JP2008292445A - Foreign matter detecting device and opening-closing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a foreign matter detecting device which can suppress lowering of the accuracy in detection of foreign matter coming near to a foreign matter detecting sensor. <P>SOLUTION: The foreign matter detecting device 41 is equipped with two foreign matter detecting sensors 42 and 43 which are so disposed at the front end part of a door panel as to be arrayed in the longitudinal direction of the front end part and have sensor electrodes respectively and which output respectively capacitance detection signals S1 and S3 responding to a change in the capacitance between the sensor electrodes and the conductive foreign matter coming near to the sensor electrodes. Besides, the foreign matter detecting device 41 is equipped with a detecting part 44 which judges the presence or absence of the foreign matter coming near to the foreign matter detecting sensors 42 and 43, based on the two capacitance detection signals S1 and S3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a foreign matter detection device and an opening / closing device including the foreign matter detection device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an opening / closing device that slides (opens / closes) a door panel (moving body) provided on a side of a vehicle along a vehicle front-rear direction by a driving force of a motor or the like is used to get on and off the door panel and the vehicle body during closing operation. Some have a foreign matter detection device for detecting foreign matter existing between the periphery of the mouth (opening). There are two types of foreign matter detection devices: a pressure-sensitive type that detects foreign matter by contacting the foreign matter, and a capacitance type device that detects foreign matter without contact. However, in the pressure-sensitive foreign matter detection device, the presence of the door panel is detected only after the door panel comes into contact with the foreign matter. Therefore, after the door panel comes into contact with the foreign matter, the door panel is moved to the stop or fully opened position. In the meantime, there is a possibility that a large pinching load is applied to the foreign matter from the door panel. Accordingly, it is desired that foreign matter between the door panel and the vehicle body be detected without contact.

And as an electrostatic capacitance type foreign material detection apparatus, there exist some which were indicated in patent documents 1, for example. The foreign object detection sensor provided in the foreign object detection device includes two sensor electrodes respectively arranged from the upper end to the lower end of the front end of the door panel, and no foreign object exists between the door panel and the periphery of the entrance / exit of the vehicle body Is configured such that the difference value between the potentials of the two sensor electrodes is zero. When the difference between the potentials of the two sensor electrodes fluctuates due to the proximity of foreign matter to the sensor electrode, the foreign matter detection device determines that foreign matter is present between the door panel and the periphery of the entrance / exit of the vehicle body. Further, the foreign object detection device has a conductive shield electrode that opens to the front side of the vehicle and covers the two sensor electrodes. The shield electrode is set to the same potential as the two sensor electrodes, and prevents the difference value between the two sensor electrodes from fluctuating due to conductive foreign matter that is close to the sensor electrode via the shield electrode. That is, by providing a shield electrode, when conductive foreign matter exists around the door panel except for the front end side of the door panel, it is determined that there is foreign matter between the front end of the door panel and the entrance / exit of the vehicle. Is prevented from malfunctioning.
JP 2005-227224 A

  By the way, when the door panel approaches the fully closed position, a front seat door or a center pillar (B pillar) having conductivity approaches the front end of the door panel. For this reason, electrostatic capacitance is induced between the two sensor electrodes and the front seat door and the center pillar, and there is a possibility that the difference value between the potentials of the two sensor electrodes varies. However, since it is necessary to detect foreign matter between the front end of the door panel and the front seat door or the center pillar, the difference between the potentials of the two sensor electrodes varies when the door panel comes close to the front seat door or the center pillar. In order to prevent this, a shield electrode cannot be provided between the two sensor electrodes and the front seat door (or center pillar), that is, on the front side of the vehicle in the foreign matter detection sensor. Accordingly, in a region where the electrostatic capacity starts to be induced between the door panel and the front seat door or the center pillar in the operation region of the door panel, the detection accuracy of the foreign matter existing between the front end of the door panel and the vehicle entrance / exit is lowered. There was a fear.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a foreign object detection device and an opening / closing device that can suppress a decrease in the detection accuracy of a foreign object close to the foreign object detection sensor. .

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is arranged in a linear arrangement region so as to be aligned in the longitudinal direction of the arrangement region, each having a sensor electrode, and having conductivity close to the sensor electrode. A plurality of foreign matter detection sensors for outputting a capacitance detection signal corresponding to a change in capacitance between the foreign matter and a plurality of the foreign matter detection signals output by the plurality of foreign matter detection sensors, The gist of the present invention is that it comprises a determination means for determining the presence or absence of the foreign matter in proximity to the foreign matter detection sensor.

  According to this configuration, since a plurality of foreign object detection sensors are provided and the presence or absence of a foreign object adjacent to the foreign object detection sensor is determined based on a plurality of electrostatic capacitance detection signals respectively output from the plurality of foreign object detection sensors. The accuracy of foreign object detection can be improved as compared with the case where the presence / absence of a foreign object close to the foreign object detection sensor is determined based only on the capacitance detection signal output from one foreign object detection sensor. The plurality of foreign matter detection sensors that output capacitance detection signals are arranged so as to be arranged in the longitudinal direction of the arrangement region. For example, the electric slide door device mounted on the vehicle is provided with the foreign object detection device, and a plurality of foreign object detection sensors are arranged at the front end portion of the door panel that is slid in the front-rear direction with respect to the entrance of the vehicle. Consider a case in which they are arranged in the longitudinal direction (the same in the vertical direction). In this case, when the door panel is closed in a state where foreign matter exists between the front end of the door panel and the entrance / exit, the sensor electrode of the foreign matter detection sensor that is close to the foreign matter among the plurality of foreign matter detection sensors and the foreign matter The capacitance between the two increases. On the other hand, when there is no foreign object between the front end of the door panel and the entrance / exit, when the door panel in the closing operation approaches the fully closed position, the front end of the door panel approaches the periphery of the entrance / exit, The capacitance between the sensor electrode of the foreign object detection sensor and the periphery of the entrance / exit is uniformly increased. Therefore, a foreign object close to the foreign object detection sensor based on a capacitance detection signal output from each of the plurality of foreign object detection sensors and corresponding to a change in electrostatic capacitance between the conductive foreign object adjacent to the sensor electrode. By determining the presence / absence of the presence / absence, it is possible to suppress the peripheral edge of the entrance / exit from being determined as a foreign object, that is, to prevent erroneous detection of a foreign object by the determination circuit. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the detection accuracy of the foreign matter that is close to the foreign matter detection sensor.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the foreign object detection device according to the first aspect, the determination unit compares detection values based on the capacitance detection signals output from the plurality of foreign object detection sensors, and compares the comparison values. When the detected values differ, the gist is to determine that there is the foreign object close to the foreign object detection sensor.

  According to this configuration, the determination unit determines the presence / absence of the foreign matter adjacent to the foreign matter detection sensor by comparing the detection values based on the respective capacitance detection signals. The plurality of foreign matter detection sensors each output a similar electrostatic capacitance detection signal when there is no foreign matter nearby. On the other hand, if there is a foreign object close to the object, in the foreign object detection sensor in which the foreign object is close, the capacitance increases between the adjacent foreign object and the sensor electrode. Therefore, the electrostatic capacitance detection signal output by the foreign object detection sensor in the vicinity of the foreign object outputs a signal different from the electrostatic capacity detection signal output by the foreign object detection sensor in which the foreign object is not in proximity. Therefore, by comparing the detection values based on the capacitance detection signal, it is possible to easily determine the presence or absence of a foreign object that is close to the foreign object detection sensor.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the foreign matter detection device according to the first or second aspect, the determination unit is configured to detect a detection value based on the capacitance detection signals output from the plurality of foreign matter detection sensors. The gist is to determine that there is the foreign object close to the foreign object detection sensor when at least one exceeds a threshold for determining the presence or absence of the foreign object adjacent to the foreign object detection sensor.

  According to the configuration, the detection value based on a plurality of capacitance detection signals is compared with a threshold value, and when at least one of the detection values exceeds the threshold value, it is determined that there is a foreign object close to the foreign object detection sensor. Thus, it is possible to suppress erroneous detection of foreign matters and further improve the accuracy of foreign matter detection by the foreign matter detection device.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the foreign matter detection device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the foreign matter detection sensor has a string-like core wire made of a dielectric, The gist is that the two sensor electrodes are spirally wound around the outer periphery.

  According to the same configuration, the electrostatic capacitance detection signal output from the foreign matter detection sensor includes the electrostatic capacitance between two sensor electrodes spirally wound around the outer periphery of the core wire, one sensor electrode, and the foreign matter detection sensor. Is a signal corresponding to a composite value of the electrostatic capacitance between the conductive foreign matter (or the ground) adjacent to and the electrostatic capacitance between the other sensor electrode and the foreign matter (or the ground). Therefore, the change in the capacitance detection signal output by the foreign matter detection sensor becomes large between the case where the conductive foreign matter is not close to the foreign matter detection sensor and the case where the conductive foreign matter is close to the foreign matter detection sensor. . As a result, the accuracy of foreign object detection by the foreign object detection device can be further improved. In addition, the foreign object detection sensor is easily manufactured because it is formed by spirally winding two sensor electrodes around the core wire. Furthermore, since the two sensor electrodes are spirally wound around the outer periphery of the core wire, the foreign object can be detected even if a conductive foreign material comes close to the core wire from any direction in the circumferential direction. In addition to this, even if the core wire is disposed in a state of being curved in the longitudinal direction, the function deterioration of the foreign matter detection sensor is prevented.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an opening / closing device comprising a moving body that is moved between a fully closed position that closes an opening formed in a conductive fixed body and a fully open position that opens the opening. The closed end of the movable body, which is the front end in the closing direction, and the opposing portion which is a portion facing the closed end at the periphery of the opening. A sensor electrode disposed along the longitudinal direction of one of the side end portion and the facing portion, and disposed along one of the closed side end portion and the facing portion; A plurality of foreign matter detection sensors for outputting a capacitance detection signal corresponding to a capacitance between the conductive foreign matter adjacent to the sensor electrode and each of the capacitance detections output by the plurality of foreign matter detection sensors. Based on the signal, a determination method for determining the presence or absence of a foreign object in proximity to the foreign object detection sensor When, further comprising a control means for controlling the movement of the moving object based on the determination result of the determination means is set to its gist.

  According to this configuration, since a plurality of foreign object detection sensors are provided and the presence or absence of a foreign object adjacent to the foreign object detection sensor is determined based on a plurality of electrostatic capacitance detection signals respectively output from the plurality of foreign object detection sensors. The accuracy of foreign object detection can be improved as compared with the case where the presence / absence of a foreign object close to the foreign object detection sensor is determined based only on the capacitance detection signal output from one foreign object detection sensor. In addition, the plurality of foreign matter detection sensors that output electrostatic capacitance detection signals are arranged in the longitudinal direction of either the closed-side end portion or the facing portion and either the closed-side end portion or the facing portion. Is arranged. In this case, when the moving body is closed in a state in which foreign matter exists between the closed side end and the facing portion, the sensor electrode of the foreign matter detection sensor that is close to the foreign matter among the plurality of foreign matter detection sensors and the foreign matter The capacitance between the two increases. On the other hand, when there is no foreign object between the closed end and the opposing part, when the moving body in the closing operation approaches the fully closed position, the closed end approaches the opposing part. The electrostatic capacitance between the sensor electrode of the detection sensor and the facing portion or the closed end is uniformly increased. Accordingly, a foreign object close to the foreign object detection sensor based on a capacitance detection signal output from each of the plurality of foreign object detection sensors and corresponding to a change in electrostatic capacitance with the conductive foreign object adjacent to the sensor electrode. By determining the presence or absence, it is suppressed that the facing part or the closed end is determined as a foreign object. That is, it is possible to suppress erroneous detection of foreign matter by the determination unit. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the detection accuracy of the foreign matter that is close to the foreign matter detection sensor.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an opening / closing device comprising a moving body that is moved between a fully closed position that closes an opening formed in a conductive fixed body and a fully open position that opens the opening. Because
The movable body is disposed along one of a closed end portion that is an end portion on the front side in the closing direction and a facing portion that is a portion facing the closed end portion at a peripheral edge portion of the opening. At least one first sensor electrode that outputs a capacitance detection signal corresponding to a capacitance between the first sensor electrode and a conductive foreign substance adjacent to the first sensor electrode. One foreign matter detection sensor and a second sensor electrode partially disposed at a peripheral edge of the opening from the end in the longitudinal direction of the facing portion toward the rear side in the closing direction of the movable body, At least one second foreign matter detection sensor that outputs a capacitance detection signal corresponding to a capacitance between the second sensor electrode and a conductive foreign matter adjacent to the second sensor electrode; Based on each capacitance detection signal output by the foreign matter detection sensor, Determining means for determining whether the foreign object in proximity to the serial foreign object detection sensor, and its gist in that a control means for controlling the movement of the moving body based on a determination result of said determining means.

  According to this configuration, the switchgear includes at least one first foreign object detection sensor and at least one second foreign object detection sensor, and a plurality of capacitance detections respectively output from the plurality of foreign object detection sensors. In order to determine the presence or absence of a foreign object close to the foreign object detection sensor based on the signal, when determining the presence or absence of a foreign object close to the foreign object detection sensor based only on the capacitance detection signal output from one foreign object detection sensor As a result, the accuracy of foreign object detection can be improved. The first foreign object detection sensor is disposed along one of the closed end and the facing part, and the second foreign object detection sensor is closed from the end in the longitudinal direction of the facing part. It arrange | positions partially in the peripheral part of an opening part toward the direction back side. In this case, when the moving body is closed in a state in which foreign matter exists between the closed side end and the facing portion, the sensor electrode of the foreign matter detection sensor that is close to the foreign matter among the plurality of foreign matter detection sensors and the foreign matter The capacitance between the two increases. On the other hand, when there is no foreign object between the closed end and the opposed part, when the moving body in the closing operation approaches the fully closed position, the closed end becomes the second foreign object at the periphery of the opening. Since it is close to the region where the detection sensor is arranged and the opposing portion, the capacitance between the sensor electrode of the first foreign matter detection sensor and the opposing portion or the closed end, and the sensor of the second foreign matter detection sensor The capacitance between the electrode and the closed end is increased uniformly. Accordingly, a foreign object close to the foreign object detection sensor based on a capacitance detection signal output from each of the plurality of foreign object detection sensors and corresponding to a change in electrostatic capacitance with the conductive foreign object adjacent to the sensor electrode. By determining the presence or absence, it is suppressed that the facing part or the closed end is determined as a foreign object. That is, it is possible to suppress erroneous detection of foreign matter by the determination unit. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the detection accuracy of the foreign matter that is close to the foreign matter detection sensor.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the switchgear according to the fifth or sixth aspect, the determination means compares detection values based on the capacitance detection signals output from the plurality of foreign matter detection sensors. However, when the detected values compared are different, the gist is to determine that there is the foreign matter close to the foreign matter detection sensor.

  According to this configuration, the determination unit determines the presence / absence of the foreign matter adjacent to the foreign matter detection sensor by comparing the detection values based on the respective capacitance detection signals. The plurality of foreign matter detection sensors each output a similar electrostatic capacitance detection signal when there is no foreign matter nearby. Further, when there is no adjacent foreign matter, when the moving body in the closing operation approaches the fully closed position, the closed side end portion approaches the opposing portion, so that each sensor electrode and the opposing portion or the closed side end portion In the same manner, each foreign matter detection sensor outputs a similar capacitance detection signal. On the other hand, if there is a foreign object close to the object, in the foreign object detection sensor in which the foreign object is close, the capacitance increases between the adjacent foreign object and the sensor electrode. Therefore, the electrostatic capacitance detection signal output by the foreign object detection sensor in the vicinity of the foreign object outputs a signal different from the electrostatic capacity detection signal output by the foreign object detection sensor in which the foreign object is not in proximity. Therefore, by comparing the detection values based on the capacitance detection signal, it is possible to suppress erroneous detection of foreign matters and to easily determine the presence or absence of foreign matters in proximity to the foreign matter detection sensor.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the switchgear according to any one of the fifth to seventh aspects, the determination unit is configured to output the capacitance detection signal output from the plurality of foreign matter detection sensors. The gist is to determine that the foreign object is in proximity to the foreign object detection sensor when at least one of the detection values based on the detection value exceeds a threshold for determining the presence or absence of the foreign object in proximity to the foreign object detection sensor. Yes.

  According to the configuration, the detection value based on a plurality of capacitance detection signals is compared with a threshold value, and when at least one of the detection values exceeds the threshold value, it is determined that there is a foreign object close to the foreign object detection sensor. Accordingly, it is possible to further suppress the erroneous detection of the foreign matter and further improve the accuracy of the foreign matter detection by the foreign matter detection device.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the opening / closing device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the opening / closing device includes one each of the first foreign matter detection sensor and the second foreign matter detection sensor, The first foreign object detection sensor is disposed along the facing portion, and the second foreign object detection sensor is disposed on the rear side in the closing direction of the movable body with respect to the first foreign object detection sensor. Is the gist.

  According to this configuration, since each of the first foreign object detection sensor and the second foreign object detection sensor is provided, a process for arranging these foreign object detection sensors as compared with the case where three or more foreign object detection sensors are provided. The number can be reduced. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the time required for disposing the foreign object detection sensor. In addition, even when a plurality of conductive foreign objects approach the opposing portion at the same time, the foreign objects can be detected. Furthermore, compared with the case where a plurality of foreign matter detection sensors are arranged in the facing portion, it is possible to detect the foreign matter close to the foreign matter detection sensor with higher accuracy in a wider range in the facing portion.

The gist of a tenth aspect of the present invention is that the switchgear according to any one of the fifth to eighth aspects includes the two foreign matter detection sensors.
According to this configuration, the number of steps for arranging these foreign object detection sensors can be reduced as compared with the case where three or more foreign object detection sensors are provided. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the time required for disposing the foreign object detection sensor.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the switchgear according to the ninth or tenth aspect, the two foreign matter detection sensors include lead wires for connecting the foreign matter detection sensors and the determination means. The gist of the present invention is that the foreign matter detection sensors are pulled out from mutually opposing ends in the longitudinal direction.

  According to this configuration, since the lead wire connected to one foreign matter detection sensor and the lead wire connected to the other foreign matter detection sensor are arranged at positions close to each other, the lead wires can be easily routed. be able to.

  A twelfth aspect of the present invention is the switchgear according to any one of the fifth to eleventh aspects, wherein the sensor electrode is disposed along one of the closed end and the facing portion. The gist is that the cord-like dielectric layer is spirally wound around the outer periphery.

  According to this configuration, since the sensor electrode is spirally wound around the outer periphery of the dielectric layer, the range in which the foreign matter close to the sensor electrode, that is, the foreign matter close to the foreign matter detection sensor can be detected is set in the circumferential direction. Can be wide. In addition, since the sensor electrode is spirally wound around the outer periphery of the dielectric layer, when the dielectric layer is disposed on either the closed side end of the moving body or the opposed portion of the opening, the dielectric layer is circumferentially The mounting direction is not limited. Therefore, it is possible to easily arrange the dielectric layer, and thus the foreign matter detection sensor. Furthermore, when the sensor electrode is spirally wound around the outer periphery of the dielectric layer, even if the dielectric layer is arranged in a curved state in the longitudinal direction, the function of the foreign matter detection sensor is prevented from being deteriorated.

  A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the switchgear according to any one of the fifth to eleventh aspects, wherein the foreign matter detection sensor has a string-like core wire made of a dielectric, and an outer periphery of the core wire. The gist is that the two sensor electrodes are spirally wound.

  According to the same configuration, the electrostatic capacitance detection signal output from the foreign matter detection sensor includes the electrostatic capacitance between two sensor electrodes spirally wound around the outer periphery of the core wire, one sensor electrode, and the foreign matter detection sensor. Is a signal corresponding to a composite value of the electrostatic capacitance between the conductive foreign matter (or the ground) adjacent to and the electrostatic capacitance between the other sensor electrode and the foreign matter (or the ground). Therefore, the change in the capacitance detection signal output by the foreign matter detection sensor becomes large between the case where the conductive foreign matter is not close to the foreign matter detection sensor and the case where the conductive foreign matter is close to the foreign matter detection sensor. . As a result, the accuracy of foreign object detection by the foreign object detection device can be further improved. In addition, the foreign object detection sensor is easily manufactured because it is formed by spirally winding two sensor electrodes around the core wire. Furthermore, since the two sensor electrodes are spirally wound around the outer periphery of the core wire, the foreign object can be detected even if a conductive foreign material comes close to the core wire from any direction in the circumferential direction. In addition to this, even if the core wire is disposed in a state of being curved in the longitudinal direction, the function deterioration of the foreign matter detection sensor is prevented.

  A fourteenth aspect of the present invention is the open / close device according to any one of the fifth to thirteenth aspects, wherein the movable body is moved between the fully open position and the fully closed position. The latch provided on either the fixed body or the movable body is moved from the half latch position to the full latch position with respect to the drive motor and the locking portion provided on either the fixed body or the movable body. The closer is moved by the driving force of the closer motor to close the latch to the locking portion and the movable body is placed in the fully closed position, and the latch is placed in the half latch position. And a half latch detection means for outputting a half latch detection signal, and the control means stops the drive motor when the half latch detection signal is output during the closing operation of the movable body. Then, the closer motor is driven, and the determination means is free of the foreign matter in proximity to the foreign matter detection sensor regardless of the detection value based on the capacitance detection signal while the closer motor is being driven. The gist is to determine that.

  According to this configuration, the determination unit determines that there is no foreign object close to the foreign object detection sensor regardless of the detection value based on the capacitance detection signal while the closer motor is being driven. In general, when the moving body is closed with no conductive foreign matter between the moving body and the periphery of the opening, the moving body moves from the fully open position to a predetermined position near the fully closed position. While the is moving, the electrostatic capacitance between the sensor electrode and either the closed end of the moving body or the opposed portion of the opening and the sensor electrode becomes a substantially constant value, and detection based on the electrostatic capacitance detection signal The value is also almost constant. Then, when the moving body is moved from the predetermined position near the fully closed position toward the fully closed position, as the moving body approaches the fully closed position, the closed side end portion of the moving body and the facing portion of the opening The capacitance between either one of the sensor electrode and the sensor electrode increases rapidly, and the detection value based on the capacitance detection signal changes abruptly. The predetermined position near the fully closed position where the sudden increase in capacitance starts is near the position of the moving body when the latch is disposed at the half latch position. Thus, as in the present invention, while the closer motor that is driven based on the half latch detection signal is driven, it is determined that there is no foreign object close to the foreign object detection sensor regardless of the detection value based on the capacitance detection signal. If the determination means is configured as described above, it is possible to set a threshold value for determining the presence or absence of a foreign object close to the foreign object detection sensor without taking into account the detection value after the half latch detection signal is output. . As a result, when there is no conductive foreign matter between the moving body and the periphery of the opening, capacitance detection is performed between the start of the closing operation of the moving body and the start of the closer motor drive. The threshold value can be set to a value close to the detection value based on the signal, and the foreign substance detection sensitivity can be improved. In the present invention, the “movement” when the latch is moved from the half latch position to the full latch position includes a rotation operation of the latch.

  According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the switchgear according to any one of the fifth to fourteenth aspects, the fixed body is a body of a vehicle, and the movable body is located on a side of the vehicle. The gist of the present invention is that the door panel is slidably moved along the front-rear direction to open and close the provided opening.

  According to this configuration, in an opening / closing device that includes an opening formed on the side of the vehicle and a door panel that closes the opening, it is possible to suppress a decrease in detection accuracy of a foreign object close to the foreign object detection sensor. .

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a foreign object detection device and an opening / closing device that can suppress a decrease in detection accuracy of a foreign object that is close to the foreign object detection sensor.

(First embodiment)
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a first embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in an electric slide door device mounted on a vehicle will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle 2 equipped with an electric sliding door device (opening / closing device) 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 2 includes a vehicle body (body) 3 as a fixed body made of a conductive metal material. On the left side surface of the vehicle body 3, an entrance / exit 4 as a rectangular opening is formed. Is formed. The entrance / exit 4 is opened and closed by a door panel 5 as a moving body that is formed of a conductive metal material and has a rectangular shape corresponding to the entrance / exit 4. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, a front passenger door panel 6 having conductivity is provided in front of the passenger door 4, and the door panel 5 in a state in which the passenger door 4 is closed and the front passenger door panel 6. Between them, a conductive center pillar 7 is provided so as to extend in the vertical direction.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the door panel 5 is attached to the vehicle body 3 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction via an operating mechanism 11 in order to open and close the entrance / exit 4, and the door panel 5 is a lock such as a latch. A mechanism (not shown) is provided. This locking mechanism is for fixing the door panel 5 so that it cannot move relative to the vehicle body 3 when the door panel 5 is in a state of closing the entrance / exit 4 (that is, in a state where the door panel 5 is disposed at the fully closed position). Is. The lock mechanism is provided with half-latch detection means (not shown), and the half-latch detection means controls the half-slide detection signal when the lock mechanism enters the half-latch state. It outputs to the circuit apparatus 111 (refer FIG. 3).

  The operating mechanism 11 includes an upper rail 12, a lower rail 13, a center rail 14 provided on the vehicle body 3, and an upper arm 15, a lower arm 16, and a center arm 17 provided on the door panel 5 side.

  The upper rail 12 and the lower rail 13 are respectively provided at an upper part and a lower part of the entrance / exit 4 in the vehicle 2, and extend along a substantially front-rear direction of the vehicle 2. The center rail 14 is provided at a substantially central portion of a portion of the vehicle 2 that is behind the entrance / exit 4 and extends along a substantially front-rear direction of the vehicle 2. Each of the rails 12 to 14 is formed so as to be along the front-rear direction of the vehicle 2 from the rear end toward the front end side, and is curved so that the front end side faces the vehicle interior side from the middle.

  The arms 15 to 17 are fixed at predetermined positions on the upper, lower, and central portions of the door panel 5 on the vehicle interior side. The upper arm 15 is connected to the upper rail 12, the lower arm 16 is connected to the lower rail 13, the center arm 17 is connected to the center rail 14, and the arms 15 to 17 are connected to the rails 12 to 12. 14, the vehicle 2 can move in the front-rear direction.

  The lower arm 16 is driven substantially in the front-rear direction by the drive mechanism 21. More specifically, a drive pulley 22 and a plurality of driven pulleys 23 of the drive mechanism 21 that rotate about the vertical axis of the vehicle 2 are provided at a position closer to the vehicle interior side than the lower rail 13. An endless belt 24 is stretched around the driving pulley 22 and the driven pulley 23, and the end of the lower arm 16 is fixed to the endless belt 24.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a slide actuator 25 that constitutes the drive mechanism 21 is connected to the drive pulley 22. The slide actuator 25 is disposed on the vehicle interior side, and includes a slide motor 26 and a speed reduction mechanism (not shown) that reduces the rotation of the slide motor 26 and transmits it to the drive pulley 22. When the slide motor 26 is driven and the drive pulley 22 rotates, the endless belt 24 is driven to rotate, the lower arm 16 moves in the front-rear direction, and the door panel 5 slides in the front-rear direction.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a position detection device 27 that detects the number of rotations of the slide motor 26 is provided in the slide actuator 25. The position detection device 27 outputs a position detection signal corresponding to the rotation of the slide motor 26 to the control circuit device 111. The position detection device 27 is, for example, a permanent magnet (not shown) that rotates integrally with a rotation shaft (not shown) of the slide motor 26 or a reduction gear (not shown) that constitutes the speed reduction mechanism, and is disposed opposite to the permanent magnet. And a pulse signal as a position detection signal.

  In addition, a closer actuator 28 constituting the drive mechanism 21 is disposed inside the door panel 5 (see FIG. 1). Mechanism (not shown). When the closer motor 29 is driven, the door panel 5 is moved to a position where the lock mechanism can be locked.

  In addition, the electric sliding door device 1 includes an operation switch 31 that is electrically connected to the control circuit device 111. When the operation switch 31 is operated by the passenger so as to open the entrance / exit 4, an opening signal indicating that the door panel 5 is slid to open the entrance / exit 4 is sent to the control circuit device 111. Output to. On the other hand, when the operation switch 31 is operated so as to close the entrance / exit 4 by the passenger, the operation switch 31 sends a closing signal to the sliding movement of the door panel 5 so as to close the entrance / exit 4. Output to. The operation switch 31 is provided in a predetermined part (dashboard or the like) in the vehicle interior, a side surface of the door panel 5 on the vehicle interior side (see FIG. 1), a portable item (not shown) carried along with the ignition key, and the like.

  The electric sliding door device 1 also includes a foreign object detection device 41 for detecting foreign objects between the door panel 5 and the periphery of the entrance 4. The foreign matter detection device 41 includes a first foreign matter detection sensor 42, a second foreign matter detection sensor 43, and a detection unit for judging the presence or absence of foreign matter in proximity to the first and second foreign matter detection sensors 42 and 43. 44.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the first foreign object detection sensor 42 and the second foreign object detection sensor 43 each have a string shape and are disposed along the front end portion 5 a of the door panel 5. The first foreign object detection sensor 42 is disposed above the center in the vertical direction at the front end portion 5a of the door panel 5, and the second foreign object detection sensor 43 is disposed below the center in the vertical direction. ing. In addition, let the site | part which opposes the front-end part 5a of the door panel 5 in the periphery of the entrance / exit 4 be the opposing part 4a.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the first center electrode 51 made of a conductive wire constituting the first foreign object detection sensor 42 is formed in an elongated shape, and the length of the front end portion 5 a of the door panel 5 in the vertical direction. The length is approximately equal to half the length (see FIG. 2). A lead wire 52 is electrically connected to the lower end of the first center electrode 51, and the outer periphery of the first center electrode 51 is covered with the outer periphery of the first center electrode 51. A first dielectric layer 53 is provided. The long first dielectric layer 53 is made of a dielectric material having elasticity and has a cylindrical string shape having a length equal to that of the first center electrode 51. In the present embodiment, the first dielectric layer 53 is formed of an elastic and insulating sponge.

  A first sensor electrode 54 is wound around the outer periphery of the first dielectric layer 53. The first sensor electrode 54 has conductivity, and the cross-sectional shape in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction thereof is elliptical. The first sensor electrode 54 is spirally wound around the first dielectric layer 53 from the upper end portion to the lower end portion of the first dielectric layer 53 at a predetermined winding pitch. A lead wire 55 is electrically connected to the lower end of the electrode 54. The “winding pitch” means a distance traveled in the longitudinal direction of the dielectric layer when the sensor electrode is wound once around the dielectric layer. And the winding pitch of the 1st sensor electrode 54 to the 1st dielectric layer 53 is set as the width of about 10-15 mm according to the thickness of a human finger, for example. Therefore, in a state where the first sensor electrode 54 is wound around the first dielectric layer 53, the distance D1 between the first sensor electrodes 54 in the longitudinal direction of the first dielectric layer 53 is about 10 to 15 mm. .

  A first outer layer 56 that covers the first dielectric layer 53 and the first sensor electrode 54 from the outer periphery is provided on the outer periphery of the first dielectric layer 53 around which the first sensor electrode 54 is wound. Yes. The first outer skin 56 is made of a resin material having elasticity and insulation and has a cylindrical shape, for example, a heat shrinkable tube.

  The second foreign matter detection sensor 43 is configured in the same manner as the first foreign matter detection sensor 42. The second center electrode 61 made of a conductive wire constituting the second foreign object detection sensor 43 is formed in a long shape like the first center electrode 51 and is formed in the vertical direction of the front end portion 5a of the door panel 5. It has a length substantially equal to half the length. A lead wire 62 is electrically connected to the upper end of the second center electrode 61, and a second dielectric similar to the first dielectric layer 53 is disposed on the outer periphery of the second center electrode 61. The layer 63 is provided so as to cover the outer periphery of the second center electrode 61.

  A second sensor electrode 64 similar to the first sensor electrode 54 is wound around the outer periphery of the second dielectric layer 63. The second sensor electrode 64 is spirally wound around the second dielectric layer 63 at a predetermined winding pitch from the lower end portion to the upper end portion of the second dielectric layer 63, and the second sensor electrode 64. A lead wire 65 is electrically connected to the upper end of the. The winding pitch of the second sensor electrode 64 with respect to the second dielectric layer 63 is, for example, 10 to 10 depending on the thickness of the human finger, like the winding pitch of the first sensor electrode 54 with respect to the first dielectric layer 53. The width is set to about 15 mm. Therefore, in the state where the second sensor electrode 64 is wound around the second dielectric layer 63, the distance D2 between the second sensor electrodes 64 in the longitudinal direction of the second dielectric layer 63 is about 10 to 15 mm. .

  The outer circumference of the second dielectric layer 63 around which the second sensor electrode 64 is wound is covered with the first outer skin 56 that covers the second dielectric layer 63 and the second sensor electrode 64 from the outer circumference. A similar second skin 66 is provided.

  The first foreign matter detection sensor 42 and the second foreign matter detection sensor 43 configured as described above are each held by a protector 71 and fixed to the front end portion 5 a of the door panel 5 via the protector 71. . The protector 71 is formed of an elastically deformable insulating resin material (elastomer, rubber, or the like), a holding portion 72 that holds the first and second foreign matter detection sensors 42 and 43, and the protector 71 as a door panel. 5 and an attachment portion 73 for fixing to the front end portion 5a. The holding portion 72 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and the first foreign matter detection sensor 42 or the second foreign matter detection sensor 43 is inserted therein. The mounting portion 73 is composed of two sandwiching portions 73 a and 73 b that protrude from the holding portion 72 in parallel to the outer peripheral side of the holding portion 72.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 5, a bracket 81 for attaching the first and second foreign matter detection sensors 42 and 43 is fixed to the front end portion 5 a of the door panel 5. When viewed from above the vehicle 2, the bracket 81 has a fixing portion 81 a that is parallel to the width direction of the vehicle 2, and is parallel to the front-rear direction of the vehicle 2 from the end of the fixing portion 81 a opposite to the vehicle compartment. As shown in the figure, it is composed of a support portion 81b extending to the front side of the vehicle 2 and is substantially L-shaped. The bracket 81 is formed to be substantially equal to the vertical length of the door panel 5 and is disposed along the front end 5a of the door panel 5. The door panel 5 is fixed to the door panel 5 by fastening to the door panel 5 in FIG.

  Then, the protector 71 holding the first foreign object detection sensor 42 inserts the support portion 81b between the sandwiching portions 73a and 73b, and sandwiches the support portion 81b by the sandwiching portions 73a and 73b, thereby the protector 71 is held. It arrange | positions along the front-end part 5a of the door panel 5 via. Similarly, the protector 71 holding the second foreign matter detection sensor 43 inserts the support portion 81b between the sandwiching portions 73a and 73b, and sandwiches the support portion 81b with the sandwiching portions 73a and 73b, thereby protecting the protector 71. It arrange | positions along the front-end part 5a of the door panel 5 via. FIG. 5 shows only the first foreign object detection sensor 42 out of the two foreign object detection sensors 42 and 43.

  Thus, the first foreign object detection sensor 42 is attached to the upper side of the center of the bracket 81 by the protector 71 that holds the foreign object detection sensor 42, and the second foreign object detection sensor 43 holds the foreign object detection sensor 43. The protector 71 is attached below the center of the bracket 81. The protector 71 holding the first foreign matter detection sensor 42 is fixed to the bracket 81 so that the lead wires 52 and 55 of the first foreign matter detection sensor 42 are on the lower side, and the second foreign matter detection sensor. The protector 71 holding 43 is fixed to the bracket 81 so that the lead wires 62 and 65 of the second foreign object detection sensor 43 are on the upper side. In other words, the first foreign matter detection sensor 42 and the second foreign matter detection sensor 43 have a longitudinal end portion on the side where the lead wires 52 and 55 are connected and a longitudinal direction on the side where the lead wires 62 and 65 are connected. Are arranged so as to face each other. These lead wires 52, 55, 62, 65 are drawn into the inside of the door panel 5, that is, between an outer panel (not shown) and an inner panel (not shown) constituting the door panel 5.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the detection unit 44 includes a first capacitance detector 91, a second capacitance detector 92, and a determination circuit 93. And the detection part 44 is arrange | positioned inside the door panel 5, for example.

  The first foreign matter detection sensor 42 is electrically connected to the first capacitance detector 91 via the lead wires 52 and 55 (see FIG. 4). The first foreign object detection sensor 42 outputs a first electrostatic capacity detection signal S1 corresponding to the electrostatic capacity of the foreign object detection sensor 42 to the first electrostatic capacity detector 91, and also the first static electricity detection sensor 42. The capacitance detector 91 calculates the capacitance in the first foreign object detection sensor 42 based on the input first capacitance detection signal S1, and outputs the first detection signal S2 corresponding to the calculation result. To do. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the capacitance C1 detected by the first capacitance detector 91 based on the first capacitance detection signal S1 is the first foreign matter. The capacitance C2 of the capacitor 95 formed by the conductive foreign matter X1 adjacent to the detection sensor 42 and the first sensor electrode 54, and the first sensor electrode 54 and the first center electrode 51 are formed. This is a composite value with the capacitance C3 of the capacitor 96. Therefore, when the foreign object X1 comes close to the first foreign object detection sensor 42 and the electrostatic capacity C2 between the first sensor electrode 54 and the foreign object X1 increases, the first electrostatic capacity detector 91 detects it. Capacitance C1 is also increased. When the first outer skin 56 and the first dielectric layer 53 constituting the foreign object detection sensor 42 are elastically deformed by the foreign object X1 coming into contact with the first foreign object detection sensor 42, the first sensor electrode 54 and the first Since the distance from the first center electrode 51 is narrowed, the capacitance C3 between the first sensor electrode 54 and the first center electrode 51 increases and is detected by the first capacitance detector 91. Capacitance C1 is also increased. Then, the first capacitance detector 91 outputs a first detection signal S2 corresponding to the calculated capacitance C1.

  The second capacitance detector 92 is electrically connected to the second foreign matter detection sensor 43 via the lead wires 62 and 65. The second foreign matter detection sensor 43 outputs a second electrostatic capacitance detection signal S3 corresponding to the electrostatic capacitance in the foreign matter detection sensor 43 to the second electrostatic capacitance detector 92, and also the second static electricity detection sensor 43. The capacitance detector 92 calculates the capacitance in the second foreign object detection sensor 43 based on the input second capacitance detection signal S3, and outputs the second detection signal S4 corresponding to the calculation result. To do. More specifically, the electrostatic capacitance C4 detected by the second electrostatic capacitance detector 92 is formed by the conductive foreign matter X2 adjacent to the second foreign matter detection sensor 43 and the second sensor electrode 64. This is a composite value of the capacitance C5 of the capacitor 97 and the capacitance C6 of the capacitor 98 formed by the second sensor electrode 64 and the second center electrode 61. Accordingly, the foreign substance X2 approaches the second foreign substance detection sensor 43, and the electrostatic capacity C5 between the second sensor electrode 64 and the foreign substance X2 increases, so that the second electrostatic capacity detector 92 detects it. Capacitance C4 is also increased. When the second outer skin 66 and the second dielectric layer 63 constituting the foreign matter detection sensor 43 are elastically deformed by the foreign matter X2 coming into contact with the second foreign matter detection sensor 43, the second sensor electrode 64 and the second Since the distance from the second center electrode 61 is narrowed, the capacitance C3 between the second sensor electrode 64 and the second center electrode 61 increases, and is detected by the first capacitance detector 91. Capacitance C4 is also increased. Then, the second capacitance detector 92 outputs a second detection signal S4 corresponding to the calculated capacitance C4.

  The first detection signal S2 and the second detection signal S4 are both output as voltage values corresponding to the detected capacitances C1 and C4. The voltage value of the first detection signal S2 increases as the capacitance C1 increases, and decreases as the capacitance C1 decreases. Similarly, the level of the voltage value of the second detection signal S4 is changed according to the magnitude of the capacitance C4. In addition, since the first foreign matter detection sensor 42 and the second foreign matter detection sensor 43 have the same configuration, when the foreign matter X1, X2 is not close to the first and second foreign matter detection sensors 42, 43, The capacitances C1 and C4 are substantially equal, and the voltage values of the first detection signal S2 and the second detection signal S4 are substantially equal.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the determination circuit 93 includes three comparators 101 to 103 and a foreign matter determination unit 104. The comparators 101 to 103 are differential amplifier circuits, and the foreign matter determiner 104 is an OR circuit.

  The first capacitance detector 91 is connected to the non-inverting input terminal of the comparator 101, and the second capacitance detector 92 is connected to the inverting input terminal of the comparator 101. Has been. The output terminal of the comparator 101 is connected to the inverting input terminal of the comparator 102 and the non-inverting input terminal of the comparator 103, respectively. Reference potentials Vth1 and Vth2 are applied to the non-inverting input terminal of the comparator 102 and the inverting input terminal of the comparator 103, respectively. Further, the output terminal of the comparator 102 and the output terminal of the comparator 103 are respectively connected to the input terminal of the foreign matter determiner 104, and the output terminal of the foreign matter determiner 104 is connected to the control circuit device 111. .

  In this embodiment, the reference potential Vth1 applied to the non-inverting input terminal of the comparator 102 and the reference potential Vth2 applied to the inverting input terminal of the comparator 103 are set such that Vth2> 0> Vth1. . When the voltage value of the voltage signal output from the comparator 101 is Vo, the determination circuit 93 determines that between Vt 2> Vo> Vth 1, the front end 5 a of the door panel 5 and the facing portion 4 a of the entrance 4. The foreign matter determination unit 104 outputs an L level (low potential) signal indicating that no foreign matter X1 (or foreign matter X2) is present. Further, when Vo ≧ Vth2 or Vth1 ≧ Vo, the H level (high potential) indicating that the foreign object X1 (or the foreign object X2) exists between the front end portion 5a of the door panel 5 and the facing portion 4a of the entrance / exit 4 ) Is output from the foreign matter determiner 104. FIG. 6 shows the front end of the door panel 5 based on the first detection signal S2 output from the first capacitance detector 91 and the second detection signal S4 output from the second capacitance detector 92. The mode of determination of the presence or absence of a foreign object between the part 5a and the opposing part 4a of the entrance / exit 4 is shown. In the present embodiment, the L level means a negative potential including 0, and the H level means a positive potential.

  The control circuit device 111 is disposed, for example, in the door panel 5 (see FIG. 1), and power is supplied to the control circuit device 111 from the battery 112 of the vehicle 2. Then, the control circuit device 111 controls the slide actuator 25 and the closer actuator 28 based on various signals inputted from the half latch detection means, the operation switch 31, the foreign material detection device 41 (foreign material determination device 104) and the position detection device 27. Control.

  That is, the control circuit device 111 opens the door panel 5 to the fully open position Po (see FIG. 2) when an open signal is input from the operation switch 31, and fully opens the door panel 5 when a close signal is input from the operation switch 31. The slide motor 26 is controlled to perform the closing operation to the closed position. Further, the control circuit device 111 controls the closer motor 29 to move the door panel 5 to a position where it can be locked by the lock mechanism when the half latch detection signal is input from the half latch detection means. Further, the control circuit device 111 detects the position of the door panel 5 based on the position detection signal input from the position detection device 27. Furthermore, the control circuit device 111 controls the slide motor 26 based on the output signal of the foreign object detection device 41 (foreign material determination device 104).

Next, the operation of the electric sliding door device 1 configured as described above will be described generally.
As shown in FIG. 3, when an open signal is input from the operation switch 31, the control circuit device 111 drives the slide motor 26 in a direction (opening direction) for opening the door panel 5. And if the door panel 5 is arrange | positioned in the fully open position Po (refer FIG. 2), the control circuit apparatus 111 will stop the slide motor 26. FIG.

  On the other hand, when a closing signal is input from the operation switch 31, the control circuit device 111 drives the slide motor 26 in a direction (closing direction) for closing the door panel 5 and drives the foreign object detection device 41. When the half latch detection signal is input when the door panel 5 is disposed at the door position P1 (see FIG. 2) immediately before the fully closed position Pc, the control circuit device 111 drives the closer motor 29, and the closer motor The door panel 5 is locked by 29, and the door panel 5 is disposed at the fully closed position Pc (see FIG. 2). When the door panel 5 is disposed at the fully closed position Pc, the control circuit device 111 stops the closer motor 29. The door position P1 is a position that is about several millimeters to the fully closed position Pc. When the door panel 5 is disposed at the door position P1, the front end portion 5a of the door panel 5 and the facing portion 4a of the entrance / exit 4 It is difficult for foreign matter to exist between the two. In FIG. 2, the distance between the door position P1 and the fully closed position Pc is exaggerated.

  Further, when the door panel 5 is closed, if there are no foreign objects X1 and X2 between the first and second foreign object detection sensors 42 and 43 and the peripheral edge of the entrance / exit 4, the first capacitance detection is performed. The electrostatic capacity C1 in the first foreign matter detection sensor 42 detected by the detector 91 and the electrostatic capacity C4 in the second foreign matter detection sensor 43 detected by the second electrostatic capacity detector 92 are: The values are almost equal. Accordingly, since the difference between the voltage value of the first detection signal S2 and the voltage value of the second detection signal S4 is substantially zero, the voltage value Vo of the signal output from the comparator 101 is Vth2> Vo> Vth1. It corresponds to a condition. Accordingly, the comparators 102 and 103 both output L level signals, whereby the foreign matter determiner 104 causes the foreign matter X1, X2 between the front end portion 5a of the door panel 5 and the facing portion 4a of the entrance / exit 4. An L level signal indicating that no exists is output. When the L level signal is output from the foreign matter determiner 104, that is, the detection circuit 44 detects that there is no foreign matter X2 between the front end portion 5a and the periphery of the facing portion 4a. If it is determined, the slide motor 26 is driven to close the door panel 5 as usual.

  On the other hand, when the foreign object X1 exists between the first foreign object detection sensor 42 and the periphery of the entrance / exit 4 and the foreign object X1 is relatively close to the first foreign object detection sensor 42, the first sensor electrode 54 and As the capacitance C2 (see FIG. 4) between the foreign object X1 increases, the capacitance C1 detected by the first capacitance detector 91 increases. Thus, the voltage value of the first detection signal S2 output from the first capacitance detector 91 is greater than the voltage value of the second detection signal S4 output from the second capacitance detector 92. Also grows. As a result, the comparator 101 outputs a signal satisfying Vo ≧ Vth2, and the comparator 103 outputs an H level signal. Accordingly, the foreign matter determiner 104 outputs an H level signal indicating that the foreign matter X1 exists between the front end portion 5a of the door panel 5 and the facing portion 4a of the entrance / exit 4.

  Further, when the foreign object X2 exists between the second foreign object detection sensor 43 and the periphery of the entrance / exit 4 and the foreign object X2 is relatively close to the second foreign object detection sensor 43, the second sensor electrode 64 and As the capacitance C5 between the foreign object X2 increases, the capacitance C4 detected by the second capacitance detector 92 increases. As a result, the voltage value of the second detection signal S4 output from the second capacitance detector 92 is greater than the voltage value of the first detection signal S2 output from the first capacitance detector 91. Becomes larger. As a result, the comparator 101 outputs a signal satisfying Vth1 ≧ Vo, and the comparator 102 outputs an H level signal. Accordingly, the foreign matter determiner 104 outputs an H level signal indicating that the foreign matter X2 exists between the front end portion 5a of the door panel 5 and the facing portion 4a of the entrance / exit 4.

  When the H level signal indicating that the foreign object X1 (or the foreign object X2) is present between the front end 5a and the periphery of the facing part 4a is input from the foreign object determination unit 104, If the detection unit 44 determines that there is a foreign object X1 (or foreign object X2) between the front end 5a and the periphery of the facing part 4a, the slide motor moves the door panel 5 to the fully open position Po (see FIG. 2). 26 is controlled.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the following operational effects are obtained.
(1) The foreign matter detection device 41 includes two foreign matter detection sensors 42 and 43, and each foreign matter is determined based on two capacitance detection signals S1 and S3 output from the two foreign matter detection sensors 42 and 43, respectively. The presence / absence of foreign matter X1, X2 adjacent to the detection sensors 42, 43 is determined. Therefore, the accuracy of foreign object detection can be improved as compared with the case where the presence / absence of a foreign object close to the foreign object detection sensor is determined based on only the capacitance detection signal output from one foreign object detection sensor.

  (2) The two foreign matter detection sensors 42 and 43 that output the capacitance detection signals S1 and S3 are arranged on the front end portion 5a of the door panel 5 so as to be aligned in the longitudinal direction of the front end portion 5a. In this case, when the door panel 5 is closed while the foreign object X1 or the foreign object X2 exists between the front end 5a and the facing part 4a of the entrance / exit 4, the foreign object X1 of the two foreign object detection sensors 42 and 43 is detected. Alternatively, the capacitance between the sensor electrode of the foreign object detection sensor in the vicinity of the foreign object X2 and the foreign object increases. On the other hand, when the door panel 5 in the closing operation approaches the fully closed position Pc when the foreign object X1 or the foreign object X2 does not exist between the front end part 5a and the facing part 4a, the front end part 5a approaches the facing part 4a. Therefore, the capacitance between the sensor electrodes 54 and 64 of the foreign matter detection sensors 42 and 43 and the facing portion 4a is increased uniformly. Therefore, based on the electrostatic capacitance detection signals S1 and S3 corresponding to changes in electrostatic capacitance between the two foreign matter detection sensors 42 and 43 and the conductive foreign matter adjacent to the sensor electrodes 54 and 64, respectively. Thus, by determining the presence or absence of the foreign objects X1 and X2 that are close to the foreign object detection sensors 42 and 43, it is suppressed that the facing portion 4a is determined as the foreign objects X1 and X2. That is, it is possible to suppress erroneous detection of the foreign matters X1 and X2 by the detection unit 44. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in detection accuracy of the foreign matters X1 and X2 that are close to the first and second foreign matter detection sensors 42 and 43.

  (3) In the detection unit 44, the first and second capacitance detectors 91 and 92 are based on the first and second capacitance detection signals S1 and S3, and the first and second foreign matter detection sensors. The capacitances 42 and 43 are calculated, and first and second detection signals S2 and S4 corresponding to the calculated capacitances are output. The determination circuit 93 compares the first and second detection signals S2 and S4 to determine the presence / absence of the foreign matter X1 and X2 adjacent to the first and second foreign matter detection sensors 42 and 43. The first and second foreign matter detection sensors 42 and 43 output the same first and second capacitance detection signals S1 and S3, respectively, when there are no foreign matter X1 and X2 that are close to each other. Accordingly, the capacitances C1 and C4 in the first and second foreign matter detection sensors 42 and 43 calculated based on the first and second capacitance detection signals S1 and S3 are substantially equal values. The first and second detection signals S2 and S4 corresponding to the capacitances C1 and C4 are signals having substantially the same potential. Further, when there are no adjacent foreign objects X1 and X2, when the door panel 5 in the closing operation approaches the fully closed position Pc, the front end portion 5a approaches the facing portion 4a, and thus faces the sensor electrodes 54 and 64. The electrostatic capacitance between the first and second foreign matter detection sensors 42 and 43 outputs substantially the same electrostatic capacitance detection signals S1 and S3. Accordingly, in this case, the first and second detection signals S2 and S4 output from the first and second capacitance detectors 91 and 92, respectively, are signals having substantially the same potential.

  On the other hand, when there are adjacent foreign objects X1 and X2, among the first and second foreign object detection sensors 42 and 43, in the foreign object detection sensor in which the foreign object X1 or the foreign object X2 is close, the space between the adjacent foreign object and the sensor electrode The capacitance increases. Therefore, the electrostatic capacitance detection signal output from the foreign object detection sensor near the foreign object X1 or the foreign object X2 outputs a signal different from the electrostatic capacitance detection signal output from the foreign object detection sensor not in proximity to the foreign object. As a result, the capacitances C1 and C4 in the first and second foreign matter detection sensors 42 and 43 calculated based on the first and second capacitance detection signals S1 and S3 become different values. The first and second detection signals S2 and S4 corresponding to the capacitors C1 and C4 are signals having different potentials.

  Accordingly, the determination circuit 93 compares the first and second detection signals S2 and S4 based on the first and second capacitance detection signals S1 and S3, thereby detecting the foreign matter X1 and X2 erroneously. And the presence / absence of the foreign matter X1, X2 adjacent to the first and second foreign matter detection sensors 42, 43 can be easily determined.

  (4) In the detection unit 44, the difference value between the first and second detection signals S2, S4 based on the first and second capacitance detection signals S1, S3 (that is, the voltage value Vo of the output signal of the comparator 101). ) And the reference potentials Vth1 and Vth2 in the comparators 102 and 103. When Vo ≧ Vth2 or Vth1 ≧ Vo, the foreign matter X1, X2 adjacent to the first and second foreign matter detection sensors 42, 43 It is determined that there is. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the foreign matter X1, X2 from being erroneously detected due to noise or the like generated in the detection unit 44, and to further improve the accuracy of foreign matter detection by the foreign matter detection device 41.

  (5) The foreign object detection device 41 includes two foreign object detection sensors 42 and 43. Therefore, compared with the case where three or more foreign object detection sensors are provided, the number of steps for arranging these foreign object detection sensors can be reduced. As a result, the time required for disposing the foreign matter detection sensors 42 and 43 can be shortened.

  (6) The first foreign matter detection sensor 42 and the second foreign matter detection sensor 43 have a longitudinal end portion on the side to which the lead wires 52 and 55 are connected and a longitudinal direction on the side to which the lead wires 62 and 65 are connected. It arrange | positions so that the edge part of a direction may mutually oppose. In other words, the first and second foreign matter detection sensors 42 and 43 are the lead wires 52 and 55 for connecting the foreign matter detection sensors 42 and 43 to the first and second capacitance detectors 91 and 92, respectively. , 62, 65 are drawn out from the ends of the first and second foreign matter detection sensors 42, 43 facing each other in the longitudinal direction. Accordingly, the lead wires 52 and 55 connected to the first foreign matter detection sensor 42 and the lead wires 62 and 65 connected to the second foreign matter detection sensor 43 are arranged at positions close to each other. 52, 55, 62, 65 can be easily handled.

  (7) Since the first and second sensor electrodes 54 and 64 are spirally wound around the outer periphery of the first and second dielectric layers 53 and 63, the foreign matter adjacent to the sensor electrodes 54 and 64 The range in which X1, X2, that is, the foreign matter X1, X2 adjacent to the first and second foreign matter detection sensors 42, 43 can be detected can be widened in the circumferential direction. Further, since the first and second sensor electrodes 54 and 64 are spirally wound around the outer periphery of the first and second dielectric layers 53 and 63, the first and second sensor electrodes 54 and 64 are wound around the front end portion 5 a of the door panel 5. When the first and second dielectric layers 53 and 63 are disposed, the mounting directions of the first and second dielectric layers 53 and 63 are not limited in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the first and second dielectric layers 53 and 63 can be easily arranged, and the first and second foreign matter detection sensors 42 and 43 can be easily arranged. Further, when the first and second sensor electrodes 54 and 64 are spirally wound around the outer periphery of the first and second dielectric layers 53 and 63, the first and second dielectric layers 53 and 63 are elongated. Even in the case where the first and second foreign matter detection sensors 42 and 43 are arranged in a state curved in the direction, deterioration of the functions of the first and second foreign matter detection sensors 42 and 43 is prevented.

  (8) The winding pitch of the first sensor electrode 54 with respect to the first dielectric layer 53 is set to a width of about 10 to 15 mm according to the thickness of a human finger, for example. Therefore, even when a thin foreign object such as a human finger is in proximity to the first and second foreign object detection sensors 42 and 43, the proximity of the foreign object can be detected.

(Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, a second embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in an electric slide door device mounted on a vehicle will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, about the structure same as the said 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the electric sliding door device (opening / closing device) 121 of the second embodiment.
Even if there is a foreign object between the front end portion 5a of the door panel 5 and the facing portion 4a of the entrance / exit 4, the first capacitance detector 91 and the second capacitance detector 92 respectively. The calculated capacitances C1 and C4 (see FIG. 4) may be substantially equal. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the foreign object detection device 122 of the second embodiment has a capacitance C1 calculated by the first capacitance detector 91 and the second capacitance detector 92, respectively. , C4 are substantially equal, the electric slide according to the first embodiment described above is made possible to detect the foreign matter X1, X2 existing between the front end portion 5a of the door panel 5 and the facing portion 4a of the entrance / exit 4. A determination circuit 123 different from the determination circuit 93 provided in the door device 1 is provided.

  More specifically, the determination circuit 123 constitutes a detection unit 124 together with the first capacitance detector 91 and the second capacitance detector 92. The determination circuit 93 of the first embodiment includes two detection circuits. The comparators 131 and 132 are added. In the determination circuit 123, the first capacitance detector 91 is connected to the non-inverting input terminal of the comparator 101 and the non-inverting input terminal of the comparator 131, and the second capacitance detector 92 is connected to the inverting input terminal of the comparator 101 and the non-inverting input terminal of the comparator 132. Reference potentials Vth3 and Vth4 are applied to the inverting input terminal of the comparator 131 and the inverting input terminal of the comparator 132, respectively. Furthermore, the output terminal of the comparator 131 and the output terminal of the comparator 132 are connected to the input terminal of the foreign matter determination unit 104, respectively.

  In this embodiment, the reference potential Vth3 applied to the inverting input terminal of the comparator 132 and the reference potential Vth4 applied to the inverting input terminal of the comparator 132 are set to the same value. However, Vth3> 0 and Vth4> 0.

  Here, FIG. 9 shows the relationship between the position of the door panel 5 and the capacitance C1 (first detection signal S2) detected by the first capacitance detector 91. Referring to FIG. 9, when the door panel 5 is slid from the fully open position Po toward the fully closed position Pc, the first detection signal S2 is constant until the door panel 5 is disposed at the predetermined position from the fully open position Po. It is the value of. When the door panel 5 approaches the fully closed position Pc from the predetermined position, the front end portion 5a of the door panel 5 is close to the facing portion 4a of the entrance / exit 4, so that the first detection signal S2 gradually increases. .

  On the other hand, when the foreign object X1 exists between the facing part 4a and the first foreign object detection sensor 42 in contact with the facing part 4a (see FIG. 2), the door panel 5 changes from the fully open position to the fully closed position Pc. When the sliding movement is made, the first detection signal S2 is larger than the value of the first detection signal S2 when the foreign object X1 is not present until the door panel 5 is disposed at the predetermined position from the fully open position Po. It is a constant value. When the door panel 5 approaches the fully closed position Pc from the predetermined position, the front end portion 5a of the door panel 5 approaches the facing portion 4a of the entrance / exit 4 and the foreign matter X1 existing on the front end portion 5a side of the facing portion 4a. Therefore, the first detection signal S2 is a value that is gradually larger than the value of the first detection signal S2 when the foreign object X1 is not present. Further, when the door panel 5 is moved to the fully closed position Pc side, the foreign matter X1 comes into contact with the first foreign matter detection sensor 42, and the first foreign matter detection sensor 42 constituting the first foreign matter detection sensor 42 is formed as shown in FIG. The one outer shell 56 and the first dielectric layer 53 are elastically deformed. As a result, the distance between the first sensor electrode 54 and the first center electrode 51 is narrowed, so that the capacitance C3 between the first sensor electrode 54 and the center electrode 51 is increased as shown in FIG. As a result, the capacitance C1 calculated by the first capacitance detector 91 increases and the value of the first detection signal S2 increases. In FIG. 9, the door position when the front end portion 5a of the door panel 5 contacts the foreign object X1 is illustrated as P2. Since the first foreign object detection sensor 42 and the second foreign object detection sensor 43 have the same configuration, the capacitance C4 calculated by the position of the door panel 5 and the second capacitance detector 92 is used. The relationship with (second detection signal S4) is also as shown in the graph of FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the values of the reference potentials Vth3 and Vth4 are set based on the relationship between the position of the door panel 5 and the first detection signal S2 (or the second detection signal S4) as shown in FIG. Has been.

  In the determination circuit 123 of the second embodiment configured as described above, when the voltage value Vo of the signal output from the comparator 101 satisfies Vth2> Vo> Vth1, the front end portion 5a of the door panel 5 and the entrance / exit 4 The front end portion of the door panel 5 when an L level signal indicating that the foreign object X1 (or the foreign object X2) is not present between the opposing part 4a is output from the foreign object determination device 104 and Vo ≧ Vth2 or Vth1 ≧ Vo. A foreign matter determination unit 104 outputs an H level signal indicating that the foreign matter X1 (or foreign matter X2) is present between 5a and the facing portion 4a of the entrance / exit 4. Further, when the voltage values of the first detection signal S2 and the second detection signal S4 become larger than the reference potentials Vth3 and Vth4, H level signals are output from the comparators 131 and 132, and the foreign matter determination device 104 is connected to the door panel. 5 outputs a signal of H level indicating that the foreign object X1 (or the foreign object X2) is present between the front end 5a of 5 and the facing part 4a of the entrance 4.

Next, the operation of the electric sliding door device 121 configured as described above will be described when the door panel 5 is closed.
As shown in FIG. 8, when a closing signal is input from the operation switch 31, the control circuit device 111 drives the slide motor 26 in a direction (closing direction) for closing the door panel 5, and sets the foreign object detection device 41. To drive. When the door panel 5 is placed at the door position P1 (see FIG. 2) and a half latch detection signal is input, the control circuit device 111 drives the closer motor 29 to lock the door panel 5 by the closer motor 29. Then, the door panel 5 is placed at the fully closed position Pc. When the door panel 5 is disposed at the fully closed position Pc, the control circuit device 111 stops the closer motor 29.

  Further, when the door panel 5 is closed, if the foreign objects X1 and X2 (see FIG. 2) do not exist between the first and second foreign object detection sensors 42 and 43 and the periphery of the entrance 4 As in the first embodiment, the voltage value of the first detection signal S2 output from the first capacitance detector 91 and the voltage of the second detection signal S4 output from the second capacitance detector 92 are the same. Since the difference from the value is almost zero, the voltage value Vo of the signal output from the comparator 101 satisfies the condition of Vth2> Vo> Vth1, and the comparators 102 and 103 output L level signals. . Furthermore, since the first detection signal S2 and the second detection signal S4 have values smaller than the reference potentials Vth3 and Vth4 in the comparators 131 and 132, the comparators 131 and 132 are both L level signals. Output. Accordingly, the foreign matter determination device 104 outputs an L level signal indicating that no foreign matter X1, X2 exists between the front end portion 5a of the door panel 5 and the facing portion 4a of the entrance / exit 4. Then, when an L level signal is output from the foreign matter determiner 104, the control circuit device 111 drives the slide motor 26 to perform the closing operation of the door panel 5 as usual.

  On the other hand, if the foreign object X1 exists between the first foreign object detection sensor 42 and the periphery of the entrance / exit 4, the electrostatic capacity C 1 calculated by the first electrostatic capacity detector 91 increases. The voltage value of the first detection signal S2 output from the capacitance detector 91 is larger than the voltage value of the second detection signal S4 output from the second capacitance detector 92. As a result, the comparator 101 outputs a signal satisfying Vo ≧ Vth2, and the comparator 103 outputs an H level signal. Accordingly, the foreign matter determiner 104 outputs an H level signal indicating that the foreign matter X1 exists between the front end portion 5a of the door panel 5 and the facing portion 4a of the entrance / exit 4.

  Further, if the foreign object X2 exists between the second foreign object detection sensor 43 and the periphery of the entrance / exit 4, the electrostatic capacity C4 calculated by the second electrostatic capacity detector 92 increases, and therefore the first The voltage value of the second detection signal S4 output from the second capacitance detector 92 is larger than the voltage value of the first detection signal S2 output from the capacitance detector 91. As a result, the comparator 101 outputs a signal satisfying Vth1 ≧ Vo, and the comparator 102 outputs an H level signal. Accordingly, the foreign matter determiner 104 outputs an H level signal indicating that the foreign matter X2 exists between the front end portion 5a of the door panel 5 and the facing portion 4a of the entrance / exit 4.

  Further, when the foreign object X1 (or the foreign object X2) approaches or comes into contact with at least one of the first foreign object detection sensor 42 and the second foreign object detection sensor 43, the first detection signal S2 and the second detection signal S4 When at least one of the potentials becomes higher than the reference potentials Vth3 and Vth4, at least one of the comparators 131 and 132 outputs an H level signal. Accordingly, the foreign matter determiner 104 outputs an H level signal indicating that the foreign matter X1 (or foreign matter X2) exists between the front end portion 5a of the door panel 5 and the facing portion 4a of the entrance / exit 4.

  During the closing operation of the door panel 5, the control circuit device 111 receives an H level signal from the foreign object determiner 104 indicating that the foreign object X 1 or the foreign object X 2 exists between the front end 5 a and the periphery of the facing part 4 a. When it is input, that is, when it is determined by the detection unit 124 that there is a foreign object X2 between the front end portion 5a and the periphery of the facing portion 4a, the slide motor 26 is controlled to move the door panel 5 to the fully open position Po. .

  When the door panel 5 is disposed at the door position P1 (see FIG. 2), the door panel 5 is disposed at the door position P1 between the front end portion 5a of the door panel 5 and the facing portion 4a of the entrance / exit 4. Since it is difficult for the foreign object to exist, the driving of the foreign object detection device 122 is stopped.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following functions and effects are provided in addition to the functions and effects similar to (1) to (8) of the first embodiment.
(1) By providing the comparators 131 and 132 in the determination circuit 123, a foreign substance exists between the front end portion 5a of the door panel 5 and the facing portion 4a of the entrance / exit 4, and the first capacitance Even when the capacitances C1 and C4 calculated by the detector 91 and the second capacitance detector 92 are substantially equal, the foreign matter between the front end portion 5a and the facing portion 4a is detected. Can do. Accordingly, it is possible to further improve the detection accuracy of the foreign matters X1 and X2 that are close to the first and second foreign matter detection sensors 42 and 43.

(Third embodiment)
Hereinafter, a third embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in an electric slide door device mounted on a vehicle will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, about the structure same as the said 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 10 shows an electrical configuration of the electric sliding door device (opening / closing device) 141 of the third embodiment. The electric sliding door device 141 of the third embodiment has the same electrical configuration as the electric sliding door device 1 of the first embodiment. And in this 3rd Embodiment, the arrangement position of the 1st and 2nd foreign material detection sensors 42 and 43 which comprise the foreign material detection apparatus 41 differs from the said 1st Embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the first foreign object detection sensor 42 has a length substantially equal to the facing portion 4 a and is disposed along the facing portion 4 a of the entrance / exit 4. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, a bracket 142 having an L-shaped cross-section in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is fixed to the facing portion 4a by a screw or the like (not shown) along the facing portion 4a. In addition, the length of the bracket 142 in the longitudinal direction is set to be substantially equal to the length of the facing portion 4a. And between the holding parts 73a and 73b of the protector 71, the support part 142a which protruded in the back side of the vehicle 2 in the bracket 142 is inserted, and the support part 142a is clamped by the said holding parts 73a and 73b. The first foreign object detection sensor 42 held in this manner is arranged along the facing portion 4 a of the entrance / exit 4 via the protector 71.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11, the second foreign object detection sensor 43 is disposed along the upper part of the peripheral edge of the entrance / exit 4. More specifically, the second foreign object detection sensor 43 is located at the entrance / exit 4 from the upper end in the longitudinal direction of the facing portion 4a toward the rear side in the movement direction when the door panel 5 is closed (that is, the rear side in the closing direction). It is partially arranged at the peripheral edge and is arranged parallel to the front-rear direction of the vehicle 2. Further, the second foreign object detection sensor 43 is arranged on the rear side of the vehicle 2 (that is, the rear side in the closing direction) with respect to the first foreign object detection sensor 42 so as to be orthogonal to the first foreign object detection sensor 42. . And the area | region where the 2nd foreign material detection sensor 43 is arrange | positioned in the peripheral part of the entrance / exit 4 is seen from the upper direction of the vehicle 2 (refer FIG. 12), Each rail 12 ~ which comprises the said operating mechanism 11 at least. 14 (see FIG. 1) is set so as to include a region corresponding to a curved portion so as to face the vehicle interior side on the front end side. In the present embodiment, the second foreign object detection sensor 43 is disposed in a region about one third of the front side of the upper portion extending along the front-rear direction of the vehicle 2 in the peripheral portion of the entrance 4. Similar to the first foreign object detection sensor 42, the second foreign object detection sensor 43 includes an L-shaped bracket (not shown) and a protector 71 arranged along the upper part of the peripheral edge of the entrance 4. Via the vehicle body 3. The lead wires 52 and 55 (see FIG. 4) of the first foreign matter detection sensor 42 and the lead wires 62 and 65 (see FIG. 4) of the second foreign matter detection sensor 43 are the first and second foreign matters. The lead wires 52, 55, 62, and 65 are drawn into the vehicle body 3 as a whole while being pulled out from the end portions of the detection sensors 42 and 43 facing each other in the longitudinal direction.

  And when the electroconductive foreign material X3 does not exist between the front-end part 5a of the door panel 5, and the opposing part 4a of the entrance / exit 4, the 1st and 2nd foreign material detection sensor 42 arrange | positioned as mentioned above, Changes in the capacitances C1 and C4 detected by the first and second capacitance detectors 91 and 92, respectively, based on the first and second capacitance detection signals S1 and S3 output by the output 43, respectively. The amount varies depending on the position of the door panel 5 as shown in FIG. More specifically, when the door panel 5 is closed, when the door panel 5 is moving in a region from the fully open position Po to the door position P3 closer to the fully open position Po than the fully closed position Pc, the capacitance C1. , C4 has a substantially constant value. In the electric slide door device 141 of the present embodiment, the distance D3 between the facing portion 4a and the front end of the door panel 5 in the state where the door panel 5 is disposed at the door position P3 is 50 mm. Further, when the door panel 5 is moving in the region closer to the fully closed position Pc than the door position P3, the amount of change in the capacitances C1 and C4 gradually increases as the door panel 5 approaches the fully closed position Pc. It gets bigger.

  As can be seen from FIG. 13, the capacitance detected by the first capacitance detector 91 based on the first capacitance detection signal S1 output from the first foreign object detection sensor 42. The capacitance C4 detected by the first and second capacitance detectors 92 based on the amount of change in C1 and the second capacitance detection signal S3 output from the second foreign object detection sensor 43. The amount of change is almost the same value. This is because, when the door panel 5 is guided by the rails 12 to 14 (see FIG. 1), the front end side portions of the rails 12 to 14 are curved so as to face the vehicle interior side, and therefore the fully closed position. This is because the front end portion 5a of the door panel 5 moves toward the vehicle interior side and the front end portion 5a approaches the second foreign object detection sensor 43 as it approaches Pc. In addition, in FIG. 12, the locus | trajectory of the front end of the door panel 5 at the time of closing operation is shown with the dashed-dotted line. In this way, when the conductive foreign matter X3 does not exist between the front end portion 5a and the facing portion 4a, the capacitances C1 and C4 change in the same way, and therefore the first based on the capacitance C1. The comparison detection signal S2 and the second detection signal S4 based on the capacitance C4 are compared by the comparator 101, so that the conductive foreign matter X3 close to the first and second foreign matter detection sensors 42 and 43 is obtained. The presence or absence of can be determined.

Next, the operation of the electric sliding door device 141 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12 when the door panel 5 is closed.
When a closing signal is input from the operation switch 31, the control circuit device 111 drives the slide motor 26 in a direction (closing direction) for closing the door panel 5 and drives the foreign object detection device 41. When the door panel 5 is placed at the door position P1 (see FIG. 2) and a half latch detection signal is input, the control circuit device 111 drives the closer motor 29 to lock the door panel 5 by the closer motor 29. Then, the door panel 5 is placed at the fully closed position Pc. When the door panel 5 is disposed at the fully closed position Pc, the control circuit device 111 stops the closer motor 29.

  In addition, when the door panel 5 is closed, if the foreign object X3 does not exist between the front end 5a of the door panel 5 and the facing part 4a of the entrance / exit 4, the first foreign object detection sensor 42 outputs the first Based on the capacitance C1 detected by the first capacitance detector 91 based on the capacitance detection signal S1 and the second capacitance detection signal S3 output by the second foreign matter detection sensor 43. Thus, the capacitance C4 detected by the second capacitance detector 92 is substantially equal. Accordingly, since the difference between the voltage value of the first detection signal S2 and the voltage value of the second detection signal S4 is substantially zero, the voltage value Vo of the signal output from the comparator 101 is Vth2> Vo> Vth1. It corresponds to a condition. Accordingly, the comparators 102 and 103 both output L level signals, so that the foreign matter determiner 104 has the foreign matter X3 between the front end portion 5a of the door panel 5 and the facing portion 4a of the entrance / exit 4. An L level signal indicating that the signal is not to be output is output. And when the L level signal is output from the foreign material determination device 104, that is, the control circuit device 111 means that there is no foreign material X3 between the front end portion 5a and the periphery of the facing portion 4a in the detection unit 44. If it is determined, the slide motor 26 is driven to close the door panel 5 as usual.

  On the other hand, a foreign object X3 exists between the front end 5a of the door panel 5 and the facing part 4a of the entrance / exit 4, and the foreign object X3 is closer to the first foreign object detection sensor 42 than the second foreign object detection sensor 43. In this case, the capacitance between the first sensor electrode 54 (see FIG. 4) and the foreign object X3 increases, so that the capacitance C1 detected by the first capacitance detector 91 increases. To do. Thus, the voltage value of the first detection signal S2 output from the first capacitance detector 91 is greater than the voltage value of the second detection signal S4 output from the second capacitance detector 92. Also grows. As a result, the comparator 101 outputs a signal satisfying Vo ≧ Vth2, and the comparator 103 outputs an H level signal. Accordingly, the foreign matter determiner 104 outputs an H level signal indicating that the foreign matter X3 exists between the front end portion 5a of the door panel 5 and the facing portion 4a of the entrance / exit 4.

  A foreign object X3 exists between the front end 5a of the door panel 5 and the facing part 4a of the entrance / exit 4, and the foreign object X3 is closer to the second foreign object detection sensor 43 than the first foreign object detection sensor 42. In this case, the capacitance between the second sensor electrode 64 (see FIG. 4) and the foreign object X3 increases, so that the capacitance C4 detected by the second capacitance detector 92 increases. To do. As a result, the voltage value of the second detection signal S4 output from the second capacitance detector 92 is greater than the voltage value of the first detection signal S2 output from the first capacitance detector 91. Becomes larger. As a result, the comparator 101 outputs a signal satisfying Vth1 ≧ Vo, and the comparator 102 outputs an H level signal. Accordingly, the foreign matter determiner 104 outputs an H level signal indicating that the foreign matter X3 exists between the front end portion 5a of the door panel 5 and the facing portion 4a of the entrance / exit 4.

  When the H level signal indicating that the foreign object X3 is present between the front end 5a and the peripheral edge of the facing part 4a is input from the foreign object determination unit 104, that is, the detection unit 44 If it is determined that there is a foreign object X3 between the front end portion 5a and the peripheral edge of the facing portion 4a, the slide motor 26 is controlled to move the door panel 5 to the fully open position Po.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in addition to the same functions and effects as the first embodiment (1) and (3) to (8), the following functions and effects are provided.
(1) The first foreign matter detection sensor 42 is disposed along the facing portion 4a, and the second foreign matter detection sensor 43 is boarded / exited from the upper end portion in the longitudinal direction of the facing portion 4a toward the fully opened position Po. It is partially disposed at the peripheral edge of the mouth 4. In this case, when the door panel 5 is closed in a state where the foreign matter X3 exists between the front end portion 5a and the facing portion 4a, the foreign matter X3 comes close to the first and second foreign matter detection sensors 42 and 43. The capacitance between the sensor electrode of the foreign matter detection sensor and the foreign matter is increased. On the other hand, when the door panel 5 in the closing operation approaches the fully closed position Pc when the foreign object X3 is not present between the front end portion 5a and the facing portion 4a, the front end portion 5a is second in the periphery of the entrance / exit 4 The capacitance between the sensor electrodes 54 and 64 of the first and second foreign matter detection sensors 42 and 43 and the front end portion 5a is close to the region where the foreign matter detection sensor 43 is disposed and the facing portion 4a. It grows uniformly. Accordingly, capacitance detection signals corresponding to changes in capacitance between the first and second foreign matter detection sensors 42 and 43 and the conductive foreign matter X2 adjacent to the sensor electrodes 54 and 64, respectively. Based on S1 and S3, by determining the presence / absence of the foreign object X3 close to the first foreign object detection sensor 42 or the second foreign object detection sensor 43, it is suppressed that the front end portion 5a is determined as the foreign object X3. . That is, erroneous detection of the foreign matter X3 by the detection unit 44 can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in detection accuracy of the foreign matter X3 that is close to the first foreign matter detection sensor 42 or the second foreign matter detection sensor 43.

  (2) The first foreign matter detection sensor 42 is disposed along the facing portion 4a, and the second foreign matter detection sensor 43 is moved from the upper end portion in the longitudinal direction of the facing portion 4a when the door panel 5 is closed. It is partially arranged at the peripheral edge of the entrance 4 toward the rear side in the direction. Therefore, even when a plurality of conductive foreign objects X3 are close to the facing portion 4a at the same time, the foreign object X3 can be detected. Further, in the vicinity of the ends of the first and second foreign matter detection sensors 42 and 43 facing each other, the foreign matter detection sensitivity may be lowered. Therefore, as in the present embodiment, by disposing the opposing end portions of the first and second foreign matter detection sensors 42 and 43 at the upper end of the opposing portion 4a, the first and second foreign matter detection sensors 42 and 43 are arranged in a wider range in the opposing portion 4a. It is possible to detect the foreign matter X3 that is close to the single foreign matter detection sensor 42 with high accuracy.

  (3) The first foreign object detection sensor 42 and the second foreign object detection sensor 43 are both arranged at the peripheral edge of the entrance 4. That is, both the first foreign object detection sensor 42 and the second foreign object detection sensor 43 are fixed to the vehicle body 3. Therefore, for example, the lead wires 52, 55, 62, 65 can be easily routed as compared with the case where the first foreign object detection sensor 42 is disposed along the front end portion 5 a of the door panel 5.

(Fourth embodiment)
Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in an electric slide door device mounted on a vehicle will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, about the structure same as the said 1st thru | or 3rd embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the electric sliding door device (opening / closing device) 201 of the fourth embodiment. In the electric sliding door device 201 of the fourth embodiment, the first and second foreign matter detection sensors 42 and 43 are respectively arranged on the upper portions of the opposing portion 4a and the peripheral edge of the entrance / exit 4 as in the third embodiment. (See FIGS. 11 and 12).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 15A, a lock mechanism 202 for locking the door panel 5 disposed at the fully closed position Pc with respect to the vehicle body 3 is a closer motor that constitutes closer means together with the lock mechanism 202 It is driven at 29. The lock mechanism 202 includes a latch 204 fixed so as to be integrally rotatable with respect to a rotation shaft 203 that is rotatably supported in the door panel 5, and a rotation shaft 205 that is rotatably supported in the door panel 5. And a ratchet 206 fixed to be integrally rotatable. The latch 204 is urged counterclockwise in FIG. 15A by an unillustrated elastic member, and the ratchet 206 is urged clockwise in FIG. 15A by an unillustrated elastic member. The vehicle body 3 has both ends of a substantially U-shaped striker 207 fixed to the rear side of the peripheral edge of the entrance 4 and the latch 204 is recessed in a rectangular shape. A restraining recess 204a for restraining the striker 207 is formed. Furthermore, the latch 204 includes a latching projection 204b that engages with the latch projection 206a of the ratchet 206 at the half latch position shown in FIG. 15B, and the latch 204 shown in FIG. A locking projection 204c that engages with the latch projection 206a is formed at the full latch position shown in FIG. FIG. 15A shows the striker release position of the latch 204.

  When the striker 207 comes into contact with the latch 204 due to the sliding movement of the door panel 5 in the closing direction, the latch 204 rotates clockwise from the striker 207 to the latch 204 as the door panel 5 slides. A pressing force is applied. When the latching projection 204b gets over the latch projection 206a against the biasing force acting on the ratchet 206 from the striker release position shown in FIG. 15A, the latch 204 is engaged as shown in FIG. 15B. The stop convex portion 204b engages with the latch convex portion 206a, so that the latch 204 cannot be rotated counterclockwise, and the position is restricted to the half latch position. When the latch 204 is disposed at the half latch position, the striker 207 is substantially housed and locked in the restraining recess 204a of the latch 204, and the door panel 5 is in a half door state (see FIG. 16A). . Further, when the latch 204 is rotated in the clockwise direction against the urging force acting on the ratchet 206 from the half-latch position, when the latching projection 204c gets over the latch projection 206a, as shown in FIG. The latching convex portion 204c engages with the latch convex portion 206a so that the latch 204 cannot move counterclockwise, and the position is restricted to the full latch position. Then, when the latch 204 is rotated from the half latch position to the full latch position, the latch 204 is completely locked to the striker 207, and the door panel 5 is disposed at the fully closed position Pc (FIG. 16B). reference). Such operations of the latch 204 and the ratchet 206 are performed by rotating the rotation shafts 203 and 205 by the closer actuator 28 (closer motor 29).

  Further, a half latch detection unit 211 (see FIG. 14) serving as a half latch detection unit including a first limit switch SWR1 and a second limit switch SWR2 is disposed in the door panel 5 near the lock mechanism 202. Yes. The first limit switch SWR1 is turned on when the ratchet 206 is in a locked state with the locking projections 204b and 204c of the latch 204, that is, when the latch 204 is in the half latch position or the full latch position. Outputs an on signal. On the other hand, the second limit switch SWR2 is turned on and outputs a second on signal only when the latch 204 is in the full latch position.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the determination circuit 221 of the present embodiment is provided with a first determiner 222 instead of the foreign substance determiner 104 and a second determiner as compared with the determination circuit 93 of the first embodiment. A dead zone setting circuit 226 including an H.223, flip-flop circuit 224 (hereinafter referred to as FF circuit 224) and an inverter 225 is added. The first determiner 222 is an OR circuit similar to the foreign matter determiner 104, and the second determiner 223 is an AND circuit.

  Voltage signals indicating the driving states of the slide motor 26 and the closer motor 29 are input to the FF circuit 224, respectively. More specifically, when the slide motor 26 is driven, an H level voltage signal indicating that the slide motor 26 is driven is input to the FF circuit 224, and the slide motor 26 is stopped. In this case, an L level voltage signal indicating that the slide motor 26 is stopped is input. Similarly, when the closer motor 29 is driven, an H level voltage signal indicating that the closer motor 29 is driven is input to the FF circuit 224, and the closer motor 29 is stopped. Is inputted with an L level voltage signal indicating that the closer motor 29 is stopped. The voltage signals indicating the driving states of the slide motor 26 and the closer motor 29 may be input from the slide motor 26 and the closer motor 29, respectively, or the driving of the slide motor 26 and the closer motor 29 is controlled. The control circuit device 111 may be configured to be input.

  The FF circuit 224 outputs an L level voltage signal when the slide motor 26 is driven from a state where both the slide motor 26 and the closer motor 29 are stopped. Next, when the slide motor 26 is stopped and the closer motor 29 is driven, the FF circuit 224 outputs an L level voltage signal. The FF circuit 224 outputs an L level signal until the slide motor 26 is next driven.

  The output terminal of the FF circuit 224 is connected to the input terminal of the inverter 225. The output terminal of the comparator 102 and the output terminal of the comparator 103 are connected to the input terminal of the first determiner 222, respectively. Further, the output terminal of the first determiner 222 and the output terminal of the inverter 225 are respectively connected to the input terminal of the second determiner 223, and the output terminal of the second determiner 223 is connected to the control circuit device 111. Has been.

  In the electric slide door device 201 provided with such a determination circuit 221, when a close signal is input from the operation switch 31, the control circuit device 111 causes the slide motor 26 to move in the direction in which the door panel 5 is closed (closed direction). And the foreign object detection device 41 is driven. When the door panel 5 is closed by the driving force of the slide motor 26, if there is no foreign object X3 (see FIG. 11) between the front end portion 5a of the door panel 5 and the facing portion 4a of the doorway 4, The 1 determiner 222 outputs an L level signal. Since the slide motor 26 is driven and the closer motor 29 is stopped, the FF circuit 224 outputs an L level signal, and the inverter 225 outputs an H level signal. Accordingly, the second determiner 223 outputs an L level signal indicating that no foreign object X3 exists between the front end portion 5a of the door panel 5 and the facing portion 4a of the entrance / exit 4. And when the L level signal is output from the 2nd determination device 223, that is, the control circuit device 111 does not have the foreign material X3 in the detection part 44 between the front-end part 5a and the periphery of the opposing part 4a. Is determined, the slide motor 26 is driven to perform the closing operation of the door panel 5 as usual.

  On the other hand, when the door panel 5 is closed by the driving force of the slide motor 26, the foreign substance X3 exists between the front end 5a of the door panel 5 and the facing portion 4a of the entrance / exit 4, and the voltage of the signal output from the comparator 101 When the value Vo becomes Vo ≧ Vth2 or Vth1 ≧ Vo, the first determiner 222 outputs an H level signal. Since the slide motor 26 is driven and the closer motor 29 is stopped, the FF circuit 224 outputs an L level signal, and the inverter 225 outputs an H level signal. Accordingly, the second determiner 223 outputs an H level signal indicating that the foreign object X3 exists between the front end portion 5a of the door panel 5 and the facing portion 4a of the entrance / exit 4. When the H level signal indicating that the foreign object X3 is present between the front end 5a and the peripheral edge of the facing part 4a is input from the foreign object determination unit 104, that is, the detection unit 44 If it is determined that there is a foreign object X3 between the front end portion 5a and the peripheral edge of the facing portion 4a, the slide motor 26 is controlled to move the door panel 5 to the fully open position Po.

  Further, when only the first ON signal (half latch detection signal) is output from the half latch detection unit 211 during the closing operation of the door panel 5 by the driving force of the slide motor 26, the control circuit device 111 causes the slide motor 26 to operate. And the closer motor 29 is driven. When the slide motor 26 is stopped and the closer motor 29 is driven, the FF circuit 224 outputs an H level signal, and the inverter 225 outputs an L level signal. Therefore, even if the first determiner 222 outputs a signal of any level of L level and H level, the second determiner 223 includes the front end portion 5a of the door panel 5 and the facing portion 4a of the entrance / exit 4. An L level signal indicating that there is no foreign object X3 is output. Then, the control circuit device 111 locks the door panel 5 by the closer motor 29 based on the fact that the detection unit 44 determines that there is no foreign object X3 between the front end portion 5a and the periphery of the facing portion 4a. After the door panel 5 is disposed at the fully closed position Pc, the closer motor 29 is stopped.

  Further, when an opening signal is input from the operation switch 31, the control circuit device 111 drives the slide motor 26 in a direction (closing direction) for opening the door panel 5. At this time, since the slide motor 26 is driven in a state where the closer motor 29 is stopped, the FF circuit 224 outputs an L level signal. Accordingly, since the inverter 225 outputs an H level signal, the second determiner 223 outputs a signal having the same potential level as the potential level of the signal output by the first determiner 222. That is, the determination circuit 221 outputs a signal according to the presence or absence of the foreign matter X3 between the front end portion 5a and the peripheral edge of the facing portion 4a to the control circuit device 111.

  Thus, as shown in FIG. 17, the determination circuit 221 (second determination unit 223) includes a slide motor for opening the door panel 5 after the closer motor 29 starts to be driven when the door panel 5 is closed. During the period until the driving of 26 is started, the foreign matter X3 is between the front end portion 5a of the door panel 5 and the facing portion 4a of the entrance / exit 4 regardless of the potential level of the signal output from the first determiner 222. Judge that it does not exist. That is, in the foreign object detection device 41, a dead zone in which the foreign object X3 close to the foreign object detection sensors 42 and 43 is not detected until the drive of the slide motor 26 for the opening operation of the door panel 5 is started.

  Here, in FIG. 18, the voltage value Vo (comparison of the voltage signal output from the comparator 101 in a state where the conductive foreign matter X3 does not exist between the front end portion 5a of the door panel 5 and the facing portion 4a of the entrance / exit 4 is shown. The result of measuring the output voltage Vo) of the vessel 101 is shown. 18 that the voltage value Vo of the voltage signal output from the comparator 101 suddenly increases when the door panel 5 approaches the fully closed position Pc when the door panel 5 is closed. Then, the determination circuit 221 determines the potential level of the signal output from the first determiner 222 while the door panel 5 is disposed near the fully closed position Pc and the door panel 5 is moved to the fully closed position Pc by the driving force of the closer motor 29. It is determined that there is no foreign object X3 between the front end portion 5a of the door panel 5 and the facing portion 4a of the entrance / exit 4 regardless of the above. Therefore, the reference potentials Vth1 and Vth2 (threshold values) can be set to values closer to the output voltage Vo of the comparator 101 when the foreign object X3 does not exist between the front end portion 5a of the door panel 5 and the entrance / exit 4. That is, the value of the reference potential Vth1 is made smaller and the reference potential Vth2 is set to a value close to the output voltage Vo of the comparator 101 when the foreign object X3 does not exist between the front end portion 5a of the door panel 5 and the entrance 4. The value of can be set larger.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, the same effects as (1) and (3) to (8) of the first embodiment and (2) and (2) of the third embodiment are achieved. In addition, it has the following effects.

  (1) As shown in FIG. 18, the difference between the first and second detection signals S2 and S4 based on the capacitance detection signals S1 and S3 output from the first and second foreign matter detection sensors 42 and 43, respectively. That is, the voltage value Vo of the voltage signal output from the comparator 101 is the fully open position Po when the door panel 5 is closed in a state where there is no conductive foreign matter X3 between the door panel 5 and the periphery of the entrance 4. To a predetermined position in the vicinity of the fully closed position Pc, the value is substantially constant while the door panel 5 is moved. When the door panel 5 is moved from the predetermined position near the fully closed position Pc toward the fully closed position Pc, the voltage of the voltage signal output from the comparator 101 as the door panel 5 approaches the fully closed position Pc. The value Vo increases rapidly. The predetermined position near the fully closed position Pc at which the voltage value Vo starts to increase rapidly is near the position of the door panel 5 when the latch 204 is disposed at the half latch position. Therefore, while the closer motor 29 driven based on the first ON signal is driven, there is no foreign object X3 close to the foreign object detection sensors 42 and 43 regardless of the voltage value Vo of the voltage signal output from the comparator 101. If the determination circuit 221 of the detection unit 44 is configured so as to determine as follows, the first ON signal is inputted and the output voltage Vo of the comparator 101 after that is not taken into consideration, and the proximity to the foreign matter detection sensors 42 and 43 is approached. It becomes possible to set the reference potentials Vth1 and Vth2 for determining the presence or absence of the foreign object X3. Therefore, the output of the comparator 101 between the start of the closing operation of the door panel 5 and the start of the operation of the closer motor 29 when there is no foreign object X3 between the door panel 5 and the periphery of the entrance 4. The reference potentials Vth1 and Vth2 can be set to values close to the voltage Vo. Therefore, the detection sensitivity of the foreign object X3 existing between the door panel 5 and the periphery of the entrance / exit 4 can be improved during the closing operation of the door panel 5 by the driving force of the slide motor 26, and the foreign object X3 is detected earlier. be able to.

Each embodiment of the present invention may be modified as follows.
In each of the above embodiments, the electric sliding door devices 1, 121, 141, 201 have been described as examples of the opening / closing device, but the present invention may be applied to other opening / closing devices. For example, the present invention may be applied to a back door device in which a flip-up back door for opening and closing an opening provided at the rear portion of a vehicle body is operated by a drive motor. Further, the present invention may be applied to a sunroof device in which a roof opening / closing body for opening / closing an opening provided in a ceiling portion of a vehicle body is operated by a drive motor.

  In the fourth embodiment, the determination circuit 221 (second determination unit 223) drives the slide motor 26 to open the door panel 5 after the closer motor 29 starts to be driven when the door panel 5 is closed. Until the start of the operation, regardless of the potential level of the signal output from the first determiner 222, it is assumed that there is no foreign object X3 between the front end portion 5a of the door panel 5 and the facing portion 4a of the entrance / exit 4. judge. However, the determination circuit 221 does not depend on the potential level of the signal output from the first determiner 222 at least while the closer motor 29 is driven. What is necessary is just to be comprised so that it may determine that the foreign material X3 does not exist in between. Therefore, for example, the determination circuit 221 does not depend on the potential level of the signal output from the first determination unit 222 until the closer motor 29 is stopped after the half latch detection signal is output, regardless of the potential level of the door panel 5. You may comprise so that it may determine with the foreign material X3 not existing between the front-end part 5a and the opposing part 4a of the entrance / exit 4. In addition, the determination circuit 221 outputs the potential level of the signal output from the first determination unit 222 from when the half latch detection signal is output until the slide motor 26 is started for opening the door panel 5. Regardless of whether or not the foreign object X3 exists between the front end 5a of the door panel 5 and the facing part 4a of the entrance / exit 4 may be determined.

  A dead zone setting circuit 226 may be provided in the determination circuit 123 of the second embodiment. In this case, in the determination circuit 123, the output terminal of the foreign substance determination device 104 is connected to the input terminal of the second determination device 223, and the output terminal of the second determination device 223 is connected to the control circuit device 111.

  In each of the above embodiments, the winding pitch of the first sensor electrode 54 with respect to the first dielectric layer 53 and the winding pitch of the second sensor electrode 64 with respect to the second dielectric layer 63 are set to a width of about 10 to 15 mm. Has been. However, the winding pitch may be changed as appropriate according to the size of the foreign object to be detected. Further, the winding pitch may change in the longitudinal direction of the first and second dielectric layers 53 and 63.

  In each of the above embodiments, the first and second sensor electrodes 54 and 64 have a long shape, and are respectively wound around the first and second dielectric layers 53 and 63 in a spiral shape. However, the first and second sensor electrodes 54 and 64 may be formed in a cylindrical shape on the outer periphery of the first and second dielectric layers 53 and 63.

  The first and second foreign matter detection sensors 42 and 43 may be configured as shown in FIG. The foreign object detection sensor 151 shown in FIG. 19 is configured by spirally winding two sensor electrodes 153 and 154 around the outer periphery of a string-like core wire 152 made of a dielectric. More specifically, the core wire 152 has a circular cross-sectional shape in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. The two sensor electrodes 153 and 154 are wound around the outer periphery of the core wire 152 at a constant winding pitch while maintaining a constant interval in the axial direction of the core wire 152. The two sensor electrodes 153 and 154 are electrically connected to the first capacitance detector 91 or the second capacitance detector 92. In this way, the electrostatic capacitance detection signal output from the foreign object detection sensor 151 includes the electrostatic capacitance C7 between the two sensor electrodes 153 and 154 spirally wound around the outer periphery of the core wire 152 and one sensor electrode. 153 and a capacitance C8 between the conductive foreign matter X4 (or the ground) adjacent to the foreign matter detection sensor 151 and a capacitance C9 between the other sensor electrode 154 and the foreign matter X4 (or the ground). It becomes a signal according to the composite value. Therefore, the capacitance detection signal output by the foreign matter detection sensor 151 when the conductive foreign matter X4 is not in proximity to the foreign matter detection sensor 151 and when the conductive foreign matter X4 is in proximity to the foreign matter detection sensor 151. The change of becomes large. As a result, the accuracy of foreign object detection by the foreign object detection devices 41 and 122 can be further improved as compared with the case where the first and second foreign object detection sensors 42 and 43 are provided as in the above embodiments. In addition, the foreign object detection sensor 151 is formed by spirally winding two sensor electrodes 153 and 154 around the outer periphery of the core wire 152, so that it can be easily manufactured and any direction in the circumferential direction with respect to the core wire 152. Even when the conductive foreign matter X4 comes close, the foreign matter X4 can be detected. Further, when the two sensor electrodes 153 and 154 are spirally wound around the outer periphery of the core wire 152, the function of the foreign object detection sensor 151 is achieved even when the core wire 152 is arranged in a curved state in the longitudinal direction. Reduction is prevented. If the two sensor electrodes 153 and 154 do not overlap each other, the winding pitch may not be constant. The two sensor electrodes 153 and 154 may be linearly arranged on the outer periphery of the core wire 152 along the axial direction of the core wire 152.

  In the above embodiments, the first and second foreign matter detection sensors 42 and 43 are leads for connecting the foreign matter detection sensors 42 and 43 to the first and second capacitance detectors 91 and 92. Lines 52, 55, 62, and 65 are drawn out from ends of the first and second foreign matter detection sensors 42 and 43 that face each other in the longitudinal direction. However, these lead wires 52, 55, 62, 65 may be drawn from any part of the first and second foreign matter detection sensors 42, 43.

  In each of the above embodiments, the first and second sensor electrodes 54 and 64 have an elliptical cross-sectional shape in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. However, the cross-sectional shape of the first and second sensor electrodes 54 and 64 is not limited to an elliptical shape, and may be a circular shape or a polygonal shape.

  In the first and second embodiments, the first and second foreign matter detection sensors 42 and 43 are disposed along the front end portion 5 a of the door panel 5. However, the first and second foreign matter detection sensors 42 and 43 are arranged along the opposing portion 4a of the entrance 4 facing the front end portion 5a so as to be aligned in the longitudinal direction of the opposing portion 4a. May be. Even if comprised in this way, the effect similar to the effect of (1) thru | or (8) of the said 1st Embodiment and (1) of the said 2nd Embodiment can be acquired. Moreover, in the said 3rd Embodiment, while the 1st foreign material detection sensor 42 may be arrange | positioned along the front-end part 5a of the door panel 5, the 2nd foreign material detection sensor 43 is from the lower end part of the opposing part 4a. Alternatively, the door panel 5 may be partially disposed at the peripheral edge of the entrance 4 toward the rear side in the moving direction when the door panel 5 is closed. Even if comprised in this way, the effect similar to the effect of (1) and (2) of the said 3rd Embodiment can be acquired. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the first and second foreign matter detection sensors 42 and 43 may be arranged as in the third embodiment.

  In the first and second embodiments, the foreign matter detection devices 41 and 122 include two foreign matter detection sensors 42 and 43. However, the foreign object detection device 41 may be configured to include three or more foreign object detection sensors. In this case, the three or more foreign matter detection sensors are arranged so as to be aligned in the longitudinal direction of the front end portion 5a of the door panel 5, and the detection units 44 and 124 each detect the electrostatic capacitance output from each foreign matter detection sensor. Based on the signal, the presence / absence of a foreign object close to the foreign object detection sensor is determined. Further, the lengths (lengths in the longitudinal direction) of the plurality of foreign matter detection sensors provided in the foreign matter detection device 41 may not all be the same length.

  In the third and fourth embodiments, the foreign object detection device 41 includes the first and second foreign object detection sensors 42 and 43, respectively. However, the foreign object detection device 41 may be configured to include at least one first and second foreign object detection sensors 42 and 43, respectively. For example, when the foreign object detection device 41 includes two first foreign object detection sensors 42, the two foreign object detection sensors 42 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the facing portion 4a, and the detection unit 44 is Based on the electrostatic capacitance detection signals S1 and S3 respectively output from the foreign matter detection sensors 42 and 43, the presence / absence of foreign matter between the front end portion 5a and the facing portion 4a is determined.

  In the first and third embodiments, when the determination circuit 93 generates a difference between the voltage value of the first detection signal S2 and the voltage value of the second detection signal S4, the first and second foreign matters It may be configured that it is determined that there is a foreign substance close to the detection sensors 42 and 43 and a signal indicating that the foreign substance is present is output to the control circuit device 111.

  The configuration of the determination circuit 93 in the first and third embodiments is not limited to the configuration detailed in the first embodiment. If the determination circuit 93 is a structure which determines the presence or absence of the foreign material X1, X2 which adjoins the 1st and 2nd foreign material detection sensors 42 and 43 by comparing 1st and 2nd detection signal S2, S4. Good. The same applies to the determination circuit 123 of the second embodiment and the determination circuit 221 of the fourth embodiment.

  In each of the above embodiments, the control circuit device 111 receives an H level signal indicating that the foreign object X1 or the foreign object X2 exists between the front end portion 5a and the peripheral edge of the facing portion 4a during the closing operation of the door panel 5. When input from the foreign matter determiner 104, the slide motor 26 is controlled to move the door panel 5 to the fully open position Po. However, the control circuit device 111 may be configured to control the slide motor 26 to stop the door panel 5 when an H level signal is input from the foreign matter determination device 104. Further, the control circuit device 111 may be configured to control the slide motor 26 so as to move the door panel 5 to the fully open position Po side by a predetermined distance when an H level signal is input from the foreign matter determiner 104. Good.

The perspective view of the vehicle provided with the electric slide door apparatus. The side view of the vehicle provided with the electric slide door apparatus. The block diagram which shows the electric constitution of the electric slide door apparatus of 1st Embodiment. The perspective view of the 1st and 2nd foreign material detection sensor. Sectional drawing which shows the attachment aspect of the 1st and 2nd foreign material detection sensor. For explaining the determination of the presence or absence of foreign matter between the front end portion of the door panel and the facing portion of the entrance / exit, based on the output voltage of the first capacitance detector and the output voltage of the second capacitance detector Illustration. The perspective view which shows the state which the foreign material contacted the foreign material detection sensor. The block diagram which shows the electric constitution of the electric slide door apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. The graph which shows the relationship between the position of a door panel and the output voltage of an electrostatic capacitance detector. The block diagram which shows the electric constitution of the electric slide door apparatus of 3rd Embodiment. The side view of the vehicle provided with the electric slide door apparatus of 3rd Embodiment. Sectional drawing of the front end part vicinity of the door panel in 3rd Embodiment. The graph which shows the relationship between the position of a door panel, and the variation | change_quantity of the electrostatic capacitance detected based on the electrostatic capacitance detection signal which the 1st and 2nd foreign material detection sensor in 3rd Embodiment outputs. The block diagram which shows the electric constitution of the electric slide door apparatus of 4th Embodiment. (A) is a schematic block diagram of the lock mechanism in a striker release position, (b) is a schematic block diagram of the lock mechanism in a half latch position, (c) is a schematic block diagram of the lock mechanism in a full latch position. (A) is a conceptual diagram which shows a door panel when a latch is arrange | positioned in a half latch position, (b) is a conceptual diagram which shows a door panel when a latch is arrange | positioned in a full latch position. The time chart which shows the drive state of a slide motor and a closer motor. The graph which shows the relationship between the position of a door panel, and the output voltage Vo. The perspective view of the foreign material detection sensor of another form.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,121,141,201 ... Electric sliding door device as an opening / closing device, 2 ... Vehicle, 3 ... Car body as a fixed body and body, 4 ... Entrance as an opening, 4a ... An opposing portion, 5 ... A moving body Door panel, 5a ... arrangement area and front end as closed end, 26 ... slide motor as drive motor, 29 ... closer motor constituting closer means, 41, 122 ... foreign matter detection device, 42 ... foreign matter detection sensor First foreign matter detection sensor 43, second foreign matter detection sensor as foreign matter detection sensor, 44, 124 ... detection unit as determination means, 52, 55, 62, 65 ... lead wire, 53 ... as dielectric layer First dielectric layer 54... First sensor electrode as sensor electrode 63. Second dielectric layer as dielectric layer 64. Second sensor electrode as sensor electrode 111. Control circuit device as control means, 151 ... foreign object detection sensor, 152 ... core wire, 153, 154 ... sensor electrode, 202 ... lock mechanism constituting closer means, 204 ... latch, 207 ... striker as locking part, 211 ... Half-latch detection unit as half-latch detection means, C2, C5, C7, C8 ... electrostatic capacity, Pc ... fully closed position, Po ... fully open position, S1 ... first electrostatic capacity detection as electrostatic capacity detection signal Signal, S2: First detection signal as detection value, S3: Second capacitance detection signal as capacitance detection signal, S4: Second detection signal as detection value, Vth1 to Vth4: As threshold value V0, the voltage value of the output signal of the comparator as the detected value, X1, X2, X3, X4, foreign matter.

Claims (15)

In a linear arrangement area, arranged in the longitudinal direction of the arrangement area, each having a sensor electrode, and an electrostatic capacity corresponding to a change in capacitance between the sensor electrode and a conductive foreign object close to the sensor electrode A plurality of foreign matter detection sensors that output a capacitance detection signal;
A foreign matter detection apparatus comprising: a determination unit that determines the presence or absence of the foreign matter in proximity to the foreign matter detection sensor based on the capacitance detection signals output from the plurality of foreign matter detection sensors. The foreign object detection device according to claim 1,
The determination unit compares detection values based on the capacitance detection signals output from the plurality of foreign object detection sensors, and when the compared detection values are different, the foreign object is close to the foreign object detection sensor. A foreign object detection device characterized by determining that In the foreign matter detection device according to claim 1 or 2,
In the determination unit, at least one of detection values based on the capacitance detection signals output from the plurality of foreign object detection sensors exceeds a threshold for determining the presence or absence of the foreign object in proximity to the foreign object detection sensor. In this case, it is determined that there is the foreign object in proximity to the foreign object detection sensor. The foreign object detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The foreign object detection sensor has a string-like core wire made of a dielectric, and two sensor electrodes are spirally wound around the outer periphery of the core wire. An opening / closing apparatus comprising a moving body that is moved between a fully closed position that closes an opening formed in a conductive fixed body and a fully open position that opens the opening,
The closed side end and either the closed side end that is the end on the front side in the closing direction of the movable body, or the facing part that is the portion facing the closed side end at the periphery of the opening. The sensor electrode is disposed so as to be arranged in the longitudinal direction of any one of the facing portions, and is disposed along any one of the closed side end portion and the facing portion. A plurality of foreign matter detection sensors for outputting a capacitance detection signal corresponding to the capacitance between adjacent conductive foreign matter,
Determination means for determining the presence or absence of a foreign object in proximity to the foreign object detection sensor based on the capacitance detection signals output by the plurality of foreign object detection sensors;
An opening / closing apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls movement of the moving body based on a determination result of the determination unit. An opening / closing apparatus comprising a moving body that is moved between a fully closed position that closes an opening formed in a conductive fixed body and a fully open position that opens the opening,
The movable body is disposed along one of a closed end portion that is an end portion on the front side in the closing direction and a facing portion that is a portion facing the closed end portion at a peripheral edge portion of the opening. At least one first sensor electrode that outputs a capacitance detection signal corresponding to a capacitance between the first sensor electrode and a conductive foreign substance adjacent to the first sensor electrode. 1 foreign matter detection sensor;
A second sensor electrode that is partially disposed on a peripheral edge of the opening from the end in the longitudinal direction of the facing portion toward the rear side in the closing direction of the movable body, and the second sensor electrode; At least one second foreign matter detection sensor that outputs a capacitance detection signal corresponding to a capacitance between the conductive foreign matter adjacent to the second sensor electrode;
Determination means for determining the presence or absence of a foreign object in proximity to the foreign object detection sensor based on the capacitance detection signals output by the plurality of foreign object detection sensors;
An opening / closing apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls movement of the moving body based on a determination result of the determination unit. The switchgear according to claim 5 or 6,
The determination unit compares detection values based on the capacitance detection signals output from the plurality of foreign object detection sensors, and when the compared detection values are different, the foreign object is close to the foreign object detection sensor. The switchgear characterized by determining. The switchgear according to any one of claims 5 to 7,
In the determination unit, at least one of detection values based on the capacitance detection signals output from the plurality of foreign object detection sensors exceeds a threshold for determining the presence or absence of the foreign object in proximity to the foreign object detection sensor. In this case, it is determined that there is the foreign matter in proximity to the foreign matter detection sensor. The switchgear according to any one of claims 6 to 8,
One each of the first foreign matter detection sensor and the second foreign matter detection sensor;
The first foreign object detection sensor is disposed along the facing portion, and the second foreign object detection sensor is disposed on the rear side in the closing direction of the moving body with respect to the first foreign object detection sensor. A switchgear characterized by that. The switchgear according to any one of claims 5 to 8,
An opening / closing device comprising two foreign matter detection sensors. The switchgear according to claim 9 or 10,
The two foreign matter detection sensors are characterized in that lead wires for connecting the foreign matter detection sensors and the determination means are drawn out from opposite ends in the longitudinal direction of the foreign matter detection sensors. Switchgear. The switchgear according to any one of claims 5 to 11,
The opening / closing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sensor electrode is spirally wound around an outer periphery of a string-like dielectric layer disposed along one of the closed-side end portion and the facing portion. The switchgear according to any one of claims 5 to 11,
The foreign matter detection sensor has a string-like core wire made of a dielectric, and the two sensor electrodes are spirally wound around the outer periphery of the core wire. The switchgear according to any one of claims 5 to 13,
A drive motor serving as a drive source for moving the movable body between the fully open position and the fully closed position;
The driving force of the closer motor from the half-latch position to the full-latch position of the latch provided on either the fixed body or the movable body with respect to the locking portion provided on either the fixed body or the movable body Closing means for locking the latch to the locking portion and placing the movable body in the fully closed position
Half latch detection means for outputting a half latch detection signal when the latch is disposed at the half latch position;
When the half latch detection signal is output during the closing operation of the movable body, the control means stops the drive motor and drives the closer motor,
The determination means determines that there is no foreign object close to the foreign object detection sensor regardless of a detection value based on the capacitance detection signal while the closer motor is driven. apparatus. The switchgear according to any one of claims 5 to 14,
The fixed body is a vehicle body,
The opening / closing apparatus, wherein the moving body is a door panel that is slid along the front-rear direction so as to open and close the opening provided on a side of the vehicle.

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