control device

Abstract

A control device controls a drive device. The control device (1) includes: a drive section (10) that drives the drive device (4); a control section (20) that controls the drive section; a substrate (30) that has a control ground section (31) to which a ground line (69A) is connected and to which a ground terminal (21) of the control section is connected, and a drive ground section (32) to which a ground line (61B) is connected in a state where a portion common to the ground lines is not present and to which a ground terminal (14) of the drive section is connected; and a state switching section (40) that is provided so as to straddle the control ground section and the drive ground section, and that becomes a potential difference maintaining state in which a potential difference between the control ground section and the drive ground section is made to be a value or less than a predetermined value when a current value of a current flowing between the control ground section and the drive ground section is a value or less than the predetermined value, and that becomes a cut-off state in which the current is cut off when the current value is greater than the predetermined value.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a control device for controlling a drive unit. Background Technology

[0002] Conventionally, control devices have been used to control drive devices such as electric motors. These control devices are configured with a frequency conversion unit (e.g., a converter, bridge, etc.) and a control unit. The frequency conversion unit has multiple switching elements that switch the on / off states of these elements and convert the frequency of the DC power supply output to a predetermined frequency. The control unit controls the on / off states of the switching elements in the frequency conversion unit. From the perspective of improving efficiency, the current consumption of the frequency conversion unit and the control unit is reduced; however, functionally, the current consumption of the frequency conversion unit is significantly larger than that of the control unit. Therefore, when a common ground is formed, where the ground terminal connected to the frequency conversion unit and the ground terminal connected to the control unit are shared, the potential of the common ground rises due to the return current from the frequency conversion unit to the DC power supply. This causes the potential of the control unit's ground terminal to rise, potentially leading to erroneous operation of the control unit and the frequency conversion unit. Therefore, techniques to prevent such erroneous operation have been studied (e.g., Patent Documents 1 and 2). Hereinafter, in the description of this background art, the names and reference numerals of Patent Documents 1 and 2 will be referenced in parentheses.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a power system (100) mounted on a vehicle. This power system (100) is configured to include a first power supply unit, a second power supply unit, and a battery management unit (10). The first power supply unit has a 12V secondary battery (E1) that supplies voltage to a 12V load (200). The second power supply unit has 48V secondary batteries (E2-E5) that supply voltage to a 48V load (300). The battery management unit (10) manages the secondary batteries (E2-E5) in the second power supply unit. The ground wires of the first power supply unit, the second power supply unit, and the battery management unit (10) are shared. This ground wire is connected to a grounded first base ground wire (CE1) in the circuit of the first voltage system and to a grounded second base ground wire (CE2) in the circuit of the second voltage system. Furthermore, a PTC thermistor (T1) is provided on the ground wire, configured to limit the current by increasing the resistance value corresponding to self-heating under high current flow conditions.

[0004] Patent Document 2 describes an electronic control device (200) for an electric power steering system (100) mounted in a vehicle. This electronic control device (200) comprises a first power connector (208A) and a first ground connector (210A) connected to a battery (220); a second power connector (208B) and a second ground connector (210B) connected to the battery (220); a first converter (204A) connected to the first power connector (208A) and the first ground connector (210A) and driving an electric motor (180); a second converter (204B) connected to the second power connector (208B) and the second ground connector (210B) and driving the electric motor (180); a first control circuit (206A) connected to the first power connector (208A) and the first ground connector (210A) and controlling the first converter (204A); and a second power... A second control circuit (206B) connects the connector (208B) and the second ground connector (210B) and controls the second converter (204B). The ground of the first converter (204A), the ground of the second converter (204B), the ground of the first ground connector (210A) and the ground of the second ground connector (210B) are shared. A first PTC element (400A) is provided on the first circuit (366A) that connects the first ground connector (210A) to the shared ground (216) to limit the current flowing in the first circuit (366A). A second PTC element (400B) is provided on the second circuit (366B) that connects the second ground connector (210B) to the shared ground (216) to limit the current flowing in the second circuit (366B).

[0005] Prior art literature

[0006] Patent documents

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-187730

[0008] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-48371 Summary of the Invention

[0009] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0010] The technology described in Patent Document 1 monitors and cuts off the power supply from the secondary battery (E1) of the first power supply device and the secondary batteries (E2-E5) of the second power supply device, which are different from each other. Therefore, it is not conceived to independently monitor, for example, the step-down circuit (13) and the control circuit (12) constituting the first power supply device, or to independently monitor the DC-DC converter (20) constituting the second power supply device and the control circuit of the DC-DC converter (20). That is, the technology described in Patent Document 1 does not conceive to separately monitor the drive section constituting the drive circuit and the control section constituting the control circuit.

[0011] The technology described in Patent Document 2 includes a first PTC element (400A) between the connection point (A) connecting the ground of the first converter (204A) and the ground of the first control circuit (206A) and the first ground connector (210A), and a second PTC element (400B) between the connection point (B) connecting the ground of the second converter (204B) and the ground of the second control circuit (206B) and the second ground connector (210B). Therefore, current always flows to both the first PTC element (400A) and the second PTC element (400B), requiring settings that consider the component deviations of both the first converter (204A) and the first control circuit (206A), and also considering the component deviations of both the second converter (204B) and the second control circuit (206B). Consequently, it is not easy to easily set the current value limited by the first PTC element (400A) and the second PTC element (400B).

[0012] The present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a control device that can monitor the drive unit and the control unit separately and can easily set the current value for current limiting.

[0013] Methods for solving problems

[0014] The control device of the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned objectives is characterized by comprising: a drive unit that drives the drive unit based on power supplied from a power supply device; a control unit that controls the drive unit by receiving power from the power supply device; and a substrate for mounting the drive unit and the control unit, having a control ground electrode and a drive ground electrode, wherein the control ground electrode is electrically connected to a ground wire of a power line supplying power from the power supply device to the control unit, and is electrically connected to a ground terminal of the control unit, wherein the drive ground electrode and the control ground electrode are formed off-ground, and are used when there is no power supply from the power supply device to the control unit. In the state where the power line has a shared portion of the ground wires, it is electrically connected to the ground wire of the power line used for power supply from the power supply device to the drive unit, and is electrically connected to the grounding terminal of the drive unit; and a state switching unit is provided in a manner that spans the control ground part and the drive ground part, and when the current value flowing between the control ground part and the drive ground part is below a predetermined value, it becomes a potential difference maintenance state in which the potential difference between the control ground part and the drive ground part is below a predetermined value, and when the current value is greater than the predetermined value, it becomes a cut-off state in which the current is cut off.

[0015] Based on the above-described structure, when the current flowing between the control ground and the drive ground is below a predetermined value, the potential difference between the control ground and the drive ground is kept below a predetermined value, allowing the current (return current to the power supply) to flow to each ground. Furthermore, in case of an anomaly (e.g., a wire break) where the current flowing between the control ground and the drive ground becomes larger than the predetermined value, the control ground and the drive ground can be separated via a state switching unit. Therefore, in case of an anomaly, degradation of components constituting the control unit, the drive unit, and other functional units caused by current flowing from one of the control ground and the drive ground to the other can be prevented. Moreover, since the drive ground connected to the ground terminal of the drive unit and the control ground connected to the ground terminal of the control unit are configured to be separate from each other in the substrate, the current flowing in the drive ground and the current flowing in the control ground can be monitored separately. Therefore, it is easy to set current values ​​that limit the current flowing in each of the drive ground and the control ground.

[0016] Another feature of the control device of the present invention is that the drive device is an electric motor that opens and closes the vehicle door.

[0017] Based on the above-described structural features, even if the power cable connecting the motor that opens and closes the vehicle doors and the bridge circuit corresponding to the drive unit that drives the motor breaks, overcurrent can be prevented from flowing in the motor and the bridge circuit. Therefore, the motor and the bridge circuit can be protected.

[0018] Another feature of the control device of the present invention is that when the current value of the current becomes below the predetermined value in the case of the cut-off state, the state switching unit automatically transitions to the potential difference maintenance state.

[0019] Based on the above-described structure, when the cause of the cut-off state disappears, the control ground part and the drive ground part can be automatically electrically connected by the state switching unit.

[0020] Another feature of the control device of the present invention is that the state switching unit has a current limiting element that switches the conduction state according to the current value of the current and a resistor connected in series with the current limiting element.

[0021] Based on the above-described structure, by appropriately setting, for example, the resistance value of the resistor, the current flowing between the control ground and the drive ground can be made very small (approximately zero) when the power cable is not broken. Therefore, even in the absence of a break, no unexpected current flows in the components constituting the control unit, drive unit, or other functional units, thus suppressing the deterioration of these components and preventing a shortened lifespan.

[0022] Another feature of the control device of the present invention is that the driving device comprises a first driving device and a second driving device, the driving unit includes a first driving unit for driving the first driving device and a second driving unit for driving the second driving device, the driving ground unit includes a first driving ground unit and a second driving ground unit, the first driving ground unit is electrically connected to the ground wire of the power line used for power supply from the power supply device to the first driving unit, and is electrically connected to the ground terminal of the first driving unit, the second driving ground unit does not have the ground wire of the power line used for power supply from the power supply device to the first driving unit. In the shared state, the power line used for power supply from the power supply device to the second drive unit has a ground wire that is electrically connected and is electrically connected to the grounding terminal of the second drive unit. The state switching unit includes a first state switching unit and a second state switching unit. The first state switching unit is configured to span two ground poles of the first drive ground pole, the second drive ground pole, and the control ground pole. The second state switching unit is configured to span another ground pole of the first drive ground pole, the second drive ground pole, and the control ground pole that is different from the two ground poles, and one of the two ground poles.

[0023] Based on the above-described structure, even when the drive unit includes both the first drive unit and the second drive unit, the potential difference between the first drive ground pole and the second drive ground pole and the control ground pole is kept below a preset value. Even in the event of an abnormality, current can be prevented from flowing from one of the first drive ground pole, the second drive ground pole, and the control ground pole to the other two ground poles or to one of the other two ground poles. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a diagram of a vehicle that has a drive unit controlled by a control device according to the first embodiment.

[0025] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the structure of the control device according to the first embodiment.

[0026] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the structure of the control device according to the second embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0027] 1. First Implementation Method

[0028] The control device of the present invention controls a drive device such as an electric motor. Hereinafter, the control device 1 of this embodiment will be described.

[0029] Figure 1This is a perspective view of a vehicle 100 equipped with a control device 1. The control device 1 controls the use of... Figure 1 The opening and closing of the vehicle door 2 of the vehicle 100 shown is controlled by a drive device 4. In this embodiment, the door 2 is as follows: Figure 1 As shown, it is equivalent to a rear door (tailgate), but door 2 can also be a sliding door located on the side of vehicle 100, or it can be a hinged door. Furthermore, the sliding door and the hinged door can be on at least either the left or right side of vehicle 100.

[0030] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the structure of the control device 1 in this embodiment. (As shown...) Figure 2 As shown, the control device 1 is configured to include a drive unit 10, a control unit 20, a base plate 30, and a state switching unit 40.

[0031] The drive unit 10 drives the drive unit 4 based on the power supplied from the power supply unit 3. The power supply unit 3 is, for example, a battery installed in the vehicle 100. The voltage conversion unit is equivalent to the power supply unit 3 when converting the output of the battery into a predetermined voltage value and supplying it to the control device 1. In this embodiment, the power supply unit 3 is a battery, therefore the power supplied from the power supply unit 3 is equivalent to the power output from the battery. The drive unit 4 is equivalent to an electric motor for opening and closing the door 2. Here, as... Figure 1 As shown, viewed from the rear of the vehicle 100, a damper 5 is provided on the left end of the door 2 to support the door 2 so that it can be opened and closed. The drive unit 4 is equivalent to a power source that extends and retracts the drive mechanism that houses the damper 5. Therefore, the drive unit 10 drives the electric motor used to open and close the door 2 based on the power output from the battery.

[0032] Here, although not specifically limited, a brushed DC motor, for example, is used as the electric motor for opening and closing the door 2. In this case, the drive unit 10 adopts an H-bridge (H-bridge circuit) suitable for energizing the brushed DC motor. Of course, the drive unit 10 can also be adapted to the structure of the drive device 4. For example, if the drive device 4 is a three-phase motor, the drive unit 10 can adopt a converter (three-phase converter).

[0033] exist Figure 2In this example, the drive unit 10 has five terminals 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 protruding from the main body (model part) 16. In this example, terminal 13 of the drive unit 10, which corresponds to the third lead, is connected to terminal 63A of the connector 63 mounted on the substrate 30 via pattern P1 formed on the substrate 30. Furthermore, terminal 14 of the drive unit 10, which corresponds to the fourth lead, is connected to terminal 63B of the connector 63 via patterns P2 and P3 formed on the substrate 30. Terminals 63A and 63B of the connector 63 are respectively connected to one of the terminals of the positive line 61A and the negative line 61B via connector 62. The other terminal of each of the positive line 61A and the negative line 61B is connected to the positive terminal 3P and the negative terminal 3N of the power supply device 3. The positive line 61A and the negative line 61B correspond to power lines 61 that supply power from the power supply device 3 to the control device 1.

[0034] Terminal 11 of the drive unit 10, corresponding to the first lead, is connected to terminal 64B of the connector 64 mounted on the substrate 30 via pattern P4 formed on the substrate 30. Terminal 12 of the drive unit 10, corresponding to the second lead, is connected to terminal 64C of the connector 64 via pattern P5 formed on the substrate 30. Terminals 64B and 64C of the connector 64 are connected to one terminal of cable 66B and cable 66C via connector 65, respectively. The other terminal of cable 66B and cable 66C is connected to terminals 4B and 4C of the drive device 4, respectively. Furthermore, in this embodiment, terminal 4A of the drive device 4 is connected to terminal 64A of the connector 64 via cable 66A and connector 65.

[0035] The control unit 20 is powered by the power supply unit 3 and controls the drive unit 10. In this embodiment, the power supply unit 3 is a battery mounted on the vehicle 100, the same as the battery described above that supplies power to the drive unit 10. The control unit 20 controls the drive unit 10 by transmitting control signals to the drive unit 10 to control the opening and closing states of the plurality of switching elements (not shown) on the drive unit 10.

[0036] exist Figure 2 In this example, the control unit 20 has five terminals 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25 protruding from the main body portion (model portion) 26. In this example, the terminal 25 of the control unit 20, which corresponds to the fifth lead, and the terminal 15 of the drive unit 10, which corresponds to the fifth lead, are connected by a pattern P6 formed on the substrate 30, through which control signals are transmitted from the control unit 20 to the drive unit 10.

[0037] In this example, terminal 22 of the control unit 20, corresponding to the second lead, is connected to terminal 67B of connector 67 mounted on substrate 30 via pattern P7 formed on substrate 30. Terminal 21 of the control unit 20, corresponding to the first lead, is connected to terminal 67A of connector 67 via patterns P8 and P9 formed on substrate 30. Terminals 67A and 67B of connector 67 are respectively connected to one terminal of negative line 69A and positive line 69B via connector 68. The other terminal of each of negative line 69A and positive line 69B is connected to negative terminal 3N and positive terminal 3P of power supply device 3. Negative lines 69A and positive lines 69B correspond to power lines 69 that supply power from power supply device 3 to control device 1.

[0038] Terminal 23 of the control unit 20, which corresponds to the third lead, is connected to terminal 67C of connector 67 mounted on substrate 30 via pattern P10 formed on substrate 30. Terminal 67C of connector 67 is connected to, for example, a host system (not shown) via connector 68 and cable 70. In this example, operation instruction information for opening and closing the door 2 is input from the host system to the control unit 20 via cable 70.

[0039] Terminal 24 of the control unit 20, which corresponds to the fourth lead, is connected to terminal 64A of the connector 64 via pattern P11 formed on the substrate 30. Thus, terminal 24 of the control unit 20 and terminal 4A of the drive device 4 are connected, and operating information (such as speed information indicating the rotational speed of the drive device 4, and current value information indicating the current value flowing in the drive device 4) is transmitted from the drive device 4 to the control unit 20.

[0040] The drive unit 10 and control unit 20 described above are mounted on the substrate 30. The drive unit 10 and control unit 20 each have multiple terminals as described above, and these terminals can also be mounted to pads formed on the substrate 30 by soldering.

[0041] The substrate 30 has a control ground portion 31 and a drive ground portion 32. The control ground portion 31 is electrically connected to the ground wire of the power supply line 69 that supplies power from the power supply device 3 to the control unit 20, and is also electrically connected to the ground terminal of the control unit 20. The power supply line 69 that supplies power from the power supply device 3 to the control unit 20 has a negative wire 69A and a positive wire 69B, as described above. The ground wire of the power supply line 69 corresponds to the negative wire 69A. In this example, the ground terminal of the control unit 20 is the terminal 21 of the control unit 20. Therefore, the control ground portion 31 includes patterns P8 and P9 that have the same potential as the negative wire 69A and the terminal 21 of the control unit 20.

[0042] And, as Figure 2As shown, a pattern P11 is formed on the substrate 30, branching from patterns P8 and P9 toward the state switching section 40 described later. This pattern P11 is at the same electrical potential as patterns P8 and P9 (i.e., it is formed by continuous patterns) and is included in the control ground section 31.

[0043] The driving ground part 32 and the control ground part 31 are formed electrically separately. In this example, the control ground part 31 corresponds to patterns P8, P9, and P11. The driving ground part 32 is formed in a state where it is not directly connected to these patterns P8, P9, and P11. The state where it is not directly connected means the state where it is not connected through patterning; in this example, the state where it is connected through elements is not considered a state where it is not directly connected.

[0044] The drive grounding section 32, in a state where it does not share a portion with the grounding line of the power line 69 used for power supply from the power supply unit 3 to the control unit 20, is electrically connected to the grounding line of the power line 61 used for power supply from the power supply unit 3 to the drive unit 10, and is also electrically connected to the grounding terminal of the drive unit 10. The grounding line of the power line 69 used for power supply from the power supply unit 3 to the control unit 20 is the negative line 69A of the power line 69. The state where it does not share a portion means that it does not have a portion connected in series, that is, a portion connected in parallel. The grounding line of the power line 61 used for power supply from the power supply unit 3 to the drive unit 10 is equivalent to the negative line 61B. In this example, the grounding terminal of the drive unit 10 is the terminal 14 of the drive unit 10. Therefore, the drive grounding section 32 includes patterns P2 and P3 that are at the same potential as the negative line 61B and the terminal 14 of the drive unit 10.

[0045] And, as Figure 2 As shown, a pattern P12 is formed on the substrate 30, branching from patterns P2 and P3 toward the state switching section 40 described later. This pattern P12 is at the same electrical potential as patterns P2 and P3 (i.e., it is formed by continuous patterns) and is included in the driving ground section 32.

[0046] The state switching unit 40 is provided across the control ground part 31 and the drive ground part 32. As described above, in this embodiment, the control ground part 31 is composed of patterns P8, P9, and P11, and the drive ground part 32 is composed of patterns P2, P3, and P12. Furthermore, the control ground part 31 and the drive ground part 32 are formed separately from each other. The state switching unit 40 connects one end 40A of the control ground part 31 and the drive ground part 32, which are formed separately from each other, to the control ground part 31, and the other end 40B is connected to the drive ground part 32. In this embodiment, one end 40A is connected to pattern P11, and the other end 40B is connected to pattern P12.

[0047] The state switching unit 40 is configured to switch between a potential difference maintenance state and a cut-off state. The potential difference maintenance state refers to a state where the potential difference between the control ground electrode 31 and the drive ground electrode 32 is below a predetermined value when the current flowing between them is below a predetermined value. The current flowing between the control ground electrode 31 and the drive ground electrode 32 refers to the current flowing from one of the control ground electrode 31 and the drive ground electrode 32 to the other via the state switching unit 40.

[0048] The state switching unit 40 is configured to have an impedance higher than that from terminal 14 of the drive unit 10 to the negative terminal 3N of the power supply unit 3 and from terminal 21 of the control unit 20 to the negative terminal 3N of the power supply unit 3. Therefore, in a stable state (a state without abnormalities), the current flowing from terminal 14 of the drive unit 10 hardly flows through the state switching unit 40; most of this current flows to the negative terminal 3N of the power supply unit 3 via patterns P2, P3, and negative line 61B. Similarly, the current flowing from terminal 21 of the control unit 20 hardly flows through the state switching unit 40; most of this current flows to the negative terminal 3N of the power supply unit 3 via patterns P8, P9, and negative line 69A. Thus, in the state switching unit 40, almost no current flows in a stable state, so that the potential of the control ground terminal 31 and the drive ground terminal 32 are equal (approximately equal) to each other, and the potential difference between the control ground terminal 31 and the drive ground terminal 32 is below a predetermined value.

[0049] The cut-off state refers to the state in which the current flowing between the control ground electrode 31 and the drive ground electrode 32 is cut off when the current value is greater than a predetermined value. The current flowing between the control ground electrode 31 and the drive ground electrode 32 is, as described above, the current flowing from one of the control ground electrode 31 and the drive ground electrode 32 to the other via the state switching unit 40. The predetermined value is a value at least greater than the current value flowing to the state switching unit 40 in the stable state described above. This predetermined value can, for example, be set based on the current value flowing to the state switching unit 40 in an abnormal state, i.e., a state that deviates from the stable state.

[0050] Specifically, it can be set to a value that is greater than the current flowing to the state switching unit 40 in the stable state and smaller than the current flowing to the state switching unit 40 in the event of a break in any of the patterns P3, connector 63, connector 62 and negative line 61B, and also a value that is greater than the current flowing to the state switching unit 40 in the stable state and smaller than the current flowing to the state switching unit 40 in the event of a break in any of the patterns P9, connector 67, connector 68 and negative line 69A.

[0051] This state switching unit 40 can use an element whose resistance increases with the flow of current (overcurrent protection element). Specifically, a PTC thermistor, whose resistance increases due to self-heating when an excessive current flows, can be used. If a PTC thermistor is used, the state switching unit 40 will cut off the current flowing in it when the resistance increases due to an excessive current, thus entering a cut-off state. In this cut-off state, when the current value falls below a predetermined value and self-heating restores the state, it can automatically transition to a potential difference maintenance state.

[0052] In this embodiment, the state switching unit 40 includes a current limiting element 41, similar to a PTC thermistor, which switches the conduction state based on the current value, and a resistor 42 connected in series with the current limiting element 41. The resistance value of the resistor 42 can be set such that, in a stable state, current does not flow from one of the control ground portion 31 and the drive ground portion 32 to the other, and the potential difference between the control ground portion 31 and the drive ground portion 32 is below a predetermined value. In this configuration, one terminal 41A of the current limiting element 41 and one terminal 42A of the resistor 42 are connected by pattern P13, and the other terminal 41B of the current limiting element 41 corresponds to the end portion 40A of the state switching unit 40, and the other terminal 42B of the resistor 42 corresponds to the end portion 40B of the state switching unit 40.

[0053] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, as Figure 2 As shown, in addition to the drive unit 10 and the control unit 20, a unit 80 is also mounted on the substrate 30. For example, the unit 80 can be a latching mechanism 6 for the door 2 (see reference). Figure 1 A control unit that controls the drive of a motor in either a locked or unlocked state.

[0054] exist Figure 2 In this example, unit 80 has five terminals 81, 82, 83, 84, and 85 protruding from the main body (model part) 86. In this example, terminal 81 of unit 80, corresponding to the first lead, is connected to terminal 71A of connector 71 mounted on substrate 30 via pattern P15 formed on substrate 30. Terminal 82 of unit 80, corresponding to the second lead, is connected to terminal 71B of connector 71 via pattern P16 formed on substrate 30. Terminals 71A and 71B of connector 71 are respectively connected to one of the terminals of positive line 73A and negative line 73B via connector 72. The other terminal of each of positive line 73A and negative line 73B is connected to the positive terminal 3P and negative terminal 3N of power supply device 3. Positive lines 73A and negative lines 73B correspond to power lines 73 that supply power from power supply device 3 to control device 1.

[0055] Terminal 83 of unit 80, corresponding to the third lead, is connected to terminal 71C of connector 71 via pattern P17 formed on substrate 30. Terminal 84 of unit 80, corresponding to the fourth lead, is connected to terminal 71D of connector 71 via pattern P18 formed on substrate 30. Terminals 71C and 71D of connector 71 are connected to the motor (not shown) of latching mechanism 6 via connector 72.

[0056] Furthermore, terminal 85 of unit 80, corresponding to the fifth lead, is connected to terminal 71E of connector 71 via pattern P19 formed on substrate 30. Terminal 71E of connector 71 is connected to, for example, a host system (not shown) via connector 71 and connector 72. Thus, locking and unlocking commands of latching mechanism 6 are input from host system to unit 80.

[0057] exist Figure 2 In the example, no state switching unit 40 is provided between pattern P16 and control ground part 31 and drive ground part 32, but it is also possible to provide a state switching unit 40 between pattern P16 and at least one of control ground part 31 and drive ground part 32.

[0058] With the configuration described above, in a stable state, the current value of the current flowing from one of the control ground electrode 31 and the drive ground electrode 32 in the opposite direction can be kept below a predetermined value, and the potential difference between the control ground electrode 31 and the drive ground electrode 32 can be kept below a predetermined value. On the other hand, if, for some reason, the current value of the current flowing from one of the control ground electrode 31 and the drive ground electrode 32 in the opposite direction becomes greater than the predetermined value, the current can be automatically cut off.

[0059] 2. Second Implementation Method

[0060] Next, a second embodiment of the control device 1 will be described. In the first embodiment, the control device 1 controls one drive device 4; however, in the second embodiment, the control device 1 controls two drive devices 4. Hereinafter, the control device 1 of the second embodiment will be described primarily focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. It should be noted that points in the second embodiment that are the same as in the first embodiment will be omitted from the description.

[0061] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the structure of the control device 1 in this embodiment. (As shown...) Figure 3As shown, in this embodiment, the drive device 4 controlled by the control device 1 includes a first drive device 104 and a second drive device 204. Thus, the control device 1, as a drive unit 10, includes a first drive unit 110 that drives the first drive device 104 and a second drive unit 210 that drives the second drive device 204. As the drive device 4, with the first drive device 104 and the second drive device 204 provided, viewed from the rear of the vehicle 100, dampers 5 supporting the door 2 to open and close are respectively provided on the left and right sides of the door 2. The first drive device 104 can be a motor that extends and retracts the drive mechanism of the damper 5 on the left side of the interior door 2, and the second drive device 204 can be a motor that extends and retracts the drive mechanism of the damper 5 on the right side of the interior door 2. Furthermore, in the case of the sliding door of the vehicle 100, for example, the first drive unit 104 can be a left electric motor for opening and closing the left sliding door of the vehicle 100, and the second drive unit 204 can be a right electric motor for opening and closing the right sliding door of the vehicle 100.

[0062] The first drive unit 110 has five terminals 111, 112, 113, 114, and 115 protruding from the main body (model part) 116. In this example, terminal 113 is connected to terminal 163A of connector 163 via pattern P101. Terminal 114 is connected to terminal 163B of connector 163 via patterns P102 and P103. Terminals 163A and 163B of connector 163 are connected to one of the terminals of positive line 161A and negative line 161B via connector 162. The other terminal of each of positive line 161A and negative line 161B is connected to the positive terminal 3P and negative terminal 3N of power supply device 3. In this example, positive line 161A and negative line 161B correspond to power lines 161 that supply power from power supply device 3 to control device 1.

[0063] Terminal 111 of the first drive unit 110 is connected to terminal 164B of connector 164 via pattern P104, and terminal 112 of the first drive unit 110 is connected to terminal 164C of connector 164 via pattern P105. Terminals 164B and 164C of connector 164 are connected to one terminal of cable 166B and cable 166C via connector 165, respectively. The other terminal of cable 166B and cable 166C is connected to terminals 104B and 104C of the first drive device 104, respectively. Furthermore, in this embodiment, terminal 104A of the first drive device 104 is connected to terminal 164A of connector 164 via cable 166A and connector 165.

[0064] The second drive unit 210 has five terminals 211, 212, 213, 214, and 215 protruding from the main body (model part) 216. In this example, terminal 213 is connected to terminal 263B of connector 263 via pattern P201. Terminal 212 is connected to terminal 263A of connector 263 via patterns P202 and P203. Terminals 263A and 263B of connector 263 are connected to one of the terminals of negative line 261A and positive line 261B respectively via connector 262. The other terminal of each of negative line 261A and positive line 261B is connected to the negative terminal 3N and positive terminal 3P of power supply device 3. In this example, negative line 261A and positive line 261B correspond to power lines 261 that supply power from power supply device 3 to control device 1.

[0065] Terminal 215 of the second drive unit 210 is connected to terminal 264B of connector 264 via pattern P204, and terminal 214 of the second drive unit 210 is connected to terminal 264A of connector 264 via pattern P205. Terminals 264A and 264B of connector 264 are connected to one terminal of cable 266A and cable 266B via connector 265, respectively. The other terminal of cable 266A and cable 266B is connected to terminals 204A and 204B of the second drive device 204, respectively. Furthermore, in this embodiment, terminal 204C of the second drive device 204 is connected to terminal 264C of connector 264 via cable 266C and connector 265.

[0066] The control unit 120 has eight terminals 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, and 128 protruding from the main body portion (model portion) 129. In this example, terminal 121 of the control unit 120 and terminal 115 of the first drive unit 110 are connected via pattern P106, through which control signals are transmitted from the control unit 120 to the first drive unit 110. Furthermore, terminal 125 of the control unit 120 and terminal 211 of the second drive unit 210 are connected via pattern P206, through which control signals are transmitted from the control unit 120 to the second drive unit 210.

[0067] In this example, terminal 123 of control unit 120 is connected to terminal 167B of connector 167 via pattern P107. Terminal 122 of control unit 120 is connected to terminal 167A of connector 167 via patterns P108 and P109. Terminals 167A and 167B of connector 167 are connected to one of the terminals of negative line 169A and positive line 169B via connector 168. The other terminal of each of negative line 169A and positive line 169B is connected to the negative terminal 3N and positive terminal 3P of power supply device 3. Negative line 169A and positive line 169B correspond to power lines 169 that supply power from power supply device 3 to control device 1.

[0068] Terminal 124 of the control unit 120 is connected to terminal 167C of the connector 167 via pattern P110. Terminal 167C of the connector 167 is connected to, for example, a host system (not shown) via connector 168 and cable 170. In this example, the host system inputs operation instruction information for opening and closing the door 2 to the control unit 120 via the cable 170.

[0069] Terminal 128 of the control unit 120 is connected to terminal 164A of the connector 164 via pattern P120. This connects terminal 128 of the control unit 120 to terminal 104A of the first drive device 104, transmitting operational information (e.g., rotational speed information indicating the rotational speed of the first drive device 104, and current value information indicating the current flowing in the first drive device 104) from the first drive device 104 to the control unit 120. Furthermore, terminal 127 of the control unit 120 is connected to terminal 264C of the connector 264 via pattern P220. This connects terminal 127 of the control unit 120 to terminal 204C of the second drive device 204, transmitting operational information (e.g., rotational speed information indicating the rotational speed of the second drive device 204, and current value information indicating the current flowing in the second drive device 204) from the second drive device 204 to the control unit 120. It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the terminal 126 of the control unit 120 is equivalent to a non-connection terminal and is used for brazing.

[0070] In this embodiment, the first drive unit 110, the second drive unit 210, and the control unit 120 described above are also mounted on the substrate 130 by brazing.

[0071] In this embodiment, the driving ground portion 32 includes a first driving ground portion 132 and a second driving ground portion 232. Therefore, the substrate 130 has a control ground portion 131 (corresponding to "control ground portion 31" in the first embodiment), a first driving ground portion 132, and a second driving ground portion 232. The control ground portion 131 is electrically connected to the negative line 169A of the power supply line 169 that supplies power from the power supply device 3 to the control unit 120, and is also electrically connected to the ground terminal, i.e., the terminal 122, of the control unit 120. Therefore, the control ground portion 131 includes patterns P108 and P109 that are at the same potential as the negative line 169A and the terminal 122 of the control unit 120.

[0072] And, as Figure 3 As shown, a pattern P111 is formed on the substrate 130, branching from patterns P108 and P109 toward the first state switching section 140 described later. This pattern P111 is at the same electrical potential as patterns P108 and P109 (i.e., formed by continuous patterns) and is included in the control ground section 131. Furthermore, in this embodiment, as... Figure 3 As shown, a pattern P211 is formed on the substrate 130, extending from pattern P108 below the main body portion 129 of the control unit 120 and toward the second state switching unit 240 described later. This pattern P211 is also at the same electrical potential as pattern P108 (i.e., formed by a continuous pattern) and is included in the control ground portion 131. In this embodiment, the control ground portion 131 is formed separately from the first drive ground portion 132 and the second drive ground portion 232.

[0073] The first drive ground electrode 132 is electrically connected to the ground wire, i.e., the negative wire 161B, of the power line 161 that supplies power from the power supply device 3 to the first drive unit 110, and is also electrically connected to the ground terminal, i.e., the terminal 114, of the first drive unit 110. Therefore, the first drive ground electrode 132 includes patterns P102 and P103 that are at the same potential as the negative wire 161B and the terminal 114 of the first drive unit 110.

[0074] And, as Figure 3 As shown, a pattern P112 is formed on the substrate 130, branching from the patterns P102 and P103 toward the first state switching section 140 described later. The pattern P112 is at the same potential as the patterns P102 and P103 (i.e. formed by continuous patterns) and is included in the first driving ground section 132.

[0075] The second drive ground electrode 232, without having a portion shared with the ground electrode line (negative line) 161B of the power line 161 used for power supply from the power supply unit 3 to the first drive unit 110, is electrically connected to the ground electrode line (negative line) 261A of the power line 261 used for power supply from the power supply unit 3 to the second drive unit 210, and is electrically connected to the ground terminal (terminal 212) of the second drive unit 210. Therefore, the second drive ground electrode 232 includes patterns P202 and P203 that have the same potential as the negative line 261A and the terminal 212 of the second drive unit 210.

[0076] And, as Figure 3 As shown, a pattern P212 is formed on the substrate 130, branching from patterns P202 and P203 toward the second state switching section 240 described later. This pattern P212 is at the same electrical potential as patterns P202 and P203 (i.e., formed by continuous patterns) and is included in the second driving ground section 232.

[0077] In this embodiment, the state switching unit 40 includes a first state switching unit 140 and a second state switching unit 240. The first state switching unit 140 is configured to span two of the first drive ground pole 132, the second drive ground pole 232, and the control ground pole 131. In this embodiment, the first state switching unit 140 is configured to span both the first drive ground pole 132 and the control ground pole 131. As described above, in this embodiment, the control ground pole 131 is composed of patterns P108, P109, P111, and P211, and the first drive ground pole 132 is composed of patterns P102, P103, and P112. Furthermore, the control ground pole 131 and the first drive ground pole 132 are formed separately from each other. In the control ground section 131 and the first drive ground section 132, which are thus formed separately, the first state switching unit 140 connects one end 140A to the control ground section 131 and the other end 140B to the first drive ground section 132. In this embodiment, one end 140A is connected to pattern P111 and the other end 140B is connected to pattern P112.

[0078] Furthermore, the second state switching unit 240 is configured to span across the first drive ground pole 132, the second drive ground pole 232, and the control ground pole 131, including one ground pole that is different from two ground poles and one of the two ground poles. "Two ground poles among the first drive ground pole 132, the second drive ground pole 232, and the control ground pole 131" refers to the two ground poles among the first drive ground pole 132, the second drive ground pole 232, and the control ground pole 131 that are equipped with the first state switching unit 140. In this embodiment, this corresponds to the first drive ground pole 132 and the control ground pole 131. Therefore, "the other ground pole among the first drive ground pole 132, the second drive ground pole 232, and the control ground pole 131 that is different from two ground poles" corresponds to the second drive ground pole 232. Furthermore, "one of the two ground poles" corresponds to one of the first driving ground pole 132 and the control ground pole 131, and in this embodiment, it corresponds to the control ground pole 131. Therefore, in this embodiment, the second state switching unit 240 is provided across the second driving ground pole 232 and the control ground pole 131. As described above, in this embodiment, the control ground pole 131 is composed of patterns P108, P109, P111, and P211, and the second driving ground pole 232 is composed of patterns P202, P203, and P212. Furthermore, the control ground pole 131 and the second driving ground pole 232 are formed separately from each other. The second state switching unit 240 connects to the control ground pole 131 at one end 240A of the control ground pole 131 and the second driving ground pole 232, which are thus formed separately, and connects to the second driving ground pole 232 at the other end 240B. In this embodiment, one end 240A is connected to pattern P211, and the other end 240B is connected to pattern P212.

[0079] In the potential difference maintenance state, the first state switching unit 140 keeps the potential difference between the control ground part 131 and the first drive ground part 132 below a predetermined value when the current value flowing between the control ground part 131 and the first drive ground part 132 is below a predetermined value; in the cut-off state, it cuts off the current when the current value flowing between the control ground part 131 and the first drive ground part 132 is greater than the predetermined value. Similarly, in the potential difference maintenance state, the second state switching unit 240 keeps the potential difference between the control ground part 131 and the second drive ground part 232 below a predetermined value when the current value flowing between the control ground part 131 and the second drive ground part 232 is below a predetermined value; in the cut-off state, it cuts off the current when the current value flowing between the control ground part 131 and the second drive ground part 232 is greater than the predetermined value.

[0080] existFigure 3 In the example, the first state switching unit 140 is configured such that a current limiting element 141, such as a PTC thermistor, and a resistor 142 are connected in series, and the second state switching unit 240 is configured such that a current limiting element 241, such as a PTC thermistor, and a resistor 242 are connected in series.

[0081] Moreover, in this embodiment, such as Figure 3 As shown, a latching mechanism 6 for, for example, the door 2 is also mounted on the substrate 130 (see reference). Figure 1 Unit 80 is a control unit that operates in either a locked or unlocked state. The connection between unit 80 and the power supply unit 3 is the same as in the first embodiment, therefore, a description is omitted.

[0082] It should be noted that, in Figure 3 In the example, no state switching unit 40 is provided between the pattern P16 and the control ground pole 131, the first drive ground pole 132 and the second drive ground pole 232. However, it is also possible to provide a state switching unit 40 between the pattern P16 and at least one of the control ground pole 131, the first drive ground pole 132 and the second drive ground pole 232.

[0083] With the configuration described above, in a stable state, the current value of the current flowing from one of the control ground electrode 131, the first drive ground electrode 132, and the second drive ground electrode 232 in the opposite direction can be kept below a predetermined value, and the potential difference between the control ground electrode 131 and the first drive ground electrode 132 and the second drive ground electrode 232 can be kept below a predetermined value. On the other hand, if, for some reason, the current value of the current flowing from one of the control ground electrode 131 and the first drive ground electrode 132 in the opposite direction becomes larger than a predetermined value, or if the current value of the current flowing from one of the control ground electrode 131 and the second drive ground electrode 232 in the opposite direction becomes larger than a predetermined value, the current with the increased current value can be automatically cut off.

[0084] 3. Other implementation methods

[0085] (1) In the above embodiment, the drive device 4 is described as an electric motor that opens and closes the door 2 of the vehicle 100. However, this is just an example. The drive device 4 may also be other electric motors mounted on the vehicle 100, or electric motors used outside the vehicle 100.

[0086] (2) In the above embodiment, a PTC thermistor is used as the state switching unit 40, but the state switching unit 40 may also be a resettable fuse or a self-resetting switch that automatically recovers.

[0087] (3) In the above embodiment, it was explained that the state switching unit 40 automatically transitions to the potential difference maintenance state when the current value falls below a predetermined value in the off state. However, the state switching unit 40 can also be configured using, for example, a transistor or a relay, to switch between the closed and open states based on the magnitude of the current. Furthermore, the state switching unit 40 can also be configured not to automatically transition to the potential difference maintenance state even when the current value falls below a predetermined value in the off state.

[0088] (4) In the above embodiment, it is described that the state switching unit 40 has a current limiting element 41 and a resistor 42. However, the state switching unit 40 may also be composed of only the current limiting element 41.

[0089] (5) In the above embodiment, a pattern formed on the substrate 30 (including substrate 130) was described; however, this pattern is only one example and can be modified. Furthermore, it is possible to make, for example, the width of a pattern connected to a ground terminal thicker, and also to make, for example, the width of a pattern used in the transmission of various information thinner. Moreover, Figure 2 , Figure 3 The terminal configuration of each component shown is just one example and can be changed.

[0090] Industrial applicability

[0091] This invention can be used as a control device for controlling a drive device.

[0092] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0093] 1: Control device

[0094] 2: Car door

[0095] 3: Power supply device

[0096] 4: Drive unit

[0097] 10: Drive Unit

[0098] 14: Terminal (Grounding Terminal)

[0099] 20: Control Department

[0100] 21: Terminal (Grounding Terminal)

[0101] 30: Substrate

[0102] 31: Control the Earth's polar regions

[0103] 32: Driving the Earth's Polar Regions

[0104] 40: State Switching Unit

[0105] 41: Current limiting element

[0106] 42: Resistor

[0107] 61: Power cord

[0108] 61B: Negative line (Earth pole)

[0109] 69: Power cord

[0110] 69A: Negative line (Earth pole line)

[0111] 100: Vehicles

[0112] 104: First drive unit

[0113] 110: First Drive Unit

[0114] 114: Terminal (Grounding Terminal)

[0115] 132: First Driven Earth Pole

[0116] 140: First State Switching Unit

[0117] 161: Power cord

[0118] 161B: Negative line (Earth pole)

[0119] 204: Second drive unit

[0120] 210: Second Drive Unit

[0121] 212: Terminal (Grounding Terminal)

[0122] 232: Second driving pole section

[0123] 240: Second state switching unit

[0124] 261: Power cord

[0125] 261A: Negative line (Earth pole line)

Claims

1. A control device comprising: The drive unit drives the drive device based on the power supplied from the power supply unit. The control unit, powered by the power supply device, controls the drive unit; A substrate for mounting the drive unit and the control unit has a control ground part and a drive ground part. The control ground part is electrically connected to the ground line of the power line that supplies power from the power supply device to the control unit, and is electrically connected to the ground terminal of the control unit. The drive ground part and the control ground part are formed off-ground. In a state where there is no part that is shared with the ground line of the power line used for power supply from the power supply device to the control unit, the drive ground part is electrically connected to the ground line of the power line used for power supply from the power supply device to the drive unit, and is electrically connected to the ground terminal of the drive unit. and The state switching unit is provided across the control ground unit and the drive ground unit. When the current flowing between the control ground unit and the drive ground unit is below a predetermined value, it enters a potential difference maintenance state, which keeps the potential difference between the control ground unit and the drive ground unit below a predetermined value. When the current value is greater than the predetermined value, it enters a cut-off state, which cuts off the current. In a stable state, the state switching unit makes the potential of the control ground electrode and the potential of the drive ground electrode equal to each other.

2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein, The drive unit is an electric motor that opens and closes the vehicle doors.

3. The control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, When the current value of the current becomes below the predetermined value in the case of the cut-off state, the state switching unit automatically transitions to the potential difference maintenance state.

4. The control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The state switching unit includes a current limiting element that switches the conduction state according to the current value of the current and a resistor connected in series with the current limiting element.

5. The control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The driving device is a first driving device and a second driving device. The drive unit includes a first drive unit that drives the first drive device and a second drive unit that drives the second drive device. The driving ground electrode includes a first driving ground electrode and a second driving ground electrode. The first driving ground electrode is electrically connected to the ground wire of the power line supplying power from the power supply device to the first driving unit, and is also electrically connected to the ground terminal of the first driving unit. The second driving ground electrode, without having any portion shared with the ground wire of the power line used for supplying power from the power supply device to the first driving unit, is electrically connected to the ground wire of the power line used for supplying power from the power supply device to the second driving unit, and is also electrically connected to the ground terminal of the second driving unit. The state switching unit includes a first state switching unit and a second state switching unit. The first state switching unit is configured to span two of the first driving ground pole, the second driving ground pole, and the control ground pole. The second state switching unit is configured to span another ground pole that is different from the first driving ground pole, the second driving ground pole, and the control ground pole, as well as one of the two ground poles.

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