DOOR OPENING / CLOSING DEVICE FOR A VEHICLE

Abstract

Vehicle door opening / closing device (10), comprising: a portable device (200) which is configured to transmit a request signal in order to lock or unlock a door (20) of a vehicle (12) from outside the vehicle (12); an authentication unit (24) which is provided on one side of the vehicle (12) and is configured to perform authentication communication with the portable device (200); a door drive unit (34, 36) which is provided on the vehicle (12) and is configured to drive the door (20) so that it is in an open state or a closed state, and to drive the door (20) so that it is in the locked state or the unlocked state, based on the authentication communication between the authentication unit (24) and the portable device (200), characterized in that the vehicle door opening / closing device (10) further comprises: a detection unit (50) which is provided on the vehicle (12) as a retrofit option and is designed to detect the presence of a user (M) located near the door (20) in a contactless manner; the door drive unit (34, 36) comprises: an exterior door handle switch (58) which is configured to output an exterior door handle switch ON signal (So / hon) when the user (M) pulls on an exterior door handle (154); and a door lock / unlock button (126) which is configured to output a door lock trigger signal (St) when pressed by the user (M), where the recording unit comprises (50): a separate external door handle switch (158) which is configured to output a pseudo external door handle switch ON signal (Spo / hon), which is equivalent to the outside door handle switch ON signal (So / hon) output by the outside door handle switch (58) when the presence of the user (M) is detected; and a generation section (160) configured to generate and output a pseudo-door locking trigger signal (Spt) equivalent to the door locking trigger signal (St) output by the door locking / unlocking button (126) when the presence of the user (M) is detected, and wherein, when the door (20) is in the open state or in the closed and unlocked state, the door drive unit (34, 36) drives the door (20) on the basis of the authentication communication between the authentication unit (24) and the portable device (200) with the pseudo door locking trigger signal (Spt) as a trigger, that it is in the closed and locked state, and When the door (20) is in the locked state, the door drive unit (34, 36) drives the door (20) on the basis of the authentication communication between the authentication unit (24) and the portable device (200) with the pseudo-outside door handle switch ON signal (Spo / hon) as a trigger, such that it is in the open state.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle door opening / closing device (door opening / closing device for a vehicle) which includes a contactless detection unit in order to, after detecting the presence of a user who is located near a door of the vehicle and switching this door of the vehicle from a locked state to an unlocked state, put this door into an open state or the like without the user having to use his or her hands. State of the art

[0002] As a detection unit that detects the presence of a user standing next to a vehicle door, Japanese patent application publication JP 2007-162 459 A, for example, proposes to emit a laser beam from a laser beam transmitter / receiver device, which is mounted directly below a rear door of the vehicle, towards the ground (see

[0025] in publication JP 2007-162 459 A).

[0003] Publication JP 2007-162 459 A discloses a hands-free door opening / closing device in which the laser beam emitted towards the floor is triggered by the user, who moves his or her foot in such a way that the laser beam is blocked, and, after the rear door, which is in the closed state and locked according to the authentication of an electronic key, is switched from the locked state to the unlocked state, the door is in a state in which it is only open by a short distance (referred to as partially open) (see

[0025] ,

[0055] and Fig. 9 in the printed publication JP 2007- 162 459 A Summary of the invention

[0004] However, the publication JP 2007-162 459 A does not mention any technology by which, after the user has loaded luggage onto the rear seat of the vehicle or the like with the rear door in the open state, when the rear door is then closed, i.e. when the rear door is brought into the closed and unlocked state, the user can bring the door into the locked state by moving his or her foot to block the laser beam from outside the vehicle with the intention of locking the rear door.

[0005] If, in this case (i.e., a case where the rear door is in the closed and unlocked state), the user moves their foot to block the laser beam with the intention of locking the rear door, there is a risk that the door will instead be opened (erroneously).

[0006] In this way, even if the user does not intend to open the door, i.e., the user is trying to lock the door, the door is switched from the closed state to the open state, which causes discomfort and is in need of improvement.

[0007] Publication JP 2012-172 367 A discloses a vehicle door opening / closing device according to the preamble of claim 1. Reference is also made to publication DE 10 2016 203 289 A1.

[0008] The present invention was developed to solve this type of problem and has the objective of providing a vehicle door opening / closing device which is able to prevent the door from being put into the open state when the door is in the closed and unlocked state and the presence of the user is detected by the detection unit.

[0009] According to the invention, the problem is solved by a vehicle door opening / closing device according to claim 1.

[0010] When the door is in the closed and unlocked states, and the detection unit detects the user's presence, according to the present invention, the door is driven, based on the authentication communication between the authentication unit and the portable device, to be in the locked state, and therefore it is possible to lock the door when there is an intention to lock the door and no intention to open the door, thus eliminating any feeling of unease.

[0011] If the door is in the locked state and the detection unit detects the user's presence, the door is driven, based on the authentication communication between the authentication unit and the portable device, to the open state (fully open or partially open), and therefore it is possible to reliably move the door to the open state if there is an intention to open the door which is in the locked state.

[0012] In the vehicle door opening / closing device, the invention provides that the door drive unit includes an exterior door handle switch configured to output an exterior door handle ON signal when the user pulls on an exterior door handle, and that the detection unit includes a separate exterior door handle switch configured to output a pseudo exterior door handle ON signal equivalent to that provided by the exterior door handle switch The door drive unit drives the door into the open state based on the authentication communication between the authentication unit and the portable device using the pseudo-outer door handle switch ON signal as a trigger, with the pseudo-outer door handle switch ON signal being output by the separate outer door handle switch of the detection unit.

[0013] According to such a configuration, even if the detection unit is a so-called retrofit option, it is possible to connect the existing door drive unit to the portable device and to drive the door based on authentication communication so that it is in the open state.

[0014] Furthermore, according to the invention, the vehicle door opening / closing device includes a door drive unit comprising a door lock / unlock button configured to output a door lock trigger signal when pressed by the user; a sensing unit comprising a generation section configured to generate and output a pseudo-door lock trigger signal equivalent to the door lock trigger signal output by the door lock / unlock button; and when the door is in the open state or in the closed and unlocked state, and the sensing unit detects the user's presence, the door drive unit operates the door based on the authentication communication between the authentication unit and the portable device using the pseudo-door lock trigger signal as a trigger.that it is in the locked state, with the pseudo-door locking trigger signal being output by the generation section of the detection unit.

[0015] According to such a configuration, even if the detection unit is a so-called retrofit option, it is possible to connect the existing door drive unit to the portable device and to drive the door based on authentication communication in such a way that it is in the locked state.

[0016] Furthermore, in the vehicle door opening / closing device, it is preferred that the door is a rear sliding door, the detection unit includes an ultrasonic sensor which is configured to detect a user's foot, and the ultrasonic sensor is arranged below a side sill of a front door.

[0017] According to this configuration, it is possible, for example, to prevent the rear sliding door from closing unexpectedly due to the movement of the user's foot while the rear sliding door is in the open position during an activity such as loading or unloading items.

[0018] The detection unit according to the present invention is used in the vehicle door opening / closing device described above.

[0019] When the door is in the closed and unlocked states, and the detection unit senses the user's presence, the door, according to the present invention, is driven, based on the authentication communication between the authentication unit and the portable device, to be in the locked state. Therefore, it is possible to lock the door when there is an intention to lock it and no intention to open it, thus eliminating any feeling of unease.

[0020] If the door is in the locked state and the detection unit detects the user's presence, the door is driven, based on the authentication communication between the authentication unit and the portable device, to the open state (fully open or partially open), and therefore it is possible to reliably move the door to the open state if there is an intention to open the door which is in the locked state.

[0021] When the door is in the closed and unlocked states, and the detection unit detects the user's presence, the door, according to the present invention, is driven, based on the authentication communication between the authentication unit and the portable device, to be in the locked state. Therefore, it is possible to lock the door when there is an intention to lock it and no intention to open it, thus eliminating any feeling of unease.

[0022] If the door is in the locked state and the detection unit detects the user's presence, the door is driven, based on the authentication communication between the authentication unit and the portable device, to the open state (fully open or partially open), and therefore it is possible to reliably move the door to the open state if there is an intention to open the door which is in the locked state.

[0023] Even if the detection unit is a so-called retrofit option, it is possible to connect the existing door drive unit to the portable device and to drive the door based on authentication communication so that it is in the open state.

[0024] The function, features and advantages described above will become clear in a simple way from the following description of the exemplary embodiment, which refers to the attached drawings. Brief description of the drawings Fig. Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of a vehicle door opening / closing device according to an exemplary embodiment; Fig. 2A is a schematic side view of a state in which a sliding door is closed, and Fig. 2B is a schematic side view of a state in which the sliding door is open; Fig. Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram of a deployment scenario assumed for a data collection unit; Fig. Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram of a circuit configuration of an operating mode switch; Fig. Figure 5 is a flowchart provided to describe in detail the operation of the vehicle door opening / closing device; Fig. Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram of an operation starting from the time at which the sliding door is locked, up to the time at which the sliding door is unlocked; Fig. Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram of an operation starting from the time the sliding door is open until the time the sliding door is closed, and starting from the time the sliding door is open until the sliding door is closed and locked; and Fig. Figure 8 is a flowchart provided to describe the operation of the acquisition unit. Description of exemplary implementations

[0025] The following is a detailed description of preferred embodiments of a vehicle door opening / closing device according to the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Configuration]

[0026] Fig. Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of a vehicle door opening / closing device 10 according to the present embodiment.

[0027] Fig. Figure 2A is a schematic side view of an example of a state in which a sliding door (rear sliding door) 20 on the rear passenger side of a vehicle 12, which includes a right-hand handle, is closed, and Fig. 2B is a schematic side view of a state in which the sliding door 20 of vehicle 12 is open.

[0028] To avoid complication and to facilitate understanding, the configuration and operation of the vehicle door opening / closing device 10 are described in the present embodiment using a front door 16 and the sliding door 20 on the passenger side of the vehicle 12 as examples; however, since the front door and the sliding door on the driver's side have the same configuration and operation as on the passenger side, these doors are also included in the invention.

[0029] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle door opening / closing device 10 is essentially formed from a vehicle door opening / closing device body 302 inside the vehicle 12, a detection unit 50 which can detect a user (person) in a contactless manner, and a portable device 200 which can be worn by the user.

[0030] As in the Fig. 2A and Fig. As shown in Figure 2B, the front door 16 of the vehicle 12 is a swing door for manually opening and closing a front left open section 102 of a vehicle body 100 by the user, who grasps a door handle 124 of the front door 16 (outer door handle of the front door 16).

[0031] The sliding door 20 of the vehicle 12, however, is a sliding-type door which opens a left rear open section 104 of the vehicle body 100 when the user pulls on an outer door handle (hereinafter occasionally abbreviated as ODH (outer door handle)) 154 of the sliding door 20.

[0032] In fact, the sliding door 20 is a so-called power-operated sliding door which, provided that the sliding door 20 is in a closed and an unlocked state, opens automatically in a so-called motorized manner when the user pulls on the outer door handle 154 of the sliding door 20 or when the user presses an opening / closing button (APS) 208 of the portable device 200, which forms a smart key type access system.

[0033] As described in detail below, the sliding door 20 is controlled such that it does not open, even if the detection unit 50 detects that the user's foot has been pulled away, when the sliding door 20 is in the closed and unlocked state according to the present invention.

[0034] As in Fig. Figure 1 shows that the smart key type access system comprises an authentication ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 24, which is an onboard device, and the portable device 200, which is worn by the user.

[0035] The authentication ECU 24 is a processing device comprising a microcomputer; comprising a CPU (central processing unit), a storage device (memory section) 25, for example a ROM (including an EEPROM) and a RAM (Radom Access Memory) serving as memory, a timer serving as a clock device (clock section), and, if necessary, an input / output device or the like, for example an A / D converter or a D / A converter; and acts as various function-implementing devices (function-implementing section, function-implementing means), e.g. a control / regulation device (control / regulation section), a computer (computation section), a processor (processing section), and the like, by the CPU reading and executing programs recorded in the ROM.

[0036] Other ECUs in the description below have a similar configuration to the authentication ECU 24 described above.

[0037] The authentication ECU 24 also includes a transmit / receive circuit (not shown in the drawings) for performing wireless authentication communication with the portable device 200.

[0038] The portable device 200 comprises an ECU (ECU of the portable device) 224, and this ECU 224 of the portable device also serves as an authentication ECU (authentication control / regulation section) of the portable device 200. An ID for mutual authentication of the portable device 200 is stored in a memory device 225 (EEPROM) of the ECU 224 of the portable device, and an ID identical to this ID for mutual authentication is pre-stored in the memory device 25 (EEPROM) of the authentication ECU 24 of the vehicle 12.

[0039] The portable device 200 is provided with a handling section consisting of a lock-release button (also referred to as an unlock button) 204 for the front door 16 and the sliding door 20, a lock-engage button (also referred to as a lock button) 206 for the front door 16 and the sliding door 20, an open / close button 208 for the sliding door 20 (passenger side), and an open / close button 210 for the sliding door 20 (driver side), all of which appear on the portable device 200 and can be pressed by the user or the like.The portable device 200 is further equipped with a display device (not shown in the drawings), for example an LED, which can be seen by the user or the like, and a buzzer, loudspeaker or the like (not shown in the drawings) which can be heard by the user or the like.

[0040] The portable device ECU 224 described above (which also serves as an authentication ECU (authentication control / regulation section)), which includes the transmit / receive circuit (not shown in the drawings) for performing wireless authentication communication with the onboard authentication ECU 24, is provided within the portable device 200.

[0041] The unlock button 204, the lock button 206 and the open / close buttons 208, 210 are electrically connected to the ECU 224 of the portable device.

[0042] With a smart key access system, as is generally known, when the user carries the portable device 200 and approaches the front side of the front door 16 of the vehicle 12, the front door 16 of the vehicle 12 is placed in an unlock standby mode or the sliding door 20 of the vehicle 12 is placed in an unlock standby mode without the user handling any buttons on the portable device 200.

[0043] To automatically unlock (release) the vehicle door (front door 16 or sliding door 20) in this unlock standby mode, the user simply holds the portable device 200, which is an auto-responding device, and walks into a prescribed wireless frequency communication range of the vehicle 12 (a detection range 80 of the portable device, described below, located near the front of the front door 16). As a result, the authentication ECU 24 and the portable device 200 perform authentication communication to determine if their mutual IDs are the same.

[0044] When the user presses a door lock / unlock button 126 (door lock sensor) located on the door handle 124 of the front door 16, and after successful authentication communication (when the mutual IDs match), a front door lock 122 and a sliding door lock 222 are unlocked (released). If the user then pulls the door handle 124, the front door 16 opens.

[0045] On the other hand, the sliding door 20 can be opened automatically by the user pulling on the external door handle (ODH) 154 when the sliding door 20 is in the unlocked state, or by the user pressing the open / close button 208 of the portable device 200 when the sliding door 20 is in the locked state.

[0046] The vehicle door opening / closing device 10 comprises, in addition to the authentication ECU 24 described above, ECUs which include a vehicle ECU 32 (vehicle control / regulation section), a door locking ECU 34 (door locking control / regulation section) and a sliding door drive ECU 36 (sliding door drive control / regulation section) which are interconnected via an internal vehicle communication line 30.

[0047] The detection unit 50 of the vehicle door opening / closing device 10 according to the present embodiment is not installed within the production line of the vehicle 12 and is instead commercially available and installed as an option that can be fitted at a later stage (retrofit option) by a dealer or the like; however, the detection unit 50 can be installed in the production line.

[0048] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the detection unit 50 comprises an ultrasonic sensor 76, which is formed by a set of a transducer 72 and a transducer 74, which have the same specifications, a buzzer 78 and a detection ECU 70 (detection control / regulation section).

[0049] As in Fig. 2A, Fig. 2B and Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the transducer 72 and the transducer 74 are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 12. Both the transducer 72 and the transducer 74 are of the transmit / receive dual-function type, configured to alternately switch between transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves at a predetermined period (e.g., a few hundred milliseconds). This offers the advantage that the usable period can be extended compared to when the transducer 72 and the transducer 74 are used for transmitting or receiving only. In the drawings, a reference numeral R denotes a detection range (detection area) within which the ultrasonic sensor 76 is capable of detection.

[0050] The detection unit 50 is connected via a connecting part 71 in a wired manner to the vehicle door opening / closing device body 302 in the vehicle 12, and is, as shown in the Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B shown, within the vehicle body 100 by a fastening element (not shown in the drawings) at a position below the front door 16 (below a front side sill 17) and near an area below the sliding door 20 (rear side sill 18) in such a way that it can easily detect the insertion and removal of a user M's left foot F.

[0051] Fig. Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram of an operational scenario assumed for the data collection unit 50. Detailed operation of the data collection unit 50 is described below.

[0052] For example, the user M, who carries the portable device 200 in a bag or the like of his or her clothing and holds luggage B in both hands, in a state in which the front door 16 and the sliding door 20 of the vehicle 12, which is parked on a surface 300, are in the locked state, places his left foot F below the ultrasonic sensor 76 (in the prescribed detection range R) below the front door 16 (below the front side sill 17) (step a).

[0053] Next, the user M removes their left foot F from below the ultrasonic sensor 76 within a few seconds (out of the prescribed detection range R between the ultrasonic sensor 76 and the surface 300). Upon detection of this insertion / removal action of the left foot F (referred to as the kicking action (kick movement)) as a trigger, the portable device 200 (the ECU 224 of the portable device) and the authentication ECU 24 initiate the authentication communication (step b).

[0054] In fact, the detection of this insertion / removal action of the left foot F or the like is carried out by the ultrasonic sensor 76 by determining whether an ultrasonic wave 77 (transmitted wave), which is sent by the transducer 72 and reflected by the surface 300, is instead temporarily reflected by the left foot F or the like within a few seconds (within a prescribed time period) and then reflected again by the surface 300, by using the transducer 74 to monitor a state (return time) of the ultrasonic wave 77 (reflected wave).

[0055] If the authentication of the above step b is successful, the front door 16 and the sliding door 20 will be switched from the locked state to the unlocked state, and furthermore, the sliding door 20 will be opened automatically.

[0056] The user M, who has the luggage B which takes up both hands, can place the luggage B down into a vehicle cabin 22 and load this luggage B into the vehicle 12 (step c).

[0057] The user M, who has placed the luggage B down into the vehicle cabin 22 and has then determined that the loading of the luggage B has been completed, performs the stepping movement described above (with either the right foot or the left foot F) (step b again).

[0058] Upon detection of this kicking motion as a trigger, the sliding door 20 closes automatically. Subsequently, if the portable device 200 (the portable device's ECU 224) and the authentication ECU 24 perform authentication communication and this authentication is successful, the sliding door 20 is locked. At this point, all other doors, including the front door 16, are also locked.

[0059] Even if the user's foot (left foot F or right foot) is placed below the right side sill 18 (below the left rear open section 104) during the loading and unloading of luggage B, this foot is outside the detection range R of the ultrasonic sensor 76, since the detection unit 50 (ultrasonic sensor 76) is located below the front door 16 (below the front side sill 17), and therefore the sliding door 20 remains open in this case. Thus, it is possible to minimize the concern about the sliding door 20 closing unintentionally during loading and unloading of luggage B and to ensure smooth loading and unloading of luggage B.

[0060] Returning to Fig. 1 is the vehicle ECU 32 connected to a motor 40, which serves as a power source for the vehicle 12, and to an operating mode switch 44 which is capable of switching the operating mode according to authentication with the portable device 200, which is located within a prescribed area in the vehicle cabin 22. The operating mode switch 44 is essentially equivalent to a conventional ignition switch. The power source of the vehicle 12 can be a fuel cell instead of the motor 40.

[0061] Fig. Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram of the circuit configuration of the operating mode switch 44 (operating mode toggle button), which is arranged in a mounting plate (not shown in the drawings). The actual circuit is formed by relays whose movable contact switching positions can be selected arbitrarily; however, for the sake of clarity, the circuit is described using a rotary switch circuit configuration that functions as a conventional ignition switch.

[0062] The operating mode switch 44 is a push-button switch that is able to select (to switch between) a function mode each time the button is pressed, from an OFF mode (in which all power supplies are OFF), an accessory mode (also referred to as an ACC mode, in which it is possible to use electrical onboard equipment, such as an audio system), an ON mode, which is present during operation after a START mode has been passed, in which the motor 40 is started, and the OFF mode in the aforementioned order.

[0063] The operating mode switch 44 comprises a common terminal 130, a movable contact 132, fixed contacts OFF, ACC, ON and START, and segments 133, 134, 135, 136. An ACC terminal 143 is connected to segment 133, an ON terminal 144 is connected to segment 134, a RES (Remote Engine Start) ON terminal 145 is connected to segment 135, and a START terminal 146 is connected to segment 136.

[0064] When the movable contact 132 is in the OFF position at the fixed contact, the voltage (also known as the +B power supply) of an onboard capacitor 140 is not connected to the electrical equipment and the like.

[0065] When the movable contact 132 is in contact with the fixed contact ACC, the +B power supply is supplied to the ACC terminal 143 from the common terminal 130 via the movable contact 132 and the segment 133. In addition to the onboard electrical equipment (not shown in the drawings), a terminal 71b in the connecting part 71 of the sensing unit 50 is connected to the ACC terminal 143 via a wire. The voltage signal present at the ACC terminal 143 is referred to as the ACC signal Sacc.When the ACC terminal 143 is connected to the capacitor 140 via the segment 133, the movable contact 132 and the common terminal 130, the ACC signal Sacc will be the voltage of the +B power supply (this voltage is also referred to as +B) with a nominal value of +12 [V] (high level), and when the segment 133 is not connected to the movable contact 132, the ACC signal Sacc will be grounded via a resistor (not shown in the drawings) such that it has a voltage of 0 [V] (low level).

[0066] When the movable contact 132 is in the position of the fixed contact ON, the +B power supply is supplied to the ON terminal 144 via segment 134, the +B power supply is also supplied to the ACC terminal 143 via segment 133, and furthermore, the +B power supply is also supplied to the RES-ON terminal 145 via segment 135. When segments 134 and 135 are not connected to the movable contact 132, these segments 134 and 135 are grounded via a resistor (not shown in the drawings) through the ON terminal 144 and the RES-ON terminal 145 such that they have a voltage of 0 [V].

[0067] When the movable contact 132 is in the position of the fixed START contact, the +B power supply is fed to the RES-IN terminal 145 via segment 135, and the +B power supply is fed to the START terminal 146 via segment 136. When segment 136 is not connected to the movable contact 132, this segment 136 is grounded via a resistor (not shown in the drawings) through the START terminal 146 such that it has a voltage of 0 [V].

[0068] The following are three points that are important to consider.

[0069] First, when the operating mode switch 44 in the vehicle cabin 22 is pressed, authentication communication with the portable device 200 inside the vehicle cabin 22 is successful, and the movable contact 132 is connected to the fixed START contact, the motor 40 starts by being cranked by a starter (not shown in the drawings), after which the movable contact 132 is returned to the fixed ON contact by the vehicle ECU 32. During operation, after the motor 40 has started, the power supply to the starter is stopped.

[0070] Secondly, in a case where an engine start button of a remotely controlled engine starter (not shown in the drawings) has been pressed from outside the vehicle 12, the vehicle ECU 32, if authentication of this remotely controlled engine starter is successful, performs a control / regulation to connect the movable contact 132 directly to the fixed contact START from the position of the fixed contact OFF, while bypassing the fixed contacts ACC and ON, in order to crank and start the engine 40, after which the movable contact 132 is held at the fixed contact START. During operation, after the engine 40 has started, the supply of current to the starter is stopped.

[0071] Thirdly, in a case where, for example, the motor 40 is started from outside by the remote-controlled motor starting device and enters the operating state, when the unlock button 204 of the portable device 200 is handled from outside, the authentication communication is successful, and the locks 122 and 222 are moved into the unlocked state, the vehicle ECU 32 connects the movable contact 132 to the fixed OFF contact from the fixed START contact in order to stop the motor 40.

[0072] Returning to Fig. 1 are a front door locking actuator 52, which engages with and releases the locking mechanism (front door lock, FD lock) 122 of the front door 16, the door lock / unlock button 126, a front door locking switch 54, which detects the state (locked state or unlocked state) of the front door lock 122, a front door switch 56, which detects the open / closed state of the front door (FD) 16, and a sliding door locking actuator 60, which engages with and releases the locking mechanism (SD lock) 222 of the sliding door 20, connected to the door locking ECU 34.

[0073] If the door lock / unlock button 126 (see Fig. 2A and Fig. When the button 2B), which is located in the door handle 124, is pressed, a door locking trigger signal St is output. The door locking trigger signal St acts as an unlock signal for the front door 16 and the sliding door 20 when the front door 16 and the sliding door 20 are in the locked state, and acts as a lock signal for the front door 16 and the sliding door 20 when the front door 16 and the sliding door 20 are closed and in the unlocked state.

[0074] The sliding door drive ECU 36 is equipped with an external door handle switch 58, which is set to a closed position and outputs an external door handle switch ON signal So / hon when the external door handle 154 (see Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B) is pulled by a hand of the user M (and is set to an open state and does not output the outside door handle switch ON signal So / hon unless the outside door handle 154 is pulled), a sliding door locking switch 62 which detects a state (locked state or unlocked state) of the locking (SD locking) 222 of the sliding door 20, a sliding door switch 64 which detects the open / closed state of the sliding door 20, and a sliding door opening / closing actuator 66 which performs an opening / closing drive of the sliding door (SD) 20.

[0075] The detection ECU 70 comprises a timer 26, which serves as a clock device, and is connected to the ultrasonic sensor 76, which is formed by the transducer 72 and the transducer 74 described above, the buzzer 78, and the connecting part 71, which serves as an electrical component that electrically connects wires. The connecting part 71 comprises nine terminals 71a to 71i.

[0076] Connection 71a is a connection through which the +B power supply from the capacitor 140 of the vehicle 12 is supplied to the detection unit 50.

[0077] The 71b connector is connected to the ACC connector 143 (see Fig. 4) and is a connection which enables the detection ECU 70 to detect the voltage (+B power supply or 0 [V]) of the ACC terminal 143 according to the voltage level of the ACC signal Sacc and to cause the detection unit 50, based on the detected voltage, to enter a kick detection mode state (kick detection enabled state) or a kick detection prohibition mode state.

[0078] The terminal 71c is connected to the front door switch 56 and is a terminal which allows the detection ECU 70 to detect the open / closed state of the front door 16.

[0079] The terminal 71d is connected to the front door locking switch 54 and is a terminal which allows the detection ECU 70 to detect the locked / unlocked state of the front door 16.

[0080] The terminal 71e is connected to the door lock / unlock button 126, is a terminal for outputting a pseudo door lock trigger signal Spt, which is a signal equivalent to the door lock trigger signal St described above from the sensing ECU 70, and is connected to a generation section 160 for generating the pseudo door lock trigger signal Spt in the sensing ECU 70.

[0081] The terminal 71f is connected to the sliding door switch 64 and is a terminal which enables the detection ECU 70 to detect the open / closed state of the sliding door 20.

[0082] The terminal 71g is connected to the sliding door locking switch 62 and is a terminal which enables the detection ECU 70 to detect the locked / unlocked state of the locking mechanism 222 of the sliding door 20.

[0083] Terminals 71h and 71i have a function equivalent to that of the external door handle switch 58 described above and are connected to an external door handle switch (ODH switch) 158, which is an electronic switch implemented by a semiconductor element within the sensing ECU 70. The external door handle switch 158 acts as a pseudo-external door handle ON signal spo / hon generation section, which, under prescribed conditions described below, is switched to the ON state by the sensing ECU 70 in order to generate and output a pseudo-external door handle ON signal (pseudo-ODH switch ON signal) spo / hon.

[0084] This pseudo-exterior door handle switch ON signal Spo / hon is a signal equivalent to the exterior door handle switch ON signal So / hon, which is emitted by the exterior door handle switch 58 (see Fig. 1) is output when the user M touches the outside door handle 154 (see Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B) is drawn. [Operation]

[0085] The following describes a detailed operation of the vehicle door opening / closing device 10, which is essentially set up and operates as described above, in the sequence shown below from (1) to (4), while on a Fig. 5 Flowchart shown, which concerns the operation (opening / closing process and locking / unlocking process) of the sliding door 20, in which the vehicle door opening / closing device body 302 and the detection unit 50 are connected, to a in Fig. 6. Explanatory diagram of an operation from the time at which the sliding door 20 (SD) is locked (LOCKING) until the time when the sliding door 20 is unlocked (UNLOCKING) and open (OPEN), onto a Fig. Figure 7 illustrates an explanatory diagram of an operation from the time at which the sliding door 20 is open (OPEN) to the time at which the sliding door 20 is closed (CLOSE), and from the time at which the sliding door 20 is open (OPEN) to the time at which the sliding door 20 is closed (CLOSE) and locked (& LOCK), and on a in Fig. Reference is made to the flowchart shown in Figure 8 for determining whether the recording unit 50 is operating or not. (1) Transition process from the closed and locked sliding door to the open and unlocked sliding door (2) Transition process from the closed and unlocked sliding door to the closed and locked sliding door (3) Transition process from the open and unlocked sliding door to the closed and locked sliding door (4) Process for determining whether the recording unit is operating or not 50 [Operation of the sliding door 20, in which the vehicle door opening / closing device body 302 and the detection unit 50 are connected]<(1) Transition process from the closed and locked sliding door to the open and unlocked sliding door>

[0086] In step S1, the detection ECU 70 assesses whether a pedaling action is being detected (the pedaling movement is being recorded).

[0087] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 6, this stepping is detected when a person X, who is within the detection range 80 of the portable device for the sliding door 20 (left-hand SD) and wishes to open the sliding door 20 (SD), i) places their foot (right foot or left foot F) below the ultrasonic sensor 76, which is located below the front side sill 17, while holding the portable device 200, ii) causes the detection unit 50 to emit a sound from the buzzer 78, and iii) withdraws their foot within a few seconds (Step S1: YES). It should be noted that in this embodiment, the detection range 80 of the portable device for the sliding door 20 is provided substantially near the front of the front door 16.

[0088] Next, in step S2, the detection ECU 70 receives the detection result of the open / closed state of the sliding door switch 64 via connection 71f and assesses the open / closed state of the sliding door 20.

[0089] Here, the "closed state" is assumed (step S2: CLOSED).

[0090] Next, in step S3, the detection ECU 70 detects the locked state of the sliding door 20 by receiving the detection result of the locked / unlocked state of the sliding door locking switch 62 via connection 71g.

[0091] Here, the "locked state" is assumed (step S3: LOCKED).

[0092] At this point, in step S4, the detection ECU 70 sets the outside door handle switch 158 to the ON state. Therefore, the pseudo outside door handle switch ON signal Spo / hon is output from terminals 71h and 71i of the detection ECU 70, which is connected to the outside door handle switch 158 of the detection unit 50, and input into the sliding door drive ECU 36.

[0093] Next, in step S5, an authentication request is sent from the sliding door drive ECU 36, triggered by the input of the pseudo-exterior door handle switch ON signal Spo / hon, via the vehicle's internal communication line 30 (a description of the vehicle's internal communication line 30 is omitted below) to the authentication ECU 24. The authentication ECU 24, having received the pseudo-exterior door handle switch ON signal Spo / hon, performs authentication communication with the portable device 200. Authentication is successful if the IDs stored in memory devices 25 and 225 match and a result of successful authentication is provided by the authentication ECU 24 to the sliding door drive ECU 36.

[0094] At this point, at step S6, v), the sliding door drive ECU 36 moves the lock 222 to the unlocked state using the sliding door lock actuator 60 via the door lock ECU 34, and then drives the sliding door 20 using the sliding door open / close actuator 66 (drawing on the right in Fig. 1) such that it is in the open state.

[0095] The above process consisting of {Step S1: YES → Step S2: CLOSED → Step S3: LOCKED → Step S4: Spo / hon signal output → Step S5: Authentication communication → Step S6: OPEN} is a process (also referred to as a first sequence process) for switching the sliding door 20, which is in the closed and locked state, to the open and unlocked state, according to the foot action of user X. <(2) Transition process from the closed and unlocked sliding door to the closed and locked sliding door>

[0096] However, if, in step S3 described above, the detection ECU 70 assesses that the currently closed sliding door 20 is in the "unlocked state", the sliding door 20 will not be opened immediately by the first step detection from step S1.

[0097] Therefore, at step S7, the acquisition ECU 70 outputs the pseudo door locking trigger signal Spt from the generation section 160 through terminal 71e in order to transmit this pseudo door locking trigger signal Spt to the door locking ECU 34.

[0098] Next, at step S8, the authentication request is transmitted from the door lock ECU 34 to the authentication ECU 24 using the door lock trigger signal Spt as a trigger. At this point, the authentication ECU 24 performs the authentication communication with the portable device 200. Authentication is successful if the IDs stored in memory devices 25 and 225 match and a result of successful authentication is provided by the authentication ECU 24 to the door lock ECU 34.

[0099] Next, at step S9, the door locking ECU 34 moves the lock 222 into the locked state using the sliding door locking actuator 60.

[0100] The above process consisting of {Step S1: YES → Step S2: CLOSED → Step S3: UNLOCKED → Step S7: Spt signal output → Step S8: Authentication communication → Step S9: LOCKED} is a process (also referred to as a second-course process) for switching the sliding door 20, which is in the closed and unlocked state, to the locked state, according to the foot action of user X.

[0101] If, after the process from step S9, the step action (a second step action) is recorded again in step S1, the sliding door 20, according to the first process described above, changes from the closed and locked state to the open and unlocked state. <(3) Transition process from the open and unlocked sliding door to the closed and locked sliding door>

[0102] In step S1, the detection ECU 70 assesses whether a pedaling action is being detected (the pedaling movement is being recorded).

[0103] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, this step detection assessment is positive if a person Y, who is within the detection range 80 of the portable device of the sliding door 20 (left-side SD) and wants to close the sliding door 20 (SD) (person who wants to CLOSE SD), or a person Z, who is within the detection range 80 of the portable device and wants to close and lock the sliding door 20 (SD) (person who wants to CLOSE AND LOCK SD), places and removes their foot (right foot or left foot F) below the ultrasonic sensor 76, which is located below the front side sill 17 (performs the stepping motion) while holding the portable device 200 (step S1: YES). At this time, the detection unit 50 causes the buzzer 78 to emit a sound.

[0104] If, based on the detection result of the open / closed state of the sliding door switch 64 by the detection ECU 70 in step S2, it is determined that the open / closed state of the sliding door 20 is the open state (and the lock 222 is obviously in the unlocked state), the detection ECU 70 sets the outside door handle switch 158 to the ON state in step S11. Therefore, I) the pseudo outside door handle switch ON signal Spo / hon is output by the outside door handle switch 158 and input into the sliding door drive ECU 36.

[0105] Next, at step S12, the sliding door drive ECU 36 drives the sliding door 20, using the sliding door opening / closing actuator 66, so that it is in the closed state.

[0106] The person Y, who wants to close the sliding door 20 (SD) (person who wants to CLOSE SD), II) moves out of the detection range 80 of the portable device while holding the portable device 200 before the sliding door 20 reaches the closed state.

[0107] Person Z, however, who wants to close and lock the sliding door 20, II') waits within the detection range 80 of the portable device while holding the portable device 200 until the sliding door 20 has reached the closed state (CLOSE LOCKED).

[0108] When the detection ECU 70, based on the state of the sliding door switch 64, detects that the sliding door 20 has reached the closed state, the detection ECU 70, at step S13, outputs the pseudo door locking trigger signal Spt from the generation section 160 and transmits this pseudo door locking trigger signal Spt to the door locking ECU 34 in the same way as in the processes of steps S7, S8 and S9 that have been described above.

[0109] Next, in step S14, the authentication request from door lock ECU 34 is transmitted to authentication ECU 24, and authentication ECU 24 performs the authentication communication with portable device 200. Authentication is successful if the IDs stored in storage devices 25 and 225 match and a result of successful authentication is provided by authentication ECU 24 to door lock ECU 34.

[0110] At this point, at step S15, the door locking ECU 34, using the sliding door locking actuator 60, puts the lock 222 into the locked state.

[0111] The above process consisting of {Step S1: YES → Step S2: OPEN → Step S11: Spo / hon signal output → Step S12: Sliding door closed → Step S13: Spt signal output → Step S14: Authentication communication → Step S15: Locked} is a process (also referred to as a third-course process) for switching the sliding door 20, which is in the open and unlocked state, to the closed and locked state, according to the action of the user Z.

[0112] Even if the detection unit 50 is a retrofit option, the sliding door 20, in the case of any of the first to third process described above, will be opened / closed and locked / unlocked according to the specified authentication communication (steps S5, S8 and S14) between the portable device 200 and the authentication ECU 24, and therefore the guarantee of security will be maintained. <(4) Process for determining whether the recording unit 50 is operating or not>

[0113] Next, the acquisition ECU 70 records, at step S101 of Fig. 8, the ACC signal Sacc through terminal 71b, which is a sensing terminal, is checked for voltage. If Sacc = +B, it is determined that the movable contact 132 of the operating mode switch 44 is connected to the fixed contact or the fixed contact ON in the vehicle 12, and, assuming that a person is in the vehicle 12, the kick detection prohibition mode (detection of a kick motion disabled) is set at step S103.

[0114] If, however, the ACC signal Acc is 0 [V], the movable contact 132 is switched to the fixed contact OFF or the fixed contact START, and therefore, assuming that nobody is in the vehicle 12, the kick detection mode (detection of a kick movement activated) is set at step S102. [Summary and modifications]

[0115] The vehicle door opening / closing device 10 according to the embodiment described above comprises the portable device 200, which is capable of transmitting a request signal (by means of radio waves) to lock or unlock the latches 122 and 222 of doors (the front door 16 and the sliding door 20) of the vehicle 12 from outside the vehicle 12; an authentication ECU (authentication unit) 24 on one side of the vehicle 12, which performs authentication communication with the portable device 200; the detection unit 50, which is provided on the vehicle 12 and detects the presence of the user M, who is located near the front door 16 in the embodiment described above, in a contactless manner;and a door drive unit (door lock ECU 34 and sliding door drive ECU 36) provided on the vehicle 12 drives the doors (front door 16 and sliding door 20) so that they are in the open or closed state, and drives the locks 122 and 222 so that they are in the locked or unlocked state, based on the authentication communication between the authentication ECU 24 and the portable device 200.;

[0116] Here, the door drive unit (door locking ECU 34 and sliding door drive ECU 36) drives the door (the sliding door 20 in the embodiment described above), based on the authentication communication between the authentication ECU 24 and the portable device 200, such that it is in the locked state when the door (the sliding door 20 in the embodiment described above) is in the closed state and the unlocked state, and the detection unit 50 detects the presence of the user M based on the stepping action (stepping movement) of the foot (left foot F or right foot) of the user M, and drives the door (sliding door 20), based on the authentication communication between the authentication ECU 24 and the portable device 200, such that it is in the open state (including fully open and partially open).when the door (sliding door 20) is in the locked state and the detection unit 50 detects the presence of user M.,

[0117] When the door (sliding door 20) is in the closed and unlocked states, and the detection unit 50 detects the presence of the user M, the door (sliding door 20), according to the embodiment described above, is driven, based on the authentication communication between the authentication ECU 24 and the portable device 200, such that it is in the locked state, and therefore it is possible to lock the door (sliding door 20) when there is an intention to lock the door (sliding door 20) and no intention to open the door (sliding door 20), thus eliminating any feeling of unease.

[0118] If the door (sliding door 20) is in the locked state and the detection unit 50 detects the presence of user M, the door (sliding door 20) is driven to the open state based on the authentication communication between the authentication ECU 24 and the portable device 200, and therefore it is possible to reliably move the door (sliding door 20) to the open state if there is an intention to open the door (sliding door 20) which is in the locked state.

[0119] Furthermore, in the vehicle door opening / closing device 10 according to the embodiment described above, the door drive unit (door locking ECU 34 and sliding door drive ECU 36) comprises the outside door handle switch 58, which outputs the outside door handle switch ON signal So / hon when the outside door handle 154 is pulled by the user M; the sensing unit 50 comprises the separate outside door handle switch 158, which outputs the pseudo outside door handle switch ON signal Spo / hon, which is equivalent to the outside door handle switch ON signal So / hon output by the outside door handle switch 58;and when the door (rear sliding door 20) is in the locked state and the detection unit 50 detects the presence of user M, the door drive unit (door locking ECU 34 and sliding door drive ECU 36) drives the door (rear sliding door 20), based on the authentication communication between the authentication ECU 24 and the portable device 200 with the pseudo-exterior door handle switch ON signal Spo / hon as a trigger, such that it is in the open state, the pseudo-exterior door handle switch ON signal Spo / hon being output by the separate exterior door handle switch 158 of the detection unit 50.

[0120] According to this embodiment, even if the detection unit 50 is a so-called retrofit option, it is possible to connect the existing door drive unit (door locking ECU 34 and sliding door drive ECU 36) with the portable device 200 and to drive the door (sliding door 20) on the basis of the authentication communication in such a way that it is in the open state.

[0121] Furthermore, in the vehicle door opening / closing device 10 of the embodiment described above, the door drive unit (door locking ECU 34 and sliding door drive ECU 36) comprises the door locking / unlocking button 126, which outputs the door locking trigger signal St when pressed by the user M; the sensing unit 50 comprises the generation section 160, which generates and outputs the pseudo door locking trigger signal Spt, which is equivalent to the door locking trigger signal St output by the door locking / unlocking button 126;and when the door (rear sliding door 20) is in the open state or in the closed and unlocked state, and the detection unit 50 detects the presence of the user M, the door drive unit (door locking ECU 34 and sliding door drive ECU 36) drives the door (rear sliding door 20) based on the authentication communication between the authentication ECU 24 and the portable device 200 with the pseudo-door locking trigger signal Spt as a trigger, such that it is in the locked state, the pseudo-door locking trigger signal Spt being output by the generation section 160 of the detection unit 50.

[0122] In the case of the vehicle door opening / closing device 10 according to the embodiment described above, it is possible, even if the detection unit 50 is a so-called retrofit option, to connect the existing door drive unit (door locking ECU 34 and sliding door drive ECU 36) with the portable device 200 and to drive the door (sliding door 20) on the basis of the authentication communication in such a way that it is in the locked state.

[0123] In the vehicle door opening / closing device 10 according to the embodiment described above, the door that is driven by the drive unit (door locking ECU 34 and sliding door drive ECU 36) when the presence of the user M is detected by the detection unit 50 is the rear sliding door 20; the detection unit 50 includes the ultrasonic sensor 76, which detects the foot (the left foot F or the right foot) of the user M; and the ultrasonic sensor 76 is arranged below the front side sill 17 of the front door 16.

[0124] According to the embodiment described above, it is possible to prevent the rear sliding door 20 from closing unexpectedly due to the movement of the foot (left foot F or right foot) of the user M performing this activity while an activity, for example loading or unloading items, is being carried out and the rear sliding door 20 is in the open state.

[0125] The detection unit 50 according to the present embodiment is preferably used in the vehicle door opening / closing device 10 described above.

[0126] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but it is self-evident that various additional or alternative configurations could be made on the basis of the content disclosed in the present description.

Claims

[1] Vehicle door opening / closing device (10), comprising: a portable device (200) which is configured to transmit a request signal in order to lock or unlock a door (20) of a vehicle (12) from outside the vehicle (12); an authentication unit (24) which is provided on one side of the vehicle (12) and is configured to perform authentication communication with the portable device (200); a door drive unit (34, 36) which is provided on the vehicle (12) and is configured to drive the door (20) so that it is in an open state or a closed state, and to drive the door (20) so that it is in the locked state or the unlocked state, based on the authentication communication between the authentication unit (24) and the portable device (200), characterized by , that the vehicle door opening / closing device (10) further comprises: a detection unit (50) which is provided on the vehicle (12) as a retrofit option and is designed to detect the presence of a user (M) located near the door (20) in a contactless manner; the door drive unit (34, 36) comprises: an exterior door handle switch (58) which is configured to output an exterior door handle switch ON signal (So / hon) when the user (M) pulls on an exterior door handle (154); and a door lock / unlock button (126) which is configured to output a door lock trigger signal (St) when pressed by the user (M), where the recording unit comprises (50): a separate external door handle switch (158) which is configured to output a pseudo external door handle switch ON signal (Spo / hon), which is equivalent to the outside door handle switch ON signal (So / hon) output by the outside door handle switch (58) when the presence of the user (M) is detected; and a generation section (160) configured to generate and output a pseudo-door locking trigger signal (Spt) equivalent to the door locking trigger signal (St) output by the door locking / unlocking button (126) when the presence of the user (M) is detected, and wherein, when the door (20) is in the open state or in the closed and unlocked state, the door drive unit (34, 36) drives the door (20) on the basis of the authentication communication between the authentication unit (24) and the portable device (200) with the pseudo door locking trigger signal (Spt) as a trigger, that it is in the closed and locked state, and When the door (20) is in the locked state, the door drive unit (34, 36) drives the door (20) on the basis of the authentication communication between the authentication unit (24) and the portable device (200) with the pseudo-outside door handle switch ON signal (Spo / hon) as a trigger, such that it is in the open state. [2] Vehicle door opening / closing device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the door (20) is a rear sliding door (20), the detection unit (50) comprises an ultrasonic sensor (76) which is configured to detect a foot (F) of the user (M), and the ultrasonic sensor (76) is arranged below a side sill (17) of a front door (16). [3] Detection unit (50) which is used in the vehicle door opening / closing device (10) according to claim 1 or 2.

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