JP2016168960A - Operation system for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce burdens on the fingers of an operator.SOLUTION: The operation system for a vehicle comprises: longitudinal members 12 protruded and extended from a steering column 101; motion detecting portions 21 that are provided at tips in a protruding direction of the longitudinal members 12 and can detect operation modes at the time when an operator operates an on-vehicle device 200 at the tips or at sensing spaces SP with the tips as base points; and a control device 30 that sends a command to the on-vehicle device 200 on the basis of output signals from the motion detecting portions 21 according to the operation modes by the operator. The motion detecting portions 21 set an operation direction along natural movements of the fingers of the operator who is gripping the steering wheel 102, where function of the on-vehicle device 200 is allocated to the operating direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle operation system.

  The vehicle operation system is for an operator to operate an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle. For example, the vehicle operation system includes a lever operation unit provided on the steering column and a hand or finger movement detection unit provided at the tip of the lever operation unit, so that the operator can move from the steering wheel. A device that can be operated without releasing a hand is known (for example, Patent Document 1 below).

JP 2014-144893 A

  By the way, as an operation mode for the operation part at the tip of the lever operation unit, a touch operation in which the operation part is touched with a finger, a pressing operation in which the operation part is pressed with a finger, a finger is slid on the operation part, or an operation part is A slide operation for sliding with fingers is known. In addition to such a contact operation with respect to the operation site, a non-contact operation mode is also known in which a finger movement is detected in a predetermined range of space with the operation site as a base point. As the non-contact operation mode, a gesture operation in a predetermined range corresponding to a touch operation or a pressing operation and a gesture operation in a predetermined range corresponding to a slide operation can be considered. The touch operation and the pressing operation on the lever tip can be performed without placing a burden on the operator's finger even while holding the steering wheel. However, when the sliding operation with respect to the lever tip is performed while holding the steering wheel, a burden is placed on the operator's finger depending on the sliding direction.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle operation system capable of reducing a burden on an operator's finger.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a longitudinal member projecting from and extending from a steering column and a distal end in the projecting direction of the longitudinal member, and is operated in the sensing space using the distal end or the distal end as a base point. An operation detection unit capable of detecting an operation mode when an operator operates the in-vehicle device, and a control device for sending a command to the in-vehicle device based on an output signal of the operation detection unit according to the operation mode of the operator; The operation detection unit sets an operation direction along the natural movement of the finger of the operator holding the steering wheel, and assigns the function of the in-vehicle device to the operation direction. .

  Here, it is desirable that the operation direction along the natural movement of the finger of the operator is a direction along the bending direction of the finger or a direction perpendicular to the direction along the bending direction.

  The motion detection unit may be an object that is in contact with the contact operation area at the tip and a contact sensor capable of detecting the moving direction of the object, or an object that exists in the sensing space and the sensing space. It is desirable to have a non-contact sensor that can detect the moving direction of an object in

  Further, it is desirable that at least one combination of the longitudinal member and the motion detection unit is provided on at least one of the left end and the right end in the vehicle width direction of the steering column.

  In addition, a lever operation unit having the longitudinal member, and a lever operation detection unit that detects a tilting direction of a tilting operation using the end of the longitudinal member on the steering column side as a fulcrum are provided as the operation direction of the longitudinal member. It is preferable that the vehicle-mounted device assigned to the tilt direction of the tilting operation or a vehicle-mounted device different from the vehicle-mounted device is operated, and a sub-operation device having the motion detection unit.

  It is desirable that at least one combination of the main operating device and the sub operating device is provided on at least one of the left end and the right end in the vehicle width direction of the steering column.

  In the vehicle operation system according to the present invention, the direction along the natural movement of the finger of the operator holding the steering wheel is selected as the operation direction in the motion detection unit. For this reason, this operation system for vehicles can perform preset operation because an operator moves a finger without a sense of incongruity. Therefore, this vehicle operation system can reduce the burden on the operation on the operator's fingers.

FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a configuration of a vehicle operation system according to an embodiment and a first modification. FIG. 2 is a top view illustrating the configuration of the vehicle operation system according to the embodiment and the first modification. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the slide operation. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a touch operation. FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of the sub-operation device of the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of another example of the sub-operation device of the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of display contents of the display device. FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of the sub-operation device of the first modification. FIG. 9 is a front view showing the configuration of the vehicle operation system of the second modification. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a non-contact operation.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vehicle operation system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited by this embodiment.

[Embodiment]
One embodiment of a vehicle operation system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The vehicle operation system of the present embodiment is configured such that an on-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle can be operated without an operator (driver) removing his / her hand from the steering wheel. Reference numeral 1 in FIGS. 1 and 2 represents a vehicle operation system having such a configuration.

  The vehicle operation system 1 according to the present embodiment is disposed on a steering column 101 (that is, the rear side of the steering wheel 102 (the front side of the vehicle with respect to the steering wheel 102)) in the vehicle interior. The vehicle operation system 1 includes a main operation device 10 and a sub operation device 20 for operating the in-vehicle device 200, and a control device 30. In the vehicle operation system 1, at least one combination of the main operation device 10 and the sub operation device 20 is provided on at least one of the left end and the right end in the vehicle width direction of the steering column 101. In the illustration of FIG. 1, one set of the main operation device 10L and the sub operation device 20L is provided at the left end of the steering column 101, and one combination of the main operation device 10R and the sub operation device 20R is provided at the right end of the steering column 101. Yes.

  Here, the vehicle-mounted device 200 is a device having at least one function (operation form) that operates in accordance with the operation of the vehicle operation system 1 by the operator. For example, the in-vehicle device 200 corresponds to a vehicle lighting device (headlight or taillight), a direction indicator, a wiper, or the like. Moreover, in the case of what is mounted in a vehicle interior, audio equipment, audio equipment, such as radio, an air conditioner (so-called air conditioner), etc. correspond to the vehicle-mounted device 200. The in-vehicle device 200 is not mounted on the vehicle itself, but is also applicable to devices (for example, mobile phones, portable music players, etc.) that are mounted on the vehicle when brought into the vehicle interior. To do.

  In the following, unless otherwise specified, a direction along the rotation axis of the steering wheel 102 is referred to as an axial direction, and a direction around the rotation axis is referred to as a circumferential direction. The direction orthogonal to the rotation axis is referred to as the radial direction.

  The main operating device 10 includes a lever operating unit 11. The lever operation unit 11 has a longitudinal member 12 that protrudes from and extends from the steering column 101. The main operating device 10 is a so-called lever switch for operating the in-vehicle device 200 assigned to the operating direction of the longitudinal member 12.

  The longitudinal member 12 has, for example, a cylindrical main portion, and this main portion protrudes from the steering column 101 in a predetermined direction. The predetermined direction is, for example, a radial direction, a right upward direction toward the vehicle right and upward, a right downward direction toward the vehicle right and downward, a left direction of the vehicle and upward toward the vehicle. The diagonally upward left direction, the diagonally downward left direction toward the left side of the vehicle and the downward direction of the vehicle, and the direction inclined further to the rear side of the vehicle with the end on the steering column 101 side as a fulcrum in these directions. Moreover, the main part of the longitudinal member 12 may be formed in a straight shape, or may be provided with a bent portion in the middle of the path. The longitudinal member 12 has an end portion in the protruding direction up to a position where the operator holding the left end portion or the vicinity of the left end portion in the vehicle width direction of the steering wheel 102 or the right end portion or the vicinity of the right end portion can be touched with his / her fingers. To extend. Thereby, the operator can touch the tip of the longitudinal member 12 in the protruding direction with his / her finger (for example, the middle finger or the index finger) while holding the steering wheel 102.

  The longitudinal member 12 is supported in a tiltable manner by a support portion 13 fixed inside the steering column 101. The support portion 13 is configured to freely perform a tilting operation with the end portion of the longitudinal member 12 on the steering column 101 side as a fulcrum. In the lever operation unit 11, the tilting direction in the tilting operation of the longitudinal member 12 is the operation direction of the operator with respect to the longitudinal member 12. The illustrated longitudinal member 12 has a tilting operation toward the vehicle front side, a tilting operation toward the vehicle rear side, a clockwise tilting operation toward one circumferential direction, and the other side from the neutral position as a base point. The counterclockwise tilting operation in the circumferential direction can be performed. At least one on-vehicle device 200 and at least one function in the on-vehicle device 200 are assigned to each operation direction of the longitudinal member 12.

  Here, the support portion 13 may be configured to return the longitudinal member 12 to the neutral position by a spring force or the like after the longitudinal member 12 is tilted from the neutral position in a certain operation direction. After tilting in a certain operation direction from the neutral position, the longitudinal member 12 may be returned to the neutral position by the operator's own hand. In the latter case, the support portion 13 is configured so as to be capable of tilting the longitudinal member 12 in at least one stage.

  The main operating device 10 is provided with a lever operation detecting unit 14 that detects a tilting direction in the tilting operation of the longitudinal member 12. The lever operation detection unit 14 transmits an output signal corresponding to the tilt direction of the longitudinal member 12 to the control device 30. The control device 30 can detect the operation direction of the longitudinal member 12 performed by the operator based on the output signal.

  The control device 30 sends a command (drive command or stop command) to the in-vehicle device 200 based on the output signal of the lever operation detection unit 14, and the function of the in-vehicle device 200 according to the operation of the operator on the longitudinal member 12. Drive or stop. Here, the command for the in-vehicle device 200 may be a command for directly driving or stopping the in-vehicle device 200, or a command for the control device of the in-vehicle device 200. When receiving a command from the control device 30, the control device of the in-vehicle device 200 drives or stops the function of the in-vehicle device 200 based on the content of the command.

  The sub-operation device 20 is a switch for operating another function in the in-vehicle device 200 that is the same as the operation target of the main operation device 10 or another in-vehicle device 200 that is different from the operation target of the main operation device 10. A plurality of operation modes for operating the in-vehicle device 200 are set in the sub operation device 20. The operation form is for the operator to express an intention to operate the in-vehicle device 200. In this operation mode, at least one function in the in-vehicle device 200 is assigned together with at least one in-vehicle device 200.

  The sub-operation device 20 includes a motion detection unit 21 at the tip in the protruding direction of the longitudinal member 12. The operation detection unit 21 detects an operation mode set in the sub-operation device 20. The motion detection unit 21 detects an operation mode when the operator operates the in-vehicle device 200 at the tip of the longitudinal member 12. The operation form is, for example, the movement of a finger according to the operator's intention to operate. For this reason, the motion detection unit 21 is disposed at a position that can be reached by the operator holding the steering wheel 102 only by extending the finger.

  Specifically, the motion detection unit 21 of the present embodiment is provided with at least one contact operation region 22 that is operated to be contacted by the operator. The contact operation region 22 is formed in the contact operation member 23 disposed at the tip in the protruding direction of the longitudinal member 12. The contact operation member 23 has an exposed portion that can be touched by an operator, and forms a contact operation region 22 in the exposed portion. The illustrated contact operation member 23 has an end surface in the protruding direction as an operation surface by the operator among the exposed portions. For this reason, the operation surface is provided with at least one contact operation area 22 assigned according to the operation mode of the operator (hereinafter referred to as “contact operation mode”). Here, for example, the motion detection unit 21 has one contact operation member 23 when there is one contact operation region 22. On the other hand, when there are a plurality of contact operation regions 22, each contact operation region 22 may be formed on one contact operation member 23, or may be formed on the contact operation member 23 provided for each contact operation region 22. .

  In addition, the motion detection unit 21 includes a contact sensor 24 that can detect an object in contact with the contact operation region 22 and a moving direction of the object. The contact sensor 24 is a so-called touch sensor such as a capacitance sensor. The contact sensor 24 is disposed on the front surface or the back surface of the operation surface of the contact operation member 23. The illustrated contact sensor 24 is disposed on the back surface of the operation surface, and detects the contact operation mode of the operator with respect to the contact operation region 22 of the contact operation member 23. One contact sensor 24 may be provided for each contact operation region 22, or one contact sensor 24 may be provided for a plurality of contact operation regions 22.

  As the contact operation mode, for example, a slide operation (FIG. 3) for sliding a finger while touching the contact operation area 22, a touch operation (FIG. 4) for touching the contact operation area 22, and the like are conceivable. Examples of the slide operation include a device selection operation for selecting a desired one from a plurality of in-vehicle devices 200, a function selection operation for selecting a desired one from a plurality of functions of the in-vehicle device 200, or It is possible to assign a selection operation function such as a condition selection operation for selecting a desired one from a plurality of selection conditions possessed by the function. The function selection operation is, for example, an operation of selecting a desired function from a media selection function, a volume selection function, a track selection function, and the like when the in-vehicle device 200 is an acoustic device. The condition selection operation is, for example, an operation for selecting a desired volume when a volume selection function is selected. As this slide operation, an operation in at least one direction is set. The touch operation includes, for example, a determination operation function performed when determining a function selected by a slide operation and a selection condition, and an immediate return to the selection operation of the previous layer or the selection operation of the first layer. A return operation function or the like can be assigned. As this touch operation, a single touch operation or a multiple hitting operation can be set.

  The control device 30 sends a command (drive command or stop command) to the in-vehicle device 200 based on the output signal of the contact sensor 24 of the motion detection unit 21, and responds to the contact operation on the contact operation area 22 of the operator. The function of the in-vehicle device 200 is driven or stopped. The command for the in-vehicle device 200 is the same as that exemplified above.

  In this type of motion detection unit 21, at least one contact operation mode of the operator is assigned to one contact operation region 22. In the operation detection unit 21, the contact operation mode of the operator with respect to the contact operation region 22 is assigned for each function of the in-vehicle device 200 or for each of the plurality of in-vehicle devices 200. Further, when the motion detection unit 21 has various selection operation functions as described above, a slide operation corresponding to each selection operation function is assigned to one or a plurality of contact operation regions 22.

  FIG. 5 shows a specific example of the motion detection unit 21 when there is one contact operation region 22.

  For example, in the motion detection unit 21A of this figure, the contact operation member 23A is formed in a cylindrical shape with one end closed, and is disposed so as to close the opening at the tip of the cylindrical main portion of the longitudinal member 12. In this case, the circular closed surface at the exposed portion of the contact operation member 23A becomes the operation surface, and the operation surface itself becomes the contact operation region 22A. In the motion detector 21A, a contact sensor 24 is provided on the back surface of the contact operation area 22A. The illustrated operation surface is an orthogonal plane with respect to the axial direction of the tip portion of the main portion. As the contact operation mode set in the contact operation region 22A, for example, a slide operation along the radial direction of the operation surface, a touch operation touching the contact operation region 22A, or the like can be considered.

  Here, the operation direction (slide direction) of the slide operation can be set to any radial direction on the closing surface of the contact operation member 23A. However, depending on the operation direction, there is a difference between the operation direction and the movement of the finger of the operator while holding the steering wheel 102, and it becomes difficult to perform an accurate slide operation as set, and the operability is reduced. There is a possibility of letting you. For this reason, in the motion detection unit 21A, it is desirable to set the operation direction of the slide operation to a direction along the natural movement of the finger (for example, the middle finger or the index finger) of the operator holding the steering wheel 102. Therefore, in the motion detection unit 21A, the function of the in-vehicle device 200 is assigned to the operation direction of the slide operation along such a finger movement.

  The natural movement of the finger of the operator is the movement of the finger that can be performed by the operator without difficulty, that is, the movement of the finger that the operator does not feel uncomfortable. For this reason, for example, the operation direction of the slide operation may be set in a direction along the bending / extending direction of the finger (for example, the middle finger or the index finger) of the operator holding the steering wheel 102. Therefore, in the motion detection unit 21A, at least a contact operation form in the operation direction (arrow A in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5) along the bending direction of the finger of the operator holding the steering wheel 102 is detected. Set. The contact operation region 22A formed along the bending / extending direction has a plane along the bending / extending direction. In the motion detection unit 21A, a direction orthogonal to the operation direction corresponding to the bending / extending direction may be set as another operation direction of the slide operation (arrow B in FIGS. 1 and 5). This is because such an operation direction also follows the natural movement of the operator's fingers while holding the steering wheel 102. The contact operation area 22A formed along the orthogonal direction has a plane along the orthogonal direction. By setting the operation direction of the slide operation as described above, the sub-operation device 20 can perform the slide operation accurately even while holding the steering wheel 102, and the operability can be improved. Note that the contact operation region 22A may be formed on a curved surface along the natural movement of the operator's finger.

  The sub-operation device 20 provided with the motion detection unit 21A can be used as at least one of the sub-operation devices 20L and 20R described above.

  Next, a specific example of the motion detection unit 21 when a plurality of contact operation areas 22 are provided will be described.

  For example, the plurality of contact operation regions 22 can be formed by subdividing the contact operation region 22A of FIG. In this case, the contact sensor 24 may be arranged so that the contact operation can be detected on the entire surface of the contact operation region 22A so that the contact operation for each subdivided region can be detected. When a plurality of contact operation areas 22 are provided, each contact operation area 22 is formed so as to be divided in a direction orthogonal to the natural movement of the operator's fingers described above in order to improve the operability during the slide operation. It is desirable to do. Here, it is formed so as to be divided in a direction along the plane of the contact operation region 22A and in a direction orthogonal to the natural movement of the finger of the operator. Each of the contact operation areas 22 may be, for example, one that is entirely slid or may be divided into one that is slid and one that is touched.

  However, the contact operation area 22A is a circular plane and is disposed at a place where it is difficult for the operator to visually check. For this reason, it is difficult for the operator to determine which of the plurality of contact operation areas 22 into which one plane is subdivided is an area for performing a desired contact operation.

  Therefore, when a plurality of contact operation areas 22 are provided, for example, it is desirable to form adjacent contact operation areas 22 at different angles. For example, one of the adjacent contact operation regions 22 may be formed in a plane orthogonal to the axial direction of the distal end portion of the longitudinal member 12 like the contact operation region 22A. And the other contact operation area | region 22 should just be formed in the plane inclined with respect to the orthogonal plane. Further, each contact operation region 22 is preferably formed on a plane that follows the natural movement of the operator's fingers. In that case, with respect to one contact operation region 22, the other contact operation region having an inclined surface with respect to this direction in a direction along the plane and orthogonal to the natural movement of the operator's finger. 22 exists.

  Moreover, when providing the contact operation area | region 22 with two or more, it is desirable to provide a level | step difference between the adjacent contact operation area | regions 22, for example. For example, the adjacent contact operation areas 22 are formed in a plane orthogonal to the axial direction of the distal end portion of the longitudinal member 12 in the same manner as the contact operation area 22A. However, in this case, the other contact operation region 22 is protruded or recessed in the axial direction of the distal end portion of the longitudinal member 12 with respect to the one contact operation region 22. Further, each contact operation region 22 is preferably formed on a plane that follows the natural movement of the operator's fingers. At that time, the longitudinal member 12 of the one contact operation region 22 with respect to one contact operation region 22 is in a direction along the plane with respect to one contact operation region 22 and in a direction orthogonal to the natural movement of the operator's finger. There is the other contact operation region 22 that protrudes or is recessed in the axial direction of the tip.

  When a plurality of contact operation areas 22 are provided, adjacent contact operation areas 22 may be formed at different angles, and a step may be provided between adjacent contact operation areas 22. Also in this case, it is desirable that each contact operation region 22 is formed on a plane along the natural movement of the operator's finger described above.

The motion detection unit 21 </ b> B illustrated in FIG. 6 is provided with a step between adjacent contact operation regions 22. The motion detection unit 21B has first to third contact operation areas 22B ₁ , 22B ₂ , 22B ₃ . In this example, the first to third contact operation regions 22B ₁ , 22B ₂ , 22B ₃ are formed in one contact operation member 23B. The contact operation member 23B is a cylindrical member disposed at the distal end of the longitudinal member 12, and covers one opening with the first to third contact operation regions 22B ₁ , 22B ₂ , and 22B ₃ serving as exposed portions. Yes. The illustrated first to third contact operation areas 22B ₁ , 22B ₂ , and 22B ₃ are divided in a direction orthogonal to the natural movement of the operator's fingers and each have a plane along the movement. ing. In the motion detection unit 21B, a contact type sensor 24 is provided on the back surface of the first to third contact operation areas 22B ₁ , 22B ₂ , 22B ₃ .

The first touch operation region 22B ₁ is interposed between the second contact operation region 22B ₂ and the third touch operation region 22B _3. The first contact operation area 22B ₁ is an orthogonal plane to the axis direction of the distal end portion of the longitudinal member 12, the operator of the natural movement (here bending direction) is extended along (arrow A finger ). The first contact operation region 22B ₁ includes two straight parallel sides along the movement of the finger and two sides connecting the two sides at both ends (extension side and contraction side) of the finger movement. It is an enclosed area. The two sides on both ends have curvatures that match the cylindrical shape of the contact operation member 23B. This first contact operation area 22B _1, as the contact operation mode, the sliding operation is at least set along the motion of the fingers. In the first contact operation area 22B ₁ of this example, the touch operation is also set as a contact operation mode.

The second contact operation region 22B ₂ is placed on the vehicle upper side with respect to the first contact operation area 22B _1. The second contact operation region 22B ₂ is a plane extended along the natural movement of the finger of the operator. The second contact operation area 22B ₂ includes _one linear side on the first contact operation area 22B ₁ side along the movement of the finger, and a curved side bulging upward on the vehicle connecting both ends of the one side. It is an area surrounded by. The curved side has a curvature matched to the cylindrical shape of the contact operation member 23B. This second contact operation area 22B _2, as the contact operation mode, at least a touch operation has been set. This second contact operation area 22B _2, slide operation may be set as the contact operation mode along the movement of the finger.

Third contact operation area 22B ₃ is disposed on the vehicle lower side with respect to the first contact operation area 22B _1. The third touch operation region 22B ₃ is a plane extended along the natural movement of the finger of the operator. The third contact operation region 22B ₃ includes _one linear side on the first contact operation region 22B ₁ side along the movement of the finger, and a curved side bulging to the vehicle lower side connecting both ends of the one side. The area surrounded by. The curved side has a curvature matched to the cylindrical shape of the contact operation member 23B. This third contact operation area 22B _3, as the contact operation mode, at least a touch operation has been set. This third contact operation area 22B _3, the sliding operation may be set as the contact operation mode along the movement of the finger.

Here, the first touch operation region 22B _1, to the second contact operation region 22B ₂ and the third touch operation region 22B _3, are recessed in the steering column 101. That is, in this touch operation member 23B, a level difference between the first contact operation area 22B ₁ and between the first contact operation area 22B ₁ and the third touch operation region 22B ₃ and the second contact operation area 22B ₂ Provided. Therefore, the first contact operation area 22B ₁ and between the second contact operation area 22B _2, coupling surface 25B ₁ connecting them are formed. The first contact operation area 22B ₁ and between the third touch operation region 22B _3, connecting surfaces 25B ₂ connecting them are formed. The contact-type sensor 24 may be capable of detecting contact of an object with respect to the connection surfaces 25B ₁ and 25B ₂ or may be unable to detect such contact. In the former case, each of the connection surfaces 25B ₁ and 25B ₂ may be used as a part of the first contact operation region 22B ₁ , for example.

In the operation detection unit 21B, a whether the thickness of the finger of the operator, even when the first contact operation area 22B ₁ tries to contact operation, the second contact operation area 22B ₂ and the third touch operation region 22B ₃ also together There is a possibility of touching. Therefore, the control device 30, for example, the output signal of the contact sensor 24 according to the first touch operation region 22B ₁ is received, the detection region of the output signal at the first touch operation region 22B ₁ is more than a predetermined area If the determination as well as the output signal of the contact sensor 24 according to the second contact operation area 22B ₂ and the third touch operation region 22B ₃ is received, operation of touching the first touch operation region 22B ₁ is performed You can do it. Here, the second contact operation area 22B ₂ third contact operation area 22B _3, to the first contact operation area 22B ₁ of the plane, tilting the steering column 101 with increasing distance from the first contact operation area 22B ₁ You may form in the inclined surface. Thus, the operation detecting portion 21B is provided between the first contact operation area 22B ₁ and the second and third touch operation region _22B 2, 22B _3, not only the step difference, it is possible to provide the angle, The possibility of contact with the second contact operation region 22B ₂ and the third contact operation region 22B ₃ accompanying the contact operation of the first contact operation region 22B ₁ can be reduced. Furthermore, the motion detection unit 21B is provided with such an inclined surface, so that the contact operation areas 22B ₁ , 22B ₂ , and 22B ₃ for the operator can be more easily distinguished, and the operability is improved.

  The sub-operation device 20 provided with this motion detection unit 21B can be used as at least one of the sub-operation devices 20L and 20R described above. For example, when the sub operating device 20 including the motion detecting unit 21A of FIG. 5 is used as the sub operating device 20L, the sub operating device 20 including the motion detecting unit 21B may be used as the sub operating device 20L.

The control device 30 may cause the display device 300 in the vehicle interior to display information related to the in-vehicle device 200 according to the output signals from the lever operation detection unit 14 and the operation detection unit 21 (in this case, drive information and the like). The display device 300 displays information such as vehicle information provided to an operator in the vehicle compartment. For example, the display device 300 may be provided as a configuration of an instrument device, or may be provided as a monitor of a car navigation system. For example, the control device 30 causes the display device 300 to display an initial screen when the sub-operation device 20 is operated. The initial screen displays icons indicating the plurality of in-vehicle devices 200 individually. For example, in the case of the motion detection unit 21B of FIG. 6, the operator selects at least one of the first to third contact operation areas 22B ₁ , 22B ₂ , 22B ₃ (here, the first contact operation area 22B ₁ ). either one sliding operation, and the second touch operation region 22B ₂ touch operation at a position where the icon is highlighted in the desired vehicle apparatus 200 (once touching operation), selects the vehicle-mounted device 200. For example, when the selected in-vehicle device 200 is an acoustic device, the control device 30 causes the display device 300 to display icons that individually indicate various functions of the acoustic device in accordance with the touch operation. Operator first contact operation area 22B ₁ and slid in either the second contact operation area 22B ₂ and the touch operation at a position where the icon is highlighted desired functions, the function of audio equipment select. For example, when the selected function is a volume selection function of an audio device, the display device 300 has a highlighted icon 51a related to the current volume and an icon 51b related to the volume that can be selected before and after the current volume. , 51c are displayed (upper diagram in FIG. 7). The current volume icon 51a is highlighted with respect to the other icons 51b and 51c. Operator by sliding operation of the first contact operation area 22B ₁ on one, to select a desired volume. The control device 30 raises and lowers the volume of the audio device in accordance with the slide operation, highlights the selected icon 51b on the volume selection screen 51, and displays the icons 51a, 51, 51d is displayed (lower figure in FIG. 7). Operator, when the icon relating to desired volume is highlighted, by the second touch operation region 22B ₂ touch operation (once touching operation), the control unit 30, the decision in this volume Instruct. In the case where selection and decision to the plurality of layers is repeated, by the third touch operation region 22B ₃ is touched, to return to a single hierarchy or the first layer of the highest layer it can.

  The sub-operation device 20 configured as described above has excellent operability. Further, in the vehicle operation system 1 of the present embodiment, the direction along the natural movement of the finger of the operator holding the steering wheel 102 is selected as the operation direction of the slide operation. Specifically, a direction along the bending direction of the finger while holding the steering wheel 102 or a direction perpendicular to the direction along the bending direction is selected as the operation direction of the slide operation. For this reason, this vehicle operation system 1 can perform a preset slide operation by the operator moving his / her fingers without a sense of incongruity. Therefore, this vehicle operation system 1 can reduce the burden on the finger of the operator who performs the slide operation. In particular, since the slide operation is used for the selection operation such as the function selection operation and the condition selection operation as described above, it is necessary to reciprocate the finger greatly even in various operation forms. Sometimes exercise is repeated. In the vehicle operation system 1 of the present embodiment, the burden on the operator's finger under such an operation situation is reduced.

[Modification 1]
The vehicle operation system 2 of this modification is obtained by replacing the sub operation device 20 with the sub operation device 60 shown in FIG. 8 in the vehicle operation system 1 of the above-described embodiment. The sub operation device 60 is set with a plurality of operation modes for operating the in-vehicle device 200, like the sub operation device 20 of the embodiment.

  The sub-operation device 60 has a first motion detection unit 61 similar to the sub-operation device 20 of the embodiment and a second different from the sub-operation device 20 at the tip in the protruding direction of the longitudinal member 12 as a motion detection unit. An operation detection unit 67.

  Similar to the motion detection unit 21 of the embodiment, the first motion detection unit 61 of the present modification has an operation surface at the tip in the protruding direction of the longitudinal member 12, and a contact operation region 62 is provided on the operation surface. ing. The illustrated operation surface includes a first contact operation region 62 a and a second contact operation region 62 b as the contact operation region 62. The first contact operation region 62a and the second contact operation region 62b are arranged on the exposed portion of the contact operation member 63 with a space between each other. The contact operation member 63 is the same cylindrical member as the contact operation member 23A of FIG. 5 of the embodiment, but is provided with a rectangular through hole 63a in the central portion of the circular closed surface serving as an exposed portion. The first contact operation area 62a and the second contact operation area 62b are arranged with the through hole 63a interposed therebetween. It is desirable that the through hole 63a has a longitudinal direction in the direction along the natural movement of the finger of the operator holding the steering wheel 102 shown in the embodiment. In this illustration, the bending direction of the fingers is the longitudinal direction of the through hole 63a. Further, a contact type sensor 64 similar to the contact type sensor 24 of the embodiment is disposed on the front or back surface of the exposed portion of the contact operation member 63 (FIG. 1). As the contact sensor 64, a sensor for the first contact operation area 62a and a sensor for the second contact operation area 62b may be separately prepared.

The first contact operation region 62a is disposed on the vehicle upper side with respect to the through hole 63a. The first contact operation area 62a includes a straight side along the natural movement of the operator's finger on the through-hole 63a side, and a curved side bulging upward on the vehicle connecting both ends of the one side. It is an enclosed area. The curved side has a curvature matched to the cylindrical shape of the contact operation member 63. A contact sensor 64 is disposed on the back surface of the first contact operation area 62a. In the first contact operation area 62a, at least a touch operation is set as a contact operation mode. For example, a touch operation (once touching operation) of the first contact operation area 62a, like the second contact operation region 22B ₂ embodiment, can be utilized as decision buttons. In the first contact operation area 62a, a slide operation along the movement of the operator's finger may be set as a contact operation form.

The second contact operation region 62b is disposed on the vehicle lower side with respect to the through hole 63a. The second contact operation region 62b includes a straight side along the natural movement of the operator's finger on the through-hole 63a side, a curved side bulging to the vehicle lower side connecting both ends of the one side, It is an area surrounded by. The curved side has a curvature matched to the cylindrical shape of the contact operation member 63. A contact sensor 64 is disposed on the back surface of the second contact operation area 62b. In the second contact operation area 62b, at least a touch operation is set as a contact operation form. For example, a touch operation (once touching operation) of the second contact operation area 62b, like the third touch operation region 22B ₃ embodiment can be utilized as back button. In the second contact operation area 62b, a slide operation along the movement of the finger of the operator may be set as a contact operation form.

  The second motion detection unit 67 includes a movable operation member 68 that operates by an operator's contact operation, and an operation detection unit 69 that detects the movement of the movable operation member 68, and the operator's contact with the movable operation member 68. Detects the operation mode. Here, in this example, a disk-shaped dial operation member 68 is provided as the movable operation member 68. For this reason, the operation detection unit 69 is provided with a dial operation detection unit 69 that detects the movement of the dial operation member 68. The second motion detector 67 is configured like a so-called tilt wheel.

  The dial operating member 68 has its outer peripheral surface partially exposed from the through hole 63a, and has its own axis (rotating shaft) orthogonal to the axial direction of the distal end portion of the longitudinal member 12, and the through hole It arrange | positions so that it can rotate around an axis line along the longitudinal direction of 63a. For this reason, the dial operation member 68 can perform a rotation operation around the axis along the natural movement of the finger of the operator holding the steering wheel 102 (the bending direction of the finger of the operator). For example, the dial operation member 68 is rotatably held with respect to the contact operation member 63. In the dial operation member 68, the exposed portion from the through hole 63a becomes a contact operation portion by the operator. For this reason, in order to suppress the slip at the time of contact operation, the outer peripheral surface is formed with recesses and protrusions alternately along the circumferential direction. Further, the dial operating member 68 is configured to be pressed along the axial direction of the distal end portion of the longitudinal member 12. The pressed dial operation member 68 can return to its original position by, for example, an elastic member (not shown) attached to the rotating shaft or the holding portion of the rotating shaft.

Rotating operation about the axis of the dial operation member 68 can be used as corresponding to a first touch operation region 22B ₁ of the sliding operation of the embodiment. Further, the pressing operation of the dial operation member 68 can be used, for example, as a determination operation of the function of the selected in-vehicle device 200.

  The dial operation detection unit 69 detects a rotation operation amount (for example, a rotation angle) of the dial operation member 68 and whether or not the dial operation member 68 is pressed. The dial operation detection unit 69 transmits an output signal related to the amount of rotation operation and the presence or absence of pressing to the control device 30. The dial operation detection unit 69 detects a contact operation of the operator with respect to the dial operation member 68 and can be said to be a contact type sensor.

  The control device 30 controls the in-vehicle device 200 based on output signals from the contact sensor 64 and the dial operation detection unit 69.

  Here, the sub-operation device 60 can be used as at least one of the sub-operation devices 20L and 20R described in the embodiment. Moreover, in this vehicle operation system 2, the sub-operation device 60 is provided with the sub-operation device 60 applied to one of the sub-operation devices 20L and 20R, and the operation detection unit 21A or the operation detection unit 21B in the embodiment on the other side. May be applied.

  As described above, in the second motion detection unit 67 of the sub operation device 60 of the present modification, the direction along the natural movement of the operator's finger holding the steering wheel 102 is around the axis of the dial operation member 68. Is set as the rotation operation direction. Specifically, the direction along the bending direction of the finger while holding the steering wheel 102 or the direction perpendicular to the direction along the bending direction is set as the rotational operation direction around the axis of the dial operation member 68. For this reason, the vehicle operation system 2 according to the present modification can perform a rotation operation around the axis line of the dial operation member 68 set in advance by the operator moving his / her finger without a sense of incongruity. Therefore, the vehicle operation system 2 can reduce the burden on the finger of the operator who rotates the dial operation member 68. Since the rotation operation of the dial operation member 68 is used for a selection operation such as a function selection operation or a condition selection operation as in the slide operation, it is necessary to reciprocate a finger greatly in various operation forms. In some cases, a large reciprocation of the finger is repeated. In the vehicle operation system 2 of the present modification, the burden on the operator's finger under such an operation situation is reduced.

[Modification 2]
In the vehicular operation system 1 of the above-described embodiment and the vehicular operation system 2 of the modification 1, the sub operation devices 20 and 60 adopt a contact operation form as an operation form of the operator. On the other hand, the sub-operation device 70 of the vehicle operation system 3 according to the present modification uses a non-contact operation mode as the operation mode of the operator.

  The vehicle operation system 3 of this modification is obtained by replacing the sub operation device 20 with the sub operation device 70 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 in the vehicle operation system 1 of the above-described embodiment. The sub operation device 70 is set with a plurality of operation modes for operating the in-vehicle device 200 as in the sub operation device 20 of the embodiment.

  The sub-operation device 70 includes a motion detection unit 71 that detects the operation mode of the operator in a non-contact manner at the tip in the protruding direction of the longitudinal member 12. The motion detector 71 can detect the operation mode of the operator in the sensing space SP with the tip of the longitudinal member 12 as a base point. The sensing space SP is, for example, a space that extends from the tip of the tip of the longitudinal member 12 toward the vehicle side along the axial direction of the tip. The motion detection unit 71 includes a non-contact sensor 72 capable of detecting an object existing in the sensing space SP and a moving direction of the object in the sensing space SP. As the non-contact type sensor 72, for example, an infrared sensor such as a near infrared sensor can be used. The near-infrared sensor includes, for example, a light emitting unit composed of a light emitting diode, a light receiving unit composed of a photodiode, and a signal processing unit that performs signal processing related to the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit. This near-infrared sensor grasps the operation mode of the operator in the sensing space SP based on the light (modulated light) emitted from the light emitting unit to the sensing space SP and the reflected light of the light received by the light receiving unit. Can do. Specifically, this near-infrared sensor includes first to fourth photodiodes arranged in a 2 × 2 grid. This near-infrared sensor has a first photodiode arranged in a first row and a first column, a second photodiode arranged in a second row and a first column, and a third photodiode in a first row and a second column. And the fourth photodiodes are arranged in the second row and the second column. Further, the near-infrared sensor includes a light emitting diode arranged side by side with the second photodiode and the fourth photodiode. In the case of the near-infrared sensor having such an arrangement, in the control device 30, the sum of the output signals of the first and second photodiodes in the first row and the output signals of the third and fourth photodiodes in the second row. And the difference (first difference) between these sums is calculated as an output signal in the first direction. In addition, the control device 30 calculates the sum of the output signals of the first and third photodiodes in the first row and the sum of the output signals of the second and fourth photodiodes in the second row. Is calculated as an output signal in the second direction. The control device 30 determines that an object moving in the direction of the larger output signal of the first difference and the second difference is detected.

In the motion detection unit 71, the operation mode of the operator in the sensing space SP is assigned to each function of the in-vehicle device 200 or for each of the plurality of in-vehicle devices 200. In the motion detection unit 71, a slide operation is assigned as an operation mode corresponding to various selection operation functions as described in the embodiment. In assigning the operation mode, it is desirable to apply the operation mode according to the natural movement of the finger of the operator while holding the steering wheel 102 described in the embodiment. For example, when the control device 30 receives an output signal related to the movement of the finger in the finger swing direction from the non-contact sensor 72, the control device 30 may recognize the finger swing operation in the sensing space SP as being equivalent to the slide operation of the embodiment. it can. The finger swinging direction is the direction indicated by the arrow X in FIG. Further, when the control device 30 receives an output signal related to the movement of the finger in the bending / extending direction from the non-contact sensor 72, the control device 30 performs the bending / extending operation of the finger in the sensing space SP (operation in the arrow Y direction in FIG. 10). it can be recognized as a slide operation and equal to the first touch operation region 22B ₁ embodiment. Further, when the non-contact sensor 72 detects that the distance from the finger is approaching as in the touch operation of the embodiment, when the output signal is received from the non-contact sensor 72, the control device 30 detects the sensing space. The movement of the finger in the SP can be recognized as being equivalent to the touch operation of the embodiment. Note that the operation mode of the operator in the sensing space SP includes not only a non-contact operation inside the sensing space SP but also a contact operation with respect to the motion detection unit 71 exposed in the sensing space SP. Further, the sensing space SP may be set to an annular space, for example, covering the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the longitudinal member 12.

  Here, the sub-operation device 70 can be used as at least one of the sub-operation devices 20L and 20R described in the embodiment. Moreover, in this vehicle operation system 3, the sub operation device 70 may be applied to one of the sub operation devices 20L and 20R, and the sub operation device 20 and 60 in the embodiment or the modification 1 may be applied to the other. .

  As described above, in the motion detection unit 71 of the sub-operation device 70 of this modification, the direction along the natural movement of the finger of the operator holding the steering wheel 102 is the operation direction of the finger in the sensing space SP. Set as Specifically, a direction along the bending direction of the finger while holding the steering wheel 102 or a direction orthogonal to the direction along the bending direction is set as the operation direction of the finger in the sensing space SP. For this reason, the operation system 3 for vehicles of this modification can perform operation preset as an operation form in the sensing space SP, when an operator moves a finger | toe comfortably. Therefore, this vehicle operation system 3 can reduce the burden on the operator's fingers when operating in the sensing space SP. In particular, the finger swinging and bending operations of fingers are used for selection operations such as function selection operations and condition selection operations as in the case of slide operations. Therefore, even in various operation modes in the sensing space SP, the fingers are reciprocated greatly. In addition, there is a case where a large reciprocation of the finger is repeatedly performed. In the vehicle operation system 3 of the present modification, the burden on the operator's finger under such an operation situation is reduced.

  By the way, in embodiment mentioned above and the modifications 1, 2, it demonstrated that the sub operation apparatus 20,60,70 was provided in the front-end | tip of the longitudinal member 12 in which the tilting operation in the main operation apparatus 10 is possible. However, the motion detectors 21 and 71 of the sub-operating devices 20 and 70 and the first and second motion detectors 61 and 67 of the sub-operating device 60 are stationary longitudinal members 12 that are prohibited from moving such as a tilting motion. You may provide in the front-end | tip. The immovable longitudinal member 12 is a long object that protrudes from and extends from the steering column 101, and one end is fixed inside the steering column 101. Such a combination of the stationary longitudinal member 12 and the motion detection unit 21, a combination of the longitudinal member 12 and the first and second motion detection units 61 and 67, or a combination of the longitudinal member 12 and the motion detection unit 71. May be provided in at least one set on at least one of the left end and the right end of the steering column 101 in the vehicle width direction. This combination may be arranged in place of the combination of the main operation device 10 and the sub operation device 20 described above, or may be arranged together with the combination of the main operation device 10 and the sub operation device 20.

  Further, the main operating device 10 may further include a sub operating device (not shown) different from the sub operating devices 20, 60, 70. The new sub-operation device has, for example, a concentric annular member arranged so as to cover the outer peripheral surface of the longitudinal member 12, and the function of the in-vehicle device 200 is selected by rotating the annular member around the axis. Is to do.

1, 2, 3 Vehicle operation system 10, 10L, 10R Main operation device 11 Lever operation unit 12 Long member 14 Lever operation detection unit 20, 20L, 20R Sub operation device 21, 21A, 21B Operation detection unit 22, 22A Contact operation Region 22B ₁ First contact operation region 23, 23A, 23B Contact operation member 24 Contact sensor 30 Control device 60 Sub operation device 63 Contact operation member 63a Through hole 67 Second motion detection unit 68 Dial operation member 69 Dial operation detection unit ( Contact sensor)
70 Sub-operating device 71 Motion detection unit 72 Non-contact sensor 101 Steering column 102 Steering wheel 200 On-vehicle device SP Sensing space

Claims (6)

A longitudinal member projecting from and extending from the steering column;
An operation detection unit that is provided at a distal end in the protruding direction of the longitudinal member, and that can detect an operation mode when an operator operates the vehicle-mounted device in a sensing space based on the distal end or the distal end;
Based on the output signal of the motion detection unit according to the operation form of the operator, a control device that sends a command to the in-vehicle device,
With
The operation detection unit sets an operation direction along a natural movement of the operator's finger holding the steering wheel, and assigns the function of the in-vehicle device to the operation direction. .   The operation direction along the natural movement of the finger of the operator is a direction along the bending direction of the finger or a direction perpendicular to the direction along the bending direction. Vehicle operation system.   The motion detection unit includes an object in contact with the contact operation area at the tip and a contact sensor capable of detecting the moving direction of the object, or an object existing in the sensing space and an object in the sensing space. The vehicle operating system according to claim 1, further comprising a non-contact sensor capable of detecting a moving direction of the vehicle.   4. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein at least one combination of the longitudinal member and the motion detection unit is provided on at least one of a left end and a right end in the vehicle width direction of the steering column. Operation system. A lever operation unit having the longitudinal member, and a lever operation detection unit for detecting a tilt direction of a tilting operation with the end of the longitudinal member on the steering column side as a fulcrum are provided, and the operation direction of the longitudinal member is A main operating device for operating the vehicle-mounted device assigned to the tilt direction of the tilting operation or a vehicle-mounted device different from the vehicle-mounted device;
A sub-operation device having the motion detection unit;
The vehicle operation system according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, characterized by comprising:   6. The vehicle operating system according to claim 5, wherein at least one combination of the main operating device and the sub operating device is provided on at least one of a left end and a right end in the vehicle width direction of the steering column.

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