Vehicle ramp operating device and door operating device

Abstract

To prevent careless developing / storing of a slope or opening / closing of a door in a vehicle.SOLUTION: A slope operation device 14 comprises: a slope control unit 56 that controls developing / storing of a slope 52 in response to a developing or storing instruction of the slope 52 from a slope button 36 or 37; and a slope invalidation switch 66A operated to be switched on / off by a crew on a crew seat in a cabin. The slope control unit 56 invalidates the instruction from the slope button 36 or 37 when the slope invalidation switch 66A is on. A door operation device comprises a door control unit that controls opening / closing of a door in response to a door opening or closing instruction from a door button; and a door invalidation switch operated to be switch on / off by the crew on the crew seat in a cabin. The door control unit invalidates the instruction from the door button when the door invalidation switch is on.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a slope operating device and a door operating device for a vehicle, and more particularly to a device for operating the deployment and storage of a slope, and a device for operating the opening and closing of a door. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are vehicles equipped with electric ramps to allow wheelchairs, baby strollers, large carrier carts, etc. to easily enter the vehicle from sidewalks, roads, etc. The ramps are deployed from below the vehicle entrance onto the sidewalk, road, etc. The ramps are deployed and retracted by a person operating a button provided inside the vehicle or on the exterior of the vehicle.

[0003] Conventionally, vehicles have been equipped with electrically operated doors, which can be opened and closed by a person operating a button provided inside the vehicle or on the exterior of the vehicle.

[0004] Patent Document 1 relates to a vehicle equipped with a rear gate open switch that is disposed on the rear gate (back door) and that electrically opens the rear gate when operated, and discloses a configuration that disables the operation of the rear gate open switch when the vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined speed, and releases the disabled operation of the rear gate open switch when the vehicle is stopped and at least one of the passenger doors is open. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2005-225443 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in a vehicle equipped with an electric ramp, there is a risk that the ramp's deployment or retraction operation may be inadvertently initiated by operating a button provided inside the vehicle cabin or on the vehicle exterior. Similarly, in a vehicle equipped with an electric door, there is a risk that the door's opening or closing operation may be inadvertently initiated by operating a button provided inside the vehicle cabin or on the vehicle exterior. It is desirable to be able to prevent the ramp from being deployed or retracted or the doors from being opened or closed inadvertently in a vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The vehicle slope operating device of the present invention is a slope operating device for a vehicle equipped with a slope that deploys or retracts from below the vehicle entrance / exit, and comprises a slope button that is provided inside the vehicle cabin or on the exterior of the vehicle and operates to deploy or retract the slope, a disable switch that is turned on and off by a driver sitting in the driver's seat inside the vehicle cabin, and a slope control unit that controls the deployment and retraction of the slope in accordance with a slope deployment command or retraction command issued by the slope button, wherein the slope control unit disables the slope deployment and retraction commands issued by the slope button when the disable switch is on, and enables these commands when the disable switch is off.

[0008] According to this configuration, when the disabling switch is on, the command to deploy or retract the slope by operating the slope button is disabled, thereby preventing inadvertent deployment and retraction of the slope.

[0009] The vehicle slope operating device of the present invention may further include a crew button operated by the crew, a disabling switch control unit that switches the disabling switch on and off in response to a switching command issued by operation of the crew button, and a sensor that detects the movement of the vehicle, and the disabling switch control unit may disable a switching command from the crew button to turn the disabling switch from on to off while the movement of the vehicle is detected by the sensor.

[0010] According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the disablement switch from being inadvertently turned from on to off while the vehicle is traveling.

[0011] The vehicle slope operating device of the present invention may further include a crew button operated by the crew, and a disabling switch control unit that switches the disabling switch on and off in response to a switching command by operating the crew button, and the disabling switch control unit may automatically switch the disabling switch from off to on when the ramp deployment operation or storage operation is completed.

[0012] With this configuration, after the ramp has been deployed or retracted, it can be turned on without the crew having to operate the disable switch.

[0013] The vehicle door operating device of the present invention comprises a door button that is provided inside the vehicle cabin or on the exterior of the vehicle and that opens or closes the vehicle door when operated, a disable switch that is turned on or off when operated by a driver in the driver's seat inside the vehicle cabin, and a door control unit that controls opening and closing of the door in accordance with a door open or close command issued by the door button, wherein the door control unit disables the door open and close commands issued by the door button when the disable switch is on, and enables these commands when the disable switch is off.

[0014] According to this configuration, when the disabling switch is on, the door open or close command issued by operating the door button is disabled, thereby preventing the door from being opened or closed inadvertently.

[0015] The vehicle door operating device of the present invention may further include a crew button operated by the crew member, a disabling switch control unit that switches the disabling switch on and off in response to a switching command from the operation of the crew button, and a sensor that detects the movement of the vehicle, and the disabling switch control unit may disable the switching command from the crew button to turn the disabling switch from on to off while the movement of the vehicle is detected by the sensor.

[0016] According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the disablement switch from being inadvertently turned from on to off while the vehicle is traveling.

[0017] The vehicle door operating device of the present invention may further include a crew button operated by the crew member, and a disabling switch control unit that switches the disabling switch on and off in response to a switching command by operating the crew button, and the disabling switch control unit may automatically switch the disabling switch from off to on when the door opening operation or closing operation is completed.

[0018] According to this configuration, after the door opening or closing operation is completed, the disable switch can be turned on without the driver having to operate it. Effect of the Invention

[0019] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the ramp from being unfolded or stored in a vehicle or the door from being opened or closed inadvertently. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a vehicle with a door open. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the vehicle door is opened and the slope is deployed. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an interior of a vehicle. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 shows door buttons and ramp buttons located inside the vehicle cabin. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is another perspective view showing the interior of the vehicle; [Figure 7A] 13 is a perspective view showing the illuminated state of the slope driver button. FIG. [Figure 7B] 13 is a perspective view showing the slope attendant button in its off state. FIG. [Figure 8A] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a lighted state of the door attendant button. [Figure 8B] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the door attendant button is turned off. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a slope operation device. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a state transition diagram of a slope nullification switch. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the door operating device. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a state transition diagram of a door disabling switch. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram of another slope operation device. [Figure 14] FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of another door operating device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The configuration described below is an example for explanation and can be appropriately changed according to the specifications of the vehicle. In all drawings, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations are omitted. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, terms indicating directions and orientations such as front, back, left, right, up, down, etc. indicate directions and orientations related to the vehicle. In each drawing, the arrow FR points forward, the arrow UP points upward, and the arrow LH points leftward.

[0022] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle 10 according to an embodiment, Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a door 42 of the vehicle 10 is open, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the door 42 of the vehicle 10 is open and a slope 52 is deployed. Note that Figs. 2 and 3 show simplified views of the interior of the vehicle cabin.

[0023] The vehicle 10 is an electric vehicle having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and is capable of being driven autonomously. Specifically, the vehicle 10 is capable of being driven in a plurality of driving modes including an autonomous driving mode and a manual driving mode.

[0024] The vehicle 10 is used as a bus shared by an unspecified number of passengers. However, the manner of use of the vehicle 10 can be changed as appropriate. For example, the vehicle 10 may be used as a retail store that displays and sells various products, a restaurant that cooks and serves food and beverages, or the like. The vehicle 10 may also be used as an office for conducting clerical work or meetings with customers. The vehicle 10 may also be used as a taxi, a transportation vehicle, or the like that transports customers or luggage. The usage scene of the vehicle 10 is not limited to business, and the vehicle 10 may also be used as, for example, a means of personal transportation.

[0025] The vehicle 10 includes a base frame 17 forming the framework of the lower part of the vehicle body, a vehicle drive unit 18 attached to the base frame 17, an underfloor panel 20 (see FIG. 2) provided on the upper side of the base frame 17 and forming the floor of the vehicle compartment, and a body 22 forming the outer shell of the upper part of the vehicle body. An entrance 24 is formed on one side of the vehicle body. The entrance 24 is located approximately in the center in the front-to-rear direction, and is closed by a door 42 when the vehicle is traveling. The vehicle 10 also includes a slope 52 (see FIG. 3) that unfolds from the lower side of the entrance 24 to the outside of the vehicle. In the stored state, the slope 52 is located in the gap between the base frame 17 and the underfloor panel 20.

[0026] The door 42 is a sliding door, and by operating the door buttons 30, 31 on the exterior of the vehicle body or the door button 32 inside the vehicle compartment (see Figure 5), the front door 42 moves forward and the rear door 42 moves rearward, thereby opening the entrance / exit 24.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 3, the slope 52 includes, for example, three slope plates 52A, 52B, and 52C. The slope 52 is deployed outward from the vehicle by operating the slope button 36 on the exterior of the vehicle body or the slope button 37 (see Fig. 5) inside the vehicle cabin. Specifically, when the slope button 36 or 37 is pressed, the slope plate 52A is deployed first, then the slope plate 52B is deployed while being guided by the already deployed slope plate 52A, and further the slope plate 52C is deployed while being guided by the already deployed slope plate 52B. Then, when the tip of the slope plate 52C comes into contact with the sidewalk, road, or the like, the deployment operation of the slope 52 is completed.

[0028] Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the interior of the vehicle 10, Fig. 5 is a view showing the door button 32 and the slope button 37 in the interior of the vehicle 10, and Fig. 6 is another perspective view showing the interior of the vehicle 10. As shown in Fig. 4, the center of the interior of the vehicle is a floor for passengers who board standing or for placing a wheelchair on which a passenger sits. In addition, seats 80 for passengers are provided along the side walls of the interior of the vehicle.

[0029] The vehicle is provided with a driver's seat 82 for a driver who controls the automatic driving and operates each device (air conditioner, wipers, etc.) installed in the vehicle. In Fig. 4, a seat 82a of the driver's seat 82 is lowered to expose a seat surface 82b, but the seat 82a can be lifted up. The driver's seat 82 is provided on the left side of the vehicle interior, near the front side of the door 42.

[0030] An armrest 83 extending in the front-rear direction is provided in front of the driver's seat 82, on which the driver sitting in the driver's seat 82 can place his / her arms. The armrest 83 is disposed at the left end of the vehicle interior, and is provided above the seat surface 82b of the driver's seat 82 in the seated state.

[0031] A touch panel 88 (see FIG. 6) is provided at the front end of the armrest 83, standing upward from the upper surface of the armrest 83. The touch panel 88 faces the rear (i.e., the driver's seat 82 side). Thus, the driver can operate the touch panel 88 with his / her hands while sitting in the driver's seat 82 and resting his / her arms on the armrest 83. The touch panel 88 makes it possible to input vehicle speed control instructions during the autonomous driving mode, and to input device control instructions for devices installed in the vehicle (such as blinkers, horn, headlights, air conditioner, and wipers).

[0032] The armrest 83 is also provided with a storage section 84 that stores a mechanical operation unit for inputting driving control instructions to the vehicle. The storage section 84 is covered with a lid 85, and when stored in the storage section 84, the mechanical operation unit is not exposed to the vehicle interior. The upper surface of the armrest 83 and the lid 85 are flush with each other. The mechanical operation unit is mainly pulled out from the storage section 84 when the driving mode of the vehicle is the manual driving mode. The mechanical operation unit is, for example, a stick-shaped member that extends in the vertical direction and can be tilted in the forward / backward and left / right directions with the lower end as a fulcrum. The vehicle 10 can be accelerated or decelerated by tilting the mechanical operation unit forward and backward, and the vehicle 10 can be turned left and right by tilting the mechanical operation unit left and right.

[0033] An upper surface of the armrest 83 is provided with a slope crew member button 60A and a door crew member button 60B, which will be described in detail later.

[0034] A display 89 (see FIG. 6) that displays information about the vehicle is provided in the front left corner of the vehicle interior. The display 89 displays information such as the vehicle speed, outside temperature, and the next stop. Like the touch panel 88, the display surface of the display 89 faces rearward, so that the touch panel 88 and the display 89 are visible side by side when viewed by the driver sitting in the driver's seat 82.

[0035] 5, a storage section 86 for storing the slope 52 is formed under the underfloor panel 20 on the front side of the boarding / alighting entrance 24 (on the right side of the vehicle). The slope 52 is configured to be deployed from the storage section 86 to the outside of the vehicle when deployed, and to return from the outside of the vehicle to inside the storage section 86 when stored.

[0036] Next, the door operating device and the slope operating device of the vehicle 10 will be described in detail. The vehicle 10 has three door buttons 30, 31, and 32 and two slope buttons 36 and 37. As shown in Fig. 1, the door button 30 is provided on the outer surface of the door 42, and the door button 31 is provided on the side of the vehicle body rearward of the entrance / exit 15. Also, as shown in Fig. 5, the door button 32 is provided inside the vehicle cabin, and is provided near the door 42, rearward of the driver's seat 82, and above the driver's seat 82.

[0037] The door buttons 30, 31, and 32 are buttons (also called push button type buttons) that are pressed by a human finger or the like to close or open the switch and detect the button operation. When the door 42 is closed, pressing any one of the door buttons 30, 31, and 32 sends a door open command to a door control unit (described later), which opens the door 42. When the door 42 is open, pressing any one of the door buttons 30, 31, and 32 sends a door close command to the door control unit, which closes the door 42.

[0038] 1, the slope button 36 is provided on the side of the vehicle body rearward of the boarding / alighting door 15. As shown in FIG. 5, the slope button 37 is provided inside the vehicle cabin, near the door 42, rearward of the driver's seat 82, and above the driver's seat 82.

[0039] The slope buttons 36 and 37 are push buttons, similar to the door buttons 30, 31 and 32. When the slope 52 is in the stored state, pressing any one of the slope buttons 36 and 37 sends a slope deployment command to a slope control unit (described later), which deploys the slope 52 to the outside of the vehicle. When the slope 52 is in the deployed state, pressing any one of the slope buttons 36 and 37 sends a slope storage command to the slope control unit, which deploys the slope 52 from the outside of the vehicle to the inside of the vehicle.

[0040] In this embodiment, the door button 31 and the slope button 36 are provided on the side of the vehicle body rearward of the entrance 15, but they may be provided on the side of the vehicle body forward of the entrance 15. Also, the door button 31 and the slope button 36 may be integrated into one to be called a door slope button. In this case, when the door 42 is in a closed state and the slope 52 is in a stored state, pressing the door slope button sends a door open command to the door control unit and a slope deployment command to the slope control unit, so that the door 42 opens and the slope 52 deploys. Also, when the door 42 is in an open state and the slope 52 is in a deployed state, pressing the door slope button sends a door close command to the door control unit and a slope storage command to the slope control unit, so that the door 42 closes and the slope 52 is stored.

[0041] As described above, the slope crew button 60A and the door crew button 60B are provided on the upper surface of the armrest 83 (see FIG. 6). FIGS. 7A and 7B are perspective views of the slope crew button 60A, with FIG. 7A showing the button in a lit state and FIG. 7B showing the button in an unlit state. The slope crew button 60A (also simply called the crew button 60A) is a push button type button. The crew button 60A includes a base portion 63A fixed to the upper surface of the armrest 83 and an operation portion 61A arranged inside the base portion 63A so as to be able to be pressed down against the base portion 63A. The operation portion 61A is a translucent or transparent member, has the words "slope operation disabled" printed in the center, and includes a lamp 62A inside. The lamp 62A is lit as shown in FIG. 7A when a slope disable switch (described later) is in an on state, and is unlit as shown in FIG. 7B when the switch is in an off state.

[0042] 8A and 8B are perspective views of the door attendant button 60B, where FIG. 8A shows the button in a lit state and FIG. 8B shows the button in an unlit state. The door attendant button 60B (also simply called the attendant button 60B) is a button similar to the slope attendant button 60A, and is a push button type button. The attendant button 60B also has a base portion 63B fixed to the upper surface of the armrest 83, and an operation portion 61B arranged inside the base portion 63B so as to be able to be pressed down against the base portion 63B. The operation portion 61B is a translucent or transparent member, has the words "DOOR OPERATION DISABLED" printed in the center, and has a lamp 62B inside. The lamp 62B is lit as shown in FIG. 8A when a door disabling switch (described later) is in an on state, and is turned off as shown in FIG. 8B when the switch is in an off state.

[0043] 9 is a functional block diagram of the slope operation device 14. The slope operation device 14 includes the slope buttons 36, 37, the slope control unit 56, the slope device 50, a slope disabling switch 66A (also simply referred to as the disabling switch 66A), a slope disabling switch control unit 64A (also simply referred to as the disabling switch control unit 64A), a slope crew button 60A, and a travel detection sensor 70.

[0044] The slope control unit 56 includes a processor having a CPU and a memory storing a control program and the like, and the processor operates according to the control program stored in the memory to control the slope device 50. The processor may include an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or the like instead of or in addition to the CPU.

[0045] The slope device 50 includes a slope 52 and a slope deployment / storage mechanism 51 which is an actuator for deploying and retracting the slope 52.

[0046] In this embodiment, the nullifying switch 66A is a relay switch. The nullifying switch control unit 64A includes a processor having a CPU and a memory storing a control program and the like, and the processor operates according to the control program stored in the memory to control the nullifying switch 66A. The processor of the nullifying switch control unit 64A may include an ASIC or the like instead of or in addition to the CPU. In this embodiment, the slope control unit 56 and the nullifying switch control unit 64A are separate entities, but they may be an integrated control unit.

[0047] The travel detection sensor 70 is a device that outputs a detection result indicating whether the vehicle is in a stopped state or a moving state. The detection result of the travel detection sensor 70 is input to the disable switch control unit 64A. In this embodiment, the travel detection sensor 70 is a speed sensor that detects the speed of the vehicle, and the disable switch control unit 64A determines that the vehicle is in a stopped state when the detection result of the speed sensor (vehicle speed) is 0, and determines that the vehicle is in a moving state when the detection result is other than 0.

[0048] The travel detection sensor 70 may be various devices as long as the disabling switch control unit 64A can determine whether the vehicle is stopped or running. For example, the travel detection sensor 70 may be a sensor that detects the range state (P range, D range, etc.) of the vehicle's shift device. In this case, the disabling switch control unit 64A determines that the vehicle is stopped when the shift device is in the P range (parking range) state, and determines that the vehicle is running when the shift device is in a state other than the P range. For example, the travel detection sensor 70 may be a sensor that detects the state of the electric parking brake of the vehicle. In this case, the disabling switch control unit 64A determines that the vehicle is stopped when the electric parking brake is in the operating state, and determines that the vehicle is running when the electric parking brake is in the released state. The travel detection sensor 70 may be a controller that recognizes the range state of the shift device or the operating / release state of the electric parking brake.

[0049] The slope control unit 56 is electrically connected to the slope buttons 36, 37, the slope deployment / storage mechanism 51 of the slope device 50, the disabling switch 66A, and the disabling switch control unit 64A. The disabling switch control unit 64A is electrically connected to the disabling switch 66A, the slope control unit 56, the travel detection sensor 70, and the driver button 60A.

[0050] The disablement switch 66A is switched on and off by the crew button 60A via the disablement switch control unit 64A. When the crew button 60A is pressed while the disablement switch 66A is in the on state, the disablement switch control unit 64A switches the disablement switch 66A from on to off. However, as described below, switching of the disablement switch 66A from on to off is restricted while the vehicle is traveling. In addition, when the crew button 60A is pressed while the disablement switch 66A is in the off state, the disablement switch control unit 64A switches the disablement switch 66A from off to on.

[0051] When the nullification switch 66A is in the on state, the nullification switch control unit 64A turns on the lamp 62A of the crew button 60A (see FIG. 7A), and when the nullification switch 66A is in the off state, the nullification switch control unit 64A turns off the lamp 62A of the crew button 60A (see FIG. 7B). Therefore, the crew can understand that pressing the crew button 60A when the lamp 62A is on is a switching command to switch the nullification switch 66A from on to off, and pressing the crew button 60A when the lamp 62A is off is a switching command to switch the nullification switch 66A from off to on.

[0052] When the disabling switch 66A is off, the slope control unit 56 accepts a slope deployment command or a slope storage command issued by operating the slope buttons 36, 37. That is, when the slope 52 is in a stored state and one of the slope buttons 36, 37 is pressed, the slope control unit 56 determines that a slope deployment command has been issued, and controls the slope deployment and storage mechanism 51 to deploy the slope 52. Also, when the slope 52 is in a deployed state and one of the slope buttons 36, 37 is pressed, the slope control unit 56 determines that a slope storage command has been issued, and controls the slope deployment and storage mechanism 51 to store the slope 52.

[0053] On the other hand, when the disabling switch 66A is on, the slope control unit 56 disables the slope deployment or storage command issued by the operation of the slope buttons 36, 37. In other words, the slope control unit 56 ignores the operation of the slope buttons 36, 37 and does not deploy or store the slope 52. This makes it possible to prevent a situation in which the slope buttons 36, 37 are inadvertently operated by a passenger or the like, causing the deployment or storage operation of the slope 52 to be started inadvertently.

[0054] Fig. 10 is a state transition diagram of the disabling switch 66A. When the disabling switch control unit 64A determines that the vehicle is stopped based on the detection result of the travel detection sensor 70 (see Fig. 9) while the disabling switch 66A is in the on state, and the crew button 60A is pressed (condition A), the disabling switch control unit 64A switches the disabling switch 66A from the on state to the off state.

[0055] On the other hand, when the disablement switch control unit 64A determines that the vehicle is in a traveling state based on the detection result of the traveling detection sensor 70 while the disablement switch 66A is in an on state, the disablement switch control unit 64A maintains the on state of the disablement switch 66A even if the crew button 60A is pressed. That is, the disablement switch control unit 64A disables a switching command from the crew button 60A to turn the disablement switch 66A from on to off. This makes it possible to prevent the crew button 60A from being unintentionally pressed while the vehicle is traveling, causing the disablement switch 66A to switch from on to off.

[0056] Furthermore, when the crew button 60A is pressed while the nullification switch 66A is in the OFF state (condition B), the nullification switch control unit 64A switches the nullification switch 66A from the OFF state to the ON state.

[0057] Furthermore, when one of the slope buttons 36, 37 is pressed to start the unfolding or retracting operation of the slope 52 while the unfolding switch 66A is in the off state, and the operation is completed (condition C), the disabling switch control unit 64A switches the disabling switch 66A from the off state to the on state. Specifically, when the disabling switch control unit 64A receives a completion notification (see FIG. 9) of the unfolding or retracting operation of the slope 52 from the slope control unit 56, the disabling switch control unit 64A switches the disabling switch 66A from the off state to the on state. In this way, the disabling switch 66A automatically switches from off to on without the crew member operating the crew button 60A.

[0058] According to the slope operation device 14 described above, by the crew turning on the disabling switch 66A, it is possible to prevent the slope 52 from being inadvertently deployed or retracted by the operation of the slope buttons 36, 37, not only when the vehicle is moving, but also when the vehicle is stopped. For example, after the vehicle 10 stops, the crew confirms that there are no people, animals, objects, etc. ahead of the slope 52 to be deployed, and then switches the disabling switch 66A from on to off using the crew button 60A, and then enables the operation of the slope buttons 36, 37 by passengers, etc., to safely deploy the slope 52. In addition, when the deployment operation of the slope 52 is completed, the disabling switch 66A automatically switches from off to on. When storing the ramp 52 inside the vehicle body, for example, the crew member checks that there are no people, animals, objects, etc. on the ramp 52, and then switches the disable switch 66A from on to off using the crew button 60A. After that, operation of the ramp buttons 36, 37 by passengers, etc. becomes effective, allowing the ramp 52 to be safely stored.

[0059] Next, the door operation device 12 will be described. FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram of the door operation device 12. The door operation device 12 includes the door buttons 30, 31, and 32, the door control unit 46, the door device 40, a door disable switch 66B (also simply referred to as the disable switch 66B), a door disable switch control unit 64B (also simply referred to as the disable switch control unit 64B), a door crew button 60B, and a travel detection sensor 70. The disable switch 66B, the disable switch control unit 64B, and the crew button 60B have the same configurations as the disable switch 66A, the disable switch control unit 64A, and the crew button 60A in the above-mentioned slope operation device 14, respectively. The travel detection sensor 70 of the door operation device 12 is the same as the travel detection sensor in the slope operation device 14. Therefore, the description of the disable switch 66B, the disable switch control unit 64B, the crew button 60B, and the travel detection sensor 70 in the door operation device 12 will be omitted as appropriate.

[0060] The door control unit 46 includes a processor having a CPU and a memory storing a control program and the like, and the processor operates according to the control program stored in the memory to control the door device 40. The processor of the door control unit 46 may include an ASIC or the like instead of or in addition to the CPU. In this embodiment, the door control unit 46 and the disabling switch control unit 64B are separate entities, but they may be an integrated control unit.

[0061] The door device 40 includes a door 42 (sliding door) and a door opening / closing mechanism 41 which is an actuator that opens and closes the door 42.

[0062] The door buttons 30, 31, and 32, the door opening / closing mechanism 41 of the door device 40, the disabling switch 66B, and the disabling switch control unit 64B are electrically connected to the door control unit 46. The disabling switch control unit 64B is also electrically connected to the disabling switch 66B, the door control unit 46, the travel detection sensor 70, and the driver button 60B.

[0063] The disablement switch 66B is switched on and off by the crew button 60B via the disablement switch control unit 64B. When the crew button 60B is pressed while the disablement switch 66B is in the on state, the disablement switch control unit 64B switches the disablement switch 66B from on to off. However, as described below, switching of the disablement switch 66B from on to off is restricted while the vehicle is traveling. In addition, when the crew button 60B is pressed while the disablement switch 66B is in the off state, the disablement switch control unit 64B switches the disablement switch 66B from off to on.

[0064] When the nullification switch 66B is in the on state, the nullification switch control unit 64B turns on the lamp 62B of the crew button 60B (see FIG. 8A), and when the nullification switch 66B is in the off state, the nullification switch control unit 64B turns off the lamp 62B of the crew button 60B (see FIG. 8B). Therefore, the crew can understand that pressing the crew button 60B when the lamp 62B is on is a switching command to switch the nullification switch 66B from on to off, and pressing the crew button 60B when the lamp 62B is off is a switching command to switch the nullification switch 66B from off to on.

[0065] When the disabling switch 66B is off, the door control unit 46 accepts a door open command or a door close command issued by operating the door buttons 30, 31, and 32. That is, when the door 42 is in a closed state, the door control unit 46 determines that a door open command has been issued when any one of the door buttons 30, 31, and 32 is pressed, and controls the door opening / closing mechanism 41 to open the door 42. Also, when the door 42 is in an open state, the door control unit 46 determines that a door close command has been issued when any one of the door buttons 30, 31, and 32 is pressed, and controls the door opening / closing mechanism 41 to close the door 42.

[0066] On the other hand, when the disabling switch 66B is on, the door control unit 46 disables the door open command or close command issued by the operation of the door buttons 30, 31, 32. In other words, the door control unit 46 ignores the operation of the door buttons 30, 31, 32 and does not open or close the door 42. This makes it possible to prevent a situation in which the door buttons 30, 31, 32 are inadvertently operated, causing the opening or closing operation of the door 42 to be inadvertently started.

[0067] Fig. 11 is a state transition diagram of the disabling switch 66B. When the disabling switch control unit 64B determines that the vehicle is stopped based on the detection result of the travel detection sensor 70 (see Fig. 11) while the disabling switch 66B is in the on state, and the crew button 60B is pressed (condition A'), the disabling switch control unit 64B switches the disabling switch 66B from the on state to the off state.

[0068] On the other hand, when the disabling switch control unit 64B is in the on state, while it is determined that the vehicle is in a traveling state based on the detection result of the traveling detection sensor 70, the disabling switch control unit 64B maintains the on state of the disabling switch 66B even if the crew button 60B is pressed. That is, the disabling switch control unit 64B disables a switching command from the crew button 60B to turn the disabling switch 66B from on to off. This makes it possible to prevent the crew button 60B from being unintentionally pressed while the vehicle is traveling, causing the disabling switch 66B to switch from on to off.

[0069] Furthermore, when the crew button 60B is pressed while the nullification switch 66B is in the OFF state (condition B'), the nullification switch control unit 64B switches the nullification switch 66B from the OFF state to the ON state.

[0070] Furthermore, when one of the door buttons 30, 31, 32 is pressed to start the opening or closing operation of the door 42 while the disabling switch 66B is in the off state, and the operation is completed (condition C'), the disabling switch control unit 64B switches the disabling switch 66B from the off state to the on state. Specifically, when the disabling switch control unit 64B receives a completion notification (see FIG. 11) of the opening or closing operation of the door 42 from the door control unit 46, the disabling switch control unit 64B switches the disabling switch 66B from the off state to the on state. In this way, the disabling switch 66B is automatically switched from off to on without the driver operating the driver button 60B.

[0071] According to the door operation device 12 described above, by the driver turning on the disabling switch 66B, it is possible to prevent the door 42 from being opened or closed inadvertently by the operation of the door buttons 30, 31, 32, not only when the vehicle is moving but also when the vehicle is stopped. For example, after the vehicle 10 stops, the driver checks that no one is leaning on the door 42, and then switches the disabling switch 66B from on to off using the driver button 60B, and then enables the operation of the door buttons 30, 31, 32 by passengers, etc., so that the door 42 can be opened safely. Furthermore, when the opening operation of the door 42 is completed, the disabling switch 66B automatically switches from off to on. When closing the door 42, for example, the crew member checks that there are no people, animals, objects, etc. near the door 42, and then switches the disable switch 66B from on to off using the crew member button 60B, and then enables the operation of the door buttons 30, 31, 32 by passengers, etc., thereby allowing the door 42 to be closed safely.

[0072] Although the disabling switches 66A, 66B in the slope operating device 14 and the door operating device 12 described above are relay switches, they may be switches other than relay switches. For example, the disabling switches 66A, 66B may be in a form in which the on / off state is managed by software inside the disabling switch control units 64A, 64B (for example, a variable in a program is used as the disabling switch, and the value of the variable, 1 or 0 (on / off state), is stored in memory). Also, for example, the disabling switches 66A, 66B may be in a form in which the on / off state is managed by hardware inside the disabling switch control units 64A, 64B (for example, a flip-flop is used as the disabling switch, and on (1) and off (0) are managed by the flip-flop).

[0073] Next, a slope operation device and a door operation device of another embodiment will be described. FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram of a slope operation device 14a of another embodiment. The slope operation device 14a uses a toggle switch as the disabling switch 67A, which is provided on the upper surface of the armrest 83 (see FIG. 6), and is configured so that the crew member directly switches the disabling switch 67A (toggle switch). That is, the slope operation device 14a is configured so that the crew member switches the slope deployment command or storage command from the slope buttons 36, 37 between disabled and enabled by switching the disabling switch 67A on and off with their finger. According to the slope operation device 14a, the disabling switch control unit 64A and the crew button 60A in the slope operation device 14 described above can be omitted, and therefore the device configuration can be simplified.

[0074] FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram of a door operating device 12a of another embodiment. This door operating device 12a has the same configuration as the slope operating device 14a of the above-mentioned another embodiment. That is, the door operating device 12a uses a toggle switch as the disabling switch 67B, which is provided on the upper surface of the armrest 83, and is configured so that the driver directly switches the disabling switch 67B (toggle switch). That is, this door operating device 12a is configured so that the driver switches the door open command or close command from the door buttons 30, 31, and 32 between disabled and enabled by switching the disabling switch 67B on and off with his finger. According to this door operating device 12a, the disabling switch control unit 64B and the driver button 60B in the door operating device 12 described above can be omitted, so that the device configuration can be simplified.

[0075] In the slope operating device 14a and the door operating device 12a of the other embodiment described above, toggle switches are used as the disabling switches 67A, 67B, but the disabling switches 67A, 67B may be switches other than toggle switches as long as they can maintain an off state and an on state. For example, the disabling switches 67A, 67B may be locking push buttons (buttons in which an internal locking mechanism keeps the button pressed (on state) when the button is pressed, and the lock is released by pressing the button a second time, etc.).

[0076] The vehicle 10 described above is a shared-ride bus with a driver's seat 82 near the boarding / alighting entrance 24, and the driver's button 60A, 60B or the disable switch 67A, 67B is provided at a position accessible to the driver in the driver's seat 82. However, the vehicle 10 may be a passenger car, bus, or the like that has a driver's seat behind the windshield and is equipped with a steering wheel, an accelerator pedal, a brake pedal, and the like. In this case, it is preferable to provide the driver's button 60A, 60B or the disable switch 67A, 67B at a position accessible to the driver in the driver's seat. In this specification, the driver's seat includes the driver's seat, and the driver includes the driver. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 10 vehicle, 12, 12a door operating device, 14, 14a slope operating device, 17 base frame, 18 vehicle drive unit, 20 underfloor panel, 22 body, 24 boarding / alighting entrance (vehicle boarding / alighting entrance), 30, 31, 32 door button, 36, 37 slope button, 40 door device, 41 door opening / closing mechanism, 42 sliding door (door), 46 door control unit, 50 slope device, 51 slope deployment / storage mechanism, 52 slope, 52A, 52B, 52C slope plate, 56 slope control unit, 60A slope driver button (driver button), 60B door driver button (driver button), 61A, 61B operation unit, 62A, 62B lamp, 63A, 63B base unit, 64A slope disable switch control unit (disable switch control unit), 64B Door disable switch control unit (disable switch control unit), 66A slope disable switch (disable switch), 66B door disable switch (disable switch), 67A slope disable switch (disable switch), 67B door disable switch (disable switch), 70 motion detection sensor, 80 seat, 82 crew seat, 82a seat portion, 82b seat surface, 83 armrest, 84 storage portion, 85 lid, 86 storage portion, 88 touch panel, 89 display.

Claims

1. A slope operating device for a vehicle equipped with a slope that is deployed from a lower side of the vehicle entrance to the outside of the vehicle, A slope button that is provided inside the vehicle cabin or on the exterior of the vehicle and that operates to deploy or retract the slope; A slope control unit that controls the deployment and storage of the slope in accordance with a slope deployment command or a slope storage command issued by the slope button; A driver button operated by a driver in a driver's seat in the vehicle cabin; A disable switch, A disable switch control unit that switches the disable switch on and off in response to a switching command by operating the crew button, The slope control unit is When the disabling switch is on, the ramp deployment command and ramp retract command from the ramp button are disabled, and when the disabling switch is off, those commands are enabled; The nullification switch control unit is When the ramp deployment or retraction operation is completed, the disable switch is automatically switched from OFF to ON. A slope operation device for a vehicle.

2. 2. The vehicle slope operation device according to claim 1, A sensor for detecting the movement of the vehicle is further provided. The nullification switch control unit is while the sensor detects that the vehicle is moving, the command to switch the disable switch from on to off from the driver button is invalidated; A slope operation device for a vehicle.

3. A door operating device for a vehicle, A door button that is provided inside the vehicle or on the exterior of the vehicle and that opens or closes a vehicle door when operated; a door control unit that controls opening and closing of the door in accordance with an opening command or a closing command of the door by the door button; A driver button operated by a driver in a driver's seat in the vehicle cabin; A disable switch, A disable switch control unit that switches the disable switch on and off in response to a switching command by operating the crew button, The door control unit includes: When the disable switch is on, the door open command and the door close command from the door button are disabled, and when the disable switch is off, the door open command and the door close command are enabled; The nullification switch control unit is When the door opening or closing operation is completed, the disable switch is automatically switched from OFF to ON. A vehicle door operating device comprising:

4. The vehicle door operating device according to claim 3, A sensor for detecting the movement of the vehicle is further provided. The nullification switch control unit is while the sensor detects that the vehicle is moving, the command to switch the disable switch from on to off from the driver button is invalidated; A vehicle door operating device comprising:

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