JP2007002652A - Door handle device, door member equipped with the same, and keyless entry system equipped with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a door handle device which has high detection sensitivity and reduces influence of noises from ambient environment, and also to provide a door member equipped with the same, and further to provide a keyless entry system equipped with the same. <P>SOLUTION: The door handle device 11 is provided with a door handle 11 for opening/closing a door 13, a piezoelectric sensor 15 which is deformed based on displacement of the door handle 11, a control circuit 17 for detecting contact of a person or an object with the door handle 11 based on an output signal of the piezoelectric sensor 15 and at least one of opening operation of the door handle 11 and closing operation of the door handle 11, a circuit case 51 comprising a magnetic material which covers the control circuit 17, and an earth connective means 52 which connects the circuit case 51 with the control circuit 17. The door handle device 11 reduces capacitance change due to disturbance and influence of electric noises. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a handle device that is provided with a sensor in a door handle device provided with a door handle and knows the operation of the handle device. For example, a vehicle door such as an automobile can be locked / unlocked without a key operation. The present invention relates to a door handle device suitable for a keyless entry system, and more particularly to a door handle device capable of realizing improvement in operation reliability of a keyless entry system, improvement in electric noise resistance, and the like.

  In recent years, an increasing number of vehicles such as automobiles are equipped with a keyless entry system for the purpose of improving convenience and security.

  The keyless entry system is a system that enables the door to be locked / unlocked without key operation, and collates password data etc. by wireless communication between the wireless communication terminal carried by the driver and the in-vehicle wireless communication terminal. The door is locked / unlocked.

  Conventionally, a vehicle door handle shown in FIG. 19 has been proposed for such a keyless entry system.

  This vehicle door handle 1 has a hollow structure in a handle fixing portion 4 that is assembled to an opening 3 of a door outer panel 2 of the vehicle and serves as a gripping portion when the door is opened and closed, and a hollow portion 4a in the handle fixing portion 4 is formed. Further, the handle operation detection sensor 10 is incorporated.

  The handle operation detection sensor 10 takes into account that when a driver or the like touches the handle fixing portion 4, the capacitance around the handle fixing portion 4 changes due to contact with the human body. From the sensor electrode 9 for detecting a change in capacitance, and when the sensor electrode 9 detects a change in capacitance more than a certain level, It is the structure provided with the antenna 8 which transmits / receives a signal between the radio | wireless communication terminals to perform. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

The handle fixing part 4 is connected to the door side with an arm 5 extending from the front part so as to be able to swing and displace in the direction of the arrow (A). Further, a key cylinder case 6 and a bell crank body 7 are provided on the rear side of the handle fixing portion 4. The bell crank body 7 constitutes a door lock device in cooperation with a link mechanism (not shown).
JP 2003-194959 A

  However, in the vehicle door handle 1 described above, the electrostatic capacitance around the handle body 4 fluctuates slightly due to, for example, the approach or contact of an object other than the human body. Therefore, if the detection sensitivity of the capacitive handle operation detection sensor 10 is set to be low so as not to erroneously detect such minute fluctuations in capacitance due to disturbance, the handle body at the time of opening and closing the door is set. When the contact pressure of the finger on the door 4 is weak, it is impossible to detect whether the door is opened or closed, and it is necessary to redo the contact of the finger with the handle body 4, which may lead to a decrease in operability.

On the other hand, if the detection sensitivity of the handle operation detection sensor 10 is increased, the presence or absence of the door opening / closing operation can be reliably detected even when the finger contact pressure to the handle body 4 during the door opening / closing operation is weak. On the other hand, the handle operation detection sensor 10 determines that the door opening / closing operation has been performed even with a minute change in electrostatic capacitance due to disturbance or electrical noise, and the signal is transmitted. There was a risk of noise emission.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the design flexibility with respect to the shape and dimensions of the handle body is high, and the detection sensitivity is high, and the finger touches the handle fixing portion during the door opening / closing operation. It is possible to reliably detect whether the door is opened or closed even when the signal is weak, and further prevent the noise from being emitted to the surrounding environment due to ineffective signal transmission, while at the same time changing the capacitance of the disturbance and the electric noise. To provide a door handle device capable of reducing the influence and a keyless entry system using the same.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, a door handle device of the present invention is based on a door handle for opening and closing a door, a piezoelectric sensor that is deformed based on displacement of the door handle, and an output signal of the piezoelectric sensor. A control circuit for detecting at least one of contact of a person or an object with the door handle, an opening operation of the door handle, and a closing operation of the door handle; a circuit case made of a magnetic material covering the control circuit; A ground connection means for connecting the circuit case and the control circuit is provided.

  Thereby, it is possible to prevent noise from being emitted to the surrounding environment due to ineffective signal transmission, and at the same time to reduce the influence of disturbance capacitance change and electrical noise.

  Design freedom for the shape and dimensions of the handle body is high, detection sensitivity is high, and it is possible to reliably detect whether the door is opened or closed even if the finger contact with the handle body is weak when opening or closing the door. Further, it is possible to prevent noise from being emitted to the surrounding environment due to ineffective signal transmission, and at the same time, to reduce the change in electrostatic capacitance due to disturbance and the influence of electrical noise.

  The first invention includes a door handle for opening and closing a door, a piezoelectric sensor that is deformed based on displacement of the door handle, contact of a person or an object with the door handle based on an output signal of the piezoelectric sensor, A control circuit for detecting at least one of an opening operation of the door handle and a closing operation of the door handle, a circuit case made of a magnetic material covering the control circuit, and a ground connection means for connecting the circuit case and the control circuit Are provided. In addition, it is possible to prevent noise from being emitted to the surrounding environment due to ineffective signal transmission, and at the same time, to reduce the influence of disturbance capacitance change and electrical noise.

  The second invention is characterized in that one end of the piezoelectric sensor is connected to a circuit case in the vicinity of an input connecting the piezoelectric sensor of the first invention to a control circuit. And the influence of the noise which penetrate | invades from a piezoelectric sensor can be reduced, the minute displacement of a holding part can be detected stably, and the presence or absence of a highly sensitive operation can be detected.

  In particular, the third invention provides a capacitor for connecting the control circuit of the first or second invention to a circuit case in the vicinity of an input where a harness for supplying power is connected to the control circuit, so that the electric power entering from the harness is provided. It is characterized by reducing the influence of noise. And the influence of the noise which penetrate | invades from a harness can be reduced, the minute displacement of the holding part 23 can be detected stably, and the presence or absence of a highly sensitive operation can be detected.

In the fourth aspect of the invention, in particular, the control circuit according to any one of the first to third aspects is provided with a common filter at the input part of the piezoelectric sensor to reduce the influence of electrical noise entering from the piezoelectric sensor. Features. And the influence of the noise which penetrate | invades from a piezoelectric sensor can be reduced, the minute displacement of a holding part can be detected stably, and the presence or absence of a highly sensitive operation can be detected.

  In the fifth invention, in particular, the control circuit according to any one of the first to fourth inventions is provided with a capacitor that connects the circuit case to the input portion of the piezoelectric sensor, so that the influence of electrical noise entering from the piezoelectric sensor is reduced. It is characterized by being reduced. And the influence of the noise which penetrate | invades from a piezoelectric sensor can be reduced, the slight displacement of the holding | gripping part 2 can be detected stably, and the presence or absence of a highly sensitive operation can be detected.

  In the sixth invention, in particular, the control circuit according to any one of the first to fifth inventions is provided with a common filter at an input portion of a harness for supplying power, thereby reducing the influence of electrical noise entering from the harness. It is characterized by that. And the influence of the noise which penetrate | invades from a harness can be reduced, the minute displacement of a holding part can be detected stably, and the presence or absence of a highly sensitive operation can be detected.

  In the seventh invention, in particular, the control circuit according to any one of the first to sixth inventions is provided with a diode in the vicinity of an input to which a harness for supplying power is connected to prevent a current from flowing when the power is reversely connected. can do.

  The eighth invention is particularly the door handle device according to any one of the first to seventh inventions, provided with a determination means for determining the operation of the door handle based on the signal of the piezoelectric sensor output from the control circuit, If it is more than a predetermined pulse width, it is determined that the door handle is operated, and the operability of the door handle portion can be improved.

  In the ninth aspect of the invention, in particular, the determination means of the eighth aspect of the invention is provided with output power supply means for intermittently supplying power to the output part of the piezoelectric sensor, thereby reducing the current consumed by the output part of the piezoelectric sensor. be able to.

  In the tenth aspect of the invention, in particular, the determination means of the eighth or ninth aspect of the invention can be provided with power supply means for supplying power to the control circuit to reduce the current consumed by the control circuit.

  The eleventh invention is a door member provided with the door handle device of any one of the first to tenth inventions. Thereby, it can apply to the keyless entry system of doors, such as a building and a front door, and can improve the operativity of the door handle part of a keyless entry system.

  The twelfth invention is a keyless entry system provided with the door handle device of any one of the first to tenth inventions, and the door handle device is a keyless entry system for doors such as side doors and tailgates. When applied, the operability of the door handle can be improved.

  In the thirteenth invention, in particular, the judgment means of the eighth or ninth invention invalidates the judgment of the state of the output signal of the piezoelectric sensor during traveling, and the influence of vibration generated during traveling can be reduced.

  In the fourteenth invention, in particular, the power supply means of the ninth or tenth invention stops the supply of power to the control circuit during traveling, and the influence of vibrations generated during traveling can be reduced.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a door handle device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an internal configuration diagram showing a cross section AA of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a diagram of the piezoelectric sensor shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram, FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a piezoelectric element material, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a door handle device.

  The first embodiment of the present invention includes a door handle 11 for opening and closing the door 13, a piezoelectric sensor 15 that is deformed based on the displacement of the door handle 11, and the door based on an output signal of the piezoelectric sensor 15. A control circuit 17 that detects at least one of contact of a person or an object of the handle 11, an opening operation of the door handle 11, and a closing operation of the door handle 11, and a signal of the piezoelectric sensor 15 are amplified and the door handle 11 is amplified. A circuit case 51 for covering the control circuit 17 for converting the contact into an electric signal with a nonmagnetic material, and a ground connection means 52 for grounding the circuit case 51.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the door handle device 100 is provided on a door 13 having a handle 11 for opening and closing operations, and a door lock means (not shown) that locks the opening operation of the door 13 is used as an operation of the handle 11. Can be unlocked. The door handle device 100 has a main configuration in which a hand is inserted between the piezoelectric sensor 15 disposed on the handle 11 and formed of a flexible piezoelectric element, and the door 13 and the grip portion 23. And a control circuit 17 that is a control unit that receives a detection signal from the piezoelectric sensor 15 due to a contact load when the grip portion 23 is gripped and releases the door lock.

  The door handle device 100 is assembled to a vehicle door (door outer panel) 13. The handle 11 has a holding portion 23 that supports one end side 23a on the door 13 via a support shaft 21 so as to be swingable, and moves the other end side in the pull-out direction by this swinging. That is, the pull-rise type handle 11 having one side as a hinge is configured. The piezoelectric sensor 15 is disposed between the handle fixing portion 24 that comes into contact with the grip portion 23, and can detect deformation of the piezoelectric sensor 15 due to a grip operation of the grip portion 23. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 79 denotes a key cylinder case mounted on the rear side of the handle body 23.

  In the present embodiment, the piezoelectric sensor 15 is attached to the handle fixing part 24 and is formed between the grip part 23. In the piezoelectric sensor 15, the cable portion 29 led out from the handle fixing portion 24 is drawn into the door 13 and connected to the control circuit 17.

  In the piezoelectric sensor 15, vibration is transmitted to the piezoelectric sensor 15 when the grip portion 23 is displaced when the user touches it with a hand. Due to this vibration, the piezoelectric sensor 15 is deformed and an electric signal is obtained. That is, the piezoelectric sensor 15 can detect that the user operates the grip portion 23.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the piezoelectric sensor 15 includes a cable-shaped piezoelectric element material 31 having a predetermined length, a disconnection detecting resistor 33 connected to one end of the piezoelectric element material 31, and the other end of the piezoelectric element material 31. The control circuit 17 is connected to the control circuit 17, the harness 37 is connected to the control circuit 17, and the connector 39 is connected to the tip of the harness 37. The harness 37 connected to the control circuit 17 is used for supplying power and outputting detection signals, and is connected to a power source and a communication terminal via a connector 39 provided at the tip thereof.

The piezoelectric element material 31 used in the piezoelectric sensor 15 has a structure shown in FIG. 4, and has a core wire (center electrode) 41 at the center in the axial direction, and a piezoelectric element material (piezoelectric ceramic material) that is a piezoelectric ceramic around the center electrode 41. A composite piezoelectric layer) 45, an outer electrode 43 is disposed around the piezoelectric element material 45, and the outermost periphery is covered with a coating layer 47 such as PVC (vinyl chloride resin). The piezoelectric element material 31 has excellent flexibility and generates an output signal corresponding to deformation acceleration during deformation. As the piezoelectric ceramic, for example, a lead titanate or lead zirconate titanate sintered powder or a lead-free piezoelectric ceramic sintered powder such as sodium niobate is used.

  The cable-shaped piezoelectric sensor 15 uses a resin-based material having a heat resistance that can be used up to 120 ° C. and has been developed by the applicant for the piezo element material 45, and a conventional typical polymer piezo element material ( It can be used in a temperature range (120 ° C. or less) higher than 90 ° C., which is the maximum use temperature of uniaxially stretched polyvinylidene fluoride) and piezoelectric element materials (piezo element materials of chloroprene and piezoelectric ceramic powder). The piezo element material 45 is composed of a flexible resin and piezoelectric ceramic, and is composed of a flexible electrode composed of a coiled metal center electrode and a film-shaped outer electrode, which is equivalent to a normal vinyl cord. Has flexibility.

  The piezo element material 45 is composed of a resin-based material and a composite of piezoelectric ceramic powder of 10 μm or less, and vibration detection characteristics are realized by ceramic, and flexibility is realized by resin. This piezo element material 45 uses chlorinated polyethylene as a resin material, realizes high heat resistance (120 ° C.) and flexibility that can be easily formed, and enables a simple manufacturing process that does not require crosslinking. .

  The cable-like piezoelectric sensor 15 obtained in this way does not have piezoelectric performance if the piezo element material 45 is molded, so that a high DC voltage of several kV / mm is applied to the piezo element material 45. It is necessary to perform a process (polarization process) for imparting piezoelectric performance to the piezo element material 45. When a minute defect such as a crack is inherent in the piezo element material 45, it becomes easy to short-circuit between the two electrodes by discharging at the defective part, so that a sufficient polarization voltage cannot be applied. By establishing a unique polarization process using an auxiliary electrode that can be brought into close contact with the piezo element material 45, it is possible to detect and avoid defects and stabilize the polarization, thereby enabling a length of several tens of meters or more.

  In the piezoelectric cable sensor, a coil-shaped metal center electrode is used for the center electrode 41, and a film-like electrode (aluminum-polyethylene terephthalate-aluminum three-layer laminate film) is used for the outer electrode 43, whereby the piezo element material 45 and the electrode are used. In addition, the connection of external lead wires can be facilitated, and a flexible cable-like mounting configuration is possible.

  The center electrode 41 is a copper-silver alloy coil, the outer electrode 43 is a three-layer laminate film made of aluminum-polyethylene terephthalate-aluminum, the piezo element material 45 is a polyethylene resin + piezoelectric ceramic powder, and the outer shell is a thermoplastic plastic. The relative dielectric constant is 55, the charge generation amount is 10-13 C (coulomb) / gf, and the maximum use temperature is 120 ° C.

  The above piezoelectric element material 31 is manufactured by the following processes as an example. First, a chlorinated polyethylene sheet and 40 to 70 volume% of piezoelectric ceramics (here, lead zirconate titanate) powder are uniformly mixed into a sheet by a roll method. After the sheet is cut into pellets, these pellets are continuously extruded together with the center electrode 41 to form a composite piezoelectric layer 45. Then, the auxiliary electrode is brought into contact with the outer periphery of the composite piezoelectric layer 45 and a high voltage is applied between the auxiliary electrode and the center electrode 41 to perform the polarization treatment. Then, the outer electrode 43 is wound around the composite piezoelectric layer 45. The coating layer 47 is also continuously extruded around the outer electrode 43.

When adding the piezoelectric ceramic powder to the chlorinated polyethylene, it is preferable to immerse and dry the piezoelectric ceramic powder in a titanium / coupling agent solution in advance. By this treatment, the surface of the piezoelectric ceramic powder is covered with a hydrophilic group and a hydrophobic group contained in the titanium coupling agent. The hydrophilic group prevents aggregation between the piezoelectric ceramic powders, and the hydrophobic group increases wettability between the chlorinated polyethylene and the piezoelectric ceramic powder. As a result, the piezoelectric ceramic powder can be uniformly added to the chlorinated polyethylene in a large amount up to 70% by volume. It has been found that the same effect as described above can be obtained by adding a titanium coupling agent at the time of rolling chlorinated polyethylene and piezoelectric ceramic powder in place of immersion in the titanium coupling agent solution. This treatment is excellent in that it does not require a special immersion treatment in a titanium / coupling agent solution. Thus, chlorinated polyethylene also plays a role as a binder resin when the piezoelectric ceramic powder is mixed.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the center electrode 41 is a single wire lead made of a copper-based metal. Further, as the outer electrode 43, a band-like electrode in which an aluminum metal film is bonded on a polymer layer is used, and this is wound around the composite piezoelectric layer 45. An electrode in which polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is used as the polymer layer and an aluminum thin film is bonded thereto is mass-produced commercially and is inexpensive, and thus is preferable as the outer electrode 43. When this electrode is connected to the control circuit 17, for example, it can be connected by caulking or eyelet. Further, a configuration may be adopted in which a metal single wire coil or a metal braided wire is soldered around the aluminum thin film of the outer electrode 43 for connection to the control circuit 17, and soldering is possible, so that work efficiency can be improved. In order to shield the piezoelectric element material 31 from electrical noise in the external environment, the outer electrode 43 is preferably wound around the composite piezoelectric layer 45 so as to partially overlap.

  As the covering layer 47, a rubber material having better heat insulating properties and waterproof properties than the above-described vinyl chloride resin can also be used. The rubber material is preferably a material having higher flexibility and flexibility than the composite piezoelectric layer 45 so that the composite piezoelectric layer 45 is easily deformed by the pressing force of the article to be contacted. It is preferable to select a vehicle-mounted component in consideration of heat resistance and cold resistance. Specifically, it is preferable to select an in-vehicle component that has a small decrease in flexibility at -30 ° C to 85 ° C. As such a rubber material, for example, ethylene propylene rubber (EPDM), chloroprene rubber (CR), butyl rubber (IIR), silicon rubber (Si), thermoplastic elastomer, or the like may be used. With the configuration as described above, the minimum curvature of the piezoelectric element material 31 can be up to a radius of 5 mm, and more excellent heat insulation and waterproofness can be secured as compared with vinyl chloride.

  As described above, the composite piezoelectric body of the piezoelectric element material 31 has both the flexibility of the chlorinated polyethylene and the high temperature durability of the piezoelectric ceramic, so that it is like a conventional piezoelectric sensor using polyvinylidene fluoride as the piezoelectric body. In addition, there is an advantage that the production efficiency is good because there is no reduction in sensitivity at high temperatures, the high temperature durability is good, and a vulcanization step is not required at the time of molding like rubber such as EPDM.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the control circuit 17 that detects the presence / absence of the door opening / closing operation from the output signal of the piezoelectric element member 31 and the locking / unlocking of the door locking device (not shown) are performed. The keyless entry system is configured by sending to the opening / closing control means for controlling the opening / closing driving means.

  The control circuit 17 includes a power supply unit 53 that stabilizes the power supplied from the battery, an amplification unit 54 that amplifies a predetermined frequency component from the output signal of the piezoelectric element material 31, and a piezoelectric device based on the output signal from the amplification unit 54. A voltage comparison unit 55 that determines contact of an object with the element material 31 and a sensor output unit 56 that includes a transistor that sends a signal from the voltage comparison unit 55 to the opening / closing control means. The control circuit 17 is configured to be connected to the ground side of the battery by the ground connection means 52 so that the shielding effect of the control circuit 17 can be obtained. The control circuit 17 is formed on a printed circuit board, and is electrically connected to a circuit case 51 formed of a metal material such as iron, which is a magnetic material, with a mechanical terminal such as a screw or a ground terminal using soldering or springiness. Has been.

  The amplifying unit 54 removes an unnecessary signal caused by vibration of the vehicle body of the automobile from the output signal of the piezoelectric element material 31 and outputs the piezoelectric element material 31 when the piezoelectric element material 31 is deformed by pressing due to the contact of a foreign object. It has a filter characteristic that extracts only a specific low frequency component appearing in the signal. The filter characteristics can be determined by analyzing and optimizing the vibration characteristics of the vehicle body of the automobile and the vehicle body vibration during traveling, and the control circuit 17 can realize a stable filter characteristic with a shield effect.

  In the door handle device 100 described above, as shown in FIG. 2, when a finger is put on the gripping portion 23 and the gripping portion 23 is pulled out in the direction of the arrow (b), the piezoelectric sensor 15 is deformed, and the piezoelectric due to the deformation is generated. Based on the output signal of the element material 31, the determination means 17 determines the presence / absence of a door opening / closing operation, and the operation of the opening / closing drive means is controlled.

  FIG. 6A is a diagram showing the load applied to the piezoelectric sensor 15 and the sensor output characteristics. As a result of the experiment conducted by the applicant on the relationship between the load of the piezoelectric sensor 15 and the sensor output, when a bending load such as (a) is applied to the piezoelectric sensor 15, the sensor output exhibits fluctuations as shown in (b). .

  (1) When no load is applied to the piezoelectric sensor 15 at time t0, the sensor output indicates the voltage Va.

  (2) When a bending load is applied to the piezoelectric sensor 15 in a certain direction at time t1, the sensor output increases to Vb from the moment it is applied, then immediately reverses to 0 (V), and then returns to Va again.

  (3) After that, the sensor output remains Va even if it is kept bent.

  (4) When the piezoelectric sensor 15 is returned to the original state at time t3, the sensor output decreases to Vc from that moment, then immediately reverses to Vd, and then returns to Va again.

  Thus, since this piezoelectric sensor 15 can detect the output in response to the acceleration with high sensitivity, it can detect and output a minute vibration with high accuracy. For detection of the load application timing, for example, a determination threshold value of a predetermined voltage width ΔV centered on the illustrated voltage Va is provided, and it may be determined that the load has changed when the determination threshold value is exceeded.

  In the door handle device 100 according to the first embodiment described above, the piezoelectric sensor 15 has a door opening / closing operation if the piezoelectric element material 31 that is a component of the piezoelectric sensor 15 is deformed by gripping the grip portion 23 by hand. Therefore, it is not necessary to incorporate the piezoelectric sensor 15 itself into the grip portion 23. The handle 11 can be arbitrarily designed in shape and dimensions with an emphasis on gripping ability and appearance design during operation, and the degree of freedom in design with respect to the shape and dimensions of the handle 11 is increased.

  Moreover, the piezoelectric sensor 15 detects the presence / absence of an opening / closing operation by the piezoelectric element material 49 of the piezoelectric element material 31 being deformed by the gripping portion 23 being gripped by hand during the door opening / closing operation. Compared with a conventional capacitive type handle operation detection sensor, there is no possibility of erroneously detecting the approach of an object unrelated to the door opening / closing operation.

  Therefore, it is possible to detect the presence / absence of the opening / closing operation sharply by setting the detection sensitivity high and detecting the presence / absence of the opening / closing operation sharply by the slight displacement generated in the piezoelectric sensor 15 when the grip portion 23 is gripped. It is possible to detect, and it is possible to reliably detect the presence / absence of the opening / closing operation even when the hand contact with the grip portion 23 during the door opening / closing operation is weak.

Further, since the piezoelectric sensor 15 is formed between the gripping portion 23 and the handle fixing portion 24, the piezoelectric sensor 15 is not exposed to the appearance, so that it is possible to provide a handle device that does not impair the appearance.

  In the present embodiment, the piezoelectric sensor 15 is formed between the grip portion 23 and the handle fixing portion 24. However, for example, a soft rubber-based cushioning material is provided between the grip portion 23 and the piezoelectric sensor 15, or the piezoelectric sensor. By providing between 15 and the handle fixing part 24, the displacement of the grip part 23 can be detected more.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a door handle device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the present embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  FIG. 7 is a circuit block diagram showing a control circuit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  The second embodiment of the present invention is different from the first embodiment in that the piezoelectric sensor has one end of the piezoelectric sensor 15 connected to the circuit case 51 in the vicinity of the input connected to the control circuit 17. .

  The operation and action of the handle device configured as described above will be described below.

  The outer electrode 43, which is one end of the piezoelectric element material 31, is connected to the circuit case 51 in the vicinity of the input connected to the control circuit 17. The circuit case 51 is electrically connected by a mechanical terminal such as a screw, or a ground terminal using soldering or springiness. By this connection, the ground GND of the piezoelectric element material 31 is strengthened, and a shield that further strengthens the piezoelectric sensor 15 is obtained. Further, noise entering from the piezoelectric sensor 15 is transmitted to the circuit case 51 in the vicinity of the input of the control circuit 17, so that the GND of the amplifier 54 and the like in the control circuit 17 is less likely to be shaken, and noise resistance can be improved. is there.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the influence of noise entering from the piezoelectric sensor 15 can be reduced, the minute displacement of the gripping portion 23 can be stably detected, and the presence / absence of a highly sensitive operation can be detected. Is.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 8 is a circuit block diagram showing the control circuit of the third embodiment according to the present invention.

  The third embodiment of the present invention is different from the first embodiment in that the control circuit includes a capacitor 57 (connected to the circuit case 51 in the vicinity of the input where the harness 37 for supplying power is connected to the control circuit 17. a), 57 (b), and 57 (c) are provided to reduce the influence of electrical noise entering from the harness 37.

  The operation and action of the handle device configured as described above will be described below.

  The capacitor 57 (a) is connected to the battery + terminal, the capacitor 57 (b) is connected to the battery ground terminal, and the sensor output unit 56 is connected to the circuit case 51 in the vicinity of the input where the harness 37 is connected to the control circuit 17. A capacitor 57 (c) is connected. The capacitors 57 (a), (b), and (c) are intended to bypass noise entering from the harness 37 to the circuit case 51, so that high-frequency noise components can be released to the circuit case 51. In this way, noise entering from the harness 37 can be suppressed, and the influence on the amplification unit 54 and the like in the control circuit 17 can be reduced.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the influence of noise entering from the harness 37 can be reduced, the slight displacement of the grip portion 23 can be stably detected, and the presence or absence of a highly sensitive operation can be detected. It is.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 9 is a circuit block diagram showing a control circuit of the fourth embodiment according to the present invention.

  The fourth embodiment of the present invention is different from the first embodiment in that the control circuit is provided with a common filter 58 at the input portion of the piezoelectric sensor 15 and the influence of electrical noise entering from the piezoelectric sensor 15 is different. Is reduced.

  The operation and action of the handle device configured as described above will be described below.

  The common filter 58 is formed at the input portion of the piezoelectric sensor 15, converts high frequency noise entering from the piezoelectric sensor 15 into heat, and suppresses the noise so that the phases cancel each other. Further, when the piezoelectric sensor 15 becomes longer, more common noise is generated, the effect of the common filter 58 is obtained, and the degree of freedom of mounting the handle can be increased.

  In addition, noise resistance can be further improved by providing a capacitor after the common filter 58 or forming a common filter in a plurality of stages to enhance the filter effect.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the influence of noise entering from the piezoelectric sensor 15 can be reduced, the minute displacement of the gripping portion 23 can be stably detected, and the presence / absence of a highly sensitive operation can be detected. Is.

(Embodiment 5)
FIG. 10 is a circuit block diagram showing a control circuit according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  The fifth embodiment of the present invention is different from the first embodiment in that the control circuit includes capacitors 59 (a) and 59 (b) connected to the circuit case 51 at the input part of the piezoelectric sensor 15. The effect of electrical noise entering from the piezoelectric sensor 15 is reduced.

  The operation and action of the handle device configured as described above will be described below.

  A capacitor 59 (a) is connected to the center electrode 41 side of the piezoelectric sensor 15 and a capacitor 59 (b) is connected to the outer electrode 43 side so that the piezoelectric sensor 15 is connected to the circuit case 51 in the vicinity of the input connected to the control circuit 17. Connected. The capacitors 59 (a) and (b) are intended to bypass the noise entering from the piezoelectric sensor 15 to the circuit case 51, and the high frequency noise component can be released to the circuit case 51. In this manner, noise entering from the piezoelectric sensor 15 can be suppressed, and the influence on the amplification unit 54 and the like in the control circuit 17 can be reduced.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the influence of noise entering from the piezoelectric sensor 15 can be reduced, the minute displacement of the gripping portion 23 can be stably detected, and the presence / absence of a highly sensitive operation can be detected. Is.

(Embodiment 6)
FIG. 11 is a circuit block diagram showing a control circuit according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

The sixth embodiment of the present invention is different from the first embodiment in that the control circuit is provided with a common filter 60 at the input portion of the harness 37 that supplies power, and electrical noise that enters from the harness 37. Has reduced the impact.

  The operation and action of the handle device configured as described above will be described below.

  The common filter 60 is formed at the input portion of the harness 37, converts high-frequency noise entering from the harness 37 into heat, and suppresses the noise so that the phases cancel each other. Further, if the harness 37 becomes longer, more common noise is generated, the effect of the common filter 60 is obtained, and the degree of freedom of attachment of the handle and the degree of freedom of attachment of the opening / closing control means can be increased.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the influence of noise entering from the harness 37 can be reduced, the slight displacement of the grip portion 23 can be stably detected, and the presence or absence of a highly sensitive operation can be detected. It is.

(Embodiment 7)
FIG. 12 is a circuit block diagram showing the control circuit of the seventh embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment of the present invention is different from the first to sixth embodiments in that ground connection means 252 (a) and 252 (b) are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 12, a control circuit 217 that detects the presence / absence of an opening / closing operation of the door handle 11 from the output signal of the piezoelectric sensor 15, and a door locking device (not shown) based on the signal output from the control circuit 217 A keyless entry system is constituted by the opening / closing control means for performing the locking / unlocking.

  The control circuit 217 includes a power supply unit 253 that stabilizes the power supplied from the battery, amplification means 254 that amplifies a predetermined frequency component from the signal of the piezoelectric sensor 15, and a piezoelectric sensor based on an output signal from the amplification unit 254. 15 includes a voltage comparison unit 255 that determines a displacement of 15 and a sensor output unit 256 that includes a transistor that sends a signal from the voltage comparison unit 255 to the opening / closing control unit via a harness 237. The control circuit 217 is covered with a circuit case 251 formed of a metal material such as iron, which is a magnetic material, and is connected to ground connection means 252 (a) and 252 (b) for connecting the control circuit 217 and the circuit case 251. Electrically connected. The ground connection means 252 (a) and 252 (b) connect the ground side of the battery to the circuit case 251 with a ground terminal using spring property.

  The ground connection means 252 (a) is connected to the circuit case 251 in the vicinity of the input of the control circuit 217 to which the piezoelectric sensor 15 is connected. The grounding means 252 (b) is connected to the circuit case 251 in the vicinity of the input of the control circuit 217 to which the harness 237 is connected. The ground connection means 252 (b) is connected to the ground side of the battery, whereby the circuit case 51 is grounded and a shielding effect is obtained.

  The ground connection means 252 (a) 252 (b) only needs to electrically connect the battery ground side of the control circuit 217 and the circuit case 251 so that the control circuit 217 has a shielding effect by the circuit case 251. For example, the ground terminal may be fixed with a screw or the like, or soldered.

The amplifying unit 254 removes unnecessary signals caused by vibrations of the automobile body from the output signal of the piezoelectric sensor 15 and extracts only a specific low frequency component that appears when the piezoelectric sensor 15 is deformed. have. The filter characteristics can be determined by analyzing and optimizing the vibration characteristics of the vehicle body of the automobile and the vehicle body vibration during traveling, and the control circuit 17 can realize more stable filter characteristics by the shielding effect.

(Embodiment 8)
Next, a door handle device according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, the same components as those in the seventh embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a control circuit according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.

  The eighth embodiment of the present invention is different from the seventh embodiment in that the control circuit includes a common filter 257 (a) provided near the input where the piezoelectric sensor 15 is connected to the control circuit 217, and A harness 237 for supplying power is provided with a common filter 257 (b) provided in the vicinity of the input connected to the control circuit 217.

  The common filters 257 (a) and 257 (b) have a configuration in which high frequency noise can be removed by forming a common mode filter using two ferrite beads. The common filters 257 (a) and 257 (b) only need to be able to remove noise intruding into the control circuit 217. For example, a filter effect can be obtained by selecting an appropriate noise frequency such as a wound common filter or LC composite filter. Is obtained.

  The operation and action of the handle device configured as described above will be described below.

  The common filter 257 (a) is formed at the input portion of the piezoelectric sensor 15, converts high-frequency noise entering from the piezoelectric sensor 15 into heat, and suppresses the noise so as to cancel out the phases. As the piezoelectric sensor 15 becomes longer, common noise becomes larger and the effect of the common filter 257 (a) can be expected.

  Further, the common filter 257 (b) is formed at the input portion of the harness 237 and suppresses noise entering from the harness 237.

  Further, the common filter 257 (a), 257 (b) has an impedance between the external GND such as a battery and the GND of the control circuit 217 that amplifies the signal of the piezoelectric sensor 15 and converts the contact operation of the door handle into an electric signal. Therefore, the influence of electrical noise entering from the piezoelectric sensor 15 and the harness 237 can be further reduced.

  Note that noise can be further reduced by forming a LC filter by connecting a capacitor to the output side of the common filters 257 (a) and 257 (b) or by forming a common filter in a plurality of stages. .

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the influence of noise entering from the piezoelectric sensor 15 or the harness 37 can be reduced, and the slight displacement of the grip portion 23 can be detected stably, and whether or not a highly sensitive operation is performed. Can be detected.

(Embodiment 9)
FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a control circuit according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention.

  The ninth embodiment of the present invention is different from the seventh embodiment in that the control circuit includes a capacitor 258 (a) connected to a signal input unit from the piezoelectric sensor 15 and a harness 237 for supplying power. Capacitors 258 (b) and 258 (c) connected to the input unit are provided to reduce the influence of electrical noise entering from the piezoelectric sensor 15 or the harness 237.

  The operation and action of the handle device configured as described above will be described below.

  A capacitor 258 (a) is provided on the center electrode 41 side of the piezoelectric sensor 15 so that the piezoelectric sensor 15 is connected to the circuit case 251 via the ground connection means 252 (b) in the vicinity of the input where the piezoelectric sensor 15 is connected to the control circuit 217. Yes. The capacitor 258 (a) is intended to bypass noise entering from the piezoelectric sensor 15 to the circuit case 251, and allows high frequency noise components to escape to the circuit case 251 and flow to the battery.

  In addition, a capacitor 258 (b) connected between the battery power supplies and a capacitor 258 (c) connected to the sensor output unit 256 are connected in the vicinity of the input where the harness 237 is connected to the control circuit 17. The capacitors 258 (b) and 258 (c) can bypass noise entering from the harness 237 and return it to the battery. In this manner, noise entering from the harness 237 can be suppressed, and the influence on the amplification unit 254 and the like in the control circuit 217 can be reduced.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the influence of noise entering from the harness 237 can be reduced, the minute displacement of the grip portion 23 can be detected stably, and the presence or absence of a highly sensitive operation can be detected.

(Embodiment 10)
FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a control circuit according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention.

  The tenth embodiment of the present invention is different from the seventh embodiment in that the control circuit includes a diode 259 in the vicinity of the input to which the harness 237 for supplying power is connected, and the current flows when the power is reversely connected. This prevents the flow.

  The operation and action of the handle device configured as described above will be described below.

  The diode 259 is connected in series to the positive terminal of the battery and supplies power to the power supply unit 253 in the control circuit 217. When the battery is reversely connected, a potential having a reverse polarity is applied to the control circuit 217. At this time, a potential is applied opposite to the forward direction of the diode 259, but current can be prevented from flowing by the diode 259. If this current does not flow, the control circuit 217 will not break down, and the control circuit 217 can operate normally when the battery is properly connected later.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the control circuit 217 can be protected by the diode 259 even when the battery is accidentally reverse-connected.

(Embodiment 11)
FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of an eleventh embodiment according to the present invention.

  The eleventh embodiment of the present invention is different from the seventh embodiment in that it includes a determination unit 260 that determines the operation of the door handle 11 based on the signal of the piezoelectric sensor 15 output from the control circuit 217. If the output signal is not less than a predetermined pulse width, it is determined that the door handle 11 has been operated.

  The operation and action of the handle device configured as described above will be described below.

The piezoelectric sensor 15 generates a sensor output signal according to the speed at the time of opening and closing when the grip portion 23 is opened and closed. The signal from the piezoelectric sensor 15 is amplified by the control circuit 17 and sent to the determination means 260 by the sensor output unit 256. The sensor output unit 56 is formed of an open collector transistor, and is supplied with a potential via a resistor connected to the positive side of the battery. The sensor output signal at this time is a low potential when the piezoelectric sensor 15 is ON, and a high potential when the piezoelectric sensor 15 is OFF. Thus, the operation of the door handle 11 can be detected by determining the high potential or the low potential of the sensor output signal. The determination means 260 is composed of a microcomputer or the like, and reads the sensor output signal to determine the operation of the door handle 11. For example, if the detection period of the microcomputer is 5 ms and the listening time is 3 times in order to remove noise, the longest detection time is 5 ms × 4 times, which takes 20 ms. That is, if the pulse width of the output signal of the piezoelectric sensor 15 is 20 ms or more, it can be normally detected. When disturbance noise enters, a short pulse signal is superimposed on the sensor output signal. In order to remove these disturbance noises, the operation of the door handle 11 can be detected stably by listening multiple times, such as three times. Since the opening / closing speed of the gripping part 23 is low in this way, the fact that the pulse width output from the piezoelectric sensor 15 is sufficiently longer than the 20 ms is utilized.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the determination unit 260 determines that the door handle 11 has been operated if the output signal is equal to or greater than a predetermined pulse width, thereby enabling more stable opening / closing operation of the door handle 11. It can be detected.

(Embodiment 12)
FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a control circuit according to the twelfth embodiment of the present invention.

  The twelfth embodiment of the present invention is different from the first embodiment in that the determination means 260 is an output power source formed by an electrical switch such as a transistor that intermittently supplies power to the output portion of the piezoelectric sensor 15. Means 261 are provided to reduce the current consumed by the sensor output unit 56.

  The operation and action of the handle device configured as described above will be described below.

  Based on the operation of the microcomputer in the determination means 260, the output power supply means 61 supplies power to the resistor by turning on the transistor only during the sensor output signal reading period. With this power supply, power is supplied to the sensor output unit 56. When the piezoelectric sensor 15 is ON, it has a low potential, and when the piezoelectric sensor 15 is OFF, it has a high potential. As described above, when the power is supplied for several hundreds of microseconds during the detection period of 5 ms, the microcomputer can determine the potential. Thus, by supplying power only during the period of reading the sensor output signal, power can be saved without consuming unnecessary power.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the power consumption can be reduced by reducing the current consumed by the sensor output unit 56 by the output power supply means 261.

(Embodiment 13)
FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a control circuit according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention.

  The thirteenth embodiment of the present invention is different from the seventh embodiment in that the determination means includes a power supply means 262 that supplies power to the control circuit 217, and the current consumed by the control circuit 217 is reduced. I try to reduce it.

  The operation and action of the handle device configured as described above will be described below.

  Based on the operation of the microcomputer in the determination means 260, the power supply means 262 turns on the transistor only during the reading period of the sensor output signal and supplies power to the resistor. With this power supply, power is supplied to the control circuit 217, and the displacement of the piezoelectric sensor 15 can be detected. During this power supply period, for example, the power supply means 262 is turned on from a state where the user is identified by an authentication card (not shown), and power is supplied to the control circuit 217. When the authorized user is identified and the door handle 11 is operated, the door is unlocked. Thereafter, if the authentication card is not recognized within a predetermined time, the power supply means 262 stops supplying power. Thus, when the presence or absence of the authentication card is detected, the power supply means 262 supplies power, and the power supply period can be suppressed.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the power supply means 262 controls the power supply of the control circuit 17, so that the current consumed by the control circuit 17 can be reduced to save power.

  In addition, it is possible to provide a vehicle in which the door handle device of any of the first to thirteenth to thirteenth embodiments is applied to a smart entry system using a door such as a front door or a keyless entry system using a door such as a side door or a tailgate.

  In addition, since the determination unit 260 invalidates the state determination of the output signal of the piezoelectric sensor during traveling, it is possible to prevent the keyless entry system from malfunctioning even if the piezoelectric sensor 15 operates during traveling. During travel, the piezoelectric sensor 15 may be displaced and an output signal may appear due to vehicle body vibration. By disabling the state determination of the signal while the determination unit 260 is traveling, the opening and closing operation of the door handle 11 can be stopped regardless of the output state of the piezoelectric sensor 15, and a keyless entry system that operates more stably is provided. Can be provided.

  Further, by stopping the supply of power to the control circuit 17 or 217 while the power supply means 262 is traveling, the output of the piezoelectric sensor 15 is lost during traveling, and the power consumed by the control circuit 17 or 217 is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to provide a keyless entry system that can save power.

  As described above, the door handle device according to the present invention can detect a slight displacement by detecting the displacement of the gripping portion by the piezoelectric sensor, and reliably detects that the user has operated. Therefore, it can be applied to uses such as a vehicle-mounted handle and a handle device used in a general home or office.

1 is an external perspective view showing a door handle device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 1 is an internal configuration diagram of the AA cross section of FIG. Schematic configuration diagram of the piezoelectric sensor shown in FIG. 2 in the same embodiment Configuration diagram of piezoelectric element material in the same embodiment The block diagram which shows the control circuit in the same embodiment (A) The figure which shows the bending load with respect to the piezoelectric sensor in the same embodiment (b) The sensor output figure output with respect to the bending load of the piezoelectric sensor in the same embodiment The block diagram which shows the control circuit in Embodiment 2 of this invention The block diagram which shows the control circuit in Embodiment 3 of this invention The block diagram which shows the control circuit in Embodiment 4 of this invention The block diagram which shows the control circuit in Embodiment 5 of this invention The block diagram which shows the control circuit in Embodiment 6 of this invention The block diagram which shows the control circuit in Embodiment 7 of this invention The block diagram which shows the control circuit in Embodiment 8 of this invention The block diagram which shows the control circuit in Embodiment 9 of this invention Block diagram showing a control circuit in Embodiment 10 of the present invention The block diagram which shows the control circuit in Embodiment 11 of this invention Block diagram showing a control circuit in Embodiment 12 of the present invention Block diagram showing a control circuit according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention. Configuration explanatory diagram of a conventional vehicle door handle device

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Door handle 13 Door 15 Piezoelectric sensor 17, 217 Control circuit 37, 237 Harness 51, 251 Circuit case 52 Ground connection means 57 (a), (b), (c) Capacitor 58 Common filter 59 (a), (b) Capacitor 60 Common filter 252 (a), 252 (b) Ground connection means 257 (a), 257 (b) Common filter 258 (a), 258 (b), 258 (c) Capacitor 259 Diode 260 Determination means 261 Output power supply Means 262 Power supply means

Claims (14)

A door handle for opening and closing the door, a piezoelectric sensor that deforms based on the displacement of the door handle, a contact of a person or an object to the door handle based on an output signal of the piezoelectric sensor, and an opening operation of the door handle A door handle comprising: a control circuit for detecting at least one closing operation of the door handle; a circuit case made of a magnetic material covering the control circuit; and a ground connection means for connecting the circuit case and the control circuit. apparatus. The door handle device according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric sensor has one end of the piezoelectric sensor connected to the circuit case in the vicinity of an input connected to the control circuit. The door handle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control circuit is provided with a capacitor connected to a circuit case in the vicinity of an input where a harness for supplying power is connected to the control circuit, thereby reducing an influence of electrical noise entering from the harness. apparatus. The door handle device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control circuit is provided with a common filter at a signal input portion from the piezoelectric sensor to reduce an influence of electrical noise entering from the piezoelectric sensor. The door handle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control circuit is provided with a capacitor connected to a circuit case at a signal input portion from the piezoelectric sensor to reduce the influence of electrical noise entering from the piezoelectric sensor. apparatus. The door handle device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control circuit is provided with a common filter at an input portion of a harness that supplies power to reduce an influence of electrical noise entering from the harness. The door handle device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control circuit includes a diode in the vicinity of an input to which a harness for supplying power is connected to prevent a current from flowing when the power is reversely connected. 2. A determination means for determining operation of the door handle based on a piezoelectric sensor signal output from the control circuit, wherein the door handle is determined to have been operated if the pulse width is greater than or equal to a predetermined pulse width. 8. The door handle device according to any one of 7 above. The door handle device according to claim 8, wherein the determination unit includes an output power source unit that intermittently supplies power to the output unit of the piezoelectric sensor to reduce a current consumed by the sensor output unit. The door handle device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the determination means includes power supply means for supplying power to the control circuit to reduce current consumed by the control circuit. The door member provided with the door handle apparatus of any one of Claim 1 to 10. A keyless entry system comprising the door handle device according to any one of claims 1 to 10. A keyless entry comprising a door handle device, wherein the door handle device according to claim 8 is provided in a vehicle, and the determination means invalidates the state determination of the output signal of the piezoelectric sensor while the vehicle is running. system. A keyless entry system comprising a door handle device, wherein the door handle device according to claim 9 or 10 is provided in a vehicle, and the power supply means stops supplying power to the control circuit while the vehicle is running. .

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