Door lock control device

Abstract

To reserve locking of a slide door when the slide door is being closed, so that the slide door becomes locked after being fully closed.SOLUTION: A control device is connected between a signal line for communicating an open / closed state of a door lock sensor of a vehicle with the slide door, and a vehicle ECU for controlling the slide door. When a signal for placing the slide door in a locked state is transmitted toward the vehicle when the slide door is being closed, a door lock of the vehicle is completed after the slide door becomes fully closed. The device includes a door lock signal line setting module and an MCU module. By determining whether or not the slide door is being closed, the MCU module controls the door lock signal line setting module to create a pseudo-fully closed state, making the vehicle ECU recognize that the slide door is fully closed when the slide door is being fully closed, and repeats determination in the case other than that.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a door lock control device for controlling the timing of door locking of a vehicle equipped with a sliding door. [Background technology]

[0002] Some recent vehicles equipped with power sliding doors are equipped as standard with a "reserved door lock mechanism" that locks the sliding door after it is fully closed when the door is locked using a smart key or a switch inside the vehicle while the sliding door is closing.

[0003] It also appears that kits are available for sale that allow you to retrofit a reservation door lock mechanism. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7016574 [Patent Document 2] JP 2013-185339 Public Relations Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the reserved door lock mechanism cannot be used on vehicles that are not equipped with it. Furthermore, while the internal mechanism of the externally installed type is unknown, it is not possible to prepare a coupler with the same shape as the original vehicle in order to accommodate all vehicle models, and therefore the original wiring must be cut during installation. Furthermore, with conventional technology, the specific conditions for the reserved lock to be established are unknown.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and in an embodiment of the present application, it is a technical problem to add a reserved door lock mechanism to a vehicle not equipped with a reserved door lock mechanism as a retrofit.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In the device of the embodiment of the present invention, it is connected between a signal line for communicating the open / closed state of a door lock sensor of a vehicle equipped with a sliding door and a vehicle ECU for controlling the sliding door, and when a signal for locking the sliding door is transmitted toward the vehicle while the sliding door is in a closing operation, it is a control device for completing the vehicle door lock after the sliding door is in a fully closed state, comprising an MCU module and a door lock signal line setting module, By determining whether the sliding door is in a closing operation, when the sliding door is in a closing operation, the MCU module controls the door lock signal line setting module to make the vehicle ECU recognize the state of the sliding door as a pseudo fully closed state, and in other cases, the determination is repeated.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] (First Embodiment) - Method of Using CAN Bus - FIG. 1(A) is a block diagram showing the relationship between the vehicle ECU 10 in the original state and the door lock sensor 20. Generally, a vehicle incorporates an electronic control device called a vehicle ECU 10 (Electronic Control Unit) connected through a CAN (Control Area Network) bus, and a vehicle having a slide door is also provided with a vehicle ECU 10 for controlling the slide door. One door lock sensor 20 is provided for each slide door in the vehicle ECU 10. And the door lock sensor 20 constantly monitors the open / closed state of the slide door. Note that the CAN bus is an example of a source for acquiring information (signals) communicated in the vehicle, and a configuration may be adopted to obtain signals from other in-vehicle information communications (for example, LIN (Local Interconnect Network) bus, in-vehicle Ethernet, other signal lines).

[0010] In an original-state vehicle, the vehicle ECU 10 and the door lock sensor 20 are always in a conductive state. In some vehicle models, when the slide door is in the fully closed state, a High voltage (12V if it is the power supply voltage of a normal vehicle) is applied to the signal voltage of the door lock sensor, and when the slide door is in the open (fully open) state, a Low voltage (0V which is the ground voltage) is applied to the signal voltage of the door lock sensor. However, this is merely an example, and when the slide door is in the fully closed state, the signal voltage of the door lock sensor may be Low, and when the slide door is in the open state, the signal voltage of the door lock sensor may be High, and the method for simulating the fully closed state can be appropriately changed accordingly.

[0011] When the sliding door transitions from the fully closed state to the open state, such as during boarding and alighting, the signal voltage of the door lock sensor changes. Also, when the sliding door transitions back to the fully closed state, the signal voltage of the door lock sensor changes (returns to its original value). The signal voltage of this door lock sensor is controlled by a switch that reacts corresponding to the physical position of the sliding door. The vehicle ECU 10 detects that the sliding door is in the fully closed state and permits door locking.

[0012] Figure 1(B) is a block diagram of the door lock control device of this embodiment. As shown in Figure 1(B), the device of this embodiment is a device that includes a relay module 30 interposed between the vehicle ECU 10 and the door lock sensor 20. The MCU module 40 is a microcomputer that receives power supply from the power supply module 50 and can read data on the vehicle CAN bus 62 through the CAN transceiver module 60. Specifically, by reading the change data of the CAN line and status, it detects the state of the sliding door (open state, in the process of opening and closing, or fully closed state). The relay module 30 has, for example, a relay driver module 32 and a relay control module.

[0013] In this case, the configurations (sliding door motor state detection module 80, vehicle-side sliding door motor 82) described on the left side of the MCU module 40 in Figure 1(B) are not used. And it is configured to detect whether the sliding door is in the closing operation, and be able to control conduction / non-conduction according to an external signal according to the result. Note that the MCU module only reads information such as the vehicle's CAN bus and does not transmit data to the vehicle's CAN bus or the like.

[0014] In Figure 1(B), the MCU module uses the sliding door motor state detection module 80 to detect the state of the vehicle-side sliding door motor 82, and controls the relay control module 33 through the relay driver module 32 to perform the opening and closing control of the relay module 30.

[0015] According to such a configuration, even when the actual sliding door is in an open state or during a closing operation, it can be recognized as being in a fully closed state. In such a state (a pseudo fully closed state), when a door lock operation is performed, the door is locked and enters a reserved lock state, and when the sliding door physically shifts to the fully closed state, the locking is completed. That is, it becomes possible to reserve the locking of the sliding door.

[0016] Note that it is not limited to an electric sliding door. Theoretically, even for a manual sliding door, by making the relay module 30 non-conductive between the vehicle ECU 10 and the door lock sensor 20, theoretically, it becomes possible to reserve the door lock. However, a manual reservation lock mechanism is considered to be somewhat difficult to detect and has low convenience as a product.

[0017] The reservation of the door lock is established if a lock operation on the sliding door is performed between the start of the closing operation of the sliding door and when it becomes fully closed. This lock operation of the sliding door can be reserved corresponding to all lock operations, such as the lock button on the driver's seat or the lock button on the sliding door side of the rear seat, the lock button provided near the outside handle, and locking with a smart key.

[0018] Note that the reservation lock function is added only to the sliding door to which the device of this embodiment is attached. When adding the reservation lock function to the left and right sliding doors, it is necessary to attach the device of this embodiment to each door.

[0019] For standard vehicle models, this device can be installed simply by connecting the couplers to two locations on the vehicle body side, one at the bottom in the middle of the left and right sliding doors. However, since the installation locations vary depending on the vehicle model, it may not necessarily be as described above.

[0020] When the smart key is inside the vehicle, or when the smart key receives radio waves leaking from inside the vehicle even if it is outside the vehicle, if a mechanism for preventing key confinement (in-key lock) is installed in the vehicle body, the lock operation itself is invalidated in the same way as the normal lock operation is invalidated, and the reserved lock is also invalidated accordingly.

[0021] (Second Embodiment) - Method of Using Slide Door Motor - As another method different from the method of obtaining the fully closed state of the slide door via the CAN bus described above, there is a method of determining the change in the motor voltage of the slide door. In FIG. 1(B), the MCU module uses the state detection module of the slide door switch to detect the state of the vehicle-side slide door motor, and performs the opening and closing control of the relay module 30 through the relay driver module 32 and the relay control module 33. In this case, the slide door is limited to an electric slide door that opens and closes by a motor. Also, the configuration (CAN transceiver module 60, vehicle CAN bus) described on the right side of the "MCU module" in FIG. 1(B) is not used.

[0022] When the slide door is in the fully closed state, no voltage is applied to the drive motor of the slide door. During the opening operation, a predetermined DC voltage is applied, and during the closing operation, a predetermined DC voltage with the polarity reversed is applied. Therefore, by monitoring the voltage applied to the drive motor of the slide door and detecting its change, it is possible to detect the state of, for example, whether the slide door is in the closing operation or in the fully closed state.

[0023] When the MCU module 40 detects that the slide door is in the closing operation, it operates the relay module 30 to disconnect the door lock sensor 20 from the vehicle ECU 10 to create a pseudo-fully closed state and "reserve lock" it.

[0024] Since the time required for the closing operation of the sliding door (the time from the fully open state to the fully closed state) is generally less than 8 seconds, the relay module 30 returns to its initial state after 8 to 11 seconds or more have elapsed since the disconnection operation of the relay module 30, and the door lock sensor 20 and the vehicle ECU 10 return to the state where they are electrically connected. Note that the opening and closing operation time of the sliding door varies depending on the vehicle type and is not generally limited, but is set according to the actual situation. It is naturally possible for it to be outside the above numerical range for special applications.

[0025] Figure 2 shows an example of the sliding door motor unit of the sliding door. Generally, there are two signal lines called SD+ and SD- for the motor of the sliding door. For example, when SD+ is at a high level, the sliding door performs a closing operation, and when SD- is at a high level, the sliding door performs an opening operation. In this way, SD+ and SD- are the signal lines of the motor, and it is possible to detect whether the sliding door is in the fully closed state by reading the signal change of, for example, SD+.

[0026] Note that although the first embodiment and the second embodiment are disclosed as different embodiments, both configurations can be mounted in an actual product. In this case, it becomes possible to correspond to various vehicle types with one product. Of course, different configurations may be adopted for each vehicle type.

[0027] For vehicle types that can use both the detection of the closing operation via the CAN bus and the detection of the closing operation by detecting the voltage of the sliding door motor described in the first embodiment, it is preferable to prioritize the determination based on the state of the motor because it is easier to obtain the state of the motor both software-wise and hardware-wise.

[0028] (Third Embodiment) - Steps of Each Process Figure 3 is a flowchart for explaining each process of the sliding door reservation lock device described as the first and second embodiments.

[0029] The MCU module 40 executes each of steps S1 to S5. In step S1, the CAN transceiver module 60 and the relay module 30 are initialized. When the relay module 30 is initialized, it is in a pure state, that is, a state in which the vehicle ECU 10 and the door lock sensor 20 are electrically connected. This initialization step is executed only once when the device of the present embodiment is powered on. When the initialization is completed, the status of the slide door motor 82 can be detected through the vehicle CAN bus 62 or the slide door motor state detection module 80. Next, it is detected whether the slide door is in the closing operation by executing either step S2-1 or step S2-2. In step S2-1, it is detected whether to execute the reading of the CAN line and status change data described in the first embodiment. In step S2-2, the change in the voltage level of the slide door motor described in the second embodiment is detected. Next, in step S3, it is confirmed whether the slide door is in the closing operation by executing step S2-1 or S2-2. If it is not in the closing operation, step S2-1 or S2-2 is executed again. If it is in the closing operation, the next step S4 is executed. In step S4, the relay module electrically disconnects the door lock sensor 20 from the vehicle ECU 10 and sets it to a state where it accepts a door lock operation by a smart key or the like. As a result, after a door lock operation by a smart key or the like, it becomes a locked state (reserved lock state), and after the slide door is fully closed in the actual vehicle, the vehicle lock is completed. Next, in step S5, after the relay module is disconnected and the slide door is in a pseudo fully closed state, after a predetermined time has elapsed (8 seconds later in the example of FIG. 3), the relay module operates and the connection between the door lock sensor 20 and the vehicle ECU 10 is restored. At this time, it shifts from the reserved lock state to the state where the door lock is completed.

[0030] (Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the door lock control device according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the device according to the present embodiment includes a relay module 30 interposed between the vehicle ECU 10 and the door lock sensor 20. Those denoted by the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1(b) have the same functions, and thus their descriptions are omitted.

[0031] The door state detection module 100 detects various signals and information on the vehicle side for determining the door state (open state, fully closed state, opening operation, closing operation). For the reserved door lock, it is sufficient to detect that it is at least in the closing operation. As an example of the door state detection module 100, a vehicle bus data processing module 65 (corresponding to the CAN transceiver module 60 in FIG. 1), a sliding door motor state detection module 80, a vehicle tone detection module 90, a sliding door handle button detection module 70, etc. can be mentioned, but these are merely examples and should not be construed in a limited manner.

[0032] Also, the door lock signal line setting module 200 controls the setting of the door lock signal line so that the door lock sensor 20 is in a pseudo fully closed state when the door is in the closing operation. Specifically, in addition to the relay module 30 used in the first embodiment, there is a signal voltage setting module 35 that controls so that a signal voltage substantially equivalent to the fully closed state flows through the door lock signal line (the vehicle ECU 10 receives a signal voltage substantially equivalent to the fully closed state), etc. These are merely examples and should not be construed in a limited manner.

[0033] The signal voltage setting module 35 can be configured to include a resistor capable of increasing or decreasing the signal voltage flowing through the door lock signal line, for example. For example, for a vehicle model where the signal voltage level in the fully closed state is Low, the signal voltage setting module 35 controls the resistor so that the signal voltage level received by the vehicle ECU is the Low level only when the door is in the closing operation, thereby creating a pseudo fully closed state and enabling "reserved lock". Note that the voltage level may be controlled by a method other than a resistor.

[0034] (First Configuration) - Method Using Vehicle Bus Data - The vehicle bus data processing module 65 is the same as the CAN transceiver module 60 in FIG. 1 (the above first embodiment), except that the bus data (bus signal) to be processed is not limited to the CAN bus (other standard vehicle bus data 67 such as LIN bus can be used). Similar to the above first embodiment, it is possible to detect that it is in the closing operation. Also, the bus data 67 may be either information for directly determining the state of the door or information for indirectly determining it.

[0035] (Second Configuration) - Method Using Slide Door Motor - Similar to the above second embodiment, the slide door motor state detection module 80 detects the change in voltage of the slide door motor 82, and the MCU module 40 can detect that it is in the closing operation.

[0036] (Third Configuration) - Method Using Vehicle Tone - The vehicle tone detection module 90 detects a specific tone 92 of the vehicle. Examples of the specific tone 92 of the vehicle include a prompt tone that sounds when the door is closed, and a prompt lamp indicating the state of the slide door, which is displayed on the instrument panel, center console, or key indicator light, etc. The vehicle tone detection module 90 detects the state and state changes of these tones (prompts), and the MCU module 40 can detect the state of the slide door. Also, the vehicle tone detection module 90 may detect the information of a dedicated signal line connected to a speaker, instrument panel, etc. Furthermore, the vehicle bus data processing module 65 may detect signals and signal changes communicated inside the vehicle that reflect the state of the prompt, using signals communicated via the CAN bus, LIN bus, etc.

[0037] (Fourth Configuration) - Method Using the Button on the Handle of the Electric Slide Door - The slide door handle button detection module 70 detects the handle button state 72 for the closing operation of the electric slide door provided on the handle (knob) of the electric slide door. Using this, the MCU module 40 can detect whether the state of the slide door is a closing operation. For example, the slide door handle button detection module 70 detects by detecting the level state of the handle signal line. For example, in the open state, the handle signal line is High, and when the button is pressed, the handle signal line becomes Low. Therefore, when the slide door handle button detection module 70 detects a change in level from High to Low, the MCU module 40 can determine that the door is in the closing operation. Note that the state of the button may be detected by the vehicle bus data processing module 65 using signals for communicating via a CAN bus, a LIN bus, or the like. Note that the level state of the handle signal line may be Low in the open state and the handle signal line may become High when the button is pressed.

[0038] After detecting that the slide door is in the closing operation, the MCU module 40 operates the door lock signal line setting module 200 to set a pseudo fully closed state. After the slide door reaches the pseudo fully closed state, after a predetermined time (the time taken from the fully open state to the fully closed state + a predetermined margin time) has elapsed, the MCU module 40 restores the state of the door lock signal line setting module 200. If there is a door lock operation using a smart key or the like during this period, the door lock is completed. is done.

[0039] Note that the first to fourth configurations are examples of means for detecting the state of the slide door, and the present invention does not exclude those that detect the state of the slide door by other methods.

[0040] (Fifth Embodiment) - Steps of Each Process - FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining each process of the slide door reservation lock device described as the fourth embodiment.

[0041] Execute each of steps S11 to S14. When the process starts, in S11, the MCU module 40 detects signals for determining the state of the sliding door through any one of the vehicle bus data processing module 65, the sliding door motor state detection module 80, the vehicle tone detection module 90, and the sliding door handle button detection module 70 (using any one of the above first to fourth configurations).

[0042] In S12, using the detection information (signal) in S11, the MCU module 40 detects whether the sliding door is in the closing operation. If it is not in the closing operation, steps S11 to S12 are repeatedly executed. If it is in the closing operation, the next step S13 is executed.

[0043] In step S13, the MCU module 40 electrically disconnects the door lock sensor 20 from the vehicle ECU 10 by the relay module 30 to set it to a state of accepting a reserved lock (a pseudo fully closed door state).

[0044] Alternatively, in step S13, the MCU module 40 controls the signal voltage setting module 35 so that the vehicle ECU 10 receives a signal voltage at the same level as the fully closed door state (for example, a Low level) from the door lock signal line to set it to a state of accepting a reserved lock (a pseudo fully closed door state). By any of these processes, if a door lock operation occurs while in the pseudo fully closed door state, it enters the reserved lock state.

[0045] Next, in step S14, after the sliding door reaches the pseudo fully closed state, after N seconds have elapsed (for example, 8 seconds later), the MCU module 40 activates the relay module 30 to restore the connection between the door lock sensor 20 and the vehicle ECU 10, changing from the reserved lock state to the door lock completed state.

[0046] The above embodiments are examples of the present invention and are not to be construed in a limiting sense. Without departing from the scope of the present invention, modifications, additions, etc. can be made.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0047] 10 ECU 20 Door lock sensor 30 Relay module 35 Signal voltage setting module 40 MCU module 50 Power supply module 60 CAN transceiver module 62 Vehicle CAN bus 65 Vehicle bus data processing module 67 Vehicle bus data 70 Slide door handle button detection module 72 Handle button state 80 Slide door motor state detection module 82 Vehicle side slide door motor 90 Vehicle tone detection module 92 Specific tone of the vehicle 100 Door state detection module 200 Door lock signal line setting module

Claims

1. It is connected between a signal line for communicating the open / closed state of a door lock sensor of a vehicle equipped with a sliding door and a vehicle ECU for controlling the sliding door, and when a signal for locking the sliding door is transmitted toward the vehicle while the sliding door is in a closing operation, it is a control device for completing the door lock of the vehicle after the sliding door reaches the fully closed state, comprising an MCU module and a door lock signal line setting module, By determining whether the sliding door is in a closing operation, when the sliding door is in a closing operation, the MCU module controls the door lock signal line setting module to make the vehicle ECU recognize the state of the sliding door as a pseudo fully closed state, and in other cases, the determination is repeated. The device is characterized by this.

2. It further comprises a door state detection module for detecting information for determining whether the sliding door is in a closing operation, The door state detection module, A. Detect the forward and reverse states from the change in the voltage of the motor for driving the opening and closing of the sliding door B. Detect the open / closed state of the sliding door via the bus data connected to the ECU (Electronic Control Unit) of the vehicle C. Detect the change from the open state to the closing operation from a specific tone or tone state signal of the vehicle D. Detect the change in the state of the button for performing the electrical closing operation of the sliding door The device according to claim 1, which performs any one or more of the above.

3. The pseudo fully closed state is, Drive the relay module to disconnect the door lock sensor from the vehicle ECU, or Control the signal voltage level of the door lock signal line received by the vehicle ECU to be substantially equal to the signal voltage level when the sliding door of the vehicle where the device is installed is in the fully closed state The device according to claim 1, which is realized by this.

4. The pseudo fully closed state ends after a predetermined time has elapsed after the sliding door reaches the fully closed state. The device according to claim 3.

5. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that the predetermined time is 8 seconds or more and 11 seconds or less.

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