JP2010239587A - Device for opening and closing vehicular door - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely prevent an inadvertent opening operation of a vehicular door by a child by controlling the opening and closing operation of the door by the presence of a child in the vicinity of the vehicular door. <P>SOLUTION: The device for opening and closing the vehicular door includes: first and second capacitance sensors 10, 20 arranged at the heights of door handles 4, 5 so that detection surfaces thereof are arranged outside a front-side door 2 and a rear-side door panel 3 of the vehicle 1; and a circuit 30. Each of the capacitance sensors 10, 20 includes a sensor electrode 11, a shield electrode 12 and an auxiliary electrode 13. Directivity is set using a first capacitance value C1 detected only by the sensor electrode 11 and a second capacitance value C2 detected by the sensor electrode 11 and the auxiliary electrode 13, and a detection range Z is formed on a surface of each of the capacitance sensors 10, 20 to detect a human body (adult 48) outside each of the doors 2, 3. When it is determined that a child 49 is present, restriction is put to prevent the opening operation of each of the doors 2, 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle door opening / closing device that controls an opening / closing operation of a vehicle door provided in a vehicle such as an automobile.

  As a device for controlling the opening / closing operation of a vehicle door provided in a vehicle such as an automobile, for example, a door opening operation control device (see, for example, Patent Document 1 (page 3-5, FIG. 1-5)) is known. It has been. This opening control device is capable of releasing the lock mechanism of the door, the unlocking lever for releasing the locking mechanism, the rotation motor for applying external force to the unlocking lever, the controller for controlling the driving of the rotation motor, and the locking mechanism. And an operation force selection switch for selecting an operation force of the lock release lever.

  The controller controls the driving of the rotary motor when the unlocking lever is opened, and applies an external force of a magnitude corresponding to the operating force of the unlocking lever selected by the operating force selection switch to the unlocking lever. ing.

JP 2003-314118 A

  However, the opening operation control device disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above has a structure that prevents the child from inadvertently opening the door by changing the operation force of the lock release lever. For this reason, depending on the setting of the operating force, the child can easily open the door, and it cannot be denied that there is still a lack of certainty for ensuring safety.

  In order to eliminate the above-described problems caused by the prior art, the present invention controls the opening / closing operation of the vehicle door according to the presence or absence of a child in the vicinity of the vehicle door, thereby ensuring that the child does not open the vehicle door carelessly. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicular door opening and closing device that can be prevented.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the vehicle door opening and closing device according to the present invention is provided at a predetermined height so that a detection surface exists toward the outside of the vehicle door provided in the vehicle. And at least one sensor electrode, an auxiliary electrode provided in the vicinity of the sensor electrode, and a detection circuit for detecting a capacitance value based on a capacitance from at least the sensor electrode connected to the connected electrode. A changeover switch capable of selectively switching between a first connection state in which the auxiliary electrode is not connected to the detection circuit and a second connection state in which the auxiliary electrode is connected to the detection circuit; and the first connection A comparison value comparing the first capacitance value from the detection circuit in the state and the second capacitance value from the detection circuit in the second connection state, and the first or second Capacitance And determining whether or not a human body existing outside the vehicle door is within a detection range on the sensor electrode, and opening and closing the vehicle door according to a determination result from the determination unit And a control means for controlling the operation.

  The change-over switch is configured to be able to open, connect to the ground, or to a predetermined potential, for example, when the auxiliary switch is in the first connection state.

  The shield switch further includes a shield drive circuit that applies a potential equivalent to the sensor electrode to the auxiliary electrode, and the changeover switch is configured to be able to connect the auxiliary electrode to the shield drive circuit, for example, in the first connection state. ing.

  The vehicle door opening and closing device according to the present invention includes at least one sensor electrode provided at a predetermined height so that a detection surface exists toward the outside of the vehicle door provided in the vehicle, and the sensor electrode. An auxiliary electrode provided in the vicinity of the sensor electrode, a detection circuit that detects a capacitance value based on capacitance from the sensor electrode, a shield drive circuit that applies a potential equal to the sensor electrode to the auxiliary electrode, and A changeover switch capable of selectively switching between a first connection state in which an auxiliary electrode is connected to the shield drive circuit and a second connection state in which the auxiliary electrode is opened, grounded or connected to a predetermined potential; A comparison value comparing the first capacitance value from the detection circuit in the first connection state with the second capacitance value from the detection circuit in the second connection state, and the first or Based on the capacitance value of 2, the determination means for determining whether the human body existing outside the vehicle door is within the detection range on the sensor electrode, and according to the determination result from the determination means, Control means for controlling the opening and closing operation of the vehicle door.

  Further, the vehicle door opening and closing device according to the present invention includes at least one sensor electrode provided at a predetermined height so that a detection surface exists toward the outside of the vehicle door provided in the vehicle, and the sensor electrode An auxiliary electrode provided in the vicinity of, a detection circuit that detects a capacitance value based on capacitance from the connected electrode, a first connection state that connects the sensor electrode to the detection circuit, and A first selector switch capable of selectively switching between a second connection state in which a sensor electrode is not connected to the detection circuit; and the auxiliary electrode is connected to the detection circuit when the sensor electrode is in the first connection state. The second change-over switch that can be switched to connect the auxiliary electrode to the detection circuit when the first change-over switch is in the second connection state, and the detection in the case of the first connection state. A comparison value comparing the first capacitance value from the circuit and the second capacitance value from the detection circuit in the second connection state, and the first or second capacitance Based on a capacitance value, a determination unit that determines whether or not a human body existing outside the vehicle door is within a detection range on the sensor electrode, and the vehicle door according to a determination result from the determination unit And a control means for controlling the opening / closing operation.

  The first changeover switch is configured to be able to open, connect to the ground or a predetermined potential of the sensor electrode in the second connection state, for example, and the second changeover switch is, for example, in the first connection state. Sometimes, the auxiliary electrode is open, grounded, or connectable to a predetermined potential.

  A shield driving circuit that applies a potential equivalent to the sensor electrode to the auxiliary electrode or a potential equivalent to the auxiliary electrode to the sensor electrode; and the first changeover switch is, for example, in the second connection state Sometimes the sensor electrode is configured to be connectable to the shield drive circuit, and the second changeover switch is configured to be able to connect the auxiliary electrode to the shield drive circuit, for example, in the first connection state. .

  A shield driving circuit for applying a potential equivalent to that of the sensor electrode to the auxiliary electrode is further provided, and the first changeover switch opens the auxiliary electrode, for example, is connected to ground or a predetermined potential in the second connection state. The second changeover switch is configured to be able to connect the auxiliary electrode to the shield drive circuit in the first connection state, for example.

  A shield driving circuit for applying a potential equivalent to that of the auxiliary electrode to the sensor electrode is further provided, and the first changeover switch is configured to be able to connect the auxiliary electrode to the shield driving circuit in the second connection state, for example. For example, the second changeover switch is configured to be able to open the auxiliary electrode, connect to the ground, or to a predetermined potential in the first connection state.

  The sensor electrode is provided in a region near the door handle including, for example, the door handle of the vehicle door, and the auxiliary electrode is disposed so as to surround the sensor electrode, for example.

  Input means for receiving an opening / closing operation instruction for the vehicle door is further provided, and the control means controls the opening / closing operation in accordance with, for example, the opening / closing operation instruction received by the determination means and the input means.

  For example, when the determination means determines that the human body outside the vehicle door is not within the detection range on the sensor electrode, the control means accepts an instruction to open the vehicle door by the input means. The door is locked to prevent the vehicle door from opening.

  The control means further includes a notification means for notifying that the vehicle door cannot be opened, and the control means is configured so that, for example, the human body outside the vehicle door is not within the detection range on the sensor electrode by the determination means. If it is determined, the door is locked so that the vehicle door does not open even if an instruction to open the vehicle door is received by the input means, and the alarm is notified by controlling the notification means. Let

  In addition, even if the control means determines that the human body outside the vehicle door is not within the detection range on the sensor electrode by the determination means, for example, the input means When a special opening / closing operation instruction that is a forced opening operation instruction is received, the door lock is released so that the vehicle door can be opened.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the opening / closing operation | movement of a vehicle door can be controlled by the presence or absence of the child of the vicinity of a vehicle door, and the opening operation of the vehicle door by a child can be prevented reliably. An apparatus can be provided.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the whole structure of the vehicle door opening / closing apparatus concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the detection concept of the detection target object in the door opening / closing apparatus for vehicles. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the whole structure of the electrostatic capacitance sensor part of the door opening / closing apparatus for vehicles, and a circuit part. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the operation | movement concept at the time of the detection operation | movement of the vehicle door opening / closing apparatus. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the relationship between the detection target object at the time of the detection operation | movement of the door opening / closing apparatus for vehicles, and an electric force line. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the operation | movement concept at the time of the detection operation | movement of the vehicle door opening / closing apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the door opening / closing operation control processing procedure by the vehicle door opening / closing apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of the whole structure of the electrostatic capacitance sensor part of the door opening / closing apparatus for vehicles, and a circuit part. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the whole structure of the electrostatic capacitance sensor part of the door opening / closing apparatus for vehicles concerning other embodiment of this invention, and a circuit part. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the door opening / closing operation control processing procedure by the vehicle door opening / closing apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of the whole structure of the electrostatic capacitance sensor part of the door opening / closing apparatus for vehicles, and a circuit part. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the whole structure of the electrostatic capacitance sensor part and circuit part of the vehicle door opening / closing apparatus concerning further another embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the operation | movement concept at the time of the detection operation | movement of the vehicle door opening / closing apparatus. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the relationship between the detection target object and electric force line at the time of 1st detection operation | movement of the door opening / closing apparatus for vehicles. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the relationship between the detection target object and electric force line at the time of 1st detection operation | movement of the door opening / closing apparatus for vehicles. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the relationship between the detection target object and electric force line at the time of 1st detection operation | movement of the door opening / closing apparatus for vehicles. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the relationship between the detection target object and electric force line at the time of 2nd detection operation | movement of the door opening / closing apparatus for vehicles. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the relationship between the detection target object and electric force line at the time of 2nd detection operation | movement of the door opening / closing apparatus for vehicles. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the relationship between the detection target object and electric force line at the time of 2nd detection operation | movement of the door opening / closing apparatus for vehicles. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the whole structure of the electrostatic capacitance sensor part and circuit part of the vehicle door opening / closing apparatus concerning further another embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of the whole structure of the electrostatic capacitance sensor part of the door opening / closing apparatus for vehicles, and a circuit part.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a vehicle door opening and closing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a vehicle door opening / closing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a detection concept of a detection object in the vehicle door opening / closing device. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the capacitance sensor section and the circuit section of the vehicle door opening and closing device.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle door opening and closing apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a first capacitance sensor unit 10 provided in a door handle 4 of a front side door 2 of a vehicle 1 such as an automobile, a vehicle, and the like. And a second capacitance sensor unit 20 provided in the door handle 5 of the first rear side door 3. Here, it is assumed that the doors 2 and 3 are laterally open doors.

  Further, in the vehicle door opening and closing device, the human body existing outside the front side door 2 and the rear side door 3 is placed on each capacitance sensor unit 10, 20 based on the output from these capacitance sensor units 10, 20. A circuit unit 30 is provided for determining whether or not it is within the detection range. The circuit unit 30 includes a capacitance detection circuit, a CPU, and the like (not shown).

  The first capacitance sensor unit 10 detects a human body existing outside the front side door 2. The second capacitance sensor unit 20 detects a human body existing outside the rear side door 3. As shown in FIG. 2, these capacitance sensor units 10 and 20 are provided at predetermined heights of the doors 2 and 3 (in this example, such that detection surfaces exist toward the outside of the doors 2 and 3). , At the mounting height of the door handles 4, 5) to form a human body detection range Z.

  In addition, each electrostatic capacitance sensor part 10 and 20 does not detect the hand of the human body which operates the door handles 4 and 5 of each door 2 and 3, for example, and the human body which exists outside at the time of opening / closing operation of each door 2 and 3 is detected. A detection range Z that can be detected is formed.

  The vehicle door opening / closing device is a door ECU (electronic control unit) that controls the overall opening / closing operation of the door provided in the vehicle 1 such as a back door (not shown) provided in the vehicle 1 together with the doors 2 and 3. 50. The door ECU 50 restricts the door switch (door SW) 51 that outputs information related to the opening / closing operation instructions of the doors 2 and 3 provided in the vehicle 1 and the opening and closing operation of the doors 2 and 3 by a child, for example. A child lock switch (child lock SW) 52 that outputs information indicating that it is necessary is connected.

  The door ECU 50 includes a door lock mechanism 70 that locks the doors 2 and 3 so that the doors 2 and 3 are not opened and closed, and a door motor 80 that drives the doors 2 and 3 when the doors 2 and 3 are electrically opened and closed. Also, an alarm device 60 that is provided with a speaker, a display device, and the like and that notifies (outputs) warnings such as warning sounds and warning texts in a predetermined case is connected.

  The door ECU 50 controls the door lock mechanism 70 and the door motor 80 in accordance with the determination result from the circuit unit 30 (that is, result information indicating whether or not a human body is outside the doors 2 and 3). Controls the opening and closing operation of the doors 2 and 3. Further, the door ECU 50 receives information from the door SW 51 and the child lock SW 52 together with the determination result, and controls the opening and closing operations of the doors 2 and 3.

  Even if the door SW 51 is provided integrally with each door 2, 3 on the inside (vehicle compartment side) or outside door handle 4, 5 of each door 2, 3, for example, on the center console of the vehicle 1. The doors 2 and 3 may be provided so as to be able to operate in a concentrated manner. For this door SW51, as an opening / closing operation instruction, for example, under a special situation (for example, a situation where the doors 2 and 3 can be forcibly opened and closed regardless of the detection by the capacitance sensor units 10 and 20). It is also assumed that a special door switch (special door SW) that outputs a special opening / closing operation instruction indicating the opening / closing operation instruction in FIG.

  Therefore, in the vehicle door opening and closing device, even when the door is locked by the door lock mechanism 70 or the like, an occupant of the vehicle 1 operates the special door SW to give a special opening / closing operation instruction to the door ECU 50. The door locks of the doors 2 and 3 can be individually or collectively released.

  As shown in FIG. 2, each of the capacitance sensor units 10 and 20 is configured such that a detection range Z having a predetermined height exists in the detection area on the detection surface side facing the outside of the doors 2 and 3. The As a result, as shown in FIG. 2A, even if the child 49 having a predetermined height tries to open and close the door handles 4 and 5, the child 49 is not detected.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2B, when an adult 48 having a predetermined height or more tries to open and close the door handles 4 and 5, the adult 48 having a predetermined height or more is detected. In consideration of these points, each of the capacitance sensor units 10 and 20 is arranged at a predetermined height (for example, about 140 cm) that does not detect the average height (for example, about 130 cm) of the elementary school lower grades. Yes.

  The capacitance sensor units 10 and 20 are formed on the same plane as the sensor electrode 11, the sensor electrode 11 formed in a rectangular flat plate shape, the shield electrode 12 formed on the back side of the sensor electrode 11, and the sensor electrode 11. And an auxiliary electrode 13 formed in a square shape surrounding the electrode 11.

  The sensor electrode 11 and the auxiliary electrode 13 are disposed so as to be insulated from each other. The shield electrode 12 is preferably larger than the sensor electrode 11 in order to reduce the sensor sensitivity on the back side.

  The sensor electrode 11 detects a detection target (human body, particularly an adult 48) within the detection range Z of the detection area on the detection surface side. The shield electrode 12 shields the sensor electrode 11 from being detected on the back side. The auxiliary electrode 13 is for changing the equicapacitance line (surface) on the detection surface side of the sensor electrode 11 so that each of the capacitance sensor units 10 and 20 has directivity. In addition, the shield electrode 12 may be provided in the outer peripheral side of the auxiliary electrode 13 together with the aspect mentioned above, for example.

  The circuit unit 30 is connected to each of the capacitance sensor units 10 and 20, and includes, for example, a CV conversion circuit 21 directly connected to the sensor electrode 11, an A / D converter 22, and a CPU 23. ing. Here, a shield drive circuit 12 is further provided, and a changeover switch SW for switching the connection of the auxiliary electrode 13 between the CV conversion circuit 21 and the shield drive circuit 24 is provided.

  The CV conversion circuit 21 converts a capacitance detected by the sensor electrode 11 or the sensor electrode 11 and the auxiliary electrode 13 into a voltage (Voltage). The A / D converter 22 converts an analog signal indicating a voltage from the CV conversion circuit 21 into a digital signal.

  The CPU 23 controls the entire vehicle door opening / closing device and controls the changeover switch SW, determines the detection (presence / absence) of the detection object (human body) in the detection range Z of the detection area, and relates to the determination result. A signal (determination result information) is output to the door ECU 50. The shield drive circuit 24 drives, for example, the shield electrode 12 and the auxiliary electrode 13 to the same potential as the sensor electrode 11.

  The circuit unit 30 includes a storage unit (not shown) such as a RAM used as a temporary storage area of the CPU 23 and a data storage ROM. Moreover, each electrostatic capacitance sensor part 10 and 20 is formed on the board | substrate which is not shown in figure, for example. As this board | substrate, any board | substrate of a flexible printed circuit board, a rigid board | substrate, and a rigid flexible board | substrate is employable, for example.

  Furthermore, the circuit unit 30 may be mounted and integrally provided on the same surface side or the back surface side of the substrate on which the capacitance sensor units 10 and 20 are formed. In this case, a plurality of circuit units 30 may be provided so as to correspond to the number of capacitance sensor units 10 and 20.

  The sensor electrode 11, the shield electrode 12, and the auxiliary electrode 13 are substrates made of an insulator such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyimide (PI), polyamide (PA), glass epoxy resin, or ceramic. It can be composed of copper, a copper alloy, a metal member (conductive material) such as aluminum or iron, an electric wire, or the like patterned on top.

  In addition, it is necessary to arrange | position so that it may not stand out with respect to the passenger | crew and user of the vehicle 1, depending on the arrangement | positioning aspect (For example, when arrange | positioning on the surface of the door handles 4 and 5) of each electrostatic capacitance sensor part 10 and 20. May occur. In such a case, the substrate may be formed of a transparent panel or film, and the electrodes 11 to 13 may be transparent electrodes.

  The transparent electrode can be composed of, for example, tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) or a conductive polymer. As the conductive polymer, for example, PEDOT / PSS (polyethylene dioxythiophene / polystyrene sulfonic acid), PEDOT / TsO (polyethylene dioxythiophene / toluene sulfonate), or the like can be used.

  Next, the detection operation of the detection target (human body) of the vehicle door opening / closing device configured as described above will be described. First, an operation (operation 1) when the changeover switch SW is connected to the shield drive circuit 24 side under the control of the CPU 23 will be described. In the case of this operation 1, the connection state between the sensor electrode 11, the shield electrode 12, the auxiliary electrode 13, and the circuit unit 30 of each of the capacitance sensor units 10 and 20 is as shown in FIG.

  That is, only the sensor electrode 11 is connected to the CV conversion circuit 21, and the shield electrode 12 and the auxiliary electrode 13 are connected to the shield drive circuit 24, so that the detection objects A and B that are human bodies only by the sensor electrode 11. Is detected by the CV conversion circuit 21. At this time, the back surface side of the sensor electrode 11 is covered with the shield electrode 12 connected to the shield drive circuit 24. For this reason, the sensor sensitivity on the back surface side of the sensor electrode 11 is almost equal, and this is also the case with the operation 2 described later.

  Further, both detection objects A and B are at substantially the same distance from the sensor electrode 11. However, due to the influence of the auxiliary electrode 13 connected to the shield drive circuit 24, the above-described equal capacitance line (surface) M is in a state as shown in FIG. Lower than the sensor sensitivity to.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 5A, the electric lines of force P1 from the sensor electrode 11 with respect to the detection object A existing near the center of the sensor electrode 11 are the electric lines of force P2 from the auxiliary electrode 13 (shield). ) Is small. However, as shown in FIG. 5B, the electric lines of force P <b> 1 from the sensor electrode 11 to the detection target B existing outside the sensor electrode 11 are the electric lines of force P <b> 2 (shield) from the auxiliary electrode 13. It can be said that it is easily affected.

  For this reason, in the operation 1, both the detection objects A and B exist at the same distance from the sensor electrode 11, but the capacitance value detected by the CV conversion circuit 21 is the detection object of the detection object A. It becomes larger than the object B. The first capacitance value C1 detected during such operation 1 is stored in the storage unit by the CPU 23.

  In the case of this operation 1, by connecting the auxiliary electrode 13 to the shield drive circuit 24, the sensor at the electrode end (end on the auxiliary electrode 13 side) of the sensor electrode 11 with respect to the sensor sensitivity at the center of the sensor electrode 11 is detected. Sensitivity can be lowered. Thereby, it becomes possible to give each electrostatic capacitance sensor part 10 and 20 slight directivity.

  However, in this operation 1, the sensor sensitivity of the electrode end of the sensor electrode 11 is only slightly reduced. Therefore, for example, the capacitance value of the detection object C (see FIG. 4) that is a human body located closer to the sensor electrode 11 than the detection object B shown in FIG. It becomes almost equal to the capacitance value. At this time, the equal capacitance line (surface) M is in a state as shown in FIG. For this reason, the difference between the detection objects A and C cannot be determined, and it must be said that this is a state in which a stronger directivity cannot be provided.

  Next, an operation (operation 2) when the changeover switch SW is connected to the CV conversion circuit 21 side under the control of the CPU 23 will be described. In the case of this operation 2, the connection state between the sensor electrode 11, the shield electrode 12 and the auxiliary electrode 13 of each of the capacitance sensor units 10 and 20 is as shown in FIG.

  That is, since the sensor electrode 11 and the auxiliary electrode 13 are connected to the CV conversion circuit 21, the capacitance between the detection objects A and B is changed by the CV conversion circuit 21 by the sensor electrode 11 and the auxiliary electrode 13. Detected. At this time, as described above, the sensor sensitivity on the back surface side of the sensor electrode 11 is almost equal, but the equivalent capacitance line (surface) M on the detection surface side (front surface side) of the sensor electrode 11 is in the state shown in FIG. Thus, it can be said that there is no directivity in the range of 180 ° on the detection surface side.

  For this reason, in the operation 2, substantially the same capacitance value is detected for both detection objects A and B existing at substantially the same distance from the sensor electrode 11. Then, the second capacitance value C2 detected during such operation 2 is stored in the storage means by the CPU 23 in the same manner as the first capacitance value C1.

  As described above, the operation 1 and the operation 2 described above can vary the equicapacitance line (surface) M on the detection surface side by the sensor electrode 11. Thus, the first capacitance value C1 detected when there is a slight directivity on the detection surface side of the sensor electrode 11 and the second capacitance detected when there is no directivity on the detection surface side of the sensor electrode 11. Is obtained.

  Thereafter, in the vehicle door opening and closing apparatus of the present example, the following operation is performed. First, the first capacitance value C1 stored in the storage means by the CPU 23 is compared with the second capacitance value C2. For example, in the case of the operation 2 described above, since the capacitance values detected from both the detection objects A and B are substantially the same value, the detection objects A and B are at an approximately equal distance from the sensor electrode 11. It turns out that there is.

  Next, in the case of the operation 1, since the electrostatic capacitance value of the detection target B is smaller than the detection target A, the detection target B should be outside the detection electrode A with respect to the sensor electrode 11. Becomes clear. Based on these considerations, the CPU 23 compares the second capacitance value C2 with the first capacitance value C1 to determine how much the detection target is outside the central portion of the sensor electrode 11. (That is, whether or not the detection target is within a predetermined range including at least a region facing the detection surface of the sensor electrode 11 (hereinafter, may be abbreviated as “in the detection range”)). ) Can be determined.

  According to the vehicle door opening and closing apparatus configured and operated as described above, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, for example, the respective electrostatic capacity sensor units 10 and 20 are used to drive the door handles 4 and 5 of the doors 2 and 3, respectively. It is possible to determine whether or not there is a human body (adult 48 or child 49) within the detection range Z formed on each of the capacitance sensor units 10 and 20 (sensor electrode 11) arranged in the. The detection range Z is determined by the set directivity.

  For this reason, for example, even if there is a detection target (adult 48, child 49, etc.) outside the detection range Z outside the doors 2 and 3, the detection target is not detected and is within the detection range Z. The detection range Z is set in a region on the sensor electrode 11 so that it can be accurately determined whether or not there is a detection object (particularly an adult 48).

  Based on the determination result, for example, when the adult ECU 48 is detected, the door ECU 50 releases the door lock of the door lock mechanism 70 or operates the door motor 80 so that the doors 2 and 3 can be opened and closed. To do. Further, based on the determination result, for example, when the adult 48 is not detected (that is, when the child 49 is trying to open / close the doors 2 and 3), the doors are locked so that the doors 2 and 3 cannot be opened and closed. The door of the mechanism 70 is locked or the door motor 80 is stopped.

  In this way, the opening / closing operation of each door 2, 3 is controlled by the presence or absence of the child 49 in the vicinity of each door 2, 3 of the vehicle 1. Can be reliably prevented. Here, the door opening / closing operation control process of each door 2 and 3 by the vehicle door opening and closing device will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a door opening / closing operation control processing procedure for the doors 2 and 3 by the vehicle door opening / closing device. In the following description, the same reference numerals are assigned to portions that overlap the already described portions, and the description thereof is omitted, and there is a case where it is not specified except for the processing particularly related to the present invention.

  Here, the vehicle door opening and closing device is, for example, a vehicle door that is triggered when the ignition switch of the vehicle 1 is turned on as an accessory (ACC) or ON, or when the user key by the smart entry system is authenticated. Description will be made on the assumption that power is already supplied to the switchgear.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the vehicle door opening / closing device, when the process is started, is instructed to open / close the doors 2 and 3 from the door SW51 by an operation of the passenger or the like. An opening / closing operation instruction is accepted (step S101). Then, it is determined whether or not the received opening / closing operation instruction is a special opening / closing operation instruction (step S102). If it is determined that the received opening / closing operation instruction is a special opening / closing operation instruction (Y in step S102), the door lock mechanism 70 or the door motor 80 is determined. The doors 2 and 3 are opened / closed according to the special opening / closing operation instruction (that is, the doors are opened / closed) (step S108), and for example, it is detected that the ignition switch is turned off. Whether or not to end the process is determined (step S109).

  If it is determined that the process is to be terminated (Y in step S109), the series of door opening / closing operation control processes according to this flowchart is terminated. If it is determined not to end the process (N in step S109), the process proceeds to step S101 and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the instruction is not a special opening / closing operation instruction (N in step S102), the connection state of the auxiliary electrode 13 by the changeover switch SW is changed to the first and second connection states described above under the control of the CPU 23 of the circuit unit 30. Switch.

  Thus, the capacitance values (first and second capacitance values C1 and C2) are detected in the capacitance sensor units 10 and 20 (step S103), and these are compared to calculate a comparison value ( Step S104).

  Then, based on the first capacitance value C1 or the second capacitance value C2, it is determined whether or not the detection target (adult 48) is close to the sensor electrode 11 (step S105). At the same time, it is determined whether or not the calculated comparison value is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value set in advance (or less than a predetermined threshold value or less than a predetermined threshold value, for example) (step S106).

  It is determined that the adult 48 is close (that is, detected within the detection range Z as shown in FIG. 2B) (Y in step S105), and the comparison value is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value. If it is determined (Y in step S106), it is determined that the adult 48 is detected (step S107), and a signal related to the determination result is output to the door ECU 50. Then, the door ECU 50 determines the position of the corresponding door of the doors 2 and 3 according to the arrangement position of the capacitance sensor units 10 and 20 that detected the adult 48 among the capacitance sensor units 10 and 20. Control is performed so that the opening / closing operation can be performed (step S108), and the process proceeds to step S109.

  If the opening / closing operation of each door 2, 3 is controlled using the determination result thus determined, when the adult 48 is detected by each capacitance sensor unit 10, 20 as described above, a special opening / closing operation is performed. Even without an operation instruction, the doors 2 and 3 can be opened and closed from the outside of the vehicle 1 without restriction. Therefore, it is possible to control the opening / closing operation of the doors 2 and 3 without causing any inconvenience to the passengers of the adult 48.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the adult 48 is not close (that is, the child 49 is close to the doors 2 and 3 but is not detected within the detection range Z as shown in FIG. 2A) ( If it is determined that the comparison value is not equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value (N in Step S106), it is determined that the adult 48 is not detected (Step S110), and the door lock mechanism 70 or the door motor 80 is detected. The door is locked so that, for example, the doors 2 and 3 are kept closed (step S111).

  Then, based on the information from the child lock SW52, it is determined whether or not the child lock SW52 is ON so that the door 49 cannot be opened and closed by the child 49 (step S112). If it is determined that the child lock SW 52 is ON (Y in step S112), an alarm is output (notified), for example, an alarm sound is sounded in the passenger compartment via the alarm device 60 (step S113). The process proceeds to step S101 and the subsequent processing is repeated. If it is determined that the child lock SW 52 is not ON (N in step S112), the process proceeds to step S101 and the subsequent processing is repeated.

  In the vehicle door opening and closing device of this example, by performing the door opening and closing operation control process in this way, for example, the child 49 is outside the doors 2 and 3 and tries to open the doors 2 and 3 from the outside. Even when there is an opening / closing operation instruction by the door SW 51 of the door handles 4, 5, the doors 2, 3 do not open carelessly. Thereby, it is possible to prevent problems such as the child 49 inadvertently opening the doors 2 and 3 from the outside and hitting them against other vehicles.

  Here, specifically, in step S105, for example, when the first capacitance value C1 is larger than the predetermined threshold value Th1, it is set so that it can be determined that the adult 48 has approached the sensor electrode 11. Keep it. At this time, for example, in step S106, the comparison value α or the comparison value β calculated by a calculation formula such as the comparison value α = (a × C1) − (b × C2) or the comparison value β = d × C1 / C2. Is smaller than the arbitrary threshold value Th2 as a predetermined threshold value set in advance, it is set so that it can be determined that it is outside the detection range Z.

  Only when the adult 48 is close (Y in Step S105) and the comparison value is equal to or greater than the threshold Th2 (Y in Step S106), the adult 48 is determined to be detected (Step S106). S107). Thus, according to the vehicle door opening and closing device of the present example, the detection range on the surface of each capacitance sensor unit 10, 20 disposed on each door 2, 3 of the vehicle 1 (on the sensor electrode 11). The proximity of the human body (adult 48) in Z can be accurately and reliably detected.

  Note that the coefficients a, b, and c in the comparison values α and β, the calculation formulas of the comparison values α and β, the values of the threshold values Th1 and Th2, and the like may be as follows. That is, these change depending on factors such as the sensor shape of each of the capacitance sensor units 10 and 20, the surrounding environment of the installation, and the characteristics of the detection target. For this reason, what is necessary is just to set it sequentially, taking a profile, when these each factor is decided.

  In the above-described example, the proximity of the adult 48 is determined by making a comparison using a value obtained by dividing the first capacitance value C1 by the second capacitance value C2. In addition, for example, the first capacitance value C1 is compared using a value obtained by dividing the first capacitance value C1 by the sum of the first capacitance value C1 and the second capacitance value C2, or other calculations are performed. You may make it determine proximity | contact using a method.

  Thus, according to the vehicle door opening and closing apparatus of this example, for example, when the threshold Th2 is large, the directionality of the sensor sensitivity of each of the capacitance sensor units 10 and 20 is high, and when the threshold Th2 is small, it is low. can do. Accordingly, the detection range Z can be set by arbitrarily adjusting the directivity on the surfaces of the capacitance sensor units 10 and 20 disposed in the doors 2 and 3. Only a human body (adult 48) having a predetermined height close to the human body can be reliably and accurately detected with a simple configuration.

  The CV conversion circuit 21 of the circuit unit 30 described above uses, for example, a known timer IC in which the duty ratio of the output pulse is changed by a resistor and a capacitor, but is not limited thereto.

  That is, for example, a method in which a sine wave is applied to directly measure an impedance from a voltage change or a current value due to a capacitance value, a method in which an oscillation circuit is configured including a capacitance value to be measured, and an oscillation frequency is measured, RC A charge / discharge circuit is configured to measure the charge / discharge time, a charge charged with a known voltage is transferred to a known capacity and the voltage is measured, or an unknown capacity is charged with a known voltage and the charge is charged. There is a method to measure the number of times until the known capacity is charged to a predetermined voltage by moving it to a known capacity multiple times, setting a threshold value for the detected capacitance value, or a waveform of the capacitance May be processed as a trigger when the corresponding capacitance waveform is obtained.

  Further, although it is assumed that the CV conversion circuit 21 of the circuit unit 30 converts the capacitance into voltage, it is only necessary to convert the data into data that can be handled electrically or as software. For example, the capacitance is converted into a pulse width. It may be converted or directly converted into a digital value.

  Further, in the vehicle door opening and closing device described above, the sensor electrode 11, the shield electrode 12, and the auxiliary electrode 13 of the capacitance sensor units 10 and 20 are respectively connected to the door handles 4 and 5 of the doors 2 and 3 of the vehicle 1. Arranged. An example in which detection of a human body (adult 48) is determined by comparing the first capacitance value C1 of only the sensor electrode 11 with the second capacitance value C2 of the sensor electrode 11 and the auxiliary electrode 13 Although described above, these may be as follows, for example.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the overall configuration of the capacitance sensor unit and the circuit unit of the vehicle door opening and closing device. The vehicle door opening / closing device of this example has a configuration in which a dummy sensor electrode (dummy electrode) 19 is arranged in addition to the sensor electrode 11, and the CV conversion circuit 21 of the circuit unit 30 is differentially operated. It is configured.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, for example, the sensor electrode 11 is connected to the positive input end of the differential amplifier circuit, and the dummy electrode 19 is connected to the negative input end of the differential amplifier circuit. The value of the capacitance Cb is subtracted. Then, the human body (adult 48 or child 49) is detected / non-detected by comparing the output value with a threshold value using a comparator or the like.

  As an operation of such a CV conversion circuit 21, for example, when the switch S1 is open (OFF), the switch S2 is grounded (GND), and the switch S3 is closed (ON), the switch S3 is operated. Open (OFF), switch S2 is switched to Vr, and switch S1 is connected to the inverting input of the operational amplifier. Then, the capacitances Ca and Cf are charged with CaVr, and the capacitances Cb and Cf are charged with CbVr.

  Next, after the switch S1 is opened (OFF) and the switch S2 is grounded (GND), the output voltage V when the switch S1 is grounded (GND) is measured. The voltage at this time is V / Vr = {(Cf + Ca) / Cf} − {(Cf + Cb) / Cf}, and a voltage corresponding to the ratio between the capacitance Ca and the capacitance Cb is output.

  As described above, the CV conversion circuit 21 is configured to perform a differential operation (differential circuit), so that the temperature characteristics of the circuit can be offset and common mode noise can be reduced. At this time, for example, a dummy electrode 19 is connected to the negative side input terminal of the differential amplifier circuit. If this dummy electrode 19 is capacitively coupled to the human body (adult 48), the sensitivity of the sensor itself is lowered.

  For this reason, the area of the dummy electrode 19 is made sufficiently small with respect to the sensor electrode 11, or another shield electrode 47 having the same potential is provided between the dummy electrode 19 and the human body (adult 48), and the human body ( It is necessary to reduce the capacitive coupling with the adult 48).

  In the shield drive circuit 24 described above, when the duty ratio changes according to the capacitance C, the output waveform of the sensor electrode 11 changes depending on the measured capacitance. To do. For this reason, a 1 × amplifier circuit may be configured with a voltage follower such as an operational amplifier or a source follower such as an FET, and the output of the sensor electrode 11 may be input and the output connected to the shield electrode 12 or the like. .

  Further, when the CV conversion circuit 21 operates differentially, the shield drive circuit 24 has a rectangular waveform with the voltage Vr and GND as the output waveform of the sensor electrode 11 and the frequency becomes the switching frequency of the switch. Therefore, since it does not vary depending on the capacitance value, the non-inverting input of the operational amplifier shown in FIG. 8 may be connected to the shield electrode 12 or the like. However, when a driving current is required, a rectangular wave of Vr and GND may be separately generated through an operational amplifier with a high output current.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the sensor electrode 11 is connected to the CV conversion circuit 21, the shield electrode 12 is connected to the shield drive circuit 24, and the auxiliary electrode 13 is connected to the shield electrode 24 or C via the changeover switch SW. It was configured to be connected to the −V conversion circuit 21. In addition, for example, when the CV conversion circuit 21 operates differentially, the sensor electrode 11 is connected to the negative side input end shown in FIG. 8, the shield electrode 12 is connected to the shield drive circuit 24, and You may comprise so that the auxiliary electrode 13 may each be connected to a plus side input end.

  In this case, in the operation 2 described above, the auxiliary electrode 13 is connected to the sensor electrode 11 and there is almost no directivity. However, in the operation 1 described above, the capacitance coupling value between the auxiliary electrode 13 and the human body (adult 48) is subtracted from the capacitance value of the sensor electrode 11, and as a result, has a gentle directivity. It becomes. Similar to the case described above, the same effect can be obtained by comparing the detection values in the operation 1 and the operation 2.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the auxiliary switch 13 is configured to be connected to the shield drive circuit 24 during the operation 1 and connectable to the CV conversion circuit 21 during the operation 2 by the changeover switch SW. In the case of 1 and operation 2, the equal capacitance line (surface) M is made variable. In addition, the auxiliary electrode 13 is configured to be connected to the shield drive circuit 24 at the time of operation 1, for example, to be open, grounded, or connectable to a predetermined potential at the time of operation 2, or for example at the time of operation 1 Can be connected to an open, grounded or predetermined potential, and can be connected to the CV conversion circuit 21 in the operation 2 to obtain the same effect. In this way, the auxiliary electrode 13 is connected to the open state by the changeover switch SW, or connected to the ground or other potential (including a potential equivalent to the ground, pulse, charging voltage, sine wave, etc.). May be.

  Note that the change-over switch SW only needs to have a structure capable of switching electrical connection. For example, an electronic circuit switch such as an FET or a photo MOS relay or a mechanical switch such as a contact switch can be employed. In addition to the above-described shape, the sensor electrode 11 may have various shapes such as a circle, an ellipse, a rectangle, and a polygon. For example, when the back surface side of the sensor electrode 11 is also within the detection range Z. If the shield electrode 12 is not provided.

  The auxiliary electrode 13 is arranged so as to surround the entire periphery of the sensor electrode 11. However, as long as the detection range Z can be set, the auxiliary electrode 13 is in a state of surrounding a part or arranged in a part adjacent to the sensor electrode 11. Or you may. Further, for example, when the sensor electrode 11 is surrounded, the sensor electrode 11 may be arranged concentrically (the center is the same).

  Next, a capacitance sensor unit and a circuit unit of a vehicle door opening and closing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the vehicle door opening and closing apparatus according to the above-described embodiment, the output from the CV conversion circuit 21 of the circuit unit 30 is the second electrostatic value indicating the capacitance detected by the sensor electrode 11 and the auxiliary electrode 13. It becomes either the capacitance value C2 or the first capacitance value C1 indicating the capacitance detected only by the sensor electrode 11.

  For this reason, the capacitance value detected by the structure around the installation place of the sensor electrode 11 (including each capacitance sensor unit 10, 20) may differ. In such a case, the comparison result obtained by comparing the first and second capacitance values C1 and C2 may change depending on the structure around the place where the sensor electrode 11 is installed. In order to avoid such a situation, the internal configuration of the circuit unit 30 may be further set as follows, for example.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing an example of the overall configuration of the capacitance sensor units 10 and 20 and the circuit unit 30 of the vehicle door opening and closing device according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is the vehicle door opening and closing device. FIG. 11 shows another example of the overall configuration of the capacitance sensor units 10 and 20 and the circuit unit 30 of the vehicle door opening and closing device. It is explanatory drawing.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in addition to the CV conversion circuit 21 and the shield drive circuit 24 described above, the circuit unit 30 of this example includes a determination circuit 25 including, for example, a CPU and a human body (adult 48 and child 49). Is configured to include an initial capacity storage device 26 that stores an electrostatic capacitance value (initial capacity) when not approaching, a switch control circuit 27 that controls the switching operation of the selector switch SW, and a buffer 28. .

  As an outline of the detection operation of the detection target (adult 48) of the vehicle door opening / closing device having the circuit unit 30 configured as described above, for example, the capacitance sensor units 10 and 20 are similarly connected to the doors of the vehicle 1. It arranges on the door handles 4 and 5 of 2 and 3. Thereafter, the capacitance value (initial capacitance) in the operation 1 and the operation 2 when the human body (adult 48) is not approaching the capacitance sensor units 10 and 20 is controlled by the switch control circuit 27. To detect each.

  Then, these values are stored in the initial capacity storage device 26, and the initial capacity is determined from the first and second electrostatic capacitance values C1 and C2 in the actual operations 1 and 2 described above in the determination circuit 25. These initial capacities stored in the storage device 26 are subtracted and compared. Based on the comparison result thus obtained, it is determined whether or not the human body (adult 48) existing outside the doors 2 and 3 is within the detection range Z on the sensor electrode 11.

  More specifically, the initial capacity is stored as the first initial capacity when the changeover switch SW is connected to the shield drive circuit 24 side by the control of the switch control circuit 27 as the first initial capacity. It is stored in the device 26. In addition, the operation at the time of the operation 2 when the changeover switch SW is connected to the CV conversion circuit 21 side is stored in the initial capacity storage device 26 as the second initial capacity.

  Then, in the actual operation 1, the determination circuit 25 subtracts the first initial capacity stored in the initial capacity storage device 26 from the detected first capacitance value C1 and performs the first detection. Value (detection value 1). In the actual operation 2, the second detection value (detection value 2) is obtained by subtracting the second initial capacitance stored in the initial capacitance storage device 26 from the detected second capacitance value C2. ).

  That is, as shown in FIG. 10, the vehicle door opening and closing apparatus, when the processing is started as described above, when an instruction regarding opening and closing of the doors 2 and 3 is issued from the door SW51 by the operation of the passenger or the like, An instruction to open and close the doors 2 and 3 is received (step S201). Then, it is determined whether the received opening / closing operation instruction is a special opening / closing operation instruction (step S202). If it is determined that the received opening / closing operation instruction is a special opening / closing operation instruction (Y in step S202), the door lock mechanism 70 or the door motor 80 is determined. Is controlled to open / close the doors 2 and 3 according to the special opening / closing operation instruction (step S208), and determine whether or not to end the process (step S209).

  If it is determined that the process is to be terminated (Y in step S209), the series of door opening / closing operation control processes according to this flowchart is terminated. If it is determined not to end the process (N in step S209), the process proceeds to step S201 and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the instruction is not a special opening / closing operation instruction (N in step S202), the first detection value and the second detection value as described above are calculated (step S203), and these are compared and compared with each other. Is calculated (step S204).

  Thereafter, based on the first or second detection value, it is determined whether or not the human body (adult 48) is in close proximity (step S205). At the same time, whether the comparison value of the first detection value and the second detection value is, for example, a predetermined threshold value or more (or less than a predetermined threshold value or less than a predetermined threshold value). It is determined whether or not (step S206).

  That is, here, it is determined whether or not there is a human body (adult 48) within the detection range Z based on the detection values 1 and 2 and the comparison result. Note that the detection value 2 at the time of the operation 2 in which the sensor electrode 11 and the auxiliary electrode 13 are connected to the CV conversion circuit 21 is a detection value in a state where the sensor sensitivity has no directivity, and is a human body (adult) The output depends on the approach to the electrostatic capacitance sensor units 10 and 20 of 48).

  When it is determined that the human body (adult 48) is close (Y in step S205) and the comparison value is determined to be greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold (Y in step S206), the human body (adult 48) Is detected (step S207), control is performed so that the doors 2 and 3 can be opened and closed as described above (step S208), and the process proceeds to step S209.

  If it is determined that the human body (adult 48) is close (Y in step S205), but it is determined that the comparison value is not equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold (N in step S206), the human body (adult 48) Is not detected (step S210). Then, for example, a non-detection signal A (for example, a high impedance or a predetermined potential) that is a disable signal indicating that no human body (adult 48) is present in the detection range Z when the directivity is provided is determined. Output as output.

  Further, for example, based on the first or second detection value (or the first or second capacitance value C1, C2), it is determined whether or not the human body (adult 48) is close (step S205). When it is determined that the human body (adult 48) is not in close proximity (N in step S205), the process proceeds to step S210 and it is determined that these are not detected. For example, a non-detection signal B (a signal different from the non-detection signal A), which is a disable signal indicating that the human body (adult 48) is not within the detection range Z on the sensor electrode 11, is output as a determination output.

  Thereafter, the door lock mechanism 70 and the door motor 80 are controlled to lock the doors 2 and 3 so that the doors 2 and 3 are kept closed (step S211). Based on the information from the child lock SW52, the child lock is performed. It is determined whether SW52 is ON (step S212).

  If it is determined that the child lock SW 52 is ON (Y in step S212), an alarm is output (notified) as described above via the alarm device 60 (step S213), and the process proceeds to step S201. If it is determined that the child lock SW 52 is not ON (N in step S212), the process similarly proceeds to step S201 and the subsequent processing is repeated.

  In this manner, by using the output of the determination circuit 25 as an enable signal or a disable signal, for example, according to the determination result, the enable signal is buffered when the human body (adult 48) is within the detection range Z on the sensor electrode 11. And the detection value 1 is output from the buffer 28. When the human body (adult 48) is not within the detection range Z on the sensor electrode 11, the determination output as a disable signal is fixed to a predetermined voltage such as a ground voltage or a reference voltage, or becomes a high impedance output. .

  When the human body (adult 48) is within the detection range Z on the sensor electrode 11, in addition to the detection value 1, the detection value 2 and the first or second capacitance values C1 and C2 are output. May be. These detection value 1, detection value 2, and first and second capacitance values C1 and C2 indicate values corresponding to the distance to the sensor electrode 11 of the human body (adult 48), for example.

  Thus, according to the circuit unit 30 configured as described above, when the human body (adult 48) is within the detection range Z, a detection value corresponding to the distance is output, and when it is not within the detection range Z, a predetermined voltage is output. And so on. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether or not there is a human body (adult 48) within the detection range Z, and if so, how long it is. That is, it is possible to increase the intensity of the directivity of the sensor sensitivity of each of the capacitance sensor units 10 and 20 or to set the directivity in more detail.

  Further, as another example of a method for avoiding the dependence on the structure around the place where the electrostatic capacitance sensor units 10 and 20 are installed, these are maintained by adjusting the reference voltage as follows. It is also possible. That is, as shown in FIG. 11, the circuit unit 30 of this example includes a reference voltage adjustment circuit 40 and a subtraction circuit 31 in addition to the CV conversion circuit 21 and the shield drive circuit 24.

  The reference voltage adjustment circuit 40 adjusts the output of the CV conversion circuit 21 to the reference potential when measuring the initial capacitances of the first and second initial capacitances as described above. Here, the reference voltage adjustment circuit 40 includes a comparator 41, a control circuit 42, a register 43, a D / A converter 44, and an adjustment unit 45.

  For example, the reference voltage adjustment circuit 40 inputs the output of the CV conversion circuit 21 from the positive input terminal of the comparator 41 and inputs the reference voltage (Reference Voltage: RV) from the negative input terminal, and compares the two. Then, the set value of the register 43 is changed under the control of the control circuit 42 based on the comparison result.

  Further, after the output of the register 43 is converted from a digital signal to an analog signal by the D / A converter 44, the voltage is adjusted by the adjusting unit 45, and the output from the adjusting unit 45 is used to adjust the voltage of the CV conversion circuit 21. Adjust the input. In this manner, in the operation 1 when the human body (adult 48) is not in proximity to the capacitance sensor units 10 and 20, the register is located when the output from the CV conversion circuit 21 is closest to the reference potential. The set value 43 is fixed and the output of the first initial capacity is used as the reference voltage, and the set value (set value 1) at that time is stored.

  At the same time, in the operation 2 when the human body (adult 48) is not close to each of the capacitance sensor units 10 and 20, when the output from the CV conversion circuit 21 is closest to the reference potential, the register 43 The set value is fixed and the second initial capacitance output is set as the reference potential, and the set value (set value 2) at that time is stored.

  In the actual operation 1, the output of the CV conversion circuit 21 when the set value 1 of the register 43 is fixed is input to, for example, the plus side input terminal of the subtraction circuit 31, and the reference voltage RV is minus. The value is input to the side input terminal, and the output is subtracted by the reference voltage RV to obtain the detected value 1. Further, in the actual operation 2, the output of the CV conversion circuit 21 when the register 43 is fixed to the set value 2 is input to, for example, the plus side input terminal of the subtraction circuit 31, and the reference voltage RV is minus. The value is input to the side input terminal, and the output is subtracted by the reference voltage RV to obtain the detection value 2.

  Then, by comparing these detection values 1 and 2, whether or not there is a human body (adult 48) within the detection range Z on the sensor electrode 11 and if so, how far is it? Is determined. The input to the CV conversion circuit 21 is adjusted by, for example, increasing or decreasing the input capacitance by applying the voltage of the D / A converter 44 to the adjustment unit 45 including a fixed capacitor connected to the input. Can be realized.

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing an example of the overall configuration of the capacitance sensor section and the circuit section of the vehicle door opening and closing apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13 is a detection operation of the vehicle door opening and closing apparatus. FIG. 14 to FIG. 16 are diagrams for explaining the concept of the operation at the time, and FIGS. 14 to 16 are for explaining the relationship between the object to be detected and the lines of electric force during the first detection operation (operation 3) of the vehicle door opening and closing device. It is explanatory drawing.

  FIGS. 17 to 19 are explanatory diagrams for explaining the relationship between the detection object and the lines of electric force during the second detection operation (operation 4) of the vehicle door opening and closing device. It should be noted that a description overlapping the part already described in the above-described embodiment may be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the vehicle door opening and closing device according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as the vehicle door opening and closing device according to the above-described embodiment, and includes the first capacitance sensor unit 10 and the second static electricity sensor. The capacitance sensor unit 20, the circuit unit 30, and the door ECU 50 are provided.

  The first capacitance sensor unit 10 and the second capacitance sensor units 10 and 20 have a square shape that surrounds the sensor electrode 11, like the sensor electrode 11, the shield electrode 12, and the auxiliary electrode 13. The auxiliary electrode 13A is formed.

  The sensor electrode 11 is provided mainly for detecting a human body (adult 48) existing in the detection range Z of the detection area on the detection surface side. The shield electrode 12 has the above-described action. The auxiliary electrode 13 </ b> A is provided mainly to vary the equal capacitance line (surface) on the equal electrostatic side on the detection surface side of the sensor electrode 11.

  The circuit unit 30 is directly connected to the CV conversion circuit 21 connected to the sensor electrode 11 or the auxiliary electrode 13A, the A / D converter 22, the CPU 23, and the shield electrode 12, and the sensor electrode 11 or the auxiliary electrode. And a shield drive circuit 24 connected to 13A.

  The circuit unit 30 also includes a first changeover switch SW1 that switches the input from the sensor electrode 11 to the CV conversion circuit 21 or the shield drive circuit 24, and the input from the auxiliary electrode 13A to the shield drive circuit 24 or the CV conversion. A second changeover switch SW2 for switching to the circuit 21 is provided. The first and second changeover switches SW1 and SW2 are configured to be switchable to the A side and the B side (see FIG. 12 and the like), respectively.

  The CV conversion circuit 21 converts the capacitance detected by the sensor electrode 11 or the auxiliary electrode 13A into a voltage. The A / D converter 22 operates in the same manner as described above. The CPU 23 controls the entire vehicle door opening and closing device and controls the operation of alternate connection (an alternative connection to the A side or B side) of the first and second changeover switches SW1 and SW2, for example. Or detection of the detection target (human body) in the detection area (proximity or presence of human body). The shield drive circuit 24 drives the shield electrode 12 and the auxiliary electrode 13A or the sensor electrode 11 to, for example, the same potential as the sensor electrode 11.

  Since the structures and configurations of the capacitance sensor units 10 and 20, the circuit unit 30 and the door ECU 50, and the structures and configurations of the electrodes 11 to 13A are the same as those already described in the above-described embodiment, The description is omitted here. Note that the first changeover switch SW1 is configured such that, for example, when the sensor electrode 11 is not connected to the CV conversion circuit 21, the sensor electrode 11 can be opened, grounded, or connected to a predetermined potential. The second changeover switch SW2 May be configured such that when the sensor electrode 11 is connected to the CV conversion circuit 21, the auxiliary electrode 13A can be opened, grounded, or connected to a predetermined potential.

  The shield drive circuit 24 is configured to give the auxiliary electrode 13A a potential equivalent to that of the sensor electrode 11, or to give the sensor electrode 11 a potential equivalent to that of the auxiliary electrode 13A. The first changeover switch SW1 is configured so that the sensor electrode 11 can be connected to the shield drive circuit 24 when the sensor electrode 11 is not connected to the CV conversion circuit 21, and the second changeover switch SW2 is configured so that the sensor electrode 11 is connected to the shield drive circuit 24. The auxiliary electrode 13 </ b> A may be configured to be connectable to the shield drive circuit 24 when connected to the CV conversion circuit 21.

  Further, the shield drive circuit 24 may be configured to apply a potential equivalent to that of the sensor electrode 11 to the auxiliary electrode 13A. In this case, the first changeover switch SW1 has the sensor electrode 11 connected to the CV conversion circuit 21. The auxiliary electrode 13A may be open, grounded, or connectable to a predetermined potential when not connected. The second changeover switch SW2 may be configured to connect the auxiliary electrode 13A to the shield drive circuit 24 when the sensor electrode 11 is connected to the CV conversion circuit 21.

  The shield drive circuit 24 is configured to give the sensor electrode 11 the same potential as the auxiliary electrode 13A. In this case, the first changeover switch SW1 is not connected to the CV conversion circuit 21. Sometimes, the auxiliary electrode 13A may be configured to be connectable to the shield drive circuit 24. The second changeover switch SW2 may be configured so that the auxiliary electrode 13A can be opened, grounded, or connected to a predetermined potential when the sensor electrode 11 is connected to the CV conversion circuit 21.

  Next, the detection operation of the detection target (human body) of the vehicle door opening / closing device configured as described above will be described. First, under the control of the CPU 23, both the first and second changeover switches SW 1 and SW 2 are switched to the A side, and the sensor electrode 11 is connected to the CV conversion circuit 21. In addition, an operation (operation 3) when the shield electrode 12 and the auxiliary electrode 13A are connected to the shield drive circuit 24 will be described.

  In the case of the operation 3, the connection state of the sensor electrode 11, the shield electrode 12, and the auxiliary electrode 13A with the circuit unit 30 is as shown in FIG. That is, as described above, only the sensor electrode 11 is connected to the CV conversion circuit 21, and the shield electrode 12 and the auxiliary electrode 13 </ b> A are connected to the shield drive circuit 24. Thereby, the electrostatic capacitance C with the detection objects X, Y, W is detected by the CV conversion circuit 21 only by the sensor electrode 11.

  In addition, the back side of the sensor electrode 11 of each of the capacitance sensor units 10 and 20 is covered with the shield electrode 12. For this reason, the sensor sensitivity on the back surface side of the sensor electrode 11 is considerably lower than that on the detection surface side because only the electric lines of force that wrap around from the detection surface (front surface) of the sensor electrode 11 are detected. Here, the detection target object X as a human body is described as a detection target object existing in the detection range Z, and the detection targets Y and W as human bodies are described as detection target objects existing outside the detection range Z.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the electric lines of force P1 from the sensor electrode 11 to the detection target X are less affected by the electric lines of force P2 (shield) from the auxiliary electrode 13A.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 15, the electric lines of force P1 from the sensor electrode 11 with respect to the detection target Y at a distance substantially equal to the detection target X are affected by the electric lines of force P2 (shield) from the auxiliary electrode 13A. In response to this, it decreases compared to the case of the detection object X. For this reason, the detection target Y is weaker in capacitive coupling with the sensor electrode 11 than the detection target X.

  As a result, it is possible to easily identify the detection objects X and Y in the operation 3 (that is, whether the detection objects are within the detection range Z or outside the detection range Z). However, as shown in FIG. 16, in the detection target W closer to the sensor electrode 11 than the detection target Y, the electric lines of force P1 from the sensor electrode 11 are the same as those for the detection target X in FIG. , The output from the CV conversion circuit 21 is the same.

  That is, the detection target object X and the detection target object W are on the equipotential surface (line) M in FIG. 13, and the detection value (capacitance value) in the operation 3 is the same. For this reason, it is difficult to identify whether the detection object W exists within the detection range Z or outside the detection range Z only by this operation 3. In this embodiment as well, as in the above-described embodiment, the determination is not made only by the operation 3, but the electrostatic capacitance as the first capacitance value detected by the CV conversion circuit 21 at the time of the operation 3 is determined. The capacitance value C1 is stored in the storage means by the CPU 23.

  Next, under the control of the CPU 23, both the first and second changeover switches SW 1 and SW 2 are switched to the B side, and the auxiliary electrode 13 A is connected to the CV conversion circuit 21. In addition, an operation (operation 4) when the shield electrode 12 and the sensor electrode 11 are connected to the shield drive circuit 24 will be described.

  In addition, the structure corresponding to FIG. 13 which shows the connection state with the circuit part 30 of the sensor electrode 11, the shield electrode 12, and the auxiliary electrode 13A in the vehicle door opening and closing device in the case of the operation 4 is shown in FIG. SW2 is switched to the B side. For this reason, illustration and description are omitted here.

  In this operation 4, only the auxiliary electrode 13 </ b> A is connected to the CV conversion circuit 21, and the shield electrode 12 and the sensor electrode 11 are connected to the shield drive circuit 24. Thereby, the capacitance C with the detection objects X, Y, W is detected by the CV conversion circuit 21 only by the auxiliary electrode 13A. It is assumed that various conditions such as the arrangement positions of the detection objects X, Y, and W with respect to the capacitance sensor units 10 and 20 are the same as those in the operation 3.

  In the case of this operation 4, as shown in FIG. 17, the electric force line P2 (shield) from the sensor electrode 11 with respect to the detection target X has a great influence on the electric force line P1 from the auxiliary electrode 13A. For this reason, the detection object X has weak capacitance coupling with the auxiliary electrode 13A, and the capacitance value detected by the CV conversion circuit 21 is compared with the detection object X in the operation 3. Become smaller.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 18, the electric force line P2 (shield) from the sensor electrode 11 with respect to the detection target Y is reduced as compared with the case with respect to the detection target X, and the electric force line P1 from the auxiliary electrode 13A. Increases compared to the case of the detection object X. For this reason, in the case of the operation 4, the detection target Y has a strong capacitive coupling with the auxiliary electrode 13A, and the capacitance value detected by the CV conversion circuit 21 is the detection target in the operation 3. Compared to the case for the object Y, it becomes larger.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 19, the electric lines of force P1 from the auxiliary electrode 13A to the detection object W are larger than the electric lines of force P1 from the auxiliary electrode 13A to the detection object X in FIG. The influence of the electric lines of force P2 (shield) from the electrode 11 is also small. For this reason, in the operation 4, the output from the CV conversion circuit 21 in the detection target W is larger than that in the detection target X. Then, the capacitance value C2 as the second capacitance value detected by the CV conversion circuit 21 during the operation 4 is stored in the storage means by the CPU 23.

  If the first and second capacitance values C1 and C2 are detected in this way, the CPU 23 compares these capacitance values C1 and C2 stored in the storage means. For example, in the detection object X described above, the first capacitance value C1 in the operation 3 is larger than the second capacitance value C2 in the operation 4, but in the detection object Y, the operation The first capacitance value C1 at 3 is smaller than the second capacitance value C2 at operation 4. For this reason, in the detection target W, the first capacitance value C1 in the operation 3 and the second capacitance value C2 in the operation 4 are approximately the same.

  As described above, the CPU 23 determines how far the detection target exists from the center of the sensor electrode 11 by comparing the value of the capacitance value C2 with the capacitance value C1. Is possible. At this time, if the comparison value of the capacitance values C1 and C2 is, for example, a predetermined threshold value or more (or less than a predetermined threshold value or less than a predetermined threshold value), the sensor electrode 11 If it is set so that it can be determined that it is within the upper detection range Z, directivity can be arbitrarily given.

  In the explanatory diagrams shown in FIGS. 13 to 19, the detection value in the operation 3 is larger than the detection value in the operation 4 for the detection target X, and the detection value in the operation 3 is the detection value in the operation 3 for the detection target Y. Smaller than the detected value. In the detection target W, the detection value in the operation 3 and the detection value in the operation 4 are described as examples. However, when various conditions such as the arrangement shape and the arrangement area of the sensor electrode 11 and the auxiliary electrode 13A change, the vertical relationship between the operation 3 and the operation 4 on the detection objects X, Y, and W changes.

  However, the ratio (C2 / C1) of the second capacitance value C2 in the operation 4 to the first capacitance value C1 in the operation 3 is always the detection object X <the detection object Y (or the detection object W). ) So that it can be distinguished. Therefore, if the comparison formula between the operation 3 and the operation 4 is changed for each condition, the detection objects X, Y, and W can be determined. Note that the comparison formulas, comparison values, various coefficients, predetermined threshold values (Th1, Th2), and the like are the same as those described in the above-described embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted here.

  Although there are cases where it cannot be expressed by a mathematical expression depending on conditions, the capacitance values C1 and C2 outside the doors 2 and 3 of the detection target (human body, particularly an adult 48) are measured in advance and profiled. Each profile may be compared with the actual detection value.

  Thus, according to this vehicle door opening and closing device, for example, when the predetermined threshold value Th2 is large, the directionality of the sensor sensitivity of each of the capacitance sensor units 10 and 20 is high, and when the threshold value Th2 is small, the directionality is directed. The strength of the property can be low. Thereby, the directivity of the sensor sensitivity can be arbitrarily set, and the detection range Z on the sensor electrode 11 can be arbitrarily determined, and the detection target (human body, particularly the adult 48) can be reliably detected with a simple configuration. Will be able to.

  Then, based on the determination result, the door ECU 50 removes the opening / closing operation restriction of the doors 2 and 3 when the adult 48 is detected, for example, and determines that the child 49 is from the outside of the vehicle 1. If the opening / closing operation of the doors 2 and 3 is restricted, the child 49 in the vehicle 1 can be prevented from inadvertently opening the doors 2 and 3 from the outside.

  Note that various configurations and operations of the CV conversion circuit 21 of the circuit unit 30 are the same as those described in the above-described embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted here. In the vehicle door opening and closing apparatus according to the present embodiment, the sensor electrode 11, the shield electrode 12, and the auxiliary electrode 13A are arranged, and the electrostatic capacitance value C1 of the sensor electrode 11 and the electrostatic capacitance value C2 of the auxiliary electrode 13A. In the above description, the detection of the detection object is determined as an example. In addition, as described with reference to FIG. 8 in the above-described embodiment, the dummy electrode 19 may be disposed and the CV conversion circuit 21 may be configured to perform a differential operation. Since the various configurations and operations are the same as those described above, the description thereof is omitted here.

  Further, since the various configurations and operations of the modified example of the shield drive circuit 24 and the modified examples of the first and second changeover switches SW1 and SW2 are the same as those described in the above-described embodiment, Description is omitted.

  In the vehicle door opening and closing apparatus according to the present embodiment, the auxiliary electrode 13A is disposed so as to surround the entire periphery of the sensor electrode 11. Therefore, each of the capacitance sensor units 10 and 20 has the same directivity in all directions of the detection surface of the sensor electrode 11 (that is, the detection range Z is the same in any direction with respect to the sensor electrode 11). If there is a direction that you do not want to have, for example, the following may be done.

  That is, the auxiliary electrode 13A is not disposed in a direction in which directivity is not desired, and the auxiliary electrode 13A is formed in a U shape, a C shape, an L shape, a semicircle, or the like, for example. It is also possible to reduce the directivity in the direction where there is no noise.

  Further, since the output from the CV conversion circuit 21 of the circuit unit 30 described above is either the first capacitance value C1 or the second capacitance value C2, each sensor electrode 11 (including each of the sensor electrodes 11) is included. There are cases where the capacitance value detected differs depending on the structure around the installation location of the capacitance sensor units 10 and 20).

  Then, the comparison result obtained by comparing the first and second capacitance values C1 and C2 may change depending on the structure around the place where the sensor electrode 11 is installed. In order to avoid such a situation, the configuration of the circuit unit 30 may be further set as follows, for example.

  FIG. 20 is an explanatory view showing an example of the overall configuration of the capacitance sensor section and the circuit section of the vehicle door opening and closing apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 21 is an electrostatic diagram of the vehicle door opening and closing apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of the whole structure of a capacity | capacitance sensor part and a circuit part. Note that, in the above-described embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to portions overlapping with the already described portions, and the description is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 20, the circuit unit 30 includes a CV conversion circuit 21, a shield drive circuit 24, a determination circuit 25, an initial capacity storage device 26 that stores the above-described initial capacity, and a switching operation of each switch SW1 and SW2. A switch control circuit 27 for controlling the signal and a buffer 28.

  As an outline of the detection operation of the detection object (human body, in particular, adult 48) of the vehicle door opening and closing apparatus having such a circuit unit 30, for example, the capacitance sensor units 10 and 20 are installed at predetermined installation locations. Thereafter, the capacitance value (initial capacitance) when the human body (adult 48) is not approaching the capacitance sensor units 10 and 20 is switched by switching the selector switches SW1 and SW2 under the control of the switch control circuit 27, respectively. These values are detected and stored in the initial capacity storage device 26.

  Then, the initial capacitance stored in the initial capacity storage device 26 is subtracted from the first and second capacitance values C1 and C2 in the actual operation 3 and 4 described above in the determination circuit 25 and compared. It is determined whether the human body (adult 48) is within the detection range Z on the sensor electrode 11 based on the comparison result.

  Specifically, the initial capacity is set as the first initial capacity at the time of the above operation 3 when the respective switches SW1 and SW2 are connected to the A side under the control of the switch control circuit 27. The switch at the time of the above operation 4 when the switches SW1 and SW2 are connected to the B side is stored in the initial capacity storage device 26 as the second initial capacity.

  In the actual operation 3, the determination circuit 25 subtracts the first initial capacitance stored in the initial capacitance storage device 26 from the detected first capacitance value C1 and performs the first detection. A value (detection value 1), and in the case of operation 4, the second detection value is obtained by subtracting the second initial capacitance stored in the initial capacitance storage device 26 from the detected second capacitance value C2. (Detection value 2).

  Thereafter, the determination circuit 25 compares the detection value 1 and the detection value 2, and determines whether or not there is a human body (adult 48) within the detection range Z based on the comparison result. For example, the detection value 1 at the time of the operation 3 is an output that depends on the approach of the human body (adult 48) to the capacitance sensor units 10 and 20. Since subsequent operations, functions, effects, and the like are the same as those described in the above-described embodiment, description thereof is omitted here.

  The first and second initial capacitances described above may be, for example, digitally converted from the voltage at the time of initial capacitance measurement by an A / D converter or the like and held in a register or a memory. Thus, it is possible to hold these by adjusting the reference voltage. That is, as shown in FIG. 21, the circuit unit 30 includes a CV conversion circuit 21, a shield drive circuit 24, a reference voltage adjustment circuit 40, and a subtraction circuit 31.

  The reference voltage adjustment circuit 40 is for adjusting the output of the CV conversion circuit 21 to the reference potential at the time of initial capacitance measurement of the first and second initial capacitances as described above. , A comparator 41, a control circuit 42, a register 43, a D / A converter 44, and an adjustment unit 45. Since these configurations, operations, and the like are also the same as those described in the above-described embodiment, description thereof is omitted here.

  The output of the first and second initial capacitors is set as a reference voltage by the reference voltage adjustment circuit 40, and the output of the CV conversion circuit 21 thus set to the reference voltage is applied to, for example, the positive side input terminal of the subtraction circuit 31. The reference voltage RV is input to the negative input terminal, the output is subtracted by the reference voltage RV, and the first and second initial capacities are subtracted. Similarly, the human body (adult 48) is within the detection range Z. It is possible to determine whether or not, and if so, how long the distance is.

  As described above, according to the vehicle door opening and closing apparatus according to the above-described embodiment, the capacitance sensor units 10 and 20 are within the detection range Z on the sensor electrode 11 set to a predetermined height. It is possible to determine whether or not there is a human body (adult 48 or child 49) outside each door 2 or 3 (that is, it is an adult 48 when detected, or a child 49 when not detected). .

  Then, based on the determination result, when detecting the human body (adult 48), the door ECU 50 eliminates the opening / closing operation restriction of the doors 2 and 3, and does not detect the human body (adult 48) (that is, the child 49). In this case, the opening and closing operations of the doors 2 and 3 from the outside are restricted. In this way, when the human body (adult 48) actually operates the door handles 4 and 5 in front of the doors 2 and 3, the doors 2 and 3 can be opened and closed in the vehicle 1. At the same time, when the child 49 is operated from the outside, it is possible to prevent the doors 2 and 3 from being opened and closed carelessly.

  Although the vehicle door opening and closing device according to the above-described embodiment has been described as detecting a human body existing outside the doors 2 and 3 of the vehicle 1, other detection is performed in synchronization with the smart entry system of the vehicle 1. The presence / absence of a human body (adult 48 or child 49) within the range Z may be determined, and the opening / closing operation of each door 2, 3 may be controlled based on the determination result.

  Further, the doors 2 and 3 of the vehicle 1 may be electric sliding doors, hatchback doors, or the like other than laterally opening doors. Further, each of the capacitance sensor units 10 and 20 may be in a mode in which only one of them is arranged, and preferably at least arranged in the rear side door 3.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle 2 Front side door 3 Rear side door 4 Door handle 5 Door handle 10 1st electrostatic capacitance sensor part 11 Sensor electrode 12 Shield electrode 13 Auxiliary electrode 13A Auxiliary electrode 19 Dummy electrode 20 2nd electrostatic capacitance sensor part 21 CV Conversion circuit 22 A / D converter 23 CPU
24 Shield Drive Circuit 25 Judgment Circuit 26 Initial Capacity Storage Device 27 Switch Control Circuit 28 Buffer 30 Circuit Unit 31 Subtraction Circuit 40 Reference Voltage Adjustment Circuit 41 Comparator 42 Control Circuit 43 Register 44 D / A Converter 45 Adjustment Unit 48 Adult 49 Child 50 Door ECU
60 Alarm device 70 Door lock mechanism 80 Door motor

Claims (14)

At least one sensor electrode provided at a predetermined height so that a detection surface exists toward the outside of a vehicle door provided in the vehicle;
An auxiliary electrode provided in the vicinity of the sensor electrode;
A detection circuit connected to at least the sensor electrode and detecting a capacitance value based on a capacitance from the connected electrode;
A changeover switch capable of selectively switching between a first connection state in which the auxiliary electrode is not connected to the detection circuit and a second connection state in which the auxiliary electrode is connected to the detection circuit;
A comparison value comparing a first capacitance value from the detection circuit in the first connection state with a second capacitance value from the detection circuit in the second connection state; and the first Determining means for determining whether or not a human body existing outside the vehicle door is within a detection range on the sensor electrode based on the first or second capacitance value;
The vehicle door opening / closing apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls an opening / closing operation of the vehicle door according to a determination result from the determination unit. The vehicle door opening and closing device according to claim 1, wherein the change-over switch is configured to be able to open, ground, or connect the auxiliary electrode to a predetermined potential in the first connection state. A shield driving circuit for applying a potential equal to that of the sensor electrode to the auxiliary electrode;
The vehicle door opening and closing device according to claim 1, wherein the change-over switch is configured to be able to connect the auxiliary electrode to the shield drive circuit in the first connection state. At least one sensor electrode provided at a predetermined height so that a detection surface exists toward the outside of a vehicle door provided in the vehicle;
An auxiliary electrode provided in the vicinity of the sensor electrode;
A detection circuit for detecting a capacitance value based on a capacitance from the sensor electrode;
A shield drive circuit for applying a potential equal to that of the sensor electrode to the auxiliary electrode;
A changeover switch capable of selectively switching between a first connection state in which the auxiliary electrode is connected to the shield drive circuit and a second connection state in which the auxiliary electrode is opened, grounded or connected to a predetermined potential;
A comparison value comparing a first capacitance value from the detection circuit in the first connection state with a second capacitance value from the detection circuit in the second connection state; and the first Determining means for determining whether or not a human body existing outside the vehicle door is within a detection range on the sensor electrode based on the first or second capacitance value;
The vehicle door opening / closing apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls an opening / closing operation of the vehicle door according to a determination result from the determination unit. At least one sensor electrode provided at a predetermined height so that a detection surface exists toward the outside of a vehicle door provided in the vehicle;
An auxiliary electrode provided in the vicinity of the sensor electrode;
A detection circuit for detecting a capacitance value based on the capacitance from the connected electrodes;
A first changeover switch capable of selectively switching between a first connection state in which the sensor electrode is connected to the detection circuit and a second connection state in which the sensor electrode is not connected to the detection circuit;
When the sensor electrode is in the first connection state, the auxiliary electrode is not connected to the detection circuit, and when the first changeover switch is in the second connection state, the auxiliary electrode is connected to the detection circuit. A switchable second changeover switch,
A comparison value comparing the first capacitance value from the detection circuit in the case of the first connection state and the second capacitance value from the detection circuit in the case of the second connection state. Determining means for determining whether or not a human body existing outside the vehicle door is within a detection range on the sensor electrode based on the first or second capacitance value;
The vehicle door opening / closing apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls an opening / closing operation of the vehicle door according to a determination result from the determination unit. The first changeover switch is configured to be able to open the sensor electrode, connect to ground or a predetermined potential in the second connection state,
The vehicle door opening and closing device according to claim 5, wherein the second change-over switch is configured to be able to open, ground or connect the auxiliary electrode to a predetermined potential in the first connection state. . A shield driving circuit for giving the auxiliary electrode the same potential as the sensor electrode, or giving the sensor electrode the same potential as the auxiliary electrode,
The first changeover switch is configured to connect the sensor electrode to the shield drive circuit in the second connection state,
The vehicle door opening and closing device according to claim 5, wherein the second change-over switch is configured to be able to open, ground or connect the auxiliary electrode to a predetermined potential in the first connection state. . A shield driving circuit for applying a potential equal to that of the sensor electrode to the auxiliary electrode;
The first changeover switch is configured to be able to open the auxiliary electrode in the second connection state, connect to ground or a predetermined potential,
The vehicle door opening and closing device according to claim 5, wherein the second changeover switch is configured to be able to connect the auxiliary electrode to the shield drive circuit in the first connection state. A shield driving circuit for applying a potential equal to that of the auxiliary electrode to the sensor electrode;
The first changeover switch is configured to connect the auxiliary electrode to the shield drive circuit in the second connection state,
The vehicle door opening and closing device according to claim 5, wherein the second change-over switch is configured to be able to open, ground or connect the auxiliary electrode to a predetermined potential in the first connection state. . The sensor electrode is provided in a region near the door handle including the door handle of the vehicle door,
The vehicle door opening and closing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the auxiliary electrode is disposed so as to surround the sensor electrode. An input means for receiving an instruction to open and close the vehicle door;
The vehicle door opening / closing device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the control means controls the opening / closing operation according to the determination result and an opening / closing operation instruction received by the input means. . When the determination means determines that the human body outside the vehicle door is not within the detection range on the sensor electrode, the control means receives an instruction to open the vehicle door by the input means. 12. The vehicle door opening and closing device according to claim 11, wherein the door is locked so that the vehicle door does not open. A notification means for notifying that the vehicle door cannot be opened;
When the determination means determines that the human body outside the vehicle door is not within the detection range on the sensor electrode, the control means receives an instruction to open the vehicle door by the input means. 13. The vehicle door opening and closing device according to claim 11, wherein the door is locked so that the vehicle door does not open, and the alarm is notified by controlling the notification means. The control means forces the input means to force the vehicle door even when the determination means determines that the human body outside the vehicle door is not within the detection range on the sensor electrode. The vehicle according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein when a special opening / closing operation instruction that is an opening operation instruction is received, the door lock is released so that the vehicle door can be opened. Door opening and closing device.

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