Control device and control method

Abstract

To provide a control device capable of attaining improvement of safety in a case where there is a person in a trailer.SOLUTION: A control device controls a vehicle pulling a trailer. The control device determines whether or not there is a user in the trailer at the time of a parking range. In a case where a switching operation of a shift range is performed by a driver when there is a user in the trailer, the control device ignores the switching operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a trailer provided with a toilet room has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The trailer is configured to be towed by a vehicle.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Here, when a person is using the trailer and the towing of the trailer by the vehicle is started, the trailer will move unexpectedly for the person in the trailer, which is not preferable in terms of safety.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a control device and a control method capable of improving safety when there is a person in the trailer.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The control device according to the present invention controls a vehicle that tows a trailer. The control device is configured to determine whether or not there is a person in the trailer in the parking range. The control device is configured to ignore the shift range switching operation by the driver when the shift range switching operation is performed while there is a person in the trailer.

[0007] By configuring in this way, when there is a person in the trailer, even if the driver performs a shift range switching operation, it is invalidated and the parking range is maintained. As a result, when the trailer is being used by a person, the trailer can be prevented from moving.

[0008] In the above control device, when ignoring the switching operation, it may be configured to notify the driver that there is a person in the trailer by using a notification device.

[0009] In the above control device, a toilet room may be provided in the trailer, and a detection unit for detecting the presence or absence of a person in the toilet room may be provided. The control device may be configured to be able to acquire the detection result of the detection unit.

[0010] The control method according to the present invention controls a vehicle that tows a trailer, and includes a step of determining whether there is a person in the trailer in the parking range, and a step of ignoring the switching operation performed by the driver when there is a person in the trailer.

Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the control device and control method of the present invention, it is possible to improve safety when there is a person in the trailer.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0014] First, the configuration of the vehicle system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle system 100 includes a vehicle 1 and a trailer 2. The vehicle 1 is configured to tow the trailer 2. A toilet room is provided in the trailer 2. Therefore, the vehicle system 100 is configured to be able to move the toilet room. When the toilet room is used by a user, the vehicle 1 and the trailer 2 are parked. Note that the user is an example of the "person" of the present invention.

[0016] The vehicle 1 includes a traveling power source 11, a shift switching device 12, a display 13, a speaker 14, an operation unit 15, a communication unit 16, and a control device 17. The traveling power source 11, the shift switching device 12, the display 13, the speaker 14, the operation unit 15, the communication unit 16, and the control device 17 are connected via a network 18.

[0017] The traveling power source 11 is configured to be able to output power for vehicle travel. For example, the traveling power source 11 may be an internal combustion engine or a motor. The shift switching device 12 is provided to switch the shift range of the vehicle 1. For example, as the shift range, a drive range, a reverse range, a neutral range, and a parking range are set.

[0018] The drive range is for forward travel, and the wheels are rotated forward by the power from the traveling power source 11. The reverse range is for reverse travel, and the wheels are rotated in reverse by the power from the traveling power source 11. The neutral range is for neutral, and the power transmission system between the traveling power source 11 and the wheels is cut off. The parking range is for parking, and the power transmission system between the traveling power source 11 and the wheels is locked.

[0019] The display 13 is configured to display various information and notify the driver. The speaker 14 is configured to output various information as sound and notify the driver. Note that the display 13 and the speaker 14 are an example of the "notification device" of the present invention.

[0020] The operation unit 15 is provided to receive a shift range switching operation by the driver. That is, the operation unit 15 is configured to be able to input a shift range switching instruction from the driver. Then, the operation unit 15 outputs a signal corresponding to the received switching operation to the control device 17. For example, the operation unit 15 may be a lever or a switch. The communication unit 16 is provided to communicate with the trailer 2.

[0021] The control device 17 is configured to control the vehicle 1. Specifically, the control device 17 includes an arithmetic unit and a storage unit, etc. Then, when the program stored in the storage unit is executed by the arithmetic unit, the vehicle 1 is controlled. Also, the control device 17 is configured to control the shift switching device 12 based on the input from the operation unit 15. For example, when the operation unit 15 receives a switching operation to the parking range, the control device 17 controls the shift switching device 12 to switch the shift range to the parking range. That is, it is possible to change the shift range by the driver operating the operation unit 15.

[0022] The trailer 2 includes a toilet device 21, a human sensor 22, a communication unit 23, and a control device 24. The toilet device 21, the human sensor 22, the communication unit 23, and the control device 24 are connected via a network 25.

[0023] The toilet device 21 is provided in the toilet room and has a toilet bowl and a toilet bowl washing unit, etc. The human sensor 22 is provided to detect the presence or absence of a user in the toilet room. Note that the human sensor 22 is an example of the "detection unit" of the present invention. The communication unit 23 is provided to communicate with the vehicle 1. The communication units 16 and 23 may be connected wirelessly or may be connected by wire.

[0024] The control device 24 is configured to control the trailer 2. Specifically, the control device 24 includes an arithmetic unit, a storage unit, and the like. Then, the trailer 2 is controlled by the program stored in the storage unit being executed by the arithmetic unit. Further, the control device 24 is configured to transmit the detection result of the human presence sensor 22 from the communication unit 23 to the vehicle 1.

[0025] In the present embodiment, the control device 17 of the vehicle 1 is configured to control the shift switching device 12 based on the inputs from the operation unit 15 and the communication unit 16. Specifically, the control device 17 is configured to determine whether or not there is a user in the toilet compartment when in the parking range. And when a shift range switching operation is performed by the driver when there is a user in the toilet compartment, the control device 17 is configured to ignore the switching operation. Thereby, when there is a user in the toilet compartment, even if a shift range switching operation is performed by the driver, it is made invalid and the parking range is maintained. Further, when ignoring the switching operation, the control device 17 is configured to notify the driver that there is a user in the toilet compartment by using the display 13 and the speaker 14.

[0026] -Operation when the shift range switching operation is invalid- Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the operation when the shift range switching operation is invalid in the vehicle system 100 will be described. The flowchart shown in FIG. 2 is repeatedly performed at predetermined time intervals.

[0027] First, in step S1, the control device 17 determines the current shift range. Note that the control device 17 is aware of the current shift range. And when the control device 17 determines that the current shift range is the parking range, the process proceeds to step S2. On the other hand, when the control device 17 determines that the current shift range is not the parking range, the process returns. That is, when the current shift range is the drive range, reverse range, or neutral range, the process returns.

[0028] Next, in step S2, the control device 17 determines whether there is a user in the toilet compartment. For example, the control device 17 requests the trailer 2 for the detection result of the human sensor 22. In response to the request, the trailer 2 transmits the detection result of the human sensor 22 to the vehicle 1. Therefore, the control device 17 acquires the detection result of the human sensor 22 via the communication unit 16. The control device 17 determines whether there is a user in the toilet compartment based on the detection result of the human sensor 22. And when the control device 17 determines that there is a user in the toilet compartment, the process proceeds to step S3. On the other hand, when the control device 17 determines that there is no user in the toilet compartment, the process returns.

[0029] Next, in step S3, the control device 17 determines whether or not the driver has performed a shift range switching operation. Specifically, when the operation unit 15 receives a shift range switching operation by the driver, a signal corresponding to the switching operation is output from the operation unit 15 and input to the control device 17. When a signal corresponding to the switching operation is input, the control device 17 determines that the shift range switching operation has been performed. When the control device 17 determines that the driver has performed a shift range switching operation, the process proceeds to step S4. That is, when the driver performs a switching operation to the drive range, reverse range, or neutral range, the process proceeds to step S4. On the other hand, when the control device 17 determines that the driver has not performed a shift range switching operation, the process returns.

[0030] Next, in step S4, the control device 17 ignores the driver's shift range switching operation and keeps the shift range in the parking range. That is, the driver's shift range switching operation is canceled and not changed from the parking range. Also, the control device 17 uses the display 13 and the speaker 14 to notify the driver that there is a user in the toilet compartment.

[0031] -Effect- In the present embodiment, as described above, when a shift range switching operation is performed when there is a user in the toilet compartment in the parking range, the shift range switching operation is ignored. By configuring in this way, when there is a user in the toilet compartment, even if the driver performs a shift range switching operation, it is invalidated and the parking range is maintained. Thereby, when the toilet compartment is being used by a user, the trailer can be prevented from moving. Therefore, it is possible to improve the safety when there is a user in the toilet compartment.

[0032] When the shift range is switched when there is no user in the toilet compartment, the shift range is switched. For example, when the shift range is switched to the drive range, the vehicle 1 can tow the trailer 2.

[0033] In addition, in the present embodiment, when the shift range switching operation is ignored, the driver is notified by the display 13 and the speaker 14 that there is a user in the toilet compartment. By configuring in this way, the driver can grasp the cause of the cancellation of the shift range switching operation.

[0034] -Other Embodiments- Note that the embodiments disclosed this time are illustrative in all respects and are not a basis for limiting interpretation. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is not interpreted only by the above-described embodiments, but is defined based on the description of the claims. Further, the technical scope of the present invention includes all changes within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0035] For example, in the above embodiment, an example in which the trailer 2 is provided with a toilet compartment is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a bathroom or the like may be provided in the trailer.

[0036] In addition, in the above embodiment, an example in which the presence or absence of a user in the toilet compartment is determined based on the detection result of the human sensor 22 is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the presence or absence of a user in the toilet compartment may be determined based on the detection result of a key sensor for the toilet compartment door. Further, the presence or absence of a user in the toilet compartment may be determined based on the detection result of a toilet seat sensor.

[0037] In addition, in the above embodiment, an example in which the display 13 and the speaker 14 for notifying the driver that there is a user in the toilet compartment are provided is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a display for notifying the driver that there is a user in the toilet compartment may not be provided. Further, a speaker for notifying the driver that there is a user in the toilet compartment may not be provided.

Industrial Applicability

[0038] The present invention can be used in a control device and a control method for controlling a vehicle that tow a trailer.

Explanation of Signs

[0039] 1 Vehicle 2 Trailer 13 Display (notification device) 14 Speaker (notification device) 17 Control device 22 Human sensor (detection unit)

Claims

1. A control device for controlling a vehicle that tows a trailer, configured to determine whether there is a person in the trailer in the parking range, and configured to ignore a shift range switching operation by a driver when a person is in the trailer. A control device characterized by that.

2. In the control device according to claim 1, A control device characterized in that when ignoring the switching operation, the driver is notified that there is a person in the trailer by using a notification device.

3. In the control device according to claim 1 or 2, The trailer is provided with a toilet room, and a detection unit for detecting the presence or absence of a person in the toilet room is provided, A control device characterized in that the detection result of the detection unit can be acquired.

4. A control method for controlling a vehicle that tows a trailer, A step of determining whether there is a person in the trailer in the parking range, and A control method characterized by comprising a step of ignoring a shift range switching operation by a driver when a person is in the trailer.

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