Steering switch controller

Abstract

To provide a steering switch controller capable of inhibiting an unintended erroneous manipulation.SOLUTION: At least when a steering angular speed exceeds a predefined value or a steering angle exceeds a predefined value, detection of an input signal sent from a steering switch included in a steering wheel is invalidated (104). When the steering angular speed is equal to or smaller than the predefined value and the steering angle is equal to or smaller than the predefined value, detection of an input signal sent from the steering switch is validated (108).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a steering switch control device that controls a steering switch provided on a steering wheel. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 proposes an in-vehicle device control system that includes an operating means that is provided integrally with a steering wheel or a steering wheel nearby that steers a vehicle by rotating it around a predetermined axis, a rotation detection means that detects the rotation of the steering wheel, and a control means that controls an in-vehicle device based on an operating signal from the operating means and disables the operating signal based on the rotation detection signal from the rotation detection means. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-137103 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses the idea of ​​disabling the operation of a steering switch provided on a steering wheel when the steering wheel is being turned. However, in Patent Document 1, the switch operation is not disabled until the amount of rotation of the steering wheel increases, so there is room for improvement in order to effectively prevent unintentional erroneous operation.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a steering switch control device that can suppress unintended erroneous operations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A steering switch control device according to a first aspect includes an acquisition unit that acquires a steering angular velocity and a steering angle, and a control unit that, based on the results acquired by the acquisition unit, invalidates an input signal from a steering switch provided on a steering wheel when the steering angular velocity exceeds a predetermined value or when the steering angle exceeds a predetermined value, and validates the input signal from the steering switch when the steering angular velocity is equal to or less than a predetermined value and the steering angle is equal to or less than a predetermined value.

[0007] According to the first aspect, the operation of the steering switch is invalidated not only by the steering angle of the steering wheel but also by the steering angular velocity, so that unintentional erroneous operation can be effectively suppressed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a steering switch control device that can suppress unintended erroneous operations. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the interior of a vehicle equipped with a steering switch control device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control system of the steering switch control device according to the embodiment; FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of an ECU in the steering switch control device according to the embodiment; FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of processing performed by an ECU of the steering switch control device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a modified example of the flow of processing performed by the ECU of the steering switch control device according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the interior of a vehicle equipped with a steering switch control device according to this embodiment. Note that the arrow UP shown in Fig. 1 indicates the upper side in the vehicle vertical direction, and the arrow RH indicates the right side in the vehicle width direction. In the following description, the vertical direction and the left-right direction refer to the up and down in the vehicle vertical direction and the left and right in the vehicle width direction, respectively.

[0011] 1, an instrument panel 70 is provided at the front of the passenger compartment of a vehicle 10. A windshield glass 74 is provided at the front end of the instrument panel 70. The windshield glass 74 extends in the vertical and lateral directions of the vehicle, and separates the interior and exterior of the passenger compartment.

[0012] The right end of the windshield glass 74 is fixed to a front pillar 76 on the right side of the vehicle. The front pillar 76 extends in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and the windshield glass 74 is fixed to the inner end in the vehicle width direction of the front pillar 76. The left end of the windshield glass 74 is fixed to a front pillar on the left side of the vehicle (not shown).

[0013] The windshield glass 74 is provided with a HUD (Head-Up Display) display area 18, and is configured so that an image is projected onto the HUD display area 18 of the windshield glass 74 from a HUD 28 (see FIG. 2).

[0014] The instrument panel 70 extends in the vehicle width direction, and the steering wheel 12 is provided on the right side of the instrument panel 70. That is, in this embodiment, as an example, a right-hand drive vehicle is used in which the steering wheel 12 is provided on the right side, and the driver's seat is located on the right side of the vehicle.

[0015] The steering wheel 12 is provided with a steering switch 22, to which a plurality of functions of an in-vehicle device 26 (see FIG. 2) mounted on the vehicle 10 are assigned. In this embodiment, a capacitive switch is applied to the steering switch 22.

[0016] A meter display 14 is provided in a position on the instrument panel 70 corresponding to the front of the steering wheel 12, and a multimedia display 16 is provided in the center of the instrument panel 70. The meter display 14 and the multimedia display 16 are, for example, configured with a touch panel including a liquid crystal display, and display the vehicle's running status, the operating status of driving assistance devices, etc., and also accept touch operations.

[0017] Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the control system of the steering switch control device 11 according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the steering switch control device 11 according to this embodiment.

[0018] The steering switch control device 11 according to this embodiment includes an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 20, a steering switch 22, a steering angle sensor 24, an in-vehicle device 26, a HUD 28, a meter display 14, and a multimedia display 16.

[0019] The ECU 20 is configured as a general microcomputer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 20A, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 20B, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 20C, a storage 20D, an interface (I / F) 20E, and a bus 20F.

[0020] The CPU 20AA is a central processing unit that controls the overall operation of the device by executing various programs. The ROM 20BB stores various control programs, parameters, etc. in advance. The RAM 20CC is used as a work area when the CPU 20AA executes various programs. The storage 20D is composed of various storage units such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), and flash memory, and stores various data, application programs, etc. The I / F 20E is connected to a vehicle network and transmits and receives various data to and from other devices connected to the vehicle network. The above-mentioned components of the meter ECU 20 are electrically connected to each other via a bus 20F.

[0021] In this embodiment, a steering switch 22, a steering angle sensor 24, an in-vehicle device 26, an HUD 28, a meter display 14, and a multimedia display 16 are connected to the I / F 20E, for example.

[0022] As described above, the steering switch 22 is an electrostatic switch provided on the steering wheel 12 for operating the in-vehicle device 26.

[0023] The steering angle sensor 24 detects the steering angle of the steering wheel 12 and outputs the detection result to the ECU 20. The ECU 20 derives the steering angular velocity from the detection result of the steering angle.

[0024] The in-vehicle device 26 is a general term that includes, for example, devices such as an air conditioner, audio, a car navigation system, and a voice input device, as well as various driving support devices such as an ACC (active cruise control) and an LTA (lane tracing assist).

[0025] Specifically, the ECU 20 receives a signal from the steering switch 22, controls the display on the HUD 28, the meter display 14, the multimedia display 16, etc., and outputs an operation instruction to the in-vehicle device 26.

[0026] In addition, in this embodiment, an electrostatic switch is used as the steering switch 22, and therefore the ECU 20 performs control to suppress erroneous detection of the steering switch 22 based on the detection result of the steering angle sensor 24.

[0027] Next, a description will be given of the functional configuration that functions when the CPU 20A executes the programs stored in the ROM 20B. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the ECU 20 in the steering switch control device 11 according to this embodiment.

[0028] The ECU 20 functions as an acquisition unit 30 and a control unit 32 as shown in FIG. 3, by the CPU 20A expanding the program stored in the ROM 20B into the RAM 20C and executing it.

[0029] The acquisition unit 30 acquires the steering angle detected by the steering angle sensor 24 and the steering angular velocity derived from the steering angle.

[0030] The control unit 32 performs control to suppress erroneous detection of the steering switch 22. In detail, the control unit 32 performs control to invalidate the input signal from the steering switch 22 provided on the steering wheel 12 when at least one of the steering angular velocity and steering angle exceeds a predetermined value based on the results acquired by the acquisition unit 30. Furthermore, the control unit 32 performs control to validate the input signal from the steering switch 22 when the steering angular velocity is equal to or less than a predetermined value and the steering angle is equal to or less than a predetermined value.

[0031] Next, specific processing performed by the ECU 20 of the steering switch control device 11 according to this embodiment configured as described above will be described. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the ECU 20 of the steering switch control device 11 according to this embodiment. The processing in Fig. 4 starts when the steering switch 22 detects an input due to, for example, a finger approaching or touching the steering switch 22.

[0032] In step 100, the CPU 20A detects the steering angular velocity and the steering angle, and then proceeds to step 102. That is, the acquisition unit 30 acquires the steering angular velocity and the steering angle detected by the steering angle sensor .

[0033] In step 102, CPU 20A determines whether the steering angular velocity is equal to or less than a predetermined reference value. This determination is made by control unit 32 determining whether the steering angular velocity is equal to or less than a predetermined reference value. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 104, and if the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 106.

[0034] In step 104, the CPU 20A determines that the user's main task is to maintain steering, invalidates the detection of the steering switch 22, and ends the series of processes. That is, the control unit 32 invalidates the input signal from the steering switch 22.

[0035] On the other hand, in step 106, the CPU 20A determines whether the steering angle is equal to or less than a predetermined reference value. This determination is made by the control unit 32 determining whether the steering angle is equal to or less than a predetermined reference value. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 104, and if the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 108.

[0036] In step 108, the CPU 20A determines that the user's primary task is switch operation, validates the detection of the steering switch 22, and ends the series of processes. That is, the control unit 32 validates the input signal from the steering switch 22 and outputs it to the in-vehicle device 26.

[0037] As described above, in the steering switch control device 11 according to this embodiment, in order to determine the user's intention to operate, the expected hand movement on the steering wheel 12 is estimated based on the steering angular velocity and steering angle, thereby determining whether the input to the electrostatic steering switch 22 is valid or invalid. As a result, the operation of the steering switch 22 is invalidated not only by the steering angle of the steering wheel but also by the steering angular velocity, and unintentional erroneous operation can be effectively suppressed.

[0038] Note that, as shown in a modified example of FIG. 5, step 99 may be added to the processing of FIG. 4, and in step 99, if a predetermined operation, such as tracing or pressing the switch surface of the steering switch 22, is detected, detection may be enabled regardless of the steering angular velocity or steering angle conditions.

[0039] A specific example of the steering switch control device 11 according to this embodiment may be a system in which a switch is displayed only when desired or necessary and hidden at other times to prevent user annoyance. For example, the steering switch control device 11 may be applied to an operation HMI (Human Machine Interface) in which, when the steering switch 22 is touched, a GUI (Graphical User Interface) related to the steering switch 22 is displayed on a HUD, meter display 14, multimedia display 16, or the like. Conventionally, when the switch is mounted on the steering wheel 12, the operation HMI has been designed to prevent direct contact by providing a step on the switch surface relative to the space where the palm of the hand would contact the switch. Furthermore, a release operation logic that appears when the switch surface is traced or pressed prevents the GUI from being unintentionally touched and the GUI from being displayed. In contrast, applying the logic of this embodiment eliminates design restrictions, eliminates the need for a release operation, and allows the GUI to be displayed when the user intends.

[0040] In addition, as another specific embodiment of the steering switch control device 11 according to this embodiment, the system may be applied to a system in which a symbol mark is illuminated only when desired or necessary and is otherwise unilluminated to prevent annoyance. For example, the system may be applied to an operation HMI in which a symbol is illuminated when a user approaches a switch and is unilluminated when the user removes their hand. Conventionally, such operation HMIs have determined whether to illuminate or extinguish a symbol using proximity detection information on the switch or grip information, such as whether the steering wheel 12 is being gripped. Even if the user's intention is to steer or maintain the steering, the system determines that there is an intention to operate the switch and illuminates the symbol. In contrast, by applying the logic of this embodiment, proximity detection information becomes valid only when the user intentionally approaches the switch, and the symbol can be illuminated. In other words, the proximity detection information detected by the steering switch 22 becomes valid only when the user intentionally operates the switch.

[0041] Furthermore, although the processing performed by the ECU 20 in each of the above embodiments has been described as software processing performed by executing a program, this is not limited to this. For example, the processing may be performed by hardware such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). Alternatively, the processing may be a combination of both software and hardware. Furthermore, if the processing is software, the program may be stored in various storage media and distributed.

[0042] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 11 Steering switch control device 12 Steering wheel 20 ECU 22 Steering switch 24 Steering angle sensor 30 Acquisition Department 32 Control Unit

Claims

[Claim 1] an acquisition unit that acquires a steering angular velocity and a steering angle; a control unit that performs control to invalidate an input signal from a steering switch provided on a steering wheel when, from the results acquired by the acquisition unit, at least one of the steering angular velocity exceeding a predetermined value and the steering angle exceeding a predetermined value, and to validate the input signal from the steering switch when the steering angular velocity is equal to or less than a predetermined value and the steering angle is equal to or less than a predetermined value; A steering switch control device comprising:

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