Misoperation prevention device

Abstract

A misoperation prevention device is provided with: an acquisition unit that acquires information relating to the operation of a shift operation unit that is operated in order to operate a shift device of a vehicle, and the operation of a parking brake operation unit that is operated in order to operate a parking brake device of the vehicle; and a device control unit that stops the operation of the parking brake device when the operation of the shift operation unit and the operation of the parking brake operation unit are performed in a time period considered to be simultaneous.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a device for preventing erroneous operation. Background Art

[0002] An electric parking brake system is known, comprising: a parking brake mechanism that applies braking force to the wheels by the operation of an actuator; an operating switch for switching the parking brake mechanism between a braking state and a brake release state; and a control unit that controls the braking operation of the parking brake mechanism performed by the actuator according to the operation of the operating switch.

[0003] In an electric parking brake system, for example, if the operating switch is located near a shifter and a foreign object is trapped between the shifter and the operating switch, there is a possibility that the foreign object may press the operating switch for a long time, causing the parking brake to be accidentally activated even while the vehicle is driving. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-69696 discloses a technology for preventing unintended parking brake activation. Summary of the Invention

[0004] However, there is still room for improvement in preventing unintentional activation of the parking brake when the shift lever is operated.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above-mentioned points, and an object thereof is to provide a misoperation prevention device that prevents unintentional actuation of a parking brake device when a shift lever is operated while a vehicle is traveling.

[0006] The erroneous operation prevention device involved in the first embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a memory; a processor connected to the memory, the processor having: an acquisition unit that acquires information related to the operation of a shift operating unit and the operation of a parking brake operating unit, the shift operating unit being a component operated to operate a shift device of a vehicle, and the parking brake operating unit being a component operated to operate a parking brake device of the vehicle; and a device control unit that stops the operation of the parking brake device when the operation of the shift operating unit and the operation of the parking brake operating unit are performed within a time that is considered to be simultaneous.

[0007] The second embodiment of the present invention relates to an erroneous operation prevention device, wherein, in the erroneous operation prevention device of the first embodiment, the processor uses a signal generated based on the operation of the shift operating unit and the parking brake operating unit to determine whether the operation of the shift operating unit and the operation of the parking brake operating unit are performed within a time that is considered to be simultaneous.

[0008] The erroneous operation prevention device involved in the third embodiment of the present disclosure is that, in the erroneous operation prevention device involved in the first embodiment, the processor uses the results detected by a sensor that is arranged inside the vehicle and remotely detects the operations of the shift operating part and the parking brake operating part to determine whether the operations of the shift operating part and the parking brake operating part are performed within a time that is considered to be simultaneous.

[0009] A fourth aspect of the present disclosure provides the erroneous operation prevention device according to the third aspect, wherein the sensor is a camera or an infrared sensor.

[0010] The erroneous operation prevention device involved in the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure is, in the erroneous operation prevention device involved in the first embodiment, when the operation of the shift operating unit and the operation of the parking brake operating unit are performed within a time that is considered to be simultaneous, the processor causes the display unit of the vehicle to display a predetermined message.

[0011] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an erroneous operation prevention device that prevents unintended operation of a parking brake device when a shift lever is operated while a vehicle is traveling. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail based on the following drawings, in which:

[0013] Figure 1 A diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the technology disclosed herein.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a block diagram showing an example of the functional structure of the HMI control ECU.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a flowchart showing the flow of operations of a vehicle including the HMI control ECU.

[0016] Figure 4 This is a flowchart showing the flow of operations of a vehicle including the HMI control ECU. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] An example of an embodiment of the present disclosure is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the various drawings, identical or equivalent components and parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Furthermore, the dimensional ratios in the drawings may be exaggerated for ease of description and may differ from the actual ratios.

[0018] Figure 1 It is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle according to the present embodiment.

[0019] Figure 1 The illustrated vehicle 10 includes a display unit 101 , a parking brake operating unit 102 , a shift operating unit 103 , a speaker 104 , an in-cabin sensor 105 , a parking brake device 106 , an HMI (Human Machine Interface) control ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 107 , a vehicle control ECU 108 , and a communication unit 109 .

[0020] The display unit 101 is a display provided in the vehicle cabin for displaying various information, such as a display provided at the driver's seat of the vehicle and displaying instruments, a display displaying driving guidance and images, a head-up display using the front windshield as a display, etc.

[0021] The parking brake operating unit 102 is a switch located within the vehicle cabin that allows the driver to operate the parking brake 106. Specifically, the parking brake 106 is an electric parking brake (EPB). The driver activates the parking brake 106 by placing their hand on the parking brake operating unit 102 and pulling it.

[0022] The shift operation unit 103 is provided in the vehicle cabin and is configured so that the driver can operate the vehicle's shift device (not shown). For example, it is provided near a navigation system or near a center console.

[0023] The speaker 104 is provided in the vehicle cabin and is configured to output information to the occupants by voice.

[0024] The in-cabin sensor 105 is a sensor for remotely detecting the state of the vehicle interior, particularly the parking brake operating unit 102 and the surroundings thereof, and is, for example, a camera or an infrared sensor. When a camera is used as the in-cabin sensor 105, the camera is mounted, for example, around a rearview mirror, in a state in which it is directed in a direction in which it can capture images of the driver's seat, the parking brake operating unit 102, and the shift operating unit 103 within the vehicle interior.

[0025] The parking brake device 106 is a brake for maintaining a stopped state of the vehicle when the vehicle is parked.

[0026] The HMI control ECU 107 is an ECU installed inside the vehicle and controls the display unit 101, parking brake operating unit 102, shift operating unit 103, and speaker 104. The HMI control ECU 107 is configured to include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read-Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), input and output interfaces, and the like. The CPU is a central processing unit and executes various programs or controls various components. Specifically, the CPU reads programs from the ROM and executes them using the RAM as a work area. The ROM stores various programs and data. The RAM temporarily stores programs or data as a work area.

[0027] The HMI control ECU 107 is an example of the erroneous operation prevention device of the present disclosure. The HMI control ECU 107 performs control to prevent erroneous operation of the parking brake operation unit 102. The specific control of the HMI control ECU 107 will be described later.

[0028] The vehicle control ECU 108 is located inside the vehicle and controls the in-cabin sensor 105 and the parking brake 106. Similar to the HMI control ECU 107, the vehicle control ECU 108 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, and input / output interfaces. The CPU is a central processing unit (CPU) and executes various programs or controls various components. Specifically, the CPU reads programs from the ROM and executes them using the RAM as a work area. The ROM stores various programs and data. The RAM serves as a work area for temporary storage of programs and data.

[0029] The communication unit 109 performs communication between the HMI control ECU 107 and the vehicle control ECU 108. The communication between the HMI control ECU 107 and the vehicle control ECU 108 is performed based on a communication standard conforming to the CAN (Controller Area Network) protocol, for example.

[0030] Next, the functional configuration of the HMI control ECU 107 will be described.

[0031] Figure 2 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the HMI control ECU 107 .

[0032] like Figure 2As shown in FIG. 1 , the HMI control ECU 107 includes, as functional components, an acquisition unit 111 and a device control unit 112. Each functional component is implemented by the CPU reading and executing a wrong operation prevention program stored in the ROM.

[0033] The acquisition unit 111 acquires information related to the operation of the parking brake operation unit 102 and the shift operation unit 103. Specifically, the acquisition unit 111 acquires signals generated based on the operation of the parking brake operation unit 102 and the shift operation unit 103.

[0034] The device control unit 112 controls the display unit 101, the parking brake operating unit 102, the shift operating unit 103, and the speaker 104. In this embodiment, the device control unit 112 controls the parking brake device 106 so as to prevent the parking brake device 106 from being actuated if the parking brake operating unit 102 and the shift operating unit 103 are actuated within a time period that is considered simultaneous. The time period considered simultaneous is not limited to being exactly simultaneous but also includes a predetermined time period, such as within 1 to 2 seconds.

[0035] The device control unit 112 can determine whether the parking brake operation unit 102 has been operated based on a signal from the parking brake operation unit 102 or based on the sensing result of the in-cabin sensor 105. The sensing result of the in-cabin sensor 105 is transmitted from the vehicle control ECU 108 to the HMI control ECU 107.

[0036] When the operation of the parking brake operating unit 102 and the operation of the shift operating unit 103 are performed within a time considered to be simultaneous, the device control unit 112 causes the display unit 101 to display a warning message or output a warning sound from the speaker 104 if the operation of the parking brake operating unit 102 and the operation of the shift operating unit 103 further continue for a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds).

[0037] With the above configuration, the HMI control ECU 107 can prevent the parking brake device 106 from being actuated when the parking brake operating unit 102 and the shift operating unit 103 are operated at a time considered to be simultaneous while the vehicle is traveling.

[0038] Next, the operation of the vehicle including the HMI control ECU 107 will be described.

[0039] Figure 3 This is a flowchart showing the flow of the operation of the vehicle including the HMI control ECU 107 . Figure 3The flowchart shown is executed when the parking brake operating unit 102 is operated by a vehicle occupant while the vehicle is traveling.

[0040] In step S101 , the HMI control ECU 107 determines whether the parking brake operation unit 102 has been operated.

[0041] If the parking brake operation unit 102 has not been operated (step S101 : NO), the HMI control ECU 107 waits until the parking brake operation unit 102 is operated.

[0042] If the parking brake operation unit 102 is operated (step S101 : Yes), then subsequent to step S101 , the HMI control ECU 107 determines in step S102 whether the shift operation unit 103 is operated.

[0043] If the shift operation unit 103 is operated (step S102 : YES), then subsequent to step S102 , the HMI control ECU 107 determines in step S103 whether the parking brake operation unit 102 and the shift operation unit 103 are operated within a time period that can be considered as simultaneous.

[0044] If the parking brake operation unit 102 and the shift operation unit 103 are not operated at the same time (step S103 : NO), the HMI control ECU 107 returns to step S101 and determines whether the parking brake operation unit 102 is operated.

[0045] On the other hand, if the parking brake operating unit 102 and the shift operating unit 103 are operated at a time considered to be simultaneous (step S103: YES), the HMI control ECU 107 causes the display unit 101 to display a message indicating that a foreign object is caught in the parking brake operating unit 102 in step S104. For example, the HMI control ECU 107 causes the display unit 101 to display a message such as "Shift and EPB cannot be operated simultaneously."

[0046] Following step S104 , the HMI control ECU 107 determines in step S105 whether the operation of the shift operation unit 103 has continued for a predetermined time (eg, 10 seconds).

[0047] If the shift operation unit 103 continues to be operated for a predetermined time (step S105: YES), the HMI control ECU 107 outputs a warning in step S106 indicating that the parking brake operation unit 102 and the shift operation unit 103 are continuing. The HMI control ECU 107 outputs the warning by, for example, displaying a warning message on the display unit 101 or emitting a warning sound from the speaker 104.

[0048] On the other hand, if the operation of the shift operation unit 103 has not continued for the predetermined time (step S105 : NO), the HMI control ECU 107 returns to step S101 and determines whether the operation of the parking brake operation unit 102 has been performed.

[0049] If the shift operation unit 103 is not operated in the above-mentioned step S102 (step S102 : No), then subsequent to step S102 , the HMI control ECU 107 outputs an ON signal for the parking brake device 106 in step S107 .

[0050] Following step S107, the communication unit 109 transmits an on-signal to the parking brake device 106 to the vehicle control ECU 108 in step S108. Following step S108, the vehicle control ECU 108 receives the on-signal from the communication unit 109 in step S109. Following step S109, the vehicle control ECU 108 outputs a parking brake control signal to the parking brake device 106 in step S110. Following step S110, the parking brake device 106 applies the brakes in step S111 based on receipt of the parking brake control signal.

[0051] Following step S111, the HMI control ECU 107 determines whether the vehicle has stopped in step S112. The HMI control ECU 107 determines whether the vehicle has stopped by obtaining vehicle speed information from the vehicle control ECU 108. If the vehicle has not stopped (step S112: No), the process returns to step S101, where the HMI control ECU 107 determines whether the parking brake operating unit 102 has been operated. On the other hand, if the vehicle has stopped (step S112: Yes), the series of processes ends.

[0052] Figure 4 This is a flowchart showing the flow of the operation of the vehicle including the HMI control ECU 107 . Figure 4 The flowchart shown is executed when the parking brake operating unit 102 is operated by a vehicle occupant while the vehicle is traveling.

[0053] In step S201 , the HMI control ECU 107 determines whether the parking brake operation unit 102 has been operated.

[0054] If the parking brake operation unit 102 is not operated (step S201 : NO), the HMI control ECU 107 waits until the parking brake operation unit 102 is operated.

[0055] If the parking brake operating unit 102 is operated (step S201 : Yes), then subsequent to step S201 , the HMI control ECU 107 determines in step S202 whether the in-cabin sensor 105 detects the presence of a foreign object around the parking brake operating unit 102 .

[0056] If there is a foreign object around the parking brake operating unit 102 (step S202 : Yes), then subsequent to step S202 , the HMI control ECU 107 determines in step S203 whether the parking brake operating unit 102 is operated due to the foreign object.

[0057] If the parking brake operation unit 102 is not operated due to a foreign object detected by the in-cabin sensor 105 (step S203 : No), the HMI control ECU 107 returns to step S201 and determines whether the parking brake operation unit 102 is operated.

[0058] On the other hand, if the parking brake operating unit 102 is operated due to a foreign object detected by the in-cabin sensor 105 (step S203: Yes), the HMI control ECU 107 causes the display unit 101 to display a message indicating that a foreign object is caught in the parking brake operating unit 102 in step S204. For example, the HMI control ECU 107 causes the display unit 101 to display a message such as "Shifting and EPB cannot be operated simultaneously."

[0059] Following step S204 , the HMI control ECU 107 determines in step S205 whether the operation of the shift operation unit 103 has continued for a predetermined time (eg, 10 seconds).

[0060] If the operation of the shift operation unit 103 continues for a predetermined time (step S205: YES), the HMI control ECU 107 outputs a warning in step S206 indicating that the operation of the parking brake operation unit 102 and the operation of the shift operation unit 103 are continuing. The HMI control ECU 107 outputs the warning by, for example, displaying a warning message on the display unit 101 or emitting a warning sound from the speaker 104.

[0061] On the other hand, if the operation of the shift operation unit 103 has not continued for the predetermined time (step S205 : NO), the HMI control ECU 107 returns to step S201 and determines whether the operation of the parking brake operation unit 102 has been performed.

[0062] In step S202 , if there is no foreign object around the parking brake operating unit 102 (step S202 : No), then subsequent to step S202 , the HMI control ECU 107 outputs an ON signal for the parking brake device 106 in step S207 .

[0063] Following step S207, the communication unit 109 transmits an on-signal to the parking brake device 106 to the vehicle control ECU 108 in step S208. Following step S208, the vehicle control ECU 108 receives the on-signal from the communication unit 109 in step S209. Following step S209, the vehicle control ECU 108 outputs a parking brake control signal to the parking brake device 106 in step S210. Following step S210, the parking brake device 106 applies the brakes in step S211 based on receipt of the parking brake control signal.

[0064] Following step S211, the HMI control ECU 107 determines whether the vehicle has stopped in step S212. The HMI control ECU 107 determines whether the vehicle has stopped by obtaining vehicle speed information from the vehicle control ECU 108. If the vehicle has not stopped (step S212: No), the process returns to step S201, where the HMI control ECU 107 determines whether the parking brake operating unit 102 has been operated. On the other hand, if the vehicle has stopped (step S212: Yes), the series of processes ends.

[0065] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the examples involved. The embodiments described above are merely examples and are not a way of limiting the technical scope of the present disclosure. Obviously, if a person has common knowledge in the technical field of the present disclosure, he or she can think of various changes or modifications within the scope of the technical ideas described in the claims, and these changes or modifications can certainly be considered to be within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0066] In addition, the effects described in the above embodiments are illustrative or exemplary, and are not limited to the contents described in the above embodiments. In other words, the technology involved in the present disclosure can achieve other effects that are obvious to those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field of the present disclosure, together with or instead of the effects described in the above embodiments, according to the description in the above embodiments.

[0067] In addition, various processors other than the CPU can also be used to perform the erroneous operation prevention processing that the CPU reads the software (program) and executes in the above-mentioned various embodiments. As examples of processors in this case, there are FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) and other PLD (Programmable Logic Device) whose circuit structure can be changed after manufacturing, and ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) and other processors with circuit structures specially designed to perform specific processing, that is, dedicated electrical circuits. In addition, the erroneous operation prevention processing can be performed by one of these various processors, or by a combination of two or more processors of the same or different types (for example, multiple FPGAs, and a combination of a CPU and an FPGA, etc.). In addition, more specifically, the hardware structure of these various processors is a circuit composed of circuit elements such as semiconductor elements.

[0068] Furthermore, while the aforementioned embodiments describe a method in which the program for preventing erroneous operation is pre-stored (installed) in ROM, the present invention is not limited thereto. The program may also be provided by being recorded on a non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory), a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disk Read Only Memory), or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory device. Furthermore, the program may be downloaded from an external device via a network.

Claims

1. A device for preventing misoperation, comprising: Memory; a processor connected to the memory, The processor performs the following processing, namely: obtaining information related to the operation of a shift operating unit and a parking brake operating unit, wherein the shift operating unit is operated to operate a shift device of a vehicle and the parking brake operating unit is operated to operate a parking brake device of the vehicle; When the operation of the shift operating unit and the operation of the parking brake operating unit are performed within a time period that can be considered as simultaneous, the actuation of the parking brake device is suppressed.

2. The erroneous operation prevention device according to claim 1, wherein: The processor determines whether the operation of the shift operating unit and the operation of the parking brake operating unit are performed within a time that can be considered as simultaneous, using signals generated based on the operations of the shift operating unit and the parking brake operating unit.

3. The erroneous operation prevention device according to claim 1, wherein: The processor uses the results detected by a sensor provided inside the vehicle and remotely detecting the operations of the shift operating unit and the parking brake operating unit to determine whether the operations of the shift operating unit and the parking brake operating unit are performed within a time that is considered to be simultaneous.

4. The erroneous operation prevention device according to claim 3, wherein: The sensor is a camera or an infrared sensor.

5. The erroneous operation prevention device according to claim 1, wherein: The processor causes a display unit of the vehicle to display a predetermined message when the operation of the shift operating unit and the operation of the parking brake operating unit are performed within a time period that can be considered to be simultaneous.

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