METHOD OF CONTROLLING SLIDE DOOR AND VEHICLE SLIDE DOOR APPARATUS

A method of controlling a slide door includes: detecting that a slide door of a vehicle is in an open state; detecting that an occupant sits at a seat in the vicinity of a door opening portion of the vehicle provided with the slide door; and moving the slide door such that a door handle provided in the slide door on a passenger compartment side of the vehicle is disposed at an operational standby position which is set to be located forward of a rear end position of a sitting surface of the seat in the vicinity of the door opening portion, if the slide door is in an open state, and the occupant sits at the seat in the vicinity of the door opening portion.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Japanese Patent Application 2015-244331, filed on Dec. 15, 2015, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to a method of controlling a slide door and a vehicle slide door apparatus.

BACKGROUND DISCUSSION

There is a vehicle slide door apparatus in the related art which includes a drive source, estimates boarding and deboarding of a user, and automatically opens and closes a slide door. For example, a slide door apparatus disclosed in JP 2009-209659A (Reference 1) specifies a slide door which a user holding a portable device such as a so-called electronic key approaches, and automatically opens the slide door. The slide door apparatus is configured to automatically close the open slide door after detecting that the user boards a vehicle.

A timing when a door is assumed to be closed by a user is not necessarily constant. If a configuration in which a slide door is automatically fully closed is adopted, there is a high possibility of so-called jamming occurring. For this reason, the closing of a slide door is desirably performed by a user as in the related art.

In contrast, as illustrated inFIG. 12, there is a possibility that an inside door handle93provided in a slide door92is disposed rearward of an occupant95sitting at a seat94in the vicinity of a large door opening portion90in a vehicle91including the door opening portion90. There is a problem in that when the occupant95intends to operate the slide door92in this state, the occupant95is placed in an awkward posture in which the occupant95twists the upper body and stretches the hand rearward. Therefore, there is room for improvement in this regard.

SUMMARY

Thus, a need exists for a method of controlling a slide door and a vehicle slide door apparatus which is not suspectable to the drawback mentioned above.

It is preferable that a method of controlling a slide door according to an aspect of this disclosure includes: detecting that a slide door of a vehicle is in an open state; detecting that an occupant sits at a seat in the vicinity of a door opening portion of the vehicle provided with the slide door; and moving the slide door such that a door handle provided in the slide door on a passenger compartment side of the vehicle is disposed at an operational standby position which is set to be located forward of a rear end position of a sitting surface of the seat in the vicinity of the door opening portion, if the slide door is in an open state, and the occupant sits at the seat in the vicinity of the door opening portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, a method of controlling a slide door and a vehicle slide door apparatus in an embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. As illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2, a slide door2of a vehicle1opens and closes a door opening portion4provided in a lateral surface3aof a vehicle body3by being moved in a forward and rearward direction while being supported by the lateral surface3aof the vehicle body3. Specifically, the slide door2is configured such that if the slide door2is moved to a front side (left side in the drawings) of the vehicle, the slide door2enters a fully closed state in which the door opening portion4is blocked, and if the slide door2is moved to a rear side (right side in the drawings) of the vehicle, the slide door2enters a fully open state in which an occupant can board and deboard the vehicle via the door opening portion4. The slide door2is provided with a door handle5for opening and closing the slide door2.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, the slide door2is provided with multiple lock devices6including a well-known latch mechanism that engages with a striker (not illustrated) provided on a vehicle body3side in correspondence with the movement position of the slide door2. Specifically, the slide door2is provided with a front lock6awhich is a fully closed lock holding the slide door2at a fully closed position, and a rear lock6b.The slide door2is further provided with a fully open lock6cthat holds the slide door2at a fully open position. The lock devices6are connected to the door handle5via a remote control7.

That is, if the door handle5, specifically, either an outside door handle5aprovided on the outside of the vehicle1or an inside door handle5bprovided on a passenger compartment side of the vehicle1is operated, a locked state of the slide door2of the embodiment enabled by the lock devices6is released. Even if an occupant operates an operation switch provided in a passenger compartment or an operation input unit of a portable device or the like, a locked state of the slide door2enabled by the lock devices6can be released. The slide door2of the embodiment is configured such that the door handle5serves as a grip unit when the slide door2is opened and closed.

The slide door2of the embodiment is provided with a drive device11including a motor10as a drive source. The operation of the drive device11is controlled by a door ECU20. As a result, a slide door apparatus30of the embodiment capable of opening and closing the slide door2using a driving force of the motor10is formed.

Specifically, the drive device11of the embodiment includes an opening and closing drive unit41that drives the opening and closing of the slide door2using a driving force of the motor10via a drive cable (not illustrated). The drive device11is provided with an electromagnetic clutch42capable of connecting and disconnecting a driving force of the motor10which is transmitted to the slide door2via the opening and closing drive unit41. Specifically, the electromagnetic clutch42is configured such that the electromagnetic clutch42is turned on if energized, and a torque transmission path is connected between the motor10and the opening and closing drive unit41. The slide door apparatus30of the embodiment is configured such that the slide door2is smoothly opened and closed even by a manual operation in which drive control of the motor10is not performed.

More specifically, the door ECU20of the embodiment is configured to receive an operation input signal Sc indicating that the door handle5or other operation input units are operated to open and close the slide door2. That is, the door ECU20of the embodiment detects a user's demand for the operation of the slide door2based on the operation input signal Sc. The operation of the drive device11is controlled such that the slide door2is moved in an opening and closing direction indicated by the operation demand.

Specifically, the drive device11of the embodiment is provided with a pulse sensor43that outputs pulse signals Sp in synchronization with the operation of the opening and closing drive unit41. The door ECU20of the embodiment is configured to execute opening drive control and closing drive control for the slide door2based on a movement position X of the slide door2which is detected by counting up the pulse signals Sp.

The door ECU20of the embodiment is connected to a seat ECU50via an on-board network45. Seat information acquired from the seat ECU50is used for controlling the driving of the slide door2.

Specifically, as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2, in the vehicle1of the embodiment, a seat61forming a seat60in the vicinity of the door opening portion4of the vehicle1provided with the slide door2is provided with a power seat slide apparatus62including a motor (not illustrated) as a drive source. In the vehicle1of the embodiment, the seat60in the vicinity of the door opening portion4is a rear seat (second row seat). The seat ECU50is configured to adjust a forward and rearward position (slide position) of the seat61by controlling the operation of the power seat slide apparatus62.

The seat ECU50detects a slide position Px of the seat61based on an output signal S1of a seat position sensor63provided in the seat61. The seat ECU50executes an occupant detection determination as to whether an occupant sits at the seat61, based on an output signal S2of a sitting sensor64provided in the seat61. In the embodiment, weight sensors64fand64rcapable of respectively detecting front and rear weights (Wf and Wr) of the seat61are used as the sitting sensor64. The door ECU20of the embodiment is configured to acquire the slide position Px of the seat61forming the seat60in the vicinity of the door opening portion4of the vehicle1provided with the slide door2, and occupant detection information Ic which are seat information by communicating with the seat ECU50via the on-board network45.

Specifically, as illustrated in the flowchart ofFIG. 3, if the slide door2is in an open state (Step S101: YES), the door ECU20of the embodiment determines whether the occupant sits at the seat60in the vicinity of the door opening portion4of the vehicle1provided with the slide door2, based on the occupant detection information Ic acquired from the seat ECU50(Step S102). If the slide door2is in an open state, and the occupant sits at the seat60in the vicinity of the door opening portion4(Step S101: YES, and Step S102: YES), the door ECU20is configured to move the slide door2forward from a fully open position Xo (Steps S103to S105).

Specifically, the door ECU20of the embodiment detects a seat position Xs in the vicinity of the door opening portion4at which the occupant sits by converting the slide position Px of the seat61, which is acquired from the seat ECU50, into the movement position X of the slide door2with respect to the fully open position Xo (X=0) of the slide door2(Step S103). Subsequently, the door ECU20sets an operational standby position Xw which is a target position in controlling the driving of the slide door2, based on the seat position Xs in the vicinity of the door opening portion4at which the occupant sits (Step S104). The door ECU20of the embodiment is configured to move the slide door2such that the inside door handle5bis disposed at the operational standby position Xw (Step S105).

More specifically, as illustrated inFIG. 4, the door ECU20of the embodiment detects a front end position Xf and a rear end position Xr of a sitting surface60sof the seat60as the seat position Xs in the vicinity of the door opening portion4at which an occupant70sits. InFIGS. 2 and 4, for purpose of illustration, the movement position X (Xo, Xc, and Xw) of the slide door2represents the position of disposition of the inside door handle5b.The door ECU20is configured to set a predetermined position X1between the front end position Xf and the rear end position Xr of the sitting surface60sto the operational standby position Xw at which the inside door handle5bis disposed.

That is, as illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5, if the inside door handle5bis positioned forward of the upper body of the occupant70when the occupant70sitting at the seat60in the vicinity of the door opening portion4intends to operate the inside door handle5b,the occupant70can stretch the hand to the inside door handle5bwithout twisting the upper body.

From this perspective, if the occupant70having a standard physique sits at the seat61forming the seat60in the vicinity of the door opening portion4, the slide door apparatus30of the embodiment presets a position, which is spaced a predetermined distance (for example, 70 mm to 80 mm) forward of a hip point of the occupant70, to the predetermined position X1between the front end position Xf and the rear end position Xr. The slide door apparatus30of the embodiment is configured to set the predetermined position X1as the operational standby position Xw, and to move the slide door2to the operational standby position Xw such that the inside door handle5bis disposed at the operational standby position Xw. As a result, the occupant70sitting at the seat60in the vicinity of the door opening portion4can easily operate the slide door2without modifying a sitting posture.

According to the embodiment, it is possible to obtain the following effects. (1) The door ECU20serving as a door open state detection unit and a sitting detection unit detects that the slide door2is in an open state, and that the occupant70sits at the seat60in the vicinity of the door opening portion4of the vehicle1provided with the slide door2. If the slide door2is in an open state, and it is detected that the occupant70sits at the seat60in the vicinity of the door opening portion4, the door ECU20serving as a movement control unit sets the operational standby position Xw to be located forward of the rear end position Xr of the sitting surface60sof the seat60in the vicinity of the door opening portion4. The slide door2is moved such that the inside door handle5bis disposed at the operational standby position Xw.

In this configuration, it is possible to dispose the inside door handle5bof the slide door2forward of the upper body of the occupant70sitting at the seat60in the vicinity of the door opening portion4. As a result, the occupant70can stretch the hand to the inside door handle5bwithout twisting the upper body. Accordingly, the occupant70can easily operate the slide door2.

(2) The operational standby position Xw is set to be located rearward of the front end position Xf of the sitting surface60s.Accordingly, the occupant70sitting at the seat60in the vicinity of the door opening portion4can easily operate the slide door2while maintaining a sitting posture.

The embodiment may be changed in the following manner. In the embodiment, the seat60in the vicinity of the door opening portion4is a rear seat (second row seat) of the vehicle1. However, this disclosure is not limited to that configuration. It may be possible to embody a configuration in which the seat60in the vicinity of the door opening portion4of the vehicle1provided with the slide door2is a front seat (first row seat) of the vehicle.

In the embodiment, the operational standby position Xw at which the inside door handle5bof the slide door2is to be disposed is set to the predetermined position X1that is preset between the front end position Xf and the rear end position Xr of the sitting surface60sof the seat60in the vicinity of the door opening portion4. However, this disclosure is not limited to that configuration. For example, a position Xg of the center of gravity of the occupant70sitting at the seat60in the vicinity of the door opening portion4is detected. The operational standby position Xw may be set based on the position Xg of the center of gravity.

For example, as illustrated in the flowchart ofFIG. 6, if the weight sensors64fand64rcapable of respectively detecting the front weight Wf and the rear weight Wr of the seat61are used as the sitting sensor64of the seat61forming the seat60in the vicinity of the door opening portion4, the door ECU20acquires the front weight Wf and the rear weight Wr from the seat ECU50(Step S201). The door ECU20serving as a center-of-gravity detection unit detects the position Xg of the center of gravity in the forward and rearward direction of the vehicle based on a ratio between the front weight Wf and the rear weight Wr (Step S202). That is, the position Xg of the center of gravity is detected based on a distribution of loads applied to the sitting surface of the seat.

A step of detecting the position Xg of the center of gravity may be arbitrarily changed, for example, the position Xg of the center of gravity may be obtained from a pressure distribution of the sitting surface60s.A predetermined value a may be added to the position Xg of the center of gravity such that the operational standby position Xw is set to be located forward of the position Xg of the center of gravity (Xw=Xg+α) (Step S203).

That is, it is possible to estimate the position (for example, position which is spaced 70 mm to 80 mm from the hip point of the occupant70) of the inside door handle5bto which the occupant70sitting at the seat60in the vicinity of the door opening portion4easily stretches the hand, based on the detected position Xg of the center of gravity. If the operational standby position Xw is set to the estimated position, the occupant70can more easily operate the slide door2.

As illustrated in the flowchart ofFIG. 7, the door ECU20serving as a physique detection unit detects the physique of the occupant70sitting at the seat60in the vicinity of the door opening portion4of the vehicle1provided with the slide door2(Step S302), by acquiring a seat weight Wx from the seat ECU50(Wx=Wf+Wr) (Step S301). That is, it is possible to estimate that the physique is large to the extent that the weight of the occupant70represented by the detected seat weight Wx is heavy. The physique of the occupant70may be estimated by the seat ECU50. The door ECU20serving as an operational standby position correction unit may be configured to correct the operational standby position Xw at which the inside door handle5bof the slide door2is to be disposed, based on the detected physique of the occupant70(Steps S303to S307).

Specifically, if the physique of the occupant70sitting at the seat60in the vicinity of the door opening portion4is large (Step S303: YES), the door ECU20corrects the operational standby position Xw to a forward position by adding a predetermined value β1to the operational standby position Xw that is preset (Xw′=Xw+β1) (Step S304). If the physique of the occupant70is small (Step S305: YES), the door ECU20corrects the operational standby position Xw to a rearward position by subtracting a predetermined value β2from the operational standby position Xw that is preset (Xw′=Xw−β2) (Step S306). If the physique of the occupant70is neither large nor small (Step S305: NO), that is, if the occupant70has a standard physique, the door ECU20does not correct the operational standby position Xw that is preset (Step S307).

As such, the operational standby position Xw may be corrected to a forward position for the inside door handle5bto be disposed at a position which is moved forward to the extent that the physique of the occupant70sitting at the seat60in the vicinity of the door opening portion4of the vehicle1provided with the slide door2is large. Accordingly, in correspondence with the physique of the occupant70, it is possible to dispose the inside door handle5bat a position to which the occupant70more easily stretches the hand. As a result, the occupant70can more easily operate the slide door2.

In the example illustrated in the flowchart ofFIG. 7, the physique of the occupant70sitting at the seat60in the vicinity of the door opening portion4is detected (estimated) based on the seat weight Wx which is detected by the weight sensors64fand64rprovided in the seat61. However, this disclosure is not limited to that configuration. The configuration in which the physique of the occupant70is detected may be arbitrarily changed, for example, the physique of the occupant70may be detected via image analysis using a camera.

In the embodiment, the power seat slide apparatus62is provided in the seat61forming the seat60in the vicinity of the door opening portion4of the vehicle1provided with the slide door2. However, this disclosure is not limited to that configuration. The slide position Px (seat position Xs) of the seat61may be manually changeable.

For example, as illustrated in the flowchart ofFIG. 8, the operational standby position Xw at which the inside door handle5bof the slide door2is to be disposed may be switched based on whether the slide position Px of the seat61forming the seat60in the vicinity of the door opening portion4is located rearward of a central position of a range in which the slide position Px can be adjusted in the forward and rearward direction.

Specifically, in this example, if the slide position Px of the seat61is located rearward of the central position (Step S401: YES), the door ECU20sets the operational standby position Xw by adding a predetermined value yl to the fully open position Xo of the slide door2, which is a reference (X=0) of the movement position X (Xw=Xo+γ1) (Step S402). If the slide position Px of the seat61is located forward of the central position (Step S401: NO), the door ECU20sets the operational standby position Xw by adding a predetermined value γ2(greater than the predetermined value γ1) to the fully open position Xo of the slide door2(Xw=Xo+γ2and γ2>γ1) (Step S403).

In this configuration, it is also possible to dispose the inside door handle5bat a position to which the occupant70sitting at the seat60in the vicinity of the door opening portion4easily stretches the hand. Accordingly, the occupant70can easily operate the slide door2.

In the example illustrated in the flowchart ofFIG. 8, the operational standby position Xw may be set in two stages in correspondence with the slide position Px of the seat61. Alternatively, the operational standby position Xw may be set in three or more stages. The aforementioned description is also applied to a configuration in which the operational standby position Xw is set to be located forward of the front end position Xf of the sitting surface60s.

In the embodiment, the door ECU20detects the seat position Xs in the vicinity of the door opening portion4at which the occupant70sits, based on the slide position Px of the seat61acquired from the seat ECU50(refer toFIG. 3) (Step S103). However, this disclosure is not limited to that configuration. If the slide door2can be moved such that the inside door handle5bis disposed at the operational standby position Xw which is set, the seat position Xs may not necessarily be directly detected.

For example, as illustrated inFIG. 9, a door side marker (second marker)81is provided on an inside surface2s of the slide door2, and a seat side marker (first marker)82is provided at a position on the outside (lower side inFIG. 9) of the seat61, which forms the seat60in the vicinity of the door opening portion4of the vehicle1provided with the slide door2, in the direction of width of the vehicle. The slide door2may be moved in such a way that the movement position of the door side marker81follows a target position defined by the seat side marker82. As a result, the inside door handle5bis disposed at the operational standby position Xw.

Specifically, in the example illustrated inFIG. 9, a light emitting element is used as one of the door side marker81and the seat side marker82, and a light receiving element is used as the other. If the slide door2is in an open state, and it is detected that the occupant70sits at the seat60in the vicinity of the door opening portion4, the door ECU20is configured to move the slide door2to a position at which the door side marker81and the seat side marker82face each other.

That is, the movement position of the slide door2at which the door side marker81and the seat side marker82face each other is determined such that the inside door handle5bis disposed at the predetermined position X1which is preset between the front end position Xf and the rear end position Xr of the sitting surface60sof the seat60in the vicinity of the door opening portion4. Accordingly, without direct detection of the seat position Xs, it is possible to move the slide door2such that the inside door handle5bis disposed at the operational standby position Xw.

The door side marker81and the seat side marker82may not necessarily be an optical type, and alternatively, may be a radio-wave type or a capacitance type. The following of the target position by the movement position may be detected by contact between the door side marker81and the seat side marker82. The target position defined by the seat side marker82may not necessarily be a position at which the door side marker81faces the seat side marker82. If the aforementioned configuration is adopted, even if means for detecting the slide position Px is not provided, for example, even if a seat slide apparatus provided in the seat61is a manual type, a small number of additional configuration elements allow the inside door handle5bto be disposed at a position to which the occupant70sitting at the seat60in the vicinity of the door opening portion4easily stretches the hand.

In the embodiment, if the slide door2is in an open state, and it is detected that the occupant70sits at the seat60in the vicinity of the door opening portion4, the slide door2is moved forward from the fully open position Xo. However, this disclosure is not limited to that configuration. Even if the seat position Xs in the vicinity of the door opening portion4at which the occupant70sits is changed in a state where the inside door handle5bis disposed at the operational standby position Xw, the slide door2may be moved such that the inside door handle5bis disposed at the operational standby position Xw corresponding to the changed seat position Xs. That is, in this case, the door ECU20serves as a re-movement control unit.

For example, as illustrated in the flowchart ofFIG. 10, if the inside door handle5bis disposed at the operational standby position Xw (Step S501: YES), it is determined whether the seat position Xs in the vicinity of the door opening portion4at which the occupant70sits has been changed (Step S502). If it is detected that the seat position Xs has been changed (Step S502: YES), the operational standby position Xw corresponding to the changed seat position Xs is reset based on the changed seat position Xs (Step S503). The slide door2may be moved such that the inside door handle5bis disposed at the reset operational standby position Xw (Step S504).

If such a configuration is adopted, even if the occupant70changes the seat position Xs, it is possible to re-dispose the inside door handle5bat a position to which the occupant70easily stretches the hand. Accordingly, the occupant70can more easily operate the slide door2. Such re-movement control for the slide door2may be only executed in a case where the set operational standby position Xw has been moved forward. The re-movement control for the slide door2may be not performed.

If the occupant70sitting at the seat60in the vicinity of the door opening portion4intends to operate the slide door2, an operation posture of the occupant70is detected. In this case, the door ECU20serving as a fully closing control unit may automatically move the slide door2to a fully closed position Xc (refer toFIG. 2).

For example, as illustrated in the flowchart ofFIG. 11, if the inside door handle5bis present at the operational standby position Xw (Step S601: YES), a proximity sensor83(refer toFIG. 9) provided in the vicinity of the inside door handle5bdetects proximity of a detection target, that is, detects the hand of the occupant70stretched to the inside door handle5b(Step S602). If proximity of a detection target to the inside door handle5bis detected (Step S602: YES), it is estimated that the occupant70has taken a posture to operate the slide door2(Step S603). The slide door2may be moved to the fully closed position Xc based on detection (estimation) of the operation posture (Step S604).

It is possible to improve convenience by adopting such a configuration. The detecting of an operation posture of the occupant70to operate the slide door2may be arbitrarily changed, for example, an operation posture may be detected via image analysis using a camera. In this case, an operation estimation unit may not necessarily be the door ECU20.

The seat61forming the seat60in the vicinity of the door opening portion4of the vehicle1provided with the slide door2may not necessarily be an independent seat. That is, this disclosure may be applied to a vehicle having a configuration in which one seat forms multiple seats arranged in the direction of width of the vehicle, for example, to a vehicle including a bench seat or a dividable seat.

Hereinafter, technical concepts which can be ascertained from the embodiment will be described together with effects.

(1) A method of controlling a slide door includes moving the slide door in which the movement position of a door side marker provided on a slide door side follows a target position defined by a seat side marker provided on a seat side.

In this configuration, even if means for detecting the slide position is not provided, for example, even if a seat slide apparatus is a manual type, a small number of additional configuration elements allow an inside door handle to be disposed at a position to which an occupant sitting at a seat in the vicinity of a door opening portion easily stretches the hand.

(2) The vehicle slide door apparatus further includes a center-of-gravity detection unit configured to detect a position of the center of gravity of the occupant sitting at the seat in the vicinity of the door opening portion. The operational standby position is set based on the position of the center of gravity.

(3) The vehicle slide door apparatus further includes a physique detection unit configured to detect the physique of the occupant sitting at the seat in the vicinity of the door opening portion; and an operational standby position correction unit configured to correct the operational standby position for the door handle to be disposed at a position which is moved forward to the extent that the physique of the occupant is large.

(4) The vehicle slide door apparatus further includes a re-movement control unit configured to move the slide door such that the door handle is disposed at the operational standby position corresponding to a changed position of the seat, if the position of the seat is changed in a state where the door handle is disposed at the operational standby position.

(5) The vehicle slide door apparatus further includes an operation estimation unit configured to estimate that the occupant intends to operate the slide door; and a fully closing control unit configured to move the slide door to a fully closed position if it is estimated that the occupant intends to operate the slide door in a state where the door handle is disposed at the operational standby position.

It is preferable that a method of controlling a slide door according to an aspect of this disclosure includes: detecting that a slide door of a vehicle is in an open state; detecting that an occupant sits at a seat in the vicinity of a door opening portion of the vehicle provided with the slide door; and moving the slide door such that a door handle provided in the slide door on a passenger compartment side of the vehicle is disposed at an operational standby position which is set to be located forward of a rear end position of a sitting surface of the seat in the vicinity of the door opening portion, if the slide door is in an open state, and the occupant sits at the seat in the vicinity of the door opening portion.

According to this configuration, it is possible to dispose the door handle of the slide door forward of the upper body of the occupant sitting at the seat in the vicinity of the door opening portion. As a result, the occupant can stretch the hand to the door handle without twisting the upper body. Accordingly, the occupant can easily operate the slide door.

In the method of controlling a slide door, it is preferable that the operational standby position is set to be located rearward of a front end position of the sitting surface.

According to this configuration, the occupant sitting at the seat in the vicinity of the door opening portion can easily operate the slide door while maintaining a sitting posture.

It is preferable that the method of controlling a slide door further includes detecting a position of the center of gravity of the occupant sitting at the seat in the vicinity of the door opening portion, and the operational standby position is set based on the position of the center of gravity.

That is, it is possible to estimate the position of the door handle to which the occupant sitting at the seat in the vicinity of the door opening portion easily stretches the hand, based on the detected position of the center of gravity. If the operational standby position is set to the estimated position, the occupant can more easily operate the slide door.

In the method of controlling a slide door, it is preferable that the position of the center of gravity is detected based on a distribution of loads applied to the sitting surface of the seat in the vicinity of the door opening portion.

It is preferable that the method of controlling a slide door further includes detecting the physique of the occupant sitting at the seat in the vicinity of the door opening portion; and correcting the operational standby position for the door handle to be disposed at a position which is moved forward to the extent that the physique of the occupant is large.

According to this configuration, in correspondence with the physique of the occupant, it is possible to dispose the door handle at a position to which the occupant more easily stretches the hand. As a result, the occupant can more easily operate the slide door.

It is preferable that the method of controlling a slide door further includes moving the slide door such that the door handle is disposed at the operational standby position corresponding to a changed position of the seat, if the position of the seat is changed.

According to this configuration, even if the occupant changes the seat position, it is possible to re-dispose the door handle at a position to which the occupant easily stretches the hand. Accordingly, the occupant can more easily operate the slide door.

In the method of controlling a slide door, it is preferable that, when the slide door is moved, a first marker provided on a seat side follows a second marker provided on a slide door side.

It is preferable that the method of controlling a slide door further includes estimating that the occupant intends to operate the slide door; and moving the slide door to a fully closed position if it is estimated that the occupant intends to operate the slide door in a state where the door handle is disposed at the operational standby position.

According to this configuration, it is possible to improve convenience.

In the method of controlling a slide door, it is preferable that, if proximity of a target object to the door handle is detected, it is estimated that the occupant intends to operate the slide door.

It is preferable that a vehicle slide door apparatus according to another aspect of this disclosure includes: a door open state detection unit configured to detect that a slide door of a vehicle is in an open state; a sitting detection unit configured to detect that an occupant sits at a seat in the vicinity of a door opening portion of the vehicle provided with the slide door; and a movement control unit configured to move the slide door such that a door handle provided in the slide door on a passenger compartment side of the vehicle is disposed at an operational standby position which is set to be located forward of a rear end position of a sitting surface of the seat in the vicinity of the door opening portion, if the slide door is in an open state, and the occupant sits at the seat in the vicinity of the door opening portion.

It is preferable that the vehicle slide door apparatus further includes a center-of-gravity detection unit configured to detect a position of the center of gravity of the occupant sitting at the seat in the vicinity of the door opening portion, and the operational standby position is set based on the position of the center of gravity.

It is preferable that the vehicle slide door apparatus further includes a physique detection unit configured to detect the physique of the occupant sitting at the seat in the vicinity of the door opening portion; and an operational standby position correction unit configured to correct the operational standby position for the door handle to be disposed at a position which is moved forward to the extent that the physique of the occupant is large.

It is preferable that the vehicle slide door apparatus further includes a re-movement control unit configured to move the slide door such that the door handle is disposed at the operational standby position corresponding to a changed position of the seat, if the position of the seat is changed.

It is preferable that the vehicle slide door apparatus further includes an operation estimation unit configured to estimate that the occupant intends to operate the slide door; and a fully closing control unit configured to move the slide door to a fully closed position if it is estimated that the occupant intends to operate the slide door in a state where the door handle is disposed at the operational standby position.

According to the aspects of this disclosure, the occupant sitting at the seat in the vicinity of the door opening portion can easily operate the slide door.