Door control device for vehicle

Abstract

To suppress a decrease in convenience for an occupant or a person who is going to ride in a vehicle, when an opening / closing operation of an automatic door is not carried out when a person within a detection area set in the vicinity of the automatic door of the vehicle is detected.SOLUTION: A setting part 12 sets a detection area and a non-detection area in the vicinity of an automatic door 22 provided in a vehicle 20. A detection part 14 detects a person within the detection area. A control part 16 stops the opening / closing operation of the automatic door 22 when the person is detected by the detection part 14. The setting part 12 changes the non-detection area according to an open / close state of the automatic door 22.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a device for controlling an automatic door provided in a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art When there is a person (e.g., a passenger) near an automatic door installed on a vehicle such as a bus, the automatic door may not open or close for safety reasons.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a device that detects an object within a preset detection area near an automatic door. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-197634 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] If an automatic door is not opened or closed when a person is near the automatic door of a vehicle, a situation may arise in which the automatic door cannot be opened when there is no safety issue in opening it (for example, when there is no possibility that the automatic door will come into contact with a person during the opening operation). Similarly, a situation may arise in which the automatic door cannot be closed when there is no issue in closing it (for example, when there is no possibility that the automatic door will come into contact with a person during the closing operation). This reduces convenience for passengers and those about to board the vehicle.

[0006] The object of the present disclosure is to suppress any decrease in convenience for passengers and those about to board the vehicle when the automatic doors are not opened or closed when a person is detected within a detection area set near the automatic doors of a vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure is a vehicle door control device that includes a setting unit that sets a detection area and a non-detection area around an automatic door installed in a vehicle, a detection unit that detects a person within the detection area, and a control unit that stops the opening and closing operation of the automatic door when a person is detected by the detection unit, wherein the setting unit changes the non-detection area depending on the open / closed state of the automatic door. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, when a person is detected within a detection area set near the automatic door of a vehicle and the automatic door is not opened or closed, it is possible to suppress any decrease in convenience for passengers and those about to board the vehicle. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 2] 11 is a diagram showing a detection area and a non-detection area set near an outward-opening door. FIG. [Diagram 3] 11 is a diagram showing a detection area and a non-detection area set near an inward-opening door. FIG. [Figure 4] 11 is a diagram showing a detection area and a non-detection area set in the vicinity of a sliding door. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] The configuration of a control device 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control device 10.

[0011] The control device 10 is an example of a vehicle door control device. The control device 10 detects people around an automatic door 22 installed in a vehicle 20 such as a bus. The control device 10 controls the opening and closing of the automatic door 22 based on the detection result.

[0012] The control device 10 includes a setting unit 12 , a detection unit 14 , and a control unit 16 .

[0013] The setting unit 12 sets a detection area and a non-detection area around the automatic door 22 of the vehicle 20. The detection area is an area in which a person is detected by the detection unit 14. The non-detection area is an area in which a person is not detected by the detection unit 14.

[0014] The detection unit 14 has a function of detecting a person in an area including a detection area and a non-detection area. In this embodiment, the detection unit 14 detects a person in the detection area, but does not detect a person in the non-detection area.

[0015] For example, the detection unit 14 is a camera that captures an image within the detection area to generate an image. The detection unit 14 analyzes the image to detect a person within the detection area. A known technology is used as a technology for analyzing an image to detect a person. The detection unit 14 may capture an image within the detection area and the non-detection area, and detect a person within the detection area by analyzing the image of the detection area.

[0016] The detection unit 14 may be a human presence sensor such as an infrared sensor. In this case, a person in the detection area is detected by the human presence sensor.

[0017] The control unit 16 controls the opening and closing of the automatic door 22. The control unit 16 may control the opening and closing of the automatic door 22 according to the driver's instructions, or may control the opening and closing of the automatic door 22 by automatic control. In this embodiment, when a person is detected by the detection unit 14, the control unit 16 stops the opening and closing operation of the automatic door 22.

[0018] For example, if the detection unit 14 detects a person while the automatic door 22 is closed, the control unit 16 will not open the automatic door 22 even if the driver issues a command to open the automatic door 22. Also, if the detection unit 14 detects a person while the automatic door 22 is open, the control unit 16 will not close the automatic door 22 even if the driver issues a command to close the automatic door 22.

[0019] Furthermore, if the detection unit 14 detects a person while the automatic door 22 is opening from a closed state, the control unit 16 stops the operation of opening the automatic door 22. Similarly, if the detection unit 14 detects a person while the automatic door 22 is closing from an open state, the control unit 16 stops the operation of closing the automatic door 22.

[0020] By controlling the opening and closing operation of the automatic door 22 as described above, it is possible to prevent contact between the automatic door 22 and a person when the automatic door 22 is opening or closing.

[0021] In this embodiment, the setting unit 12 changes the non-detection area depending on the open / close state of the automatic door 22. In other words, the setting unit 12 changes the detection area depending on the open / close state of the automatic door 22.

[0022] The setting unit 12 sets the area to which the automatic door 22 will move as the detection area. For example, when the automatic door 22 is opening, the setting unit 12 sets the area to which the automatic door 22 will move during the opening operation as the detection area. When the automatic door 22 is closing, the setting unit 12 sets the area to which the automatic door 22 will move during the closing operation as the detection area.

[0023] The operation of the control device 10 will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0024] The operation of the control device 10 when the automatic door 22 is an outward-opening door will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a detection area and a non-detection area set in the vicinity of the outward-opening door. Fig. 2 is a diagram of the automatic door 22 as seen from above the vehicle 20.

[0025] 2(a) to 2(f) show a part of the vehicle body 24 of the vehicle 20. The automatic door 22 is an outward-opening door and includes door members 22a and 22b. The door members 22a and 22b are arranged side by side in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle 20 along the vehicle body 24. The door member 22a is arranged further forward of the vehicle 20 than the door member 22b.

[0026] 2(a) to 2(f) show areas A1 to A4 and areas B1 to B4. Areas A1 to A4 are areas inside the vehicle 20. Areas B1 to B4 are areas outside the vehicle 20. Non-detection areas are hatched.

[0027] Areas A1 and B1 are areas that are further forward of the vehicle 20 than the door member 22a in the closed state. Areas A2 and B2 are areas that contact the door member 22a in the closed state. Areas A3 and B3 are areas that contact the door member 22b in the closed state. Areas A4 and B4 are areas that are further rearward of the vehicle 20 than the door member 22b in the closed state.

[0028] 2(a) shows a state in which the automatic door 22 is closed. In this state, the setting unit 12 sets the areas A1 and A4 as non-detection areas, and sets the areas A2, A3, and B1 to B4 as detection areas.

[0029] FIG. 2(b) shows a state in which the automatic door 22 is in the middle of opening. The arrow in FIG. 2(b) indicates the direction in which the automatic door 22 opens. In this state, the setting unit 12 sets the areas A1 to A4 as non-detection areas and the areas B1 to B4 as detection areas. Since the automatic door 22 is an outward-opening door, the door member 22a moves toward the front of the vehicle 20 while moving toward the outside of the vehicle 20, and the door member 22b moves toward the rear of the vehicle 20 while moving toward the outside of the vehicle 20. Since the door members 22a and 22b move toward the outside of the vehicle 20, there is a possibility that the door members 22a and 22b may come into contact with a person in the areas B1 to B4 at the destination of their movement. Therefore, the setting unit 12 sets the areas B1 to B4 as detection areas, and the detection unit 14 detects a person in the areas B1 to B4. When a person is detected in any of the areas B1 to B4, the control unit 16 stops the opening operation of the door members 22a and 22b. On the other hand, since the door members 22a and 22b do not move toward the areas A1 to A4, there is no possibility that the door members 22a and 22b will come into contact with a person in the areas A1 to A4. Therefore, the setting unit 12 sets the areas A1 to A4 as non-detection areas. This makes it possible to prevent the opening operation of the door members 22a and 22b from being stopped due to detection of a person in the areas A1 to A4.

[0030] 2(c) shows the automatic door 22 in a fully open state. In this state, there is no possibility that the door members 22a and 22b will move and come into contact with a person. Therefore, the setting unit 12 sets the areas A1 to A4 and B1 to B4 as non-detection areas. For example, a person gets on or off the vehicle 20.

[0031] When an instruction to open the automatic door 22 is given in a state where the automatic door 22 is completely closed, the setting unit 12 sets the areas A1 and A4 as non-detection areas and the areas A2, A3, and B1 to B4 as detection areas, as shown in FIG. 2(d). FIG. 2(e) shows a state where the automatic door 22 is in the middle of closing. The arrow in FIG. 2(e) indicates the direction in which the automatic door 22 is closing. Even in the state shown in FIG. 2(e), the setting unit 12 sets the areas A1 and A4 as non-detection areas and the areas A2, A3, and B1 to B4 as detection areas. In the states shown in FIG. 2(d) and FIG. 2(e), there is a possibility that the door members 22a and 22b may move and come into contact with a person in the areas A2, A3, and B1 to B4. Therefore, the setting unit 12 sets the areas A2, A3, and B1 to B4 as detection areas. Since there is no possibility that the door members 22a and 22b will come into contact with a person in the areas A1 and A4, the setting unit 12 sets the areas A1 and A4 as non-detection areas.

[0032] When the automatic door 22 is completely closed, as shown in FIG. 2(a), the setting unit 12 sets the areas A1 and A4 as non-detection areas, and sets the areas A2, A3, and B1 to B4 as detection areas.

[0033] When the vehicle 20 is traveling in a crowded state, the automatic door 22 will not be opened. In this case, as shown in Fig. 2(f), the control unit 16 may set the areas A1 to A4 and B1 to B4 as non-detection areas. For example, when the number of people detected by the detection unit 14 is equal to or greater than a threshold, the control unit 16 determines that the vehicle 20 is crowded, and sets the areas A1 to A4 and B1 to B4 as non-detection areas.

[0034] The operation of the control device 10 when the automatic door 22 is an inward-opening door will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a detection area and a non-detection area set in the vicinity of the inward-opening door. Fig. 3 is a diagram of the automatic door 22 as seen from above the vehicle 20.

[0035] As in the example shown in Fig. 2, the automatic door 22 includes door members 22a and 22b. Areas A1 to A4 and areas B1 to B4 are shown in Fig. 3(a) to Fig. 3(f). The meaning of each area is the same as that of each area shown in Fig. 2.

[0036] 3(a) shows a state in which the automatic door 22 is closed. In this state, the setting unit 12 sets the areas B1 and B4 as non-detection areas, and sets the areas A1 to A4, B2, and B3 as detection areas.

[0037] FIG. 3(b) shows a state in which the automatic door 22 is in the middle of opening. The arrow in FIG. 3(b) indicates the direction in which the automatic door 22 opens. In this state, the setting unit 12 sets the areas A1 to A4 as detection areas and the areas B1 to B4 as non-detection areas. Since the automatic door 22 is an inward-opening door, the door member 22a moves toward the front of the vehicle 20 while moving toward the inside of the vehicle 20, and the door member 22b moves toward the rear of the vehicle 20 while moving toward the inside of the vehicle 20. Since the door members 22a and 22b move toward the inside of the vehicle 20, there is a possibility that the door members 22a and 22b may come into contact with a person in the areas A1 to A4 at the destination of their movement. Therefore, the setting unit 12 sets the areas A1 to A4 as detection areas, and the detection unit 14 detects a person in the areas A1 to A4. When a person is detected in any of the areas A1 to A4, the control unit 16 stops the opening operation of the door members 22a and 22b. On the other hand, since the door members 22a and 22b do not move toward the areas B1 to B4, there is no possibility that the door members 22a and 22b will come into contact with a person in the areas B1 to B4. Therefore, the setting unit 12 sets the areas B1 to B4 as non-detection areas. This makes it possible to prevent the opening operation of the door members 22a and 22b from being stopped due to detection of a person in the areas B1 to B4.

[0038] 3(c) shows the automatic door 22 in a fully open state. In this state, there is no possibility that the door members 22a and 22b will move and come into contact with a person. Therefore, the setting unit 12 sets the areas A1 to A4 and B1 to B4 as non-detection areas.

[0039] When an instruction to open the automatic door 22 is given while the automatic door 22 is completely closed, the setting unit 12 sets the areas B1 and B4 as non-detection areas and the areas A1 to A4, B2, and B3 as detection areas, as shown in FIG. 3(d). FIG. 3(e) shows the automatic door 22 in the middle of closing. The arrow in FIG. 3(e) indicates the direction in which the automatic door 22 is closing. Even in the state shown in FIG. 3(e), the setting unit 12 sets the areas B1 and B4 as non-detection areas and the areas A1 to A4, B2, and B3 as detection areas. In the states shown in FIG. 3(d) and FIG. 3(e), there is a possibility that the door members 22a and 22b may move and come into contact with people in the areas A1 to A4, B2, and B3. Therefore, the setting unit 12 sets the areas A1 to A4, B2, and B3 as detection areas. Since there is no possibility that the door members 22a and 22b will come into contact with a person in the areas B1 and B4, the setting unit 12 sets the areas B1 and B4 as non-detection areas.

[0040] When the automatic door 22 is completely closed, as shown in FIG. 3(a), the setting unit 12 sets the areas B1 and B4 as non-detection areas, and sets the areas A1 to A4, B2, and B3 as detection areas.

[0041] When the vehicle 20 is traveling in a crowded state, the automatic door 22 will not be opened. In this case, as shown in FIG 3(f), the control unit 16 may set the areas A1 to A4 and B1 to B4 as non-detection areas.

[0042] The operation of the control device 10 when the automatic door 22 is a sliding door will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a detection area and a non-detection area set in the vicinity of the sliding door. Fig. 4 is a diagram of the automatic door 22 as seen from above the vehicle 20.

[0043] As in the example shown in Fig. 2, the automatic door 22 includes door members 22a and 22b. Areas A1 to A4 and areas B1 to B4 are shown in Fig. 4(a) to Fig. 4(f). The meaning of each area is the same as that of each area shown in Fig. 2.

[0044] A door pocket 26 is provided between the area A1 and the area B1. The open door member 22a is stored in the door pocket 26. Similarly, a door pocket 28 is provided between the area A4 and the area B4. The open door member 22b is stored in the door pocket 28.

[0045] 4(a) shows a state in which the automatic door 22 is closed. In this state, the setting unit 12 sets the areas A1, A4, B1, and B4 as non-detection areas, and sets the areas A2, A3, B2, and B3 as detection areas.

[0046] FIG. 4(b) shows a state in which the automatic door 22 is in the middle of being opened. The arrow in FIG. 4(b) indicates the direction in which the automatic door 22 opens. In this state, the setting unit 12 sets the areas A2, A3, B2, and B3 as detection areas, and sets the areas A1, A4, B1, and B4 as non-detection areas. Since the automatic door 22 is a sliding door, the door member 22a slides along the vehicle body 24 toward the front of the vehicle 20, and the door member 22b slides along the vehicle body 24 toward the rear of the vehicle 20. Since the door members 22a and 22b slide along the vehicle body 24, there is a possibility that the door members 22a and 22b move while coming into contact with people in the areas A2, A3, B2, and B3. Therefore, the setting unit 12 sets the areas A2, A3, B2, and B3 as detection areas, and the detection unit 14 detects people in the areas A2, A3, B2, and B3. When a person is detected in any of the areas A2, A3, B2, and B3, the control unit 16 stops the opening operation of the door members 22a and 22b. Meanwhile, the door member 22a is stored in the door pocket 26, and the door member 22b is stored in the door pocket 28. Therefore, the door members 22a and 22b are unlikely to come into contact with a person in the areas A1, A4, B1, and B4. Therefore, the setting unit 12 sets the areas A1, A4, B1, and B4 as non-detection areas. This makes it possible to prevent the opening operation of the door members 22a and 22b from being stopped due to detection of a person in the areas A1, A4, B1, and B4.

[0047] 4(c) shows the automatic door 22 in a fully open state. In this state, there is no possibility that the door members 22a and 22b will move and come into contact with a person. Therefore, the setting unit 12 sets the areas A1 to A4 and B1 to B4 as non-detection areas.

[0048] When an instruction to open the automatic door 22 is given in a state where the automatic door 22 is completely closed, the setting unit 12 sets the areas A1, A4, B1, and B4 as non-detection areas and the areas A2, A3, B2, and B3 as detection areas, as shown in FIG. 4(d). FIG. 4(e) shows a state where the automatic door 22 is in the middle of closing. The arrow in FIG. 4(e) indicates the direction in which the automatic door 22 is closing. Even in the state shown in FIG. 4(e), the setting unit 12 sets the areas A1, A4, B1, and B4 as non-detection areas and the areas A2, A3, B2, and B3 as detection areas. In the states shown in FIG. 4(d) and FIG. 4(e), there is a possibility that the door members 22a and 22b move and come into contact with people in the areas A2, A3, B2, and B3. Therefore, the setting unit 12 sets the areas A2, A3, B2, and B3 as detection areas. Since the door members 22a and 22b are unlikely to come into contact with people in the areas A1, A4, B1, and B4, the setting unit 12 sets the areas A1, A4, B1, and B4 as non-detection areas.

[0049] When the automatic door 22 is completely closed, as shown in FIG. 4(a), the setting unit 12 sets the areas A1, A4, B1, and B4 as non-detection areas, and sets the areas A2, A3, B2, and B3 as detection areas.

[0050] When the vehicle 20 is traveling in a crowded state, the automatic door 22 will not be opened. In this case, as shown in FIG 4(f), the control unit 16 may set the areas A1 to A4 and B1 to B4 as non-detection areas.

[0051] As described above, according to this embodiment, when the automatic door 22 opens or closes, it detects people in an area where the automatic door 22 may come into contact with a person, but does not detect people in other areas. This makes it possible to prevent the opening or closing operation of the automatic door 22 from being stopped due to the detection of a person who does not need to be detected. As a result, it is possible to prevent a decrease in convenience for passengers while preventing contact between people and the automatic door 22 during the opening or closing operation.

[0052] The setting unit 12 and the control unit 16 can be realized by using hardware resources such as a processor and an electronic circuit, and a device such as a memory may be used as necessary in the realization. The setting unit 12 and the control unit 16 may also be realized by, for example, a computer. That is, the setting unit 12 and the control unit 16 may be realized in whole or in part by cooperation between hardware resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) and memory provided in a computer and software (program) that defines the operation of the CPU and the like. The program is stored in the storage device of the control device 10 via a recording medium such as a CD or a DVD, or via a communication path such as a network. As another example, the setting unit 12 and the control unit 16 may be realized by a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or the like. Of course, a graphics processing unit (GPU) or the like may be used.

[0053] The functions of the control device 10 may be realized by a single device or by multiple devices.

[0054] The control device 10 may be provided in the vehicle 20, or in an external device such as a server. When the control device 10 is provided in the external device, the control device 10 detects people and controls the opening and closing of doors by communicating with the vehicle 20 via a communication path such as the Internet. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 10 control device, 12 setting unit, 14 detection unit, 16 control unit, 20 vehicle, 22 automatic door.

Claims

1. a setting unit that sets a detection area and a non-detection area around an automatic door provided in a vehicle; A detection unit that detects a person within the detection area; a control unit that stops the opening and closing operation of the automatic door when a person is detected by the detection unit; Including, The setting unit changes the non-detection area depending on the open / close state of the automatic door. A vehicle door control device comprising:

2. 2. The vehicle door control device according to claim 1, The setting unit sets an area to which the automatic door will move as the detection area. A vehicle door control device comprising:

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