Lock control system for vehicle door

Abstract

This invention provides a door locking control system that balances convenience when getting out of the vehicle with preventing accidental opening from the outside. While the vehicle is in motion, the body ECU (50) (locking controller) performs locking control on the inner handle (22) and outer handle (20) located on each door (10). During locking control, the body ECU (50) maintains the output of drive signals corresponding to handle operations. When the vehicle is in the parking gear (P) position, the body ECU (50) performs shift-linked interior unlocking control. During shift-linked interior unlocking control, the body ECU (50) performs unlocking control on the inner handle (22). During unlocking control, the body ECU (50) outputs drive signals based on handle operations. Furthermore, the body ECU (50) maintains locking control on the outer handle (20).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification discloses a door locking control system. Background Technology

[0002] The car door is equipped with an inner handle and an outer handle. A locking control device is known that electronically controls the door's locking mechanism in conjunction with the operation of these handles or an electronic key. Such an electronic door locking system is also known as an E-latch system.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle-mounted device that communicates with an electronic key. During engine operation, when the vehicle's transmission is in the parking gear position, the vehicle-mounted device locks and unlocks the doors based on the operation of the electronic key.

[0004] Prior art literature Patent documents Patent document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-141803. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The problem to be solved by the invention However, the so-called automatic unlocking function does not require any unlocking operation from the occupants. For example, in the gear shift-linked automatic unlocking function, the door locks will be automatically released when the gear is set to the parking position.

[0006] However, if the door locks are released when the gear is set to park, the door may be opened from the outside.

[0007] Therefore, this specification discloses a door locking control system that can balance convenience when getting out of the vehicle and prevent accidental opening of the door from the outside.

[0008] Methods for solving problems The door locking control system disclosed in this specification includes a locking mechanism and a locking controller. The locking mechanism includes a latching mechanism and a motor. The latching mechanism switches between an unlocked state and a latched state. In the unlocked state, the door can be opened relative to the vehicle body. In the latched state, the door is closed relative to the vehicle body. The motor can switch the latching mechanism between the unlocked and latched states. The locking controller outputs a drive signal to the motor. While the vehicle is in motion, the locking controller performs locking control for the inner and outer handles installed on each door. During locking control, the locking controller retains the output of a drive signal corresponding to the handle operation. When the vehicle's gear is set to Park (P), the locking controller performs shift-linked interior unlocking control. Shift-linked interior unlocking control is a locking and unlocking control linked to the P setting operation. During shift-linked interior unlocking control, the locking controller performs unlocking control for the inner handle. During unlocking control, the locking controller outputs a drive signal based on the handle operation. Furthermore, the locking controller maintains locking control for the outer handle.

[0009] Based on the above structure, the interior unlocking control is linked to gear shifting, allowing for different locking / unlocking positions on the interior and exterior sides. By setting the interior side to the unlocked state, ease of exiting the vehicle is ensured. Furthermore, by keeping the exterior side locked, accidental opening from the outside is prevented.

[0010] In addition, in the above structure, the following method can also be adopted, that is, the locking controller uses a pre-set door among multiple doors as the execution object of the gear shift linkage indoor unlocking control.

[0011] Based on the above structure, for the rear door, in order to make the child protection function effective, there is no setting for gear shift linkage to unlock the interior, so that the locking settings can be customized according to the door.

[0012] Furthermore, in the above structure, the following approach can also be adopted: in the gear shift linkage interior unlocking control, when the inner handle is operated, the gear shift linkage interior unlocking control is replaced, and the locking controller performs the interior and exterior unlocking control. In the interior and exterior unlocking control, both the inner and outer handles are set as the objects of unlocking control.

[0013] According to the above structure, after the door opening performed by the occupant is confirmed, the unlocking setting is enabled for both the interior and exterior handles.

[0014] Furthermore, in the above structure, the state in which a door that has been in the unlocked state is closed and returns to the latched state is called latch restoration. After a door that has been in the unlocked state by operating the inside handle is latched back, the lock controller can also perform indoor and outdoor unlock control, replacing the gear shift linkage indoor unlock control. In indoor and outdoor unlock control, both the inside and outside handles are set as the objects of unlock control.

[0015] According to the above structure, the door can be opened from the outside handle after the latch is restored.

[0016] Invention Effects The door locking control system disclosed in this manual can balance the convenience of getting out of the vehicle with preventing accidental opening of the door from the outside. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 The diagram below illustrates the structure of a car door.

[0018] Figure 2 A diagram illustrating the door locking control system described in this embodiment is shown as an example.

[0019] Figure 3 This diagram illustrates the unlocked state (before the firing pin is released).

[0020] Figure 4 This diagram illustrates the unlocked state (after the firing pin is released).

[0021] Figure 5 The following diagram illustrates the shift linkage unlocking control process.

[0022] Figure 6 The diagram illustrates the front door locking control process when the shift-linked interior unlock setting is enabled.

[0023] Figure 7 The diagram illustrates the rear door locking control process when the shift-linked indoor unlock setting is enabled. Detailed Implementation

[0024] 1. Structure of the car door Figure 1 The structure of the vehicle door according to this embodiment is illustrated. Furthermore, in Figures 1 to 4 In this diagram, the vehicle's forward / backward direction is represented by the FR axis. Additionally, the vehicle's width direction is represented by the RW axis. Furthermore, the vertical direction is represented by the UP axis. The forward / backward axis FR sets the front of the vehicle as the positive direction. The width axis RW sets the right width direction as the positive direction. Additionally, the height axis UP sets the top as the positive direction.

[0025] exist Figure 1 The inner structure of door 10 is illustrated in the image. Furthermore, in... Figure 1 Among the illustrated doors 10, the driver's side door of a so-called right-hand drive vehicle is shown.

[0026] The door 10 includes an outer door panel 12 and an inner door panel 14. A space is formed between the outer door panel 12 and the inner door panel 14. Devices, including a locking mechanism 30, are housed in this space. In addition, an outer handle 20 is provided on the outer door panel 12.

[0027] An interior door trim piece 16 is provided on the inner side of the passenger compartment of the inner door panel 14. The interior door trim piece 16 is, for example, an interior trim component made of resin. A handle 21, an inner handle 22, and a door lock switch 24 are provided on the interior door trim piece 16.

[0028] For example, the inner handle 22 is disposed on the side of the grip 21. The inner handle 22 is, for example, capable of rotating inward and outward in the vehicle width direction. The rotation of the inner handle 22 is detected by an inner handle sensor (not shown). The detected operation signal is sent to the vehicle ECU 50 (see reference). Figure 2 ).

[0029] Reference Figure 1 The door lock switch 24 can switch the locking / unlocking of the door 10. For example, a centralized door lock switch 24 is provided on the driver's side door. That is, by operating the door lock switch 24 from the driver's seat, the locking / unlocking of all doors 10 installed on the vehicle body can be controlled. For doors 10 other than the driver's side, the locking / unlocking of that door 10 is switched by the door lock switch 24 installed on that door itself. The pressing of the door lock switch 24 is detected by a switch sensor (not shown). The detected operation signal is sent to the body ECU 50 (see reference). Figure 2 ).

[0030] Reference Figure 1 An outer handle 20 is provided on the outer panel 12 of the door. The outer handle 20 can rotate outward in the width direction of the vehicle. The rotation of the outer handle 20 is detected by an outer handle sensor (not shown). The detected operation signal is sent to the body ECU 50 (see reference). Figure 2 ).

[0031] As will be described later, the pawl 44 (see reference) is activated by opening the outer handle 20 and the inner handle 22. Figure 2 From the latched state (refer to) Figure 2 The latch is switched to the unlatched state (see reference). Figure 3 From the outer handle 20 and the inner handle 22 to the pawl 44, they are electrically connected via the vehicle ECU 50. Details of the electrical connection structure will be described later.

[0032] Furthermore, as a so-called emergency function, the outer handle 20 and the inner handle 22 can also be mechanically connected to the pawl 44. For example, the outer handle 20 and the inner handle 22 are connected to the cable connection portion 44B of the pawl 44 via a cable (not shown).

[0033] exist Figure 2 The locking control system of the vehicle door 10 according to this embodiment is illustrated. This locking control system is an electronic locking and unlocking system. For example, the locking control system according to this embodiment is also referred to as an E-latch system. The locking control system includes a vehicle body ECU 50 (locking controller) and a locking mechanism 30.

[0034] 2. Vehicle ECU (locking controller) The body ECU 50 outputs drive signals to the motor 32. In addition, the body ECU 50 receives various signals from onboard equipment. For example, the body ECU 50 receives operation signals from sensors (not shown) on the outer door handle 20 and the inner door handle 22. Furthermore, the body ECU 50 receives operation signals from the electronic key 56 for the open button 56A and the close button 56B.

[0035] Furthermore, signals related to the position (gear) of the gear shift lever are sent to the vehicle ECU 50. For example, a P-shift switch 52 is provided in the vehicle. When the driver presses the P-shift switch 52, the gear is set to the parking position. This setting operation is also known as the P-setting operation. The operation signal accompanying the P-setting operation is sent to the vehicle ECU 50.

[0036] In addition, the speed sensor 54 sends a vehicle speed value to the body ECU 50. As will be described later, when the vehicle speed value exceeds a predetermined speed threshold, the body ECU 50 performs locking control on the outer handle 20 and the inner handle 22 installed on each of the doors 10. Details of the locking control will be described later.

[0037] A display 58 is provided on the dashboard of the passenger compartment. The display 58 is, for example, a touch panel display. Occupants can operate the display 58 to change the locking / unlocking settings. For example, the display 58 can be used to set the enabling / disabling settings of the shift-linked interior unlocking function, or the enabling / disabling settings of the shift-linked interior / exterior unlocking function, as described later. Furthermore, these settings can be set individually for multiple doors 10 installed on the vehicle. The set unlocking settings are stored in the memory 50C or ROM 50D of the body ECU 50.

[0038] The body ECU 50 is, for example, a computing device. The body ECU 50 includes a CPU 50A, RAM 50B, memory 50C, ROM 50D, and input / output controller 50E.

[0039] CPU 50A is the central processing unit, also known as a processor. RAM 50B is a volatile storage device that temporarily stores data during operation. ROM 50D is a storage device capable of reading data. Memory 50C is a storage device capable of writing and reading data. Memory 50C is, for example, composed of an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0040] The CPU 50A executes programs stored in memory 50C or ROM 50D, thus enabling the CPU 50A to perform... Figure 5 The shift-link unlocking control process is illustrated in the example. Furthermore, the CPU50A can execute... Figure 6 The front door locking control process is illustrated in the example. Furthermore, the CPU50A can execute... Figure 7 The backdoor locking control process is illustrated in the example. Figures 5 to 7 The details of the flowchart will be described later.

[0041] 3. Latch mechanism Reference Figure 2 The locking mechanism 30 includes a motor 32 and a latching mechanism 40. As described later, the latching mechanism 40 is switched between a latched state (closed) and an unlocked state (open) by being driven by the motor 32. The latching mechanism 40 includes a cylindrical worm gear 41, a worm wheel 42, a key lever 43, a pawl 44, and a fork 45.

[0042] The cylindrical worm gear 41 is connected to the motor 32. Furthermore, the cylindrical worm gear 41 meshes with the worm wheel 42. A hammer 42A is mounted on the worm wheel 42. A key lever 43 extends in the vehicle width direction. As described later, the rear end 43B of the key lever 43 abuts against the hammer 42A.

[0043] The key lever 43 and the pawl 44 rotate around a pivot 46B. The pawl 44 extends in the width direction of the vehicle. An abutment portion 44A is provided above the front end of the pawl 44. A cushioning component such as a rubber pad may also be provided on the abutment portion 44A. In addition, a cable connection portion 44B is provided below the front end of the pawl 44. A cable (not shown) extending from the outer handle 20 or the inner handle 22 is connected to the cable connection portion 44B. When the door 10 is mechanically opened as an emergency response, the pawl 44 is pulled down from the cable connection portion 44B.

[0044] The shift fork 45 has a pair of protrusions 45A and 45C. A retaining groove 45D is formed between the protrusions 45A and 45C. The firing pin 48 is retained in the retaining groove 45D. An abutment portion 45B is provided at the front end of the protrusion 45A. A cushioning component such as a rubber pad may also be provided on the abutment portion 45B.

[0045] A latching mechanism 40 is provided on the door 10, while a striker 48 is disposed on the vehicle body. For example, the striker 48 is mounted on a support pillar of the frame that serves as the entry and exit point. The striker 48 extends from the inner panel 14 of the door (see reference). Figure 1 The slit 14A is inserted into the retaining groove 45D of the shift fork 45.

[0046] The firing pin 48 is held in the retaining groove 45D of the shift fork 45, thus achieving the closed state of the door 10. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the firing pin 48 is disengaged from the retaining groove 45D, which makes the door 10 open.

[0047] 4. Locking / Unlocking in Electronic Locking and Unlocking The locking control system for the vehicle door 10 described in this embodiment is an electronic locking and unlocking system. That is, the locking control system can switch between locking / unlocking and latching / unlatching of the vehicle door 10 based on electrical control.

[0048] The locking / unlocking process in electronic locking and unlocking is implemented via the vehicle body ECU 50. That is, the operation signals generated by the operation of the outer handle 20 and the inner handle 22 are sent to the vehicle body ECU 50. The CPU 50A of the vehicle body ECU 50 determines whether to output a drive signal to the motor 32 based on the operation signals.

[0049] The state where a drive signal to motor 32 is not output even though an operation signal accompanying handle operation is received is a locked state. In other words, the state where handle operation and motor 32 drive are not linked is a locked state. In the locked state, even if an operation signal accompanying handle operation is received, the CPU 50A of the vehicle ECU 50 retains the output of a drive signal to motor 32.

[0050] Furthermore, the state in which a drive signal is output to the motor 32 upon receiving an operation signal accompanying handle operation is the unlocked state. In other words, the state in which handle operation and motor drive are linked is the unlocked state. In the unlocked state, when an operation signal accompanying handle operation is received, the CPU 50A of the vehicle ECU 50 outputs a drive signal to the motor 32.

[0051] In the door locking control system of this embodiment, locking / unlocking can be set independently for the outer handle 20 and the inner handle 22. For example, locking / unlocking settings for each handle are stored in the ROM 50D.

[0052] That is, as described later, the vehicle ECU 50 can set the inner handle 22 to unlock and the outer handle 20 to lock. By enabling such independent locking / unlocking settings, the shift-linked interior unlocking setting described later can be performed.

[0053] 5. Latching / Unlatching exist Figure 1 The latching mechanism 40 in the latched state is illustrated. In the latched state, the abutting portion 44A of the pawl 44 abuts against the abutting portion 45B of the shift fork 45. In this state, clockwise rotation of the shift fork 45 is restricted. That is, the striker 48 is held in the retaining groove 45D. In the latched state, the door 10 is closed relative to the vehicle body.

[0054] When a drive signal is output to motor 32, motor 32 rotates. The rotation of motor 32 causes the cylindrical worm gear 41 to rotate. This rotation is transmitted to the worm wheel 42. (See reference...) Figure 3 The worm gear 42 rotates counterclockwise around the rotating shaft 46A, thereby causing the hammer 42A of the worm gear 42 to push the rear end 43B of the key bar 43 upward.

[0055] As the hammer 42A pushes upward, the key lever 43 and the pawl 44 rotate around the pivot 46B. A force-applying plate 43A is provided on the upper front end of the key lever 43. By lifting the rear end 43B of the key lever 43, the front end of the key lever 43 is pressed down. At this time, the force-applying plate 43A presses down on the pawl 44. Consequently, the abutting portion 44A of the pawl 44 moves downward from the abutting portion 45B of the shift fork 45.

[0056] The state in which the abutting portion 44A of the pawl 44 disengages from the abutting portion 45B of the fork 45, in other words, the state in which the fork 45 can rotate clockwise, is the unlocked state. The unlocked state includes, for example, Figure 3 As shown, the fork 45 maintains the firing pin 48 in a fixed state, and as... Figure 4 As shown, the firing pin 48 is disengaged from the shift fork 45 (door open). In the unlocked state, the door 10 can be opened relative to the vehicle body.

[0057] For example, by opening the inner handle 22, the pawl 44 is disengaged from the shift fork 45 (unlatched). Further, by the occupant opening the door 10, the shift fork 45 is moved about the rotation axis 46C. Figure 4 Rotate clockwise (refer to) Figure 4 As a result, the firing pin 48 leaves the shift fork 45, thus opening the door 10 relative to the vehicle body.

[0058] 6. Gear shift linkage unlocking process exist Figure 5 The flowchart illustrating the gear shift linkage unlocking control is shown below. Each step of this flowchart is executed via the CPU 50A of the vehicle ECU 50.

[0059] This process begins when the gear is set to Park (P setting operation). In other words, Figure 5 The process involves locking and unlocking control linked to the P setting operation.

[0060] Before the P setting operation, for example, the gear is set to drive. That is, the vehicle is in motion. While the vehicle is in motion, the body ECU 50 performs locking control on both the interior and exterior sides of all doors 10. That is, even if the outer handle 20 and the inner handle 22 of each door 10 are operated, the body ECU 50 retains the output of drive signals to the motor 32. Whether the vehicle is in motion can be determined by whether the vehicle speed value sent from the speed sensor 54 exceeds a specified speed threshold.

[0061] When the vehicle is parked in a parking area or similar location and the gear is set to parking (when a P setting operation is performed), the CPU 50A of the vehicle ECU 50 refers to the shift linkage lock setting stored in the memory 50C or ROM 50D.

[0062] The shift linkage lock setting is set to any one of the following values: "Shift linkage lock setting invalid", "Shift linkage indoor / outdoor unlock setting valid", and "Shift linkage indoor lock setting valid".

[0063] CPU50A determines whether the shift linkage interior unlock setting is valid by referring to the shift linkage lock setting (S10). If the shift linkage interior unlock setting is invalid, CPU50A determines whether the shift linkage interior and exterior unlock setting is valid (S12). If the shift linkage interior and exterior unlock setting is invalid, CPU50A maintains locked control on the outer handle 20 and the inner handle 22 of the door 10 even if the gear is set to the parking position.

[0064] In step S12, when the gear shift linkage indoor / outdoor unlock setting is enabled, the CPU 50A performs gear shift linkage indoor / outdoor unlock control in a manner linked with the P setting operation. That is, the CPU 50A performs unlock control on the outer handle 20 and the inner handle 22 of the door 10 instead of locking control (S14).

[0065] In step S10, when the shift linkage interior unlock setting is enabled, the CPU 50A sets the interior side of the door 10 to unlock. That is, the CPU 50A performs unlock control on the interior handle 22 of the door 10 instead of locking control (S16). On the other hand, the CPU 50A maintains locking control on the exterior handle 20 of the door 10 (S18).

[0066] By linking gear shifting with the interior door unlocking control, accidental opening of the door from the outside of the vehicle is prevented when the P setting is activated.

[0067] exist Figure 6 The diagram illustrates the control flow of the front door in the gear shift linkage interior unlocking control. The CPU 50A determines whether the inner handle 22 has been opened (S20). For example, the CPU 50A determines whether there is an operation signal from the inner handle sensor (not shown). If no operation signal is received, the CPU 50A waits to receive an operation signal.

[0068] When the opening operation of the inner handle 22 is detected, the CPU 50A executes the indoor / outdoor unlocking control instead of the shift-linked indoor unlocking control (S22). That is, the CPU 50A uses both the outer handle 20 and the inner handle 22 as the objects of unlocking control. As a result, the door 10 is temporarily opened, and after being closed, the door 10 can be opened from the outside of the vehicle.

[0069] exist Figure 7 The following example illustrates the control flow of the rear door in the gear shift linkage indoor unlocking control. The CPU 50A determines whether the inner handle 22 of the rear door has been opened (S30). If no operation signal indicating an opening operation is received, the CPU 50A waits for a signal to be received.

[0070] When an opening operation of the inner handle 22 is detected, the CPU 50A determines whether the temporarily opened rear door has been closed (whether latch restoration has been performed) (S32). The latch restoration detection can be determined based on the presence or absence of a detection signal from the door sensor. While the rear door is in the open state, the CPU 50A keeps the process waiting until the latch is restored.

[0071] When the rear door latch is detected to be restored, the CPU 50A performs interior / exterior unlocking control on the rear door instead of shift-link interior unlocking control (S34). That is, the CPU 50A uses both the outer handle 20 and the inner handle 22 as the objects of unlocking control. As a result, the door 10 is temporarily opened, and after closing, the door 10 can be opened from the outside of the vehicle.

[0072] 7. Shift-linked locking settings can be customized by pressing the door. Although the above implementation effectively sets the gear shift linkage interior unlocking for all vehicle doors, locking / unlocking can also be set for each door.

[0073] For example, the vehicle ECU 50 can also only use the pre-set door 10 as the target for shift-linked interior unlocking control. For example, it can be controlled via the display 58 (see reference). Figure 2 This customization is done through the operation of ) .

[0074] For example, when a child is sitting in the rear seat, if the gear shift-linked interior unlock is effectively set for the rear door, the child may open the rear door against the driver's intention. In such cases, by disabling the gear shift-linked interior unlock, which is the opposite of the child protection function, the rear seat door 10 can be operated according to the driver's intention.

[0075] Symbol Explanation 10…Door; 12…Outer door panel; 14…Inner door panel; 20…Outer handle; 22…Inner handle; 30…Locking mechanism; 32…Motor; 40…Latch mechanism; 41…Cylinder worm; 42…Worm wheel; 43…Key lever; 44…Pawl; 45…Shift fork; 48…Striker; 50…Body ECU (locking controller); 52…P gear switch.

Claims

1. A door locking control system, comprising: A locking mechanism comprising a latching mechanism and a motor, the latching mechanism switching between an unlocked state in which the door can be opened relative to the vehicle body and a latched state in which the door can be closed relative to the vehicle body, and the motor being capable of switching the latching mechanism between the unlocked state and the latched state; A locking controller that outputs a drive signal to the motor. While the vehicle is in motion, the locking controller performs locking control on the inner and outer handles located on each of the doors, retaining the output of the drive signal corresponding to the handle operation. When the vehicle's gear is set to Park (P), the locking controller performs a locking / unlocking control linked to the Park (P) setting operation, i.e., gear shift-linked interior unlocking control. In the aforementioned gear shift linkage chamber unlocking control, The locking controller performs unlocking control for the inner handle, outputting the drive signal based on handle operation. The locking controller maintains the locking control for the outer handle.

2. The door locking control system as described in claim 1, wherein, The locking controller uses one of the multiple doors, which is pre-set, as the target of the gear shift linkage interior unlocking control.

3. The door locking control system as described in claim 1, wherein, In the gear shift linkage indoor unlocking control, when the inner handle is operated, instead of the gear shift linkage indoor unlocking control, the locking controller performs indoor and outdoor unlocking control, setting the inner handle and the outer handle as the objects of the unlocking control.

4. The door locking control system as described in claim 1, wherein, After the door, which had been in the unlocked state due to operation of the inner handle, is closed and returns to the latched state, the latch is restored. Instead of the shift-linked interior unlock control, the locking controller performs interior and exterior unlock control, setting the inner handle and the outer handle as the objects of the unlock control.

Images