JP6855235B2 - Driving operation device for automobiles and driving operation method for automobiles - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an automobile driving operation device and an automobile driving operation method.

Conventionally, in an automatic driving control type traveling vehicle, the start / stop switch of the vehicle is set on the front seat so that the occupants of the front seat and the rear seat can operate the start / stop of the vehicle under automatic driving control, respectively. It is known that a traveling vehicle is provided in the front as well as in the left and right portions of the rear surface of the backrest of the front seat (see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-352234

However, in the traveling vehicle described in Patent Document 1, although the start / stop switches are provided on the left and right portions of the rear surface of the backrest of the front seat, the steering device is provided on the front seat, which is substantially present. The front seat occupant acts as the driver and performs driving operations including steering operations. For this reason, when it is difficult for the driver to talk with the occupants in the rear seats or grasp the state of the occupants in the rear seats while checking the surrounding conditions in the traveling direction (front) of the vehicle while driving. There is.

In view of the above problems, the present invention is an automobile driving operation device that makes it easy for the driver to talk with the passenger and grasp the state of the passenger while checking the surrounding conditions in the traveling direction of the vehicle. And for the purpose of providing a driving operation method for automobiles.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a driving operation device for an automobile and a driving operation method for an automobile in a vehicle in which a space for riding is provided in the vehicle interior and a seat is provided behind the space, which is behind the space. With the seat as the driver's seat, a driving operation unit is provided so that the driver seated in the driver's seat can operate while facing the traveling direction of the vehicle, and the driving operation unit accepts driving operations including steering operation and acceleration / deceleration operation of the vehicle. A characteristic automobile driving operation device and an automobile driving operation method are provided.

According to the present invention, it is easy for a driver to talk with a passenger and grasp the state of the passenger while checking the surrounding conditions in the traveling direction of the vehicle, and the driving operation device for the automobile and the vehicle. A driving operation method can be provided.

It is a perspective view which shows an example of the vehicle which carries the driving operation device for automobiles which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows an example of the vehicle which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows an example of the vehicle which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic which shows an example of the view of the occupant of the rear seat of the vehicle which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows an example of the state which the front seat of the vehicle which concerns on embodiment of this invention is rotated. It is a side view which shows an example of the state which raised the rear seat of the vehicle which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows an example of the state which the rear seat of the vehicle which concerns on embodiment of this invention is lowered. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the structure of the driving operation device for automobiles which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the moving method of the rear seat using the driving operation device for automobiles which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the rotation method of the front seat using the driving operation device for automobiles which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows an example of the vehicle which concerns on other embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings below, the same or similar reference numerals are attached to the same or similar parts. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and the relationship between the thickness and the plane dimension, the ratio of the thickness, etc. are different from the actual ones. In addition, it goes without saying that the drawings include parts having different dimensional relationships and ratios from each other. In addition, the embodiments shown below exemplify devices and methods for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and the technical idea of the present invention describes the material, shape, structure, and arrangement of constituent parts. Etc. are not specified as the following. The technical idea of the present invention may be modified in various ways within the technical scope specified by the claims stated in the claims.

<Configuration of driving operation device for automobiles>
The driving operation device for an automobile according to the embodiment of the present invention controls the vehicle based on the automatic driving that automatically controls the vehicle (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as "automatic driving") and the driving operation of the occupant. It can be mounted on a vehicle that can be switched between manual driving (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as "manual driving"). Here, in the present specification, automatic driving means that the traveling of the vehicle is automatically controlled without the involvement of an occupant. The automatic driving normally automatically controls the running of the vehicle, but also includes a case where the occupant is required to operate (manual driving) in an emergency. On the other hand, manual operation means that the occupant operates at least a part of acceleration / deceleration, steering, and the like. Manual operation includes the case where the system assists a part of acceleration / deceleration, steering, and the like. In the embodiment of the present invention, the case where the driving operation device for automobiles is mounted on a vehicle capable of switching between automatic driving and manual driving will be mainly described, but the driving operation device for automobiles is mounted on a vehicle capable of performing only manual driving. May be installed.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a panel portion 1 arranged so as to cover the lower part of the vehicle body and two skeletons extending in an arch shape in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. Parts 1a, 1b, two skeleton parts 1c, 1d extending in an arch shape in the vehicle width direction, and a window part 9a, which is partitioned by the upper end of the panel part 1 and the skeleton parts 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d. It includes 9b, 9c, 9d, 9e, 9f, 9g, and 9h. In the area defined by the upper end of the panel portion 1 at the rear of the vehicle and the skeleton portions 1a, 1b, 1d, a shielding portion 6 that shields the upper side and the rear of the rear seat 3 is arranged.

As the material of the panel portion 1 and the shielding portion 6, iron, aluminum, fiber reinforced plastic (FRP), or the like can be used. Steel or the like can be used as the material of the skeleton portions 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d. As the material of the windows 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, 9e, 9f, 9g, 9h, a transparent material such as glass can be used. The shape of the panel portion 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the arrangement position and number of the skeleton portions 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d, and the arrangement of the window portions 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, 9e, 9f, 9g, and 9h. The positions and numbers are examples and are not particularly limited.

Inside the vehicle interior, there are a plurality of rows (two rows) of seats 2a, 2b, and 3 arranged in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The seats 2a, 2b, 3 in a plurality of rows (two rows) are front seats (hereinafter, may be referred to as "passenger seats") 2a, in which two seats are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction in the front part of the passenger compartment. It is composed of 2b and a rear seat (hereinafter, may be referred to as a "driver's seat") 3 arranged in the center in the vehicle width direction at the rear of the vehicle interior. As shown in FIG. 2, the height H1 of the rear seats 3 is set higher than the heights H0 of the front seats 2a and 2b.

A step portion 1y is arranged below the rear seat 3. A battery or the like for an electric vehicle (EV) can be stored in the step portion 1y. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, steps 1e and 1f are provided by cutting out the left and right sides of the front portion of the step portion 1y. Steps 1e and 1f are provided according to the positions of the doors 1g and 1h (see FIG. 4) so that the occupant 100 of the rear seat 3 can easily get on and off.

At the front of the vehicle, an ambient condition sensor 7a for detecting the condition in front of the vehicle is arranged. At the rear of the vehicle, an ambient condition sensor 7b for detecting the condition behind the vehicle is arranged. A laser radar, a camera, or the like can be used as the ambient condition sensors 7a and 7b.

The front seats 2a and 2b are not provided with a driving operation device that accepts driving operations including steering operation and acceleration / deceleration operation. That is, although the step portion 1x is arranged in front of the front seats 2a and 2b, the steering wheel is not provided on the step portion 1x. Further, the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal are not provided in front of the front seats 2a and 2b. Therefore, the space in front of the front seats 2a and 2b is widened, and the occupants 101 and 102 of the front seats 2a and 2b can spend comfortably. Further, when the occupants 101 and 102 of the front seats 2a and 2b face the traveling direction (forward) of the vehicle, the driver does not directly enter the field of view and the field of view is opened, so that the situation outside the vehicle interior can be easily visually recognized. be able to.

The driving operation device for an automobile according to the embodiment of the present invention is provided at a position where the occupant 100 seated in the rear seat 3 can operate while facing the traveling direction, and the driving operation including the steering operation and the acceleration / deceleration operation from the occupant 100. The operation operation unit (user interface) 5 for receiving (instruction) is provided. That is, in the embodiment of the present invention, the rear seat 3 is the driver's seat, and the occupant 100 of the rear seat 3 is the driver. On the other hand, the front seats 2a and 2b arranged in the passenger space 2 in front of the rear seat 3 are passenger seats, and the passengers 101 and 102 of the front seats 2a and 2b are passengers (passengers).

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the driving operation unit 5 is located between the front seats 2a and 2b in the vehicle front-rear direction and in the center in the vehicle width direction. The driving operation unit 5 is, for example, a plate-shaped operating table, and has a function as a table during automatic operation or when the vehicle is stopped. A pair of legs 5a and 5b for supporting the driving operation unit 5 are attached to the driving operation unit 5. The driving operation unit 5 has a pair of gripping units 5c and 5d so that the occupant 100 of the rear seat 3 can grip the vehicle.

The grip portions 5c and 5d of the driving operation unit 5 receive a steering operation due to a left-right force difference (torque control) due to a force applied to the grip portions 5c and 5d, a grip force of the grip portions 5c and 5d, and a motorcycle-like twist. .. For example, when the force applied to the left grip portion 5b is relatively large, the vehicle is turned left, and when the force applied to the right grip portion 5c is relatively large, the vehicle is turned right. Further, the gripping portions 5c and 5d of the driving operation unit 5 receive acceleration / deceleration operations such as the grip strength of the gripping portions 5c and 5d, a motorcycle-like twist, or a thumb operation similar to that of the motocross handlebar. For example, the vehicle is accelerated by a motorcycle-like twist, and the vehicle is decelerated and stopped by increasing the grip strength of the grip portions 5c and 5d.

Here, the operation operation unit 5 may form a steering-by-wire system in which the operation operation unit 5 and the drive wheels are mechanically separated and electrically connected via a wire harness. That is, the operation amount of the operation operation unit 5 is detected by the sensor. Then, the steering actuator controls the drive wheels based on the amount of operation detected by the sensor.

The operation operation unit 5 is provided with an operation changeover switch 5x that receives an operation for switching between automatic operation and manual operation. The operation changeover switch 5x accepts an operation of switching from automatic operation to manual operation during automatic operation, and accepts an operation of switching from manual operation to automatic operation during manual operation. 1 and 3 exemplify a case where the operation changeover switch 5x is provided as a physical switch on the upper surface of the operation operation unit 5, but the operation changeover switch 5x is a touch panel displayed on the operation operation unit 5. May be good. Further, the position of the operation changeover switch 5x is not particularly limited as long as it is a position where the occupant 100 of the rear seat 3 can operate while facing the traveling direction.

FIG. 1 illustrates the case of two rows of seats having front seats 2a and 2b and rear seats 3, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may have three or more rows of seats in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. When there are three or more rows of seats in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, the rearmost seat may be the driver's seat and the seat other than the driver's seat may be the passenger seat. That is, the driving operation unit 5 is provided at a position where the occupant seated in the rearmost seat can operate while facing the traveling direction according to the position of the rearmost seat.

Further, in FIGS. 1 to 3, the case where the rear seats 3 are arranged at the center position in the vehicle width direction is illustrated, but the rear seats 3 do not necessarily have to be in the center position in the vehicle width direction, for example, the front seats 2a and 2b. It may be placed directly behind either one. Further, in FIGS. 1 to 3, the case where the rear seats 3 are one is illustrated, but a plurality of rear seats (for example, two seats) may be arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction. When a plurality of rear seats are arranged, one of the plurality of rear seats is used as the driver's seat, the other rear seat is used as the passenger seat, and the driving operation unit 5 is provided at a position where the occupants in the driver's seat can operate. ..

The operation unit 5 is provided with a display 8 such as a liquid crystal display. The display 8 is provided according to the position of the rear seat 3 so that the occupant 100 of the rear seat 3 can see it. For example, the display 8 displays the situation behind the vehicle detected by the surrounding situation sensor 7b. Alternatively, the display 8 may display the surrounding conditions of the vehicle such as the rear of the vehicle and the side of the vehicle obtained from the outside of the vehicle by vehicle-to-vehicle communication or road-to-vehicle communication. Further, the display 8 displays the situation in front of and below the vehicle detected by the surrounding condition sensor 7a, so that the situation in front of and below the vehicle, which is difficult for the occupant 100 in the rear seat 3 to confirm, can be easily confirmed.

Although FIG. 3 illustrates a case where the display 8 is provided in the operation operation unit 5, it may be provided separately from the operation operation unit 5. For example, the display 8 may be suspended from the ceiling in the vehicle interior, or may be provided on the inner wall surface of the window portions 9d and 9g and the panel portion 1. Instead of displaying the surrounding condition of the vehicle on the display 8, the surrounding condition of the vehicle may be projected on the windows 9d, 9g, the inner wall surface of the panel 1, and the like by using a projection device.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, mirrors (rear mirrors) 4a and 4b for capturing the situation behind the vehicle are provided on the outer side surface of the panel portion 1. The mirrors 4a and 4b capture the rear left side and the rear right side of the vehicle, respectively. The mirrors 4a and 4b are provided according to the position of the rear seat 3. In the front-rear direction of the vehicle, the distance D1 between the mirrors 4a and 4b and the rear seats 3 is set so that the occupant 100 of the rear seats 3 can confirm the rear situation reflected on the mirrors 4a and 4b. Instead of the mirrors 4a and 4b, sensors for detecting the rear left and rear right sides of the vehicle may be provided, and the rear left and rear right sides of the vehicle detected by the sensors may be displayed on the display 8. Further, when the rear of the rear seat 3 is not shielded by the shielding portion 6, a rearview mirror that captures the situation behind the vehicle may be provided at a position where the occupant 100 of the rear seat 3 can see.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the field of view seen from the viewpoint position of the occupant 100 of the rear seat 3. Since the height H1 of the rear seat 3 is set higher than the height H0 of the front seats 2a and 2b, the occupant 100 of the rear seat 3 has a view to the front seats 2a and 2b and the occupants 101 and 102. It is hard to be hindered, and it becomes easy to grasp the surrounding situation of the vehicle outside the passenger compartment in the traveling direction (forward). Further, the occupant 100 of the rear seat 3 can easily confirm the situation in the vehicle interior including the appearance of the occupants 101 and 102 of the front seats 2a and 2b while facing the traveling direction of the vehicle. Further, the upper and rear parts of the rear seat 3 are shielded by the shielding portion 6, and the occupant 100 of the rear seat 3 does not feel the line of sight from the rear vehicle and can feel a sense of security.

As shown in FIG. 5, for example, the front seats 2a and 2b can move in the vehicle front-rear direction and the vehicle width direction, and rotate horizontally so as to face the vehicle rear (opposite direction to the vehicle traveling direction). It may be possible. FIG. 5 illustrates a case where the front seat 2b moves to the front of the vehicle and rotates so as to face diagonally rearward, but the front seat 2b can also rotate so as to face directly behind. Further, although FIG. 5 illustrates a case where only the front seat 2b is moved and rotated, the front seat 2a can also be moved and rotated in the same manner. By directing the front seats 2a and 2b to the rear of the vehicle, the occupants 101 and 102 of the front seats 2a and 2b and the occupant 100 of the rear seat 3 can face each other and have a conversation.

Even when the front seats 2a and 2b rotate, the occupants 101 and 102 are fastened to the front seats 2a and 2b with seat belts to ensure safety. Further, the front seats 2a and 2b may be rotated so as to face the rear of the vehicle only when the vehicle is stopped, and the front seats 2a and 2b are forcibly locked in a safe direction or in a safe direction while traveling. It may be forced to return so as to face. At the time of forced return, the front seats 2a and 2b are rotated so as to avoid collision and pinching of the limbs of the occupants 101 and 102 of the front seats 2a and 2b. Further, the front seats 2a and 2b may be rotated so as to face the rear of the vehicle only during automatic driving.

Further, the heights H1 and H2 of the rear seat 3 may be changed between the manual operation shown in FIG. 6A and the automatic operation shown in FIG. 6B. For example, during manual driving shown in FIG. 6A, the height H1 of the rear seat 3 is set higher than the height H2 of the rear seat 3 during automatic driving shown in FIG. 6B, so that the occupant 100 of the rear seat 3 is set. Makes it easier to see the front of the vehicle. Further, as shown in FIG. 6A, the position of the rear seat 3 in the vehicle front-rear direction during manual driving is moved to the rear of the position of the rear seat 3 in the vehicle front-rear direction during automatic driving shown in FIG. 6B. It is possible to widen the view inside and outside the vehicle of the occupant 100 of the rear seat 3.

On the other hand, by lowering the height H2 of the rear seat 3 during automatic driving shown in FIG. 6B from the height H1 of the rear seat 3 during manual driving shown in FIG. 6A, the height H2 of the rear seat 3 is lowered to the front. The heights H0 of the occupants 101 and 102 of the seats 2a and 2b can be equal to or closer to each other, and the occupant 100 of the rear seat 3 rotates the seats rearward. It will be easier to talk with your eyes. Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, the position of the rear seat 3 in the vehicle front-rear direction during automatic driving is moved forward from the position of the rear seat 3 in the vehicle front-rear direction during manual driving shown in FIG. 6A. The distance between the front seats 2a and 2b and the occupants 101 and 102 can be reduced. When moving the rear seat 3 forward, for example, a proximity sensor should be installed in the rear seat 3 so as to avoid interference with the front seats 2a and 2b and the occupants 101 and 102 of the front seats 2a and 2b. Is preferable.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, as the height H1 of the rear seat 3 is lowered during automatic driving, the height H3 of the driving operation unit 5 is also lowered, so that the driving operation unit 5 by the occupant 100 of the rear seat 3 is lowered. While maintaining the operability of the operation changeover switch 5x and the like, the convenience as a table of the operation operation unit 5 can be ensured. In FIG. 6B, the area where the rear seat 3 and the driving operation unit 5 of the step portion 1y are installed is separated from the surrounding area, and the area where the rear seat 3 and the driving operation unit 5 of the step portion 1y are installed is integrated. The case of going up and down is illustrated. The step portion 1y may be configured such that only the rear seat 3 and the driving operation portion 5 move up and down without descending. Further, when a vehicle component such as a battery is arranged in the vicinity of the step portion 1y, the descent of the step portion 1y is restricted, so that only the rear seat 3 and the driving operation unit 5 move up and down. May be good.

Further, by moving the position and height of the driving operation unit 5 so as to follow the movement of the position and height of the rear seat 3, the visibility of the display 8 provided in the driving operation unit 5 can be maintained. it can. When the display 8 is provided separately from the driving operation unit 5, the display 8 may be fixed as long as the position of the display 8 is sufficiently far from the seat movement amount.

Further, the mirrors 4a and 4b may be rotated according to the vertical movement of the rear seat 3 so that the occupant 100 of the rear seat 3 can confirm the rear situation. Further, when the rear seat 3 moves in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, the bending / stretching angle or the front-rear position of the mirrors 4a and 4b may be changed according to the movement of the rear seat 3 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. Although a mirror is used to check the situation behind the vehicle, the present embodiment is not limited to the mirror. In the present embodiment, the situation behind the vehicle may be detected by an ambient situation sensor, for example, a camera, sonar, a laser, or the like, and the detected result may be displayed on a display so that the occupant can see it. Further, the display does not need to display the detection results of the camera, sonar, laser, etc. as they are, and may be processed and displayed so that the occupant can easily see them.

The rear seat 3 may be fixed at a higher position than the front seats 2a and 2b regardless of whether the vehicle is being manually driven or automatically driven. Further, the height of the rear seat 3 may be changed depending on whether the vehicle is running or stopped, regardless of whether the vehicle is in manual driving or automatic driving. That is, when the vehicle is running, the height of the rear seat 3 is relatively increased as shown in FIG. 6A regardless of whether the vehicle is in manual driving or automatic driving. You may. On the other hand, when the vehicle is stopped, the height of the rear seat 3 is relatively low, as shown in FIG. 6B, regardless of whether the vehicle is in manual driving or automatic driving. You may.

As shown in FIG. 7, the driving operation device 10 for an automobile according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a controller 11, seat position sensors 19a, 19b, 19c, ambient condition sensors 7a, 7b, driving operation unit 5, sensors 12a, 12b. , Seat adjustment switches 18a, 18b, 18c, display 8, seat actuators 13a, 13b, 13c and steering actuator 14.

The operation operation unit 5 includes an operation changeover switch 5x for switching between automatic operation and manual operation, a steering operation unit 5y for receiving steering operation, and an acceleration / deceleration operation unit 5z for receiving acceleration / deceleration operation. The steering operation unit 5y and the acceleration / deceleration operation unit 5z are composed of grip portions 5c and 5d of the operation operation unit 5 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The sensor 12a detects the operation amount of the steering operation unit 5y and outputs the detected operation amount to the controller 11. The sensor 12b detects the operation amount of the acceleration / deceleration operation unit 5z and outputs the detected operation amount to the controller 11.

The controller 11 is a control device such as an electronic control unit (ECU), and has a processor and a storage device. The processor can be composed of, for example, a computer including a central processing unit (CPU), a main storage device, an input / output device, an input / output interface, a data bus, and a semiconductor integrated circuit equivalent to a computer. When the processor is configured by a semiconductor integrated circuit, a semiconductor integrated circuit including a programmable logic device (PLD) such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA) may be used. Alternatively, a functional logic circuit, logic block, or the like set in a general-purpose semiconductor integrated circuit may be used. The storage device may be composed of a semiconductor storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, or the like, and may be configured to include a register, a cache memory, or the like.

The controller 11 switches between automatic operation and manual operation based on an operation of switching between automatic operation and manual operation received by the operation changeover switch 5x of the operation operation unit 5. At the time of automatic operation, the controller 11 outputs a control signal for executing the automatic operation to various actuators and the like. During manual operation, the controller 11 outputs control signals for controlling the vehicle to various actuators and the like based on the amount of operation of the steering operation unit 5y and the acceleration / deceleration operation unit 5z detected by the sensors 12a and 12b. To do.

The seat position sensor 19a is attached to the front seat 2a. The seat position sensor 19a detects data such as the position and orientation of the front seat 2a, and outputs the detected data to the controller 11. The seat position sensor 19b is attached to the front seat 2b. The seat position sensor 19b detects data such as the position and orientation of the front seat 2b, and outputs the detected data to the controller 11. The seat position sensor 19c is attached to the rear seat 3. The seat position sensor 19c detects data such as the position and height of the rear seat 3, and outputs the detected data to the controller 11.

The seat adjustment switch 18a is attached to the front seat 2a. The seat adjustment switch 18a receives the operation information for adjusting the position and orientation of the front seat 2a, and outputs the operation information to the controller 11. The seat adjustment switch 18b is attached to the front seat 2b. The seat adjustment switch 18b receives the operation information for adjusting the position and orientation of the front seat 2b, and outputs the operation information to the controller 11. The seat adjustment switch 18c is attached to the rear seat 3. The seat adjustment switch 18c receives the operation information for adjusting the position and height of the rear seat 3, and outputs the operation information to the controller 11.

The seat actuator 13a adjusts the position and orientation of the front seat 2a based on the control signal from the controller 11. The seat actuator 13b adjusts the position and orientation of the front seat 2b based on the control signal from the controller 11. The seat actuator 13c adjusts the position and height of the rear seat 3 and the like, and adjusts the position and height of the driving operation unit 5 based on the control signal from the controller 11. The steering actuator 14 controls the steering 15 based on a control signal from the controller 11. The drive device 16 executes a vehicle drive operation based on a control signal from the controller 11. The braking device 17 executes the braking operation of the vehicle based on the control signal from the controller 11.

Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 8, an example of a driving operation method for an automobile including an elevating operation of the rear seat 3 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

First, in step S11, the seat adjustment switch 18c accepts an operation for lowering the height of the rear seat 3 by the occupant 100 of the rear seat 3. In step S12, when the controller 11 receives an operation for lowering the height of the rear seat 3 via the seat adjustment switch 18c, it is determined whether or not the vehicle is in automatic driving (manual driving). When it is determined that the vehicle is in automatic operation, the process proceeds to step S13, and the controller 11 outputs a control signal for lowering the height of the rear seat 3 to the seat actuator 13c. The seat actuator 13c lowers the height of the rear seat 3 and the height of the driving operation unit 5.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S12 that the vehicle is not in automatic operation (in other words, it is in manual operation), the process proceeds to step S14, and the controller 11 refuses the operation for lowering the height of the rear seat 3. .. That is, during manual driving, the height of the rear seat 3 is maintained at a relatively high position.

After lowering the height of the rear seat 3 in step S13, in step S15, the controller 11 requests to switch to manual operation via the operation changeover switch 5x or to switch to manual operation from the controller 11 (automatic operation system) side. Judge the presence or absence of. When it is determined that there is an operation or request to switch to manual operation, the process proceeds to step S16, and the controller 11 outputs a control signal for raising the rear seat 3 to the seat actuator 13c. The seat actuator 13c raises the height of the rear seat 3 and the height of the driving operation unit 5. If the mirrors 4a and 4b are present, the angles and positions of the mirrors 4a and 4b are changed according to the movement of the rear seats 3. When the height of the rear seat 3 rises to a predetermined height, the controller 11 starts executing the manual operation based on the operation of the occupant 100 of the rear seat 3.

Next, an example of a driving operation method for an automobile including a rotational operation of the front seats 2a and 2b according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S21, the seat adjustment switches 18a and 18b accept the rotation lock release operation for enabling the front seats 2a and 2b to be rotated by the occupants 101 and 102 of the front seats 2a and 2b.

In step S22, the controller 11 determines whether the vehicle is stopped (running). When it is determined that the vehicle is stopped, the process proceeds to step S23, and the controller 11 sends a control signal for releasing the rotation lock of the front seats 2a and 2b to the seat actuators 13a and 13b of the front seats 2a and 2b. Output. The seat actuators 13a and 13b release the rotation locks of the front seats 2a and 2b so that they can rotate.

The rotation of the front seats 2a and 2b may be automatically performed by the seat actuators 13a and 13b according to the operation of the seat adjustment switches 18a and 18b, or may be manually performed by the occupants 101 and 102. When the front seats 2a and 2b are rotated by the seat actuators 13a and 13b, the limbs of the front seats 2a and 2b collide with each other based on the detection results of the seat position sensors 19a and 19b and 19c. The front seats 2a and 2b are rotated so as to avoid pinching.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S22 that the vehicle is not stopped (in other words, the vehicle is running), the process proceeds to step S24, and the controller 11 refuses the operation of releasing the rotation lock of the front seats 2a and 2b. At the same time, the occupant is informed by display or voice that the vehicle is running and cannot rotate.

After releasing the rotation locks of the front seats 2a and 2b in step S23, in step S25, the controller 11 determines whether or not the vehicle starts traveling. When it is determined that the vehicle starts running, the process proceeds to step S26, and the controller 11 sends a control signal to the seat actuators 13a and 13b for forcibly locking the vehicle so that it cannot rotate or forcibly returning to the direction in which collision safety is guaranteed. Output. The seat actuators 13a and 13b are forcibly locked so that the front seats 2a and 2b cannot rotate based on the control signal from the controller 11, or are forcibly returned in a direction in which collision safety is guaranteed. At the time of forced return, based on the detection results of the seat position sensors 19a, 19b, 19c, etc., the front seats so as to avoid the limbs of the occupants 101, 102 of the front seats 2a, 2b from colliding or being pinched. Rotate 2a and 2b.

In the vehicle operation program according to the embodiment of the present invention, the procedure of raising and lowering the rear seat 3 shown in FIG. 8 and rotating the front seats 2a and 2b shown in FIG. 9 is performed on the computer constituting the controller 11. Let it run. The image display program according to the embodiment of the present invention can be stored in the storage device of the controller 11, for example.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the rear seat 3 provided behind the rideable space 2 at the front of the vehicle is used as the driver's seat, and the occupant 100 who is a driver seated in the driver's seat It is provided so as to be operable in the direction of travel of the vehicle, and includes a driving operation unit 5 that accepts driving operations including steering operation and acceleration / deceleration operation of the vehicle. As a result, the occupant 100, who is the driver, can talk with the occupants 101 and 102 in front of the rear seat 3 while facing the traveling direction (forward) of the vehicle. At this time, if the occupants 101 and 102 turn around, the occupant 100, who is the driver, can face the occupants 101 and 102 and have a conversation. Further, the occupant 100, who is the driver, can easily observe the occupants 101, 102 in front of the rear seat 3, for example, an elderly person, a child, etc., while facing the traveling direction (forward) of the vehicle. .. Further, the occupants 101 and 102 in front of the rear seat 3 can easily visually recognize the situation outside the vehicle interior without the driver directly entering the field of view.

Further, the rear seat 3 is provided with the sensor 12a for detecting the operation amount of the driving operation unit 5 and the steering actuator 14 for operating the drive wheels of the vehicle according to the operation amount detected by the sensor 12a. Even if 5 is provided, the operation unit 5 and the drive wheel can be electrically connected without being mechanically connected. Therefore, it becomes possible to secure a large space in the passenger compartment and effectively utilize the living space of the occupants.

Further, the rear seat 3 is provided with the driving operation unit 5 by providing the display 8 which is provided according to the position of the rear seat 3 so that the occupant 100 of the rear seat 3 can be visually recognized and displays the situation behind the vehicle. Even so, the occupant 100 of the rear seat 3 can confirm the rear of the vehicle. Further, even when the rear part of the rear seat 3 is shielded by the shielding portion 6 and the rear part of the rear seat 3 cannot be directly seen, the display 8 displays the situation behind the vehicle so that the rear seat 3 can be displayed. The occupant 100 can easily check the rear of the vehicle. Further, by displaying the situation below the front of the vehicle on the display 8, the occupant 100 of the rear seat 3 can easily confirm the situation below the front of the vehicle.

Further, by providing mirrors 4a and 4b provided according to the position of the rear seat 3 so that the occupant 100 of the rear seat 3 can be visually recognized and confirming the situation behind the vehicle, the driving operation unit 5 is provided in the rear seat 3. Even if it is provided, the occupant 100 of the rear seat 3 can confirm the rear of the vehicle. Further, since the positions of the mirrors 4a and 4b are located at the rear of the vehicle as compared with the case where the conventional front seat has the driving operation unit, the field of view of the rear of the vehicle reflected in the mirrors 4a and 4b is widened.

Further, by arranging the front seats 2a and 2b in the boardable space 2 at the front of the vehicle, the occupants 101 and 102 of the front seats 2a and 2b are the rear seat 3 which is the driver's seat and the driver. Since it is possible to suppress the visibility from being blocked by the occupant 100 without the intervention of the occupant 100, the situation outside the vehicle interior in the traveling direction of the vehicle can be easily visually recognized.

Further, among the plurality of seats arranged in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, the driving operation unit 5 is provided at a position where the rearmost seat is the driver's seat and the occupant seated in the rearmost seat can operate the seat. For example, when three rows of seats are provided in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, the driving operation unit 5 is provided at a position where the occupant seated in the third row seat can operate the seat in the third row from the front as the driver's seat. Be done. As a result, the driver in the rearmost seat can see all the seats in front of the rearmost seat, and it becomes easier to grasp the situation of the occupants.

Further, by providing the rear seat 3 in the center in the vehicle width direction, the view of the occupant 100 of the rear seat 3 can be opened through the space between the front seats 2a and 2b. Further, the occupant 100 of the rear seat 3 can easily talk with the occupants 101 and 102 of the front seats 2a and 2b, and can easily be attentive during driving. When the rear seat 3 is provided in the center in the vehicle width direction, the periphery of the rear seat 3 can be used as a storage space or a vehicle device installation space.

Further, by setting the height of the rear seat 3 higher than the height of other seats such as the front seats 2a and 2b, the occupant 100 of the rear seat 3 is less likely to be obstructed by the other seats, and the surroundings. It becomes easier to grasp the situation. Further, a storage place for a battery or the like can be secured around or below the rear seat 3. Further, by providing steps 1e and 1f in the vicinity of the doors 1g and 1h for the occupant 100 of the rear seat 3 to get on and off, the occupant 100 can easily get on and off. For example, by making the ceiling height of the vehicle close to the vehicle height limit of 2 m for a small vehicle, it is possible to reduce the feeling of pressure on the occupant 100 of the rear seat 3.

Further, by setting the height of the rear seat 3 while the vehicle is running higher than the height of the rear seat 3 when the vehicle is stopped, the vehicle can be driven regardless of whether the vehicle is in automatic driving or manual driving. While traveling, the occupant 100 of the rear seat 3 can easily look in front of the vehicle. Further, by lowering the height of the rear seats 3 while the vehicle is stopped to make the heights equal to the heights of the front seats 2a and 2b, it becomes easier to talk with the occupants 101 and 102 of the front seats 2a and 2b.

Further, by making the front seats 2a and 2b rotatable toward the rear of the vehicle only when the vehicle is stopped, the occupants 101 and 102 of the front seats 2a and 2b and the occupant 100 of the rear seat 3 face each other and enjoy a conversation. be able to. At that time, the occupant 100, who is the driver of the rear seat 3, does not turn his back in the direction of travel (forward), and talks with the occupants 101 and 102 of the front seats 2a and 2b to check the surrounding conditions in the direction of travel. You can check.

Furthermore, in vehicles that can switch between automatic driving and manual driving, in order to effectively utilize the riding time during automatic driving, the front seats are rotated so as to face the rear of the vehicle, and the front seat occupants and the rear seats are used. It is conceivable that the occupants will face each other and enjoy the conversation. When a driving operation unit is provided on the front seat and the front seat is rotated so as to face the rear of the vehicle, the occupant of the front seat, who is the driver, is dressed to turn his back to the direction of travel (front). Therefore, it becomes difficult to grasp the surrounding situation in the direction of travel. On the other hand, according to the embodiment of the present invention, in the vehicle capable of switching between automatic driving and manual driving, the driving operation unit 5 is provided at a position where the occupant 100 of the rear seat 3 can operate. As a result, if the occupants 101 and 102 of the front seats 2a and 2b turn to the rear during automatic driving, the occupant 100 who is the driver talks with the occupants 101 and 102 while checking the surrounding conditions in the traveling direction. be able to. Then, during the manual operation, the occupant 100 of the rear seat 3 can easily confirm the state of the vehicle interior including the state of the occupants 101 and 102 of the front seats 2a and 2b while facing the traveling direction.

Further, by setting the height of the rear seat 3 during manual driving higher than the height of the rear seat 3 during automatic driving, the occupant 100 of the rear seat 3 who is the driver during manual driving can use the front seat. It is easy to look ahead of the vehicle even through 2a and 2b and passengers 101 and 102.

Further, the operation changeover switch 5x for switching between automatic operation and manual operation is provided, and the position and height of the operation changeover switch 5x are changed so as to follow the change in the position and height of the rear seat 3. As a result, even if the position and height of the rear seat 3 are moved, if the position and height of the operation changeover switch 5x are moved so as to follow the change in the position and height of the rear seat 3, the rear seat 3 can be moved. The operability of the operation changeover switch 5x by the occupant 100 can be ensured.

(Other embodiments)
As mentioned above, the invention has been described by embodiment, but the statements and drawings that form part of this disclosure should not be understood to limit the invention. Various alternative embodiments, examples and operational techniques will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the case where the front seats 2a and 2b are provided in front of the vehicle is illustrated, but the structure may be such that the front seats 2a and 2b are not provided. That is, as shown in FIG. 10, a space 2 for riding is provided in the front part of the vehicle body (front of the rear seat 3), and the wheelchair 103 on which the disabled or elderly person who is the occupant 101 is riding is fixed with a belt or the like. It may be installed. Alternatively, the baby buggy on which the baby is riding may be fixed with a belt or the like and mounted. Alternatively, a non-human animal such as a large dog, which is a pet, may accompany the ride. By providing a space 2 that allows passengers to ride in the front part of the vehicle body (front of the rear seat 3), the occupant 100 of the rear seat 3 can be used by a disabled person or an elderly person in a wheelchair, an infant or a pet in a baby buggy. In addition to being able to easily observe the situation, it is possible to have conversations facing the direction in which people with disabilities, the elderly, infants, and pets are present.

Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the case where the driving operation unit 5 is fixed to the vehicle body by the legs 5a and 5b is illustrated, but the driving operation unit 5 is not fixed to the vehicle body and the driver of the rear seat 3 May be movable within the operable range. The operation operation unit 5 may transmit and receive to and from the controller 11 by wire or wirelessly.

Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the case where the steering operation and the acceleration / deceleration operation are executed by the gripping portions 5c and 5d of the driving operation unit 5 has been illustrated, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the driving operation unit 5 can be rotated clockwise (clockwise) and counterclockwise (counterclockwise) by the occupant 100 of the rear seat 3, and the steering operation is executed by rotating the driving operation unit 5. You may. For example, the vehicle may be turned clockwise by rotating the driving operation unit 5 clockwise (clockwise), and the vehicle may be turned counterclockwise by rotating the driving operation unit 5 counterclockwise (counterclockwise). .. Further, the acceleration / deceleration operation may be executed by tilting the driving operation unit 5 together with the legs 5a and 5b in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. For example, it can be accelerated by tilting the driving operation unit 5 in the traveling direction of the vehicle. The vehicle may be decelerated and stopped by tilting the driving operation unit 5 in the direction opposite to the traveling direction. Further, the legs 5a and 5b are fixed, and the operation operation and the acceleration / deceleration operation may be executed by tilting only the operation operation unit 5 with respect to the reference plane (for example, a horizontal plane).

The shape of the driving operation unit 5 is not particularly limited, and for example, when the driving operation unit 5 is rotated and steered, the driving operation unit 5 may have the shape of an annular steering wheel. Alternatively, the shape of the steering wheel and the desk may be combined, for example, a shape in which a part of the arc of the virtual steering is added to the left and right ends of the desk. Further, the driving operation unit 5 may have an accelerator pedal or a brake pedal provided at the foot position of the occupant 100 in the rear seat 3. Further, the operation operation unit 5 may be a virtual operation unit such as a touch panel system. As described above, any operation system can be used as the operation operation unit 5.

As described above, it goes without saying that the present invention includes various embodiments not described here. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is defined only by the matters specifying the invention relating to the reasonable claims from the above description.

1 ... Panel part 1x, 1y ... Step part 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d ... Skeleton part 1e, 1f ... Step 1g, 1h ... Door 2 ... Space 2a, 2b ... Front seat 3 ... Rear seat 4a, 4b ... Mirror 5 ... Driving operation unit 5a, 5b ... Leg part 5c, 5d ... Grip part 5x ... Operation changeover switch 5y ... Steering operation unit 5z ... Acceleration / deceleration operation unit 6 ... Shielding part 7a, 7b ... Ambient condition sensor 8 ... Display 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, 9e, 9f, 9g, 9h ... Window 10 ... Automotive driving operation device 11 ... Controller 12a, 12b ... Sensor 13a, 13b, 13c ... Seat actuator 14 ... Steering actuator 15 ... Steering 16 ... Drive device 17 ... Braking devices 18a, 18b, 18c ... Seat adjustment switches 19a, 19b, 19c ... Seat position sensors 100, 101, 102 ... Crew 103 ... Wheelchair

Claims (10)

It is a driving operation device for automobiles that can be mounted on a vehicle in which a space for passengers is provided in the passenger compartment, a driver's seat is provided behind the space, and a passenger seat is provided in front of the driver's seat in the space. hand,
It is possible to switch between automatic driving in which the vehicle is automatically controlled and manual driving in which the vehicle is controlled based on the driving operation of the driver.
The driver's seat can be moved up and down,
The driving operation device for automobiles
A driving operation unit that is provided so that a driver seated in the driver's seat can operate while facing the traveling direction of the vehicle and accepts driving operations including steering operation and acceleration / deceleration operation of the vehicle.
During the manual driving, the driver's seat is prohibited from descending so as to maintain the height of the driver's seat at a position higher than the height of the passenger's seat. A controller that allows the driver's seat to be lowered to approach the height of the passenger seat, and
Equipped with a,
A driving operation device for an automobile, characterized in that the height of the driving operation unit is changed according to a change in the height of the driver's seat. It is a driving operation device for automobiles that can be mounted on a vehicle in which a space for passengers is provided in the passenger compartment, a driver's seat is provided behind the space, and a passenger seat is provided in front of the driver's seat in the space. hand,
It is possible to switch between automatic driving in which the vehicle is automatically controlled and manual driving in which the vehicle is controlled based on the driving operation of the driver.
The driver's seat can be moved up and down,
The driving operation device for automobiles
A driving operation unit that is provided so that a driver seated in the driver's seat can operate while facing the traveling direction of the vehicle and accepts driving operations including steering operation and acceleration / deceleration operation of the vehicle.
During the manual driving, the driver's seat is prohibited from descending so as to maintain the height of the driver's seat at a position higher than the height of the passenger's seat. A controller that allows the driver's seat to be lowered to approach the height of the passenger seat, and
With
Two passenger seats are provided side by side with a central position in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle in between.
A driving operation device for an automobile, wherein the driver's seat is provided at a central position in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle. A sensor that detects the amount of operation of the operation unit and
The driving operation device for an automobile according to claim 1 or 2 , further comprising a steering actuator that operates a driving wheel of the vehicle according to an operation amount detected by the sensor. The driving operation device for an automobile according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a display for displaying the situation behind the vehicle, which is provided at a position where the occupant of the driver's seat can be visually recognized. The driving operation device for an automobile according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the driver's seat occupant is provided at a position where he / she can see the vehicle, and further includes a mirror for capturing the situation behind the vehicle. The invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein a plurality of rows of passenger seats are provided in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and the driver's seat is provided behind the last row of the passenger seats. Driving operation device for automobiles. The driving operation device for an automobile according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the height of the driver's seat is lowered while the vehicle is stopped. The driving operation device for an automobile according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the passenger seat can be rotated toward the rear of the vehicle only when the vehicle is stopped. The driving operation device for an automobile according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the driving operation unit receives an operation of switching between the automatic driving and the manual driving. A vehicle driving operation method in which a space for passengers is provided in the passenger compartment, a driver's seat is provided behind the space, and a passenger seat is provided in front of the driver's seat in the space.
It is possible to switch between automatic driving in which the vehicle is automatically controlled and manual driving in which the vehicle is controlled based on the driving operation of the driver.
The driver's seat can be moved up and down,
A driving operation unit is provided so that the driver seated in the driver's seat can operate the vehicle while facing the traveling direction of the vehicle.
The driving operation unit accepts driving operations including steering operation and acceleration / deceleration operation of the vehicle.
During the manual operation, the driver's seat is prohibited from descending so as to maintain the height of the driver's seat at a position higher than the height of the passenger's seat.
During the automatic driving, the driver's seat is allowed to be lowered so that the height of the driver's seat approaches the height of the passenger's seat.
A driving operation method for an automobile, characterized in that the height of the driving operation unit is changed according to a change in the height of the driver's seat.

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