Electric window device

Abstract

An electric window device includes a control unit configured to monitor a first potential at one end of a first switch circuit including a close window switch and a second potential at one end of a second switch circuit including an open window switch, and determine that submersion has occurred when the first potential or the second potential is within a first submersion potential range or a second submersion potential range. During normal times, the control unit outputs a close window command signal when the first potential is a potential at which the close window switch is operated, and outputs an open window command signal when the second potential is a potential at which the open window switch is operated. At the time of submersion, the control unit does not output the close window command signal, and outputs the open window command signal.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] One or more embodiments of the present application relate to an electric window device that opens and closes a window by a motor, and more particularly to a technology for preventing a window from being closed due to an error in opening and closing operation when a vehicle is submerged. BACKGROUND

[0002] An electric window device mounted on a vehicle is a device that causes a motor to rotate in a forward direction or a reverse direction depending on an operation state of a switch, and opens and closes a window via an opening / closing mechanism provided between the motor and the window. When the switch is operated to the UP (window closing) side, the motor rotates in the forward direction to close the window, and when the switch is operated to the DOWN (window opening) side, the motor rotates in the reverse direction to open the window. The forward and reverse rotations of the motor are controlled by switching the direction of current flowing through the motor.

[0003] Even in a case where a vehicle is submerged and cannot normally perform window opening / closing control, an electric window device has a function of being able to detect submersion, and forcibly opens a window by operation of a switch to enable escape from the window and ensure safety of an occupant. In JP-A-2018-100507, JP-B2-6634351, JP-A-2018-135726, JP-A-2019-015115, and JP-A-2020-087834, an electric window device having such a submersion detection function is described.

[0004] In the electric window devices described in JP-A-2018-100507, JP-B2-6634351, JP-A-2018-135726, and JP-A-2019-015115, a detection pad (electrode) for detecting submersion is provided, so that the number of components increases and the circuit configuration becomes complicated. On the other hand, in the electric window device described in JP-A-2020-087834, when a constant current passes through an input terminal, a submersion state is determined without providing a detection pad, based on a comparison result between a voltage of the terminal and a predetermined threshold value. According to the electric window device of JP-A-2020-087834, the detection pad is unnecessary and a constant current circuit is required, so that the circuit configuration inevitably becomes complicated.

[0005] Further, when the window is closed by a false switch operation when the vehicle is submerged, the window is closed and the occupant is difficult to escape, threatening the safety of the occupant. Therefore, measures are also required. For example, in JP-A-2018-100507, a first switch element that turns on when a detection pad shorts out when the vehicle is submerged, and a second switch element that turns on when the first switch element turns on are provided. When submersion is detected and each switch element turns on, one end of a window closing switch on the power supply side is grounded through the second switch element. Therefore, even if the window closing switch is operated, no current flows through the switch and no switch operation is detected, so that it is possible to prevent the window from being closed by mistake when the vehicle is submerged. However, in order to implement this function, a switch element such as a transistor or a relay is required in addition to the detection pad, so that the circuit configuration becomes more complex. SUMMARY

[0006] One or more embodiments of the present application are provided to achieve an electric window device having high safety and reliability while having a simple circuit configuration.

[0007] An electric window device according to one or more embodiments of the present application includes an operation unit including a window closing switch operated to close a window and a window opening switch operated to open the window, a motor drive unit that drives a motor to open and close the window, and a control unit that controls operation of the motor drive unit based on operation of each switch of the operation unit. The operation unit includes a first switch circuit connected between a first power supply and a ground and a second switch circuit connected between a second power supply and the ground, the first switch circuit including a series circuit of the window closing switch and a resistor, and the second switch circuit including the window opening switch. The control unit is configured to monitor each of a first potential at one end of a first power supply side of the first switch circuit and a second potential at one end of a second power supply side of the second switch circuit, and determine that submersion has occurred when the first potential is within a preset first submersion potential range or when the second potential is within a preset second submersion potential range. During a normal time when there is no submersion, when the first potential is a potential when the window closing switch is operated, the control unit outputs a window closing command signal for giving a window closing instruction to the motor drive unit, and when the second potential is a potential when the window opening switch is operated, the control unit outputs a window opening command signal for giving a window opening instruction to the motor drive unit. On the other hand, during submersion when submersion occurs, even when the first potential is a potential when the window closing switch is operated, the control unit does not output the window closing command signal to the motor drive unit, and when the second potential is a potential when the window opening switch is operated, the control unit outputs the window opening command signal to the motor drive unit.

[0008] According to the configuration, the first potential and the second potential at each end of the first switch circuit and the second switch circuit are monitored by the control unit. When the open-window switch is operated at the time of submersion, in which the first potential is within the first submersion potential range or the second potential is within the second submersion potential range, the open-window can be performed based on the open-window command signal output from the control unit. On the other hand, even if the close-window switch is erroneously operated at the time of submersion, the close-window command signal is not output from the control unit, so that the close-window can be avoided and a situation threatening safety can be prevented. Therefore, even if the detection pad for submersion detection, the constant current circuit, and the switching element for prohibiting the close-window at the time of submersion are not provided, the open-window can be performed and the highly safe motorized window device in which the close-window at the time of submersion is prevented can be realized by a simple circuit configuration. Further, even when one of the first potential and the second potential is not within the submersion potential range, if the other is within the submersion potential range, it is determined that submersion has occurred, so that the reliability of the submersion detection is improved. Further, since the submersion is detected by two systems of the first switch circuit and the second switch circuit, even if one of the two switch circuits malfunctions, the submersion can be detected by the other switch circuit, and the reliability is further improved.

[0009] In one or more embodiments of the present application, with respect to the first potential, a first submersion threshold value for determining whether submersion is present and a close-window threshold value for determining whether operation of the close-window switch is present can be set in the control unit, and with respect to the second potential, a second submersion threshold value for determining whether submersion is present and an open-window threshold value for determining whether operation of the open-window switch is present can be set in the control unit. In this case, the first submersion potential range can be a range between the first submersion threshold value and the close-window threshold value, and the second submersion potential range can be a range between the second submersion threshold value and the open-window threshold value.

[0010] In one or more embodiments of the present application, when the control unit determines that submersion has occurred based on the first submersion threshold value or the second submersion threshold value, the control unit can not determine whether operation of the close-window switch is present based on the close-window threshold value, and can determine whether operation of the open-window switch is present based on only the open-window threshold value.

[0011] In one or more embodiments of the present application, the first submersion threshold value can be greater than the close-window threshold value, the second submersion threshold value can be greater than the open-window threshold value, and the open-window threshold value can be less than the close-window threshold value.

[0012] In one or more embodiments of the present application, the window closing switch can include a manual closing switch for manually closing the window and an automatic closing switch for automatically closing the window, the window opening switch can include a manual opening switch for manually opening the window and an automatic opening switch for automatically opening the window, and the resistor can include a first voltage dividing resistor, a second voltage dividing resistor, and a third voltage dividing resistor. In this case, the first switch circuit can include the automatic opening switch, the automatic closing switch, the manual closing switch, the first voltage dividing resistor, the second voltage dividing resistor, and the third voltage dividing resistor, and the second switch circuit can include the manual opening switch. In the first switch circuit, a series circuit of the manual closing switch, the first voltage dividing resistor, the second voltage dividing resistor, and the third voltage dividing resistor, a series circuit of the automatic closing switch, the first voltage dividing resistor, and the second voltage dividing resistor, and a series circuit of the automatic opening switch and the first voltage dividing resistor can be connected between the first power supply and the ground. In the second switch circuit, the manual opening switch can be connected between the second power supply and the ground.

[0013] In one or more embodiments of the present application, the operation unit can include a first terminal connected to the one end of the first switch circuit and a second terminal connected to the one end of the second switch circuit. Further, the control unit can include a third terminal connected to the first terminal through a first wiring and a fourth terminal connected to the second terminal through a second wiring. Further, the third terminal can be connected to the first power supply via a first pull-up resistor, and the fourth terminal can be connected to the second power supply via a second pull-up resistor. The control unit can monitor an electric potential at the third terminal as the first electric potential and an electric potential at the fourth terminal as the second electric potential.

[0014] According to one or more embodiments of the present application, an electric window device having high safety and reliability while having a simple circuit configuration can be implemented. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 is a circuit diagram showing a first embodiment of the present application;

[0016] Figure 2 is a graph for explaining a determination threshold used at a normal time;

[0017] Figure 3 is a graph for explaining a determination threshold used at a submersion time;

[0018] Figure 4 is a graph showing an electric potential at one end of each switch circuit at a normal time;

[0019] Figure 5 is a graph showing the potential at one end of each switching circuit at the time of submersion;

[0020] Figure 6 is a circuit diagram showing a second embodiment of the present application; and

[0021] Figure 7 is a circuit diagram showing a third embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] In the embodiments of the present application, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present application. However, it will be apparent to one ordinarily skilled in the art that the present application can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail to avoid obscuring the present application.

[0023] Embodiments of the present application will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 An electric window device according to a first embodiment is shown. The electric window device 100 includes an operation unit 1, a control unit 2, and a motor drive unit 3.

[0024] The operation unit 1 is provided with a switching circuit 1A (first switching circuit), a switching circuit 1B (second switching circuit), a terminal T1 (first terminal), and a terminal T2 (second terminal). One end of the switching circuit 1A is connected to the terminal T1, and the other end of the switching circuit 1A is connected to a ground G. Further, one end of the switching circuit 1B is connected to the terminal T2, and the other end of the switching circuit 1B is connected to the ground G.

[0025] The control unit 2 is provided with a CPU 4, a pull-up resistor Ra (first pull-up resistor), a pull-up resistor Rb (second pull-up resistor), a terminal T3 (third terminal), and a terminal T4 (fourth terminal). One end of the pull-up resistor Ra is connected to a power supply B1 (first power supply), and the other end of the pull-up resistor Ra is connected to the terminal T3. One end of the pull-up resistor Rb is connected to a power supply B2 (second power supply), and the other end of the pull-up resistor Rb is connected to the terminal T4. Although the power supply B1 and the power supply B2 are distinguished here, they can be the same power supply. Hereinafter, for the sake of convenience, the voltage of the power supply B1 is referred to as B1, and for the sake of convenience, the voltage of the power supply B2 is referred to as B2.

[0026] The terminal T1 of the operation unit 1 is connected to the terminal T3 of the control unit 2 through a wiring L1 (first wiring). Further, the terminal T2 of the operation unit 1 is connected to the terminal T4 of the control unit 2 through a wiring L2 (second wiring).

[0027] In the operation unit 1, the switch circuit 1A has switches S1 to S3 and resistors R1 to R3. The switch S1 is an automatic opening switch for automatic opening of the window, the switch S2 is an automatic closing switch for automatic closing of the window. The switch S3 is a manual closing switch for manual closing of the window. The resistors R1 to R3 are series-connected voltage division resistors. For example, the resistance values of the pull-up resistor Ra and the voltage division resistors R1 to R3 are selected so that R2 < R3 < R1 < Ra. The resistance values of the pull-up resistors Ra and Rb can be the same or different.

[0028] The switch circuit 1B has a switch S4. The switch S4 is a manual opening switch for manual opening of the window. The automatic opening switch S1 and the manual opening switch S4 are examples of a “window opening switch” in one or more embodiments of the present application, and the automatic closing switch S2 and the manual closing switch S3 are examples of a “window closing switch” in one or more embodiments of the present application.

[0029] In the case of the automatic opening switch S1, the window opening operation continues even after the operation is released after the operation, whereas in the case of the manual opening switch S4, the window opening operation is performed only while the operation state is maintained, and when the operation is released, the window opening operation is stopped. Further, in the case of the automatic closing switch S2, the window closing operation continues even after the operation is released after the operation, whereas in the case of the manual closing switch S3, the window is closed only while the operation state is maintained, and when the operation is released, the window closing operation is stopped.

[0030] In the switch circuit 1A, a series circuit of the manual closing switch S3, the resistor R1 (first voltage division resistor), the resistor R2 (second voltage division resistor), and the resistor R3 (third voltage division resistor) is connected between the terminal T1 and the ground G. Further, a series circuit of the automatic closing switch S2, the resistor R1, and the resistor R2 is connected between the terminal T1 and the ground G. Further, a series circuit of the automatic opening switch S1 and the resistor R1 is connected between the terminal T1 and the ground G. The terminal T1 is connected to the power supply B1 via the wiring L1, the terminal T3, and the pull-up resistor Ra.

[0031] In the switch circuit 1B, the manual opening switch S4 is connected between the terminal T2 and the ground G. The terminal T2 is connected to the power supply B2 via the wiring L2, the terminal T4, and the pull-up resistor Rb.

[0032] In the control unit 2, the input side of the CPU 4 is connected to a connection point between the pull-up resistor Ra and the terminal T3 and a connection point between the pull-up resistor Rb and the terminal T4. The CPU 4 monitors the potential V1 (first potential) of the terminal T3 and the potential V2 (second potential) of the terminal T4, and controls the motor drive unit 3 based on the result thereof (details will be described later).

[0033] The motor drive unit 3 is constituted by known circuits including a pulse width modulation (PWM) circuit that generates a PWM signal, a switching circuit that performs a switching operation by the PWM signal, and the like.

[0034] In the present embodiment, the motor 5 is constituted by a DC motor, and rotates at a predetermined speed based on a drive voltage output from the motor drive unit 3. In the operation unit 1, when the automatic closing switch S2 or the manual closing switch S3 is operated, a window closing command signal for giving a window closing instruction is output from the control unit 2 (CPU 4), and the motor 5 rotates in the forward direction based on the command signal and closes the window W. Further, in the operation unit 1, when the automatic opening switch S1 or the manual opening switch S4 is operated, a window opening command signal for giving a window opening instruction is output from the control unit 2 (CPU 4), and the motor 5 rotates in the reverse direction and opens the window W based on the command signal. A opening and closing mechanism (not shown) is provided between the motor 5 and the window W.

[0035] Although not shown in Figure 1 , the control unit 2 performs feedback control on the motor drive unit 3 so that the rotational speed of the motor 5 is set to a target rotational speed based on the output of a sensor (a rotary encoder or the like) that detects the rotational speed of the motor 5.

[0036] Next, the immersion detection, which is a feature of one or more embodiments of the present application, will be described in detail. Figures 2 to 5

[0037] As described above, the CPU 4 of the control unit 2 monitors the potential V1 of the terminal T3 and the potential V2 of the terminal T4. Since the terminals T3 and T4 are connected to the terminals T1 and T2, respectively, the potential V1 is the potential at one end of the power supply B1 side of the switching circuit 1A, and the potential V2 is the potential at one end of the power supply B2 side of the switching circuit 1B. With respect to these potentials V1 and V2, a threshold value for determining whether or not there is an operation of the switches S1 to S4 and a threshold value for determining whether or not there is immersion are set in the control unit 2. Each threshold value is stored in advance in an internal memory (not shown) built in the CPU 4 or an external memory (not shown) provided separately from the CPU 4.

[0038] Figure 2 The determination threshold values used at normal times (when not immersed) are shown. Here, with respect to the potential V1, five threshold values Xa to Xe are set between the power supply voltage B1 and zero volts, and with respect to the potential V2, two threshold values Ya and Yb are set between the power supply voltage B2 and zero volts. The power supply voltages B1 and B2 have the same value.

[0039] ​Among the threshold values set for the potential VI, Xa is a first submersion threshold value for determining whether submersion is present. Xb is a window closing threshold value for determining that the manual closing switch S3 has been operated. Xc is a window closing threshold value for determining that the automatic closing switch S2 has been operated. Xd is a window opening threshold value for determining that the automatic opening switch Sl has been operated. Xe is an OFF threshold value indicating that the operation of each of the switches Sl to S3 is not determined. The region Zl between Xa and Xb (Xa≥Zl>Xb) indicates a first submersion potential range.

[0040] The CPU 4 compares the potential VI with each of the threshold values Xa to Xe, and if Xa≥VI>Xb (i.e., if VI is within the first submersion potential range Zl), it is determined that submersion has occurred. Further, if Xb≥VI>Xc, the CPU 4 determines that the manual closing switch S3 has been operated, if Xc≥VI>Xd, the CPU 4 determines that the automatic closing switch S2 has been operated, if Xd≥VI>Xe, the CPU 4 determines that the automatic opening switch Sl has been operated, and if Xe≥VI>≥0, the CPU 4 does not determine that the switches have been operated.

[0041] Further, among the threshold values set for the potential V2, Ya is a second submersion threshold value for determining whether submersion is present, and Yb is a window opening threshold value for determining that the manual opening switch S4 has been operated. The region Z2 between Ya and Yb (Ya≥Z2>Yb) indicates a second submersion potential range. The second submersion threshold value Ya is substantially the same as the first submersion threshold value Xa (Ya≈Xa), and the window opening threshold value Yb is smaller than the window closing threshold value Xb (Yb<Xb).

[0042] The CPU 4 compares the potential V2 with each of the threshold values Ya and Yb, and if Ya≥V2>Yb (i.e., if V2 is within the second submersion potential range Z2), it is determined that submersion has occurred. Further, if Yb≥V2≥0, the CPU 4 determines that the manual opening switch S4 has been operated.

[0043] Figure 3 The determination threshold values used at the time of submersion when the electric window device 100 is in a submersion state are shown. At the time of submersion, only with respect to the potential VI, a threshold value Xf is set between the power supply voltage Bl and zero volts. The threshold value Xf is a first submersion threshold value similar to the normal threshold value Xa in Figure 2 On the other hand, for the potential V2, two threshold values Yc and Yd are set between the power supply voltage B2 and zero volts. The threshold value Yc is a second submersion threshold value similar to the normal threshold value Ya in Figure 2 Further, the threshold value Yd is a window opening threshold value similar to the normal threshold value Yb in Figure 2 The second submersion threshold value Yc is substantially the same as the first submersion threshold value Xf (Yc≈Xf).

[0044] In Figure 2 and Figure 3 , the first immersion threshold values Xa and Xf can be the same value or different values. Furthermore, Ya and Yc, which are the second immersion threshold values, can be the same value or different values. Furthermore, the windowing threshold values Yb and Yd can be the same value or can be different values.

[0045] In the normal state, the CPU 4 of the control unit 2 determines whether or not there is an operation of the switches S1 to S4 as described above based on the comparison result between the potentials VI and V2 and each of the threshold values in Figure 2 , and determines whether or not there is immersion. Then, in the case where it is determined that immersion has occurred, the CPU 4 determines whether or not there is a switch operation and whether or not there is immersion using the determination threshold values of Figure 3 in place of the determination threshold values of Figure 2 .

[0046] In Figure 3 , the potentials VI and V2 are in the ranges of Xf≥ VI ≥ 0 and Yc≥ V2 > Yd, respectively, while the immersion state continues. At this time, for the potential VI, it is not performed to determine whether or not there is an operation of the automatic opening switch SI, the automatic closing switch S2, and the manual closing switch S3, and it is performed to determine whether or not there is an operation of the manual opening switch S4 based on only the comparison between the potential V2 and the threshold value Yd. Then, in the case where it is determined that the manual opening switch S4 has been operated (Yd≥ V2 ≥ 0), the CPU 4 outputs a windowing command signal for manually opening the window W to the motor drive unit 3.

[0047] Figure 4 The change state of the potentials VI and V2 based on the operation of each of the switches SI to S4 at the normal time is shown. Since the potential VI is the potential at the terminal T3, the potential VI changes when the switches SI to S3 connected to the terminal T3 are turned on, and the potential VI does not change when the switch S4 not connected to the terminal T3 is turned on. On the other hand, since the potential V2 is the potential at the terminal T4, the potential V2 changes when the switch S4 connected to the terminal T4 is turned on, and the potential V2 does not change when the switches SI to S3 not connected to the terminal T4 are turned on.

[0048] In Figure 4 , when none of the switches SI to S4 is operated, the potentials VI and V2 are B1≥ VI > Xa and B2≥ V2 > Ya, respectively (OFF state, i.e., the off state). At this time, when the automatic opening switch SI is operated and turned on, the potential VI drops to Vs1. From Figure 1 , at this time, Vs1 is obtained as follows:

[0049] Vs1 = B1 • R1 / (Ra + R1)

[0050] For convenience, the resistance of the switch SI and the wiring LI is ignored (this is also applicable to Vs2, Vs3, and Vs1' to Vs3' described later). If Vs1 is in the range of Xd > Vs1 > Xe, the CPU 4 determines that the automatic opening switch SI has been operated, and outputs a window opening command signal for giving an instruction to open the window W to the motor drive unit 3.

[0051] Further, when the automatic closing switch S2 is operated and turned on, the electric potential VI drops to Vs2. From Figure 1 Vs2 = B1 • (R1 + R2) / (Ra + R1 + R2)

[0052] Vs2 = B1 • (R1 + R2) / (Ra + R1 + R2)

[0053] If Vs2 is in the range of Xc > Vs2 > Xd, the CPU 4 determines that the automatic closing switch S2 has been operated, and outputs a window closing command signal indicating that the window W is closed to the motor drive unit 3.

[0054] Further, when the manual closing switch S3 is operated and turned on, the electric potential VI drops to Vs3. From Figure 1 Vs3 = B1 • (R1 + R2 + R3) / (Ra + R1 + R2 + R3)

[0055] Vs3 = B1 • (R1 + R2 + R3) / (Ra + R1 + R2 + R3)

[0056] If Vs3 is in the range of Xb > Vs3 > Xc, the CPU 4 determines that the manual closing switch S3 has been operated, and outputs a window closing command signal for giving an instruction to close the window W to the motor drive unit 3.

[0057] On the other hand, when the manual opening switch S4 is operated and turned on, the electric potential V2 drops to Vs4. From Figure 1 Vs4 = B2 • Rx / (Rb + Rx)

[0058] Vs4 = B2 • Rx / (Rb + Rx)

[0059] where the total resistance of the switch S4, the wiring L2, and the like is Rx. Here, since Rx is a value sufficiently smaller than Rb (Rb » Rx), Vs4 is also a value smaller than the above-mentioned Vs1 to Vs3. If Vs4 is in the range of Yb > Vs4 > 0, the CPU 4 determines that the manual opening switch S4 has been operated, and outputs a window opening command signal for giving an instruction to open the window W to the motor drive unit 3.

[0060] Figure 5 The change state of the electric potentials VI and V2 based on the operation of each of the switches SI to S4 at the time of immersion is shown. Figure 1The illustrated operation unit 1 and control unit 2 have a waterproof structure in which water does not enter the inside thereof. When the operation unit 1 and the control unit 2 are submerged, a leakage current occurs in the terminals T1 to T4 exposed to the outside. As a result of the decrease in the current flowing through the switch circuits 1A and 1B, the potentials VI and V2 become lower than normal time.

[0061] In Figure 5 , in a case where the switches S1 to S4 are not operated, the potentials VI and V2 are Xf≥VI≥0 and Yc≥V2>Yd (submerged state), respectively. In this state, when the automatic opening switch SI is operated and turned on, the potential VI drops to Vs1', when the automatic closing switch S2 is operated and turned on, the potential VI drops to Vs2', and when the manual closing switch S3 is operated and turned on, the potential VI drops to Vs3'. However, since no threshold value is set for these switches S1 to S3, it is not determined whether or not there is an operation. That is, in the submerged state, the operation of each of the switches S1 to S3 is ignored. Therefore, at the time of submersion, even if the potential VI is the potential Vs2' and Vs3' at the time when the automatic closing switch S2 and the manual closing switch S3 are operated, a window closing command signal is not output from the CPU 4 to the motor drive unit 3, and the window W is not closed.

[0062] On the other hand, when the manual opening switch S4 is operated and turned on in the submerged state, the potential V2 drops to Vs4'. Since a threshold value Yd is set for the switch S4, if Yd≥Vs4'≥0, the CPU 4 determines that the manual opening switch S4 has been operated, and outputs a window opening command signal indicating that the window W is manually opened to the motor drive unit 3.

[0063] Therefore, at the time of submersion, it is possible to forcibly open and escape from the window W by operating the manual opening switch S4. Furthermore, even if the automatic closing switch S2 or the manual closing switch S3 is operated at the time of submersion, the operation is ignored, so that it is possible to avoid a situation in which the window W is closed and the occupant cannot escape.

[0064] When the submerged state is released, the leakage current at the terminals T1 to T4 disappears, so that the current flowing through the switch circuits 1A and 1B increases and the potentials VI and V2 rise, and in Figure 5 , B1≥VI>Xf or B2≥V2>Yc. At this time, the CPU 4 determines that the state has changed from the submerged state to the non-submerged state, and switches the determination threshold value in Figure 3 to the determination threshold value in Figure 2 . Therefore, processing based on the normal determination threshold value described above is performed.

[0065] According to the above-described embodiment, the potentials VI and V2 at each end of the switching circuits 1A and 1B are monitored by the CPU 4, and at the time of submersion when the potential VI is within the submersion potential range Z1 or the potential V2 is within the submersion potential range Z2, the window W can be opened based on the opening command signal output from the CPU 4 if the switch S4 is operated manually. On the other hand, even if the switch S2 is erroneously operated to be automatically closed or the switch S3 is erroneously operated to be manually closed at the time of submersion, the closing command signal is not output from the CPU 4, so that the window W can be prevented from being closed and a situation threatening safety can be avoided. Thus, without providing a detection pad for submersion detection (JP-A-2018-100507, JP-B2-6634351, JP-A-2018-135726, and JP-A-2019-015115), a constant current circuit (JP-A-2020-087834), a switching element for prohibiting the closing of the window at the time of submersion (JP-A-2018-100507), and the like, the window W can be opened and a high-safety electric window device 100 capable of preventing the window W from being erroneously closed at the time of submersion can be implemented by a simple circuit configuration.

[0066] Further, even in the case where one of the potentials VI and V2 is not within the submersion potential ranges Z1 and Z2, if the other is within the submersion potential ranges Z1 and Z2, it is determined that submersion has occurred. Thus, even if an electric leakage occurs in the terminals T1 and T3, if an electric leakage occurs at the terminals T2 and T4, the potential V2 enters the submersion potential range Z2, so that it can be determined that submersion has occurred, and the reliability of submersion detection is improved. Further, since submersion is detected by two systems of the switching circuit 1A and the switching circuit 1B, even if a disorder such as a failure, disconnection, or poor contact occurs in one switching circuit, submersion can be detected by the other switching circuit, and the reliability is further improved. Further, an electric window device having a submersion detection function and an electric window device not having a submersion detection function can be implemented by the same circuit board assembly only by changing the software program of the CPU 4, so that a product number can be shared for easy management.

[0067] Figure 6 An electric window device 200 according to a second embodiment of the present application is shown. Figure 6 The difference from Figure 1 is that the switching circuit 1A is constituted only of a series circuit of the manually closed switch S3 and the voltage dividing resistor R4. The configuration of the switching circuit 1B is the same as Figure 1 , and the other configurations are also the same as Figure 1 .

[0068] That is, in the second embodiment, at the time of submersion when the potential VI is within the submersion potential range Z1 or the potential V2 is within the submersion potential range Z2, the window W can be opened based on the opening command signal output from the CPU 4 if the switch S4 is operated manually. On the other hand, even if the switch S2 is erroneously operated to be automatically closed or the switch S3 is erroneously operated to be manually closed at the time of submersion, the closing command signal is not output from the CPU 4, so that the window W can be prevented from being closed and a situation threatening safety can be avoided. Thus, without providing a detection pad for submersion detection (JP-A-2018-100507, JP-B2-6634351, JP-A-2018-135726, and JP-A-2019-015115), a constant current circuit (JP-A-2020-087834), a switching element for prohibiting the closing of the window at the time of submersion (JP-A-2018-100507), and the like, the window W can be opened and a high-safety electric window device 200 capable of preventing the window W from being erroneously closed at the time of submersion can be implemented by a simple circuit configuration. Figure 1The automatic opening switch S1 and the automatic closing switch S2 are not included in the switch circuit 1A of the first embodiment, and the resistors R1 to R3 are replaced with the resistor R4. In the second embodiment, the threshold values Xc and Xd in the threshold value circuit 10 are omitted. Even if such a second embodiment is employed, the same effects as the first embodiment can be obtained. Figure 2

[0069] Figure 7 An electric window device 300 according to a third embodiment of the present application is shown. Figure 7 The difference between the electric window device 300 and the electric window device 200 is that the switch circuit 1A is composed only of the automatic closing switch S2 and a series circuit of the voltage dividing resistors R5, and the switch circuit IB is composed of the automatic opening switch S1. The other configurations are the same as those of the electric window device 200. Figure 1 Figure 1

[0070] That is, in the third embodiment, in the switch circuit 1A of the first embodiment, the automatic opening switch S1, the manual closing switch S3, and the resistor R3 are not included, and the resistors R1 and R2 are replaced with the resistor R5, and in the switch circuit IB of the second embodiment, the manual opening switch S4 is replaced with the automatic opening switch S1. In the third embodiment, the threshold values Xb and Xd in the threshold value circuit 10 are omitted, and the threshold value Yb becomes the threshold value of the automatic opening switch S1. By such a third embodiment, the same effects as the first embodiment and the second embodiment can be obtained. Figure 1 Figure 1 Figure 2

[0071] In the present application, various embodiments can be employed in addition to the above-described embodiments.

[0072] For example, in the above-described embodiments, an example in which the pull-up resistors Ra and Rb are provided in the control unit 2 is given, but these pull-up resistors Ra and Rb can be provided in the operation unit 1.

[0073] Further, in the above-described embodiments, an example in which the motor driving unit 3 is provided separately from the control unit 2 is given, but the motor driving unit 3 can be integrated into the control unit 2.

[0074] Further, in the above-described embodiments, an example in which the motor 5 is provided outside the electric window devices 100, 200, and 300 is given, but the motor 5 can be provided in the electric window devices 100, 200, and 300.

[0075] Further, in the above-described embodiments, an example in which the electric window devices 100, 200, and 300 are provided for a vehicle is given, but the present application can also be applied to an electric window device used in a field other than a vehicle.

[0076] ​​​​​​While the application has been described with reference to limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other embodiments can be devised which, while not specifically described, embody the principles of the application. The scope of the application should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims.

[0077] Cross Reference to Related Applications

[0078] This application is based on and claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-012944, filed on January 29, 2021, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Claims

1. An electric window device, the electric window device comprising: An operating unit, the operating unit including a window closing switch operated to close a window and a window opening switch operated to open a window; A motor drive unit that drives a motor to open and close the window; as well as A control unit that controls the operation of the motor drive unit based on the operation of each switch of the operating unit. The operation unit includes: A first switching circuit connected between a first power source and ground, the first switching circuit including the window switch and a resistor in series; and A second switching circuit is connected between the second power supply and the ground, the second switching circuit including the window switch. The control unit is configured as follows: Monitor each of the first potential at one end of the first power supply side of the first switching circuit and the second potential at one end of the second power supply side of the second switching circuit; and Immersion is determined to have occurred when the first potential is within a preset first immersion potential range or when the second potential is within a preset second immersion potential range. During the normal period without immersion, When the first potential is the potential at which the window close switch is activated, the control unit outputs a window close command signal to the motor drive unit to issue a window close instruction; and When the second potential is the potential when the window switch is activated, the control unit outputs a window opening command signal to the motor drive unit to give the window opening instruction. In the case of submersion, Even when the first potential is the potential at which the window close switch is activated, the control unit does not output the window close command signal to the motor drive unit; and When the second potential is the potential when the window switch is activated, the control unit outputs the window opening command signal to the motor drive unit. Regarding the first potential, the control unit is configured with a first immersion threshold for determining whether immersion exists and a window-closing threshold for determining whether the window-closing switch is activated. Regarding the second potential, the control unit is configured with a second immersion threshold for determining whether immersion exists and a window opening threshold for determining whether the window opening switch is activated. Wherein, the first immersion potential range is the range between the first immersion threshold and the window-off threshold, and Wherein, the second immersion potential range is the range between the second immersion threshold and the windowing threshold.

2. The electric window device according to claim 1, in, When the control unit determines that immersion has occurred based on the first immersion threshold or the second immersion threshold, the control unit does not determine whether the operation of the window closing switch exists based on the window closing threshold, but only based on the window opening threshold.

3. The electric window device according to claim 1 or 2, in, The first immersion threshold is greater than the window closing threshold. Wherein, the second immersion threshold is greater than the windowing threshold, and Wherein, the window opening threshold is less than the window closing threshold.

4. The electric window device according to claim 1 or 2, in, The window closing switch includes a manual closing switch for manually closing the window and an automatic closing switch for automatically closing the window. The window opening switch includes a manual opening switch for manually opening the window and an automatic opening switch for automatically opening the window. The resistor includes a first voltage-dividing resistor, a second voltage-dividing resistor, and a third voltage-dividing resistor. The first switching circuit includes the automatic on switch, the automatic off switch, the manual off switch, the first voltage divider resistor, the second voltage divider resistor, and the third voltage divider resistor. The second switching circuit includes the manually operated switch. In the first switching circuit, the following circuits are connected between the first power supply and the ground: a series circuit of the manual off switch, the first voltage divider resistor, the second voltage divider resistor, and the third voltage divider resistor; a series circuit of the automatic off switch, the first voltage divider resistor, and the second voltage divider resistor; and a series circuit of the automatic on switch and the first voltage divider resistor. In the second switching circuit, the manual turn-on switch is connected between the second power supply and the ground.

5. The electric window device according to claim 1 or 2, in, The operating unit includes a first terminal connected to one end of the first switching circuit and a second terminal connected to one end of the second switching circuit. The control unit includes a third terminal connected to the first terminal via a first wiring and a fourth terminal connected to the second terminal via a second wiring. The third terminal is connected to the first power supply via a first pull-up resistor, and the fourth terminal is connected to the second power supply via a second pull-up resistor. The control unit monitors the potential at the third terminal as the first potential and the potential at the fourth terminal as the second potential.

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