control device

Abstract

The present invention provides a control device that prevents a vehicle from being driven while the passenger compartment remains switched to an office for desk work. [Solution] The control device 1 is mounted on a vehicle 10 equipped with an office switching system 7 that switches the passenger compartment to an office for desk work. The control device includes a switching signal acquisition unit that acquires a signal from a switching detection sensor 2a that detects whether or not the passenger compartment has been switched to an office, a starting signal acquisition unit that acquires a signal from a gear position sensor 2b that detects a starting operation on the vehicle 10, and a determination output unit that, based on the signals acquired from the switching signal acquisition unit 1a and the starting signal acquisition unit 1b, determines that the passenger compartment has been switched to an office and that a starting operation has been performed, and outputs a warning command signal to a warning unit 2d that warns the user U.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device mounted on a vehicle equipped with an office switching system for switching a vehicle interior into an office for desk work.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, with the progress of IT, VDT work has been introduced into workplaces, and for office workers, desk work using a personal computer has become mainstream regardless of job type. At the same time, telework has also become widespread, and desk work at locations other than the original workplace, such as at home, has penetrated among office workers. Under such circumstances, the vehicle interior has attracted attention as an office that can be used for telework.

[0003] Under such a background, the applicant has devised a plurality of technologies for switching the vehicle interior into an office for desk work. For example, although a simple table is provided on the back of the seat back in the vehicle interior (see Patent Document 1), it is hard to say that there is enough space to place a personal computer and work, and there are also vehicle interiors without even such a simple table. Therefore, a top plate of a size that can accommodate a personal computer and documents beside it is arranged by utilizing the back of the seat back or the door trim so that the vehicle interior can be switched into an office for desk work.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, it is not advisable to drive with the vehicle interior switched to an office. That is, if the top plate is arranged while not doing desk work and driving, the top plate will uselessly occupy the space in the vehicle interior, making it uncomfortable.

[0006] Therefore, in vehicles equipped with an office switching system that converts the passenger compartment into an office for desk work, it is desirable to have a mechanism that encourages users to clearly separate the use of the vehicle as a passenger compartment from its use as an office.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a control device that prevents a vehicle from being driven while the passenger compartment remains switched to an office for desk work. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above problems, the control device of the present invention employs the following means.

[0009] In other words, the first invention of the present invention is a control device to be mounted on a vehicle equipped with an office switching system that switches the passenger compartment to an office for desk work. The control device includes a switching signal acquisition unit that acquires a signal from a switching detection means that detects whether or not the passenger compartment has been switched to the office, a starting signal acquisition unit that acquires a signal from a starting detection means that detects a starting operation on the vehicle, and a determination output unit that, based on the signals acquired from the switching signal acquisition unit and the starting signal acquisition unit, determines that the passenger compartment has been switched to the office and that the starting operation has been performed, and outputs a warning command signal to a warning means that warns the user.

[0010] According to the first invention, the warning prompts the driver to return the passenger compartment, which has been switched to office mode, back to its original state, thereby preventing the vehicle from being driven with the passenger compartment still in office mode.

[0011] The second invention of the present invention is a control device that, in the first invention described above, further comprises a vehicle speed signal acquisition unit that acquires a signal from a vehicle speed information acquisition means that acquires vehicle speed information of the vehicle, and the determination output unit changes the command signal to be output according to the vehicle speed based on the signal acquired by the vehicle speed signal acquisition unit.

[0012] According to the second invention, for example, by gradually changing the volume and interval of the beeps, it is possible to effectively appeal to the user to stop switching between office environments.

[0013] A third aspect of the present invention is a control device in the first or second invention described above, wherein the switching signal acquisition unit acquires a signal from the switching detection means that detects whether or not a table top for desk work is positioned using the back of the seat back and the door trim.

[0014] According to the third invention, by issuing a warning to remove the tabletop, which has a relatively high impact on comfort among the components of the office switching system, the deterioration of comfort during operation can be further suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of a vehicle equipped with a control device according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram of the passenger compartment of the vehicle shown in Figure 1, viewed from above. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram of a warning system including a control device according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] This flowchart shows the flag setting process performed by the control unit. [Figure 5] This flowchart shows the warning process performed by the control unit. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] The embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, when directions such as front, back, up, down, left, and right are indicated, they refer to the respective directions shown in each figure. In the following description, if a specific reference figure is not shown, or if there is no corresponding reference numeral in the reference figure, one of Figures 1 to 5 will be referred to as appropriate.

[0017] (Overview of the Office Switching System 7) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vehicle 10 is equipped with an office switching system 7 and can switch the passenger compartment into an office for desk work. The office switching system 7 provides a desk for the user U to facilitate work using a personal computer in the passenger compartment.

[0018] Specifically, the office switching system 7 has a detachable table top plate 8 and a rail portion 9 provided on the door trim 6. The table top plate 8 is sized to place a personal computer and further spread documents for work in consideration of the performance of desk work. As a result, the length in the longitudinal direction is larger than the width of the seat back 3a. Therefore, in addition to the seat back 3a of the driver's seat 3, the door trim 6 is also used for fixing the table top plate 8.

[0019] Specifically, the table top plate 8 has a pin 8a and a fitting portion 8b. The fitting portion 8b is slidably fitted to the rail portion 9 extending in the front-rear direction. The pin 8a is inserted into an insertion hole provided on the back surface of the seat back 3a. A plurality of insertion holes are provided in the vertical direction so that the pin 8a can be inserted corresponding to the reclining angle of the seat back 3a.

[0020] When the user U performs desk work in the passenger compartment of the vehicle 10, such a table top plate 8 is set to straddle the driver's seat 3 and the door trim 6. Thereby, the passenger compartment of the vehicle 10 is switched to an office, and the user U can sit on the rear seat 4 and perform desk work. When the desk work is completed, the table top plate 8 is removed and returned to a predetermined position.

[0021] (Configuration of the Warning System) The vehicle 10 has a system that warns the user U at the necessary timing and prompts the removal of the table top plate 8 so that the vehicle does not run with the passenger compartment switched to an office by the above-described office switching system 7. The warning system includes a control device 1, each sensor 2a to 2c, and a warning unit 2d. The control device 1 is constituted by a so-called ECU (Electronic Control Unit) and has a CPU, a ROM, etc. The CPU develops the program stored in the ROM in the RAM and implements each function described later.

[0022] The switching detection sensor 2a detects whether the passenger compartment has been switched to an office. As is clear from the above description, the switching from the passenger compartment to the office is synonymous with setting the table top plate 8. Therefore, the switching detection sensor 2a may detect whether the passenger compartment has been switched to an office by checking whether the pin 8a is inserted into the insertion hole on the back of the seat back 3a. For example, the switching detection sensor 2a may be a contact sensor provided in the insertion hole of the seat back 3a or a non-contact sensor provided near the insertion hole. In any case, when the pin 8a is inserted into the insertion hole, the switching detection sensor 2a outputs a switching signal to the control device 1 assuming that the office has been switched.

[0023] The gear position sensor 2b detects the start operation on the vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 is an engine vehicle with an AT, and the shift lever 5b has a shift pattern indicated by symbols such as P, R, N, D. To drive the vehicle 10, the user U first starts the engine with the shift lever 5b in the P range while stepping on the brake. Then, to drive the vehicle, the shift lever 5b is shifted to the D range.

[0024] In this case, even if the gear is R or N instead of D, the vehicle 10 is still in a state where it can run (or is capable of running), so it is considered better to warn the user U to put away the table top 8. Therefore, in this embodiment, the gear position sensor 2b detects whether the shift lever 5b is in the P range or any other range, and outputs a start signal to the control device 1 indicating that a start operation has been performed if it is in any range other than the P range.

[0025] Besides this detection method, it is also conceivable that a start signal could be output if a start operation was performed on the vehicle 10, based on various events that occur during the vehicle 10's preparation phase, such as when user U opens the driver's seat door 3 and sits down, when the ACC power is turned on, or when the vehicle 10 is preparing to start. However, if this were done, user U would be warned even when they simply want to use the audio system or car air conditioning, or when they just want to relax in the driver's seat 3 for a while, which would be unbearably annoying.

[0026] Furthermore, there may be cases where there are multiple occupants, and the driver asks user U, who is doing desk work in the rear seat 4, to put away the tabletop 8, starts the engine while U is putting away the tabletop, and waits in the driver's seat 3 for U to finish. In such cases, if the start signal is output simply by the engine starting, the driver will be warned even though they intend to stop until the tidying is finished, which would also be unbearably annoying.

[0027] In comparison to these, in this embodiment, the warning is given at the very moment the vehicle 10 is about to be driven, so the warning is not excessive for the occupants and can be made necessary and sufficient to make them aware that they have forgotten to put away the table top 8.

[0028] The vehicle speed sensor 2c detects the speed of the moving vehicle 10. The vehicle speed sensor 2c rotates, for example, in conjunction with the rotation of the drivetrain shaft, and generates a pulse wave proportional to the rotational speed, outputting a vehicle speed signal as rotational speed information to the control device 1. The control device 1 then calculates the vehicle speed of the vehicle 10 based on the vehicle speed signal.

[0029] The warning unit 2d appeals to the user U's hearing and sight through warning sounds and warning lights to warn the user U. Specifically, the warning unit 2d is the display panel on the instrument panel 5a or a speaker installed in the vehicle compartment. The warning unit 2d displays a warning light on the display panel or emits a warning sound from the speaker in accordance with a warning command signal output from the control device 1.

[0030] As shown in Figure 3, the control device 1 acquires the signals output from each of the sensors 2a to 2c and outputs a command signal to control the warning unit 2d. Specifically, the control device 1 includes a switching signal acquisition unit 1a, a start signal acquisition unit 1b, a vehicle speed signal acquisition unit 1c, and a determination output unit 1d.

[0031] Each signal acquisition unit 1a to 1c is an interface for connecting each sensor 2a to 2c to the control device 1, and each signal is sent to the determination output unit 1d. The determination output unit 1d issues a warning to user U using the warning unit 2d when it determines that the vehicle compartment has been switched to an office for desk work and that a start operation has been performed on the vehicle 10. Specifically, the determination output unit 1d has a flag setting unit 1e, a flag register 1f, and a warning processing unit 1g, and based on each signal it determines whether or not to output a command signal to control the warning unit 2d, and if it does output a command signal, it determines which of the multiple command signal patterns to output and outputs it.

[0032] The flag setting unit 1e sets the ON / OFF state of the flag register 1f based on the switching signals and start signals sent from the respective signal acquisition units 1a and 1b. The flag setting process by the flag setting unit 1e will be described later.

[0033] Flag register 1f is a memory device that stores two types of information: ON and OFF. The information stored in flag register 1f is used by the warning processing unit 1g to determine the conditional branch.

[0034] The warning processing unit 1g determines whether or not to output a command signal based on the information stored in the flag register 1f, and changes the output command signal according to the vehicle speed based on the vehicle speed signal sent from the vehicle speed signal acquisition unit 1c. The warning processing by the warning processing unit 1g will be described later.

[0035] (Processing by control device 1) The processing flow of the control device 1 will be explained using the flowcharts shown in Figures 4 and 5. The control device 1 activates the control flow shown in Figures 4 and 5 at predetermined intervals.

[0036] [Flag setting process (Figure 4)] The flag setting unit 1e sets the flag register 1f to ON (step S130) only when it receives a switching signal from the switching detection sensor 2a (step S110: YES) and a start signal from the gear position sensor 2b (step S120: YES).

[0037] In all other cases, that is, when no switching signal is received (step S110: NO), or when no start signal is received, the flag setting unit 1e sets the flag to OFF (step S140).

[0038] [Warning processing (Figure 5)] The warning processing unit 1g outputs a command signal to control the warning unit 2d, which is changed according to the vehicle speed signal, when the flag register 1f is set to ON (step S210: YES). In other words, when the vehicle speed is 0 km / h (step S220: YES), the warning processing unit 1g only displays a warning light on the display panel of the instrument panel 5a (step S240). This warning light prompts, for example, a user U seated in the driver's seat 3 or the driver to return the cabin, which has been switched to office mode, back to its original state. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the vehicle 10 from being driven with the cabin switched to office mode.

[0039] On the other hand, if the vehicle speed is 0 km / h < 5 km / h (step S220: NO, and step S230: NO), the warning processing unit 1g will emit a first warning sound from the speaker in addition to displaying the warning light (step S250). Note that the vehicle speed is calculated as an absolute value because both forward and reverse movement is taken into consideration.

[0040] Furthermore, if the vehicle speed is ≥ 5 km / h (step S220: NO, and step S230: YES), the warning processing unit 1g will, in addition to displaying the warning light, emit a second warning sound through the speaker at a louder volume than the first warning sound (step S260). By gradually changing the volume of the warning sound in this way, it is possible to effectively appeal to the user U or driver to stop switching to the office.

[0041] In summary, the control device 1 according to this embodiment has the following configuration. The reference numerals in parentheses below correspond to the respective configurations shown in the above embodiment.

[0042] In other words, the control device (1) is mounted on a vehicle (10) equipped with an office switching system (7) that switches the passenger compartment to an office for desk work. The control device (1) includes a switching signal acquisition unit (1a) that acquires a signal from a switching detection means (2a) that detects whether or not the passenger compartment has been switched to an office, a starting signal acquisition unit (1b) that acquires a signal from a starting detection means (2b) that detects a starting operation on the vehicle (10), and a determination output unit (1d) that, based on the signals acquired from the switching signal acquisition unit (1a) and the starting signal acquisition unit (1b), determines that the passenger compartment has been switched to an office and that a starting operation has been performed, and outputs a warning command signal to a warning means (2d) that warns the user (U).

[0043] According to the above configuration, the warning prompts the driver to return the passenger compartment, which has been switched to office mode, back to its original state, thereby preventing the vehicle (10) from being driven while the passenger compartment remains switched to office mode.

[0044] Furthermore, the control device (1) further includes a vehicle speed signal acquisition unit (1c) that acquires a signal from a vehicle speed information acquisition means (2c) that acquires vehicle speed information of the vehicle (10), and the determination output unit (1d) changes the command signal it outputs according to the vehicle speed based on the signal acquired by the vehicle speed signal acquisition unit (1c).

[0045] According to the above configuration, for example, by gradually changing the volume and interval of the beeps, it is possible to effectively appeal to people to stop switching between office environments.

[0046] Furthermore, the control device (1) acquires a signal from the switching detection means (2a) which detects whether or not a table top (8) for desk work is positioned using the back of the seat back (3a) and the door trim (6), via the switching signal acquisition unit (1a).

[0047] According to the above configuration, by issuing a warning to remove the table top (8), which has a relatively high impact on comfort among the components of the office switching system (7), the deterioration of comfort while driving can be further suppressed.

[0048] Regarding other embodiments: Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above using one embodiment, the present invention can be implemented in various forms other than those described above.

[0049] 1. In the above embodiment, a table top and rail section were used as an example to describe the office switching system, but any system that switches the vehicle interior to an office for desk work may be used. For example, a pop-up roof can be raised and lowered relative to the vehicle's main roof and has the function of making the vehicle interior larger, but at the same time there is room for outside noise to enter. Therefore, by covering the roof space (the space formed between the pop-up roof and the main roof) with a sound-insulating cover, the vehicle interior can be switched to a large and quiet office. An example of an office switching system is a detachable cover and a pop-up roof to which the cover is attached.

[0050] Furthermore, while some car seats have a reclining surface to allow for a comfortable and relaxed sitting position, for desk work performance, it may be better to eliminate the reclining and make the seat parallel to the car floor. Therefore, a mechanism could be provided to switch between a normal position with a reclined seat and a desk work position where the seat is parallel to the floor, allowing the rear seats to be converted into office chairs for desk work. An example of such an office conversion system is a seat equipped with this mechanism.

[0051] Any vehicle equipped with at least one of these office switching systems can be used as the vehicle that houses the control device.

[0052] 2. In the above embodiment, it was explained that the starting operation is detected when the shift lever is in a position other than the P range while the engine is running. However, even if the engine is not running, the act of fastening the seat belt itself may be detected as a starting operation. This is because the act of fastening the seat belt is performed by the driver who intends to drive the vehicle. If, as in the above embodiment, the focus is on providing a warning at the exact moment when the vehicle is about to be driven, then, for example, the starting operation may be detected when the seat belt is fastened AND the engine is running. Alternatively, all of these may be combined, and the starting operation may be detected when the engine is running AND the seat belt is fastened AND the shift lever is in a position other than the P range.

[0053] 3. In the above embodiment, the vehicle was described as an automatic transmission (AT) engine vehicle, but it may also be a manual transmission (MT) engine vehicle, an electric vehicle, or a hybrid vehicle. The engines will be different in each case, but for example, in the case of an MT engine vehicle, the start operation may be defined as the engine starting, or in the case of an electric vehicle, as soon as the preparation for supplying power to the motor is complete. Of course, in addition to these, the system may also detect the start operation only after an operation on the shift lever or fastening the seat belt has occurred.

[0054] 4. In the above embodiment, examples of how to warn the user were given, such as displaying a warning light or emitting a warning sound. However, any warning that the user will notice is acceptable. For example, it could be a warning that appeals to the user's sense of touch by vibrating the seat surface.

[0055] 5. In the above embodiment, the manner of the warning was described as changing according to the vehicle speed, but the same warning may be issued regardless of the vehicle speed. In that case, the warning may be issued by simply displaying a warning light, simply emitting a warning sound, simply vibrating the seat surface, or a combination of these.

[0056] 6. In the above embodiment, the switching detection sensor detects whether the vehicle compartment has been switched to an office by whether or not a pin is inserted into the insertion hole. However, any detection method is acceptable as long as it is detected that the table top has been set. For example, a sensor may be used to detect when the fitting portion 8b is fitted into the rail portion 9.

[0057] 7. In the above embodiment, the control device was described as controlling only the warning unit. However, the pins on the table top may be made movable by an actuator, and the actuator may also be controlled by the control device. Furthermore, the system may be configured to forcibly switch from the office to the passenger compartment when certain conditions are met. For example, if a certain amount of time has elapsed since the warning unit (speaker) emitted a warning sound, or if the speed exceeds 10 km / h, the control device may control the actuator to pull out the pin inserted into the seat back. In addition, the table top may also be made foldable by an actuator controlled by the control device, and when the pin is removed, it may be folded and stored on the door trim side. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1 Control device 1a Switching signal acquisition section 1b Start signal acquisition unit 1c Vehicle speed signal acquisition section 1d Judgment Output Unit 1e Flag setting section 1f Flag Register 1g Warning Processing Unit 2a Switching detection sensor 2b Gear position sensor 2c Vehicle speed sensor 2d warning part 3. Driver's seat 3a Seatback 4. Rear seats 5a Instrument Panel 5b Shift lever 6 Door Trim 7. Office Switching System 8 Tabletop 8a pin 8b Fitting part 9 Rail section 10 vehicles U User

Claims

1. A control device installed in a vehicle equipped with an office switching system that converts the passenger compartment into an office for desk work, A switching signal acquisition unit that acquires a signal from a switching detection means that detects whether or not the vehicle compartment has been switched to the office, A start signal acquisition unit that acquires a signal from a start detection means that detects a start operation on the vehicle, A control device having a determination output unit that outputs a warning command signal to a warning means for issuing a warning to the user when it is determined, based on the signals obtained from the switching signal acquisition unit and the start signal acquisition unit, that the vehicle compartment has been switched to the office and the start operation has been performed.

2. A control device according to claim 1, The system further includes a vehicle speed signal acquisition unit that acquires a signal from a vehicle speed information acquisition means that acquires vehicle speed information of the aforementioned vehicle, The determination output unit is a control device that changes the command signal it outputs according to the vehicle speed, based on the signal acquired by the vehicle speed signal acquisition unit.

3. A control device according to claim 1 or 2, The switching signal acquisition unit is a control device that acquires a signal from the switching detection means, which uses the back of the seat back and the door trim to detect whether or not a table top for desk work is positioned there.

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