Control device for vehicle and control method for vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a control device for a vehicle and a control method for the vehicle. A vehicle includes a door, a powered unlocking mechanism powered with power from a battery mounted in the vehicle and also electrically unlocking the door, and a physical unlocking mechanism for manually unlocking the door. A control device of a vehicle includes an announcement circuit that performs announcement of predetermined information to a user of the vehicle. When the power of the battery is less than a predetermined threshold, the announcement circuit performs announcement of at least one of a position of the physical unlocking mechanism and information how the door is unlocked by the physical unlocking mechanism to a user.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control device for a vehicle and a control method thereof. Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent No. 06689907 discloses a control device that moves a window in a closing direction when the remaining battery level of a driving battery installed in a vehicle is lower than a predetermined value. Summary of the invention

[0003] Here, although it is not explicitly described in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent No. 06689907, there is a case where a mechanism for electrically unlocking a vehicle door is provided. In this case, when the charge in the battery is reduced, the door cannot be unlocked by the above-mentioned mechanism. Moreover, there is a case where a user who normally electrically unlocks the door does not know how to manually unlock the door. Therefore, there is a case where the user cannot leave the vehicle.

[0004] The present disclosure has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a control device and a control method which can suppress the occurrence of a situation in which a user cannot leave a vehicle equipped with a power unlocking door.

[0005] A first aspect of the present disclosure is a control device for a vehicle. The vehicle includes a door, an electric unlocking mechanism powered by power from a battery installed in the vehicle and also electrically unlocking the door, and a physical unlocking mechanism for manually unlocking the door. The control device includes a notification circuit for performing notification of predetermined information to a user of the vehicle. The notification circuit is configured to perform notification of at least one of a location of the physical unlocking mechanism and information on how to unlock the door by the physical unlocking mechanism to the user when the power level of the battery is less than a predetermined threshold.

[0006] As described above, when the power of the battery becomes less than a predetermined threshold, the control device notifies the user of at least one of the position of the physical unlocking mechanism and the information on how to unlock the door using the physical unlocking mechanism. Therefore, even when unlocking cannot be performed by the electric unlocking mechanism due to insufficient power of the battery, the user can still perform unlocking by using the physical unlocking mechanism based on the information notified by the notification unit. Therefore, a situation in which the user cannot leave the vehicle equipped with the electric unlocking door can be suppressed.

[0007] In the control device, when the power is less than a predetermined threshold, the notification circuit can cause the display device to display the at least one piece of information. According to this configuration, based on the information displayed on the display device, the user can easily unlock the door using a physical unlocking mechanism.

[0008] In the control device, the display device may include at least one of a display installed in the vehicle and a user terminal not installed in the vehicle. According to this configuration, the user can operate the physical unlocking mechanism of the vehicle by viewing the information displayed on the display of the vehicle, and thus the user can operate the physical unlocking mechanism more easily than when the operation of the physical unlocking mechanism is performed by viewing a handheld mobile device. In addition, displaying at least one of the plurality of pieces of information on the user terminal enables the display of the at least one piece of information regardless of the charge level of the battery of the vehicle.

[0009] The door may include an approach door positioned closest to a user riding in the vehicle. In the control device, the notification circuit may be configured to notify the user of at least one of a location of a physical unlocking mechanism corresponding to the approach door and information on how to unlock the approach door by the physical unlocking mechanism when the power is less than a predetermined threshold. According to this configuration, the user may be notified of information about the physical unlocking mechanism of the approach door closest to the user. Therefore, the physical unlocking mechanism may be made easier for the user to operate.

[0010] In the control device, the notification circuit may be configured to terminate notification of the at least one piece of information to the user when the door is unlocked by the physical unlocking mechanism while the at least one piece of information is being notified to the user. According to this configuration, wasteful consumption of power after the door is unlocked by the physical unlocking mechanism can be suppressed. Thus, for example, power can be reserved for communicating to the outside that the power in the battery is low through a communication device or the like.

[0011] In the control device, the notification circuit may be configured to, when charging of the battery starts while at least one piece of information is being notified to the user, end notification of the at least one piece of information to the user. According to this configuration, power consumption due to notification of information can be suppressed when the battery is being charged.

[0012] The control device may further include an unlocking mechanism control circuit configured to drive the electric unlocking mechanism. The unlocking mechanism control circuit may be configured to unlock the door by the electric unlocking mechanism when the door is not unlocked by the physical unlocking mechanism within a predetermined amount of time after the at least one piece of information is notified to the user. According to this configuration, a situation in which the user is trapped in the vehicle when the user cannot operate the physical unlocking mechanism, etc., can be suppressed.

[0013] In the control device, the notification circuit may be configured to notify the user of at least one piece of information when the user is riding in the vehicle and when the power level is less than a predetermined threshold. According to this configuration, notification of the at least one piece of information to a user who is not riding in the vehicle can be suppressed.

[0014] In the control device, the notification circuit may be configured to notify the user of at least one piece of information when the outside temperature is higher than a predetermined temperature and the amount of electricity is less than a predetermined threshold. According to this configuration, it is possible to suppress a situation in which the user is trapped in a vehicle with a high internal temperature due to high outside temperature.

[0015] A second aspect of the present disclosure is a control device for a vehicle. The vehicle includes a door, an electric unlocking mechanism, which is powered by power from a battery installed in the vehicle and also electrically unlocks the door, and a physical unlocking mechanism, which is used to manually unlock the door. The control device may include a transmission circuit for transmitting information of the vehicle to an external device outside the vehicle. The transmission circuit is configured to transmit at least one of the position of the physical unlocking mechanism and information on how to unlock the door by the physical unlocking mechanism to the external device when the power level of the battery is less than a predetermined threshold.

[0016] As described above, when the power level of the battery becomes less than a predetermined threshold, the control device transmits at least one of the position of the physical unlocking mechanism and information on how to unlock the door using the physical unlocking mechanism to the external device. Therefore, the user can obtain at least one piece of information through the external device, and thus can use the physical unlocking mechanism to unlock the door. Therefore, a situation in which the user cannot leave the vehicle equipped with the electric unlocking door can be suppressed.

[0017] A third aspect of the present disclosure is a method for controlling a vehicle. The vehicle includes a door, an electric unlocking mechanism that is powered by power from a battery installed in the vehicle and also electrically unlocks the door, and a physical unlocking mechanism that is used to manually unlock the door. The control method includes: as a notification process, the control device notifies a user of the vehicle of predetermined information. The notification process includes: when the power level of the battery is less than a predetermined threshold, the user is notified of at least one of the following information: a location of the physical unlocking mechanism and information on how to unlock the door by the physical unlocking mechanism.

[0018] According to the above control method, as described above, when the power becomes less than a predetermined threshold, at least one of the information about the location of the physical unlocking mechanism and how to unlock the door using the physical unlocking mechanism is notified to the user. Therefore, a control method that can suppress a situation in which the user cannot leave a vehicle equipped with an electric unlocking door can be provided.

[0019] In the control method, the notification process may include a process in which the control device causes the display device to display at least one piece of information when the power level is less than a predetermined threshold. According to this configuration, a control method can be provided in which a user can easily unlock the door using a physical unlocking mechanism based on the information displayed on the display device.

[0020] In the control method, the notification process may include a process in which the control device causes a display device including at least one of a display installed in the vehicle and a user terminal not installed in the vehicle to display at least one piece of information when the power level is less than a predetermined threshold. With this configuration, a control method can be provided in which a user can operate the physical unlocking mechanism more easily than when the operation of the physical unlocking mechanism is performed by viewing a handheld mobile device or the like. In addition, displaying at least one of the plurality of pieces of information on the user terminal enables a control method to be provided in which at least one piece of information can be displayed regardless of the power level of the battery of the vehicle.

[0021] The door may include an approach door positioned closest to a user riding in the vehicle. In the control method, the notification process may include a process in which, when the power is less than a predetermined threshold, the control device notifies the user of at least one piece of information of the position of a physical unlocking mechanism corresponding to the approach door and how to unlock the approach door by the physical unlocking mechanism. According to this configuration, a control method can be provided in which the user can more easily operate the physical unlocking mechanism.

[0022] The control method may further include: when the door is unlocked by the physical unlocking mechanism while the at least one piece of information is being notified to the user, the control device ends notifying the at least one piece of information to the user. According to this configuration, for example, a control method can be provided that can reserve power, etc., for communicating to the outside through a communication device, etc. that the battery power is low, etc.

[0023] The control method may further include: when charging of the battery starts while at least one piece of information is being notified to the user, the control device ends notifying the user of the at least one piece of information. According to this configuration, when the battery is being charged, power consumption due to the notification of information can be suppressed.

[0024] The control method may further include: when the door is not unlocked by the physical unlocking mechanism within a predetermined amount of time after the at least one piece of information is notified to the user, the control device unlocks the door by the electric unlocking mechanism. According to this configuration, a control method can be provided that can suppress a situation in which the user is trapped in the vehicle, for example, when the user cannot operate the physical unlocking mechanism, etc.

[0025] In the control method, the notification process may include: a process in which the control device notifies the user of at least one piece of information when the user is riding in the vehicle and the battery level is less than a predetermined threshold. According to this configuration, a control method can be provided that can suppress the situation in which the at least one piece of information is notified to the user who is not riding in the vehicle.

[0026] In the control method, the notification process may include a process in which the control device notifies the user of at least one piece of information when the external temperature is higher than a predetermined temperature and the power is less than a predetermined threshold. According to this configuration, a control method can be provided that can suppress a situation in which the user is trapped in a vehicle with a high internal temperature due to a high external temperature.

[0027] In the control method, the notification process may include a process in which the control device transmits at least one piece of information to an external device outside the vehicle when the power level is less than a predetermined threshold. According to this configuration, a control method may be provided that enables a user to obtain the at least one piece of information using an external device.

[0028] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress a situation in which a user cannot leave a vehicle provided with a door that is electrically unlocked. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like symbols represent like elements, and in which:

[0030] Figure 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle according to an embodiment;

[0031] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a vehicle according to an embodiment;

[0032] Figure 3 is a sequence diagram showing control of a control device and a navigation display according to an embodiment;

[0033] Figure 4 is a first diagram illustrating a navigation display displaying information about a physical unlocking mechanism according to an embodiment;

[0034] Figure 5 is a second diagram illustrating a navigation display displaying information about a physical unlocking mechanism according to an embodiment;

[0035] Figure 6 It is shown Figure 3 A sequence diagram of the continuation of sequence control in;

[0036] Figure 7 is a diagram showing a pop-up display displayed on a navigation display according to a modification of the embodiment;

[0037] Figure 8 It is shown Figure 4 A diagram of a first variation of ;

[0038] Fig. 9 It is shown Figure 4 A diagram of a second variation of ;

[0039] Fig.10 It is shown Figure 3 A diagram showing a variation of a sequence diagram of ;

[0040] Fig.11 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a vehicle according to a modification of the embodiment; and

[0041] Fig.12 is a diagram showing a uniform resource locator (URL) of a web page containing information about a physical unlocking mechanism displayed on a user terminal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] The embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In all the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are represented by the same symbols, and their description will not be repeated.

[0043] Figure 1 The control device 50 according to this embodiment is installed (see Figure 2 ) is a side view of a vehicle 100. The vehicle 100 includes a door 110 for a front seat and a door 130 for a rear seat. The vehicle 100 also includes a navigation display 31. Note that the navigation display 31 is an example of a "display device" and a "display" in the present disclosure.

[0044] The door inner part 120 on which various types of switches and the like are mounted is provided on the surface of the door 110 on the vehicle compartment side thereof. The door inner part 140 on which various types of switches and the like are mounted is provided on the surface of the door 130 on the vehicle compartment side thereof. The details of each of the door inner part 120 and the door inner part 140 will be described later.

[0045] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the vehicle 100. Figure 2 In the example shown, the vehicle 100 is an electric vehicle such as a battery electric vehicle (BEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), etc. The vehicle 100 includes a power storage device 10, an in-vehicle camera 20, a human-machine interface (HMI) device 30, an external temperature sensor 40, a control device 50, an electric unlocking mechanism 60, a physical unlocking mechanism 70, and a communication device 80. The electric unlocking mechanism 60 and the physical unlocking mechanism 70 include unlocking mechanisms for the door 110 and the door 130, respectively.

[0046] The power storage device 10 includes a driving battery 11 and an auxiliary battery 12. The driving battery 11 stores electric power for driving the vehicle 100, etc. (electric motor, etc.). The auxiliary battery 12 supplies electric power to various types of functional devices provided in the vehicle, such as a system power supply, an electronic control unit (ECU), a navigation display 31, etc. Note that the auxiliary battery 12 is an example of a "battery" in the present disclosure.

[0047] When the amount of electric power in the auxiliary battery 12 becomes low, electric power is transferred from the drive battery 11 to the auxiliary battery 12. For example, when the state of charge (SOC) of the auxiliary battery 12 drops below 15%, the above transfer is performed.

[0048] The in-vehicle camera 20 acquires an image of the interior of the vehicle 100. Only one in-vehicle camera 20 may be provided in the vehicle 100, or a plurality of in-vehicle cameras 20 may be provided in the vehicle 100.

[0049] The HMI device 30 includes a navigation display 31 , a meter display 32 , a speaker 33 , etc. The external temperature sensor 40 detects an external temperature.

[0050] The control device 50 includes a remaining battery power acquisition unit 51, a remaining battery power determination unit 52, an occupant position detection unit 53, a notification unit 54, a charging sensing unit 55, a physical unlocking sensing unit 56, and an unlocking mechanism control unit 57. Each of the remaining battery power acquisition unit 51, the remaining battery power determination unit 52, the occupant position detection unit 53, the notification unit 54, the charging sensing unit 55, the physical unlocking sensing unit 56, and the unlocking mechanism control unit 57 indicates software, in which the functional features of the control device 50 are illustrated as boxes. The details of each function will be described later. The notification unit 54 is an example of a "notification circuit" in the present disclosure, and the unlocking mechanism control unit 57 is an example of an "unlocking mechanism control circuit" in the present disclosure.

[0051] The remaining battery capacity acquisition unit 51 acquires information about the state of charge (SOC) of the auxiliary battery 12. The remaining battery capacity determination unit 52 determines whether the state of charge (SOC) of the auxiliary battery 12 is lower than a predetermined value. The occupant position detection unit 53 detects that a user is riding in the vehicle 100, and detects the position of the user riding in the vehicle 100. The notification unit 54 notifies the user of the vehicle 100 of predetermined information.

[0052] The charging sensing unit 55 senses that the auxiliary battery 12 is being charged. The physical unlock sensing unit 56 senses that the physical unlock mechanism 70 has unlocked the door 110 ( 130 ). The unlock mechanism control unit 57 drives the electric unlock mechanism 60 .

[0053] The electric unlocking mechanism 60 is a mechanism for unlocking each of the doors 110 and 130 (releasing the electronic lock) of the vehicle 100. The electric unlocking mechanism 60 electrically unlocks each of the doors 110 and 130 that are in a locked state.

[0054] The physical unlocking mechanism 70 is a mechanism for unlocking each of the doors 110 and 130 (releasing a mechanical lock) of the vehicle 100. The physical unlocking mechanism 70 physically unlocks each of the doors 110 and 130 in a locked state.

[0055] The communication device 80 includes various types of communication interfaces. The communication device 80 performs wireless communication with a communication device outside the vehicle 100. For example, the communication device 80 communicates with a user terminal 900 (smart phone, smart watch, personal computer (PC)), etc.) owned by a user of the vehicle 100. In addition, the communication device 80 may be configured to be able to access the Internet.

[0056] Sequence control of controls and navigation displays

[0057] Figure 3 1 is a diagram showing sequence control (control method) by the control device 50 and the navigation display 31 . Figure 3 The sequence shown may be performed periodically at predetermined time intervals (eg, once per minute). Figure 3 The sequence control in may be executed only when the vehicle 100 is stopped.

[0058] In step S10 , the control device 50 (remaining battery power acquisition unit 51 ) acquires information on the remaining SOC of the auxiliary battery 12 .

[0059] In step S11, the control device 50 (remaining battery capacity determination unit 52) ​​determines whether the remaining SOC of the auxiliary battery 12 whose information is acquired in step S10 is lower than 10%. The threshold value of 10% is a value set in advance in the control device 50. When the SOC of the auxiliary battery 12 is lower than 10% (Yes in S11), the process proceeds to step S12. When the SOC of the auxiliary battery 12 is not lower than 10% (No in S11), the process ends.

[0060] In step S12, the control device 50 determines whether the outside temperature is higher than 30° C. The control device 50 performs the determination in step S12 based on the detection value of the outside temperature sensor 40 (see Figure 2 ). When the outside temperature is higher than 30° C. (Yes in S12 ), the process proceeds to step S13 . When the outside temperature is not higher than 30° C. (No in S12 ), the process ends.

[0061] In step S13, the control device 50 (occupant position detection unit 53) determines whether a user is riding in the vehicle 100. The control device 50 (occupant position detection unit 53) performs the determination in step S13 based on the image captured by the in-vehicle camera 20. When the user is riding in the vehicle 100 (Yes in S13), the process proceeds to step S14. When no user is riding in the vehicle 100 (No in S13), the process ends.

[0062] In step S14, the control device 50 (occupant position detection unit 53) determines the door closest to the occupant. For example, when the user is only in the driver's seat, the control device 50 (occupant position detection unit 53) determines that the door 110 is the door closest to the occupant. In this case, the door 110 is an example of a "close door" in the present disclosure. Moreover, when the user is only in the rear seat, the control device 50 (occupant position detection unit 53) determines that the door 130 is the door closest to the occupant. In this case, the door 130 is an example of a "close door" in the present disclosure. Moreover, when there is a user in each of the driver's seat and the rear seat, the control device 50 (occupant position detection unit 53) determines that each of the doors 110 and 130 is the door closest to the occupant. In this case, each of the doors 110 and 130 is an example of a "close door" in the present disclosure. In the following, it is assumed that the door 110 is the door closest to the occupant.

[0063] In step S15, the control device 50 (notification unit 54) displays on the navigation display 31 the position of the physical unlocking mechanism 70 corresponding to the door 110 closest to the occupant and how to unlock the door 110 by the physical unlocking mechanism 70. Specifically, the control device 50 (notification unit 54) performs a process of transmitting a command (control signal) to the navigation display 31 to display the above information (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a notification process). The process then proceeds to step A. Reference will be made later Figure 6 Step A and the description thereafter are described.

[0064] In step S30, the navigation display 31 determines whether the command (control signal) in step S15 has been received. When the command (control signal) in S15 has been received (Yes in S30), the process proceeds to step S31. When the command (control signal) in S15 has not been received (No in S30), the process ends.

[0065] In step S31, the navigation display 31 displays the information from step S15 (corresponding to the position of the physical unlocking mechanism 70 of the door 110, and how to unlock the door 110 by the physical unlocking mechanism 70). The process then proceeds to step B. Figure 6 Step B and the description thereafter are described.

[0066] Figure 4 An example of a screen displayed on the navigation display 31 in step S31 is shown. The door inner side portion 120 corresponding to the door 110 is displayed on Figure 4 On the navigation display 31 shown.

[0067] The door inner side portion 120 is provided with an armrest 121, and various types of switches are provided on the armrest 121, a plurality of window buttons 122, a rod 71, and a door open / close button 61. The window button 122, the rod 71, and the door open / close button 61 are provided on the armrest 121. Note that the door open / close button 61 and the rod 71 are included in the electric unlocking mechanism 60 and the physical unlocking mechanism 70, respectively.

[0068] Operating one of the window buttons 122 opens (or closes) the window corresponding to the operated window button 122 .

[0069] Pressing the door open / close button 61 controls the electric unlocking mechanism 60 , and the door 110 is electrically unlocked.

[0070] By pulling the rod 71 upward, the door 110 is physically unlocked by the physical unlocking mechanism 70. Note that the rod 71 is adjacent to the window button 122, and is also provided at a position spaced apart from the door open / close button 61.

[0071] exist Figure 4 In the screen shown, an enlarged screen 31a is displayed, which shows details of how to operate the lever 71. An arrow 31b indicating how to operate the lever 71 is displayed on the enlarged screen 31a. Note that the image displayed on the navigation display 31 may be a still image or a moving image.

[0072] As Figure 4 A variation of Figure 5 1 shows a screen displayed on the navigation display 31 when the door 130 is determined to be the door closest to the occupant. The door inner side portion 140 corresponding to the door 130 is displayed on the Figure 5 On the navigation display 31 shown.

[0073] The door inner side portion 140 is provided with an armrest 141, and various types of switches are provided on the armrest 141, a window button 142, a recess 143, and a door open / close button 62. The window button 142 and the door open / close button 62 are provided on the armrest 141. Note that the door open / close button 62 is a mechanism included in the electric unlocking mechanism 60.

[0074] Operating the window button 142 opens (or closes) the window of the door 130 .

[0075] Pressing the door open / close button 62 controls the electric unlocking mechanism 60 , and the door 130 is electrically unlocked.

[0076] Figure 5 The screen shown instructs the steps on how to unlock the door 130 using the physical unlocking mechanism 70 . Figure 5 The screen shown indicates steps of how to manually unlock the door 130 using a number group (1 to 3) and arrows. First, the first step is a step of removing the pad 72 from the bottom of the recess 143, as shown by the mark 31c showing the number "1" and the arrow 31d. The second step is a step of removing the access door 73 provided below the pad 72, as shown by the mark 31e showing the number "2" and the arrow 31f. The third step is a step of pulling the cable 74 provided below the access door 73, as shown by the mark 31g showing the number "3" and the arrow 31h. Note that the second step and the third step are displayed on the enlarged screen 31i. Moreover, each of the pad 72, the access door 73, and the cable 74 is a mechanism included in the physical unlocking mechanism 70.

[0077] Figure 6 It is shown Figure 3 1. The control device 50 (physical unlock sensing unit 56) determines whether the door 110 has been unlocked by the physical unlock mechanism 70 in step S16. That is, the control device 50 (physical unlock sensing unit 56) determines whether the door 110 has been unlocked by the physical unlock mechanism 70 while the position of the physical unlock mechanism 70 corresponding to the door 110 and how to unlock the door 110 by the physical unlock mechanism 70 are displayed on the navigation display 31. When the physical unlock mechanism 70 has unlocked the door (Yes in S16), the process proceeds to step S21. When the physical unlock mechanism 70 has not unlocked the door (No in S16), the process proceeds to step S17.

[0078] In step S17, the control device 50 (charging sensing unit 55) determines whether charging of the auxiliary battery 12 has started. That is, the control device 50 (physical unlocking sensing unit 56) determines whether charging of the auxiliary battery 12 has started while displaying the position of the physical unlocking mechanism 70 corresponding to the door 110 and how to unlock the door 110 by the physical unlocking mechanism 70 on the navigation display 31. The control device 50 (charging sensing unit 55) can determine that charging of the auxiliary battery 12 has started (charging is being performed) when detecting that the SOC of the auxiliary battery 12 has increased in a state where a charging plug (omitted from the illustration) is connected to an inlet (omitted from the illustration) of the vehicle 100. When charging of the auxiliary battery 12 has started (Yes in S17), the process proceeds to step S18. When charging of the auxiliary battery 12 has not started (No in S17), the process proceeds to step S19.

[0079] In step S18, the control device 50 (remaining battery capacity determination unit 52) ​​determines whether the auxiliary battery 12 has been charged until its SOC is not less than 10%. When the SOC of the auxiliary battery 12 is not less than 10% (Yes in S18), the process proceeds to step S21. When the SOC is less than 10% (No in S18), the process proceeds to step S19.

[0080] In step S19, the control device 50 determines whether a predetermined amount of time (e.g., 10 minutes) has passed since the position of the physical unlocking mechanism 70 corresponding to the door 110 and how the door 110 is unlocked by the physical unlocking mechanism 70 is displayed on the navigation display 31 (the above-mentioned notification process is performed). That is, the control device 50 determines whether the door 110 has not been unlocked by the physical unlocking mechanism 70 within a predetermined amount of time after the above-mentioned notification process is performed. When the predetermined amount of time has passed (when the door 110 has not been unlocked by the physical unlocking mechanism 70 within the predetermined amount of time) (Yes in S19), the process proceeds to step S20. When the predetermined amount of time has not passed (No in S19), the process returns to step S16.

[0081] In step S20, the control device 50 (unlocking mechanism control unit 57) controls the electric unlocking mechanism 60 to electrically unlock the door 110. At this time, the control device 50 (unlocking mechanism control unit 57) transmits a command (control signal) to the electric unlocking mechanism 60 to drive the electric unlocking mechanism 60 (so that the electric unlocking mechanism 60 unlocks the door 110). In this case, the door 110 may, for example, remain in a slightly open state, or may be fully unlocked.

[0082] In step S21, the control device 50 (notification unit 54) ends displaying the position of the physical unlocking mechanism 70 corresponding to the door 110 and how to unlock the door 110 by the physical unlocking mechanism 70 on the navigation display 31. Specifically, the control device 50 (notification unit 54) transmits a command (control signal) to the navigation display 31 to stop the display.

[0083] In step S32, the navigation display 31 determines whether the command (control signal) in step S21 has been received. When the command (control signal) in S21 has been received (Yes in S32), the process proceeds to step S33. When the command (control signal) in S21 has not been received (No in S32), the process of step S32 is repeated.

[0084] In step S33 , the navigation display 31 hides and displays the information from step S15 (corresponding to the position of the physical unlocking mechanism 70 of the door 110 , and how to unlock the door 110 by the physical unlocking mechanism 70 ).

[0085] Notice, Figure 6The order shown is an example, and the present disclosure is not limited to Figure 6 For example, you can omit Figure 6 The execution of one or more of the determination processes in steps S16 to S19 in the embodiment. For example, the execution of all the determination processes in steps S16 to S19 may be omitted.

[0086] As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the power of the auxiliary battery 12 drops below 10%, the notification unit 54 notifies the user about the position of the physical unlocking mechanism 70 corresponding to the door 110 and information about how to unlock the door 110 using the physical unlocking mechanism 70. Therefore, before the electric unlocking mechanism 60 stops operating due to insufficient power of the auxiliary battery 12, the user can be notified of the information about the physical unlocking mechanism 70. Therefore, even when the electric unlocking mechanism 60 stops operating, the user can still unlock the door 110 using the physical unlocking mechanism 70.

[0087] In the embodiment described above, an example in which notification is performed to the user about both the location of the physical unlocking mechanism and how to unlock using the physical unlocking mechanism is described, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Only one of the location of the physical unlocking mechanism and how to unlock using the physical unlocking mechanism may be notified to the user.

[0088] In the above embodiment, an example is described in which notification of information on the physical unlocking mechanism is performed when the SOC of the auxiliary battery 12 drops below 10%, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The above notification process may be performed when the remaining power amount of the auxiliary battery 12 (1) reaches the minimum power amount required to perform the notification process, (2) drops below the minimum power amount required to perform electric unlocking of the door, (3) drops below the power amount at which electric unlocking of the door is not possible but the notification process can be performed, or drops below the power amount obtained by adding the power amounts of (1) and (2) by a predetermined amount.

[0089] In the above embodiment, an example is described in which both the control device 50 and the electric unlocking mechanism 60 are powered by power from the auxiliary battery 12 , but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. At least one of the control device 50 and the electric unlocking mechanism 60 may be powered by power from the drive battery 11 .

[0090] Although the above embodiment describes an example of displaying information about the physical unlocking mechanism 70 on the navigation display 31, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, when a user sits in a rear seat, the above information may be displayed on the rear seat display. In addition, when multiple users sit in each of the driver's seat and the passenger seat, the screen of the navigation display 31 may be divided into two. The information of the physical unlocking mechanism 70 corresponding to the driver's door may be displayed on one half of the split screen, and the information of the physical unlocking mechanism 70 corresponding to the passenger door may also be displayed on the other half of the split screen.

[0091] Reference examples

[0092] It is also conceivable that the door is unlocked by the electric unlocking mechanism according to the power of the battery (e.g., auxiliary battery) becoming less than a predetermined threshold. In this case, the door is unlocked by the electric unlocking mechanism (in a slightly open state or a fully unlocked state) without performing the notification process of the above embodiment.

[0093] In the above embodiment, an example in which the notification process is executed when the user rides in the vehicle 100 and the charge level of the auxiliary battery 12 becomes less than a predetermined threshold is described, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Even when the user is not riding in the vehicle 100, the notification process may be executed.

[0094] In the above embodiment, an example is described in which the notification process is executed when the external temperature is higher than a predetermined temperature and the charge level of the auxiliary battery 12 becomes less than a predetermined threshold, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The notification process may be executed even when the external temperature is lower than a predetermined temperature.

[0095] Although the above embodiment describes an example in which the notification process is performed based on the detection value of the external temperature sensor 40 installed in the vehicle 100, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The notification process may be performed based on the detection value of the temperature sensor provided outside the vehicle, temperature information on the Internet, etc.

[0096] In the above embodiment, an example of sensing the number and position of occupants in the vehicle 100 based on the image captured by the in-vehicle camera 20 is described, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, a weight sensor or a human presence sensor provided in the vehicle may be used.

[0097] In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the notification process is simply to display information about the physical unlocking mechanism on the navigation display 31 or the like, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, when the surrounding environment is dark, such as at night, in addition to displaying the above-described information, a process of illuminating the physical unlocking mechanism may be performed as the notification process. In this case, the threshold value of the state of charge (SOC) of the auxiliary battery 12 (10% in the above-described embodiment) may be increased by a predetermined amount (e.g., 2%) to compensate for the amount of power used for lighting, or alternatively, the time period for displaying the information on the navigation display 31 may be shortened.

[0098] In the above embodiment, an example is described in which an image indicating the position of the physical unlocking mechanism 70, etc. is displayed on the navigation display 31 when the power level of the auxiliary battery 12 becomes less than a predetermined threshold, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. When the power level of the auxiliary battery 12 becomes less than a predetermined threshold, Figure 7 The pop-up display 31j shown in FIG. 31 may be displayed on the navigation display 31 or the like. The pop-up display 31j includes a button 31k labeled "Learn More" and a message "Notice about Manual Door Unlock". When the button 31k is selected, an explanatory text describing the location of the physical unlocking mechanism 70 and how to unlock using the physical unlocking mechanism 70 is displayed on the navigation display 31 or the like, or Figure 4 and Figure 5 Note that when the button 31k is not selected within a predetermined period of time (for example, one minute) after the button 31k is displayed, the above-mentioned explanatory text and other information such as the navigation display 31 may be automatically displayed. Figure 4 and Figure 5 The image in .

[0099] In the above embodiment, an example is described in which the start of charging of the auxiliary battery 12 is sensed when the SOC of the auxiliary battery 12 increases in a state where the charging plug is connected, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, when the SOC of the battery installed in the vehicle increases due to replacement of the battery, the charging of the battery can be sensed.

[0100] In the above embodiment, an example is described in which the notification process ends when the SOC of the auxiliary battery 12 is charged to 10% or more after notification to the user, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. When the SOC of the auxiliary battery 12 increases even slightly due to charging after notification to the user (for example, when the SOC increases by 1% or more), the notification process may be performed.

[0101] Figure 8 Yes Description Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a diagram of a first variant of Figure 8 In the example shown, a door interior portion 220 of the vehicle 200 is displayed on the navigation display 131 .

[0102] The door inner side portion 220 is provided with an armrest 221, a recess 223, and a door open / close button 161 (electric unlocking mechanism 160). The door open / close button 161 is provided on the armrest 221. The rod 171 is provided in the recess 223. Note that the door open / close button 161 and the rod 171 are included in the electric unlocking mechanism 160 and the physical unlocking mechanism 170, respectively.

[0103] Pressing the door open / close button 161 controls the electric unlocking mechanism 160, and the door 210 is electrically unlocked. Note that the door 210 in the unlocked state is opened by pressing the door open / close button 161 once. Also, the door 210 in the locked state is opened by pressing the door open / close button 161 twice.

[0104] When the rod 171 (physical unlocking mechanism 170 ) provided in the recess 223 is pulled upward, the door 210 is physically unlocked by the physical unlocking mechanism 170 . Note that the rod 171 is provided at a position spaced apart from the door open / close button 161 .

[0105] exist Figure 8 In the screen shown, an enlarged screen 131a is displayed, which shows details of how to operate the lever 171. An arrow 131b indicating how to operate the lever 171 is displayed on the enlarged screen 131a.

[0106] Fig. 9 It is shown Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a diagram of a second variation of the image in FIG. Fig. 9 In the example shown, door interior portion 320 of vehicle 300 is displayed on navigation display 231 .

[0107] The door inner side portion 320 is provided with an armrest 321 , a window button 322 , and a door unlocking lever 323 . The armrest 321 is provided with a window button 322 and a door unlocking lever 323 .

[0108] exist Fig. 9 In the example shown, the door unlocking lever 323 is included in each of the electric unlocking mechanism and the physical unlocking mechanism (both are omitted from the mark). Specifically, when the door unlocking lever 323 is pulled once, the electric unlocking mechanism is controlled and the door 310 is unlocked. Moreover, when the door unlocking lever 323 is pulled twice, the door 310 is unlocked by the physical unlocking mechanism.

[0109] Fig. 9 The screen shown displays an arrow 231a and an instructional message 231b describing how to physically unlock the door using the door unlocking lever 323. Note that the instructional message 231b states "pull twice".

[0110] In the above embodiment, an example of performing the notification process by displaying the information about the physical unlocking mechanism 70 on the navigation display 31 of the vehicle 100 is described, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The information about the physical unlocking mechanism 70 may be displayed on the meter display 32, or alternatively, the notification of the information about the physical unlocking mechanism 70 may be performed by audio from the speaker 33.

[0111] In addition, information about the physical unlocking mechanism 70 ( Figure 4 The images in the image, etc.) can be displayed on the user terminal 900. Fig.10 1 is a diagram showing a modified example in which the command (control signal) in step S15 in the above-described embodiment is transmitted to the user terminal 900. The control device 150 (transmission unit 151) of the vehicle 400 (see Fig.11 ) controls the communication device 80 so as to transmit information about the position of the physical unlocking mechanism 70 corresponding to the door 110 and how to unlock the door 110 by the physical unlocking mechanism 70 to the user terminal 900. The user terminal 900 that receives the command (control signal) performs the processing of steps S40 to S41, which is similar to steps S30 to S31 (see Figure 3 ). Detailed description of steps S40 to S41 will be omitted. In this case, a central processing unit (CPU) or the like provided in the user terminal 900 (which description is omitted) is an example of a “control device” in the present disclosure. In addition, the user terminal 900 is an example of an “external device” in the present disclosure. In addition, the transmission unit 151 is an example of a “transmission circuit” in the present disclosure.

[0112] Notice, Fig.12 is a diagram showing a URL 910 of a web page displayed on a user terminal 900 , the web page containing information about the physical unlocking mechanism 70 .

[0113] In addition, despite the Fig.10 An example of transmitting information about the physical unlocking mechanism 70 to the user terminal 900 is explained in the example of , but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The information about the physical unlocking mechanism 70 can be transmitted from the control device 150 (transmission unit 151) of the vehicle 400 to an external server omitted from the illustration via the communication device 80. Then a command (control signal) to display information on the display screen of the user terminal 900 can be transmitted from the external server to the user terminal 900. In this case, the external server is an example of an “external device” in the present disclosure.

[0114] In addition, at least a part of the control performed by the control device 50 of the above-described embodiment may be performed in the user terminal 900 or an external server. For example, the SOC information of the auxiliary battery 12 may be acquired in the vehicle, and the user terminal 900 or the external server having received the SOC information from the vehicle may perform a notification process.

[0115] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an example is described in which the vehicle 100 is an electric vehicle such as a BEV, a PHEV, etc., but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the vehicle may be a gasoline vehicle as long as it is equipped with a battery.

[0116] The embodiments disclosed herein should be interpreted as being illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is set forth in the claims rather than in the above description of the embodiments, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

Claims

1. A control device for a vehicle, the vehicle comprising a door, an electric unlocking mechanism and a physical unlocking mechanism, wherein: The electric unlocking mechanism is powered by power from a battery installed in the vehicle and the electric unlocking mechanism also electrically unlocks the door, the physical unlocking mechanism is used to manually unlock the door, and the control device is characterized by comprising: a notification circuit for performing notification of predetermined information to a user of the vehicle, wherein The notification circuit is configured to notify the user of at least one of a location of the physical unlocking mechanism and information on how to unlock the door by using the physical unlocking mechanism when the power level of the battery is less than a predetermined threshold.

2. The control device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The notification circuit enables the display device to display the at least one piece of information when the power level is less than the predetermined threshold.

3. The control device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The display device includes at least one of a display installed in the vehicle and a user terminal not installed in the vehicle.

4. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The doors include an access door positioned closest to the user riding in the vehicle; and The notification circuit is configured to, when the power level is less than the predetermined threshold, notify the user of at least one of the following information: a position of the physical unlocking mechanism corresponding to the access door and information on how to unlock the access door by the physical unlocking mechanism.

5. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The notification circuit is configured to terminate notification of the at least one piece of information to the user when the door is unlocked by the physical unlocking mechanism while notification of the at least one piece of information to the user is being performed.

6. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The notification circuit is configured to, when charging of the battery is started while notification of the at least one piece of information to the user is being performed, end notification of the at least one piece of information to the user.

7. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that Also includes: An unlocking mechanism control circuit is configured to drive the electric unlocking mechanism, wherein the unlocking mechanism control circuit is configured to unlock the door through the electric unlocking mechanism when the door is not unlocked by the physical unlocking mechanism within a predetermined amount of time after the at least one information is notified to the user.

8. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The notification circuit is configured to notify the user of the at least one piece of information when the user is riding in the vehicle and the power level is less than the predetermined threshold.

9. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The notification circuit is configured to notify the user of the at least one piece of information when the external temperature is higher than a predetermined temperature and the power level is less than a predetermined threshold.

10. A control device for a vehicle, the vehicle comprising a door, an electric unlocking mechanism and a physical unlocking mechanism, wherein: The electric unlocking mechanism is powered by power from a battery installed in the vehicle and the electric unlocking mechanism also electrically unlocks the door, the physical unlocking mechanism is used to manually unlock the door, and the control device is characterized by comprising: a transmission circuit for transmitting information of the vehicle to an external device outside the vehicle, wherein The transmission circuit is configured to transmit at least one of the position of the physical unlocking mechanism and information on how to unlock the door by the physical unlocking mechanism to the external device when the power level of the battery is less than a predetermined threshold.

11. A method for controlling a vehicle, the vehicle comprising a door, an electric unlocking mechanism, a physical unlocking mechanism and a control device, wherein: The electric unlocking mechanism is powered by power from a battery installed in the vehicle and the electric unlocking mechanism also electrically unlocks the door, the physical unlocking mechanism is used to manually unlock the door, and the control method is characterized by comprising: as a notification process, the control device performs notification of predetermined information to a user of the vehicle, wherein The notification process includes executing a process of notifying the user of at least one of the position of the physical unlocking mechanism and information on how to unlock the door by the physical unlocking mechanism when the power of the battery is less than a predetermined threshold.

12. The control method according to claim 11, characterized in that: The notification process includes a process in which the control device causes the display device to display the at least one piece of information when the power level is less than the predetermined threshold.

13. The control method according to claim 12, characterized in that: The notification process includes a process in which the control device causes the display device to display the at least one piece of information when the power level is less than the predetermined threshold, wherein the display device includes at least one of a display installed in the vehicle and a user terminal not installed in the vehicle.

14. The control method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that: The doors include an access door positioned closest to the user riding in the vehicle; and The notification process includes a process in which the control device executes a notification to the user of at least one of the information including the position of the physical unlocking mechanism corresponding to the access door and how to unlock the access door by the physical unlocking mechanism when the power is less than the predetermined threshold.

15. The control method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that The method further includes: when the door is unlocked by the physical unlocking mechanism while the at least one piece of information is being notified to the user, the control device ends notifying the user of the at least one piece of information.

16. The control method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that The method further includes: when charging of the battery starts while the at least one piece of information is being notified to the user, the control device ends notifying the user of the at least one piece of information.

17. The control method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that The method further includes: when the door is not unlocked by the physical unlocking mechanism within a predetermined amount of time after the at least one piece of information is notified to the user, the control device unlocks the door through the electric unlocking mechanism.

18. The control method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that: The notification process includes the control device executing a process of notifying the user of the at least one piece of information when the user is riding in the vehicle and the power level is less than the predetermined threshold.

19. The control method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that: The notification process includes the control device executing a process of notifying the user of the at least one piece of information when the external temperature is higher than a predetermined temperature and the power level is less than the predetermined threshold.

20. The control method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that: The notification process includes a process in which the control device transmits the at least one piece of information to an external device outside the vehicle when the power level is less than the predetermined threshold.

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