JP2016074332A - Actuator controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an actuator controller capable of securing a correct operation of an actuator according to a user operation if immersion occurs.SOLUTION: A power window device 4 comprises an actuator controller 6 which controls an actuator 3 (motor 5) moving a window glass up and down. A full bridge circuit 14 comprises a protecting function part 23 which forcibly stops the actuator 3 on detecting the actuator 3 being overloaded during the operation. An invalidation circuit 25 for the controller 8 outputs an immersion detection signal Sc to the full bridge circuit 14 once an immersion detection part 24 detects immersion so as to invalidate a protecting function part 23 provided to the full bridge circuit 14.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an actuator control device that controls an actuator.

  As is well known in the art, an actuator control device that drives and controls a motor is provided in a power window device that automatically opens and closes a window glass of a vehicle using a motor (see Patent Document 1). This type of actuator control device controls the opening operation, closing operation, opening / closing speed, and the like of the window glass by controlling the operation of a motor serving as a drive source for opening and closing the window glass.

JP-A-11-206182

  By the way, in general, a power window device is often provided with a protection function for protecting a circuit provided in the device. As this protection function, for example, a full bridge circuit that switches the rotation speed and rotation direction of the motor is provided with an overload protection function that detects overcurrent and overheat, and when overcurrent and overheat are detected by the overload protection function, Some motors are forcibly terminated to protect the circuit. As another protection function, there is a signal abnormality detection function that detects the presence or absence of abnormality in the output of the pulse sensor that detects the rotation amount (rotation speed) of the motor. When the pulse signal becomes abnormal, Some devices forcibly energize to protect the circuit.

  On the other hand, when the vehicle falls into a pond, sea, river, etc., there is a need to ensure that the window glass opening operation by the lowering operation of the power window switch for a certain period of time is ensured so that the occupant can escape outside the vehicle. There is. However, the overload protection function is effective when leaking to + B or GND occurs when the power window switch is lowered when immersion occurs, for example, when excessive current flows through the full bridge circuit. In addition, when the pulse signal becomes abnormal, the pulse abnormality detection function is effective. In this case, there was a concern that the motor was forcibly stopped and the window glass could not be opened.

  The objective of this invention is providing the actuator control apparatus which can ensure the action | operation of the correct actuator according to user operation, when immersion generate | occur | produces.

  The actuator control apparatus that solves the above problem forces the actuator to protect the circuit when the actuator is in operation, when the circuit unit that controls the actuator or the related parts of the control is not in a normal state. In the configuration including the protection function unit to be stopped, an immersion detection unit that detects immersion and an invalidation unit that invalidates the protection function unit when immersion is detected by the immersion detection unit.

  According to this configuration, when the immersion is detected, the protection function unit is invalidated. For example, even if conditions for the protection function unit to operate due to leakage to + B or GND at the time of immersion, the protection function unit is Does not work. For this reason, when the actuator is operated based on a user operation during immersion, a situation in which the actuator is operated in a manner different from the user's will due to the operation of the protection function unit is less likely to occur. Therefore, when immersion occurs, it is possible to ensure correct actuator operation in accordance with user operation.

  In the actuator control apparatus, it is preferable that the protection function unit is an overload protection function unit that forcibly stops the actuator when an overload is applied to a drive circuit that drives the actuator. According to this configuration, when the actuator is operated by a user operation when the immersion occurs, the overload protection function unit does not work due to the immersion detection. Therefore, when the actuator is operated by a user operation during immersion, the actuator does not stop against the user's will.

  In the actuator control device, the immersion detection unit is connected to the overload protection function unit, and the overload protection function unit determines whether there is immersion based on a detection signal directly input from the immersion detection unit. Is preferred. According to this configuration, the detection signal output from the immersion detection unit is directly pulled into the overload protection function unit and invalidated. Therefore, for example, it is not necessary to take an operation of invalidating the overload protection function unit via the controller, which is advantageous in reducing the processing load on the controller.

  In the actuator control device, the protection function unit monitors a detection signal of an operation detection unit that detects the operation of the actuator, and forcibly stops the actuator when the waveform of the detection signal is not valid. Part. According to this configuration, when the immersion occurs, the signal abnormality detection function unit does not work due to the immersion detection when the actuator is operated by a user operation. Therefore, when the actuator is operated by a user operation during immersion, the actuator does not stop against the user's will.

  The actuator control device preferably includes a waterproof processing unit that protects a peripheral circuit group including the circuit unit from being wet when immersed. According to this configuration, the circuit group in the actuator control device can be protected from being exposed to water, which is advantageous for ensuring the normal operation of the actuator control circuit during immersion.

  The actuator control device is preferably used in a power window device that opens and closes a window glass of a vehicle door by a motor as the actuator. According to this configuration, when the window glass of the vehicle door is opened by a user operation during immersion, for example, the protective function unit is invalidated. Can be lowered. Therefore, when the user is operating the lowering of the window glass, the protective function unit is effective and the opening operation of the window glass is not stopped unintentionally.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the action | operation of the correct actuator according to user operation can be ensured.

The block diagram of the actuator control apparatus of 1st Embodiment. The state figure when a protection function part is invalidated at the time of immersion. The block diagram which shows the other circuit example of an actuator control apparatus. The block diagram of the actuator control apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. The state figure when a protection function part is invalidated at the time of immersion.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of an actuator control device will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle includes a power window device 4 that automatically opens and closes a window glass 2 of a vehicle door 1 by an actuator 3. The actuator 3 in this example is a motor 5. The power window device 4 includes an actuator control device 6 that controls the operation of the actuator 3, that is, the opening and closing of the window glass 2. The actuator control device 6 opens and closes the window glass 2 by controlling the operation of the actuator 3 based on the operation signal input from the power window switch 7. A plurality of power window switches 7 are provided for each of the front, rear, left and right vehicle doors 1.

  The operation mode of the power window device 4 includes, for example, a manual opening / closing mode and an automatic opening / closing mode. The manual opening / closing mode is a mode in which, for example, the opening / closing operation of the window glass 2 is executed while the power window switch 7 is operated (ascending operation or descending operation). The auto open / close mode is a mode in which, for example, when the power window switch 7 is pressed long (long press for ascending operation or descending operation), the opening / closing operation is automatically continued even after the power window switch 7 is released.

  The actuator control device 6 includes a controller 8 that manages the operation of the actuator control device 6 and a drive circuit 9 for the motor 5. The controller 8 operates with a period based on a clock signal input from the clock circuit 8a. A power window switch 7 is connected to the controller 8 via a diode 10 and an analog circuit 11. A courtesy switch 12 that detects opening and closing of the vehicle door 1 is connected to the controller 8 via a diode 13 and an analog circuit 11.

  The drive circuit 9 includes a full bridge circuit 14 that switches a current flowing through the motor 5 and an on / off circuit 15 that performs on / off control of the full bridge circuit 14. The controller 8 controls the rotational speed and direction of the motor 5 by controlling the full bridge circuit 14 via the on / off circuit 15. For example, the controller 8 causes the current to flow in one direction by the full bridge circuit 14 to rotate the motor 5 in the normal direction to raise the window glass 2, and conversely, causes the motor 5 to flow in the other direction by the full bridge circuit 14. The window glass 2 is lowered by reversing. Further, the controller 8 can switch the opening / closing speed of the window glass 2 by controlling the motor 5 via the full bridge circuit 14 by PWM (Pulse Width Modulation), and the rising speed is reduced immediately before the window glass 2 is completely closed. Etc.

  The power window device 4 includes an operation detection unit 16 that detects the operation of the actuator 3. The operation detection unit 16 is for detecting an opening / closing position, an opening / closing direction, an opening / closing speed, etc. of the window glass 2, and is composed of a pulse sensor, for example. The two operation detectors 16 are provided to detect whether the window glass 2 is opened or closed, that is, whether it is an opening operation or a closing operation. The controller 8 can determine the opening / closing position, opening / closing direction and opening / closing speed of the window glass 2 based on the detection signal (pulse signal) Sa of the operation detection unit 16 input via the analog circuit 17. .

  The vehicle battery 18 supplies power to the controller 8 via a regulator 19 that adjusts the voltage of the battery 18, and also supplies power to the analog circuits 11 and 17, the full bridge circuit 14, and the on / off circuit 15. An IG relay (ignition relay) 20 of the vehicle outputs an ignition signal to the controller 8 via the diode 21 and the analog circuit 11. The controller 8 executes the operation of the power window device 4 only when an ignition-on signal is input from the IG relay 20, that is, when the vehicle is powered on.

  The actuator control device 6 includes a protection function unit 23 that forcibly stops the actuator 3 for circuit protection when the circuit unit 22 that controls the actuator 3 (an example is a full bridge circuit 14 and the like hereinafter) is not in a normal state. Is provided. The protection function unit 23 of this example is an overload protection function unit that forcibly stops the actuator 3 when the circuit unit 22 is overloaded. The overload includes, for example, that an overcurrent flows in the full bridge circuit 14 or that the full bridge circuit 14 is overheated. The protection function unit 23 of this example is provided in the full bridge circuit 14 and detects overcurrent and overheat in the full bridge circuit 14.

  The actuator control device 6 includes a disabling function for disabling the protection function unit 23 when the actuator control device 6 is immersed. This is because, for example, when the actuator control device 6 is immersed because the vehicle is submerged or the like, even if conditions for enabling the protective function unit 23 to operate due to leakage to + B or GND are satisfied, the protective function unit 23 is This is to open the window glass 2 in accordance with the user's intention when the power window switch 7 is lowered without being operated.

  In this case, the actuator control device 6 includes an immersion detection unit 24 that detects immersion in the actuator control device 6. As the immersion detection unit 24, for example, a submergence sensor is used. The immersion detection unit 24 outputs a detection signal (detection voltage) Sb that varies based on detection of immersion, that is, when the actuator control device 6 is immersed in water, to the controller 8 via the analog circuit 11. When the controller 8 detects that the voltage of the detection signal Sb of the immersion detection unit 24 exceeds a predetermined level, the controller 8 determines that the actuator control device 6 has been immersed.

  The actuator control device 6 includes an invalidation unit 25 that invalidates the protection function unit 23 when immersion is detected by the immersion detection unit 24. The invalidation unit 25 is provided in the controller 8. The invalidation unit 25 is electrically connected through a wiring 26 that connects the controller 8 and the full bridge circuit 14. The invalidation unit 25 switches the protection function unit 23 between valid / invalid through the wiring 26 based on the detection result of the immersion detection unit 24.

  The actuator control device 6 includes a waterproof processing unit 28 that protects a peripheral circuit group 27 including the circuit unit 22 from being wet when immersed. For example, an IC (Integrated Circuit) or an HIC (Hybrid IC) in which the circuit group 27 is made into one package can be applied to the waterproof processing unit 28. Moreover, the waterproof processing part 28 may be implement | achieved by the structure which sealed the circuit group 27 with the sealing material, for example. Examples of the circuit group 27 housed in the waterproof processing unit 28 include a controller 8, a drive circuit 9, analog circuits 11 and 17, a regulator 19, and diodes 10, 13, and 21.

Next, the operation of the actuator control device 6 will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 2, when the vehicle (actuator control device 6) is immersed, the immersion detection unit 24 detects water immersion. At this time, the immersion detection unit 24 outputs a detection signal Sb having a high potential based on the immersion to the controller 8. The invalidation unit 25 outputs an immersion detection signal Sc, which is a request for invalidating the operation of the protection function unit 23, to the protection function unit 23 when the potential of the detection signal Sb becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined level. The protection function unit 23 is invalidated when the immersion detection signal Sc is input. That is, when immersion is detected, the circuit protection function of the full bridge circuit 14 does not function.

  Here, it is assumed that when the vehicle is immersed, the power window switch 7 is lowered. By the way, when the GND leak as shown in the figure is generated due to the flooding, an electric current more than normal is caused to flow through the motor 5, and if the protection function unit 23 is effective, the motor 5 It will be forcibly stopped. When this happens, the motor 5 stops energizing despite the user's lowering operation of the power window switch 7 and the window glass 2 will not descend against the user's will.

  However, in the case of this example, when the immersion is detected, the protection function unit 23 (overload protection function) is invalidated. Therefore, even if the operation start requirement of the protection function unit 23 is met due to the GND leak at the time of immersion. The protective function unit 23 is not activated. That is, the motor 5 does not stop and the window glass 2 does not stop despite the power window switch 7 being lowered. Therefore, when immersion occurs, even if the power window switch 7 is lowered, it is advantageous to ensure that the window glass 2 is lowered for a predetermined time.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the immersion detection unit 24 may be directly connected to the full bridge circuit 14 (drive circuit 9), and the presence or absence of immersion may be determined based on the detection signal Sb directly input from the immersion detection unit 24. In this case, the invalidating unit 25 is provided in the full bridge circuit 14. And the invalidation part 25 invalidates the protection function part 23, when the detection signal Sb is input from the immersion detection part 24 in the full bridge circuit 14, and immersion is detected. In the case of the configuration shown in the figure, since the controller 8 is not used for invalidation, it is possible to determine the presence / absence of immersion as long as the output level of the immersion detection unit 24 can be confirmed even if immersion is performed.

According to the configuration of the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) In the actuator control device 6 having the protection function unit 23 that protects the device circuit (an example of the circuit group 27) from overload (overcurrent or overheating), when the immersion detection unit 24 detects immersion, the protection function The unit 23 is invalidated. Therefore, even if conditions for operating the protective function unit 23 are satisfied due to leakage to + B, GND, etc. during immersion, the protective function unit 23 does not operate. For this reason, in a situation where the actuator 3 is operated based on a user operation, a situation in which the actuator 3 is operated in a manner different from the user's will due to the operation of the protection function unit 23 is less likely to occur. That is, at the time of immersion, when the user lowers the power window switch 7 to open the window glass 2, the actuator 3 does not stop against the user's will. Therefore, when immersion occurs, correct operation of the actuator 3 in accordance with the user operation can be ensured.

  (2) The protection function unit 23 is an overload protection function unit that forcibly stops the actuator 3 when the drive circuit 9 (full bridge circuit 14) that drives the actuator 3 is overloaded when the actuator 3 is operated. is there. Therefore, even when an overcurrent or overheating occurs in the drive circuit 9 (full bridge circuit 14) due to leakage to + B or GND, etc., when the user is performing the lowering operation of the window glass 2 at the time of the occurrence of immersion, an excessive current is generated. The actuator 3 is stopped by the operation of the load protection function section, that is, the window glass 2 is not lowered unintentionally.

  (3) In the case of the circuit shown in FIG. 3, the detection signal of the immersion detection unit 24 is directly drawn into the full bridge circuit 14 to invalidate the overload protection function unit during immersion. Therefore, for example, it is not necessary to take an operation of invalidating the overload protection function unit via the controller 8, which is advantageous in reducing the processing load on the controller 8.

  (4) The actuator control device 6 includes a waterproof processing unit 28 that protects the circuit group 27 from being wet when immersed. Therefore, it becomes difficult for water to reach the circuit group 27 at the time of immersion, which is advantageous for ensuring the normal operation of the actuator control device 6 at the time of immersion.

  (5) The actuator control device 6 of this example is applied to the power window device 4 that opens and closes the window glass 2 by the motor 5. For this reason, when opening the window glass of the vehicle door 1 by user operation at the time of immersion, the window glass 2 can be lowered without being influenced by the unintended operation of the protective function unit 23. Therefore, it is advantageous to secure a route for opening the window glass 2 and escaping outside the vehicle during immersion.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, this example is the Example which changed the protection function part 23 as described in 1st Embodiment, Comprising: The other basic structure is made the same. Therefore, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, detailed description thereof is omitted, and only different parts are described in detail.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the actuator control device 6 includes a protection function unit 31 that forcibly stops the actuator 3 for circuit protection when the related component 30 related to the control of the actuator 3 is not in a normal state. The related component 30 in this example is an operation detection unit (pulse sensor) 16. The protection function unit 31 of this example is provided in the controller 8 and is a signal abnormality detection function unit that forcibly stops the actuator 3 when the waveform of the detection signal (pulse signal) Sc output from the operation detection unit 16 is not valid. (Pulse failure detection function). In this way, when the power window switch 7 is operated, the situation where the motor 5 is continuously energized even though the window glass 2 is not moved is avoided.

  The overload protection unit 32 in the full bridge circuit 14 corresponds to the protection function unit 23 in the first embodiment. That is, in the second embodiment, the protection function unit 23 described in the first embodiment is described as an overload protection unit 32.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the actuator control device 6 is immersed, the immersion detection unit 24 detects the immersion. At this time, the immersion detection unit 24 outputs a detection signal Sb having a high potential based on the immersion to the controller 8. The invalidation unit 25 outputs an immersion detection signal Sc that is a request for invalidating the operation of the protection function unit 31 to the protection function unit 31 when the potential of the detection signal Sb becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined level. The protection function unit 31 is invalidated when the immersion detection signal Sc is input. That is, the signal abnormality detection function of the controller 8 does not function.

  It is assumed that the power window switch 7 is lowered when the actuator control device 6 is immersed. By the way, for example, when a GND leak occurs in the signal line 33 of the detection signal (pulse signal) Sa due to flooding, the detection signal Sa does not take a normal waveform by taking, for example, a Hi solid or a Lo solid, and the protection function unit temporarily If 31 is effective, this will work and the motor 5 will be forcibly stopped. When this happens, the motor 5 stops energizing despite the user's lowering operation of the power window switch 7 and the window glass 2 will not descend against the user's will.

  However, in the case of this example, when immersion is detected, the protection function unit 31 (signal abnormality detection function) is disabled, so even if the output of the operation detection unit 16 takes an abnormal waveform due to GND leakage during immersion, The protection function unit 31 is not activated. That is, the motor 5 does not stop and the window glass 2 does not stop despite the power window switch 7 being lowered. Therefore, when immersion occurs, even if the power window switch 7 is lowered, it is advantageous to ensure that the window glass 2 is lowered for a predetermined time.

According to the configuration of the present embodiment, in addition to (1), (4), and (5) described in the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(6) The protection function unit 31 detects a signal abnormality that forcibly stops the operation of the actuator 3 when the detection signal (pulse signal) Sa output from the operation detection unit (pulse sensor) 16 is not normal when the actuator 3 is operated. It is a functional part. Therefore, when the user is operating the lowering of the window glass 2 at the time of the immersion, even if the signal line 33 of the pulse output takes an inappropriate voltage due to leakage to + B or GND, the signal abnormality detection function unit is activated. The stop of the actuator 3, that is, the lowering of the window glass 2 does not stop unintentionally.

Note that the embodiment is not limited to the configuration described so far, and may be modified as follows.
In each embodiment, the full bridge circuit 14 and the on / off circuit 15 may be, for example, one IC made into one chip.

  In each embodiment, the protection function units 23 and 31 are not limited to the overload protection function unit and the signal abnormality detection function, and protect the actuator control device 6 when the actuator control device 6 performs an operation that does not conform to normal. Any function can be used as long as it is possible.

-In each embodiment, the action | operation detection part 16 can be changed not only to a pulse sensor but to other sensors and switches.
In each embodiment, the invalidation unit 25 may be provided anywhere within the actuator control device 6.

In each embodiment, the actuator 3 is not limited to the motor 5 and can be changed to another drive source such as a solenoid or a cylinder.
-In each embodiment, the immersion detection part 24 should just be what can detect immersion not only in a submergence sensor.

  In each embodiment, the waterproof structure of the actuator control device 6 is not limited to a one package IC or a structure in which a circuit is sealed with a sealing material, and any structure that makes it difficult for water to reach the circuit inside the device. It can be anything.

In each embodiment, the circuit to be waterproofed may be any circuit as long as it is an electric circuit in the actuator control device 6.
In each embodiment, the circuit unit 22 to be monitored for circuit protection is not limited to the drive circuit 9 (full bridge circuit 14), and any circuit can be used as long as it is an electric circuit provided in the actuator control device 6. But you can.

  In each embodiment, the related component 30 to be monitored for circuit protection is not limited to the operation detection unit (pulse sensor) 16 and may be any component as long as it is a component related to the actuator control device 6.

In each embodiment, the actuator control device 6 only needs to be provided with either the overload protection function unit or the signal abnormality detection function.
In each embodiment, the actuator control device 6 is not limited to being applied to the power window device 4, and can be applied to, for example, a slide roof motor control circuit and a sunroof motor control circuit.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vehicle door, 2 ... Window glass, 3 ... Actuator, 4 ... Power window apparatus, 5 ... Motor which is an example of an actuator, 6 ... Actuator control apparatus, 9 ... Drive circuit, 16 ... Operation detection part, 22 ... Circuit part , 23, 31 ... protection function unit, 24 ... immersion detection unit, 25 ... invalidation unit, 27 ... circuit group, 28 ... waterproof processing unit, 30 ... related parts, 32 ... overload function protection as an example of protection function unit , Sa: Detection signal of the operation detection unit.

Claims (6)

Actuator control device provided with a protection function part for forcibly stopping the actuator for circuit protection when the actuator or the circuit part for controlling the actuator or a related component of the control is not in a normal state In
An immersion detector for detecting immersion;
An actuator control device comprising: an invalidation unit that invalidates the protection function unit when immersion is detected by the immersion detection unit. 2. The actuator control device according to claim 1, wherein the protection function unit is an overload protection function unit that forcibly stops the actuator when an overload is applied to a drive circuit that drives the actuator. 3. . The immersion detection unit is connected to the overload protection function unit, and the overload protection function unit determines presence or absence of immersion based on a detection signal directly input from the immersion detection unit. 3. The actuator control device according to 2. The protection function unit is a signal abnormality detection function unit that monitors a detection signal of an operation detection unit that detects the operation of the actuator and forcibly stops the actuator when a waveform of the detection signal is not valid. The actuator control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The actuator control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a waterproof processing unit that protects a peripheral circuit group including the circuit unit from being exposed to water when immersed. The actuator control device according to claim 1, wherein the actuator control device is used in a power window device that opens and closes a window glass of a vehicle door by a motor as the actuator.