Next, when the second mode 2 is set, child lock is enabled. However, in this mode 2, when the operator who has the portable device 50 operates the in-vehicle door handle 6, the door lock is opened.

On the other hand, even if the third mode 3 is set, child lock is enabled. However, in this mode 3, the door lock is maintained in a closed state for any operation unless the mode 3 is subsequently released.
It is also possible to disconnect these mode setting functions and prevent them from operating. In this case, the child lock described above is not set at all, and the operation signal of the in-vehicle SW 36 or the out-of-vehicle SW 38 is input by the ECU 18. The door lock is opened on the condition that the in-vehicle door lock SW35 is not operating. In addition, you may provide the 4th mode controlled in this way.

  Here, the display unit 40 of the in-vehicle device 1 is provided with a mode selection button 41 that can be selected in the same manner as the mode selection button 56 described above. That is, the occupant can select the modes 1 to 3 on the display unit 40. In this case, the detection signal of the sensor 42 is output to the ECU 18, and the communication module 2 and the vehicle-mounted device side electrode 8 are connected. To the portable device 50.

Next, referring to FIGS. 3 to 6, there is shown a flowchart of child lock control by the keyless entry device of the present embodiment. Hereinafter, the operation according to the present invention of the vehicle control apparatus configured as described above will be described.
In step S301 in FIG. 3, the ECU 18 determines whether or not the latter child lock is set in the normal door lock or the child lock. If any one of modes 1 to 3 is selected by the mode selection button 41 or the mode selection button 56, that is, if it is determined YES, the process proceeds to step S302.

  If the normal door lock is set, the process proceeds to step S309, and even if the in-vehicle SW 36 or the out-of-vehicle SW 38 detects the opening operation of the handles 6 and 10 and the operation signal is input by the ECU 18, the BCM 30 Then, in order to operate the latch holding portion 34 to lock all the doors, a signal is output to the door lock portion 32 and a series of routines are exited.

  In step S302, the door attaching / detaching unit 12 detects a half-door state of any door by a sensor (not shown) to determine whether the door is in a half-door state. If it is determined that the door is not a half-door, step S303 is performed. Then, it is determined whether or not the rear seat door is closed. Steps S302 and S303 are repeated until the rear seat door is closed.

Next, in step S304, it is determined whether or not the rear seat door is in a normal door lock state using the in-vehicle door lock SW35. When the rear seat door is not in the normal door lock state, that is, when it is determined NO, the process proceeds to step S305.
In step S302, if the door is a half door, the process proceeds to step S310, where the warning unit 44 issues a warning and exits the series of routines. In step S304, if the rear seat door is in a normal door lock state, the process proceeds to step S309.

Subsequently, when the opening operation of the in-vehicle handle 6 is performed in step S306, the process proceeds to step S307, and when the mode selection button 41 or the mode selection button 56 described above selects mode 1, step S308 is performed. Proceed to
Although omitted in FIGS. 3 to 6, if the opening operation of the rear handle 10 of the rear seat door is performed in step S306, any of modes 1, 2, and 3 is selected. Even in such a case, the BCM 30 opens the door lock of the target door for the operation.

The control of the mode 1 is shown in FIG.
In step S401, the timer 26 starts measuring the opening operation period T of the in-vehicle handle 6 and proceeds to step S402. In step S402, the counter 28 starts counting the number of opening operations C of the in-vehicle handle 6, and proceeds to step S403.

  In this step S403, it is detected by detecting the output signal of the in-vehicle SW 36 whether or not the opening operation frequency C of the in-vehicle handle 6 exceeds a set number (for example, 5 times) within a predetermined period (for example, about 3 seconds). If it is determined that the opening operation of the in-vehicle handle 6 is performed five times or more in about 3 seconds, that is, if it is determined YES, the process proceeds to step S406, and the BCM 30 outputs an off signal to the door lock unit 32, Cancel the child lock operation. This is because it can be assumed that this operation is an indication that the passenger at the rear seat door wants to get out of the vehicle as soon as possible. Therefore, in this case, the BCM 30 opens the door lock of the target door without waiting for a signal from the communication module 2.

  On the other hand, when the opening operation number C of the in-vehicle handle 6 does not exceed the set number in step S403, the process proceeds to step S404, and until the opening operation period T of the in-vehicle handle 6 exceeds the setting period, these step 403, step S404 is repeated. When the opening operation period T exceeds the set period, the process proceeds to step S405, where the BCM 30 keeps the door lock of the target door closed and exits the series of routines.

By the way, if the mode selection button 41 or the mode selection button 56 has selected mode 2 in step S307 of FIG. 3, the process proceeds to step S311 and then proceeds to step S312.
As shown in FIG. 5, the control in the mode 2 is such that the opening operation amount of the in-vehicle handle 6 does not reach, for example, the engagement between the latch 14 and the striker 16 in step S501. It is determined whether or not (play amount) has been reached, and if it is determined using the signal of the sensor 39 that the play amount has been exceeded, the process proceeds to step S502.

  On the other hand, when the opening operation amount of the in-vehicle handle 6 does not reach the play amount, the process proceeds to step S506, where it is determined whether or not the opening operation of the handle 6 is continued by the sensor 39. When the opening operation is continued, the process returns to step S501. When the opening operation is not continued, the process proceeds to step S507, where the BCM 30 keeps the door lock of the target door closed and exits the series of routines.

  Next, in step S502 described above, the in-vehicle device side electrode 8 transmits a request signal to the portable device side electrode 54, and in step S503, it is determined whether or not an answer signal from the portable device side electrode 54 has been returned. That is, when the portable device side electrode 54 transmits an answer signal including the ID of the portable device 50 to the in-vehicle device side electrode 8, and the in-vehicle device side electrode 8 receives the answer signal, that is, it is determined as YES. In the case, the communication module 2 outputs this answer signal to the ECU 18.

  Subsequently, in step S <b> 504, the determination unit 24 determines whether the received ID matches the regular ID stored in the memory 22. If the received ID is correct as a result of the collation, that is, if it is determined as YES, the portable device 50 is authenticated as a legitimate device, and the process proceeds to step S505. As a result, the BCM 30 outputs an off signal to the door lock unit 32 to release the child lock operation.

  Specifically, the release of the child lock operation means that the door lock of the target door is opened for a predetermined period, and the door lock is closed after the lapse of the period. This is because this operation can also be assumed to be an opening operation of the in-vehicle handle 6 by the holder of the portable device 50. In the above-described example, the child lock operation is immediately released when it matches the regular ID. However, when it coincides with the regular ID and at the same time an opening operation of the in-vehicle handle 6 is detected within a predetermined period, the door lock is opened. Anyway.

  If the received ID is not correct as a result of the collation in step S504, the portable device 50 is not authenticated as a legitimate device, and the process proceeds to step S507. Thereby, BCM30 outputs an ON signal to the door lock part 32, operates a child lock, and maintains the door lock of an object door in a closed state.

On the other hand, if the mode selection button 41 or the mode selection button 56 has selected mode 3 in step S307 of FIG. 3, the process proceeds to step S311 and further proceeds to step S313.
As shown in FIG. 6, the control of the mode 3 of the present embodiment prohibits the in-vehicle device side electrode 8 from transmitting a request signal to the portable device side electrode 54 in step S <b> 601 and proceeds to step S <b> 602. move on. In this case, the BCM 30 operates the child lock, maintains the door lock of the target door in the closed state, and exits a series of routines. In this mode 3, the transmission of the request signal is prohibited in the above-described example. However, even when the received ID is correct, a signal for opening the door lock is not output, that is, the door lock is closed. Control such as maintaining may be performed.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, human body communication is performed between the in-vehicle device 1 and the portable device 50. Specifically, the vehicle-mounted device 1 and the portable device 50 each have a vehicle-mounted device-side electrode 8 and a portable device-side electrode 54, and communication between the electrodes via the electric field layer of the owner of the portable device 50 is performed. The signal from the portable device side electrode 54 is received by the in-vehicle device side electrode 8. This signal is processed by the communication module 2 and output to the determination unit 24.

  Here, the determination unit 24 determines whether the ID of the portable device 50 is correct based on the signal processed by the communication module 2, and the result is output to the BCM 30. Next, the BCM 30 outputs an on / off signal to the door lock unit 34 based on the determination result to operate the child lock or cancel this operation. By using human body communication, the child lock operation or non-operation is performed in accordance with the operation of the owner of the portable device 50, and an occupant who does not have the portable device 50 does not have the child lock unless touching the owner. Cannot operate or deactivate. Thus, child locks can truly achieve their purpose.

  In addition, whether the ID is correct or not by the determination unit 24 is determined based on a signal by human body communication using the electric field layer of the owner of the portable device 50 as a signal transmission path, not communication by radio waves that are radiation waves. This makes it possible to make reliable and prompt determination without being affected by disturbances, and contribute to improving the reliability of the keyless entry device.

  In addition, since the BCM 30 can output an on / off signal to the door lock unit 32 to electrically set the child lock, the operation lever on the door end surface can be omitted as in the prior art, and the operation can be performed only by switching the operation lever. In comparison with the above, stepwise release according to the situation of the vehicle and its occupant, that is, setting of modes 1 to 3 as in the present embodiment is possible, and the convenience of child lock is improved.

  Furthermore, when the rear seat door is not always opened from the inside of the vehicle by maintaining the child lock, there is a concern that the child lock may be contrary to the protection of the occupant. However, according to the mode 2 control of the present embodiment, when a person having the authorized mobile device 50 performs a predetermined operation, it is authenticated that the person is authorized. Therefore, the BCM 30 disables the child lock and the door is not activated. The situation where it is not always opened from inside the car is avoided. On the other hand, in the operation of a person who does not have the regular portable device 50, the function of the child lock is maintained, so the child lock can truly achieve its purpose.

Furthermore, in the mode 2 control of this embodiment, when the person who performs the door opening operation approaches at least the vehicle-mounted device-side electrode 8, the ID of the portable device 50 is authenticated, so the door is not always opened from the inside of the vehicle. Can be performed more quickly.
Furthermore, if the vehicle-mounted device side electrode 8 is installed in the interior door handle 6 of the rear seat door or in the vicinity thereof, the authentication of the ID of the portable device 50 by the determination unit 24 is completed when the handle 6 is opened. . Therefore, an operator of the handle 6, in other words, an operator of the portable device 50 or an operator of the handle 6 in contact with the owner is not required to touch the operation panel as in the related art. This operator can obtain ID authentication intuitively.

  Further, the display unit 40 displays a mode selection button 41 corresponding to the mode selection button 56 and also displays the current mode. Therefore, even if a plurality of release modes for child lock can be set, the occupant can recognize the current mode and can quickly respond.

  Furthermore, according to the above-described mode 1 control of the present embodiment, when the opening operation of the in-car handle 6 of the rear seat door is performed, for example, five times or more in about 3 seconds, the BCM 30 Regardless of whether the child lock is activated. Therefore, in the unlikely event that the vehicle faces an emergency situation, the rear seat door is opened, and the situation where the passenger in the rear seat cannot escape outside the vehicle is reliably avoided, so the child lock truly achieves its purpose. it can.

  Furthermore, according to the mode 3 control of the present embodiment, when the in-vehicle device side electrode 8 does not transmit a request signal to the portable device side electrode 54 even if the in-car handle 6 of the rear seat door is opened. The BCM 30 maintains the child lock operation. Therefore, the passenger in the rear seat of the rear seat door is protected and, in combination with other modes, contributes to the achievement of the child lock purpose.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.
First, in the above embodiment, since the request signal is transmitted from the vehicle side and the answer signal is transmitted only when the portable device receives it, the power consumption of the portable device can be suppressed. A signal may be transmitted at a constant interval from the first and a request signal is transmitted when the signal is received.

A method may be used in which a signal is always transmitted from the portable device without using this request signal, or a signal is transmitted intermittently.
In this embodiment, since the request signal is transmitted only when the door handle is operated more than a predetermined angle, it is possible to reduce the power consumption on the vehicle side, but intermittently at regular time intervals. Alternatively, a request signal may be transmitted. In this case, it is sufficient that the door lock is released before the door is opened by pulling the door handle from the state close to the electrode, so a request signal is transmitted with an intermittent period of about 0.5 seconds, and the time when the authentication is established. Thus, the authentication information is stored in the memory and the door lock is immediately opened, or the operation of the door handle is detected and the door lock is opened.

  Moreover, in the said Example, since the vehicle equipment side electrode 8 is installed in the vehicle interior door handle 8 or its vicinity, it also becomes possible to authenticate in the middle operation of the door opening operation. However, it may be arranged at another position in the vehicle where it cannot be easily touched. If you want to release the child lock, touch the electrode with your left hand and release it with your right hand, or open the door to a child who is not in contact with the parent while the parent holding the portable device touches the electrode. Can be used. That is, when a person with a portable device performs a predetermined operation of directly or indirectly touching the electrode, authentication is established and the door can be opened from the inside of the vehicle.

Further, the number and contents of the release modes for the child lock are not necessarily limited to the configuration of the above embodiment.
In the above embodiment, the electrode is provided on the portable device of the keyless entry device. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a part having only a child lock function authentication function is used as an accessory of a key holder or a mobile phone. For example, the operation may be performed using an authentication function.

In addition, in this embodiment, human body communication via the passenger's electric field layer is used, so communication is possible if close to each other without contact, but even with human body communication of a method of passing a current to the surface of the human body good. In that case, it is necessary to contact the electrode and the human body.
In addition, various switches such as the in-vehicle SW 36 and the out-of-vehicle SW 38 output an on signal when the handles 6 and 10 are operated, but output an on signal when not operated and output an off signal when operated. Then, the ECU 18 may make a determination in consideration of this.

  In any of these cases, the child lock can effectively achieve its purpose in the same manner as described above.

It is a block diagram of the keyless entry device concerning this example. It is a schematic block diagram of the portable device in FIG. It is a flowchart of the child lock control by the keyless entry apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart of the mode 1 control of FIG. It is a flowchart of the mode 2 control of FIG. It is a flowchart of the mode 3 control of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle equipment 2 Electric field communication module (communication control means)
6 Car interior handle (door handle)
8 In-vehicle device side electrode (electrode)
18 ECU
20 CPU
22 memory 24 determination unit (determination means)
26 timer 28 counter 30 BCM (lock control means)
32 Door lock (lock mechanism)
40 Display section (display means)
41 Mode selection button (mode selection means)
50 Mobile device 54 Mobile device side electrode (electrode)
56 Mode selection button (Mode selection means)

Claims (8)

An in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle, a portable device that is carried by a passenger of the vehicle, communicates with the in-vehicle device using a human body as a signal transmission path, and is set with a predetermined ID; A vehicle control device comprising:
The in-vehicle device is
A lock mechanism for performing a child lock on a predetermined door of the vehicle;
Between the electrode of the in-vehicle device and the electrode of the portable device, the communication via the occupant is performed, and communication control means for processing a signal received by the electrode of the in-vehicle device,
Determining means for determining whether the ID of the portable device is correct or not based on the processed signal;
And a lock control means for outputting an on / off signal for operating or releasing the child lock to the lock mechanism of the target door to which the child lock is applied based on the determination result. The vehicle control device. The vehicle control device according to claim 1,
A vehicle control device comprising mode selection means capable of setting a plurality of release modes for the child lock. The vehicle control device according to claim 1,
When the determination means authenticates the ID of the portable device, the lock control means outputs an off signal to the lock mechanism to release the child lock operation, while authenticating the ID as normal. If not, an on signal is output to the lock mechanism to operate the child lock. The vehicle control device according to claim 3,
With the opening operation of the child lock target door, the human body approaches or contacts the electrode of the in-vehicle device, and when the determination unit authenticates the ID of the portable device as normal, the lock control unit, An off signal is output to the lock mechanism to release the child lock operation. On the other hand, when the ID is not authorized, the child lock is operated by outputting an on signal to the lock mechanism. A vehicle control device. The vehicle control device according to claim 4,
The vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein an electrode of the in-vehicle device is installed at or near a door handle for operating a child lock target door. The vehicle control device according to claim 2,
The on-vehicle device further includes display means for displaying the mode selected by the mode selection means. The vehicle control device according to claim 2,
When the child lock opening operation has been performed a predetermined number of times in a predetermined period,
The vehicle is characterized in that the lock control means has a mode for releasing the child lock operation by outputting an off signal to the lock mechanism without waiting for a signal processed by the communication control means. Control device. The vehicle control device according to claim 2 or 7,
A vehicle control device having a mode for maintaining the operation of the child lock even when the child door is opened.

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