Vehicle ramp device

Abstract

To prevent a slope plate from protruding out of a vehicle during vehicle travel.SOLUTION: A slope device comprises a slope plate which is moved in an expansion direction so as to be expanded at a lower end of a door opening and which is moved in a storage direction so as to be stored in a storage box serving as a storage part provided in a vehicle body. In addition, the slope device comprises an actuator which serves as a drive unit for driving the slope plate in the expansion and storage directions, and a control unit for controlling an actuation of the actuator. The control unit drives the slope plate in the storage direction by controlling the actuation of the actuator, when the slope plate is in the state of being moved in the expansion direction from a storage position to be stored in the storage box, during vehicle travel.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle ramp device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is a vehicle ramp device that deploys a slope plate at the bottom of a door opening. For example, in the vehicle described in Patent Document 1, the ramp device is installed in a storage box provided under the floor. Furthermore, this conventional ramp device has a drive source that moves the slope plate in the deploying and retracting directions. This makes it possible to quickly form a continuous ramp at the door opening even when there is an occupant in a wheelchair, stroller, or carrying a large carry-on suitcase. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-131784 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in a vehicle, in addition to the driving force applied to the slope plate and the weight of the user, external forces may act on the slope plate, and these external forces may cause the slope plate to move. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] Various aspects of a vehicle ramp device that solves the above problems will be described. The vehicle slope device of aspect 1 comprises a slope plate that is deployed at the bottom of a door opening by moving in a deployment direction and that is stored in a storage section provided on the vehicle body by moving in a storage direction, a drive device that drives the slope plate in the deployment and storage directions, and a control device that controls the operation of the drive device, and when the slope plate has moved in the deployment direction from a storage position where it is stored in the storage section while the vehicle is traveling, the control device drives the slope plate in the storage direction.

[0006] With the above configuration, even if an external force such as centrifugal force during a turn acts on the slope plate stored in the storage section of the vehicle, moving it in the deployment direction, i.e., pulling it out of the vehicle, the slope plate can be prevented from protruding outside the vehicle, thereby ensuring high safety.

[0007] The vehicle slope device of aspect 2 is the vehicle slope device described in aspect 1, in which the control device executes braking control to apply a braking force to the slope plate after the slope plate driven in the storage direction reaches the storage position.

[0008] According to the above configuration, the slope plate can be stably held in its stored position against the input of an external force that moves the slope plate in the deployment direction, thereby ensuring a high level of safety.

[0009] The vehicle slope device of aspect 3 is the vehicle slope device described in aspect 2, wherein the slope plate can be moved by manual operation, and the control device reduces the braking force when there is a request for manual operation after the vehicle has come to a stop.

[0010] In other words, when the vehicle is stopped, it is assumed that an external force that would move the slope plate in the deployment direction is unlikely to be input. Therefore, with the above configuration, the slope plate can be held in the storage position by applying a braking force, ensuring high safety, while the user can manually deploy the slope plate. This ensures convenience.

[0011] A fourth aspect of the vehicle slope device is the vehicle slope device according to the second or third aspect, wherein the control device reduces the braking force when the activation signal for the vehicle is turned off after the vehicle has come to a stop.

[0012] In other words, when the activation signal is turned off, the vehicle is in a non-activated state, i.e., it is not moving. This is presumably what makes it even more difficult for an external force to be input that would move the slope plate in the deployment direction to occur. Therefore, with the above configuration, it is possible to ensure high safety by applying a braking force to hold the slope plate in the retracted position, while reducing energy consumption due to the execution of the braking control.

[0013] A vehicle slope device of aspect 5 is a vehicle slope device according to any one of aspects 2 to 4, wherein the control device reduces the braking force when a predetermined time has elapsed after the vehicle has come to a halt.

[0014] In other words, if the vehicle is kept stopped for a predetermined period of time or longer, it is assumed that the vehicle is in a state where it is even less likely to receive an external force that would move the slope plate in the deploying direction. Therefore, with the above configuration, it is possible to ensure high safety by applying a braking force to hold the slope plate in the stored position, while reducing energy consumption due to the execution of the braking control.

[0015] The vehicle slope device of aspect 6 is a vehicle slope device according to any one of aspects 1 to 5, wherein the control device executes an alarm control when the slope plate moves from the stored position in the deployment direction while the vehicle is traveling.

[0016] According to the above configuration, it is possible to notify the vehicle occupants and those around that the slope plate has been deployed while the vehicle is moving, and to call attention to the slope plate being moved in the retracting direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention, the slope plate can be prevented from projecting outside the vehicle when the vehicle is traveling. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle equipped with a slope device. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle equipped with a slope device. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a slope device provided below the door opening. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a slope device provided below the door opening. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a slope device. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of a vehicle equipped with a slope device. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when the slope plate moves from the stored position while the vehicle is traveling. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for forced storage control. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for storage position maintenance control. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vehicle slope device will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2, a vehicle 1 of this embodiment has a vehicle body 2 that is substantially in the shape of a rectangular box and extends in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle. A door opening 3, which serves as an entrance and exit for passengers, is provided on a side surface 2s of the vehicle body 2. A pair of sliding doors 4f, 4r that open and close in opposite directions in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle is provided in this door opening 3.

[0020] That is, the sliding door 4f on the front side of the vehicle opens by moving toward the front of the vehicle and closes by moving toward the rear of the vehicle. On the other hand, the sliding door 4r on the rear side of the vehicle opens by moving toward the rear of the vehicle and closes by moving toward the front of the vehicle. Furthermore, each of these sliding doors 4f, 4r is configured as a power sliding door device that opens and closes based on the driving force of an actuator (not shown). The vehicle 1 of this embodiment is configured so that the door opening 3 is opened and closed by the sliding doors 4f, 4r working together.

[0021] (Slope device) Furthermore, the vehicle 1 of this embodiment is equipped with a slope device 11 that deploys a slope plate 10 at the bottom end of the door opening 3 when the door opening 3 is in an open state. The vehicle 1 of this embodiment allows passengers to easily get on and off through the door opening 3 by using the ramp 12 formed by the slope plate 10, even if they are carrying, for example, a wheelchair, a stroller, or a carry case.

[0022] 3 and 4, in the vehicle 1 of this embodiment, the slope device 11 is installed in a storage box 13 serving as a storage section provided in the vehicle body 2 below the door opening 3. Specifically, the storage box 13 has an opening 13a facing the same direction as the door opening 3. The slope device 11 of this embodiment is configured to deploy the slope plate 10 stored in the storage box 13 to the outside of the vehicle through this opening 13a, and then store the deployed slope plate 10 back into the storage box 13.

[0023] In more detail, the slope device 11 of this embodiment is provided with a pair of guide rails 20, 20 that extend in the direction of deployment and storage of the slope plate 10 that is deployed from the storage box 13 to the lower end of the door opening 3, that is, in the depth direction within the storage box 13.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, in the slope device 11 of this embodiment, the guide rails 20 are arranged substantially parallel to each other and sandwich the slope plate 10 in the storage box 13 from both sides in the width direction. The slope device 11 of this embodiment also includes a pair of movable bodies 21 that are engaged with the guide rails 20 and are slidable along the extension direction of the engaged guide rails 20. The slope device 11 also includes a pair of support arms 22 that are rotatably connected to the rear end 10r of the slope plate 10 and to the movable bodies 21. In other words, in the slope device 11 of this embodiment, the support arms 22 form a connecting mechanism 23 between the slope plate 10 and the movable bodies 21. This allows the slope plate 10 to move in the unfolding and retracting directions in conjunction with the movable bodies 21.

[0025] (actuator) The slope device 11 of this embodiment also includes an actuator 25 that uses a motor 24 as a drive source to apply a driving force to the slope plate 10. In the slope device 11 of this embodiment, the actuator 25 is disposed inside the storage box 13, behind the rear ends 20r of the guide rails 20. The slope device 11 of this embodiment also includes a pair of drive cables 26 that are routed along the extension direction of the guide rails 20. In the slope device 11 of this embodiment, these drive cables 26 are inserted into casing pipes 26x, and are routed from the actuator 25 to the rear ends 20r of the guide rails 20. The slope device 11 of this embodiment is configured so that the moving bodies 21 move along the extension direction of the guide rails 20 based on the driving force of the actuator 25 transmitted via the drive cables 26.

[0026] Specifically, the actuator 25 of this embodiment has a drive gear 27 that rotates based on the driving force generated by the motor 24. The actuator 25 is configured so that the drive cables 26, 26 mesh with the drive gear 27 at two positions that radially sandwich the drive gear 27. That is, the actuator 25 of this embodiment slides the drive cables 26, 26 along the extension direction of the guide rails 20, 20 as the drive gear 27 rotates. Furthermore, in the slope device 11 of this embodiment, the movable bodies 21, 21 are connected to the ends of the drive cables 26, 26. Thus, in the slope device 11 of this embodiment, the movable bodies 21, 21 slide together with the drive cables 26, 26 in the direction of deployment and retraction of the slope plate 10 while being guided by the guide rails 20, 20.

[0027] (Deployment and storage operations) More specifically, in the slope device 11 of this embodiment, the slope plate 10 is stored in the storage box 13 with a substantially horizontal posture maintained based on the engagement force of the movable body 21 and the support arm 22 with the guide rail 20. The slope device 11 of this embodiment is configured so that the slope plate 10 moves integrally with the movable body 21 and the support arm 22 in the unfolding and retracting directions along the extension direction of the guide rail 20 while maintaining this substantially horizontal posture.

[0028] That is, as shown in Fig. 4, the slope device 11 of this embodiment deploys the slope plate 10 outside the vehicle in a manner that the front end 10f protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from the side edge 1s of the vehicle 1 where the storage box 13 is provided. Furthermore, in the slope device 11 of this embodiment, when the slope plate 10 is deployed, its rear end 10r separates from the front ends 20f, 20f of the guide rails 20, 20, thereby allowing tilting relative to the moving body 21 and the support arm 22. Thus, the slope device 11 of this embodiment is configured so that the front end 10f of the slope plate 10 contacts the ground due to its own weight.

[0029] Furthermore, in this state, in the slope device 11 of this embodiment, the support arm 22 interposed between the moving body 21 and the slope plate 10 rotates, thereby lifting the rear end 10r of the slope plate 10. As a result, the slope device 11 of this embodiment is configured so that the slope plate 10 forms a ramp 12 in a manner that brings the rear end 10r closer to the vehicle floor 28.

[0030] In the slope device 11 of this embodiment, a floor engaging portion 29 is provided at the rear end portion 10r of the slope plate 10. The slope device 11 of this embodiment is configured so that the load of the slope plate 10 is supported by the vehicle floor 28 as a result of this floor engaging portion 29 engaging with an edge portion 28e of the vehicle floor 28.

[0031] (Control device) 6, in the vehicle 1 of this embodiment, the operation of the actuator 25 of the slope device 11 is controlled by a control device 30. The operation of the actuators 31 of the sliding doors 4f, 4r configured as a power sliding door device is also controlled by the control device 30.

[0032] Specifically, the control device 30 of this embodiment receives an operation input signal Scr for an operation input unit 32 provided in the vehicle 1, such as a driver's seat (not shown). That is, in the vehicle 1 of this embodiment, an operation request for the sliding doors 4f, 4r by the driver of the vehicle 1 and an operation request for the slope device 11 are input as the operation input signal Scr to the control device 30. The control device 30 of this embodiment includes a door control unit 33 that controls the opening and closing operations of the sliding doors 4f, 4r based on these operation requests, and a slope control unit 34 that controls the deployment and retraction operations of the slope plate 10.

[0033] The control device 30 of this embodiment receives a pulse signal Sp synchronized with the operation of the actuator 25. Furthermore, the control device 30 counts the pulse signals Sp to detect the movement position P and movement speed V of the slope plate 10. The slope control unit 34 of this embodiment is configured to execute drive control of the slope plate 10 by acquiring the movement position P and movement speed V.

[0034] 1, 2, and 6, the control device 30 of this embodiment receives an image Vd of the exterior of the vehicle captured by a camera 35 provided in the vehicle 1. In the vehicle 1 of this embodiment, the camera 35 is provided, for example, above the door opening 3 or inside the passenger compartment 36. The control device 30 of this embodiment further includes an image analysis unit 37 that analyzes the image Vd captured by the camera 35, and an occupant detection unit 38 that detects an occupant of the vehicle 1 using the door opening 3 based on the results of this image analysis. The control device 30 of this embodiment has the function of automatically opening and closing the sliding doors 4f, 4r based on the results of this occupant detection, and also of deploying and retracting the slope device 11 in conjunction with the sliding doors 4f, 4r.

[0035] (Forced storage control) Next, the forced storage control of the slope plate 10 executed by the control device 30 of this embodiment will be described.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 7, the control device 30 of this embodiment monitors the movement position P of the slope plate 10 stored in the storage box 13 while the vehicle 1 is traveling (step 101: YES). Specifically, the control device 30 determines whether the slope plate 10 has moved in the unfolding direction from a storage position P0 where it is stored in the storage box 13 that serves as its storage section (step 102). Then, when the slope plate 10 has moved in the unfolding direction from the storage position P0 while the vehicle 1 is traveling (step 102: YES), the control device 30 of this embodiment is configured to drive the slope plate 10 in the unfolding direction (step 103).

[0037] That is, when a vehicle 1 is turning while in motion, an external force acts on the slope plate 10 stored in the storage box 13 based on the centrifugal force, pulling the slope plate 10 out of the vehicle, that is, pulling it in the unfolding direction.

[0038] In consideration of this, as shown in Fig. 5, in the slope device 11 of this embodiment, when the slope plate 10 moves to the storage position P0, a slope-side engaging portion 51 provided at the rear end portion 10r of the slope plate 10 engages with a vehicle-body-side engaging portion 52 provided on the vehicle body 2. Then, the slope-side engaging portion 51 and the vehicle-body-side engaging portion 52 form a holding mechanism 55, which holds the slope plate 10 stored in the storage box 13 at the storage position P0.

[0039] However, if a centrifugal force exceeding the holding force of the holding mechanism 55 acts on the slope plate 10, or if the holding mechanism 55 malfunctions, the slope plate 10 may move from the storage position P0 in the deployment direction while the vehicle is traveling. In such a case, the control device 30 of this embodiment forcibly moves the slope plate 10 that has moved in the deployment direction in the storage direction based on the driving force of the actuator 25. The slope device 11 of this embodiment is configured to ensure high safety by returning the slope plate 10 to the storage position P0.

[0040] In step 101, the control device 30 of this embodiment determines that the vehicle 1 is traveling if the vehicle speed Vs is equal to or greater than a predetermined speed. In step 102, the control device 30 detects movement from the storage position P0 based on, for example, an output signal Sds (see FIG. 6) of a storage switch (not shown) provided in the storage box 13 together with the holding mechanism 55, or a detected change in the movement position P. Furthermore, the control device 30 of this embodiment determines, as a requirement for executing forced storage control, that drives the slope plate 10, which has moved in the deployment direction, in the storage direction, if the unfolding operation of the slope plate 10 is not a normal unfolding operation based on the driving force of the actuator 25, or if a communication error has not occurred, etc. In addition, in conjunction with the execution of forced storage control that moves the slope plate 10 in the storage direction based on the driving force of the actuator 25, the control device 30 of this embodiment executes notification control using the notification device 60, such as sounding the buzzer 57 (see FIG. 7, step 104).

[0041] 8, while the forced storage control is being executed (step 201: YES), the control device 30 of this embodiment determines whether the movement position P of the slope plate 10, which is driven in the storage direction, has reached the storage position P0 (step 202). Furthermore, when the slope plate 10 has reached the storage position P0 (step 202: YES), the control device 30 controls the operation of the actuator 25 to apply a braking force to the slope plate 10. The control device 30 of this embodiment is configured to thereby hold the slope plate 10 at the storage position P0 (storage position holding control, step 203).

[0042] Specifically, the control device 30 of this embodiment executes electromagnetic brake control using the motor 24 of the actuator 25 as braking control constituting the storage position holding control of step 203. That is, the actuator 25 of this embodiment uses a brushless motor having a three-phase (U, V, W) motor coil as a drive source. Furthermore, during storage position holding control, the control device 30 of this embodiment executes energization control, known as "fixed-phase energization" or "single-phase energization," in which power is supplied to the motor 24 of the actuator 25 with a fixed energization phase. That is, the motor 24 generates a force that maintains the electrical rotation angle corresponding to the energization phase. The slope device 11 of this embodiment is thereby able to stably hold the slope plate 10 at the storage position P0 based on the braking force applied to the slope plate 10 via the drive cable 26 (see FIG. 5).

[0043] In step 202, if it is determined that the slope plate 10 has not reached the storage position P0 (step 202: YES), the storage drive of the slope plate 10 is continued as a forced storage control (step 204). The buzzer 57, which is executed in conjunction with the storage drive of the slope plate 10 (see FIG. 7, step 104), continues to sound until a predetermined time has elapsed or the slope plate 10 reaches the storage position P0.

[0044] 9, the control device 30 of this embodiment determines whether the vehicle 1 is in a stopped state (step 302) while the storage position maintaining control is being executed (step 301: YES). The control device 30 of this embodiment determines that the vehicle 1 is in a stopped state when the vehicle speed Vs is equal to or lower than a predetermined speed. Furthermore, when the vehicle 1 is in a stopped state (step 302: YES), the control device 30 determines whether there is an operation request to deploy the slope plate 10 based on the operation input signal Scr (step 303). Then, when there is such a deployment operation request (step 302: YES), the control device 30 of this embodiment ends the application of braking force by executing the storage position maintaining control, and executes deployment control of the slope plate 10 based on the driving force of the actuator 25 (step 304).

[0045] Furthermore, when the vehicle 1 is stopped (step 302: YES and step 303: NO), the control device 30 of this embodiment determines whether the control mode of the slope plate 10 has been changed to the "manual operation mode" (step 305). That is, the slope device 11 of this embodiment can be manually deployed by the user by pulling the slope plate 10 stored in the storage box 13 out of the vehicle. Furthermore, the vehicle 1 of this embodiment is provided with a changeover switch for the control mode of the slope plate 10, for example, on the driver's handle (not shown). Then, the control device 30 of this embodiment detects a request to change to this "manual operation mode," that is, a manual operation request by the user, based on an operation input indicating that the control mode of the slope plate 10 should be changed, as indicated by the operation input signal Scr.

[0046] Furthermore, when the control mode of the slope plate 10 is changed to the "manual operation mode" in step 305 (step 305: YES), the control device 30 of this embodiment reduces the braking force applied to the slope plate 10 (step 306). Specifically, the control device 30 of this embodiment starts the execution of the storage position maintenance control in a state in which a relatively strong braking force is applied that can maintain the slope plate 10 at the storage position P0 against external forces (see FIG. 7, step 103). Furthermore, when there is a request to change to the "manual operation mode," the control device 30 reduces the braking force applied by the execution of the storage position maintenance control to an extent that the slope plate 10 maintained at the storage position P0 can be unfolded by manual operation by the user. Thereafter, the control device 30 of this embodiment is configured to continue the storage position maintenance control with this reduced braking force.

[0047] Furthermore, when the vehicle 1 is stopped (step 302: YES, step 303: NO, and step 305: NO), the control device 30 of this embodiment determines whether the ignition signal Sig, which serves as a start signal for the vehicle 1, has been turned off (step 307). Even when the ignition signal Sig has been turned off (step 307: YES), the control device 30 continues the stored position maintenance control of the slope plate 10 in the state where the braking force applied is reduced in step 306.

[0048] Furthermore, when the vehicle 1 is in a stopped state (step 302: YES, step 303: NO, step 305: NO, and step 307: NO), the control device 30 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the vehicle 1 entered the stopped state (step 308).As a result, even if the predetermined time has elapsed (step 308: YES), the control device 30 continues the stored position maintenance control of the slope plate 10 in the state where the braking force applied is reduced in step 306.

[0049] (action) That is, in the slope device 11 of this embodiment, when the slope plate 10 moves in the unfolding direction from the storage position P0 while the vehicle 1 is traveling, the slope plate 10 is driven in the storage direction based on the driving force of the actuator 25. This prevents the slope plate 10 from protruding outside the vehicle while the vehicle 1 is traveling.

[0050] Furthermore, after the slope plate 10 driven in the storage direction reaches the storage position P0, a braking force is applied to the slope plate 10. As a result, the slope plate 10 is held at the storage position P0.

[0051] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described. (1) The slope device 11 includes a slope plate 10 that is deployed at the bottom of the door opening 3 by moving in the deployment direction and that is stored in a storage box 13 serving as a storage section provided in the vehicle body 2 by moving in the storage direction. The slope device 11 also includes an actuator 25 that serves as a drive device for driving the slope plate 10 in the deployment and storage directions, and a control device 30 that controls the operation of the actuator 25. When the slope plate 10 has moved in the deployment direction from a storage position P0 where it is stored in the storage box 13 while the vehicle 1 is traveling, the control device 30 controls the operation of the actuator 25 to drive the slope plate 10 in the storage direction.

[0052] With the above configuration, even if an external force such as centrifugal force during a turn moves the slope plate 10 stored in the storage box 13 in the deployment direction, that is, pulls it out of the vehicle, the slope plate 10 can be prevented from protruding out of the vehicle, thereby ensuring high safety.

[0053] (2) After the slope plate 10 driven in the storage direction reaches the storage position P0, the control device 30 applies a braking force to the slope plate 10 by performing electromagnetic brake control using the motor 24 of the actuator 25 as braking control.

[0054] According to the above configuration, even if the holding mechanism 55 of the slope plate 10 fails, the slope plate 10 can be stably held back in its stored position P0 against the input of an external force that moves the slope plate 10 in the unfolding direction, thereby ensuring a high level of safety.

[0055] (3) The slope plate 10 is configured to be manually movable in the unfolding and retracting directions. After the vehicle 1 comes to a stop, the control device 30 changes the control mode of the slope plate 10 to the "manual operation mode," that is, when a manual operation is requested, reduces the braking force applied to the slope plate 10.

[0056] That is, when the vehicle 1 is stopped, it is assumed that the input of an external force that would move the slope plate 10 in the unfolding direction is unlikely to occur. Therefore, with the above configuration, the slope plate 10 is held in the storage position P0 by applying a braking force, ensuring high safety, while the user can manually unfold the slope plate 10. This ensures convenience.

[0057] (4) After the vehicle 1 comes to a stop, when the ignition signal Sig serving as a start signal for the vehicle 1 is turned off, the control device 30 reduces the braking force applied to the slope plate 10.

[0058] That is, when the ignition signal Sig is turned off, the vehicle 1 is in a non-start state, i.e., it is not traveling. This is presumably what makes it even more difficult for an external force to be input that would move the slope plate 10 in the unfolding direction to occur. Therefore, with the above configuration, it is possible to maintain the slope plate 10 in the stored position P0 by applying a braking force, ensuring high safety, while reducing energy consumption due to the execution of the braking control.

[0059] In particular, in electromagnetic brake control in which power is supplied to the motor 24 of the actuator 25 with a fixed energized phase, heat generation in the motor coil due to the energization becomes a problem. However, by reducing the braking force as described above, the heat generation can be suppressed, thereby ensuring high safety and reliability.

[0060] (5) When a predetermined time has elapsed after the vehicle 1 has stopped, the control device 30 reduces the braking force applied to the slope plate 10. That is, if the vehicle 1 is kept stopped for a predetermined time or longer, it is assumed that the vehicle 1 is in a state where it is even less likely to receive an external force that would move the slope plate 10 in the deployment direction. Therefore, with the above configuration, the application of braking force keeps the slope plate 10 in the storage position P0, ensuring high safety, while reducing energy consumption due to the execution of the braking control.

[0061] (6) When the control device 30 determines that the slope plate 10 has moved from the storage position P0 in the deployment direction while the vehicle 1 is traveling, the control device 30 executes notification control to sound the buzzer 57.

[0062] According to the above configuration, it is possible to notify the occupants of the vehicle 1 and those around that the slope plate 10 has been deployed while the vehicle is running. At the same time, it is possible to call attention to the slope plate 10 being driven in the retracting direction.

[0063] The above embodiment can be modified as follows: The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0064] The configuration for moving the slope plate 10 in the deploying and retracting directions, including the actuator 25 as a driving device, may be changed as desired. The actuator 25 does not necessarily have to be driven by the motor 24. It does not necessarily have to be cable-driven.

[0065] In the above embodiment, the braking control of the slope plate 10 executed as the storage position maintaining control is electromagnetic brake control using the motor 24 of the actuator 25, specifically, energization control with a fixed energization phase, known as "single-phase energization" or "fixed-phase energization." However, this is not limiting, and the electromagnetic brake control may be configured to execute regenerative brake control. In this case, the regenerative brake control may be configured to regenerate the regenerative current generated in the motor coil to the battery, or may be so-called short brake control, in which the motor coil is short-circuited and consumed internally.

[0066] In addition, as a method for reducing the braking force applied to the slope plate 10 after the vehicle has come to a stop, in addition to lowering the duty ratio of the current control for the motor coil, the form of electromagnetic brake control may be switched from current control with a fixed current phase to regenerative brake control.

[0067] Furthermore, the braking control executed as the storage position maintaining control is not necessarily limited to electromagnetic brake control. For example, if a drive unit equipped with a worm and wheel with a so-called self-locking function and an electromagnetic clutch is used as the actuator 25, the braking force may be applied by turning the electromagnetic clutch on and off. Furthermore, the braking force may be applied by other mechanical means. The control device 30 may also be configured to control the operation of a brake device provided separately from the actuator 25.

[0068] The strength of the braking force applied to the slope plate 10 may be set arbitrarily. However, when braking control is initiated as storage position maintaining control, it is desirable to apply a relatively strong braking force that can counteract the external force input to the slope plate 10. Furthermore, when the braking force applied to the slope plate 10 is reduced after the vehicle 1 has come to a halt, it is desirable to appropriately balance the benefit obtained by reducing the braking force with the stable maintenance of the slope plate 10 by the braking force. However, a configuration in which such a reduction in braking force is not performed is also possible.

[0069] In the above embodiment, when the vehicle speed Vs is equal to or greater than a predetermined speed, the vehicle 1 is determined to be in a traveling state. When the vehicle speed Vs is equal to or less than the predetermined speed, the vehicle 1 is determined to be in a stopped state. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the manner in which the vehicle 1 is determined to be traveling and stopped may be changed as desired.

[0070] In the above embodiment, the notification control is executed when the slope plate 10 is moved in the storage direction based on the driving force of the actuator 25. The notification control is continued until a predetermined time has elapsed or until the slope plate 10 reaches the storage position P0. However, this is not limiting, and the start and end timings of the notification control may be set arbitrarily. For example, the start timing does not necessarily have to coincide with the storage drive of the slope plate 10. In other words, it is sufficient that the notification control is executed regardless of the start timing when the slope plate 10 is moved in the deployment direction from the storage position P0 while the vehicle 1 is traveling.

[0071] In the above embodiment, the buzzer 57 sounds when the notification control is executed. However, the configuration of the notification device 60 is not limited to this, and may be changed as desired. For example, the notification device 60 may be configured to output sound other than the buzzer 57, such as audio output using a speaker. Furthermore, the notification control may be configured to be performed by optical output or video output, such as a flashing lamp or a display.

[0072] In the above embodiment, the slope plate 10 forms the ramp 12 at the lower end of the door opening 3 in such a manner that the rear end 10r of the slope plate 10 deployed outside the vehicle from the storage box 13 is raised, bringing the rear end 10r closer to the vehicle floor 28. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the configuration in which the slope plate 10 forms the ramp 12 may be changed as desired. For example, the present invention may be applied to a configuration in which the slope plate 10 forms the ramp 12 simply by having the front end 10f of the slope plate 10 deployed at the lower end of the door opening 3 contact the ground due to its own weight. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 1...Vehicle 2...Body 3...Door opening 10...Slope board 11...Slope device 13...Storage box (storage section) 25...Actuator (drive device) 30...Control device P0: Storage position

Claims

1. a slope plate that moves in a deployment direction to be deployed at a lower end of the door opening and moves in a storage direction to be stored in a storage section provided in the vehicle body; a drive device that drives the slope plate in the deployment and storage directions; a control device that controls the operation of the drive device, The control device drives the slope plate in the storage direction when the slope plate has moved in the deployment direction from the storage position where it is stored in the storage section while the vehicle is traveling. Vehicle ramp device.

2. 2. The vehicle slope device according to claim 1, the control device executes braking control to apply a braking force to the slope plate after the slope plate driven in the storage direction reaches the storage position; A vehicle ramp device characterized by:

3. 3. The vehicle slope device according to claim 2, The slope plate can be moved by manual operation, The vehicle ramp device is characterized in that the control device reduces the braking force when there is a request for manual operation after the vehicle has come to a stop.

4. 3. The vehicle slope device according to claim 2, The vehicle ramp device is characterized in that the control device reduces the braking force when an activation signal for the vehicle is turned off after the vehicle has come to a stop.

5. 3. The vehicle slope device according to claim 2, The vehicle ramp device is characterized in that the control device reduces the braking force when a predetermined time has elapsed after the vehicle has come to a stop.

6. The vehicle slope device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The vehicle slope device is characterized in that the control device executes an alarm control when the slope plate moves from the stored position in the deployment direction while the vehicle is traveling.

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