VEHICLE DOOR CONTROL UNIT

Abstract

Vehicle door control unit (50) with: an opening and closing drive device (40) capable of opening and closing a swing door (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) provided in a vehicle (1); and a control device (45) arranged to control the opening and closing drive device, wherein the control device (45) includes: a person detection unit (90a) configured to detect a person (70, 70a) approaching the swing door; a first opening operation control unit (90b) configured to open the swing door to a first opening degree (P1) when it is detected that the person has entered an opening control area (α) set around the swing door from a proximal end side of the swing door at which a rotation fulcrum (20) of the swing door is provided; and a second opening operation control unit (90c) configured to open the swing door from the first opening degree (P1) to a second opening degree (P2) which is greater than the first opening degree (P1) when it is detected that the person who has entered the opening control area from the proximal end side of the swing door has moved to a free end side of the swing door beyond an opening operation trajectory (β) of the swing door.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This disclosure relates to a vehicle door control device. BACKGROUND DISCUSSION

[0002] In the related art, there is a vehicle door control device that detects a person approaching a door of a vehicle to open the door. For example, JP 2005-315024 A (Reference 1) discloses a method of detecting a person approaching a door of a vehicle by performing wireless communication with a portable device held by the person. Additionally, in this example, a door to be opened is specified by recognizing the belongings of the person. If the specified door is a swing door, the time sequence of the opening operation of the swing door is determined according to the movement status of the person.

[0003] That is, if the person approaches the swing door from the proximal end (vehicle front) provided with a pivot point of the swing door, the swing door being opened may interfere with the person's movement (e.g., if another vehicle is parked nearby). Therefore, Reference 1 illustrates that it is desirable to open the swing door after the person has moved to the free end (vehicle rear) of the swing door (cf. Fig. 7 in Reference 1).

[0004] However, the use of the "automatically opening door" as described above not only has a practical aspect of not requiring an opening operation by the person, but also has an aspect of so-called "entertainment production." That is, the person (vehicle passenger) obtains the impression of "entertainment" represented by, for example, a keyword such as "welcome," "warmly welcome," or "hospitality" when the door located near the person is automatically opened. However, in the above configuration of the related art, the door is not opened until the person passes by the side of the door to be opened. Therefore, since the entertainment impression can be reduced, there is still room for improvement in this regard.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for a vehicle door control unit capable of producing a higher quality entertainment impression.

[0006] Furthermore, the document DE 10 2015 226 697 A1 discloses an arrangement, a means of transport and a method for improving the comfort of entering a means of transport, the document JP 2017 - 159 744 A discloses a door device for a vehicle and the document DE 10 2012 222 175 A1 discloses a method and a device for opening a door of a vehicle. SUMMARY

[0007] A vehicle door control apparatus according to one aspect of this disclosure includes: an opening and closing drive device capable of opening and closing a swing door provided in a vehicle; and a control device configured to control the opening and closing drive device, the control device including: a person detection unit configured to detect a person (occupant of the vehicle) approaching the swing door; a first opening operation control unit configured to open the swing door to a first opening degree when it is detected that the person has entered an opening control area set around the swing door from a proximal end side of the swing door where a rotation fulcrum of the swing door is provided;and a second opening operation control unit configured to open the swing door from the first opening degree to a second opening degree greater than the first opening degree when it is detected that the person who has entered the opening control area from the proximal end side of the swing door has moved to a free end side of the swing door beyond an opening operation trajectory of the swing door.;

[0008] That is, by opening the swing door to the first opening degree at which an operating angle is suppressed, it is possible to prevent the opened swing door from interfering with the movement of the person when the person approaches the swing door from the proximal end side provided with the rotation fulcrum and passes by the side of the swing door.

[0009] In addition, even in a state where the operating angle is suppressed as described above, it is possible to ensure the "entertainment impression" given to the person when the swing door is promptly opened in response to the person's approach. In addition, since the swing door is opened to the larger second opening degree after the person walks around to the free end side of the swing door, it is possible to ensure a practical function that does not require an opening operation by the person. Therefore, it is possible to generate higher quality "entertainment impression" when the person recognizes the importance of the "suppressed" first opening degree. Finally, the person can easily pass by the swing door, for example, even in a case where an obstacle is located next to the vehicle (e.g., another vehicle or a wall).

[0010] In the vehicle door control apparatus according to the aspect of this disclosure, it is preferable that the control device further comprises a third opening operation control unit configured to open the swing door to a third opening degree greater than the first opening degree when it is detected that the person has entered the opening control area from the free end side of the swing door.

[0011] That is, when the person approaches the swing door from the free end side of the swing door, the opening operation of the swing door does not interfere with the person's movement. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the person approaching the swing door from the free end side can promptly enter the vehicle through a doorway provided with the swing door. In addition, by comparing with the control content (two-step opening operation), when the person approaches the swing door from the proximal end side of the swing door, the person is more likely to recognize the significance of the "suppressed" first opening degree when the person approaches the swing door from the proximal end side of the same swing door. Therefore, it is possible to effectively create a higher quality "entertainment impression."

[0012] In the vehicle door control device according to the aspect of this disclosure, it is preferable that the person detection unit detects that the person has moved from the free end side of the swing door beyond an opening operation trajectory of the swing door based on a sensor signal from a person sensor provided at a free end of the swing door.

[0013] According to the above configuration, it is possible to accurately detect the person who has passed the side of the swing door and walked around to the free end side of the swing door. Therefore, it is possible to open the swing door from the first opening degree to the second opening degree at a more appropriate time.

[0014] In the vehicle door control apparatus according to the aspect of this disclosure, it is preferable that the person sensor is activated after the swing door is opened to the first opening degree.

[0015] According to the above configuration, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of erroneous detection and more accurately detect the person who has passed the side of the swing door and walked around to the free end side of the swing door.

[0016] In the vehicle door control device according to the aspect of the present disclosure, it is preferable that the person detection unit includes a person authentication unit configured to detect an authorized person having authority to operate the swing door and an opening operation permission unit configured to permit an opening operation of the swing door when the authorized person approaches the swing door.

[0017] According to the above configuration, it is possible to ensure high safety performance.

[0018] In the vehicle door control apparatus according to the aspect of this disclosure, it is preferable that the person authentication unit determines whether the person is the authorized person or not by performing wireless communication with a portable device held by the person.

[0019] According to the above configuration, it is possible to accurately detect an authorized person who has the authority to operate a vehicle by using a wireless authentication system mounted in many vehicles.

[0020] According to the aspect of this disclosure, it is possible to produce higher quality entertainment impression. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The foregoing and additional features and characteristics of this disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description when considered with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. Figure 1 is a plan view of a vehicle with a swing door; Fig. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the swing door provided with an opening and closing drive device; Fig. 3 is a schematic view of a configuration of a vehicle door control device; Fig. 4 is an explanatory view illustrating an opening control area set around the swing door and a person approaching the swing door; Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of detecting the person approaching the swing door and controlling an opening operation of the swing door; Fig. 6 is an exemplary view illustrating an opening operation control mode when the person has entered the opening control area from the vehicle front side (at the time of entry); Fig. 7 is an exemplary view illustrating an opening operation control mode when the person has entered the opening control area from the vehicle front side (after a backward movement); Fig. 8 is an exemplary view illustrating an opening operation control mode when the person has entered the opening control area from the vehicle rear side; and Fig. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of an opening operation control. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of a vehicle door control device will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] As in Fig. 1 and Fig. As illustrated in Fig. 2, a vehicle 1 of the present embodiment is a so-called 4-door sedan having four swing doors 10 (11 to 14) each opening and closing a door opening 3 provided in the side surface of a vehicle body 2. Specifically, in the vehicle 1 of the present embodiment, each swing door 10 is supported on the vehicle body 2 via a hinge 20 provided at the front portion 10f thereof. In addition, each swing door 10 rotates around the hinge 20 as a fulcrum (rotation fulcrum N). Thus, the vehicle 1 of the present embodiment is configured such that each swing door 10 is opened and closed on the lateral side of a corresponding seat 30 (31 to 34) provided in a cabin of the vehicle 1.

[0024] Additionally, as in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, in the vehicle 1 of the present embodiment, the swing door 11 is provided on the lateral side of a driver's seat 31 (see FIG. Fig. 1), the vehicle 1 of the present embodiment is provided with an opening and closing drive device 40 capable of opening and closing the swing door 11 using a motor (not shown) as a drive source. Specifically, the opening and closing drive device 40 of the present embodiment is integrally provided with a check mechanism 41 capable of holding the swing door 11 at any opening degree P (operation angle Θ). In addition, an operation of the opening and closing drive device 40 is controlled by a door ECU 45, which is a control device. Then, the vehicle 1 of the present embodiment is equipped with a door controller 50 capable of automatically opening and closing the swing door 11.

[0025] Specifically, the door ECU 45 of the present embodiment controls an operation of a door lock device 51 provided at each swing door 10. That is, the door ECU 45 opens the door lock device 51 provided at each swing door 10 under the condition that the safety conditions of the vehicle 1 are satisfied. Therefore, the door ECU 45 of the present embodiment executes the control of opening and closing the swing door 11 provided with the opening and closing drive device 40 in a state where the restriction on each swing door 10 is imposed by the door lock device 51.

[0026] Even more special, as in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the door ECU 45 of the present embodiment detects an authorized person 70a authorized to operate the vehicle 1 including the swing door 11 by communicating with an authentication ECU 61 via an in-vehicle network 60. Specifically, the authentication ECU 61 of the present embodiment determines whether a portable device 75 located near the vehicle 1 is an authorized portable device 75a coupled to the vehicle 1 by performing wireless communication with the portable device 75 via a wireless communication device (e.g., antenna) 71 provided in the vehicle 1. That is, in the vehicle 1 of the present embodiment, a person possessing the authorized portable device 75a is authenticated as an authorized person 70a having the authority to operate the vehicle 1.Then, when the authorized person 70a is detected, the door ECU 45 of the present embodiment allows an opening operation of the swing door 11 by the opening and closing drive device 40.

[0027] In addition, the door ECU 45 of the present embodiment acquires position information Ip of the authorized person 70a (hereinafter simply referred to as the person 70 (occupant of the vehicle 1)) holding the authorized portable device 75a through communication with the authentication ECU 61. Specifically, the position information Ip includes the moving position X and the moving direction D of the person 70. In addition, in the vehicle 1 of the present embodiment, an opening control area α is set around the swing door 11, and the door ECU 45 of the present embodiment determines whether or not the person 70 is in the opening control area α based on the acquired position information Ip. Then, when the person 70 is detected to have entered the opening control area α, the door ECU 45 controls an operation of the opening and closing drive device 40 to open the swing door 11.

[0028] That is, as shown in the flowchart of Fig. 5 illustrates that when the vehicle 1 is in a stopped state (step 101: YES) and when the person 70 (70a) is detected around the vehicle 1 (step 102: YES), the door ECU 45 of the present embodiment acquires position information of the person 70 (step 103). In addition, the door ECU 45 determines whether or not the person 70 is approaching the swing door 11 provided with an opening and closing drive device 40 (step 104), and when the person 70 approaching the swing door 11 is detected (step 104: YES), the door ECU 45 determines whether or not the person 70 is entering an opening control area of ​​the swing door 11 (step 105). Then, when it is detected that the person 70 enters the opening control area α (step 105: YES), the door ECU 45 of the present embodiment executes the opening operation control of the swing door 11 (step 106).

[0029] Even more precisely, as in Fig. 6 illustrates when the person 70 views the opening control area α from the vehicle front side (upper side in Fig. 6), ie when the person 70 of the swing door 11 has entered from a proximal end side 11a (see Fig. 2) approaches the swing door 11 at which the rotational pivot point N is provided, the door ECU 45 of the present embodiment opens the swing door 11 to a first opening degree P1.

[0030] Additionally, as in Fig. 7, the door ECU 45 of the present embodiment detects that the person 70 approaching from the vehicle front side has moved to the vehicle rear side, that is, to a free end side 11b (see Fig. 2) the swing door 11, which opens outwards in the direction of the vehicle width (right side in Fig. 7), through whose opening operation via an opening operation trajectory β (see Fig. 4) of the swing door 11. Then, based on detecting the movement of the person 70 beyond the opening operation trajectory β of the swing door 11, the door ECU 45 opens the swing door 11 from the first opening degree P1 to a second opening degree P2 that is greater than the first opening degree P1.

[0031] Specifically, in the vehicle 1 of the present embodiment, the first opening degree P1 is an opening degree P, e.g., the operating angle θ (see Fig. 2), which corresponds to a so-called "pop-up" of the swing door 11 and is set to approximately 20°. Then, the second opening degree P2 is an opening degree P, e.g., the operating angle θ, at which the person 70 can easily enter the vehicle 1 through the door opening 3 provided with the swing door 11, and is set to approximately 45°.

[0032] That is, when the person 70 approaches the swing door 11 from the front of the vehicle, the door control device 50 of the present embodiment opens the swing door 11 to the first opening degree P1 at which the operating angle θ of the swing door 11 is suppressed. Therefore, when the person 70 passes by the side of the swing door 11 and moves toward the rear of the vehicle, the swing door 11 being opened does not interfere with the movement of the person 70.

[0033] In addition, even in a state where the operating angle θ is suppressed as described above, it is possible to ensure "entertainment impression" given to a person 70 when the swing door 11 is promptly opened in response to the approach of the person 70. In addition, when the swing door 11 is opened to the larger second opening degree P2 after the person 70 moves to the rear side of the swing door 11, it is possible to ensure a practical function that does not require an opening operation of the person 70. Therefore, with the door control device 50 of the present embodiment, it is possible to generate higher quality "entertainment impression" when the person 70 recognizes the meaning of the "suppressed" first opening degree P1; finally, the person can pass by the swing door 11, for example, even in a case where an obstacle (e.g., another vehicle or a wall) is located next to the vehicle 1.

[0034] In particular, as in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, in the vehicle 1 of the present embodiment, a human sensor 80 is provided at a rear end portion 11r of the swing door 11, which is the free end 11b of the swing door 11. Then, the door ECU 45 of the present embodiment detects the person 70 who has moved to the free end side 11b of the swing door 11 beyond the opening operation trajectory β of the swing door 11, based on a sensor signal Sd from the human sensor 80.

[0035] In addition, a proximity sensor such as a capacitive sensor, an infrared sensor, or a radio wave sensor is used for the human sensor 80 of the present embodiment. Then, the human sensor 80 is provided at a position where it is exposed to the outside of the vehicle 1 in a state where the swing door 11 is opened.

[0036] Additionally, as in Fig. 8 illustrates when the person 70 has entered the opening control area α from the rear of the vehicle (lower side in Fig. 8), that is, when the person 70 approaches the swing door 11 from the free end side 11b of the swing door 11, the door ECU 45 of the present embodiment opens the swing door 11 to a third opening degree P3. In addition, in the vehicle 1 of the present embodiment, the same operating angle θ as the second opening degree P2 is set for the third opening degree P3. Therefore, the door control device 50 of the present embodiment allows the person 70 who has approached the swing door 11 from the vehicle rear side to promptly enter the vehicle 1 through the door opening 3 provided with the swing door 11.

[0037] That is, as shown in the flowchart of Fig. 9 illustrates, in the opening operation control of the swing door 11 (cf. Fig.5, step 106), the door ECU 45 of the present embodiment first determines whether or not the person 70 has entered the opening control area α from the vehicle front side, which is set around the swing door 11, which is the proximal end side 11a of the swing door 11 (step 201). Then, if it is detected that the person 70 has entered the opening control area α from the vehicle front side (step 201: YES), the door ECU 45 opens the swing door 11 to the first opening degree P1 (step 202).

[0038] In addition, the door ECU 45 activates the human sensor 80 provided at the rear end portion 11r of the swing door 11 (step 203) and determines whether or not the person 70 who entered the opening control area α from the vehicle front side has moved to the vehicle rear side beyond the opening operation trajectory β of the swing door 11 (step 204), which is the free end side 11b of the swing door 11. Then, if the movement of the person 70 beyond the opening operation trajectory β of the swing door 11 is detected (step 204: YES), the door ECU 45 opens the swing door 11 from the first opening degree P1 to the second opening degree P2.

[0039] In addition, in step 201, when a direction in which the person 70 enters the opening control area α is not the vehicle front side (step 201: NO), the door ECU 45 of the present embodiment determines that the person 70 has entered the opening control area α from the vehicle rear side, which is the free end side 11b of the swing door 11. Then, when the person 70 who has entered the opening control area α from the vehicle rear side has been detected as described above, the door ECU 45 opens the swing door 11 at once to the third opening degree P3 (step 206).

[0040] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0041] (1) The door ECU 45, as a person detection unit 90a, detects the person 70 approaching the swivel door 11 provided in the vehicle 1. Additionally, the door ECU 45, as a first opening operation control unit 90b, opens the swivel door 11 to the first opening degree P1 when it is detected that the person 70 has entered the opening control area α set around the swivel door 11 from the proximal end side 11a (front of the vehicle) of the swivel door 11 provided with the rotation pivot point N. Additionally, the door ECU 45, as a second opening operation control unit 90c, detects that the person 70 who has entered the opening control area α from the proximal end side 11a of the swivel door 11 has moved beyond the opening operation trajectory β of the swivel door 11 toward the free end side 11b (rear of the vehicle) of the swivel door 11.Then, the door ECU 45 opens the swing door 11 from the first opening degree P1 to the second opening degree P2 which is larger than the first opening degree P1 based on the detection of the movement of the person 70 beyond the opening operation trajectory β of the swing door 11.

[0042] That is, by opening the swing door 11 to the first opening degree P1 at which the operating angle θ is suppressed, when the person approaches the swing door 11 from the proximal end side 11a (vehicle front side) provided with the rotation fulcrum N and passes by the side of the swing door 11, it is possible to prevent the swing door 11 being opened from interfering with the movement of the person 70.

[0043] In addition, even in a state where the operating angle θ is suppressed as described above, it is possible to ensure "entertainment impression" given to the person 70 when the swing door 11 promptly opens in response to the approach of the person 70. In addition, when the swing door 11 is opened to the larger second opening degree P2 after the person 70 moves around to the free end side 11b (vehicle rear side) of the swing door 11, it is possible to ensure a practical function that does not require any opening operation of the person 70. Therefore, it is possible to generate a higher quality "entertainment impression" when the person 70 recognizes the meaning of the "suppressed" first opening degree P1. Finally, the person can easily get in through the swing door 11, for example, even in a case where an obstacle (e.g., another vehicle or a wall) is located next to the vehicle 1.

[0044] (2) The door ECU 45, as a third opening operation control unit 90d, opens the swing door to the third opening degree P3 which is larger than the first opening degree P1 when it is detected that the person 70 has entered the opening control area α from the free end side 11b (vehicle rear side) of the swing door 11.

[0045] That is, when the person 70 approaches the swing door 11 from the free end side 11b of the swing door 11, the opening operation of the swing door 11 does not interfere with the movement of the person 70. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the person 70 who has approached the swing door 11 from the free end side 11b can promptly get into the vehicle 1 through the door opening 3 provided with the swing door 11. In addition, by comparing with control content (P1→P2, two-step opening operation), when the person 70 has approached the swing door 11 from the proximal end side 11a of the swing door 11, the person 70 is more likely to recognize the meaning of the "suppressed" first opening degree P1 than when the person 70 has approached the swing door 11 from the free end side 11b of the swing door 11. Therefore, it is possible to effectively create a higher quality “entertainment impression”.

[0046] (3) The door ECU 45 detects that the person 70 has moved to the free end side 11b of the swing door 11 beyond the opening operation trajectory β of the swing door 11 based on the sensor signal Sd from the person sensor 80 provided at the free end 11b (rear end portion 11r) of the swing door 11.

[0047] According to the above configuration, it is possible to accurately detect the person 70 who has passed the side of the swing door 11 and walked around to the free end side 11b of the swing door 11 (vehicle rear side). Therefore, it is possible to open the swing door 11 from the first opening degree P1 to the second opening degree P2 at a better timing.

[0048] (4) The human sensor 80 is activated after the swing door 11 is opened to the first opening degree P1. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of erroneous detection and more accurately detect the person 70 who has passed by the side of the swing door 11 and walked around to the free end side 11b of the swing door 11.

[0049] (5) The door ECU 45, as a person authentication unit 90e, detects the authorized person 70a who has the authority to operate the vehicle 1 including the swing door 11 through communication with the authentication ECU 61. Then, the door ECU 45, as an opening operation permission unit 90f, permits the opening operation of the swing door 11 when the authorized person 70a approaches the swing door 11. Therefore, it is possible to ensure higher security performance.

[0050] (6) The authentication ECU 61 constituting the person authentication unit 90e determines, through communication with the door ECU 45, whether or not the person 70 is the authorized person 70a having the operation authority by performing wireless communication with the portable device 75 (75a) held by the person 70. Therefore, it is possible to correctly detect the authorized person 70a having the operation authority using a wireless authentication system of the vehicle 1.

[0051] In addition, the above embodiment can be modified as follows.

[0052] In the above embodiment, the opening and closing drive device 40 is provided on the swing door 11 provided on the lateral side of the driver's seat 31. Then, in a case where the person 70 has approached the swing door 11, the opening operation control is performed with respect to the swing door 11. However, this disclosure is not limited to this, and the same opening operation control as in the above embodiment may be performed with respect to the swing door 12 provided on the lateral side of a passenger's seat 32. Then, the same opening operation control as in the above embodiment may be performed with respect to each of the swing doors 13 and 14 provided on the lateral side of the rear seats 33 and 34.

[0053] In the above embodiment, each swing door 10 (11 to 14) is opened and closed via the hinge 20 provided at its front end portion 10f as a rotational fulcrum N, but this disclosure can be applied, for example, to an opening operation control of a swing door provided with a rotational fulcrum N at the vehicle rear side, such as a vehicle adopting a so-called "double-hinge door method." Then, when a swing door is used as a rear door that opens and closes the rear end portion of the vehicle, the same opening operation control as in the above embodiment can be performed with respect to the rear door.

[0054] In the above embodiment, the authentication ECU 61 determines whether or not the person 70 is the authorized person 70a who has the authority to operate the vehicle 1 including the swing door 11 by performing wireless communication with the portable device 75 (75a) held by the person 70. However, this disclosure is not limited to this, and a method for authenticating the authorized person 70a may be arbitrarily changed, for example, to a face authentication method based on image analysis using a camera. Then, instead of the authority to operate the entire vehicle 1, the operation authority may be set for each swing door, which is an opening operation control target.

[0055] In the above embodiment, the same operating angle θ as the second opening degree P2 is set as the third opening degree P3, but different operating angles θ may be set as the second and third opening degrees P2 and P3. Then, the setting range of the opening control range α can vary according to the movement direction of the person 70 approaching the swing door 11.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the opening and closing drive device 40 opens and closes the swing door 11 using the motor as a drive source, but the drive source can be arbitrarily changed, and, for example, an elastic member such as a spring can be used. Then, a closing operation can be manually performed by a person 70 as long as the same opening operation control as in the above embodiment can be performed.

[0057] The principles, preferred embodiment, and mode of operation of the present invention have been described in the foregoing specification. However, the invention which is intended to be protected is not to be construed as limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. Moreover, the embodiments described herein are to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive. Variations and changes may be made by others and equivalents may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such variations, changes, and equivalents which fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the claims be embraced herein.

[0058] A vehicle door control device (50) includes: an opening and closing drive device (40) capable of opening and closing a swing door (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) provided in a vehicle (1); and a control device (45) configured to control the opening and closing drive device. The control device includes: a person detection unit (90a) configured to detect a person (70, 70a) approaching the door; a first opening operation control unit (90b) configured to open the door to a first opening degree (P1) when the person has entered an opening control area (α) from a proximal end side of the door; and a second opening operation control unit (90c) configured to open the door from the first opening degree to a second opening degree (P2) when the person has moved to a free end side of the door beyond an opening operation trajectory (β) of the door.

Claims

[1] Vehicle door control unit (50) with: an opening and closing drive device (40) capable of opening and closing a swing door (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) provided in a vehicle (1); and a control device (45) arranged to control the opening and closing drive device, wherein the control device (45) includes: a person detection unit (90a) configured to detect a person (70, 70a) approaching the swing door; a first opening operation control unit (90b) configured to open the swing door to a first opening degree (P1) when it is detected that the person has entered an opening control area (α) set around the swing door from a proximal end side of the swing door at which a rotation fulcrum (20) of the swing door is provided; and a second opening operation control unit (90c) configured to open the swing door from the first opening degree (P1) to a second opening degree (P2) which is greater than the first opening degree (P1) when it is detected that the person who has entered the opening control area from the proximal end side of the swing door has moved to a free end side of the swing door beyond an opening operation trajectory (β) of the swing door. [2] The vehicle door control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control device (45) further comprises a third opening operation control unit (90d) configured to open the swing door to a third opening degree (P3) greater than the first opening degree (P1) when it is detected that the person has entered the opening control area from the free end side of the swing door. [3] The vehicle door control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the person detection unit (90a) detects that the person has moved from the free end side of the swing door beyond the opening operation trajectory of the swing door, based on a sensor signal from a person sensor (80) provided at the free end (11b) of the swing door. [4] Vehicle door control device according to claim 3, wherein the person sensor (80) is activated after the swing door has been opened to the first opening degree (P1). [5] Vehicle door control device according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the person detection unit (90a) comprises: a person authentication unit (90e) configured to detect an authorized person (70a) who has the authority to operate the swing door; and an opening operation permission unit (90f) configured to permit an opening operation of the swing door when the authorized person approaches the swing door. [6] The vehicle door control apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the person authentication unit (90e) determines whether or not the person is the authorized person by performing wireless communication with a portable device (75, 75a) held by the person.

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