Patent Publication Number: US-2023160467-A1

Title: Apparatus and method for controlling driving of vehicle

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0160615, filed on Nov. 19, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1 Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for controlling driving of a vehicle and an operating method thereof, and more particularly, to an apparatus for controlling driving of a vehicle capable of allowing a driver to more easily recognize a vehicle state, and an operating method thereof. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A transmission device may adjust a gear ratio to keep the engine at a particular rotational speed based on the speed of the vehicle, and the driver operates the transmission lever to change the gear ratio of the transmission. 
     As the transmission mode of the transmission device, there are a manual transmission mode, in which the driver can manually shift transmission stages, and an automatic transmission mode, in which a gear ratio is automatically shifted based on the vehicle speed when the driver selects the drive (D) stage. 
     In addition, a sports mode capable of performing manual transmission and automatic transmission in one transmission device is also being used. Since a transmission device capable of manual transmission is provided in addition to a transmission device that performs automatic transmission, the sports mode primarily performs automatic transmission while allowing the driver to perform manual transmission of increasing or decreasing the gear stages. 
     In this case, the transmission lever simply serves to allow the driver to select a transmission stage, and a method for providing more diverse information via the transmission lever is required. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure has been devised to solve the above problems, and the technical object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus and method for controlling the driving of a vehicle capable of adjusting the position of an operation unit that enables the transmission operation with respect to a function unit for performing at least one vehicle function based on the vehicle state so that the driver can more easily recognize the current state of the vehicle. 
     The objects of the present disclosure are not limited to the ones mentioned above, and other objects will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. 
     According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus for controlling driving of a vehicle may include a vehicle state detector that detects a vehicle state, the vehicle state including a first state which indicates that an ignition of the vehicle is off, and a second state which indicates that the ignition of the vehicle is on; a function unit that performs at least one vehicle function; an operation unit that enables a transmission operation to allow a transmission stage to be selected from among a plurality of transmission stages; and a position adjusting unit that switches the operation unit between a first position where the transmission operation is disabled and a second position where the transmission operation is enabled, by rotating the operation unit with respect to the functional unit, based on the detected vehicle state. 
     The first state may include a state in which an engine of an internal combustion engine vehicle is not running or a state in which an electric vehicle is not drivable, and the second state may include a state in which the engine of the internal combustion engine vehicle is running or a state in which the electric vehicle is drivable. The first state may also include an ignition preparation state which indicates that the ignition of the vehicle is off and the vehicle is expected to be driven. 
     The function unit may be activated in the first state and the second state. The function unit may perform a preset function based on the detected vehicle state. The function unit may receive a control command for controlling the at least one vehicle function, and may output a response corresponding to the input control command. The function unit may include a light emitting module for forming a lighting image having a predetermined shape, and the light emitting module may form a lighting image that performs a welcoming function in the first state, and may form a lighting image that indicates a current transmission stage in the second state. In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of transmission stages may be selectable via the function unit. 
     The operation unit may include an opening that surrounds at least a portion of the function unit, and the opening may expose at least a portion of the function unit to an interior space of the vehicle when the operation unit is at the first position and the second position. The operation unit may include a transmission operation unit disposed on a first surface thereof for the transmission operation, and the position adjusting unit may adjust a position of the operation unit to allow the first surface to be exposed to an interior space of the vehicle at the second position and to be unexposed to the interior space of the vehicle at the first position. The position adjusting unit may include a driving unit, and a driving force transfer unit for transferring a driving force from the driving unit to a driving shaft coupled to the operation unit. The transmission operation unit may be operated by a dial operation method, a button operation method, a touch operation method, or any combinations thereof. 
     The driving shaft may be disposed to pass through the function unit to allow a position of the function unit to be maintained as the operation unit rotates. 
     The operation unit may include a light emitting module disposed on a second surface for forming a lighting image having a predetermined shape, and the position adjusting unit may adjust a position of the operation unit to allow the second surface to be exposed to the interior space of the vehicle at the first position and to be unexposed to the interior space of the vehicle at the second position. 
     A position detector may be further provided for detecting a position of the operation unit, and the position detector may include a magnet whose position is changed according to a position of the operation unit, and a sensor that detects a strength of a magnetic force generated by the magnet. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for controlling a vehicle may include detecting a vehicle state, the vehicle state including a first state which indicates that an ignition of the vehicle is off, and a second state which indicates that the ignition of the vehicle is on; and adjusting a position of an operation unit that enables a driver&#39;s transmission operation so as to be disposed between a first position, in which the transmission operation is disabled, and a second position, in which the transmission operation is enabled, by rotating the operation unit based on the detected vehicle state with respect to a function unit that performs at least one vehicle function. 
     The step of adjusting the position may include adjusting the position of the operation unit to allow a first surface, on which a transmission operation unit is disposed, to be exposed to an interior space of the vehicle in the second state, and to be unexposed to the interior space of the vehicle in the first state. The step of adjusting the position may include adjusting the position of the operation unit to allow a second surface, on which the function unit is disposed, to be exposed to the interior space of the vehicle in the first state, and to be unexposed to the interior space of the vehicle in the second state. 
     In some embodiments, forming a lighting image having a predetermined shape using a light emitting module provided in the function unit depending on whether the operation unit is disposed at the first position or the second position may be further included. For example, a lighting image that performs a welcoming function may be formed using the light emitting module in the first state, and a lighting image that indicates a current transmission stage may be formed in the second state. 
     According to the vehicle transmission device and operating method of the present disclosure as described herein, there are one or more of the following effects. Since the position of the operation unit that enables the transmission operation may be adjusted with respect to the function unit depending on the vehicle state, the driver can more easily recognize the vehicle state, thereby improving the driver&#39;s convenience and safety. Effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the ones mentioned above, and other effects will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and/or other aspects will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a driving control apparatus of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS.  2  and  3    are schematic views showing the exterior of a function unit and an operation unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS.  4  and  5    are perspective views showing an operation unit having a first position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  6    is a side view showing an operation unit having a first position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  7    is a perspective view showing an operation unit having a second position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  8    is a side view showing an operation unit having a second position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIGS.  9  and  10    are schematic views showing a function unit and an operation unit according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Advantages and features of the present disclosure and methods of accomplishing the same may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings. The present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the concept of the disclosure to those skilled in the art, and the present disclosure will only be defined by the appended claims. Throughout the specification, like reference numerals in the drawings denote like elements. 
     In some embodiments, well-known steps, structures and techniques will not be described in detail to avoid obscuring the disclosure. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
     Embodiments of the disclosure are described herein with reference to plan and cross-section illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments of the disclosure. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, embodiments of the disclosure should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. In the drawings, respective components may be enlarged or reduced in size for convenience of explanation. 
     Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings for describing the driving control apparatus of a vehicle and method of controlling a vehicle according to embodiments of the present disclosure. 
       FIG.  1    is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a driving control apparatus for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to  FIG.  1   , the driving control apparatus  1  for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a vehicle state detector  100 , a function unit  200 , an operation unit  300 , and a control unit  400 . 
     The vehicle state detector  100  may detect at least one vehicle state for activation of at least one of the function unit  200  or the operation unit  300 , and in an embodiment of the present disclosure, an example in which the vehicle state detector  100  detects at least a first state and a second state will be described. More particularly, the first state may indicate that the ignition of the vehicle is turned off, and may also include an ignition preparation state to be described later below. The second state may indicate that the ignition of the vehicle is turned on. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the vehicle state to be detected by the vehicle state detector  100  may be included, excluded, or changed depending on vehicle states required for the activation of at least one of the operation unit  300  or the function unit  200 . 
     The first state may be understood as a state when an engine is not operating for the case of internal combustion engine vehicles or a state when the vehicle is not drivable for the case of electric vehicles. The second state may be understood as a state when the engine is operating for the case of internal combustion engine vehicles or a state when the vehicle is drivable for the case of electric vehicles. In addition, the ignition preparation state may be understood as a state in which the driving of the vehicle is expected in the near future, such as when the vehicle&#39;s door opens, a driver with a smart key approaches the vehicle, a driver is detected within the vehicle, or the brake is applied, while the ignition of the vehicle is turned off. 
     The detection result of the vehicle state detector  100  may be delivered to a control unit  400  to be described later below, and the control unit  400  may be configured to activate at least one of the function unit  200  or the operation unit  300  based on the detected vehicle state. 
     The function unit  200  may enable the performance of at least one vehicle function, and the at least one vehicle function may not only include the vehicle&#39;s core functions performed by an electric or mechanical component of the vehicle, but may also include convenience or design functions implemented by a physical structure such as the interior of the vehicle or shape itself. 
     Hereinafter, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, an example in which the function unit  200  serves to perform a preset vehicle function based on the vehicle state by an electric component mounted on the vehicle, or allows the driver to input a control command for controlling at least one vehicle function will be described. 
     The function unit  200  may be always activated in the first state and the second state, which allows the driver to control various functions of the vehicle, for example, a door, a seat, a mirror, a window, a navigation system, an AV system, an air conditioning system, and the like, in the first state, in which the ignition of the vehicle is turned off, as well as in the second state, in which the ignition of the vehicle is turned on. 
     In addition, the function unit  200  may perform not only the above-described vehicle function control but also a preset function. As an example, the function unit  200  may perform a welcoming function to facilitate the communication between the vehicle and the driver by letting the vehicle react as if it welcomes the driver in the first state, and for this purpose, the function unit  200  may include a first light emitting module  210  that forms a lighting image for the welcoming function. 
     The function unit  200  may provide various operation methods such as a dial operation method, a touch operation method, a button operation method, a switch operation method, a joystick operation method, and the like so that the driver can input a control command for controlling the vehicle function. The function unit  200  may also output a response (e.g., a feedback) by sound or vibration in response to the control command input by the driver, so that the driver can recognize whether the control command is properly acknowledged. 
     Meanwhile, the first light emitting module  210  may form a lighting image that performs the welcoming function in the first state and also form a lighting image that indicates the current transmission stage selected by the driver in the second state. 
     The operation unit  300  may allow the driver&#39;s transmission operation while the vehicle is being driven, and the operation unit  300  may include a first position, in which the driver&#39;s transmission operation is disabled, in the first state, and may include a second position, in which the transmission operation is enabled, in the second state. The position of the operation unit  300  may be adjusted between the first position and the second position by the control unit  400  to be described later below. 
     The operation unit  300  may include a transmission operation unit  310  on a first surface thereof, which enables the driver&#39;s transmission operation, and when the operation unit  300  is at the second position, the first surface, on which the transmission operation unit  310  is disposed, may be exposed to the interior space (e.g., cabin) of the vehicle to allow the driver to perform the transmission operation. When the operation unit  300  is at the first position, the first surface, on which the transmission operation unit  310  is disposed, may be hidden from the interior space of the vehicle to prevent the driver&#39;s inadvertent operation. In other words, at the first position, the transmission operation unit  310  may not be visible to the driver, so that inadvertent operation can be prevented more effectively. 
     Accordingly, the position of the operation unit  300  may be adjusted based on the vehicle state so that the transmission operation unit  310  is exposed or unexposed to the interior space of the vehicle. For internal combustion engine vehicles, the driver may more easily recognize that the ignition of the vehicle is turned on due to the engine noise or vibration. However, for electric vehicles, it may be more difficult for the driver to recognize that the ignition of the vehicle is turned on since the electric vehicles use the driving force of the motor as the power source and there is no engine noise or vibration. Therefore, by allowing the transmission operation unit  310  to be exposed or unexposed to the interior space of the vehicle based on the vehicle state, the driver may more easily recognize whether the ignition of the vehicle is turned on in an electric vehicle as well as in an internal combustion engine vehicle. 
     Similar to the function unit  200 , the operation unit  300  may also include a second light emitting module  320  that forms a lighting image of a predetermined shape, and the second light emitting module  320  may be exposed to the interior space of the vehicle in the first state so that a lighting image for a welcoming function may be formed similarly to the above-described first light emitting module  210 . 
     In this case, the operation unit  300  may include the second light emitting module  320  disposed on a second surface that is different from the first surface on which the transmission operation unit  310  is disposed. When the operation unit  300  is at the first position, the second surface may be exposed to the interior space of the vehicle and the first surface may be unexposed to the interior space of the vehicle. When the operation unit  300  is at the second position, the first surface may be exposed to the interior space of the vehicle and the second surface may be unexposed to the interior space of the vehicle. 
     In other words, in the first state, the second surface which includes the second light emitting module  320  may be exposed to the interior space of the vehicle to allow a lighting image to be formed by both the first light emitting module  210  and the second light emitting module  320  to implement the welcoming function. In the second state, the position of the operation unit  300  may be adjusted to allow the second surface which includes the second light emitting module  320  may not be exposed to the interior space of the vehicle, and the first surface which includes the transmission operation unit  310  may be exposed to the interior space of the vehicle to allow the driver&#39;s transmission operation and to form a lighting image indicative of the current transmission stage by the first light emitting module  210 . For example, the first light emitting module  210  may be configured to display a letter “D” to indicate that the drive (D) stage is currently selected. 
     The case where the function unit  200  and the operation unit  300  are disposed in the center console C between the driver&#39;s seat and the passenger seat as shown in  FIG.  2    is described as an example, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The function unit  200  and the operation unit  300  may be installed in various locations where the driver can easily access them. 
       FIG.  2    shows an example of the operation unit  300  in the position for the first state. In this case, the lighting image for the welcoming function may be formed collectively by the second light emitting module  320  disposed on the second surface of the operation unit  300  along with the lighting image by the first light emitting module  21 . 
     The control unit  400  may be configured to activate at least one of the function unit  200  or the operation unit  300  based on the vehicle state. Herein, the terms “activate” or “activation” may be understood as a state where a preset function is performed by at least one of the function unit  200  or the operation unit  300  in the first state or the second state, or a state where a driver&#39;s operation for at least one of the function unit  200  or the operation unit  300  is allowed, or a state where the control command input to at least one of the function unit  200  or the operation unit  300  is determined to be valid. 
     In the first state, the control unit  400  may be configured to form a lighting image for the welcoming function by the first light emitting module  210  and the second light emitting module  320  as shown in  FIG.  2    described above. For example, when the ignition of the vehicle is turned on, which may indicate that the vehicle state is changed to the second state, the control unit  400  may be configured to adjust the position of the operation unit  300  from the first position to the second position so that the first surface, on which the transmission operation unit  310  is disposed, is exposed to the interior space of the vehicle as shown in  FIG.  3   . To this end, the control unit  400  may include a position adjusting unit  410  for adjusting the position of the operation unit  300 . 
       FIGS.  4  and  5    are perspective views illustrating the operation unit having a first position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and  FIG.  6    is a side view showing the operation unit having a second position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to  FIGS.  4  to  6   , the position adjusting unit  410  according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include a driving unit  411  (e.g., a driver or an actuator), a driving force transfer unit  412 , and a driving shaft  413 . 
     The driving unit  411  may generate a driving force for adjusting the position of the operation unit  300 , and the driving force of the driving unit  411  may be transferred to the driving gear  413   a  provided at one end of the driving shaft  413  coupled to the operation unit  300  via the driving force transfer unit  412 , which may include at least one gear. Both ends of the driving shaft  413  may pass through the function unit  200  and may be respectively disposed on both sides of the function unit  200  so that the position of the function unit  200  may be maintained when the driving shaft  413  rotates. The driving force may be transferred via the driving force transfer unit  412  to the driving gear  413   a  coupled to one end of the driving shaft  413  so that the operation unit  300  may be rotated with respect to the rotation axis Ax. 
     In addition, a position detector  420  for detecting the position of the operation unit  300  may be provided at the other end of the driving shaft  413 . The position detector  420  may include a delivering gear  421  coupled to the other end of the driving shaft  41 , a magnet gear  422 , on which a magnet  422   a  is mounted, and a sensor  423  for detecting the strength of the magnetic force by the magnet  422   a . For example, the sensor  423  may include a Hall sensor installed on a substrate  423   a.    
     When the driving shaft  413  rotates, the rotation of the driving shaft  413  may be delivered to the magnet gear  422  which meshes with the delivering gear  421  coupled to the other end of the driving shaft  413 . Subsequently, the sensor  423  of the position detector  420  may detect the position of the operation unit  300  by detecting the strength of the magnetic force from the magnet  422   a  whose position may be changed as the magnet gear  422  is rotated. 
     In the embodiment of the present disclosure, an example where the strength of the magnetic force by the magnet  422   a  is detected to determine the position of the operation unit  300  is described. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and any contact or non-contact sensor based on magnetic, electric, optical, or mechanical type detection methods may be used as the position detector  420 . 
       FIGS.  4  to  6    show an example of the operation unit  300  having a first position, and in the case where the vehicle state detected by the vehicle state detector  100  is the second state, the operation unit  300  may be rotated around the rotation axis Ax by the position adjusting unit  410  to have a second position such that the first surface, on which the transmission operation unit  310  is disposed, may be exposed to the interior space of the vehicle. Due to this feature, the position of the operation unit  300  may be adjusted so that the transmission operation unit  310  is exposed to the interior space of the vehicle as shown in  FIG.  3    from the state where the second light emitting module  320  is exposed as shown in  FIG.  2   . 
     The operation unit  300  may include an opening  300   a  formed to allow at least a portion of the function unit  200  to be exposed to the interior of the vehicle at the first position and the second position. The operation unit  300  may surround at least a portion of the function unit  200  due to the opening  300   a . Thus, the vehicle function may be performed or the vehicle function may be controlled by the function unit  200  in the second state as well as in the first state since at least a portion of the function unit  300  can be exposed to the interior of the vehicle at the first position, at which the second light emitting module  320  is exposed to the interior of the vehicle. At the second position, the transmission operation unit  310  may be exposed. 
     The transmission operation unit  310  may be rotatably coupled to the second light emitting module  320 , and a transmission stage may be selectable by rotating the transmission operation unit  310  while at the second position. Further, a transmission operation feeling (e.g., a haptic or tactile feedback) can be generated, as a bullet  321  formed on one of the transmission operation unit  310  or the second light emitting module  320  moves on a contact surface of a detent groove  322  formed on the other of the transmission operation unit  310  or the second light emitting module  320 . In other words, the bullet  321  may be elastically supported by an elastic member (e.g., a coil spring disposed within a cavity formed in the transmission operation unit  310 ) along a direction in contact with the detent groove  322 , and as the elastic deformation of the elastic member is changed due to the shape of the contact surface of the detent groove  322 , when the transmission operation unit  310  rotates, it is possible to provide a tactile feedback to the driver. 
     In the embodiment of the present disclosure, an example in which the operation unit  300  rotates 180 degrees with respect to the rotation axis Ax so that the operation unit  300  is disposed at the first position or the second position is described. However, this is only an example for helping understanding of the present disclosure, and the rotation angle of the operation unit  300  may be variously determined depending on the shape of the operation unit  300 , to expose the transmission operation unit  310  to the interior space of the vehicle. 
     In addition, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, an example in which a dial operation, by which the driver selects the transmission stage by rotating the transmission operation unit  310  is described, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Instead of the dial operation method, various operation methods such as a button operation method and a touch operation method including a drag and click method may be implemented by the transmission operation unit  310 . 
     In the above-described embodiment, when the driving of the vehicle ends and the vehicle&#39;s ignition is turned off, the operation unit  300  may be rotated to the first position by the position adjusting unit  410 , and the first light emitting module  210  may form a lighting image of a predetermined color, or the brightness thereof may be gradually increased or decreased, so that the driver can recognize that the ignition of the vehicle is turned off. 
       FIGS.  9  and  10    are schematic views showing a function unit and an operation unit according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to  FIGS.  9  and  10   , the operation unit  300  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be rotated by 90 degrees between a first position and a second position. 
       FIG.  9    shows the operation unit  300  at the first position in the first state. Also in this case, similarly to the above-described embodiment, the operation unit  300  may be disposed so that a first surface for the transmission operation is unexposed to the interior of the vehicle to prevent the driver&#39;s inadvertent operation. Further, a preset function may be performed by the function unit  200 , or the driver may be allowed to input a control command for controlling at least one vehicle function via the function unit  200 . 
       FIG.  10    shows the operation unit  300  at the second position in the second state. In this case, the operation unit  300  may be rotated by 90 degrees and disposed so that the first surface for the transmission operation is exposed to the interior of the vehicle, thereby enabling the driver&#39;s transmission operation. 
     In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the function unit  200  may include a transmission stage selection unit  220  for allowing the selection of a transmission stage. In this case, the driver may select some of the plurality of transmission stages using the operation unit  300 , and may select other stages using the transmission stage selection unit  220 . For example, the driver may select the parking (P) stage with the transmission stage selection unit  220  of the function unit  200 , and may select the reverse (R), neutral (N), and drive (D) stages with the operation unit  300 . 
     In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the function unit  200  may include a first light emitting module  210  similarly to the above-described embodiment, and the first light emitting module  210  may form a lighting image for a welcoming function in the first state, and may form a lighting image indicative of the current transmission stage in the second state. 
     Also, in another embodiment of the present disclosure, an operation method such as a touch operation method or a button operation method for the driver&#39;s transmission operation may be used by the operation unit  300  similar to the above-described embodiment. 
     In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the operation unit  300  may include a transparent or translucent material. Accordingly, the driver may more easily identify the lighting image that indicates the current transmission stage formed by the first light emitting module  210  since the transparent operation unit  300  is disposed above the function unit  200  in the second state. 
     In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the case where the operation unit  300  is rotated 180 degrees or 90 degrees between the first position and the second position is described as an example, but this is an example for helping understanding of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the operation unit  300  may be linearly moved between the first position and the second position. When the position of the operation unit  300  is adjusted by linear movement, the operation unit  300  may be disposed so as not to be exposed to the interior of the vehicle in the first state, and may be raised in the second state to be exposed to the interior of the vehicle. Where the operation unit  300  linearly moves, the position adjusting unit  410  may include a rack-pinion system or a lead screw-nut structure. 
     As described above, in the vehicle driving control apparatus  1  of the present disclosure, the operation unit  300  may have different positions between a state that indicates that the ignition of the vehicle is turned off, and a state that indicates that the ignition of the vehicle is turned on, so that it is possible to prevent or reduce a chance for accidents against a human or a vehicle due to the driver&#39;s relative difficulty to recognize that the vehicle&#39;s ignition is turned on in an electric vehicle, as well as in an internal combustion engine vehicle. 
     In concluding the detailed description, those skilled in the art will appreciate that many variations and modifications can be made to the exemplary embodiments without substantially departing from the principles of the present disclosure. Therefore, the disclosed exemplary embodiments are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.