JP2012197061A - Mounting structure of assistant device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mounting structure of an assistant device by which a space in a vehicle compartment equipped with the assistant device is used for the other application purpose when the assistance device is not used, and the marketability of an automobile is improved.SOLUTION: The mounting structure of the assistant device 50 which includes a controller 40 connected to a controller 20 of a vehicle, and is controlled by both the controllers 20 and 40 to assist an occupant. The assistant device is installed in a beverage container housing 3 in the vehicle compartment through an intermediate member 10 so as to be freely detached, and a connecting means 17 which electrically connects both the control devices 20 and 40 is installed in each of the beverage container housing 3, the intermediate member 10 and the assistant device 50.

Description

The present invention
The present invention relates to a mounting structure of an assistant device that includes a control device connected to a control device of a vehicle and that is controlled by both control devices to assist an occupant.

The assistant device is controlled by the control device of the vehicle and the control device of the assistant device itself, and gives a message to the occupant, communication such as greetings, attention to excessive speed, prompting lighting of lights, route guidance Assisting passengers in the passenger compartment by issuing warnings for dozing.
Conventionally, the assistant device has been manufactured as a device exclusively for an automobile to be installed, and is provided integrally with an instrument panel or a center console which are interior parts. (See Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2)

JP 2010-195370 A JP 2010-173342 A

According to the above conventional structure, since the assistant device is provided integrally with the instrument panel and the center console which are interior parts, a dedicated space for the assistant device must be provided in the vehicle interior. When not in use, the space could not be used for another purpose.
And since the assistant device was manufactured as a device dedicated to the automobile to be installed, a user who owns the assistant device manufactured for a purpose other than that for the automobile uses the assistant device for the automobile in the vehicle interior. Even if the user wants to install the vehicle as described above, the vehicle cannot be installed, and the above-mentioned conventional structure has a low commercial value for the user.
In addition, for users who do not own an assistant device manufactured for a purpose other than that for automobiles, but want to install such an assistant device as an assistant device for automobiles in the interior of the automobile, the above-described conventional structure is also used. The car's merchantability was low.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to use a space in a vehicle compartment provided with an assistant device for another application when the assistant device is not used. It is in the point which provides the attachment structure of the assistant apparatus which can improve merchantability.

The feature of the present invention is that
A control device connected to the control device of the vehicle, and an assistant device mounting structure that is controlled by both control devices and assists the occupant,
The assistant device is detachably attached to the beverage container accommodating portion in the vehicle compartment via an intermediate member,
A connection means for electrically connecting the two control devices is provided in the beverage container housing portion, the intermediate member, and the assistant device. (Claim 1)

According to this configuration, since the assistant device is detachably attached to the beverage container accommodating portion in the vehicle compartment via the intermediate member, when the assistant device is not used, the intermediate member and the assistant device are removed from the beverage container accommodating portion. The space in the vehicle compartment can be widened by removing. Moreover, a drink container can be accommodated in this drink container accommodating part, using a drink container accommodating part as an original drink container accommodating part. Thus, the space provided with the assistant device can be used for other purposes.
And the user who owns the assistant device manufactured for uses other than those for automobiles can attach the assistant device to the beverage container housing part and does not own the assistant device. A user who wants to install the device in the passenger compartment of the car can also attach the assistant device to the beverage container housing. Therefore, the merchantability of the automobile can be improved.
In these cases, since the assistant device is attached to the beverage container housing portion via the intermediate member, it is possible to eliminate the need for significant modification of the assistant device for attachment to the beverage container housing portion, and the design and movement of the assistant device can be eliminated. Can be avoided.
Moreover, since the connection means which electrically connects both said control apparatuses is provided in the said drink container accommodating part, the said intermediate member, and the said assistant apparatus, between the control apparatus of a vehicle, and the control apparatus of an assistant apparatus. The signal can be reliably transmitted and received.
Furthermore, the assistant device removed from the beverage container housing can be used for purposes other than for automobiles, which is convenient for the user. (Claim 1)

In the present invention,
The connecting means includes a first circuit extending from the vehicle control device to the beverage container housing portion,
A connector connected to one end of the first circuit and provided in the beverage container housing;
A pair of connectors respectively provided at the end of the intermediate member on the side of the beverage container housing and the end of the intermediate member on the side of the assistant device;
A second circuit for connecting the pair of connectors of the intermediate member;
When connected to the control device of the assistant device and composed of a connector provided at the end of the assistant device on the intermediate member side, the following effects can be obtained. (Claim 2)

  When the assistant device is detachably attached to the beverage container housing part in the vehicle compartment via the intermediate member, the connector provided at the end of the intermediate member on the beverage container housing part side is connected to the beverage container housing part. The connector provided at the end of the intermediate member on the assistant device side is connected to the connector provided at the end of the assistant device on the intermediate member side. Thus, signals can be transmitted and received between the vehicle control device and the assistant device control device. (Claim 2)

In the present invention,
The beverage container accommodating portion is formed in a concave shape,
A fitting portion provided at a lower portion of the intermediate member is fitted into the beverage container housing portion,
When the assistant device is placed on the placement portion provided on the upper portion of the intermediate member, the following effects can be achieved. (Claim 3)

  Attaching the assistant device to the beverage container housing portion with a simple operation simply by fitting the lower fitting portion of the intermediate member to the beverage container housing portion and placing the assistant device on the placing portion on the upper portion of the intermediate member. It is possible to improve the workability of attaching the assistant device to the beverage container housing portion. (Claim 3)

In the present invention,
When the intermediate member is removed from the beverage container housing portion, a cup-shaped cover is fitted into the beverage container housing portion, the connector on the beverage container housing portion side is covered with the cover, and the beverage is covered with the cover. If the container can be accommodated, the following effects can be achieved. (Claim 4)

  When the intermediate member is removed from the beverage container housing portion, a cup-shaped cover is fitted to the beverage container housing portion, and the connector on the beverage container housing portion side is covered with the cover. The beverage spilled from the beverage container accommodated in the portion can be prevented from entering the connector provided in the beverage container accommodating portion, and failure of electrical components such as the connector can be prevented. As described above, the beverage container can be accommodated in the cover in a state in which the cup-shaped cover is fitted to the beverage container accommodation portion. (Claim 4)

According to the present invention,
To provide a mounting structure of an assistant device that can use the space in the vehicle compartment where the assistant device is provided for another purpose when the assistant device is not used, and can improve the merchantability of the automobile. I was able to.

The perspective view which shows the attachment method of the assistant apparatus to a cup holder Longitudinal side view showing how to attach the assistant device to the cup holder Longitudinal side view with assistant device attached to cup holder (A) Front view of intermediate member (b) Front view of assistant device Longitudinal side view showing the cup holder and the cover that covers the cup holder side connector Block diagram showing control of assistant device Flow chart showing control of assistant device

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, an instrument panel 1 facing the front passenger of the vehicle from the front side of the vehicle is provided, and an operation panel 7 and a glove box 8 are provided on the instrument panel 1. And the center console 2 is extended from the lower end part of the vehicle width direction center part of the instrument panel 1 to the vehicle rear, The cup holder 3 (equivalent to a drink container accommodating part) is formed in this center console 2. FIG.

  The cup holder 3 is formed in a rectangular concave shape having an upper opening, and includes a peripheral wall 3S having a rectangular shape with a narrowed bottom cross section, and a bottom wall 3T spanning the lower end of the peripheral wall 3S.

[Structure of assistant device 50]
A human assistant device 50 that assists the passenger is detachably attached to the cup holder 3 in the vehicle compartment via the intermediate member 10. As shown in FIG. 4B, the assistant device 50 includes a head 52, a torso 53, an arm 55, and a leg 54, and is connected to the vehicle control device 20 as shown in FIG. Control device 40, controlled by both control devices 20 and 40 to send messages to passengers, communication such as greetings, attention to excessive speed, lighting of lights, driving directions, snooze driving Assist passengers in the passenger compartment by issuing warnings.

[Structure of Intermediate Member 10]
As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 (a), the intermediate member 10 includes a lower fitting portion 14 that fits into the cup holder 3 and an upper placement portion on which the assistant device 50 is placed. 15 and. The fitting portion 14 includes a peripheral wall 14S having a rectangular shape with a narrowed cross section and a bottom wall 14T spanning the lower end of the peripheral wall 14S. The mounting portion 15 includes an upper surface portion 15J and a lower surface portion 15K. It is formed in the provided cylindrical shape.

  The fitting portion 14 may have a shape (for example, a cylindrical shape) different from the above shape. The dimension L2 in the height direction of the fitting portion 14 is set to be larger than the depth of the cup holder 3. Further, the placing portion 15 is formed to have a larger diameter than the fitting portion 14 so that the assistant device 50 can be placed and supported stably.

  With the above structure, the fitting portion 14 provided at the lower portion of the intermediate member 10 is fitted into the cup holder 3, and the assistant device 50 is placed on the placement portion 15 provided at the upper portion of the intermediate member 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the assistant device 50 is placed on the upper surface of the placement portion 15 so as to be in a seated state facing the rear of the vehicle, and the leg portion 54 of the assistant device 50 is a tray 6 on the rear side of the cup holder 3 in the vehicle. Placed on.

[Structure of connecting means 17]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, connection means 17 for electrically connecting both control devices 20 and 40 (see FIG. 6) is provided in the cup holder 3, the intermediate member 10, and the assistant device 50.

The connection means 17 includes a first circuit 4 extending from the vehicle control device 20 to the cup holder 3 side,
A connector 5 connected to one end of the first circuit 4 and provided on the inner bottom surface of the cup holder 3;
Provided separately at the lower end of the fitting portion 14 of the intermediate member 10 (the end of the intermediate member 10 on the cup holder 3 side) and the upper end of the mounting portion 15 (the end of the intermediate member 10 on the assistant device 50 side). A pair of connectors 12, 13 (see FIG. 2),
A second circuit 11 in the intermediate member 10 that connects the pair of connectors 12 and 13;
It is connected to the control device 40 of the assistant device 50, and includes a connector 51 provided on a collar portion of the assistant device 50 (corresponding to an end on the intermediate member side of the assistant device).

  In the above structure, when the fitting portion 14 of the intermediate member 10 is inserted and fitted into the cup holder 3, the connector 12 at the lower end of the fitting portion 14 of the intermediate member 10 is connected to the connector 5 of the cup holder 3. When the collar portion of the assistant device 50 is placed on the upper surface of the placement portion 15 of the intermediate member 10, the connector 51 of the assistant device 50 is connected to the connector 13 at the upper end portion of the placement portion 15 of the intermediate member 10.

  Since the dimension L2 (see FIG. 4A) in the height direction of the fitting portion 14 is set larger than the depth of the cup holder 3 (see FIG. 3), the connectors 5 and 12 are securely connected. Can be made.

  A dimension L1 (see FIG. 4A) in the height direction of the placement portion 15 is a tray as a space where the leg portion 54 below the knee can be placed around the cup holder 3, for example, as shown in FIG. 6 or the like is formed, the dimension from the upper surface portion 15J of the placement portion 15 to the bottom surface of the tray may be the same as the diameter of the upper surface portion 15J of the placement portion 15. At this time, since the human assistant device 50 often imitates a human being, it is below the knee from the length from the buttocks of the assistant device 50 placed on the upper surface portion 15J of the placement portion 15 to the knee. In many cases, the length M1 of the leg portion 54 is shorter. Accordingly, when the dimension from the upper surface portion 15J of the mounting portion 15 to the bottom surface of the tray is set to be equal to or higher than the diameter of the upper surface portion 15J of the mounting portion 15, the leg portion 54 below the knee can be moved to the cup holder 3. Can be prevented from interfering with the interior surface. As a result, the assistant device 50 can be placed on the placement portion 15 without interfering with the peripheral components of the cup holder 3, and the connection device 51 on the assistant device 50 side and the connection device 13 on the intermediate member 10 side are surely provided. Can be connected. When there is no space for placing the leg portion 54 such as a tray around the cup holder 3, the height L1 of the placement portion 15 is equal to or equal to the diameter of the upper surface portion 15J of the placement portion 15. By setting the dimensions as described above, the leg part 54 below the knee can be accommodated in the dimension L1 in the height direction of the placement part 15, and interference with the interior material around the cup holder 3 can be prevented. it can.

  In the case where the assistant device 50 is not used or a user who does not own the assistant device 50, the cup holder 3 can be used as a normal beverage container storage portion by removing the intermediate member 10. In this case, in order to prevent electrical components such as the connector 5 on the bottom surface of the cup holder 3 from being damaged by the beverage spilled from the beverage container, as shown in FIG. Is provided.

That is, when the intermediate member 10 is removed from the cup holder 3, the cup-shaped cover 19 is fitted to the cup holder 3 and the connector 5 on the cup holder 3 side is covered with the cover 19. Further, the cover 19 is configured to be able to accommodate a beverage container.
The cover 19 is formed in a rectangular recess shape (the cup shape) having an open upper side, and includes a peripheral wall 19S having a rectangular shape with a narrowed bottom cross section, and a bottom wall 19T spanning the lower end of the peripheral wall 19S. Yes.

[Control of Assistant Device 50 by Control Device 40 of Vehicle Control Device 20 and Assistant Device 50]
As shown in FIG. 6, the ignition key 30, the vehicle speed sensor 31, the headlights 32, the navigation device 33, the driver operation detection means 34 (the driver operation detection means 34 includes a driver photographing camera 35 and an image processing device 36. ) Or the like from a vehicle-side device is sent to a control controller which is the vehicle-side control device 20.

  Then, after the signal is processed by the control mechanism, a new command signal is sent to the assistant device 50 via the second circuit 11 of the intermediate member 10. The assistant device 50 is controlled by its own control device 40 that has received the signal to issue a message to the occupant or perform an action, thereby communicating such as greetings, attention to excessive speed, lighting, etc. Assist passengers by prompting them to turn on lights, giving directions, and warnings about drowsy driving.

As shown in FIG. 7, the vehicle control device 20 determines whether or not there is a signal from the assistant device 50 when the vehicle power supply is turned on by the ignition key operation (step S1) and the vehicle control program starts. The process proceeds to determination (step S2).
If the assistant device 50 is not installed or the assistant device 50 is turned off, the determination at this stage is NO, and this determination is repeated until there is a signal from the assistant device 50.
On the other hand, if this determination is YES, the process proceeds to a determination as to whether the vehicle-side control device 20 has received a signal from the vehicle-side device (30, 31, 32, 33, 34) (step S3).
If this determination is NO, the process returns to the confirmation of the presence / absence of a signal from the assistant device 50 repeatedly and makes a determination repeatedly.
On the other hand, when a signal is input from the device (30, 31, 32, 33, 34) on the vehicle side, the determination is YES, and a command signal is immediately transmitted to the assistant device 50. After that, the process returns to the first judgment and repeats the judgment.
As described above, the control is an example, and any control can be applied as long as it can generate a signal as an occupant assist function.

According to the above configuration,
(1) Since the assistant device 50 is detachably attached to the cup holder 3 in the passenger compartment via the intermediate member 10, the intermediate member 10 and the assistant device 50 are removed from the cup holder 3 when the assistant device 50 is not used. This makes it possible to widen the space in the passenger compartment. In addition, the cup holder 3 can be used as an original beverage container accommodating portion, and the beverage container can be accommodated in the cup holder 3. Thus, when the assistant device 50 is not used, the space in which the assistant device 50 is provided can be used for other purposes.
And the user who owns the assistant apparatus 50 manufactured for uses other than those for automobiles can attach the assistant apparatus 50 to the cup holder 3, and does not own the assistant apparatus 50. A user who wants to install the assistant device 50 in the passenger compartment of the automobile can attach the assistant device 50 to the cup holder 3. Therefore, the merchantability of the automobile can be improved.
In these cases, since the assistant device 50 is attached to the cup holder 3 via the intermediate member 10, it is possible to eliminate the need for significant modification of the assistant device 50 for attaching to the cup holder 3, and the design of the assistant device 50 is improved. It can be avoided that the movement is impaired.
Further, since the connecting means 17 for electrically connecting the two control devices 20 and 40 is provided in the cup holder 3, the intermediate member 10, and the assistant device 50, the control device 20 for the vehicle and the control device for the assistant device 50 are provided. It is possible to reliably transmit and receive signals to and from 40.
Furthermore, the assistant device 50 removed from the cup holder 3 can be used for purposes other than for automobiles, which is convenient for the user.

(2) The assistant device 50 is attached to the cup holder 3 by a simple operation by simply fitting the fitting portion 14 of the intermediate member 10 to the cup holder 3 and placing the assistant device 50 on the placement portion 15 of the intermediate member 10. It is possible to improve the workability of attaching the assistant device 50 to the cup holder 3.

(3) When the intermediate member 10 is removed from the cup holder 3, the cup-shaped cover 19 is fitted to the cup holder 3 and the connector 5 on the cup holder 3 side is covered with the cover 19. Beverages spilled from the stored beverage container can be prevented from entering the connector 5 provided in the cup holder 3, and failure of electrical components such as the connector 5 can be prevented. In a state where the cup-shaped cover 19 is fitted to the cup holder 3, the beverage container can be accommodated in the cover 19.

[Another embodiment]
(1) A cup holder for the rear seat provided behind the center console, a cup holder provided on the armrest of the seat back and seat cushion (not shown), and an interior material (quarter trim on the rear seat side surface) The above structure may be applied to the cup holder provided in the above. With this configuration, a passenger in the rear seat of the vehicle can enjoy the communication function of the assistant device 50.

(2) The cup holder 3 may be formed in a concave shape having a circular cross section.

3 Beverage container storage (cup holder)
4 1st circuit 5 connector (connector provided in the drink container accommodating part)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Intermediate member 11 2nd circuit 12, 13 A pair of connector 14 Fitting part 15 Mounting part 17 Connection means 19 Cover 20 Vehicle control apparatus 40 Control apparatus (control apparatus of assistant apparatus) connected to vehicle control apparatus
50 assistant device 51 connector (connector provided at the end of the assistant device on the intermediate member side)

Claims (4)

A control device connected to the control device of the vehicle, and an assistant device mounting structure that is controlled by both control devices and assists the occupant,
The assistant device is detachably attached to the beverage container accommodating portion in the vehicle compartment via an intermediate member,
An assistant device mounting structure in which a connecting means for electrically connecting the two control devices is provided in the beverage container housing portion, the intermediate member, and the assistant device. The connecting means includes a first circuit extending from the vehicle control device to the beverage container housing portion,
A connector connected to one end of the first circuit and provided in the beverage container housing;
A pair of connectors respectively provided at the end of the intermediate member on the side of the beverage container housing and the end of the intermediate member on the side of the assistant device;
A second circuit for connecting the pair of connectors of the intermediate member;
The assistant device mounting structure according to claim 1, further comprising a connector connected to a control device of the assistant device and provided at an end of the assistant device on the intermediate member side. The beverage container accommodating portion is formed in a concave shape,
A fitting portion provided at a lower portion of the intermediate member is fitted into the beverage container housing portion,
The assistant device mounting structure according to claim 2, wherein the assistant device is placed on a placement portion provided on an upper portion of the intermediate member.   When the intermediate member is removed from the beverage container housing portion, a cup-shaped cover is fitted into the beverage container housing portion, the connector on the beverage container housing portion side is covered with the cover, and the beverage is covered with the cover. 4. The assistant device mounting structure according to claim 3, wherein the container is capable of receiving a container.

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