JP2013159129A - Object detection device, and device for controlling vehicular opening/closing body - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an object detection device that can prevent erroneous detection when dust, frost/snow or the like adheres to a light projecting/receiving window 4 of a reflection type sensor 10.SOLUTION: In an object detection device for detecting an object by a reflection type sensor 10, when first high-intensity pulse light is projected from a light emitting element 1, and reflection light of the high-intensity pulse light is detected by a light reception element 2, then low-intensity pulse light is projected from the light emitting element 1. When the reflection light of the high-intensity pulse light is detected and the reflection light of the low-intensity pulse light is not detected, the object is determined to have been detected.

Description

  The present invention relates to an object detection device using a reflective optical sensor and a vehicle opening / closing body control device using the object detection device.

  Conventionally, when locking or unlocking a vehicle door, when the user operates a door lock button or door unlock button provided on an electronic key (mobile device) carried by the user, the door lock or door unlock is automatically performed. Keyless entry systems that can be used are widely used.

A so-called smart entry system is a system developed from this keyless entry system.
In the smart entry system, when a user carrying an electronic key approaches the vehicle, wireless communication is performed between the in-vehicle authentication system and the electronic key, and authentication that the vehicle is a regular electronic key is performed. The door is unlocked when it is authenticated that the electronic key is authorized and when it is detected that the user has touched the door handle. Further, a user with a regular electronic key gets off the vehicle, closes the door, and presses a button near the door handle to lock the door.

  In addition, as a user's action for unlocking the door, a method of reacting the user's foot to a sensor at the lower part of the door to be unlocked instead of touching the door handle is proposed (for example, a patent) Reference 1). According to this method, the door can be unlocked even when the user has a luggage in both hands.

In Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 10, a rear bumper 103 is attached to the rear outer surface of the rear end panel 102 disposed in the lower portion of the back door 101 of the vehicle, and a back door foot is attached to the lower surface of the rear bumper 103. An attachment part for the part detection sensor 104 is provided. The mounting portion is formed in a concave shape from the lower surface of the rear bumper 103, and the back door foot detection sensor 104 is mounted inside the mounting portion so that the sensor body is located above the lower surface of the rear bumper 103. Yes.
The back door foot detection sensor 104 transmits an infrared signal or the like toward the lower side of the vehicle, and can detect that the user's foot or the like is placed between the vehicle body and the ground.

JP 2005-133529 A

As the back door foot detection sensor 104, a reflective optical sensor such as an inexpensive reflective infrared sensor is suitable.
However, since the reflection type optical sensor is constructed by arranging a light emitting / receiving window formed of glass or the like on the front surface of the light emitting part and the light receiving part, particularly when it is attached to a vehicle or the like and exposed to an outdoor environment. Normal operation is hindered by dust, frost, snow, etc. adhering to the light receiving window, and there is a risk that the back door 101 will open carelessly regardless of the intention of the user. Become.

  Therefore, the present invention solves the problem of malfunction of the object detection device due to dust, frost, snow, etc. attached to the light projection / reception window of the reflection type optical sensor, and provides a vehicle opening / closing body control device using the object detection device. It is intended to do.

The present invention made to achieve the above object has the following configuration.
That is, the invention of claim 1 has a light emitting / receiving window in front of the light emitting element and the light receiving element, projects pulse light from the light emitting element, and reflects the reflected light of the pulse light reflected from the object by the light receiving element. In an object detection device that detects an object by detecting,
Projecting high intensity pulsed light from the light emitting element, projecting low intensity pulsed light from the light emitting element based on the detection result of the reflected light of the high intensity pulsed light by the light receiving element,
When the reflected light of the high-intensity pulsed light is detected and the reflected light of the low-intensity pulsed light is not detected, it is determined that an object has been detected.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a light emitting / receiving window is provided in front of the light emitting element and the light receiving element, the pulse light is projected from the light emitting element, and the reflected light of the pulse light reflected from the object is reflected by the light receiving element. In an object detection device that detects an object by detecting,
High-intensity pulsed light is projected from the light-emitting element, low-intensity pulsed light is projected from the light-emitting element based on the detection result of the reflected light of the high-intensity pulsed light by the light-receiving element, and the low-intensity pulsed light from the light-receiving element Based on the detection result of the reflected light of the intensity pulsed light, again project the high intensity pulsed light from the light emitting element,
After the reflected light of the high-intensity pulsed light is detected, it is determined that the object is detected when the reflected light of the low-intensity pulsed light is not detected and the reflected light of the high-intensity pulsed light is not detected again. It is characterized by doing.

  The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the light projecting / receiving window is arranged so that an object to be detected is not touched directly.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a keyless entry system in which the vehicle-mounted device of the vehicle controls the locking or unlocking operation of the door lock mechanism based on the reception result of the signal sent from the portable device; A vehicle opening / closing body control device comprising any of the object detection devices,
When the object is detected by the object detection device while the door lock mechanism is unlocked by receiving the signal, an opening operation means is provided for opening a predetermined opening / closing body of the vehicle. It is what.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a user recognition system for recognizing that a legitimate user exists in the vicinity of a vehicle based on a reception result of an authentication signal transmitted from a portable device, and any one of the first to third aspects. A vehicle opening / closing body control device comprising:
When an object is detected by the object detection device while recognizing that a legitimate user exists in the vicinity of the vehicle by receiving the authentication signal, the predetermined opening / closing body of the vehicle is opened. It is characterized by having an opening operation means.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the predetermined opening / closing body is a trunk of a vehicle, and the object detection device is provided at a rear portion of the vehicle.

According to the object detection device of the present invention, when the high-intensity pulsed light is first projected from the light-emitting element and the reflected light of the high-intensity pulsed light is detected by the light-receiving element, the low-intensity pulsed light is then emitted from the light-emitting element. Flood light. Then, at least after the reflected light of the high-intensity pulsed light is detected, it is determined that the object has been detected only when the reflected light of the low-intensity pulsed light is not detected. The problem of malfunction due to snow or the like can be solved.
In addition, according to the vehicle opening / closing body control device of the present invention, the door unlocking and door opening / closing operation of the door / trunk, etc. can be performed with a simple operation while securing the security triggered by the action of the authorized user of the vehicle on the door unlocking and the object detection device. The body can be opened, and when dust, frost, snow, etc. are attached to the light emitting / receiving window of the object detection device, the body is not opened, and the body is opened inadvertently regardless of the user's intention. Can be prevented.

1 is a block diagram of an object detection device according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the object detection apparatus which concerns on the 1st Example of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the object detection apparatus based on the 2nd Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the apparatus structure of the portable device in the 3rd Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the apparatus structure of the vehicle equipment in the 3rd Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the transmission / reception signal in the keyless entry system which concerns on the 3rd Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control processing of the portable device in the 3rd Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control processing of the vehicle equipment in the 3rd Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control processing of the vehicle equipment in the 3rd Example of this invention. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the vehicle opening / closing body control apparatus of a prior art example.

  Embodiments of an object detection device and a vehicle opening / closing body control device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The embodiment described below is an example as means for realizing the present invention, and the present invention can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an object detection apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a reflective optical sensor including a light emitting element 1, a light receiving element 2, a case 3, and a light projecting / receiving window 4.
The light emitting element 1 and the light receiving element 2 are accommodated at a predetermined interval in a resin case 3 having an open surface.
In the case 3, a partition 3 a is formed between the light emitting element 1 and the light receiving element 2, so that light emitted from the light emitting element 1 does not directly enter the light receiving element 2.
A light emitting / receiving window 4 made of an optical lens or an optical filter is fitted in front of the light emitting element 1 and the light receiving element 2 so as to close the opening of the case 3.

The reflection type optical sensor 10 projects light forward from the light emitting element 1 through the light projecting / receiving window 4, and receives reflected light from an object located in front through the light projecting / receiving window 4 again by the light receiving element 2, and receives the reflected light. The presence of an object can be detected by the output from the light receiving element 2.
In addition, the light emitting element 1 of this example consists of a light emitting diode (LED), and the light receiving element 2 consists of a photodiode or a phototransistor.

The power supply 11 supplies power to the voltage stabilization circuit 12 and the power supply voltage monitoring circuit 13.
The voltage stabilization circuit 12 is a circuit that steps down the voltage supplied from the power supply 11 to 5V, and the power supply voltage monitoring circuit 13 is a circuit that sends a voltage drop signal VL to the microcomputer 14 when the voltage becomes 6V or less.

The microcomputer 14 includes a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), a memory (RAM) for temporarily storing detection results, an input / output interface, and the like.
Then, the microcomputer 14 outputs a light emission command signal S1 having a predetermined frequency to the light emitting element driving circuit 15. The light emission command signal S1 is controlled by a plurality of programs in different oscillation modes written in the ROM of the microcomputer 14 and switching means for switching between these programs. By switching the oscillation mode programs, high intensity pulsed light or low intensity A pulsed light emission command signal S1 is output. The switching of the light emission command signal S1 will be described in detail later.

  The light emitting element drive circuit 15 is a circuit that causes the light emitting element 1 to emit light once every time one pulse of the light emission command signal S1 is input. Therefore, if the light emission command signal S1 is continuously output from the microcomputer 14 for a predetermined time, the light emitting element driving circuit 15 causes the light emitting element 1 to emit light a predetermined number of times.

  When the pulsed light projected from the light emitting element 1 is reflected from the object and the light receiving element 2 receives the reflected light, the light receiving element 2 outputs a light receiving signal. The light receiving circuit 16 outputs a detection signal S2 obtained by amplifying the light receiving signal of the light receiving element 2.

Next, the operation of the object detection apparatus of this example will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
(Step S11)
First, the microcomputer 14 selects a high-intensity pulsed light oscillation mode program from among a plurality of oscillation mode programs written in the ROM, and outputs a high-intensity pulsed light emission command signal S1. Thereby, high-intensity pulsed light (in this example, light emission for 100 μs at a cycle of 4 Hz) is projected from the light emitting element 1.

(Step S12)
When the light receiving element 2 receives the reflected light of the high-intensity pulsed light and the detection signal S2 is output from the light receiving circuit 16, the threshold value set in advance is compared with the detection signal S2. When the detection signal S2 is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the process proceeds to step S13 assuming that reflected light has been detected, and when the detection signal S2 is smaller than the threshold value, the process returns to step S11 assuming that no reflected light is detected.

(Step S13)
The microcomputer 14 selects a low-intensity pulsed light oscillation mode program from a plurality of stages of programs written in the ROM, and outputs a low-intensity pulsed light emission command signal S1. Thereby, low-intensity pulsed light (in this example, light emission for 10 μs with a period of 20 Hz) is projected from the light emitting element 1.

(Step S14)
When the light receiving element 2 receives the reflected light of the low-intensity pulse light and the detection signal S2 is output from the light receiving circuit 16, the preset threshold value is compared with the detection signal S2. When the detection signal S2 is greater than or equal to the threshold, the process returns to step S11 assuming that reflected light has been detected, and when the detection signal S2 is smaller than the threshold, the process proceeds to step S15 assuming that no reflected light is detected.

(Step S15)
If reflected light is not detected in step S14, an object detection signal is output as an object detected.

As described above, in the object detection device of this example, when the high-intensity pulsed light is first projected from the light-emitting element 1 and the reflected light of the high-intensity pulsed light is detected by the light-receiving element 2, the light-emitting element 1 is next detected. From low intensity pulsed light. The object detection signal is output only when the reflected light of the high intensity pulsed light is detected and the reflected light of the low intensity pulsed light is not detected.
Thereby, the problem of malfunction due to dust, frost, snow or the like adhering to the light projecting / receiving window 4 can be solved. This will be described below.

The reflective optical sensor 10 has a light projecting / receiving window 4 on the front surface of the light emitting element 1 and the light receiving element 2, and if dust, frost, snow or the like adheres to the front surface of the light projecting / receiving window 4, The light receiving element 2 may detect the reflected light and may not operate normally.
Therefore, first, the high-intensity pulsed light is projected from the light-emitting element 1, and it is determined whether or not the reflected light of the high-intensity pulsed light is detected by the light receiving element 2 (step S12).
The intensity of the high-intensity pulsed light is such that when there is an object within a predetermined distance (for example, within several tens of centimeters) from the light projecting / receiving window 4 in the state where there is no deposit on the light projecting / receiving window 4, the light receiving element 2 is separated from the object. The intensity is set so that the reflected light can be detected.
Therefore, in step S12, the reflected light is not only emitted when there is an object within a predetermined distance (within several tens of centimeters) from the light projecting / receiving window 4, but also when there is an object on the front surface of the light projecting / receiving window 4. Will be detected.
When the reflected light is detected in step S12, low-intensity pulsed light is projected from the light emitting element 1, and it is determined whether or not the reflected light of the low-intensity pulsed light is detected by the light receiving element 2 (step S14). ).
The intensity of the low-intensity pulsed light is such that when there is an object within a very close distance (for example, within several centimeters) from the light projecting / receiving window 4 in the state where there is no deposit on the light projecting / receiving window 4, the light receiving element 2 is separated from the object. The intensity is set such that the reflected light can be detected.
Therefore, in step S14, the reflected light is detected not only when an object is present within a very close distance (within several cm) from the light projecting / receiving window 4, but also when there is an adhering substance on the front surface of the light projecting / receiving window 4. Will do.
In the object detection apparatus of this example, when the reflected light of the high-intensity pulsed light is detected by the light receiving element 2 and the reflected light of the low-intensity pulsed light is not detected, it is determined that the object has been detected and the object detection is performed. A signal is output (step 15).

  As described above, in the object detection device of this example, the reflected light of the high intensity pulsed light is detected, and the object detection signal is output when the reflected light of the low intensity pulsed light is not detected. It is assumed that the object is detected only when there is no adhering substance and the object is present within a few centimeters or more and several tens of centimeters from the light projecting / receiving window 4. Therefore, it is possible to solve the problem of malfunction due to dust, frost, snow or the like adhering to the light emitting / receiving window 4.

In the object detection device of this example, the detection range of the object (upper and lower limits of the distance) can be freely changed by changing the intensities of the high-intensity pulsed light and the low-intensity pulsed light.
The method of changing the intensity of the pulsed light is not particularly limited, and the current flowing through the light emitting element may be changed, or the number of light emitting elements that emit light using a plurality of light emitting elements may be changed.

In the above description, since the object is detected only when the object exists within a few centimeters or more and several tens of centimeters from the light emitting / receiving window, even if the light emitting / receiving window is clean, it is detected by the light emitting / receiving window. Even if an object to be touched (for example, a human hand) is directly touching, object detection is not performed.
For this reason, light is projected and received so that the object cannot approach the light emitting / receiving window within the distance of the detection range (within a few centimeters in the above example), or the object to be detected cannot directly touch the light emitting / receiving window. If the window is arranged, for example, it is possible to more reliably detect that the person has touched the hand.

  When the object detection device of this example is incorporated in a conventional keyless entry system or smart entry system as a sensor for opening an opening / closing body such as a door or trunk of a vehicle, an actuator (opening / closing body control device) is detected by an object detection signal. ) May be configured to operate.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the object detection apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Note that the basic configuration of the object detection apparatus of this example is the same as that shown in the block diagram of FIG.

The operation of the object detection apparatus of this example will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
(Steps S21 to S24)
Steps S21 to S24 are the same as steps S11 to S14 in the first embodiment.

(Step S25)
If the reflected light is not detected in step S24, the microcomputer 14 again selects the high-intensity pulsed light oscillation mode program from the plurality of oscillation mode programs written in the ROM, and the high-intensity pulsed light is selected. The light emission command signal S1 is output. Thereby, high-intensity pulsed light (light emission for 100 μs at a cycle of 4 Hz) is projected from the light emitting element 1.

(Step S26)
When the light receiving element 2 receives the reflected light of the high-intensity pulsed light and outputs the detection signal S2 from the light receiving circuit 16, the preset threshold value is compared with the detection signal S2. When the detection signal S2 is greater than or equal to the threshold, the process returns to step S21 assuming that reflected light has been detected, and when the detection signal S2 is smaller than the threshold, the process proceeds to step S27 assuming that no reflected light is detected.

(Step S27)
If no reflected light is detected in step S26, an object detection signal is output assuming that an object has been detected.

  As described above, in the object detection device of this example, when the high-intensity pulsed light is first projected from the light-emitting element 1 and the reflected light of the high-intensity pulsed light is detected by the light-receiving element 2, the light-emitting element 1 is next detected. The low-intensity pulse light is projected from the light-emitting element 1, and if the light-receiving element 2 does not detect the reflected light of the low-intensity pulse light, the light-emitting element 1 emits the high-intensity pulse light again. When the reflected light of the first high-intensity pulsed light is detected, the reflected light of the next low-intensity pulsed light is not detected, and the reflected light of the high-intensity pulsed light is not detected again, an object detection signal is output. ing.

  The object detection device of this example can solve the problem of malfunction due to dust, frost, snow, etc. attached to the light projecting / receiving window 4, and has the following effects.

For example, when the object detection device according to the first embodiment is incorporated in a keyless entry system or a smart entry system, if an object (for example, a curb or a tree branch) enters the detection range, the intention of the user is There is a possibility that doors, trunks, etc. will open regardless.
On the other hand, the object detection device of this example outputs an object detection signal only when an object is temporarily present within the detection range, and therefore, an object that hardly moves such as curbstones and tree leaves and leaves. Is not detected. Therefore, the trunk or the like does not open regardless of the user's intention.

  In the object detection apparatus of this example, it is assumed that the object is detected only when the object is temporarily present within the detection range. For this temporary period, for example, step S21 (or step 22) and step It can be easily set by appropriately setting the time interval of S25 (or step 26).

(Third embodiment)
The third embodiment of the present invention is an embodiment related to a vehicle opening / closing body control device using the object detection device of FIG.
The vehicle opening / closing body control device of this example is a keyless entry in which an on-vehicle device on the vehicle side controls locking / unlocking operation of a door lock mechanism based on a reception result of a signal transmitted from a portable device carried by a user of the vehicle. The system is equipped with the object detection device of FIG.
The opening / closing body in the vehicle opening / closing body control device of the present example is a trunk, and the object detection device is provided at the rear of the vehicle.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a device configuration of the portable device 20. In FIG. 4, a microcomputer 21 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an interface circuit, and the like, and controls each unit by executing a control program stored in advance. Reference numeral 22 denotes a door lock switch that can lock the door or trunk of an automobile. Reference numeral 23 denotes a door unlock switch that can unlock the door or trunk of the automobile. Reference numeral 24 denotes a transmitter / receiver capable of transmitting a predetermined radio signal corresponding to the operation of these operation switches and demodulating a radio signal from an in-vehicle device (an in-vehicle device 30 to be described later) mounted on the vehicle. Reference numeral 25 denotes a display such as a liquid crystal display. A power switch 26 turns on / off the power of the portable device 20.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a device configuration of the in-vehicle device 30 mounted on the car. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 31 denotes a microcomputer that includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an interface circuit, and the like, and controls each unit by executing a control program stored in advance. Reference numeral 32 denotes a transmitter / receiver capable of transmitting a predetermined radio signal and demodulating a radio signal from a predetermined portable device 20 registered in advance. Reference numeral 33 denotes a door lock detection sensor that detects a lock / unlock state of the door lock of the automobile. Reference numeral 34 denotes a key cylinder contact switch for detecting an operation state of a key cylinder provided on the door of the automobile. Reference numeral 35 denotes an ignition switch. Reference numeral 36 denotes the object detection apparatus shown in FIG. Reference numeral 37 denotes a door lock actuator that operates the door lock of the automobile. A trunk actuator 38 opens the trunk of the automobile.

  Next, various signals transmitted and received between the portable device 20 and the in-vehicle device 30 will be briefly described.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing transmission / reception signals in the keyless entry system according to the present embodiment, and has a communication procedure for causing the door lock actuator 37 to perform an unlock operation and a lock operation.

  When a request signal for each operation is transmitted from the portable device 20, the in-vehicle device 30 transmits a challenge signal in response to the request signal, and the portable device 20 transmits a response signal in response to the challenge signal. The in-vehicle device 30 that has received the response signal performs an operation requested by the portable device 20 and transmits a confirmation signal reporting the completion of the operation.

  Here, the challenge signal and the response signal are signals that are transmitted and received in order to ensure the security function, and the in-vehicle device 30 receives a request signal corresponding to the switch operation of the portable device 20 and receives a different random number each time. Send a challenge signal containing. The portable device 20 that has received the challenge signal performs a predetermined calculation using the random number included in the received signal to create an encryption code, and sends a response signal including the created encryption code to the in-vehicle device 30. Then, the in-vehicle device 30 performs a predetermined operation similar to that of the portable device 20 by using a random number transmitted as a challenge signal to generate an encryption code, and the generated encryption code is included in the received response signal. The request signal received only when the comparison result matches is determined to be a radio signal from a legitimate portable device, and an operation corresponding to the request signal is executed.

  Next, control processing performed by the microcomputer 21 of the portable device 20 and control processing performed by the microcomputer 31 of the in-vehicle device 30 will be described.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control process of the portable device 20 in the present embodiment.
(Step S31)
First, the microcomputer 21 determines whether the power switch 26 is ON. If YES, the microcomputer 21 proceeds to step S32, and if NO, the process proceeds to step S33.

(Step S32)
The microcomputer 21 determines whether or not a predetermined period has elapsed. When the determination is NO, the microcomputer 21 proceeds to step S33, and when the determination is YES, the process proceeds to step S34.

(Step S33, Step S34)
The microcomputer 21 determines whether the operation of the door unlock switch 23 has been performed (step S33), and if YES, transmits a door unlock request signal (step S34).

(Step S35, Step S36)
It is determined whether the door unlock challenge signal transmitted from the vehicle-mounted device 30 has been received (step S35). If NO, the process proceeds to step S37. If YES, the door unlock response signal corresponding to the door unlock challenge signal is determined. Is transmitted (step S36).

(Step S37, Step S38)
It is determined whether the door unlock confirmation signal transmitted from the in-vehicle device 30 has been received (step S37). If NO, the process proceeds to step S39. If YES, the door unlock operation has been performed in the in-vehicle device 30. In order to notify the user, a predetermined door unlock display is performed on the display 25 (step S38).

(Step S39, Step S40)
It is determined whether the door lock switch 22 has been operated (step S39). If NO, the process proceeds to step S41. If YES, a door lock request signal is transmitted (step S40).

(Step S41, Step S42)
It is determined whether the door lock challenge signal transmitted from the in-vehicle device 30 has been received (step S41). If NO, the process proceeds to step S43. If YES, a door lock response signal corresponding to the door lock challenge signal is transmitted. (Step S42).

(Step S43, Step S44)
It is determined whether the door lock confirmation signal transmitted from the in-vehicle device 30 has been received (step S43). If NO, the process returns. If YES, the user is notified that the door lock operation has been performed in the in-vehicle device 30. Therefore, a predetermined door lock display is performed on the display 25 (step S44).

The above is the control processing on the portable device 20 side.
Next, control processing of the in-vehicle device 30 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 8 and 9.
(Step S51)
First, it is determined whether or not the ignition switch 35 is OFF, and the process proceeds to step 52 only when YES (when the ignition switch is OFF).

(Step S52, Step S53)
It is determined whether the door unlock request signal transmitted from the portable device 20 has been received (step S52). If NO, the process proceeds to step S54. If YES, the door unlock challenge signal corresponding to the door unlock request signal is determined. Is transmitted (step S53).

(Step S54, Step S55)
It is determined whether the door lock request signal transmitted from the portable device 20 has been received (step S54). If NO, the process proceeds to step S56. If YES, a door lock challenge signal corresponding to the door lock request signal is transmitted. (Step S55).

(Steps S56 to S58)
It is determined whether the door unlock response signal transmitted from the portable device 20 has been received (step S56). If NO, the process proceeds to step S59. If YES, the door lock actuator 37 performs a door unlock operation (step S57). In addition, when it is detected from the state of the door lock detection sensor 33 that the door unlock has been completed, a door unlock confirmation signal is transmitted (step S58), and the process proceeds to step S64.

(Steps S59 to S61)
It is determined whether the door lock response signal transmitted from the portable device 20 has been received. If NO, the process proceeds to step S62. If YES, the door lock actuator 37 is caused to perform a door lock operation (step S60) and the door lock is detected. When it is detected from the state of the sensor 33 that the door lock has been completed, a door lock confirmation signal is transmitted (step S61).

(Step S62, Step S63)
By detecting the state of the key cylinder contact switch 34, it is determined whether the door lock operation or the door unlock operation by the user's key operation has been performed. If the door unlock operation is detected by these determinations, the process proceeds to step S57. The process proceeds to step S60 when the door lock operation is detected, and returns when no operation is detected.

(Step S64)
The power of the object detection device 36 is turned on while the door including the trunk is unlocked.

Steps S65 to S69 are substantially the same as the operation of the object detection apparatus of the first embodiment, and will be described with reference to FIGS.
(Step S65)
A high-intensity pulsed light oscillation mode program is selected from a plurality of oscillation mode programs written in the ROM, and a high-intensity pulsed light emission command signal S1 is output. Thereby, high-intensity pulsed light (light emission for 100 μs at a cycle of 4 Hz) is projected from the light emitting element 1.

(Step S66)
When the light receiving element 2 receives the reflected light of the high-intensity pulsed light and the detection signal S2 is output from the light receiving circuit 16, the threshold value set in advance is compared with the detection signal S2. When the detection signal S2 is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the process proceeds to step S67 assuming that reflected light is detected, and when the detection signal S2 is smaller than the threshold value, the process proceeds to step S70 assuming that no reflected light is detected.

(Step S67)
A low-intensity pulsed light oscillation mode program is selected from a plurality of stages of programs written in the ROM, and a low-intensity pulsed light emission command signal S1 is output. As a result, low-intensity pulsed light (light emission for 10 μs with a period of 20 Hz) is projected from the light emitting element 1.

(Step S68)
When the light receiving element 2 receives the reflected light of the low-intensity pulse light and the detection signal S2 is output from the light receiving circuit 16, the preset threshold value is compared with the detection signal S2. When the detection signal S2 is greater than or equal to the threshold, the process proceeds to step S70 assuming that reflected light has been detected, and when the detection signal S2 is smaller than the threshold, the process proceeds to step S69 assuming that no reflected light is detected.

(Step S69)
If no reflected light is detected in step S68, an object detection signal is output as an object detected.

(Step S70)
It is determined whether a trunk opening request operation has been performed by a device other than the object detection device (for example, a conventional touch sensor). If a trunk opening request operation is detected, the process proceeds to step S71, and if not detected, the process returns.

(Step S71)
The trunk actuator 38 is operated to open the trunk.

As described above, in the vehicle opening / closing body control device of the present example, the door including the trunk is unlocked by the door lock actuator 37 by receiving the signal transmitted from the portable device 20 carried by the user of the car. In addition, when an object is detected by the object detection device 36, the trunk can be opened by the trunk actuator 38. For this reason, the trunk can be opened by a simple operation while securing security, triggered by the action of the authorized user to unlock the door and act on the object detection device.
Further, the object detection device 36 outputs an object detection signal and opens the trunk only when the reflected light of the high intensity pulsed light is detected and the reflected light of the low intensity pulsed light is not detected. For this reason, as explained in the previous embodiment, the trunk is not opened when dust, frost, snow, or the like adheres to the light projection / reception window of the reflective optical sensor, regardless of the user's intention. It is possible to prevent the trunk from being inadvertently opened.

The vehicle opening / closing body control device of this example is an example in which the object detection device of the present invention is incorporated in a keyless entry system. However, based on the reception result of the authentication signal transmitted from the portable device, The object detection device of the present invention can also be incorporated into a so-called smart entry system including a user recognition system that recognizes that a user exists.
When the object detection device of the present invention is incorporated into a smart entry system, an object is detected by the object detection device of the present invention while recognizing that a legitimate user exists in the vicinity of the vehicle. Further, an opening operation means (an actuator or the like) for opening the predetermined opening / closing body (door or trunk) of the vehicle can be provided.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Light emitting element 2 Light receiving element 3 Case 3a Bulkhead 4 Light projection / reception window 10 Reflection type optical sensor 11 Power supply 12 Voltage stabilization circuit 13 Power supply voltage monitoring circuit 14 Microcomputer (microcomputer)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 Light emitting element drive circuit 16 Light receiving circuit 20 Portable machine 21 Microcomputer (microcomputer)
22 Door lock switch 23 Door unlock switch 24 Transceiver 25 Display 26 Power switch 30 In-vehicle device 31 Microcomputer (microcomputer)
32 Transmitter / Receiver 33 Door Lock Detection Sensor 34 Key Cylinder Contact Switch 35 Ignition Switch 36 Object Detection Device 37 Door Lock Actuator 38 Trunk Actuator 101 Back Door 102 Rear End Panel 103 Rear Bumper 104 Back Door Foot Detection Sensor

Claims (6)

An object having a light projecting / receiving window in front of a light emitting element and a light receiving element, projecting pulsed light from the light emitting element, and detecting the reflected light of the pulsed light reflected from the object by the light receiving element In the detection device,
Projecting high intensity pulsed light from the light emitting element, projecting low intensity pulsed light from the light emitting element based on the detection result of the reflected light of the high intensity pulsed light by the light receiving element,
An object detection apparatus that determines that an object has been detected when the reflected light of the high-intensity pulsed light is detected and the reflected light of the low-intensity pulsed light is not detected. An object having a light projecting / receiving window in front of a light emitting element and a light receiving element, projecting pulsed light from the light emitting element, and detecting the reflected light of the pulsed light reflected from the object by the light receiving element In the detection device,
High-intensity pulsed light is projected from the light-emitting element, low-intensity pulsed light is projected from the light-emitting element based on the detection result of the reflected light of the high-intensity pulsed light by the light-receiving element, and the low-intensity pulsed light from the light-receiving element Based on the detection result of the reflected light of the intensity pulsed light, again project the high intensity pulsed light from the light emitting element,
After the reflected light of the high-intensity pulsed light is detected, it is determined that the object is detected when the reflected light of the low-intensity pulsed light is not detected and the reflected light of the high-intensity pulsed light is not detected again. An object detection device characterized by:   The object detection device according to claim 1, wherein the light projecting / receiving window is arranged so that an object to be detected is not directly touched. A keyless entry system in which the in-vehicle device of the vehicle controls the lock or unlock operation of the door lock mechanism based on the reception result of the signal sent from the portable device;
A vehicle opening / closing body control device comprising the object detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
An opening operation means is provided for opening a predetermined opening / closing body of the vehicle when an object is detected by the object detection device while the door lock mechanism is unlocked by receiving the signal. The vehicle opening / closing body control device. A user recognition system that recognizes that a legitimate user exists in the vicinity of the vehicle based on the reception result of the authentication signal transmitted from the portable device;
A vehicle opening / closing body control device comprising the object detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
When an object is detected by the object detection device while recognizing that a legitimate user exists in the vicinity of the vehicle by receiving the authentication signal, the predetermined opening / closing body of the vehicle is opened. An opening / closing body control device for a vehicle comprising an opening operation means. The vehicle opening / closing body control device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the predetermined opening / closing body is a trunk of the vehicle, and the object detection device is provided at a rear portion of the vehicle.

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