Power window device

Abstract

To simplify a circuit configuration by minimizing the number of components while maintaining a function required for a power window device.SOLUTION: A control unit 2 monitors a potential V1 at one end of a first circuit 1A and a potential V2 at one end of a second circuit 1B in an operation section 1. If the potential V1 is the potential at which a manual open switch S1 is on, the control unit 2 outputs a manual window open signal to a motor drive unit 3 which commands a window W to open for a period of time that the switch concerned is on. If the potential V1 is the potential at which a manual close switch S2 is on, then control unit 2 outputs a manual window close signal to motor drive unit 3 that commands the window W to close for a duration of the on state of the switch concerned. If the potential V2 is the potential at which an auto open switch S3 or auto close switch S4 is on, then control unit 2 outputs an automatic window open signal that commands the window W to open continuously to the fully open position, or an automatic window close signal that commands the window W to close continuously to the fully closed position to motor drive unit 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a power window device that opens and closes a window by means of a motor, and more particularly to a circuit configuration suitable for a power window device having a submersion detection function. [Background technology]

[0002] A power window device installed in a vehicle rotates a motor forward or reverse depending on the operating state of a switch, and opens and closes the window via an opening and closing mechanism installed between the motor and the window. When the switch is operated to the UP side (close window), the motor rotates forward and closes the window, and when the switch is operated to the DOWN side (open window), the motor rotates reverse and opens the window. The forward and reverse rotation of the motor is controlled by switching the direction of the current flowing through the motor.

[0003] Some power window devices have a function of detecting submersion in water and forcibly opening the window by operating a switch to ensure the safety of occupants by enabling them to escape through the window even if the vehicle is submerged in water and the opening and closing control of the window cannot be performed normally. Patent documents 1 to 5 describe such power window devices with a submersion detection function.

[0004] The power window devices described in Patent Documents 1 to 4 are provided with a detection pad (electrode) for detecting submersion in water, which increases the number of parts and complicates the circuit configuration. In contrast, the power window device described in Patent Document 5 does not have a detection pad, and determines the submersion state based on the result of comparing the voltage of the input terminal when a constant current is passed through the input terminal with a predetermined threshold value. The power window device of Patent Document 5 does not require a detection pad, but requires a constant current circuit, which inevitably complicates the circuit configuration.

[0005] In addition, if the window is closed by mistake when the vehicle is submerged, the window closes, making it difficult to escape, and threatening the safety of the occupants, so measures against this are also necessary. For example, in Patent Document 1, a first switching element that turns on when the detection pad is short-circuited when the vehicle is submerged, and a second switching element that turns on when the first switching element turns on are provided. When the vehicle is submerged and each switching element turns on, one end of the window closing switch on the power supply side is grounded to ground by the second switching element. Therefore, even if the window closing switch is operated, no current flows through the switch, and the switch operation is not detected, so that the window can be prevented from closing by mistake when the vehicle is submerged. However, to realize this function, switching elements such as transistors and relays are required in addition to the detection pad, which makes the circuit configuration even more complicated. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-100507 A [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6634351 [Patent Document 3] JP 2018-135726 A [Patent Document 4] JP 2019-15115 A [Patent Document 5] JP 2020-87834 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a power window device having a simplified circuit configuration with a minimum number of parts while maintaining necessary functions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The power window device according to the present invention includes an operation unit provided with a first switch that is turned on by a manual opening operation of the window, a second switch that is turned on by a manual closing operation of the window, and a third switch that is turned on by an automatic opening or closing operation of the window, a motor drive unit that drives a motor for opening and closing the window, and a control unit that controls the operation of the motor drive unit based on the state of each switch of the operation unit. The operation unit has a first circuit including the first switch, the second switch, and a resistor, and a second circuit including the third switch. In the first circuit, a series circuit of one of the first and second switches and the resistor is connected between a first power source and ground, and the other of the first and second switches is connected in parallel with the series circuit. In the second circuit, the third switch is connected between the second power source and ground. The control unit monitors a first potential at one end of the first circuit on the first power source side and a second potential at one end of the second circuit on the second power source side. If the first potential is the potential when the first switch is on, a manual window open signal is output from the control unit to the motor drive unit, commanding the window to be opened only while the first switch is on. If the first potential is the potential when the second switch is on, a manual window close signal is output from the control unit to the motor drive unit, commanding the window to be closed only while the second switch is on. On the other hand, if the second potential is the potential when the third switch is on, and if the first potential is a potential when the first switch is on, Automatic window opening signal that commands the window to continue opening to the full open position is output from the control unit to the motor drive unit. In addition, when the second potential is the potential when the third switch is on and the first potential is the potential when the second switch is on, An automatic window close signal is output from the controller to the motor driver commanding the window to continue closing to a fully closed position.

[0009] In this way, the first potential at one end of the first circuit and the second potential at one end of the second circuit change when the first, second, or third switches are turned on, and depending on the result, a signal for manually or automatically opening or closing the window is output from the control unit to the motor drive unit. Therefore, with an extremely simple circuit configuration in which only one resistor is added to the existing switch in the operation unit, it is possible to minimize the number of parts and significantly reduce costs while maintaining the functions required for the power window device.

[0011] In the present invention, the power window device may have a submersion detection function. In this case, the control unit determines that submersion has occurred when the first potential is within a predetermined first submersion potential range or when the second potential is within a predetermined second submersion potential range. In a normal state where submersion has not occurred, if the first potential is the potential when the first switch is on, the control unit outputs a manual window open signal, and if the first potential is the potential when the second switch is on, the control unit outputs a manual window close signal. On the other hand, in a submersion state where submersion has occurred, if the first potential is the potential when the first switch is on, the control unit outputs a manual window open signal, but even if the first potential is the potential when the second switch is on, the control unit does not output a manual window close signal.

[0012] In addition, when the second potential under normal conditions is the potential when the third switch is on and the first potential under normal conditions is the potential when the first switch is on, an automatic window opening signal may be output from the control unit, and when the second potential under normal conditions is the potential when the third switch is on and the first potential under normal conditions is the potential when the second switch is on, an automatic window closing signal may be output from the control unit.

[0013] Furthermore, when the device is submerged in water, the control unit may not determine whether the second switch and the third switch are on, but may only determine whether the first switch is on.

[0014] Also, a first submersion threshold for determining whether or not the device is submerged in water, a first on threshold for determining whether or not the first switch is on, and a second on threshold for determining whether or not the second switch is on may be set in the control unit for the first potential in the normal state, and a second submersion threshold for determining whether or not the device is submerged in water and a third on threshold for determining whether or not the third switch is on may be set in the control unit for the second potential in the normal state. Also, a fourth on threshold for determining whether or not the first switch is on and a first non-submersion threshold for determining whether or not the device has moved from a submerged state to a non-submerged state may be set in the control unit for the first potential in the submerged state, and a second non-submersion threshold for determining whether or not the device has moved from a submerged state to a non-submerged state may be set in the control unit for the second potential in the submerged state. In the above-mentioned case, the first submerged potential range is a range between the first submerged threshold and the first on threshold or the second on threshold, and the second submerged potential range is a range between the second submerged threshold and the third on threshold.

[0015] In the present invention, the first switch may be a manual opening switch that is turned on by an operation to manually open the window, the second switch may be a manual closing switch that is turned on by an operation to manually close the window, and the third switch may be composed of an auto-opening switch that is turned on when an operation to automatically open the window is performed subsequently when the first switch is turned on by an operation to manually open the window, and an auto-closing switch that is turned on when an operation to automatically close the window is performed subsequently when the second switch is turned on by an operation to manually close the window.

[0016] In the present invention, the operation unit may have a first terminal to which one end of the first circuit is connected and a second terminal to which one end of the second circuit is connected, and the control unit may have a third terminal connected to the first terminal by a first wire and a fourth terminal connected to the second terminal by a second wire. The third terminal may be connected to a first power source via a first pull-up resistor, and the fourth terminal may be connected to a second power source via a second pull-up resistor. In this case, the control unit monitors the potential of the third terminal as a first potential and monitors the potential of the fourth terminal as a second potential. Effect of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a power window device in which the number of parts is minimized and the circuit configuration is simplified while maintaining necessary functions. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a circuit diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a determination threshold value that is normally used. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a determination threshold value used when the item is submerged in water. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a change in potential when a manual opening operation is performed under normal circumstances. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a change in potential when a manual opening operation is performed while the device is submerged in water. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a change in potential when an automatic opening operation is performed under normal circumstances. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a change in potential when an automatic opening operation is performed while the device is submerged in water. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a change in potential when a manual closing operation is performed under normal circumstances. [Figure 9] 13 is a diagram showing a change in potential when a manual closing operation is performed while the device is submerged in water. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a change in potential when an automatic closing operation is performed under normal circumstances. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a change in potential when an automatic closing operation is performed while the device is submerged in water. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. FIG. 1 shows a power window device according to a first embodiment. The power window device 100 includes an operating unit 1, a control unit 2, and a motor drive unit 3.

[0020] The operation unit 1 is provided with a first circuit 1A, a second circuit 1B, a terminal T1 (first terminal), and a terminal T2 (second terminal). One end of the first circuit 1A is connected to the terminal T1, and the other end of the first circuit 1A is connected to the ground G. Furthermore, one end of the second circuit 1B is connected to the terminal T2, and the other end of the second circuit 1B is connected to the ground G.

[0021] The control unit 2 is provided with a CPU 4, a pull-up resistor Ra (first pull-up resistor), a pull-up resistor Rb (second pull-up resistor), a terminal T3 (third terminal), and a terminal T4 (fourth terminal). One end of the pull-up resistor Ra is connected to a power supply B1 (first power supply), and the other end of the pull-up resistor Ra is connected to a terminal T3. One end of the pull-up resistor Rb is connected to a power supply B2 (second power supply), and the other end of the pull-up resistor Rb is connected to a terminal T4. Note that although the power supplies B1 and B2 are differentiated here, they may be the same power supply. Hereinafter, the voltage of the power supply B1 is denoted as B1 for convenience, and the voltage of the power supply B2 is denoted as B2 for convenience.

[0022] A terminal T1 of the operation unit 1 is connected to a terminal T3 of the control unit 2 by a wiring L1 (first wiring). Moreover, a terminal T2 of the operation unit 1 is connected to a terminal T4 of the control unit 2 by a wiring L2 (second wiring).

[0023] In the operation unit 1, the first circuit 1A has a switch S1, a switch S2, and a resistor R1. The switch S1 is a manual opening switch for manually opening the window, and the switch S2 is a manual closing switch for manually closing the window. The resistor R1 is connected in series with the manual closing switch S2, and the manual opening switch S1 is connected in parallel to this series circuit.

[0024] The second circuit 1B has a switch S3 and a switch S4. The switch S3 is an auto-open switch for automatically opening the window. The switch S4 is an auto-close switch for automatically closing the window. These switches S3 and S4 are connected in parallel.

[0025] The resistance values ​​of the pull-up resistors Ra and Rb may be the same or different, and the resistance values ​​of the resistor R1 and the pull-up resistor Ra may also be the same or different.

[0026] The manual opening switch S1 corresponds to the "first switch" in the present invention, the manual closing switch S2 corresponds to the "second switch" in the present invention, and the automatic opening switch S3 and the automatic closing switch S4 correspond to the "third switch" in the present invention.

[0027] Mechanically, the manual opening switch S1 and the automatic opening switch S3 are configured to be operated by a common operation knob (not shown). More specifically, when the operation knob is pressed down, the manual opening switch S1 is first turned on (contacts closed), and the manual opening operation is performed. When the operation knob is pressed down further from this state, the automatic opening switch S3 is turned on in addition to the manual opening switch S1, and the operation transitions to the automatic opening operation. In other words, the automatic opening switch S3 is turned on when the manual opening switch S1 is turned on by the operation to manually open the window W, and then the operation to automatically open the window W is performed.

[0028] In the manual opening operation, the window W opens only while the operation knob is held down (while the manual opening switch S1 is on), and when the knob is released, the opening operation of the window W stops. In contrast, in the automatic opening operation, even if the operation knob is released, the window W continues to open to the fully open position.

[0029] Similarly, the manual close switch S2 and the auto close switch S4 are mechanically configured to be operated by the same common operation knob as described above. In more detail, when the operation knob is pulled up, the manual close switch S2 is turned on first, and the manual close operation is performed. When the operation knob is further pulled up from this state, the auto close switch S4 is turned on in addition to the manual close switch S2, and the operation transitions to the auto close operation. In other words, the auto close switch S4 is turned on when the manual close switch S2 is turned on by the operation to manually close the window W, and then the operation to automatically close the window W is performed.

[0030] In the manual closing operation, the window W closes only while the operation knob is pulled up (while the manual closing switch S2 is on), and when the knob is released, the closing operation of the window W stops. In contrast, in the automatic closing operation, even if the operation knob is released, the window W continues to close to the fully closed position.

[0031] In the first circuit 1A, a manual-open switch S1 is connected between a terminal T1 and ground G. In addition, a series circuit of a manual-close switch S2 and a resistor R1 is connected between the terminal T1 and ground G. The terminal T1 is connected to a power source B1 via a line L1, a terminal T3, and a pull-up resistor Ra.

[0032] In the second circuit 1B, the automatic opening switch S3 is connected between the terminal T2 and the ground G. Also, the automatic closing switch S4 is connected between the terminal T2 and the ground G. The terminal T2 is connected to the power source B2 via the wiring L2, the terminal T4, and the pull-up resistor Rb.

[0033] In the control unit 2, the input side of the CPU 4 is connected to a connection point m between the pull-up resistor Ra and the terminal T3, and a connection point n between the pull-up resistor Rb and the terminal T4. The CPU 4 monitors the potential V1 (first potential) of the terminal T3 and the potential V2 (second potential) of the terminal T4, and controls the motor drive unit 3 based on the results (details will be described later).

[0034] The motor drive unit 3 is configured from known circuits including a PWM circuit that generates a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal, and a switching circuit that performs switching operation based on this PWM signal.

[0035] In this embodiment, the motor 5 is a DC motor, and rotates at a predetermined speed based on the drive voltage output from the motor drive unit 3. When a window closing operation is performed in the operation unit 1 and the manual close switch S2 or the auto close switch S4 is turned on, a signal commanding to close the window W is output from the control unit 2 (CPU 4), ​​and based on this signal, the motor 5 rotates forward to close the window W. Also, when a window opening operation is performed in the operation unit 1 and the manual open switch S1 or the auto open switch S3 is turned on, a signal commanding to open the window W is output from the control unit 2 (CPU 4), ​​and based on this signal, the motor 5 rotates reversely to open the window W. An opening and closing mechanism (not shown) is provided between the motor 5 and the window W.

[0036] Although not shown in Figure 1, the control unit 2 performs feedback control on the motor drive unit 3 based on the output of a sensor (such as a rotary encoder) that detects the rotational speed of the motor 5 so that the rotational speed of the motor 5 becomes a target speed.

[0037] Next, the operations of the power window device 100 in FIG. 1 in normal operation and when submerged in water will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0038] As described above, the CPU 4 of the control unit 2 monitors the potential V1 of the terminal T3 and the potential V2 of the terminal T4. Since the terminals T3 and T4 are connected to the terminals T1 and T2, respectively, the potential V1 is the potential of one end of the first circuit 1A on the power supply B1 side, and the potential V2 is the potential of one end of the second circuit 1B on the power supply B2 side. For these potentials V1 and V2, thresholds for determining whether the switches S1 to S4 are on and thresholds for determining whether the device is submerged in water are set in the control unit 2. Each threshold is stored in advance in an internal memory (not shown) built into the CPU 4 or an external memory (not shown) provided separately from the CPU 4.

[0039] Fig. 2 shows the judgment thresholds used in normal conditions when no submersion occurs. Here, three thresholds Xa, Xb, and Xc are set for potential V1 between power supply voltage B1 and zero volts, and two thresholds Ya and Yb are set for potential V2 between power supply voltage B2 and zero volts. Note that power supply voltages B1 and B2 are the same value.

[0040] Among the thresholds set for potential V1, Xa is a submersion threshold (first submersion threshold) for determining whether or not the switch is submerged in water. Xc is an on threshold (first on threshold) for determining that the manual opening switch S1 is on. Xb is an on threshold (second on threshold) for determining that the manual closing switch S2 is on. A region Z1 between Xa and Xb (Xa≧Z1>Xb) indicates a first submersion potential range.

[0041] The CPU 4 compares the potential V1 with each of the threshold values ​​Xa to Xc, and if Xa≧V1>Xb (i.e., if V1 is in the first submerged potential range Z1), it determines that submersion has occurred in the power window device 100. Furthermore, if Xb≧V1>Xc, the CPU 4 determines that the manual close switch S2 is turned on, and if Xc≧V1≧0, it determines that the manual open switch S1 is turned on.

[0042] Among the thresholds set for potential V2, Ya is a submersion threshold (second submersion threshold) for determining whether or not the device is submerged, and Yb is an on threshold (third on threshold) for determining whether the auto-open switch S3 or the auto-close switch S4 is on. The region Z2 between Ya and Yb (Ya≧Z2>Yb) indicates the second submersion potential range. The submersion threshold Ya is approximately the same value as the submersion threshold Xa (Ya≒Xa).

[0043] The CPU 4 compares the potential V2 with each of the thresholds Ya and Yb, and determines that submersion has occurred if Ya≧V2>Yb (i.e., if V2 is within the second submersion potential range Z2). Also, if Yb≧V2≧0, the CPU 4 determines that the auto-open switch S3 or the auto-close switch S4 has been turned on.

[0044] It is possible to determine whether the auto-open switch S3 or the auto-close switch S4 is on by referring to the comparison result between the potential V1 and the on thresholds Xb and Xc. As described above, when the auto-open switch S3 is on, the manual-open switch S1 is also on, so the potential V1 is in the range of Xc≧V1≧0. Therefore, in FIG. 2, if Yb≧V2≧0 and Xc≧V1≧0, the CPU 4 determines that the auto-open switch S3 is on. Also, when the auto-close switch S4 is on, the manual-close switch S2 is also on, so the potential V1 is in the range of Xb≧V1>Xc. Therefore, in FIG. 2, if Yb≧V2≧0 and Xb≧V1>Xc, the CPU 4 determines that the auto-close switch S4 is on.

[0045] FIG. 3 shows the determination thresholds used when the power window device 100 is submerged in water. When submerged in water, two thresholds Xd and Xe are set for the potential V1 between the power supply voltage B1 and zero volts. The threshold Xd is a non-submerged threshold (first non-submerged threshold) for determining that the submerged state has been changed to a non-submerged state. The threshold Xe is an on threshold (fourth on threshold) for determining that the manual opening switch S1 has been turned on when submerged in water. On the other hand, only one threshold Yc is set for the potential V2 between the power supply voltage B2 and zero volts. This threshold Yc is also a non-submerged threshold (second non-submerged threshold) similar to the threshold Xd.

[0046] Regarding the thresholds in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, Xa and Ya, Xb and Yb, Xd and Yc, Xa and Xd, Xc and Xe, and Ya and Yc may be the same value or different values.

[0047] Under normal circumstances, the CPU 4 of the control unit 2 determines whether the switch is on and whether submersion occurs in water in the manner described above based on the results of comparing the potentials V1, V2 with the respective thresholds in Fig. 2. If it is determined that submersion has occurred, the CPU 4 determines whether the switch is on and whether submersion occurs in water using the determination thresholds in Fig. 3 instead of the determination thresholds in Fig. 2.

[0048] In FIG. 3, while the submerged state continues, the potentials V1 and V2 are in the ranges of Xd≧V1>Xe and Yc≧V2≧0, respectively. At this time, for the potential V1, the on threshold Xe of the manual opening switch S1 is set, but the on threshold of the manual closing switch S2 is not set. Therefore, the on of the manual closing switch S2 is not determined, and only the on of the manual opening switch S1 is determined. Furthermore, for the potential V2, the on threshold is not set for either of the switches S3 and S4, and the on of these switches S3 and S4 is not determined. Therefore, when the device is submerged, the CPU 4 determines that only the manual opening switch S1 is on based on the potential V1 and the on threshold Xe, and determines that the switch S1 is on when Xe≧V1≧0.

[0049] Figure 4 shows how the potentials V1 and V2 change when the "manual open" operation is performed under normal circumstances when the device is not submerged in water. Since the potential V1 is the potential of terminal T3, the potential V1 changes when the switches S1 and S2 connected to terminal T3 are turned on, and the potential V1 does not change when the switches S3 and S4 not connected to terminal T3 are turned on. On the other hand, since the potential V2 is the potential of terminal T4, the potential V2 changes when the switches S3 and S4 connected to terminal T4 are turned on, and the potential V2 does not change when the switches S1 and S2 not connected to terminal T4 are turned on.

[0050] 4, when switches S1 and S2 are both off, potential V1 is in the range B1≧V1>Xa (OFF region), and when switches S3 and S4 are both off, potential V2 is in the range B2≧V2>Ya (OFF region).

[0051] Now, when the "manual open" operation is performed and the manual open switch S1 is turned on, the potential V1 drops to Vs1. If the total resistance of the switch S1, wiring L1, etc. is Rw, then Vs1 at this time is calculated as follows from Figure 1: Vs1 = B1 Rw / (Ra + Rw) Here, Rw is a value sufficiently smaller than Ra (Ra>>Rw). If Vs1 is within the range of Xc>>Vs1>>0, the CPU 4 determines that the manual open switch S1 is turned on, and outputs a manual window open signal to the motor drive unit 3 to command the window W to be opened manually. This causes the window W to open based on the manual opening operation.

[0052] Fig. 5 shows how the potentials V1 and V2 change when the "manual open" operation is performed while the device is submerged in water. The operation unit 1 and control unit 2 shown in Fig. 1 have a waterproof structure that prevents water from entering the inside, but when the device is submerged in water, leakage current occurs in the terminals T1 to T4 exposed to the outside, so the potentials V1 and V2 before the switches S1 to S4 operate become lower than in the normal state in Fig. 4 (the same applies to Figs. 7, 9, and 11).

[0053] In Fig. 5, when switches S1 and S2 are both off, potential V1 is in the range Xd ≥ V1 > Xe (submerged state). When switches S3 and S4 are both off, potential V2 is in the range Yc ≥ V2 ≥ 0 (submerged state). In this state, when the "manual open" operation is performed and the manual opening switch S1 is turned on, potential V1 drops to Vs1'. Vs1' at this time has almost the same value as Vs1 in Fig. 4, and is in the range Xe ≥ Vs1' ≥ 0. On the other hand, even when the manual opening switch S1 is turned on, there is no change in potential V2.

[0054] When Xe≧Vs1′≧0 holds in the submerged state, the CPU 4 determines that the manual open switch S1 is turned on, and outputs a manual window open signal to the motor drive unit 3 to instruct the manual opening of the window W. Therefore, when the vehicle is submerged, it is possible to open the window W and escape from the vehicle by turning on the switch S1 through the "manual open" operation.

[0055] When the submerged state is resolved, leakage current at terminals T1 to T4 disappears, so that the current flowing through first circuit 1A and second circuit 1B increases, raising potentials V1 and V2, and the relationship becomes B1≧V1>Xd or B2≧V2>Yc in Fig. 5. At this time, CPU 4 determines that the state has transitioned from the submerged state to the non-submerged state, and switches the determination threshold in Fig. 3 to the determination threshold in Fig. 2. This causes the processing based on the normal determination threshold described above to be performed (the same applies to the cases of Figs. 6 to 11 below).

[0056] FIG. 6 shows how the potentials V1 and V2 change when the "auto open" operation is performed under normal circumstances. When the "auto open" operation is performed, both the manual opening switch S1 and the auto opening switch S3 are turned on. The potential Vs1 caused by the manual opening switch S1 being turned on is the same as in FIG. 4, so a description thereof will be omitted. In FIG. 6, the potential V2 drops to Vs3 when the auto opening switch S3 is turned on. If the total resistance of the switch S3, wiring L2, etc. is Rx, then Vs3 at this time is calculated as follows from FIG. 1: Vs3 = B2 Rx / (Rb + Rx) Here, Rx is a value sufficiently smaller than Rb (Rb>>Rx). If Vs3 is within the range Yb>>Vs3>>0 and Vs1 is within the range Xc>>Vs1>>0, the CPU 4 determines that the automatic opening switch S3 is turned on and outputs an automatic window opening signal to the motor drive unit 3, which commands the automatic opening of the window W. This causes the window W to open based on the automatic opening operation.

[0057] FIG. 7 shows how the potentials V1 and V2 change when the "auto open" operation is performed when the vehicle is submerged in water. As can be seen from the figure, when the switches S1 and S3 are turned on, the potential V1 drops to Vs1', and the potential V2 drops to Vs3'. At this time, Vs1' and Vs3' are almost the same values ​​as Vs1 and Vs3 in FIG. 6, respectively, but since no on-threshold is set for Vs3', the auto-open switch S3 is not determined to be on even when the auto-open operation is performed. However, since an on-threshold Xe is set for Vs1', the CPU 4 determines that the manual-open switch S1 is on if Xe≧Vs1'≧0, as in the case of FIG. 5, and outputs a manual window-open signal to the motor drive unit 3 to command the window W to be opened manually. Therefore, when the vehicle is submerged in water, it is possible to open the window W and escape by performing the "auto-open" operation.

[0058] FIG. 8 shows how the potentials V1 and V2 change when the "manual close" operation is performed under normal circumstances. When the "manual close" operation turns on the manual close switch S2, the potential V1 drops to Vs2. At this time, Vs2 is calculated from FIG. 1 as follows, assuming that the total resistance of the switch S2, the wiring L1, etc. is Ry: Vs2 = B1 (R1 + Ry) / (Ra + R1 + Ry) Here, Ry is a value sufficiently smaller than Ra and R1 (Ra>>Ry, R1>>Ry). In addition, since the resistor R1 is connected in series to the manual close switch S2, the value of Vs2 is greater than Vs1 in FIG. 4 (Vs2>Vs1). If Vs2 is within the range of Xb>>Vs2>Xc, the CPU 4 determines that the manual close switch S2 is turned on, and outputs a manual window close signal to the motor drive unit 3 to instruct the window W to be manually closed. This causes the window W to close based on the manual close operation.

[0059] FIG. 9 shows how the potentials V1 and V2 change when the "manual close" operation is performed while the device is submerged in water. As can be seen from the figure, when the manual close switch S2 is turned on, the potential V1 drops to Vs2'. However, since no on threshold is set for this Vs2', the manual close switch S2 is not determined to be on even if the manual close operation is performed. In other words, since the "manual close" operation is ignored while the device is submerged in water, even if the operation is performed, no manual window close signal is output from the CPU 4 to the motor drive unit 3, and the window W does not close. Therefore, even if the "manual close" operation is performed by mistake while the device is submerged in water, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the window W closes and escape becomes impossible.

[0060] FIG. 10 shows how the potentials V1 and V2 change when the "auto close" operation is performed under normal circumstances. When the "auto close" operation is performed, both the manual close switch S2 and the auto close switch S4 are turned on. The potential Vs2 resulting from the manual close switch S2 being turned on is the same as in FIG. 8, so a description thereof will be omitted. In FIG. 10, the potential V2 drops to Vs4 when the auto close switch S4 is turned on. If the total resistance of the switch S4, wiring L2, etc. is taken as Rz, then Vs4 at this time is calculated as follows from FIG. 1: Vs4 = B2 Rz / (Rb + Rz) Here, Rz is a value sufficiently smaller than Rb (Rb>>Rz). If Vs4 is in the range Yb>>Vs4>>0 and Vs2 is in the range Xb>>Vs2>Xc, the CPU 4 determines that the auto-close switch S4 is turned on and outputs an automatic window close signal to the motor drive unit 3 to command the automatic closing of the window W. This causes the window W to close based on the auto-close operation.

[0061] FIG. 11 shows the change in the potentials V1 and V2 when the "auto close" operation is performed when the vehicle is submerged in water. As can be seen from the figure, when the switches S2 and S4 are turned on, the potential V1 drops to Vs2', and the potential V2 drops to Vs4'. At this time, Vs2' and Vs4' are almost the same values ​​as Vs2 and Vs4 in FIG. 10, respectively, but since an on threshold is not set for Vs2', the manual close switch S2 is not determined to be on, as in the case of FIG. 9. Furthermore, since an on threshold is not set for Vs4', the auto close switch S4 is not determined to be on even if the auto close operation is performed. In other words, since the "auto close" operation is ignored in a submerged state, even if the operation is performed, the automatic window close signal is not output from the CPU 4 to the motor drive unit 3, and the window W does not close. Therefore, even if the "auto close" operation is performed by mistake when the vehicle is submerged in water, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the window W closes and escape is impossible.

[0062] According to the first embodiment described above, the potentials V1, V2 at one end of each of the first circuit 1A and the second circuit 1B are monitored by the CPU 4, and when the potential V1 is in the first submerged potential range Z1 or the potential V2 is in the second submerged potential range Z2, if the manual-open switch S1 or the automatic-open switch S3 is turned on, a manual window-open signal is output from the CPU 4 regardless of which switch is turned on. Therefore, by operating the "manual open" or "automatic open" on the operation unit 1 when the vehicle is submerged, the window W opens, making it possible to escape from the vehicle.

[0063] On the other hand, when potential V1 is in submerged potential range Z1 or potential V2 is in submerged potential range Z2, even if manual close switch S2 or auto close switch S4 is turned on, neither a manual window close signal nor an auto window close signal is output from CPU 4. Therefore, even if the "manual close" or "auto close" operation is performed by mistake when submerged, the operation is ignored and the window W will not close, ensuring safety.

[0064] In order to realize the above-mentioned functions, in the present invention, it is only necessary to add one resistor R1 to the existing switches S1 to S4 in the operation unit 1. This eliminates the need for a submersion detection pad as in Patent Documents 1 to 4, a constant current circuit as in Patent Document 5, or a switching element as in Patent Document 1, making the circuit configuration extremely simple. As a result, it is possible to realize a power window device 100 that has four functions, "manual open", "manual close", "auto open", and "auto close", a function to detect submersion, and a function to permit window opening and prohibit window closing when submerged, while significantly reducing costs with a minimum number of parts.

[0065] Furthermore, even if one of the potentials V1 and V2 is not within the submersion potential range Z1 and Z2, if the other is within the submersion potential range Z1 and Z2, it is determined that the device is submerged. For example, even if there is no leakage current at the terminals T1 and T3, if there is leakage current at the terminals T2 and T4, the potential V2 falls within the submersion potential range Z2, so that it is possible to determine that the device is submerged, improving the reliability of the submersion detection. Furthermore, since the device is detected by two systems, the first circuit 1A and the second circuit 1B, even if a malfunction such as a breakdown, disconnection, or poor contact occurs in one circuit, the device can be detected by the other circuit, further improving the reliability. Furthermore, by simply changing the software program of the CPU 4, a power window device with a submersion detection function and a power window device without a submersion detection function can be realized by the same circuit board assembly, so that the part numbers can be made common and management can be facilitated.

[0066] Fig. 12 shows a power window device 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 12 differs from Fig. 1 in that in the first circuit 1A, a manual opening switch S1 and a resistor R1 are connected in series, and a manual closing switch S2 is connected in parallel to this series circuit. The configuration of the second circuit 1B is the same as that of Fig. 1, and other configurations are also the same as those of Fig. 1.

[0067] That is, in the second embodiment, the manual opening switch S1 and the manual closing switch S2 are interchanged in the first circuit 1A in Fig. 1. In the second embodiment, in Fig. 2, Xb is the ON threshold value for the manual opening switch S1, and Xc is the ON threshold value for the manual closing switch S2.

[0068] FIG. 13 shows a power window device 300 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is different from FIG. 1 in that the second circuit 1B is composed of only the auto switch S5. The configuration of the first circuit 1A is the same as that of FIG. 1, and other configurations are also the same as those of FIG. 1. The auto switch S5 corresponds to the "third switch" of the present invention and has the functions of both the auto open switch and the auto close switch. In detail, if the manual open switch S1 is turned on by the manual open operation and then the auto open operation is performed, the auto switch S5 is turned on. Also, if the manual close switch S2 is turned on by the manual close operation and then the auto close operation is performed, the auto switch S5 is turned on. In the third embodiment, in FIG. 2, Yb is the on threshold value for the auto switch S5.

[0069] Fig. 14 shows a power window device 400 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 14, the manual opening switch S1 and the manual closing switch S2 in Fig. 13 are interchanged. The configuration of the second circuit 1B is the same as that in Fig. 13, and other configurations are also the same as those in Fig. 13. In the fourth embodiment, in Fig. 2, Xb is the ON threshold value for the manual opening switch S1, Xc is the ON threshold value for the manual closing switch S2, and Yb is the ON threshold value for the automatic switch S5.

[0070] The second, third and fourth embodiments can also provide the same effects as the first embodiment.

[0071] In the above-described embodiments, a power window device having a submersion detection function has been exemplified, but the present invention can also be applied to a power window device not having a submersion detection function. As described above, a power window device without a submersion detection function can be realized by simply changing the software program, and does not require any change in the hardware configuration.

[0072] For example, if the power window device 100 shown in Fig. 1 does not have a submersion detection function, the circuit configuration of the operation unit 1, the control unit 2, and the motor drive unit 3 is the same as the circuit configuration when the submersion detection function is provided, and only the software program of the CPU 4 is different. Even in such a power window device 100 without a submersion detection function, by configuring the operation unit 1 as in the present invention, it is possible to minimize the number of parts and significantly reduce costs while maintaining the necessary functions. This will be described in more detail below.

[0073] In the case of the power window device 100 without a submersion detection function, the ON thresholds Xb, Xc, and Yb in Fig. 2 are set for the switches S1 to S4, but the submersion thresholds Xa and Ya are not set. Naturally, the submersion thresholds Xd, Xe, and Yc in Fig. 3 are not set either. In addition, the submersion potential ranges Z1 and Z2 in Fig. 2 are changed to the OFF region.

[0074] The on-determination of switches S1 to S4 is the same as the determination in normal times (when not submerged) when there is a submersion detection function. Specifically, when the manual open switch S1 is turned on by the "manual open" operation, the potential V1 is Xc≧V1≧0, and when the manual close switch S2 is turned on by the "manual close" operation, the potential V1 is Xb≧V1>Xc, so it is possible to determine whether switches S1 and S2 are on from each result.

[0075] Furthermore, when the auto-open switch S3 or the auto-close switch S4 is turned on by operating "auto-open" or "auto-close", the potential V2 becomes Yb ≧ V2 ≧ 0. At this time, as described above, if the potential V1 is Xc ≧ V1 ≧ 0, it is determined that the auto-open switch S3 is turned on, and if the potential V1 is Xb ≧ V1 > Xc, it is determined that the auto-close switch S4 is turned on.

[0076] In this way, even in a power window device 100 that does not have a submersion detection function, an extremely simple circuit configuration in which only one resistor R1 is added to the existing switches S1 to S4 can be used to minimize the number of parts and significantly reduce costs while maintaining the four functions of "manual open," "manual close," "auto open," and "auto close."

[0077] In the present invention, various embodiments other than the above-described embodiment can be adopted.

[0078] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the motor 5 is provided outside the power window devices 100, 200, 300, and 400, but the motor 5 may be provided in the power window device. In this case, the power window device can be configured as a motor module in which the operation unit 1, the control unit 2, the motor drive unit 3, and the motor 5 are mounted on a circuit board.

[0079] In the above embodiment, the pull-up resistors Ra, Rb are provided in the control unit 2, but these pull-up resistors Ra, Rb may be provided in the operation unit 1.

[0080] In the above-described embodiment, the motor drive unit 3 is provided separately from the control unit 2. However, the motor drive unit 3 may be incorporated in the control unit 2.

[0081] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, a power window device for a vehicle is taken as an example, but the present invention can also be applied to power window devices used in fields other than vehicles. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1 Control section 1A 1st circuit 1B 2nd circuit 2. Control section 3 Motor drive unit 4 CPU 5 Motor 100, 200, 300, 400 Power window device T1 terminal (first terminal) T2 terminal (second terminal) T3 terminal (third terminal) T4 terminal (4th terminal) B1 power supply (1st power supply) B2 power supply (second power supply) L1 wiring (first wiring) L2 wiring (second wiring) R1 Resistor Ra Pull-up resistor (first pull-up resistor) Rb Pull-up resistor (second pull-up resistor) S1 Manual opening switch (first switch) S2 Manual close switch (second switch) S3 Auto-open switch (third switch) S4 Auto-close switch (third switch) S5 Auto switch (third switch) V1 Potential at one end of the first circuit 1A (first potential) V2: Electric potential at one end of the second circuit 1B (second electric potential) W Window Xa Submersion Threshold (First Submersion Threshold) Ya Submersion threshold (second submersion threshold) Xc ON threshold (first ON threshold) Xb ON threshold (second ON threshold) Yb ON threshold (3rd ON threshold) Xe ON threshold (4th ON threshold) Xd Non-submersion threshold (first non-submersion threshold) Yc Non-submersion threshold (second non-submergence threshold) Z1 First submerged potential range Z2 Second submerged potential range

Claims

1. an operation unit provided with a first switch that is turned on by an operation to manually open the window, a second switch that is turned on by an operation to manually close the window, and a third switch that is turned on by an operation to automatically open or close the window; a motor driving unit that drives a motor for opening and closing the window; a control unit that controls an operation of the motor drive unit based on a state of each switch of the operation unit, The operation unit includes: a first circuit including the first switch, the second switch, and a resistor; a second circuit including the third switch; In the first circuit, a series circuit of one of the first and second switches and the resistor is connected between a first power supply and a ground, and the other of the first and second switches is connected in parallel with the series circuit; In the second circuit, the third switch is connected between a second power supply and a ground; The control unit is monitoring a first potential at one end of the first circuit on the side of the first power supply and a second potential at one end of the second circuit on the side of the second power supply; If the first potential is a potential when the first switch is on, a manual window opening signal is output to the motor drive unit to instruct the motor drive unit to open the window only during the on period of the first switch; If the first potential is a potential when the second switch is on, a manual window closing signal is output to the motor drive unit to instruct the motor drive unit to close the window only during the on period of the second switch; when the second potential is a potential when the third switch is on and the first potential is a potential when the first switch is on, an automatic window opening signal is output to the motor drive unit to instruct the window to continue opening to a fully open position; When the second potential is the potential when the third switch is on and the first potential is the potential when the second switch is on, an automatic window close signal is output to the motor drive unit to instruct the window to continue closing to a fully closed position.

2. 2. The power window device according to claim 1, The control unit is determining that submersion has occurred when the first potential is within a predetermined first submersion potential range or when the second potential is within a predetermined second submersion potential range; Under normal circumstances when there is no flooding, If the first potential is a potential when the first switch is on, the manual window opening signal is output. If the first potential is a potential when the second switch is on, the manual window close signal is output. When submersion occurs, If the first potential is a potential when the first switch is on, the manual window opening signal is output. The power window device according to claim 1, wherein the manual window close signal is not output even if the first potential is equal to a potential when the second switch is on.

3. 3. The power window device according to claim 2, The control unit is outputting the automatic window-open signal when the second potential in the normal state is a potential when the third switch is on and the first potential in the normal state is a potential when the first switch is on; a power window device that outputs the automatic window close signal when the second potential in the normal state is a potential when the third switch is on and when the first potential in the normal state is a potential when the second switch is on.

4. The power window device according to claim 2 or 3, The control unit, when submerged in water, does not determine whether the second switch and the third switch are on, but only determines whether the first switch is on.

5. The power window device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, A first submersion threshold for determining whether or not the device is submerged in water, a first ON threshold for determining whether the first switch is ON, and a second ON threshold for determining whether the second switch is ON are set in the control unit with respect to the first potential in a normal state; A second submersion threshold for determining whether or not the device is submerged in water and a third ON threshold for determining whether or not the third switch is ON are set in the control unit with respect to the second potential in a normal state, a fourth on threshold for determining whether the first switch is on and a first non-submerged threshold for determining whether the submerged state has been changed to a non-submerged state are set in the control unit with respect to the first potential when the device is submerged in water; A second non-submersion threshold for determining whether the submerged state has been changed to a non-submerged state is set in the control unit with respect to the second potential when the device is submerged in water; the first submerged potential range is a range between the first submerged threshold and the first on threshold or the second on threshold, The power window device according to claim 1, wherein the second submerged potential range is a range between the second submerged threshold and the third on-threshold.

6. 6. The power window device according to claim 1, The first switch is a manual opening switch that is turned on by an operation to manually open the window, The second switch is a manual closing switch that is turned on by an operation of manually closing the window, The third switch is an automatic opening switch that is turned on when an operation to automatically open the window is subsequently performed in a state in which the first switch is turned on by an operation to manually open the window; and an auto-close switch which is turned on when an operation to automatically close the window is subsequently performed after the second switch is turned on by an operation to manually close the window.

7. 7. The power window device according to claim 1, the operation unit has a first terminal to which one end of the first circuit is connected and a second terminal to which one end of the second circuit is connected, the control unit has a third terminal connected to the first terminal by a first wiring and a fourth terminal connected to the second terminal by a second wiring; the third terminal is connected to the first power supply via a first pull-up resistor, and the fourth terminal is connected to the second power supply via a second pull-up resistor; The power window device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit monitors a potential of the third terminal as the first potential and monitors a potential of the fourth terminal as the second potential.

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