Actuator activation system for vehicle accessory and method for same

Abstract

The present invention provides an actuator activation system for a vehicle accessory and a method for the same. A system according to the present invention comprises: an authentication unit (32) that performs user authentication with respect to a portable terminal (20) carried by a user; a command processing unit (33) that, in response to input from the user, processes a command for activating an actuator for attaching or detaching an accessory (200) to be attached to the vehicle (10); a transmission IC (34) that, on the basis of the command, performs wireless communication with a reception IC (41) attached to the accessory; a power transmission unit (35) that transfers power to a power reception unit (42) attached to the accessory when the wireless communication is established; and an execution unit (44) that uses the power received by the power reception unit (42) to execute activation of the actuator.

Description

[0001] [Document name] Statement

[0002] [Title of Invention] Actuator operating system for vehicle accessories and method thereof

[0003] [Technical Field]

[0004] [. 0 0 1 ] The present invention relates to a system that uses a wireless communication device to operate an actuator for attaching and detaching a vehicle accessory to and from a vehicle.

[0005] [Background technology]

[0006]

[0002] One technology that can be applied to vehicles is the smart entry system, which uses UWB (Ultra-Wide Band), a wireless communication standard.

[0007] UWB impulse signals use radio waves with extremely short pulse widths of less than a nanosecond, allowing for highly accurate measurement of radio wave propagation time, enabling highly accurate distance measurement based on propagation time. For example, when a user carrying a mobile terminal equipped with the function of transmitting and receiving UWB signals approaches a predetermined distance from a vehicle, a control device installed in the vehicle calculates the distance between the mobile terminal and the wireless communication unit installed in the vehicle, and when the distance falls below a predetermined value, the keyless entry system unlocks the vehicle doors and starts the vehicle drive system (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0008] By adopting the UWB standard, it is possible to control vehicles while maintaining high distance measurement accuracy while saving power.

[0009] [Prior art documents]

[0010] [Patent Documents]

[0011] [ 0 0 0 3]

[0012] [Patent Document 1] JP 2021-148741 A

[0013] [Summary of the Invention]

[0014] [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0015]

[0004] In straddle-type vehicles such as motorcycles, accessories such as pannier cases and top cases may be attached to the vehicle itself. Furthermore, straddle-type vehicles for delivery services are equipped with storage boxes with openable lids. These accessories typically require a dedicated key to attach or detach them to the vehicle, and to open or close the lid, and are not linked to the smart entry system described above. Therefore, users must possess a dedicated key to attach or detach accessories to or from the vehicle, and to open or close the lid, and are therefore not free from the hassle of carrying a dedicated key.

[0016]

[0005] The present invention has been made in light of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an actuator operation system and method for a vehicle accessory that allows a user to attach and detach the vehicle accessory to and from a vehicle and open and close the cover without having to carry a dedicated key.

[0017] [Means for solving the problem]

[0018]

[0006] The actuator operation system for a vehicle accessory according to the present invention comprises an authentication unit that performs user authentication of a user's mobile terminal, a command processing unit that processes commands to operate an actuator that attaches or detaches an accessory to or from the vehicle in accordance with a user's input, a transmission IC that performs wireless communication with a receiving IC attached to the accessory based on the command, a power transmission unit that transmits power to a power receiving unit attached to the accessory when wireless communication is established, and an execution unit that operates the actuator using the power received by the power receiving unit.

[0019]

[0007] An actuator operation system for a vehicle accessory according to another aspect of the present invention includes an authentication unit that performs user authentication of a user's mobile terminal, a command processing unit that processes commands to operate an actuator that opens and closes a lid of a storage box that is an accessory attached to the vehicle in accordance with an input from the user, a transmitting IC that performs wireless communication with a receiving IC attached to the storage box based on the command, a power transmitting unit that transmits power to a power receiving unit attached to the storage box when wireless communication is established, and an execution unit that operates the actuator using the power received by the power receiving unit.

[0020]

[0008] The actuator operation method for a vehicle accessory according to the present invention includes an authentication step of performing user authentication of a user's mobile terminal, a command processing step of processing a command to operate an actuator that attaches or detaches an accessory to or from the vehicle in accordance with an input from the user, a communication step of performing wireless communication with a receiving IC attached to the accessory based on the command, a power transmission step of transmitting power to a power receiving unit attached to the accessory when wireless communication is established, and an execution step of operating the actuator using the power received by the power receiving unit.

[0021]

[0009] A method for operating an actuator for a vehicle accessory according to another aspect of the present invention includes an authentication step for performing user authentication of a user's mobile terminal; a processing step for processing a command for operating an actuator for opening and closing a lid of a storage box, which is an accessory attached to a vehicle, in accordance with an input from the user; a communication step for performing wireless communication with a receiving IC attached to the storage box based on the command; a power transmission step for transmitting power to a power receiving unit attached to the storage box when wireless communication is established; and an execution step for operating the actuator using the power received by the power receiving unit.

[0022] [Effects of the invention]

[0023]

[0010] The actuator operation system and method for vehicle accessories according to the present invention enables a user to attach and detach a vehicle accessory to a vehicle and open and close a lid of a vehicle storage box without carrying a dedicated key.

[0024] [Brief description of the drawing]

[0025] [ 0 0 1 1 ]

[0026] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an actuator actuation system for a vehicle accessory according to the present invention mounted on a motorcycle.

[0027] [Figure 2] A diagram showing a system configuration diagram of an actuator operating system for a vehicle accessory according to the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the operational flow of the actuator actuation system for a vehicle accessory according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the operational flow of an actuator actuation system for a vehicle accessory according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] [Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0031]

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an actuator actuation system 1 for a vehicle accessory according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0032]

[0013] Fig. 1 shows an actuator actuation system 1 for an accessory mounted on a vehicle, which is an example of the present invention. In the actuator actuation system 1 for a vehicle accessory, a vehicle accessory 200 is attached to or detached from the vehicle, or the lid of a storage box, which is one of the vehicle accessories 200, is opened or closed using communication between the vehicle 10 and a mobile terminal 20 carried by a vehicle occupant (an example of a user).

[0033]

[0014] The actuator operation system 1 for a vehicle accessory 200 includes a communication control unit 30 that controls contactless communication with a mobile terminal 200 and transmits power to an actuator control unit 400, and an actuator control unit 40 that controls the operation of an actuator that attaches or detaches the accessory to or from the vehicle or opens or closes a cover of the accessory, based on the power transmitted from the communication control unit 30.

[0034]

[0015] In this embodiment, the communication control unit 30 is built into a cluster panel that performs various communications in a vehicle. The communication control unit 30 is connected to a battery 50, and power for the communication control unit 30 to perform communication control is supplied from the battery 50. The device includes at least a receiving unit 31, an authentication unit 32, a processing unit 33, a transmitting IC 34, and a power transmitting unit 35.

[0035]

[0024] The receiving unit 31 receives radio waves from the non-contact communication unit 21 of the mobile terminal 20, enabling non-contact communication between the mobile terminal 20 and the communication control unit 30.

[0036]

[0025] The authentication unit 32 is provided with a communication program and an authentication program, and can perform authentication processing to determine whether the mobile terminal 20 is a legitimate terminal corresponding to the vehicle. The authentication result of the authentication unit 32 is sent to the processing unit 33, and based on the authentication result, a command to attach or detach the accessory to or from the vehicle or open or close the lid of the storage box is sent to the actuator control unit 40.

[0037] The message is transmitted through the communication control unit 30. The actuator control unit b4 controls the actuator based on the transmitted message, thereby performing the process of attaching or detaching the accessory to or from the vehicle or the process of opening or closing the cover of the storage box. In this way, the communication control unit 30 controls the communication control unit b4 to control the actuator based on the transmitted message, thereby performing the process of attaching or detaching the accessory to or from the vehicle or the process of opening or closing the cover of the storage box.

[0038] 2 0 and controls the operation of the actuator based on communication between them.

[0039]

[0026] Note that communication with the actuator control unit 40 via the transmitting IC 34 may be NFC (Near Field Communication), which is used when the receiving unit 31 communicates with the mobile terminal 20.

[0040]

[0027] The power transmitting unit 35 is configured to be able to supply power contactlessly to the power receiving unit 42 (described later) built into the actuator control unit 40. The power transmitting unit 35 supplies power contactlessly to the power receiving unit 42 by, for example, using electromagnetic induction. Specifically, a power transmitting coil is provided in the power transmitting unit 35, a power receiving coil is provided in the power receiving unit 42, and magnetic flux generated in the power transmitting coil is linked to the power receiving coil to generate an induced electromotive force, thereby enabling power to be supplied contactlessly from the power transmitting unit 35 to the power receiving unit 42. The power transmitting coil of the power transmitting unit 35 can be configured to receive AC power from a power supply circuit provided in the power transmitting unit 35.

[0041]

[0028] The actuator control unit 40 controls the operation of the actuator using a control program, etc. Whether an accessory is attached to the vehicle (whether it is attached or detached) or whether the lid of the storage box is open (whether the lid is open or closed) is detected, for example, by a detection unit (not shown), and the detection signal is sent to the actuator control unit 40.

[0042]

[0029] The actuator control unit 40 is attached to the accessory and has at least a receiving IC 41, a power receiving unit 42, a power management unit 43, and an execution unit 44.

[0043]

[0030] The receiving IC 41 establishes contactless communication between the communication control unit 30 and the actuator control unit 40 by receiving radio waves from the transmitting IC 34. At the same time, it receives the message generated by the message generation unit 23.

[0044]

[0031] The power receiving unit 42 receives power transmitted from the power transmitting unit 35 of the communication control unit 30. The power supply management unit 43 converts the AC power received by the power receiving unit 42 into DC power and converts the voltage of the converted DC power into a desired voltage.

[0045]

[0032] The execution unit 44 controls the power to operate the actuator based on the message received by the receiving IC 41. The actuator (not shown) is driven by a linear motor, rotary motor, etc., and drives a movable part for attaching the accessory to the vehicle or an opening and closing mechanism for opening and closing the lid of the storage box. It is also desirable that the actuator is electrically connected to the actuator control unit 40 and formed integrally with it. This makes it possible to operate the actuator based on the power received by the power receiving unit 42 even in an environment where the actuator cannot be directly connected to a power source.

[0033] The process of attaching and detaching an accessory to a vehicle will be described with reference to the flowchart in Figure 3.

[0046]

[0034] Figure 3 is a flowchart of an attachment process based on a request from a mobile terminal 20 to attach an accessory to a vehicle. When the mobile terminal 20 requests authentication via short-range wireless communication to the communication control unit 30, the non-contact communication unit 21 establishes non-contact communication with the receiving unit 31, and the authentication unit 32 performs authentication processing to determine whether the mobile terminal 20 is a mobile terminal 20 compatible with the vehicle (step S101).

[0047]

[0035] After that, when the authentication process is completed and it is confirmed that the user authentication has been completed successfully (step S1, Yes), the mobile terminal 20 requests the user to input information for installing the accessory in the vehicle via the interface 22. When a message is generated by the message generation unit 23 in response to the user's input, the message is sent to the communication control unit 30 via the non-contact communication unit 21. If the user authentication has not been completed successfully (step S101, NO), the authentication process is repeated a predetermined number of times and then terminated.

[0048]

[0036] When the message sent from the mobile terminal 20 is received by the receiving unit 31, the processing unit 33 generates a command to be processed by the actuator control unit 40, based on the authentication result of the authentication unit 32 and the message received by the receiving unit 31 (step S102).

[0049]

[0037] When processing by the processing unit 33 is completed in step S102, the transmitting IC 34 starts transmitting radio waves to establish wireless communication with the actuator control unit 40. Thereafter, if the transmitting IC 34 detects that the receiving IC 41 of the actuator control unit 40 is within a predetermined distance range (step S103, Yes), it establishes wireless communication between the communication control unit 30 and the actuator control unit 40. If the transmitting IC 34 does not detect that the receiving IC 41 of the actuator control unit 40 is within the predetermined distance range (step S3, NO), it repeats detection for a predetermined time, and if not detected, ends the processing.

[0050]

[0038] Once wireless communication is established in step S!03, the power transmitting unit 35 transmits power to the power receiving unit 42 of the actuator control unit 40 (step S104).

[0051]

[0039] The power management unit 43 converts the AC power received by the power receiving unit 42 into DC power and converts the voltage of the converted DC power to a desired voltage. Then, the execution unit 44 supplies power to the actuator for operating the actuator based on the command received by the receiving IC 41 (step S105). At this time, if the state of the actuator detected by the detection unit (not shown) indicates a removal state (i.e., a state in which the accessory can be removed from the vehicle) and the command instruction requests installation, the execution unit 44 executes operation of the actuator to install the accessory on the vehicle based on the command.

[0052]

[0040] Referring to the flowchart in Figure 4, the process of opening and closing the lid of the storage box attached to the vehicle in embodiment 2 will be explained.

[0053]

[0041] Figure 4 is a flowchart of the lid opening process based on a request from the mobile terminal 20 to open the lid of the storage box. When the mobile terminal 20 makes an authentication request to the communication control unit 30 via short-range wireless communication, the non-contact communication unit 21 establishes non-contact communication with the receiving unit 31, and the authentication unit 32 performs authentication processing to determine whether the mobile terminal 20 is a mobile terminal 20 compatible with the vehicle (step S201).

[0054]

[0042] After that, when the authentication process is completed and it is confirmed that the user authentication has been completed successfully (step S201, Yes), the mobile terminal 20 requests the user to input something to open the lid of the storage box via the interface 22. When a message is generated by the message generation unit 23 in response to the user's input, the message is sent to the communication control unit 30 via the non-contact communication unit 21. If the user authentication has not been completed successfully (step S201, No), the authentication process is repeated a predetermined number of times and then terminated.

[0055]

[0043] When the message sent from the mobile terminal 20 is received by the receiving unit 31, the processing unit 33 generates a command to be processed by the actuator control unit 40 according to the authentication result of the authentication unit 32 and the message received by the receiving unit 31 (step S202).

[0056]

[0044] When processing by the processing unit 33 is completed in step S202, the transmitting IC 34 starts transmitting radio waves to establish wireless communication with the actuator control unit 40. Thereafter, if the transmitting IC 34 detects that the receiving IC 41 of the actuator control unit 40 is within a predetermined distance range (step S203, Yes), it establishes wireless communication between the communication control unit 30 and the actuator control unit 40. If the transmitting IC 34 does not detect that the receiving IC 41 of the actuator control unit 40 is within the predetermined distance range (step S203, NO), it repeats detection for a predetermined time, and if not detected, ends the processing.

[0057]

[0045] Once wireless communication is established in step S203, the power transmitting unit 35 transmits power to the power receiving unit 42 of the actuator control unit 40 (step S204).

[0058]

[0046] The power management unit 43 converts the AC power received by the power receiving unit 42 into DC power and converts the voltage of the converted DC power to a desired voltage. Then, the execution unit 44 supplies power to the actuator to operate it based on the command received by the receiving IC (step S205). At this time, if the state of the actuator detected by the detection unit (not shown) indicates the lid closed state (i.e., the lid is closed) and the command instruction requests that the lid be opened, the execution unit 44 executes the operation of the actuator to open the lid of the storage box based on the command.

[0059] [Industrial Applicability]

[0060]

[0047] The actuator operating system for a vehicle accessory according to the present invention can be widely applied to vehicles, particularly motorcycles.

[0061] [ 0 0 4 8 ]

[0062] 1 〇 Vehicle, 2 〇 Mobile terminal, 2 1 Contactless communication unit, 2 2 Interface, 2 3 Message generation unit, 3 〇 Communication control unit, 3 1 Receiving unit, 3 2 Authentication unit, 3 3 Processing unit, 3 5 Power transmission unit, 4 〇 Actuator control unit, 4 2 Power receiving unit, 4 3 Power management unit, 4 4 Execution unit, 5 〇 Battery, 2 0 0 Accessories.

Claims

【Document Name】 Claims

1. An actuator operation system for a vehicle accessory, comprising: an authentication unit (32) for authenticating a user of a user's mobile terminal (20); a command processing unit (33) for processing a command for operating an actuator that attaches and detaches an accessory (200) attached to a vehicle (10) to and from the vehicle in response to an input of the user; a transmission IC (34) that performs wireless communication with a reception IC (41) attached to the accessory based on the command; a power transmission unit (35) that performs power transmission to a power reception unit (42) attached to the accessory when the wireless communication is established; and an execution unit (44) that executes the operation of the actuator using the power received by the power reception unit (42).

2. An actuator operation system for a vehicle accessory, comprising: an authentication unit (32) for authenticating a user of a user's mobile terminal (20); a command processing unit (33) for processing a command for operating an actuator that opens and closes a lid of a storage box, which is an accessory (200) attached to a vehicle (10), in response to an input of the user; a transmission IC (34) that performs wireless communication with a reception IC (41) attached to the storage box based on the command; a power transmission unit (35) that performs power transmission to a power reception unit (42) attached to the storage box when the wireless communication is established; and an execution unit (44) that executes the operation of the actuator using the power received by the power reception unit (42).

3. The actuator operation system for a vehicle accessory according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the power transmission unit (35) performs the power transmission when a reception IC (41) attached to the accessory (200) exists within a predetermined distance range from the transmission IC (34).

4. When the user authentication is performed, the mobile terminal (20) activates the interface (21) input by the user. An actuator operation system for a vehicle accessory according to Claim 1 or 2.

5. The transmission IC is installed behind the vehicle. An actuator operation system for a vehicle accessory according to Claim 1 or 2.

6. The accessory (200) is a pannier case. An actuator operation system for a vehicle accessory according to Claim 1.

7. The accessory (200) is a top case. An actuator operation system for a vehicle accessory according to Claim 1.

8. The vehicle (10) is a saddle-type vehicle. An actuator operation system for a vehicle accessory according to Claim 1 or 2.

9. An authentication step (S101) for performing user authentication of the user's mobile terminal (20), and a command processing step (S102) for processing a command for operating an actuator for attaching / detaching the accessory (200) attached to the vehicle (10) to / from the vehicle according to the user's input. - 7 - - 8 -

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