JP2014019355A - Contact detection steering wheel and contact detection method for steering wheel - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a contact detection steering wheel capable of more accurately determining whether the steering wheel is operated by both hands or one hand, and a contact detection method for a steering wheel.SOLUTION: A contact detection steering wheel includes a steering wheel 1, and a contact detection sensor 2 disposed in the steering wheel 1 and configured to output body contact information when contact of a body is detected. The contact detection sensor 2 includes a first contact detection part 21 for detecting contact of a first point on the outer periphery of the section of the steering wheel 1 roughly perpendicular to the visible outline 11 of the steering wheel 1, and a second contact detection part 22 for detecting contact of a second point a distance of which from the first point on the outer periphery of the section is roughly largest. The contact detection sensor 2 is disposed so that when the steering wheel 1 is gripped, a hand can touch at least one detection contact sensor 2.

Description

  The present invention relates to a contact detection steering wheel and a contact detection method for a steering wheel.

  In recent years, with the increase in in-vehicle devices such as car navigation systems and audio devices, there is an increasing opportunity to watch on-vehicle device operation means such as a touch panel that allows an occupant such as a car to operate by touching operation buttons and screens.

  If the driver himself / herself operates the vehicle-mounted device while the vehicle is traveling, the attention to driving the vehicle is impaired, which is dangerous. Therefore, when an automobile or the like is traveling, input in the in-vehicle device operation means may be limited. In this case, even if the passenger operates the in-vehicle device operation means, the car or the like is stopped. It is inconvenient because you have to wait.

  Therefore, the following proposal has been made to determine the operator of the in-vehicle device operating means and to release the restriction on the input in the in-vehicle device operating means unless the operator is a driver.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a car navigation device according to Patent Document 1. As shown in FIG. This car navigation apparatus includes a steering wheel 110 and first and second stress sensors 121 and 122 provided on the left side portion and the right side portion of the steering wheel 110. In addition, the navigation apparatus main body 150 includes an input receiving unit 130 that receives operation inputs. Also, an acceptance control circuit for prohibiting or canceling the acceptance of at least a part of the operation input received via the input receiving unit 130 according to the detection status of the first and second stress sensors 121 and 122 and the vehicle status. 140.

  The first stress sensor 121 detects application of stress, thereby detecting that the driver's left hand is holding the steering wheel 110. By detecting the application of stress by the second stress sensor 122, it is detected that the right hand of the driver is holding the steering wheel 110. When it is detected that the left and right hands of the driver are on the steering wheel 110 during driving, the operation input is allowed to be accepted. On the other hand, when it is detected that at least one of the left and right hands of the driver is not on the steering wheel 110, reception of at least a part of the operation input from the input reception unit 130 is prohibited.

JP 2004-271488 A

  The car navigation device described in Patent Document 1 described above has the following problems. That is, in the car navigation device described in Patent Document 1, the first and second stress sensors 121 and 122 are provided on the left side portion and the right side portion of the steering wheel 110. When the first stress sensor 121 detects the application of stress, it detects that the driver's left hand is holding the steering wheel 110, and when it detects the application of stress by the second stress sensor 122, the driver's right hand detects the steering wheel 110. It is detected that the wheel 110 is gripped.

  However, in the following cases, it may not be possible to accurately detect whether the driver is holding with both hands. For example, when the lower part of the steering wheel (the area 111 indicated by the broken line) where the first stress sensor 121 and the second stress sensor 122 are opposed is gripped with one hand, the first stress sensor 121 and the second stress sensor The sensor 122 can be grasped simultaneously. Further, when the steering wheel is rotated, the first stress sensor 121 and the second stress sensor 122 can be simultaneously gripped even if the steering wheel is normally gripped. When the driver holds the steering wheel 110 as described above, the reception control circuit 140 mistakes that the driver is holding with both hands. In the above case, the prohibition of accepting at least a part of the operation input from the input accepting unit 130 is lifted, so that the driver can operate the in-vehicle device by himself / herself while traveling such as an automobile, The driver's attention to driving may be impaired.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a contact detection steering wheel and a steering wheel contact detection method capable of more accurately determining whether the steering wheel is operated with both hands or one hand.

  The contact detection steering wheel according to the present invention includes a steering wheel, and a contact detection sensor that is provided on the steering wheel and outputs body contact information when a body contact is detected. The contact detection sensor includes the steering wheel. A first contact detection unit that detects contact of a first point on the outer periphery of the cross section of the steering wheel that is substantially perpendicular to a contour line of the wheel; and a distance from the first point on the outer periphery of the cross section. A second contact detection unit that detects contact of a second point that is substantially maximum is disposed, and when the steering wheel is gripped, the contact detection sensor is arranged so that at least one of the contact detection sensors touches the hand. It is characterized by that.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the contact detection steering wheel and the contact detection method of a steering wheel which can determine whether the steering wheel is operated more correctly with both hands or one hand are provided.

It is a top view of the contact detection steering wheel concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the variation of the shape and arrangement | positioning of a contact detection sensor in the contact detection steering wheel which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the variation of the shape and arrangement | positioning of a contact detection sensor in the contact detection steering wheel which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of a steering wheel contact judging system concerning a 2nd embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram of the vehicle-mounted apparatus operation means control system which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the vehicle equipment operation means control system which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the vehicle equipment operation means control system which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the car navigation apparatus concerning patent documents 1.

[First Embodiment]
The configuration of the contact detection steering wheel according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view of a contact detection steering wheel according to a first embodiment of the present invention. X1-X2 in FIG. 1 shows a cross section substantially perpendicular to the outline 11 of the steering wheel 1. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing variations in the shape and arrangement of the contact detection sensor in the contact detection steering wheel according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and shows an X1-X2 cross section of the steering wheel 1 in FIG. It is. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing variations in the shape and arrangement of the contact detection sensor in the contact detection steering wheel according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which a part of the steering wheel 1 is enlarged.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the contact detection steering wheel according to the first embodiment of the present invention is provided on the steering wheel 1 and the steering wheel 1 and outputs contact information when body contact is detected. It has a sensor 2. The contact detection sensor 2 includes a first contact detection unit 21 and a second contact detection unit 22. In FIG. 1, the second contact detector 22 is indicated by a broken line because it is on the back side of the steering wheel 1.

  The steering wheel 1 is a device for steering transportation equipment such as an automobile, and the entire shape of the steering wheel 1 can be any of a circular shape, an elliptical shape, and the like.

  The contact detection sensor 2 can detect a contact and is not particularly limited. For example, a pressure sensor or the like can be used. When the contact detection sensor 2 detects body contact, it outputs body contact information indicating that body contact has been detected.

  The 1st contact detection part 21 and the 2nd contact detection part 22 of the contact detection sensor 2 are demonstrated using FIG.2 and FIG.3. As shown in FIG. 2 (a), the first contact detection unit 21 contacts the first point 23 on the outer periphery 12 of the cross section of the steering wheel 1 that is substantially perpendicular to the outline 11 of the steering wheel 1. Is provided. The second contact detection unit 22 is provided so as to detect the contact of the second point 24 whose distance from the first point 23 is substantially maximum on the outer periphery 12 of the cross section.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the contact detection sensor 2 is arranged in such a shape that when the steering wheel 1 is gripped, the hand touches at least one contact detection sensor 2. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, when the driver grips the steering wheel 1, the contact detection sensor 2 is equal to or less than the circumferential interval 13 in which the hand contacts the steering wheel 1 at a time. Placed in. Therefore, no matter which part of the steering wheel 1 is gripped by the driver, the hand touches at least one contact detection sensor 2.

  Next, the operation of the contact detection steering wheel according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the invention of Patent Document 1, stress sensors are respectively provided on the left side portion and the right side portion of the steering wheel. However, when the driver grips the two stress sensors with one hand, there is a problem in that it becomes unclear whether the driver is gripping with both hands or the other hand.

  The inventor often grips the steering wheel when the driver operates the steering wheel with both hands, and does not hold the steering wheel when operating with one hand. I found that there was often no contact. That is, it has been found that when the driver operates the steering wheel with one hand, only about half of the outer periphery 12 of the cross section is often in contact. According to the contact detection steering wheel according to the first embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to more accurately determine whether the steering wheel is operated with both hands or one hand based on the behavior of the driver. A detection steering wheel is realized.

  First, the driver operates the steering wheel 1. When the steering wheel 1 is gripped, the contact detection sensor 2 is arranged in such a shape that the hand touches at least one of the contact detection sensors. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, when the driver grips the steering wheel 1, the contact detection sensor 2 is equal to or less than the circumferential interval 13 in which the hand contacts the steering wheel 1 at a time. Placed in. Therefore, the driver's hand touches the contact detection sensor 2 regardless of which part of the steering wheel 1 is gripped.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the contact detection sensor is configured such that the first contact detection unit 21 is the first on the outer periphery 12 of the cross section of the steering wheel 1 substantially perpendicular to the outline 11 of the steering wheel 1. It is provided so as to detect contact of the point 23. The second contact detection unit 22 is provided so as to detect the contact of the second point 24 whose distance from the first point is substantially maximum on the outer periphery 12 of the cross section. When the driver operates the steering wheel 1 with both hands, the steering wheel 1 is often gripped, and both the first contact detection unit 21 and the second contact detection unit 22 detect body contact, Output information. On the other hand, when the driver operates the steering wheel 1 with one hand, the driver often contacts only a part of the steering wheel 1. In this case, either one of the first contact detection unit 21 and the second contact detection unit 22 detects contact, or no contact is detected.

  Therefore, both the first contact detection unit 21 and the second contact detection unit 22 detect body contact, and both the first contact detection unit 21 and the second contact detection unit 22 output body contact information. In this case, it can be determined that the driver is holding the steering wheel 1 with both hands. Further, when either one of the first contact detection unit 21 and the second contact detection unit 22 or no contact is detected, the driver holds the steering wheel 1 with one hand or does not hold it. Can be judged.

  The contact detection steering wheel according to the first embodiment can be modified as follows. For example, as shown in FIG. 2B, in addition to the first contact detection unit 21 and the second contact detection unit 22, a third and fourth contact detection unit may be provided. The third contact detection unit 25 is provided so as to detect contact of the third point 27 on the outer periphery 12 of the cross section of the steering wheel 1 substantially perpendicular to the outline 11 of the steering wheel 1. The fourth contact detection unit 26 is provided so as to detect the contact of the fourth point 28 whose distance from the third point 27 is substantially maximum on the outer periphery 12 of the cross section. As described above, the contact detection sensor 2 may be provided with a plurality of combinations of similar contact detection units as long as the relationship between the first and second contact detection units 21 and 22 is satisfied. Since the method of gripping the steering wheel 1 by the driver is different, the detection leakage can be reduced by providing a plurality of combinations of contact detection units.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2C, the contact detection sensor 2 is provided so as to be able to detect any contact on the outer periphery 12 of the cross section, and the first point 23 is arbitrarily set, so that the first A second point 24 having a substantially maximum distance from the first point on the outer periphery 12 of the cross section from the point 23 may be set. In this case, the first contact detection unit 21 is set so as to detect the contact of the first point 23. The second contact detection unit 22 is set to detect the contact of the second point 24. The first and second contact detectors 21 and 22 can be set according to how the driver grips the steering wheel, and detection leakage can be reduced.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2 (d), a first contact detection unit 21 is provided so as to detect contact of the first point 23, and the second contact detection unit is not limited to the second point 24. The contact may be detected up to the periphery including the second point 24. Further, as shown in FIG. 2E, the first contact detection unit 21 may be provided not only to the first point 23 but also to the periphery including the first point 23. . Depending on the size of the driver's hand, even if the steering wheel 1 is gripped, the hand may not contact the first point 23 and the second point 24. By adopting the above configuration, detection leakage can be reduced.

  Further, the contact detection sensor 2 in FIG. 3B is provided continuously in the circumferential direction of the steering wheel 1. By adopting such a shape and arrangement, when the steering wheel 1 is gripped, the contact detection sensor 2 can be contacted without leakage.

[Second Embodiment]
Below, with reference to FIG. 4, the structure of the steering wheel contact determination system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a steering wheel contact determination system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the steering wheel contact determination system according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a contact determination means 3 in addition to the contact detection steering wheel according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The contact determination unit 3 performs the following determination based on the body contact information output by the first contact detection unit 21 and the second contact detection unit 22. That is, both the first contact detection unit 21 and the second contact detection unit 22 detect body contact, or only one of them detects body contact. It is determined whether it is detected, and the determination result is output. By having such a configuration, the contact of the first contact detection unit 21 and the second contact detection unit 22 is detected, either the contact of the body is detected, or both are detected by the body Whether or not contact is detected can be determined.

[Third Embodiment]
Below, with reference to FIG. 5 and 6, the structure of the vehicle-mounted apparatus operation means control system which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an in-vehicle device operating means control system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, the on-vehicle device operating means control system according to the third embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration in addition to the steering wheel contact determination system of the second embodiment. In other words, it includes an in-vehicle device 6, an in-vehicle device operation means 5 for operating the in-vehicle device 6, and an in-vehicle device operation means control means 4 for controlling permission or prohibition of input to the in-vehicle device operation means 5.

  As the in-vehicle device 6, various in-vehicle devices such as an air conditioner, an acoustic device, and a car navigation device mounted in an automobile can be applied.

  The in-vehicle device operation means 5 is a button, a lever, a touch panel that can be operated by touching the screen, or the like, and can operate the in-vehicle device 6.

  When the input to the in-vehicle device operation means 5 is prohibited, the in-vehicle device operation means control means 4 allows the contact determination means 3 to move the body in both the first contact detection unit 21 and the second contact detection unit 22. When the determination result that the contact is detected is output, the input to the in-vehicle device operation means 5 is permitted.

  The case where the input to the in-vehicle device operation means 5 is prohibited includes, for example, the case where an input to the in-vehicle device operation means 5 is prohibited while a car or the like is running. When the determination result that the body contact is detected by both the first contact detection unit 21 and the second contact detection unit 22 is output, even if the vehicle is traveling, the driver It is thought that the steering wheel is held with both hands. Therefore, since an operation by a person in the passenger seat is permitted, input to the in-vehicle device operation means 5 is permitted by the in-vehicle device operation means control means 4.

  By having such a configuration, even when the vehicle is traveling, when the driver holds the steering wheel with both hands, the passenger can operate the in-vehicle device.

  The operation of the in-vehicle device operation means control system according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the in-vehicle device operation means control system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  When the power source of the in-vehicle device is turned on (S101), the in-vehicle device operation means control unit 4 determines whether the vehicle equipped with the in-vehicle device is traveling based on the vehicle information including the traveling status of the automobile and the like. (S102). Whether a car or the like is running is not limited to whether or not the car is actually moving. For example, when a car or the like is running at a certain speed or less, it is determined that the car or the like is not running. You may set as follows.

  When it is determined that an automobile or the like is running (YES), the in-vehicle device operation unit control unit 4 refers to the determination result of the contact determination unit 3 (S103). If it is a determination result that the body contact is detected by both the first contact detection unit 21 and the second contact detection unit 22 (YES), the input to the in-vehicle device operation means 5 is permitted (S104). . If the determination result indicates that either one of the first contact detection unit 21 and the second contact detection unit 22 detects contact, or neither of them detects body contact (NO), the vehicle is mounted. Input to the device operating means 5 is prohibited (S105).

  On the other hand, when it is determined in S102 that the automobile or the like is not traveling (NO), the in-vehicle device operation means control means 4 permits input to the in-vehicle device operation means 5 (S104).

  By operating as described above, even when the automobile or the like is traveling, if the driver holds the steering wheel with both hands, input to the in-vehicle device operating means 5 is permitted. Can operate the in-vehicle device.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Below, with reference to FIG. 7, the structure of the vehicle-mounted apparatus operation means control system which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. The configuration of the in-vehicle device operation means control system according to the fourth embodiment is the same as that of the in-vehicle device operation means control system according to the third embodiment.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the in-vehicle device operation means control system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Below, operation | movement of the vehicle-mounted apparatus operation means control system which concerns on 4th Embodiment is demonstrated.

  When the power source of the in-vehicle device is turned on (S201), the in-vehicle device operation means control means 4 determines whether the vehicle or the like equipped with the in-vehicle device is traveling based on the vehicle information including the traveling status of the vehicle or the like Judgment is made (S202). Whether a car or the like is running is not limited to whether or not the car is actually moving. For example, when a car or the like is running at a certain speed or less, it is determined that the car or the like is not running. You may set as follows.

  When it is determined that an automobile or the like is running (YES), the in-vehicle device operation unit control unit 4 refers to the determination result of the contact determination unit 3 (S203). If the determination result indicates that both the first contact detection unit 21 and the second contact detection unit 22 detect body contact (YES), input to the in-vehicle device operation unit 5 is permitted (S204). . If the determination result indicates that either one of the first contact detection unit 21 and the second contact detection unit 22 detects contact, or neither of them detects body contact (NO), the vehicle is mounted. Input to the device operating means 5 is prohibited (S205).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S202 that the automobile or the like is not running (NO), the in-vehicle device operation means control means 4 permits input to the in-vehicle device operation means 5 (S204).

  After the input to the in-vehicle device operation unit 5 is permitted (S204) or prohibited (S205), the in-vehicle device operation unit control unit 4 determines whether the power source of the in-vehicle device 6 is turned off (S206). When the power is turned off (YES), the operation of the in-vehicle device operation means control system is terminated. When the power is turned on (NO), the processing from S202 is performed again.

  The on-vehicle apparatus operation means control system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention operates as described above. Thus, even if the driver holds the steering wheel with both hands and the input to the in-vehicle device operation means 5 is permitted, the input to the in-vehicle device operation means 5 is performed when the driver changes the hand to one hand. Is prohibited, so safety is increased.

  The present invention has been described based on the above embodiment, but is not limited to the above embodiment, and is within the scope of the present invention and based on the basic technical concept of the present invention. It goes without saying that various modifications, changes and improvements can be included. Further, various combinations, substitutions, or selections of various disclosed elements are possible within the scope of the claims of the present invention. Further problems, objects, and developments of the present invention will become apparent from the entire disclosure of the present invention including the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Steering wheel 11 Outline line 12 Outer periphery 2 Contact detection sensor 21 1st contact detection part 22 2nd contact detection part 23 1st point 24 2nd point 25 3rd contact detection part 26 4th contact detection part 27 3rd point 28 4th point 3 Contact judgment means 4 In-vehicle device operation means control means 5 In-vehicle device operation means 6 In-vehicle device 110 Steering wheel 111 Area 121 First stress sensor 122 Second stress sensor 130 Input acceptance unit 140 Reception control circuit 150 Navigation device body

Claims (8)

A steering wheel,
A contact detection sensor that is provided on the steering wheel and outputs body contact information when a body contact is detected;
Have
The contact detection sensor is
A first contact detection unit that detects contact of a first point on the outer periphery of a cross section of the steering wheel that is substantially perpendicular to an outline of the steering wheel;
Including a second contact detection unit for detecting contact of a second point having a substantially maximum distance from the first point on the outer periphery of the cross section;
A contact detection steering wheel, wherein a contact detection sensor is arranged so that a hand touches at least one of the contact detection sensors when the steering wheel is gripped. A contact detection steering wheel according to claim 1;
Based on the contact detection information output from the first contact detection unit and the second contact detection unit,
Contact determining means for determining whether only one of the first contact detection unit and the second contact detection unit detects body contact or both detect body contact. A steering wheel contact determination system comprising: The steering wheel contact determination system according to claim 2,
An in-vehicle device;
An in-vehicle device operating means for operating the in-vehicle device;
Having on-vehicle apparatus operation means control means for controlling permission or prohibition of input to the on-vehicle apparatus operation means,
When the input to the in-vehicle device operation means is prohibited, the in-vehicle device operation means control means is configured so that the contact determination means can detect the body in both the first contact detection unit and the second contact detection unit. When it is determined that contact is detected, an input to the in-vehicle device operation unit is permitted. The in-vehicle device operation unit control system. The in-vehicle device operation means control means, after allowing input to the in-vehicle device operation means,
When the contact determination means determines that only one of the first contact detection unit and the second contact detection unit is detecting a body contact, the input reception to the operation unit is prohibited. The vehicle-mounted device operating means control system according to claim 3, wherein: The contact detection sensor is provided so that any contact on the outer periphery of the cross section can be detected,
The second point is set by arbitrarily setting the first point,
The contact detection steering wheel according to claim 1. A contact determination method in the contact detection steering wheel according to claim 1 or 5,
Based on the contact detection information output from the first contact detection unit and the second contact detection unit, only one of the first contact detection unit and the second contact detection unit is in contact with the body. A method for determining contact of a steering wheel, characterized in that it is determined whether or not body contact is detected by both.   When the input to the vehicle-mounted device operating means for operating the vehicle-mounted device is prohibited, both the first contact detection unit and the second contact detection unit are detected by the steering wheel contact determination method according to claim 6. The operation control method for the in-vehicle device is characterized by permitting an input to the in-vehicle device operation means when it is determined that the body contact is detected.   After the input to the in-vehicle device operating means is permitted, the steering wheel contact determination method according to claim 6, wherein only one of the first contact detection unit and the second contact detection unit is used. 8. The operation control method for an in-vehicle device according to claim 7, wherein when it is determined that a body contact is detected, input reception to the operation means is prohibited.

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