Vehicle door control method, control device, and control program

Abstract

A method for controlling a door of a vehicle (1) includes: setting in advance a first profile (A) defining a relationship between a distance (d) between the vehicle (1) and a user (P), and a target opening of a door (2); determining the existence of a reservation for an automatic opening operation of the door (2) (S1); receiving an opening command for automatically opening the door (2) of the vehicle (1), the opening command being transmitted from a portable terminal carried by the user (P), when the user (P) approaches the vehicle (1) (S2); and variably controlling the opening speed of the door (2) so as to follow the first profile (A) when the user (P) is positioned within an opening operation range (R1) from the vehicle (1) (S5).

Description

Vehicle door control method, control device, and control program

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle door control method, a control device, and a control program that automatically open a vehicle door when a user approaches the vehicle.

[0002] Patent Literature 1 discloses a vehicle door control device that automatically opens the vehicle door when a user carrying a mobile terminal approaches the vehicle. This control device reduces the speed at which the door opens and closes when the user is within the opening range of the vehicle, thereby preventing a collision between the user and the door.

[0003] The vehicle door control device of Patent Document 1 is suitable for preventing collisions between the user and the door and ensuring the user's safety, but does not take into consideration providing convenience to the user.

[0004] Furthermore, in situations where the vehicle door automatically opens when a user approaches the vehicle, the user may approach the vehicle door in various circumstances, such as when both hands are occupied with luggage, etc. Therefore, there is a demand for facilitating user access to the vehicle under various circumstances, thereby providing convenience to the user.

[0005] The present invention was devised in consideration of the current situation, and one of its objects is to provide a vehicle door control method, control device, and control program that can provide convenience to users.

[0006] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-100802

[0007] The present invention relates to a vehicle door control method that automatically opens a vehicle door when a user approaches the vehicle. In this control method, a first profile that defines the relationship between the distance between the vehicle and the user and a target door opening degree is set in advance, a determination is made as to whether or not an automatic door opening operation has been reserved, an opening command for automatically opening the vehicle transmitted from a mobile terminal carried by the user is received when the user approaches the vehicle, and the door opening speed is variably controlled to follow the first profile when the user is located within the opening operation range of the vehicle.

[0008] Therefore, when the user enters the opening range, the door is automatically opened to a target opening angle according to the distance between the vehicle and the user, and by the time the user arrives in front of the vehicle door, the door is already opened to the appropriate opening angle, allowing the user to instantly access the interior of the vehicle.

[0009] Therefore, the present invention can provide convenience to the user.

[0010] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the opening operation of a back door based on a first profile of an embodiment; FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the opening operation of a sliding door based on a second profile or a third profile of an embodiment; FIG. 3 is a graph showing first to third profiles of an embodiment; and FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of a control method performed using a vehicle door control device of an embodiment.

[0011] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a vehicle door control device according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0012] The vehicle door control device is configured so that if an automatic opening operation of a door (back door 2 in FIG. 1 or sliding door 3 in FIG. 2 ) of the vehicle 1 is scheduled in advance in a controller mounted on the vehicle 1, the door automatically opens when a user P carrying a mobile terminal approaches the vehicle 1. More specifically, in this vehicle door control device, when the user P enters an opening operation range at a predetermined distance from the vehicle 1 after the automatic opening operation is scheduled, the door is variably controlled to follow one of first to third profiles A, B, and C described below. Here, the distance d between the vehicle 1 and the user P is estimated based on the radio wave intensity between a transmitter provided on the user P's mobile terminal (in this embodiment, a smartphone 4) and a receiver provided on the vehicle 1. In addition, in this embodiment, the distance d is the distance from the rear end of the vehicle 1 in the longitudinal direction to the user P. In addition, the user P's mobile terminal may be an electronic key instead of the smartphone 4.

[0013] 1 shows an example in which the door of the vehicle 1 is a back door 2, but the door of the vehicle 1 may be a sliding door instead of the back door 2. Similarly, while FIG. 2 shows an example in which the door of the vehicle 1 is a sliding door 3 provided on the side of the vehicle 1, the door of the vehicle 1 may be a back door instead of the sliding door 3.

[0014] The vehicle door control device also has a setting unit, a determining unit, a receiving unit, and a control unit, all of which are not shown, provided in a controller of the vehicle 1 .

[0015] As shown in FIG. 3, the setting unit pre-sets first to third profiles A, B, and C that define the relationship between the distance d between the vehicle 1 and the user P and the target door opening degree t.

[0016] The first profile A defines the relationship between the distance d and the target opening degree t under normal conditions. As shown in Fig. 3, the first profile A linearly decreases as the distance d increases, so that the target opening degree t is 100% (fully open) when the distance d is 0 m and 0% (fully closed) when the distance d is 10 m. Here, the range of the distance d from 0 to 10 m is the normal opening operation range R1.

[0017] Furthermore, the second profile B defines the relationship between the distance d and the target opening degree t when the external conditions of the vehicle 1 are rainy. Whether the external conditions of the vehicle 1 are rainy or not is determined based on the results of detection by a rain sensor (not shown) installed in the vehicle 1. When it is raining, a new opening operation range R2, which is smaller than the normal opening operation range R1, is set. In this embodiment, the opening operation range R2 is set to a range of 0 to 4 m for the distance d. The reason for setting the opening operation range R2 is that, in rainy weather, if the start timing of the opening operation of the sliding door 3 is not set later, a large amount of rain will enter the interior of the vehicle 1. In accordance with the setting of such a small opening operation range R2, as shown in FIG. 3 , the second profile B linearly decreases as the distance d increases, so that the target opening degree t is 100% when the distance d is 0 m and 0% when the distance d is 4 m. The second profile B has a steeper slope than the first profile A, and therefore the door opening speed is faster than the first profile A.

[0018] The third profile C defines the relationship between the distance d and the target opening degree t when the temperature inside the vehicle 1 (interior temperature) is lower than the temperature outside the vehicle 1 (exterior temperature) in summer, i.e., when the exterior temperature is high. The interior and exterior temperatures are detected by interior and exterior temperature gauges (not shown) provided in the vehicle 1, respectively. When the interior temperature is lower than the exterior temperature in summer, a new opening range R2 is set that is smaller than the normal opening range R1. This opening range R2 is set to the same value as the opening range R2 for the second profile B. Note that the opening range R2 for the third profile C may be set to a different value from the opening range R2 for the second profile B. The reason for setting a smaller opening range R2 is that if the start timing of the opening operation of the sliding door 3 is not set later, high-temperature outside air will enter the interior of the vehicle 1, causing the interior temperature to become high. As shown in FIG. 3, the third profile C decreases linearly as the distance d increases, such that the target opening t is 60% (half open) when the distance d is 0 m, and the target opening t is 0% when the distance d is 4 m.

[0019] In addition, when the temperature inside the vehicle is lower than the temperature outside the vehicle in winter, the relationship is the opposite of that in summer, i.e., a new opening operation range that is larger than the normal opening operation range R1 is set, and a profile based on this larger opening operation range is defined.

[0020] Furthermore, when the vehicle interior temperature is higher than the vehicle exterior temperature in summer, i.e., when the vehicle exterior temperature is low, a fourth profile (not shown) that defines the relationship between the distance d and the target opening degree t is used. When the vehicle interior temperature is higher than the vehicle exterior temperature in summer, a new opening range larger than the normal opening range is set. This is because setting the start time of the opening operation of the sliding door 3 earlier allows outside air, which is cooler than the vehicle interior, to enter the vehicle and alleviate the high temperature inside the vehicle. In accordance with this setting of a larger opening range, the fourth profile linearly decreases the target opening degree t as the distance d increases, so that when the distance d is 0 m, the target opening degree t is 60%, and when the distance d is greater than 10 m, e.g., 15 m, the target opening degree t is 0%.

[0021] In addition, when the temperature inside the vehicle is higher than the temperature outside the vehicle in winter, the relationship is the opposite of that in summer, i.e., a new opening operation range that is smaller than the normal opening operation range R1 is set, and a profile based on this smaller opening operation range is defined.

[0022] The determination unit determines whether or not an automatic door opening operation of the vehicle 1 has been reserved.

[0023] When user P approaches vehicle 1, the receiving unit receives an open command transmitted from smartphone 4 carried by user P to automatically open the doors of vehicle 1. When the receiving unit receives the open command, it starts an automatic door opening operation that automatically opens the back door 2 and sliding door 3 of vehicle 1 when user P is located within opening operation ranges R1 and R2. Alternatively, instead of vehicle 1 receiving an open command from user P's smartphone 4, an automatic control mode that automatically opens the doors of vehicle 1 according to distance d may be set in advance on vehicle 1, and when user P carrying smartphone 4 is located within opening operation ranges R1 and R2, the back door 2 and sliding door 3 of vehicle 1 may be automatically opened according to distance d.

[0024] The control unit variably controls the opening speed of the back door 2 to follow the first profile A when the user P is located within an opening operation range R1 from the vehicle 1. Furthermore, the control unit variably controls the opening speed of the sliding door 3 to follow the second profile B when the user P is located within a small opening operation range R2 from the vehicle 1 during rainy weather. Furthermore, the control unit variably controls the opening speed of the sliding door 3 to follow the third profile C when the user P is located within a small opening operation range R2 from the vehicle 1 during high outside air temperature.

[0025] Here, the control of the back door 2 by the control unit under normal circumstances will be described. As shown in FIG. 1 , when a user P approaches the vehicle 1 under normal circumstances, if the user P carrying the smartphone 4 reaches a position of 10 m, which is the boundary of the opening operation range R1, from outside the opening operation range R1, the controller of the vehicle 1 is activated, and the opening speed of the back door 2 is variably controlled to follow the first profile A. More specifically, as shown on the left side of FIG. 1 , when the user P approaches the vehicle 1 at a normal speed, the back door 2 also automatically opens at the normal speed. Furthermore, as shown on the right side of FIG. 1 , when the user P approaches the vehicle 1 at a speed faster than the normal speed, the back door 2 also automatically opens at a high speed.

[0026] Next, the control of the sliding door 3 by the control unit in rainy weather will be described. As shown in the upper part of FIG. 2 , when the user P approaches the vehicle 1 in rainy weather and the user P carrying the smartphone 4 enters area E outside the small opening operation range R2, the controller of the vehicle 1 starts up and the rain sensor detects rain. Then, as shown in the center part of FIG. 2 , when the user P approaches the vehicle 1 further and enters the small opening operation range R2, the sliding door 3 begins to open. The opening speed of the sliding door 3 is then variably controlled to follow the second profile B. The sliding door 3 performs an opening operation so as to be fully open when the user P arrives at the vehicle 1.

[0027] Next, the control of the sliding door 3 by the control unit when the outside temperature is high (summer) will be described. As shown in the upper part of FIG. 2 , when user P approaches vehicle 1 when the outside temperature is high, the user P carrying the smartphone 4 enters area E outside the small opening operation range R2. The controller of vehicle 1 starts up, and the inside and outside temperatures are detected by an inside and outside thermometers (not shown). This allows vehicle 1 to recognize that the inside temperature is lower than the outside temperature in summer. Then, as shown in the center of FIG. 2 , when user P approaches vehicle 1 further and enters the small opening operation range R2, the sliding door 3 begins to open. The opening speed of the sliding door 3 is variably controlled to follow a third profile C. When user P arrives at vehicle 1, the sliding door 3 opens halfway, i.e., the maximum opening angle is halfway.

[0028] The flow of a control method performed using the vehicle door control device of the embodiment will now be described with reference to Figure 4. This control method is implemented by a computer installed in the vehicle 1 executing a control program (not shown).

[0029] First, in carrying out this control method, the above-mentioned first to third profiles A, B, C and fourth profile are prepared in advance as processing to be performed by the setting unit.

[0030] In step S1, the determination unit determines whether or not there is a reservation for automatic door opening. If it is determined that there is no reservation for automatic door opening, the process returns to the beginning of the flow.

[0031] If it is determined in step S1 that an automatic door opening operation has been reserved, the process proceeds to step S2, where the receiving unit determines whether an open command for automatically opening the door of the vehicle 1 has been received from the smartphone 4 carried by the user P. If it is determined that an open command has not been received, step S2 continues until the open command is received.

[0032] If it is determined in step S2 that an open command has been received, the process proceeds to step S3, where it is determined whether the user P is within the opening operation range R1. If it is determined that the user P is not within the opening operation range R1, step S3 is continued until the user P enters the opening operation range R1.

[0033] If it is determined in step S3 that the user P is within the opening operation range R1, the process proceeds to step S4, where it is determined whether the current state is normal. If it is determined that the current state is normal, the process proceeds to step S5, where the first profile A is selected. The opening speed of the back door 2 is then variably controlled so as to follow this first profile A.

[0034] If it is determined in step S4 that the current weather is not normal, the process proceeds to step S6, where it is determined whether it is raining. If it is determined that the current weather is raining, the process proceeds to step S7, where the second profile B is selected. The opening speed of the sliding door 3 is then variably controlled so as to follow this second profile B. Note that during this variable control, the user P is within the opening operation range R2.

[0035] If it is determined in step S6 that it is not raining, the process proceeds to step S8, where it is determined whether the temperature inside the vehicle is lower than the temperature outside the vehicle in summer (inside temperature < outside temperature?). If the temperature inside the vehicle is lower than the temperature outside the vehicle, the process proceeds to step S9, where a third profile C is selected. The opening speed of the sliding door 3 is then variably controlled to follow this third profile C. Note that during this variable control, the user P is within the opening operation range R2.

[0036] If it is determined in step S8 that the temperature inside the vehicle is higher than the temperature outside the vehicle in summer, the process proceeds to step S10, where the fourth profile is selected. The opening speed of the sliding door 3 is then variably controlled to follow the fourth profile. Note that during this variable control, the user P is within the opening operation range R2.

[0037] As described above, in this embodiment, the setting unit pre-sets a first profile A that defines the relationship between the distance d between the vehicle 1 and the user P and the target door opening degree t. Then, when the user P carrying the smartphone 4 is located within the opening operation range R1, the opening speed of the back door 2 is variably controlled to follow the first profile A. When the user P enters the opening operation range R1, the back door 2 is automatically opened to the target door opening degree corresponding to the distance d. By the time the user P arrives in front of the back door 2 of the vehicle 1, the back door 2 is opened to an appropriate opening degree, or fully open in the example shown in FIG. 1 . This allows the user P to instantly access the interior of the vehicle. For example, in the scene shown in FIG. 1 where the back door 2 of the vehicle 1 is automatically opened when the user P approaches the vehicle 1, the user P may have both hands occupied because they are carrying luggage. In such a case, if the back door 2 of the vehicle 1 opens automatically as the user P approaches the vehicle 1, and the back door 2 is open to an appropriate degree when the user P arrives in front of the back door 2 of the vehicle 1, the user P can immediately put his / her luggage into the vehicle without having to wait in front of the back door 2 with his / her luggage. This provides convenience to the user P.

[0038] In this embodiment, when the weather outside the vehicle 1 is rainy, an opening operation range R2 smaller than the opening operation range R1 is set. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control unit variably controls the opening speed of the sliding door 3 so that the opening speed follows the second profile B, which makes the door opening speed faster than the first profile A. Therefore, by delaying the start of the operation of the sliding door 3 and automatically opening the sliding door 3 at a fast opening speed when the user P enters the small opening operation range R2, it is possible to prevent a large amount of rain from entering the interior of the vehicle 1.

[0039] Furthermore, in the control of the sliding door 3 based on the second profile B, it is assumed that the user P will be carrying an umbrella when it rains, so when the user P arrives in front of the sliding door 3 of the vehicle 1, the sliding door 3 is opened to an appropriate opening angle, fully open in the example of Fig. 2. This allows the user P to immediately get into the vehicle 1 without having to wait in front of the sliding door 3 for a long time while holding an umbrella. This provides convenience to the user P.

[0040] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the inside temperature is lower than the outside temperature in summer, an opening operation range R2 smaller than the opening operation range R1 is set. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the opening speed of the sliding door 3 is variably controlled to follow a third profile C in which the maximum opening degree of the door is half-open relative to the opening degree of the first profile A. By setting the start time of the opening operation of the sliding door 3 later and half-opening the sliding door 3 when the user P arrives in front of the sliding door 3 of the vehicle 1, it is possible to prevent high-temperature outside air from entering the inside of the vehicle 1 and causing the temperature inside the vehicle 1 to rise.

[0041] In this embodiment, when the inside temperature is higher than the outside temperature in summer, an opening range R2 larger than the opening range R1 is set. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the opening speed of the sliding door 3 is variably controlled so as to follow a fourth profile in which the maximum opening degree of the door is half-open relative to the opening degree of the first profile A. Therefore, by setting the start time of the opening operation of the sliding door 3 earlier and taking outside air, which is cooler than the inside temperature of the vehicle, into the vehicle, it is possible to alleviate the high temperature inside the vehicle in summer.

Claims

1. A vehicle door control method that automatically opens a vehicle door when a user approaches the vehicle, comprising: setting in advance a first profile that defines the relationship between the distance between the vehicle and the user and a target opening degree of the door; determining whether or not an automatic door opening operation has been reserved; receiving an open command to automatically open the vehicle door transmitted from a mobile terminal carried by the user when the user approaches the vehicle; and variably controlling the door opening speed to follow the first profile when the user is within an opening operation range from the vehicle.

2. A vehicle door control method as described in claim 1, wherein when the external conditions of the vehicle are rainy, the opening operation range is set to a small value, and the door opening speed is variably controlled to follow a second profile in which the door opening speed is faster than the first profile.

3. A vehicle door control method as described in claim 1, wherein when the temperature inside the vehicle is lower than the temperature outside the vehicle in summer, the opening operation range is set to a small value, and the door opening speed is variably controlled to follow a third profile in which the maximum opening angle of the door is half-open.

4. A vehicle door control method as described in claim 1, wherein when the temperature inside the vehicle is higher than the temperature outside the vehicle in summer, the opening operation range is set to a large value, and the door opening speed is variably controlled to follow a fourth profile in which the maximum opening angle of the door is half-open.

5. A vehicle door control device that automatically opens the door of a vehicle when a user approaches the vehicle, comprising: a setting unit that pre-sets a profile that defines the relationship between the distance between the vehicle and the user and a target opening degree of the door; a determination unit that determines whether or not an automatic door opening operation has been reserved; a receiving unit that receives an open command to automatically open the door of the vehicle transmitted from a mobile terminal carried by the user when the user approaches the vehicle; and a control unit that variably controls the opening speed of the door to follow the profile when the user is within an opening operation range of the vehicle.

6. A vehicle door control program that causes a computer installed in the vehicle to execute the vehicle door control method according to claim 1.

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