JP2000225894A - Control device for remote control mirror - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To tilt the mirror angle of a rear view mirror in upward/downward direction in association with a shift operation to the reverse gear, and to tilt the mirror angle in left/light direction in association with a blinker operation. SOLUTION: This device is provided with an input processing circuit 7 having delay times for rising and falling, and generating a continuous signal according to the loading time of a reverse signal 5 or a blinker signal 6 when these signals are entered. When an output signal from the input processing circuit 7 turns on, the operation of an outward timer 8 provides a drive signal to a drive circuit 14 to drive vertical motor 16 or a horizontal motor 17 for a specified period. When the signal from the input processing circuit 7 turns off, the operation of an inward timer 9 provides a drive signal to the drive circuit 14 to drive the vertical motor 16 or the horizontal motor 17 for a specified period.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a remote control mirror control device for controlling a tilt angle of a rearview mirror such as a vehicle door mirror or a fender mirror by remote control operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, vehicles such as passenger cars, wagons, and trucks are equipped with rearview mirrors such as door mirrors and fender mirrors in order to confirm the safety behind. Such a rearview mirror is provided with an actuator for angle adjustment using a remote controller so that the mirror surface angle can be set to a position suitable for the driver, and the driver preferably controls the mirror surface angle by operating the remote controller in the driver's seat. Can be set to any position.

Also, when the vehicle is moved backward, for example, when entering a garage, it is desirable that the driver can view the vicinity of the rear wheel of the vehicle. However, in the angle adjusting actuator described above, a human must operate each time in order to tilt the mirror surface angle downward and bring the vicinity of the rear wheel into the field of view, and also when returning to the original angle. However, there is a disadvantage that the convenience is poor because it is necessary to perform the operation.

In view of the above, when it is desired to view the vicinity of the rear wheel portion of a vehicle, for example, when a vehicle is put in a garage, a variable angle mechanism is mounted on the back side of the mirror surface separately from the angle adjusting actuator. A mirror that can be tilted to this position by one-touch operation and automatically returned to the original position when the garage is completed has been devised and is in practical use.

As such a device, a device described in, for example, a CD-ROM of Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 4-95846 (hereinafter referred to as Conventional Example 1) has been known. In the conventional example 1, when it is detected that the automatic shift lever has been put into the reverse gear, this detection signal
Automatically tilts the rearview mirror downward so that the area near the rear wheel of the vehicle is in view, and when the reverse gear is released, it can return to the original angle. Have been. Further, when the reverse gear setting is detected instantaneously, for example, when the reverse gear of the shift lever is passed (for example, when switching from parking to driving), the mirror angle is tilted downward in response to this. A delay timer circuit is provided to prevent such a situation.

[0006] On the other hand, for example, when entering a highway while driving a vehicle, it is desired to widen the view range on the right rear side for safety confirmation. However, it is extremely difficult to change the angle of view of the mirror surface by adjusting the angle adjusting actuator when entering a highway. For example, a conventional microfilm disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 58-29540 (hereinafter referred to as Conventional Example 2) has been proposed. ),
2. Description of the Related Art There is known a device in which a signal when a turn signal switch is turned on is detected, and a mirror surface angle of a rearview mirror is automatically inclined in the left-right direction.

That is, in the device described in the prior art example 2, when the operation signal of the turn signal is inputted, the right rear mirror surface is automatically inclined outward, so that the right rear view range can be expanded. Therefore, the safety at the time of entering the expressway can be improved, and when the turn signal is turned off, the mirror angle can be automatically returned to the original position.

However, the one described in the above-mentioned prior art example 1 tilts the mirror surface of the rear-view mirror in the vertical direction when the vehicle retreats.
The mirror surface is tilted in the left-right direction in conjunction with the operation signal of the turn signal, and a control circuit that can be commonly used for both is not yet realized. In other words, the mirror tilting mechanism as described above is often required to be retrofitted after the vehicle is purchased, rather than being provided in advance when the vehicle is delivered.
In this case, a tilting mechanism for tilting the mirror surface in the vertical direction and a tilting mechanism for tilting the mirror surface in the left and right direction have to be prepared, and there has been an increasing demand for somehow sharing the mirror surface.

Furthermore, the resistance when the mirror surface is tilted is different between the case where the mirror surface is tilted downward and the case where the mirror surface is tilted upward due to the influence of the sliding torque and the gravity. At the set time, there is a disadvantage that a difference occurs in the operation speed between the forward path (the direction of tilting) and the return path (the direction of returning), and an error occurs in the inclination angle at the time of the return. The same can be said for the case where the mirror surface is inclined to the left and the case where the mirror surface is inclined to the right.

Further, when the ambient temperature changes, the hardening of grease and the characteristics of electronic components (resistors and capacitors) for setting the timer are affected, and the operation amount when the mirror surface is tilted is shifted. In addition, since the voltage of the battery used as the DC power supply is constantly fluctuating, there is a disadvantage that the accuracy of the mirror surface recovery is reduced due to the voltage difference during operation.

[0011]

As described above, in the conventional remote control mirror control device, the mirror surface angle of the rearview mirror is automatically inclined downward by detecting that the shift lever has been put into reverse. A device has been devised. On the other hand, a device has been devised in which the operation of the turn signal is detected and the mirror surface angle is inclined to the right. However, there is no control device that can be used in common for both. Further, in the conventional control device for a remote control mirror, the operation fluctuates due to an atmosphere such as an ambient temperature, and there has been a disadvantage that a stable operation cannot be performed.

The present invention has been made to solve such a conventional problem, and an object thereof is to incline the mirror surface angle in the vertical direction according to the on / off of the reverse gear, or It is an object of the present invention to provide a control device for a remote control mirror capable of tilting the mirror surface angle in the left-right direction in accordance with turning on / off of a turn signal and further accurately returning the tilt angle to the original tilt angle.

[0013]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 of the present application has a mirror surface, and a vertical tilting mechanism on the back side of the mirror surface capable of tilting the mirror surface up and down. And a horizontal tilting mechanism capable of tilting the mirror surface in the left-right direction is provided, and by controlling the vertical tilting mechanism and the horizontal tilting mechanism, a controller for controlling a remote control mirror capable of setting a mirror angle to a desired angle is provided. A drive circuit that applies a drive voltage to the vertical tilt mechanism or the horizontal tilt mechanism for a fixed time to tilt and return to a desired angle, a timer circuit that sets an output time of the drive voltage by the drive circuit, and a predetermined rise delay time And an input processing circuit having a fall delay time and receiving a control signal from the vehicle and outputting a drive signal to the timer circuit when the control signal is supplied from the vehicle. There is a feature.

Further, the invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the operation signal is either a signal in which a shift lever of a vehicle is set to a reverse gear or a signal in which a blinker is blinking. The invention according to claim 3 is
The timer circuit includes a first timer for setting a time for tilting the mirror surface in one direction and a second timer for setting a time for tilting the mirror surface in the other direction.

The invention according to a fourth aspect is characterized in that the first timer and the second timer include a temperature correcting means for correcting a change in a set time due to a temperature change. The invention according to claim 5 includes a constant voltage circuit disposed between a DC power supply mounted on a vehicle and the drive circuit, for maintaining a constant power supply voltage supplied to the drive circuit. It is characterized by.

According to the present invention constructed as described above, when this control circuit is used for interlocking with the shift lever, the first timer is operated when the shift lever is put into the reverse gear, and the vertical tilt mechanism is operated. Can be driven to tilt the mirror surface of the rearview mirror downward. When the shift lever is changed from the reverse gear to another gear, the second timer operates and the vertical tilting mechanism is driven in the opposite direction to return the mirror angle to the original position. Thus, when the vehicle is put in a garage, the vicinity of the rear wheel portion of the vehicle can be easily put into the field of view of the rearview mirror by putting the shift lever into the reverse gear, and safety can be improved. In addition, since the input processing circuit has a rise delay time, when the shift lever is operated to instantaneously pass the reverse gear, the vertical tilt mechanism does not operate in response to this. .

On the other hand, when the blinker signal is used for linking the blinker, when the blinker is turned on, the blinking signal can be converted into a continuous signal by the fall delay time of the input processing circuit. At this point, the first timer operates to drive the horizontal tilting mechanism to tilt the mirror surface of the rearview mirror to the right. When the continuous signal is turned off, the second timer operates, and the horizontal tilting mechanism is driven in the opposite direction to return the mirror angle to the original position. Thus, for example, when entering a highway, the mirror surface angle of the rearview mirror can be tilted outward in conjunction with the turn signal operation, so that rear visibility can be improved.

Further, since a temperature correcting means for correcting the set time of the first timer and the second timer is provided, it is possible to reduce the deviation of the operation due to the surrounding environment. Further, the provision of the constant voltage circuit enables the operation at a constant voltage without being affected by the fluctuation of the battery voltage.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a remote control mirror control device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the control device 1 includes a constant voltage circuit 3 that obtains a driving constant voltage from a DC voltage supplied from a battery 2 (DC power source) mounted on a vehicle;
A stabilized power supply 4 for obtaining a constant voltage for control from a DC voltage supplied from the battery 2 and a signal (reverse signal 5) obtained when the shift lever mounted on the vehicle is put into reverse gear, or a turn signal When a blink signal (a blinker signal 6) generated when the switch is turned on is given, an input processing circuit 7 for generating a drive signal corresponding to the signal, a forward timer 8 (a first timer), Return timer 9 (second timer), and each of timers 8 and 9
Timer time setting units 10 and 11 for setting the operation time of
, The temperature correction units 12 and 13, and the vertical motor 16 for the time set by the forward timer 8 or the backward timer 9.
(Vertical tilting mechanism) or a driving circuit 14 for applying a driving voltage to a horizontal motor 17 (horizontal tilting mechanism), and a vertical motor 1 linked to a reverse signal 5 or a turn signal 6.
6 or an interlocking permission switch 19 for setting whether to operate the horizontal motor 17, and a switching unit 15 for switching between automatic operation and manual operation according to the setting state of the interlocking permission switch 19. . The control circuit of the remote control mirror according to the present embodiment can be used for both reverse gear interlocking and turn signal interlocking.

The forward path timer 8 is a timer that keeps the ON state for the time T1 set by the timer time setting unit 10, and is used to control the motor (vertical motor 16 or horizontal motor 16) when tilting the mirror angle to a desired position. The drive time of the motor 17) is determined.

The homeward timer 9 is a timer that keeps the ON state for the time T2 set by the timer time setting unit 11, and returns the mirror tilted to a predetermined angle to the original angle by the activation of the homeward timer 8. Required for the operation of the motor.

The temperature compensating units 12 and 13 are circuits for reducing the deviation of the timer time set by the timer time setting units 10 and 11 due to a change in temperature. The temperature compensating units 12 and 13 are temperature-sensitive temperature control elements (for example, PTC). Thermistor, NTC thermistor). The drive circuit 14 controls the vertical motor 16 or the horizontal motor 1 according to a drive signal given from the forward timer 8 or the backward timer 9.
7 is to rotate forward or reverse.

The interlocking permission switch 19 outputs the reverse signal 5
Or a switch for switching “interlocking” or “non-interlocking” with respect to the turn signal 6
In this case, the reverse interlock and the turn signal interlock are not performed. In this case, the mirror surface angle can be adjusted to an arbitrary angle by operating the mirror switch 18. When "linked", the mirror surface can be adjusted at an arbitrary angle by operating the mirror switch 18, and the mirror surface is tilted in conjunction with the reverse signal 5 or the turn signal 6.

Although not shown, the vertical motor 16 tilts the mirror up and down by moving a pivot installed at an appropriate position on a vertical axis on the back surface of the mirror back and forth. The horizontal motor 17 tilts the mirror in the left-right direction by moving a pivot installed at an appropriate position on a horizontal axis on the back side of the mirror.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific circuit configuration of the input processing circuit 7, and includes a diode D1, a resistor R1,
R2 and a capacitor C1. A connection point P between the resistor R2 and the capacitor C1 is a point from which an output signal is extracted.

Next, the operation of the control device of the remote control mirror according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to the timing charts shown in FIGS. Now, when the control device of the remote control mirror is used for interlocking with the shift lever, and the interlock permission switch 19 is set to "interlock", when the driver puts the shift lever into the reverse gear, as shown in FIG. In the input processing circuit 7,
As shown in FIG. 3 (a), it rises at time t1 (reverse gear engagement time) and time t2 (reverse gear release time).
Thus, a falling rectangular signal (reverse signal 5) is obtained.

The potential at the output point P shown in FIG. 2 gradually rises with a time constant determined by the resistance value of the resistor R2 and the capacitance of the capacitor C1.
As shown in (b), it rises smoothly from time t1, exceeds the threshold level L1 at time t3, and reaches the maximum value. Thereafter, when the reverse signal 5 falls at time t2, the electric charge charged in the capacitor C1 becomes equal to the resistance R
2. Since the discharge is gradually performed via R1, the potential at the output point P decreases from time t2, and falls below the threshold level L1 at time t4.

Therefore, the input processing circuit 7 operates at times t3 to t3.
Only during the period 4, the signal is output to the forward timer 8 and the backward timer 9, and the forward timer 8 is tilted to the drive circuit 14 for a predetermined time T1 from time t3 as shown in FIG. Is output, and the return timer 9 is output.
Is a predetermined time T2 from time t4 as shown in FIG.
Only, a signal for return is output to the drive circuit 14.

Since the switching unit 15 is set so as to output the drive voltage from the drive circuit 14 to the vertical motor 16, the drive circuit 14 receives the signals supplied from the forward timer 8 and the backward timer 9 The driving voltage is supplied to the vertical motor 16 in accordance with. That is, the outward timer 8
(Time T1), the vertical motor 16 is rotated in the forward direction to tilt the mirror surface of the rearview mirror downward, and when the signal is supplied from the return timer 9 (time T1). At T2), the mirror is returned to the original position by rotating the vertical motor 16 in the reverse direction.

In this manner, the mirror surface of the rearview mirror is set to be inclined downward so that the driver can view the vicinity of the rear wheel of the vehicle in conjunction with the operation of the driver shifting the shift lever to the reverse gear. Therefore, it is possible to easily confirm the safety at the time of entering the garage or the like, and when the reverse gear is released, it returns to the original position in conjunction with the reverse gear, so that the operability can be improved.

When an operation for temporarily passing the reverse gear position is performed, such as when the shift lever is moved from the parking position to the drive position, as shown in FIG. As a result, a pulse-like waveform is generated. However, as described with reference to FIG. 2, since the output signal of the input processing circuit 7 has a waveform that rises with a constant time constant with respect to the input signal, a pulse-like waveform as shown in FIG. However, the threshold level L1 is not reached, so that no signal is output from the input processing circuit 7 and the drive circuit 14 does not operate. That is,
By operating the shift lever to pass through the reverse gear, the mirror does not tilt and malfunction can be prevented.

On the other hand, when the control device of the remote control mirror is used for blinker interlocking, when the driver operates the blinker, a blinker signal 6 (flashing signal) as shown in FIG. 7 is supplied.
Then, as already described based on the circuit diagram of FIG.
The input processing circuit 7 rises with a fixed time constant with respect to the rise of the winker signal 6, and
2 has the characteristic of gradually decreasing with respect to the fall of the signal, the potential at the output point P in FIG. 2 becomes as shown in FIG. 4B. Once the potential exceeds the threshold level L1, this potential is maintained until the turn signal stops. State will be maintained.

Therefore, the output point P of the input processing circuit 7 (FIG. 2)
The drive signal is output from the input processing circuit 7 from the time t11 at which the potential of the input processing circuit (see FIG. 3) exceeds the threshold level L1 to the time t12 at which the potential of the input processing circuit 7 falls below the threshold level L1.
The forward timer 8 and the return timer 9 are shown in FIG.
Signals as shown in (c) and (d) are output to the drive circuit 14.

Since the switching section 15 is connected to the horizontal motor 17, the signal output from the drive circuit 14 is given to the horizontal motor 17. That is, the horizontal motor 17 rotates in the forward direction to incline the mirror surface of the rear-view mirror outwardly for the time T1 during which the forward timer 8 is on, and the time T2 during which the backward timer 9 is on. Only the horizontal motor 17 rotates in the reverse direction to return the mirror surface inclined outward to the original position.

In this way, when the driver operates the turn signal, the mirror surface of the rearview mirror is automatically tilted outward to widen the rear view, so that when the vehicle enters the expressway, the rear visibility is improved. And can be
Safety can be improved.

As described above, the control device of the remote control mirror according to the present embodiment can be used in both cases of interlocking the shift lever and the turn signal. The mirror surface can be tilted up and down in conjunction with the operation of shifting the shift lever to the reverse gear, so that when the vehicle is moved backward, the vicinity of the rear wheel of the vehicle can be visually recognized. On the other hand,
In the case of turn signal interlocking, the mirror surface can be tilted to the left and right in conjunction with the turn signal operation, so when entering an expressway, etc., the rear view range can be expanded, so safety is improved. Can be dramatically improved. Further, since the above two functions are achieved by the same control circuit, it is extremely useful when retrofitting a vehicle already delivered.

A forward timer 8 for setting an operation time when the angle of the mirror surface is tilted to a desired position, and a return time for setting an operation time for returning the angle of the tilted mirror surface to the original position. Since each of the timers 9 is separately provided, it is possible to correct a deviation due to a difference in operating conditions between the forward path and the return path (sliding torque, influence of gravity, etc.).

Further, the DC voltage obtained from the battery 2 is maintained at a constant voltage value by the constant voltage circuit 3, so that the driving voltage for driving the vertical motor 16 and the horizontal motor 17 becomes constant. Since the control voltage is stabilized by the stabilizing power supply 4, it is not affected by the voltage fluctuation of the battery 2.

Further, since the temperature compensating units 12 and 13 compensate for the fluctuation of the time set by the timer time setting units 10 and 11 due to the ambient temperature, the change in the resistance value due to the ambient temperature change and the static electricity of the capacitor. Even if a change in the capacity or the like occurs, the timer time can be kept substantially constant, and the vertical motor 16 and the horizontal motor 17 can be operated with high accuracy.

[0040]

As described above, in the control device of the remote control mirror according to the present invention, the function of tilting the mirror surface of the rearview mirror in the vertical direction in conjunction with the reverse gear and the function of moving the mirror surface in the horizontal direction in conjunction with the turn signal operation are provided. Since the same control circuit achieves the tilting function, it can be used either in the case of use for reverse gear interlocking or in the case of use for turn signal interlocking. Therefore, it is extremely useful when retrofitting a vehicle already delivered.

Further, since the input processing circuit has a rise delay time, for example, even when an instantaneous input signal to the reverse gear is obtained, the mirror surface angle is not tilted in response to this signal. , Malfunction can be prevented. In addition, since the input processing circuit has a fall delay time, when a blinker blink signal is obtained, it is possible to obtain a signal that continues only for the blinking time, thereby reducing the mirror angle. Can be tilted.

Further, a first timer (outgoing timer)
And a second timer (return timer).
Since the timer time can be set individually for each, even if there are differences in sliding torque, gravity, etc. when tilting the mirror surface in the forward direction and the return direction, by adjusting the setting time of each timer Thus, the mirror surface can be reliably tilted to a predetermined angle, and the mirror surface can be reliably returned to the original angle.

Further, by using the temperature correcting means, the set time of the first timer and the set time of the second timer can always be kept substantially constant regardless of the ambient temperature. Accuracy can be improved. Further, by providing the constant voltage circuit, even if the voltage of the battery mounted on the vehicle fluctuates, the mirror surface angle can be reliably inclined without being affected by the fluctuation. it can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a control device of a remote control mirror according to an embodiment of the present invention and peripheral devices thereof.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a specific circuit configuration of an input processing circuit.

FIG. 3 shows a state in which the shift lever is put into the reverse gear.
6 is a timing chart showing each waveform, wherein (a),
(E) is a reverse signal, (b) and (f) are output signals of an input processing circuit, (c) is an output signal of a forward timer,
(D) shows the output signal of the homeward timer.

4A and 4B are timing charts showing respective waveforms when a turn signal is turned on. FIG.
(B) is the output signal of the input processing circuit, (c) is the output signal of the forward timer, (d) is the output signal of the return timer,
Is shown.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Remote control mirror control device 2 Battery 3 Constant voltage circuit 4 Stabilized power supply 5 Reverse signal 6 Turn signal 7 Input processing circuit 8 Forward timer (first timer) 9 Return timer (second timer) 10, 11 timer Time setting unit 12, 13 Temperature correction unit 14 Drive circuit 15 Switching unit (switching means) 16 Vertical motor (vertical tilting mechanism) 17 Horizontal motor (horizontal tilting mechanism) 18 Mirror switch 19 Interlocking permission switch

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A vertical tilt mechanism having a mirror surface and capable of tilting the mirror surface in the vertical direction and a horizontal tilt mechanism capable of tilting the mirror surface in the left and right direction are disposed on the back side of the mirror surface. A control device for controlling a remote control mirror capable of setting a mirror angle to a desired angle by adjusting a mechanism and a horizontal tilting mechanism, wherein a drive voltage is applied to the vertical tilting mechanism or the horizontal tilting mechanism for a predetermined time to adjust a desired angle. A driving circuit for tilting and returning, a timer circuit for setting an output time of a driving voltage by the driving circuit, having a predetermined rising delay time and a falling delay time, and when an operation signal from the vehicle is given, An input processing circuit for receiving the operation signal and outputting a drive signal to the timer circuit, comprising: a remote control mirror control device. 2. The remote control mirror control device according to claim 1, wherein the operation signal is one of a signal in which a shift lever of the vehicle is set to a reverse gear and a signal in which a blinker is turned on and off. . 3. The timer circuit comprises: a first timer for setting a time for tilting the mirror surface in one direction, and a second timer for setting a time for tilting the mirror surface in the other direction. The control device for a remote control mirror according to claim 1, wherein: 4. The remote control mirror control device according to claim 3, wherein the first timer and the second timer include a temperature correction unit for correcting a change in a set time due to a temperature change. 5. A constant voltage circuit disposed between a DC power supply mounted on a vehicle and the drive circuit for maintaining a constant power supply voltage to be supplied to the drive circuit. The control device for a remote control mirror according to claim 1.