JP7043779B2 - Vehicle operation detection device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle operation detection device.

Conventionally, as an example of a vehicle operation detection device, a vehicle opening / closing body control device that opens / closes a sliding door based on an operation from a user has been known. Such a vehicle opening / closing body control device includes a handle switch that detects an operation of the outside handle provided on the sliding door and outputs a signal for opening / closing the sliding door when the operation is performed. There is something (for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2006-161491

However, in the vehicle door opening / closing control device as described above, the vehicle user needs to operate the outside handle in order to open / close the sliding door. For this reason, it becomes difficult for the vehicle user to open and close the slide door in a situation where it is difficult to operate the outside handle, for example, when carrying luggage. An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle operation detection device that can enhance the convenience of a user when opening and closing a vehicle door.

Hereinafter, means for solving the above problems and their actions and effects will be described.
The vehicle operation detection device that solves the above problems is arranged at intervals in the opening / closing direction of the vehicle door, and drives a plurality of sensor electrodes and an actuator whose capacitance increases as the distance from the detection target becomes shorter. The first condition is a condition that is satisfied when the detection target approaches the sensor electrode, and the condition that is satisfied when the detection target moves away from the sensor electrode. When two conditions are set, the control unit determines that the sensor electrode that continuously satisfies the first condition and the second condition among the plurality of sensor electrodes is in the opening direction of the vehicle door based on the capacitance. The vehicle door is opened when the changes are made in order, while the vehicle door is closed when the sensor electrodes that continuously satisfy the first condition and the second condition are changed in the closing direction of the vehicle door. In the vehicle operation detection device, the plurality of the sensor electrodes are provided in three or more along the opening / closing direction, and among the plurality of the sensor electrodes, the sensor electrode located at the end in the closing direction is the first. When the end sensor electrode is used and the sensor electrode located at the end in the opening direction is the second end sensor electrode, the control unit is in a situation where the first end sensor electrode does not satisfy the first condition. The vehicle door is opened when the sensor electrode that continuously satisfies the first condition and the second condition among the plurality of sensor electrodes excluding the first end sensor electrode changes in the opening direction. In a situation where the second end sensor electrode is operated and the first condition is not satisfied, the first condition and the second condition among the plurality of sensor electrodes excluding the second end sensor electrode are satisfied. When the sensor electrode that is continuously filled changes in the closing direction, the vehicle door is closed.
Depending on how the detection device is arranged with respect to the vehicle, the sensor electrodes that continuously satisfy the first and second conditions may change in the open direction or the closed direction when a user or the like passes by the side of the detection device. There is. On the other hand, according to the above configuration, in the detection device, among a plurality of sensor electrodes excluding some sensor electrodes, the sensor electrodes that continuously satisfy the first condition and the second condition change in the open direction or the closed direction. When doing so, the vehicle door is opened and closed. Therefore, the detection device can suppress the opening / closing operation of the vehicle door when the user or the like passes by the side of the vehicle.

According to the configuration of the vehicle operation detection device, the user has a part of the body (hereinafter, "hand") with respect to a plurality of sensor electrodes of the vehicle operation detection device (hereinafter, "detection device"). The vehicle door can be opened and closed by the operation of moving the vehicle door in the open direction or the closed direction. Therefore, the detection device can enhance the convenience of the user when opening and closing the vehicle door.

For example, in a detection device that opens and closes a vehicle door when a sensor electrode that satisfies only one of the first condition and the second condition changes in the open direction or the closed direction among a plurality of sensor electrodes, the detection device is used. The vehicle door may be opened and closed simply by the user approaching in front or moving away from the front of the detection device. In this respect, the detection device having the above configuration opens and closes the vehicle door when the sensor electrodes that continuously satisfy the first condition and the second condition change in the open direction or the closed direction among the plurality of sensor electrodes. Therefore, the vehicle operation detection device can prevent the vehicle door from being inadvertently opened and closed.

In the vehicle operation detection device, the control unit determines that the first condition is satisfied when the capacitance of the sensor electrode is equal to or greater than the determination value for determining the approach of the detection target. It is preferable to do so.

According to the above configuration, the detection device opens and closes the vehicle door on condition that the user's hand approaches the plurality of sensor electrodes in order. Therefore, the detection device can suppress the opening / closing operation of the vehicle door even though the user's hand is not close to the plurality of sensor electrodes.

In the vehicle operation detection device, it is preferable that the control unit determines that the second condition is satisfied when the time derivative value of the capacitance is less than 0 (zero) in the sensor electrode. ..

When the user operates the detection device to move his / her hand in the open direction or the closed direction, the capacitance in the sensor electrode of the detection device changes as follows. That is, the capacitance increases when the user's hand approaches the center of the sensor electrode, and decreases when the user's hand moves away from the center of the sensor electrode. Therefore, it can be said that the timing at which the time derivative value of the capacitance becomes less than 0 (zero) is the timing at which the user's hand begins to separate from the sensor electrode. Therefore, the detection device having the above configuration can accurately determine whether or not the second condition is satisfied in the plurality of sensor electrodes.

According to the vehicle operation detection device, the convenience of the user when opening and closing the vehicle door can be enhanced.

The schematic diagram of the vehicle provided with the operation detection device for a vehicle which concerns on 1st Embodiment. Sectional drawing of the vehicle door which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The schematic diagram of the vehicle operation detection apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the flow of the process which the control circuit of the operation detection device for a vehicle which concerns on 1st Embodiment executes in order to open and close a vehicle door. It is a timing chart explaining the operation of the operation detection device for a vehicle which concerns on 1st Embodiment, (a) shows the transition of the capacitance in a sensor electrode, and (b) is the time derivative of the capacitance in a sensor electrode. The transition of the value is shown. The flowchart which shows the flow of the process which the control circuit of the operation detection device for a vehicle which concerns on 2nd Embodiment executes for opening operation of a vehicle door. The flowchart which shows the flow of the process which the control circuit of the operation detection device for a vehicle which concerns on 2nd Embodiment executes in order to close a vehicle door. It is a timing chart explaining the operation of the operation detection device for a vehicle which concerns on 2nd Embodiment, (a) shows the transition of the capacitance in a sensor electrode, and (b) is the time derivative of the capacitance in a sensor electrode. The transition of the value is shown.

(First Embodiment)
Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the vehicle operation detection device (hereinafter, also referred to as “detection device”) will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, an opening 2a is formed in a side portion of a body 2 of a vehicle 1 such as an automobile. Further, a slide-type vehicle door 3 that opens and closes the opening 2a as it moves in the front-rear direction is mounted on the side portion of the body 2. The vehicle door 3 has a substantially bag-shaped door body 4 constituting the lower portion thereof, and also has a window glass 5 that moves forward and backward from the door body 4. A door lock 6 for locking and unlocking the closed vehicle door 3 is installed on the door body 4.

A door drive unit 11 is installed in the vehicle door 3, for example, in the door body 4. The door drive unit 11 is mainly composed of an electric drive source such as an electric motor, and is mechanically linked to the body 2 via an appropriate door drive mechanism to open and close the vehicle door 3. .. Further, on the vehicle door 3, for example, a door lock drive unit 12 is installed adjacent to the door lock 6. The door lock drive unit 12 is mainly composed of an electric drive source such as an electric motor, and the door lock 6 is mechanically linked to the door lock 6 via an appropriate lock drive mechanism. Locking and unlocking drive. In this respect, the present embodiment corresponds to an example of an "actuator" in which the door drive unit 11 opens and closes the vehicle door 3.

Both the door drive unit 11 and the door lock drive unit 12 are electrically connected to a door ECU 10 including a microcomputer or the like, and are individually driven and controlled by the door ECU 10. The door ECU 10 drives the door drive unit 11 to open the vehicle door 3 when an open operation command signal is input from the electronic key (portable device) and the detection device 30 described later. Further, the door ECU 10 drives the door drive unit 11 to close the vehicle door 3 when the closing operation command signal is input from the electronic key (portable device) and the detection device 30.

As shown in FIG. 2, the door body 4 is formed into a substantially bag shape by fitting, for example, the open ends of a substantially dish-shaped door outer panel 21 and a door inner panel 22 made of a metal plate. Further, a door trim 23 that forms the interior design of the vehicle 1 is attached to the door inner panel 22. A detection device 30 for detecting the operation of the user from the outside of the vehicle is arranged above the door trim 23. Note that FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 2-2 in FIG.

Next, the detection device 30 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the detection device 30 includes a first sensor electrode 31, a second sensor electrode 32, and a third sensor electrode 33 arranged at intervals in the opening / closing direction of the vehicle door 3. Further, the detection device 30 includes a detection circuit 34 connected to the first sensor electrode 31, the second sensor electrode 32, and the third sensor electrode 33, a control circuit 35 that outputs a control signal to the door ECU 10, and a detection device 30. A housing 36 for accommodating the components is provided.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the detection device 30 (housing 36) has a long and substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The length of the housing 36 in the longitudinal direction is shorter than the length of the window glass 5 of the vehicle door 3 in the front-rear direction.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first sensor electrode 31, the second sensor electrode 32, and the third sensor electrode 33 have a substantially rectangular plate shape. The first sensor electrode 31, the second sensor electrode 32, and the third sensor electrode 33 form a pseudo capacitor together with the detection target close to the respective sensor electrodes 31, 32, 33. Therefore, in the first sensor electrode 31, the second sensor electrode 32, and the third sensor electrode 33, the closer the detection target is to the respective sensor electrodes 31, 32, 33, the higher the capacitance determined in relation to the detection target. Become. In the following description, the capacitance obtained by the relationship between the sensor electrode and the detection target is simply referred to as "capacitance in the sensor electrode". Further, when any sensor electrode among the respective sensor electrodes 31, 32, 33 is described, the reference numeral is omitted.

In the present embodiment, a "determination value Cth" for determining that the detection target has approached each of the sensor electrodes 31, 32, 33 is set. That is, in the sensor electrode, if the capacitance is equal to or higher than the determination value Cth, the detection target is close to the sensor electrode, and if the capacitance is less than the determination value Cth, the detection target is close to the sensor electrode. It is said that it is not. It is preferable to obtain the optimum value of the determination value Cth by an experiment or the like in advance.

The first sensor electrode 31, the second sensor electrode 32, and the third sensor electrode 33 are arranged so that the detection range of the detection target extends outward in the width direction of the vehicle. Further, among the plurality of sensor electrodes, the first sensor electrode 31 is located most in front of the vehicle, the third sensor electrode 33 is located most in the rear of the vehicle, and the second sensor electrode 32 is the first sensor electrode 31 and the third sensor electrode 31. It is located between the sensor electrode 33 and the sensor electrode 33. In the present embodiment, the opening direction OD of the vehicle door 3 is the vehicle rear direction, and the closing direction CD of the vehicle door 3 is the vehicle front direction. Therefore, in the detection device 30, the first sensor electrode 31 is located at the end of the vehicle door 3 in the closing direction CD, and the third sensor electrode 33 is located at the end of the vehicle door 3 in the opening direction OD. I can say. In this respect, in the present embodiment, the first sensor electrode 31 corresponds to the “first end sensor electrode”, and the third sensor electrode 33 corresponds to the “second end sensor electrode”.

The detection circuit 34 outputs an oscillation signal to the first sensor electrode 31, the second sensor electrode 32, and the third sensor electrode 33, thereby statically in the first sensor electrode 31, the second sensor electrode 32, and the third sensor electrode 33. A signal corresponding to the electric capacity is output. Then, the detection circuit 34 outputs to the control circuit 35 a signal obtained by A / D (analog / digital) conversion of the signals output from the first sensor electrode 31, the second sensor electrode 32, and the third sensor electrode 33, respectively.

The control circuit 35 executes various arithmetic processes based on the signal output from the detection circuit 34, and outputs a control signal according to the result to the door ECU 10. Specifically, the control circuit 35 sends an open operation command signal for opening the vehicle door 3 to the door ECU 10 based on the electrostatic capacitance in the first sensor electrode 31, the second sensor electrode 32, and the third sensor electrode 33. It outputs or outputs a closing operation command signal for closing the vehicle door 3 to the door ECU 10. In this respect, the control circuit 35 corresponds to an example of the "control unit" in the present embodiment.

Then, the control circuit 35 of the detection device 30 changes the capacitance in the first sensor electrode 31, the second sensor electrode 32, and the third sensor electrode 33 so as to satisfy a specific condition by the operation of the user. , The closing operation command signal and the open operation command signal are output to the door ECU 10. This condition is satisfied by the first condition, which is a condition in which the detection target in a state away from the sensor electrode approaches the sensor electrode, and the condition in which the detection target in a state close to the sensor electrode moves away from the sensor electrode. The second condition, which is a condition to be satisfied, is included.

As described above, the capacitance in the sensor electrode increases as the detection target approaches. Therefore, the first condition is satisfied when the capacitance of the sensor electrode is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth for determining the approach of the detection target. Further, when the detection target moves in a predetermined direction such as an open direction OD and a closed direction CD on the sensor electrode, the capacitance increases as the detection target approaches the center of the sensor electrode, and the detection target increases. The capacitance decreases as the distance from the center of the sensor electrode increases. Therefore, when the time derivative of the capacitance is a positive value in the sensor electrode, it can be said that the detection target is moving in the direction approaching the center of the sensor electrode, and the time derivative of the capacitance is When the value is negative, it can be said that the detection target is moving away from the center of the sensor electrode. Therefore, the second condition is satisfied when the time differential value of the capacitance is 0 (zero) or less and less than the "differential determination value Dth" in the sensor electrode.

When the detection target stops on the sensor electrode, the time derivative value of the capacitance becomes 0 (zero). Therefore, in order to distinguish between the case where the detection target is stopped on the sensor electrode and the case where the detection target is separated from the sensor electrode, it is preferable that the differential determination value Dth is set to a value less than 0 (zero). Further, when the capacitance in the sensor electrode fluctuates due to the noise generated in the circuits such as the detection circuit 34 and the control circuit 35, the time derivative value of the capacitance may be less than 0 (zero) due to the noise. There is also sex. Therefore, it is preferable that the differential determination value Dth is set to a value smaller than the time differential value of the capacitance that can fluctuate due to the noise generated in the circuit. In other words, it is preferable to set the differential determination value Dth so that the time differential value of the capacitance does not become less than the differential determination value Dth due to the noise generated in the circuit.

Then, the control circuit 35 opens the vehicle door 3 when the sensor electrodes that continuously satisfy the first condition and the second condition among the plurality of sensor electrodes change in order in the opening direction OD of the vehicle door 3. On the other hand, the control circuit 35 closes the vehicle door 3 when the sensor electrodes that continuously satisfy the first condition and the second condition among the plurality of sensor electrodes change in order to the closing direction CD of the vehicle door 3.

Thus, in the present embodiment, the detection device 30 uses the capacitance and the time derivative value of the capacitance to indicate that the detection target moves closer to or further from the sensor electrodes 31, 32, 33, respectively. judge. The detection target may be a part of the user's body, may be an arm, or may be a hand. However, in the following description, for the sake of ease of explanation, the user shall manually operate the detection device 30. Further, the time derivative value of the capacitance is also simply referred to as "the derivative value of the capacitance".

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the operation of moving the vehicle door 3 in the opening direction OD (rear direction of the vehicle) while the user is approaching or in contact with the detection device 30 from the outside of the vehicle is "first. Also called "opening operation". On the other hand, the operation of moving the vehicle door 3 in the closing direction CD (vehicle front direction) with the user approaching or touching the detection device 30 from the outside of the vehicle is also referred to as "first closing operation".

Next, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, the content of the process executed by the control circuit 35 of the detection device 30 of the first embodiment for opening and closing the vehicle door 3 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 4, the control circuit 35 determines whether or not the first capacitance C1, which is the capacitance in the first sensor electrode 31, has changed (step S11). When the first capacitance C1 changes (step S11: YES), the control circuit 35 determines whether or not the first capacitance C1 becomes the determination value Cth or more (step S12). When the first capacitance C1 is less than the determination value Cth (step S12: NO), the control circuit 35 executes step S12 again. On the other hand, when the first capacitance C1 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth (step S12: YES), that is, when the detection target approaches the first sensor electrode 31, the control circuit 35 has a differential value of the first capacitance. It is determined whether or not D1 is less than the differential determination value Dth (step S13). When the differential value D1 of the first capacitance is equal to or greater than the differential determination value Dth (step S13: NO), that is, when the detection target is approaching the center of the first sensor electrode 31, the control circuit 35 sets the control circuit 35 in step S13. Is executed again.

On the other hand, when the differential value D1 of the first capacitance is less than the differential determination value Dth (step S13: YES), that is, when the detection target is in the process of moving away from the center of the first sensor electrode 31, the control circuit 35 , It is determined whether or not the second capacitance C2 in the second sensor electrode 32 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth (step S14). When the second capacitance C2 is less than the determination value Cth (step S14: NO), the control circuit 35 executes step S14 again. On the other hand, when the second capacitance C2 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth (step S14: YES), that is, when the detection target approaches the second sensor electrode 32, the control circuit 35 has a differential value of the second capacitance. It is determined whether or not D2 is less than the differential determination value Dth (step S15). When the differential value D2 of the second capacitance is equal to or greater than the differential determination value Dth (step S15: NO), that is, when the detection target is approaching the center of the second sensor electrode 32, the control circuit 35 sets the control circuit 35 in step S15. Is executed again.

On the other hand, when the differential value D2 of the second capacitance is less than the differential determination value Dth (step S15: YES), that is, when the detection target is in the process of moving away from the center of the second sensor electrode 32, the control circuit 35 , It is determined whether or not the third capacitance C3 in the third sensor electrode 33 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth (step S16). When the third capacitance C3 is less than the determination value Cth (step S16: NO), the control circuit 35 executes step S16 again. On the other hand, when the third capacitance C3 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth (step S16: YES), that is, when the detection target approaches the third sensor electrode 33, the control circuit 35 has a differential value of the third capacitance. It is determined whether or not D3 is less than the differential determination value Dth (step S17). When the differential value D3 of the third capacitance is equal to or greater than the differential determination value Dth (step S17: NO), that is, when the detection target is approaching the center of the third sensor electrode 33, the control circuit 35 sets the control circuit 35 in step S17. Is executed again.

On the other hand, when the differential value D3 of the third capacitance is less than the differential determination value Dth (step S17: YES), that is, when the detection target is in the process of moving away from the center of the third sensor electrode 33, the control circuit 35 , The operation time To, which is the time elapsed from the affirmative determination of step S12 to the affirmative determination of step S17, is acquired (step S18). Here, the operation time To is the time elapsed from when the first sensor electrode 31 satisfies the first condition until the third sensor electrode 33 satisfies the second condition.

Subsequently, the control circuit 35 determines the speed Vo at the time of opening the vehicle door 3 according to the operation time To (step S19). The speed Vo at the time of opening the vehicle door 3 is calculated so that the speed is higher when the operation time To is short than when the operation time To is long. Therefore, the first speed when the operation time To is the first operation time is faster than the second speed when the operation time To is the second operation time longer than the first operation time. Will be.

Then, the control circuit 35 outputs an open operation command signal to the door ECU 10 in order to open the vehicle door 3 at the speed Vo determined in the previous step S19 (step S20). After that, the control circuit 35 ends this process.

On the other hand, when the first capacitance C1 has not changed in the previous step S11 (step S11: NO), the control circuit 35 determines whether or not the third capacitance C3 has changed (step S21). ). When the third capacitance C3 changes (step S21: YES), the control circuit 35 determines whether or not the third capacitance C3 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth (step S22). When the third capacitance C3 is less than the determination value Cth (step S22: NO), the control circuit 35 executes step S22 again. On the other hand, when the third capacitance C3 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth (step S22: YES), the control circuit 35 determines whether or not the differential value D3 of the third capacitance is less than the differential determination value Dth. (Step S23). When the differential value D3 of the third capacitance is equal to or greater than the differential determination value Dth (step S23: NO), the control circuit 35 executes step S23 again.

On the other hand, when the differential value D3 of the third capacitance is less than the differential determination value Dth (step S23: YES), the control circuit 35 determines whether or not the second capacitance C2 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth. (Step S24). When the second capacitance C2 is less than the determination value Cth (step S24: NO), the control circuit 35 executes step S24 again. On the other hand, when the second capacitance C2 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth (step S24: YES), the control circuit 35 determines whether or not the differential value D2 of the second capacitance is less than the differential determination value Dth. (Step S25). When the differential value D2 of the second capacitance is equal to or greater than the differential determination value Dth (step S25: NO), the control circuit 35 executes step S25 again.

On the other hand, when the differential value D2 of the second capacitance is less than the differential determination value Dth (step S25: YES), the control circuit 35 determines whether or not the first capacitance C1 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth. (Step S26). When the first capacitance C1 is less than the determination value Cth (step S26: NO), the control circuit 35 executes step S26 again. On the other hand, when the first capacitance C1 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth (step S26: YES), the control circuit 35 determines whether or not the differential value D1 of the first capacitance is less than the differential determination value Dth. (Step S27). When the differential value D1 of the first capacitance is equal to or greater than the differential determination value Dth (step S27: NO), the control circuit 35 executes step S27 again.

On the other hand, when the differential value D1 of the first capacitance is less than the differential determination value Dth (step S27: YES), the control circuit 35 elapses from the affirmative determination of step S22 to the affirmative determination of step S27. The operation time To is acquired (step S28). Subsequently, the control circuit 35 determines the speed Vc when the vehicle door 3 is closed according to the operation time To (step S29). Then, the control circuit 35 outputs a closing operation command signal to the door ECU 10 in order to close the vehicle door 3 at the speed Vc determined in the previous step S28 (step S30). After that, the control circuit 35 ends this process.

On the other hand, if the third capacitance C3 has not changed in the previous step S21 (step S21: NO), it is assumed that no operation has been performed on the detection device 30, and the control circuit 35 has this process. To finish.

If the negative determination is continued for a predetermined time in steps S12 to S17 and S22 to S27 of the above flowchart, the control circuit 35 considers that the operation on the detection device 30 is interrupted and ends this process. Is preferable.

Next, the operation of the detection device 30 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to the timing charts shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. FIG. 5 shows the capacitance and the differentiation of the capacitance in the first sensor electrode 31, the second sensor electrode 32, and the third sensor electrode 33 when the user performs the first opening operation on the detection device 30. It shows the transition of the value.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the user performs the first opening operation on the detection device 30, the user's hand enters the detection range of the first sensor electrode 31 at the first timing t1. Therefore, after the first timing t1, the first capacitance C1 gradually increases. Subsequently, at the second timing t2 while the user's hand is approaching the central portion of the first sensor electrode 31, the first capacitance C1 becomes the determination value Cth or more. That is, at the second timing t2, the first condition in the first sensor electrode 31 is satisfied. Then, at the third timing t3 when the user's hand comes closest to the center of the first sensor electrode 31, the first capacitance C1 becomes the maximum value. After that, at the fourth timing t4 while the user's hand is away from the central portion of the first sensor electrode 31, the differential value D1 of the first capacitance becomes less than the differential determination value Dth. That is, the second condition in the first sensor electrode 31 is satisfied.

When the user's hand enters the detection range of the second sensor electrode 32 at the fifth timing t5, the second capacitance C2 gradually increases after the fifth timing t5. Subsequently, at the sixth timing t6 while the user's hand is approaching the central portion of the second sensor electrode 32, the second capacitance C2 becomes the determination value Cth or more. That is, at the sixth timing t6, the first condition in the second sensor electrode 32 is satisfied. Then, at the seventh timing t7 when the user's hand comes closest to the center of the second sensor electrode 32, the second capacitance C2 becomes the maximum value. After that, at the eighth timing t8 while the user's hand is away from the central portion of the second sensor electrode 32, the differential value D2 of the second capacitance becomes less than the differential determination value Dth. That is, at the eighth timing t8, the second condition in the second sensor electrode 32 is satisfied.

At the ninth timing t9, when the user's hand enters the detection range of the third sensor electrode 33, the third capacitance C3 gradually increases after the ninth timing t9. Subsequently, at the tenth timing t10 while the user's hand is approaching the center of the third sensor electrode 33, the third capacitance C3 becomes the determination value Cth or more. That is, at the tenth timing t10, the first condition in the third sensor electrode 33 is satisfied. Then, at the eleventh timing t11 when the user's hand comes closest to the center of the third sensor electrode 33, the third capacitance C3 becomes the maximum value. After that, at the twelfth timing t12 while the user's hand is away from the central portion of the third sensor electrode 33, the differential value D3 of the third capacitance becomes less than the differential determination value Dth. That is, at the twelfth timing t12, the second condition in the third sensor electrode 33 is satisfied.

In this way, the sensor electrodes that continuously satisfy the first condition and the second condition change in the order of the first sensor electrode 31, the second sensor electrode 32, and the third sensor electrode 33, so that the vehicle door is displayed at the twelfth timing t12 and thereafter. 3 opens. Here, the speed Vo when the vehicle door 3 is opened is the twelfth from the second timing t2 in which the first condition is satisfied in the first sensor electrode 31 to the twelfth in which the second condition is satisfied in the third sensor electrode 33. The speed is set according to the operation time To up to the timing t12.

According to the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The user can open and close the vehicle door 3 by moving the hands of the plurality of sensor electrodes 31, 32, 33 of the detection device 30 to the open direction OD or the closed direction CD. Therefore, the detection device 30 can enhance the convenience of the user when opening and closing the vehicle door 3.

Further, for example, when the sensor electrode satisfying only one of the first condition and the second condition among the plurality of sensor electrodes 31, 32, 33 changes to the open direction OD or the closed direction CD, the vehicle door 3 is opened. In the detection device 30 that opens and closes, the following problems may occur. That is, the vehicle door 3 may be opened and closed simply by the user approaching in front of the detection device 30 or moving away from the front of the detection device 30. In this respect, in the detection device 30 of the present embodiment, when the sensor electrode that continuously satisfies the first condition and the second condition among the plurality of sensor electrodes 31, 32, 33 changes to the open direction OD or the closed direction CD. , The vehicle door 3 is opened and closed. Therefore, the detection device 30 can prevent the vehicle door 3 from being inadvertently opened and closed.

(2) The detection device 30 determines that the first condition is satisfied when the capacitance of the sensor electrode is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth for determining the approach of the user's hand. Therefore, the detection device 30 can suppress the opening / closing operation of the vehicle door 3 even though the user's hand as the detection target is not close to the plurality of sensor electrodes 31, 32, 33.

(3) The detection device 30 determines that the second condition is satisfied when the time derivative value of the capacitance is less than the differential determination value Dth smaller than 0 (zero) in the sensor electrode. Therefore, the detection device 30 can accurately determine whether or not the second condition is satisfied in the plurality of sensor electrodes 31, 32, 33.

(4) The user can change the speeds Vo and Vc during the opening / closing operation of the vehicle door 3 according to the time from the timing when the operation to the detection device 30 is started to the timing when the operation is finished. Further, even if the user operates the detection device 30 quickly locally or slowly, the speed at which the vehicle door 3 is opened and closed based on such an exceptional operation. It is possible to suppress the determination of Vo and Vc. Therefore, the detection device 30 can enhance the convenience of the user when the vehicle door 3 is opened and closed.

(Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the detection device 30 will be described. When the detection device 30 of the second embodiment is compared with the detection device 30 of the first embodiment, the content of the processing executed by the control circuit 35 is different. Therefore, in the description of the second embodiment, the description overlapping with the first embodiment will be omitted.

When a user or the like passes by the side of the vehicle 1 provided with the detection device 30 on the vehicle door 3, the sensor electrodes that continuously satisfy the first condition and the second condition are the first sensor electrode 31 and the second sensor. The electrode 32 and the third sensor electrode 33 may change in this order. Similarly, in this case, the sensor electrodes that continuously satisfy the first condition and the second condition may change in the order of the third sensor electrode 33, the second sensor electrode 32, and the first sensor electrode 31.

Therefore, in the second embodiment, in the control circuit 35, the sensor electrodes that continuously satisfy the first condition and the second condition are the second sensor electrode 32 and the second sensor electrode under the condition that the first sensor electrode 31 does not satisfy the first condition. When the three sensor electrodes 33 change in this order, an open operation command signal is output to the door ECU 10. On the other hand, in the control circuit 35, under the condition that the third sensor electrode 33 does not satisfy the first condition, the sensor electrodes that continuously satisfy the first condition and the second condition are the second sensor electrode 32 and the first sensor electrode 31 in this order. When the change occurs, a closing operation command signal is output to the door ECU 10.

That is, the detection device 30 is an opening operation in which the user moves his / her hand toward the third sensor electrode 33 after bringing his / her hand close to the second sensor electrode 32 without bringing his / her hand close to the first sensor electrode 31 (hereinafter,). , Also referred to as "second opening operation"), the vehicle door 3 is opened. On the other hand, the detection device 30 is a closing operation in which the user moves his / her hand toward the first sensor electrode 31 after bringing his / her hand close to the second sensor electrode 32 without bringing his / her hand close to the third sensor electrode 33 (hereinafter,). , Also referred to as "second closing operation"), the vehicle door 3 is closed.

Next, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, the contents of the process executed by the control circuit 35 of the detection device 30 of the second embodiment for opening the vehicle door 3 will be described. Note that the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 omits the description of parts common to the flowchart shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 6, the control circuit 35 determines whether or not the first capacitance C1 is less than the determination value Cth (step S31). When the first capacitance C1 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth (step S31: NO), that is, when the detection target is close to the first sensor electrode 31, the control circuit 35 ends this process. On the other hand, when the first capacitance C1 is less than the determination value Cth (step S31: YES), the control circuit 35 determines whether or not the elapsed time since the first affirmative determination of step S31 is equal to or longer than the determination time Tth. Is determined. When the elapsed time is less than the determination time Tth (step S32: NO), the control circuit 35 shifts the process to step S31. On the other hand, when the elapsed time is equal to or longer than the determination time Tth (step S32: YES), the control circuit 35 shifts the process to step S14 in FIG. That is, when the situation where the first capacitance C1 is less than the determination value Cth continues for the determination time Tth, the control circuit 35 is the second based on the second capacitance C2 and the third capacitance C3. It is determined whether or not the opening operation of 2 is performed. The determination time Tth may be determined based on the speed of operation of the user assumed by the detection device 30, and may be, for example, a time of about 1 to several seconds.

Further, in the second embodiment, the operation time To when the vehicle door 3 is opened is required from the time when the second sensor electrode 32 satisfies the first condition until the third sensor electrode 33 satisfies the second condition. Suppose it is time.

Next, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, the contents of the process executed by the control circuit 35 of the detection device 30 of the second embodiment for closing the vehicle door 3 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 7, the control circuit 35 determines whether or not the third capacitance C3 is less than the determination value Cth (step S33). When the third capacitance C3 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth (step S33: NO), that is, when the detection target is close to the third sensor electrode 33, the control circuit 35 ends this process. On the other hand, when the third capacitance C3 is less than the determination value Cth (step S33: YES), the control circuit 35 determines whether or not the elapsed time since the first affirmative determination of step S33 is equal to or longer than the determination time Tth. Is determined (step S34). When the elapsed time is less than the determination time Tth (step S34: NO), the control circuit 35 shifts the process to step S33. On the other hand, when the elapsed time is equal to or longer than the determination time Tth (step S34: YES), the control circuit 35 shifts the process to step S24 in FIG. That is, the control circuit 35 is based on the first capacitance C1 and the second capacitance C2 when the situation where the third capacitance C3 is less than the determination value Cth continues for the determination time Tth. It is determined whether or not the closing operation of 2 is performed.

In the second embodiment, the operation time To when the vehicle door 3 is closed is the time required from the second sensor electrode 32 satisfying the first condition to the first sensor electrode 31 satisfying the second condition. Suppose that

Next, the operation of the detection device 30 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to the timing charts shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. FIG. 8 shows the capacitance and the differentiation of the capacitance in the first sensor electrode 31, the second sensor electrode 32, and the third sensor electrode 33 when the user performs the second opening operation on the detection device 30. It shows the transition of the value.

As shown in FIG. 8, when the user performs the second opening operation with respect to the detection device 30, at the first timing t21, the user's hand enters the detection range of the second sensor electrode 32, and the second At the timing t22 of, the second capacitance C2 becomes the determination value Cth or more. That is, at the second timing t22, the first condition in the second sensor electrode 32 is satisfied. Then, at the third timing t23 in which the user's hand moving to the closed-direction CD comes closest to the center of the first sensor electrode 31, the second capacitance C2 becomes the maximum value. After that, at the fourth timing t24, the differential value D2 of the second capacitance becomes less than the differential determination value Dth, and the second condition in the second sensor electrode 32 is satisfied.

Subsequently, at the fifth timing t25, the user's hand enters the detection range of the third sensor electrode 33, and at the sixth timing t26, the third capacitance C3 becomes the determination value Cth or more. That is, at the sixth timing t26, the first condition in the third sensor electrode 33 is satisfied. Then, at the seventh timing t27 in which the user's hand moving to the closed-direction CD comes closest to the center of the third sensor electrode 33, the third capacitance C3 becomes the maximum value. After that, at the eighth timing t28, the differential value D2 of the second capacitance becomes less than the differential determination value Dth, and the second condition in the third sensor electrode 33 is satisfied.

On the other hand, in the timing charts shown in FIGS. 8 (a) and 8 (b), the first electrostatic charge is obtained in the period retroactive from the second timing t22 when the second capacitance C2 is equal to or higher than the determination value Cth. The capacitance C1 is less than the determination value Cth. In other words, the first capacitance C1 is less than the determination value Cth in the determination time Tth corresponding to the period from the 0th timing t20 to the second timing.

In this way, while the state in which the first sensor electrode 31 does not satisfy the first condition continues, the sensor electrodes that continuously satisfy the first condition and the second condition change in the order of the second sensor electrode 32 and the third sensor electrode 33. Then, after the eighth timing t28, the vehicle door 3 is opened. At this time, the speed Vo of the vehicle door 3 is operated from the second timing t22 in which the first condition is satisfied in the second sensor electrode 32 to the eighth timing t28 in which the second condition is satisfied in the third sensor electrode 33. The speed is set according to the time To.

According to the second embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(4) According to the present embodiment, in the detection device 30, among a plurality of sensor electrodes excluding some sensor electrodes, the sensor electrodes that continuously satisfy the first condition and the second condition are in the open direction OD or the closed direction. When changing to a CD, the vehicle door 3 is opened and closed. Therefore, the detection device 30 can suppress the opening / closing operation of the vehicle door 3 when the user or the like passes by the side of the vehicle 1.

The above embodiment may be modified as shown below.
-In the detection device 30, the number of sensor electrodes may be two or four or more.

The control circuit 35 may determine the speeds Vo and Vc during the opening / closing operation of the vehicle door 3 based on the capacitance and the time derivative value of the capacitance in any sensor electrode. For example, the control circuit 35 may determine the speeds Vo and Vc during the opening / closing operation of the vehicle door 3 based on the average value of the differential values of the capacitances of the plurality of sensor electrodes.

The control circuit 35 may determine whether or not the first condition in the sensor electrode is satisfied based on the differential value of the capacitance. For example, the control circuit 35 may determine that the first condition in the sensor electrode is satisfied when the differential value of the capacitance in the sensor electrode becomes greater than or equal to the differential determination value larger than 0 (zero).

The control circuit 35 may determine whether or not the second condition in the sensor electrode is satisfied based on the capacitance. For example, the control circuit 35 may determine that the second condition in the sensor electrode is satisfied when the capacitance in the sensor electrode is less than a determination value larger than 0 (zero).

The detection device 30 may be provided on the body 2 or the window glass 5.
-The vehicle door 3 may be a back door. In this case, the sensor electrode may be provided, for example, on an emblem attached to the back door, or may be provided on the opening edge where the back door opens and closes. In this case, it is preferable that the plurality of sensor electrodes are provided so as to be arranged in the vertical direction of the vehicle 1.

1 ... Vehicle, 2 ... Body, 2a ... Opening, 3 ... Vehicle door, 4 ... Door body, 5 ... Window glass, 6 ... Door lock, 10 ... Door ECU, 11 ... Door drive unit (an example of actuator), 12 ... Door lock drive unit, 21 ... door outer panel, 22 ... door inner panel, 23 ... door trim, 30 ... detection device, 31 ... first sensor electrode (example of first end sensor electrode), 32 ... second sensor electrode, 33 ... 3rd sensor electrode (example of second end sensor electrode), 34 ... detection circuit, 35 ... control circuit (example of control unit), 36 ... housing, CD ... closed direction, OD ... open direction, Vc, Vo ... Speed, To ... Operation time, Tth ... Judgment time, C1 ... First capacitance, C2 ... Second capacitance, C3 ... Third capacitance, Cth ... Judgment value, D1 ... First capacitance Time differential value, D2 ... Time differential value of the second capacitance, D3 ... Time differential value of the third capacitance, Dth ... Differential judgment value.

Claims (3)

Multiple sensor electrodes, which are arranged at intervals in the opening and closing direction of the vehicle door and whose capacitance increases as the distance from the detection target becomes shorter,
It is equipped with a control unit that drives an actuator to open and close the vehicle door.
When the condition satisfied when the detection target approaches the sensor electrode is set as the first condition, and the condition satisfied when the detection target moves away from the sensor electrode is set as the second condition.
The control unit is based on the capacitance.
When the sensor electrodes that continuously satisfy the first condition and the second condition among the plurality of sensor electrodes change in order in the opening direction of the vehicle door, the vehicle door is opened while the first condition is satisfied. A vehicle operation detection device that closes the vehicle door when the sensor electrodes that continuously satisfy the second condition change in the closing direction of the vehicle door.
A plurality of the sensor electrodes are provided in three or more along the opening / closing direction.
When the sensor electrode located at the end in the closed direction is used as the first end sensor electrode and the sensor electrode located at the end in the open direction is used as the second end sensor electrode among the plurality of sensor electrodes.
The control unit
In a situation where the first end sensor electrode does not satisfy the first condition, the first condition and the second condition are continuously satisfied among the plurality of sensor electrodes excluding the first end sensor electrode. When the sensor electrode changes in the opening direction, the vehicle door is opened to open the operation.
In a situation where the second end sensor electrode does not satisfy the first condition, the first condition and the second condition are continuously satisfied among the plurality of sensor electrodes excluding the second end sensor electrode. A vehicle operation detection device that closes the vehicle door when the sensor electrode changes in the closing direction. The vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit determines that the first condition is satisfied when the capacitance of the sensor electrode is equal to or greater than a determination value for determining the approach of the detection target. Operation detector. The vehicle operation detection according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the control unit determines that the second condition is satisfied when the time derivative value of the capacitance becomes less than 0 in the sensor electrode. Device.

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