JP6979430B2 - Vehicle operation detection device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an operation detection device for a vehicle.

Conventionally, there is an operation detection device for a vehicle provided with a sensor electrode whose capacitance changes when a user's hand or the like as a detector is in close proximity. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a plurality of sensor electrodes are arranged side by side in the opening / closing operation direction of the slide door. Then, for example, when the peak of the capacitance change detected by using each of these sensor electrodes shifts in the opening / closing operation direction of the sliding door, the opening / closing operation request of the sliding door is detected. It is possible to detect various operation inputs by the user.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-150222

However, in order to accurately detect the operation input of the user, it is desired that the hand or the like as the detector is correctly brought close to the sensor electrode. And since this problem tends to become more prominent in the configuration in which various operation inputs can be detected as described above, there is still room for improvement in this respect.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an operation detection device for a vehicle capable of easily performing an appropriate operation input.

In the vehicle operation detection device that solves the above problems, operation input using the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion that function as one sensor electrode in a state of being juxtaposed with a gap and the sensor electrode is performed. The operation guide portion having a light emitting body located in the gap between the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion when viewed from the direction is provided , and the first electrode portion, the second electrode portion, and the first electrode are provided. The operation guide unit has a sensor electrode member integrally provided with a connection unit for connecting the unit and the second electrode unit, and the operation guide unit has the first electrode unit and the second electrode unit when viewed from the direction in which the operation input is performed. A substrate provided at a position in the depth direction and a plurality of the illuminants juxtaposed on the substrate are provided, and the connection portion overlaps each illuminant in the direction in which the illuminants are juxtaposed. The first electrode portion and the second electrode portion are connected at positions where the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion are not provided, and the first electrode portion and the first electrode portion and the first electrode portion are connected at positions between the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion and the substrate in the depth direction. It extends in the direction of connecting the two electrode portions .

According to the above configuration, by using the irradiation light of the light emitting body, the user's hand or the like, which is the detection body, is correctly guided to the sensor electrodes formed by the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion. be able to. Further, by controlling the lighting and extinguishing of the light emitting body, various operation guides corresponding to various operation input patterns can be expressed. As a result, an appropriate operation input can be easily performed.

In particular, by configuring the user to bring the detector such as a hand closer to the light emitting body that lights up in the gap between the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion, the detector can be the first electrode portion or the first electrode portion. There is a high possibility that they are arranged so as to face at least one of the two electrode portions. As a result, the operation input using the sensor electrode can be performed with high accuracy.

That is, by physically connecting the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion, the calculation load of the operation input detection using the sensor electrodes formed by the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion can be reduced, and The scale of the detection circuit can be suppressed. Then, by integrating the components of the sensor electrode as the sensor electrode member, the assembling work can be facilitated.

According to the above configuration, the connection portion of the sensor electrode member directly emits the irradiation light of each light emitter when viewed from the direction in which the operation input using the sensor electrodes formed by the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion is performed. It can be prevented from being obstructed. Further, in a situation where the connection portion receives irradiation light from a plurality of directions, there is an advantage that the shadow becomes inconspicuous.

In addition, since most of the illuminants have directivity, if the illuminating light of the illuminant is not at a position deviated from the direction in which the illuminant is directed, that is, at a position facing the illuminant on the substrate, the illuminant of the illuminant By approaching the substrate, the amount of light received can be reduced. Therefore, according to the above configuration, even in a situation where the connection portion of the sensor electrode member receives irradiation light from one direction, its shadow can be made inconspicuous. Further, by separating the connection portion of the sensor electrode member from the substrate of each light emitting body, the electrostatic coupling between this substrate and the connection portion has an effect on the detection of the operation input using the sensor electrode. Can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to accurately detect the operation input using the sensor electrode.

The vehicle operation detection device for solving the above problems has a side wall portion extending in the depth direction, and is a guide for forming a light guide path for each light emitter in the gap between the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion. The connection portion includes an optical member, and the connection portion has a depth direction extension portion extending in the depth direction from the edges of the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion facing the gap, and the side wall portion of the light guide member. , It is preferable to provide a recess for accommodating the extension portion in the depth direction.

According to the above configuration, the shadow of the extension portion in the depth direction can be prevented from being projected on the gap between the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion. As a result, the texture can be improved.

The vehicle operation detection device that solves the above problems preferably includes a plurality of the sensor electrodes juxtaposed so that the gap between the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion is continuous.
That is, by juxtaposing a plurality of sensor electrodes, it is possible to set various operation input patterns that combine the detection of the detector by each of these sensor electrodes. Then, by arranging the operation guide unit so as to straddle a plurality of continuous gaps formed by each of these sensor electrodes, various operation guides corresponding to the various operation input patterns can be suitably expressed.

According to the present invention, an appropriate operation input can be easily performed.

A perspective view of a vehicle provided with an operation detection device. The block diagram which shows the schematic structure of the operation detection device. The graph which shows an example of the capacitance change which occurs in each sensor electrode by execution of an operation input. A flowchart showing a processing procedure of operation detection determination. A flowchart showing a processing procedure of operation detection determination. (A) is a front view of the operation detection device, and (b) is a sectional view of the operation detection device. (A) and (b) are operation explanatory views of the operation guide part. (A) and (b) are operation explanatory views of the operation guide part. An explanatory diagram of the operation of the operation guide unit. Sectional drawing of the operation detection unit. An exploded perspective view of the operation detection unit. Perspective view of the operation detection unit. Enlarged plan view of the operation detection unit. Enlarged perspective view of the operation detection unit. Sectional drawing of the operation detection unit.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the operation detection device provided on the sliding door of the vehicle will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 1 of the present embodiment includes a sliding door 5 for opening and closing a door opening 3 provided on a side surface of a vehicle body 2. In the vehicle 1 of the present embodiment, the sliding door 5 has a configuration as a so-called rear opening type rear door. That is, the slide door 5 opens by moving to the rear side of the vehicle (right side in FIG. 1) and closes by moving to the front side of the vehicle (left side in the figure). Further, the vehicle 1 of the present embodiment is provided with a door lock device 6 that restrains the slide door 5 in a fully closed state by driving a latch mechanism (not shown) and releases the restraint. Further, the vehicle 1 is provided with an opening / closing drive device 7 capable of opening / closing the slide door 5 using a motor (not shown) as a drive source. As a result, the vehicle 1 of the present embodiment can open and close the slide door 5 by driving a motor.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, in the vehicle 1 of the present embodiment, the operation of the door lock device 6 and the opening / closing drive device 7 is controlled by the door ECU 10. Further, an operation input signal Scr indicating that an operation input unit provided on the slide door 5 or a portable device (not shown) held by the user has been operated is input to the door ECU 10. The door ECU 10 of the present embodiment is configured to control the operation of the door lock device 6 and the opening / closing drive device 7 based on the operation request indicated by the operation input signal Scr.

That is, when the door ECU 10 of the present embodiment detects, for example, a lock request or an unlock request indicated by the operation input signal Scr, it is a condition that the door ECU 10 satisfies the security requirements such as a so-called electronic key using a portable device. To control the door lock device 6. As a result, the slide door 5 is restrained in the fully closed state according to the lock request, and the lock of the slide door 5 is released according to the unlock request.

Further, the door ECU 10 of the present embodiment is a door ECU 10 of the opening / closing drive device 7 on condition that the sliding door 5 is in the unlocked state or the transition to the unlocked state is permitted by the operation of the door lock device 6. Control the operation. As a result, the slide door 5 is opened according to the opening operation request indicated by the operation input signal Scr, and the sliding door 5 is closed according to the closing operation request.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the vehicle 1 of the present embodiment, an operation in which the output signal changes when, for example, the hand of a user who is a detector is close to the slide door 5. A detection unit 15 is provided. Specifically, the operation detection unit 15 of the present embodiment includes a sensor electrode 20 whose capacitance changes depending on the proximity of the detector. Further, in the vehicle 1 of the present embodiment, the output signal of the operation detection unit 15 is also input to the door ECU 10. Then, in the vehicle 1 of the present embodiment, the operation detection device 21 capable of detecting the operation input to the slide door 5 in a non-contact manner is formed by this.

More specifically, the operation detection unit 15 of the present embodiment has the first sensor electrode 20a, the second sensor electrode 20b, the third sensor electrode 20c, and the capacitances C1, C2, and C3 of each of these sensor electrodes 20. , And a detection circuit 23 for independently detecting each. Further, in the vehicle 1 of the present embodiment, the operation detection unit 15 is arranged inside the window portion 30 provided on the slide door 5, specifically, in the vicinity of the lower frame portion 30b thereof. Further, in the operation detection unit 15 of the present embodiment, the first sensor electrode 20a, the second sensor electrode 20b, and the third sensor electrode 20c are extended in the order of arrangement of the lower frame portion 30b extending in the vehicle front-rear direction. They are juxtaposed in the direction, that is, in the opening / closing operation direction of the slide door 5. The operation detection unit 15 of the present embodiment has a configuration in which each of these sensor electrodes 20 can be visually recognized from the outside of the vehicle.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the operation detection device 21 of the present embodiment brings a hand or the like serving as a detection body X close to the operation detection unit 15 from the outside of the window portion 30, and thus each sensor electrode 20 thereof. Cx, that is, the capacitances C1, C2, and C3 of the first sensor electrode 20a, the second sensor electrode 20b, and the third sensor electrode 20c change. Further, the operation detection unit 15 uses the electrostatics of the first sensor electrode 20a, the second sensor electrode 20b, and the third sensor electrode 20c as the operation detection signal Sx indicating the electrostatic capacitance Cx of the sensor electrode 20. The first operation signal S1, the second operation signal S2, and the third operation signal S3 indicating the capacities C1, C2, and C3 are output to the door ECU 10. The operation detection device 21 of the present embodiment is configured such that the door ECU 10 detects an operation input to the slide door 5 based on the operation detection signal Sx.

Specifically, the door ECU 10 of the present embodiment has the first sensor shown in the first operation signal S1, the second operation signal S2, and the third operation signal S3 input from the operation detection unit 15 as the operation detection signal Sx. The capacitances C1, C2, and C3 of the electrodes 20a, the second sensor electrode 20b, and the third sensor electrode 20c are compared with the predetermined threshold Cth. Further, when the capacitance Cx of the sensor electrode 20 indicated by these operation detection signals Sx exceeds the threshold value Cth, the door ECU 10 compares the characteristics of the capacitance change with a predetermined operation input pattern. As a result, the mode of operation input by the user is determined.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when the hand close to the operation detection unit 15 is moved from the front to the rear of the vehicle, the peak of the capacitance change exceeding the threshold value Cth is the first operation signal S1 and the first. The two capacitances C1, C2, and C3 shown in the operation signal S2 and the third operation signal S3 change in this order. That is, the order of arrangement of the first sensor electrode 20a, the second sensor electrode 20b, and the third sensor electrode 20c arranged side by side in the vehicle front-rear direction changes. Then, in the operation detection device 21 of the present embodiment, the operation input pattern for moving the detection body X from the front to the rear of the vehicle, that is, in the opening operation direction of the slide door 5, causes the slide door 5 to open. It is set as an operation input indicating the open operation request of.

More specifically, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4, in the door ECU 10 of the present embodiment, the peak of the capacitance change exceeding the threshold value Cth is the first operation signal S1, the second operation signal S2, and the third operation signal. It is determined whether or not each of the capacitances C1, C2, and C3 shown in S3 has transitioned in this order (step 101). When such a characteristic of the capacitance change is detected (step 101: YES), the operation of the open / close drive device 7 is controlled to open and drive the slide door 5 (step 102).

Further, in the door ECU 10, the peak of the capacitance change exceeding the threshold value Cth is in the order of the respective capacitances C3, C2, and C1 indicated by the third operation signal S3, the second operation signal S2, and the first operation signal S1. It is determined whether or not the transition has occurred in (step 103). That is, the feature of such a change in capacitance is that, contrary to the example shown in FIG. 5, the hand close to the operation detection unit 15 is moved from the rear to the front of the vehicle, that is, in the closing operation direction of the slide door 5. If detected. When the door ECU 10 of the present embodiment detects such a characteristic of the capacitance change (step 103: YES), the door ECU 10 controls the operation of the open / close drive device 7 to close the slide door 5. (Step 104).

Further, in the operation detection device 21, a so-called “hand holding operation” in which the detection body X such as a hand is brought closer to the operation detection unit 15 from the outside in the vehicle width direction is also set as the operation input pattern for the slide door 5. There is. In the operation detection unit 15 of the present embodiment, the substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction provided with the second sensor electrode 20b is set at the operation position of the hand holding operation. Then, when the feature of the capacitance change indicated by the operation detection signal Sx corresponds to the operation input pattern of such a hand-held operation, the door ECU 10 of the present embodiment is set to the operation position of the slide door 5. Based on this, the slide door 5 is configured to open and close.

Specifically, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, in the door ECU 10 of the present embodiment, the capacitance C2 of the second sensor electrode 20b shown in the second operation signal S2 is set to the predetermined threshold value for a predetermined time or longer. It is determined whether or not the state exceeds Cth (step 201). Further, the door ECU 10 is in a state where the capacitance C2 of the second sensor electrode 20b indicated by the second operation signal S2 exceeds the threshold value Cth for a predetermined time or more (step 201: YES), that is, as described above. When a hand-held operation by a user is detected, it is subsequently determined whether or not the slide door 5 is in the fully closed position (step 202). Then, when the slide door 5 is in the fully closed position (step 202: YES), the slide door 5 is opened and driven (step 203), and when it is in any of the open operation positions (step 202: NO). Is configured to close and drive the slide door 5 (step 204).

(Operation guide function)
Next, the operation guide function mounted on the operation detection device 21 of the present embodiment will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, in the operation detection device 21 of the present embodiment, the first sensor electrode 20a, the second sensor electrode 20b, and the third sensor electrode 20c each have a gap 40. The first electrode portion 41 and the second electrode portion 42 arranged side by side are provided. Specifically, each of the first electrode portion 41 and the second electrode portion 42 has a long substantially rectangular flat plate shape extending in the direction in which the sensor electrodes 20 are juxtaposed. Further, the first electrode portion 41 and the second electrode portion 42 are arranged at positions orthogonal to the direction in which the sensor electrodes 20 are juxtaposed, that is, at positions separated in the vertical direction when mounted on the vehicle 1. Has been done. As a result, each sensor electrode 20 of the present embodiment has a configuration having a gap 40 extending in the direction in which each of the sensor electrodes 20 is juxtaposed between the first electrode portion 41 and the second electrode portion 42. It has become.

Further, in the operation detection device 21 of the present embodiment, the first electrode portion 41 and the second electrode portion 42 are connected via the connection portion 43. Specifically, each sensor electrode 20 of the present embodiment is configured by using a sensor electrode member 45 integrally including the first electrode portion 41, the second electrode portion 42, and the connection portion 43, respectively. There is. The operation detection device 21 of the present embodiment is configured such that the first electrode portion 41 and the second electrode portion 42 juxtaposed with a gap 40 thereof function as one sensor electrode 20. ..

Further, the operation detection device 21 of the present embodiment is in the direction in which the operation input using each sensor electrode 20 is performed, that is, in FIG. 6A, when viewed from the front side with respect to the paper surface, each of these sensors. An operation guide unit 55 having a light emitter 50 located in the gap 40 between the first electrode unit 41 and the second electrode unit 42 constituting the electrode 20 is provided.

More specifically, in the operation detection device 21 of the present embodiment, the gap 40a between the first electrode portion 41a and the second electrode portion 42a constituting the first sensor electrode 20a is in the vehicle front-rear direction (left-right direction in FIG. 6). ), The first electrode portion 41a and the second electrode portion 42a extend in the front-rear direction of the vehicle based on the rectangular shape. Further, a gap 40b between the first electrode portion 41b and the second electrode portion 42b constituting the second sensor electrode 20b, and a gap 40c between the first electrode portion 41c and the second electrode portion 42c constituting the third sensor electrode 20c. Also extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. Further, in the operation detection device 21 of the present embodiment, the first sensor electrode 20a, the second sensor electrode 20b, and the third sensor electrode 20c are provided so that the gaps 40a, 40b, and 40c are linearly continuous. They are juxtaposed. The operation guide unit 55 of the present embodiment has a plurality of LEDs (light emitting diodes) 51 arranged in the front-rear direction of the vehicle corresponding to the respective gaps 40a, 40b, and 40c as the light emitting body 50. ..

Specifically, the operation guide unit 55 of the present embodiment arranges the LEDs 51 in a line at substantially equal intervals for the gaps 40a, 40b, and 40c extending linearly and continuously. Further, the operation guide unit 55 arranges the same number of LEDs 51 for each of the gaps 40a, 40b, and 40c. The operation guide unit 55 of the present embodiment can independently turn on each of these LEDs 51.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the operation detection device 21 of the present embodiment, the operation guide unit 55 is integrated with the operation detection unit 15 together with each of the sensor electrodes 20. Further, the operation of the operation guide unit 55 is controlled by the door ECU 10. Specifically, when the door ECU 10 of the present embodiment detects a user in the vicinity of the slide door 5, each LED 51 of the operation guide unit 55 is turned on according to the opening / closing operation state thereof. The door ECU 10 of the present embodiment detects the proximity of the user by performing wireless communication with the portable device held by the user. Then, the operation detection device 21 of the present embodiment correctly brings the user's hand or the like, which is the detection body X, close to each sensor electrode 20, and at the same time, depending on the opening / closing operation state of the slide door 5. It is configured to guide an appropriate operation input pattern.

More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7A, the door ECU 10 of the present embodiment first detects the proximity of the user when the sliding door 5 is in the fully closed state. , Each LED 51a arranged at a position corresponding to the first sensor electrode 20a arranged on the most front side of the vehicle is turned on. Further, after that, when the proximity of the detector X to the first sensor electrode 20a is detected, as shown in FIG. 7B, the operation is arranged in a row so as to straddle the gap 40 of each sensor electrode 20. Each LED 51 of the guide unit 55 is sequentially turned on and off from the front side to the rear side of the vehicle. Then, the operation detection device 21 of the present embodiment executes the operation input pattern for opening and operating the slide door 5 as described above by utilizing the afterimage of the light moving from the front side to the rear side of the vehicle. That is, it is configured to induce a so-called backward swipe operation.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8A, the door ECU 10 of the present embodiment is the first when the proximity of the user is detected when the sliding door 5 is in the fully open state. Each LED 51c arranged at a position corresponding to the third sensor electrode 20c arranged on the rear side of the vehicle is turned on. Further, after that, when the proximity of the detection body X to the third sensor electrode 20c is detected, as shown in FIG. 8B, each LED 51 of the operation guide unit 55 is moved from the rear side to the front side of the vehicle. Turns on and off in sequence. Then, the operation detection device 21 of the present embodiment executes the operation input pattern for closing and operating the slide door 5 as described above by utilizing the afterimage of the light moving from the rear side to the front side of the vehicle. That is, it is configured to induce a so-called forward swipe operation.

In addition, for example, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, when the sliding door 5 is in the half-open state and the proximity of the user is detected, the sliding door 5 is provided at the center position in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. It is conceivable to light each LED 51b arranged at a position corresponding to the second sensor electrode 20b. As a result, the user's hand or the like, which is the detection body X, can be correctly guided to the second sensor electrode 20b used for detecting the hand holding operation.

(Operation detection unit)
Next, the structure of the operation detection unit 15 in the operation detection device 21 of the present embodiment will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, in the operation detection device 21 of the present embodiment, the operation detection unit 15 has a long substantially flat tubular shape extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle when mounted on the vehicle 1. A case 60 is provided. Further, the operation detection unit 15 includes a holder member 61 for holding the sensor electrode members 45a, 45b, 45c used for the first sensor electrode 20a, the second sensor electrode 20b, and the third sensor electrode 20c in the case 60. ing. Further, the operation detection unit 15 includes a substrate 62 on which each LED 51 constituting the light emitting body 50 of the operation guide unit 55 is mounted. The operation detection unit 15 of the present embodiment includes a bracket 63 that is fixed to the slide door 5 while supporting the case 60.

More specifically, the bracket 63 of the present embodiment includes a fixing portion 64 having a substantially L-shaped cross section. Further, a fastening hole 64x is provided at the tip of the fixing portion 64. The bracket 63 of the present embodiment is configured to be fixed to the inner panel 66 of the slide door 5 based on the fastening force of the bolt 65 inserted into the fastening hole 64x.

Further, the case 60 of the present embodiment is formed by assembling a cover member 68 that covers the mounting surface 67a side to a base member 67 having a long substantially rectangular flat plate-shaped outer shape. Further, the case 60 is fixed to the bracket 63 with the back surface 67b of the base member 67 facing the bracket 63 side. As a result, the operation detection unit 15 of the present embodiment has the cover member 68 of the case 60 facing the outside of the vehicle, that is, the design surface 68s of the cover member 68 faces the window glass 30x. The structure is such that it is supported inside the window portion 30 provided on the slide door 5.

The bracket 63 of the present embodiment is formed by plastic working a metal plate material. Further, the bracket 63 has a shield portion 69 that covers the back surface 67b side of the fixed base member 67. The operation detection unit 15 of the present embodiment is configured such that the bracket 63 functions as an electromagnetic shield to prevent the occurrence of erroneous detection based on the movement of the inside of the vehicle by the occupant of the vehicle. ..

Further, in the operation detection unit 15 of the present embodiment, the substrate 62 of each LED 51 and the holder member 61 holding each sensor electrode member 45 are sequentially assembled to the mounting surface 67a of the base member 67.

More specifically, the substrate 62 of the present embodiment has a long substantially rectangular flat plate-shaped outer shape. Further, the LEDs 51 are arranged in a row at substantially equal intervals along the longitudinal direction in the lateral direction and the substantially central position on the mounting surface 62a of the substrate 62. The substrate 62 of the present embodiment is fixed to the base member 67 with its back surface 62b facing toward the mounting surface 67a of the base member 67.

Further, in the operation detection unit 15 of the present embodiment, the cover member 68 constituting the case 60 together with the base member 67 has a design surface 68s at a position facing each LED 51 provided on the substrate 62 as described above. A slit 70 is provided in the opening. The operation detection unit 15 of the present embodiment is configured such that the irradiation light of each LED 51 is visually recognized through the slit 70.

On the other hand, the holder member 61 of the present embodiment includes a tubular portion 71 that opens in a direction orthogonal to the mounting surface 67a of the base member 67. In the holder member 61 of the present embodiment, the tubular portion 71 has a flat shape having a pair of side wall portions 72w and 72w extending in the longitudinal direction of the base member 67 in a state of facing each other. In the holder member 61 of the present embodiment, the mounting surface 67a of the base member 67 is in a state where the first opening end 71a side of the cylindrical portion 71 faces the mounting surface 62a of the substrate 62 on which each LED 51 is provided. It is configured to be fixed to.

Further, the holder member 61 of the present embodiment includes a first flange portion 81 and a second flange portion 82 extending from the second opening end 71b of the tubular portion 71 in the lateral direction of the base member 67. .. Further, in the holder member 61 of the present embodiment, the first flange portion 81 and the second flange portion 82 are also extended in the longitudinal direction of the base member 67, respectively. Then, in the holder member 61 of the present embodiment, the first electrode portion 41 and the second electrode portion 42 constituting the respective sensor electrodes 20 are fixed to the first flange portion 81 and the second flange portion 82. Each sensor electrode member 45 is held inside the case 60 in this state.

Specifically, in the operation detection unit 15 of the present embodiment, the sensor electrode member 45a provided with the first electrode portion 41a and the second electrode portion 42a constituting the first sensor electrode 20a is the left end in FIG. It is held by the holder member 61 in the vicinity of the portion. Further, the sensor electrode member 45c provided with the first electrode portion 41c and the second electrode portion 42c constituting the third sensor electrode 20c is held by the holder member 61 in the vicinity of the right end portion in the figure. Then, the sensor electrode member 45b provided with the first electrode portion 41b and the second electrode portion 42b constituting the second sensor electrode 20b is held by the holder member 61 at a position between the sensor electrode members 45a and 45c. It is configured to be.

Further, in each of these sensor electrode members 45, the first electrode portion 41 is fixed to the first flange portion 81 extending upward when the operation detection unit 15 is mounted on the vehicle 1, and the first electrode portion 41 is fixed downward. The second electrode portion 42 is fixed to the extending second flange portion 82. Further, in the holder member 61 of the present embodiment, each LED 51 mounted on the substrate 62 is mounted on the substrate 62 in a state of being assembled to the mounting surface 67a of the base member 67, and the cylindrical portion 71 is formed via the first opening end 71a thereof. It is configured to face the inside of the cylinder. Then, the operation detection unit 15 of the present embodiment is in a direction in which an operation input using each sensor electrode 20 formed by each sensor electrode member 45 held by the holder member 61 is performed, that is, a slide door. Each LED 51 is arranged in the gap 40 between the first electrode portion 41 and the second electrode portion 42 when viewed from the user side outside the vehicle that performs the opening / closing operation of 5.

That is, the holder member 61 of the present embodiment has at least the axial length (the length in the left-right direction in FIG. 6) of the tubular portion 71 extending in the direction orthogonal to the substrate 62 of each LED 51, or the substrate. The first electrode portion 41 and the second electrode portion 42 constituting the sensor electrodes 20 are held at positions separated from the 62. In other words, in the operation detection unit 15 of the present embodiment, the substrate 62 is in the depth direction of the first electrode portion 41 and the second electrode portion 42 when viewed from the direction in which the operation input using each sensor electrode 20 is performed. It is arranged at the position (on the right side in FIG. 6). Then, the operation detection unit 15 of the present embodiment detects the operation input by electrostatically coupling between the first electrode portion 41 and the second electrode portion 42 and the substrate 62 of each LED 51. It is configured to reduce the influence on.

Further, in the holder member 61 of the present embodiment, each of the tubular portions 71 having the side wall portions 72 extending in the depth direction, including the side wall portions 72w and 72w, is arranged on the side of the first opening end 71a. It functions as a light guide member 85 that forms the light guide path L of the LED 51. Further, the diffuser plate 86 having translucency is fixed to the cover member 68 in such a manner that the slit 70 opening in the design surface 68s is covered from the inside of the case 60. Then, the operation detection unit 15 of the present embodiment efficiently emits the irradiation light of each LED 51 provided at a position separated from the first electrode portion 41 and the second electrode portion 42 in the depth direction. It is configured so that it can be visually recognized through the slit 70 of the cover member 68 provided at a position facing the gap 40 between the first electrode portion 41 and the second electrode portion 42.

The operation detection unit 15 of the present embodiment includes a long, substantially flat plate-shaped electrode member 87 that is held at a position below the holder member 61 when mounted on the vehicle 1. The operation detection device 21 of the present embodiment has a configuration in which the electrode member 87 is used as a ground electrode.

More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 6, 12, and 13, in the operation detection unit 15 of the present embodiment, each sensor electrode member 45 has a length of the first electrode portion 41 and the second electrode portion 42, respectively. A pair of connecting portions 43 for connecting between the first electrode portion 41 and the second electrode portion 42 are provided at two positions separated from each other in the direction. Then, in the operation detection unit 15 of the present embodiment, each of these connection portions 43 is arranged in a direction in which the respective LEDs 51 are arranged side by side in a row, that is, the first electrode portion 41 and the second electrode portion 42. It is configured to be arranged at a position that does not overlap with each of these LEDs 51 in the direction along the longitudinal direction.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, in each sensor electrode member 45 of the present embodiment, each connection portion 43 uses the sensor electrode 20 formed by the first electrode portion 41 and the second electrode portion 42. When viewed from the direction in which the operation input is performed, it has a substantially U-shaped cross section protruding in the depth direction, that is, in the direction approaching the substrate 62 of each LED 51. Then, in the operation detection unit 15 of the present embodiment, each of these connection portions 43 is located at a position between the first electrode portion 41 and the second electrode portion 42 and the substrate 62 of each LED 51 in the depth direction. , The direction in which the first electrode portion 41 and the second electrode portion 42 are connected, that is, in the vehicle-mounted state, is configured to extend in the vertical direction of the vehicle 1.

That is, in the direction in which the LEDs 51 are juxtaposed, the sensor electrode 20 formed by the first electrode portion 41 and the second electrode portion 42 is formed by the fact that the connection portion 43 of the sensor electrode member 45 does not overlap with each of these LEDs 51. When viewed from the direction in which the operation input used is performed, the connection portion 43 can be prevented from directly blocking the irradiation light of each LED 51. Further, in a situation where the connection portion 43 receives irradiation light from a plurality of directions, there is an advantage that the shadow is inconspicuous.

In addition, most of the light emitters 50 have directivity. In particular, since the LED 51 has a strong directivity, it tends to be difficult for the irradiation light to spread. Therefore, when the irradiation light of the LED 51 is not at a position deviated from the directivity direction, that is, at a position facing the LED 51 on the substrate 62, the light amount received is reduced by approaching the substrate 62 of the LED 51. be able to.

Based on this point, in the operation detection unit 15 of the present embodiment, as described above, the connection portion 43 of each sensor electrode member 45 is viewed from the direction in which the operation input is performed, and the first electrode portion 41 and the first electrode portion 43 thereof. At a position on the depth direction side of the two electrode portions 42, the first electrode portion 41 and the second electrode portion 42 are extended in a connecting direction. As a result, the operation detection unit 15 of the present embodiment has a configuration in which the shadow of the connection portion 43 of each sensor electrode member 45 is inconspicuous even in a situation where the irradiation light is received from one direction.

Further, in the operation detection unit 15 of the present embodiment, the connection portion 43 of each sensor electrode member 45 is separated from the substrate 62 of each LED 51. As a result, the electrostatic coupling between the substrate 62 and the connection portion 43 is configured to reduce the influence on the detection of the operation input using the sensor electrode 20.

More specifically, each connection portion 43 of the present embodiment has edges 91 and 92 of the first electrode portion 41 and the second electrode portion 42 facing the gap 40 between the first electrode portion 41 and the second electrode portion 42. It has a depth direction extending portion 93, 93 extending in the depth direction from the surface, and a connecting direction extending portion 94 connecting between the depth direction extending portions 93, 93. Further, in the operation detection unit 15 of the present embodiment, the holder member 61 as the light guide member 85 has a groove-shaped recess 95 provided in the side wall portion 72 of the tubular portion 71 extending in the depth direction thereof. Specifically, the holder member 61 of the present embodiment has these recesses 95 and 95 at a plurality of locations in the longitudinal direction in which the connection portion 43 of each sensor electrode member 45 is arranged. Further, the holder member 61 accommodates the depth extending portions 93, 93 of the connecting portions 43 inside the recesses 95, 95. The operation detection unit 15 of the present embodiment is configured such that the shadows of the extending portions 93 and 93 in the depth direction are not projected onto the gap 40 between the first electrode portion 41 and the second electrode portion 42. ..

Next, the effect of this embodiment will be described.
(1) The operation detection device 21 has a first electrode portion 41 and a second electrode portion 42 that function as one sensor electrode 20 in a state of being juxtaposed with a gap 40, and an operation input using the sensor electrode 20. It includes an operation guide unit 55 having a light emitting body 50 located in the gap 40 between the first electrode unit 41 and the second electrode unit 42 when viewed from the direction in which the operation is performed.

According to the above configuration, by using the irradiation light of the light emitting body 50, the sensor electrode 20 formed by the first electrode portion 41 and the second electrode portion 42 is correctly used as the detection body X. It is possible to guide the hands and the like. Further, by controlling the lighting and extinguishing of the light emitting body 50, various operation guides corresponding to various operation input patterns can be expressed. As a result, an appropriate operation input can be easily performed.

In particular, the detector X is configured so that the user brings the detector X such as a hand closer to the light emitter 50 that lights up in the gap 40 between the first electrode portion 41 and the second electrode portion 42. There is a high possibility that they are arranged so as to face at least one of the first electrode portion 41 and the second electrode portion 42. As a result, it is possible to accurately detect the operation input using the sensor electrode 20.

(2) The operation detection device 21 is a sensor integrally including a first electrode unit 41, the second electrode unit 42, and a connection unit 43 connecting between the first electrode unit 41 and the second electrode unit 42. It has an electrode member 45.

That is, by physically connecting the first electrode portion 41 and the second electrode portion 42, an operation input detection calculation load using the sensor electrode 20 formed by the first electrode portion 41 and the second electrode portion 42 is used. And the scale of the detection circuit 23 can be suppressed. Then, by integrating the components of the sensor electrode 20 as the sensor electrode member 45, the assembling work can be facilitated.

(3) The operation guide unit 55 has the first electrode unit 41 and the second electrode unit 42 when viewed from the direction in which the operation input using the sensor electrode 20 formed by the first electrode unit 41 and the second electrode unit 42 is performed. It includes a substrate 62 provided at a position in the depth direction from 42, and a plurality of light emitters 50 juxtaposed on the substrate 62. Further, the connecting portion 43 of the sensor electrode member 45 connects between the first electrode portion 41 and the second electrode portion 42 at a position that does not overlap with each of the light emitting bodies 50 in the direction in which the light emitting bodies 50 are juxtaposed. do. The connection portion 43 is located between the first electrode portion 41 and the second electrode portion 42 at a position between the first electrode portion 41 and the second electrode portion 42 and the substrate 62 of the light emitter 50 in the depth direction. Extends in the direction of connecting.

According to the above configuration, the connecting portion 43 of the sensor electrode member 45 is the light emitting body 50 when viewed from the direction in which the operation input using the sensor electrode 20 formed by the first electrode portion 41 and the second electrode portion 42 is performed. It is possible not to directly block the irradiation light of. Further, in a situation where the connecting portion 43 receives irradiation light from a plurality of directions, there is an advantage that the shadow becomes inconspicuous.

Further, since most of the light emitting bodies 50 have directivity, if the irradiation light of the light emitting body 50 is not at a position deviated from the direction in which the light emitting body 50 is directed, that is, at a position facing the light emitting body 50 on the substrate 62, By approaching the substrate 62 of the light emitter 50, the amount of light received can be reduced. Therefore, according to the above configuration, even in a situation where the connecting portion 43 of the sensor electrode member 45 receives irradiation light from one direction, its shadow can be made inconspicuous. Further, by separating the connecting portion 43 of the sensor electrode member 45 from the substrate 62 of each light emitting body 50, the electrostatic coupling between the substrate 62 and the connecting portion 43 uses the sensor electrode 20. The influence on the detection of the operation input can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to accurately detect the operation input using the sensor electrode 20.

(4) The operation detection device 21 has a side wall portion 72 extending in the depth direction, and guides the light emitting body 50 to form a light guide path L in the gap 40 between the first electrode portion 41 and the second electrode portion 42. The optical member 85 is provided. Further, the connection portion 43 of the sensor electrode member 45 has a depth direction extension portion 93, 93 extending in the depth direction from the edge portions 91, 92 of the first electrode portion 41 and the second electrode portion 42 facing the gap 40. The side wall portion 72 of the light guide member 85 is provided with recesses 95, 95 for accommodating the depth direction extending portions 93, 93 thereof.

According to the above configuration, the shadow of the extending portions 93 and 93 in the depth direction can be prevented from being projected on the gap 40 between the first electrode portion 41 and the second electrode portion 42. As a result, the texture can be improved.

(5) The operation detection device 21 includes a plurality of sensor electrodes 20 arranged side by side so that the gap 40 between the first electrode portion 41 and the second electrode portion 42 is continuous.
That is, by juxtaposing the plurality of sensor electrodes 20, various operation input patterns can be set by combining the detection of the detector X by each of the sensor electrodes 20. Then, by arranging the operation guide unit 55 so as to straddle a plurality of continuous gaps 40 formed by each of the sensor electrodes 20, various operation guides corresponding to the various operation input patterns can be suitably expressed. can.

(6) The operation detection device 21 arranges the sensor electrode 20 inside the window portion 30 provided in the slide door 5 of the vehicle 1.
That is, when such a configuration is adopted, the sensor electrode 20 is often arranged in the vicinity of the lower frame portion 30b of the window portion 30. Further, in this case, the sensor electrode 20 is separated upward from the lower frame portion 30b of the window portion 30 in order to reduce the influence of the electrostatic coupling with the slide door 5 on the detection of the operation input. Placed in position. Therefore, a configuration is conceivable in which the operation guide portion 55 is arranged on the lower peripheral edge portion of the sensor electrode 20.

However, there is a high possibility that the user's hand, which is the detector X, can approach the sensor electrode 20 arranged in the vicinity of the lower frame portion 30b of the window portion 30 from the lower side of the sensor electrode 20. Therefore, when the light emitting body 50 of the operation guide unit 55 is turned on below the sensor electrode 20, the user reaches for the irradiation light, and the hand as the detector X correctly recognizes the sensor. It may not be arranged at a position facing the electrode 20.

In this regard, in the configuration in which the light emitting body 50 is lit in the gap 40 between the first electrode portion 41 and the second electrode portion 42 constituting the sensor electrode 20, the user reaches for the irradiation light, and this is achieved. There is a high possibility that the hand as the detector X is arranged to face the lower electrode portion 41 of the first electrode portion 41 and the second electrode portion 42. Therefore, by applying the above configurations (1) to (5) to the configuration in which the sensor electrode 20 is arranged inside the window portion 30, a more remarkable effect can be obtained.

The above embodiment can be modified and implemented as follows. The above embodiment and the following modified examples can be implemented in combination with each other within a technically consistent range.

In the above embodiment, the sensor electrode 20 integrated as the operation detection unit 15 and the operation guide portion 55 are arranged inside the window portion 30 provided in the slide door 5 of the vehicle 1. However, the position where the sensor electrode 20 and the operation guide portion 55 are provided is not necessarily limited to the inside of the window portion 30, and may be arbitrarily changed. Further, the sensor electrode 20 and the operation guide unit 55 do not necessarily have to be integrated as the operation detection unit 15. Then, for example, the sensor electrode 20 and the operation guide unit 55 may be arranged in a vehicle having doors of different types such as a swing door and a back door.

-In the above embodiment, the first sensor electrode 20a, the second sensor electrode 20b, and the third sensor electrode 20c arranged side by side in the front-rear direction of the vehicle are provided, but the number and arrangement of the sensor electrodes 20 are arbitrary. May be changed to. That is, it may be one or two. Further, it may be configured to include four or more sensor electrodes 20.

In the above embodiment, the first electrode portion 41 and the second electrode portion 42, which function as one sensor electrode 20 in a state of being juxtaposed with a gap 40, both have a long substantially rectangular flat plate shape. , The shape may be arbitrarily changed.

Further, in the above embodiment, the sensor electrode integrally includes the first electrode portion 41, the second electrode portion 42, and the connecting portion 43 connecting between the first electrode portion 41 and the second electrode portion 42. It was decided to have the member 45. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the connecting portion 43 formed separately from the first electrode portion 41 and the second electrode portion 42 is configured to connect between the first electrode portion 41 and the second electrode portion 42. There may be. Then, without having such a physical connection portion 43, for example, the capacitances of the first electrode portion 41 and the second electrode portion 42 are independently detected, and these two values are summed and controlled. Therefore, it may be applied to a configuration in which the first electrode portion 41 and the second electrode portion 42 juxtaposed with the gap 40 open function as one sensor electrode 20.

In the above embodiment, the connection portion 43 has a substantially U-shaped cross section, so that the connection portion 43 is located between the first electrode portion 41 and the second electrode portion 42 and the substrate 62 of the light emitter 50 in the depth direction thereof. It was decided to extend in the direction of connecting between the first electrode portion 41 and the second electrode portion 42. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the shape of the connecting portion 43 may be arbitrarily changed. For example, the shape may be such that the first electrode portion 41 and the second electrode portion 42 are linearly connected on the same plane as the first electrode portion 41 and the second electrode portion 42.

In the above embodiment, LEDs (light emitting diodes) 51 arranged side by side in a row are used as the light emitting body 50 of the operation guide unit 55. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a light emitter 50 other than the LED 51 may be used. Further, the number and arrangement of the light emitters 50 may be arbitrarily changed. For example, the light emitting body 50 of the operation guide unit 55 may be arranged on the same plane as the first electrode unit 41 and the second electrode unit 42. Then, the mode of lighting and extinguishing control of the light emitting body 50 for inducing the operation input pattern may also be arbitrarily changed.

1 ... Vehicle, 2 ... Body, 3 ... Door opening, 5 ... Sliding door, 6 ... Door lock device, 7 ... Open / close drive device, 10 ... Door ECU, 15 ... Operation detection unit, 20 ... Sensor electrode, 20a ... No. 1 sensor electrode, 20b ... 2nd sensor electrode, 20c ... 3rd sensor electrode, 21 ... operation detection device, 23 ... detection circuit, 30 ... window part, 30b ... lower frame part, 30x ... window glass, 40, 40a, 40b , 40c ... Gap, 41, 41a, 41b, 41c ... First electrode section, 42, 42a, 42b, 42c ... Second electrode section, 43 ... Connection section, 45, 45a, 45b, 45c ... Sensor electrode member, 50 ... Light emitter, 51, 51a, 51b, 51c ... LED, 55 ... Operation guide unit, 60 ... Case, 61 ... Holder member, 62 ... Board, 62a ... Mounting surface, 62b ... Back surface, 63 ... Bracket, 64 ... Fixed part, 64x ... Fastening hole, 65 ... Bolt, 66 ... Inner panel, 67 ... Base member, 67a ... Mounting surface, 67b ... Back surface, 68 ... Cover member, 68s ... Design surface, 69 ... Shield part, 70 ... Slit, 71 ... Cylinder Shaped portion, 71a ... 1st opening end, 71b ... 2nd opening end, 72, 72w ... side wall portion, 81 ... first flange portion, 82 ... second flange portion, 85 ... light guide member, 86 ... diffusion plate, 87 ... Electrode member, 91, 92 ... Edge, 93 ... Depth extension, 94 ... Connection direction extension, 95 ... Recess, C1, C2, C3, Cx ... Capacitance, Cth ... Threshold, L ... Light guide path, S1 ... 1st operation signal, S2 ... 2nd operation signal, S3 ... 3rd operation signal, Scr ... operation input signal, Sx ... operation detection signal, X ... detector.

Claims (3)

The first electrode portion and the second electrode portion that function as one sensor electrode in a state of being juxtaposed with a gap, and
The operation guide unit having a light emitting body located in the gap between the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion when viewed from the direction in which the operation input using the sensor electrode is performed is provided .
It has a sensor electrode member integrally provided with a first electrode portion, a second electrode portion, and a connection portion for connecting between the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion.
The operation guide unit
A substrate provided at a position in the depth direction from the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion when viewed from the direction in which the operation input is performed, and
The plurality of light emitters juxtaposed on the substrate are provided.
The connection portion connects between the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion at a position that does not overlap with the light emitters in the direction in which the light emitters are juxtaposed, and also connects the first electrode portion and the first electrode portion in the depth direction. An operation detection device for a vehicle extending in a direction extending between the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion at a position between the second electrode portion and the substrate. In the vehicle operation detection device according to claim 1,
A light guide member having a side wall portion extending in the depth direction and forming a light guide path of each light emitter is provided in a gap between the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion.
The connection portion has a depth direction extension portion extending in the depth direction from the edges of the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion facing the gap, and also has a depth direction extension portion.
The side wall portion of the light guide member is provided with a recess for accommodating the extension portion in the depth direction.
An operation detection device for vehicles characterized by. In the vehicle operation detection device according to claim 1 or 2.
An operation detection device for a vehicle, comprising a plurality of the sensor electrodes juxtaposed so that a gap between the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion is continuous.

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