JP2006327518A - Outer mirror control device for vehicle and control method using it - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an outer mirror control device for a vehicle capable of driving/controlling both vertical changing means for driving a mirror body of the outer mirror of the vehicle such that a direction of the mirror surface is changed in a vertical direction and inward/outward changing means for driving the mirror body such that the direction of the mirror surface is changed in an inward/outward direction. <P>SOLUTION: The outer mirror control device 30 is provided with a control object switching means 32 for switching the object to be controlled of the vertical changing means 13L, 13R and the inward/outward changing means 14L, 14R; and a drive control means 31 constituted so as to detect reverse gear selection operation of a transmission and operation for changing an advancement direction, driving/controlling the object to be controlled made to the vertical changing means 13L, 13R by the control object switching means 32 when reverse gear selection operation is detected and driving/controlling the object to be controlled made to the inward/outward changing means 14L, 14R by the control object switching means 32 when the operation for changing the advancement direction is detected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention provides a vertical body changing means for driving a mirror body of an outer mirror of a vehicle so that the direction of the mirror surface is changed in the vertical direction, and an inside / outside driving for changing the direction of the mirror surface in an inward / outward direction. The present invention relates to an outer mirror control device for a vehicle that drives and controls both the direction changing means and a control method using the same.

  A technique is known in which the mirror body of a side mirror of a vehicle of an automobile is driven and controlled, and the direction of the mirror surface is changed in the vertical direction or inward / outward direction depending on the situation.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, a motor rotation angle detection circuit is provided between a DC motor that adjusts the mirror tilt angle of a remote control type door mirror and a controller, and based on a change state of a current flowing from the controller to the DC motor, The rotation angle of the DC motor is detected, and when the gear change lever is operated to the reverse position during the reverse operation of the automobile, the mirror is controlled by controlling the operation of the DC motor based on the output signal from the motor rotation angle detection circuit. If the gear change lever is operated to a position other than the reverse position after being tilted downward by a predetermined angle, the mirror is restored by controlling the operation of the DC motor based on the output signal from the motor rotation angle detection circuit. It is disclosed to tilt upward so as to have a street angle. According to this, when automatic control of electrical components for automobiles is performed, accurate movement of electrical components can be accurately performed while avoiding an increase in cost and satisfying the demand for compactness of electrical components and improvement in design flexibility. It is described that it is possible to perform a simple control.

In Patent Document 2, the door mirror control device includes an ECU, a speed detection device, a turn signal lamp, and a DC motor. The ECU includes an MPU and a motor driver circuit. The speed detection device detects the speed of the automobile. The MPU outputs a speed signal to the ECU, and the MPU outputs an external tilt start signal to the motor driver circuit when the vehicle is traveling at a predetermined speed or more and the turn signal lamp is blinking. It is disclosed that when a signal is input from a motor driver circuit that has received a tilt start signal, the reflecting surface of the mirror body 27 rotates so as to be directed to the outside of the vehicle from the current state. And according to this, for example, it is described that the operation of the driver for visually recognizing the side of the automobile can be reduced when the lane is changed.
JP 2001-130326 A JP-A-2005-35468

  However, if the vehicle is to have both of the functions disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, a control device is required for each of them, so it is necessary to secure a mounting space for a plurality of control devices and cost. There is a problem of inviting up.

  The present invention has been made in view of this point, and an object of the present invention is to change the vertical direction changing means for driving the mirror body of the outer mirror of the vehicle so that the direction of the mirror surface is changed in the vertical direction. And an inner / outer direction changing means for driving the mirror main body so that the direction of the mirror surface is changed to the inner / outer direction, and an outer mirror control device for a vehicle capable of driving and controlling both, and a control method using the same It is.

An outer mirror control device for a vehicle according to the present invention that achieves the above object includes a vertical direction changing means for driving a mirror body of an outer mirror of a vehicle so that the direction of the mirror surface is changed in the vertical direction, and the mirror main body , Both the inside and outside direction changing means for driving so that the orientation of the mirror surface changes in the inside and outside direction,
Control object switching means for switching the control object among the vertical direction changing means and the inside / outside direction changing means,
A reverse gear selection operation of the transmission and an operation for changing the course direction are detected. When the reverse gear selection operation is detected, the control target switching means causes the control target to be changed to the vertical direction change means, and Drive control means for driving and controlling the direction change means, and when an operation for changing the course direction is detected, the control object switching means causes the control object to be changed to the inside / outside direction change means, and the inside / outside direction change means is drive-controlled. ,
Is provided.

  Here, the operation for changing the course direction includes an operation of turning on the turn signal lamp, an operation of setting the steering angle of the steering wheel to a predetermined angle or more, and the like.

  In the vehicle outer mirror control device of the present invention, even if the drive control means is configured to detect the reverse gear selection operation from the energized state of the backup lamp, It may be configured to detect an operation for changing the course direction from the energized state.

  According to the vehicle outer mirror control device of the present invention, when a reverse gear selection operation of the transmission and an operation for changing the course direction are detected, and when the reverse gear selection operation is detected, the control target is switched to the vertical direction changing means. When the operation for changing the course direction is detected, the control object is switched to the inside / outside direction changing means and the inside / outside direction changing means is driven and controlled. Both the direction change means and the inside / outside direction change means can be driven and controlled. Therefore, it is not necessary to secure a mounting space for mounting a plurality of control devices, and an increase in cost can be suppressed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a control system S for a side mirror (outer mirror) of an automobile according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The control system S includes a pair of left and right side mirrors 10, a lamp lighting control system 20, and a side mirror control device (outer mirror control device) 30 provided therebetween.

  FIG. 2 shows the right side mirror 10.

  The side mirror 10 is attached so as to protrude laterally at a position visible from the driver's seat on the hinge side of the door, and is provided so as to close the opening inside the bowl-shaped casing 11 opened rearward. The mirror main body 12 is provided. Further, inside the casing 11, there are provided vertical direction change drive systems (vertical direction change means) 13L, 13R and internal / external direction change drive systems (internal / external direction change means) 14L, 14R coupled to the mirror body 12, respectively. The mirror main body 12 is supported by these.

  The up / down direction changing drive systems 13L and 13R are composed of an up / down direction changing motor 13a and an up / down direction changing gear device combined therewith, and the up / down direction changing motor device is rotated by the up / down direction changing motor 13a. Then, the mirror main body 12 is driven so that the direction of the mirror surface changes in the vertical direction.

  The inner / outer direction changing drive systems 14L and 14R are composed of an inner / outer direction changing motor 14a and an inner / outer direction changing gear device combined therewith, and the inner / outer direction changing gear device is rotated by the rotation of the inner / outer direction changing motor 14a. Then, the mirror main body 12 is driven so that the direction of the mirror surface changes inward and outward.

  The lamp lighting control system 20 includes a backup lamp 21, left and right turn signal lamps 22L and 22R, and a lighting control device 23 that controls the lighting thereof.

  The backup lamps 21 are provided on both sides of the rear part of the vehicle body. The left turn signal lamp 22L is provided on the left side of each of the front part and the rear part of the vehicle body. The right turn signal lamp 22R is provided on the right side of each of the front part and the rear part of the vehicle body. Each of the backup lamp 21 and the left and right turn signal lamps 22L and 22R has one end electrically connected to the lighting control device 23 and the other end coupled to each other and grounded.

  The lighting control device 23 is interlocked with a gear selection operation of a transmission (not shown), and energizes the backup lamp 21 to light up when a reverse gear selection operation is performed. Further, the lighting control device 23 is interlocked with the operation of a direction indicating lever switch (not shown) provided so as to extend laterally on the proximal end side of the steering, and when the operation is performed to lift it upward. While the left turn signal lamp 22L is intermittently energized and blinked, the right turn signal lamp 22R is intermittently energized and blinked when an operation is performed to lower it.

  The side mirror control device 30 includes an ECU (electric control unit) (drive control means) 31 and a pair of relays (control target switching means) 32 which are central processing devices for side mirror control.

  The ECU 31 is electrically connected to the three branch lines 33 branched from the wiring connecting the lighting control device 23, the backup lamp 21, and the left and right turn signal lamps 22L and 22R. The ECU 31 is also electrically connected to the backup lamp 21 and a ground line 34 extending from the other end of the left and right turn signal lamps 22L and 22R which are coupled and grounded. A system on / off switch 35 is interposed in the ground line 34.

  Each of the pair of relays 32 has a coil terminal at both ends of the coil 32d, a common terminal 32c, and a contact terminal 32a that is normally not in contact with the common terminal 32c but contacts the common terminal 32c when the coil 32d is energized. Contrary to the A contact terminal 32a, there is a B contact terminal 32b that is normally in contact with the common terminal 32c but is not in contact with the common terminal 32c when the coil 32d is energized.

  One coil terminal of both coils 32 is coupled and electrically connected to the ECU 31, and the other coil terminal is coupled and electrically connected to the coil battery. The common terminal 32c is electrically connected to the ECU 31. The A contact terminal 32a is electrically connected to one end of the inner / outer direction changing motor 14a. The B contact terminal 32b is electrically connected to one end of the up / down direction changing motor 13a. The other end of the up / down direction changing motor 13a and the other end of the inner / outer direction changing motor 14a are joined and electrically connected to the ECU 31.

  When the system on / off switch 35 is in the on state, the ECU 31 performs the backup lamp 21 from the lighting control device 23 obtained via the branch line 33 and the left and right turns with reference to the ground potential obtained via the ground line 34. The energization state to each of the signal lamps 22L and 22R is monitored.

  The ECU 31 energizes and rotates the vertical direction changing motor 13a through the gap between the common terminal 32c of the relay 32 and the B contact terminal 32b for both the left and right side mirrors 10 to rotate it. The mirror main body 12 is driven so that the mirror surface is changed in the vertical direction. Further, the ECU 31 energizes the coil 32d to bring the common terminal 32c of the relay 32 and the A contact terminal 32a into contact with each other on the left and right side mirrors 10, and between the common terminal 32c and the A contact terminal 32a. The inner / outer direction changing motor 14a is energized and rotated to operate the inner / outer direction changing drive systems 14L and 14R, thereby driving the mirror body 12 so that the mirror surface is changed in the inner / outer direction.

  The direction change amount of the mirror main body 12 can be converted into the number of rotations of the up / down direction changing motor 13a or the inside / outside direction changing motor 14a, but the ECU 31 can change the up / down direction changing motor 13a or the inside / outside direction. The number of pulse signals generated by the rotation of the changing motor 14a is detected, converted into the number of rotations, and further converted into a direction change amount to detect the direction of the mirror surface.

  In the ECU 31, side mirror control software is installed. The control will be described below based on the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S1 after the start, it is determined from the energized state of the backup lamp 21 whether or not the reverse gear of the transmission has been selected. If YES, the process proceeds to step S2, and if NO, the process proceeds to step S2. Proceed to S5.

  In step S2, when the mirror surface of the mirror body 12 is in the normal direction, the common terminal 32c of the relay 32 and the A contact terminal 32a are brought into contact without energizing the coil 32d, and the common of the relay 32 is contacted. The vertical direction changing motor 13a is energized via the terminal 32c and the B contact terminal 32b and rotated in one direction a predetermined number of times, thereby operating the vertical direction changing drive systems 13L and 13R to operate the mirror body 12. Is driven so that the orientation of the mirror surface is changed to a predetermined lower predetermined direction, and when the orientation of the mirror surface of the mirror body 12 is downward, it is maintained, and the process proceeds to the following step S3. According to such control, when the vehicle is moved backward, the mirror surface is directed downward from the normal direction, so that the visibility behind both sides of the driver's automobile, particularly in the vicinity of the rear wheels, is improved.

  In step S3, it is determined from the energized state of the backup lamp 21 whether or not the selection of the reverse gear of the transmission has been released. If YES, the process proceeds to step S4. If NO, the process returns to step S1.

  In step S4, the common terminal 32c of the relay 32 and the A contact terminal 32a are brought into contact with each other without energizing the coil 32d, and the vertical direction change is made between the common terminal 32c of the relay 32 and the B contact terminal 32b. The motor 13a is energized in the direction opposite to that in step S2 and rotated in the other direction by a predetermined number of times, thereby operating the up / down direction changing drive systems 13L and 13R to move the mirror main body 12 so that the direction of the mirror surface is a predetermined amount. It is changed upward so that it is driven so as to return to the original direction during normal times, and then the process returns to step S1.

  In step S5, it is determined from the energized state of the left and right turn signal lamps 22L and 22R whether or not only the left turn signal lamps 22L and 22R are turned on. If YES, the process proceeds to step S6 and NO is determined. In the case, the process proceeds to step S9.

  In step S6, when the mirror surface of the mirror body 12 is in the normal direction, the coil 32d is energized to contact the common terminal 32c of the relay 32 and the A contact terminal 32a, and the common terminal 32c and A The motor 14a for changing the inside / outside direction of the left side mirror 10 is energized and rotated in one direction through the contact terminal 32a, thereby operating the inside / outside direction changing drive system 14L to move the mirror body 12 to the mirror. Driving is performed so that the orientation of the surface is changed to a predetermined outward direction set in advance, and when the orientation of the mirror surface of the mirror body 12 is in the outward direction, it is maintained, and the process proceeds to the subsequent step S7. According to such control, when the lane is changed to the left lane or the left turn, the mirror surface is directed outward from the normal direction, so that the left visibility of the driver's automobile is improved.

  In step S7, it is determined from the energized state of the left turn signal lamp 22L whether or not the lighting operation of the left turn signal lamp 22L has been released. If YES, the process proceeds to step S8. If NO, step S1 is performed. Return to.

  In step S8, the coil 32d is energized to bring the common terminal 32c of the relay 32 into contact with the A contact terminal 32a, and the motor 14a for changing inward / outward direction is stepped between the common terminal 32c and the A contact terminal 32a. By energizing in the opposite direction to S6 and rotating it in the other direction by a predetermined number of times, the inner / outer direction changing drive system 14L is operated to change the mirror body 12 outward by a predetermined amount. It is driven so as to return to the original direction in normal times, and then the process returns to step S1.

  In step S9, it is determined from the energized state of the left and right turn signal lamps 22L and 22R whether or not only the lighting operation of the right turn signal lamp 22R has been performed. If YES, the process proceeds to step S10. Return to step S1.

  In step S10, when the mirror surface of the mirror body 12 is in a normal orientation, the coil 32d is energized to contact the common terminal 32c of the relay 32 and the A contact terminal 32a, and the common terminal 32c and A The motor 14a for changing the inner / outer direction of the right side mirror 10 is energized and rotated in one direction via the contact terminal 32a, thereby operating the inner / outer direction changing drive system 14R to move the mirror body 12 to the mirror. Driving is performed so that the orientation of the surface is changed to a predetermined outward direction set in advance, and when the orientation of the mirror surface of the mirror body 12 is in the outward direction, it is maintained, and the process proceeds to the following step S11. According to such control, when the lane is changed to the right lane or when the right turn is made, the direction of the mirror surface is more outward than usual, so that the visibility of the right side of the driver's automobile is improved.

  In step S11, it is determined from the energized state of the right turn signal lamp 22R whether or not the lighting operation of the right turn signal lamp 22R has been released. If YES, the process proceeds to step S12. If NO, step S1 is performed. Return to.

  In step S12, the coil 32d is energized to bring the common terminal 32c of the relay 32 into contact with the A contact terminal 32a, and the step is applied to the inward / outward direction changing motor 14a via the common terminal 32c and the A contact terminal 32a. By energizing in the opposite direction to S10 and rotating it in the other direction by a predetermined number of times, the inner / outer direction changing drive system 14R is operated to change the mirror body 12 outward by a predetermined amount. It is driven so as to return to the original direction in normal times, and then the process returns to step S1.

  In addition, when both the left and right turn signal lamps 22L and 22R are turned on, the mirror main body 12 is not driven only because the hazard lighting switch is turned on, and when the right / left turn or lane change is performed. Because it doesn't matter.

  According to the side mirror control device 30 configured as described above, when the reverse gear selection operation of the transmission and the lighting operation of the left and right turn signal lamps 22L and 22R are detected and the reverse gear selection operation is detected, the control is performed. When the object is switched to 13L, 13R and the up / down direction change drive systems 13L, 13R are driven and controlled, and the lighting operation of the left or right turn signal lamps 22L, 22R is detected, the control object is changed to the in / out direction change drive system 14L, Switching to 14R and driving control of the inner / outer direction changing drive systems 14L and 14R, it is possible to drive and control both the up / down direction changing driving systems 13L and 13R and the inner / outer direction changing driving systems 14L and 14R with a single configuration. . Therefore, it is not necessary to secure a mounting space for mounting a plurality of control devices, and an increase in cost can be suppressed.

  In addition, from each state of the direction indicator lever switch and the hazard lighting switch, in order to identify lighting of only the left turn signal lamp 22L, lighting of only the right turn signal lamp 22R, and lighting of both of them, each is detected. However, in this side mirror control device 30, since these three states are identified from the energized states of the left and right turn signal lamps 22L and 22R, two wires ( The branch line 33) may be used, and the configuration is simpler than that described above. If the above identification can be performed by multiplex communication, the number of wirings is reduced, but a dedicated system is required, resulting in an increase in cost.

  In the above embodiment, the side mirror 10 is the target, but the present invention is not particularly limited to this, and the side mirror 10 may be a fender mirror that is an outer mirror.

  In the above embodiment, the lighting operation of the left and right turn signal lamps 22L and 22R is controlled based on the detection result. However, the present invention is not particularly limited thereto, and is disclosed in Patent Document 2. In addition, the control based on the detection result of the vehicle speed may be used.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although it was set as the structure which controls the relay 32 of the control object switching means by ECU31 of a drive control means, it is not specifically limited to this, Reverse gear selection operation of a transmission, and the left side and right side You may make it use the thing of the structure which switches the control object among the up-down direction change means and the inside / outside direction change means based on the lighting operation of the turn signal lamps 22L, 22R being detected.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although lighting operation of turn signal lamp 22L, 22R was comprised as operation for a course direction change, it is not specifically limited to this, The steering angle of a steering wheel shall be more than predetermined angle. The operation may be configured as an operation for changing the course direction. In this case, a rotation angle detection sensor may be attached to the steering wheel and connected to the ECU 31.

  The present invention provides a vertical body changing means for driving a mirror body of an outer mirror of a vehicle so that the direction of the mirror surface is changed in the vertical direction, and an inside / outside driving for changing the direction of the mirror surface in an inward / outward direction. This is useful for the vehicle outer mirror control device that controls both of the direction changing means and the control method using the same.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the control system of a side mirror. It is a perspective view of a side mirror. It is a flowchart of side mirror control.

Explanation of symbols

S Control system 10 Side mirror (outer mirror)
12 mirror body 13L, 13R vertical direction change drive system (vertical direction change means)
14L, 14R Internal / external direction change drive system (internal / external direction change means)
22L Left turn signal lamp 22R Right turn signal lamp 30 Side mirror control device (outer mirror control device)
31 ECU (drive control means)
32 Relay (Control object switching means)

Claims (4)

Up-down direction changing means for driving the mirror body of the outer mirror of the vehicle so that the direction of the mirror surface is changed in the up-down direction, and driving the mirror body so that the direction of the mirror surface is changed in the inward / outward direction An outer mirror control device for a vehicle that drives and controls both the inner and outer direction changing means,
Control object switching means for switching the control object among the vertical direction changing means and the inside / outside direction changing means,
A reverse gear selection operation of the transmission and an operation for changing the course direction are detected. When the reverse gear selection operation is detected, the control target switching means causes the control target to be changed to the vertical direction change means, and Drive control means for driving and controlling the direction change means, and when an operation for changing the course direction is detected, the control object switching means causes the control object to be changed to the inside / outside direction change means, and the inside / outside direction change means is drive-controlled. ,
A vehicle outer mirror control device comprising: In the vehicle outer mirror control device according to claim 1,
The drive control means is an outer mirror control device configured to detect a reverse gear selection operation from an energized state of a backup lamp. In the vehicle outer mirror control device according to claim 1,
The drive control means is an outer mirror control device configured to detect an operation for changing a course direction from an energized state of a turn signal lamp. Up-down direction changing means for driving the mirror body of the outer mirror of the vehicle so that the direction of the mirror surface is changed in the up-down direction, and driving the mirror body so that the direction of the mirror surface is changed in the inward / outward direction An inner / outer direction changing means, and a vehicle outer mirror control method for driving and controlling,
When a reverse gear selection operation of the transmission and an operation for changing the course direction are detected, and when a reverse gear selection operation is detected, the control target is switched to the up / down direction changing means, and the up / down direction changing means is driven and controlled, A method for controlling an outer mirror of a vehicle, wherein when an operation for change is detected, the control target is switched to an inside / outside direction changing means and the inside / outside direction changing means is driven and controlled.

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