Vehicle door opening / closing control device

Abstract

This vehicle door opening / closing control device comprises an interface that communicates with an antenna module capable of wirelessly communicating with an electronic key, and a controller that controls the automatic door closing operation of a back door on the rear surface of a vehicle body. Upon receiving a reservation operation command for the automatic door closing operation of the back door from a user, the controller makes a reservation permission assessment for assessing whether to permit the reservation. In cases in which the reservation permission assessment is established, the controller sets the reservation and locks all the doors. In the state of setting the reservation, the controller performs the automatic door closing operation of the back door when it is assessed that a prescribed condition is satisfied in wireless communication between the antenna module and the electronic key.

Description

Vehicle door opening and closing control device

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle door opening and closing control device in which, when an automatic door closing command for a door is stored in a reservation setting means, and a portable device carried by a driver moves away from the door and mutual communication between the door opening and closing control unit and the portable device is interrupted, the door opening and closing control unit automatically closes the door.

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-160589

[0004] Incidentally, after reserving an automatic closing command for a back door, a user may move away from the vehicle without noticing a situation where it is undesirable to leave the vehicle, and the automatic closing operation of the back door may be performed. For example, between the reservation of the automatic door closing command and the activation of the door lock, some doors may be in an incompletely closed state such as being ajar. In this case, when a user carrying the portable device moves out of the communicable range, the automatic closing of the back door is activated to complete the reservation control, and the user leaves the vehicle without noticing the situation where it is undesirable to leave the vehicle.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a door opening and closing control device capable of suppressing a user from leaving a vehicle in a situation where it is undesirable to leave the vehicle, in a vehicle in which an automatic closing operation of a back door can be reserved.

[0006] A vehicle door opening and closing control device according to one aspect of the present invention includes: an interface that communicates with an antenna module capable of wireless communication with an electronic key; and a controller that controls an automatic closing operation of a back door provided on a rear surface of a vehicle body. When the controller receives a reservation operation command for the automatic closing operation of the back door from a user, the controller performs reservation permission determination to determine whether to permit reservation of the automatic closing operation of the back door. When the reservation permission determination is established, the controller sets a reservation for the automatic closing operation of the back door and locks all doors of the vehicle. When the controller determines that a predetermined condition is satisfied in wireless communication between the antenna module and the electronic key in a state where the reservation is set, the controller performs the automatic closing operation of the back door.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle door opening and closing control device can prevent a user from leaving the vehicle while it is in an undesirable state, in a vehicle where the automatic closing operation of the back door can be reserved.

[0008] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle having a door opening / closing control device according to an embodiment. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the door opening / closing control device of the vehicle according to the embodiment. Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the processing steps performed by the door opening / closing control device of the vehicle according to the embodiment in chronological order. Figure 4A is a flowchart showing the processing steps performed by the door opening / closing control device of the vehicle according to the embodiment in chronological order. Figure 4B is a flowchart showing the processing steps performed by the door opening / closing control device of the vehicle according to the embodiment in chronological order. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the processing steps performed by the door opening / closing control device of the vehicle according to the embodiment in chronological order.

[0009] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, a door opening and closing control device S according to the embodiment, its modified form, an embodiment, or a specific example to which the modified form is applied will be described. Furthermore, components having the same function as those already described will be denoted by the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted.

[0010] A vehicle 1 having a door opening / closing control device S according to this embodiment includes a back door 11 provided on the rear of the vehicle body, left and right front doors 12, 12 provided on the front of the vehicle body, left and right rear doors 13, 13 provided on the rear of the vehicle body, and an antenna A provided on the rear of the vehicle body. Each door 12, 12, 13, 13 can be individually locked and unlocked by an actuator. In this embodiment, the latch (not shown) of each door 12, 12, 13, 13 is in the unlatched position when the door is open, and rotates to the full latched position when pushed by a striker (not shown) when the door is closed. In the full latched position, a ratchet (not shown) rotates from the unlocked position to the locked position and engages with the latch, thereby maintaining the full latched position of the latch. The ratchet is also mechanically connected to a door handle 32, and when the door handle 32 is operated by the user, the ratchet rotates from the locked position to the unlocked position. Therefore, in this case, the latch rotates from the fully latched position to the unlatched position when the user opens the door. Alternatively, the mechanical connection between the ratchet and the door handle 32 can be disconnected by an actuator driven by the operation of a door lock knob (not shown) or a key switch. In this case, even if the user operates the door handle 32, the door will not open (door locked state). The back door 11 is capable of automatic opening and closing operations via an actuator, and is also called a power back door. In this embodiment, the ratchet is mechanically connected to the actuator, and the actuator is electrically connected to the back door 11 opener switch (not shown) via an ECU (Electric Control Unit). When the user opens the door while pressing the opener switch, the ratchet is rotated by the actuator. Therefore, in this case, the latch rotates from the fully latched position to the unlatched position when the user opens the door. Furthermore, the ECU can be made to recognize a door lock instruction by operating a door lock switch (not shown) or key switch provided in the vehicle. This prevents the actuator from operating even when the opener switch is pressed, keeping the door locked (in a non-opening state).Furthermore, if a user holding the key (electronic key terminal 21) operates the opener switch while the doors are locked, the actuator can be activated to release the doors.

[0011] On the interior side of the lower end 11A of the back door 11, a back door operating control 12A and a reserved back door operating control 12B are provided. When the back door 11 is open, the user can operate the back door operating control 12A to perform the automatic closing operation of the back door 11. Also, when the back door 11 is open, the user can operate the reserved back door operating control 12B to reserve the automatic closing operation of the back door 11. When the reservation is permitted and set correctly, and it is determined that the predetermined conditions described later have been met, the automatic closing operation of the back door 11 is performed. The back door operating control 12A and the reserved back door operating control 12B are, for example, push buttons, and when the push buttons are pressed, the push buttons move in the thickness direction, and a switch located on the back side of the push buttons becomes pressable.

[0012] Antenna A is installed on the rear bumper of the vehicle body and is capable of wireless communication with the electronic key 21. The communication range of antenna A is, for example, about 1.6 meters. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the area outside the vehicle 1, around the back door at the rear of the vehicle body, is set as the first predetermined area A1, and the area inside the vehicle 1 is set as the second predetermined area A2. The first predetermined area A1 is defined, for example, assuming the area where a user stays when unloading luggage from inside the vehicle with the back door 11 open. The second predetermined area A2 is defined, for example, assuming the electronic key 21 is located inside the passenger compartment or cargo compartment inside the vehicle 1. Furthermore, a third predetermined area A3, which is outside the vehicle 1 and is larger than the first predetermined area A1, may be defined.

[0013] The door opening and closing control device S of the vehicle 1 according to this embodiment consists of an antenna module 31 that can communicate wirelessly with an electronic key 21, a vehicle body control module 41, and a back door control module 51 (see Figure 2). The antenna module 31, the vehicle body control module 41, and the back door control module 51 are configured to communicate data with each other via a network such as a CAN (Controller Area Network).

[0014] The electronic key terminal, electronic key 21, includes a door locking operator 22A, a door unlocking operator 22B, and a back door operating operator 22C. When the user operates the door locking operator 22A, the antenna module 31 receives a lock command. The vehicle control module 41 receives this lock command from the antenna module 31 and can lock all doors 11, 12, 12, 13, and 13. When the user operates the door unlocking operator 22B, the antenna module 31 receives an unlock command. The vehicle control module 41 receives this unlock command from the antenna module 31 and can unlock all doors 11, 12, 12, 13, and 13. The vehicle control module 41 can also lock and unlock all doors 12, 12, 13, 13, and the back door 11. Furthermore, when the user operates the back door operating operator 22C, the antenna module 31 receives a back door operating command. The back door control module 51 receives the operation command from the antenna module 31 and can control the back door 11 to perform an automatic closing operation or an automatic opening operation.

[0015] The antenna module 31 can acquire commands from the door locking control 33A and door unlocking control 33B of the door handle 32. It can also acquire information on whether the ignition switch 34 is in the ON or OFF state. The ignition switch 34 is also called the power switch depending on the configuration of the vehicle 1.

[0016] The antenna module 31 has an antenna A and can determine whether the electronic key 21 is in a first predetermined area A1 or a second predetermined area A2 by wireless communication with the electronic key 21. First, the antenna module 31 determines whether the electronic key 21 is in the first predetermined area A1. If it is determined that the electronic key 21 is not in the first predetermined area A1, it determines whether it is in the second predetermined area A2. Therefore, the antenna module 31 can detect the position of the electronic key 21 in the first predetermined area A1, in the second predetermined area A2 but not in the first predetermined area A1, and in both the first and second predetermined areas A2. Furthermore, the determination may be made by applying a third predetermined area A3 instead of the second predetermined area A2. Note that the position and number of antennas A installed, the communication area, and the setting of each predetermined area are not limited to those described above.

[0017] The vehicle control module 41 can acquire information on whether the powertrain module, which has at least an engine or drive motor, is in a running state or a state in which it can be driven (hereinafter referred to as the "running state"), or whether it is in a state in which it is not running or a state in which it cannot be driven (hereinafter referred to as the "stopped state"). The vehicle control module 41 can also acquire information on the open / closed state of the doors and information on the position of the shift lever in the shift control module.

[0018] The back door control module 51 is implemented by a controller. The controller consists of a computer having a hardware processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memory. The memory is connected to the hardware processor via a bus. Various functions are realized by the controller by having the hardware processor execute programs stored in the memory. The back door controller module 51 also has an interface 61 for communicating with various modules mounted on the vehicle 1 and for receiving signals from various controls provided on the back door 11.

[0019] The back door control module 51 (hereinafter referred to as the controller 51) can receive commands from the back door operating operator 12A and the reserved back door operating operator 12B provided on the back door 11. Based on the information from the antenna module 31 and the information from the vehicle body control module 41, the controller 51 can execute the processing steps described later to control the reserved automatic closing operation of the back door 11 (hereinafter referred to as the reserved automatic closing operation).

[0020] The controller 51 can receive commands from the back door operation disable control 52. The back door operation disable control 52 is a button located inside the vehicle that can switch the automatic closing operation of the back door 11 on or off. That is, the state in which the automatic closing operation of the back door 11 is on means that the automatic closing operation of the back door 11 is not prohibited. The state in which the automatic closing operation of the back door 11 is disabled means that the automatic closing operation of the back door 11 is prohibited. Furthermore, the controller 51 can receive information from the kick sensor back door operation control 53. For example, the controller 51 can receive information from the kick sensor back door operation control 53 located outside the vehicle and, if it determines that a predetermined condition has been met, it can perform the automatic closing operation of the back door 11.

[0021] The automatic closing operation of the back door 11 will now be explained. When the automatic closing operation of the back door 11 is reserved, the automatic closing operation of the back door 11 is performed when it is determined that a predetermined condition has been met. For example, when a user opens the back door 11 to take out luggage, the user may have luggage in both hands and it may be difficult to operate the electronic key 21. In such cases, performing the automatic closing operation of the back door 11 on a reservation basis allows the user to avoid having to put down their luggage or release one hand from their luggage in order to operate the electronic key 21, thereby improving convenience. The user can reserve the automatic closing operation of the back door 11 by operating the reservation back door operation control 12B provided at the lower end 11A of the back door 11 (see step S11 in Figure 3).

[0022] Next, the reservation permission determination will be explained. When the controller 51 receives a command for a reservation operation due to the operation of the reservation back door operation operator 12B of the back door 11 (see step S11 in Figure 3), it determines whether the reservation is possible (step S12). This determination is made by a reservation permission determination, which determines whether or not to allow the reservation of the automatic closing operation of the back door 11 (see Figures 4A and 4B). When a command for the automatic closing operation of the back door 11 is received, there may be situations where it is not appropriate to perform the automatic closing operation of the back door 11. For example, the powertrain module may be in a running state because the engine or motor of the vehicle 1 is running. In this case, there is a possibility that the user may leave the vehicle 1 while the powertrain module is in a running state. Also, some doors of the vehicle 1 may be in an open state. In this case, it is considered undesirable for the user to leave the vehicle 1 while the doors are open. In such cases, the controller 51 controls the system not to allow the reservation of the automatic closing operation of the back door 11 in order to avoid the automatic closing operation of the back door 11 being performed.

[0023] The reservation permission determination flow is shown below (see Figures 4A and 4B). First, in step S31, the controller 51 determines, based on information from the vehicle control module 41, whether the engine or powertrain module having at least one drive motor of the vehicle 1 is in a stopped state. If the above determination is true, in step S32, the controller 51 determines whether all doors 12, 12, 13, 13 other than the back door 11 are in a closed state (step S32). Here, a closed state means that the door is properly closed and does not include states such as a half-closed door, which are incompletely closed states. If the above determination is not true, it is considered undesirable for the user to leave the vehicle 1, and therefore the reservation is not permitted (step S35). If the above determination is true, in step S33, the controller 51 determines whether the electronic key 21 is in the first predetermined area A1 around the back door 11. If there are multiple electronic keys 21, the above determination is considered true if at least one electronic key 21 is in the first predetermined area A1. If the above determination is not met, the reservation will not be permitted (step S35). If all of the above reservation permission determinations are met, the reservation will be permitted and the reservation will be set (step S34).

[0024] If the determination in step S31 is not met, in step S36, the controller 51 determines, based on information provided by the vehicle control module 41, whether the ignition switch 34 is ON and whether the shift lever position in the shift control module is set to parking or neutral. If the above determination is not met, it is considered undesirable for the user to be able to leave the vehicle 1, so the reservation is not permitted (step S40). If the determination in step S36 is met, the controller 51 makes the same determination in step S32 in step S37. If the determination in step S37 is not met, the reservation is not permitted (step S40). If the determination in step S37 is met, the controller 51 makes the same determination in step S33 in step S38. If the determination in step S38 is not met, the reservation is not permitted (step S40). If the determination in step S38 is met, the reservation is permitted and the reservation is set (step S39).

[0025] If the determination of the reservation availability state is successful (step S12), the controller 51 permits the reservation of the automatic closing operation of the back door 11 and performs an operation to lock all doors 12, 12, 13, 13 and the back door 11 (step S13). If the determination of the reservation availability state is not successful in step S12, the reservation automatic closing operation control of the back door 11 is terminated. The above-mentioned locking operation means maintaining the closed state when the door is closed, and maintaining the closed state after the door has been closed when the door is open. More specifically, for each door 12, 12, 13, 13, the actuator is activated to disconnect the mechanical connection between the ratchet and the door handle 32, resulting in a door lock state where the door cannot be opened even if the door handle 32 is operated. For the back door 11, the door lock instruction is made to the ECU, and the door lock instruction is maintained until the ECU is instructed to unlock the door. That is, even after the back door 11 is closed, the ECU continues to recognize the door lock instruction. Therefore, even if the opener switch is pressed, the actuator is not activated, and the door remains locked (door locked state). In the case where the ratchet of the back door 11 is mechanically connected to the door handle 32, the mechanical connection between the ratchet and the door handle 32 is disconnected in advance so that the actuator is activated when the door is open, and the door remains locked (door locked state) when the back door 11 is closed. Following step S13, in step S14, the controller 51 determines whether there are any malfunctions when performing the automatic closing operation of the back door 11. For example, if a component of the back door 11 malfunctions, the closing operation of the back door 11 cannot be performed. Also, in this case, since wireless communication between the antenna module 31 and the electronic key 21 continues even though the closing operation of the back door 11 cannot be performed, the power consumption increases. Therefore, if the controller 51 detects a faulty component, it cancels the reservation (step S23), and the reserved automatic closing operation control of the back door 11 is terminated.

[0026] Next, the determination of predetermined conditions in the automatic closing operation control of the back door 11 will be explained. These predetermined conditions are determined by determining the conditions in the wireless communication between the antenna module 31 and the electronic key 21. This allows the automatic closing operation of the back door 11 to be performed at the appropriate timing.

[0027] The determination flow for predetermined conditions is shown below. The processing steps of the determination flow for predetermined conditions are realized by the controller 51 communicating with the antenna module 31 and cooperating with the antenna module 31. First, the controller 51 starts searching for the electronic key 21 via the antenna module 31 (step S15).

[0028] After the automatic closing operation of the back door 11 is scheduled, the user may perform an unlock operation, for example, if they realize they have left something inside the vehicle. The controller 51 determines whether or not an unlock operation has been performed (step S16). Upon receiving a command from the user to perform an unlock operation, the controller 51 unlocks all doors 12, 12, 13, 13 and the back door 11 (step S22) and cancels the reservation (step S23). This allows the user to retrieve their belongings from inside the vehicle.

[0029] Furthermore, after the automatic closing operation of the back door 11 is reserved, a predetermined user operation may be performed. The controller 51 determines whether or not there has been a user operation (step S17). If the controller 51 receives a command for a predetermined user operation, it may cancel the reservation (step S23). Predetermined user operations include, for example, closing the back door 11, opening the back door 11, turning on the ignition switch, or pressing the back door operation prohibition control 52 to prohibit the automatic closing operation of the back door 11. Also, after the automatic closing operation of the back door 11 is reserved, a predetermined time may elapse. In that case, the controller 51 determines in step S18 whether or not it is within the timer, and if the determination is not successful, it cancels the reservation (step S23).

[0030] The controller 51 determines whether the electronic key 21 is in the first predetermined area A1 (step S19). If the determination in step S19 is successful, the controller 51 determines whether the electronic key 21 is in the second predetermined area A2, which is inside the vehicle 1 (step S20). If the determination in step S20 is successful, the user with the electronic key 21 is away from the vehicle 1, and it is considered a suitable situation to perform the automatic closing operation of the back door 11. Therefore, the controller 51 performs the automatic closing operation of the back door 11 (step S21), and the reserved automatic closing operation control of the back door 11 is terminated. At this time, the door locked state of the back door 11 is maintained. If the above determination is not successful, the search for the electronic key 21 continues (step S15). At this time, if it is determined that the electronic key 21 is in the second predetermined area A2, which is inside the vehicle 1 (step S20), the controller 51 continues in the state where the reservation is set and does not perform the automatic closing operation of the back door 11. For example, if it is determined that the user's electronic key 21 is in the second predetermined area A2 during the loading of goods, the automatic closing operation of the back door 11 may cause the user to be trapped in the back door 11. Furthermore, the reservation setting state is maintained so that the automatic closing operation of the back door 11 is performed when predetermined conditions are subsequently met.

[0031] If, before the determination in steps S19 and S20 under predetermined conditions is made, it is determined that the electronic key 21 is in the second predetermined area A2, which is the interior of the vehicle 1 (step S20), then the determination flow shown in Figure 5 may be performed instead of steps S19 and S20. First, in step S41, the controller 51 determines whether the electronic key 21 is in the first predetermined area A1 within a predetermined time. If the above determination is made, it is considered that the user with the electronic key 21 has moved from the second predetermined area A2, which is the interior of the vehicle, to the first predetermined area A1 within a predetermined time. Next, in step S42, the controller 51 determines whether the electronic key 21 is not in the first predetermined area A1 or the second predetermined area A2 within a predetermined time. If the above determination is made, it is considered that the user has left the first predetermined area A1. Therefore, the controller 51 performs the automatic closing operation of the back door 11 in step S21. If at least one of steps S41 and S42 is not met, the controller 51 may have lost track of the electronic key 21 or may be in an unexpected situation. In such a case, the reservation is canceled (step S44) to prevent the automatic closing operation of the back door 11 from being performed. The predetermined times in steps S41 and S42 can each be set arbitrarily.

[0032] (1) The door opening and closing control device S of the vehicle 1 according to this embodiment includes an interface 61 that communicates with an electronic key 21 and a wirelessly wireless antenna module 31, and a controller 51 that controls the automatic closing operation of the back door 11 provided on the rear of the vehicle body. When the controller 51 receives a reservation operation command from the user for the automatic closing operation of the back door 11, it performs a reservation permission determination to determine whether or not to permit the reservation of the automatic closing operation of the back door 11. If the reservation permission determination is successful, the controller 51 sets a reservation for the automatic closing operation of the back door 11 and locks all the doors 12, 12, 13, 13 and the back door 11 of the vehicle 1. When the controller 51 determines that a predetermined condition has been met in the wireless communication between the antenna module 31 and the electronic key 21 while the reservation is set, it performs the automatic closing operation of the back door 11.

[0033] With the above configuration, if the reservation permission check fails when the user attempts to reserve the automatic door closing operation, the reservation will not be set. Therefore, in certain conditions where it may be undesirable for the user to leave vehicle 1, the reservation will not be set. Consequently, in such conditions, it is possible to avoid the user leaving vehicle 1 and the automatic door closing operation of the back door 11 being performed. Furthermore, if the reservation permission check is successful and the reservation is set, the automatic door closing operation of the back door 11 will not be performed unless it is determined that certain conditions for the electronic key 21 have been met. Therefore, when it is appropriate for the user to leave vehicle 1, and the user has left vehicle 1, the automatic door closing operation of the back door 11 can be performed at an appropriate timing.

[0034] (2) In this embodiment, the reservation permission determination is made when the ignition switch 34 is in the ON position and the position of the shift lever is set to parking or neutral.

[0035] (3) Furthermore, in this embodiment, the reservation permission determination is made when a powertrain module having at least an engine or drive motor is in a stopped state.

[0036] (4) In this embodiment, the reservation permission determination is made when all doors 12, 12, 13, 13 other than the back door 11 are in the closed position.

[0037] (5) Furthermore, in this embodiment, the reservation permission determination is made when the electronic key 21 is located in the first predetermined area A1 near the back door 11.

[0038] According to the above configuration, if the above determination is not met in the reservation permission determination, it is considered that there may be a situation in which it is undesirable for the user to leave vehicle 1. In such a situation, the automatic closing operation of the back door 11 can be avoided.

[0039] (6) In another embodiment, if the controller 51 receives an unlock command from the user before the predetermined conditions are met while a reservation has been set, it unlocks all doors 12, 12, 13, 13 and the back door 11 and cancels the reservation. This allows, for example, the user to open the doors 12, 12, 13, 13 and retrieve any luggage left inside the vehicle, without compromising the user's convenience.

[0040] (7) Furthermore, in the embodiment, if the controller 51 determines that the electronic key 21 is in the second predetermined area A2, which is the interior of the vehicle 1, before the predetermined conditions are met while a reservation has been set, the reservation is maintained and the automatic closing operation of the back door 11 is not performed. This prevents, for example, the automatic closing operation of the back door 11 from being performed when the controller determines that the predetermined conditions have been met in the wireless communication between the antenna module 31 and the electronic key 21 while the user is retrieving luggage from inside the vehicle.

[0041] (8) In this embodiment, the electronic key 21 is determined to be not in the second predetermined area A2, but in the first predetermined area A1, and further determined to be not in either the first predetermined area A1 or the second predetermined area A2. This allows, for example, the automatic closing operation of the back door 11 to be performed when the user is away from the vehicle 1, after the predetermined conditions have been met in the wireless communication between the antenna module 31 and the electronic key 21 while the user is retrieving luggage from inside the vehicle.

[0042] (9) Furthermore, in this embodiment, the predetermined conditions are not met if at least one of the following conditions is not met: the electronic key 21 is not in the second predetermined area A2 and is determined to be in the first predetermined area A1, and the electronic key 21 is not in either the first predetermined area A1 or the second predetermined area A2. If the above conditions are not met, the controller 51 may have lost track of the location of the electronic key 21, or it may be in a state where it is undesirable to perform the automatic closing operation of the back door 11. In such a case, the automatic closing operation of the back door 11 can be avoided.

[0043] The above embodiments are merely illustrative examples described to facilitate understanding of the present invention. The technical scope of the invention is not limited to the specific technical matters disclosed in the above embodiments, and also includes various modifications, alterations, alternative techniques and the like that can be easily derived therefrom.

[0044] In the above embodiment, the first predetermined area A1 is described as an example in steps S19, S33, S38, S41, and S42, but the determination may be made in the third predetermined area A3 instead of the first predetermined area A1, or the determination may be made by combining the first predetermined area A1 and the third predetermined area A3 respectively. Further, the processing of steps S14, S16, and S17 may be omitted.

[0045] 1 Vehicle 11 Back door 12, 12, 13, 13 Door 21 Electronic key 31 Antenna module 34 Ignition switch 51 Back door control module (controller) 61 Interface A1 First predetermined area A2 Second predetermined area S Door opening / closing control device

Claims

1. A vehicle door opening and closing control device comprising: an interface for communicating with an electronic key and a wirelessly wireless antenna module; and a controller for controlling the automatic closing operation of a back door provided on the rear of the vehicle body, wherein the controller, upon receiving a reservation operation command for the automatic closing operation of the back door from the user, performs a reservation permission determination to determine whether or not to permit the reservation for the automatic closing operation of the back door; if the reservation permission determination is successful, sets a reservation for the automatic closing operation of the back door and locks all the doors of the vehicle; and, with the reservation set, if it determines that a predetermined condition has been met in the wireless communication between the antenna module and the electronic key, performs the automatic closing operation of the back door.

2. The vehicle door opening and closing control device according to claim 1, wherein the reservation permission determination is made when the ignition switch is in the ON position and the position of the shift lever is set to parking or neutral.

3. The vehicle door opening and closing control device according to claim 1, wherein the reservation permission determination is made when a powertrain module having at least an engine or drive motor is in a stopped state.

4. The vehicle door opening and closing control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the reservation permission determination is made when all doors other than the back door are in a closed state.

5. The vehicle door opening and closing control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the reservation permission determination is established when the electronic key is located within a first predetermined area near the back door.

6. The vehicle door opening and closing control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the controller, while the reservation is set, receives an unlock operation command from the user before the predetermined condition is met, unlocks all the doors of the vehicle and cancels the reservation.

7. The vehicle door opening and closing control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, when the controller has set the reservation, if it determines that the electronic key is in a second predetermined area which is the interior of the vehicle before the predetermined condition is met, it continues to maintain the state in which the reservation is set and the state in which the automatic closing operation of the back door is not performed.

8. The vehicle door opening and closing control device according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined condition is met when it is determined that the electronic key is not in the second predetermined area and is in the first predetermined area, and further determined that it is not in the first predetermined area or the second predetermined area.

9. The vehicle door opening and closing control device according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined conditions are not met if at least one of the following conditions is not met: the electronic key is not in the second predetermined area and is in the first predetermined area, and the electronic key is not in the first predetermined area or the second predetermined area.

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