JP2016138845A - Distortion amount detection device and door handlebar using distortion amount detection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a distortion amount detection device capable of detecting, using a single sensor, distortion amounts in plural directions caused at a door handlebar by external force applied from plural directions by a user to the door handlebar, and capable of differently controlling a door according to a direction of the external force.SOLUTION: A distortion amount detection device 1 is arranged in a door handlebar 3 including at least a first surface 19. The distortion amount detection device includes a distortion sensor 7, and is arranged on the first surface 19. The distortion sensor 7 detects a distortion amount of a different polarity according to a direction of a load applied to the door handlebar 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present disclosure relates to a strain amount detection device used for various door handles.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a system for controlling a door handle for a vehicle so that the door is automatically locked and unlocked without a key operation.

  In particular, a door handle for a vehicle detects a user approaching or getting off the vehicle by wireless communication between a wireless communication terminal carried by the user and an in-vehicle wireless communication terminal, and locks or unlocks the user's door. A smart entry system that recognizes and controls a lock is known.

  As means for recognizing a lock / unlock instruction of a door opening / closing device provided with the smart entry system, a device provided with a detection electrode inside a door handle has been proposed. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1) In this door opening and closing device, an electrostatic capacitance formed between the detection electrode and the door handle is used, and the electrostatic capacitance that changes when the user touches the door handle slightly. By detecting the capacity, the locking and unlocking instructions are recognized.

  In addition, as a means for recognizing locking and unlocking instructions of the door opening and closing device, a piezoelectric sensor is provided inside the door handle, and locking is performed by detecting mechanical stress generated when the user touches the door handle. And those that recognize the unlocking instructions have been proposed. (For example, see Patent Document 2)

JP 2002-295094 A JP 2008-57237 A

  However, in each of the door opening and closing devices such as Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, means for recognizing a locking instruction and means for recognizing an unlocking instruction are provided individually. Therefore, at least two sensors are required to detect both locking and unlocking. In addition, there are problems that providing a plurality of sensors makes it difficult to secure space and increases costs.

  The present disclosure solves such a conventional problem, and a distortion that can be detected by a small amount of sensors in a plurality of directions generated in the door handle, such as instructions for locking and unlocking the door handle. An object is to provide a quantity detection device.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present disclosure provides a strain amount detection device disposed on a door handle having at least a first surface, including a strain sensor, disposed on the first surface, and The sensor is configured to detect strain amounts having different polarities depending on the direction of the load applied to the door handle.

  The strain amount detection device according to the present disclosure can detect both locking and unlocking instructions of a user with one strain sensor, and can save space and cost. Further, at the time of installation, it is only necessary to install a strain amount detecting device on the door handle, which facilitates assembly and improves productivity.

Front perspective view of a door handle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure Top view of the door handle AA line sectional view of the door handle (A) The figure which shows the internal structure of the door handle distortion amount detection apparatus, (b) BB sectional drawing of the distortion amount detection apparatus The figure which shows the detection principle of the locking instruction | indication of the user of the door handle The figure which shows the detection principle of the instruction | indication of the unlocking of the user of the door handle

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, the present disclosure will be described based on an embodiment in which the present disclosure is applied to a vehicle door handle.

  1 to 6 show an embodiment in which the present disclosure is applied to a door handle, FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the door handle in the embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of the door handle. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the door handle taken along the line AA. 4 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the door handle distortion amount detection device, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the principle of detection of the user's locking instruction to the door handle, and FIG. 6 is the use for the door handle. It is a figure which shows the detection principle of an instruction | indication of a person's unlocking.

  The distortion amount detection device 1 of the present disclosure is disposed on a door handle 3 that is connected to a door 2 and has a longitudinal direction extending in the X-axis direction.

  The door handle 3 is formed of a synthetic resin or the like, and includes a hollow inner case 4 that extends in the X-axis direction, and an outer case 5 that is installed in close contact with the inner case 4. The door handle 3 is bent so that a user can insert a hand between the door handle 3 and the door 2 and hold it.

  The strain amount detection device 1 detects a strain amount generated in the door handle 3 and is installed so as to be in close contact with the inner case 4. Assuming that the longitudinal direction of the right door handle 3 in FIG. 3 and the side on which the strain amount detection device 1 is provided is the positive direction of the X axis (hereinafter referred to as the right side), the strain amount detection device 1 is an inner case. 4 is attached to the right end. This makes it easier to understand the range to be contacted when the user gives an instruction for locking, thereby improving operability. The strain amount detection device 1 is sandwiched between claws (not shown) provided in the inner case 4 and bonded to the inner case 4 with an adhesive (not shown), or is fastened to the inner case 4 with bolts (not shown). Installed in the way. The inner case 4 is provided with a hole through which the second protrusion 6 provided in the outer case 5 is passed on the surface in close contact with the strain amount detection device 1. The 2nd projection part 6 and the inner case 4 are installed so that it may contact at the time of no load. The strain amount detection device 1 includes a lead wire (not shown) for electrically connecting the strain amount detection device 1 and a microprocessor (not shown). The microprocessor mainly controls locking / unlocking of the door handle 3 based on the amount of strain output from the strain sensor 7. Note that the method of attaching the strain amount detection device 1 to the inner case 4 is not limited to this, and other methods may be adopted as long as the strain amount detection device 1 can be fixed to the inner case 4.

  4A is a front view of the internal configuration of the distortion amount detection apparatus according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 4B is a right side view of the internal configuration of the distortion amount detection apparatus. The strain amount detection device 1 includes a strain sensor 7 for detecting the strain amount generated in the strain amount detection device 1, and a flexible printed circuit board (hereinafter referred to as FPC) for electrically connecting the strain sensor 7 and a lead wire. (Not shown) and strain transmitting means 8 for transmitting an external force applied to the door handle 3 to the strain sensor 7. The strain amount detection apparatus 1 includes a strain sensor 7, an FPC, a cover 9 that covers the strain transmission means 8, and a screw 10 that fixes the strain transmission means 8 to the cover 9. The cover 9 is provided with a step 11, and the strain transmitting means 8 is fixed to the step 11 with a screw 10. The cover 9 is provided with a first protrusion 12 that transmits strain to the strain transmitting means 8. The strain sensor 7 can detect the amount of strain in both polarities of compressive stress and tensile stress. For example, the strain sensor 7 described in International Publication No. 2014/002416 is applicable. In this embodiment, an FR4 substrate is used as the strain transmission means 8. The strain transmission means 8 is not limited to the FR4 substrate, and a plate using other glass epoxy material, a thin SUS plate, or the like may be used.

  The strain sensor 7 and the FPC are electrically connected by solder or the like. The mounting method is to apply cream solder on the pad on the back of the strain sensor 7, place it on the FPC and fix it, and then reflow the strain sensor 7 in a furnace with a peak temperature of 230 ° C for about 5 minutes. Is done. The FPC and the strain transmitting means 8 are bonded with a thermosetting adhesive or the like. The mounting method of the strain sensor 7 is not limited to this, and other mounting methods may be adopted.

  The strain transmitting means 8 includes a rectangular first main surface 13, a second main surface 14 in contact with the step 11 on the opposite side of the first main surface 13, and the first main surface 13 and the second main surface 14. A first side surface 15 and a side surface provided with a second side surface 16, and either the first side surface 15 or the second side surface 16 is in contact with the first protrusion 12. Yes. When the positive direction of the Y axis is the upper side (hereinafter described as the upper side) and the negative direction of the Z axis is the front side (hereinafter, described as the front side), the strain sensor 7 It is installed above the central axis 17 in the longitudinal direction. That is, the strain transmitting means 8 is disposed closer to the first protrusion 12 than the center in the direction in which the first protrusion 12 extends. Further, the strain sensor 7 is installed on the right side of the central axis 18 in the short direction of the first main surface 13. Here, when the strain is transmitted from the first projecting portion 12 to the strain transmitting means 8, the strain transmitting means 8 protrudes downward, so that a compressive stress is applied above the central axis 17 of the strain transmitting means 8. Therefore, the strain amount of the compressive stress can be detected by installing the strain sensor 7 above the central axis 17 of the strain transmitting means 8. Further, by installing the strain sensor 7 on the right side of the central axis 18 of the strain transmitting means 8, it is possible to obtain higher sensitivity when detecting the strain amount of the polarity of the compressive stress. Further, when an external force is applied from the cover 9 to the strain transmitting means 8, the strain transmitting means 8 is connected to the cover 9 on the second main surface 14 side, so that the first main surface 13 is bent so as to be convex. Mu For this reason, by installing the strain sensor 7 on the first main surface 13, it becomes possible to detect the strain amount of the polarity of the tensile stress. The strain sensor 7 may be provided on the left side of the first main surface because it can detect compressive stress as long as it is provided at a position spaced apart from the first protrusion 12 in the X-axis direction. The detection sensitivity improves as the distance away from the first protrusion 12 in the X-axis direction increases. Although the first main surface 13 and the second main surface 14 have been described as rectangular, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first main surface 13 and the second main surface 14 are square or partially curved. It is good also as the shape made.

  When the strain sensor 7 is to be provided at a position spaced downward from the first projection 12 of the strain transmission means 8, when the strain is transmitted from the first projection 12 to the strain transmission means 8, Since tensile stress is generated below the strain transmitting means 8, it is possible to detect the strain amount of the polarities of the compressive stress and the tensile stress by providing the strain sensor 7 below the second main surface 14. Become.

  When the inner case 4 and the outer case 5 are combined, the center of the second protrusion 6 of the outer case 5, the center of the first protrusion 12 of the cover 9, and the center axis of the strain transmitting means 8 are the same. It is installed so as to overlap on a straight line. Thus, when an external force is applied to the upper surface of the door handle 3, the strain amount detection device 1 is strongly compressed by the second protrusion 6 of the outer case 5, and the first cover 9 of the strain amount detection device 1 is first compressed. Since the projection 12 strongly compresses the strain transmitting means 8, the mechanical external force when the user contacts the door handle is easily transmitted to the strain sensor 7. Therefore, it is possible to obtain higher sensitivity when detecting contact of the user with the door handle 3.

  The strain transmission means 8 and the cover 9 of the strain amount detection device 1 are made of a material such as a synthetic resin which is not easily damaged by external stress and has a low Young's modulus and is easily distorted. Further, the central axis 17 of the strain transmitting means 8 is parallel to the X-axis direction of FIG. 1, and the longitudinal direction of the cover 9 of the strain amount detecting device 1 and the longitudinal direction of the strain transmitting means 8 are also installed in parallel.

  Next, the operation of the strain sensor 7 when the user gives an instruction to lock or unlock the door handle 3 will be described.

In FIG. 5, when the user issues a locking instruction, an external force _FL is applied to the upper first surface 19 of the door handle 3. Although any amount of the first surface 19 on the upper side of the door handle 3 is pressed, the amount of distortion is detected. In particular, by applying a force directly above the position where the strain amount detecting device 1 is installed, higher sensitivity can be obtained. Can be obtained. 5, the user strain transmission means 8 in the addition of an external force F _L strain sensor 1 is bent so as to protrude downward. At this time, since the strain sensor 7 is installed on the upper side of the center axis 17 of the strain transmitting means 8 and on the right side of the center axis 18 of the first main surface 13, the strain sensor 7 is subjected to compressive strain. . As a result, the strain sensor 7 detects the amount of strain in the compression direction and transmits an electrical signal to the microcomputer through the lead wire.

6 when an external force F _U is applied to the door handle 3 in FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a modification of the strain transmission means 8 in a cross section of line C-C in FIG. 4 (a). 6, assuming that the negative direction of the Z-axis in FIG. 6 is the front side, when the user issues an unlocking instruction, put the hand between the door handle 3 and the door 2 and grasp the door handle 3. Hold and apply external force F _U to pull it toward you. When the user applies an external force F _U, the distortion transmission means 8 of the strain sensor 1, as in FIG. 6, bent so that protruding to the front side. At this time, since the strain sensor 7 is installed on the near side of the strain transmitting means 8, the strain sensor 7 is subjected to tensile strain. As a result, the strain sensor 7 detects the amount of strain in the tensile direction and transmits an electrical signal to the microcomputer through the lead wire.

  As described above, in the strain amount detection device 1, the polarity of the detected strain amount is different between when the user gives an instruction for locking and when the user gives an instruction for unlocking. It can be detected by one sensor.

  As another implementation method, the second projection 6 provided on the outer case 5 shown in FIG. 4 and the first projection 12 provided on the cover 9 of the strain amount detection device 1 are similarly provided. Instructions for both locking and unlocking can be detected.

  Note that the door handle 3 of the present disclosure includes the inner case 4 and the outer case 5, but two case members may not be combined, and the door handle may be formed by one case member, The above case members may be combined.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the distortion amount detection device 1 is applied to the door handle 3 for a vehicle is shown, but the case where the distortion amount detection device 1 according to the present disclosure is applied to a front door of a dwelling unit is also shown. Similar effects can be obtained.

  According to the present disclosure, since it is possible to detect the amount of distortion of both locking and unlocking with a single sensor, it is possible to reduce the number of components, and the strain detection device is attached to the door handle 3 during installation. 1 only needs to be installed, the assembly becomes easy, and the productivity is improved. For this reason, it is applicable to door handles for vehicles and houses.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Strain amount detection apparatus 2 Door 3 Door handle 4 Inner case 5 Outer case 6 2nd projection part 7 Strain sensor 8 Strain transmission means 9 Cover 10 Screw 11 Step 12 First projection part 13 1st main surface 14 2nd Main surface 15 First side surface 16 Second side surface 17, 18 Central axis 19 First surface

Claims (12)

A strain amount detection device disposed on a door handle having at least a first surface,
A strain sensor,
A strain amount detection device that is disposed on the first surface and detects a strain amount having a polarity that differs depending on a direction of a load applied to the door handle by the strain sensor. Strain transmission means;
A cover covering the strain transmission means,
The strain amount detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the strain sensor is provided in the strain transmission means. The cover is
The strain amount detection device according to claim 2, further comprising a first protrusion that transmits strain generated in the cover to the strain transmitting means. The first protrusion is
The said strain transmission means is contact | abutted with the said strain transmission means in the position spaced apart in the direction orthogonal to the direction where the said 1st projection part extended with respect to the part in which the said strain sensor of the said strain transmission means was provided. Strain detection device. The strain transmitting means has a first main surface, a second main surface opposite to the first main surface, and a side surface sandwiched between the first main surface and the second main surface. And
A portion of the second main surface is disposed in contact with the cover;
The strain amount detection device according to claim 3, wherein the protrusion is in contact with the side surface. The strain amount detection device according to claim 5, wherein the strain sensor is provided closer to the protrusion than a center of the first main surface in a direction in which the protrusion extends. The strain amount detection device according to claim 5, wherein the strain sensor is provided on a side farther from the protrusion than a center of the second main surface in a direction in which the protrusion extends. A door handle installed on a door for controlling the door,
The strain amount detection device according to claim 1,
A door handle for controlling the door according to a detection result of the strain amount detection device. An inner case,
An outer case connected to the inner case so as to cover the inner case;
The door handle according to claim 8, wherein the strain amount detection device is connected to the inner case. The door handle according to claim 9, wherein the outer case has a second protrusion that transmits an external force applied to the door handle to the strain amount detection device. The door handle according to claim 8, wherein the strain amount detection device is disposed at an end portion in a longitudinal direction of the first surface. Locking the door when an external force is applied to the first surface of the door handle;
The door handle according to claim 8, wherein the door is unlocked when an external force is applied to the door handle in a direction away from the door.

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