JPH0521509Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] Technical Field The present invention relates to a motorized vehicle (hereinafter referred to as an automobile).

BACKGROUND TECHNOLOGY Currently, automobiles are operated using steering wheels,
This is performed using a plurality of operating means such as an accelerator pedal, a brake pedal, and a gear shift lever. However, in today's advanced computer technology, multiple command information such as steering command information, forward/backward command information, acceleration/deceleration command information, etc., can be obtained as electrical signals from a single operating lever, and these commands can be processed as electrical signals. It is conceivable to simplify vehicle steering by having a microprocessor determine the electrical information signal and controlling the drive system or steering system of the vehicle.

Purpose of the invention Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to effectively utilize the interior space of the vehicle by arranging the above-mentioned travel control rods at appropriate locations while improving the operability of the travel control rods. The object of the present invention is to provide an automobile cabin structure that also realizes the following.

Structure of the invention The vehicle interior structure of the present invention is a vehicle interior structure including a control rod that is disposed in the vehicle interior and controls the traveling of the vehicle by operation by a passenger. A recess opening inward is provided as an armrest near the seat on an inner surface forming a chamber, and the control rod is disposed within the recess,
It is characterized by the operation buttons placed in the center of the center console located between the pair of seats.

By adopting such a configuration, the present invention allows the armrest to not only play the role of simply resting the elbow, but also to prevent the elbow from moving toward the side of the vehicle due to the inertial force generated when the vehicle changes direction or turns. Therefore, the elbow can be securely fixed in the armrest, and the control rod can be operated reliably even if only by a small amount. In addition, the control rods are placed inside the armrest on the inside wall of the vehicle, allowing effective use of space on the center console, and by locating the operation buttons in this area, operability and visibility are improved. be able to.

Embodiments Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 and 2 show the entire automobile according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 shows a cross section near the lateral center of the vehicle by hatching. In the illustrated automobile, a vehicle body 3 is supported by a pair of front wheels 1a, 1b and a pair of rear wheels 2a, 2b. The shape of the vehicle body 3 is such that the front top surface slopes forward, and the center part rises rearward, leaving the side part near the rear wheels on the rear bottom surface, and hangs down parts 3a, 3b near the rear wheels 2a, 2b. The shape is such that it is formed. In particular, as is clear from FIG. 3, the cross section in the vertical longitudinal direction (hereinafter referred to as longitudinal direction) at the center of the vehicle body has a wing shape, and preferably the length along the longitudinal direction of the lower surface of the wing shape is equal to that of the upper surface. It is made longer than that so that a downward lifting force acts on the vehicle body while the vehicle is running. Note that the shape of the cross section of the inner wall surface of the hanging parts 3a, 3b along the vehicle lateral direction is curved in a concave shape to promote wind tunnel formation of the air flow path defined by the hanging parts 3a, 3b. Further, a recess 4 having an approximately elliptical opening is provided extending from near the front end of the vehicle body 3 to slightly behind the central portion, and a transparent approximately spherical cover 5 is mounted on the opening surface so as to be detachable or openable. Together with the recess 4, it forms a vehicle compartment. For example, the front of the left and right sides of the vehicle body 3 are doors 6a, 6.
Only the front part of the cover 5 can be opened and closed forward and backward by a hinge (not shown) at the front. A display 7 is installed in front of the recess 4 to display various information as described below. Also, a pair of seats 8a facing forward,
8b is provided sandwiching the center console 9. In the center of the center console 9, there is provided an operation panel, ie, a keyboard 10, on which a group of operation buttons are arranged in a concentrated manner. In addition, so-called outer panels 11a, 11 forming the outer surface of the vehicle body 3
An armrest recess 13 is provided in the inner panels 12a and 12b, which are integrally combined with the inner panels 12a and 12b to form the vehicle interior wall.
a, 13b are formed. At the bottom of the armrest recesses 13a and 13b, there are operating rods 14, which should also be called active control stays.
a and 14b are installed upright. Operation rod 1
4a and 14b, commands given by the occupant to the automobile include, for example, various commands such as a forward or reverse command, an acceleration or deceleration command, a left turn or right turn command, and a lamp control command, as shown in FIG. It is done so that it can be uttered. The operating rods 14a and 14b are provided with a number of pressure-sensitive sensors around a fixed member to detect the pressing force applied by the occupant's hand, and send various control commands as described above to a steering mechanism (not shown) by electrical signals. Alternatively, driving of the vehicle can be controlled by controlling the engine, etc., which will be described later. In addition,
The control rods 14a and 14b are provided on the left and right so that they can be controlled by two passengers, respectively.
It is also conceivable to remove the control rod 14a with only the right control rod 14b. Note that the front wheels 1a and 1b may be a single front wheel. Further, it is also possible that the sheets 8a and 8b are a single sheet.

FIG. 7 shows a cross section when the central portion of the vehicle body 3 is cut in the transverse direction. As is clear from this figure, the cushion portions 8aa, 8 of the sheets 8a, 8b
bb is formed as usual, but the inner panels 12a,
The lower portion of the inner panel 12b protrudes inward, that is, toward the center of the vehicle, and forms a substantially continuous curved surface on the upper surface of the seat portions 8aa, 8bb.
a, 12b and the seat portions 8aa, 8bb cooperate to support the occupant tightly and stably. Furthermore, the upper surface of the center console 9 also forms a curved surface that is substantially continuous with the upper surfaces of the seat parts 8aa and 8bb, and the inner panel 12a, the seat parts 8aa,
The center console 9, the seat part 8bb, and the inner panel 12b collectively form two seats 8a,
8b, the occupant can feel a sense of unity with the vehicle.

FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged view of the rear portion of the vehicle body 3, in which the inner portion of the lower end of the hanging portion 3a protrudes inward, that is, toward the vehicle center line, forming an inner protrusion 3aa. Although not shown, the hanging portion 3b has a similar shape. By adopting such a shape, the wind tunnel at the bottom of the vehicle body 3 defined by the hanging parts 3a and 3b has a larger chimney effect, and the flow velocity of the air flow passing through the wind tunnel becomes larger. This increases the downward lift force on the vehicle body, improving driving stability.

Next, as is clear from FIG. 1, in the illustrated vehicle, in order to drive the rear wheels 2a, 2b, a drive sources 15a, 15 separately.
b, and each rear wheel 2a, 2b is driven via a separate torque transmission mechanism 16a, 16b. Note that the driving source may be an internal combustion engine or an electric motor.

FIG. 9a shows an example of the configuration of the drive system for the rear wheels 2a and 2b described above, and shows the drive sources 15a and 15b.
is controlled by the control device 17 in order to apply the optimum torque to each wheel for straight and cornering driving. Torques from the output shafts of the drive sources 15a, 15b are supplied to the rear wheels 2a, 2b through transmissions 18a, 18b, and further through gear assemblies 19a, 19b consisting of a pair of bevel gears, respectively. On the other hand, the control device 17 monitors the rear wheel drive torque or rotation speed using sensors 20a and 20b, and also monitors the operating parameters of the drive sources 15a and 15b, and applies torque suitable for vehicle running to the rear wheels.
Drive sources 15a and 15b to supply power to a and 2b, respectively.
and transmissions 18a, 18b (including clutches) in a correlated manner. For example, when the drive sources 15a and 15b are internal combustion engines, the operating parameters are so-called engine parameters such as intake air amount, throttle opening, and engine speed, and control the fuel supply amount or secondary intake air amount. When the drive sources 15a and 15b are DC motors, the applied voltage and the like are controlled.

FIG. 9b shows another rear wheel drive system, in which torque is transmitted to the rear wheels through known differential gear assemblies 21a and 21b instead of gear assemblies 19a and 19b in FIG. 9a. It is beginning to be transmitted. Further, since the differential gear assemblies 21a and 21b autonomously distribute the required torque, the sensors 20a and 20b may be omitted.

As described above, since the drive sources 15a and 15b are separated and placed in the hanging parts 3a and 3b, a sufficiently large recess is formed in the center bottom of the car body 3, and a large downward lift force is applied to the car body due to the wind tunnel effect. 3, the high-speed running stability of the vehicle is improved.

Next, as is particularly clear from FIGS. 4 and 5, a band-shaped obstacle display indicator 30 is set around the opening of the recess 4 forming the cabin of the vehicle body 3. The obstacle display indicator 30 may be a continuous arrangement of a large number of emitting elements, and may be installed on the inner wall surface of the recess 4 as long as it is within the visual field of the occupant. The point is that it can be provided continuously or discontinuously from the front of the occupant to the sides and, if necessary, to the rear, to indicate the direction in which the obstacle exists as viewed from the center of the vehicle.

As is clear from FIG. 10, the lighting of the obstacle indicator 30 is controlled by a control circuit 32 that operates based on a detection signal from an obstacle sensor 31, such as an omnidirectional radar, provided at a suitable location on the vehicle body 3.
For example, it is conceivable that only the issuing element located in the direction of the obstacle is illuminated to inform the occupant of the direction of the obstacle, and furthermore, a distance factor may be displayed by different colors of emitted light.

In FIG. 11, the content of the operation of the keyboard 10 by the occupant is displayed on the display 7, while any one of the actuator groups 40 is operated to turn on the head lamps, operate the blinkers, operate the wipers, turn on the interior lights, etc.
It shows a control system that performs various operations such as air conditioner operation. That is, the keyboard 10
For example, a large number of touch switches are arranged on an operation panel surface, and operation information data indicating which switch is operated is supplied to the signal processing device 41. The signal processing device 41 drives one of the actuator groups 40 according to the operation information data, and also drives the display 7 via the driver 42 to display the contents of the operation information data to the occupant. Make it visible. The above operation is basically the same as the conventional example, but in this embodiment, at least one of the switch groups of the keyboard 10 receives information indicating the proximity or contact of an object such as an occupant's finger to the switch. It is configured so that it can be sent.
That is, at least one of the switches on the keyboard 10 is a switch with a proximity detection function, and this proximity information data is also supplied to the signal processing device 41. The signal processing device 41 drives the display 7 according to the proximity information data to indicate which switch the passenger's finger approaches or touches. Therefore, it is convenient for the passenger to know from the display on the display 7 which switch he or she is trying to operate without looking at his/her hand. It is also conceivable that the display device 7 is provided with an indicator corresponding to each switch, and that the indicator emits green light depending on the proximity information data, and then causes the same indicator to emit red light depending on the operation information data. The point is that the proximity display and the operation display may be performed in different manners.

Further, the signal processing device 41 receives not only information from the keyboard 10 but also navigation information such as sightseeing information and road congestion information obtained from the outside from the receiver 43, and controls the display 7 to display the information. drive

FIG. 13 shows a specific example of the configuration of the display 7. As shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, various information indicators related to accessories that are not directly related to the running of the vehicle are arranged on the left side of the display 7 when viewed from the passenger side. That is, near the section INF indicating that it is an information indicator group, there is a section NAVI indicating that navigation information is being received, a section SATE indicating that the satellite broadcast is being received, and a section SATE indicating that the videophone is being used. section
TVTEL etc. are installed. In addition, near the section OPE indicating that it is an operation information group, there is a section AUDIO indicating that audio control is in progress, a section CRUISE indicating that cruise control is in progress, and a section indicating that interior fitness control is in progress.
INTE etc. are provided. Above the center of the display 7 is a section 60 that displays the vehicle speed mode.
Section 61 that displays road surface conditions; Section 62 that indicates selection of manual or automatic gear ratio change;
A speed display section 63 is provided next to it. A two-dimensional screen display surface 64 such as a CRT is provided below the center, and can also be configured to show a rear view screen.

A two-dimensional screen display surface 65 is arranged on the right side of the display device 7 and serves as a display section for an omnidirectional radar and a gyro locator formed around the vertical interior of the vehicle.

FIG. 14 shows an example of a control system for the two-dimensional screen display section 65 in the display 7. As shown in FIG. That is,
The difference from FIG. 11 is that it includes a route display map file 70, an obstacle detection sensor 71, and a vehicle current position sensor 72. The subroutine operation of the signal processing device 41 that controls the operation of the control system having such a configuration will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

That is, when the route display switch flag is set during the main routine operation of the signal processing circuit 41 (step S ₁ ), the number N of addresses is set to 1 (step S ₂ ), and then the map screen corresponding to address 1 is displayed as a map. It is called from the file 70 and displayed on the display screen 64 (step S ₃ ). The displayed image at this time is, for example, as shown in FIG. 16a.

Next, when the occupant presses an enlargement switch (not shown) on the keyboard 10 (step _S4 ), the address N is incremented by one address (step _S5 ). now,
If a route display screen with a smaller scale is prepared as the address increases, route display images with decreasing scales will be displayed on the display screen 64, and then the image with the smallest scale will be displayed. (step)
S ₆ ), the signal processing device 41 displays an obstacle as shown in FIG. 16 based on the information obtained from the obstacle sensor 71 (step S ₇ ). When a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the obstacle display (step S ₈ ), the obstacle display is enlarged as shown in FIG. 16c (step S ₉ ). When the enlargement release button is turned on (step _S10 ), the obstacle display is stopped (step S10).
_S11 ).

Figure 17 shows the keyboard 1 shown in Figure 11.
2 shows an example in which another function is added to the signal processing device 41 and the signal processing device 41. That is, the signal processing device 41 is a vehicle speed sensor 7 provided at an appropriate location in the vehicle.
3. Information is received from a lateral acceleration sensor 74 and a longitudinal (ie, longitudinal) acceleration sensor 75. On the other hand, hydraulic dampers 76 and 77 are embedded in the cushion portions of the seats 8a and 8b to adjust the cushioning degree, that is, the elasticity of the seats. The number of hydraulic dampers is not limited to two,
It is preferable to provide a desired number of cushions in a distributed manner so as to provide appropriate cushioning to the occupant. The resiliency of the hydraulic dampers 76 and 77 is adjusted by a drive device 78. Adjustment of not only the cushioning degree of the seats 8a and 8b but also the attitude such as the inclination of the backrest portion is performed by adjusting the attitude of the frame, which is the core of the cushioning member, by a means not shown in the drawings in response to commands from the drive device 78.

An appropriate number of pressure sensors 79, 80 are embedded in the cushion members of the seats 8a, 8b, and are used to detect the magnitude and distribution of the pressing force applied to the seat by the occupant, and to transmit this information. The signal is sent to the signal processing device 4. The signal processing device 41 controls at least one of the cushioning degree and the posture of the frame of the seats 8a and 8b via the drive device 78 so that optimum so-called lumbar support is provided according to the input signal, thereby automatically transforming the seat device. It constitutes.

If the posture of the seats 8a, 8b of the automatically deformable seat device configured in this way and the magnitude and direction of the pressing force applied to the seat cushion are displayed on the display 7 in a visible manner, it will be easier for the occupants to understand their own posture. It is preferable to be able to know the driving posture or the acceleration of the vehicle, and to obtain a sense of unity with the vehicle.

FIG. 18 shows an example of the configuration of the display 7 used in the device shown in FIG. 17. In this example, a basic figure 81 in the form of the sheets 8a and 8b looking down diagonally from the rear is shown in advance on the left side of the display screen, and on this basic figure 81, the pressure sensor 79,
The sheet pressing force distribution obtained from 80 is shown by arrows. The direction of the pressing force may be represented by the direction of the arrow, and the magnitude of the pressing force may be represented by the length of the arrow. The change in the posture of the sheets 8a, 8b may be shown by the basic figure 81 as a solid line and the change as a dotted line.

FIG. 19 shows the recess 4 of the vehicle body 3 described above.
This figure shows an external sound collection and relay device that introduces external sound into the vehicle interior formed by the above. That is, a pair of sound collection microphones 90a, 90b and 91a, 91b are provided at the front and rear of the vehicle body 3, respectively. Each audio signal obtained from the sound collecting microphone is transmitted through amplifiers 92a, 92b and 93a,
Speakers 94a, 94b and 95 via 93b
a, 95b and radiates into the vehicle interior.

According to such a vehicle external sound collecting and relaying device, when the vehicle interior is sealed and the driver cannot hear the vehicle external sound, the vehicle external sound is forcibly introduced to detect the approach of another vehicle or the sound necessary for driving such as a warning sound. This allows acoustic information outside the vehicle to be provided to the driver.

FIG. 19b shows speakers 94a, 94b and 95
a, 95b to the head rest 8 of sheets 8a, 8b
An example of placement at aa and 8bb is shown. By doing this, the amplifiers 92a, 92b, 93a, 93
Since the power of b can be reduced, cost reduction can be expected.

Effects of the Invention As is clear from the above, in the vehicle interior structure according to the present invention, an armrest recess is formed in the interior side wall of the vehicle, and a control rod for controlling vehicle running and steering is arranged in this recess. The space can be used both as a space and a space for an armrest, making it possible to increase the interior space of the vehicle. Furthermore, the control rod can be operated in a comfortable posture, which is preferable.

In particular, the armrest does not simply serve as a place to rest the elbow, but also prevents the elbow from shifting toward the side of the vehicle due to inertia generated when the vehicle changes direction or turns. It can be securely fixed in the armrest, and
This allows the control rod to be operated reliably, even if only by a small amount. Furthermore, by placing the control rod inside the armrest on the interior side wall of the vehicle, the area on the center console can be used effectively, and by placing the operation buttons in this area, the operability
This makes it possible to improve visibility.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a rear upper perspective view of the automobile according to the present invention, Fig. 2 is a rear lower perspective view of the automobile shown in Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a central longitudinal direction of the automobile shown in Figs. 1 and 2. 4 and 5 are front and rear upper perspective views of the vehicle interior of the vehicle shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the vertical section with hatching. 7 is a lateral sectional view of the passenger compartment of the automobile shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 8 is a partial rear external view of the automobile shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 9a , b is a system block diagram showing the rear wheel drive system of the automobile shown in FIG.
The figure is a block diagram showing the outline of the automobile obstacle indicator shown in Fig. 1 and its driving circuit.
Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the display system and operation system installed in the vehicle interior, Figure 12 is a side view showing an example of a switch that can generate proximity information, and Figure 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of the display device installed also in the vehicle interior. 14 is a block diagram showing a control system that continuously displays a route and obstacles on a display inside the vehicle; FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control system shown in FIG. 14; 16a, b, and c are schematic diagrams showing the flow of display patterns obtained by the control system of FIG. 14;
Fig. 17 is a block diagram showing a control system for controlling the posture and/or cushion of the seat in the vehicle;
This figure is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a display device used in the control system of FIG. 17, and FIGS. 19a and 19b are schematic diagrams showing the configuration of an external sound collection and relay device. Explanation of symbols of main parts, 1a, 1b...front wheel,
2a, 2b...Rear wheel, 3...Vehicle body, 3a, 3b...
... Drooping part, 4... Vehicle compartment forming recess, 5... Cover,
6a, 6b...Door, 7...Display, 8a, 8b
...Seat, 9...Center console, 10...
Keyboard, 14a, 14b...Control rod, 15
a, 15b... Drive source, 17... Control circuit, 30
...Obstacle indicator.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claim for Utility Model Registration] An automobile cabin structure including a control rod that is arranged in the cabin of the automobile and controls the running of the automobile by operation by a passenger, the interior forming the cabin. An automobile characterized in that a recess opening inwardly is provided as an armrest near a side seat, the control rod is arranged in the recess, and an operation button is arranged in the center of a center console located between a pair of seats. cabin structure.