JP2017172126A - Vehicle door opening/closing controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicle door opening/closing controller that enables a user readily determine which one of a plurality of sensors is working effectively and enhances user convenience by making another sensor detect a movement even when detection by a part of the sensors is disabled.SOLUTION: A plurality of LEDs 21 to 24 is provided in correspondence with each of a plurality of sensors 11 to 14 for detecting a kicking movement of a user's foot. A control part determines whether the kicking movement has been made based on an output signal from at least two sensors among the plurality of sensors 11 to 14. The control part also determines whether detection of the kicking movement is possible, for each of the sensors 11 to 14. The LED corresponding to the sensor determined to be able to detect the kicking movement is displayed in a first display mode (for example, flickering), and the LED determined to be unable to detect the kicking movement is displayed in a second display mode different from the first display mode (for example, turned off).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle door opening / closing control device capable of opening a vehicle door in a non-contact manner.

  There are known door opening / closing systems that detect the movement of a foot and automatically open the door of the vehicle even when the user of the vehicle has luggage in both hands (for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). See).

  The door opening and closing system of Patent Document 1 includes first and second sensors for detecting foot motion at different locations on the rear of the vehicle. The first sensor is provided on the rear bumper, and the second sensor is provided on the lower rear side of the vehicle body. In this door opening / closing system, a time difference between the output signal of the first sensor and the output signal of the second sensor is detected. And when this time difference meets a predetermined standard, it is determined that the kicking action has been performed so that the tip of the foot enters between the vehicle body and the ground, and this foot movement is regarded as a door opening command, Open the back door.

  In the door opening and closing system of Patent Document 2, a sensor for detecting the motion of a foot is provided on the lower surface of the vehicle. Moreover, LED for irradiating the detection range of a sensor is provided. When the user approaches the vehicle, the LED lights up and illuminates the feet. The user visually recognizes the irradiation area (detection range) and puts his foot under the vehicle while using the area as a guide. Then, the foot is detected by the sensor, and the vehicle door is opened based on the detection signal.

  In such a door opening / closing system, a plurality of sensors may be provided in order to widen the detection area of the foot for the convenience of the user. In this case, when some of the plurality of sensors break down, it becomes impossible to detect the movement of the foot by the sensors, but regarding letting the user know whether each sensor is functioning effectively, Under the current situation where no consideration is given, the user has no way of knowing whether there is a sensor failure. For this reason, if the user does not open the door even if the user moves his / her foot, the user repeats the useless operation many times, and eventually becomes dissatisfied without knowing the cause.

  Even if the sensor itself does not fail, depending on the parking state of the vehicle, there may be signs or shopping carts near the sensor, and these affect the detection operation of the sensor. Leg motion may not be detected properly. Also in this case, since the user does not know the reason why the door does not open, the result is dissatisfied as in the above case.

  Furthermore, when some of the plurality of sensors cannot detect the movement of the foot due to the above-described causes, if the detection function of the entire sensor is stopped, the user no longer operates the foot. The door cannot be opened automatically, which is inconvenient.

Special table 2014-500414 gazette JP 2005-133529 A

  The problem of the present invention is that the user can easily determine which sensor among the plurality of sensors is effective, and even when some of the sensors cannot be detected, the operation of the other sensors can be detected to improve the convenience of the user. An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle door opening / closing control device with improved performance.

  A vehicle door opening / closing control device according to the present invention is based on a plurality of sensors provided in the vicinity of a vehicle door for detecting a user's gesture in a predetermined detection area, and output signals of at least two of the plurality of sensors. A control unit that determines whether or not a gesture has been performed, and that opens and closes a vehicle door when the gesture is performed, and a plurality of indicators that are provided corresponding to the plurality of sensors, respectively. Yes. The control unit determines whether or not a gesture can be detected for each of the plurality of sensors. The display corresponding to the sensor determined to be able to detect the gesture performs display in the first display form. The display device corresponding to the sensor that is determined to be unable to detect the gesture performs display in a second display form different from the first display form.

  According to this vehicle door opening / closing control device, when a part of the plurality of sensors cannot normally detect a gesture, the display corresponding to the sensor capable of detecting the gesture performs display according to the first display form, thereby detecting the gesture. In the display device corresponding to the sensor that cannot perform the display, the display in the second display form is performed. For this reason, the user avoids a useless gesture by performing a gesture at the position of the sensor corresponding to the display device of the first display form without performing a gesture at the position of the sensor corresponding to the display device of the second display form. And dissatisfaction with the fact that the door does not open even if a gesture is made. In addition, the detection of sensor detection is performed in units of sensors, but since gesture detection is performed based on the output signals of a plurality of sensors, correct gestures can be accurately distinguished from those that are not, and gesture detection accuracy is improved. be able to.

  In the present invention, the control unit verifies the correctness of the identification information of the electronic key based on communication with the electronic key possessed by the user, and based on the determination result of whether or not the gesture can be detected when the identification information is correct. Each display may perform display in the first display form or the second display form.

  In the present invention, the first display form may include lighting or blinking of the display, and the second display form may include turning off or blinking of the display, or lighting with a color different from the first display form.

  In the present invention, when the level of the output signal of the sensor exceeds a predetermined upper limit value or when it falls below a predetermined lower limit value, the control unit cannot detect the gesture. You may judge.

  In the present invention, when the vehicle is provided with a plurality of welcome lights that are turned on or blinking when the user approaches the vehicle, the welcome lights may also serve as the display of the present invention.

  When a part of the welcome light also serves as the display, the welcome light that also serves as the display displays in the first display form or the second display form, and the welcome light that does not serve as the display serves as the first display form. The display may be performed in a third display form different from the second display form.

  In the present invention, the control unit detects an area where the electronic key exists based on communication with the electronic key possessed by the user, and is provided at a position corresponding to the detected area among the plurality of sensors. The sensor may be validated so that gesture detection is possible, and a sensor provided at a position not corresponding to the detected area among the plurality of sensors may be invalidated so that gesture detection is impossible.

  In the present invention, the control unit detects an area where the electronic key is present based on communication with the electronic key possessed by the user, and is provided at a position corresponding to the detected area among the plurality of indicators. Only the display unit may be operated.

  According to the vehicle door opening and closing control device of the present invention, the user can easily determine which sensor is effective among the plurality of sensors, so even if some sensors cannot be detected, the operation is detected by other sensors. By doing so, the door can be opened and closed, and the convenience for the user is improved.

It is a rear view of the vehicle carrying the vehicle door opening / closing control apparatus of this invention. It is a figure explaining detection of a motion of a foot. It is a block diagram of a vehicle door opening and closing control device. It is the figure which showed the lighting state of LED at the normal time. It is the figure which showed the output signal of the sensor at the normal time. It is the figure which showed the lighting state of LED when a label | marker is near. It is the figure which showed the other example of the lighting state in the case of FIG. It is the figure which showed the output signal of the sensor in the case of FIG. It is the figure which showed the lighting state of LED at the time of a sensor failure. It is the figure which showed the other example of the lighting state in the case of FIG. It is the figure which showed the output signal of the sensor at the time of a sensor failure. It is the flowchart which showed an example of the timing of lighting and extinguishing of LED. It is the flowchart which showed the procedure in the case of opening a door by kick operation. It is a top view of the vehicle in other embodiments of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the operation | movement of embodiment of FIG. It is a figure explaining the operation | movement of embodiment of FIG. It is a top view of the vehicle in further another embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the operation | movement of embodiment of FIG. It is a figure explaining the operation | movement of embodiment of FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  First, the configuration of the vehicle door opening / closing control device will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a view of the vehicle 100 as viewed from the rear, and FIG. 2 is a view of the vehicle 100 as viewed from the side. The vehicle 100 is a passenger car and includes a vehicle body 1, a back door 2, a rear bumper 3, a rear window 4, and tires 5. The rear bumper 3 is provided with a plurality of sensors 11 to 14 for detecting a user's gesture and a plurality of LEDs 21 to 24 corresponding to the sensors 11 to 14.

  Here, the LEDs 21 to 24 are examples of the “display” in the present invention.

  The sensors 11 to 14 are, for example, capacitive proximity sensors, and are arranged at predetermined intervals in the horizontal direction (direction parallel to the ground G). The sensors 11 and 12 are provided on the left side, and the sensors 13 and 14 are provided on the right side. The LEDs 21 to 24 are provided on the sensors 11 to 14, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the sensor 11 has a predetermined detection region R. This detection region R also extends in the horizontal direction in FIG. The same applies to the sensors 12-14. As shown by a broken line, when an action of kicking the foot K (hereinafter referred to as “kicking action”) is performed so that the tip of the foot K enters between the vehicle body 1 and the ground G, the foot K is detected in the detection region R. Then, the sensors 11 to 14 detect the kick operation, and the back door 2 is automatically opened. This will be described in detail later. In addition, since the detection area | region R of the sensors 11-14 has overlapped among several sensors (for example, two adjacent sensors), the kick operation | movement of the leg | foot K is detected by several sensors. The LEDs 21 to 24 are provided for displaying whether or not the kick operation of each of the sensors 11 to 14 can be detected for each sensor. This will also be described in detail later.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the vehicle door opening / closing control device. The vehicle door opening / closing control device 200 is mounted on the vehicle 100 of FIG. 1, and includes the sensors 11 to 14 and the LEDs 21 to 24 described above, the detection circuit 32 to which the output signals of the sensors 11 to 14 are input, and the LEDs 21 to 24. An LED output circuit 33 for driving the vehicle, a control unit 30 constituting an ECU (Electronic Control Unit), an in-vehicle battery 40 for supplying power to each unit, and a back door opening / closing unit 50 for opening and closing the back door 2. Yes.

  The sensors 11 to 14 and the detection circuit 32 constitute the detection unit 10. The LEDs 21 to 24 constitute the display unit 20. The detection circuit 32 includes a circuit that converts the output signals of the sensors 11 to 14 into a binary signal described later. The LED output circuit 33 includes a circuit that supplies current to the LEDs 21 to 24 to drive each LED.

  The control unit 30 includes a communication circuit 31, a power supply circuit 34, and a CPU 35. The communication circuit 31 communicates with the electronic key 60 possessed by the user by LF (Low Frequency) or UHF (Ultra High Frequency). The power supply circuit 34 is a circuit that supplies the electric power of the in-vehicle battery 40 to each block of the control unit 30, and includes a DC-DC converter or the like.

  The CPU 35 includes an ID collation unit 35a, a key position detection unit 35b, and a determination unit 35c. The functions of these blocks are actually realized by software. In addition to these, the CPU 35 includes blocks for performing various processes. Here, only the blocks related to the present invention are illustrated.

  The ID collation unit 35 a verifies whether the ID (identification information) of the electronic key 60 received by the communication circuit 31 from the electronic key 60 is correct. The key position detection unit 35 b detects the location of the electronic key 60 based on a signal transmitted from the electronic key 60. The determination unit 35c determines whether or not each sensor can detect the kick operation based on the output signals of the sensors 11 to 14. In addition to this, the determination unit 35c performs various determinations necessary for control.

  In addition to the control unit 30 described above, various control units (ECUs) are mounted on the vehicle, and the control unit 30 is connected to these control units via a CAN (Controller Area Network). Although not shown in FIG.

  The back door opening / closing unit 50 includes a motor for opening and closing the back door 2, an actuator for locking and unlocking the back door 2, and a drive circuit for driving them.

  Next, a procedure for opening the back door in the vehicle door opening / closing control apparatus 200 having the above configuration will be described.

  The electronic key 60 (FIG. 3) possessed by the user is based on the user's operation or based on the reception of the response request signal transmitted from the communication circuit 31 of the vehicle door opening / closing control device 200. Is transmitted to the vehicle 100. This ID is received by the communication circuit 31. The ID collation unit 35a of the CPU 35 collates the received ID with the ID stored in the internal memory of the CPU 35. If they match, the collation is OK, and if they do not coincide, the collation NG is determined. Verification OK is a prerequisite for opening the back door 2.

  If the collation result is OK, the determination unit 35c of the CPU 35 determines whether or not the kick operation can be detected for each of the sensors 11 to 14 based on the output signals of the sensors 11 to 14 input from the detection circuit 32. Determine. As a result of the determination, if any of the sensors 11 to 14 can normally detect the kick operation, the determination unit 35 c sends a command to turn on all the LEDs 21 to 24 of the display unit 20 to the LED output circuit 33. The LED output circuit 33 supplies current to the LEDs 21 to 24 based on this command, and turns on each LED.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, all of the LEDs 21 to 24 provided at the rear portion of the vehicle 100 are turned on. The lighting of each LED indicates that the sensor corresponding to the LED is in a state where the kick operation can be detected. Therefore, in the case of FIG. 4, the user recognizes that the kick motion can be detected by all the sensors 11 to 14 after visually confirming that all the LEDs 21 to 24 are lit.

  Next, the user performs the kick operation shown in FIG. In this case, since all the sensors 11 to 14 can detect the kick operation, the user may perform the kick operation at any sensor position in FIG. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, when the kick operation is performed at a position where the sensor 11 and the foot K face each other, when the foot K is kicked forward, the foot K approaches the sensor 11. Becomes bigger. Thereafter, when the foot K is pulled backward, the foot K moves away from the sensor 11, and the level of the output signal of the sensor 11 decreases. For this reason, the output signal of the sensor 11 has a waveform as indicated by P1 in FIG.

  In addition, since the detection area of the sensor 12 adjacent to the sensor 11 overlaps the detection area of the sensor 11, the kick operation performed at the position of the sensor 11 is also detected by the sensor 12. However, since the sensor 12 is farther from the foot K than the sensor 11, the output signal of the sensor 12 has a waveform having a level lower than that of P1, as indicated by P2 in FIG.

  For these output signals P1 and P2, a predetermined threshold Th is set as shown in FIG. The detection circuit 32 binarizes the output signals P1 and P2 using this threshold value Th. Q1 is a binarized signal of the output signal P1, and Q2 is a binarized signal of the output signal P2. As shown in FIG. 5B, the determination unit 35c of the CPU 35 detects the binarized signal Q2 output period W2 within the output period W1 of the binarized signal Q1 using the sensors 11 and 12. It is determined that the performed foot motion is a kick motion.

  If it judges in this way, judgment part 35c will judge whether back door 2 is in a locked state based on information acquired from back door opening and closing part 50 next. If the back door 2 is in the locked state, an unlocking command is sent from the determination unit 35 c to the back door opening / closing unit 50. When the back door opening / closing unit 50 receives this command, the back door 2 is unlocked by driving the actuator, and subsequently, the motor is driven to open the back door 2. In this way, the back door 2 can be automatically opened without contact by a kick operation.

  On the other hand, when the user passes behind the vehicle 100 in the arrangement direction of the sensors 11 to 14, the output signals P1 and P2 of the sensors 11 and 12 have the same level as shown in FIG. The waveform is out of phase. In this case, the output period W2 of the binarized signal Q2 does not fall within the output period W1 of the binarized signal Q1. For this reason, the determination unit 35c of the CPU 35 determines that the motion of the foot detected by the sensors 11 and 12 is not a kick motion. In this case, the unlocking command is not sent from the determination unit 35c to the back door opening / closing unit 50, and the back door 2 is not opened.

  In FIG. 5A, X represents a signal level range in which kick operation can be normally detected, Va is an upper limit value thereof, and Vb is a lower limit value thereof (the same applies to FIGS. 8 and 11). ). The upper limit value Va and the lower limit value Vb are set to predetermined values in consideration of the characteristics of the sensors 11 to 14 and the like.

  Next, a case where some of the sensors 11 to 14 are in a state where the kick operation cannot be detected will be described. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when the vehicle 6 is parked in a state of being very close to the sign 70, since the post 70 a of the sign 70 exists in the immediate vicinity of the sensor 13, the output signal of the sensor 13 is As shown in FIG. 8, the signal has a high level. Since the level exceeds the upper limit value Va, even if a kick operation is performed at the position of the sensor 13, the determination unit 35c cannot detect the kick operation. Such a situation can also occur when a shopping cart or the like is present near the sensor.

  Therefore, when the level of the output signal of the sensors 11 to 14 exceeds the upper limit value Va, the determination unit 35c determines that the sensor cannot detect the kick operation. Then, the determination unit 35c sends the LEDs 21, 22, 24 to the LED output circuit 33 in order to turn off the LED (here, the LED 23) corresponding to the sensor (here, the sensor 13) determined to be unable to detect the kick motion. Send a command to turn on only. Based on this command, the LED output circuit 33 supplies current to the LEDs 21, 22, and 24, but does not supply current to the LED 23.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the LED 23 corresponding to the sensor 13 that cannot detect the kick motion is turned off, and the LEDs 21, 22, and 24 corresponding to the other sensors 11, 12, and 14 are turned on. . For this reason, the user recognizes that the kick operation cannot be performed at the position facing the sensor 13 because the LED 23 is turned off, and performs the kick operation at the position facing any of the other sensors 11, 12, 14. . The subsequent procedure is as described above.

  In the state of FIG. 6, when the kick operation is performed at the position of the sensor 14, the output signal of the sensor 14 is a signal like P <b> 1 in FIG. 5A, but the output signal of the sensor 13 is Since the signal is as shown in FIG. 8, the kick operation cannot be detected by the method of FIG. 5B. In response to this, for example, when the output signal of a certain sensor (here, sensor 13) becomes a signal as shown in FIG. 8, the kick operation is detected only by a sensor adjacent to the sensor (here, sensor 14). What is necessary is just to switch a detection algorithm so that it can do.

  FIG. 7 shows another display example of the LED. In FIG. 6, the LED 23 is turned off, but in FIG. 7A, the LED 23 is lit in a different color from the other LEDs. For example, the LEDs 21, 22, and 24 are lit in green, and the LED 23 is lit in red. Moreover, in FIG.7 (b), LED23 is blinked. The color of the LED 23 in this case may be the same color as other LEDs, or may be a different color.

  Here, lighting of the LEDs 21, 22, and 24 in the case of FIG. 6 is an example of the “first display mode” in the present invention, and turning off the LED 23 is an example of the “second display mode” in the present invention. 7A is an example of the “first display mode” in the present invention, and the lighting of the LED 23 in different colors is the “second display mode” in the present invention. It is an example. Further, the lighting of the LEDs 21, 22, and 24 in the case of FIG. 7B is an example of the “first display form” in the present invention, and the blinking of the LED 23 is an example of the “second display form” in the present invention. is there.

  The above describes the case where the kick operation cannot be detected due to the presence of a sign or the like even though there is no abnormality in the sensor itself, but naturally the kick operation cannot be detected even if the sensor is broken. Become.

  When a sensor fails, the output signal is a signal having a minimum level (for example, zero volts) as shown in FIG. Since the level is lower than the lower limit value Vb, even if the kick operation is performed at the position of the failed sensor, the determination unit 35c cannot detect the kick operation.

  Therefore, when the level of the output signal of the sensors 11 to 14 is below the lower limit value Vb, the determination unit 35c determines that the sensor cannot detect the kick operation. Here, it is assumed that the sensor 12 has failed. The determination unit 35 c sends a command to turn on only the LEDs 21, 23, and 24 to the LED output circuit 33 so that the LED 22 corresponding to the sensor 12 determined to be unable to detect the kick motion is turned off. Based on this command, the LED output circuit 33 supplies current to the LEDs 21, 23, and 24, but does not supply current to the LED 22.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, the LED 22 corresponding to the sensor 12 incapable of detecting the kick motion is turned off, and the LEDs 21, 23, 24 corresponding to the other sensors 11, 13, 14 are turned on. . For this reason, the user recognizes that the kick operation cannot be performed at the position facing the sensor 12 because the LED 22 is turned off, and performs the kick operation at a position facing any of the other sensors 11, 13, and 14. . The subsequent procedure is as described above.

  In the state of FIG. 9, when the kick operation is performed at the position of the sensor 11, the output signal of the sensor 11 is a signal like P <b> 1 in FIG. 5A, but the output signal of the sensor 12 is Since the signal is as shown in FIG. 11, the kick operation cannot be detected by the method of FIG. 5B. In response to this, for example, when the output signal of a certain sensor (here, sensor 12) becomes a signal as shown in FIG. 11, the kick operation is detected only by the sensor adjacent to the sensor (here, sensor 11). What is necessary is just to switch a detection algorithm so that it can do.

  FIG. 10 shows another display example of the LED. In FIG. 9, the LED 22 is turned off, but in FIG. 10A, the LED 22 is lit in a different color from the other LEDs. For example, the LEDs 21, 23, and 24 are lit in green, and the LED 22 is lit in red. Moreover, in FIG.10 (b), LED22 is blinked. The color of the LED 22 in this case may be the same color as other LEDs, or may be a different color.

  Here, lighting of the LEDs 21, 23, and 24 in the case of FIG. 9 is an example of the “first display mode” in the present invention, and turning off the LED 22 is an example of the “second display mode” in the present invention. In addition, the lighting of the LEDs 21, 23, and 24 in the case of FIG. 10A is an example of the “first display mode” in the present invention, and the lighting of the LED 22 by different colors is the “second display mode” in the present invention. It is an example. Further, the lighting of the LEDs 21, 23, and 24 in the case of FIG. 10B is an example of the “first display form” in the present invention, and the blinking of the LED 22 is an example of the “second display form” in the present invention. is there.

  By the way, various patterns can be considered about the timing which lights LED21-24 (all or a part) in each case mentioned above, and the timing which turns off LED which is lighting. FIG. 12 shows an example of this, and shows the timing of turning on / off the LEDs in a series of vehicle driving sequences.

  In FIG. 12, when the user approaches the vehicle 100 (step S1), the ID of the electronic key 60 is verified based on the communication between the electronic key 60 and the vehicle 100, and if the verification is OK (step S2). ) All or a part of the LEDs 21 to 24 are turned on according to the states of the sensors 11 to 14 (step S3). The user performs a kick operation as necessary, opens the back door 2 and stores the luggage, and then opens the door (front row or rear row door) of the vehicle 100 and gets on (steps S4 and S5). Then, after closing the door (step S6), the engine is started (step S7), and then the shift lever is moved from the P position (parking position) (step S8). At this time, the lit LED is turned off (step S9). Thereafter, the vehicle 100 starts and shifts to a running state (step S10).

  After the traveling vehicle 100 stops (step S11), when the shift lever is moved to the P position (step S12), the LED is turned on again at this point (step S13). Then, after stopping the engine (step S14), the user opens the door and gets off (steps S15 and S16). After getting off the door, the door is closed (step S17), and then the door is locked (step S18). The lit LED is turned off (step S19).

  The on / off timing in FIG. 12 is an example, and other timings may be adopted. For example, turning off the LED in step S9 may be executed after step S7 (engine start) or step S6 (door close), or may be executed when a user kick operation is detected. Moreover, you may perform LED lighting of step S13 next to step S14 (engine stop) or step S15 (door opening).

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure when the back door 2 is opened by a kick operation. This procedure is executed by the CPU 35.

  The CPU 35 first collates the ID of the electronic key 60 by the ID collating unit 35a (step S101). If the collation result is OK (step S101; YES), next, the determination unit 35c checks the output signals of the sensors 11 to 14 (step S102), and whether all the sensors are in a state where the kick operation can be detected. It is confirmed whether or not (step S103). As a result, if all the sensors 11 to 14 can detect the kick motion (step S103; YES), all the LEDs 21 to 24 are displayed (for example, lit) in the first display form. On the other hand, if some of the sensors 11 to 14 cannot detect the kick motion (step S103; NO), the LED corresponding to the detectable sensor is displayed (for example, lit) in the first display form, and cannot be detected. The LED corresponding to the sensor is displayed (for example, turned off) in the second display mode (step S107).

  After executing Step S104 or Step S107, the presence / absence of a kick operation is determined based on the output signals of the sensors 11 to 14 (Step S105). If it is determined that the kick operation has been performed (step S105; YES), the CPU 35 drives the back door opening / closing unit 50 to open the back door 2 (step S106). If the collation result is NG in step S101 (step S101; NO), the process ends without executing steps S102 to S107.

  According to the embodiment described above, when all of the sensors 11 to 14 can normally detect the kicking operation, all the LEDs 21 to 24 of the display unit 20 are lit, so that the user has all the LEDs lit. By visually recognizing this, it is recognized that all the sensors 11 to 14 are in a state where the kick operation can be detected. For this reason, the user can open the back door 2 by performing a kick operation at an arbitrary sensor position. In addition, it may replace with lighting of LED and you may blink LED.

  On the other hand, when some of the sensors 11 to 14 cannot normally detect the kick operation, the LED corresponding to the sensor capable of detecting the kick operation is turned on, and the LED corresponding to the sensor incapable of detecting the kick operation is turned off. It will be in the state of lighting different colors, blinking. For this reason, the user does not perform the kick operation at the position of the sensor corresponding to the LED in the off state or the like, but opens the back door 2 by performing the kick operation at the position of the sensor corresponding to the LED in the on state. Can do. Thereby, a useless kick operation is avoided, and the dissatisfaction that the back door 2 does not open even if the kick operation is performed is eliminated.

  Further, in the embodiment described above, whether or not the sensors 11 to 14 can be detected is displayed in units of sensors by the LEDs 21 to 24 provided corresponding to the sensors. However, the kick operation is detected by a plurality of sensors. This is based on the output signal (see FIG. 5). For this reason, it is possible to accurately distinguish between a kick operation and an operation that is not, and to improve the detection accuracy of the kick operation.

  Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Some vehicles have a welcome light that is automatically turned on when the user approaches. In this embodiment, the state of the sensor is displayed using this welcome light.

  In FIG. 14, the vehicle 100 includes five welcome lights including LEDs 25 to 29. LED25 is the front row left door (passenger seat door), LED26 is the front row right door (driver's seat door), LED27 is the rear row left door (rear left seat door), LED28 is the rear row right door (rear right seat door), LED29 is each provided in the back door. The rear row left door and the rear row right door are both sliding doors.

  Sensors 17 to 19 for detecting a kick operation are provided below the rear row left door, below the rear row right door, and below the back door, respectively. Sensors 17 and 18 are slide door sensors, and sensor 19 is a back door sensor. The LEDs 27 to 29 correspond to the sensors 17 to 19, respectively, and these LEDs are welcome lights and also serve as a display for displaying the state of the sensors 17 to 19 (whether or not kick motion can be detected). . On the other hand, the LEDs 25 and 26 have no corresponding sensors, and are used only as welcome lights. The LEDs 25 and 26 may be omitted. In this case, all welcome lights also serve as a display.

  In the configuration of the vehicle door opening / closing control device according to the present embodiment, the sensors 11 to 14 in FIG. 3 are replaced with the sensors 17 to 19, the LEDs 21 to 24 are replaced with the LEDs 25 to 29, and the LED output circuit 33 is included in the control unit 30. Since it is the same as that of FIG. 3 except the point provided in FIG.

  The LEDs 25 to 29 that are welcome lights are turned on when a user approaches the vehicle 100 and a predetermined signal is transmitted from the electronic key 60 possessed by the user to the vehicle 100. In this case, the dedicated LEDs 25 and 26 are lit in blue, for example. On the other hand, the LEDs 27 to 29 that also display the sensor state display according to the states of the sensors 17 to 19. This will be specifically described below.

  FIG. 15 shows a display form of each LED when all the sensors 17 to 19 are in a normal state (a state in which a kick motion can be detected). The welcome LEDs 25 and 26 are lit in blue as described above. Further, the LEDs 27 to 29 not dedicated to the welcome blink in blue (or other colors). The user recognizes that the kick operation is possible at the positions of all the sensors 17 to 19 by the blinking of the LEDs 27 to 29. The blinking of the LEDs 27 to 29 may be performed in a color different from that of the LEDs 25 and 26.

  Fig.16 (a) has shown the display form of each LED when the sensor 18 has failed among the sensors 17-19. The welcome LEDs 25 and 26 are lit in blue regardless of the failure of the sensor 18. Of the LEDs 27 to 29 that are not dedicated to the welcome, the LEDs 27 and 29 corresponding to the normal sensors 17 and 19 blink in blue (or other colors). On the other hand, the LED 28 corresponding to the failed sensor 18 is turned off. The user recognizes that the kick operation cannot be performed at the position of the sensor 18 because the LED 28 is turned off.

  FIG. 16B shows another display example when the sensor 18 has failed. In FIG. 16A, the LED 28 corresponding to the failed sensor 18 is turned off. In FIG. 16B, the LED 28 corresponding to the failed sensor 18 is displayed in a different color (for example, red) from the other LEDs. Lights up. The other LEDs have the same display form as FIG. Also in this case, the user recognizes that the kick operation cannot be performed at the position of the sensor 18 because the LED 28 is lit in a different color from the others.

  Here, the blinking of the LEDs 27 to 29 in the case of FIG. 15 is an example of the “first display mode” in the present invention, and the lighting of the LEDs 25 and 26 is an example of the “third display mode” in the present invention. In addition, the blinking of the LEDs 27 and 29 in the case of FIG. 16A is an example of the “first display form” in the present invention, and the turn-off of the LED 28 is an example of the “second display form” in the present invention. The lighting of the LEDs 25 and 26 is an example of the “third display mode” in the present invention. Further, the blinking of the LEDs 27 and 29 in the case of FIG. 16B is an example of the “first display form” in the present invention, and the lighting of the LED 28 in different colors is an example of the “second display form” in the present invention. The lighting of the LEDs 25 and 26 is an example of the “third display mode” in the present invention.

  According to the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 14 to 16, the state of each of the sensors 17 to 19 (whether or not kick motion can be detected) is displayed using the welcome light provided in the vehicle 100, and thus the sensor state is displayed. This eliminates the need for a dedicated LED and prevents an increase in the number of components.

  Next, still another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, only the sensor corresponding to the area where the user is present is enabled, and only the LED corresponding to the area is driven.

  17, the arrangement of LEDs 25 to 29, which are welcome lights, and sensors 17 to 19 is the same as in FIG. Also in the case of this embodiment, the configuration of the vehicle door opening / closing control device is such that the sensors 11 to 14 in FIG. 3 are replaced with the sensors 17 to 19, the LEDs 21 to 24 are replaced with the LEDs 25 to 29, and the LED output circuit 33 is the control unit. 30 is the same as FIG. 3 except for the point provided in 30 and is not shown.

  Z1 to Z3 shown in FIG. 17 are welcome detection areas, and when the user enters these areas, that is, the electronic key 60 (FIG. 3) possessed by the user is detected in the areas Z1 to Z3. The welcome light comes on. The presence of the electronic key 60 in the area Z1 can be detected by the key position detection unit 35b (FIG. 3) by LF communication between the antenna (not shown) provided on the left side of the vehicle 100 and the electronic key 60. . Similarly, the presence of the electronic key 60 in the area Z2 means that the electronic key 60 exists in the area Z3 due to LF communication between an antenna (not shown) mounted on the right side of the vehicle 100 and the electronic key 60. Can be detected by the key position detection unit 35b by LF communication between an antenna (not shown) mounted behind the vehicle 100 and the electronic key 60.

  In the present embodiment, among the sensors 17 to 19, only the sensor provided at the position corresponding to the area where the electronic key 60 is detected is validated so that the kick operation can be detected. For example, as shown in FIG. 18, when the user A is in the area Z1, the area Z1 is detected as the area where the electronic key 60 exists, so the sensor 17 at the position corresponding to the area Z1 is activated. . That is, when the kick operation is performed, the output signal of the sensor 17 is received by the control unit 30 and the kick operation by the sensor 17 can be detected. On the other hand, the sensors 18 and 19 at positions not corresponding to the area Z1 are invalidated. That is, even if the kick operation is performed, the output signals of the sensors 18 and 19 are not received by the control unit 30, and the kick operation cannot be detected by these sensors. Further, among the LEDs 25 to 29, the LEDs 25 and 27 located at the positions corresponding to the area Z1 are driven, the LED 25 is lit, and the LED 27 blinks. Other LEDs are off. When the sensor 17 is out of order, the LED 27 is turned off or turned on with a different color from the LED 25.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 19, when the user A is in the area Z3, the area Z3 is detected as the area where the electronic key 60 exists, so that the sensor 19 at the position corresponding to the area Z3 is activated. . That is, the kick motion can be detected by the sensor 19. On the other hand, the sensors 17 and 18 located at positions not corresponding to the area Z3 are invalidated, and the kick operation cannot be detected by these sensors. Further, among the LEDs 25 to 29, the LED 29 located at the position corresponding to the area Z3 is driven, and the LED 29 blinks. Other LEDs are off. When the sensor 19 is out of order, the LED 29 is turned off or turned on with a color different from the color when the other LEDs are turned on.

  Here, the blinking of the LED 27 in the case of FIG. 18 is an example of the “first display mode” in the present invention, and the lighting of the LED 25 is an example of the “third display mode” in the present invention. Further, the blinking of the LED 29 in the case of FIG. 19 is an example of the “first display mode” in the present invention.

  According to the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 17 to 19, only sensors and LEDs at positions corresponding to the area where the user is located operate, and other sensors and LEDs do not operate, thereby suppressing wasteful power consumption. Can do. Note that this embodiment can also be applied to a vehicle that does not include a welcome light. In this case, only the LEDs 27 to 29 corresponding to the sensors 17 to 19 are provided.

  In the present invention, the following various embodiments can be adopted in addition to the embodiments described above.

  In FIG. 1, four sensors 11 to 14 and four LEDs 21 to 24 are provided, and one sensor is associated with one LED. However, the number of sensors and LEDs is limited to this. It goes without saying that it is not something. Further, when a large number of sensors are provided at a narrow interval and the horizontal detection area is widened, for example, one LED may be provided corresponding to two adjacent sensors. In this case, the LED corresponding to each sensor is one common LED.

  In FIG. 5, an example in which the kicking operation is detected based on the output signals of two adjacent sensors has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and there are three according to the number and arrangement of sensors. The kick operation may be detected based on the output signals of the above sensors.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which an LED is used as a display device has been described. However, a light emitting element such as an organic EL element, a bulb (light bulb), or the like may be used instead of the LED.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which a capacitive proximity sensor is used as the sensor has been described. However, instead of this, another sensor such as a reflective optical sensor or an ultrasonic sensor may be used. Each sensor may be composed of a single sensor element or a plurality of sensor elements.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the back door 2 is opened by the kick operation has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to the case where the back door 2 is closed. In this case, on the condition that the back door 2 is in an open state, the collation result in the ID collation unit 35a is OK, and the kicking operation is detected again, the back door opening / closing unit 50 What is necessary is just to close the door 2. FIG.

  In the above-described embodiment, the back door and the slide door are exemplified as the door that is opened and closed by the kick operation. However, the door may be a door that opens and closes the trunk.

  In the above-described embodiment, the kicking action of kicking the foot K is taken as an example, but as the action of the foot K, for example, the foot K is moved straight forward and carried into the detection area R of the sensor, and then the detection area The operation may be such that the foot K is moved away from R. Moreover, the operation | movement which moves the leg | foot K to the left-right direction or the diagonal direction may be sufficient.

  In the above-described embodiment, the motion of the foot is taken as an example of the gesture performed by the user. However, the gesture is not limited to the motion of the foot, and may be motion of a hand or an arm.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Detection part 11-14 Sensor 17-19 Sensor 21-24 LED (display device)
27-29 LED (display)
25 to 29 welcome light 30 control unit 35a ID collation unit 35b key position detection unit 35c determination unit 60 electronic key 100 vehicle 200 vehicle door opening / closing control device A user R sensor detection area Z1 to Z3 welcome detection area

Claims (8)

A plurality of sensors provided in the vicinity of a door of the vehicle and detecting a user's gesture in a predetermined detection area;
A controller that determines whether or not the gesture has been performed based on output signals of at least two of the plurality of sensors, and that opens and closes the door of the vehicle when the gesture is performed; and In the vehicle door opening and closing control device provided,
A plurality of indicators provided corresponding to each of the plurality of sensors,
The control unit determines whether or not the gesture can be detected for each of the plurality of sensors.
The indicator corresponding to the sensor determined to be capable of detecting the gesture performs display in the first display form,
A vehicle door opening / closing control device, wherein a display corresponding to a sensor determined not to be able to detect a gesture performs display in a second display form different from the first display form. In the vehicle door opening and closing control device according to claim 1,
The control unit verifies whether the identification information of the electronic key is correct based on communication with the electronic key possessed by the user,
When the identification information is correct, each display device performs display in the first display form or the second display form based on a determination result of whether or not a gesture can be detected. . In the vehicle door opening and closing control device according to claim 1 or 2,
The first display form includes lighting or blinking of the indicator,
The second display mode includes a vehicle door opening / closing control device characterized in that the display is turned off, blinking, or turned on in a different color from the first display mode. The vehicle door opening / closing control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The controller is
When the level of the output signal of the sensor exceeds a predetermined upper limit value or falls below a predetermined lower limit value, the sensor determines that gesture detection is impossible. A vehicle door opening / closing control device. The vehicle door opening / closing control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
With multiple welcome lights that light up or flash when the user approaches the vehicle,
The vehicle door opening / closing control device, wherein the welcome light also serves as the display. In the vehicle door opening and closing control device according to claim 5,
A part of the welcome light also serves as the indicator,
The welcome light that also serves as the indicator performs display in the first display form or the second display form,
The vehicle door opening / closing control device characterized in that the welcome light that does not serve as the display also displays in a third display form different from the first display form and the second display form. The vehicle door opening / closing control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The controller is
Based on communication with the electronic key held by the user, the area where the electronic key exists is detected,
Among the plurality of sensors, a sensor provided at a position corresponding to the detected area is enabled so that gesture detection is possible,
A vehicle door opening / closing control device, wherein a sensor provided at a position not corresponding to the detected area among the plurality of sensors is invalidated so that gesture detection is impossible. In the vehicle door opening and closing control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The controller is
Based on communication with the electronic key held by the user, the area where the electronic key exists is detected,
A vehicle door opening / closing control device that operates only a display provided at a position corresponding to the detected area among the plurality of displays.

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