Opening / closing body control device

Abstract

To provide an opening / closing body control device that can execute intermediate position holding control even when power supplied from an external power storage device drops or when power supply from the power storage device is cut off.SOLUTION: An opening / closing body control device 10 includes a drive unit 20 having a drive source 21 and an electromagnetic clutch 22 for holding a sliding door 1 at an arbitrary intermediate position, and a control unit 30 for supplying power to the drive unit 20. An auxiliary battery 40 provided outside the opening / closing body control device 10 is electrically connected to the control unit 30. The control unit 30 includes an auxiliary power source 31, a switching unit 33, and a control section 34. The control section 34 can execute opening / closing control for opening / closing the sliding door 1, and intermediate position holding control for holding the sliding door 1 at an intermediate position. The control section 34 switches the switching unit 33 so that the auxiliary power source 31 serves as a power source for power supplied to the drive unit 20, and starts the intermediate position holding control.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an opening / closing body control device that controls an opening / closing body such as a side door or a back door provided in a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known an opening / closing body control device that controls the opening and closing operation of a side door, a back door, etc., provided on a vehicle by using the power of a driving source such as a motor. The opening / closing body control device generally operates the driving source such as a motor using the power of a power storage device provided outside the opening / closing body control device, such as a battery mounted on the vehicle.

[0003] Furthermore, there is known an opening / closing body control device that can hold the opening / closing body at any intermediate position between the fully closed position and the fully open position. This type of opening / closing body control device generally holds the opening / closing body at the intermediate position using power from a power storage device provided outside the opening / closing body control device. Therefore, there is a demand for this type of opening / closing body control device to reduce power consumption when holding the opening / closing body at the intermediate position.

[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a vehicle door control device that cuts off power supply to the motor and electromagnetic clutch when the sliding door stops in an intermediate position, and controls the drive of the electromagnetic clutch and motor when movement of the sliding door is detected, thereby reducing power consumption.

[0005] For example, Patent Document 2 describes an automatic sliding door control device that suppresses power waste in the clutch holding means by clutching the sliding door using a clutch holding means when the vehicle is inclined or not, and not clutching the sliding door when the vehicle is not inclined, depending on whether the vehicle is inclined or not. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3576483 [Patent Document 2] JP 2014-163095 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, in the vehicle door control device of Patent Document 1, power supply is stopped and power consumption is reduced unless the sliding door moves, but the motor is driven when the sliding door moves even a little, so there is a problem that the sliding door cannot be maintained in the intermediate position when the sliding door moves slightly and then does not move for a while. Also, in the vehicle door control device of Patent Document 1, if the sliding door is left for a long time in a state where it does not move, power consumption due to dark current, etc. continues for a long time, and the remaining charge (SOC: State Of Charge) of the power storage device provided outside the opening / closing body control device decreases, so that the remaining charge (SOC) of the power storage device falls below a predetermined value, and the opening / closing body control device may not be able to operate.

[0008] Similarly, with regard to the automatic sliding door control device of Patent Document 2, if it is left for a long period of time with no inclination and without the clutch being held, the remaining charge (SOC) of the power storage device installed outside the opening / closing body control device will decrease, and the remaining charge (SOC) of the power storage device may fall below a predetermined value, making it impossible to operate the opening / closing body control device.

[0009] The present invention provides an opening / closing body control device that can perform intermediate position holding control to hold the opening / closing body at any intermediate position between the fully closed position and the fully open position, not only when the remaining storage capacity (SOC) of a power storage device installed outside the opening / closing body control device decreases, but also when the power supply from a power storage device installed outside the opening / closing body control device is cut off. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The first aspect of the present invention is a drive unit including a drive source that outputs power for moving an opening / closing body to open and close, and a holding device that holds the opening / closing body at any intermediate position between a fully closed position and a fully open position; a control unit for supplying power to the drive unit; An opening and closing member control device comprising: The control unit includes: a power storage device provided outside the opening / closing body control device and supplying power to drive the drive unit; a latch device capable of locking the opening / closing body at a full latch position and a half latch position; An input device that is operated by a user when opening and closing the opening / closing body; are electrically connected, The control unit An auxiliary power supply; a switching unit that switches a power source of power supplied to the drive unit between the power storage device and the auxiliary power source; A control unit that controls power supplied to the drive unit, The control unit is an opening / closing control for opening and closing the opening / closing body by controlling the power supplied to the drive unit, and an intermediate position holding control for holding the opening / closing body at the intermediate position by controlling the power supplied to the drive unit, switching the switching unit so that the power source of the power supplied to the drive unit becomes the auxiliary power source, and starting the intermediate position holding control; An opening and closing body control device.

[0011] A second aspect of the present invention is a drive unit having a brushless motor that functions as a drive source that outputs power for moving the opening / closing body to open and close, and also functions as a holding device that holds the opening / closing body at any intermediate position between a fully closed position and a fully open position; a control unit for supplying power to the drive unit; An opening and closing member control device comprising: The control unit includes: a power storage device provided outside the opening / closing body control device and supplying power to drive the drive unit; a latch device capable of locking the opening / closing body at a full latch position and a half latch position; an input device that is operated by a user when opening and closing the opening / closing body; are electrically connected, The control unit An auxiliary power supply; a switching unit that switches a power source of power supplied to the drive unit between the power storage device and the auxiliary power source; A control unit that controls power supplied to the drive unit, The control unit is an opening / closing control for opening and closing the opening / closing body by controlling the power supplied to the drive unit, and an intermediate position holding control for holding the opening / closing body at the intermediate position by controlling the power supplied to the drive unit, switching the switching unit so that the power source of the power supplied to the drive unit becomes the auxiliary power source, and starting the intermediate position holding control; An opening and closing body control device. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, intermediate position holding control can be executed even if the power supplied from a power storage device provided outside the opening / closing body control device decreases or if the power supply from the power storage device is cut off. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a left side view of a vehicle equipped with an opening / closing body control device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram of an opening / closing member control device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] 4 is a flowchart showing a control flow when intermediate position holding control is executed in the opening / closing member control device of one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4]4 is a flowchart showing a control flow when brake control is executed in the opening / closing member control device of one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 5 is a flowchart showing a control flow when low-speed opening / closing control is executed instead of brake control in the opening / closing body control device of one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an opening / closing member control device according to a modified example of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an opening / closing member control device of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the drawings are to be viewed in the direction indicated by the reference symbols.

[0015] [Installation of opening and closing body control device on vehicle] As shown in FIG. 1, an opening / closing member control device 10 of this embodiment is mounted on a vehicle V, and controls the opening and closing operation of a sliding door 1 provided on the left side of a vehicle body 2 of the vehicle V.

[0016] An upper guide rail 3 extending in the front-rear direction is provided at the upper part of the center in the front-rear direction on the left side of the body 2. A middle guide rail 4 extending in the front-rear direction is provided at the center in the up-down direction on the rear part of the left side of the body 2. A lower guide rail 5 extending in the front-rear direction is provided at the lower part of the center in the front-rear direction on the left side of the body 2.

[0017] The sliding door 1 is supported so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction by an upper guide rail 3, a middle guide rail 4, and a lower guide rail 5. The sliding door 1 can be moved in both front-rear directions by manual operation and the operation of an opening / closing body control device 10 between a fully closed position in which the sliding door 1 closes the boarding / alighting opening on the left side of the vehicle body 2 and a fully open position in which the sliding door 1 moves slightly outward in the vehicle width direction from the left side of the vehicle body 2 and moves rearward along the left side of the vehicle body 2.

[0018] The opening / closing body control device 10 is attached to the rear of the left side surface of the vehicle body 2.

[0019] [Configuration of opening and closing body control device] As shown in FIG. 2, the opening / closing member control device 10 includes a drive unit 20 and a control unit 30 that supplies power to the drive unit 20.

[0020] The drive unit 20 has a drive source 21 that outputs power to open and close the sliding door 1, an electromagnetic clutch 22 provided on a power transmission path that transmits the power of the drive source 21 to the sliding door 1, and a reduction mechanism 23 that reduces the speed of the power of the drive source 21.

[0021] The driving source 21 is, for example, an electric motor that generates rotational power. In this embodiment, the driving source 21 is a brushed motor. The driving source 21 is electrically connected to the control unit 30 and is driven by power supplied from the control unit 30.

[0022] The electromagnetic clutch 22 is provided on a power transmission path that transmits the power of the driving source 21 to the sliding door 1, and functions as a disconnecting device that can switch the power transmission path between a connected state and a disconnected state. The electromagnetic clutch 22 is electrically connected to the control unit 30 and is driven by power supplied from the control unit 30. When power is supplied from the control unit 30 to the electromagnetic clutch 22, the power transmission path is in a connected state, and the rotational power of the driving source 21 is transmitted to the sliding door 1. On the other hand, when power is not supplied from the control unit 30 to the electromagnetic clutch 22, the power transmission path is in a disconnected state, and the rotational power of the driving source 21 is not transmitted to the sliding door 1. The electromagnetic clutch 22 also functions as a holding device that holds the sliding door 1 at any intermediate position between the fully closed position and the fully open position. When power is supplied from the control unit 30 to the electromagnetic clutch 22, the power transmission path is in a connected state, and the rotational power of the driving source 21 is transmitted to the sliding door 1, and the sliding door 1 can be held in the intermediate position. On the other hand, when no power is supplied from the control unit 30 to the electromagnetic clutch 22, the power transmission path is disconnected, the rotational power of the drive source 21 is not transmitted to the sliding door 1, and the sliding door 1 is able to slide freely back and forth.

[0023] The speed reduction mechanism 23 is, for example, a planetary gear mechanism. The speed reduction mechanism 23 is provided on a power transmission path that transmits the power of the driving source 21 to the sliding door 1, and is located closer to the sliding door 1 than the electromagnetic clutch 22 on the power transmission path. The rotational power of the driving source 21 is reduced in speed by the speed reduction mechanism 23 and transmitted to the sliding door 1.

[0024] The control unit 30 is electrically connected to the drive source 21 and the electromagnetic clutch 22 of the drive unit 20 .

[0025] The control unit 30 is electrically connected to an auxiliary battery 40 that is provided outside the opening / closing body control device 10 and supplies power to drive various auxiliary devices installed in the vehicle V, a door latch device 50 that can lock the sliding door 1 at a full latch position and a half latch position, an input device 60 that is operated by the user when opening and closing the sliding door 1, a door position sensor 71 that detects the position of the sliding door 1, a vehicle speed sensor 72 that detects the vehicle speed of the vehicle V, and a shift sensor 73 that detects the shift position of a transmission device (not shown) installed in the vehicle V.

[0026] The auxiliary battery 40 is a chargeable and dischargeable secondary battery, such as a lithium ion battery, a lead storage battery, etc. The auxiliary battery 40 can supply electric power of, for example, 12 V to various auxiliary devices mounted on the vehicle V.

[0027] The input device 60 may be, for example, an inside door handle provided on the inside side of the sliding door 1, an outside door handle provided on the outside side of the sliding door 1, an open switch and a close switch provided near the driver's seat of the vehicle V, etc.

[0028] The control unit 30 includes an auxiliary power supply 31, a power conversion section 32, a switching section 33, and a control section .

[0029] The auxiliary power supply 31 is a power supply device capable of storing electric power to be output to the driving source 21 and / or the electromagnetic clutch 22. In this embodiment, the auxiliary power supply 31 is a capacitor.

[0030] The power conversion unit 32 converts the power of the auxiliary power supply 31 into power to be output to the drive source 21 and / or the electromagnetic clutch 22. The power conversion unit 32 may include, for example, a DC-DC converter.

[0031] The switching unit 33 switches the power source of the power supplied to the driving source 21 and / or the electromagnetic clutch 22 of the driving unit 20 between the auxiliary battery 40 and the auxiliary power supply 31. The switching unit 33 may have, for example, a logic IC (Integrated Circuit) and a switching element such as a FET (Field Effect Transistor).

[0032] The control unit 34 controls the power supplied to the driving source 21 and / or the electromagnetic clutch 22 of the drive unit 20. The control unit 34 may have an inverter circuit. The control unit 34 also controls the switching unit 33.

[0033] The control unit 34 is capable of executing opening / closing control, which controls the power supplied to the driving source 21 and / or electromagnetic clutch 22 of the driving unit 20 to supply power to the driving unit to open and close the sliding door 1; intermediate position holding control, which controls the power supplied to the driving source 21 and / or electromagnetic clutch 22 of the driving unit 20 to hold the sliding door 1 at any intermediate position between the fully closed position and the fully open position; and braking control, which controls the power supplied to the driving source 21 and / or electromagnetic clutch 22 of the driving unit 20 to brake the movement of the sliding door 1 when it is moving.

[0034] The auxiliary power supply 31 is electrically connected to the power conversion unit 32. The switching unit 33 is electrically connected to the auxiliary battery 40 and the power conversion unit 32. The control unit 34 is electrically connected to the auxiliary battery 40 and the switching unit 33. The control unit 34 is also electrically connected to the drive source 21 and the electromagnetic clutch 22 of the drive unit 20.

[0035] When the power input from the auxiliary battery 40 falls below a predetermined value, the switching unit 33 switches the power source of the power supplied to the drive source 21 and / or the electromagnetic clutch 22 of the drive unit 20 to the auxiliary power source 31.

[0036] As a result, even if the power supply from the auxiliary battery 40 is cut off or the power supplied from the auxiliary battery 40 is reduced, the opening / closing body control device 10 can be operated within a predetermined number of times, improving safety. Also, since it is possible to switch the power source of the power supplied to the drive source 21 of the drive unit 20 and / or the electromagnetic clutch 22 to the auxiliary power source 31 only in the event of an abnormality such as when the power supply from the auxiliary battery 40 is cut off or the power supplied from the auxiliary battery 40 is reduced, the capacity of the auxiliary power source 31 can be set to a small value.

[0037] When the power input from the auxiliary battery 40 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the switching unit 33 maintains the auxiliary battery 40 as the power source for supplying power to the driving source 21 and / or the electromagnetic clutch 22 of the driving unit 20 under normal circumstances when no instruction signal is input from the control unit 34.

[0038] As described above, the auxiliary power supply 31 is a capacitor and is mounted on the control unit 30.

[0039] Capacitors have a longer life than typical secondary batteries that can be charged and discharged, and therefore can stably operate the opening / closing body control device 10 for a long period of time. Furthermore, since the auxiliary power supply 31 is mounted in the control unit 30, harnesses and the like are not required, and voltage drops due to harnesses and the like can be prevented, and power can be secured within the control unit 30 to supply power to the drive source 21 and / or the electromagnetic clutch 22 of the drive unit 20, so that the opening / closing body control device 10 can be operated even in an emergency.

[0040] Furthermore, by using the electromagnetic clutch 22 as a holding device for holding the sliding door 1 at any intermediate position between the fully closed position and the fully open position, the sliding door 1 can be held at the intermediate position with a simple configuration, and after the intermediate position holding control is completed, the power transmission path can be disconnected by the electromagnetic clutch 22, so that the sliding door 1 can be opened and closed with a light force.

[0041] [Control flow when performing intermediate position holding control] Next, a control flow when performing intermediate position holding control for holding the slide door 1 at an arbitrary intermediate position between the fully closed position and the fully open position will be described with reference to FIG.

[0042] First, the control unit 34 determines whether or not the user has operated the input device 60 so as to hold the sliding door 1 at any intermediate position between the fully closed position and the fully open position (step S101).

[0043] When the control unit 34 determines that the user has not operated the input device 60 to hold the sliding door 1 at any intermediate position between the fully closed position and the fully open position, the control unit 34 enters a standby state until the user operates the input device 60 to hold the sliding door 1 at any intermediate position between the fully closed position and the fully open position (step S101: NO loop).

[0044] Then, when the control unit 34 determines that the user has operated the input device 60 to hold the sliding door 1 at any intermediate position between the fully closed position and the fully open position (step S101: YES), the control unit 34 proceeds to step S102.

[0045] In step S102, the control unit 34 controls the switching unit 33 to switch the power source of the power supplied to the driving source 21 and / or the electromagnetic clutch 22 of the driving unit 20 to the auxiliary power source 31. Then, the process proceeds to step S103.

[0046] In step S103, the control unit 34 starts an intermediate position holding control for holding the sliding door 1 in the position at that time, and controls the power supplied to the driving source 21 and / or the electromagnetic clutch 22 of the driving unit 20 so that the sliding door 1 is held in the position at that time. Then, the process proceeds to step S104.

[0047] In step S104, the control unit 34 determines whether the state of charge (SOC) of the auxiliary power supply 31 is less than a specified value.

[0048] If the state of charge (SOC) of the auxiliary power supply 31 is less than the specified value in step S104 (step S104: YES), the control unit 34 proceeds to step S110, ends the intermediate position holding control, and transitions to brake control, which will be described later.

[0049] In this way, by terminating the intermediate position holding control when the remaining charge of the auxiliary power source 31 is less than a specified value, the remaining charge of the auxiliary power source 31 can be left at the specified value. Therefore, the specified value of the remaining charge of the auxiliary power source 31 can be used to perform operations other than the intermediate position holding control, such as the brake control described below, thereby improving safety and convenience.

[0050] If the state of charge (SOC) of the auxiliary power supply 31 is not less than the specified value in step S104, that is, if the state of charge (SOC) of the auxiliary power supply 31 is equal to or greater than the specified value (step S104: NO), the control unit 34 proceeds to step S105.

[0051] In step S105, the control unit 34 determines, based on the electrical signal received from the input device 60, whether or not the input device 60 has been operated by the user.

[0052] If the user operates the input device 60 in step S105 (step S105: YES), the control unit 34 proceeds to step S107, terminates the intermediate position holding control, and then proceeds to step S108, terminates the control of the switching unit 33, and switches the switching unit 33 to the normal state, i.e., switches the power source of the power supplied to the driving source 21 and / or electromagnetic clutch 22 of the driving unit 20 to the auxiliary battery 40, and ends the series of controls.

[0053] If the user has not operated the input device 60 in step S105 (step S105: NO), the control unit 34 proceeds to step S106.

[0054] In step S106, the control unit 34 determines whether or not the sliding door 1 has been displaced in the opening / closing direction at an acceleration equal to or greater than a predetermined value, based on the electric signal received from the door position sensor 71. This is the case, for example, when the user directly slides the sliding door 1 in the opening / closing direction against the holding force of the sliding door 1 by the driving source 21 of the driving unit 20 and / or the electromagnetic clutch 22.

[0055] If, in step S106, the sliding door 1 is displaced in the opening / closing direction with an acceleration equal to or greater than a predetermined value (step S106: YES), the control unit 34 proceeds to step S107, terminates the intermediate position maintenance control, and then proceeds to step S108, terminates the control of the switching unit 33, and switches the switching unit 33 to the normal state, i.e., switches the power source of the power supplied to the driving source 21 of the driving unit 20 and / or the electromagnetic clutch 22 to the auxiliary battery 40, and ends the series of controls.

[0056] When the sliding door 1 is not displaced in the opening / closing direction at an acceleration equal to or greater than the predetermined value in step S106 (step S106: NO), the control unit 34 returns to step S104 and continues the intermediate position holding control.

[0057] In this manner, during execution of the intermediate position holding control, the switching unit 33 is switched so that the power source of the power supplied to the driving source 21 and / or the electromagnetic clutch 22 of the drive unit 20 becomes the auxiliary power source 31 .

[0058] As a result, the intermediate position holding control can be executed using the power of the auxiliary power supply 31, without relying on the power from the auxiliary battery 40. Also, since the intermediate position holding control can be executed using the power of the auxiliary power supply 31, the power supply from the auxiliary battery 40 is not required, and the power consumption of the auxiliary battery 40 can be reduced.

[0059] [Control flow when executing brake control] Next, with reference to FIG. 4, a control flow for executing brake control to brake the movement of the sliding door 1 when the sliding door 1 is moving after the intermediate position holding control ends regardless of the user's intention will be described.

[0060] As described above, if the remaining charge (SOC) of the auxiliary power supply 31 is less than the specified value in step S104 (step S104: YES), the control unit 34 proceeds to step S110, ends the intermediate position holding control, and transitions to brake control.

[0061] First, the control unit 34 determines whether or not the sliding door 1 has moved from the intermediate position in the opening / closing direction by a predetermined amount or more, based on the electric signal received from the door position sensor 71 (step S201).

[0062] If, in step S201, the sliding door 1 has not moved from the intermediate position in the opening / closing direction by more than a predetermined amount (step S201: NO), the control unit 34 proceeds to step S202 and determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the end of the intermediate position maintenance control.

[0063] If the control unit 34 determines in step S202 that the predetermined time has not elapsed since the end of the intermediate position holding control (step S202: NO), the control unit 34 returns to step S201.

[0064] If, in step S202, a predetermined time has elapsed since the end of the intermediate position holding control (step S202: YES), the control unit 34 proceeds to step S206, terminates the control of the switching unit 33, and switches the switching unit 33 to the normal state, i.e., switches the power source of the power supplied to the driving source 21 and / or the electromagnetic clutch 22 of the driving unit 20 to the auxiliary battery 40, and ends the series of controls.

[0065] In step S201, when the sliding door 1 moves from the intermediate position in the opening / closing direction by a predetermined value or more (step S201: YES), the control unit 34 proceeds to step S203, and starts brake control to brake the movement of the sliding door 1 by controlling the power supplied to the driving source 21 and / or the electromagnetic clutch 22 of the driving unit 20. At this time, the switching unit 33 is controlled by the control unit 34 so that the power source of the power supplied to the driving source 21 and / or the electromagnetic clutch 22 of the driving unit 20 is the auxiliary power source 31. Then, when the sliding door 1 moves from the intermediate position in the opening direction by a predetermined value or more, the sliding door 1 moves toward the fully open position while being brake-controlled, and when the sliding door 1 moves from the intermediate position in the closing direction by a predetermined value or more, the sliding door 1 moves toward the fully closed position while being brake-controlled. Then, the process proceeds to step S204.

[0066] In step S204, the control unit 34 determines, based on the electrical signal received from the door position sensor 71, whether the sliding door 1 has reached the fully open position or the fully closed position.

[0067] If the sliding door 1 has not reached the fully open or fully closed position in step S204, the control unit 34 continues the brake control until the sliding door 1 reaches the fully open or fully closed position (step S204: NO loop).

[0068] Then, when the sliding door 1 reaches the fully open position or the fully closed position in step S204 (step S204: YES), the control unit 34 proceeds to step S205, terminates the brake control, and then proceeds to step S206, terminates the control of the switching unit 33, and switches the switching unit 33 to the normal state, i.e., switches the power source of the power supplied to the driving source 21 and / or the electromagnetic clutch 22 of the driving unit 20 to the auxiliary battery 40, and ends the series of controls.

[0069] In this way, when the sliding door 1 moves from the intermediate position in the opening / closing direction by a predetermined distance or more after the intermediate position holding control is ended, the movement of the sliding door 1 can be braked, improving safety. In addition, since the brake control can be executed using the power of the auxiliary power supply 31, the brake control can be executed even when the power supplied from the auxiliary battery 40 decreases or the power supply from the auxiliary battery 40 is cut off. In addition, since the brake control can be executed using the power of the auxiliary power supply 31, the power supply from the auxiliary battery 40 is not required, and the power consumption of the auxiliary battery 40 can be reduced.

[0070] [Control flow when performing low-speed opening and closing control] Instead of the above-mentioned brake control, the control unit 34 may be capable of controlling the power supplied to the drive source 21 and / or the electromagnetic clutch 22 of the drive unit 20 to execute low-speed opening / closing control for moving the sliding door 1 to at least one of the fully closed position and the fully open position at a slower speed than the opening / closing control.

[0071] In this case, if the remaining charge (SOC) of the auxiliary power supply 31 is less than the specified value in step S104 (step S104: YES), the control unit 34 proceeds to step S110, ends the intermediate position holding control, and transitions to low speed opening and closing control.

[0072] Here, a control flow when the low-speed opening / closing control is executed after the intermediate position holding control has ended without the user's intention will be described with reference to FIG.

[0073] First, the control unit 34 obtains, based on the electrical signal received from the door position sensor 71, whether the direction in which the sliding door 1 moves in an uncontrolled state (e.g., due to gravity) is the opening direction or the closing direction (step S301).

[0074] Next, the process proceeds to step S302, where the control unit 34 controls the power supplied to the driving source 21 and / or the electromagnetic clutch 22 of the drive unit 20 to execute low-speed opening / closing control so that the sliding door 1 moves in the direction obtained in step S301. At this time, the switching unit 33 is controlled by the control unit 34 so that the power source of the power supplied to the driving source 21 and / or the electromagnetic clutch 22 of the drive unit 20 is the auxiliary power source 31. Then, the sliding door 1 moves toward the fully open position or the fully closed position at a low speed. Then, the process proceeds to step S303.

[0075] In step S303, the control unit 34 determines, based on the electrical signal received from the door position sensor 71, whether the sliding door 1 has reached the fully open position or the fully closed position.

[0076] If the sliding door 1 has not reached the fully open position or the fully closed position in step S303, the control unit 34 continues the low-speed opening / closing control (step S303: NO loop).

[0077] Then, when the sliding door 1 reaches the fully open position or the fully closed position in step S303 (step S303: YES), the control unit 34 proceeds to step S304, terminates the low-speed opening / closing control, and then proceeds to step S305, terminates the control of the switching unit 33, and switches the switching unit 33 to the normal state, i.e., switches the power source of the power supplied to the driving source 21 of the driving unit 20 and / or the electromagnetic clutch 22 to the auxiliary battery 40, and ends the series of controls.

[0078] In this way, the sliding door 1 can be moved to the fully open position or the fully closed position at a low speed after the intermediate position holding control is completed, thereby improving safety. In addition, since the low-speed opening / closing control can be executed using the power of the auxiliary power source 31, the low-speed opening / closing control can be executed even when the power supplied from the auxiliary battery 40 decreases or the power supply from the auxiliary battery 40 is cut off. In addition, since the low-speed opening / closing control can be executed using the power of the auxiliary power source 31, the power supply from the auxiliary battery 40 is not required, and the power consumption of the auxiliary battery 40 can be reduced.

[0079] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can come up with various modified or revised examples within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally belong to the technical scope of the present invention. In addition, the components in the above embodiment may be arbitrarily combined within the scope of the invention.

[0080] In addition, in this embodiment, in the control flow when executing the low-speed opening / closing control, whether the direction in which the sliding door 1 moves is the opening direction or the closing direction is obtained (step S301 described above), and the low-speed opening / closing control is executed so that the sliding door 1 moves in the direction obtained in step S301, but the step of obtaining whether the direction in which the sliding door 1 moves is the opening direction or the closing direction (step S301 described above) may be omitted, and the low-speed opening / closing control may be executed so that the sliding door 1 moves in a predetermined direction, either the opening direction or the closing direction. When the predetermined direction is the opening direction, it is possible to prevent pinching by the sliding door 1, improving the safety of the vehicle V, and when the predetermined direction is the closing direction, the anti-theft property of items placed inside the vehicle V is improved.

[0081] In this embodiment, in the control flow when the brake control is executed, if a predetermined time has elapsed since the end of the intermediate position holding control (step S202: YES), the control unit 34 proceeds to step S206, ends the control of the switching unit 33, and switches the switching unit 33 to the normal state, that is, switches the power source of the power supplied to the driving source 21 of the driving unit 20 and / or the electromagnetic clutch 22 to the auxiliary battery 40, and ends the series of controls. However, in the control flow when the brake control is executed, if a predetermined time has elapsed since the end of the intermediate position holding control (step S202: YES), the control unit 34 may proceed to step S301 and execute the low-speed opening / closing control. In this case, as described above, in the low-speed opening / closing control, the step of acquiring whether the direction in which the sliding door 1 moves is the opening direction or the closing direction (the above-mentioned step S301) may be omitted, and the low-speed opening / closing control may be executed so that the sliding door 1 moves in a predetermined direction, either the opening direction or the closing direction.

[0082] In addition, in this embodiment, the drive unit 20 of the opening / closing member control device 10 has the drive source 21 which is a brushed motor and includes the electromagnetic clutch 22, but as a modified example, as shown in Fig. 6, the drive unit 20 of the opening / closing member control device 10 may include a brushless motor 24 which functions as a drive source and also functions as a holding device. In addition to functioning as a drive source like a brushed motor, the brushless motor 24 is more durable than a brushed motor, is capable of a variety of controls (e.g., advance angle control, regenerative control, vector control, strong / weak field control, etc.), and has a high degree of freedom in design, so that the drive source 21 being a brushless motor allows the opening / closing member control device 10 to operate stably over a long period of time.

[0083] In addition, the brushless motor 24 can function as a holding device that holds the sliding door 1 at any intermediate position between the fully closed position and the fully open position by controlling the motor itself, and therefore can also function as a holding device in place of the electromagnetic clutch 22. This makes it possible to eliminate the need for an electromagnetic clutch in the opening / closing body control device 10, thereby simplifying the structure and reducing costs.

[0084] Even in this case, as in the above-described embodiment in which the drive unit 20 of the opening / closing body control device 10 includes the drive source 21 and the electromagnetic clutch 22, the intermediate position holding control can be executed with the power of the auxiliary power source 31, not with the power from the auxiliary battery 40, so that the intermediate position holding control can be executed even if the power supplied from the auxiliary battery 40 decreases or the power supply from the auxiliary battery 40 is cut off. Also, since the intermediate position holding control can be executed with the power of the auxiliary power source 31, the power supply from the auxiliary battery 40 is not required, and the power consumption of the auxiliary battery 40 can be reduced.

[0085] In addition, in this embodiment, the opening / closing body control device 10 opens and closes the sliding door 1 of the vehicle V, but the opening / closing body control device 10 may also open and close a hinged door of the vehicle V, or a back door of the vehicle V, or may open and close any door, not limited to doors provided on the vehicle V.

[0086] Also, for example, the opening / closing body control device 10 may be attached to the vehicle body 2 or the sliding door 1. Also, in the opening / closing body control device 10, the drive unit 20 and the control unit 30 do not have to be integrated, and may be disposed separately from each other. Furthermore, the drive unit 20 may be attached to the sliding door 1, and the control unit 30 may be attached to the vehicle body 2, or vice versa.

[0087] This specification describes at least the following items. In parentheses, components corresponding to the above-described embodiment are shown as examples, but the present invention is not limited to these.

[0088] (1) A drive unit (drive unit 20) having a drive source (drive source 21) that outputs power for moving an opening / closing body (slide door 1) to open and close, and a holding device (electromagnetic clutch 22) that holds the opening / closing body at any intermediate position between a fully closed position and a fully open position, A control unit (control unit 30) that supplies power to the drive unit; An opening / closing member control device (opening / closing member control device 10) comprising: The control unit includes: an electric storage device (an auxiliary battery 40) provided outside the opening / closing body control device and supplying electric power for driving the drive unit; A latch device (door latch device 50) capable of locking the opening / closing body at a full latch position and a half latch position; An input device (input device 60) that is operated by a user when opening and closing the opening and closing body; are electrically connected, The control unit An auxiliary power source (auxiliary power source 31); a switching unit (switching unit 33) that switches the power source of the power supplied to the drive unit between the power storage device and the auxiliary power source; A control unit (control unit 34) that controls the power supplied to the drive unit, The control unit is an opening / closing control for opening and closing the opening / closing body by controlling the power supplied to the drive unit, and an intermediate position holding control for holding the opening / closing body at the intermediate position by controlling the power supplied to the drive unit, switching the switching unit so that the power source of the power supplied to the drive unit becomes the auxiliary power source, and starting the intermediate position holding control; Opening and closing body control device.

[0089] According to (1), the intermediate position holding control can be executed using the power of the auxiliary power supply, not the power from the power storage device. Also, since the intermediate position holding control can be executed using the power from the auxiliary power supply, the power supply from the power storage device is not required, and the power consumption of the power storage device can be reduced.

[0090] (2) The opening / closing body control device according to (1), The switching unit is When the power supplied from the power storage device falls below a predetermined value, the power source of the power supplied to the drive unit is switched to the auxiliary power source. Opening and closing body control device.

[0091] According to (2), when the power supply from the power storage device is cut off or the power supplied from the power storage device is reduced, the power source of the power supplied to the drive unit can be switched to the auxiliary power source to operate the opening / closing body control device, improving safety. Also, since it is possible to switch the power source of the power supplied to the drive unit to the auxiliary power source only in the event of an abnormality such as when the power supply from the power storage device is cut off or the power supplied from the power storage device is reduced, the capacity of the auxiliary power source can be set to a small value.

[0092] (3) An opening / closing member control device according to (1), The control unit is When the remaining charge of the auxiliary power source becomes less than a specified value during execution of the intermediate position holding control, the intermediate position holding control is terminated. Opening and closing body control device.

[0093] According to (3), by terminating the intermediate position holding control when the remaining charge of the auxiliary power source is less than a specified value, the remaining charge of the auxiliary power source can be left at the specified value. Therefore, the specified value of the remaining charge of the auxiliary power source can be used to perform operations other than the intermediate position holding control, thereby improving safety and convenience.

[0094] (4) An opening / closing body control device according to (3), The control unit is A brake control is capable of controlling power supplied to the drive unit to brake the movement of the opening / closing body when the opening / closing body is moving, When movement of the opening / closing body is detected after the end of the intermediate position holding control, the switching unit is controlled so that the auxiliary power source becomes the power source of the power supplied to the drive unit, and the brake control is executed. Opening and closing body control device.

[0095] According to (4), when the opening / closing body moves from the intermediate position in the opening / closing direction by a predetermined distance or more after the intermediate position holding control ends, the movement of the opening / closing body can be braked, improving safety. In addition, since the brake control can be performed using the power of the auxiliary power source, the brake control can be performed even if the power supplied from the power storage device decreases or the power supply from the power storage device is cut off. In addition, since the brake control can be performed using the power of the auxiliary power source, power supply from the power storage device is not required, and the power consumption of the power storage device can be reduced.

[0096] (5) An opening / closing body control device according to (3), The control unit is a low-speed opening / closing control is executed to control power supplied to the drive unit and move the opening / closing body to at least one of the fully closed position and the fully open position at a speed slower than that of the opening / closing control; When the intermediate position holding control is ended, the switching unit is controlled so that the auxiliary power source becomes the power source of the power supplied to the drive unit, and the low speed opening / closing control is executed. Opening and closing body control device.

[0097] According to (5), the opening / closing body can be moved to the fully open position or the fully closed position at a low speed after the intermediate position holding control ends, thereby improving safety. In addition, since the low-speed opening / closing control can be performed using the power of the auxiliary power source, the low-speed opening / closing control can be performed even when the power supplied from the power storage device decreases or the power supply from the power storage device is cut off. In addition, since the low-speed opening / closing control can be performed using the power of the auxiliary power source, power supply from the power storage device is not required, and power consumption of the power storage device can be reduced.

[0098] (6) An opening / closing member control device according to any one of (1) to (5), The auxiliary power source is a capacitor and is mounted on the control unit. Opening and closing body control device.

[0099] According to (6), since the auxiliary power supply is a capacitor, the capacitor has a longer life than a typical secondary battery that can be charged and discharged, and therefore the opening / closing body control device can be operated stably for a long period of time. Also, since the auxiliary power supply is mounted in the control unit, a harness or the like is not required, and therefore voltage drops due to the harness or the like can be prevented, and power for supplying power to the drive unit can be secured within the control unit, so that the opening / closing body control device can be operated even in an emergency.

[0100] (7) An opening / closing member control device according to any one of (1) to (5), The holding device is an electromagnetic clutch. Opening and closing body control device.

[0101] According to (7), by using an electromagnetic clutch as a holding device that holds the opening / closing body in the intermediate position, the opening / closing body can be held in the intermediate position with a simple configuration, and after the intermediate position holding control is completed, the power transmission path can be disconnected by the electromagnetic clutch, so that the opening / closing body can be opened and closed with a light force.

[0102] (8) A drive unit (drive unit 20) having a brushless motor (brushless motor 24) which functions as a drive source that outputs power for moving the opening / closing body (slide door 1) to open and close, and also functions as a holding device that holds the opening / closing body at any intermediate position between the fully closed position and the fully open position; A control unit (control unit 30) that supplies power to the drive unit; An opening / closing member control device (opening / closing member control device 10) comprising: The control unit includes: an electric storage device (an auxiliary battery 40) provided outside the opening / closing body control device and supplying electric power for driving the drive unit; A latch device (door latch device 50) capable of locking the opening / closing body at a full latch position and a half latch position; An input device (input device 60) that is operated by a user when opening and closing the opening and closing body; are electrically connected, The control unit an auxiliary power source (auxiliary power source 31); a switching unit (switching unit 33) that switches the power source of the power supplied to the drive unit between the power storage device and the auxiliary power source; A control unit (control unit 34) that controls the power supplied to the drive unit, The control unit is an opening / closing control for opening and closing the opening / closing body by controlling the power supplied to the drive unit, and an intermediate position holding control for holding the opening / closing body at the intermediate position by controlling the power supplied to the drive unit, switching the switching unit so that the power source of the power supplied to the drive unit becomes the auxiliary power source, and starting the intermediate position holding control; Opening and closing body control device.

[0103] According to (8), the intermediate position holding control can be executed using the power of the auxiliary power source, not the power from the power storage device. Also, since the intermediate position holding control can be executed using the power of the auxiliary power source, the power supply from the power storage device is not required, and the power consumption of the power storage device can be reduced. In addition, since the brushless motor can function as a holding device that holds the opening / closing body at any intermediate position by control, it is not necessary to provide a holding device in addition to the drive source in the opening / closing body control device, and the structure can be simplified and the cost can be reduced. Also, since the brushless motor is more durable than a brushed motor, can be controlled in a variety of ways, and has a high degree of freedom in design, the opening / closing body control device can be operated stably for a long period of time by using a brushless motor as the drive source. [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 1 Sliding door (opening and closing body) 10 Opening and closing body control device 20 Drive unit 21 Power Source 22 Electromagnetic clutch (holding device) 24 Brushless motor 30 Control Unit 31 Auxiliary power supply 33 Switching section 34 Control section 40 Auxiliary battery (energy storage device) 50 Door latch device (latch device) 60 Input Devices

Claims

1. a drive unit including a drive source that outputs power for moving an opening / closing body to open and close, and a holding device that holds the opening / closing body at any intermediate position between a fully closed position and a fully open position; a control unit for supplying power to the drive unit; An opening and closing member control device comprising: The control unit includes: a power storage device provided outside the opening / closing body control device and supplying power to drive the drive unit; a latch device capable of locking the opening / closing body at a full latch position and a half latch position; an input device that is operated by a user when opening and closing the opening / closing body; are electrically connected, The control unit An auxiliary power source; a switching unit that switches a power source of power supplied to the drive unit between the power storage device and the auxiliary power source; A control unit that controls power supplied to the drive unit, The control unit is an opening / closing control for opening and closing the opening / closing body by controlling the power supplied to the drive unit, and an intermediate position holding control for holding the opening / closing body at the intermediate position by controlling the power supplied to the drive unit, switching the switching unit so that the power source of the power supplied to the drive unit becomes the auxiliary power source, and starting the intermediate position holding control; Opening and closing body control device.

2. The opening / closing member control device according to claim 1, The switching unit is when the power supplied from the power storage device falls below a predetermined value, the power source of the power supplied to the drive unit is switched to the auxiliary power source; Opening and closing body control device.

3. The opening / closing member control device according to claim 1, The control unit is When the remaining charge of the auxiliary power source becomes less than a specified value during execution of the intermediate position holding control, the intermediate position holding control is terminated. Opening and closing body control device.

4. The opening / closing member control device according to claim 3, The control unit is A brake control is executed to apply a brake to the movement of the opening / closing body when the opening / closing body is moving by controlling the power supplied to the drive unit, When movement of the opening / closing body is detected after the end of the intermediate position holding control, the switching unit is controlled so that the auxiliary power source becomes the power source of the power supplied to the drive unit, and the brake control is executed. Opening and closing body control device.

5. The opening / closing member control device according to claim 3, The control unit is a low-speed opening / closing control is executed to control power supplied to the drive unit and move the opening / closing body to at least one of the fully closed position and the fully open position at a speed slower than that of the opening / closing control; When the intermediate position holding control is ended, the switching unit is controlled so that the auxiliary power source becomes the power source of the power supplied to the drive unit, and the low speed opening / closing control is executed. Opening and closing body control device.

6. The opening / closing member control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The auxiliary power source is a capacitor and is mounted on the control unit. Opening and closing body control device.

7. The opening / closing member control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The holding device is an electromagnetic clutch. Opening and closing body control device.

8. a drive unit having a brushless motor that functions as a drive source that outputs power for moving the opening / closing body to open or close, and also functions as a holding device that holds the opening / closing body at any intermediate position between a fully closed position and a fully open position; a control unit for supplying power to the drive unit; An opening and closing member control device comprising: The control unit includes: a power storage device provided outside the opening / closing body control device and supplying power to drive the drive unit; a latch device capable of locking the opening / closing body at a full latch position and a half latch position; an input device that is operated by a user when opening and closing the opening / closing body; are electrically connected, The control unit An auxiliary power source; a switching unit that switches a power source of power supplied to the drive unit between the power storage device and the auxiliary power source; A control unit that controls power supplied to the drive unit, The control unit is an opening / closing control for opening and closing the opening / closing body by controlling the power supplied to the drive unit, and an intermediate position holding control for holding the opening / closing body at the intermediate position by controlling the power supplied to the drive unit, switching the switching unit so that the power source of the power supplied to the drive unit becomes the auxiliary power source, and starting the intermediate position holding control; Opening and closing body control device.

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