Vehicle door control method and vehicle door control device

Abstract

To reduce annoyance associated with a notification sound during a vehicle door being in closing operation.SOLUTION: A vehicle door control method is executed by a vehicle door control device 1 that closes a sliding door 2 from a fully open position to a fully closed position. The sliding door control method includes outputting a notification sound from an on-vehicle speaker 14 when a closing operation of the sliding door 2 starts, and suppressing the notification sound as the sliding door 2 approaches the fully closed position if a specified control condition is established. Here, the control condition is that the vehicle is traveling when the closing operation of the sliding door 2 starts, or that the vehicle starts traveling while the sliding door 2 is in the closing operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle door control method and a vehicle door control device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle door opening and closing device. The vehicle door opening and closing device includes a door motor that drives a sliding door to open and close, a buzzer that is located inside the vehicle and emits an alarm sound, a sound output unit that drives the buzzer, and a pulse acquisition unit that detects the open / closed position of the sliding door. The vehicle door opening and closing device also includes a volume control unit that controls the sound output unit so that the volume of the alarm sound emitted by the buzzer decreases as the opening / closing position of the sliding door approaches the fully open position from the fully closed position when the sliding door is driven to open or close. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-58814 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, the buzzer continues to sound even while the vehicle is moving until the sliding door reaches the fully closed position, which may be annoying to the passengers.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a vehicle door control method and a vehicle door control device that can reduce the annoyance caused by the alarm sound when the vehicle door is closed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A vehicle door control method according to one aspect of the present invention is executed by a vehicle door control device that closes a vehicle door from a fully open position to a fully closed position. The vehicle door control method includes outputting an alarm sound from an output device mounted on the vehicle when the closing operation of the vehicle door starts, and suppressing the alarm sound as the vehicle door approaches the fully closed position if a predetermined control condition is met. Here, the control condition is that the vehicle is moving when the closing operation of the vehicle door starts, or that the vehicle has started moving during the closing operation of the vehicle door. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the annoyance caused by the notification sound when the vehicle door is closed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle door control device according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the transition of the sound pressure of the notification sound output from the speaker. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a vehicle door control method. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a transition of the sound pressure of the notification sound output from the speaker. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a transition of the sound pressure of the notification sound output from the speaker. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the transition of the sound pressure of the notification sound output from the speaker. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the transition of the sound pressure of the notification sound output from the speaker. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the transition of the sound pressure of the notification sound output from the speaker. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a transition of the sound pressure of the notification sound output from the speaker. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the transition of the sound pressure of the notification sound output from the speaker. [Figure 11]FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a transition of the sound pressure of the notification sound output from the speaker. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A vehicle door control device 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. In the following description, a sliding door 2 provided on one of the left and right sides of a vehicle body will be exemplified as a vehicle door controlled by the vehicle door control device 1. However, a vehicle may also be provided with sliding doors 2 on both the left and right sides of the vehicle body, in which case the method according to this embodiment can be applied to each sliding door 2.

[0010] The sliding door 2 opens and closes a door opening provided on the side of the vehicle body by moving in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle between a fully open position and a fully closed position. The fully closed position is the frontmost position within the movement range of the sliding door 2, and when the sliding door 2 is in the fully closed position, the door opening is completely closed. The fully open position is the rearmost position within the movement range of the sliding door 2, and when the sliding door 2 is in the fully open position, the door opening is most widely opened. The direction in which the sliding door 2 moves from the fully closed position to the fully open position is called the opening direction, and the direction in which the sliding door 2 moves from the fully open position to the fully closed position is called the closing direction.

[0011] The vehicle door control device 1 can automatically close the sliding door 2 by performing a closing operation to move the sliding door 2 in a closing direction. Also, the vehicle door control device 1 can automatically open the sliding door 2 by performing an opening operation to move the sliding door 2 in an opening direction. However, since one of the features of this embodiment is the closing operation of the sliding door 2 performed by the vehicle door control device 1, a description of the opening operation of the sliding door 2 will be omitted.

[0012] The vehicle door control device 1 includes an operation switch 10 , a vehicle state sensor 11 , a door position sensor 12 , an opening / closing motor 13 , a speaker 14 , and a controller 15 .

[0013] The operation switch 10 is a switch for closing the sliding door 2 and is operated by an occupant. When the operation switch 10 is operated, an operation signal instructing the closing operation of the sliding door 2 is output to the controller. The operation switch 10 includes a switch provided at the driver's seat that outputs an operation signal when pressed by the driver, and a switch provided on an inside handle or an outside handle that operates the sliding door 2 and outputs an operation signal when the occupant operates the inside handle or the outside handle. The operation switch 10 may also be a switch provided on a portable device (electronic key) carried by the driver for opening and closing the sliding door 2. The portable device is capable of wireless communication with an in-vehicle device provided in the vehicle, and when the in-vehicle device receives a transmission signal accompanying the operation of the portable device, the in-vehicle device outputs an operation signal to the controller 15.

[0014] The vehicle state sensor 11 is a sensor that detects the running state of the vehicle. The vehicle state sensor 11 is, for example, a vehicle speed sensor. However, the vehicle state sensor 11 may be any sensor that detects information that can determine whether the vehicle is running or not, and whether the vehicle has started running, as the running state of the vehicle. For example, the vehicle state sensor 11 may be a sensor that detects the depression amount of an accelerator pedal, a sensor that detects a shift position, a sensor that detects the operating state of a parking brake, or the like, or may be a sensor that uses a combination of these sensors. The running state of the vehicle detected by the vehicle state sensor 11 is acquired by the controller 15. However, the controller 15 may acquire information about the running state of the vehicle from another controller via a CAN (Controller Area Network).

[0015] The door position sensor 12 detects the position of the sliding door 2. The door position sensor 12 recognizes the position of the sliding door 2 between a fully closed position and a fully open position, and outputs a signal according to the position of the sliding door 2. For example, the door position sensor 12 may detect the door position using infrared rays, or may detect the door position based on the number of rotations of a rotor that rotates as the sliding door 2 moves. The position of the sliding door 2 detected by the door position sensor 12 is acquired by the controller 15.

[0016] The opening / closing motor 13 is a drive unit (actuator) that drives the sliding door 2. The opening / closing motor 13 is, for example, a DC motor. The opening / closing motor 13 is controlled by the controller 15 to move the sliding door 2 in the closing direction or the opening direction. The movement speed of the sliding door 2 is controlled by controlling the rotation of the opening / closing motor 13.

[0017] The speaker 14 is an output device that outputs an alarm sound to the occupant. The speaker 14 is controlled by the controller to output a predetermined alarm sound. The output device may be a buzzer.

[0018] The controller 15 is configured by a computer having a hardware processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, and various interfaces. The controller 15 realizes its functions by software, but its functions can also be realized by dedicated hardware.

[0019] In this embodiment, the controller 15 acquires the position of the sliding door 2 from the door position sensor 12. The controller 15 acquires the traveling state of the vehicle from the vehicle state sensor 11. Based on this information, the controller 15 can determine that the vehicle is traveling when the closing operation of the sliding door 2 starts, and that the vehicle has started traveling while the sliding door 2 is in the closing operation.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the transition of the sound pressure of the alert sound output from the speaker 14. "ta" in FIG. 2 indicates the timing when a control condition is met (the same applies below). The controller 15 intermittently outputs an alert sound of a constant sound pressure at a constant interval from the timing when the closing operation of the sliding door 2 starts, that is, from the timing when the sliding door 2 is in the fully open position until timing ta (first mode). Furthermore, when the control condition is met, the controller 15 outputs the alert sound in a second mode different from the first mode after timing ta. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the controller 15 continuously outputs the alert sound, but reduces the alert sound as the sliding door 2 approaches the fully closed position.

[0021] The vehicle door control method according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig. 3. This vehicle door control method is executed by the controller 15 of the vehicle door control device 1.

[0022] In step S10, the controller 15 determines whether or not the operation switch 10 has been operated based on the operation signal of the operation switch 10. If the operation switch 10 has been operated, an affirmative determination is made in step S10, and the process proceeds to step S11. On the other hand, if the operation switch 10 has not been operated, a negative determination is made in step S10, and the process returns to step S10.

[0023] In step S11, when the controller 15 acquires the vehicle running state from the vehicle state sensor 11, it determines, based on the vehicle running state, whether or not the operation switch 10 was operated before the vehicle started running. If the operation switch 10 was operated before the vehicle started running, i.e., while the vehicle was stopped, an affirmative determination is made in step S11, and the process proceeds to step S12. If the operation switch 10 was operated after the vehicle started running, i.e., while the vehicle was running, an negative determination is made in step S11, and the process proceeds to step S15.

[0024] In step S12, the controller 15 closes the sliding door 2 and outputs an alarm sound from the speaker 14. When the process of step S12 is performed, the vehicle is stopped. In this case, the controller 15 outputs the alarm sound in a first manner. In this first manner, as shown in FIG. 2, an alarm sound of a certain sound pressure (level) is output intermittently at certain intervals.

[0025] In step S13, when the controller 15 acquires the vehicle running state from the vehicle state sensor 11, it determines whether the vehicle has started running based on the vehicle running state. If the vehicle has not started running, a negative determination is made in step S13, and the process proceeds to step S14. If the vehicle has started running, an affirmative determination is made in step S13, and the process proceeds to step S15.

[0026] In step S14, when the controller 15 acquires the position of the sliding door 2 from the door position sensor 12, the controller 15 determines whether or not the sliding door 2 is in the fully closed position based on the position of the sliding door 2. If the sliding door 2 is not in the fully closed position, that is, if the sliding door is moving toward the fully closed position, a negative determination is made in step S14, and the process returns to step S12, where the closing operation of the sliding door 2 and the output of the alarm sound are continued. On the other hand, if the movement of the sliding door 2 is completed and the sliding door 2 has reached the fully closed position, a positive determination is made in step S14, and the process proceeds to step S17, which will be described later.

[0027] In step S15, the controller 15 outputs an alarm sound from the speaker 14. The alarm sound is output in step S15 in the following two situations. The first situation is when the vehicle starts moving while the sliding door 2 is being closed, i.e., when a positive determination is made in step S13. The second situation is when the vehicle is moving when the sliding door 2 starts being closed, i.e., when a negative determination is made in step S11. In this way, the processing of step S15 is executed when the above-mentioned control conditions are met.

[0028] In the first situation, the closing operation of the sliding door 2 and the output of the alert sound have already been performed. Therefore, the controller 15 outputs the alert sound in a second mode different from the first mode at the timing ta when the control condition is satisfied, i.e., at the timing when the vehicle starts moving. In the second mode, as shown in FIG. 2, the alert sound is continuously output at a constant sound pressure (level). In addition, the controller 15 suppresses the alert sound as the sliding door 2 approaches the fully closed position. Specifically, the controller 15 linearly reduces the sound pressure of the alert sound from the timing ta until the sliding door 2 reaches the fully closed position.

[0029] In contrast, in the second situation, the sliding door 2 is in the fully open position. Therefore, in step S15, the controller 15 closes the sliding door 2 and outputs the alert sound from the speaker 14. Because the vehicle is traveling at the time ta when the control condition is satisfied, the controller 15 outputs the alert sound in the second mode, as shown in FIG. 4 . Additionally, the controller 15 suppresses the alert sound as the sliding door 2 approaches the fully closed position. Specifically, after the time ta when the control condition is satisfied, the controller 15 continuously outputs the alert sound at a constant sound pressure. Then, after a time tb, which is a predetermined time after the time ta, the controller 15 linearly reduces the sound pressure of the alert sound. Then, after a predetermined time has elapsed from the time tb, the controller 15 continuously outputs the alert sound at a constant sound pressure until the sliding door 2 reaches the fully closed position. However, the method of suppressing the alert sound is merely an example, and the sound pressure of the alert sound may be linearly reduced from the time ta until the sliding door 2 reaches the fully closed position.

[0030] In step S16, when the position of the sliding door 2 is acquired from the door position sensor 12, it is determined whether or not the sliding door 2 is in the fully closed position based on the position of the sliding door 2. If the sliding door 2 is not in the fully closed position, that is, if the sliding door is moving toward the fully closed position, a negative determination is made in step S16, and the process returns to step S15, where the closing operation of the sliding door 2 and the output of the alarm sound are continued. On the other hand, if the movement of the sliding door 2 is completed and the sliding door 2 has reached the fully closed position, a positive determination is made in step S16, and the process proceeds to step S17, which will be described later.

[0031] In step S17, the controller 15 stops the opening / closing motor 13 and stops outputting the notification sound.

[0032] As described above, according to the vehicle door control method of this embodiment, if the vehicle is moving when the sliding door 2 starts to close, or if the vehicle starts to move while the sliding door 2 is closing, an alarm sound is output from the speaker 14. This initially alerts the occupants that the sliding door 2 is closed while the vehicle is moving. Furthermore, the closer the sliding door 2 approaches the fully closed position, the more the alarm sound is suppressed, thereby reducing the annoyance of the alarm sound. Furthermore, the same effect can be obtained with the vehicle door control device 1 that executes the vehicle door control method.

[0033] According to this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4, after timing ta when the control condition is met, an alarm sound with a certain sound pressure is continuously output, and after timing tb when a certain time has elapsed from timing ta, suppression of the alarm sound begins. This initially alerts the occupants that the sliding door 2 is closed while the vehicle is traveling. Furthermore, the alarm sound is suppressed more as the sliding door 2 approaches the fully closed position, thereby reducing the annoyance of the alarm sound.

[0034] Fig. 5 shows the transition of the alert sound when the vehicle starts moving while the sliding door 2 is moving from the fully open position to the fully closed position. As shown in Fig. 5, the alert sound is output continuously at a constant sound pressure from timing ta to timing tb, and then after timing tb, the output pattern of the alert sound changes and the alert sound at a constant sound pressure is output intermittently at regular intervals. The output pattern of the alert sound changes to suppress the alert sound, and the change in output pattern can reduce the annoyance of the alert sound.

[0035] Fig. 6 shows the transition of the alert sound when the closing operation of the sliding door 2 is started while the vehicle is moving. As shown in Fig. 6, after timing tb, the alert sound may be suppressed by outputting the alert sound at a constant sound pressure intermittently at intervals and increasing these intervals over time. This method reduces the frequency of the alert sound, thereby reducing the annoyance caused by the alert sound.

[0036] In FIG. 2, the sound pressure of the alert sound may be linearly reduced from time ta until the sliding door 2 reaches the fully closed position. However, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the alert sound may be continuously output at a constant sound pressure from time ta to time tb, and then suppressed from time tb onwards. In FIG. 7, a method of reducing the sound pressure to zero, i.e., not outputting the alert sound, is exemplified as a method of suppressing the alert sound. Note that the alert sound may not be output after time ta. In FIG. 8, a method of linearly reducing the sound pressure of the alert sound is exemplified as a method of suppressing the alert sound. Furthermore, in the method shown in FIG. 2, the sound pressure of the alert sound is continuously reduced from time ta until the sliding door 2 reaches the fully closed position. However, as shown in FIG. 9, the sound pressure of the alert sound may be continuously reduced from time ta to time tb, and then the alert sound may be continuously output from time tb until the sliding door 2 reaches the fully closed position, while maintaining the sound pressure at time tb. According to this method, the sound pressure of the notification sound is reduced, so that the annoyance of the notification sound can be reduced.

[0037] The example shown in Fig. 10 illustrates a method of decreasing the sound pressure over time after timing tb in addition to the method shown in Fig. 5. The example shown in Fig. 11 illustrates a method of decreasing the sound pressure over time after timing tb in addition to the method shown in Fig. 6. In this way, the alarm sound can be suppressed not only by outputting the alarm sound intermittently but also by reducing the sound pressure. According to this method, the sound pressure of the alarm sound is reduced, thereby reducing the annoyance of the alarm sound.

[0038] According to this embodiment, while the sliding door 2 is being closed while the vehicle is not traveling, the alert sound is output in a first mode in which the alert sound is output intermittently at regular intervals. Then, when the control condition is met (timing ta), the alert sound is output in a second mode different from the first mode. This makes it possible to distinguish between the closing operation of the sliding door 2 while the vehicle is not traveling and the closing operation of the sliding door while the vehicle is traveling, by the alert sound.

[0039] In the above-described embodiment, the vehicle door is exemplified as a sliding door 2 provided on the side of the vehicle body. However, the vehicle door may be a hinged door provided on the left or right side of the vehicle body. Alternatively, the vehicle door may be a back door provided at the rear of the vehicle body, or a trunk lid that opens and closes a trunk room provided at the front or rear of the vehicle body. Even such a vehicle door can prevent luggage from falling out of the vehicle while it is moving until the vehicle door is closed.

[0040] In this embodiment, the alarm sound is suppressed by changing the sound pressure or by outputting the alarm sound intermittently. However, the alarm sound may be suppressed by changing the frequency instead of the sound pressure. For example, the alarm sound may be suppressed by changing the frequency from a high frequency to a low frequency. In this case, the sound pressure in FIGS. 2 and 4 to 11 can be read as frequency.

[0041] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the descriptions and drawings that form part of this disclosure should not be understood to limit the present invention. Various alternative embodiments, examples, and operating techniques will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1. Vehicle door control device 2 sliding doors 10 Operation switch 11 Vehicle condition sensor 12 Door Position Sensor 13 Opening and closing motor 14 Speaker 15 Controller

Claims

1. A vehicle door control method executed by a vehicle door control device that closes a vehicle door from a fully open position to a fully closed position, obtaining the position of the vehicle door; Acquire the vehicle's running status, outputting an alarm sound from an output device mounted on the vehicle when the closing operation of the vehicle door starts; When a control condition is satisfied that the vehicle is running when the closing operation of the vehicle door is started or that the vehicle has started running during the closing operation of the vehicle door, the notification sound is suppressed as the vehicle door approaches the fully closed position. A vehicle door control method.

2. After the control condition is satisfied, the notification sound is continuously output at a constant level; and starting to suppress the alarm sound after a certain time has elapsed since the control condition was met. The vehicle door control method according to claim 1.

3. The notification sound is suppressed by changing an output pattern of the notification sound.

3. The vehicle door control method according to claim 2.

4. The notification sound is output intermittently at intervals, and the intervals are increased over time to change the output pattern of the notification sound.

4. The vehicle door control method according to claim 3.

5. Suppressing the notification sound includes not outputting the notification sound. The vehicle door control method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. While the vehicle door is being closed while the vehicle is not traveling, the notification sound is output in a first mode in which the notification sound is output intermittently at regular intervals; When the control condition is satisfied, the notification sound is output in a second manner different from the first manner. The vehicle door control method according to claim 1.

7. an output device mounted on the vehicle and configured to output an alarm sound; a controller that controls a drive unit that drives the vehicle door to close the vehicle door from a fully open position to a fully closed position; The controller obtaining the position of the vehicle door; Acquire the running state of the vehicle; outputting an alarm sound from an output device mounted on the vehicle when the closing operation of the vehicle door starts; When a control condition is satisfied that the vehicle is running when the closing operation of the vehicle door is started or that the vehicle has started running during the closing operation of the vehicle door, the notification sound is suppressed as the vehicle door approaches the fully closed position. Vehicle door control device.

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