Vehicle door device

Abstract

To provide a vehicular door device which prevents malfunction due to freezing of a door opened by a driving device and suppresses energy consumption during non-freezing.SOLUTION: A vehicular door device 100 includes: a door 110 which is openably / closably mounted in an opening 20 provided in a vehicle body 10 of a vehicle 1; a driving device 120 which drives the door in at least a door opening direction; and a driving control section 170 which operates the driving device according to a door opening request. The vehicular door device is configured to include a heat generation section 150 which is provided in at least one of the door and the opening; a freezing determination section which performs freezing determination of the door during an operation of the driving device; and a heat generation control section which generates heat in the heat generation section according to establishment of the freezing determination.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle door device having a door provided on a vehicle and opened by a driving device.

Background Art

[0002] In the doors of vehicles such as automobiles, in order to prevent malfunction due to freezing in cold regions, it is known to provide a deicing device having a heating element. As a technique related to such a deicing device for a vehicle door, for example, in Patent Document 1, when an opening switch provided on a handle for opening a vehicle door is operated, heating means for heating a key unit that locks the door based on the outside air temperature is operated. It is described. Also, it is known to open a vehicle door by a driving device such as an electric actuator. For example, in Patent Document 2, in a power sliding door capable of an opening operation with the assistance of power, in order to enable the opening operation even when there are variations such as freezing or door installation, after a certain period of time has elapsed since an operation on a door handle provided on the vehicle door, when it is determined that the vehicle door has not moved, it is described that a power assist mechanism is operated to give auxiliary power. Also, it is known to provide an object detection sensor for detecting pinching on a door opened and closed by a driving device. For example, in Patent Document 3, an opening and closing body for opening and closing an opening of a vehicle body is driven by a driving means, and a capacitance type sensor is provided for detecting pinching. Also, in order to safely perform automatic closing control even when the capacitance type sensor is frozen, when the proximity output signal value at the start of the automatic closing operation is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value and the outside air temperature is equal to or lower than a predetermined freezing temperature, it is described that the automatic closing operation is performed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

[0004] In the case of a so-called power door that is opened by a driving device, moisture is generated due to dew condensation or the like between the door and the vehicle body due to the temperature difference between the inside and outside of the vehicle cabin. If freezing occurs at the sealing part, it becomes difficult to open the door from the inside of the vehicle. Particularly in the case of a power door, for example, even if a door opening request such as a door opening operation by a switch is given and the door does not operate, it is difficult for the user to distinguish between freezing and a failure of the driving device or the like, and there are concerns about overheating of the driving device and an increase in power consumption as the state of the vehicle. On the other hand, for example, like the technology for a manual door described in Patent Document 1, it is conceivable to always operate the heating part when opening the door in a low-temperature state. However, in this case, there is a concern about an increase in power consumption due to the operation of the heating part even when not frozen. In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle door device that prevents malfunction due to freezing of a door opened by a driving device and suppresses energy consumption when not frozen. [Means for Solving the Problems]

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, a vehicle door device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a door that is attached to an opening provided in a vehicle body of a vehicle so as to be openable and closable, a driving device that drives the door at least in the door opening direction, and a driving control unit that operates the driving device in response to a door opening request. The vehicle door device is characterized in that it further includes a heating part provided on at least one of the door and the opening, a freezing determination unit that determines whether the door is frozen when the driving device operates, and a heating control unit that causes the heating part to generate heat in response to the establishment of the freezing determination. , an object detection sensor that detects the presence of an object between the door and the opening, and includes , the freezing determination unit makes the freezing determination according to the output change of the object detection sensor after the start of operation of the drive device and is characterized by the above. According to this, when the freezing determination is established during the operation of the driving device, by causing the heating part to generate heat, it is possible to defrost the frozen part and prevent malfunction due to freezing of the door. Moreover, when the freezing determination is not established, by not operating the heating part, it is possible to suppress energy consumption. Further, according to this, when it is determined from the output of the object detection sensor that the actual displacement amount between the door and the opening has not changed even though the door is being driven in the opening direction, the freezing determination is established. Thus, for example, the freezing determination can be made using an object detection sensor provided in a general vehicle door device for preventing pinching. Furthermore, in combination with the freezing determination based on the driving state of the drive device described above and the displacement in the opening and closing direction of the door By using it, reliability and fail-safe performance can be improved. Also, in order to solve the above-described problems, a vehicle door device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a door that is attached to an opening provided in a vehicle body of a vehicle so as to be openable and closable, a drive device that drives the door at least in the opening direction, and a drive control unit that operates the drive device in response to an opening request. A vehicle door device, comprising: a heating unit provided on at least one of the door and the opening; a freezing determination unit that determines freezing of the door when the drive device is operating; a heating control unit that causes the heating unit to generate heat in response to the establishment of the freezing determination; and a navigation device that estimates the arrival time to the destination of the vehicle. The heating control unit causes the heating unit to perform preliminary heating when in a predetermined low temperature state and the arrival time to the destination is equal to or less than a predetermined value. According to this, when the freezing determination is established during the operation of the drive device, by causing the heating unit to generate heat, the frozen portion can be thawed and malfunction due to freezing of the door can be prevented. Also, when the freezing determination is not established, energy consumption can be suppressed by not operating the heating unit. Further, according to this, by causing the heating unit to perform preliminary heating before arriving at the destination in a low temperature state, the defrosting time by the heating unit when the door is opened after arriving at the destination can be shortened, and the convenience for the user can be improved.

[0006] In the present invention, the freezing determination unit may be configured to perform the freezing determination based on the driving state of the driving device and the displacement in the opening / closing direction of the door. According to this, by establishing the freezing determination when no displacement equal to or greater than a predetermined value in the opening / closing direction of the door is detected despite driving the driving device, it is possible to perform the freezing determination with high accuracy with a simple configuration. Here, the driving state of the driving device includes, for example, the energization state (current value, etc.) to the driving device. Also, the displacement in the opening / closing direction of the door can be appropriately detected using various sensors.

Effects of the Invention

[0009] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle door device that prevents malfunction due to freezing of a door opened by a driving device and suppresses energy consumption during non-freezing.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010] [Figure 1] It is a schematic side view of a vehicle having an embodiment of a vehicle door device to which the present invention is applied. [Figure 2] It is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the vehicle door device of the embodiment. [Figure 3] It is a flowchart showing the operation of the vehicle door device of the embodiment. [Figure 4] It is a timing chart showing the transition of each parameter during the door opening operation in the vehicle door device of the embodiment, and shows a non-frozen state. [Figure 5] It is a timing chart showing the transition of each parameter during the door opening operation in the vehicle door device of the embodiment, and shows a frozen state.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vehicle door device to which the present invention is applied will be described. The vehicle door device of the embodiment is provided in an automobile such as a passenger car, and is a so-called power slide door device that slides open and closed by an electric door drive motor. FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a vehicle having the vehicle door device of the embodiment. The vehicle 1 is a passenger car having, for example, a so-called two-box vehicle shape. The vehicle 1 has a passenger compartment (cabin) 10 which is a space for accommodating passengers and the like. A door opening 20 used for getting on and off passengers and the like is formed in a side surface portion of the cabin 10. In addition, a power slide door device 100 which is the vehicle door device of the embodiment is provided in the door opening 20.

[0012] The power slide door device 100 includes a door 110, a door drive motor 120, a power transmission mechanism 130, a power supply device 140, a door heater 150, a pressure sensor 160, a door control unit 170, and the like.

[0013] The door 110 is a door body provided in the door opening 20 so as to be openable and closable. The door 110 is a so-called sliding door that transitions from a closed state substantially closing the door opening 20 to an open state by translating laterally with respect to the vehicle body outward in the vehicle width direction and then sliding rearward along the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0014] The door drive motor 120 is a drive device that drives the door 110 to open and close. The door drive motor 120 is configured as an electric actuator having a motor body such as a DC motor, for example, and a speed reduction device that reduces the output of the motor. The power transmission mechanism 130 mechanically transmits the output of the door drive motor 120 as a driving force in the opening and closing direction to the door 110. The power transmission mechanism 130 is provided with a displacement sensor 131. The displacement sensor 131 generates a number of pulse signals corresponding to the displacement amount when the power transmission mechanism 130 relatively displaces the door 110 with respect to the door opening 20.

[0015] The power supply device 140 supplies driving power to the door drive motor 120 and the like. The power supply device 140 has a battery that supplies power to various in-vehicle electrical devices. As the battery, various secondary batteries such as a lithium-ion rechargeable battery, a nickel-metal hydride rechargeable battery, and a lead-acid battery can be used, for example.

[0016] The door heater 150 is a heating part arranged, for example, above the door opening 20 so as to be adjacent to the upper edge part of the door 110 in the closed state. The door heater 150 is a heater such as an electric resistance heater that generates heat by being supplied with power from the power supply device 140.

[0017] The pressure sensor 160 is an object detection sensor (so-called pinch sensor) that detects a foreign object interposed between the front edge part of the door 110 and the front edge part of the door opening 20. The pressure sensor 160 is provided along the front edge of the door 110 and is compressed by the front surface of the door opening 20 when the door 110 is in the closed state. The pressure sensor 160 is configured such that its output voltage changes when it comes into contact with the front edge of the door opening 20 or any foreign object. The pressure sensor 160 is configured such that its output voltage increases, for example, when it receives pressure from an object. Even when the door 110 is in the closed state, the pressure sensor 160 is compressed between the edge of the door opening 20 and its output voltage increases.

[0018] The door control unit 170 controls the power supply to and cutoff of the door drive motor 120 and the door heater 150 from the power supply device 140. The door control unit 170 can be configured as a microcomputer having, for example, an information processing unit such as a CPU, a storage unit such as a RAM and a ROM, an input / output interface, and a bus connecting these components. Connected to the door control unit 170 are a door open / close switch 171, which is an operation unit for a user such as a passenger to input an opening or closing request for the door, and an outside air temperature sensor 172 for detecting the outside air temperature. Also, the door control unit 170 functions as a drive control unit, a freezing determination unit, and a heat generation control unit of the present invention. The functions and operations of the door control unit 170 will be described in detail later.

[0019] A navigation device 200 is connected to the door control unit 170. The navigation device 200 is configured to have, for example, a positioning device such as a GPS and a database storing map data. The navigation device 200 has a function of notifying a user such as a driver of the current position, performing route guidance to a preset destination, and calculating the estimated time of arrival at the destination. When the arrival prediction time to the destination set in the navigation device 200 is equal to or less than a preset threshold value, and the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor 172 is in a low temperature state where it is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the door control unit 170 of the power sliding door device 100 according to the embodiment energizes the heating unit 150 for a predetermined time to generate heat, preheats the upper part between the door 110 and the door opening 20, and has a function of melting frozen portions.

[0020] Next, the operation of the vehicle door device according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the vehicle door device according to the embodiment. Hereinafter, the description will be given step by step.

[0021] <Step S01: Door Open Switch ON Determination> The door control unit 170 determines, at the door open / close switch 171, whether the door open switch is turned on (whether there is a door opening request). If the door open switch is turned on, the process proceeds to step S02, and in other cases, the series of processes is terminated (returned).

[0022] <Step S02: Circuit State Normal Judgment> The door control unit 170 determines, using a known self-diagnosis technique, whether the circuits of the door drive motor 120, the power supply device 140, the door heater 150, each switch, and the sensors are normal (whether there are no faults such as disconnection). If the circuit state is normal, the process proceeds to step S03, and in other cases, a predetermined fault code is output and the series of processes is terminated (returned).

[0023] <Step S03: Door Closed Position Judgment> The door control unit 170 determines, based on the output of the displacement sensor 131, whether the door 110 is in the closed position where it closes the door opening 20. If the door 110 is in the closed position, the process proceeds to step S04, and in other cases, the series of processes is terminated (returned).

[0024] <Step S04: Door drive motor on> The door control unit 170 as a drive control unit turns on the power supply to the door drive motor 120, and starts driving the door 110 in the opening direction by the door drive motor 120 and the power transmission mechanism 130. After that, the process proceeds to step S05.

[0025] <Step S05: Estimation of door displacement (current)> The door control unit 170 monitors the current value to the door drive motor 120, and calculates the estimated displacement amount of the door 110 based on the acquired current value. The calculation of the estimated displacement amount of the door 110 can be performed based on, for example, the correlation data between the current value history acquired in advance and the displacement of the door 110 when the power slide door device 100 performs the opening operation of the door 110 in a normal state (when not frozen). After that, the process proceeds to step S06.

[0026] <Step S06: Detection of actual door displacement> The door control unit 170 detects the actual displacement amount (actual displacement amount) of the door 110 based on the output (number of pulses, etc.) of the displacement sensor 131. After that, the process proceeds to step S07.

[0027] <Step S07: Door freezing determination> The door control unit 170 as a freezing determination unit executes a door freezing determination to determine whether or not the door opening 20 and the door 110 are frozen and stuck. For example, when the following conditions are satisfied, the door control unit 170 makes the door freezing determination hold. (1) The outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor 172 is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold value, and (2) When any of the following is satisfied (a) A state where the deviation between the actual displacement amount and the estimated displacement amount of the door 110 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value continues for a predetermined time t1 or more (b) A state where the output voltage of the pressure sensor 160 is equal to or higher than a predetermined value (a state of being pressed against the edge of the door opening 20) continues for a predetermined time t2 or more (c) The elapsed time since the energization of the door heater 150 started is less than the predetermined time t3 If the freezing determination is established, the process proceeds to step S08. Otherwise, the driving of the door drive motor 120 is resumed, a series of processes is terminated (returned), and the control returns to the normal control.

[0028] <Step S08: Door drive motor off> The door control unit 170 cuts off the power supply to the door drive motor 120 in order to prevent overheating of the door drive motor 120. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S09.

[0029] <Step S09: Door heater on> The door control unit 170 as a heat generation control unit turns on the power supply to the door heater 150, operates the door heater 150, and starts heating the upper part of the door opening 20. As a result, the ice between the door opening 20 and the door 110 is thawed, and further, the water generated by the thawing flows to the lower side of the door 110 to thaw the ice existing on the flow path. Thereafter, the process returns to step S07, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

[0030] FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing the transition of each parameter during the door opening operation in the vehicle door device of the embodiment, and shows a non-freezing state. In FIG. 4, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the on / off of the opening operation by the door open / close switch 171, the on / off of the door drive motor, the current of the door drive motor, the pulse signal of the displacement sensor 131, the displacement amount of the door 110, and the output voltage of the pressure sensor 160, respectively. When not frozen, when the user inputs a door opening request from the door open / close switch 171 and the door drive motor is turned on, the displacement amount of the door 110 immediately increases linearly. In response to this, the displacement sensor 131 repeatedly outputs a pulse signal at a substantially constant period. At this time, the actual displacement amount and the estimated displacement amount coincide. Further, the output voltage of the pressure sensor 160 decreases as the pressure sensor 160 moves away from the leading edge of the door opening 20, and finally it reaches a state where it does not detect the pressure due to the contact of an object.

[0031] FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing the transition of each parameter during the door opening operation of the vehicle door device according to the embodiment, and shows the frozen state. In FIG. 5, in addition to the same content as in FIG. 4 on the vertical axis, the on / off state of the door heater 150 is described. In the frozen state shown here as an example, when the user inputs a door opening request from the door opening / closing switch 171 and the door drive motor 120 is turned on, the door 110 is displaced in the opening direction by a minute amount, but further displacement does not progress due to the freezing of the door opening 20 and the door 110. At this time, in a low temperature state where the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor 172 is equal to or lower than a predetermined value, as described above, the door control unit 170 performs a freezing determination based on the deviation between the estimated displacement amount and the actual displacement amount and the output of the pressure sensor 160. When the freezing determination is established, the door control unit 170 starts energizing the door heater 150 and starts defrosting by the heat generation of the door heater 150. At this time, the door control unit 170 cuts off (turns off) the power supply to the door drive motor 120 in order to prevent overheating of the door drive motor 120. Thereafter, when the door heater 150 is energized for a predetermined time t3 or more and the freezing determination becomes invalid, the door control unit 170 turns off the door heater 150 and resumes (turns on) the power supply to the door drive motor 120. As a result, the door 110 starts to displace with respect to the door opening 20 and transitions to the door open state. The increase in the actual displacement amount of the door 110 is detected based on the pulse signal of the displacement sensor 131 and the output voltage of the pressure sensor 160.

[0032] According to the embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained. (1) When performing a freezing determination during the operation of the door drive motor 120, and when the freezing determination is established, by causing the door heater 150 to generate heat, it is possible to defrost the frozen portion and prevent malfunction (inability to open the door) due to freezing of the door 110. Also, when the freezing determination is not established, by not operating the door heater 150, it is possible to suppress the power consumption of the vehicle 1. (2) By performing a freezing determination based on the deviation between the estimated displacement amount estimated from the current value of the door drive motor 120 and the actual displacement amount of the door 110 detected by the displacement sensor 131, it is possible to perform an accurate freezing determination with a simple configuration. (3) A pressure sensor 160 for detecting foreign matter between the front edge of the door 110 and the door opening 20 is provided. When it is determined from the output of the pressure sensor 160 that the actual displacement amounts of the door 110 and the door opening 20 have not changed even though the door 110 is being driven in the door opening direction, by establishing the freezing determination, for example, a freezing determination can be performed using an object detection sensor provided in a general vehicle door device for preventing pinching. (4) When in a low temperature state and the time until the destination estimated by the navigation device 200 is a predetermined value or less, by causing the door heater 150 to perform preliminary heating, the defrosting time by the door heater 150 when opening the door after arriving at the destination can be shortened, and the convenience for the user can be improved.

[0033] (Modification example) The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and changes are possible, and these are also within the technical scope of the present invention. (1) The configuration of the vehicle door device and the vehicle is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be changed as appropriate. (2) In the embodiment, the door is, as an example, a slide door provided on the side of the vehicle body. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can also be applied to, for example, a swing door that swings around a rotation axis to open and close, or a tailgate provided at the rear of the vehicle body. (3) The door heater, which is the heat generating part in the embodiment, was an electric resistance type heater as an example, but the configuration of the heat generating part is not limited to this and can be changed as appropriate. Also, the installation location is not limited to the upper part of the door opening 20, and it may be arranged on the side or lower part. Also, instead of or in combination with the configuration of providing the heat generating part on the door opening side, it may be provided on the door side. (4) The specific method of freezing determination is not limited to the method of the embodiment and can be changed as appropriate. For example, in the embodiment, the estimated displacement amount is obtained from the current value supplied to the door drive motor 120, and the freezing determination is made from the deviation from the actual displacement amount detected by the displacement sensor 131. However, it is not limited to this. For example, when the actual displacement amount within a predetermined time after the actuator starts operating is equal to or less than the threshold value, the freezing determination may be established. (5) The object detection sensor in the embodiment was a pressure sensor as an example, but it is not limited to this. For example, a capacitance type sensor, an optical sensor, an acoustic sensor, a mechanical switch, etc. may be used.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0034] 1 Vehicle 10 Passenger Compartment 20 Door Opening 100 Power Slide Door Device 110 Door 120 Door Drive Motor 130 Power Transmission Mechanism 131 Displacement Sensor 140 Power Supply Device 150 Door Heater 160 Pressure Sensor 170 Door Control Unit 171 Door Open / Close Switch 172 Outside Air Temperature Sensor 200 Navigation Device

Claims

1. A door that is attached to an opening provided in a vehicle body so as to be openable and closable, A drive device that drives the door at least in the opening direction, A drive control unit that operates the drive device in response to an opening request A vehicle door device comprising: A heat generating part provided on at least one of the door and the opening, A freezing determination unit that determines whether the door is frozen when the drive device operates, A heat generation control unit that causes the heat generating part to generate heat in response to the establishment of the freezing determination, An object detection sensor that detects the presence or absence of an object between the door and the opening, Comprising, The freezing determination unit makes the freezing determination according to the output change of the object detection sensor after the start of operation of the drive device A vehicle door device characterized by the above.

2. A door that is attached to an opening provided in a vehicle body so as to be openable and closable, A drive device that drives the door at least in the opening direction, A drive control unit that operates the drive device in response to an opening request A vehicle door device comprising: A heat generating part provided on at least one of the door and the opening, A freezing determination unit that determines whether the door is frozen when the drive device operates, A heat generation control unit that causes the heat generating part to generate heat in response to the establishment of the freezing determination, A navigation device that estimates the time to reach the destination of the vehicle, Comprising, The heat generation control unit causes the heat generating part to perform preliminary heat generation when it is in a predetermined low temperature state and the time to reach the destination is less than or equal to a predetermined value A vehicle door device characterized by the above.

3. The freezing determination unit makes the freezing determination based on the driving state of the drive device and the displacement of the door in the opening and closing direction The vehicle door device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the above.

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