Vehicle operation device

Abstract

To easily recognize a movement direction of a vehicle due to operation in an operation part.SOLUTION: In a vehicle operation device 10, an operation part 22 is operated and a vehicle 12 is moved. A longitudinal direction of the operation part 22 is set to be perpendicular to a right and left direction of the vehicle 12, and a movement direction of the operation part 22 becomes a movement direction of the vehicle 12. By considering the operation part 22 as the vehicle 12, it is possible to easily recognize an operation direction of the operation part 22 as the movement direction of the vehicle 12, so that the movement direction of the vehicle 12 by operation of the operation part 22 can be easily recognized.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle operation device in which an operation unit is operated to steer wheels of a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] In the joystick described in Patent Document 1 below, when the second input operation means is operated, the left and right wheels of the automobile are steered in different directions, causing the automobile to rotate on the spot, and when the third input operation means is operated, all of the wheels of the automobile are steered in the same direction, causing the automobile to move laterally.

[0003] Here, in this joystick, the second input operation means and the third input operation means are circular. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-112102 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In consideration of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle operation device that allows a driver to easily recognize the direction in which the vehicle is moving in response to the operation of an operation unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The vehicle operation device of the first aspect of the present invention is equipped with an operation unit whose longitudinal direction is perpendicular to the left-right direction of the vehicle and which, when operated, causes all of the wheels of the vehicle to be steered in the same direction or the wheels on the left and right sides of the vehicle to be steered in different directions, so that the operation direction is the direction of movement of the vehicle.

[0007] A second aspect of the present invention provides the vehicle operation device of the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the speed of the vehicle is adjusted in accordance with the amount of operation of the operation unit.

[0008] A vehicle operation device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the vehicle operation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the amount of movement of the vehicle is adjusted in accordance with the amount of operation of the operation unit.

[0009] A vehicle operation device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the vehicle operation device according to any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, wherein the operation unit is operated to change the control state of the drive device of the vehicle.

[0010] A vehicle operation device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the vehicle operation device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, further comprising an operation display unit that displays an operation state of the operation unit.

[0011] A vehicle operation device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the vehicle operation device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, wherein the operation display unit is arranged around the operation unit.

[0012] A vehicle operation device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the vehicle operation device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects of the present invention, further comprising a surroundings display section that is arranged around the operation section and displays the surroundings of the vehicle.

[0013] A vehicle operation device of an eighth aspect of the present invention is the vehicle operation device of any one of the first to seventh aspects of the present invention, further comprising a vehicle display unit that is arranged around the operation unit and displays the vehicle and the surroundings of the vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] In the vehicle operation device of the first aspect of the present invention, by operating the operation unit, all of the wheels of the vehicle are steered in the same direction, or the wheels on the left and right sides of the vehicle are steered in different directions.

[0015] Here, the longitudinal direction of the operating unit is perpendicular to the left-right direction of the vehicle, and the operating direction of the operating unit is the direction of movement of the vehicle. Therefore, by regarding the operating unit as the vehicle, the operating direction of the operating unit can be easily recognized as the direction of movement of the vehicle, and the direction of movement of the vehicle due to the operation of the operating unit can be easily recognized.

[0016] In the vehicle operation device according to the second aspect of the present invention, the speed of the vehicle is adjusted in accordance with the amount of operation of the operation unit, so that the speed of the vehicle can be adjusted by operating the operation unit.

[0017] In the vehicle operation device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the amount of movement of the vehicle is adjusted in accordance with the amount of operation of the operation unit, so that the amount of movement of the vehicle can be adjusted by operating the operation unit.

[0018] In the vehicle operation device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the control state of the drive device of the vehicle is changed by operating the operation unit, so that the control state of the drive device can be changed by operating the operation unit.

[0019] In the vehicle operation device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the operation display unit displays the operation state of the operation unit, so that the operation state of the operation unit can be recognized.

[0020] In the vehicle operation device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the operation display unit is arranged around the operation unit, which makes it easy to recognize the operation state of the operation unit.

[0021] In the vehicle operation device of the seventh aspect of the present invention, a surroundings display unit is disposed around the operation unit, and the surroundings display unit displays the surroundings of the vehicle. Therefore, by regarding the operation unit as the vehicle, it is possible to recognize the vehicle and its surroundings.

[0022] In the vehicle operation device of the eighth aspect of the present invention, a vehicle display unit is disposed around the operation unit, and the vehicle display unit displays the vehicle and its surroundings, so that the vehicle and its surroundings can be recognized around the operation unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a front passenger compartment of a vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention, viewed from diagonally rear left. [Figure 2](A) to (F) are schematic diagrams viewed from above showing the movement modes of a vehicle in the first embodiment of the present invention, where (A) shows the case where the movement mode is a driving mode, (B) shows the case where the movement mode is a lateral movement mode, (C) shows the case where the movement mode is a diagonal movement mode, (D) shows the case where the movement mode is a rotation mode, (E) shows the case where the movement mode is a rear turning mode, and (F) shows the case where the movement mode is a forward turning mode. [Figure 3] 1 is a top view showing a vehicle operation device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from above. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a vehicle operation device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, where 1A is a rear view seen from behind, and 1B is a cross-sectional view seen from behind. [Figure 5] (A) and (B) are diagrams showing the vehicle drive device in the vehicle operation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention when the vehicle drive device is in P state, where (A) is a rear view seen from behind and (B) is a cross-sectional view seen from behind. [Figure 6] (A) and (B) are top views seen from above showing the vehicle operation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention when the vehicle's movement mode is changed to driving mode, where (A) shows the state when the operation unit is operated, and (B) shows the state when the operation of the operation unit has been completed. [Figure 7] (A) and (B) are top views seen from above showing when the vehicle movement mode is changed to a rotation mode in the vehicle operation device of the first embodiment of the present invention, where (A) shows when the operation unit is operated and (B) shows when the operation of the operation unit has been completed. [Figure 8] (A) and (B) are top views seen from above showing the vehicle operation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention when the vehicle's movement mode is changed to rearward turning mode, where (A) shows the state when the operation unit is operated, and (B) shows the state when the operation of the operation unit has been completed. [Figure 9](A) to (C) are top views showing a vehicle operating device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, where (A) shows the vehicle's movement mode being changed to a driving mode, (B) shows the vehicle's movement mode being changed to a rotation mode, and (C) shows the vehicle's movement mode being changed to a rear turn mode. [Figure 10] (A) to (C) are figures showing a vehicle operation device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, where (A) is an oblique view seen from the rear diagonally left, (B) is a top view seen from above showing a first example of the vehicle operation device, and (C) is a top view seen from above showing a second example of the vehicle operation device. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a vehicle operation device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, where 10A is a perspective view seen from the rear diagonally left, and 10B is a top view seen from above. [Figure 12] (A) and (B) are top views showing a vehicle operation device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, where (A) shows the vehicle display unit in normal mode, and (B) shows the vehicle display unit in parking mode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] [First embodiment] 1 shows a perspective view of the front of a passenger compartment 12A of a vehicle 12 to which a vehicle operation device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied, as seen from diagonally rear left. In the drawing, the front of the vehicle 12 is indicated by an arrow FR, the right of the vehicle 12 is indicated by an arrow RH, and the top of the vehicle 12 is indicated by an arrow UP.

[0025] 1, in a vehicle 12 (automobile) in this embodiment, an instrument panel 14 is provided at the front of a passenger compartment 12A. A steering wheel 16 serving as a steering element is rotatably provided behind the instrument panel 14, and the steering wheel 16 can be rotated by an occupant (driver). An accelerator (not shown) is provided below the instrument panel 14 at the front of the passenger compartment 12A, and when the occupant depresses the accelerator, the speed of the vehicle 12 is adjusted in accordance with the amount of accelerator operation.

[0026] The vehicle 12 is provided with left and right front wheels 18A and left and right rear wheels 18B as wheels 18 (see Fig. 2(A) to (F)), and all of the wheels 18 can be driven separately by a drive unit 30 (see Fig. 4(A)) of the vehicle 12. The initial steering direction (radial direction when viewed from above) of all of the wheels 18 is the front-to-rear direction, and all of the wheels 18 can be steered separately in the up-and-down direction by the drive unit 30, thereby changing the steering direction.

[0027] The vehicle 12 is capable of changing its travel mode.

[0028] When the travel mode of the vehicle 12 is set to the traveling mode (see FIG. 2(A)), when the steering wheel 16 is not rotated, none of the wheels 18 are turned, and the steering direction of all of the wheels 18 is set to the forward / backward direction. When the steering wheel 16 is rotated, the pair of front wheels 18A are steered in the direction of rotation of the steering wheel 16, and the steering direction of the pair of front wheels 18A is changed to the same direction, that is, diagonally forward left (diagonally backward right) or diagonally forward right (diagonally backward left).

[0029] When the movement mode of the vehicle 12 is set to the lateral movement mode (see FIG. 2(B)), all the wheels 18 are steered, and the steering direction of all the wheels 18 is changed to the same direction, that is, the left and right direction.

[0030] When the movement mode of the vehicle 12 is set to the diagonal movement mode (see Figure 2 (C)), all of the wheels 18 are steered, and the steering direction of all of the wheels 18 is changed to the same direction, that is, forward diagonally left (backward diagonally right) or forward diagonally right (backward diagonally left).

[0031] When the movement mode of the vehicle 12 is set to the rotation mode (see FIG. 2(D)), all the wheels 18 are steered and the steering direction of each wheel 18 is changed to the tangent direction of a circle whose center is the central axis O of the vehicle 12 (the intersection line between the central vertical plane between the front and rear wheels 18 and the central vertical plane between the left and right wheels 18).

[0032] When the travel mode of the vehicle 12 is set to the rear turning mode (see FIG. 2(E)), the pair of rear wheels 18B are steered, and the steering direction of each rear wheel 18B is changed to a tangent direction to a circle centered at the center OF between the pair of front wheels 18A.

[0033] When the travel mode of the vehicle 12 is set to the forward turning mode (see FIG. 2(F)), the pair of front wheels 18A are steered, and the steering direction of each front wheel 18A is changed to a tangent direction to a circle centered at the center OR between the pair of rear wheels 18B.

[0034] The vehicle operation device 10 (see FIG. 3) according to this embodiment is disposed on the left side (or the right side) of the steering wheel 16 in the instrument panel 14.

[0035] The vehicle operation device 10 is provided with a substantially rectangular box-shaped base 20 (see FIGS. 4A and 4B), which is fixed to the instrument panel 14 and protrudes rearward. A substantially rectangular parallelepiped regulating recess 20A is formed in the center of the upper wall of the base 20 as a regulating portion, and the regulating recess 20A is open upward.

[0036] A substantially rectangular parallelepiped (long) operating unit 22 is provided on the upper side of the base 20, with the longitudinal direction of the operating unit 22 being in the front-to-rear direction and the front part being in the shape of a substantially triangular prism. A support pillar 22A is integrally provided on the lower side of the operating unit 22 and extends downward. The support pillar 22A penetrates the upper wall of the base 20 and is inserted into the base 20, and the support pillar 22A is engaged within the base 20 to prevent it from coming off the base 20.

[0037] The top surface of the operation unit 22 is provided with circular front center display 24A, center display 24B, and rear center display 24C, which constitute the operation display unit, and the front center display 24A, center display 24B, and rear center display 24C are located in the left-right center of the front, middle, and rear parts of the operation unit 22, respectively.

[0038] The operating unit 22 (including the support pillar 22A) is grasped by the occupant and can be operated relative to the base 20 in the front-to-rear direction, the left-to-right direction, the front diagonal left direction, the rear diagonal right direction, the front diagonal right direction, the rear diagonal left direction, the rotational direction about the center indicator 24B, the turning direction about the front center indicator 24A, and the turning direction about the rear center indicator 24C. The operating unit 22 is disposed in a home position (initial position) and is biased toward the home position. The operating unit 22 is operated against the biasing force, and the operation is released and the biasing force causes the operating unit 22 to return to the home position. The operating unit 22 is disposed in the home position and above the restricting recess 20A in the upper wall of the base 20. The operating unit 22 is displaced downward from the home position by the occupant and fitted into the restricting recess 20A (see FIGS. 5A and 5B). When the operating unit 22 is displaced downward from the home position, the support pillar 22A is locked in the base 20 by an elastic force, restricting the upward displacement of the operating unit 22. When the operating unit 22 is subsequently displaced upward by the occupant, the locking of the support pillar 22A in the base 20 is released against the elastic force, and the operating unit 22 is returned to the home position above the restricting recess 20A.

[0039] A rectangular frame-shaped direction display unit 26 constituting an operation display unit is provided on the upper surface of the base 20 around the periphery of the restriction recess 20A, and the direction display unit 26 is arranged over the entire circumferential direction of the restriction recess 20A. The direction display unit 26 is provided with a front display 26A and a rear display 26B in the shape of a triangular arrow, and the front display 26A and the rear display 26B are arranged in front of and behind the operation unit 22, respectively. The direction display unit 26 is provided with a left display 26C and a right display 26D in the shape of a triangular arrow, and the left display 26C and the right display 26D are arranged to the left and right of the operation unit 22, respectively.

[0040] Direction display unit 26 is provided with triangular arrow-shaped front left diagonal display 26E and rear right diagonal display 26F, which are arranged diagonally to the front left and rear right of operation unit 22, respectively. Direction display unit 26 is provided with triangular arrow-shaped front right diagonal display 26G and rear left diagonal display 26H, which are arranged diagonally to the front right and rear left of operation unit 22, respectively.

[0041] The direction display unit 26 is provided with arrow-shaped left turn indicators 26I and right turn indicators 26J, which are disposed diagonally to the left and right in front of the operation unit 22, respectively. The direction display unit 26 is provided with arrow-shaped left rear turn indicators 26K and right rear turn indicators 26L, which are disposed diagonally to the left and right in front of the operation unit 22, respectively. The direction display unit 26 is provided with arrow-shaped left front turn indicators 26M and right front turn indicators 26N, which are disposed diagonally to the left and right in front of the operation unit 22, respectively.

[0042] The operation unit 22, the direction display unit 26, and the drive unit 30 are electrically connected to a control unit 28 of the vehicle 12 (see FIG. 4(A)).

[0043] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0044] In the vehicle operation device 10 configured as described above, when the operation unit 22 is displaced downward from the home position, the control state of the drive unit 30 is changed to the P state (park state) under the control of the control device 28, and the wheels 18 are braked. In addition, the operation unit 22 is fitted into the restriction recess 20A in the upper wall of the base 20, and the operation of the operation unit 22 is restricted.

[0045] After the operating unit 22 is operated forward or backward from the home position (see FIG. 6(A)), when the operation of the operating unit 22 is released and the operating unit 22 is returned to the home position by the biasing force, the control device 28 controls the vehicle 12 to change its travel mode (see FIG. 2(A)), the front display 26A or the rear display 26B of the direction display unit 26 is illuminated, and the control state of the drive unit 30 is changed to the D state (drive state, forward state) or the R state (reverse state, backward state) (see FIG. 6(B)). Then, the accelerator is operated, and the vehicle 12 moves forward or backward. Furthermore, the steering wheel 16 is rotated, and the steering direction of the pair of front wheels 18A is changed to the same direction, that is, diagonally forward left (diagonally backward right) or diagonally forward right (diagonally backward left), thereby steering the vehicle 12 left or right.

[0046] When the operation unit 22 is operated left or right from the home position, and then the operation of the operation unit 22 is released and the operation unit 22 is returned to the home position by the biasing force, the movement mode of the vehicle 12 is changed to the lateral movement mode under the control of the control device 28 (see FIG. 2(B)), the left indicator 26C or the right indicator 26D of the direction indicator 26 is turned on and displayed, and the control state of the drive unit 30 is changed to the lateral movement state. Then, the steering direction of all the wheels 18 is changed to the same direction, that is, the left or right direction, and the accelerator is operated, so that the vehicle 12 moves left or right.

[0047] When the operation unit 22 is operated diagonally forward left or diagonally backward right from the home position, and then the operation of the operation unit 22 is released and the operation unit 22 is returned to the home position by the biasing force, the movement mode of the vehicle 12 is changed to the diagonal movement mode under the control of the control device 28 (see FIG. 2(C)), the diagonal forward left indicator 26E or the diagonal backward right indicator 26F of the direction indicator 26 is illuminated, and the control state of the drive unit 30 is changed to the diagonal movement state. Then, the steering direction of all the wheels 18 is changed to the same direction, that is, diagonal forward left (diagonal backward right), and the accelerator is operated, so that the vehicle 12 moves diagonally forward left or diagonal backward right.

[0048] When the operation unit 22 is operated diagonally forward right or diagonally backward left from the home position, and then the operation of the operation unit 22 is released and the operation unit 22 is returned to the home position by the biasing force, the movement mode of the vehicle 12 is changed to the diagonal movement mode under the control of the control device 28 (see FIG. 2(C)), the diagonal forward right indicator 26G or the diagonal backward left indicator 26H of the direction indicator 26 is illuminated, and the control state of the drive unit 30 is changed to the diagonal movement state. Then, the steering direction of all the wheels 18 is changed to the same direction, diagonal forward right (diagonal backward left), and the accelerator is operated, so that the vehicle 12 moves diagonally forward right or diagonal backward left.

[0049] After the operation unit 22 is rotated left or right from the home position around the center indicator 24B (see FIG. 7(A)), when the operation of the operation unit 22 is released and the operation unit 22 is returned to the home position by the biasing force, the movement mode of the vehicle 12 is changed to the rotation mode under the control of the control device 28 (see FIG. 2(D)), the center indicator 24B of the operation unit 22 and the left rotation indicator 26I or the right rotation indicator 26J of the direction indicator 26 are illuminated, and the control state of the drive unit 30 is changed to the rotation state (see FIG. 7(B)). Then, the steering direction of each wheel 18 is changed to a tangent to a circle centered on the central axis O of the vehicle 12, and the accelerator is operated, causing the vehicle 12 to rotate left or right around the central axis O.

[0050] After the operation unit 22 is operated to turn left or right from the home position around the front center indicator 24A (see FIG. 8(B)), when the operation of the operation unit 22 is released and the operation unit 22 is returned to the home position by the biasing force, the travel mode of the vehicle 12 is changed to a rear turn mode under the control of the control device 28 (see FIG. 2(E)), the front center indicator 24A of the operation unit 22 and the left rear turn indicator 26K or the right rear turn indicator 26L of the direction indicator 26 are illuminated, and the control state of the drive unit 30 is changed to a rear turn state (see FIG. 8(B)). Then, the steering direction of each rear wheel 18B is changed to a tangent to a circle centered at the center OF between the pair of front wheels 18A, and the accelerator is operated, so that the vehicle 12 turns left or right around the center OF between the pair of front wheels 18A.

[0051] When the operation unit 22 is operated to turn left or right from the home position around the rear center indicator 24C, and then the operation of the operation unit 22 is released and the operation unit 22 is returned to the home position by the biasing force, the travel mode of the vehicle 12 is changed to a forward turning mode under the control of the control device 28 (see FIG. 2(F)), the rear center indicator 24C of the operation unit 22 and the left front turning indicator 26M or the right front turning indicator 26N of the direction indicator 26 are illuminated, and the control state of the drive unit 30 is changed to a forward turning state. Then, the steering direction of each front wheel 18A is changed to a tangent to a circle centered at the center OR between the pair of rear wheels 18B, and the accelerator is operated, so that the vehicle 12 turns left or right around the center OR between the pair of rear wheels 18B.

[0052] Here, the longitudinal direction of the operating unit 22 is perpendicular to the left-right direction of the vehicle 12, and the operating direction of the operating unit 22 is the movement direction of the vehicle 12. Therefore, by regarding the operating unit 22 as the vehicle 12 and regarding the front, left, and top of the operating unit 22 as the front, left, and top of the vehicle 12, respectively, it is possible to easily recognize the operating direction of the operating unit 22 (the operating direction of the operating unit 22 regarded as the vehicle 12) as the movement direction of the vehicle 12, and it is possible to easily recognize the movement direction of the vehicle 12 due to the operation of the operating unit 22, thereby suppressing erroneous operation of the operating unit 22.

[0053] Furthermore, the operating unit 22 is operated and displaced to change the control state of the drive device 30. Therefore, the control state of the drive device 30 can be changed by operating and displacing the operating unit 22, and the configuration can be simplified.

[0054] Furthermore, the displays of the operation unit 22 and the direction display unit 26 display the operation state of the operation unit 22. Therefore, the operation state (center of rotation and operation direction) of the operation unit 22 can be recognized.

[0055] Furthermore, a direction display unit 26 is arranged around the operating unit 22. Therefore, the operating state (operating direction) of the operating unit 22 can be easily recognized.

[0056] [Second embodiment] The vehicle operation device 50 according to this embodiment has almost the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, but differs in the following respects.

[0057] In the vehicle operation device 50 according to this embodiment, the speed of the vehicle 12 is adjusted in accordance with the amount of operation of the operation unit 22. Note that the vehicle 12 does not necessarily have to be provided with an accelerator.

[0058] When the operating unit 22 is operated forward or backward from the home position (see FIG. 9(A)), the control device 28 controls the vehicle 12 to switch to the travel mode (see FIG. 2(A)), the front display 26A or the rear display 26B of the direction display unit 26 is illuminated, and the control state of the drive unit 30 is changed to the D state or the R state. As the vehicle 12 moves forward or backward, the amount of operation of the operating unit 22 is adjusted to adjust the speed of the vehicle 12. Furthermore, the steering wheel 16 is rotated to change the steering direction of the pair of front wheels 18A to the same direction, i.e., diagonally forward left (diagonally backward right) or diagonally forward right (diagonally backward left), thereby steering the vehicle 12 left or right. Furthermore, the operating unit 22 is returned to the home position, and the drive of the vehicle 12 is stopped.

[0059] When the operating unit 22 is operated left or right from the home position, the control device 28 controls the vehicle 12 to switch to a lateral movement mode (see FIG. 2(B)), the left indicator 26C or the right indicator 26D of the direction indicator 26 is illuminated, and the control state of the drive unit 30 is changed to a lateral movement state. Then, the steering direction of all the wheels 18 is changed to the same left or right direction, and the vehicle 12 moves left or right, and the operation amount of the operating unit 22 is adjusted to adjust the speed of the vehicle 12. The operating unit 22 is also returned to the home position, and the drive of the vehicle 12 is stopped.

[0060] When the operating unit 22 is operated diagonally forward left or diagonally backward right from the home position, the control device 28 controls the vehicle 12 to switch to a diagonal movement mode (see FIG. 2(C)), the front diagonal left indicator 26E or the rear diagonal right indicator 26F of the direction indicator 26 is illuminated, and the control state of the drive unit 30 is changed to a diagonal movement state. Then, the steering direction of all the wheels 18 is changed to the same direction, that is, diagonally forward left (diagonally backward right), and the vehicle 12 moves diagonally forward left or diagonally backward right, and the operation amount of the operating unit 22 is adjusted to adjust the speed of the vehicle 12. The operating unit 22 is also returned to the home position, and the drive of the vehicle 12 is stopped.

[0061] When the operating unit 22 is operated diagonally forward right or diagonally backward left from the home position, the control device 28 controls the vehicle 12 to switch to a diagonal movement mode (see FIG. 2(C)), the diagonal forward right indicator 26G or the diagonal backward left indicator 26H of the direction indicator 26 is illuminated, and the control state of the drive unit 30 is changed to a diagonal movement state. Then, the steering direction of all the wheels 18 is changed to the same direction, that is, diagonal forward right (diagonal backward left), and the vehicle 12 moves diagonally forward right or diagonal backward left, and the operation amount of the operating unit 22 is adjusted to adjust the speed of the vehicle 12. The operating unit 22 is also returned to the home position, and the drive of the vehicle 12 is stopped.

[0062] When the operating unit 22 is rotated left or right from the home position around the center indicator 24B (see FIG. 9(B)), the control device 28 controls the vehicle 12 to switch to the rotation mode (see FIG. 2(D)), the center indicator 24B of the operating unit 22 and the left rotation indicator 26I or the right rotation indicator 26J of the direction indicator 26 are illuminated, and the control state of the drive unit 30 is changed to the rotation state. Then, the steering direction of each wheel 18 is changed to a tangent to a circle centered on the central axis O of the vehicle 12, causing the vehicle 12 to rotate left or right around the central axis O, and the operation amount of the operating unit 22 is adjusted to adjust the speed of the vehicle 12. The operating unit 22 is then returned to the home position, and the drive of the vehicle 12 is stopped.

[0063] When the operating unit 22 is operated to turn left or right from the home position around the front center indicator 24A (see FIG. 9(C)), the control device 28 controls the vehicle 12 to switch to a rear turn mode (see FIG. 2(E)), the front center indicator 24A of the operating unit 22 and the left rear turn indicator 26K or the right rear turn indicator 26L of the direction indicator 26 are illuminated, and the control state of the drive unit 30 is changed to a rear turn state. Then, the steering direction of each rear wheel 18B is changed to a tangent to a circle whose center is the center OF between the pair of front wheels 18A, and the vehicle 12 turns left or right around the center OF between the pair of front wheels 18A, and the operation amount of the operating unit 22 is adjusted to adjust the speed of the vehicle 12. The operating unit 22 is returned to the home position, and the drive of the vehicle 12 is stopped.

[0064] When the operating unit 22 is operated to turn left or right from the home position around the rear center indicator 24C, the control device 28 controls the vehicle 12 to switch to a forward turning mode (see FIG. 2(F)), the rear center indicator 24C of the operating unit 22 and the left front turning indicator 26M or the right front turning indicator 26N of the direction indicator 26 are illuminated, and the control state of the drive unit 30 is changed to a forward turning state. Then, the steering direction of each front wheel 18A is changed to a tangent to a circle whose center is the center OR between the pair of rear wheels 18B, and the vehicle 12 turns left or right around the center OR between the pair of rear wheels 18B, and the operation amount of the operating unit 22 is adjusted to adjust the speed of the vehicle 12. The operating unit 22 is returned to the home position, and the drive of the vehicle 12 is stopped.

[0065] Here, this embodiment can also achieve the same functions and effects as the first embodiment.

[0066] Furthermore, the speed of the vehicle 12 is adjusted in accordance with the amount of operation of the operation unit 22. Therefore, the speed of the vehicle 12 can be adjusted by operating the operation unit 22, and the configuration can be simplified.

[0067] In this embodiment, the speed of the vehicle 12 is adjusted in accordance with the amount of operation of the operation unit 22. However, the amount of movement (including the amount of rotation and turning) of the vehicle 12 may also be adjusted in accordance with the amount of operation of the operation unit 22.

[0068] [Third embodiment] FIG. 10(A) shows a perspective view of a vehicle operation device 60 according to a third embodiment of the present invention, as viewed diagonally from the rear left.

[0069] The vehicle operation device 60 according to this embodiment has almost the same configuration as the first or second embodiment, but differs in the following respects.

[0070] 10(A), in the vehicle operation device 60 according to this embodiment, the operation unit 22 is shaped like a rectangular parallelepiped or a shape that resembles the vehicle 12 (see FIG. 10(B) or (C)). The vehicle 12 is also provided with a predetermined number of cameras (not shown), which are electrically connected to the control device 28 and capture images of the surroundings of the vehicle 12.

[0071] A rectangular frame plate-shaped surrounding display unit 62 is provided on the upper surface of the base 20 around the direction display unit 26, and the surrounding display unit 62 is arranged around the entire circumferential direction of the direction display unit 26. The surrounding display unit 62 is configured as a display and is electrically connected to the control device 28, and a top view image of the surroundings of the vehicle 12 is displayed on the upper surface of the surrounding display unit 62 under the control of the control device 28 (see FIG. 10B or 10C). The top view image of the surroundings of the vehicle 12 is generated under the control of the control device 28 based on images captured by a predetermined number of cameras, and is an image centered on the position of the vehicle 12.

[0072] Here, this embodiment can also achieve the same functions and effects as the first or second embodiment.

[0073] Furthermore, a surroundings display unit 62 is disposed around the operation unit 22 and displays a top view image of the surroundings of the vehicle 12. Therefore, by regarding the operation unit 22 as the vehicle 12, the operation unit 22 and the surroundings display unit 62 can be used to recognize the vehicle 12 and its surroundings, making it easier to operate the vehicle 12.

[0074] [Fourth embodiment] FIG. 11(A) shows a perspective view of a vehicle operation device 70 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, as viewed diagonally from the rear left.

[0075] The vehicle operation device 70 according to this embodiment has almost the same configuration as that of the third embodiment, but differs in the following respects.

[0076] 11(A), in the vehicle operation device 70 according to this embodiment, a rectangular plate-shaped vehicle display unit 72 is provided on the left side of the upper surface of the base 20 instead of the surroundings display unit 62, and the vehicle display unit 72 is disposed to the left of the direction display unit 26. The vehicle display unit 72 is configured as a display and is electrically connected to the control device 28, and a top view image (around view image) of the vehicle 12 and the surroundings of the vehicle 12 is displayed on the upper surface of the vehicle display unit 72 under the control of the control device 28 (see FIG. 11(B)). Note that the top view image of the vehicle 12 and the surroundings of the vehicle 12 is an image centered on the image of the vehicle 12.

[0077] Here, this embodiment can also achieve the same functions and effects as the first or second embodiment.

[0078] Furthermore, a vehicle display unit 72 is disposed to the left of the operation unit 22 and displays a top view image of the vehicle 12 and the surroundings of the vehicle 12. Therefore, to the left of the operation unit 22, the vehicle display unit 72 allows the driver to recognize the vehicle 12 and the surroundings of the vehicle 12, making it easier to operate the vehicle 12.

[0079] [Fifth embodiment] 12(A) and 12(B) show top views of a vehicle operation device 80 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0080] A vehicle operation device 80 according to this embodiment has almost the same configuration as that of the fourth embodiment, but differs in the following respects.

[0081] As shown in (A) and (B) of Figures 12, in the vehicle operation device 80 according to this embodiment, a changeover switch 82 as a switching unit is provided, for example, in the direction display unit 26 on the top surface of the base 20. The changeover switch 82 can be turned ON and OFF by the occupant and is electrically connected to the control device 28.

[0082] When the changeover switch 82 is turned OFF, the vehicle display unit 72 is set to the normal mode under the control of the control device 28 (see FIG. 12(A)). As a result, the changeable control states (D state and R state) of the drive device 30 when the travel mode of the vehicle 12 is set to the running mode are displayed on the upper surface of the vehicle display unit 72, and the changeable control state of the drive device 30 is displayed in an illuminated state.

[0083] When the changeover switch 82 is turned ON, the vehicle display unit 72 is set to a parking mode (Park mode) under the control of the control device 28 (see FIG. 12(B)). As a result, a top view image of the vehicle 12 and the surroundings of the vehicle 12 is displayed on the upper surface of the vehicle display unit 72.

[0084] Here, this embodiment can also achieve the same functions and effects as the fourth embodiment.

[0085] Furthermore, when the changeover switch 82 is turned OFF, the top view image of the vehicle 12 and the surroundings of the vehicle 12 is not displayed on the vehicle display unit 72, and when the changeover switch 82 is turned ON, the top view image of the vehicle 12 and the surroundings of the vehicle 12 is displayed on the vehicle display unit 72. Therefore, the top view image of the vehicle 12 and the surroundings of the vehicle 12 can be displayed on the vehicle display unit 72 when necessary for the occupant.

[0086] In the fourth and fifth embodiments, the vehicle display unit 72 is disposed to the left of the base 20. However, the vehicle display unit 72 may be disposed to the right, front, or rear of the base 20 (operation unit 22) as long as it is disposed around the base 20 (operation unit 22). Furthermore, the vehicle display unit 72 may be separated from the base 20 and disposed on the instrument panel 14.

[0087] Furthermore, in the above first to fifth embodiments, a contact sensor may be provided in the operating unit 22, and, for example, when the contact sensor detects that the occupant has touched at least two surfaces (e.g., the left and right surfaces) of the operating unit 22, the operation of the operating unit 22 by the occupant may be enabled.

[0088] In the first to fifth embodiments, the direction display unit 26 may be a display, and images of the respective displays of the direction display unit 26 may be displayed.

[0089] Furthermore, in the first to fifth embodiments, the operation unit 22 may be an image displayed on a touch panel. In this case, a top view image of the operation unit 22 is displayed on the touch panel, the operation unit 22 is not provided with a support pillar 22A, and the operation unit 22 cannot be displaced in the up and down direction. When an occupant touches and slides the operation unit 22 with a finger, the operation unit 22 is operated in the direction of the slide. Furthermore, when an occupant touches and slides one finger on the front center display 24A, the center display 24B, or the rear center display 24C of the operation unit 22, the operation unit 22 is rotated or swiveled in the direction of the slide around the front center display 24A, the center display 24B, or the rear center display 24C.

[0090] In the first to fifth embodiments, the longitudinal direction of the operating unit 22 is set to the front-rear direction of the vehicle 12. However, the longitudinal direction of the operating unit 22 may be set to be perpendicular to the left-right direction of the vehicle 12, and may intersect with the front-rear direction of the vehicle 12.

[0091] Furthermore, in the first to fifth embodiments, the longitudinal direction of the operation unit 22 is parallel to an operation plane (a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction of the vehicle 12) parallel to the operation direction of the operation unit 22. However, the longitudinal direction of the operation unit 22 may intersect with the operation plane parallel to the operation direction of the operation unit 22. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 10 Vehicle operation device, 12 Vehicle, 18 Wheel, 22 Operation unit, 24A Front center display (operation display unit), 24B Center display (operation display unit), 24C Rear center display (operation display unit), 26 Direction display unit (operation display unit), 30 Drive unit, 50 Vehicle operation device, 60 Vehicle operation device, 62 Surrounding display unit, 70 Vehicle operation device, 72 Vehicle display unit, 80 Vehicle operation device

Claims

1. A vehicle operation device having an operation unit whose longitudinal direction is perpendicular to the left-right direction of the vehicle and which, when operated, steers all of the wheels of the vehicle in the same direction or steers the wheels on the left and right sides of the vehicle in different directions, so that the operation direction is the direction of movement of the vehicle.

2. 2. The vehicle operation device according to claim 1, wherein the speed of the vehicle is adjusted in accordance with the amount of operation of the operation unit.

3. 2. The vehicle operation device according to claim 1, wherein the amount of movement of the vehicle is adjusted in accordance with the amount of operation of the operation unit.

4. 2. The vehicle operation device according to claim 1, wherein the control state of a drive device of the vehicle is changed by operating the operation unit.

5. The vehicle operation device according to claim 1, further comprising an operation display unit that displays an operation state of the operation unit.

6. The vehicle operation device according to claim 5, wherein the operation display unit is disposed around the operation unit.

7. The vehicle operation device according to claim 1, further comprising a surroundings display unit arranged around the operation unit and displaying the surroundings of the vehicle.

8. 2. The vehicle operation device according to claim 1, further comprising a vehicle display unit arranged around the operation unit and displaying the vehicle and its surroundings.

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