Electric step device

Abstract

To provide an electric step device which can inhibit or prevent excessive increase of a surface temperature of a movable step.SOLUTION: An electric step device 5 includes: a movable step 6 serving as a footrest member which assists an occupant to get in or off an entrance 2 of a vehicle 1; a drive part 7 for moving the movable step 6 to an inner position of the vehicle and an outer position which protrudes to the vehicle outer side in an area below a vehicle floor surface; and a control unit 8 for controlling operation of the drive part 7. In a state that the movable step 6 is disposed at the inner position, the control unit 8 controls the drive part 7 so that the movable step 6 is moved to the outer position when an idling time of an engine of the vehicle 1 is a predetermined value or longer and a surface temperature of the movable step 6 is a predetermined value or higher.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric step device. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 describes an electric step device that, when an occupant is getting on or off the vehicle, positions a movable step at an in-use position below the vehicle floor and outside the vehicle to assist the occupant in getting on or off, and stores the movable step at an in-use position when the occupant is not in use, and is characterized by comprising: a motor that drives a drive unit of the movable step; an operating state detection unit that detects the operating state of the motor; an inclination estimation unit that estimates the inclination state of the vehicle based on the operating state of the motor detected by the operating state detection unit; and a motor output control unit that controls the output of the motor based on the inclination state of the vehicle estimated by the inclination estimation unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-100201 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above Patent Document 1, if the engine continues to idle while the vehicle is stopped, the exhaust system is not cooled by the wind from the vehicle, and exhaust heat may be transferred to the movable step located near the exhaust system, causing the surface temperature of the movable step to rise.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide an electric step device that can suppress or prevent an excessive rise in the surface temperature of the movable step. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention is an electric step device having a movable step as a footrest member to assist occupants in getting on and off the vehicle's entrance and exit door, a drive unit for moving the movable step between an inner position of the vehicle and an outer position below the vehicle floor surface and protruding outward from the vehicle, and a control unit for controlling the operation of the drive unit, wherein the control unit controls the drive unit to move the movable step to the outer position when the idling time of the vehicle's engine is greater than or equal to a predetermined value and the surface temperature of the movable step is greater than or equal to a predetermined value when the movable step is positioned at the inner position.

[0007] In this configuration, when it is predicted that the surface temperature of the movable step located at the inner position will rise excessively due to exhaust heat, the movable step is moved to the outer position, thereby suppressing or preventing the surface temperature of the movable step from rising excessively even when, for example, the idling time becomes excessively long.

[0008] In the above electric step device, the control unit can be configured to perform a first judgment process to determine whether the engine idling time has reached a predetermined value or more, a second judgment process to determine whether the surface temperature of the movable step is above a predetermined value or more, and an emergency process to control the drive unit to move the movable step to the outer position when both the first and second judgment processes make positive judgments when the movable step is positioned at the inner position.

[0009] In addition, in the above electric step device, the control unit can be configured to perform a first judgment process to determine whether the engine idling time has reached a predetermined value or more, a second judgment process to determine whether the surface temperature of the movable step is above a predetermined value or more, a third judgment process to determine whether the parking position has been selected, a fourth judgment process to determine whether the amount of solar radiation is below a predetermined value or not, and an emergency process to control the drive unit to move the movable step to the outer position when a positive judgment is made in all of the first to fourth judgment processes when the movable step is positioned at the inner position.

[0010] In this configuration, when it is predicted that the degree of increase in the surface temperature of the movable step located at the inner position due to exhaust heat will be greater than the degree of increase in the surface temperature due to exposure to sunlight at the outer position, the movable step is moved to the outer position, thereby suppressing or preventing an excessive increase in the surface temperature of the movable step even when, for example, the idling time is excessively long.

[0011] On the other hand, if it is predicted that the degree of increase in the surface temperature of the movable step located at the inner position due to exhaust heat will be smaller than the degree of increase in the surface temperature due to exposure to sunlight at the outer position, the movable step is left located at the inner position, thereby suppressing or preventing an excessive increase in the surface temperature of the movable step.

[0012] In this way, with the above configuration, it is checked whether it is better to leave the movable step located at the inner position at the inner position or to move it to the outer position, and the desired state is achieved.

[0013] Furthermore, in the above electric step device, the control unit can be configured to perform a first determination process to determine whether the engine idling time has exceeded a predetermined value, a second determination process to determine whether the surface temperature of the movable step is above a predetermined value, a third determination process to determine whether a parking position has been selected, a fourth determination process to determine whether the amount of solar radiation is below a predetermined value, a fifth determination process to determine whether the vehicle has been driven, a sixth determination process to determine whether the engine has been stopped, a seventh determination process to determine whether the amount of solar radiation is above a predetermined value, an emergency process to control the drive unit to move the movable step to the outer position if all of the first to fourth determination processes result in a positive determination when the movable step is positioned at the inner position, and a release process to control the drive unit to move the movable step to the inner position if any of the fifth to seventh determination processes result in a positive determination after the emergency process has been performed.

[0014] In this configuration, after the movable step is moved to the outer position by the emergency measure, if it is predicted that the movable step will not be used or if it is predicted that the surface temperature of the movable step will rise excessively due to continued exposure to sunlight at the outer position, the movable step is moved to the inner position, thereby preventing the surface temperature of the movable step from rising excessively due to continued exposure to sunlight.

[0015] In addition, in the above-mentioned electric step device, the movable step can be configured to be arranged below an entrance / exit provided on at least one of the left and right sides of the vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electric step device that can suppress or prevent an excessive rise in the surface temperature of the movable step. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1]1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a vehicle equipped with an electric step device according to the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the movable step and drive unit as seen from below, showing the movable step in its outer position; [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the movable step is placed at an inner position. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the movable step in an outer position. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the electric step device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0019] An embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figures 1 to 6. In the figures, the front of the vehicle is indicated as Fr, the left side of the vehicle as Lh, and the right side of the vehicle as Rh.

[0020] 1, in this embodiment, a four-door pickup truck or the like is used as an example of a vehicle 1, but the present invention can be applied to other vehicle types. This vehicle 1 is provided with entrance / exit doors 2 at the left front, left rear, right front, and right rear, for example.

[0021] The electric step device 5 is installed in the area between the front and rear wheels at the bottom of the left side (front and rear entrances 2) and the bottom of the right side (front and rear entrances 2) of the vehicle 1, and includes a movable step 6, a drive unit 7, a control unit 8, etc. Fig. 1 shows only the electric step device 5 installed at the bottom of the left side.

[0022] The movable step 6 is a footrest member for assisting occupants getting on and off the vehicle 1 through the boarding / alighting opening 2. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the movable step 6 is a rectangular plate-shaped member when viewed from above, and is positioned at a distance below the side skirt 4 at the bottom of the boarding / alighting opening 2 of the vehicle 1, along the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle.

[0023] The movable step 6 can be formed, for example, from a metal (such as an aluminum alloy), but it can also be formed, for example, from a fiber-reinforced synthetic resin, or from a combination of the metal and the fiber-reinforced synthetic resin.

[0024] The movable step 6 is movable between an inner position shown in Fig. 4 and an outer position shown in Fig. 5. The inner position is set at a position below the boarding / alighting entrance 2, recessed inward from the left or right side of the vehicle 1. The outer position is set at a position where passengers can easily place their feet when getting on or off the boarding / alighting entrance 2, that is, a position below the vehicle floor and protruding outward from the left or right side of the vehicle 1.

[0025] The drive unit 7 moves the movable step 6 between the outer position and the inner position as needed, and includes first and second bases 71A, 71B, first and second link units 72A, 72B, a torque rod 73, an electric motor 74, a reduction mechanism 75, etc.

[0026] The first and second bases 71A, 71B are attached in a suspended state by having their upper portions fixed to two locations below the entrance / exit door 2 of the vehicle 1, spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0027] The first and second link units 72A, 72B connect the lower parts of the first and second bases 71A, 71B, respectively, to two points spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the movable step 6, and transmit the rotational power generated by the electric motor 74 and reduced by the reduction mechanism 75 to the movable step 6.

[0028] The first and second link units 72A, 72B each include a first and second drive link 76A, 76B, a first and second slider 77A, 77B, and a first and second support link 78A, 78B.

[0029] One end of the first and second drive links 76A and 76B is rotatably supported by the torque rod 73, and the other end is rotatably supported via a pivot pin (not shown) to one end of the first and second sliders 77A and 77B. The other ends of the first and second sliders 77A and 77B are attached to the inner side of the movable step 6. One end of the first and second support links 78A and 78B is supported by the first and second bases 71A and 71B via a pivot pin (not shown), and the other end is rotatably supported via a pivot pin (not shown) at the longitudinal middle of the first and second sliders 77A and 77B.

[0030] The torque rod 73 receives rotational power generated by the electric motor 74 and reduced in speed by the reduction mechanism 75, and transmits this input rotational power from the first drive link 76A to the second drive link 76B, thereby causing the first and second drive links 76A, 76B to swing synchronously.

[0031] The electric motor 74 and the reduction mechanism 75 are mounted on the first base 71 A. An output shaft (not shown) of the reduction mechanism 75 is connected to one end of the torque rod 73.

[0032] In the drive unit 7 configured as described above, the rotational power generated by the electric motor 74 is reduced in speed by the reduction mechanism 75 and input to the torque rod 73, causing the torque rod 73 to rotate. This rotational movement causes the first and second drive links 76A, 76B to swing synchronously. This swinging movement causes the first and second support links 78A, 78B to swing synchronously, while also displacing the first and second sliders 77A, 77B synchronously and linearly in the left-right direction of the vehicle. This displacement movement moves the movable step 6 between the inner position and the outer position.

[0033] The control unit 8 controls the operation of the drive unit 7 and executes normal control and temporary control of the electric step device 5. The control unit 8 controls the operation of the drive unit 7 of each of the left and right electric step devices 5. The normal control moves the movable step 6 to the outer position when the left, right, front, or rear door 3 is opened or when an open switch installed on the driver's seat (or rear seat) operation panel (not shown) is operated, while moving the movable step 6 to the inner position when the door 3 is closed or when a close switch installed on the operation panel (not shown) is operated.

[0034] The temporary control is a control that moves the movable step 6 to the outer position when, for example, a predetermined condition is met while the movable step 6 has been moved to the inner position under the normal control, and will be described in detail later.

[0035] Although not shown in detail, the control unit 8 is made up of a known ECU (Electronic Control Unit), which includes a central processing unit (CPU), a non-volatile storage device (Read Only Memory: ROM), a temporary storage device (Random Access Memory: RAM), etc.

[0036] The ROM stores various control programs and maps to be referenced when executing the various control programs. The CPU executes arithmetic processing based on the various control programs and maps stored in the ROM. The RAM is a memory that temporarily stores the results of calculations by the CPU and data input from each sensor.

[0037] Next, temporary control of the electric step device 5 by the control unit 8 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0038] The temporary control shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 starts after the movable step 6 is placed in the inner position (see FIG. 4) in the normal control.

[0039] In short, this temporary control aims to suppress or prevent the surface temperature of the movable step 6 located in the inner position from rising excessively, and checks whether it is better to leave the movable step 6 located in the inner position or to move it to the outer position (see Figure 5) to achieve a preferable state.

[0040] Specifically, first, in step S1, it is determined whether or not the parking position has been selected (corresponding to the third determination process in the claims). Here, it is checked whether or not a parking position request signal has been input to the control unit 8 in response to the selection of the parking position by the shift device installed in the driver's seat.

[0041] If the determination in step S1 is negative, this flowchart is terminated, whereas if the determination in step S1 is positive, the process proceeds to step S2.

[0042] In step S2, it is determined whether the idling time of the engine (not shown) mounted on the vehicle 1 has reached a predetermined value or more (corresponding to the first determination process in the claims). Although not shown here, the time elapsed since idling began (referred to as idling time) can be measured, for example, by an internal timer in the engine control unit. Note that, since the movable step 6 is heated by exhaust heat from the exhaust device 10 (see FIG. 2) during idling, it is preferable to create a map showing the correlation between idling time and the amount of rise in the surface temperature of the movable step 6, and use the map to determine the idling time at which the surface temperature of the movable step 6 reaches a temperature that would be uncomfortable for an occupant to touch, and to appropriately set the predetermined value based on the idling time.

[0043] If the determination in step S2 is negative, this flowchart is terminated, whereas if the determination in step S2 is positive, the process proceeds to step S3.

[0044] In step S3, it is determined whether the surface temperature of the movable step 6 is equal to or higher than a predetermined value (corresponding to the second determination process in the claims). Although not shown here, the surface temperature of the movable step 6 can be measured directly based on the output of a temperature sensor installed on the surface of the movable step 6, or it can be predicted from the idling time. Note that the predetermined value is preferably set appropriately based on the surface temperature at which the occupant feels uncomfortable when touching the movable step 6.

[0045] If the determination in step S3 is negative, the flow chart is terminated, whereas if the determination in step S3 is positive, the flow proceeds to step S4.

[0046] In step S4, it is determined whether the amount of solar radiation is equal to or less than a predetermined value (corresponding to the fourth determination process in the claims). Although not shown, the amount of solar radiation can be measured directly based on the output of a solar radiation sensor installed on the surface of the movable step 6. Alternatively, weather forecast information from the Japan Meteorological Agency or the like can be retrieved periodically via the Internet using a navigation system installed in the vehicle, and predictions can be made based on this information.

[0047] Furthermore, since the movable step 6 is heated by sunlight when positioned at the outer position, it is preferable to create a map in advance that shows the correlation between the amount of solar radiation and the amount of increase in the surface temperature of the movable step 6, and use the map to determine the amount of solar radiation that will reach a surface temperature that will make the movable step 6 uncomfortable for an occupant when touching it, and to appropriately set the specified value based on the amount of solar radiation.

[0048] If a negative determination is made in step S4, this flowchart is terminated, whereas if a positive determination is made in step S4, that is, if a positive determination is made in all of steps S1 to S4, the process proceeds to step S5.

[0049] In step S5, the drive unit 7 is controlled to move the movable step 6 to the outer position (corresponding to emergency treatment in the claims).

[0050] Incidentally, if the determination in steps S1 to S4 is affirmative, it can be said that the surface temperature of the movable step 6 is less likely to rise excessively if the movable step 6 is located in an outer position exposed to sunlight rather than in an inner position subjected to exhaust heat. From this, it can be said that steps S1 to S4 are checking whether it is better to leave the movable step 6 located in the inner position or to move it to the outer position.

[0051] After step S5, in step S6, it is determined whether the vehicle is running (corresponding to the fifth determination process in the claims). Here, although not shown, the running state of the vehicle can be recognized based on the output from a vehicle speed sensor, for example.

[0052] If the determination in step S6 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S7. In step S7, the drive unit 7 is controlled to move the movable step 6 to the inner position (corresponding to the release process in claims). Then, the process in this flowchart ends.

[0053] On the other hand, if the determination in step S6 is negative, the process proceeds to step S8. In step S8, it is determined whether the engine has been stopped (corresponding to the sixth determination process in the claims). Although not shown, the engine speed is measured by an engine control unit, for example, and by monitoring the measurement results, it is possible to recognize when the engine speed becomes zero (when the engine has stopped).

[0054] If the determination in step S8 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S7, where the movable step 6 is moved to the inner position by the drive unit 7. Thereafter, this flowchart ends.

[0055] On the other hand, if the determination in step S8 is negative, the process proceeds to step S9. In step S9, it is determined whether the amount of solar radiation is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (corresponding to a seventh determination process in the claims). Here, the amount of solar radiation can be measured directly based on the output from the solar radiation sensor (not shown).

[0056] Furthermore, since the movable step 6 is heated by sunlight when positioned at the outer position, it is preferable to create a map in advance that shows the correlation between the amount of solar radiation and the amount of increase in the surface temperature of the movable step 6, and use the map to determine the amount of solar radiation that will reach a surface temperature that will make the movable step 6 uncomfortable for an occupant when touching it, and to appropriately set the specified value based on the amount of solar radiation.

[0057] If the determination in step S9 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S7, where the movable step 6 is moved to the inner position by the drive unit 7. Then, this flowchart ends. On the other hand, if the determination in step S9 is negative, this flowchart ends.

[0058] Incidentally, if a positive determination is made in any of steps S6 to S9, the movable step 6 that was placed at the outer position by the emergency processing of step S5 is moved to the inner position in step S7, which makes it possible to prevent the movable step 6 from being continuously exposed to sunlight at the outer position and causing an excessive rise in surface temperature. From this, it can be said that steps S6, S8, and S9 are checking whether it is better to leave the movable step 6 that was placed at the outer position by the emergency processing of step S5 at the outer position or to move it to the inner position.

[0059] As described above, in an embodiment to which the present invention is applied, when it is predicted that the degree to which the surface temperature of the movable step 6 located at the inner position will increase due to exhaust heat is greater than the degree to which the surface temperature will increase due to exposure to sunlight at the outer position, the movable step 6 is moved to the outer position, thereby making it possible to suppress or prevent the surface temperature of the movable step 6 from increasing excessively.

[0060] In addition, in this embodiment, after the movable step 6 is moved to the outer position, if it is predicted that the surface temperature of the movable step 6 will rise excessively due to continued exposure to sunlight at the outer position, the movable step 6 is moved to the inner position, thereby making it possible to suppress or prevent the surface temperature of the movable step 6 from rising excessively.

[0061] For this reason, according to this embodiment, by taking into account the thermal influence around the movable step 6 and positioning the movable step 6 in a preferred position, it is possible to suppress or prevent the surface temperature of the movable step 6 from rising excessively.

[0062] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the claims and the equivalents thereof.

[0063] (1) In the above embodiment, it is possible to eliminate either or both of step S1 (corresponding to the third determination process in the claims) and step S4 (corresponding to the fourth determination process in the claims). In this embodiment, the same effects and advantages as those of the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0064] (2) In the above embodiment, steps S6 to S9 can be eliminated. In this embodiment, it is also possible to suppress or prevent the surface temperature of the movable step 6 from rising excessively due to exhaust heat.

[0065] (3) In the above embodiment, the configuration of the drive unit 7 is not particularly limited, and for example, instead of the electric motor 74 and the reduction mechanism 75, a hydraulic or pneumatic direct-acting cylinder can be used to move the movable step 6 between the inner position and the outer position. [Industrial Applicability]

[0066] The present invention can be suitably used in an electric step device equipped in a vehicle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1. Vehicle, 2. Entrance / exit door, 3. Door, 5. Electric step device, 6. Movable step, 7. Drive unit, 8. Control unit, 10. Exhaust system.

Claims

1. An electric step device having a movable step as a footrest member that assists passengers getting on and off the vehicle at the entrance and exit of the vehicle, a drive unit for moving the movable step between an inner position of the vehicle and an outer position that is below the vehicle floor surface and protrudes outward from the vehicle, and a control unit for controlling the operation of the drive unit, The control unit controls the drive unit to move the movable step to the outer position when the movable step is positioned at the inner position, the vehicle engine idling time is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and the surface temperature of the movable step is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

2. 2. The electric step device according to claim 1, The control unit a first determination process for determining whether or not the engine idling time has reached a predetermined value; a second determination process for determining whether or not the surface temperature of the movable step is equal to or higher than a predetermined value; and an emergency process for controlling the drive unit to move the movable step to the outer position when both the first and second judgment processes result in a positive judgment while the movable step is positioned at the inner position.

3. 2. The electric step device according to claim 1, the control unit performs a first determination process to determine whether an idling time of the engine has reached a predetermined value or more; a second determination process for determining whether or not the surface temperature of the movable step is equal to or higher than a predetermined value; a third determination process for determining whether or not a parking position has been selected; a fourth determination process for determining whether the amount of solar radiation is equal to or less than a predetermined value; and an emergency process for controlling the drive unit to move the movable step to the outer position when all of the first to fourth determination processes are positive while the movable step is positioned at the inner position.

4. 2. The electric step device according to claim 1, the control unit performs a first determination process to determine whether an idling time of the engine has reached a predetermined value or more; a second determination process for determining whether or not the surface temperature of the movable step is equal to or higher than a predetermined value; a third determination process for determining whether or not a parking position has been selected; a fourth determination process for determining whether the amount of solar radiation is equal to or less than a predetermined value; a fifth determination process for determining whether the vehicle has been driven; a sixth determination process for determining whether the engine is stopped; a seventh determination process for determining whether the amount of solar radiation is equal to or greater than a predetermined value; an emergency process for controlling the drive unit to move the movable step to the outer position when a positive determination is made in all of the first to fourth determination processes while the movable step is disposed at the inner position; An electric step device characterized in that after the emergency processing is performed, a release processing is performed to control the drive unit so as to move the movable step to the inner position if a positive judgment is made in any of the fifth to seventh judgment processings.

5. 5. The electric step device according to claim 1, An electric step device characterized in that the movable step is arranged below an entrance / exit door provided on at least one of the left and right sides of the vehicle.

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