Vehicle door control device and vehicle door control method

Abstract

The present invention provides a vehicle door control device and a vehicle door control method that can open the doors in accordance with the timing of a user's arrival at the vehicle. [Solution] When the processor 10 of the vehicle door control device 100 receives an open request from an electronic terminal 2 held by user U to open a predetermined target door 21 of the vehicle 1, it determines whether user U has entered a first range A1 within a predetermined distance from the target door 21. If user U has entered the first range A1, it determines whether user U's approach speed to the target door 21 is equal to or greater than a predetermined first speed. If the approach speed is equal to or greater than the first speed, it starts the opening operation of the target door 21. If the approach speed is less than the first speed, it determines whether user U has entered a predetermined second range A2 where the distance to the target door 21 is shorter than the first range A1. If user U has entered the second range A2, it starts the opening operation of the target door 21.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] As a technique for detecting a user and controlling an opening / closing body, when the distance between the user and the opening / closing body is within a predetermined range, in order to suppress contact between the user and the opening / closing body, a technique of slowing down the opening / closing speed of the opening / closing body is known (Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that it is impossible to control the opening / closing speed of the opening / closing body so that the opening / closing body is in an open state in accordance with the timing when the user arrives at the vehicle.

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a vehicle door control device and a vehicle door control method capable of opening the door in accordance with the timing when the user arrives at the vehicle.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention solves the above problems by starting the opening operation of the target door when the approaching speed of the user is equal to or higher than a predetermined first speed in a first range within a predetermined distance from the target door, and starting the opening operation of the target door when the user enters a second range closer to the target door than the first range when the speed is lower than the first speed.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, the doors can be opened in time with the user's arrival at the vehicle. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle door control device according to the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 illustrates a scenario where a user submits an open request for a target door. [Figure 3] Figures 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating a vehicle door control method according to the first embodiment. Figure 3A shows a scenario in which the user's approach speed is equal to or greater than a first speed within a first range, and Figure 3B shows a scenario in which the opening operation of the target door is initiated when the approach speed is equal to or greater than a first speed. [Figure 4] Figures 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating a vehicle door control method according to the first embodiment. Figure 4A shows a scenario in which the user's approach speed is less than the first speed within a first range, and Figure 4B shows a scenario in which the opening operation of the target door is initiated when the approach speed is less than the first speed. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the vehicle door control method according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] Figures 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating the vehicle door control methods according to the second to fourth embodiments. Figure 6A shows the scene when the opening operation of the target door, which is the back door, is initiated, and Figure 6B shows the scene when the opening operation of the target door, which is the trunk lid, is initiated. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the vehicle door control method according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure for a vehicle door control method according to the third embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure for a vehicle door control method according to the fourth embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0010] 《First Embodiment》 A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5. As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle 1 has a vehicle door control device 100, a plurality of doors 20, and a detection device 30. The vehicle door control device 100 controls the opening and closing of a predetermined target door 21 among the plurality of doors 20. Note that "controlling the opening and closing of the doors 20" includes, but is not limited to, controlling the locking and unlocking of each door 20 and automatically opening and closing each door 20, and the vehicle door control device 100 may control only locking and unlocking without automatically opening and closing the doors 20. The detection device 30 is an in-vehicle camera (e.g., surround camera) that images the area around the vehicle 1 and / or a radar (e.g., rear radar, side radar, sonar, LiDAR) that detects objects (pedestrians, etc.) around the vehicle 1.

[0011] The vehicle door control device 100 has a processor 10 that controls the opening and closing of the door 20 of the vehicle 1. The processor 10 has a communication unit 11, an open request determination unit 12, a first proximity determination unit 13, a proximity speed determination unit 14, a second proximity determination unit 15, and a door control unit 16.

[0012] The communication unit 11 can communicate with the electronic terminal 2 via BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) communication and UWB (Ultra-Wide Band) communication. The electronic terminal 2 is a mobile device such as a smartphone owned by user U.

[0013] The open request determination unit 12 determines whether the processor 10 has received an open request via the communication unit 11 to open the target door 21. The open request is transmitted from the electronic terminal 2 held by user U, as shown in Figure 2A.

[0014] Based on the detection result of the detection device 30, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 4A, the first approach determination unit 13 determines whether the user U has entered the first range A1 within a predetermined distance from the target door 21. Note that the first range A1 is a range in which the communication unit 11 and the electronic terminal 2 can communicate with each other.

[0015] When the user U enters the first range A1, based on the detection result of the detection device 30, the approach speed determination unit 14 determines whether the approach speed of the user U with respect to the target door 21 is equal to or higher than a predetermined first speed. The first speed may be arbitrarily set and is not particularly limited, but it may be the speed when the user U approaches the vehicle 1 hurriedly. For example, the first speed may be the speed when a person walks at a high speed or the speed when a person runs.

[0016] When the approach speed of the user U is less than the first speed, as shown in FIG. 4B, the second approach determination unit 15 determines whether the user U has entered the second range A2. The second range A2 is a predetermined range where the distance from the target door 21 is shorter than the first range A1 and is located inside the first range A1.

[0017] When the approach speed of the user U in the first range A1 is equal to or higher than the first speed, or when the approach speed of the user U in the first range A1 is less than the first speed and the user U has entered the second range A2, the door control unit 16 starts the opening operation of the target door 21. Note that "starting the opening operation of the target door 21" means that the door control unit 16 automatically releases the lock mechanism of the target door 21 and starts the opening operation of the target door 21. When no open request for the target door 21 is received, the door control unit 16 maintains the closed state of the door 20 even if the user U approaches any of the doors 20.

[0018] In addition, although FIGS. 2 to 4B show an aspect of opening the rear door of the vehicle 1 as the target door 21, the target of the target door 21 is not particularly limited to this, and any of the doors 20 provided in the vehicle 1 may be the target.

[0019] Next, with reference to the flowchart shown in Figure 5, the procedure for controlling the vehicle door that the processor 10 of the vehicle door control device 100 executes will be described.

[0020] First, as shown in Figure 2, user U uses electronic terminal 2 to send an open request to vehicle 1 to open the target door 21. In step S1, the open request determination unit 12 determines whether the processor 10 has received the open request via the communication unit 11.

[0021] Next, in step S2, the first proximity determination unit 13 determines whether or not user U has entered the first range A1.

[0022] Next, in step S3, the approach speed determination unit 14 determines whether the approach speed of user U to the target door 21 is equal to or greater than the first speed.

[0023] As shown in Figure 3A, if in step S3 it is determined that the approach speed of user U is equal to or greater than the first speed, the processor 10 proceeds to step S5, and as shown in Figure 3B, the door control unit 16 starts the opening operation of the target door 21. In step S6, the processor 10 determines whether the target door 21 is fully open or not, and terminates the control if it is fully open.

[0024] As shown in Figure 4A, if it is determined in step S3 that the approach speed of user U is less than the first speed, the processor 10 proceeds to step S4 to determine whether or not user U has entered the second range A2.

[0025] As shown in Figure 4B, if it is determined in step S4 that user U has entered the second range A2, the processor 10 proceeds to step S5, and the door control unit 16 starts opening the target door 21. In step S6, the processor 10 determines whether the target door 21 is fully open, and terminates the control if it is fully open.

[0026] As described above, the vehicle door control device 100 according to this embodiment determines whether the approach speed of user U to the target door 21 is equal to or greater than the first speed when user U enters the first range A1. The vehicle door control device 100 starts opening the target door 21 if the approach speed is equal to or greater than the first speed. If the approach speed is less than the first speed, the vehicle door control device 100 determines whether user U has entered the second range A2, and starts opening the target door 21 if user U has entered the second range A2. In other words, when user U's approach speed is equal to or greater than the first speed, the opening of the target door 21 starts when user U enters a range further away from the target door 21 compared to when the approach speed is less than the first speed. As a result, if user U is in a hurry, the opening of the target door 21 starts earlier than usual, so that the target door 21 can be opened in time with user U's arrival at vehicle 1. If user U is not in a hurry, the opening of the target door 21 starts later than when user U is in a hurry. Therefore, the vehicle door control device 100 can open the target door 21 in time with the user U's arrival at the vehicle 1.

[0027] 《Second Embodiment》 Next, a vehicle door control method according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 6A to 6B and Figure 7. As shown in Figures 6A and 6B, the vehicle 1B according to the second embodiment is equipped with a back door BD that opens and closes vertically, or a trunk lid TL that opens and closes vertically, as the rear door. That is, the vehicle 1B is a type of vehicle called a one-box type, hatchback type, etc., which has no boundary between the passenger compartment and the cargo compartment, or a type of vehicle that has a cargo compartment (trunk room) that is separate from the passenger compartment. The vehicle door control device 100 according to the second embodiment has the same configuration as the one shown in Figure 1. In the following description, the same reference numerals as those shown in Figures 1 to 5 indicate the same or similar components, so a detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0028] As shown in Figure 7, if the processor 10 determines in step S2 that user U has entered the first range, it determines in step S21 whether the weather is rain and / or snow. The method by which the processor 10 determines the weather is not particularly limited. For example, vehicle 1 may further be equipped with a raindrop sensor as a detection device 30, and the processor 10 may determine the weather based on the detection result of the raindrop sensor. Alternatively, the processor 10 may determine whether the weather is rain and / or snow based on weather information obtained by communication from an external source, or based on the operation of the wipers equipped on vehicle 1.

[0029] If, in step S21, it is determined that the weather is neither rain nor snow, the processor 10 proceeds to step S3 and controls the target door 21 in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0030] If, in step S21, it is determined that the weather is rain and / or snow, the processor 10 determines in step S22 whether the target door 21 is a back door BD that opens and closes vertically, a trunk lid TL that opens and closes vertically, or any other door. If, in step S22, it is determined that the target door 21 is a door other than the back door BD and the trunk lid TL, the processor 10 proceeds to step S3 and controls the target door 21 in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0031] As shown in Figure 6A, if it is determined that the target door 21 is a back door BD that opens and closes vertically, the processor 10 proceeds to step S23 to determine whether the user U has entered the third range A3. The third range A3 is a range where the distance to the target door 21 is longer than the second range A2, and the distance to the target door 21 is less than or equal to the first range. That is, the third range A3 is wider than the second range A2, and the same as or narrower than the first range A1. In Figure 4A, the third range A3 is wider than the second range A2 and narrower than the first range A1, but the size of the third range A3 is not particularly limited to this. The third range A3 may be the same as the first range A1. If it is determined in step S23 that the user U has entered the third range A3, the processor 10 proceeds to step S5 to start the opening operation of the target door 21.

[0032] As shown in Figure 6B, if in step S22 it is determined that the target door 21 is a trunk lid TL that opens and closes vertically, the processor 10 proceeds to step S4. In step S4, if it is determined that user U has entered the second range A2, the processor 10 starts the opening operation of the target door 21 in step S5.

[0033] As described above, when the vehicle door control device 100 according to this embodiment determines that the weather is rain and / or snow and the target door 21 is a back door BD that opens and closes vertically, it starts opening the target door 21 when the user U enters the third range A3. Furthermore, when the vehicle door control device 100 according to this embodiment determines that the weather is rain and / or snow and the target door 21 is a trunk lid TL that opens and closes vertically, it starts opening the target door 21 when the user U enters the second range A2. In other words, when the weather is rain and / or snow and the target door 21 is a back door BD, the opening of the target door 21 starts when the user U enters a range further away from the target door 21 compared to when it is a trunk lid TL. The back door BD operates with the roof of the vehicle 1 as a pivot point and becomes approximately parallel to the ground when fully open. For this reason, the back door BD can be used as a rain shield for the user U when the user U arrives at the vehicle 1B. Therefore, when the weather is rainy and / or snowy, it is preferable that the back door BD be open when user U arrives. On the other hand, it is preferable that the trunk lid TL not be opened extremely early before user U arrives, as rain would enter the trunk when it is opened. The vehicle door control device 100 according to this embodiment starts the opening operation of the back door BD earlier than the trunk lid TL when the weather is rainy and / or snowy, so that the back door BD can be open when user U arrives. In addition, since the opening operation of the trunk lid TL is started later than that of the back door BD, the amount of rain that gets into the trunk can be minimized.

[0034] 《Third Embodiment》 Next, a vehicle door control method according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 6A and 8. As shown in Figure 6A, the vehicle 1C according to the third embodiment is equipped with a back door BD that opens and closes vertically as a rear door. That is, the vehicle 1C is a type of vehicle called a one-box type, hatchback type, etc., which has no boundary between the passenger compartment and the cargo compartment. The vehicle door control device 100 according to the third embodiment has the same configuration as shown in Figure 1. In the following description, the same reference numerals as those shown in Figures 1 to 6A indicate the same or similar components, so detailed explanations will be omitted.

[0035] As shown in Figure 8, if the processor 10 determines in step S2 that user U has entered the first range A1, it determines in step S31 whether the weather is rain and / or snow. If it is determined that the weather is neither rain nor snow, the process proceeds to step S3, and the target door 21 is controlled in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The method for determining the weather may be the same as in the second embodiment and is not particularly limited.

[0036] If it is determined in step S31 that the weather is rain and / or snow, then in step S32 it is determined whether the target door 21 is a rear door. If it is determined that the target door 21 is not a rear door, the process proceeds to step S3, and the target door 21 is controlled in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0037] In step S32, if it is determined that the target door 21 is a rear door, in step S33, it is determined whether user U has entered a third range A3, which is longer than the second range A2 and less than or equal to the first range A1. The third range A3 is wider than the second range A2 and is the same as the first range A1 or narrower than the first range A1. In step S33, if it is determined that user U has entered the third range A3, the processor 10 proceeds to step S5 and starts opening the target door 21.

[0038] As described above, the vehicle door control device 100 according to this embodiment, when it determines that the weather is rain and / or snow and the target door 21 is a rear door, starts opening the target door 21 when the user U, who is further away from the target door 21 than the second range A2, enters the third range A3. In other words, when the weather is rain and / or snow and the target door 21 is a rear door, the opening of the target door 21 starts at an earlier timing compared to when the user U is moving at an approach speed less than the first speed in sunny weather, etc. Therefore, the vehicle door control device 100 according to this embodiment can set the target door 21, which is the back door BD, to be open when the user U arrives, so that the target door 21 functions as a rain shield for the user U.

[0039] 《Fourth Embodiment》 Next, a vehicle door control method according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 6B and 9. As shown in Figure 6B, the vehicle 1D according to the fourth embodiment is equipped with a trunk lid TL that opens and closes vertically as a rear door. In other words, the vehicle 1D is a type of vehicle that has a luggage compartment (trunk room) separate from the passenger compartment. The vehicle door control device 100 according to the third embodiment has the same configuration as shown in Figure 1. In the following description, the same reference numerals as those shown in Figures 1 to 6B indicate the same or similar components, and therefore detailed explanations will be omitted.

[0040] As shown in Figure 9, if the processor 10 determines in step S2 that user U has entered the first range A1, it determines in step S41 whether the weather is rain and / or snow. If it is determined that the weather is neither rain nor snow, the processor 10 proceeds to step S3 and controls the target door 21 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The method for determining the weather may be the same as in the second embodiment and is not particularly limited.

[0041] If, in step S41, it is determined that the weather is rain and / or snow, the processor 10 determines in step S42 whether the target door 21 is a rear door. If it is determined that the target door 21 is not a rear door, the processor 10 proceeds to step S3 and controls the target door 21 in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0042] If, in step S42, the target door 21 is determined to be a rear door, the processor 10 determines in step S43 whether or not user U has entered the second range A2. If it is determined that user U has entered the second range A2, the processor 10 proceeds to step S5 and starts the opening operation of the target door 21.

[0043] As described above, when the vehicle door control device 100 according to this embodiment determines that the weather is rain and / or snow and the target door 21 is a rear door, it starts opening the target door 21 when user U enters the second range A2, without determining the approach speed of user U. In other words, when the weather is rain and / or snow and the target door 21 is a rear door, the opening operation of the target door 21 is started only after it is confirmed that user U has entered the second range A2, regardless of the approach speed of user U. As a result, when the weather is rain and / or snow, the target door 21, which is the trunk lid TL, is kept closed until just before user U arrives at vehicle 1D. Therefore, the vehicle door control device 100 according to this embodiment can minimize the amount of rain that gets into the trunk.

[0044] The embodiments described above are provided to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit it. Therefore, each element disclosed in the above embodiments is intended to include all design modifications and equivalents that fall within the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0045] 1, 1B, 1C, 1D… Vehicles 20...door 21…Target Door 2…Electronic terminals 100... Vehicle door control device 10… Processor A1…First range A2…Second range A3…Third range U... User BD...backdoor TL... Trunk Lid

Claims

1. A vehicle door control device having a processor for controlling the opening and closing of vehicle doors, The aforementioned processor, When an open request is received from an electronic terminal held by the user to open a predetermined target door of the vehicle, it is determined whether the user has entered a first range within a predetermined distance from the target door. When the user enters the first range, it is determined whether the user's approach speed to the target door is equal to or greater than a predetermined first speed. When the approach speed is equal to or greater than the first speed, the opening operation of the target door is initiated. A vehicle door control device that, when the approach speed is less than the first speed, determines whether the user has entered a predetermined second range that is shorter than the first range from the target door, and if the user has entered the second range, starts the opening operation of the target door.

2. A vehicle door control device according to claim 1, The aforementioned processor, When the user enters the first range, before determining the approach speed, it is determined whether the weather is rain and / or snow. If the weather is rain and / or snow, it is determined whether the target door is a back door that opens and closes vertically, a trunk lid that opens and closes vertically, or any other door. If the target door is the back door, it is determined whether the user has entered a third range, which is longer than the second range and less than or equal to the first range, and if the user has entered the third range, the opening operation of the target door is started. A vehicle door control device that determines whether the user has entered the second range when the target door is the trunk lid, and starts opening the target door when the user has entered the second range.

3. A vehicle door control device according to claim 1, The rear door of the aforementioned vehicle is a back door that opens and closes in the vertical direction. The aforementioned processor, When the user enters the first range, before determining the approach speed, it is determined whether the weather is rain and / or snow. If the weather is rain and / or snow, determine whether the target door is the rear door. If the target door is the rear door, it is determined whether the user has entered a third range, where the distance to the target door is longer than the second range and less than or equal to the first range. A vehicle door control device that initiates the opening operation of the target door when the user enters the third range.

4. A vehicle door control device according to claim 1, The aforementioned door is a trunk lid that opens and closes in the vertical direction. The aforementioned processor, When the user enters the first range, before determining the approach speed, it is determined whether the weather is rain and / or snow. If the weather is rain and / or snow, determine whether the user has entered the second range. A vehicle door control device that initiates the opening operation of the target door when the user enters the second range.

5. A vehicle door control method that controls the opening and closing of a vehicle door using a processor, The aforementioned processor, When an open request is received from an electronic terminal held by the user to open a predetermined target door of the vehicle, it is determined whether the user has entered a first range within a predetermined distance from the target door. When the user enters the first range, it is determined whether the user's approach speed to the target door is equal to or greater than a predetermined first speed. When the approach speed is equal to or greater than the first speed, the opening operation of the target door is initiated. A vehicle door control method that, when the approach speed is less than the first speed, determines whether the user has entered a predetermined second range where the distance to the target door is shorter than the first range, and if the user has entered the second range, starts the opening operation of the target door.

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