Control device for an opening and closing element and method for controlling the opening and closing element

Abstract

A control device (1) for an opening and closing element (11) for preventing a foreign object from becoming caught with the opening and closing element (11) which is driven to open based on an operation of an operating switch (4, 6), the control device comprising: a drive device (2) which drives an opening movement or a closing movement of the opening and closing element (11); a control device (31) which controls an actuation of the drive device; a movement detection device (27) which outputs a movement state signal according to a movement state of the opening and closing element (11) which is driven by the drive device to open or close; and an entanglement detection section (31a) which performs entanglement detection to detect entanglement of the foreign object with the opening and closing element (11) based on the movement state signal, where: the entanglement detection section (31a) further determines the entanglement of the foreign object with the opening and closing member (11) affirmatively or negatively based on a result of a comparison of the movement state signal output by the movement detection means with an entanglement determination threshold value; the control device stops an electric power supply to the drive device when the entanglement detecting section affirmatively determines the entanglement of the foreign object, thereby allowing the stop of the opening movement of the opening and closing member (11); the control device, upon fulfillment of a predetermined reopening condition, starts the electric power supply to the drive device based on an operation of the operating switch in a facilitated condition state, wherein a restart of the opening movement of the opening and closing element (11) is permitted, the facilitated condition state uses a second entanglement detection condition which is facilitated compared to a first entanglement detection condition, the first entanglement detection condition was previously used, and, if the entanglement detection affirmatively determines the entanglement, the predetermined reopening condition is met if an operation of the operating switch for an opening movement of the opening and closing element takes place within a predetermined period of time since the opening and closing element has stopped after the entanglement detection, a plurality of opening and closing elements (11) are provided, and a plurality of operating switches are provided; an operating switch is arranged near an opening and closing element (11) for manipulating the one opening and closing element (11); and the predetermined reopening condition for the one opening and closing element (11) is an operation of the one operating switch which is arranged in the vicinity of the one opening and closing element (11), the operation serving the opening movement of the one opening and closing element (11).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control device for an opening and closing member and a method for controlling an opening and closing member; in particular, the device and the method are suitably applied in a vehicle when detecting a foreign matter caught between a window glass serving as the opening and closing member and a band molding in cases where the window glass is operated to open or lower it. STATE OF THE ART [Patent Literature 1] JP H08-260810A [Patent Literature 2] WO 99 / 42691 (US 6,505,127 B1) [Patent Literature 3] JP 2011-122369 A [Patent literature 4] DE 693 10 088 T2 [Patent literature 5] DE 103 49 116 A1 [Patent Literature 6] JP ​​H05 - 10 067 A [Patent Literature 7] US 5,469,138 A

[0002] A conventional control device for an opening and closing member such as a power window provides a technology that stores predetermined data such as a motor rotation cycle / motor rotation speed in a storage unit, and detects a jamming load based on an increase and a decrease of the motor rotation cycle / motor rotation speed using a microcomputer for the purpose of protecting a foreign matter from being jammed or inserted (Patent Literatures: 1, 2).

[0003] In addition, when a band molding member or band strip itself is caught by the window glass at the time of an opening movement of a window glass, which functions as an opening and closing element, a higher than usual load is added to a motor. If the heavy load continues, damage is caused to the motor, resulting in an abnormality in generating an unusual sound and a reduction in movement speed. A technology is proposed to prevent such an abnormality while eliminating the problem of damaging a foreign object when the foreign object is caught between the band strip and the window glass (Patent Literature 3).

[0004] Patent Literatures 1 and 2 disclose a function for preventing entanglement, but do not disclose a function for preventing entanglement at the time of opening movement of a window glass functioning as an opening and closing member. Patent Literature 3 discloses an opening and closing member control device and its control method, which have a function for preventing entanglement of an opening and closing member and for providing a measure for responding to the entanglement of a foreign object when the window glass is in the opening movement.

[0005] However, such a measure is configured to stop the window glass when the entanglement of a foreign object is detected. Sliding loss between a window glass and a band rail may increase due to deformation of the band rail or reduction of atmospheric temperature; an abnormality such as a gap or sticking in an opening and closing device may occur during driving of a vehicle; or a mundane change may occur in a system such as a power window. Such factors may increase the sliding load, which may result in erroneous detection of the entanglement even though such entanglement does not occur, and thus there is no need to stop the opening movement of the opening and closing member.When such a misdetection occurs, the window glass as an opening and closing element stops regularly; this deteriorates the manageability or manipulatability of a control device for an opening and closing element.

[0006] In addition, although the detection of entanglement during the lowering (opening movement) of the opening and closing member stops the opening and closing member, there are some cases where the opening movement is certainly required to continue when the opening and closing member is required to be definitely lowered or moved to a predetermined position under predetermined conditions or switch operations, for example: an opening movement to a predetermined position to release the entanglement after the detection of the entanglement during an opening-closing movement; an opening movement of the opening and closing member at the time of escaping from a submerged vehicle; an opening movement of the opening and closing member based on the intention or desire of a user; and an opening movement by the manipulation orOperating radio equipment from outside a vehicle in a state where no one is present in the vehicle compartment. These cases do not pose major problems, even if priority is given to the opening movement. Therefore, a control device for an opening and closing element is desired that allows a safe opening movement in the above various cases while preventing pinching.

[0007] Furthermore, Patent Literature 4 discloses a control device for a power window provided with a safety function for opening the window to a fully open position when an overload occurs in the power window during a closing operation of the window to a fully closed position, comprising a sub-switch operated during operation for manually opening and closing a window provided in a door other than the driver's door; a main switch to be arranged in a driver's seat door and operable for opening and closing the window provided in the door other than the driver's seat door; a flow device for causing currents in opening and closing directions to flow into a power window motor in response to an on-off operation of the sub-switch;a detection device for detecting an obstacle, such as a hand or the like caught in the window during the flow of current in the closing direction in the power window motor, to generate a detection signal; an interruption device for interrupting the current flowing in the closing direction in the power window motor in response to the detection signal from the detection device; and a reversing device for reversing the direction of rotation of the power window motor by causing the current to flow in the opening direction in the motor in response to the detection signal, wherein the main switch has priority over the sub-switch so that the obstacle is released even when the main switch and the sub-switch are operated in opposite directions at the same time;wherein the control device further comprises a driver switch that operates, either automatically upon touch or manually, another electric window motor to open and close a window provided in the driver's seat door; and the flow device includes an automatic opening and closing mode, a manual mode, and a special mode for forcibly moving at least the windows provided in the door other than the driver's seat door to a fully open or closed position, regardless of the detection signal from the detection device.

[0008] Furthermore, Patent Literature 5 discloses a control device for an opening / closing member that changes a predetermined judgment value from a first judgment value to a second judgment value larger than the first judgment value after the operation of an operation switch is repeated for a predetermined time when the control for stopping and reversing the movement of the opening / closing member is repeated when the operation switch is operated to close the opening / closing member again after the control for stopping and reversing the opening / closing member is executed, and the second judgment value is returned to the first judgment value after a predetermined time has passed after the change of the predetermined judgment value to the second judgment value.

[0009] Patent Literature 6 discloses a window opening and closing controller including a motor for driving the opening / closing of the window and a detection means for detecting the presence / absence of a resistance that hinders the opening / closing operation of the window. In the controller, when the motor is stopped or reversed and then a switching operation is performed to drive the motor in the original rotation direction, the subsequent stop or reversal operation of the motor is canceled.

[0010] Furthermore, Patent Literature 7 discloses an automatic control device including a danger detection unit for generating a danger signal upon detection of a dangerous condition. A power switching unit bypasses a manual control unit of the automatic control device to supply a power signal from a DC power supply unit to a drive control unit, thereby enabling the drive control unit to activate a door drive unit to automatically move a rolling door to an open position upon receiving the danger signal. The drive control unit can be used to activate an automatic braking mechanism, an automatic door opening mechanism, or both when the automatic control device is installed in an automobile. SUMMARY

[0011] It is a first object of the present disclosure to provide a control device for an opening and closing member and a method for controlling an opening and closing member. The device and method have a function of preventing entanglement during an opening movement of the opening and closing member while advancing the opening movement with certainty even upon misdetection of entanglement, thereby preventing deterioration of operability. Furthermore, the device and method restart an opening movement when they confirm misdetection of entanglement, even after the opening movement is stopped by such misdetection of entanglement.

[0012] It is a second object to provide a control device for an opening and closing member, which has a prevention device for avoiding entanglement during an opening movement of the opening and closing member, while avoiding an incorrect stop during the opening movement of the opening and closing member under a predetermined condition, thereby achieving an opening movement of the opening and closing member with certainty.

[0013] The above objects are achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0014] According to an example of the present disclosure, an opening and closing member control device is provided to prevent a foreign object from being caught on an opening and closing member driven to open based on an operation of a manipulation switch.The device includes: a drive device that drives an opening movement or a closing movement of the opening and closing member; a control device that controls the operation of the drive device; a movement detection device that outputs a movement state signal according to a movement state of the opening and closing member driven to open or close by the drive device; and an entanglement detection section that performs entanglement detection to detect the entanglement of the foreign object with the opening and closing member based on the movement state signal. Furthermore, the entanglement detection section further determines positively or negatively.affirmatively or negatively determines the entanglement of the foreign object with the opening and closing member based on a result of comparing the movement state signal output by the movement detection device with an entanglement determination threshold. The control device stops the electric power supply to the drive device when the entanglement detection section positively or affirmatively determines the entanglement of the foreign object, thereby permitting the stopping of the opening movement of the opening and closing member. The control device starts the electric power supply to the drive device at a predetermined reopening condition based on manipulation of the manipulation switch in a condition-easing state, thereby permitting the restart of the opening movement of the opening and closing member.The condition-easing condition uses a second entanglement detection condition that is mitigated compared to a first entanglement detection condition that was previously used when the entanglement detection affirmatively determines entanglement.

[0015] Further, according to another example of the present disclosure, a method for controlling an opening and closing member is provided in the opening and closing member control device according to the above example.The method includes: affirmatively or negatively determining the entanglement of the foreign object with the opening and closing member based on a result of comparing the movement state signal output by the movement detecting means with an entanglement determination threshold; stopping an electric power supply to the driving means when the entanglement of the foreign object is affirmatively determined, allowing a stop of an opening movement of the opening and closing member; and starting, at a predetermined reopening condition, an electric power supply to the driving means based on a manipulation of the manipulation switch in the facilitated condition state, allowing the restart of the opening movement of the opening and closing member.

[0016] Furthermore, according to another example of the present disclosure, a control device for an opening and closing member is provided based on manipulation of a switch or a signal from a control circuit in a vehicle. The device includes a control device for performing entanglement prevention that prevents a foreign object from becoming entangled with the opening and closing member in the process of opening. The control device includes (i) a cancellation section for canceling entanglement detection made to perform entanglement prevention, or (ii) a facilitation section for facilitating or alleviating a condition of entanglement detection.In cases where the control device detects a predetermined condition when an opening movement is required for the opening and closing element, the control device causes (i) the cancellation section to cancel the entanglement detection, or (ii) the facilitation section to facilitate or mitigate the entanglement detection condition.

[0017] Still further, according to another example of the present disclosure, an opening and closing member control device is provided for preventing a foreign matter from becoming caught with an opening and closing member driven to open based on manipulation of a switch or a signal from a control circuit in a vehicle.The device includes: a drive device that drives an opening movement or a closing movement of the opening and closing member; a control device that controls an operation of the drive device; a movement detection device that outputs a movement state signal according to a movement state of the opening and closing member driven to be opened or closed by the drive device; and an entanglement detection section that performs entanglement detection to detect entanglement of the foreign object with the opening and closing member based on the movement state signal.The entanglement detection section further affirmatively or negatively determines the entanglement of the foreign object with the opening and closing member based on a result of a comparison of the movement state signal output by the movement detection means with an entanglement determination threshold. The control means includes (i) a cancellation section for canceling the entanglement detection, or (ii) a facilitation section for facilitating or lowering the entanglement determination threshold upon affirmative or negative determination of the entanglement. When, under a predetermined condition, an opening movement is required for the opening and closing member, the control means causes (i) the cancellation section to cancel the entanglement detection, or (ii) the facilitation section to facilitate or lower the entanglement determination threshold. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0018] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a diagram for explaining a power window device as an opening and closing control device according to the embodiments of the present disclosure; Fig. 2 an electrical block diagram of the electric window lifting device of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional diagram taken along a line III-III in Fig. 1 was made. Fig. 4A, Fig. 4B, Fig. 4C diagrams to explain entanglement determination; Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining a difference in a rotational speed when a disturbance occurs; Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an entanglement determination method according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a full-open mode according to the first embodiment; Fig. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a process after entanglement detection according to the first embodiment; Fig. 9 is a flowchart illustrating another process after entanglement detection according to the first embodiment; Fig. 10 is a flowchart illustrating entanglement determination and entanglement determination termination according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a process after a reopening command according to the second embodiment; Fig. 12 is a flowchart illustrating entanglement determination and entanglement detection facilitation according to the second embodiment; and Fig. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a change of a threshold value and an entanglement detection cancellation according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTIONFirst embodiment

[0019] A power window device 1 (hereinafter: “the device 1”) as a control device for an opening and closing member according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to 9 are explained.

[0020] In relation to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the device 1 of the present embodiment includes the following: a drive means or drive device 2 which performs an opening and closing drive or an opening and closing movement of a window glass 11 serving as an opening and closing member and which is provided in a door 10 of a vehicle; a controller 31, which is mainly included in a control means or control device 3, for controlling the operation of the drive device 2 and for performing various detections and calculations; and a switch 4 (down switch 4a, up switch 4b, automatic switch 4c) and a radio signal switch 6 (down switch 6a, up switch 6b), which also serves as a tamper switch.is referred to as an operating switch and is used by an occupant of the vehicle to request an operation of the drive device 2 or a movement of the window glass 11. The drive device 2 includes a motor 20 and performs an upward-downward movement (ie, an opening and closing movement) of a window glass 11 by a rotational drive of the motor 20.

[0021] In relation to Fig. 3 indicates the Fig. 10 a storage space in a lower portion of the door 10 (ie, below a belt line of the vehicle) for storing a window glass 11 which is lowered; the storage space is provided between an outer panel 15 arranged on an outside of the vehicle (an exterior of the vehicle in a width direction) and an inner panel 16 arranged on the inside of the vehicle (an interior of the vehicle in the width direction). Further, as shown in Fig. 1, the door 10 has a window frame (glass frame) 12 in an upper portion; the window glass 11 is lifted or rises above a lower frame portion of the window frame 12 to thereby emerge from the storage space in an interior region of the window frame 12, thereby performing an open-closed or up-down movement. The lower frame portion of the window frame 12 is provided with outer and inner band moldings or band strips (i.e., band line moldings) 13, 14, which serve as sealing elements, as shown in Fig. 3. The outer molding 13 is attached to an upper portion of the outer panel 15; the inner molding 14 is attached to an upper portion of the inner panel 16.

[0022] The window glass 11 passes or moves through a gap between the outer formation 13 and the inner formation 14, and undergoes an up-down movement within the window frame 12. The outer formation 13 and the inner formation 14 include sealing projections 13a, 13b, 14a, 14b, each projecting toward the window glass 11; these sealing projections 13a, 13b, 14a, 14b are elastically press-fitted to the glass surface of the window glass 11.

[0023] In addition, the upper frame portion of the window frame 12 is similarly provided with a weatherstrip (i.e., an upper molding) as a sealing member (not shown). The weatherstrip is provided at its lower end with a groove opening downward. The groove is formed to accommodate or receive the uppermost end of the window glass 11 in a predetermined length. The glass surface of the accommodated uppermost end of the window glass 11 is press-fitted to the inner wall of the groove. In the present embodiment, the window glass 11 undergoes an up-and-down movement (i.e., lowering and lifting) between a high fully closed position (uppermost end) and a low fully opened position (lowermost end) according to a predetermined rule.

[0024] In relation to Fig. 1, the drive device 2 of the present embodiment includes a motor 20 mounted on the door 10 and having a deceleration mechanism and a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism mainly includes the following: an up-down arm 21 equipped with a fan-shaped or sector-shaped gear 21a driven by the motor 20; a driven arm 22 centrally intersecting with the up-down arm 21; a fixed channel 23 mounted on the door 10; and a glass-side channel 24 integrated with the window glass 11.

[0025] The motor 20 of the present embodiment receives electric power from a battery 5 via the controller 31 and a drive circuit 32, which will be mentioned later; thereby, the winding of the rotor of the motor 20 receives electric current. This creates a magnetic attraction function between the rotor and a stator with a magnet, allowing the rotor to rotate forward and backward. In the drive device 2 of the present embodiment, the rotation of the motor 20 pivots the up-down arm 21 and the driven arm 22; the ends of the arms 21 and 22 slide under restriction through the channels 23 and 24 and are driven as an X-link. This enables up-down movement of the window glass 11.

[0026] The motor 20 is equipped with a rotation detection unit 27 as a motion detection means or a motion detection device or a motion speed detection means or a motion speed detection device, which is integrated as a body into the motor 20. The rotation detection unit 27 outputs pulse signals (speed detection signals or motion state signals) synchronized with the rotation of the motor 20 to the controller 31. Using a plurality of Hall elements, the rotation detection unit 27 serves to detect a magnetic variation of the magnet that rotates together with the output shaft of the motor 20.

[0027] With such a configuration, the rotation detection unit 27 outputs pulse signals in synchronization with the rotation of the motor 20. That is, the pulse signals are output for the corresponding predetermined movement amounts of the window glass 11 or the corresponding predetermined rotation angles of the motor 20. Therefore, the rotation detection unit 27 can output the signals according to the movement of the window glass 11, which are approximately proportional to the rotation speeds of the motor 20. After receiving the pulse signals from the rotation detection unit 27, the controller 31 counts pulse edges of the pulse signals and detects the position of the window glass 11 according to a pulse count. In the present embodiment, the rotation detection unit 27 and the controller 31 can thus function as a position detecting means or device.

[0028] In the present embodiment, the rotation detection unit 27 includes Hall elements; however, there is no need to be limited to this. As long as the rotation of the motor 20 can be detected, an encoder can be used. In addition, a ripple current is generated when electric current applied to the winding of the motor is switched. The waveform of the ripple current can be detected; this allows detection of a rotation speed or rotational position of the motor (i.e., a position of the opening and closing element). In the present embodiment, the rotation detection unit 27 is provided in the motor 20 so as to detect the rotation of the output shaft of the motor 20 according to the movement of the window glass 11; however, there is no need to be limited to this. The position of the window glass 11 can be directly determined using a well-known technology.

[0029] The control device 3 (i.e., the controller 31) of the present embodiment includes an entanglement detection section 31a and a clamp detection section 31b. The controller 31, the motor 20, and the drive circuit 32 receive electric power required for operation from the battery 5 mounted in the vehicle. The controller 31 includes a microcomputer provided with a CPU, an input circuit, an output circuit, and memories such as ROM and RAM. The CPU communicates with the memories, the input circuit, and the output circuit via a bus. In addition, the controller 31 is connected to an ECU 7 in a vehicle body via a wired link (i.e., a wire harness) or a wireless link. The controller 31 may be provided as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) or a gate array.

[0030] Additionally, as in Fig. 2, the controller 31 receives various signals from the ECU 7, such as a remote control signal 7a, a smoke emission operation signal 7b, or a lock operation signal 7c. The remote control signal 7a is a signal received by a receiving section (not shown); the signal includes a signal from the switches 6a, 6b of the radio signal switch 6, a switching signal of a door lock, or a switching signal of a trunk. The smoke emission operation signal 7b is a signal for exhausting or circulating air in the vehicle when a measuring device in the vehicle (not shown) detects an abnormal atmosphere in the vehicle compartment; the measuring device measures heat, smoke, or fire. The lock operation signal 7c is a signal generated according to an operation of a vehicle key or door handle, or a signal generated when the vehicle sinks or submerges in water.

[0031] During a typical operation of the device 1, the controller 31 performs an up-down movement of the window glass 11 by forward and reverse operation of the motor 20 via the drive circuit 32 based on a manipulation signal from the switch 4 (down switch 4a, down switch 4b, automatic switch 4c). In addition, the controller 31 detects the position of the window glass 11 based on the pulse signal received from the rotation detection unit 27 and adjusts the amount of driving electric power supplied to the motor 20 via the drive circuit 32 depending on the detected position of the window glass 11. To be more specific, the amount of duty cycle is adjusted while controlling the amount of driving electric power or voltage or controlling PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) to adjust the output of the motor 20.

[0032] The drive circuit 32 includes an IC with an FET (Field Effect Transistor) and switches the polarity of the electric power supply to the motor 20 based on an input signal from the controller 31. That is, when a forward rotation command signal is received from the controller 31, the drive circuit 32 provides electric power to the motor 20 such that the motor 20 rotates in the forward rotation direction. When a reverse rotation command signal is received from the controller 31, the drive circuit 32 provides electric power to the motor 20 such that the motor 20 rotates in the reverse rotation direction. In addition, when a rotation stop command signal is received from the controller 31, the electric power supply to the motor is stopped. The drive circuit 32 can switch the polarity using a relay circuit.In addition, the drive circuit 32 may be incorporated into the controller 31 and thus included in the control device 3.

[0033] The controller 31 detects pulse edges including rising portions and falling portions of the input pulse signals, and calculates a rotation speed (rotation cycle) of the motor 20 based on intervals (cycles) of the pulse edges, while detecting the direction of rotation of the motor 20 based on the phase differences of the pulse signals. That is, the controller 31 indirectly calculates a movement speed of the window glass 11 based on the rotation speed (rotation cycle) of the motor 20, and specifies the movement direction of the window glass 11 based on the direction of rotation of the motor 20. In addition, the controller 31 counts the pulse edges. The pulse count is subtracted or added in conjunction with the open-close movement of the window glass 11. The controller 31 specifies the opening and closing positions of the window glass 11 based on the magnitude of the pulse count.

[0034] That is, the window glass 11 can be driven based on the fully closed position defined as a reference position. When a fully closed position is defined as a reference position, the fully closed position corresponds to a pulse count of zero "0." Thereafter, in cases where the window glass 11 moves toward one end (e.g., the fully opened position) of a moving range (moving segment), the pulse count is increased each time a pulse signal is received. In contrast, in cases where the window glass 11 moves toward the other end (e.g., the fully closed position) of the moving range, the pulse count is decreased each time a pulse signal is received.

[0035] Furthermore, the window glass 11 may alternatively be moved based on the fully open position defined as a reference position. When the fully open position is defined as a reference position, the fully open position corresponds to a pulse count of zero "0." As the window glass moves toward the fully closed position, the pulse count is increased. As the window glass 11 moves toward the fully open position, the pulse count is decreased.

[0036] The switch 4 includes the down switch 4a for opening the window glass 11, the up switch 4b for closing the window glass 11, and the automatic switch 4c, as explained above. The occupant, including a driver, manipulates the down switch 4a, the up switch 4b, or the automatic switch 4c; thereby, the command signal for an open-close movement of the window glass 11 is output to the controller 31. The window glass 11 can be moved only during manual manipulation of the down switch 4a or the up switch 4b by the occupant, and the window glass 11 can be moved to a fully open position or a fully closed position by a single manipulation of the automatic switch 4c.

[0037] To be more specific, the down switch 4a is manipulated (pushed or pulled) to one side, and the down switch 4a is turned on to output an ordinary opening command signal to the controller 31; the ordinary opening command signal is for controlling the window glass 11 to perform an ordinary opening movement, which is an opening movement performed only during manipulation to move it to an open state.In contrast, the up switch 4b is manipulated (pulled or pushed) to one side, and the up switch 4b is turned on to output an ordinary closing command signal to the controller 31. The ordinary closing command signal is used to control the window glass 11 to perform an ordinary closing movement, which is a closing movement performed only during manipulation to move it to a closed state. The vehicle or device 1 is provided with a plurality of switches 4. Some switches 4 are arranged near the driver's seat so that all the corresponding window glasses 11 can be controlled. Each of the other switches 4, except those near the driver's seat, is arranged near a window glass 11 of an occupant other than the driver so that the nearby window glass 11 can be controlled.

[0038] Furthermore, the automatic switch 4c can be replaced with the down switch 4a and the up switch 4b, which are swing switches capable of being manipulated in two steps; this achieves an opening function, a closing function, and an automatic function. To be more specific, the down switch 4a is manipulated (pulled or pushed) one step to one side, and the down switch 4a is turned on to output an ordinary opening command signal to the controller 31. The ordinary opening command signal is used to control the window glass 11 to perform an ordinary opening movement, which is an opening movement performed only during the manipulation to move it to an open state.In contrast, when the up switch 4b is manipulated (pulled or pushed) one step to one side, the up switch 4b is turned on to output an ordinary closing command signal to the controller 31; the ordinary closing command signal is for controlling the window glass 11 to perform an ordinary closing movement, which is a closing movement performed only during the manipulation to move it to a closed state.

[0039] Further, the down switch 4a is manipulated (pulled or pushed) two steps to one side, whereby both the down switch and the automatic switch are turned on to output an automatic opening command signal to the controller 31; the automatic opening command signal is for controlling the window glass to perform an automatic opening movement, which is an opening movement to move it to a position just before the full-open position, even after the manipulation is stopped.Further, the up switch 4b is manipulated (pulled or pushed) two steps to one side, whereby both the up switch and the automatic switch are turned on so as to output an automatic closing command signal to the controller 31; the automatic closing command signal is for controlling the window glass 11 to perform an automatic closing movement, which is a closing movement to move it to a position short of the fully closed position, even after the manipulation is stopped.

[0040] The present embodiment includes the radio signal switch 6, which is different from the switches inside the vehicle. The radio signal switch 6, which allows remote control from outside the vehicle, is integrated, for example, into a remote key (not shown) using radio waves or infrared rays. Furthermore, the radio signal key 6 may be incorporated into a cellular phone. The radio signal is received as the remote control signal 7a of the ECU 7. The radio signal switch 6 of the present embodiment includes a down switch 6a and an up switch 6b, whose switch manipulation allows remote control such that the ECU 7 outputs the remote control signal 7a to the controller 31. Except for the remote control, the switches 6a, 6b have the same functions as those of the aforementioned down switch 4a and up switch 4b; therefore, explanations of these functions are omitted.

[0041] The controller 31 includes the entanglement detection section 31a and the pinch detection section 31b. While receiving the ordinary opening command signal from the down switch 4a (while the down switch is manipulated), the controller 31 drives the motor 20 via the drive circuit 32 to allow ordinary opening movement of the window glass 11. At this time, when entanglement occurs, the entanglement is detected by the entanglement detection section 31a. In contrast, while receiving the ordinary closing command signal from the up switch 4b (while the up switch is manipulated), the controller 31 drives the motor 20 via the drive circuit 32 to allow ordinary closing movement of the window glass 11. At this time, when entanglement occurs, the entanglement is detected by the pinch detection section 31b.

[0042] In addition, when the automatic opening command signal or the automatic closing command signal is received from the automatic switch 4c (or a two-stage manipulation of the down switch 4a or the up switch 4b), the controller 31 drives the motor 20 via the drive circuit 32 to allow an automatic opening movement or an automatic closing movement to move the window glass 11 to a position short of the fully open position or a position short of the fully closed position, respectively.

[0043] The controller 31 monitors, using the entanglement detection section 31a, the occurrence or non-occurrence of entanglement in the window glass 11 when the window glass 11 performs an opening movement (ordinary opening movement or automatic opening movement). That is, the occurrence of entanglement causes the reduction of the moving speed (the lowering speed) of the window glass 11 and the reduction of the rotation speed of the motor 20 (an extension of the rotation cycle), which is related to the reduction of the moving speed of the window glass 11. Therefore, the controller 31 continuously monitors the fluctuation of the rotation speed of the motor 20.

[0044] The entanglement detecting section 31a of the controller 31 detects the start of entanglement between the window glass and the band strips 13, 14 based on the fluctuation of the rotational speed of the motor 20 (ie, the lowering speed of the window glass 11), and then determines the occurrence of entanglement (ie, determines the entanglement affirmatively) when it detects that the rotational speed varies by a predetermined amount after detecting the start of entanglement.

[0045] If the entanglement is affirmatively determined (i.e., the occurrence of entanglement is determined), the controller 31 intends to release a foreign object caught between the window glass 11 and the band strips 13, 14 or to stop the progress of the entanglement. To this end, the controller 31 controls the electric power supply to the motor 20 to stop or reverse the movement of the motor 20, thereby stopping the opening (lowering) movement of the window glass 11 or thereby raising or elevating the window glass 11 by a predetermined distance (predetermined amount).

[0046] In contrast, the controller 31 monitors the occurrence or non-occurrence of entanglement by the window glass 11 when the window glass 11 performs a closing movement (ordinary closing movement or automatic closing movement) using the pinch detection section 31b. The pinch detection can use a well-known technology from the aforementioned patent literatures; therefore, the explanation of this detail is omitted. In addition, in the above, the occurrence or non-occurrence of entanglement is monitored based on the fluctuation of the rotational speed of the motor 20, which is relevant to the moving speed or moving state of the window glass 11. There is no need to be limited to this. For example, the moving state of the window glass 11 can be detected by monitoring the fluctuation of the electric current flowing into the motor 20 being driven.If the electric current increases by more than a predetermined value, entanglement can be detected.

[0047] The following will be an overview of a method for determining entanglement in the device 1 with reference to Fig. 4. The entanglement detection section 31a of the controller 31 calculates a rotational speed ω of the motor 20 based on pulse signals received from the rotation detection unit 27 and stores the calculated rotational speed ω of the motor 20. Fig. Figure 4A shows a fluctuation state of the rotational speed ω calculated as above. The ordinate axis of Fig. 4A corresponds to a motor rotation speed, and the abscissa axis corresponds to a pulse number. Fig. Figure 4A shows an example of a state in which entanglement reduces the rotational speed ω of the motor 20 from a middle point in time. Data line A1 indicates a state in which a hard body is entangled to reduce the rotational speed ω with a large deceleration; data line B1 indicates a state in which a soft body is entangled to reduce the rotational speed ω with a slight deceleration. Furthermore, in Fig. 4B and Fig. 4C, data lines A2 and A3 correspond to the state where a hard body is entangled; data lines B2, B3 correspond to a soft body that is entangled.

[0048] The device 1 of the present embodiment performs movement speed fluctuation calculation using a CPU shown. A rotation speed difference Δω is calculated based on the rotation speed ω data; the rotation speed difference Δω is a difference between the rotation speed ω of the current time and the rotation speed ω of a past time, which is several pulse edges before the current time. That is, the fluctuation of the rotation speed ω at the current time is calculated against the rotation speed ω of the past time. The rotation speed difference Δω is equivalent to the rate of change of the rotation speed (movement speed), or equivalent to the fluctuation or changed portion of the rotation speed from the current time by several pulse edges. Fig. 4B shows the fluctuation state of the rotational speed difference Δω. In Fig. 4A, the absolute value of the rotational speed difference Δω of the data line A1 is larger than that of the data line B1.

[0049] Now, the entanglement detection section 31a of the controller 31, which detects the start of entanglement, determines whether the calculated rotational speed difference Δω exceeds a fluctuation determination threshold α. If the fluctuation determination threshold α is exceeded, it is determined that entanglement has started. Fig. 4B, the start of the entanglement is detected at point P1 or point P2. However, the entanglement is not determined at this time, so the motor 20 continues to rotate and the window glass 11 continues to lower (opening movement). The fluctuation determination threshold α is determined in the device 1 to such an extent that even a soft body (e.g., a lip portion of the strip) is entangled, causing the resulting rotational speed difference Δω to exceed the fluctuation determination threshold α.

[0050] In this way, the controller 31, which serves to determine entanglement in the device 1, determines, at a time when the start of entanglement is detected by the entanglement detection section 31a, whether the accumulated value of the rotational speed difference Δω from that time (ie, the fluctuation value of the rotational speed ω) exceeds an entanglement determination threshold β. If the fluctuation value of the rotational speed ω exceeds the entanglement determination threshold β, the entanglement is affirmatively determined. Fig. 4C indicates a fluctuation state of the accumulated value of the rotational speed difference Δω. The controller 31 affirmatively determines entanglement when the accumulated value exceeds the entanglement determination threshold β.

[0051] As explained above, entanglement is affirmatively determined when the accumulated value of the rotational speed difference Δω (i.e., the fluctuation value of the rotational speed ω) exceeds the fluctuation determination threshold β after the entanglement detection section 31a detects the start of entanglement. Alternatively, entanglement may be affirmatively determined when the accumulated value of the rotational speed difference Δω for a predetermined period after detecting the start of entanglement or the accumulated value of the rotational speed difference Δω for a predetermined count (i.e., a change rate of the rotational speed ω) exceeds the entanglement determination threshold β.

[0052] Thus, the device 1 sets two thresholds. One fluctuation determination threshold α is set to the rotational speed difference Δω; the other entanglement determination threshold β is set to the fluctuation value of the rotational speed ω (the total or sum of the rotational speed difference Δω). These differ in a determination objective. In the device 1 of the present embodiment, the actual occurrence of entanglement is not determined by a duration of the number of pulse signals after the rotational speed difference Δω exceeds the fluctuation determination threshold α. Entanglement is determined based on the fluctuation amount of the rotational speed ω after the rotational speed difference Δω exceeds the fluctuation determination threshold α.

[0053] Therefore, in the device 1 of the present embodiment, the entanglement load does not become much larger when a foreign body is entangled. The entanglement of a foreign body can be affirmatively determined while causing no damage to the entangled foreign body. In the device 1 of the present embodiment, even when a soft body is entangled, the rotational speed difference Δω exceeds the fluctuation determination threshold α at a comparatively early stage. When the fluctuation amount exceeds the entanglement determination threshold β thereafter, the entanglement is affirmatively determined. In this case, the entangled body is a soft body, such as a lip portion of the belt strip; therefore, the rotational speed difference Δω will not become a small value (as large as an absolute value).The accumulation of the rotational speed difference Δω starts as soon as the fluctuation determination threshold is exceeded; thereby, if the accumulated value exceeds the entanglement determination threshold β, the entanglement can be confirmed with certainty.

[0054] In addition, when a body with medium hardness is entangled, the rotational speed difference Δω exceeds the fluctuation determination threshold α at an earlier stage, as is the case with a soft body; then, the accumulation of the rotational speed difference Δω is started. When the accumulated value exceeds the entanglement determination threshold β, entanglement can be determined with certainty. In this way, the device 1 of the present embodiment can determine entanglement with certainty at a light load, regardless of whether the entangled object is soft or hard.

[0055] In addition, when the window glass 11 is moving, the rotational speed of the motor 20 is influenced by sliding resistance or an external factor even without the occurrence of entanglement. Such an influence may cause the rotational speed difference Δω to exceed the fluctuation determination threshold α. Even in such a case, as long as the accumulated value of the rotational speed difference Δω does not exceed the entanglement determination threshold β, entanglement is not determined (that is, entanglement is negatively determined). Even if the fluctuation determination threshold α is set to a value for a soft body entangled, no erroneous determination is made, and on the contrary, the start of entanglement can be detected with certainty.

[0056] The following is a flowchart of a method for determining entanglement by the controller 31 with reference to Fig. 6. The entanglement detection section 31a of the controller 31 of the present embodiment first updates rotation speed data of the motor 20 based on the pulse signals received from the rotation detection unit 27 (S1). To be more specific, the entanglement detection section 31a of the controller 31 processes a pulse signal received from the rotation detection unit 27 and detects a pulse edge. Each time the pulse edge is detected, a pulse width (time interval) T between the pulse edge detected at the previous time and the pulse edge detected at the current time is calculated and stored one by one in a memory.

[0057] In the present embodiment, each time a new pulse edge is detected, the pulse width T is updated sequentially, and the most recent four pulse widths T(0)-T(3) are stored. That is, when a pulse edge is detected, a new pulse width T(0) is calculated; the previous pulse widths T(0)-T(2) are shifted one by one to be referred to as pulse widths T(1)-T(3), respectively, and the past or previous pulse width T(3) is deleted.

[0058] Then, the controller 31 calculates a rotational speed ω from the inverse number of the whole (pulse cycle P) of the pulse widths T of n pulse edges in time serially. The rotational speed ω is a value proportional to the current rotational speed. In the present embodiment, the (average) rotational speed ω(0) is calculated using the pulse widths T(0) - T(3) obtained from the current pulse edge and four past pulse edges. Then, when the next pulse edge is detected, the rotational speed ω(0) is updated or replaced with the newly calculated pulse widths T(0) - T(3). At this time, the past rotational speed ω(0) is stored as the rotational speed ω(1).In this way, the most recent eight rotation speeds ω(0) to ω(7), which are updated each time a new pulse edge is detected (with respect to each predetermined amount of movement or each predetermined angle of rotation), are always stored in the controller 31. In this way, calculating the rotation speed ω using more than one pulse width T enables compensation for dispersion in sensor operation of each received pulse signal output, and calculation of the rotation speed whose error fluctuation is compensated.

[0059] Next, the controller 31 calculates an (average) rotation speed difference Δω (i.e., the rate of change of the rotation speed) from the rotation speed ω (S2). To be more specific, the rotation speeds ω(0) - ω(3) are referred to as the current block data; the rotation speeds ω(4) - ω(7) are referred to as the previous block data. The sum of one block data is subtracted from the sum of the other block data. That is, the rotation speed difference Δω is calculated by subtracting the sum of the rotation speeds ω(0) - ω(3) from the sum of the rotation speeds ω(4) - ω(7), and is updated every time a pulse edge is detected (every predetermined amount of movement or every predetermined angle of rotation). The sum of the calculated values ​​can be divided by the number of data to obtain the sum (four in the present embodiment).In this way, calculating the rotational speed difference Δω using more than one rotational speed ω can compensate for the phase difference between the rotational speeds ω.

[0060] Then, the controller 31 adds the calculated rotational speed differences Δω based on a predetermined position of the window glass 11 serving as a reference position (S3). Each time the rotational speed difference Δω is calculated, it is accumulated; thereby, the difference in rotational speed ω is calculated based on the reference position. Next, it is determined whether the calculated rotational speed difference Δω exceeds a disturbance determination threshold γ toward the positive side (S4). When the vehicle travels over a speed bump or a height difference, or when the window glass 11 is closed, such a disturbance may add or add an influence to the window glass 11, affecting the rotational speed of the motor 20. The present embodiment provides a method for preventing misdetection of entanglement due to such a disturbance.

[0061] As in Fig. 5, when the disturbance occurs, the rotational speed difference Δω usually takes large values ​​on the positive side and the negative side. The fact that the rotational speed difference Δω swings to the positive side or moves to the positive side indicates that the rotation of the motor 20 is being accelerated to open the window glass 11. In contrast, the fact that the rotational speed difference Δω swings to the negative side indicates that the rotation of the motor 20 is being decelerated; the fact that the rotational speed difference Δω swings to the negative side simulates entanglement. Note that the disturbance determination threshold γ is a value set on the positive side; the controller 31 determines an occurrence of a disturbance when the rotational speed difference Δω exceeds the disturbance determination threshold γ on the positive side.

[0062] If it is determined that the disturbance has occurred (S4: YES), the controller 31 increases the entanglement determination threshold β to the negative side (S7), which then proceeds to S5. For example, the disturbance thereafter may cause the rotational speed difference Δω to oscillate to the negative side, so that the start of entanglement can be detected. Even in such a case, the accumulated value of the rotational speed difference Δω does not exceed the entanglement determination threshold β, which has been increased; this helps to avoid erroneous determination of entanglement. In the present embodiment, the disturbance determination threshold γ is set so as to be irrelevant to the fluctuation determination threshold α.For example, the disturbance determination threshold γ may be set to a value obtained by reversely switching between positive and negative the fluctuation determination threshold α.

[0063] If it is determined that any disturbance has not occurred (S4: NO), the controller 31 performs a determination process of a start of entanglement (S5). To be more specific, if the rotational speed difference Δω exceeds the fluctuation determination threshold α to the negative side, the start of entanglement is determined. If it does not exceed it, the start of entanglement is not determined. If the start of entanglement is determined (S5: YES), the controller 31 proceeds to S8. If the start of entanglement is not determined (S5: NO), a standard value is set for both the accumulated value of the rotational speed difference Δω and the entanglement determination threshold β (S6). To be more specific, the accumulated value of the rotational speed difference Δω calculated at S3 is set to a standard value.The default fluctuation amount So of the rotation speed ω is set, and the entanglement determination threshold β is reset to the usual value, which is not increased. Thus, when it is determined that a period of disturbance ends, the entanglement determination threshold β is reset to the normal value; this restarts the usual process.

[0064] Then, the fluctuation amount S of the rotational speed ω is calculated (S8). More specifically, the controller 31 subtracts the accumulated value of the rotational speed difference Δω calculated at S3 from the default fluctuation amount So of the rotational speed ω set at S6 just before determining the start of entanglement, thereby calculating the fluctuation amount S of the rotational speed ω (accumulated value of the rotational speed difference Δω) after the start of entanglement. This enables the calculation of the fluctuation portion of the rotational speed (i.e., the load of entanglement) due to entanglement with certainty.

[0065] In the present embodiment, the fluctuation amount of the rotational speed ω after the start of entanglement is calculated by calculating the difference of the fluctuation amount from the reference value. There is no need to be limited to this. When the start of entanglement is not detected, the accumulated value of the rotational speed difference Δω can be initialized; when the start of entanglement is detected, the accumulated value of the rotational speed difference Δω can not be initialized. This also allows the rotational speed difference Δω to be accumulated only after the start of entanglement, thereby calculating the fluctuation amount of the rotational speed ω. Next, the controller 31 determines whether the fluctuation amount S of the rotational speed ω calculated at S8 exceeds the entanglement determination threshold β (S9).When it is determined that the fluctuation amount S of the rotation speed ω exceeds the entanglement determination threshold β (S9: YES), the controller 31 performs a descent stop process (S10).

[0066] In contrast, if it is not determined that the fluctuation amount S of the rotational speed ω exceeds the entanglement determination threshold β (S9: NO), it is determined whether an OFF signal of the down switch 4a is received (S11). If the OFF signal is not received (S11: NO), the controller 31 returns to S1. If the OFF signal is received (S11: YES), the lowering movement stop process is executed (S12), and the current process ends. The lowering movement stop of the window glass 11 is executed by the controller 31, which controls the supply of electric power to the motor 20 to stop the movement of the motor 20, thereby stopping the opening movement (lowering) of the window glass 11.

[0067] After the window glass 11 stops due to the lowering movement stop at S10, the controller 31 proceeds to S21 in Fig. 7, where the occurrence or non-occurrence of a re-lowering movement command is determined. When the re-lowering movement command occurs (S12: YES), a re-lowering movement permission determination is executed (S22). If the re-lowering movement permission determination determines that re-lowering is permitted (S22: YES), the window glass 11 starts the lowering movement (S23). The lowering of the window glass 11 is performed until an OFF signal from the down switch 4a is received. After receiving the OFF signal from the down switch 4a (S24), the lowering movement is stopped to stop the opening and closing element (S25).

[0068] If the re-lowering movement command does not occur (S21: NO), the current process ends with the window glass 11 remaining in the lowering movement stop (S10). As explained above, when an entanglement determination is made to determine entanglement at S9, the lowering movement of the window glass 11 stops at S10. Thereafter, if the re-lowering movement command occurs at S21, the re-lowering approval determination is made at S22. If the re-lowering is approved, the re-lowering movement of the window glass 11 is started at S23 and continues until the down switch 4a is turned OFF at S24.In this way, even after the entanglement is determined, if the re-lowering movement is permitted based on a predetermined condition, the controller 31 controls the electric power supply to the driving device 2, thereby driving the opening and closing member so as to allow a restart of the opening movement.

[0069] Fig. Figure 8 is a flowchart showing a full-open mode after the entanglement is detected. In this example, the Fig. 8, the controller 31 performs a threshold setting process with sensitivity (S31). The high-sensitivity threshold is set to be equivalent to the aforementioned fluctuation determination threshold α and the entanglement determination threshold β.

[0070] After the high sensitivity threshold setting process (S31), an ON of the down switch 4a is input, thereby inputting a down switch signal to the controller 31 (S32). When the down switch signal is input at S32, the window glass 11 starts a lowering movement (S33). The controller 31 performs a catch determination during the lowering movement (S34). The catch determination at S34 executes S1 to S9 of Fig. 6 through.

[0071] If the entanglement is not determined (S34: NO), the window glass 11 descends until the down switch 4a is turned OFF. Upon receiving an OFF signal of the down switch 4a following the turning off of the down switch 4a, the controller 31 executes the descent movement stop process (i.e., to stop the descent movement) (S40), stopping the electric power supply to the motor 20 to stop the descent movement of the window glass 11.

[0072] The following will explain a fully open mode, which corresponds to S36 to S38, which occur after the lowering movement is stopped at S35. Now, an entanglement determination prohibition process is executed (S36). In the entanglement determination prohibition process, the controller 31 receives a down switch signal (S37); thereby, the window glass 11 starts the lowering movement (S38). As a result, the window glass 11, which has been in the stopped state, restarts a lowering movement following the manipulation of the down switch 4a, which is a prerequisite for S37. In this way, the window glass 11 remains in the stopped state in the state where the down switch 4a is not manipulated.

[0073] In this way, the entanglement determination prohibition process is executed in the fully open mode (S36). A switch manipulation is performed for the opening movement within a predetermined period (e.g., less than 5 seconds) since the entanglement is detected and the window glass 11 is stopped, thereby inputting a signal to the controller 31 as a down switch signal input (S37). The lowering movement of the window glass 11 starts (S38) while the entanglement determination is prohibited. An OFF manipulation is performed on the down switch 4a; the down switch OFF signal is detected (S39). The controller 31 controls the supply of electric power to the motor 20 to stop the operation or movement of the motor 20 to stop the opening movement (lowering) of the window glass 11.

[0074] In general, the down switch 4a is usually provided near each corresponding window glass 11 of a plurality of window glasses 11; in addition, manipulation switches for all the opening and closing elements (i.e., all the window glasses 11) are provided at the driver's seat. The down switch 4a of the present embodiment is provided as a down switch 4a that is provided near a corresponding opening and closing element and is manually manipulated to thereby permit an opening movement as a full-open mode. For example, while the down switch 4a continues to be manipulated, the opening movement is continued while the entanglement determination prohibition process serving as the full-open mode continues. This allows a specific opening movement of only one opening and closing element that is desired to be opened.Only an occupant near the corresponding opening and closing element can perform the opening movement while manipulating the down switch 4a; furthermore, only such an occupant near the corresponding opening and closing element can determine whether to restart the opening movement. In this way, safety monitoring can be improved.

[0075] In the present embodiment, the predetermined condition for the full-open mode in the re-lowering permission determination may include the following four conditions (a to d). a. The ignition key, which serves as an engine key of the vehicle, is in an ON state. b. The entanglement detection takes place while a window glass 11 near an occupant's seat is in a lowering movement. c. An elapsed time is within a predetermined period (for example, less than 3 to 8 seconds, preferably less than 5 seconds) after the window glass 11 has stopped after the entanglement detection. d. A manual manipulation was performed by an occupant within the above-mentioned predetermined period with the down switch 4a for opening the window glass 11 near a seat of the occupant.

[0076] Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing a different fully open mode after detecting the entanglement. In Fig. 8, the interception prohibition procedure is carried out in a fully open mode. In Fig. 9, a method for setting a lower sensitivity threshold is performed such that the subsequent entanglement determination is carried out again using the low sensitivity threshold which is less sensitive than the high sensitivity threshold of the first entanglement determination.

[0077] S31 to S35 and S39 to S41 in Fig. 9 are the same as those in Fig. 8. Therefore, the explanation for this is omitted. The following will explain S46 to S49, which are Fig. 8 are not included. In the state where the lowering movement of the window glass 11 is stopped (S35), a low-sensitivity threshold setting process is performed (S46). In the present method, the setting process is to set the fluctuation determination threshold α and the entanglement determination threshold β to be large and provide an insensitive state. Note that both the fluctuation determination threshold α and the entanglement determination threshold β may be collectively referred to as an entanglement detection condition (i.e., entanglement detection threshold) or an open-stop condition (i.e., open-stop threshold), which is used together with the entanglement detection to determine whether the opening movement of the opening and closing member should be stopped.

[0078] After the lower sensitivity threshold setting process (S46), an ON of the down switch 4a is input, thereby inputting a down switch signal to the controller 31 (S47). When the down switch signal is input at S47, the window glass 11 restarts the lowering movement (S48). The controller 31 performs a catch determination during the lowering movement (S49). S49 is identical to S34, which performs the catch determination at S1 to S9 in Fig. 6.

[0079] As explained above, the fully open mode is provided to make the fluctuation threshold insensitive. The window glass 11 can be opened (the lowering movement is performed) without degrading the manipulation capability, even if a foreign object, such as a hinge strip, is caught or jammed.

[0080] In this way, after the entanglement is detected once, the entanglement detection can be canceled, or the detection threshold (open-stop condition or open-stop threshold) of the entanglement detection can be changed to a non-sensitive state. This allows the opening movement to proceed safely even if the entanglement is detected incorrectly, thereby avoiding deterioration in tamperability. The entanglement may be detected incorrectly during the opening movement; this results in the opening and closing element stopping. Even in such a case, the opening movement can be restarted to allow the opening and closing element to continuously open to reach a desired position.

[0081] Aspects of the first embodiment of the present disclosure described herein are set forth in the following sentences.

[0082] As a first aspect of the first embodiment, an opening and closing member control device is provided to prevent a foreign matter from being caught on an opening and closing member driven to open based on manipulation of a manipulation switch.The device includes: a drive device that drives an opening movement or a closing movement of the opening and closing member; a control device that controls the operation of the drive device; a movement detection device that outputs a movement state signal according to a movement state of the opening and closing member driven to be opened or closed by the drive device; an entanglement detection section that performs entanglement detection to detect entanglement of the foreign object with the opening and closing member based on the movement state signal. The entanglement detection section further determines affirmatively or negatively the entanglement of the foreign object with the opening and closing member (ie,, determines the occurrence or non-occurrence of the entanglement of the foreign object with the opening and closing member) based on a result of comparing the movement state signal output by the movement detection means with an entanglement determination threshold. The control means stops electric power supply to the drive means when the entanglement determination section affirmatively determines the entanglement of the foreign object, thereby permitting the stop of the opening movement of the opening and closing member. The control means starts electric power supply to the drive means at a predetermined re-opening condition based on manipulation of the manipulation switch in a condition-facilitating state, thereby permitting the restart of the opening movement of the opening and closing member.The condition-easing state uses a second entanglement detection condition that is eased over a first entanglement detection condition that was previously used, and if the entanglement detection affirmatively determines entanglement.

[0083] For example, the second entanglement detection condition of the condition-easing state is less sensitive than the first entanglement detection condition.

[0084] Being less sensitive is equivalent to having a lower sensitivity. For example, the condition-easing state uses the second entanglement detection condition, a different entanglement determination threshold that is less sensitive than the previously used entanglement determination threshold, and when the entanglement detection affirmatively determines entanglement. For example, the condition-easing state alternatively uses a second open-stop condition that is more relaxed than a first open-stop condition that was previously used, and when the opening and closing element is caused to stop the opening movement due to the entanglement of the foreign object.

[0085] As a second aspect, which is optional for the first aspect, the condition-facilitated state may be a non-detection state, which is a state that aborts entanglement detection.

[0086] As a third aspect, which is optional for the first aspect, the second entanglement detection condition of the condition-facilitating state may have a second detection threshold that is more difficult to exceed in entanglement detection than a first detection threshold of the first entanglement detection condition.

[0087] As a fourth aspect, which is optional for the first aspect, the predetermined re-opening condition may be a continued manual manipulation of the manipulation switch to send a signal requesting the opening movement of the opening and closing member to the control device.

[0088] As a fifth aspect, which is optional for the first aspect, the predetermined reopening condition may be a manipulation of the manipulation switch for an opening movement of the opening and closing member, the manipulation being performed within a predetermined period after the opening and closing member is stopped after the entanglement detection. This configuration allows a manipulator or an occupant to promptly execute the opening movement of the opening and closing member with certainty.

[0089] As a sixth aspect, which is optional for the first aspect, a plurality of the opening and closing elements may be provided, and a plurality of the manipulation switches may be provided; a manipulation switch may be arranged near one opening and closing element for manipulating the one opening and closing element; and the predetermined re-opening condition for the one opening and closing element may be manipulation of the one manipulation switch arranged near the one opening and closing element, the manipulation being for opening movement of the one opening and closing element.

[0090] This configuration allows the safe execution of the opening movement of only the opening and closing element that is required to open. For example, the driver can usually operate a window glass as an opening and closing element near a rear seat, which is spaced apart from the driver's seat. Resuming the opening movement of a window glass is only permitted by means of a switch located near the window glass, but is not permitted by means of a switch located remote from the window glass. This allows only an operator or manipulator adjacent to the window glass to determine whether to perform a switch manipulation to permit an opening movement, thereby improving safety verification.

[0091] As another aspect of the first embodiment, a control device for an opening and closing member is provided such that it includes the same elements of the drive device, the control device, the movement detection device, and the entanglement detection section as those of the above device according to the first aspect. In this device according to this aspect, the entanglement detection section calculates a fluctuation amount of the opening speed of the opening and closing member based on the movement state signal, and affirmatively or negatively determines the entanglement of the foreign matter with the opening and closing member (i.e., the occurrence or non-occurrence of the entanglement of the foreign matter with the opening and closing member) as a result of comparing a predetermined calculation result based on the calculated fluctuation amount of the opening speed with an entanglement determination threshold.The control device stops the electric power supply to the drive device when the entanglement detection section affirmatively determines the entanglement of the foreign object. Further, the control device controls the electric power supply to the drive device when the re-opening confirmation determination is affirmatively actuated based on a predetermined condition after the entanglement is affirmatively determined. The opening and closing member, which was stopped due to the stopping of the electric power supply to the drive device, is allowed to restart the opening movement due to the restart of the electric power supply to the drive device when the predetermined condition of the re-opening confirmation determination is met.

[0092] With the above configuration, even if a sliding loss in the opening and closing member becomes large, the opening and closing member is driven by the electric power supply to the driving means and the continuation of the opening movement is enabled when the predetermined condition is satisfied in the re-opening confirmation determination. Second embodiment

[0093] A second embodiment of the present disclosure will be explained. The configuration of the first embodiment, which is implemented using the Fig. 1 to 4 is also applied to the second embodiment; therefore, the explanation thereof is omitted. Other features of the second embodiment will be explained with reference to the Fig. 10 to 13. The following will explain a flowchart of an opening movement of an opening and closing member as a window glass 11 and a method of determining entanglement by the controller 31 with reference to Fig. 10. When a lowering command is issued by the down switch 4a of the switch 4 or the down switch 6a of the radio signal switch 6 (S101), it is determined whether the entanglement detection cancellation condition is satisfied (S102) before the entanglement detection section 31a is operated or used. The detection cancellation condition, which is predetermined, is based on the following signal or state: a down switch ON signal in the radio tamper signal 7a; a smoke emission operation signal 7b; a signal indicating submersion of the vehicle in water in the interlock operation signal 7c; a tamper state in the switch 4, the radio signal switch 6, or the automatic switch 4c; a signal indicating a lowering movement upon restart after entanglement detection; or a tamper signal issued within a predetermined period of time after entanglement detection.

[0094] If the entanglement detection cancellation condition is met (S102: YES), a cancellation process is executed to cancel the entanglement detection section (S103). With the cancellation process to cancel or stop the entanglement detection section at S103, the opening movement of the window glass 11 is started without performing an entanglement determination (S104), and the window glass 11 descends until the switching state becomes the down switch OFF (S105). The down switch OFF is a stop signal by the down switch or a stop signal when the window glass 11 reaches the fully opened position; the stop signal is input to the controller 31. Then, the controller 31 stops the electric power supply to the motor 20; the motor 20 is thus stopped. When the switching state becomes the down switch OFF, the lowering movement of the window glass 11 stops (S106).In contrast, if the entanglement detection termination condition is not met (S102: NO), the lowering or opening movement of the window glass 11 starts (S107). After the lowering movement is started at S107, the process of the entanglement detection section 31a of the controller 31 is executed.

[0095] The entanglement detection section 31a of the controller 31 first updates rotation speed data of the motor 20 based on the pulse signals received from the rotation detection unit 27 (S108). Specifically, the entanglement detection section 31a of the controller 31 performs signal processing on the pulse signals received from the rotation detection unit 27 and detects pulse edges. Each time the pulse edge is detected, a pulse width (time interval) T between the pulse edge detected the previous time and the pulse edge detected the current time is calculated, and these are stored one by one in a memory.

[0096] In the present embodiment, each time a new pulse edge is detected, the pulse width T is updated sequentially, and the most recent four pulse widths T(0)-T(3) are stored. That is, when a pulse edge is detected, a new pulse width T(0) is calculated; the previous pulse widths T(0)-T(2) are shifted one by one to be referred to as pulse widths T(1)-T(3), respectively, and the previous pulse width T(3) is deleted.

[0097] Then, the controller 31 calculates a rotational speed ω from the inverse number of the sum (pulse cycle P) of the pulse widths T of n pulse edges serially in time. The rotational speed ω is a value proportional to the current rotational speed. In the present embodiment, the (average) rotational speed ω(0) is calculated by the pulse widths T(0) - T(3) obtained from the current pulse edge and the four previous pulse edges. Then, when the following pulse edge is detected, the rotational speed ω(0) is updated or replaced with the newly calculated pulse widths T(0) - T(3). At this time, the previous rotational speed ω(0) is stored as a rotational speed ω(1).In this way, the most recent eight rotational speeds ω(0) - ω(7), which are updated each time a pulse edge is detected (related to each predetermined amount of movement or each predetermined angle of rotation), are always stored in the controller 31. In this way, calculating the rotational speed ω using more than one pulse width T(i) allows for (i) compensating for dispersion in sensor operation from each received pulse signal output, and (ii) calculating the rotational speed whose error variation is compensated.

[0098] Next, the controller 31 calculates an (average) rotation speed difference Δω (i.e., the rate of change of the rotation speed) from the rotation speed ω (S109). To be more specific, at S109, the rotation speeds ω(0) - ω(3) are referred to as the current block data; the rotation speeds ω(4) - ω(7) are referred to as the previous block data. The sum of one block data is subtracted from the sum of the other block data. That is, the rotation speed difference Δω is calculated by subtracting the sum of the rotation speeds ω(0) - ω(3) from the sum of the rotation speeds ω(4) - ω(7), and it is updated each time a pulse edge is detected (every predetermined amount of movement or every predetermined angle of rotation). The sum of the calculated values ​​can be divided by the number of data to obtain the sum (four in the present embodiment).In this way, calculating the rotational speed difference Δω using more than one rotational speed ω can compensate for the phase difference between the rotational speeds ω.

[0099] Then, the controller 31 adds the calculated rotational speed difference Δω based on a predetermined position of the window glass 11 serving as a reference position. Each time the rotational speed difference Δω is calculated, it is accumulated; thereby, the difference in rotational speed ω with respect to the reference position is calculated. Next, it is determined whether the calculated rotational speed difference Δω exceeds a disturbance determination threshold γ to the positive side (S111). When the vehicle travels over a bump or a height difference, or when the window glass 11 is closed, such a disturbance may apply or add an influence to the window glass 11, affecting the rotational speed of the motor 20. The present embodiment provides a method for preventing misdetection of entanglement due to such a disturbance.

[0100] As in Fig. 5, the rotational speed difference Δω usually takes larger values ​​on the positive side and the negative side when a disturbance occurs. The rotational speed difference Δω swinging to the positive side means that the rotation of the motor 20 is accelerated to open the window glass 11. In contrast, the rotational speed difference Δω swinging to the negative side means that the rotation of the motor 20 is decelerated and simulates entanglement. Note that the disturbance determination threshold γ is set to a value set on the positive side; the controller 31 determines the occurrence of the disturbance when the rotational speed difference Δω exceeds the disturbance determination threshold γ on the positive side.

[0101] If it is determined that the disturbance has occurred (S111: YES), the controller 31 increases the entanglement determination threshold β to the negative side (S112) and then proceeds to S113. For example, thereafter, a disturbance may cause the rotational speed difference Δω to swing to the negative side, so that the start of entanglement is detected. Even in such a case, the accumulated value of the rotational speed difference Δω does not exceed the entanglement determination threshold β, which has been increased; this helps prevent erroneous detection of entanglement. In the present embodiment, the disturbance determination threshold γ is set so as to be irrelevant to the fluctuation determination threshold α. For example, the disturbance determination threshold γ may be set to a value obtained by inversely switching between positive and negative of the fluctuation determination threshold α.

[0102] If it is determined that no disturbance has occurred (S111: NO), the controller 31 performs a determination process for entanglement start (S113). To be more specific, if the rotational speed difference Δω exceeds the fluctuation determination threshold to the negative side, the entanglement start is determined. If it is not exceeded, the entanglement start is not determined. If the entanglement start is determined (S113: YES), the controller 31 proceeds to S115. If the entanglement start is not determined (S113: NO), a default value is set for both the accumulated value of the rotational speed difference Δω and the entanglement determination threshold β (S114).To be more specific, the accumulated value of the rotational speed difference Δω calculated at S110 is set to a default fluctuation amount So of the rotational speed ω, and the entanglement determination threshold β is reset to a normal value that is not increased. Thus, when it is determined that a period of disturbance ends, the entanglement determination threshold β is reset to the normal value; this restarts a normal process.

[0103] Then, the fluctuation amount S of the rotational speed ω is calculated (S115). More specifically, the controller 31 subtracts the accumulated value of the rotational speed difference Δω calculated at S114 from the default fluctuation amount So of the rotational speed ω set at S110 just before determining the start of entanglement, thereby calculating the fluctuation amount S of the rotational speed ω (accumulated value of the rotational speed difference Δω) after the start of entanglement. This enables the calculation of the fluctuation part of the rotational speed (i.e., the load of entanglement) due to entanglement with certainty.

[0104] In the present embodiment, the amount of fluctuation of the rotational speed ω after the start of entanglement is calculated by calculating the difference of the fluctuation amount from the reference value. When the start of entanglement is not detected, the accumulated value of the rotational speed difference Δω can be initialized; when the start of entanglement is detected, the accumulated value of the rotational speed difference Δω cannot be initialized. This allows the accumulation of the rotational speed difference Δω only after the start of entanglement, thereby calculating the amount of fluctuation of the rotational speed ω.

[0105] Next, the controller 31 determines whether the fluctuation amount S of the rotational speed ω calculated at S115 exceeds the entanglement determination threshold β (S116). If it is determined that the fluctuation amount S of the rotational speed ω exceeds the entanglement determination threshold β (S116: YES), the controller 31 performs a descent stop process (S118).

[0106] Conversely, if it is not determined that the fluctuation amount S of the rotational speed ω exceeds the entanglement determination threshold β (S116: NO), the controller 31 proceeds to S117, where it is determined whether an OFF signal of the down switch 4a or a fully open signal is received. If the OFF signal or fully open signal is not received (S117: NO), the controller 31 returns to S108. If the OFF signal or fully open signal is received (S117: YES), the lowering movement stop process is executed (S118), and the current process ends. The lowering movement stop of the window glass 11 is executed by the controller 31, which controls the supply of electric power to the motor 20 to stop the movement of the motor 20 to stop the opening movement (lowering) of the window glass 11.

[0107] After (i) the window glass 11 stops by the lowering movement stop process at S106 or S118, and then (ii) the window glass 11 is not fully opened, the controller 31 moves to S121 Fig. 11, where the occurrence or non-occurrence of a re-lowering movement command is determined. If the re-lowering movement command occurs (S121: YES), a re-lowering movement confirmation determination is executed (S122). If the re-lowering movement confirmation determination determines that re-lowering is confirmed (S122: YES), the window glass 11 starts the lowering movement (S123). The lowering of the window glass 11 is performed until an OFF signal from the down switch 4a or a fully open signal is received. When an OFF signal is issued due to an OFF of the down switch 4a, or a fully open signal is issued due to the window glass 11 being fully opened (S124), a lowering movement stop is actuated to stop the window glass 11 (S125).

[0108] If the re-lowering movement command does not occur (S121: NO), the current process ends with the window glass 11 remaining in the lowering movement stop (S110). In this way, when the entanglement determination is performed to thereby determine the entanglement at S116, the lowering movement of the window glass 11 stops at S118. However, in cases where the window glass 11 is not fully opened, the re-lowering confirmation determination may be actuated based on a predetermined condition even after the entanglement is determined. In such a case, controlling the electric power supply to the driving device allows the window glass 11 to restart the opening movement.

[0109] If the re-lowering movement command occurs thereafter (S121: YES), the re-lowering confirmation determination is executed at S122. Re-lowering requires a predetermined condition, which may be a condition that a switch is manipulated within a predetermined period of time after the lowering movement stops. For example, when the down switch 4a is manipulated, a signal is input to the controller 31 as a down switch signal input. At this time, the re-lowering confirmation determination is executed. In this case, a predetermined condition is that a switch manipulation for the opening movement is performed within a predetermined period of time (e.g., less than 5 seconds) after the window glass 11 stops.

[0110] In this way, even if the window glass 11 is stopped and the down switch is promptly manipulated (i.e., the down movement command is issued), the re-down movement is confirmed. After that, when an OFF manipulation is performed on the down switch 4a, a down switch OFF signal is detected; when the window glass 11 is fully opened, a fully open signal is detected (S124). The controller 31 controls the supply of electric power to the motor 20 to stop the movement of the motor 20 and the opening movement (down movement) of the window glass 11.

[0111] In general, the down switch 4a is usually provided near each corresponding window glass 11 among the window glasses 11, and switches for all the opening and closing elements (i.e., all the window glasses 11) are provided at the driver's seat. The down switch 4a of the present embodiment is provided as a down switch 4a that is arranged near a corresponding window glass 11 and is manually manipulated to thereby permit an opening movement of the corresponding window glass 11. This enables a secured opening movement of only one window glass 11 that is desired to be opened; only a person or an occupant near the corresponding window glass 11 can perform an opening movement by manipulating the down switch 4a and can determine whether to restart the opening movement of the window glass 11.A security check can be improved in this way.

[0112] In the present embodiment, the predetermined conditions for the re-opening mode in the re-lowering confirmation determination may include the following four conditions (a to d). a. the ignition key, which serves as a machine key of the vehicle, is in an ON state. b. An entanglement detection is performed on a window glass 11 near an occupant's seat. c. An elapsed time is within a predetermined period of time (e.g., less than 3 to 8 seconds, preferably less than 5 seconds) after the window glass 11 is stopped after the entanglement detection is actuated. d. A manual manipulation has been performed by an occupant within the above-mentioned predetermined time period on the down switch 4a for opening the window glass 11 near the occupant's seat (ie, the down movement command is issued).

[0113] While Fig. 10 shows a flowchart for determining the termination of entanglement detection, Fig. 12 shows a flowchart for determining a facilitating condition for entanglement detection. This means that Fig. 12 a method for setting a low sensitivity threshold (insensitive) is performed such that a trapping determination is again carried out using the setup which is less sensitive than the setup of the first trapping determination.

[0114] In this example of Fig. 12, the controller 31 performs a high-sensitivity threshold setting process (sensitive) (S131). The high-sensitivity threshold setting process at S131 sets it to be equivalent to the aforementioned fluctuation determination threshold α and the entanglement determination threshold β. After the high-sensitivity threshold setting process (at S131), an ON of the down switch 4a is input; thereby, a down switch signal is input to the controller 31 (S132). When the down switch signal is input at S132, it is determined whether the entanglement detection facilitation condition is satisfied (S133) before the entanglement detection process is actuated or used.When the entanglement detection facilitation condition is satisfied (S133: YES), setting a threshold with a high sensitivity, which is performed at S131, is replaced by setting a threshold with a low sensitivity, which makes entanglement detection less sensitive (S134). Setting a threshold with a low sensitivity (insensitive) is to set the fluctuation determination threshold α and the entanglement determination threshold β such that they become large and provide a less sensitive state (i.e., an insensitive state). This facilitates a threshold when entanglement is determined. It is noted that both the fluctuation determination threshold α and the entanglement determination threshold β are collectively referred to as an entanglement determination condition (i.e., entanglement detection threshold) or an open-stop condition (i.e., Open-Stop Threshold), which are used in conjunction with an entanglement detection to determine whether an opening movement of the opening and closing element is to be stopped.

[0115] On the contrary, if the facilitation condition of entanglement detection is not satisfied (S133: NO), the lowering movement of the window glass 11 is started as an opening and closing element, while the high sensitivity threshold value set at S131 is kept unchanged (S135). S135 to S146 are the same as S107 to S118 in Fig. 10; therefore, the explanation thereof is omitted. As explained above, desensitizing the detection threshold allows the window glass 11 to open or lower without degrading tamperability, even if a foreign object such as a tape strip is caught or jammed.

[0116] Fig. Fig. 13 shows a flowchart of a method for changing a threshold value depending on switch input states or for aborting trap detection as an example of detecting a predetermined condition. The following will describe examples of the trap detection abort condition at S102 in Fig. 10 or the entanglement detection relief condition at S133 in Fig. 12 with reference to the automatic switch 4c, which serves as a switch input state. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 13, when manipulation is performed on the switch 4, a downshift signal (a downshift command) is input to the controller 31 (S151). At this time, it is determined whether the automatic switch 4c has been turned on (S152) to determine whether the downshift signal is issued by the manipulation of the automatic switch 4c.

[0117] If it is determined that the automatic switch 4c has not been turned on (S152: NO), the controller 31 sets the movement of the window glass 11 as a manual lowering movement (S153). Then, the entanglement detection process is performed as a medium-sensitivity threshold process or a entanglement detection cancellation process at S154. The medium-sensitivity threshold process is performed using an optional setup value between a low-sensitivity threshold setup value (insensitive) and a high-sensitivity threshold setup value (sensitive). The medium-sensitivity threshold process corresponds to the process from S107 to S117 in Fig. 10. In addition, the entanglement detection termination procedure corresponds to the procedure of S103 to S106.

[0118] If the automatic switch 4c is in the ON state (S152: YES), then it is determined whether the automatic switch 4c is manipulated once and returned to an OFF state, or whether the automatic switch 4c is continuously manipulated and is still in an ON state (not in the OFF state) (S155). If the automatic switch 4c is not in the OFF state (S155: NO), it is determined that the automatic switch 4c is continuously manipulated and further that it is intentionally manipulated. In this way, the controller 31 sets the movement of the window glass 11 to an automatic lowering movement (S156). Then, the entanglement detection process is performed as a low-sensitivity threshold process or as a detection cancellation process.The low sensitivity threshold method corresponds to the method of S134 and thereafter; the entanglement detection cancellation method corresponds to the method of S103 and thereafter.

[0119] If it is determined that the automatic switch 4c is now returned to the OFF state after a one-time manipulation (S155: YES), it is determined that the required movement is an ordinary lowering movement of the window glass 11. The controller 13 sets the movement of the window glass 11 to an automatic lowering movement (S158). Then, the entanglement detection process is performed as the high-sensitivity threshold process, which corresponds to the process from S133 to S145. The window glass 11 lowers after S154, S157, S159, and stops when the lowering stop signal is received (S160).

[0120] In this way, in the present embodiment, the controller 31 performs the change of the entanglement determination threshold or the cancellation of entanglement detection based on the switch input state. This ensures safety during vehicle travel while prioritizing switch manipulation, such as manual manipulation. The window glass 11 can be lowered or opened without degrading the manipulation even if a foreign object such as a tape strip is caught or wedged. In addition, the above methods can be applied to the jam detection during the raising of the window glass 11.That is, even if the window glass cannot be closed due to misdetection of a foreign object jammed by the window glass being lifted, the jam detection threshold setup values ​​can be changed to take measures against the misdetection of the jamming.

[0121] In the example shown in Fig. 13, the switch input state is used as the predetermined condition. There is no reason to be limited to this. The predetermined condition may further include the following: an operation signal or a lowering movement command executed by switch manipulation within a predetermined period of time after issuing the stop signal for the window glass 11 or after detecting the entanglement; an opening movement command of a radio signal received from an exterior of the vehicle where no occupant is present; a signal or a lowering movement command embedded beforehand and required for opening a window glass, such asa signal concerning a submerged vehicle by the lock operation signal 7c from the ECU 7 of the vehicle body side other than a vehicle compartment of the vehicle; a smoke emission operation signal 7b from the ECU 7; an opening movement signal after jamming detection; continuous switch manipulation; a signal indicating a communication abnormality or communication error; and a higher-risk function other than the jamming prevention function. The above signals or the like can be used to determine whether the cancellation condition of the entanglement detection is satisfied or the relief condition of the entanglement detection is satisfied, as shown in the flowcharts of FIG. Fig. 10 to 12 shown.

[0122] Aspects of the second embodiment of the present disclosure described herein are set forth in the following sentences.

[0123] As a first aspect of the second embodiment, an opening and closing member control device is provided for performing an opening movement or a closing movement of an opening and closing member based on manipulation of a switch or a signal from a control circuit in a vehicle. The device includes a control device for performing entanglement prevention that prevents a foreign object from being caught on the opening and closing member in the process of opening movement. The control device includes (i) a cancellation section for canceling entanglement detection performed to perform entanglement detection, or (ii) a facilitation section for facilitating a condition of entanglement detection.In cases where the control device detects a predetermined condition when an opening movement is required for the opening and closing element, the control device causes (i) the cancellation section to cancel the entanglement detection, or (ii) the facilitation section to facilitate or mitigate the entanglement detection condition.

[0124] As a second aspect of the second embodiment, an opening and closing member control device is provided for preventing a foreign matter from being caught on an opening and closing member driven to open based on manipulation of a switch or a signal from a control circuit in a vehicle.The device includes the following: a drive device that drives an opening movement or a closing movement of the opening and closing member; a control device that controls an operation of the drive device; a movement detection device that outputs a movement state signal according to a movement state of the opening and closing member driven to open or close by the drive device; and an entanglement detection section that performs entanglement detection to detect entanglement of the foreign body with the opening and closing member based on the movement state signal.The entanglement detection section further affirmatively or negatively determines the entanglement of the foreign object on the opening and closing member based on a result of a comparison of the movement state signal output by the movement detection means with an entanglement determination threshold. The control means includes (i) a cancellation section for canceling the entanglement detection, or (ii) a facilitation section for facilitating the entanglement determination threshold upon affirmatively or negatively determining the entanglement. When an opening movement is required for the opening and closing member under a predetermined condition, the control means causes (i) the cancellation section to cancel the entanglement detection, or (ii) the facilitation section to facilitating the entanglement determination threshold.In other words, the facilitation section may further facilitate the entanglement determination threshold by intensifying the entanglement determination threshold upon affirmative determination of entanglement. Further, in other words, the facilitation section may make an open-stop condition less sensitive, wherein the open-stop condition serves to determine whether an opening movement of the opening and closing member should be stopped upon entanglement detection or determination.

[0125] With the configuration of the above first or second aspect, when the opening and closing member is opened with certainty based on the opening requirement, the entanglement detection is canceled or the entanglement condition is alleviated. Even if a sliding loss of the opening and closing member becomes large, the opening movement of the opening and closing member can be performed.

[0126] As a third aspect, which is optional for the first or second aspect, the predetermined condition may be a signal requiring an opening movement of the opening and closing member after entanglement detection. With this configuration, even if entanglement misdetection occurs due to an increase in sliding loss, the opening movement of the opening and closing member can be reliably performed a second time by switch manipulation.

[0127] As a fourth aspect, which is optional for the first or second aspect, the predetermined condition may be a signal issued by manipulating the switch within a predetermined period of time after entanglement detection. With this configuration, the opening movement of the opening and closing member can be promptly executed by reflecting the intention of the manipulator or operator who desires the opening movement of the opening and closing member.

[0128] As a fifth aspect, which is optional for the first or second aspect, the control device may detect the predetermined condition based on the signal from the control circuit in the vehicle.

[0129] In this configuration, more information can be collected by an in-vehicle sensor, which inputs signals to the control circuit in the vehicle to safely execute the opening movement.

[0130] As a sixth aspect, which is optional for the fifth aspect, the signal from the control circuit in the vehicle may be a signal given when the vehicle sinks in water.

[0131] As a seventh aspect, which is optional for the fifth aspect, the predetermined condition may be a command requesting an opening movement of the opening and closing member based on a radio signal from an exterior of the vehicle. With this configuration, when the movement of the opening and closing member is manipulated from an exterior of the vehicle, the desired opening movement can be performed with certainty. There is no problem even if the opening movement is given priority because the vehicle compartment is vacant.

[0132] As an eighth aspect, which is optional for the fifth aspect, the control device may further include a jam detection section for detecting jamming; and the predetermined condition may be a command requesting an opening movement of the opening and closing member after jamming is detected. This enables the opening movement to surely release the jamming of the foreign matter. Other embodiments

[0133] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, a vehicle-mounted power window device is exemplified as an example of an opening and closing member control device according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. There is no reason to be limited thereto. An opening and closing member of the opening and closing member control device may not be limited to glass as a material. The opening and closing member control device may be applied to an opening and closing device for a sunroof or an opening and closing device for a sliding door, whichever controls an opening and closing member to perform an opening and closing movement. Further, a manipulation switch includes down switches 4a and 6a, up switches 4b and 6b, and an automatic switch 4c.Furthermore, a tamper switch includes an opening switch, a closing switch, or an automatic switch; either switch is used to drive an opening and closing element to open or close it in any optional direction, such as a longitudinal (forward and backward) direction or a lateral (left and right) direction of the vehicle.

[0134] While the present disclosure has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it should be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the preferred embodiments and constructions. The present disclosure is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements. In addition, other combinations and configurations, including more, less, or only a single element, are within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, while various combinations and configurations are preferred.

Claims

[1] A control device (1) for an opening and closing element (11) for preventing a foreign object from becoming caught with the opening and closing element (11) which is driven to open based on an operation of an operating switch (4, 6), the control device comprising: a drive device (2) which drives an opening movement or a closing movement of the opening and closing element (11); a control device (31) which controls an actuation of the drive device; a movement detection device (27) which outputs a movement state signal according to a movement state of the opening and closing element (11) which is driven by the drive device to open or close; and an entanglement detection section (31a) which performs entanglement detection to detect entanglement of the foreign object with the opening and closing element (11) based on the movement state signal, where: the entanglement detection section (31a) further determines the entanglement of the foreign object with the opening and closing member (11) based on a result of a comparison of the movement state signal output by the movement detection means with an entanglement determination threshold value; the control device stops an electric power supply to the drive device when the entanglement detecting section affirmatively determines the entanglement of the foreign object, thereby allowing the stop of the opening movement of the opening and closing member (11); the control device, upon fulfillment of a predetermined reopening condition, starts the electric power supply to the drive device based on an operation of the operating switch in a facilitated condition state, wherein a restart of the opening movement of the opening and closing element (11) is permitted, the facilitated condition state uses a second entanglement detection condition which is facilitated compared to a first entanglement detection condition, the first entanglement detection condition was previously used, and, if the entanglement detection affirmatively determines the entanglement, the predetermined reopening condition is met if an operation of the operating switch for an opening movement of the opening and closing element takes place within a predetermined period of time since the opening and closing element has stopped after the entanglement detection, a plurality of opening and closing elements (11) are provided, and a plurality of operating switches are provided; an operating switch is arranged near an opening and closing element (11) for manipulating the one opening and closing element (11); and the predetermined reopening condition for the one opening and closing element (11) is an operation of the one operating switch which is arranged in the vicinity of the one opening and closing element (11), the operation serving the opening movement of the one opening and closing element (11). [2] A control device (1) for an opening and closing member (11) according to claim 1, wherein the condition-relieved state is a non-detection state which is a state that cancels the entanglement detection. [3] The control device (1) for an opening and closing member (11) according to claim 1, wherein the second entanglement detection condition of the facilitated condition state uses a second detection threshold value which is more difficult to exceed in entanglement detection than the first detection threshold value used in the first entanglement detection condition. [4] A control device (1) for an opening and closing member (11) according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined reopening condition is a continued manual operation of the operation switch to send a signal requesting an opening movement of the opening and closing member (11) to the control device. [5] A method for controlling an opening and closing element (11) in a control device (1) for an opening and closing element (11) in order to prevent a foreign object from becoming caught in the opening and closing element (11) which is driven to open based on an operation of an operating switch (4, 6), the control device comprising: a drive device (2) which drives an opening movement or a closing movement of the opening and closing element (11); a control device (31) which controls an actuation of the drive device; a movement detection device (27) which outputs a movement state signal according to a movement state of the opening and closing element (11) which is driven by the drive device to open or close; and an entanglement detection section (31a) which performs entanglement detection to detect entanglement of the foreign object with the opening and closing element (11) based on the movement state signal, the method comprising: affirmatively or negatively determining the entanglement of the foreign object with the opening and closing element (11) based on a result of a comparison of the movement state signal output by the movement detection device with an entanglement determination threshold value; Stopping the electric power supply to the drive device when the entanglement of the foreign object is affirmatively determined, allowing a stop of the opening movement of the opening and closing element (11); and Starting the electric power supply upon fulfillment of a predetermined reopening condition to the drive device based on an operation of the operating switch in a state with a facilitated condition, allowing a restart of the opening movement of the opening and closing element (11), wherein the facilitated condition state uses a second entanglement detection condition that is facilitated relative to a first entanglement detection condition, and wherein the first entanglement detection condition was previously used and when entanglement is affirmatively determined, the predetermined reopening condition is met when an operation of the operating switch for an opening movement of the opening and closing element (11) takes place within a predetermined period of time since the opening and closing element (11) has stopped after the entanglement detection, a plurality of opening and closing elements (11) are provided, and a plurality of operating switches are provided; an operating switch is arranged near an opening and closing element (11) for manipulating the one opening and closing element (11); and the predetermined reopening condition for the one opening and closing element (11) is an operation of the one operating switch which is arranged in the vicinity of the one opening and closing element (11), the operation serving the opening movement of the one opening and closing element (11). [6] The method according to claim 5, wherein the facilitated condition state is a non-detection state, which is a state that aborts entanglement detection. [7] The method of claim 5, wherein the second entanglement detection condition of the facilitated condition uses a second detection threshold that is more difficult to exceed in entanglement detection than the first detection threshold used in the first entanglement detection condition. [8] A method according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined reopening condition is a continued manual operation of the operating switch to send a signal requesting an opening movement of the opening and closing element (11) to the control device. [9] Control device (1) for an opening and closing element (11) for performing an opening movement or a closing movement of the opening and closing element (11) based on an operation of a switch (4, 6) or a signal from a control circuit (7) in a vehicle, the control device comprising: a control device (31) for carrying out an entanglement prevention which prevents a foreign body from becoming entangled with the opening and closing element (11) which is in the opening movement, the control device (31) comprising: an abort section to abort an entanglement detection which is carried out in order to carry out entanglement prevention, or a relief section to facilitate a condition of entanglement, where: in cases where a predetermined condition is met, when an opening movement is required for the opening and closing element (11), the control device causes (i) the cancellation section to cancel the entanglement detection, or (ii) the facilitation section to facilitate the entanglement detection condition, wherein the predetermined condition is satisfied when the signal from the control circuit in the vehicle is a signal issued when the vehicle sinks in water. [10] A control device (1) for an opening and closing element (11) for preventing a foreign object from becoming caught with the opening and closing element (11) which is driven to open based on an operation of a switch (4, 6) or a signal from a control circuit (7) in a vehicle, the control device comprising: a drive device (2) which drives an opening movement or a closing movement of the opening and closing element (11); a control device (31) which controls the actuation of the drive device; a movement detection device (27) which outputs a movement state signal according to a movement state of the opening and closing element (11) which is driven to open or close by the drive device; and an entanglement detection section (31a) which performs entanglement detection to detect entanglement of the foreign object with the opening and closing element (11) based on the movement state signal, where: the entanglement detection section further affirmatively or negatively determines the entanglement of the foreign object with the opening and closing member (11) based on a result of a comparison of the movement state signal output by the movement detection means with an entanglement determination threshold value; the control device includes a cancellation section for canceling the entanglement detection or a facilitation section for facilitating the entanglement determination threshold in the affirmative or negative determination of the entanglement; and if, upon fulfillment of a predetermined condition, an opening movement is required for the opening and closing element, the control device causes (i) the cancellation section to cancel the entanglement detection, or (ii) the facilitation section to facilitate the entanglement determination threshold, wherein the predetermined condition is satisfied when the signal from the control circuit in the vehicle is a signal issued when the vehicle sinks in water. [11] A control device (1) for an opening and closing element (11) for performing an opening movement or a closing movement of the opening and closing element (11) based on an operation of a switch (4, 6) or a signal from a control circuit (7) in a vehicle, the control device comprising: a control device (31) for carrying out an entanglement prevention which prevents a foreign body from becoming entangled with the opening and closing element (11) which is in the opening movement, the control device (31) comprising: an abort section to abort an entanglement detection which is carried out in order to carry out entanglement prevention, or a relief section to facilitate a condition of entanglement, where: in cases where a predetermined condition is met, when an opening movement is required for the opening and closing element (11), the control device causes (i) the cancellation section to cancel the entanglement detection, or (ii) the facilitation section to facilitate the entanglement detection condition, wherein the predetermined condition is met when a communication error occurs in the vehicle. [12] A control device (1) for an opening and closing element (11) for preventing a foreign object from becoming caught with the opening and closing element (11) which is driven to open based on an operation of a switch (4, 6) or a signal from a control circuit (7) in a vehicle, the control device comprising: a drive device (2) which drives an opening movement or a closing movement of the opening and closing element (11); a control device (31) which controls the actuation of the drive device; a movement detection device (27) which outputs a movement state signal according to a movement state of the opening and closing element (11) which is driven to open or close by the drive device; and an entanglement detection section (31a) which performs entanglement detection to detect entanglement of the foreign object with the opening and closing element (11) based on the movement state signal, where: the entanglement detection section further affirmatively or negatively determines the entanglement of the foreign object with the opening and closing member (11) based on a result of a comparison of the movement state signal output by the movement detection means with an entanglement determination threshold value; the control device includes a cancellation section for canceling the entanglement detection or a facilitation section for facilitating the entanglement determination threshold in the affirmative or negative determination of the entanglement; and if, upon fulfillment of a predetermined condition, an opening movement is required for the opening and closing element, the control device causes (i) the cancellation section to cancel the entanglement detection, or (ii) the facilitation section to facilitate the entanglement determination threshold, wherein the predetermined condition is met when the control device detects the occurrence of a communication error in the vehicle. [13] Control device (1) for an opening and closing element (11) according to one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the predetermined condition is met when a signal is received which requests an opening movement of the opening and closing element after the entanglement detection. [14] A control device (1) for an opening and closing element (11) according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the predetermined condition is satisfied when a signal is received which is given by an operation of the switch within a predetermined period of time after the entanglement detection. [15] A control device (1) for an opening and closing member (11) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the control means detects the predetermined condition based on the signal from the control circuit in the vehicle. [16] A control device (1) for an opening and closing member (11) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the predetermined condition is satisfied when a signal issued when the vehicle sinks in the water is received as the signal from the control circuit in the vehicle. [17] A control device (1) for an opening and closing element (11) according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the predetermined condition is satisfied when a command is received requesting an opening movement of the opening and closing element (11) based on a radio signal from outside the vehicle. [18] Control device (1) for an opening and closing element (11) according to one of claims 9 to 12, wherein: the control device further includes a jam detection section for detecting jamming; and the predetermined condition is met when a command is received which requests an opening movement of the opening and closing element after the jamming is detected.

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