Electric step device

Abstract

To provide an electric step device which can inhibit or prevent excessive increase of a surface temperature of a movable step.SOLUTION: An electric step device 5 includes: a movable step 6 serving as a footrest member which assists an occupant to get in or off an entrance 2 of a vehicle 1; a drive part 7 for moving the movable step 6 to an inner position of the vehicle and an outer position which protrudes to the vehicle outer side in an area below a vehicle floor surface; and a control unit 8 for controlling operation of the drive part 7. In a state that the movable step 6 is disposed at the inner position, the control unit 8 controls the drive part 7 so that the movable step 6 is moved to the outer position when an idling time of an engine of the vehicle 1 is a predetermined value or longer and a surface temperature of the movable step 6 is a predetermined value or higher.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric step device. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 describes an electric step device that "assists an occupant getting in and out of the vehicle by positioning a movable step at an in-use position below the vehicle floor and outside the vehicle when the occupant is in the vehicle, and stores the movable step in its unused position when the occupant is not in use, the electric step device comprising: a motor that drives a drive unit of the movable step; an operation state detection unit that detects the operation state of the motor; an inclination estimation unit that estimates the inclination state of the vehicle based on the operation state of the motor detected by the operation state detection unit; and a motor output control unit that controls the output of the motor based on the inclination state of the vehicle estimated by the inclination estimation unit." [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-100201 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, if the engine continues to idle while the vehicle is stopped, the exhaust system is not cooled by the wind from the vehicle's movement, and there is a risk that exhaust heat will be transferred to the movable step located near the exhaust system, causing the surface temperature of the movable step to rise.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide an electric step device that can suppress or prevent an excessive rise in the surface temperature of a movable step. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention is an electric step device having a movable step as a footrest member to assist occupants in getting on and off at the vehicle's entrance and exit, a drive unit for moving the movable step between an inner position of the vehicle and an outer position below the vehicle floor surface and protruding outside the vehicle, and a control unit for controlling the operation of the drive unit, wherein the control unit controls the drive unit to move the movable step to the outer position when the idling time of the vehicle's engine is equal to or greater than a predetermined value and the surface temperature of the movable step is equal to or greater than a predetermined value when the movable step is positioned at the inner position.

[0007] In this configuration, when it is predicted that the surface temperature of the movable step located at the inner position will rise excessively due to exhaust heat, the movable step is moved to the outer position, thereby making it possible to suppress or prevent the surface temperature of the movable step from rising excessively even when, for example, the idling time becomes excessively long.

[0008] In the above electric step device, the control unit can be configured to perform a first judgment process of judging whether the engine idling time has reached a predetermined value or more, a second judgment process of judging whether the surface temperature of the movable step is above a predetermined value or more, and an emergency process of controlling the drive unit to move the movable step to the outer position when both the first and second judgment processes make positive judgments when the movable step is positioned at the inner position.

[0009] In addition, in the above electric step device, the control unit can be configured to perform a first judgment process of determining whether the engine idling time has reached a predetermined value or more, a second judgment process of determining whether the surface temperature of the movable step is above a predetermined value or more, a third judgment process of determining whether a parking position has been selected or not, a fourth judgment process of determining whether the amount of solar radiation is below a predetermined value or not, and an emergency process of controlling the drive unit to move the movable step to the outer position when all of the first to fourth judgment processes result in positive judgments when the movable step is positioned at the inner position.

[0010] In this configuration, when it is predicted that the degree of increase in the surface temperature of the movable step located at the inner position due to exhaust heat is greater than the degree of increase in the surface temperature due to exposure to sunlight at the outer position, the movable step is moved to the outer position, thereby making it possible to suppress or prevent the surface temperature of the movable step from increasing excessively even if, for example, the idling time becomes excessively long.

[0011] On the other hand, when it is predicted that the degree of increase in the surface temperature of the movable step located at the inner position due to exhaust heat is smaller than the degree of increase in the surface temperature due to exposure to sunlight at the outer position, the movable step is left positioned at the inner position, thereby making it possible to suppress or prevent the surface temperature of the movable step from increasing excessively.

[0012] In this manner, according to the above configuration, it is checked whether it is better to leave the movable step located at the inner position at the inner position or to move it to the outer position, and the preferable state is achieved.

[0013] In addition, in the above electric step device, the control unit can be configured to perform a first judgment process of determining whether the engine idling time has reached a predetermined value or more, a second judgment process of determining whether the surface temperature of the movable step is above a predetermined value or more, a third judgment process of determining whether a parking position has been selected, a fourth judgment process of determining whether the amount of solar radiation is below a predetermined value or less, a fifth judgment process of determining whether the vehicle has been driven, a sixth judgment process of determining whether the engine has been stopped, a seventh judgment process of determining whether the amount of solar radiation is above a predetermined value or more, an emergency process of controlling the drive unit to move the movable step to the outer position if all of the first to fourth judgment processes are judged to be positive when the movable step is positioned at the inner position, and a release process of controlling the drive unit to move the movable step to the inner position after the emergency process is performed, if any of the fifth to seventh judgment processes is judged to be positive.

[0014] In this configuration, if it is predicted that the movable step will not be used after the movable step is moved to the outer position by the emergency measure, or if it is predicted that the surface temperature of the movable step will rise excessively due to continued exposure to sunlight at the outer position, the movable step is moved to the inner position, thereby making it possible to prevent the surface temperature of the movable step from rising excessively due to continued exposure to sunlight.

[0015] In addition, in the above-mentioned electric step device, the movable step can be configured to be arranged below an entrance / exit provided on at least one of the left and right sides of the vehicle. Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electric step device that can suppress or prevent an excessive rise in the surface temperature of a movable step. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1]1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a vehicle equipped with an electric step device according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a bottom perspective view of the movable step and drive unit, showing the movable step in an outer position; [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the movable step in an inner position. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the movable step in an outer position. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the electric step device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0019] An embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figures 1 to 6. In the figures, the front of the vehicle is indicated as Fr, the left side of the vehicle as Lh, and the right side of the vehicle as Rh.

[0020] 1, in this embodiment, a four-door pickup truck or the like is taken as an example of a vehicle 1, but the present invention can be applied to other vehicle types. This vehicle 1 is provided with entrance / exit doors 2 at, for example, the left front, left rear, right front, and right rear.

[0021] The electric step device 5 is installed in the area between the front and rear wheels at the lower part of the left side (front and rear boarding / alighting doors 2 on the left) and the lower part of the right side (front and rear boarding / alighting doors 2 on the right) of the vehicle 1, and includes a movable step 6, a drive unit 7, a control unit 8, etc., as shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 1 shows only the electric step device 5 installed at the lower part of the left side.

[0022] The movable step 6 is a footrest member for assisting passengers getting on and off at the boarding / alighting entrance 2 of the vehicle 1, and as shown in Figures 2 and 3, is a rectangular plate-shaped member when viewed from above, and is positioned at a distance below the side skirt 4 at the bottom of the boarding / alighting entrance 2 of the vehicle 1 along the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle.

[0023] The movable step 6 can be formed, for example, from a metal (such as an aluminum alloy), but it can also be formed, for example, from a fiber-reinforced synthetic resin, or from a combination of the metal and the fiber-reinforced synthetic resin.

[0024] The movable step 6 can be moved between an inner position shown in Fig. 4 and an outer position shown in Fig. 5. The inner position is set at a position below the entrance 2 and inward from the left or right side of the vehicle 1. The outer position is set at a position where an occupant can easily place their feet when getting on or off at the entrance 2, that is, a position below the vehicle floor and protruding outward from the left or right side of the vehicle 1.

[0025] The drive unit 7 moves the movable step 6 between the outer position and the inner position as necessary, and includes first and second bases 71A, 71B, first and second link units 72A, 72B, a torque rod 73, an electric motor 74, a reduction mechanism 75, etc.

[0026] The first and second bases 71A, 71B are attached in a suspended state by having their upper portions fixed to two locations below the entrance / exit 2 of the vehicle 1, spaced apart in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0027] The first and second link units 72A, 72B connect the lower parts of the first and second bases 71A, 71B, respectively, to two points spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the movable step 6, and transmit the rotational power generated by the electric motor 74 and reduced in speed by the reduction mechanism 75 to the movable step 6.

[0028] The first and second link units 72A, 72B each include a first and second drive link 76A, 76B, a first and second slider 77A, 77B, and a first and second support link 78A, 78B.

[0029] One end of the first and second drive links 76A, 76B is rotatably supported by the torque rod 73, and the other end is rotatably supported by one end of the first and second sliders 77A, 77B via a pivot pin (not shown). The other ends of the first and second sliders 77A, 77B are attached to the inner side of the movable step 6. One end of the first and second support links 78A, 78B is supported by the first and second bases 71A, 71B via a pivot pin (not shown), and the other end is rotatably supported at the longitudinal center of the first and second sliders 77A, 77B via a pivot pin (not shown).

[0030] The torque rod 73 receives rotational power generated by an electric motor 74 and reduced in speed by a reduction mechanism 75, and transmits this input rotational power from the first drive link 76A to the second drive link 76B, thereby causing the first and second drive links 76A, 76B to swing synchronously.

[0031] The electric motor 74 and the reduction mechanism 75 are installed on the first base 71 A. An output shaft (not shown) of the reduction mechanism 75 is connected to one end of the torque rod 73.

[0032] In the drive unit 7 configured as described above, the rotational power generated by the electric motor 74 is decelerated by the reduction mechanism 75 and input to the torque rod 73 to rotate the torque rod 73. This rotational motion causes the first and second drive links 76A, 76B to swing synchronously. This swinging motion causes the first and second support links 78A, 78B to swing synchronously while displacing the first and second sliders 77A, 77B synchronously and linearly in the left-right direction of the vehicle. This displacement motion moves the movable step 6 between the inner position and the outer position.

[0033] The control unit 8 controls the operation of the drive unit 7, and executes normal control and temporary control of the electric step device 5. The control unit 8 controls the operation of the drive unit 7 of each of the left and right electric step devices 5. The normal control moves the movable step 6 to the outer position when the left, right, front or rear doors 3 are opened or when an open switch installed on the driver's seat (or rear seat) operation panel (not shown) is operated, while moving the movable step 6 to the inner position when the door 3 is closed or when a close switch installed on the operation panel (not shown) is operated.

[0034] The temporary control is a control in which, after the movable step 6 has been moved to the inner position under the normal control, the movable step 6 is moved to the outer position when, for example, a predetermined condition is met, and will be described in detail later.

[0035] Although not shown in detail, the control unit 8 is made up of a known ECU (Electronic Control Unit). The ECU includes a central processing unit (CPU), a non-volatile storage device (Read Only Memory: ROM), a temporary storage device (Random Access Memory: RAM), and the like.

[0036] The ROM stores various control programs and maps to be referenced when executing the various control programs. The CPU executes calculations based on the various control programs and maps stored in the ROM. The RAM is a memory that temporarily stores the results of calculations by the CPU, data input from each sensor, and the like.

[0037] Next, temporary control of the electric step device 5 by the control unit 8 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0038] The temporary control shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 starts after the movable step 6 is placed in the inner position (see FIG. 4) in the normal control.

[0039] In short, this temporary control aims to suppress or prevent the surface temperature of the movable step 6 located in the inner position from rising excessively, and checks whether it is better to leave the movable step 6 located in the inner position or to move it to the outer position (see Figure 5) to achieve a preferable state.

[0040] Specifically, first, in step S1, it is determined whether or not the parking position has been selected (corresponding to the third determination process in the claims). Here, it is checked whether or not a parking position request signal has been input to the control unit 8 in response to the selection of the parking position by a shift device installed at the driver's seat.

[0041] If a negative determination is made in step S1, this flow chart is terminated, whereas if a positive determination is made in step S1, the process proceeds to step S2.

[0042] In step S2, it is determined whether the idling time of the engine (not shown) mounted on the vehicle 1 has reached a predetermined value or more (corresponding to the first determination process in the claims). Although not shown here, the time elapsed since idling started (referred to as idling time) can be measured by, for example, an internal timer in the engine control unit. During idling, the movable step 6 is heated by exhaust heat from the exhaust device 10 (see FIG. 2). Therefore, it is preferable to create a map showing the correlation between the idling time and the amount of rise in the surface temperature of the movable step 6, to find the idling time at which the surface temperature of the movable step 6 reaches a temperature that is uncomfortable for an occupant when touching it based on the map, and to appropriately set the predetermined value based on the idling time.

[0043] If a negative determination is made in step S2, this flow chart is terminated, whereas if a positive determination is made in step S2, the process proceeds to step S3.

[0044] In step S3, it is determined whether the surface temperature of the movable step 6 is equal to or higher than a predetermined value (corresponding to the second determination process in the claims). Although not shown here, the surface temperature of the movable step 6 can be directly measured based on the output from a temperature sensor installed on the surface of the movable step 6, or it can be predicted from the idling time. Note that it is preferable to appropriately set the predetermined value based on the surface temperature at which the occupant feels uncomfortable when touching the movable step 6.

[0045] If the determination in step S3 is negative, this flow chart is terminated, whereas if the determination in step S3 is positive, the process proceeds to step S4.

[0046] In step S4, it is determined whether the amount of solar radiation is equal to or less than a predetermined value (corresponding to the fourth determination process in the claims). Although not shown, the amount of solar radiation can be measured directly based on the output of a solar radiation sensor installed on the surface of the movable step 6, or, for example, a navigation system installed in the vehicle can retrieve date and time weather forecast information from the Japan Meteorological Agency or the like at regular intervals via the Internet, and predictions can be made based on this information.

[0047] Furthermore, when the movable step 6 is positioned at the outer position, the movable step 6 will be heated by sunlight, so it is preferable to create in advance a map showing the correlation between the amount of solar radiation and the amount of increase in the surface temperature of the movable step 6, and use the map to determine the amount of solar radiation that will reach a surface temperature that will make the movable step 6 uncomfortable for an occupant when touching it, and to appropriately set the specified value based on the amount of solar radiation.

[0048] If a negative determination is made in step S4, this flowchart is terminated, whereas if a positive determination is made in step S4, that is, if a positive determination is made in all of steps S1 to S4, the process proceeds to step S5.

[0049] In step S5, the drive unit 7 is controlled to move the movable step 6 to the outer position (corresponding to an emergency measure in the claims).

[0050] Incidentally, if the determination is affirmative in steps S1 to S4, it can be said that the surface temperature of the movable step 6 is less likely to rise excessively if the movable step 6 is disposed in an outer position exposed to sunlight rather than in an inner position subjected to exhaust heat. From this, it can be said that steps S1 to S4 check whether it is better to leave the movable step 6 disposed in the inner position at the inner position or to move it to the outer position.

[0051] After step S5, in step S6, it is determined whether the vehicle is moving (corresponding to the fifth determination process in the claims). Although not shown in the figure, the vehicle's running state can be recognized based on the output from a vehicle speed sensor, for example.

[0052] If the determination in step S6 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S7. In step S7, the drive unit 7 is controlled so as to move the movable step 6 to the inner position (corresponding to a release process in claims). Then, the process in this flowchart ends.

[0053] On the other hand, if the determination in step S6 is negative, the process proceeds to step S8. In this step S8, it is determined whether or not the engine has been stopped (corresponding to the sixth determination process in the claims). Although not shown, the engine speed is measured by, for example, an engine control unit, and by monitoring the measurement result, it is possible to recognize when the engine speed becomes zero (when the engine has stopped).

[0054] If the determination in step S8 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S7, where the movable step 6 is moved to the inner position by the driving unit 7. After that, this flow chart is terminated.

[0055] On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S8 is negative, the process proceeds to step S9. In this step S9, it is determined whether the amount of solar radiation is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (corresponding to a seventh determination process in the claims). Here, the amount of solar radiation can be directly measured based on the output from the solar radiation sensor (not shown).

[0056] Furthermore, when the movable step 6 is positioned at the outer position, the movable step 6 will be heated by sunlight, so it is preferable to create in advance a map showing the correlation between the amount of solar radiation and the amount of increase in the surface temperature of the movable step 6, and use the map to determine the amount of solar radiation that will reach a surface temperature that will make the movable step 6 uncomfortable for an occupant when touching it, and to appropriately set the specified value based on the amount of solar radiation.

[0057] If the determination in step S9 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S7, where the movable step 6 is moved to the inner position by the driving unit 7. Then, this flow chart is terminated. On the other hand, if the determination in step S9 is negative, this flow chart is terminated.

[0058] Incidentally, if the movable step 6 arranged at the outer position by the emergency processing of step S5 is moved to the inner position by step S7 when a positive determination is made in any of steps S6 to S9, it becomes possible to prevent the movable step 6 from continuing to be exposed to sunlight at the outer position and causing an excessive rise in surface temperature. From this, it can be said that in steps S6, S8, and S9, it is examined whether it is better to keep the movable step 6 arranged at the outer position by the emergency processing of step S5 arranged at the outer position at the outer position or to move it to the inner position.

[0059] As described above, in an embodiment to which the present invention is applied, when it is predicted that the degree to which the surface temperature of the movable step 6 located at the inner position will increase due to exhaust heat is greater than the degree to which the surface temperature will increase due to exposure to sunlight at the outer position, the movable step 6 is moved to the outer position, thereby making it possible to suppress or prevent the surface temperature of the movable step 6 from increasing excessively.

[0060] In addition, in this embodiment, after the movable step 6 is moved to the outer position, if it is predicted that the surface temperature of the movable step 6 will rise excessively due to continued exposure to sunlight at the outer position, the movable step 6 is moved to the inner position, thereby making it possible to suppress or prevent the surface temperature of the movable step 6 from rising excessively.

[0061] For this reason, according to this embodiment, by taking into account the thermal effects around the movable step 6 and positioning the movable step 6 in a preferred position, it is possible to suppress or prevent the surface temperature of the movable step 6 from rising excessively.

[0062] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the claims and a range equivalent to the claims.

[0063] (1) In the above embodiment, it is possible to eliminate either or both of step S1 (corresponding to the third determination process in the claims) and step S4 (corresponding to the fourth determination process in the claims). In this embodiment, the same actions and effects as the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0064] (2) In the above embodiment, steps S6 to S9 can be eliminated. This embodiment also makes it possible to suppress or prevent the surface temperature of the movable step 6 from excessively increasing due to exhaust heat.

[0065] (3) In the above embodiment, the configuration of the drive unit 7 is not particularly limited, and for example, instead of the electric motor 74 and the reduction mechanism 75, a hydraulic or pneumatic linear cylinder can be used to move the movable step 6 between the inner position and the outer position. [Industrial Applicability]

[0066] The present invention can be suitably used in an electric step device equipped in a vehicle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1 vehicle, 2 boarding / exiting door, 3 door, 5 electric step device, 6 movable step, 7 drive unit, 8 control unit, 10 exhaust system.

Claims

1. An electric step device having a movable step as a footrest member for assisting a passenger in getting on and off the vehicle at a boarding / alighting entrance, a drive unit for moving the movable step between an inner position of the vehicle and an outer position below a vehicle floor surface and projecting outward from the vehicle, and a control unit for controlling the operation of the drive unit, The control unit controls the drive unit to move the movable step to the outer position when the movable step is positioned at the inner position, the idling time of the vehicle engine is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and the surface temperature of the movable step is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

2. 2. The electric step device according to claim 1, The control unit is a first determination process for determining whether or not an idling time of the engine has reached a predetermined value; a second determination process for determining whether or not a surface temperature of the movable step is equal to or higher than a predetermined value; an emergency process for controlling the drive unit to move the movable step to the outer position when both the first and second judgment processes make positive judgments while the movable step is positioned at the inner position,

3. 2. The electric step device according to claim 1, The control unit performs a first determination process to determine whether an idling time of the engine has reached a predetermined value or more; a second determination process for determining whether or not a surface temperature of the movable step is equal to or higher than a predetermined value; a third determination process for determining whether or not a parking position has been selected; A fourth determination process for determining whether or not the amount of solar radiation is equal to or less than a predetermined value; and performing an emergency process of controlling the drive unit to move the movable step to the outer position when all of the first to fourth judgment processes are judged positive while the movable step is positioned at the inner position.

4. 2. The electric step device according to claim 1, The control unit performs a first determination process to determine whether an idling time of the engine has reached a predetermined value or more; a second determination process for determining whether or not a surface temperature of the movable step is equal to or higher than a predetermined value; a third determination process for determining whether or not a parking position has been selected; A fourth determination process for determining whether or not the amount of solar radiation is equal to or less than a predetermined value; a fifth determination process for determining whether the vehicle has been driven; a sixth determination process for determining whether the engine is stopped; a seventh determination process for determining whether the amount of solar radiation is equal to or greater than a predetermined value; an emergency process for controlling the drive unit to move the movable step to the outer position when a positive determination is made in all of the first to fourth determination processes in a state in which the movable step is disposed at the inner position; This electric step device is characterized in that after the emergency processing is performed, a release processing is performed to control the drive unit so as to move the movable step to the inner position if a positive judgment is made in any of the fifth to seventh judgment processings.

5. 5. The electric step device according to claim 1, An electric step device characterized in that the movable step is arranged below an entrance / exit provided on at least one of the left and right sides of the vehicle.

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