JP2003097123A - Door unlocking system for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a door unlocking system for a vehicle unlocking a door lock automatically when the vehicle collides and preventing improper operation accompanied with temporary cutting-off of power supply generated when the vehicle collides without storing the collision of the vehicle in an exclusive storage circuit. SOLUTION: A collision detection signal outputted from an air bag ECU 4 is added to a door lock ECU 2 and is also inputted into an alarm device 6 provided with a built-in battery 6d. An alarm device 6 stores the collision when it receives the collision detection signal and outputs a stored collision signal to the door lock ECU 2. A door lock ECU 2 unlocks the door lock automatically when it receives at least either of the collision detection signal or the collision storage signal. As a result, even if the power to the door lock ECU 2 is temporarily shut off due to a shock generated when the vehicle collides, the door lock ECU 2 can unlock a door by the collision storage signal from the alarm device 6 after it is restarted.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle door unlock system for automatically unlocking a door lock in the event of a vehicle collision or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 5-59855.
As described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2004-242242, a vehicle collision is detected by utilizing an airbag system or the like, and at the time of a vehicle collision, a door lock actuator is driven to automatically unlock (unlock) the door lock. Unlock systems are known.

Further, in this type of system, generally, a collision detection signal from a collision detection sensor (acceleration sensor or the like) incorporated in an airbag system or the like is used to lock a door.
By inputting into a control device (door lock ECU) that controls unlocking, the door lock ECU automatically unlocks (unlocks) the door lock in the event of a vehicle collision.

However, in the event of a vehicle collision, the power supply path from the on-vehicle battery to the door lock ECU may be temporarily interrupted by the shock generated in the vehicle body. In this case, the door lock ECU functions normally. In some cases, it became impossible to unlock (unlock) the door in the event of a vehicle collision.

That is, the door lock EC is caused by the collision of the vehicle.
If the power supply to U is temporarily cut off, the door lock E
The CU is temporarily stopped and then restarted by restarting the power supply. Therefore, even if a collision detection signal is output from the collision detection sensor during a vehicle collision, the door lock ECU is restarted. After that, the collision detection signal disappears and the door lock ECU cannot unlock (unlock) the door.

On the other hand, in order to solve such a problem, conventionally, when a collision detection signal is output from the collision detection sensor, the fact that the vehicle has collided is stored in a memory circuit provided in the door lock ECU. Therefore, even if the door lock ECU is restarted due to the collision of the vehicle, it is possible to detect the collision of the vehicle from the memory circuit and surely release the door lock.

[0007]

However, the storage circuit described above has an input signal (in this case, a collision detection signal from a collision detection sensor) as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-255261. Since the input signal is stored (held) in the capacitor by charging the capacitor in the above, there is a problem that the door lock ECU becomes large in size.

That is, in the vehicle door unlock system, after the collision of the vehicle, the power supply path to the door lock ECU is temporarily cut off, the path is restored to the conductive state, and the door lock ECU is restarted. Until the door lock ECU returns to normal operation, it is necessary to continue to input a collision storage signal indicating that the vehicle has collided from the storage circuit to the door lock ECU. For this purpose, it is necessary to make the holding time of the input signal by the capacitor as long as possible, and for this purpose, the capacitance of the capacitor must be increased.

However, if the capacity of the capacitor is increased, the physical size of the memory circuit is increased, and as a result, the size of the door lock ECU is increased. In addition, a storage circuit using such a capacitor is a door lock E
There is a case where it cannot be incorporated in the door lock ECU due to a space problem of the CU.

Since the storage circuit stores (holds) the input signal by charging the capacitor, the larger the capacitance of the capacitor, the longer the time required to store the input signal. . Therefore, in the above measures, the door lock ECU is not operated after the collision of the vehicle.
The input signal cannot be stored in the storage circuit (in other words, the capacitor cannot be sufficiently charged) until the power supply to the door lock E is cut off. As a result, the door lock E
It is possible that the door lock cannot be released after the CU is restarted.

In the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-59855, in order to prevent the door unlocking system from stopping its operation due to the disconnection of the power supply path, a standby power source incorporated in the airbag system is used. It is disclosed that power is supplied to a door unlock system (in other words, a door lock ECU or a door lock actuator).
The backup power supply incorporated in the airbag system is for operating (inflating) the airbag in the event of a vehicle collision, and if power is also supplied to the door unlock system during a vehicle collision, the airbag will operate. This may not be possible for safety reasons because it may affect

The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and in a vehicle door unlock system for automatically unlocking a door when a vehicle collides, a dedicated memory incorporated in a door unlock control device. An object of the present invention is to prevent a malfunction due to a temporary cutoff of a power supply which occurs at the time of a collision without storing a vehicle collision in a circuit.

[0013]

In the vehicle door unlock system according to claim 1, which is made to achieve the above object, the collision detection means detects a collision of the vehicle and outputs a collision detection signal. The collision storage means stores that fact and then outputs a collision storage signal indicating that the vehicle has collided for a predetermined time or longer.

Therefore, the door unlocking means for releasing the door lock upon receiving the collision memory signal, even if the power supply from the vehicle-mounted battery is temporarily cut off due to the impact generated on the vehicle body, the power is not supplied thereafter. When it is restarted and restarted, the door lock can be released according to the collision memory signal output from the collision memory means.

Further, in the present invention, the collision storage means is
It is incorporated in an alarm device configured to be operated by a built-in battery when the power supply from the vehicle-mounted battery is cut off, and is realized as one function of this alarm device. Therefore, according to the present invention, the function as the collision storage means can be realized without using a dedicated storage circuit (capacitor or the like) built in the door unlock means as in the conventional system described above. Further, since it is not necessary to incorporate a memory circuit in the control device (door lock ECU or the like) having a function as door unlock means, it is possible to reduce the size and cost of the vehicle door unlock system.

Further, the alarm device which realizes the function as the collision storage means is to issue an alarm when the vehicle is illegally operated, and it is necessary to release the door lock due to the collision of the vehicle during traveling. Since the alarm generation function by the alarm device is canceled at some time, even if the alarm device is used for the door unlock system as in the present invention, the original function of the alarm device is not impaired, and It can be effectively used.

The collision storage means temporarily shuts off the power supply from the vehicle-mounted battery to the door unlock means due to the impact generated on the vehicle body at the time of the vehicle collision, and then the path is returned to the conductive state to unlock the door. When the means returns to normal operation (restarts), the collision memory signal can be input to the door unlock means,
The time period (predetermined time period) during which the collision memory unit continues to output the collision memory signal is the time period during which the power supply from the vehicle-mounted battery to the door unlocking unit is interrupted due to the vehicle collision,
After the power is turned on, the time required for the door unlocking means to start and return to the normal operation may be experimentally obtained, and may be set to be equal to or longer than the sum of these times.

By the way, when the alarm device is provided with the function as the collision storage means as in the present invention, the collision detection signal is inputted to the alarm device from the collision detection means, and the alarm device side also receives the collision detection signal. The vehicle collision can be detected. Further, the alarm device has a function of issuing an alarm around the vehicle as an original function of the device.

Therefore, the alarm device may be configured to issue an alarm when a collision detection signal is received from the collision detection means, as described in claim 2. That is, in this way, the original function of the alarm device can be used (in other words, without significantly improving the alarm device from the conventional one), and the alarm device can notify the surroundings of a vehicle collision. Therefore, even if the door lock is released at the time of a vehicle collision, if the occupant cannot escape from the vehicle by himself / herself, the occupant can be rescued to the surroundings and the safety of the occupant can be improved.

On the other hand, the collision detection signal from the collision detection means may be input only to an alarm device having a function as collision storage means. In this case, the signal path of the collision detection signal from the collision detection means to the alarm device. If the vehicle is blocked by a vehicle collision, the door lock cannot be released by the door unlock means even when the door unlock means is operating normally.

Therefore, to ensure that the door lock can be released in the event of a vehicle collision, as described in claim 3, the door unlock means includes not only the collision storage signal output from the collision storage means. The collision detection signal generated by the collision detection means may be input, and the door unlocking means may be configured to unlock the door when at least one of the collision storage signal and the collision detection signal is input.

That is, in this way, when the door unlocking means is normally operating at the time of a vehicle collision, even if one of the input paths is blocked due to a vehicle collision,
The door lock can be reliably released. Further, in this case, if the input path from the collision detection means to the door unlock means is not interrupted, the door unlock means will unlock the door by the collision detection signal directly input from the collision detection means. Therefore, the response time from the collision of the vehicle to the unlocking of the door can be shortened as compared with the case where the door unlocking means is operated only by the collision storage signal output from the collision storage means. it can.

[0023]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a vehicle door unlock system of an embodiment to which the present invention is applied.

The vehicle door unlock system according to this embodiment includes a door lock ECU 2, an airbag ECU 4, and
The alarm device 6 is mainly configured. Airbag ECU
Reference numeral 4 detects an impact generated on the vehicle body at the time of a vehicle collision based on a detection signal (acceleration signal) from an acceleration sensor (G sensor) 26 that detects an acceleration in the vehicle front-rear direction, and activates (inflates) the airbag 28. It is well known, and outputs a collision detection signal to that effect to the door lock ECU 2 and the alarm device 6 in the event of a vehicle collision.
The G sensor 26 and the airbag ECU 4 correspond to the collision detection means of the present invention.

On the other hand, the door lock ECU 2 is for so-called keyless entry, and as a peripheral device, receives a radio wave in a predetermined frequency band transmitted from the outside of the vehicle, and converts the received signal into an electronic key dedicated to the vehicle. The wireless receiver 12 that demodulates the assigned ID code and the control code that indicates the command content such as door lock / unlock, is installed in the key cylinder provided in the door of each part of the vehicle, and the master key is inserted into this key cylinder. A key switch 14 that detects that a lock / unlock operation has been performed, a door switch 16 that is provided inside the vehicle compartment, and is used by a passenger to directly perform a door lock / unlock operation, and detects the vehicle speed. A vehicle speed sensor 18, a door lock actuator 22 for locking and unlocking the door, and the like are provided. It should be noted that the key switch 14, the door switch 16, and the door lock actuator 22 are respectively shown in FIG. 1, but in reality, since they are provided in a plurality of doors of the vehicle, a plurality of them exist.

Further, the door lock ECU 2 includes a CPU, R
Mainly composed of a microcomputer (hereinafter simply referred to as CPU) 2a composed of OM, RAM, etc.
2a is a wireless receiver 12, a key switch 14,
The door lock / unlock command signal input from the door switch 16 and the vehicle speed signal input from the vehicle speed sensor 18 are taken in via the input circuit 2b, and the door lock / unlock is performed based on the taken signal. Whether or not is required is determined, and a drive signal for door lock / unlock is output from the output circuit 2c to the door lock actuator 22 according to the determination result.

That is, the CPU 2a normally drives the door lock actuator 22 in accordance with the command signal for door lock / unlock input from the wireless receiver 12, the key switch 14, and the door switch 16 to output a command signal. When the vehicle travels when the vehicle speed obtained from the vehicle speed signal from the vehicle speed sensor 18 exceeds a predetermined speed, the door lock actuator 22 is driven to automatically lock all the doors of the vehicle. The well-known door lock control is executed.

Further, the door lock ECU 2 receives a collision detection signal output from the airbag ECU 4 and a collision memory signal described later output from the alarm device 6, and locks and unlocks the door with respect to the alarm device 6. An interface (I / I) for outputting information indicating the locked state and vehicle speed
F) 2d is provided.

When the CPU 2a receives the collision detection signal or the collision storage signal via the interface 2d, it drives the door lock actuator 22 to unlock all the doors of the vehicle. That is, the door lock ECU 2 performs the collision control process shown in FIG. 2A in parallel, in addition to the normal control process for performing the door lock / unlock based on the command signal and the vehicle speed signal input via the input circuit 2b. To run.

This collision control processing functions as the door unlocking means of the present invention. First, S11
At 0 (S represents a step), it is determined whether or not the collision detection signal is input from the airbag ECU 4, and if the collision detection signal is not input, the following S120 is performed.
It is judged whether or not the collision memory signal is inputted from the alarm device 6, and if the collision memory signal is not inputted, S is again inputted.
If it is determined that the collision detection signal is input in S110 or the collision storage signal is input in S120, the process proceeds to S130 and the door lock actuator 22 is operated. Is performed to unlock all the doors of the vehicle.

Next, the alarm device 6 informs the surroundings when the vehicle is illegally operated by a third party while the vehicle is parked, and like the door lock ECU 2, the CP 6
A microcomputer (CPU) 6a composed of U, ROM, RAM and the like is mainly configured.

The CPU 6a is a door lock ECU.
Output information from 2 (locked / unlocked state of the door, information indicating vehicle speed) and ON / OFF state of an ignition switch (not shown) are fetched through the interface (I / F) 6b, and based on the fetched information, If the vehicle is parked and the passenger is away from the vehicle, and if the vehicle is parked and the passenger is away from the vehicle, the alarm device 6
The warning mode is set as the operation mode of.

In this alert mode, the CPU 6a uses the interface 6b or an input circuit (not shown) to
When an intrusion detection signal is input from an intrusion sensor (not shown), the speaker 6c receives the intrusion detection signal.
The warning time control processing for generating an alarm sound from is executed.
The intrusion sensor is for detecting that someone has intruded into the vehicle illegally, and is composed of, for example, an ultrasonic sensor.

Further, the door lock ECU 2, the airbag E
The CU 4 and the alarm device 6 operate by receiving the supply of the battery voltage Vb from the battery (vehicle-mounted battery) 30 mounted on the vehicle, but the alarm device 6 includes the built-in battery 6d and is powered by the vehicle-mounted battery 30. When the supply is cut off, it is configured to operate by the electric power stored in the built-in battery 6d.

When the power supply from the vehicle-mounted battery 30 is cut off in the warning mode, the CPU 6a
It is determined that someone illegally removed the in-vehicle battery 30, and an alarm sound is generated from the speaker 6c. Also, CP
When the warning mode is not set as the operation mode of the alarm device 6 (in other words, when the alarm device 6 is in the non-warning mode), the U 6a executes the non-warning time control process shown in FIG. 2B. Run. This non-warning time control process functions as the collision storage means of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2B, when the alarm device 6 is in the non-alert mode, the CPU 6a controls the airbag ECU.
It is judged whether or not the collision detection signal is inputted from 4 (S2
10) If the collision detection signal is not input, the determination processing is executed again, and the monitoring processing for monitoring the vehicle collision is executed.

When it is determined in S210 that the collision detection signal has been input, it is determined that the vehicle has collided with an obstacle, and that effect is stored in the memory (RAM) (S22).
0), a collision memory signal output process of outputting a collision memory signal to the door lock ECU 2 is started (S230).

In this collision memory signal output process, the power supply path from the vehicle-mounted battery 30 to the door lock ECU 2 is temporarily cut off (in other words, a momentary disconnection) due to the impact generated at the time of the vehicle collision, and then the power supply path is disconnected. A process for continuously outputting the collision memory signal until the door lock ECU 2 executes the above-described control process at the time of collision so that the door lock ECU 2 can reliably unlock the door. Is. Therefore, this processing may be executed for a preset fixed time (for example, 30 seconds), or may be executed until the ignition switch is operated by a vehicle occupant or the like.

Further, when the collision memory signal output processing is started in S230, this time the processing proceeds to S240 and the notification sound generation processing for generating the notification sound indicating that the collision accident has occurred from the speaker 6c. It is activated and the process ends.
The notification sound generation process is a process for notifying the fact that the occupant cannot escape from the vehicle by himself / herself at the time of a vehicle collision and urging the occupant's rescue activity. Therefore, the notification sound generation process may be executed for a preset period of time, but more preferably, a predetermined position of the vehicle (for example, a position that can be operated when the door of the driver's seat is opened). It is advisable to provide a release switch in the and to execute the operation until the occupant or rescuer operates the release switch.

Further, the notification sound generated in this notification sound generation process may be the same as the warning sound for notifying the surroundings when the vehicle is tampered with, or this warning sound May be sounds having different frequencies, generation patterns, and the like. As described above, in the vehicle door unlock system of the present embodiment, when the vehicle collides, the airbag ECU 4 moves to the door lock ECU 2 and the alarm device 6.
Then, the collision detection signal is output, and the alarm device 6 side stores in the RAM that the vehicle has collided based on the collision detection signal, and then outputs the collision storage signal to the door lock ECU 2. On the door lock ECU 2 side, when a collision detection signal is input from the airbag ECU 4 or a collision storage signal is input from the alarm device 6, all doors of the vehicle are unlocked.

Therefore, in the vehicle door unlock system of this embodiment, the door lock ECU 2 is operated after the vehicle collision.
Is normally operating, the door lock ECU 2 promptly releases (unlocks) the door lock of the vehicle in accordance with the collision detection signal output from the airbag ECU 4, and conversely occurs at the time of vehicle collision. If the power supply path from the vehicle-mounted battery 30 to the door lock ECU 2 is temporarily cut off due to the impact, the door lock ECU 2
Will unlock (unlock) the door of the vehicle in accordance with the collision memory signal continuously output from the alarm device 6 after restarting when the power supply from the vehicle-mounted battery 30 is restarted.

Therefore, according to the vehicle door unlock system of the present embodiment, even if the power supply to the door lock ECU 2 is temporarily interrupted by the impact generated at the time of a vehicle collision, the door can be unlocked automatically. , The safety of passengers can be improved. Further, in the vehicle door unlock system of the present embodiment, when the door lock ECU 2 temporarily stops its operation after a vehicle collision, the collision memory signal for releasing the door lock after the restart is the built-in battery 6d. Is output from the alarm device 6 provided with. Therefore, according to the vehicle door unlock system of the present embodiment, it is not necessary to provide the door lock ECU 2 with a memory circuit for storing a vehicle collision as in the conventional case, and the door lock ECU 2 is downsized. be able to.

Furthermore, in the vehicle door unlock system of this embodiment, when the alarm device 6 receives a collision detection signal from the airbag ECU 4, a warning sound indicating that is issued to the surroundings. Therefore, when the occupant cannot escape from the vehicle by himself / herself even if the door lock is released during the vehicle collision, the occupant can be rescued to the surroundings, which also improves the safety of the occupant during the vehicle collision. Can be improved.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment,
Various aspects can be adopted. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the alarm device 6 includes the speaker 6c, and when a vehicle is illegally operated by a third party (for example, when the vehicle is stolen) or when the vehicle collides,
Although it has been described that the fact is notified by sound, if the alarm device 6 is configured to be able to light various lamps (head lamps, hazard lamps, etc.) mounted on the vehicle,
When a vehicle collision is detected, a notification sound may be generated from the speaker 6c, and at the same time, these lamps may be turned on or turned on or off.

In the above embodiment, the collision detection signal is output from the airbag ECU 4, but the detection signal (acceleration signal) from the G sensor 26 is directly used as the collision detection signal to directly lock the door lock ECU 2. Alternatively, the collision may be input to the alarm device 6 and the collision of the vehicle may be determined on the side of each of the ECUs 2 and 6.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an entire vehicle door unlock system of an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a control process executed in a door lock ECU and an alarm device of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 ... Door lock ECU, 2a ... CPU (microcomputer), 2b ... Input circuit, 2c ... Output circuit, 2d ... Interface, 4 ... Airbag ECU, 6 ... Alarm device,
6a ... CPU (microcomputer), 6b ... Interface, 6c ... Speaker, 6d ... Built-in battery, 12
... wireless receiver, 14 ... key switch, 16 ... door switch, 18 ... vehicle speed sensor, 22 ... door lock actuator, 26 ... G sensor, 28 ... airbag, 30
… In-vehicle battery.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A collision detection unit that detects a collision of a vehicle and outputs a collision detection signal; and, when the collision detection signal is output from the collision detection unit, that fact is stored and then stored for a predetermined time or longer. A collision storage means for outputting a collision storage signal indicating that the vehicle has collided, and a door unlock for operating by receiving power supply from an on-vehicle battery, and unlocking the door when the collision storage signal is output from the collision storage means A vehicle door unlocking system comprising: a collision storage unit configured to be operable by a built-in battery when the power supply from the vehicle-mounted battery is cut off; A door unlock system for a vehicle, which is incorporated into an alarm device for issuing an alarm and is realized as one function of the alarm device. 2. The vehicle door anneal according to claim 1, wherein the alarm device, when receiving the collision detection signal from the collision detection means, issues an alarm to notify the surroundings of a vehicle collision. Lock system. 3. The door unlock means receives, in addition to the collision memory signal output by the collision memory means, a collision detection signal output by the collision detection means, and the door unlock means includes: The door lock is released when at least one of the collision memory signal and the collision detection signal is input.
The vehicle door unlocking system described.