JP7051452B2 - Vehicle operation detection device - Google Patents

Description

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

Patent Document 1 describes a door opening / closing drive unit that automatically opens / closes the side door of a vehicle, a capacitance sensor provided on the side door, and a door opening / closing drive unit based on the detection result of the capacitance sensor. An automatic switchgear comprising a control unit is described. This automatic opening / closing device opens and closes the side door, for example, when the user brings his / her hand close to the capacitance sensor from the outside of the side door.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-122542

By the way, in the above-mentioned automatic switchgear, the capacitance sensor may be mounted on a belt molding provided at the upper end of the side door. In this case, in order to improve the convenience of the user, if the detection range of the capacitance sensor is to be expanded to the outside of the vehicle, the range facing the belt molding across the window glass, that is, the side of the side door. The range within reach of the user sitting in one of the seats may be the detection range of the capacitance sensor. Therefore, the capacitance sensor of the automatic switchgear as described above may detect the operation from the inside of the vehicle as the operation from the outside of the vehicle. An object of the present invention is to provide an operation detection device for a vehicle that can correctly detect an operation from the outside of the vehicle.

Hereinafter, means for solving the above problems and their actions and effects will be described.
The vehicle operation detection device for solving the above problems is provided on a vehicle door having a window opening, and includes a sensor electrode having a detection range in which the electrostatic capacity increases as the detection target approaches, and the sensor electrode is a vehicle. It has an outer electrode having a detection range extending outward and an inner electrode having a detection range extending inside the vehicle, and the outer electrode and the inner electrode are electrically independent and electrostatic in the inner electrode. A vehicle operation detection device that determines whether or not the detection target has approached from the outside of the vehicle based on the capacitance, wherein the outer electrode is adjacent to the inner electrode in a width direction orthogonal to the opening / closing direction of the vehicle door. When the outer electrode is a second electrode, the sensor electrode is the vehicle, and is provided with a control unit that controls an actuator that opens and closes the vehicle door based on the capacitance. It further has a first electrode and a third electrode having a detection range extending outward, and the first electrode is provided so as to be aligned with the second electrode in the closing direction of the vehicle door of the second electrode. The three electrodes are provided so as to be aligned with the second electrode in the opening direction of the vehicle door of the second electrode, and the control unit is the vehicle when the detection target continues to approach the second electrode. The door is opened or closed, and among the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode, the electrode to which the detection target approaches changes in the order of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode. In this case, the vehicle door is opened, and when the electrodes approached by the detection target change in the order of the third electrode, the second electrode, and the first electrode, the vehicle door is closed. Each of the first electrode, the second electrode and the third electrode is electrically independent, and the inner electrode is electrically connected to one of the first electrode and the third electrode .

Normally, the window opening of a vehicle may be blocked by a window glass, but is not blocked by a conductor such as metal. Therefore, in the vehicle operation detection device (hereinafter referred to as "detection device") having the above configuration, as the detection range of the outer electrode is expanded to the outside of the vehicle, the detection range is expanded to the inside of the vehicle through the window opening. Is also easy to spread. That is, when the user brings a part of the body (hereinafter referred to as "hand") close to the detection device from the outside of the vehicle, or when the user brings the hand close to the detection device from the inside of the vehicle, the capacitance in the outer electrode Can change in the same way.

On the other hand, in the above configuration, the detection range of the outer electrode is set to the outside of the vehicle, and the detection range of the inner electrode is set to the inside of the vehicle. Therefore, when the user approaches the detection device from the inside of the vehicle, the capacitance in the inner electrode is more likely to change than when the user approaches the detection device from the outside of the vehicle. Further, since the outer electrode and the inner electrode are electrically independent, the capacitance of each electrode changes depending on the approach of the user's hand to each electrode. Therefore, the detection device having the above configuration can determine whether or not the user has approached the detection device from the outside of the vehicle based on the capacitance of the inner electrode. In this way, the detection device can correctly detect the operation from the outside of the vehicle.
According to the above configuration, when the user approaches the detection device, the distance between the user's hand and the outer electrode and the distance between the user's hand and the inner electrode are both shortened. In other words, the user's hand does not approach only the outer electrode, and the user's hand does not approach only the inner electrode. Therefore, when the user approaches the detection device from the outside of the vehicle, the capacitance on the outer electrode tends to be high, and the capacitance on the inner electrode tends to be low. On the other hand, when the user approaches the detection device from the inside of the vehicle, the capacitance in the inner electrode tends to be high, and the capacitance in the outer electrode tends to be low. As a result, when the user brings his / her hand close to the detection device, the capacitance between the outer electrode and the inner electrode tends to be different. Therefore, the detection device having the above configuration can accurately determine whether the operation is performed from the outside of the vehicle or the inside of the vehicle.
According to the above configuration, the user can maintain the hand close to the second electrode, change the electrode close to the hand to the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode in order, and the hand. The vehicle door can be opened and closed by the operation of sequentially changing the electrodes to be brought close to the third electrode, the second electrode, and the first electrode. Among these operations, when the vehicle door is opened and closed by the operation of keeping the hand close to the second electrode, the detection device is operated by the user from the outside of the vehicle based on the capacitance in the inner electrode. It can be determined whether or not it has been done. Further, since the inner electrode is electrically connected to one of the first electrode and the third electrode, when each of the first electrode, the second electrode, the third electrode and the inner electrode is electrically independent. By comparison, the detection device can be configured simply.
In the vehicle operation detection device, the inner electrode may be arranged so as to overlap the first electrode and the second electrode in the opening / closing direction of the vehicle door, and may be electrically connected to the third electrode. preferable.
According to the above configuration, when the vehicle door is opened by the operation of changing the electrodes to which the user approaches in the order of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode, the detection device determines the capacitance in the inner electrode. Based on the above, it can be determined whether or not the user has performed the operation from the outside of the vehicle. Further, since the inner electrode is electrically connected to the third electrode, the detection device is compared with the case where each of the first electrode, the second electrode, the third electrode and the inner electrode is electrically independent. Can be configured simply.
The vehicle operation detection device for solving the above problems is provided on a vehicle door having a window opening, and includes a sensor electrode having a detection range in which the electrostatic capacity increases as the detection target approaches, and the sensor electrode is a vehicle. It has an outer electrode having a detection range extending outward and an inner electrode having a detection range extending inside the vehicle, and the outer electrode and the inner electrode are electrically independent and electrostatic in the inner electrode. A vehicle operation detection device that determines whether or not the detection target has approached from the outside of the vehicle based on the capacitance, wherein the outer electrode is adjacent to the inner electrode in a width direction orthogonal to the opening / closing direction of the vehicle door. It is arranged so as to match, and includes a control unit that controls an actuator that opens and closes the vehicle door based on the capacitance, and the outer electrodes are provided so as to be arranged in order in the opening direction of the vehicle door. The control unit has a first electrode, a second electrode, and a third electrode, and the control unit opens or closes the vehicle door when the detection target continues to approach the second electrode, and the first electrode is used. Of the electrodes, the second electrode, and the third electrode, when the electrode to which the detection target approaches changes in the order of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode, the vehicle door is opened. When the electrode approached by the detection target changes in the order of the third electrode, the second electrode, and the first electrode, the vehicle door is closed to close the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode. Each of the electrode and the inner electrode is electrically independent.
Normally, the window opening of a vehicle may be blocked by a window glass, but is not blocked by a conductor such as metal. Therefore, in the vehicle operation detection device (hereinafter referred to as "detection device") having the above configuration, as the detection range of the outer electrode is expanded to the outside of the vehicle, the detection range is expanded to the inside of the vehicle through the window opening. Is also easy to spread. That is, when the user brings a part of the body (hereinafter referred to as "hand") close to the detection device from the outside of the vehicle, or when the user brings the hand close to the detection device from the inside of the vehicle, the capacitance in the outer electrode Can change in the same way.
On the other hand, in the above configuration, the detection range of the outer electrode is set to the outside of the vehicle, and the detection range of the inner electrode is set to the inside of the vehicle. Therefore, when the user approaches the detection device from the inside of the vehicle, the capacitance in the inner electrode is more likely to change than when the user approaches the detection device from the outside of the vehicle. Further, since the outer electrode and the inner electrode are electrically independent, the capacitance of each electrode changes depending on the approach of the user's hand to each electrode. Therefore, the detection device having the above configuration can determine whether or not the user has approached the detection device from the outside of the vehicle based on the capacitance of the inner electrode. In this way, the detection device can correctly detect the operation from the outside of the vehicle.
According to the above configuration, when the user approaches the detection device, the distance between the user's hand and the outer electrode and the distance between the user's hand and the inner electrode are both shortened. In other words, the user's hand does not approach only the outer electrode, and the user's hand does not approach only the inner electrode. Therefore, when the user approaches the detection device from the outside of the vehicle, the capacitance on the outer electrode tends to be high, and the capacitance on the inner electrode tends to be low. On the other hand, when the user approaches the detection device from the inside of the vehicle, the capacitance in the inner electrode tends to be high, and the capacitance in the outer electrode tends to be low. As a result, when the user brings his / her hand close to the detection device, the capacitance between the outer electrode and the inner electrode tends to be different. Therefore, the detection device having the above configuration can accurately determine whether the operation is performed from the outside of the vehicle or the inside of the vehicle.
According to the above configuration, the user can maintain the hand close to the second electrode, change the electrode close to the hand to the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode in order, and the hand. The vehicle door can be opened and closed by the operation of sequentially changing the electrodes to be brought close to the third electrode, the second electrode, and the first electrode. Then, the vehicle operation detection device can determine whether or not the operation is performed from the outside of the vehicle based on the magnitude of the capacitance in the inner electrode regardless of which operation is performed.

In the vehicle operation detection device, it is preferable that at least a part of the detection range of the outer electrode and the detection range of the inner electrode overlap.
If the detection range of the outer electrode and the detection range of the inner electrode do not overlap, it is necessary to arrange the outer electrode and the inner electrode apart from each other, or to arrange an electric shield between the outer electrode and the inner electrode. be. Therefore, in this case, design restrictions are likely to occur in the vehicle operation detection device. On the other hand, the vehicle operation detection device having the above configuration allows the detection range of the outer electrode and the detection range of the inner electrode to overlap, so that the above-mentioned design restrictions can be less likely to occur.

In the vehicle operation detection device, it is preferable that the detection range of the inner electrode is set smaller than the detection range of the outer electrode.
According to the above configuration, the detection range of the inner electrode is less likely to extend to the outside of the vehicle. Therefore, the capacitance in the inner electrode tends to differ between the case where the user approaches the detection device from the inside of the vehicle and the case where the user approaches the detection device from the outside of the vehicle. As a result, the detection device can more accurately detect the operation from the outside of the vehicle.

In the vehicle operation detection device, the area of the inner electrode is preferably smaller than the area of the outer electrode.
According to the above configuration, it is possible to easily realize an operation detection device for a vehicle in which the detection range of the inner electrode is smaller than the detection range of the outer electrode.

According to the vehicle operation detection device having the above configuration, the operation from the outside of the vehicle can be correctly detected.

The schematic diagram of the vehicle provided with the operation detection device for a vehicle which concerns on 1st Embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a vehicle door provided with an operation detection device for a vehicle according to the first embodiment. The perspective view which shows the schematic structure of the operation detection device for a vehicle which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The block diagram which shows the electric structure of the operation detection device for a vehicle which concerns on 1st Embodiment. In the first embodiment, a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing executed by a control circuit for detecting a first operation. In the first embodiment, a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing executed by a control circuit for detecting a second operation. In the first embodiment, a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing executed by a control circuit for detecting a third operation. It is a timing chart showing the change of the capacitance in the first embodiment, (a) shows the case where the user performs the first operation, and (b) is the body from the inside of the vehicle with respect to the detection device. The case where a part of is brought closer is shown. It is a timing chart which shows the change of the capacitance in 1st Embodiment, (a) shows the case where the user performs the 2nd operation, (b) is the third 2 The case where the operation corresponding to the operation is performed is shown. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a vehicle door provided with an operation detection device for a vehicle according to a comparative example. The perspective view which shows the schematic structure of the operation detection device for a vehicle which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. In the second embodiment, a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing executed by a control circuit for detecting a first operation. In the second embodiment, a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing executed by a control circuit for detecting a second operation. In the second embodiment, a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing executed by a control circuit for detecting a third operation. It is a timing chart showing the change of the capacitance in the second embodiment, (a) shows the case where the user performs the first operation, and (b) is the body from the inside of the vehicle with respect to the detection device. The case where a part of is brought closer is shown. It is a timing chart showing the change of the capacitance in the second embodiment, (a) shows the case where the user performs the second operation, and (b) is the third 2 The case where the operation corresponding to the operation is performed is shown. The perspective view which shows the schematic structure of the operation detection device for a vehicle which concerns on the 1st modification. (A) and (b) are perspective views showing a schematic configuration of an operation detection device for a vehicle according to a second modification.

(First Embodiment)
Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the vehicle operation detection device (hereinafter, also referred to as “detection device”) will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, an opening 2a is formed in a side portion of a body 2 of a vehicle 1 such as an automobile. Further, a slide-type vehicle door 3 that opens and closes the opening 2a as it moves in the front-rear direction is mounted on the side portion of the body 2. The vehicle door 3 has a substantially bag-shaped door body 4 constituting the lower portion thereof, and a window glass 5 for closing the window opening 4a formed in the door body 4. A door lock 6 for locking and unlocking the closed vehicle door 3 is installed on the door body 4.

A door drive unit 11 is installed in the vehicle door 3, for example, in the door body 4. The door drive unit 11 is mainly composed of an electric drive source such as an electric motor, and is mechanically linked to the body 2 via an appropriate door drive mechanism to open and close the vehicle door 3. .. Further, on the vehicle door 3, for example, a door lock drive unit 12 is installed adjacent to the door lock 6. The door lock drive unit 12 is mainly composed of an electric drive source such as an electric motor, and the door lock 6 is mechanically linked to the door lock 6 via an appropriate lock drive mechanism. Locking and unlocking drive. In this respect, in the first embodiment, the door drive unit 11 corresponds to an example of the “actuator”.

Both the door drive unit 11 and the door lock drive unit 12 are electrically connected to a door ECU 10 including a microcomputer or the like, and are individually driven and controlled by the door ECU 10. The door ECU 10 drives the door drive unit 11 to open the vehicle door 3 when an open operation command signal is input from the electronic key (portable device) and the detection device 30 described later. Further, the door ECU 10 drives the door drive unit 11 to close the vehicle door 3 when the closing operation command signal is input from the electronic key (portable device) and the detection device 30.

As shown in FIG. 2, the door body 4 is formed into a substantially bag shape by fitting, for example, the open ends of a substantially dish-shaped door outer panel 21 and a door inner panel 22 made of a metal plate. Further, a door trim 23 that forms the interior design of the vehicle 1 is attached to the door inner panel 22. Then, on the upper part of the space formed between the door inner panel 22 and the door trim 23, that is, on the edge of the window opening 4a, the operation of the user from the outside (outside the vehicle) in the width direction of the vehicle 1 is detected. The detection device 30 is arranged.

Next, the detection device 30 will be described in detail.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the detection device 30 electrically connects the first electrode 31, the second electrode 32, the third electrode 33 and the fourth electrode 34, and the third electrode 33 and the fourth electrode 34. A connecting portion 35 and a shield plate 36 made of a conductor are provided. Further, the detection device 30 includes a detection circuit 37 connected to the first electrode 31, the second electrode 32, the third electrode 33, and the fourth electrode 34, a control circuit 38 that outputs a control signal to the door ECU 10, and a detection device. A substrate 39 on which the constituent members of the 30 are mounted and a housing 30A for accommodating the constituent members of the detection device 30 are provided.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the detection device 30 is provided inside the vehicle 1, specifically, inside the window opening 4a in the width direction of the vehicle 1 (inside the vehicle). Therefore, the detection device 30 is exposed to the outside (outside of the vehicle) in the width direction of the vehicle 1 through the window glass 5 (window opening 4a). As shown in FIG. 3, the detection device 30 (housing 30A) has a long shape and a substantially rectangular shape. The length of the housing 30A in the longitudinal direction is shorter than the length of the window glass 5 of the vehicle door 3 in the front-rear direction.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first electrode 31, the second electrode 32, the third electrode 33, and the fourth electrode 34 have a substantially rectangular plate shape. Each of the first electrode 31, the second electrode 32, and the third electrode 33 has the same surface area orthogonal to the plate thickness direction, and the fourth electrode 34 has a plate thickness direction more than the other electrodes 31, 32, 33. The area of the surface orthogonal to is small. Further, each of the first electrode 31, the second electrode 32, and the third electrode 33 is arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the housing 30A in a state of facing the same direction (first direction D1). On the other hand, the fourth electrode 34 is oriented in a direction different from the direction in which the other electrodes 31, 32, 33 are facing (first direction D1) (second direction D2), and is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the housing 30A. Is arranged so as to be adjacent to the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32.

Each of the first electrode 31, the second electrode 32, and the third electrode 33 is electrically independent, and the fourth electrode 34 is electrically connected to the third electrode 33 via the connecting portion 35. In other words, of the first electrode 31, the second electrode 32, the third electrode 33, and the fourth electrode 34, the third electrode 33 and the fourth electrode 34 have the same potential. Further, the shield plate 36 covers one side surface of the housing 30A so as to face the first electrode 31, the second electrode 32 and the third electrode 33.

The first electrode 31, the second electrode 32, the third electrode 33, and the fourth electrode 34 form a pseudo capacitor together with the detection target close to each of the electrodes 31 to 34. Therefore, in the first electrode 31, the second electrode 32, the third electrode 33, and the fourth electrode 34, the closer the detection target is to each of the electrodes 31 to 34, the higher the capacitance determined in relation to the detection target. .. In the following description, the range in which an electric field is generated in the electrode and the range in which the capacitance changes when the detection target approaches is also referred to as a “detection range”. Further, when describing any of the electrodes 31 to 34, the reference numerals will be omitted.

In the present embodiment, a "determination value Cth" for determining that the detection target has approached each of the electrodes 31 to 34 is set. That is, in the electrode, if the capacitance is equal to or higher than the determination value Cth, the detection target is considered to have approached the electrode, and if the capacitance is less than the determination value Cth, the detection target is not close to the electrode. To. In the following description, the capacitance obtained by the positional relationship between the electrode and the detection target is simply referred to as "capacitance at the electrode".

When the detection device 30 is attached to the vehicle 1, the first electrode 31 is located on the front side of the vehicle 1 (DC side in the closed direction), and the third electrode 33 is located on the rear side of the vehicle 1 (DO in the open direction). The second electrode 32 is located between the first electrode 31 and the third electrode 33. Further, the plate thickness direction of the first electrode 31, the second electrode 32 and the third electrode 33 is the width direction of the vehicle 1, and the plate thickness direction of the fourth electrode 34 is the vertical direction of the vehicle 1. Therefore, the fourth electrode 34 is arranged so as to be adjacent to the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32 in the width direction of the vehicle 1 orthogonal to the opening / closing direction of the vehicle door 3. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the length La of the first electrode 31, the second electrode 32 and the third electrode 33 in the height direction of the vehicle 1 when the detection device 30 is viewed from the width direction of the vehicle 1 is set. It is longer than the length Lb of the fourth electrode 34 when the detection device 30 is viewed from the height direction of the vehicle 1.

Further, in the detection device 30, the first electrode 31, the second electrode 32 and the third electrode 33 are arranged on the outside of the vehicle, and the fourth electrode 34 is arranged on the upper side (upper side of the vehicle) in the height direction of the vehicle 1 to shield the vehicle 1. The plate 36 is arranged inside the vehicle. In the width direction of the vehicle 1, the first electrode 31, the second electrode 32, and the third electrode 33 are arranged outside the fourth electrode 34.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 2, the first electrode 31, the second electrode 32, and the third electrode 33 have detection ranges A1, A2, and A3 extending outward in the width direction of the vehicle 1, and the fourth electrode 34 has. , Has a detection range A4 extending above the vehicle 1. Here, the detection ranges A1, A2, and A3 in the first electrode 31, the second electrode 32, and the third electrode 33 extend not only to the outside of the vehicle but also to the inside of the vehicle, and the detection range A4 of the fourth electrode 34 is only inside the vehicle. It also spreads to the outside of the vehicle. Therefore, the detection ranges A1, A2, and A3 of the first electrode 31, the second electrode 32, and the third electrode 33 partially overlap with the detection range A4 of the fourth electrode 34.

Further, the detection ranges A1, A2, and A3 of the first electrode 31, the second electrode 32, and the third electrode 33 are wider outside the vehicle than inside the vehicle, and the detection range A4 of the fourth electrode 34 is larger than the outside of the vehicle. It spreads widely inside the vehicle. On the other hand, each of the first electrode 31, the second electrode 32, and the third electrode 33 has a larger area than the fourth electrode 34 and is arranged away from the shield plate 36 of the conductor, so that the fourth electrode 34 has a larger area than the fourth electrode 34. Also has a large detection range. In FIG. 2, the window glass 5 (window opening 4a) separates the inside of the vehicle from the outside of the vehicle.

In this respect, in the present embodiment, the first electrode 31, the second electrode 32, the third electrode 33, and the fourth electrode 34 correspond to an example of the “sensor electrode”. Further, the second electrode 32 corresponds to an example of an "outer electrode" having a detection range A2 extending to the outside of the vehicle, and the fourth electrode 34 corresponds to an example of an "inner electrode" having a detection range A4 extending to the inside of the vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 4, the detection circuit 37 is directly connected to each of the first electrode 31, the second electrode 32, and the third electrode 33, and is connected to the fourth electrode 34 via the third electrode 33. Is indirectly connected. The detection circuit 37 outputs an oscillation signal to the first electrode 31, the second electrode 32, and the third electrode 33 (fourth electrode 34), so that the first electrode 31, the second electrode 32, and the third electrode 33 (the third electrode 33) are output. A signal corresponding to the capacitance in the 4 electrodes 34) is output. Then, the detection circuit 37 uses the control circuit 38 to convert the signals output from the first electrode 31, the second electrode 32, and the third electrode 33 (fourth electrode 34) into A / D (analog / digital), respectively. Output.

The control circuit 38 executes various arithmetic processes based on the signal output from the detection circuit 37, and outputs a control signal according to the result to the door ECU 10. Specifically, the control circuit 38 outputs an open operation command signal for opening the vehicle door 3 based on the electrostatic capacitance in the first electrode 31, the second electrode 32, and the third electrode 33 (fourth electrode 34). It outputs to the door ECU 10 or outputs a closing operation command signal for closing the vehicle door 3 to the door ECU 10. In this respect, the control circuit 38 corresponds to an example of the "control unit" in the present embodiment.

Hereinafter, the control circuit 38 will be described in detail.
In the present embodiment, the control circuit 38 of the detection device 30 changes the capacitance of the first electrode 31, the second electrode 32, and the third electrode 33 (fourth electrode 34) so as to satisfy a specific condition. , The open operation command signal and the closed operation command signal are output to the door ECU 10.

Specifically, the control circuit 38 outputs an open operation command signal or outputs a closed operation command signal to the door ECU 10 when the state in which the detection target approaches the second electrode 32 is maintained for a predetermined determination time. Output. That is, the control circuit 38 outputs an open operation command signal or outputs a closed operation command signal to the door ECU 10 when the capacitance in the second electrode 32 becomes the determination value Cth or more over the determination time. Or something.

Further, the control circuit 38 outputs an open operation command signal to the door ECU 10 when the electrodes approached by the detection target change in the order of the first electrode 31, the second electrode 32, and the third electrode 33. That is, the control circuit 38 outputs an open operation command signal to the door ECU 10 when the electrodes having a capacitance equal to or higher than the determination value Cth change in the order of the first electrode 31, the second electrode 32, and the third electrode 33. ..

Further, the control circuit 38 outputs a closing operation command signal to the door ECU 10 when the electrodes approached by the detection target change in the order of the third electrode 33, the second electrode 32, and the first electrode 31. That is, the control circuit 38 outputs a closing operation command signal to the door ECU 10 when the electrodes having a capacitance equal to or higher than the determination value Cth change in the order of the third electrode 33, the second electrode 32, and the first electrode 31. ..

In the detection device 30, the detection target is a part of the body such as a user's hand or arm. In the following description, for the sake of ease of explanation, the user shall operate the detection device 30 by hand. Further, the operation in which the user brings his / her hand closer to the second electrode 32 from the outside of the vehicle over the determination time is also referred to as “first operation”. Further, the operation of changing the electrodes that the user brings his / her hand closer to from the outside of the vehicle in the order of the first electrode 31, the second electrode 32, and the third electrode 33 is also referred to as “second operation”. Further, the operation of changing the electrodes that the user brings his / her hand closer to from the outside of the vehicle in the order of the third electrode 33, the second electrode 32, and the first electrode 31 is also referred to as “third operation”. The moving direction of the user's hand in the first operation is a direction along the width direction of the vehicle 1, and the moving direction of the user's hand in the second operation and the third operation is the front-rear direction (opening direction DO) of the vehicle 1. Or closed direction DC).

By the way, as in the first embodiment, in the detection device 30 in which the detection ranges A1 to A3 of the first electrode 31, the second electrode 32 and the third electrode 33 extend to the inside of the vehicle, the user performs the first operation. Not only in this case, but also when the user brings a part of the body close to the detection device 30 from the inside of the vehicle, the capacitance in the second electrode 32 may be equal to or higher than the determination value Cth. For example, when the user puts his / her arm on the upper surface of the door trim 23, when the user grasps the upper part of the door trim 23 by hand, or when the user leans against the door trim 23, the determination time is extended. , There is a possibility that the capacitance in the second electrode 32 becomes the determination value Cth or more.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, in the detection device 30 of the first embodiment, the detection range A4 of the fourth electrode 34 is smaller than the detection ranges A1 to A3 of the other electrodes 31, 32, 33, and the inside of the vehicle. Is set to. Therefore, when the detection target approaches the detection device 30 from the inside of the vehicle, the capacitance at the fourth electrode 34 tends to be larger than when the detection target approaches from the outside of the vehicle. Specifically, when the detection target approaches the detection device 30 from the inside of the vehicle, the ratio of the capacitance in the fourth electrode 34 to the capacitance in the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32 tends to increase. When the detection target approaches from the outside of the vehicle, the ratio of the capacitance in the fourth electrode 34 to the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32 tends to be small.

Therefore, in the first embodiment, the control circuit 38 determines whether or not the user is operating the detection device 30 from the outside of the vehicle based on the capacitance in the fourth electrode 34, that is, opens to the door ECU 10. It is determined whether or not to output the operation command signal or the closed operation command signal.

Specifically, when the control circuit 38 detects the first operation, even if the capacitance in the second electrode 32 becomes the determination value Cth or more over the determination time, the control circuit 38 in the fourth electrode 34 in the same determination time. When the value obtained by multiplying the capacitance by the coefficient Fc is equal to or greater than the capacitance of the second electrode 32, the open operation command signal or the closed operation command signal is not output to the door ECU 10. Here, the coefficient Fc is a value larger than 1, and is preferably determined in advance based on a test or the like.

Similarly, when the control circuit 38 detects the second operation, when the capacitance at the first electrode 31 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth, the value obtained by multiplying the capacitance at the fourth electrode 34 by the coefficient Fc is calculated. When the capacitance exceeds the capacitance of the first electrode 31, the open operation command signal is not output to the door ECU 10. Therefore, the detection device 30 does not output the open operation command signal to the door ECU 10 even if the electrodes to which the user approaches from the inside of the vehicle are brought closer to the first electrode 31, the second electrode 32, and the third electrode 33 in this order. ..

On the other hand, in the first embodiment, the control circuit 38 does not assume that a part of the user's body approaches the detection device 30 from the inside of the vehicle when detecting the third operation. This is because when the vehicle door 3 is in the fully open position, the body 2 exists between the vehicle door 3 and the vehicle interior, and the first electrode 31, the second electrode 32, and the third electrode 33 of the detection device 30 are located. This is because the detection ranges A1 to A3 do not extend to the inside of the vehicle.

In the first embodiment, since the third electrode 33 and the fourth electrode 34 are electrically connected, the capacitance in the third electrode 33 can be measured even when the detection target approaches the fourth electrode 34. Change. Therefore, the control circuit 38 makes the above determination by substituting the capacitance in the fourth electrode 34 with the third capacitance in the third electrode 33.

Next, the contents of the process executed by the control circuit 38 for detecting the first operation will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. This process is executed every predetermined control cycle when the vehicle door 3 is located in the fully open position or the fully closed position.

As shown in FIG. 5, the control circuit 38 determines whether or not the second capacitance C2, which is the capacitance in the second electrode 32, is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth (step S11). When the second capacitance C2 is less than the determination value Cth (step S11: NO), that is, when the user's hand is not close to the second electrode 32, the control circuit 38 ends this process. On the other hand, when the second capacitance C2 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth (step S11: YES), that is, when the user's hand is close to the second electrode 32, the control circuit 38 uses the fourth electrode 34 (third electrode 34). It is determined whether or not the value obtained by multiplying the third capacitance C3, which is the capacitance in the three electrodes 33), by the coefficient Fc is the second capacitance C2 or more (step S12). When the product of the third capacitance C3 and the coefficient Fc is the second capacitance C2 or more (step S12: YES), the control circuit 38 ends this process. In this case, since the product of the third capacitance C3 and the coefficient Fc is equal to or greater than the second capacitance C2, it is determined that a part of the user's body is approaching the detection device 30 from the inside of the vehicle. To.

On the other hand, when the product of the third capacitance C3 and the coefficient Fc is less than the second capacitance C2 (step S12: NO), in the control circuit 38, step S11 is first determined to be affirmative and then step S12 is determined to be negative. It is determined whether or not the first elapsed time Te1 until the first determination time is Tth1 or more (step S13). When the first elapsed time Te1 is less than the first determination time Tth1 (step S13: NO), the control circuit 38 shifts the process to the previous step S11.

On the other hand, when the first elapsed time Te1 becomes the first determination time Tth1 or more (step S13: YES), that is, the state in which the user's hand approaches the second electrode 32 from the outside of the vehicle extends to the first determination time Tth1. If it is continued, the control circuit 38 determines whether or not the vehicle door 3 is in the fully closed position (step S14). When the vehicle door 3 is in the fully closed position (step S14: YES), the control circuit 38 outputs an open operation command signal to the door ECU 10 (step S15), and ends this process. On the other hand, when the vehicle door 3 is in the fully open position (step S14: NO), the control circuit 38 outputs a closing operation command signal to the door ECU 10 (step S16), and ends this process.

Next, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, the contents of the process executed by the control circuit 38 for detecting the second operation will be described. This process is a process executed every predetermined control cycle when the vehicle door 3 is not located at the fully open position.

As shown in FIG. 6, the control circuit 38 determines whether or not the first capacitance C1, which is the capacitance in the first electrode 31, is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth (step S21). When the first capacitance C1 is less than the determination value Cth (step S21: NO), the control circuit 38 ends this process. On the other hand, when the first capacitance C1 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth (step S21: YES), assuming that the user's hand approaches the first electrode 31, the control circuit 38 has a coefficient Fc with respect to the third capacitance C3. It is determined whether or not the value multiplied by is equal to or greater than the first capacitance C1 (step S22).

When the product of the third capacitance C3 and the coefficient Fc is equal to or greater than the first capacitance C1 (step S22: YES), the control circuit 38 ends this process. In this case, since the product of the third capacitance C3 and the coefficient Fc is equal to or greater than the first capacitance C1, it is determined that a part of the user's body is approaching the detection device 30 from the inside of the vehicle. To.

On the other hand, when the product of the third capacitance C3 and the coefficient Fc is less than the first capacitance C1 (step S22: NO), the control circuit 38 determines whether the second capacitance C2 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth. (Step S23).

When the second capacitance C2 is less than the determination value Cth (step S23: NO), the control circuit 38 executes the process of step S23 again. On the other hand, when the second capacitance C2 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth (step S23: YES), it is assumed that the user's hand approaches the second electrode 32, and the control circuit 38 has the third capacitance C3 as the determination value. It is determined whether or not it has become Cth or more (step S24).

When the third capacitance C3 is less than the determination value Cth (step S24: NO), the control circuit 38 executes the process of step S24 again. On the other hand, when the third capacitance C3 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth (step S24: YES), it is assumed that the user's hand approaches the third electrode 33, and the control circuit 38 takes a positive determination after step S21 is determined. It is determined whether or not the second elapsed time Te2 until the affirmative determination of S24 is the second determination time Tth2 or more (step S25). This step S25 is a process for determining whether or not the second operation is normally performed within the second determination time Tth2.

When the second elapsed time Te2 is equal to or longer than the second determination time Tth2 (step S25: NO), the control circuit 38 terminates this process, assuming that an abnormal operation has been performed. On the other hand, when the second elapsed time Te2 is less than the second determination time Tth2 (step 25: YES), the control circuit 38 outputs an open operation command signal to the door ECU 10 (step S26). After that, the control circuit 38 ends this process.

Next, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, the contents of the process executed by the control circuit 38 for detecting the third operation will be described.
As shown in FIG. 7, the control circuit 38 determines whether or not the third capacitance C3, which is the capacitance in the third electrode 33, is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth (step S31). When the third capacitance C3 is less than the determination value Cth (step S31: NO), the control circuit 38 ends this process. On the other hand, when the third capacitance C3 is equal to or higher than the determination value Cth (step S31: YES), it is assumed that the user's hand approaches the third electrode 33, and the control circuit 38 has the second capacitance C2 as the determination value. It is determined whether or not it has become Cth or more (step S32).

When the second capacitance C2 is less than the determination value Cth (step S32: NO), the control circuit 38 executes the process of step S32 again. On the other hand, when the second capacitance C2 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth (step S32: YES), it is assumed that the user's hand approaches the second electrode 32, and the control circuit 38 has the first capacitance C1 as the determination value. It is determined whether or not it has become Cth or more (step S33).

When the first capacitance C1 is less than the determination value Cth (step S33: NO), the control circuit 38 executes the process of step S33 again. On the other hand, when the first capacitance C1 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth (step S33: YES), it is assumed that the user's hand has approached the first electrode 31, and step S31 is determined to be affirmative and then step S33 is determined to be affirmative. It is determined whether or not the third elapsed time Te3 up to this point is equal to or longer than the third determination time Tth3 (step S34). This step S34 is a process for determining whether or not the third operation is normally performed within the third determination time Tth3.

When the third elapsed time Te3 is equal to or longer than the third determination time Tth3 (step S34: NO), the control circuit 38 terminates this process, assuming that an abnormal operation has been performed. On the other hand, when the third elapsed time Te3 is less than the third determination time Tth3 (step 34: YES), the control circuit 38 outputs a closing operation command signal to the door ECU 10 (step S35). After that, the control circuit 38 ends this process.

In the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the second determination time Tth2 and the third determination time Tth3 may be determined according to the assumed user operation speed based on the size of the detection device 30 and the like. ..

Next, referring to the timing chart shown in FIG. 8, the second capacitance C2 and the case where the user performs the first operation and the case where the user puts his / her arm on the upper surface of the door trim 23 from the inside of the vehicle The change of the third capacitance C3 will be described. Further, in FIG. 8, the capacitance which is the product of the third capacitance C3 and the coefficient Fc is described as “weighted third capacitance C3 ′”. In the timing chart shown in FIG. 8, it is assumed that the vehicle door 3 is located at the fully closed position.

As shown in FIG. 8A, when the user performs the first operation, the user's hand begins to enter the detection ranges A2 and A4 of the second electrode 32 and the fourth electrode 34 at the first timing t1. .. In the present embodiment, the detection range A2 of the second electrode 32 is set to be larger than the detection range A4 of the fourth electrode 34 and outside the vehicle. Therefore, after the first timing t1 in which the user's hand gradually approaches the detection device 30 from the outside of the vehicle, the inclination of the second capacitance C2 becomes steeper than the inclination of the third capacitance C3. ..

Then, at the second timing t2 while the user's hand is approaching the second electrode 32, the second capacitance C2 becomes the determination value Cth or more. Subsequently, when the distance between the user's hand and the second electrode 32 is maintained substantially constant at the third timing t3, the second capacitance C2 and the third capacitance are held after the third timing t3. The capacity C3 hardly changes.

Then, when the fourth timing t4 after the first determination time Tth1 has elapsed from the second timing t2, the condition for opening the vehicle door 3 is satisfied. This is because, in the period from the second timing t2 to the fourth timing t4, the second capacitance C2 becomes the determination value Cth or more, while the weighted third capacitance C3'is the second capacitance. This is because it does not exceed C2.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8B, when the user puts his / her arm on the upper surface of the door trim 23, the user's arm makes the detection range A2 of the second electrode 32 and the fourth electrode 34 at the first timing t11. , Start entering A4. Here, in the case shown in FIG. 8B, the user's hand is more likely to approach the fourth electrode 34 than in the case shown in FIG. 8A. Therefore, after the first timing t11, the inclination of the third capacitance C3 becomes steeper than that shown in FIG. 8A.

Then, at the second timing t12 while the user's arm is approaching the upper surface of the door trim 23, the second capacitance C2 becomes the determination value Cth or more, and at the subsequent third timing t13, the third capacitance is C3 becomes the determination value Cth or more. Subsequently, at the fourth timing t14, the user's arm comes into contact with the upper surface of the door trim 23, and the distance between the user's arm and the second electrode 32 and the fourth electrode 34 is maintained substantially constant. As a result, after the fourth timing t14, the second capacitance C2 and the third capacitance C3 hardly change.

However, in the case shown in FIG. 8B, even if the second timing t12 at which the second capacitance C2 becomes the determination value Cth or more becomes the fifth timing t15 after the first determination time Tth1 has elapsed. The condition for opening the vehicle door 3 is not satisfied. This is because, in the period from the second timing t12 to the fifth timing t15, the second capacitance C2 becomes the determination value Cth or more, but the weighted third capacitance C3'is the second capacitance C2. This is because it becomes the above.

Next, with reference to the timing charts shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the case where the user performs the second operation, the case where the user performs the operation corresponding to the second operation from the inside of the vehicle, and the case where the user performs the operation corresponding to the second operation. The changes in the first capacitance C1, the second capacitance C2, the third capacitance C3, and the weighted third capacitance C3'in the above description will be described. The operation corresponding to the second operation from the inside of the vehicle means an operation in which the electrodes that the user approaches from the inside of the vehicle are changed in the order of the first electrode 31, the second electrode 32, and the third electrode 33.

As shown in FIG. 9A, when the user performs the second operation, the user's hand begins to enter the detection ranges A1 and A4 of the first electrode 31 and the fourth electrode 34 at the first timing t21. .. Therefore, after the first timing t21, the first capacitance C1 and the third capacitance C3 gradually increase.

Then, at the second timing t22 while the user's hand is approaching the central portion of the first electrode 31, the first capacitance C1 becomes the determination value Cth or more. After that, at the third timing t23 when the user's hand comes closest to the center of the first electrode 31, the first capacitance C1 becomes the maximum value. Therefore, after the third timing t23, the first capacitance C1 gradually becomes smaller. Subsequently, at the fourth timing t24, the user's hand begins to enter the detection range A2 of the second electrode 32. Therefore, after the fourth timing t24, the second capacitance C2 gradually increases.

Then, at the fifth timing t25 while the user's hand is approaching the central portion of the second electrode 32, the second capacitance C2 becomes the determination value Cth or more. After that, at the sixth timing t26 where the user's hand comes closest to the center of the second electrode 32, the second capacitance C2 becomes the maximum value. Therefore, after the sixth timing t26, the second capacitance C2 gradually becomes smaller.

Further, at the seventh timing t27 after the sixth timing t26, the user's hand begins to enter the detection range A3 of the third electrode 33. Then, at the eighth timing t28 while the user's hand is approaching the central portion of the third electrode 33, the third capacitance C3 becomes the determination value Cth or more. Before and after the seventh timing t27, the user's hand moves within the overlapping range of the detection range A3 of the third electrode 33 and the detection range A4 of the fourth electrode 34.

As described above, in the case shown in FIG. 9A, at the second timing t22, the fifth timing t25 and the eighth timing t28, the first capacitance C1, the second capacitance C2 and The third capacitance C3 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth. Further, at the second timing t22 where the first capacitance C1 becomes the determination value Cth or more, the weighted third capacitance C3'does not become the first capacitance C1 or more. Therefore, when the user performs the second operation, the condition for opening the vehicle door 3 is satisfied at the eighth timing t28.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9B, when the user performs an operation corresponding to the second operation from the inside of the vehicle, the first timing t31 to the second operation is the same as in the case shown in FIG. 9A. 1 The capacitance C1 gradually increases, and the first capacitance C1 becomes equal to or greater than the determination value Cth at the second timing t32. Then, the second capacitance C2 gradually increases from the third timing t33, and the second capacitance C2 becomes the determination value Cth or more at the fourth timing t34.

On the other hand, unlike the case shown in FIG. 9A, the third capacitance C3 becomes large after the first timing t31. That is, when the user performs an operation corresponding to the second operation from the inside of the vehicle, the user's hand approaches the fourth electrode 34 as compared with the case where the user performs the second operation. During the period in which the capacitance C1 and the second capacitance C2 change, the third capacitance C3 becomes large.

Therefore, in the case shown in FIG. 9B, the weighted third capacitance C3'is equal to or greater than the first capacitance C1 at the second timing t32 when the first capacitance C1 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth. It becomes. Therefore, when the user performs an operation corresponding to the second operation from the inside of the vehicle, the condition for opening the vehicle door 3 is not satisfied.

According to the embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Based on the capacitance in the fourth electrode 34 having the detection range A4 extending inside the vehicle, it can be determined whether or not the user has approached the detection device 30 from the outside of the vehicle. In this way, the detection device 30 can correctly detect the operation from the outside of the vehicle. Further, in the present embodiment, since it is allowed that a part of the detection range A4 of the fourth electrode 34 and a part of the detection range A2 of the second electrode 32 overlap, a design restriction arises in the detection device 30. Hateful. Specifically, in the detection device 30, in order to prevent the detection range A4 from overlapping with the detection range A1, the fourth electrode 34 is arranged away from the second electrode 32, or between the fourth electrode 34 and the second electrode 32. You don't have to place an electrical shield on it.

(2) Since the detection range A4 of the fourth electrode 34 is smaller than the detection ranges A1, A2, and A3 of the first electrode 31, the second electrode 32, and the third electrode 33, the detection range A4 of the fourth electrode 34 is the vehicle. It becomes difficult to spread to the outside. Therefore, the capacitance (third static electricity) in the fourth electrode 34 differs depending on whether the user approaches the detection device 30 from the inside of the vehicle 1 or the user approaches the detection device 30 from the outside of the vehicle. Differences are likely to occur in the electric capacity C3). As a result, the detection device 30 can more accurately detect the operation from the outside of the vehicle.

(3) Since the area of the 4th electrode 34 is smaller than the area of the 1st electrode 31, the 2nd electrode 32 and the 3rd electrode 33, the detection range A4 of the 4th electrode 34 is set to the 1st electrode 31, the 2nd electrode 32. And can be easily made smaller than the detection range A1 to A3 of the third electrode 33.

(4) Since the second electrode 32 and the fourth electrode 34 are arranged adjacent to each other in the width direction of the vehicle 1, when the user approaches the detection device 30, the user's hand and the second electrode 32 are arranged. Both the interval and the interval between the user's hand and the fourth electrode 34 are shortened. In other words, the user's hand does not approach only the second electrode 32, and the user's hand does not approach only the fourth electrode 34. Therefore, when the user approaches the detection device 30 from the outside of the vehicle in order to perform the first operation, the second capacitance C2 tends to be high, and the capacitance at the fourth electrode 34 (third static electricity). The electric capacity C3) tends to be small. On the other hand, when the user approaches the detection device 30 from the inside of the vehicle, the capacitance (third capacitance C3) in the fourth electrode 34 tends to be high, and the second capacitance C2 tends to be small. .. As a result, when the user performs the first operation, a difference is likely to occur in the capacitance (third capacitance C3) in the second capacitance C2 and the fourth electrode 34. Therefore, the detection device 30 can accurately determine whether or not the operation is performed from the outside of the vehicle.

(5) According to the first embodiment, the user can open and close the vehicle door 3 by the first operation, the second operation, and the third operation. Among these operations, when the vehicle door 3 is opened and closed by the first operation, the detection device 30 determines whether or not the user has operated from the outside of the vehicle based on the capacitance in the fourth electrode 34. can. Further, since the fourth electrode 34 is electrically connected to the third electrode 33, each of the first electrode 31, the second electrode 32, the third electrode 33, and the fourth electrode 34 is electrically independent. Compared with the case, the detection device 30 can be simply configured.

(6) When the user opens the vehicle door 3 by the second operation, the detection device 30 determines whether or not the user has operated from the outside of the vehicle based on the capacitance in the fourth electrode 34. Can be determined. Further, since the fourth electrode 34 is electrically connected to the third electrode 33, each of the first electrode 31, the second electrode 32, the third electrode 33, and the fourth electrode 34 is electrically independent. Compared with the case, the detection device 30 can be simply configured.

(7) As shown in FIG. 10, according to the detection device 100 of the comparative example in which the shield plate 36A is provided so as to close the upper portion of the housing 30A, the first electrode 31, the second electrode 32, and the third electrode 33 It is possible to prevent the detection ranges A1 to A3 from spreading inside the vehicle. However, in this case, since the shield plate 36 of the conductor is present near the first electrode 31, the second electrode 32, and the third electrode 33, the first electrode 31, the second electrode 32, and the third electrode on the outside of the vehicle are present. As the parasitic capacitance of the electrode 33 increases, the detection ranges A1 to A3 may become smaller. According to the first embodiment, such a point can be solved.

(Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the vehicle operation detection device will be described with reference to the drawings. When the detection device 40 of the second embodiment is compared with the detection device 30 of the first embodiment, the arrangement of the electrodes and the processing contents of the control circuit are different. Therefore, in the following description, the description of the configuration common to the first embodiment will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 11, the detection device 40 includes a first electrode 41, a second electrode 42 and a third electrode 43 as an example of the outer electrode, a fourth electrode 44 as an example of the inner electrode, and a control circuit 48. , Have. The first electrode 41, the second electrode 42, and the third electrode 43 in the second embodiment are configured in substantially the same manner as the first electrode 31, the second electrode 32, and the third electrode 33 in the first embodiment. The fourth electrode 44 in the second embodiment is adjacent to the first electrode 41, the second electrode 42, and the third electrode 43 in the width direction of the vehicle 1 when compared with the fourth electrode 34 in the first embodiment. It differs in that it is arranged and that it is electrically independent of the third electrode 43.

Specifically, in the opening / closing direction of the vehicle door 3, the length of the fourth electrode 44 is substantially equal to the total length of the first electrode 41, the second electrode 42, and the third electrode 43. Further, each of the first electrode 41, the second electrode 42, the third electrode 43, and the fourth electrode 44 is independently connected to the detection circuit 37. Therefore, the control circuit 48 outputs an open operation command signal and a closed operation command signal to the door ECU 10 based on the capacitances of the first electrode 41, the second electrode 42, the third electrode 43, and the fourth electrode 44. ..

In the second embodiment, the detection range A4 of the fourth electrode 44 is set to be wider inside the vehicle than the detection ranges A1 to A3 of the other electrodes, as in the first embodiment. Therefore, when the detection target approaches the detection device 40 from the inside of the vehicle, the capacitance at the fourth electrode 44 tends to be larger than when the detection target approaches from the outside of the vehicle. Specifically, when the detection target approaches the detection device 40 from the inside of the vehicle, the capacitance in the fourth electrode 44 tends to increase, and when the detection target approaches from the outside of the vehicle, the fourth electrode 44 tends to increase. Capacitance tends to be small.

Therefore, in the second embodiment, the control circuit 48 determines whether or not the user is operating the detection device 40 from the outside of the vehicle based on the capacitance in the fourth electrode 44, that is, opens to the door ECU 10. It is determined whether or not to output the operation command signal or the closed operation command signal.

Specifically, when the control circuit 48 detects the first operation, the determination time is the same even if the capacitance in the second electrode 42 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth over the determination time (first determination time Tth1). When the capacitance of the fourth electrode 44 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth, the open operation command signal or the closed operation command signal is not output to the door ECU 10. Therefore, the detection device 40 does not output the open operation command signal or the close operation command signal to the door ECU 10 even if the user approaches the second electrode 42 from the inside of the vehicle.

Further, in the control circuit 48, when the second operation is detected, the fourth electrode is in the period in which the electrodes whose capacitance is the determination value Cth or more are switched in the order of the first electrode 41, the second electrode 42, and the third electrode 43. When the capacitance in 44 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth, the open operation command signal is not output to the door ECU 10. Therefore, the detection device 40 does not output the open operation command signal to the door ECU 10 even if the electrodes to which the user approaches from the inside of the vehicle are changed in the order of the first electrode 41, the second electrode 42, and the third electrode 43. ..

Further, in the control circuit 48, when the third operation is detected, the fourth electrode is in the period in which the electrodes whose capacitance is the determination value Cth or more are switched in the order of the third electrode 43, the second electrode 42, and the first electrode 41. When the capacitance in 44 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth, the closing operation command signal is not output to the door ECU 10. Therefore, the detection device 40 does not output the closing operation command signal to the door ECU 10 even if the electrodes to which the user approaches from the inside of the vehicle are changed in the order of the third electrode 43, the second electrode 42, and the first electrode 41. ..

Next, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 12, the contents of the process executed by the control circuit 48 to detect the first operation will be described. This process is executed every predetermined control cycle when the vehicle door 3 is located in the fully open position or the fully closed position.

As shown in FIG. 12, the control circuit 48 determines whether or not the second capacitance C2, which is the capacitance in the second electrode 42, is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth (step S41). When the second capacitance C2 is less than the determination value Cth (step S41: NO), the control circuit 48 ends this process. On the other hand, when the second capacitance C2 is the determination value Cth or more (step S41: YES), the control circuit 48 determines whether the fourth capacitance C4, which is the capacitance in the fourth electrode 44, is the determination value Cth or more. (Step S42). When the fourth capacitance C4 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth (step S42: YES), the control circuit 48 ends this process. In this case, since the fourth capacitance C4 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth, it is determined that a part of the user's body is approaching the detection device 40 from the inside of the vehicle.

On the other hand, when the fourth capacitance C4 is less than the determination value Cth (step S42: NO), in the control circuit 48, the first elapsed time Te1 after the first affirmative determination in step S41 is the first determination time Tth1 or more. It is determined whether or not the result is (step S43). When the first elapsed time Te1 is less than the first determination time Tth1 (step S43: NO), the control circuit 48 shifts the process to the previous step S41.

On the other hand, when the first elapsed time Te1 becomes the first determination time Tth1 or more (step S43: YES), that is, the state in which the user's hand approaches the second electrode 42 from the outside of the vehicle extends to the first determination time Tth1. If it is continued, the control circuit 48 determines whether or not the vehicle door 3 is in the fully closed position (step S44). When the vehicle door 3 is in the fully closed position (step S44: YES), the control circuit 48 outputs an open operation command signal to the door ECU 10 (step S45), and ends this process. On the other hand, when the vehicle door 3 is in the fully open position (step S44: NO), the control circuit 48 outputs a closing operation command signal to the door ECU 10 (step S46), and ends this process.

Next, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 13, the contents of the process executed by the control circuit 48 to detect the second operation will be described. This process is a process executed every predetermined control cycle when the vehicle door 3 is not located at the fully open position.

As shown in FIG. 13, the control circuit 48 determines whether or not the fourth capacitance C4 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth (step S51). When the fourth capacitance C4 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth (step S51: YES), the control circuit 48 ends this process. In this case, since the fourth capacitance C4 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth, it is determined that the user's hand is approaching the detection device 40 from the inside of the vehicle.

On the other hand, when the fourth capacitance C4 is less than the determination value Cth (step S51: NO), the control circuit 48 determines whether or not the first capacitance C1 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth (step S52). When the first capacitance C1 is less than the determination value Cth (step S52: NO), the control circuit 48 ends this process. On the other hand, when the first capacitance C1 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth (step S52: YES), the control circuit 48 determines whether or not the fourth capacitance C4 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth (step S53).

When the fourth capacitance C4 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth (step S53: YES), the control circuit 48 ends this process. On the other hand, when the fourth capacitance C4 is less than the determination value Cth (step S53: NO), the control circuit 48 determines whether or not the second capacitance C2 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth (step S54). ..

When the second capacitance C2 is less than the determination value Cth (step S54: NO), the control circuit 48 shifts the process to the previous step S53. On the other hand, when the second capacitance C2 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth (step S54: YES), the control circuit 48 determines whether or not the fourth capacitance C4 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth (step S55).

When the fourth capacitance C4 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth (step S55: YES), the control circuit 48 ends this process. On the other hand, when the fourth capacitance C4 is less than the determination value Cth (step S55: NO), the control circuit 48 determines whether or not the third capacitance C3 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth (step S56). ..

When the third capacitance C3 is less than the determination value Cth (step S56: NO), the control circuit 48 shifts the process to the previous step S55. On the other hand, when the third capacitance C3 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth (step S56: YES), the control circuit 48 has a second elapsed time Te2 from the affirmative determination of step S52 to the affirmative determination of step S56. It is determined whether or not the second determination time is Tth2 or more (step S57).

When the second elapsed time Te2 is equal to or longer than the second determination time Tth2 (step S57: NO), the control circuit 48 ends this process. On the other hand, when the second elapsed time Te2 is less than the second determination time Tth2 (step S57: YES), the control circuit 48 outputs an open operation command signal to the door ECU 10 (step S58). After that, the control circuit 48 ends this process.

Next, the contents of the process executed by the control circuit 48 for detecting the third operation will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. This process is a process executed every predetermined control cycle when the vehicle door 3 is not located at the fully closed position.

As shown in FIG. 14, the control circuit 48 determines whether or not the fourth capacitance C4 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth (step S61). When the fourth capacitance C4 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth (step S61: YES), the control circuit 48 ends this process. In this case, since the fourth capacitance C4 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth, it is determined that the user's hand is approaching the detection device 40 from the inside of the vehicle.

On the other hand, when the fourth capacitance C4 is less than the determination value Cth (step S61: NO), the control circuit 48 determines whether or not the third capacitance C3 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth (step S62). When the third capacitance C3 is less than the determination value Cth (step S62: NO), the control circuit 48 ends this process. On the other hand, when the third capacitance C3 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth (step S62: YES), the control circuit 48 determines whether or not the fourth capacitance C4 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth (step S63).

When the fourth capacitance C4 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth (step S63: YES), the control circuit 48 ends this process. On the other hand, when the fourth capacitance C4 is less than the determination value Cth (step S63: NO), the control circuit 48 determines whether or not the second capacitance C2 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth (step S64). ..

When the second capacitance C2 is less than the determination value Cth (step S64: NO), the control circuit 48 shifts the process to the previous step S63. On the other hand, when the second capacitance C2 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth (step S64: YES), the control circuit 48 determines whether or not the fourth capacitance C4 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth (step S65).

When the fourth capacitance C4 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth (step S65: YES), the control circuit 48 ends this process. On the other hand, when the fourth capacitance C4 is less than the determination value Cth (step S65: NO), the control circuit 48 determines whether or not the first capacitance C1 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth (step S66). ..

When the first capacitance C1 is less than the determination value Cth (step S66: NO), the control circuit 48 shifts the process to the previous step S65. On the other hand, when the first capacitance C1 is equal to or greater than the determination value Cth (step S66: YES), the control circuit 48 has a third elapsed time Te3 from the affirmative determination of step S62 to the affirmative determination of step S66. It is determined whether or not the third determination time is Tth3 or more (step S67).

When the third elapsed time Te3 is equal to or longer than the third determination time Tth3 (step S67: NO), the control circuit 48 ends this process. On the other hand, when the third elapsed time Te3 is less than the third determination time Tth3 (step S67: YES), the control circuit 48 outputs a closing operation command signal to the door ECU 10 (step S68). After that, the control circuit 48 ends this process.

Next, referring to the timing chart shown in FIG. 15, the second capacitance C2 and the case where the user performs the first operation and the case where the user puts his / her arm on the upper surface of the door trim 23 from the inside of the vehicle The change of the fourth capacitance C4 will be described. In the timing chart shown in FIG. 15, it is assumed that the vehicle door 3 is located at the fully closed position.

As shown in FIG. 15A, when the user performs the first operation, the user's hand approaches the detection device 40 from the outside of the vehicle, so that the capacitance of each electrode changes as follows. That is, at the first timing t41 while the user's hand is approaching the detection device 40, the second capacitance C2 becomes the determination value Cth or more, and the user's hand has finished approaching the detection device 40. At the timing t42, the second capacitance C2 hardly changes. Then, when the third timing t43 after the first determination time Tth1 has elapsed from the first timing t41, the condition for opening the vehicle door 3 is satisfied. This is because the second capacitance C2 does not exceed the determination value Cth while the fourth capacitance C4 does not exceed the determination value Cth in the period from the first timing t41 to the third timing t43. be.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 15B, when the user puts his / her arm on the upper surface of the door trim 23, the user's hand approaches the detection device 40 from the inside of the vehicle, so that the capacitance of each electrode is as follows. Changes to. That is, at the first timing t51 while the user's hand is approaching the detection device 40, the second capacitance C2 becomes the determination value Cth or more, and the user's arm is placed on the upper surface of the door trim 23 at the third timing. At t53, the second capacitance C2 does not change. However, in the case shown in FIG. 15B, the condition for opening the vehicle door 3 is not satisfied even when the first timing t51 becomes the fourth timing t54 after the first determination time Tth1 has elapsed. This is because the fourth capacitance C4 becomes the determination value Cth or more at the second timing t52 between the first timing t51 and the third timing t53. That is, in the period from the second timing t52 to the fourth timing t54, the second capacitance C2 becomes the determination value Cth or more, while the fourth capacitance C4 becomes the determination value Cth or more. ..

Next, with reference to the timing charts shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, the case where the user performs the second operation, the case where the user performs the operation corresponding to the second operation from the inside of the vehicle, and the case where the user performs the operation corresponding to the second operation. The changes of the first capacitance C1, the second capacitance C2, the third capacitance C3, and the fourth capacitance C4 in the above will be described.

As shown in FIG. 16A, when the user performs the second operation, the user's hand approaches the detection device 40 from the outside of the vehicle, so that the capacitance of each electrode changes as follows. That is, since the electrodes approached by the user change in the order of the first electrode 41, the second electrode 42, and the third electrode 43, the first capacitance C1 becomes the determination value Cth or more at the first timing t61. At the second timing t62, the second capacitance C2 becomes the determination value Cth or more, and at the third timing t63, the third capacitance C3 becomes the determination value Cth or more. On the other hand, since the user's hand is less likely to approach the detection range A4 of the fourth electrode 44 than the detection ranges A1, A2, A3 of the first electrode 41, the second electrode 42, and the third electrode 43, from the first timing t61. In the period up to the third timing t63, the fourth capacitance C4 does not exceed the determination value Cth. Therefore, when the user performs the second operation, the condition for opening the vehicle door 3 is satisfied at the third timing t63.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 16B, when the user performs an operation corresponding to the second operation from the inside of the vehicle, the user's hand approaches the detection device 40 from the inside of the vehicle, so that each electrode is static. The electric capacity changes as follows. That is, since the electrodes approached by the user change in the order of the first electrode 41, the second electrode 42, and the third electrode 43, the first capacitance C1 becomes the determination value Cth or more at the first timing t71. At the third timing t73, the second capacitance C2 becomes the determination value Cth or more, and at the fourth timing t74, the third capacitance C3 becomes the determination value Cth or more. On the other hand, since the user's hand is easier to approach the detection range A4 of the fourth electrode 44 than the detection ranges A1, A2, A3 of the first electrode 41, the second electrode 42, and the third electrode 43, the first timing t71 and At the second timing t72 between the third timing t73, the fourth capacitance C4 becomes the determination value Cth or more. Therefore, when the user performs an operation corresponding to the second operation from the inside of the vehicle, the condition for opening the vehicle door 3 is not satisfied.

According to the second embodiment, in addition to the effects equivalent to the effects (1) to (4) and (7) of the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(8) The user can open and close the vehicle door 3 by the first operation, the second operation, and the third operation. Then, the detection device 40 can determine whether or not the operation is performed from the outside of the vehicle based on the size of the fourth capacitance C4 in the fourth electrode 34 regardless of which operation is performed.

This embodiment can be modified and implemented as follows. The present embodiment and the following modified examples can be implemented in combination with each other within a technically consistent range.
The capacitance determination value Cth for determining whether or not the detection target has approached the first electrode 41, the second electrode 42, and the third electrode 43 is whether or not the detection target has approached the fourth electrode 44. It may be a value different from the determination value Cth of the capacitance for determining. For example, the latter determination value Cth may be smaller than the former determination value Cth.

-The third electrode 33 and the fourth electrode 34 do not have to be connected by the connecting portion 35. For example, the third electrode 33 and the fourth electrode 34 may be electrically connected by sharing a terminal connected to the detection circuit 37.

The shapes of the first electrode 31, the second electrode 32, the third electrode 33, and the fourth electrode 34 may be appropriately changed. For example, the electrodes 31 to 34 may be formed of a linear conductor such as a harness or a net-like conductor.

The fourth electrode 34 may have the same area as the other electrodes 31, 32, 33, or may have a larger area than the other electrodes 31, 32, 33. In this case, the first electrode 31, the second electrode 32, the third electrode 33, and the fourth electrode so that the detection range A4 of the fourth electrode 34 is smaller than the detection ranges A1 to A3 of the other electrodes 31, 32, 33. It is preferable to change the arrangement of the electrode 34 and the shield plate 36.

The detection range A4 of the fourth electrode 34 as the inner electrode may be wider than the detection ranges A1 to A3 of the first electrode 31, the second electrode 32 (outer electrode), and the third electrode 33. However, in this case, it is preferable that the detection range A4 on the outside of the vehicle of the fourth electrode 34 is smaller than the detection ranges A1 to A3 on the outside of the vehicle of the first electrode 31, the second electrode 32 and the third electrode 33. Further, it is preferable that the detection ranges A1 to A3 inside the vehicle of the first electrode 31, the second electrode 32 and the third electrode 33 are smaller than the detection range A4 inside the vehicle of the fourth electrode 34.

The detection range A2 of the second electrode 32 and the detection range A4 of the fourth electrode 34 may be set so as not to overlap.
-The size of the determination value Cth may be changed as appropriate. For example, the determination value Cth may be a determination value for determining the contact of the detection target with respect to the electrode.

When the detection devices 30 and 40 detect a second operation when the vehicle door 3 is in a position between the fully open position and the fully closed position, the vehicle door 3 may be opened or closed. You may.
-The detection devices 30 and 40 may be arranged above the door trim 23.

-The detection devices 30 and 40 may be arranged on the outside of the vehicle of the vehicle door 3. For example, when the vehicle door 3 is provided with a door molding for draining, the detection devices 30 and 40 may be provided inside the door molding. In this case, the detection devices 30 and 40 are provided on the outside of the vehicle of the window opening 4a (window glass 5).

The detection devices 30 and 40 may be appropriately changed within the region exposed to the outside of the vehicle via the window opening 4a. For example, the detection devices 30 and 40 may be arranged along the upper end of the window opening 4a, or may be arranged along the front end or the rear end of the window opening 4a. As described above, the detection devices 30 and 40 may be provided on the edge of the window opening 4a.

The detection device 40 of the second embodiment may be changed as in the detection devices 50 and 60 shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. Note that FIGS. 17 and 18 show cross sections of the detection devices 50 and 60 orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the housing 30A for the sake of easy explanation and understanding.

As shown in FIG. 17, the detection device 50 may have a fourth electrode 54 that covers the first electrode 41, the second electrode 42, the third electrode 43, and the substrate 39 from the upper side of the vehicle. Even with the detection device 50 having this configuration, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the second embodiment based on the capacitance of the fourth electrode 54 as the inner electrode.

As shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B, the detection device 60 includes a substrate 69 on which the components of the detection device 60 are mounted, a fourth electrode 64 provided on the upper side of the vehicle of the substrate 69, and a substrate 69. A fifth electrode 65 provided inside the vehicle and a shield plate 66 arranged between the first electrode 41, the second electrode 42, and the third electrode 43 and the fifth electrode 65 may be provided. The fifth electrode 65 may be printed wiring mounted on the surface of the substrate 69. Further, when the substrate 69 is configured as a laminated substrate, the shield plate 66 may be mounted in a film form on a layer different from the layer on which the fifth electrode 65 is mounted. Further, in the detection device 60, it is preferable to limit the size of the shield plate 66 so that the shield plate 66 does not affect the detection range of the first electrode 41, the second electrode 42, and the third electrode 43. Even with the detection device 60 having this configuration, the same effect as that of the second embodiment can be obtained based on the capacitances of the fourth electrode 64 and the fifth electrode 65 as the inner electrodes.

-The detection devices 30 and 40 do not have to include the first electrodes 31, 41 and the third electrodes 33, 43. That is, the detection devices 30 and 40 may be configured to be capable of detecting at least the first operation.

The detection device 40 does not have to include the first electrode 41. In this case, the detection device 40 outputs an open operation command signal when the electrodes whose capacitance is the determination value Cth or more change in the order of the second electrode 42 and the third electrode 43, and the capacitance is the determination value Cth. When the above electrodes change in the order of the third electrode 43 and the second electrode 42, it is preferable to output a closing operation command signal. The same applies to the detection device 30.

The detection device 40 may further include one or more electrodes between the first electrode 41 and the second electrode 42, and may further include one or more electrodes between the second electrode 42 and the third electrode 43. May be good. In this case, the detection device 40 outputs an open operation command signal when the electrodes having a capacitance equal to or higher than the determination value Cth change in order from the first electrode 41 to the third electrode 43, and the capacitance is determined. When the electrode having a value of Cth or more changes in the order of the third electrode 43 to the first electrode 41, it is preferable to output a closing operation command signal. The same applies to the detection device 30.

The detection device 30 may not be provided with the fourth electrode 34 and may be configured not to detect the first operation. In this case, the detection device 30 has a fifth electrode arranged so as to be adjacent to the first electrode 31 and a sixth electrode arranged so as to be adjacent to the third electrode 33 in the width direction of the vehicle 1. It is preferable to prepare. Then, in the detection device 30, the fifth electrode and the sixth electrode are preferably electrically connected to the second electrode 32. According to this configuration, in the detection device 30, whether or not the second operation and the third operation from the outside of the vehicle are performed based on the capacitance (second capacitance C2) in the fifth electrode and the sixth electrode. Can be determined.

-The vehicle door 3 does not have to be a sliding door. The vehicle door 3 may be a swing door that opens and closes by driving an actuator. When the vehicle door 3 is used as a swing door, the width direction of the vehicle 1 of the swing door is assumed to be the width direction of the vehicle 1 when the swing door is in the fully closed position.

1 ... Vehicle, 2 ... Body, 2a ... Opening, 3 ... Vehicle door, 4 ... Door body, 4a ... Window opening, 5 ... Window glass, 6 ... Door lock, 10 ... Door ECU, 11 ... Door drive unit (actor) Example), 12 ... door lock drive unit, 21 ... door outer panel, 22 ... door inner panel, 23 ... door trim, 30, 40, 50, 60 ... detection device, 30A ... housing, 31, 41 ... first electrode (1st electrode) Sensor electrode example), 32, 42 ... 2nd electrode (sensor electrode and outer electrode example), 33, 43 ... 3rd electrode (sensor electrode example), 34, 44, 54, 64 ... 4th electrode (sensor) Electrode and inner electrode example), 65 ... 5th electrode, 35 ... connecting part, 36, 36A, 66 ... shield plate, 37 ... detection circuit, 38, 48 ... control circuit (example of control unit), A1 to A4 ... Detection range, 39, 69 ... Substrate, C1 ... 1st capacitance, C2 ... 2nd capacitance, C3 ... 3rd capacitance, Cth ... Judgment value, Te1 to Te3 ... Elapsed time, Tth1 to Tth3 ... Judgment time.

Claims (6)

It is provided on a vehicle door having a window opening, and is equipped with a sensor electrode having a detection range in which the capacitance increases as the detection target approaches.
The sensor electrode has an outer electrode having a detection range extending to the outside of the vehicle and an inner electrode having a detection range extending to the inside of the vehicle.
The outer electrode and the inner electrode are electrically independent and are electrically independent .
A vehicle operation detection device that determines whether or not the detection target has approached from the outside of the vehicle based on the capacitance of the inner electrode.
The outer electrode is arranged so as to be adjacent to the inner electrode in the width direction orthogonal to the opening / closing direction of the vehicle door.
A control unit that controls an actuator that opens and closes the vehicle door based on the capacitance is provided.
When the outer electrode is a second electrode, the sensor electrode further has a first electrode and a third electrode having a detection range extending to the outside of the vehicle.
The first electrode is provided so as to be aligned with the second electrode in the closing direction of the vehicle door of the second electrode.
The third electrode is provided so as to be aligned with the second electrode in the opening direction of the vehicle door of the second electrode.
The control unit
When the situation in which the detection target approaches the second electrode continues, the vehicle door is opened or closed.
When the electrode to which the detection target approaches changes in the order of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode among the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode, the vehicle door is opened. On the other hand, when the electrode approached by the detection target changes in the order of the third electrode, the second electrode, and the first electrode, the vehicle door is closed.
Each of the first electrode, the second electrode and the third electrode is electrically independent.
The inner electrode is electrically connected to one of the first electrode and the third electrode.
Operation detection device for vehicles. The vehicle operation detection according to claim 1 , wherein the inner electrode is arranged so as to overlap the first electrode and the second electrode in the opening / closing direction of the vehicle door, and is electrically connected to the third electrode. Device. It is provided on a vehicle door having a window opening, and is equipped with a sensor electrode having a detection range in which the capacitance increases as the detection target approaches.
The sensor electrode has an outer electrode having a detection range extending to the outside of the vehicle and an inner electrode having a detection range extending to the inside of the vehicle.
The outer electrode and the inner electrode are electrically independent and are electrically independent.
A vehicle operation detection device that determines whether or not the detection target has approached from the outside of the vehicle based on the capacitance of the inner electrode.
The outer electrode is arranged so as to be adjacent to the inner electrode in the width direction orthogonal to the opening / closing direction of the vehicle door.
A control unit that controls an actuator that opens and closes the vehicle door based on the capacitance is provided.
The outer electrode has a first electrode, a second electrode, and a third electrode provided so as to be arranged in order in the opening direction of the vehicle door.
The control unit
When the situation in which the detection target approaches the second electrode continues, the vehicle door is opened or closed.
When the electrode to which the detection target approaches changes in the order of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode among the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode, the vehicle door is opened. On the other hand, when the electrode approached by the detection target changes in the order of the third electrode, the second electrode, and the first electrode, the vehicle door is closed.
Each of the first electrode, the second electrode, the third electrode, and the inner electrode is electrically independent.
Operation detection device for vehicles . The vehicle operation detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the detection range of the outer electrode and the detection range of the inner electrode partially overlap. The vehicle operation detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the detection range of the inner electrode is set smaller than the detection range of the outer electrode. The vehicle operation detection device according to claim 5 , wherein the area of the inner electrode is smaller than the area of the outer electrode.

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