JP6828534B2 - Vehicle operation detection device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle operation detection device that detects an operation on an opening / closing body of a vehicle.

As an example of a conventional vehicle operation detection device, the vehicle power back door automatic opening / closing system of Patent Document 1 is known. In Patent Document 1, an operation in which a user's hand or the like touches a capacitance type sensor provided in a vehicle is detected as an opening / closing request operation for the back door. This capacitive sensor includes two touch sensors. In one example, an open / close request operation for the back door is detected based on the order (time difference) in which the user touches the two touch sensors, and the back door opens / closes according to the direction of the detected open / close request operation.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-307692

By the way, in Patent Document 1, it is determined whether or not there is a movement of a person (user) based on the magnitude relationship between a pulse signal correlating with the capacitance generated and output by each touch sensor and a predetermined threshold value. Therefore, if the sensitivity of each touch sensor varies due to, for example, product tolerances and changes in the environment, the order in which the user touches the two touch sensors may be erroneously determined, and the operation on the opening / closing body may not be properly detected. ..

The vehicle operation detection device that solves the above problems is a vehicle operation detection device that detects an operation on an opening / closing body of the vehicle, and is provided on the vehicle and outputs a detection signal that changes according to a distance to a detection object. The first sensor and the second sensor to be output and the first value obtained by the detection signal of the first sensor are set as the first detection data, and are preset to the second value obtained by the detection signal of the second sensor. A correction unit that adds a correction value larger than 0 to correct the second detection data, a calculation unit that calculates the ratio value of the first detection data to the second detection data, and a value of the ratio in a predetermined period. It is provided with an operation direction detection unit that detects the moving direction of the detection target based on the change of.

According to this configuration, the value of the ratio of the first detection data to the second detection data (hereinafter, “detection ratio”) is used to detect the moving direction of the detection target, so that it is affected by, for example, product tolerance and environmental changes. Even if there is a variation in sensitivity between the first sensor and the second sensor, the moving direction of the detection target can be detected in a state where the variation is absorbed in advance.

Further, depending on the variation in the sensitivities of the first sensor and the second sensor, or the distance between the first sensor and the second sensor, the detection ratio may fluctuate abruptly due to the movement of the detection object. This is related to the fact that the positive / negative of the second value is switched when the object to be detected moves. In this case, the change in the detection ratio cannot be detected appropriately, and the moving direction of the detection target may be erroneously detected. On the other hand, according to the vehicle operation detection device, since the correction value is added to the second value, it is possible to suppress switching between the positive and negative of the second detection data. As a result, the frequency with which the detection ratio suddenly fluctuates due to the movement of the detection target is reduced, and erroneous detection of the movement direction of the detection target is reduced. As described above, according to the vehicle operation detection device, the detection accuracy of the operation on the opening / closing body is improved.

The first vehicle operation detection device, which is a vehicle operation detection device that detects an operation on an opening / closing body of a vehicle, is provided on the vehicle and outputs a detection signal that changes according to a distance to a detection object. The sensor, the second sensor, and the first value obtained by the detection signal of the first sensor are corrected to the first detection data by adding a correction value larger than 0 preset, and the detection of the second sensor. A correction unit that uses the second value obtained by the signal as the second detection data, a calculation unit that calculates the value of the ratio of the first detection data to the second detection data, and a change in the value of the ratio during a predetermined period. It is provided with an operation direction detection unit that detects the moving direction of the detection target based on the above.

According to this configuration, since the detection ratio is used to detect the moving direction of the object to be detected in the same manner as described above, the sensitivity varies between the first sensor and the second sensor due to the influence of, for example, product tolerance and environmental change. Even if there is, the moving direction of the detection target can be detected in a state where the variation is absorbed in advance.

Further, depending on the variation in the sensitivities of the first sensor and the second sensor, or the distance between the first sensor and the second sensor, the detection ratio may become negative due to the movement of the detection object. This is related to the fact that the first value becomes negative in the movement of the detection object. In this case, the change in the detection ratio cannot be detected appropriately, and the moving direction of the detection target may be erroneously detected. On the other hand, according to the vehicle operation detection device, since the correction value is added to the first value, it is suppressed that the first detection data becomes negative. As a result, the frequency with which the detection ratio becomes a negative value due to the movement of the detection target is reduced, and the erroneous detection of the movement direction of the detection target is reduced. As described above, according to the vehicle operation detection device, the detection accuracy of the operation on the opening / closing body is improved.

The first vehicle operation detection device, which is a vehicle operation detection device that detects an operation on an opening / closing body of a vehicle, is provided on the vehicle and outputs a detection signal that changes according to a distance to a detection object. The sensor, the second sensor, and the first value obtained by the detection signal of the first sensor are corrected to the first detection data by adding a first correction value larger than 0 which is set in advance, and the second sensor is corrected. The ratio of the correction unit that corrects the second detection data by adding a preset second correction value larger than 0 to the second value obtained by the detection signal and the ratio of the first detection data to the second detection data. A calculation unit for calculating a value and an operation direction detection unit for detecting a moving direction of the detection target based on a change in the value of the ratio in a predetermined period are provided.

According to this configuration, since the detection ratio is used to detect the moving direction of the object to be detected in the same manner as described above, the sensitivity varies between the first sensor and the second sensor due to the influence of, for example, product tolerance and environmental change. Even if there is, the moving direction of the detection target can be detected in a state where the variation is absorbed in advance.

Further, depending on the variation in the sensitivities of the first sensor and the second sensor, or the distance between the first sensor and the second sensor, the detection ratio may fluctuate abruptly due to the movement of the detection object. This is related to the fact that the first value becomes negative and the positive / negative of the second value is switched when the object to be detected moves. In this case, the change in the detection ratio cannot be detected appropriately, and the moving direction of the detection target may be erroneously detected. On the other hand, according to the vehicle operation detection device, the first correction value is added to the first value and the second correction value is added to the second value, so that the first detection data becomes negative and the second detection Switching between positive and negative data is suppressed. As a result, the frequency with which the detection ratio suddenly fluctuates due to the movement of the detection target is reduced, and erroneous detection of the movement direction of the detection target is reduced. As described above, according to the vehicle operation detection device, the detection accuracy of the operation on the opening / closing body is improved.

In the vehicle operation detection device, the correction unit updates the first correction value based on the first value, and updates the second correction value based on the second value.
When the first correction value and the second correction value are relatively large with respect to the first detection data and the second detection data, the calculation accuracy of the detection ratio is lowered. On the other hand, according to the vehicle operation detection device, the first correction value and the second correction value are updated so that the first correction value and the second correction value become appropriate values, so that the calculation accuracy of the detection ratio can be improved. Can be enhanced. Therefore, the detection accuracy of the operation on the opening / closing body is further improved.

The vehicle operation detection device further includes a determination unit for determining whether or not the first detection data exceeds the first threshold value and determining whether or not the second detection data exceeds the second threshold value. When the determination unit determines that the first detection data exceeds the first threshold value and the operation direction detection unit determines that the second detection data exceeds the second threshold value, the operation direction detection unit determines. The moving direction of the detection target is detected based on the change in the value of the ratio.

According to the above configuration, the moving direction of the detection target is detected in the state where the first detection data exceeds the first threshold value and the state where the second detection data exceeds the second threshold value, so that sufficient S / N The detection ratio is calculated based on the first detection data and the second detection data in which the ratio is secured. Therefore, the detection accuracy of the operation on the opening / closing body is further improved.

According to the vehicle operation detection device, the detection accuracy of the operation on the opening / closing body is improved.

The perspective view which shows the rear part of the vehicle to which one Embodiment of the operation detection device for a vehicle is applied. The front view which shows the structure of the operation detection device for a vehicle. The block diagram which shows the electrical structure of the operation detection device for a vehicle. The graph which shows the characteristic of the detection ratio of this embodiment and the conventional detection ratio. The explanatory view which shows an example of the operation method in the operation detection device for a vehicle. A timing chart showing an example of a detection mode in a vehicle operation detection device. The flowchart regarding the operation of the operation detection device for a vehicle. A timing chart showing an example of a detection mode in the vehicle operation detection device of another embodiment. The side view which shows the vehicle to which the operation detection device for a vehicle of another embodiment is applied. (A) and (b) are front views showing the configuration of the operation detection device for a vehicle of another embodiment. The perspective view which shows the side part of the vehicle to which the operation detection device for a vehicle of another embodiment is applied. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line D12-D12 of FIG. The front view which shows the structure of the sensor body. The side view which shows the rear part of the vehicle to which the operation detection device for a vehicle of another embodiment is applied.

<Embodiment>
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the vehicle operation detection device will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, an opening 12 is formed at the rear portion of the body 11 of a vehicle 10 such as an automobile. Further, a back door 13 as an opening / closing body is attached to the rear portion of the body 11 so as to be openable / closable, for example, via a door hinge (not shown) provided above the opening 12. The back door 13 is opened by being pushed upward with the door hinge as the center of rotation. A door lock 15 for locking and unlocking the back door 13 is provided at the tip of the back door 13 on the vehicle interior side in a state where the back door 13 closes the opening 12.

A door drive unit 14, for example, is provided at the rear of the body 11. The door drive unit 14 is mainly composed of an electric drive source such as an electric motor, and opens and closes the back door 13 by being mechanically linked to the back door 13 via an appropriate door drive mechanism (not shown). Drive. The back door 13 is provided with a door lock drive unit 16 adjacent to the door lock 15, for example. The door lock drive unit 16 is mainly composed of an electric drive source such as an electric motor, and mechanically links with the door lock 15 via an appropriate lock drive mechanism (not shown) to lock the door lock 15. Locking and unlocking drive.

The door drive unit 14 and the door lock drive unit 16 are electrically connected to, for example, a door ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 30 including an MCU (microcomputer), and are individually driven and controlled by the door ECU 30. The door ECU 30 also drives and controls an existing light emitting device (hazard flasher or the like), a separately installed light emitting device (LED or the like), or a notification member 19 such as a speaker. A mark 18 such as a company name is attached above the garnish 17 provided at the center of the outer surface of the back door 13. On the back of the mark 18, for example, a vehicle operation detection device 20 for detecting an operation on the back door 13 is provided.

The vehicle operation detection device 20 includes a first electrode 21 as a first sensor, a second electrode 22 as a second sensor, and a capacitance detection circuit 23. The first electrode 21 functions as a capacitance sensor that outputs a first detection signal S1 that changes according to the distance to the detection object. The second electrode 22 functions as a capacitance sensor that outputs a second detection signal S2 that changes according to the distance to the detection object. An example of the object to be detected is a user's finger H (see FIG. 5).

As shown in FIG. 2, the first electrode 21 (CH1) and the second electrode 22 (CH2) are arranged side by side on the back of the mark 18. The first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction of the vehicle 10. The first electrode 21 is arranged, for example, on the upper part of the mark 18, and is formed in a substantially crescent shape along the upper edge of the mark 18. The second electrode 22 is arranged at the lower part of the mark 18, for example, and is formed in a substantially crescent shape along the lower edge of the mark 18.

The first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 are electrically connected to the capacitance detection circuit 23. The capacitance detection circuit 23 outputs an oscillation signal to the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22, so that the electrodes 21 and 22 detect the capacitance of the voltage level detection signals S1 and S2 according to the capacitance. It is output individually to the circuit 23. The output of the oscillation signal by the capacitance detection circuit 23 and the input of the corresponding detection signals S1 and S2 may be simultaneously performed on the electrodes 21 and 22, or may be switched in a short time to switch between the electrodes 21 and 21. 22 may be performed in order. The capacitance detection circuit 23 is electrically connected to the door ECU 30. The capacitance detection circuit 23 outputs, for example, a first value V1 obtained by A / D (analog / digital) conversion of the first detection signal S1 and a second value V2 obtained by A / D converting the second detection signal to the door ECU 30. To do.

In the operation shown in FIG. 5, the operation in which the user moves the finger H with respect to the mark 18 represents an appropriate operation related to opening / closing the back door 13. In one example, the action of the user moving the finger H upward from the second electrode 22 toward the first electrode 21 (hereinafter, “upward swipe”) represents an operation of opening the back door 13. Further, the operation of the user moving the finger H downward from the first electrode 21 to the second electrode 22 (hereinafter, “downward swipe”) represents an operation of closing the back door 13.

As shown in FIG. 3, the door ECU 30 includes a calculation / control circuit 31 and a drive circuit 37. The door ECU 30 is electrically connected to the capacitance detection circuit 23 in the calculation / control circuit 31, and is electrically connected to the door drive unit 14, the door lock drive unit 16, and the notification member 19 in the drive circuit 37. .. The calculation / control circuit 31 executes various calculation processes and the like based on the first value V1 and the second value V2 acquired from the capacitance detection circuit 23, and the control signal C according to the result of the calculation processing and the like. Is output to the drive circuit 37. The drive circuit 37 drives the door drive unit 14, the door lock drive unit 16, and the notification member 19 in response to the control signal C.

The calculation / control circuit 31 includes a correction unit 32, a determination unit 33, a calculation unit 34, an operation direction detection unit 35, and a drive control unit 36. For example, the correction unit 32 adds a first correction value VP1 larger than the preset 0 to the first value V1 to correct the first detection data D1, and has a second value V2 larger than the preset 0. 2 Correction value VP2 is added to correct the second detection data D2. The first correction value VP1 is set so that the first detection data D1 is larger than the first set value. Similarly, the second correction value VP2 is set so that the second detection data D2 is larger than the second set value. The first set value is preferably a value larger than 0. The second set value is set to a value that does not abruptly change the detection ratio DR (described later). The second set value is a value larger than 0. The first correction value VP1 and the second correction value VP2 may be, for example, the same value. The correction unit 32 outputs information regarding the first detection data D1 and the second detection data D2 to the determination unit 33 and the calculation unit 34.

The determination unit 33 determines whether or not the first detection data D1 exceeds the first threshold value DT1, and determines whether or not the second detection data D2 exceeds the second threshold value DT2. In one example, the first threshold value DT1 is set as a value output from the first electrode 21 when the detection object approaches the first electrode 21 by a predetermined distance. Further, the second threshold value DT2 is set as a value output from the second electrode 22 when the detection object approaches the second electrode 22 to a predetermined distance. The first threshold value DT1 is a value larger than the first set value. The second threshold value DT2 is a value larger than the second set value. The first threshold value DT1 and the second threshold value DT2 may be, for example, the same threshold value DT. When the determination unit 33 determines that each of the first detection data D1 and the second detection data D2 exceeds the threshold value DT, the determination unit 33 outputs information regarding the determination result to the calculation unit 34.

When the determination unit 33 determines that each of the first detection data D1 and the second detection data D2 exceeds the threshold value DT, the calculation unit 34 makes a first reference to the second detection data D2 based on the respective detection data D1 and D2. The value of the ratio of the detection data D1 (hereinafter, “detection ratio DR”) is calculated. The calculation unit 34 outputs information regarding the detection ratio DR to the operation direction detection unit 35.

The operation direction detection unit 35 detects the moving direction of the detection object based on the change in the detection ratio DR in a predetermined period. The predetermined period is, for example, a period after the determination unit 33 determines that the first detection data D1 exceeds the first threshold value DT1 and the determination unit 33 determines that the second detection data D2 exceeds the second threshold value DT2. is there. The operation direction detection unit 35 outputs information regarding the moving direction of the detection target object to the drive control unit 36. The correction unit 32, the determination unit 33, the calculation unit 34, and the operation direction detection unit 35 are included in the elements constituting the vehicle operation detection device 20.

The drive control unit 36 controls the drive of the back door 13 and the like according to the moving direction of the detection object. In one example, the drive control unit 36 outputs a control signal C according to the moving direction of the object to be detected to the drive circuit 37, and the drive circuit 37 outputs the door drive unit 14, the door lock drive unit 16, according to the control signal C. And the notification member 19 is driven.

With reference to FIG. 4, the characteristics of the detection ratio DR and the conventional detection ratio CR with respect to the movement of the detection object will be described.
Depending on the variation in the sensitivities of the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22, or the distance between the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22, the movement of the detection object causes the positive or negative of at least one of the first value V1 and the second value V2. May switch.

FIG. 4 shows the characteristics of the conventional detection ratio DR when the positive / negative of the second value V2 is switched, and the characteristics of the detection ratio DR in the present embodiment.
The conventional detection ratio CR is a value of the ratio of the first detection data to the second detection data calculated based on the first detection data and the second detection data in which the first value V1 and the second value V2 are not corrected. is there. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the first value V1 obtained by the first detection signal S1 is set as a predetermined value, and the detection ratio when the second value V2 obtained by the second detection signal S2 is gradually increased in a predetermined range. The DR and the conventional detection ratio CR are shown. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the first value V1 is a constant value (“30”) in the entire range of movement of the detection object, and the second value V2 changes in the range of “-5 to 15”. There is.

The conventional detection ratio CR shown in FIG. 4 fluctuates sharply due to the influence of switching between the positive and negative values of the second value V2. This is because the second value V2 corresponds to the denominator in the detection ratio. In this case, the change in the detection ratio CR cannot be detected appropriately, and the moving direction of the detection object may be erroneously detected.

On the other hand, the detection ratio DR shown in FIG. 4 is the first detection data D1 in which the first correction value VP1 is added to the first value V1, and the second detection in which the second correction value VP2 is added to the second value V2. It is calculated based on the data D2.

In this example, the second correction value VP2 is set so that the second detection data D2 is larger than the second set value. Specifically, "10" as the second correction value VP2 is added to the second value V2 so that all the second value V2s changing in the range of "-5 to 15" take positive values. It is the second detection data D2. As a result, the second correction value VP2 changes in the range of "5 to 25". Further, "10" as the first correction value VP1 having the same magnitude as the second correction value VP2 is added to the first value V1, and the first value V1 is corrected to the first detection data D1. Then, the detection ratio DR is calculated based on the first detection data D1 and the second detection data D2. By such correction, the detection ratio DR takes a positive value, and the characteristics of the detection ratio DR are smoothed and become substantially linear. Therefore, the frequency with which the detection ratio DR suddenly fluctuates due to the movement of the detection object decreases.

The detection mode of the upper swipe and the lower swipe will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.
As shown in FIG. 5, when the user brings the finger H closer to the mark 18 and swipes up, the finger H moves from the second electrode 22 toward the first electrode 21, and the finger H moves from the first electrode 21. After approaching, move away from mark 18. Therefore, as shown in the upper left of FIG. 6, in the process of the upper swipe, after the respective detection data D1 and D2 are sufficiently raised by the approach of the finger H, the second detection data D2 is generated by the upper swipe of the finger H. As it descends, the first detection data D1 rises once and then descends. The examples of the detection data D1 and D2 shown in the upper left of FIG. 6 show a state of swiping up from a position facing the second electrode 22 or a position lower than the second electrode 22.

The calculation / control circuit 31 determines whether or not each of the detection data D1 and D2 exceeds the threshold value DT, and the period (time tus to time tue) in which each of the detection data D1 and D2 is determined to exceed the threshold value DT. The detection ratio DR (= D1 / D2) is calculated in. As shown in the lower left of FIG. 6, the detection ratio DR increases with the passage of time due to the transition of each detection data D1 and D2 in the upper swipe. The calculation / control circuit 31 detects an upper swipe, that is, a moving direction of the detection object from the second electrode 22 to the first electrode 21 by increasing the detection ratio DR.

Specifically, the calculation / control circuit 31 stores the detection ratio DR at the time tus when the respective detection data D1 and D2 exceed the threshold value DT in a memory (not shown) built in as a reference value DRA, and the time tus to the time. The difference DRB (= DR-DRA) from the reference value DRA is calculated in the detection ratio DR in the tue. Then, the calculation / control circuit 31 determines that the detection ratio DR is increasing when the difference DRB is a positive number.

Strictly speaking, the calculation / control circuit 31 determines that the detection ratio DR is increasing when the detection ratio DR is larger than the predetermined increase determination value DRC (> 0) with respect to the reference value DRA. Therefore, in the calculation / control circuit 31, when the difference DRB (= DR-DRA-DRC) from the reference value DRA including the increase determination value DRC is a positive number in the detection ratio DR from the time tus to the time tue. It is determined that the detection ratio DR is increasing. In other words, the arithmetic / control circuit 31 determines that the detection ratio DR has not increased if the increase determination value DRC is not reached even if there is an increase from the reference value DRA.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the user swipes the finger H closer to the mark 18, the finger H moves from the first electrode 21 to the second electrode 22, and the finger H moves to the second electrode 22. After approaching, move away from mark 18. Therefore, as shown in the upper right corner of FIG. 6, in the process of lower swiping, each detection data D1 and D2 are sufficiently raised by the approach of the finger H, and then the first detection data D1 is generated by the lower swipe of the finger H. As it descends, the second detection data D2 rises once and then descends. The examples of the detection data D1 and D2 shown in the upper right corner of FIG. 6 show a state of swiping down from a position facing the portion between the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 of the mark 18. There is.

The calculation / control circuit 31 determines whether or not each of the detection data D1 and D2 exceeds the threshold value DT, and the period (time tds to time tde) in which each of the detection data D1 and D2 is determined to exceed the threshold value DT. The detection ratio DR (= D1 / D2) is calculated in. As shown in the lower right part of FIG. 6, the detection ratio DR decreases with the passage of time due to the transition of each detection data D1 and D2 in the lower swipe. The calculation / control circuit 31 detects the downward swipe, that is, the moving direction of the detection object from the first electrode 21 to the second electrode 22 by reducing the detection ratio DR.

Specifically, the calculation / control circuit 31 stores the detection ratio DR at the time tds when the respective detection data D1 and D2 exceed the threshold value DT in the memory as the reference value DRA, and in the detection ratio DR between the time tds and the time tde. The difference DRB (= DR-DRA) from the reference value DRA is calculated. Then, the calculation / control circuit 31 determines that the detection ratio DR is decreasing when the difference DRB is a negative number.

Strictly speaking, the calculation / control circuit 31 determines that the detection ratio DR is reduced when the detection ratio DR is smaller than the predetermined reduction determination value DRD (> 0) with respect to the reference value DRA. Therefore, the calculation / control circuit 31 has a detection ratio DR when the difference DRB (= DR-DRA + DRD) from the reference value DRA including the reduction judgment value DRD is a negative number in the detection ratio DR from the time tds to the time tde. Is determined to be decreasing. In other words, the calculation / control circuit 31 determines that the detection ratio DR has not decreased if the reduction determination value DRD is not reached even if there is a decrease from the reference value DRA.

An example of the operation of the vehicle operation detection device 20 will be described with reference to FIG. 7.
The calculation / control circuit 31 transmits and receives radio waves to and from a portable device (not shown) such as a key of the vehicle 10, and steps S11 to S23 in a state where the distance to the portable device is within a predetermined range. Execute the processing of. This process is repeatedly executed, for example, by a fixed-time interrupt at predetermined time intervals.

In step S11, the calculation / control circuit 31 acquires the first detection data D1 and the second detection data D2 corrected by the correction unit 32. In step S12, the calculation / control circuit 31 determines whether or not each of the detection data D1 and D2 exceeds the threshold value DT. If it is determined in step S12 that each of the detection data D1 and D2 does not exceed the threshold value DT, the process proceeds to step S13. In step S13, the calculation / control circuit 31 determines that there is no swipe (up swipe, down swipe), and ends the process. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S12 that each of the detection data D1 and D2 exceeds the threshold value DT, the process proceeds to step S14. In step S14, the calculation / control circuit 31 calculates the detection ratio DR based on the detection data D1 and D2 acquired by the process of step S11.

In step S15, the calculation / control circuit 31 determines whether or not the processing in step S15 in the current calculation cycle is the first time. If it is determined in step S15 that the process of step S15 is the first time, the process proceeds to step S16. In step S16, the calculation / control circuit 31 stores the current detection ratio DR as a reference value DRA in the memory. In step S17, the calculation / control circuit 31 drives and controls the notification member 19 in an appropriate mode (first mode) so that it is notified that the detection target (finger H) has approached the electrodes 21 and 22. End the process. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S15 that the process of step S15 is not the first time, the process proceeds to step S18.

In step S18, the calculation / control circuit 31 determines whether or not the detection ratio DR this time is larger than the increase determination value DRC with respect to the reference value DRA. If it is determined in step S18 that the detection ratio DR has increased more than the increase determination value DRC, the process proceeds to step S19. In step S19, the calculation / control circuit 31 detects the moving direction of the detection object from the second electrode 22 to the first electrode 21, and determines that the upper swipe is established. In step S20, the calculation / control circuit 31 drives and controls the notification member 19 in an appropriate mode (second mode) so that it is notified that the upper swipe has been established, and ends the process. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S18 that the detection ratio DR does not increase more than the increase determination value DRC, the process proceeds to step S21.

In step S21, the calculation / control circuit 31 determines whether or not the detection ratio DR this time is smaller than the reduction determination value DRD with respect to the reference value DRA. If it is determined in step S21 that the detection ratio DR is smaller than the decrease determination value DRD, the process proceeds to step S22. In step S22, the calculation / control circuit 31 detects the moving direction of the detection object from the first electrode 21 to the second electrode 22, and determines that the lower swipe is established. In step S23, the calculation / control circuit 31 drives and controls the notification member 19 in an appropriate mode (third mode) so that it is notified that the lower swipe has been established, and ends the process. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S21 that the detection ratio DR is not less than the decrease determination value DRD, the process proceeds to step S13.

The calculation / control circuit 31 outputs a control signal C to the drive circuit 37 so that the back door 13 opens when it is determined that the upper swipe is established in step S19. Further, the calculation / control circuit 31 outputs a control signal C to the drive circuit 37 so that the back door 13 is closed when it is determined that the lower swipe is established in step S22.

The vehicle operation detection device 20 according to the present embodiment has the following effects.
(1) According to the vehicle operation detection device 20, the detection ratio DR is used to detect the moving direction of the detection target object instead of the detection data D1 and D2 itself. Therefore, for example, due to the influence of product tolerance and environmental change, the detection ratio DR is used. Even if there is a variation in sensitivity between the 1 electrode 21 and the 2nd electrode 22, the moving direction of the object to be detected can be detected in a state where the variation is absorbed in advance.

(2) The detection ratio DR may fluctuate rapidly due to the movement of the detection object depending on the variation in the sensitivities of the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 or the distance between the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22. .. This is related to the fact that the first value V1 becomes negative and the positive / negative of the second value V2 is switched when the object to be detected moves. In this case, the change in the detection ratio DR cannot be detected appropriately, and the moving direction of the detection target may be erroneously detected. On the other hand, according to the vehicle operation detection device 20, the first correction value VP1 is added to the first value V1, and the second correction value VP2 is added to the second value V2, so that the first detection data D1 becomes negative. That and the switching between the positive and negative of the second detection data D2 is suppressed. As a result, the frequency with which the detection ratio DR suddenly fluctuates due to the movement of the detection target is reduced, and erroneous detection of the movement direction of the detection target is reduced. As described above, according to the vehicle operation detection device 20, the detection accuracy of the operation on the back door 13 is improved.

(3) According to the vehicle operation detection device 20, even when the sensitivity of the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 varies, or when the distance between the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 is large. Since the detection accuracy of the operation on the back door 13 is unlikely to decrease, the size of the electrodes 21 and 22 can be reduced. Therefore, the vehicle operation detection device 20 is miniaturized.

(4) According to the vehicle operation detection device 20, the first correction value VP1 is set so that the first detection data D1 is larger than the first set value, and the second detection data D2 is larger than the second set value. Since the second correction value VP2 is set so as to be large, the frequency with which the detection ratio DR suddenly fluctuates due to the movement of the detection object is further reduced. Therefore, erroneous detection of the moving direction of the detection object is further reduced.

(5) According to the vehicle operation detection device 20, the moving direction of the detection target is detected when each of the first detection data D1 and the second detection data D2 exceeds the threshold value DT, so that sufficient S / The detection ratio DR is calculated based on the respective detection data D1 and D2 in which the N ratio is secured. Therefore, the detection accuracy of the operation on the back door 13 is further improved.

(6) In the vehicle operation detection device 20, the back door 13 opens when the upper swipe is established, and the back door 13 closes when the lower swipe is established. Since the operation for opening and operating the back door 13 is limited to the upper swipe, the back door 13 opens even if the water flowing downward on the mark 18 is erroneously detected as a lower swipe due to, for example, rainfall. Fear is avoided.

<Other Embodiments>
The above embodiment may be changed as follows.
As shown in FIG. 8, the vehicle operation detection device 20 may detect the speed of the upper swipe (movement speed of the detection object) based on the time derivative (slope) ΔDR of the detection ratio DR. Good. Specifically, as shown in the lower left part of FIG. 8 surrounded by a broken line, with a relatively slow upper swipe, the detection ratio DR increases slowly and the time derivative value ΔDR also decreases. On the other hand, as shown by being surrounded by a broken line in the lower right part of FIG. 8, with a relatively fast upper swipe, the detection ratio DR increases sharply and the time differential value ΔDR also increases. From the above, the speed of the upper swipe can be detected based on the time derivative value ΔDR of the detection ratio DR.

Further, the vehicle operation detection device 20 may detect the speed of the lower swipe based on the time derivative ΔDR of the detection ratio DR. Specifically, with a relatively slow downward swipe, the detection ratio DR decreases slowly and the time derivative value ΔDR also decreases. On the other hand, with a relatively fast downward swipe, the detection ratio DR decreases sharply and the time derivative value ΔDR also increases. From the above, the speed of the lower swipe can be detected based on the time derivative value ΔDR of the detection ratio DR. The time derivative value ΔDR may be the actual time derivative value of the detection ratio DR. Further, the time differential value ΔDR is, for example, a value obtained by subtracting the detection ratio DR in the previous calculation cycle (for example, the previous calculation cycle) from the detection ratio DR in one calculation cycle, or the time difference between the subtracted values in each calculation cycle. It may be the value divided by.

The relatively slow swipe (up swipe, down swipe) represents, for example, an operation of opening and closing the back door 13 at a relatively low driving speed. Further, the relatively fast swipe represents, for example, an operation of opening and closing the back door 13 at a relatively high driving speed. In this example, the arithmetic / control circuit 31 controls the driving speed of the back door 13 according to the detected speed of the upper swipe or the lower swipe. In one example, the arithmetic / control circuit 31 sends a control signal C to the drive circuit 37 so that the back door 13 opens and closes at a relatively high speed when the detected speed of the upper swipe or the lower swipe is relatively high. Is output. By changing the speed of the upper swipe or the lower swipe in this way, the driving speed of the back door 13 is changed according to the speed. The drive speed of the back door 13 may be changed linearly according to the speed of the upper swipe or the lower swipe. Further, it may be divided into a plurality of groups according to the speed of the upper swipe or the lower swipe, and the driving speed of the back door 13 may be changed stepwise according to the group to which the back door 13 belongs.

As shown in FIG. 9, the mounting symmetry of the vehicle operation detection device 20 is such that the vehicle 40 is equipped with the slide door 43 as an opening / closing body for opening / closing the opening 42 formed on the side of the body 41. Good. In this example, for example, a plurality of infrared sensors 45 to 47 are provided on the side skirt 44 extending in the front-rear direction along the lower edge of the opening 42. Further, a plurality of infrared sensors 45 to 47 may be provided inside a side mudguard (not shown) extending in the front-rear direction along the lower edge of the slide door 43. The first infrared sensor 45, the second infrared sensor 46, and the third infrared sensor 47 are arranged side by side in this order from the front to the rear, for example, in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 40. Each infrared sensor 45 to 47 outputs detection signals S1 and S2 that change according to the distance to the detection object. An example of a detection target is a user's foot F or the like. The first infrared sensor 45 functions as, for example, the first sensor. The third infrared sensor 47 functions as, for example, a second sensor. The second infrared sensor 46 functions as a second sensor when associated with, for example, the first infrared sensor 45, and functions as a first sensor when associated with the third infrared sensor 47. The vehicle operation detection device 20 executes a process of detecting the moving direction of the detection target object according to the embodiment.

In the operation in this example, the action of the user moving the foot F with respect to the side skirt 44 represents an appropriate operation relating to the opening and closing of the slide door 43. In one example, the action of the user moving the foot F from the front to the rear (hereinafter, “rear swipe”) represents an operation of opening the slide door 43. Further, the action of the user moving the foot F from the rear to the front (hereinafter, "front swipe") represents an operation of closing the slide door 43. When the front swipe or the rear swipe is established, the sliding door 43 is opened and closed by driving the door drive unit 14 by the door ECU 30 according to the back door 13. The rear swipe may represent an operation of unlocking the door lock 15 while the door lock 15 is locked, in addition to the operation of opening the slide door 43. The front swipe may represent an operation of locking the door lock 15 while the slide door 43 is closed, in addition to the operation of closing the slide door 43.

The reciprocating swipe of the rear swipe and the front swipe may represent an operation during the operation prohibition period. The vehicle operation detection device 20 does not respond to operations such as a rear swipe and a front swipe when an operation prohibition period is set. The two front swipes may represent an operation (reserved lock) for closing the sliding door 43 and locking the door lock 15. A relatively slow swipe (rear swipe, front swipe) may represent an operation of opening and closing the slide door 43 at a relatively low drive speed. A relatively fast swipe may represent an operation of opening and closing the slide door 43 at a relatively high drive speed.

The number of infrared sensors provided on the side skirt 44 may be arbitrarily changed as long as there are a plurality of infrared sensors. Further, the infrared sensors 45 to 47 may be arranged side by side in the vertical direction of the side skirt 44. Further, instead of the plurality of infrared sensors, electrodes of a plurality of capacitance sensors, an optical sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a heat sensing sensor, or the like may be adopted.

As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, when the overhead console 50, which is an overhead operation panel in the vehicle interior, is mounted on the overhead console 50, a plurality of electrodes 51 to 53, which are capacitance sensors, are mounted on the overhead console 50. May be provided. The first electrode 51, the second electrode 52, and the third electrode 53 are arranged side by side in this order from one side to the other side in the left-right direction of the vehicle, for example. Each of the electrodes 51 to 53 outputs detection signals S1 and S2 that change according to the distance to the object to be detected. An example of a detection target is a user's finger H or the like. The first electrode 51 and the third electrode 53 function as, for example, a first sensor. The second electrode 52 functions as, for example, a second sensor. The vehicle operation detection device 20 executes a process of detecting the moving direction of the detection target object according to the embodiment.

The operation in this example represents an appropriate operation related to opening and closing a sunroof (not shown) as an opening / closing body mounted on the roof by moving the finger H with respect to the overhead console 50. In one example, the user moves one finger (eg thumb) H1 from the second electrode 52 toward the first electrode 51 and the other finger (eg index finger) H2 from the second electrode 52 to the third electrode 53. The operation of moving the sunroof, that is, the pinch of opening the fingers H1 and H2 represents the operation of opening the sunroof. Further, the operation in which the user moves one finger H1 from the first electrode 51 toward the second electrode 52 and the other finger H2 from the third electrode 53 toward the second electrode 52, that is, the fingers H1, The pinch that closes H2 represents the operation of closing the sunroof. When a pinch to open the fingers H1 and H2 or a pinch to close the fingers H1 and H2 is established, the sunroof is opened and closed by driving the door drive unit 14 by the door ECU 30 according to the back door 13.

As shown in FIG. 11, the mounting symmetry of the vehicle operation detection device 20 may be a vehicle 60 equipped with a slide door 63 as an opening / closing body for opening / closing an opening 62 formed on a side portion of the body 61. .. The sliding door 63 includes a door panel 63A and a window glass 63B. The window glass 63B is provided so as to be displaceable in the vertical direction with respect to the door panel 63A.

As shown in FIG. 12, the door panel 63A is provided with a door trim 64 that forms the design of the vehicle interior. Further, on the upper edge of the door panel 63A, a belt molding 65 for draining water that is in sliding contact with the outer surface of the passenger compartment of the window glass 63B is provided. Further, a sensor body 66 is provided on the door trim 64, which is closer to the vehicle interior side than the window glass 63B.

As shown in FIG. 13, the sensor body 66 includes a first electrode 66A, a second electrode 66B, and a third electrode 66C, which are capacitance sensors. The first electrode 66A, the second electrode 66B, and the third electrode 66C are arranged side by side in this order from the front to the rear, for example, in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 60. Each of the electrodes 66A to 66C outputs detection signals S1 and S2 that change according to the distance to the object to be detected. An example of a detection target is a user's finger H or the like. The first electrode 66A functions as, for example, a first sensor. The third electrode 66C functions as, for example, a second sensor. The second electrode 66B functions as a second sensor when associated with, for example, the first electrode 66A, and functions as a first sensor when associated with the third electrode 66C. The vehicle operation detection device 20 executes a process of detecting the moving direction of the detection target object according to the embodiment.

In the operation in this example, the operation in which the user moves the finger H with respect to the window glass 63B (sensor body 66) represents an appropriate operation related to opening and closing the slide door 63. In one example, the action of the user moving the finger H from the front to the rear (rear swipe) represents an operation of opening the slide door 63. Further, the action of the user moving the finger H from the rear to the front (front swipe) represents an operation of closing the slide door 63. When the front swipe or the rear swipe is established, the sliding door 63 is opened and closed by driving the door drive unit 14 by the door ECU 30 according to the back door 13. The various operations related to the front swipe and the rear swipe may represent the various operations described above.

-As shown in FIG. 14, the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 may be arranged side by side in one of the tail lamps 70 provided at the rear of the vehicle 10. FIG. 14 shows the operation of the back door 13 by swiping up. According to this example, the operation of opening the back door 13 (upward swipe) can be executed in a state where no person is present in the locus of the back door 13 when the back door 13 is opened. Further, since the positions of the electrodes 21 and 22 with respect to the body 11 do not change with the opening operation of the back door 13, the operation of closing the back door 13 (down swipe) can be easily performed. The first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 may also be provided on the other tail lamp. Further, the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 may be arranged side by side in a rear bumper provided at the rear of the vehicle 10.

The first threshold value DT1 and the second threshold value DT2 used for the determination of the determination unit 33 may have different threshold values.
-The first correction value VP1 and the second correction value VP2 may be different values from each other. In one example, the second correction value VP2 is larger than the first correction value VP1.

The correction unit 32 may update the first correction value VP1 based on the first value V1 and update the second correction value VP2 based on the second value V2.
When the first correction value VP1 and the second correction value VP2 are relatively large with respect to the first detection data D1 and the second detection data D2, the calculation accuracy of the detection ratio DR is lowered. On the other hand, according to this example, since the first correction value VP1 and the second correction value VP2 are updated so that the first correction value VP1 and the second correction value VP2 become appropriate values, the calculation accuracy of the detection ratio DR Is enhanced. Therefore, the detection accuracy of the operation on the back door 13 is further improved.

In one example, the difference between the average value of the first value V1 and the update reference value when the first value V1 starts to be detected is calculated, and when this difference is a negative value, the absolute value of the difference is before update. Is added to the first correction value VP1 of the above, and when this difference is a positive value, the difference is subtracted from the first correction value VP1 before the update. Then, the value calculated in this way is set as the first correction value VP1. As a result, the situation where the first detection data D1 becomes too large due to the addition correction of the first correction value VP1 or the addition correction of the first correction value VP1 becomes too small is suppressed. Further, the update of the second correction value VP2 can be corrected in the same manner as the update of the first correction value VP1.

-The correction unit 32 can be changed as follows. The correction unit 32 sets the first value V1 as the first detection data D1, adds the second correction value VP2 to the second value V2, and corrects the second detection data D2. That is, in this example, the first value V1 is not corrected and is used as the first detection data D1 in the calculation of the detection ratio DR. According to this example, since the second correction value VP2 is added to the second value V2, switching between positive and negative of the second detection data D2 is suppressed. As a result, the frequency with which the detection ratio DR suddenly fluctuates due to the movement of the detection target is reduced, and erroneous detection of the movement direction of the detection target is reduced. Therefore, the detection accuracy of the operation on the back door 13 is improved.

-In addition, the correction unit 32 can be changed as follows. The correction unit 32 adds the first correction value VP1 to the first value V1 to correct the first detection data D1, and sets the second value V2 as the second detection data D2. That is, in this example, the second value V2 is not corrected and is used as the second detection data D2 in the calculation of the detection ratio DR. According to this example, since the first correction value VP1 is added to the first value V1, it is suppressed that the first value V1 becomes negative. As a result, the frequency with which the detection ratio DR becomes a negative value due to the movement of the detection target is reduced, and erroneous detection of the movement direction of the detection target is reduced. Therefore, the detection accuracy of the operation on the back door 13 is improved.

-The capacitance detection circuit 23 may amplify each of the detection signals S1 and S2 by an operational amplifier. Further, the capacitance detection circuit 23 may use the detection signals S1 and S2 as they are as the first value V1 and the second value V2.

-It is preferable that the electrodes 21 and 22 are arranged at positions in the vehicle 10 that do not bother the user's operation, and the arrangement of these electrodes 21 and 22 can be arbitrarily set. It is preferable that the electrodes 21 and 22 are provided at positions close to the operation target in the vehicle 10. In one example, the electrodes 21 and 22 may be arranged side by side on the surface of the garnish 17 when the operation target is the back door 13.

-The number of electrodes 21 and 22 may be arbitrarily changed as long as there are a plurality of electrodes 21 and 22. Further, the electrodes 21 and 22 may be arranged at intervals in the left-right direction of the vehicle 10.
-The first sensor and the second sensor are infrared sensors, optical sensors, ultrasonic sensors, heat sensing sensors, etc., as long as they can output detection signals S1 and S2 that change according to the distance to the object to be detected. You may.

-The upper swipe may represent an operation of unlocking the door lock 15 while the door lock 15 is locked, in addition to the operation of opening the back door 13. The lower swipe may represent an operation of locking the door lock 15 while the back door 13 is closed, in addition to the operation of closing the back door 13. The reciprocating swipe of the up swipe and the down swipe may represent an operation during the operation prohibition period. The two lower swipes may represent an operation (reserved lock) for closing the back door 13 and locking the door lock 15. The lower swipe after holding the finger H at a position facing the mark 18 may represent an operation (reserved lock) for closing the back door 13 and locking the door lock 15. The operation of touching the mark 18 with the finger H during the opening / closing operation of the back door 13 may represent an operation of stopping the opening / closing operation of the back door 13. The upper swipe during the opening operation of the back door 13 or the lower swipe during the closing operation of the back door 13 may represent an operation of increasing the driving speed at which the back door 13 is opened or closed. The lower swipe during the opening operation of the back door 13 or the upper swipe during the closing operation of the back door 13 may represent an operation of reducing the driving speed at which the back door 13 is closed.

The opening / closing body to be operated to be detected by the vehicle operation detection device 20 may be, for example, a window glass (wind regulator), a swing door, a sliding door, a bonnet, a sunroof, a trunk lid, a fuel lid, a seat, or the like. The seat may be a rotatable rotating seat or a liftable lifting seat to support getting on and off.

10 ... Vehicle, 11 ... Body, 12 ... Opening, 13 ... Back door, 14 ... Door drive unit, 15 ... Door lock, 16 ... Door lock drive unit, 17 ... Garnish, 18 ... Mark, 19 ... Notification member, 20 ... Vehicle operation detection device, 21 ... 1st electrode, 22 ... 2nd electrode, 23 ... Capacitive detection circuit, 30 ... Door ECU, 31 ... Calculation / control circuit, 32 ... Correction unit, 33 ... Judgment unit, 34 ... Calculation unit, 35 ... Operation direction detection unit, 36 ... Drive control unit, 37 ... Drive circuit, 40 ... Vehicle, 41 ... Body, 42 ... Opening, 43 ... Sliding door, 44 ... Side skirt, 45 ... First infrared sensor , 46 ... 2nd infrared sensor, 47 ... 3rd infrared sensor, 50 ... overhead console, 51 ... 1st electrode, 52 ... 2nd electrode, 53 ... 3rd electrode, 60 ... vehicle, 61 ... body, 62 ... opening, 63 ... sliding door, 63A ... door panel, 63B ... window glass, 64 ... door trim, 65 ... belt molding, 66 ... sensor body, 66A ... first electrode, 66B ... second electrode, 66C ... third electrode, 70 ... tail lamp, C ... control signal, CR ... conventional detection ratio, D1 ... first detection data, D2 ... second detection data, DR ... detection ratio, DRA ... reference value, DRB ... difference, DRC ... increase judgment value, DRD ... decrease judgment Value, ΔDR ... time differential value, DT ... threshold, DT1 ... first threshold, DT2 ... second threshold, F ... foot, H ... finger, H1 ... finger, H2 ... finger, S1 ... first detection signal, S2 ... first 2 Detection signal, V1 ... 1st value, V2 ... 2nd value, VP1 ... 1st correction value, VP2 ... 2nd correction value.

Claims (5)

An operation detection device for vehicles that detects operations on the opening / closing body of a vehicle.
The first sensor and the second sensor provided in the vehicle and outputting a detection signal that changes according to the distance to the detection target,
The first value obtained by the detection signal of the first sensor is used as the first detection data, and a correction value larger than 0 set in advance is added to the second value obtained by the detection signal of the second sensor. 2 A correction unit that corrects the detection data and
An arithmetic unit that calculates the value of the ratio of the first detection data to the second detection data,
An operation detection device for a vehicle including an operation direction detection unit that detects a moving direction of the detection object based on a change in the value of the ratio in a predetermined period. An operation detection device for vehicles that detects operations on the opening / closing body of a vehicle.
The first sensor and the second sensor provided in the vehicle and outputting a detection signal that changes according to the distance to the detection target,
A correction value larger than 0 set in advance is added to the first value obtained by the detection signal of the first sensor to correct the first detection data, and the second value obtained by the detection signal of the second sensor. The correction unit that uses as the second detection data,
An arithmetic unit that calculates the value of the ratio of the first detection data to the second detection data,
An operation detection device for a vehicle including an operation direction detection unit that detects a moving direction of the detection object based on a change in the value of the ratio in a predetermined period. An operation detection device for vehicles that detects operations on the opening / closing body of a vehicle.
The first sensor and the second sensor provided in the vehicle and outputting a detection signal that changes according to the distance to the detection target,
A first correction value larger than 0 set in advance is added to the first value obtained by the detection signal of the first sensor to correct the first detection data, and the first value obtained by the detection signal of the second sensor is obtained. A correction unit that adds a second correction value larger than 0, which is set in advance, to the binary value to correct the second detection data,
An arithmetic unit that calculates the value of the ratio of the first detection data to the second detection data,
An operation detection device for a vehicle including an operation direction detection unit that detects a moving direction of the detection object based on a change in the value of the ratio in a predetermined period. The vehicle operation detection device according to claim 3, wherein the correction unit updates the first correction value based on the first value, and updates the second correction value based on the second value. A determination unit for determining whether or not the first detection data exceeds the first threshold value and determining whether or not the second detection data exceeds the second threshold value is further provided.
When the operation direction detection unit determines that the first detection data exceeds the first threshold value and the second detection data exceeds the second threshold value, the determination unit determines. The vehicle operation detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the moving direction of the detection object is detected based on the change in the value of the ratio.