JP2010115434A - Low speed traveling type riding moving vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a low speed traveling type riding moving vehicle capable of accurately detecting that a person is sit down on a seat. <P>SOLUTION: The low speed traveling type riding moving vehicle (specifically, an electromotive wheelchair) 10 includes at least one set of the electrodes 32 arranged in the cushion sponge (elastic material) of the seating surface 16a of the seat 16 and constituted so as to detect a change in the electrostatic capacity Cs produced across one set of the electrodes 32 to determine whether the person is sit down on the seal 16, on the basis of the detected change in the electrostatic capacity Cs. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a low-speed traveling mobile vehicle, and specifically to a low-speed traveling mobile vehicle such as an electric wheelchair.

In recent years, low-speed traveling mobile vehicles such as electric wheelchairs that are suitable for use by elderly people and travel at an extremely low speed that is as fast as a person walks are widely known. In such low-speed traveling mobile vehicles, a technique has been proposed in which it is detected whether or not an occupant is seated in the seat and is started only when seating is detected in order to improve safety at the time of starting. (See, for example, Patent Document 1). In the technique described in Patent Document 1, the seating of an occupant is detected based on the output of a piezoelectric sensor arranged inside the seat.
JP 2005-204871 A

  However, when the seating is detected using the piezoelectric sensor as in the technique described in Patent Document 1, there is a possibility that the seating cannot be detected when, for example, a light weight passenger sits on the seat. . In addition, there is a disadvantage that a state in which a luggage or the like is placed on the seat is erroneously detected as a seating (false detection), thereby causing the low-speed traveling mobile vehicle to be started unnecessarily.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a low-speed traveling mobile vehicle capable of solving the above-described problems and accurately detecting that an occupant is seated on a seat.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, in the low-speed traveling mobile vehicle according to claim 1, the vehicle is generated between at least one set of electrodes disposed inside the elastic member of the seat and the one set of electrodes. Capacitance change detection means for detecting a change in capacitance and seating determination means for judging whether or not an occupant is seated based on the detected change in capacitance.

  In the low-speed traveling passenger vehicle according to claim 2, the at least one set of electrodes is arranged in parallel in the traveling direction.

  In the low-speed traveling passenger vehicle according to claim 3, the at least one set of electrodes is arranged in parallel to be orthogonal to the traveling direction.

  In the low-speed traveling passenger vehicle according to claim 4, the at least one set of electrodes is arranged in parallel in two or more rows in parallel with the traveling direction, and in parallel with two or more rows perpendicular to the traveling direction. Configured to be placed.

  In the low-speed traveling passenger vehicle according to claim 5, the at least one set of electrodes is arranged in the vicinity of the end of the elastic member.

  In the low-speed traveling passenger vehicle according to claim 1, a change in capacitance generated between at least one pair of electrodes disposed inside the elastic member of the seat is detected, and the detected capacitance Since it is configured to determine whether or not an occupant is seated based on the change, it can be accurately detected that the occupant is seated on the seat. That is, when an occupant sits on the seat, the occupant's body becomes a conductor (dielectric) between the electrodes, and the capacitance generated between the electrodes changes (specifically increases) regardless of the occupant's weight. Therefore, by detecting the change and determining whether or not the user is seated, the state in which the luggage is placed on the seat is not erroneously detected as a seating (false detection), and the occupant can sit on the seat. It is possible to accurately detect sitting.

  In the low-speed traveling passenger vehicle according to the second aspect, since at least one set of electrodes is arranged in parallel in the traveling direction, in addition to the above-described effect, the passenger can be seated more effectively. More accurate detection is possible.

  In the low-speed traveling mobile vehicle according to claim 3, since at least one pair of electrodes is arranged in parallel perpendicular to the traveling direction, in addition to the effect described in claim 1, the passenger Can be detected more accurately.

  In the low-speed traveling passenger vehicle according to claim 4, at least one set of electrodes is arranged in parallel in two or more rows parallel to the traveling direction, and is arranged in two or more rows parallel to the traveling direction. Since it was comprised, in addition to the effect described in Claim 1, a passenger | crew's seating can be detected still more correctly.

  In the low-speed traveling passenger vehicle according to claim 5, since at least one set of electrodes is arranged near the end of the elastic material, in addition to the above-described effect, for example, the occupant is in the center of the seat. It is possible to prevent erroneous detection (erroneous detection) of sitting in the vicinity of the unit as being seated.

  In this specification, “parallel” means not only parallel but also substantially parallel, and “orthogonal” means not only orthogonal but also substantially orthogonal.

  The best mode for carrying out a low-speed traveling mobile vehicle according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram generally showing a low-speed traveling mobile vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the low-speed traveling mobile vehicle shown in FIG.

  1 and 2, reference numeral 10 indicates a low-speed traveling moving vehicle. As shown in FIG. 2, the low-speed traveling passenger vehicle 10 is provided with a vehicle body frame 14 supported by four wheels 12 (one of which cannot be seen in FIG. 2), and an operator (not shown) One person who travels at a very low speed equivalent to the walking speed of a person suitable for use by an elderly person, etc., equipped with a seat 16 on which an occupant (user) sits and an operation unit 20 that can be manually operated by an operator. It is a relatively small electric car, more precisely an electric wheelchair. In the following, the low-speed traveling mobile vehicle 10 is referred to as an “electric wheelchair 10”.

  Below the seat 16, there are installed an electric motor 22 that drives a wheel (more precisely, a rear wheel) 12 and a battery 24 that supplies operating power to the electric motor 22 and the like. The electric motor 22 is a DC brushless motor.

  A GPS signal receiver 26 that receives a GPS (Global Positioning System) signal and a communication unit 30 that is communicably connected to a remote monitoring device to be described later are disposed between the seat 16 and the vehicle body frame 14. . The GPS signal receiving device 26 generates an output indicating the position information of the electric wheelchair 10 obtained from the received GPS signal. 2, the traveling direction (front-rear (longitudinal) direction) of the electric wheelchair 10 is defined as the X axis, and the direction orthogonal to the traveling direction (left-right direction of the electric wheelchair 10) is defined as the Y axis.

  FIG. 3 is an enlarged side sectional view of the seat 16 of the electric wheelchair 10 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the seat 16 includes a seating surface 16a on which an operator (occupant) should sit and a backrest 16b. The seating surface 16a is made of a metal material (for example, aluminum) and is fixed to the vehicle body frame 14, and the seating surface 16a is made of an elastically deformable insulating material (for example, urethane foam resin) and placed on the plate 16a1. Cushion sponge (elastic material) 16a2, and a plate 16a1 and a cover 16a3 covering the cushion sponge 16a2. The backrest 16b is also composed of a plate 16b1, a cushion sponge 16b2, and a cover 16b3, like the seating surface 16a.

  Inside the seating surface 16a of the seat 16, more precisely inside the cushion sponge 16a2, a pair (a pair) of electrodes 32 made of a plurality of (two) conductive metal plates (for example, aluminum) are disposed. (One sheet is not visible in FIG. 3).

  FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of the seating surface 16a of the seat 16 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the set of electrodes 32 includes a first electrode 32a and a second electrode 32b, and has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view. The first and second electrodes 32a and 32b are arranged in parallel in parallel with the traveling direction (X-axis direction) of the electric wheelchair 10 in a plan view (top view) and from the front end 16aF of the seating surface 16a to the center. It is laid over a position slightly behind the portion 16aC. Further, the first and second electrodes 32a and 32b are arranged apart from each other by a predetermined distance.

  As described above, the pair of electrodes 32 arranged inside the cushion sponge 16a2 on the seating surface 16a is connected to an oscillation circuit device (capacitance change detecting means) 34 provided at an appropriate position of the electric wheelchair 10 via an electric wire 36. Connected.

  FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of the set of electrodes 32 and the oscillation circuit device 34.

  The oscillation circuit device 34 includes a known oscillator (timer IC) 40 including a comparator, a flip-flop, a transistor (all not shown), and the like. The GND terminal and the VCC terminal of the oscillator 40 are power supply terminals and are connected to the battery 24 described above. A trigger (TRIGER) terminal and an output (OUTPUT) terminal are connected via a first resistor 42a and a second resistor 42b, and a threshold (THRESHOLD) terminal is connected between the trigger terminal and the first resistor 42a. Is done.

  The electric wire 44 connecting the first resistor 42a and the second resistor 42b is grounded via a capacitor 46, and the set of electrodes 32 is connected in parallel to the capacitor 46 via an electric wire 36. The

  With the above configuration, a capacitance Cs is generated between the pair of electrodes 32, that is, between the first electrode 32a and the second electrode 32b, and a pulse-like waveform is generated from the output terminal of the oscillator 40. (Output pulse) is output, which will be described later.

  FIG. 6 is an enlarged front view of the operation unit 20 of the electric wheelchair 10 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the operation unit 20 includes a handle (bar handle) 20 b that protrudes left and right from the dashboard 20 a, a travel lever 20 c that similarly projects to the left and right, and a dashboard 20 20a, for example, a speed setting knob 20d capable of setting the speed steplessly between 1 km / h and 6 km / h, and a direction of travel of the electric wheelchair 10 (forward or reverse direction) are input to the direction of travel. Is provided with a forward / reverse selector switch 20e and a display 20f.

  A travel switch 20g is disposed in the vicinity of the travel lever 20c, and outputs a signal indicating a travel instruction or a stop instruction input from the operator via the travel lever 20c. A speed setting knob sensor 20h is disposed in the vicinity of the speed setting knob 20d, and outputs a signal corresponding to the set speed input from the operator via the speed setting knob 20d.

  The operation unit 20 is further provided with an electronic key port 20i as an immobilizer function for preventing theft and the like. When a non-contact type electronic key (IC card) (not shown) is brought close to the electronic key port 20i by the operator, the electronic key port 20i reads the authentication data from the electronic key memory, and the electronic key is a regular key based on the authentication data. The start instruction signal indicating that the operator has instructed the start of the electric wheelchair 10 is output when the key is an authorized key.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the description of the electric wheelchair 10 will be continued. The communication unit 30 of the electric wheelchair 10 includes a communication ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 50, a communication device 52 connected to the communication ECU 50, and the like. Prepare. The communication ECU 50 and the CPU 50a and a unique communication ID (specifically, identification information (user ID) for identifying the owner (operator) of the electric wheelchair 10 and identification information for identifying the model of the electric wheelchair 10 (product) ID)) and the like, and a microcomputer provided with a counter (not shown) and the like. The communication ECU 50 receives the output pulse of the oscillation circuit device 34, the output of the GPS signal receiving device 26 (position information of the electric wheelchair 10), the output of the electronic key port 20i (starting instruction signal), and the like.

  The communication device 52 includes a transmission / reception antenna 52a, a remote monitoring device 54 including a vehicle management server (computer) installed in an appropriate place (for example, a company that manufactures and sells the electric wheelchair 10), and a reception completion signal ( And so on. More specifically, a reception completion signal or the like is transmitted to the remote monitoring device via a wireless communication network, more specifically, a wireless communication network using a frequency for a mobile phone near 800 MHz, by a transmission / reception antenna 52a of the communication device 52. 54 is transmitted and received.

  The electric wheelchair 10 further includes a motor ECU 56 and a display ECU 60 which are microcomputers including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like (not shown). The ECUs 56 and 60 and the communication ECU 50 are connected to each other via CAN (Controller Area Network) communication.

  The motor ECU 56 receives outputs from the forward / reverse selector switch 20e, the travel switch 20g, the speed setting knob sensor 20h, etc., and controls the operation of the electric motor 22 based on the outputs, thereby controlling the travel of the electric wheelchair 10. To do. In addition to controlling the operation of the electric motor 22, the motor ECU 56 outputs a signal indicating driving history information (for example, the driving time and travel distance of the electric wheelchair 10) to the communication ECU 50 via CAN communication. The output operation history information is stored (accumulated) in the memory 50b of the communication ECU 50.

  The display ECU 60 is connected to the display 20f and controls the operation thereof. Specifically, the display ECU 60 displays the communication result between the electric wheelchair 10 and the remote monitoring device 54.

  Next, the remote monitoring device 54 will be described. The remote monitoring device 54 includes a CPU 54a, a database 54b, a transmission / reception antenna 54c for transmitting / receiving signals to / from the transmission / reception antenna 52a of the communication device 52, and the like.

  In the database 54b, a plurality of notification destinations 62 designated in advance, more specifically, a plurality of notification destinations 62 that are designated in advance for each vehicle, more precisely for each unique communication ID, and that should be notified that the electric wheelchair 10 has been started. Is stored (stored).

  The plurality of reporting destinations 62 include, for example, a store 62a that sells the electric wheelchair 10, a terminal device (specifically, a personal computer or a mobile phone at a family home) 62b owned by an operator (occupant) family. Therefore, the information of the report destination 62 is specifically a telephone number or an e-mail address of the report destination 62.

  The remote monitoring device 54 and the plurality of report destinations 62 are connected to be freely communicateable (reportable) via the Internet (WEB, public communication network) 64 or the like.

  Next, the operation of the electric wheelchair 10 configured as described above will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the electric wheelchair 10, specifically, the operation of the communication ECU 50 of the electric wheelchair 10.

  First, in S10, it is determined whether or not a start instruction has been given by the operator. This is determined by whether or not a normal electronic key is brought close to the electronic key port 20i by the operator and a start instruction signal is output from the electronic key port 20i. When the result in S10 is negative, the subsequent processing is skipped. When the result is affirmative, the process proceeds to S12, and a seating determination is performed to determine whether or not the operator (occupant) is seated in the seat 16.

  FIG. 8 is a sub-routine flowchart of the seating determination process in S12 of FIG.

  First, in S100, the frequency f of the output pulse output from the output terminal of the oscillator 40 of the oscillation circuit device 34 is detected, and the change amount fd is calculated.

  9 and 10 are schematic side cross-sectional views of the seating surface 16a when viewed from the traveling direction (X-axis direction), and FIG. 11 is a graph showing the waveform of the output pulse output from the output terminal of the oscillator 40. .

The process of S100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 9 to 11. As shown in FIG. 5, when the resistance values of the first and second resistors 42a and 42b of the oscillation circuit device 34 are R1 and R2, respectively, and the capacitance of the capacitor 46 is C, it is output from the output terminal of the oscillator 40. The frequency f of the output pulse is a value proportional to the following equation. In the following equation, T represents the period (time constant) of the output pulse, and Cs represents the capacitance generated between the pair of electrodes 32.
f = 1 / T
T = (C + Cs) × (R1 + R2)

  Assuming the above equation, as shown in FIG. 9, the capacitance Cs of the electrode 32 when the operator (occupant) is not seated on the seat 16 has the first and second dielectric constants that are relatively low. Since the air between the electrodes 32a and 32b is a conductor (dielectric), it has a minimum value (minimum value). Therefore, the period T of the output pulse is a value proportional to C × (R1 + R2). The waveform of the output pulse at this time is shown by a solid line in FIG.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10, when the operator (occupant) P is seated on the seat 16, the electrostatic capacity Cs is the conductor P whose body has a dielectric constant higher than that of air. The first and second electrodes 32a and 32b are electrically opposed to each other and change (specifically, increase).

  When the capacitance Cs changes (increases) due to the seating, the period T of the output pulse becomes longer than that when the operator P is not seated, and the frequency (oscillation frequency) f decreases. The waveform of the output pulse at the time of seating is indicated by a broken line in FIG.

  Therefore, in the process of S100, the frequency f of the output pulse is detected (calculated) in order to detect the above-described frequency change, and the initial value (the output pulse when not seated) is detected from the detected frequency f of the output pulse. The change amount fd is calculated by subtracting the frequency.

  Next, the process proceeds to S102, where it is determined whether or not the absolute value of the calculated change amount fd is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. If the result is affirmative, the process proceeds to S104, where it is determined that the operator (occupant) is seated on the seat 16. If not, the process proceeds to S106 and it is determined that the user is not seated. Accordingly, the predetermined value is appropriately set to such a value that it can be determined whether or not the operator is seated on the seat 16. Specifically, for example, when the combined resistance R of the first and second resistors 42a and 42b is 47 kΩ and the capacitance C of the capacitor 46 is 2200 pF, the frequency f of the non-seated output pulse A is about 6000 Hz. On the other hand, since the frequency f of the output pulse B at the time of sitting is about 4500 Hz, the predetermined value to be compared with the change amount fd is about 1500 Hz.

  In this way, the change in the capacitance Cs of the pair of electrodes 32 is detected, and more precisely, the change amount fd of the frequency f of the output pulse caused by the change in the capacitance Cs is calculated (S100, S102). When the capacitance Cs changes (when the change amount fd is equal to or greater than a predetermined value), it is determined that the operator is seated on the seat 16 (S104), but when the change is not changed (the change amount fd is If it is less than the predetermined value, it is determined that the user is not seated (S106).

  Here, if the change amount fd of the frequency f of the output pulse is further spread, it is conceivable that an object 66 having conductivity such as rainwater accumulates on the seating surface 16a as shown by an imaginary line in FIG. In this case, the capacitance Cs is the sum of C1 and C2. However, since the electrode 32 is disposed inside the cushion sponge 16a2, there is a distance (indicated by the symbol d) from the electrode 32 to the object 66 on the seating surface 16a, and thus the capacitance Cs is only slightly increased and changed. The amount fd is also a slight value.

  On the other hand, when the operator P instead of rain water sits on the seating surface 16a, the cushion sponge 16a2 is elastically deformed as shown in FIG. 10, and the distance d from the electrode 32 to the body of the operator P on the seating surface 16a is Decrease. Since the capacitance Cs is inversely proportional to the distance d between the electrodes 32, the capacitance Cs increases as the distance d decreases, and the amount of change fd also increases. That is, by disposing the electrode 32 between the elastically deformable cushion sponge 16a2, the change (increase) in the capacitance Cs when the operator P is seated can be made more remarkable, It is possible to prevent erroneous determination that the object 66 such as rainwater has accumulated on the seating surface 16a as seating.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 7, the process then proceeds to S <b> 14 and it is determined whether or not sitting is determined in S <b> 12. When the result in S14 is negative, the program proceeds to S16, and the display 20f is displayed on the display 20f via the display ECU 60, for example, “cannot detect seating” or “sit on the seat” to prompt the operator to sit.

  On the other hand, when the result in S14 is affirmative, the program proceeds to S18, and a start permission signal for permitting the start of the electric motor 22 is output to the motor ECU 56. Upon receiving the start permission signal, the motor ECU 56 starts controlling the operation of the electric motor 22. As described above, the motor ECU 56 controls the operation of the electric motor 22 only when it is determined that the user is seated and the start permission signal is input, and the start permission signal is not determined as being seated. An interlock function is provided so that the operation of the electric motor 22 is not controlled when is not input.

  Next, the process proceeds to S20, where the position information of the electric wheelchair 10 is acquired (detected) from the output of the GPS signal receiving device 26, and the process proceeds to S22, where the driving history information stored (accumulated) is acquired (detected).

  Proceeding to S24, the seating start signal indicating that the operator is seated on the seat 16 and the electric wheelchair 10 is started, the unique communication ID, the position information and the driving history of the electric wheelchair 10 obtained in S20 and S22. Information is transmitted to the remote monitoring device 54 via the communication device 52.

  Next, in S26, it is determined whether or not the transmission of the above-described seating start signal or the like has been completed. This is determined by whether or not a reception completion signal indicating that reception of a seating start signal or the like has been completed is transmitted from the remote monitoring device 54.

  When the result in S26 is affirmative, the process proceeds to S28, and the display 20f is displayed on the display 20f via the display ECU 60, for example, to indicate to the operator that the transmission of the seating start signal and the like to the remote monitoring device 54 has been completed. Inform.

  On the other hand, when the result in S26 is negative, the program proceeds to S30, where the value of the error counter errCNT is incremented by one, and the program proceeds to S32, in which it is determined whether or not the error counter errCNT is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of errors (for example, five times). Since the initial value of the error counter errCNT is set to 0, when S32 is executed for the first time, the result is negative and the process returns to S24, and a seating start signal or the like is transmitted again.

  If the transmission in S32 is affirmative, that is, if the transmission of the seating start signal has failed five times, the process proceeds to S34, where the display 20f is displayed on the display 20f via the display ECU 60 and the transmission of the seating start signal has failed. This is notified to the operator and the program is terminated. Thus, the operator can surely recognize whether transmission of the seating start signal or the like to the remote monitoring device 54 has been completed (successful) or has failed.

  Next, the operation of the remote monitoring device 54 will be described.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the remote monitoring device 54, which is executed every predetermined period (for example, 10 msec).

  First, in S200, it is determined whether the seating start signal, the unique communication ID, the position information of the electric wheelchair 10 and the driving history information transmitted from the electric wheelchair 10 are received. When the result in S200 is negative, the subsequent processing is skipped. When the result is affirmative, the process proceeds to S202, and the reception completion signal described above is transmitted to the electric wheelchair 10.

  Next, the process proceeds to S204, in which data such as the unique communication ID and operation history information is stored in the database 54b. The process proceeds to S206, and information on the plurality of report destinations 62 stored in the database 54b is read based on the unique communication ID.

  Next, the process proceeds to S208, in which the operator sits on the seat 16 and the electric wheelchair 10 is in a state of being started, together with the position information of the electric wheelchair 10, etc., is notified to the reporting destination read in S206 and the program is terminated. To do. Thereby, the person in charge (serviceman) of the store 62a and the family of the occupant who owns the terminal device 62b can quickly and surely recognize that the electric wheelchair 10 is in a started state.

  As described above, in the electric wheelchair (low-speed traveling passenger vehicle) 10 according to the first embodiment, at least one set of the electrodes 32 (the first set of electrodes 32 (the first sponge 32) disposed in the elastic material (cushion sponge) 16a2 of the seat 16 is provided. Change of the capacitance Cs generated between the first electrode 32a and the second electrode 32b) is detected (S12, S100), and it is determined whether or not an occupant is seated based on the detected change of the capacitance Cs. Since it comprised so that (S12, S102-S106), it can detect correctly that the passenger | crew is seated in the seat 16. FIG.

  That is, when an occupant sits on the seat 16, the occupant's body becomes a conductor (dielectric) between the electrodes 32, and the capacitance Cs generated between the electrodes 32 changes regardless of the occupant's weight (specifically, To increase). Therefore, by detecting the change and determining whether or not the user is seated, the state in which the luggage is placed on the seat 16 is not erroneously detected as a seating (false detection), and the passenger can sit on the seat. It is possible to accurately detect that the user is seated on 16.

  In addition, since at least one pair of electrodes 32 (first electrode 32a, second electrode 32b) is arranged in parallel in the traveling direction (X-axis direction), the occupant is more seated. More accurate detection is possible.

  FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view similar to FIG. 4, showing a modification of the arrangement of the electrodes 32 of the electric wheelchair 10 according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the first and second electrodes 32a and 32b are further spaced apart and are respectively disposed at the end of the cushion sponge 16a2 of the seating surface 16a, more precisely, near the left end 16aL and the right end 16aR. I did it. Thereby, for example, it is possible to prevent a passenger from erroneously detecting (erroneously detecting) a seating state in which only his / her hand is placed near the central portion 16aC of the seat 16.

  Next, an electric wheelchair 10 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view similar to FIG. 4 when the seating surface 16a of the electric wheelchair 10 according to the second embodiment is viewed from above. In the following description, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  When focusing on the differences from the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, one set of electrodes 32 is arranged in the traveling direction (X-axis direction) of the electric wheelchair 10. It was configured to be arranged in parallel at right angles. Specifically, the first and second electrodes 32a and 32b are arranged in parallel perpendicular to the traveling direction (X-axis direction) of the electric wheelchair 10 in a plan view, in other words, parallel to the Y-axis direction. In addition to being arranged in parallel, the cushioning sponge 16a2 of the seating surface 16a is laid from the left end portion 16aL to the right end portion 16aR. Further, the first and second electrodes 32a and 32b are arranged apart from each other by a predetermined distance.

  Since the electric wheelchair 10 according to the second embodiment is configured as described above, the seating of the occupant can be detected more accurately. The remaining configuration and effects are not different from those of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 15 is a schematic plan view similar to FIG. 14, showing a modification of the arrangement of the electrodes 32 of the electric wheelchair 10 according to the second embodiment.

  In the modified example of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, the first and second electrodes 32a and 32b are arranged further apart from each other, and the end of the cushion sponge 16a2 on the seating surface 16a, more precisely, They are arranged in the vicinity of the front end portion 16aF and the rear end portion 16aB. Thereby, for example, it is possible to prevent a passenger from erroneously detecting (erroneously detecting) a seating state in which only his / her hand is placed near the central portion 16aC of the seat 16.

  Next, an electric wheelchair 10 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 16 is a schematic plan view similar to FIG. 4 when the seating surface 16a of the electric wheelchair 10 according to the third embodiment is viewed from above.

  Description will be made focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, three sets of electrodes 32 made of a plurality of (four) metal plates are connected to an electric wheelchair. Parallel to 10 traveling directions, they were arranged in parallel. Specifically, the three sets of electrodes 32 include first to fourth electrodes 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d, which are arranged in parallel in parallel with the traveling direction while being separated from each other by a predetermined distance. The three sets of electrodes 32 are paired with a first electrode 32a and a second electrode 32b, a second electrode 32b and a third electrode 32c, and a third electrode 32c and a fourth electrode 32d.

  Since the electric wheelchair 10 according to the third embodiment is configured as described above, the seating of the occupant can be detected more accurately. The remaining configuration and effects are not different from those of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 17 is a schematic plan view similar to FIG. 16, showing a modification of the arrangement of the electrodes 32 of the electric wheelchair 10 according to the third embodiment.

  In the modification of the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17, the first to fourth electrodes 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d are moved in the traveling direction (X-axis) as in the second embodiment. It was configured to be arranged in parallel perpendicular to (direction). Thereby, an effect similar to the above can be obtained.

  Next, an electric wheelchair 10 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  18 is a schematic plan view similar to FIG. 4 when the seating surface 16a of the electric wheelchair 10 according to the fourth embodiment is viewed from above.

  Description will be made focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, 10 sets of electrodes 32 composed of a plurality of (eight) metal plates are arranged in parallel with the traveling direction. More than one column (specifically, four columns) was arranged in parallel, and two or more columns (specifically, two columns) were arranged in parallel perpendicular to the traveling direction. Specifically, the ten sets of electrodes 32 include first to eighth electrodes 32a to 32h, which are arranged apart from each other by a predetermined distance. In addition, 10 sets of electrodes 32 are paired with adjacent electrodes as in the previous embodiment.

  Thus, since the electric wheelchair 10 according to the fourth embodiment is configured as described above, it is possible to detect the seating of the occupant more accurately. The remaining configuration and effects are not different from those of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 19 is a schematic plan view similar to FIG. 18, showing a modification of the arrangement of the electrodes 32 of the electric wheelchair 10 according to the fourth embodiment.

  In the modification of the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 19, the first, second, fifth, and sixth electrodes 32a, 32b, 32e, and 32f are connected to the end of the cushion sponge 16a2 on the seating surface 16a. The third, fourth, seventh, and eighth electrodes 32c, 32d, 32g, and 32h are arranged near the right end portion 16aR near the left end portion 16aL. Thereby, for example, it is possible to prevent a passenger from erroneously detecting (erroneously detecting) a seating state in which only his / her hand is placed near the central portion 16aC of the seat 16.

  As described above, in the low-speed traveling passenger mobile vehicle (electric wheelchair) 10 according to the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention, at least one set disposed inside the elastic material (cushion sponge) 16a2 of the seat 16 is provided. Capacitance change detection means (oscillation circuit device 34. communication ECU 50. S12, S100) for detecting a change in capacitance Cs generated between the electrode 32 and the set of electrodes 32, and the detected It is configured to include seating determination means (communication ECU 50. S12, S102 to S106) that determines whether or not an occupant is seated based on a change in capacitance.

  In the first and third embodiments, the at least one set of electrodes 32 is arranged in parallel in the traveling direction (X-axis direction).

  In the second and third embodiments, the at least one pair of electrodes 32 are arranged in parallel perpendicular to the traveling direction (X-axis direction) (parallel to the Y-axis direction). Configured.

  In the fourth embodiment, the at least one set of electrodes 32 are arranged in parallel in two or more rows in parallel with the traveling direction, and are arranged in two or more columns in parallel perpendicular to the traveling direction. It was configured as follows.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the at least one set of electrodes 32 are provided at the end portions (left end portion 16aL, right end portion 16aR, front end portion 16aF, rear end portion) of the elastic material (cushion sponge) 16a2. 16aB).

  In the above description, the pair of electrodes 32 is arranged inside the cushion sponge 16a2. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the electrode 32 may be interposed between the plate 16a1 and the cushion sponge 16a2. .

  Moreover, although the electrode 32 arranged on the seat 16 is configured to be made of a metal plate, it may be an electrode in which plastic wires are knitted into a net instead. In that case, since the mesh electrode is elastically deformed when the occupant sits on the seat 16, it is possible to make it difficult to affect the occupant's sitting comfort.

  Moreover, although the material of the electrode 32 and cushion sponge 16a2, the predetermined value, etc. were shown concretely, they are illustrations and are not limited. Further, in the first to fourth embodiments and the modifications thereof, the positions (arrangements) where the electrodes 32 are disposed are specifically shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the point is the interior of the seat 16 and the occupant. Any arrangement can be used as long as it can detect (detect) the seating.

  In addition, the electric wheelchair 10 is configured to be communicably connected to the remote monitoring device 54 via the communication device 52 of the communication unit 30, but is not limited thereto, and instead of the communication device 52, an operator (occupant) ) May be used. Specifically, the mobile phone is connected to the communication ECU 50 of the communication unit 30 via short-range wireless communication or the like, and the above-described seating start signal is transmitted from the mobile phone to the remote monitoring device 54. Also good.

  In addition, although the electric wheelchair 10 and the remote monitoring device 54 are configured to be communicably connected via the wireless communication network and the remote monitoring device 54 and the report destination 62 via the Internet 64, the present invention is not limited thereto. The wireless communication unit or the wired communication unit may be used for connection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram generally showing a low-speed traveling mobile vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the low-speed traveling mobile vehicle shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an enlarged side sectional view of a seat of the low-speed traveling mobile vehicle shown in FIG. 2. It is a schematic plan view when the seating surface of the seat shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of a set of electrodes and an oscillation circuit device shown in FIG. 4 and the like. FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view of an operation unit of the low-speed traveling mobile vehicle shown in FIG. 2. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the low-speed traveling mobile vehicle shown in FIG. 1, specifically, the operation of the communication ECU of the low-speed traveling mobile vehicle. It is a sub-routine flowchart of the seating determination process of FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic side sectional view of the seating surface shown in FIG. 2 and the like when viewed from the traveling direction. FIG. 10 is a schematic side sectional view similar to FIG. 9 when the seating surface shown in FIG. 2 and the like is viewed from the traveling direction. It is a graph which shows the waveform of the output pulse output from the output terminal of the oscillator shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the remote monitoring apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view similar to FIG. 4, showing a modification of the arrangement of the electrodes of the low-speed traveling mobile vehicle shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view similar to FIG. 4 when the seating surface of a low-speed traveling passenger vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention is viewed from above. It is a schematic plan view which shows the modification of arrangement | positioning of the electrode of the low-speed travel passenger moving vehicle shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view similar to FIG. 4 when the seating surface of a low-speed traveling passenger vehicle according to a third embodiment of the present invention is viewed from above. It is a schematic plan view which shows the modification of arrangement | positioning of the electrode of the low-speed travel passenger moving vehicle shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view similar to FIG. 4 when the seating surface of a low-speed traveling passenger vehicle according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is viewed from above. It is a schematic plan view which shows the modification of arrangement | positioning of the electrode of the low-speed travel passenger moving vehicle shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Low-speed traveling passenger vehicle (electric wheelchair), 16 seats, 16a seating surface, 16a2 cushion sponge (elastic material), 16aL left end part (end part), 16aR right end part (end part), 16aF front end part (end part), 16aB rear end (end), 32 electrodes, 34 oscillation circuit device, 50 communication ECU

Claims (5)

  At least one set of electrodes disposed inside the elastic member of the seat, capacitance change detecting means for detecting a change in capacitance generated between the set of electrodes, and the detected capacitance A low-speed traveling mobile vehicle comprising: seating determination means for determining whether or not an occupant is seated based on a change.   The low-speed traveling mobile vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the at least one set of electrodes are arranged in parallel in parallel with the traveling direction.   The low-speed traveling mobile vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the at least one set of electrodes are arranged in parallel perpendicular to the traveling direction.   2. The low-speed traveling according to claim 1, wherein the at least one set of electrodes is arranged in parallel in two or more rows parallel to the traveling direction, and is arranged in two or more rows parallel to the traveling direction. Passenger moving vehicle.   5. The low-speed traveling mobile vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the at least one set of electrodes is disposed in the vicinity of an end portion of the elastic member.

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