Driving assistance devices

Abstract

To provide a driving assistance device which prevents execution of unnecessary driving assistance control.SOLUTION: A driving assistance device 1 includes: a radar 20 which is provided in a rear portion of an own vehicle and transmits a radio wave to a predetermined detection region θ directed toward a rear side and a lateral side of the own vehicle, receives the radio wave reflected in the detection region θ, and detects a target around the own vehicle based on the received radio wave; a control device which executes driving assistance control including at least one of alert directed to a driver or braking of the own vehicle when a target is detected by the radar 20; and a door opening detection device which detects whether or not a predetermined door DRL (DRR), which may enter the detection region θ when the door is opened, is opened among doors of the own vehicle. The control device prevents the driving assistance control when the opening of the door DRL (DRR) is detected by the door opening detection device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a driving assistance device that is mounted on a vehicle, detects targets present around the vehicle, and executes driving assistance control (predetermined control for improving vehicle safety) based on the detection results. [Background technology]

[0002] A driving assistance device (hereinafter referred to as a "conventional device") has been proposed that is mounted on a vehicle, detects targets present around the vehicle, and executes predetermined control to improve the safety of the vehicle based on the detection results (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below). The conventional device includes a transmitter, a receiver, a controller, and the like. The transmitter includes a transmitting antenna that transmits radio waves toward the surroundings of the vehicle (for example, a predetermined detection area extending rearward and to the side (diagonally rearward in a plan view)). The radio waves are reflected by targets (other vehicles, pedestrians, guardrails, poles, etc.) present diagonally behind the vehicle. The receiver includes a receiving antenna that receives the reflected waves and outputs a signal representing the reflected waves (hereinafter referred to as a "reflected wave signal"). The controller calculates the positions (distance from the vehicle, direction as seen from the vehicle, etc.) of multiple (several hundred) reflection points (reflecting points of radio waves) based on the reflected wave signal, and detects targets present around the vehicle based on the calculation results. Based on the detection results, the control device then executes driving assistance control such as issuing an alarm or braking. Hereinafter, this function will be referred to as the "Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) function" and the "Rear Cross Traffic Brake (RCTB) function." [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2008-531388 Summary of the Invention

[0004] The conventional device is attached to, for example, a corner of the rear bumper cover of the vehicle. In this case, when a rear door (e.g., a sliding door at the rear seat entrance) of the vehicle is open, part of the door may enter the detection area. In this case, the radio waves transmitted from the transmitting antenna are reflected by the sliding door. It is difficult for the control device to distinguish between the radio waves reflected by the sliding door and the radio waves reflected by the target object (another vehicle, pedestrian, guardrail, pole, etc.) that is the intended detection target. Therefore, there is a risk that unnecessary driving assistance control will be executed.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a driving assistance device that suppresses the execution of unnecessary driving assistance control.

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the driving assistance device (1) of the present invention comprises: a radar device (20) provided at the rear of the vehicle, which transmits radio waves to a predetermined detection area toward the rear and sides of the vehicle, receives radio waves reflected within the detection area, and detects targets around the vehicle based on the received radio waves; a control device (10) that executes driving assistance control including at least one of warning a driver and braking the vehicle when a target is detected by the radar device; A predetermined door of the vehicle that may enter the detection area when opened slide a door open detection device (30, 40) for detecting whether or not the doors (DRL, DRR) are open; A driving assistance device comprising: The control device slide The driving assistance control is suppressed when the door open detection device detects that the door is open.

[0007] For example, when the door opening detection device detects that the specified door is open, the control device suppresses the driving assistance control by limiting the detection area of ​​the radar device.

[0008] This suppresses the execution of unnecessary driving assistance control (driving assistance control caused by the radar device detecting an open door). Furthermore, in vehicle design (determination of the vehicle's exterior), there are cases where it is necessary to allow the sliding door to enter the detection area of ​​the radar device. According to the present invention, the execution of driving assistance control caused by the radar device detecting an open sliding door is suppressed.

[0009] In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a driving assistance device, When the door opening detection device detects that the specified door is open, the control device suppresses the driving assistance control by executing the driving assistance control based on radio waves reflected in a second area of ​​the detection area excluding the first area into which the specified door has entered.

[0010] In this embodiment, the reception area of ​​the reflected wave is limited (the radio wave reflected in the first area is ignored), which makes it possible to suppress the driving assistance control relatively easily.

[0011] In a driving assistance device according to another aspect of the present invention, When the door opening detection device detects that the specified door is open, the control device suppresses the driving assistance control by controlling the radar device so that the radio waves are transmitted to a second area of ​​the detection area excluding a first area into which the specified door has entered.

[0012] In this embodiment, the transmission area (radiation range) of the radio wave is limited, which makes it possible to suppress the driving assistance control relatively easily.

[0013] In a driving assistance device according to another aspect of the present invention, The door opening detection device includes an ultrasonic sensor.

[0014] In a vehicle equipped with an ultrasonic sensor as a device for detecting surrounding objects (other vehicles, pedestrians, etc.), the ultrasonic sensor can be used to detect the open / closed state of the predetermined door, thereby eliminating the need for a dedicated device for detecting the open / closed state of the predetermined door. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a driving assistance device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a vehicle to which the driving assistance device of FIG. 1 is applied, as viewed from the left rear. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the vehicle to which the driving assistance device of FIG. 1 is applied, as viewed from the rear right side. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a vehicle to which the driving assistance device of FIG. 1 is applied. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a block diagram of the radar. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a computer program that realizes the function of limiting the radar detection area. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a radar according to a modified example of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] (Summary) As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a driving assistance device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a vehicle V. Doors DFL and DFR are provided at the front seat entrance of the vehicle V, and doors DRL and DRR are provided at the rear seat entrance. The doors DFL and DFR are swing doors, and the doors DRL and DRR are sliding doors. The doors DRL and DRR are slidable in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The doors DRL and DRR are opened by sliding rearward from a closed state (see FIG. 3). The driving assistance device 1 has an RCTA function and an RCTB function. Note that the driving assistance device 1 may have only one of the RCTA function and the RCTB function.

[0019] (Specific configuration) As shown in FIG. 1, the driving assistance device 1 includes a driving assistance ECU 10, a radar 20, an ultrasonic sensor 30, a courtesy switch 40, an alarm device 50, and a braking device 60.

[0020] The driving assistance ECU 10 includes a microcomputer equipped with a CPU 10a, a ROM 10b, a RAM 10c, a timer 10d, etc. In this specification, "ECU" means an electronic control unit and includes a microcomputer equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, a timer, etc. The CPU realizes various functions by executing instructions stored in the ROM.

[0021] The driving assistance ECU 10 is connected to other ECUs (for example, a brake ECU 61, which will be described later) via a CAN (Controller Area Network) so as to be able to transmit and receive information to and from each other.

[0022] The radar 20 is composed of radars 20L and 20R provided at the left and right corners of the rear bumper cover of the vehicle V (see FIGS. 2A and 2B). The radar 20 acquires information about three-dimensional objects present around the vehicle V. That is, for example, the radar 20 acquires information about moving objects such as automobiles (other vehicles), pedestrians, and bicycles, as well as fixed objects such as guardrails and poles.

[0023] Since the configuration of the radar 20L is the same as that of the radar 20R, the configuration of the radar 20L will be described below, and a description of the configuration of the radar 20R will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 4, the radar 20L includes a transmitting device 21, a receiving device 22, and a control device 23.

[0024] The transmitting device 21 includes a transmitter 211 and a transmitting antenna 212. The transmitter 211 includes a signal source 211a that outputs a signal of a constant frequency (e.g., a sine wave), and a modulator 211b that changes the frequency of the signal output from the signal source 211a at a predetermined period. The transmitting antenna 212 is provided at a corner of the rear bumper cover of the vehicle V. In a plan view of the vehicle V, the central axis of the transmitting antenna 212 is directed diagonally rearward to the left (diagonally rearward to the right for the radar 20R). The transmitting antenna 212 transmits the signal (modulated signal) output from the modulator 211b rearward and laterally (diagonally rearward) from the vehicle V. The radio waves transmitted from the receiving antenna 212 are reflected by targets located around the vehicle V. These reflected waves are received by the receiving device 22 (receiving antenna 221), which will be described next.

[0025] The receiving device 22 includes a receiving antenna 221 and an amplifier device 222. Like the transmitting antenna 212, the receiving antenna 221 is located at a corner of the rear bumper cover of the vehicle V and is directed diagonally rearward to the left of the vehicle V (diagonally rearward to the right in the case of the radar 20R). The receiving antenna 221 is composed of multiple antenna elements 221a, 221b,... Each of the antenna elements 221a, 221b,... receives a reflected wave from a target located within a predetermined range (angular range) based on its central axis, and outputs a reflected wave signal RSa, RSb,... representing the reflected wave. Each of the antenna elements 221a, 221b,... is configured to have high reception sensitivity for a reflected wave from a reflection point located within the predetermined range. Each of the antenna elements 221a, 221b,... is directed in a different direction from each other. This achieves a wide FOV (Field Of View (detection region θ (field of view))) and high angular resolution (horizontal and vertical resolution). That is, although the detection region (reception region) of each antenna element 221a, 221b, ... is relatively narrow, by arranging the multiple antenna elements 221a, 221b, ... so that their detection ranges are offset from one another, the detection region θ of the entire receiving antenna 221 (radar 20L) becomes wider. Furthermore, it is possible to detect the direction of a target based on the amplitude, phase, etc. of the reflected wave signals RSa, RSb, ...

[0026] 3, when the doors DRL and DRR are fully open (opening angle 100%), the rear parts of the doors DRL and DRR enter the detection area θ of the radars 20L and 20R. In the following description, the area of ​​the detection area θ into which the doors DRL and DRR enter (the angular range in which the transmitted wave and the reflected wave are blocked by the door) is referred to as the "first area θ1," and the other area is referred to as the "second area θ2."

[0027] Referring again to FIG. 4, the amplifier 222 amplifies the reflected wave signals output from the antenna elements 221a and supplies the amplified signals to the control device .

[0028] The control device 23 includes an arithmetic unit 231, a storage device 232 (RAM, ROM, etc.), a communication device 233, etc. The arithmetic unit 231 is connected to the driving assistance ECU 10 via the communication device 233. The arithmetic unit 231 executes a target detection program (not shown) at a predetermined cycle, sequentially acquires reflected wave signals RSa, RSb, ... from the amplifier 222, analyzes them, and detects the position (direction and distance as seen from the vehicle) of a target present diagonally to the left rear of the vehicle V (diagonally to the right rear in the case of the radar 20R). Then, the arithmetic unit 231 transmits the detection result to the driving assistance ECU 10 via the communication device 233.

[0029] The ultrasonic sensors 30 include ultrasonic sensors 30FL and 30RL provided on the left side of the vehicle V and ultrasonic sensors 30FR and 30RR provided on the right side of the vehicle V (see FIGS. 2A and 2B). The ultrasonic sensor 30FL is located above the left front tire. The ultrasonic sensor 30RL is located above the left rear tire. The ultrasonic sensor 30FR is located above the right front tire. The ultrasonic sensor 30RR is located above the right rear tire.

[0030] The ultrasonic sensors 30FL, 30RL, 30FR, and 30RR each transmit ultrasonic waves in pulses (intermittently) to the sides of the vehicle V and receive ultrasonic waves reflected by a target (reflected waves). The ultrasonic sensors 30FL, 30RL, 30FR, and 30RR calculate distances Δ30FL, Δ30RL, Δ30FR, and Δ30RR to the target based on the time between transmitting the ultrasonic waves and receiving the reflected waves, and transmit the distances to the driving assistance ECU 10 as detection results. The ultrasonic sensors 30FL, 30RL, 30FR, and 30RR can accurately detect the presence of a three-dimensional object at a relatively short distance. When a target is not present within the detection range of each ultrasonic sensor, each ultrasonic sensor transmits a predetermined maximum value as the detection result to the driving assistance ECU 10. As shown in FIG. 3 , when a door DRL (DRR) is open, the door is located to the left (right) of the ultrasonic sensor 30RL (30RR). Therefore, the ultrasonic sensor 30RL (30RR) detects the distance to the door DRL (DRR).

[0031] The courtesy switch 40 is a well-known normally-open switch (momentary switch). The courtesy switch 40 is composed of courtesy switches 40FL, 40RL, 40FR, and 40RR, which are respectively arranged around the periphery of the entrance / exit where the doors DFL, DRL, DFR, and DRR are provided (on the frame of the vehicle V). When the doors DFL (DRL, DFR, and DRR) are open, the movable contacts of the courtesy switches 40FL (40RL, 40FR, and 40RR) are separated from the fixed contacts. That is, the courtesy switches 40FL (40RL, 40FR, and 40RR) are in the OFF state. When the doors DFL (DRL, DFR, and DRR) are closed, the movable contacts of the courtesy switches 40FL (40RL, 40FR, and 40RR) are pressed by the doors DFL (DRL, DFR, and DRR) and come into contact with the fixed contacts. That is, the courtesy switch 40FL (40RL, 40FR, 40RR) is in the ON state. When each door is ajar, each courtesy switch is in the OFF state. Here, the ultrasonic sensor 30 and the courtesy switch 40 correspond to the door opening detection device of the present invention.

[0032] Referring again to FIG. 1, the alarm device 50 is composed of a display device such as a liquid crystal display or LED, and an audio reproduction device such as a speaker or amplifier.

[0033] The braking device 60 applies braking force to the wheels. The braking device 60 includes a brake ECU 61, a hydraulic circuit 62, and a brake caliper 63. The hydraulic circuit 62 includes a reservoir, an oil pump, various valve devices, a hydraulic sensor, and the like, all of which are not shown. The brake caliper 63 is a hydraulic actuator equipped with a cylinder and a piston. When oil is supplied to the cylinder, the piston is pushed out of the cylinder. A brake pad is provided at the tip of the piston, and this brake pad is pressed against a brake disc. The brake ECU 61 receives a brake pressure control signal from the driving assistance ECU 10. The brake ECU 61 transmits a hydraulic control signal to the hydraulic circuit 62 in response to the brake pressure control signal acquired from the driving assistance ECU 10. The hydraulic circuit 62 adjusts the hydraulic pressure in the cylinder of the brake caliper 63 in response to the hydraulic control signal acquired from the brake ECU 61. In this manner, the braking force of the wheels (brake discs) by the brake caliper 63 is controlled.

[0034] (RCTA function and RCTB function) Next, the rear cross traffic alert function (RCTA function) and rear cross traffic brake function (RCTB function) of the driving assistance device 1 will be described. The driving assistance ECU 10 acquires detection results of targets located diagonally rearward to the left and diagonally rearward to the right of the vehicle V from the radar 20. In a situation where a target is present at least on the diagonally rearward to the left or right of the vehicle V, the driving assistance ECU 10 controls the warning device 50 so that predetermined information (e.g., video, audio, etc.) is presented to the driver (warning control). In addition, the driving assistance ECU 10 controls the braking device 60 so that the vehicle V is braked (braking control). For example, the driving assistance ECU 10 executes warning control when the distance between the vehicle V and the target is equal to or less than a predetermined first distance, and executes braking control when the vehicle V approaches the target and the distance between them becomes equal to or less than a second distance that is shorter than the first distance.

[0035] However, when the door DRL, DRR is open, the driving assistance ECU 10 suppresses (degenerates) the driving assistance control (alarm control and braking control) by ignoring some of the detection results acquired from the radar 20. In other words, the driving assistance ECU 10 limits the execution conditions of the warning control and braking control (driving assistance control).

[0036] Specifically, when the following condition A is met (when the door DRL is open and interfering with the detection area θ), the driving assistance ECU 10 ignores information about a target located in the first area θ1 from the detection results of the radar 20L. That is, when a target is located in the second area θ2 of the radar 20L, the driving assistance ECU 10 executes warning control and braking control. In other words, the detection area θ (= θ1 + θ2) of the radar 20L is narrowed and limited to the second area θ2 (area where the door DRL is not interfering). (Condition A) The courtesy switch 40RL is in the OFF state, the distance Δ30FL exceeds the threshold value ThFL, and the distance Δ30RL is equal to or smaller than the threshold value ThRL. Here, the threshold value ThRL is slightly larger than the distance to the door DRL detected by the ultrasonic sensor 30RL when the door DRL is open (FIG. 3).

[0037] Furthermore, in a situation where the following condition B is met (a situation where the door DRR is open and interfering with the detection area θ), the driving assistance ECU 10 ignores information on a target located in the first area θ1 from the detection results of the radar 20R. That is, the driving assistance ECU 10 executes warning control and braking control when a target is located in the second area θ2 of the radar 20R. In other words, the detection area θ (= θ1 + θ2) of the radar 20R is narrowed and limited to the second area θ2 (an area where the door DRR is not interfering). (Condition B) The courtesy switch 40RR is in the OFF state, the distance Δ30FR exceeds the threshold value ThFR, and the distance Δ30RR is equal to or smaller than the threshold value ThRR. Here, the threshold value ThRR is slightly larger than the distance to the door DRR detected by the ultrasonic sensor 30RR when the door DRR is open (FIG. 3).

[0038] If condition A (condition B) is met and condition B (condition A) is not met, only the detection area θ of the radar 20L (20R) is limited to the second area θ2, and the detection area θ of the radar 20R (20L) is not limited.

[0039] As described above, the driving assistance ECU 10 determines the open / closed states of the door DRLs (DRRs) based on the on / off state of the courtesy switch 40 and the detection results of the ultrasonic sensors 30. Here, for example, even if the courtesy switch 40RL (40RR) is in the off state, the door DRLs (DRRs) may not be fully open (e.g., the door is ajar). In this case, the door DRLs (DRRs) do not enter the detection area θ of the radar 20L (20R), so there is no need to narrow the detection area θ. Furthermore, for example, when another vehicle is parked adjacent to the host vehicle or when the host vehicle is entering a narrow road, it is difficult to distinguish between an open door DRL (DRR) and a target such as another vehicle (a target other than the door DRLs (DRRs)) based solely on the detection results of the rear ultrasonic sensors 30RL (30RR). Therefore, in this embodiment, the open / closed state of the door DRL (DRR) is determined using the detection results of the front ultrasonic sensor 30FL (30FR) in addition to the rear ultrasonic sensor 30RL (30RR). That is, in this embodiment, the presence or absence of a target adjacent to the host vehicle is determined using the front ultrasonic sensor 30FL (30FR). That is, the driving assistance ECU 10 determines that no adjacent target exists when the distance Δ30FL (Δ30FR) detected by the ultrasonic sensor 30FL (30FR) exceeds the threshold value ThFL (ThFR). In this situation, when the distance Δ30RL (Δ30RR) detected by the rear ultrasonic sensor 30RL (30RR) is equal to or less than the threshold value ThRL (ThRR), the driving assistance ECU 10 determines that the door DRL (DRR) is open enough to enter the detection area θ. In this case, the driving assistance ECU 10 limits the detection area θ of the radar 20L (20R) to the second area θ2.

[0040] In this way, the driving assistance ECU 10 changes the detection area θ of the radars 20L, 20R depending on the determination result of the open / close state of the door DRL, DRR. In other words, the driving assistance ECU 10 changes the execution conditions of driving assistance control. A computer program P executed by the CPU 10a (hereinafter simply referred to as "CPU") of the driving assistance ECU 10 to realize this function will be described. The computer program P is made up of a program PL that realizes the function of changing the detection area θ of the radar 20L depending on the determination result of the open / close state of the door DRL, and a program PR that realizes the function of changing the detection area θ of the radar 20R depending on the determination result of the open / close state of the door DRR. The driving assistance ECU 10 executes the programs PL, PR at a predetermined cycle. Since the configurations of the program PL and the program PR are the same, the following describes the program PL and omits the description of the program PR.

[0041] The CPU starts the program PL from step 100 and proceeds to step 101.

[0042] When the CPU proceeds to step 101, it determines whether the courtesy switch 40RL is in the OFF state. If the courtesy switch 40RL is in the OFF state (101: Yes), the CPU proceeds to step 102. On the other hand, if the courtesy switch 40RL is in the ON state (101: No), the CPU proceeds to step 105, which will be described later.

[0043] When the CPU proceeds to step 102, it determines whether the distance Δ30FL exceeds the threshold value ThFL. If the distance Δ30FL exceeds the threshold value ThFL (102: Yes), the CPU proceeds to step 103. On the other hand, if the distance Δ30FL does not exceed the threshold value ThFL (102: No), the CPU proceeds to step 105.

[0044] When the CPU proceeds to step 103, it determines whether the distance Δ30RL is equal to or less than the threshold value ThRL. If the distance Δ30RL is equal to or less than the threshold value ThRL (103: Yes), the CPU proceeds to step 104. On the other hand, if the distance Δ30RL exceeds the threshold value ThRL (104: No), the CPU proceeds to step 105.

[0045] When the CPU proceeds to step 104, it limits the detection area θ of the radar 20L to the second area θ2. Then, the CPU proceeds to step 106 and ends the program PL.

[0046] When the CPU proceeds from steps 101, 102, and 103 to step 105, it releases the restriction on the detection area θ of the radar 20L. That is, it sets the detection area θ to the first area θ1 and the second area θ2. Then, the CPU proceeds to step 106.

[0047] (effect) As described above, the CPU determines the open / closed state of the door DRL (DRR) based not only on the on / off state of the courtesy switch 40RL (40RR) but also on the detection results of the ultrasonic sensors 30FL, 30RL (30FR, 30RR). Specifically, the CPU determines whether the distance Δ30FL (Δ30FR), which is the detection result of the front ultrasonic sensor 30FL (30FR), exceeds the threshold value ThFL (ThFR). In addition, the CPU determines whether the distance Δ30RL (Δ30RR), which is the detection result of the rear ultrasonic sensor 30RL (30RR), exceeds the threshold value ThRL (ThRR). That is, the CPU determines whether targets are present to the left (right) of the front and rear of the vehicle V based on the distances Δ30FL, Δ30RL (Δ30FR, Δ30RR).

[0048] When the distance Δ30FL (Δ30FR) is equal to or less than the threshold ThFL (ThFR) and the distance Δ30RL (Δ30RR) is equal to or less than the threshold ThRL (ThRR), there is no target on the left (right) side of the front, but there is a target on the left (right) side of the rear. In this situation, the door DRL (DRR) is open, and the detection result of the ultrasonic sensor 30RL (30RR) is likely to represent the distance to the door DRL (DRR). When the door DRL (DRR) is open to this extent, the door DRL (DRR) enters the first region θ1 of the detection region θ of the radar 20L (20R). Therefore, in this situation, the CPU limits the detection region θ of the radar 20L (20R) to the second region θ2. In other words, the receiving antennas directed toward the first region θ1 and their corresponding reflected wave signals are not used. That is, the CPU executes driving assistance control (warning control and braking control) based only on radio waves (radio waves from the radar 20L (20R)) reflected by targets other than the door DRL (DRR). In this way, the execution of unnecessary driving assistance control (driving assistance control based on radio waves reflected by the open door DRL (DRR)) is suppressed.

[0049] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be adopted within the scope of the present invention, as described below.

[0050] <Variation 1> In the above embodiment, in situation A (B), the receiving area of ​​the reflected wave of the radar 20L (20R) is limited to the second area θ2. Alternatively, in situation A (B), the transmitting area (radiation range) of the radio wave may be limited to the second area θ2. In this case, similar to the receiving antenna 221, the transmitting antenna 212 may be configured with multiple antenna elements 212a, 212b, etc. (see FIG. 6). Some of the antenna elements 212a, 212b, etc. may be arranged to face the first area θ1, and the remaining antenna elements may be arranged to face the second area θ2. Then, the radio wave radiated from the antenna element oriented toward the first area θ1 and the radio wave radiated from the antenna element oriented toward the second area θ2 may be individually controllable. For example, the transmitter 211 may be configured with an transmitter 211-θ1 corresponding to the first area θ1 and an transmitter 211-θ2 corresponding to the second area θ2.

[0051] <Variation 2> Instead of the ultrasonic sensor 30RL (30RR), a switch may be used to detect the open / closed state of the door DRL (DRR). The switch is turned on when the door is 100% open and turned off otherwise. For example, the switch may be incorporated into a door latch device that keeps the door DRL (DRR) at 100% open. In this case, the courtesy switch 40RL (40R) is not required in the driving assistance system 1.

[0052] <Variation 3> The open / closed state of the door DRL (DRR) may be determined based only on the on / off state of the courtesy switch 40RL (40RR). In this case, steps 102 and 103 of the program PL (PR) in Fig. 5 can be skipped. This simplifies the configuration of the driving assistance device 1 and the program P.

[0053] <Variation 4> The above example is an example in which the rear doors of the vehicle V interfere with the detection areas of the radars 20L and 20R, but the present invention can also be applied to cases in which other doors interfere with the detection areas of the radars. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1...driving assistance device, 10...driving assistance ECU, 20...radar, 21...transmitting device, 22...receiving device, 30...ultrasonic sensor, 40...courtesy switch, 50...alarm device, 60...braking device, 211...transmitter, 212...transmitting antenna, 221...receiving antenna, DRL...door, DRR...door, V...vehicle, θ...detection area, θ1...first area, θ2...second area

Claims

[Claim 1] a radar device provided at the rear of the vehicle, which transmits radio waves to a predetermined detection area toward the rear and sides of the vehicle, receives radio waves reflected within the detection area, and detects targets around the vehicle based on the received radio waves; a control device that executes driving assistance control including at least one of issuing an alert to a driver and braking the vehicle when a target is detected by the radar device; a door open detection device that detects whether a predetermined sliding door of the vehicle that may enter the detection area when opened is open; A driving assistance device comprising: The driving assistance device is configured such that the control device suppresses the driving assistance control when the door opening detection device detects that the predetermined sliding door is open.

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