JP2017036598A - Door opening/closing control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a vehicle's door from being left open unintentionally, even when one unit of detection means for detecting a sector gear returning to a neutral position has failed.SOLUTION: A door opening/closing control system comprises: a door opening/closing device for opening/closing a vehicle's door; a door latch device for engaging and holding a striker in a disengageable manner; and a control device for controlling the door opening/closing device and the door latch device. The door latch device comprises: a latch; a ratchet; a ratchet detection switch; a sector gear for performing closing action and release action; and a neutral position detection switch for detecting the sector gear returning to a neutral position. In turning the completely closed sector gear to the neutral position, the control device, when the neutral position detection switch does not operate and the ratchet detection switch has detected the absence of the ratchet at a set position, determines that the neutral position detection switch has failed and causes the opening/closing device to perform door opening action.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a door opening / closing control system for controlling an opening / closing operation of a door of a vehicle.

  Conventionally, some vehicles having a door (back door) at the rear of a vehicle body such as a one-box car or a station wagon are provided with a door opening / closing device that electrically opens and closes the back door. The door opening / closing device, for example, rotates an arm connected to a back door or the like by the power of an electric motor, thereby opening the back door by operating it in its opening direction, or operating the back door in its closing direction. Close it.

  Further, a door latch device that is provided on a back door of a vehicle and that releasably engages with a striker at the rear of the vehicle body and releasably locks the closed state of the back door is known. Such a door latch device includes a closing operation for locking the closed state of the back door by engaging the striker and the latch, and a releasing operation for releasing the lock of the closed back door by releasing the engagement of the striker and the latch. There are those that can be executed electrically. An electric door latch device (hereinafter referred to as an electric door latch device means an electric device) is, for example, a latch that detachably engages and holds a striker, and an engagement between the striker and the latch by engaging with the latch. A ratchet that maintains the state releasably and a sector gear that changes the meshing state of the latch and the ratchet by the power of the electric motor are provided.

  The door latch device rotates the sector gear to the latch side by the power of the electric motor during the closing operation. As a result, the door latch device rotates the latch engaged with the striker from the half latch position to the full latch position, and also maintains the engagement state between the striker and the latch at the full latch position. Engage. On the other hand, the door latch device rotates the sector gear to the ratchet side by the power of the electric motor during the release operation. Accordingly, the door latch device operates the ratchet engaged with the latch to release the engagement state between the latch and the ratchet, and rotates the latch from the full latch position to the unlatched position to engage the striker with the latch. Release the state.

  The full latch position is a rotation position of the latch in a full latch state corresponding to the fully closed state of the back door, that is, a rotation position of the latch that is completely engaged with the striker. The half latch position is a rotation position of the latch in a half latch state corresponding to the half door state of the back door. The unlatched position is a rotational position of the latch that is in an unlatched state corresponding to a state in which the back door can be opened, that is, a rotational position of the latch that is disengaged from the striker.

  On the other hand, after performing the above-described closing operation or releasing operation, the door latch device rotates the sector gear in the direction opposite to the above-described execution operation by the power of the electric motor. As a result, the door latch device returns the sector gear to a position where the sector gear does not affect either the latch or the ratchet, that is, the neutral position. As a conventional technique for returning the sector gear to the neutral position in this way, for example, two detection switches are arranged at a position facing the cam surface of the sector gear, and based on switching of the on / off state of these two detection switches, There is one that detects that the sector gear has returned to the neutral position (see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent No. 4050008

  By the way, in the door latch device described above, a detection switch (hereinafter referred to as a neutral position detection switch) for detecting the return to the neutral position of the sector gear described above for the purpose of reducing the device cost by reducing the number of parts and the weight of the device. ) In recent years has been desired to be reduced from two to one. However, in the above-described prior art, if the neutral position detection switch reduced to one breaks down, even if the sector gear once rotated from the neutral position returns to the neutral position, the sector gear is returned to the neutral position. A return cannot be detected. For this reason, the sector gear that has been rotated to the neutral position cannot be stopped at the neutral position. Therefore, the sector gear continues to rotate to the ratchet side after passing through the neutral position, and finally the ratchet is operated. As a result, when the door of the vehicle such as the back door should be locked in the closed state, the door is unlocked unintentionally because the door is unlocked by executing the release operation.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and when the number of detection means for detecting return to the neutral position of the sector gear is reduced to one, this one detection means has failed. However, it is an object of the present invention to provide a door opening / closing control system capable of preventing a situation in which a vehicle door remains open unintentionally.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a door opening and closing control system according to the present invention includes a door opening and closing device that opens and closes a vehicle door using power of a motor, and the vehicle when the door is closed. A latch lever that rotates in conjunction with a latch that engages and holds the striker, and a release that releases the meshing state between the latch and the ratchet that meshes with the latch and maintains the engagement state between the latch and the striker A lever, and a pressing portion that can alternatively press the latch lever and the release lever, and the latch lever is pressed by the pressing portion by rotating using power of a motor. And a closing operation for rotating the latch from the half latch position to the full latch position, and pressing the release lever with the pressing portion to A sector gear that performs a release operation for releasing the meshing state with the ratchet, and whether or not the ratchet is in a set position that is a position of the ratchet that can mesh with the latch at the half latch position or the full latch position are detected. A ratchet detector, a neutral position detector that detects the return of the sector gear to a neutral position that is a rotational position of the sector gear in a state where the pressing portion is separated from the latch lever and the release lever, and the closing operation is completed During rotation of the subsequent sector gear from the latch lever side toward the neutral position, the neutral position detector does not detect the return of the sector gear to the neutral position, and the ratchet detector detects the set position. The neutral position detection unit fails. As well as determined, characterized in that the closing operation of closing the door and a control unit for causing the door openers.

  In the door opening / closing control system according to the present invention, in the above invention, a half latch detection unit that detects that the latch is rotated to the half latch position, and the latch is rotated to the full latch position. A full latch detection unit for detecting, and after determining that the neutral position detection unit has failed, the control device, based on the detection result of the half latch detection unit and the detection result of the full latch detection unit, When the rotation position of the latch is determined and it is determined that the latch is in the half latch position, the closing operation is performed by the sector gear to rotate the latch from the half latch position to the full latch position. Features.

  In the door opening / closing control system according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the control device is based on the execution period of the door closing operation, the detection result of the half latch detection unit, and the detection result of the full latch detection unit. When it is determined that the latch is in the half latch position, the power of the motor of the door opening and closing device performing the door closing operation is reduced compared to before the latch is switched from the unlatch position to the half latch position, The closing force is weakened by the closing operation.

  In the door opening / closing control system according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the control device is based on the execution period of the door closing operation, the detection result of the half latch detection unit, and the detection result of the full latch detection unit. It is determined that the latch is in the half latch position, and then, based on the detection result of the ratchet detection unit, it is determined whether or not the latch at the half latch position is engaged with the ratchet. The door closing operation is stopped when it is determined that the latch in the half latch position is engaged with the ratchet.

  Further, the door opening / closing control system according to the present invention is the door opening / closing control system according to the present invention, wherein the control device uses the pressing portion as the release lever after the sector gear after the closing operation is completed starts to rotate toward the release lever. The threshold elapsed time until stopping before contact is held in advance, and after determining that the neutral position detection unit has failed, if the sector gear performs the closing operation, the sector gear after the closing operation is completed The rotation of the sector gear is stopped when the elapsed time from the start of the rotation toward the neutral position reaches the threshold elapsed time.

  In the door opening / closing control system according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the control device requires the sector gear after the release operation is completed to release the pressing portion from the release lever and return to the neutral position. The ratchet detection is performed while holding the necessary rotation time in advance and rotating the sector gear toward the neutral position while the release lever is pressed by the pressing portion after determining that the neutral position detecting portion has failed. It is determined whether or not the ratchet is in the set position based on the detection result of the part, and when the elapsed time from the time when it is determined that the ratchet is in the set position reaches the required rotation time, The rotation of the sector gear is stopped.

  According to the present invention, when the number of detecting means for detecting the return to the neutral position of the sector gear is reduced to one, even if this one detecting means fails, the vehicle door opens unintentionally. The effect that it can prevent the situation which remains is produced.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a door opening / closing control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the back door of the vehicle to which the door opening / closing control system according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied is opened. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration example of the door latch device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a front view of the door latch device shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a side view of the door latch device shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of the door latch device illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement example of the half latch detection switch and the full latch detection switch with respect to the latch. FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating a state of the latch and the ratchet at the unlatched position. FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating a meshing state of the latch and the ratchet at the half latch position. FIG. 8C is a diagram showing a meshed state of the latch and the ratchet in the full latch position. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the door opening / closing control system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the door opening / closing control system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a state before executing the closing operation in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a state in which the closing operation is executed in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state in which the sector gear cannot return to the neutral position due to a failure of the neutral position detection switch in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a state in which the sector gear is returned to the neutral position after a failure of the neutral position detection switch in the embodiment of the present invention.

  Exemplary embodiments of a door opening / closing control system according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. Moreover, the drawings are schematic, and it should be noted that the relationship between the dimensions of each element, the ratio of each element, and the like may differ from the actual ones. Even between the drawings, there are cases in which portions having different dimensional relationships and ratios are included. Moreover, in each drawing, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same component.

(Configuration of door opening / closing control system)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a door opening / closing control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the back door of the vehicle to which the door opening / closing control system according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied is opened. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the door opening / closing control system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention controls the opening / closing of the back door 101 provided at the rear of the vehicle body of the vehicle 100. The door latch device 3 and an electronic control unit (ECU) 7 are provided.

  In the following description, the front, rear, upper, and lower sides of the door opening / closing device 2, the door latch device 3, and the electronic control device 7 are the same as the front, rear, upper, and lower sides of the vehicle 100 shown in FIGS. The present invention will be described as prescribed. The definitions of these directions are for convenience of explanation, and the directions of the door opening / closing device 2, the door latch device 3, and the electronic control device 7 with respect to the vehicle 100 naturally change depending on the mounting state thereof.

  The door opening / closing device 2 is an electric device that opens and closes a back door 101, also called a tailgate, of the vehicle 100 using the power of a motor. In the present embodiment, the door opening and closing device 2 is fixed to the ceiling of the vehicle 100 so that the back door 101 can be opened and closed by rotating the hinge 102 of the back door 101 of the vehicle 100.

  The door latch device 3 is an electric device that releasably locks the closed state of the back door 101 of the vehicle 100 by releasably engaging with a striker 103 provided in a lower portion of the vehicle body rear portion 104 of the vehicle 100. . The door latch device 3 is provided at a lower portion of the back door 101 so that the back door 101 can be engaged with the striker 103 when the back door 101 is in a state of closing the opening of the vehicle body rear portion 104 (closed state shown in FIG. 1).

  The electronic control device 7 is a device that controls each operation of the door opening / closing device 2 and the door latch device 3 described above. The electronic control device 7 is electrically connected to the door opening / closing device 2 and the door latch device 3 via wiring or the like (not shown), and is provided in the vehicle body side portion of the vehicle 100 as shown in FIGS. .

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vehicle 100 provided with the door opening / closing device 2, the door latch device 3, and the electronic control device 7 includes a vehicle rear portion 104, as exemplified by a one-box car and a station wagon. This type of vehicle has an opening that leads to a luggage storage space or seat. That is, in the vehicle 100, as shown in FIG. 2, through the opening of the vehicle body rear portion 104 that is opened when the back door 101 is opened, a user can get in and out as well as get in and out of the vehicle.

(Configuration of door opening and closing device)
Next, the configuration of the door opening and closing device 2 in the embodiment of the present invention will be described. The door opening / closing device 2 is a PTG (Power Tail Gate) drive unit that electrically opens and closes the back door 101 of the vehicle 100. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the main component is a PTG motor 21 that is a power source. The arm 22 and the rod 23 linked to the back door 101 are provided.

  The PTG motor 21 is driven by power supplied from the on-vehicle power source of the vehicle 100, thereby generating power for opening and closing the back door 101. The base end portion of the arm 22 is attached to the drive shaft (rotary shaft) of the PTG motor 21. The arm 22 turns around the drive shaft of the PTG motor 21 by the power of the PTG motor 21. On the other hand, one end of a rod 23 is rotatably connected to the tip portion of the arm 22. A hinge 102 of the back door 101 is connected to the other end of the rod 23. One end of the hinge 102 is rotatably attached to the ceiling of the vehicle 100 using a bracket or the like. The other end of the hinge 102 is fixed to the back door 101.

  As described above, the arm 22 to which the drive shaft of the PTG motor 21 and the rod 23 are connected is linked to the back door 101 via the rod 23 and the hinge 102. In addition, the arm 22 rotates by receiving the power of the PTG motor 21 and transmits the received power to the rod 23 and the hinge 102. Thereby, the arm 22 moves the hinge 102 in the opening direction or the closing direction (see FIG. 2) of the back door 101 via the rod 23.

  Here, the opening direction of the back door 101 is a rotation direction in which the back door 101 is separated from the vehicle body rear portion 104 of the vehicle 100. The closing direction of the back door 101 is a turning direction in which the back door 101 approaches the vehicle body rear portion 104 of the vehicle 100. The door opening / closing device 2 performs an opening operation for opening the back door 101 by turning the arm 22 in the above-described opening direction using the power of the PTG motor 21. Further, the door opening / closing device 2 performs a door closing operation for closing the back door 101 by turning the arm 22 in the above-described closing direction using the power of the PTG motor 21.

(Structure of door latch device)
Next, the configuration of the door latch device 3 in the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration example of the door latch device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a front view of the door latch device shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a side view of the door latch device shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of the door latch device illustrated in FIG. 3.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the door latch device 3 engages (engages) the striker 103 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) of the vehicle 100 so as to be detachable, and electrically operates the meshing mechanism 30. The drive mechanism 50 and the bracket 60 for attaching the meshing mechanism 30 and the drive mechanism 50 are provided.

  The meshing mechanism 30 includes a container 41 that houses each component of the meshing mechanism 30 such as the latch 31. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5, the container 41 includes a cover plate 42 that serves as a base of the door latch device 3 and a back plate 43 that closes an opening on the upper side of the cover plate 42. The cover plate 42 is formed of a metal plate having a relatively large thickness, and is formed in a rectangular concave shape that gradually becomes shallower from the front end toward the rear end. The upper front of the cover plate 42 is closed by the main body of the container 41.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the container 41 is provided with a striker entry groove 45, a latch shaft 37 and a ratchet shaft 38. The striker entry groove 45 is a notch formed from the center of the front end of the cover plate 42 toward the back, and has a width that allows the striker 103 shown in FIGS. The latch shaft 37 and the ratchet shaft 38 are provided on the cover plate 42 so as to sandwich the striker entry groove 45.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the meshing mechanism 30 is disposed in the half latch position and the full latch position inside the housing 41 described above, that is, in the housing space formed by the rectangular concave cover plate 42 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The latch 31 that engages and holds, the ratchet 32 that maintains the engagement state between the striker 103 and the latch 31 in a releasable manner, and the stopper 36 that restricts the rotation of the ratchet 32 are provided. In addition, the meshing mechanism 30 includes a half latch detection switch 33 that detects that the latch 31 has been rotated to the half latch position, and a full latch detection that detects that the latch 31 has been rotated to the full latch position. A switch 34 and a ratchet detection switch 35 for detecting whether or not the ratchet 32 is at a predetermined set position are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the latch 31 is a plate-like member into which the latch shaft 37 is inserted through a through-hole formed substantially at the center, and has an engagement groove 31 a that opens on the outer peripheral surface. The latch 31 is disposed in the cover plate 42 so as to rotate around the axis of the latch shaft 37 with the striker entry groove 45 and the engagement groove 31a intersecting each other. Further, the latch 31 is moved by the latch spring 39 provided on the latch shaft 37 in the direction from the full latch position to the unlatched position via the half latch position (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 6) around the latch shaft 37. It is energized.

  Such a latch 31 engages and holds the striker 103 of the vehicle 100 when the back door 101 shown in FIGS. That is, the latch 31 causes the striker 103 that enters along the striker entry groove 45 to abut the engagement groove 31a as the back door 101 closes. Thereafter, the latch 31 rotates from the unlatched position to the full latched position via the half-latch position against the urging force of the latch spring 39 while maintaining the striker 103 in contact with the engaging groove 31a. Thereby, the striker 103 is engaged with the engagement groove 31a, and the striker 103 is held in the engagement groove 31a. On the other hand, the latch 31 is rotated from the full latch position to the unlatched position via the half latch position by the urging force of the latch spring 39 when the meshed state with the ratchet 32 described later is released. Thereby, the latch 31 cancels | releases the engagement state of the engagement groove | channel 31a and the striker 103, and releases the striker 103 from the engagement groove | channel 31a.

  The ratchet 32 regulates the rotational position of the latch 31. As shown in FIG. 6, the ratchet 32 is a plate-like member into which the ratchet shaft 38 is inserted into a through-hole formed substantially at the center, and can be engaged with the latch 31, for example, the ratchet shaft 38 is inserted. The through hole is formed in a shape having an extending portion on the outer periphery extending outward in the radial direction. The ratchet 32 is disposed in the cover plate 42 so as to rotate about the axis of the ratchet shaft 38. Further, the ratchet 32 is urged by a ratchet spring 40 provided on the ratchet shaft 38 in a direction approaching the latch 31 with the ratchet shaft 38 as a center (clockwise direction in FIG. 6; hereinafter referred to as a meshing direction). ing.

  Such a ratchet 32 is rotated in the meshing direction by the urging force of the ratchet spring 40, thereby meshing with the latch 31 to restrict the rotation of the latch 31 and the engagement state between the latch 31 and the striker 103. To maintain. On the other hand, the ratchet 32 is rotated in a direction away from the latch 31 against the urging force of the ratchet spring 40 (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 6; hereinafter referred to as a release direction) by the action of a release lever 52 described later. To do. As a result, the ratchet 32 releases the meshed state with the latch 31. The rotation of the ratchet 32 in the meshing direction is regulated by a stopper 36 such as an elastic member arranged on the cover plate 42 as shown in FIG.

  The half latch detection switch 33 and the full latch detection switch 34 are for detecting the rotation position of the latch 31. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement example of the half latch detection switch and the full latch detection switch with respect to the latch. Each of the half latch detection switch 33 and the full latch detection switch 34 is configured by using a push button type detection terminal that advances and retreats before and after contact with the object, and as shown in FIG. 7, the width of the cam portion 31e of the latch 31 It is provided in a different direction.

  Here, on the upper surface of the latch 31, as shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 7, the cam portion 31 e has an arc-shaped cam surface 31 f along the rotation trajectory of the latch 31 and is formed in a two-stage structure having a partially wide cam surface portion. The cam portion 31e rotates integrally with the latch 31. The cam surface 31f can be in sliding contact with the detection terminals of the half latch detection switch 33 and the full latch detection switch 34 in accordance with the rotation of the latch 31 (that is, the rotation of the cam portion 31e).

  The half latch detection switch 33 functions as a half latch detection unit that detects that the latch 31 has rotated to the half latch position. Specifically, when the rotation position of the latch 31 is the unlatched position, the half latch detection switch 33 comes into contact with the cam surface 31f of the cam portion 31e (specifically, the wide cam surface 31f) and is turned on. Become. Further, the half latch detection switch 33 continues to contact the cam surface 31f until the latch 31 finishes rotating from the unlatched position to the half latch position, and the rotation position of the latch 31 becomes the half latch position. In this case, the cam surface is separated from the cam surface 31f. The half latch detection switch 33 detects that the rotation position of the latch 31 is the half latch position by switching from the on state to the off state. The half-latch detection switch 33 continues to be away from the cam surface 31f until the latch 31 rotates from the half-latch position to the full-latch position, and maintains the off state.

  On the other hand, the half latch detection switch 33 is in a state of being separated from the cam surface 31f until the latch 31 is rotated from the full latch position to the half latch position, and is turned off. The half latch detection switch 33 is in a state of being in contact with the cam surface 31f until the latch 31 rotates from the half latch position to the unlatched position, and is in the on state. The half latch detection switch 33 detects that the rotation position of the latch 31 has changed from the half latch position to the unlatching position due to the switching from the off state to the on state.

  The full latch detection switch 34 functions as a full latch detection unit that detects that the latch 31 has rotated to the full latch position. Specifically, when the rotation position of the latch 31 is the unlatched position, the full latch detection switch 34 comes into contact with the cam surface 31f of the cam portion 31e and is turned on. Further, the full latch detection switch 34 continues to contact the cam surface 31f until the latch 31 finishes rotating from the unlatched position to the full latched position through the half-latch position, and the rotational position of the latch 31 is set to the full latched position. When it becomes, it will leave | separate from the cam surface 31f, and will be in an OFF state. The full latch detection switch 34 detects that the rotation position of the latch 31 is the full latch position by switching from the on state to the off state.

  On the other hand, when the latch 31 rotates from the full latch position to the unlatched position via the half latch position, the full latch detection switch 34 changes from a state separated from the cam surface 31f to a state in contact with the cam surface 31f. Accordingly, the full latch detection switch 34 is switched from the off state to the on state. The full latch detection switch 34 detects that the rotation position of the latch 31 has changed from the full latch position to the unlatched position through the half latch position by switching from the off state to the on state.

  The half latch detection switch 33 and the full latch detection switch 34 described above each receive an electric signal indicating the detection result of the rotation position of the latch 31, that is, a detection signal indicating an on state or an off state, as shown in FIG. 2).

  The ratchet detection switch 35 functions as a ratchet detection unit that detects whether or not the ratchet 32 is in the set position. In the present embodiment, the set position is a position of the ratchet 32 that can mesh with the latch 31 in the half latch position or the full latch position. Specifically, the set position is the position of the ratchet 32 that is urged by the ratchet spring 40 and is in contact with the stopper 36. The ratchet detection switch 35 is configured using a push button type detection terminal that moves back and forth before and after contact with the object, and is disposed at a predetermined position in the vicinity of the ratchet 32 as shown in FIG.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 6, a protrusion 32 a is provided on the upper surface of the ratchet 32. The protrusion 32 a rotates integrally with the ratchet 32. The protrusion 32 a can come into contact with the detection terminal of the ratchet detection switch 35 as the ratchet 32 rotates. When the ratchet 32 is in the set position, the ratchet detection switch 35 is not in contact with the protrusion 32a and is turned on. Further, when the ratchet 32 is not in the set position, the ratchet detection switch 35 comes into contact with the protrusion 32a and is turned off. The ratchet detection switch 35 detects whether or not the ratchet 32 is in the set position by switching between the on state and the off state. The ratchet detection switch 35 sequentially transmits an electric signal indicating a detection result as to whether or not the ratchet 32 is in the set position, that is, a detection signal indicating an on state or an off state, to the electronic control unit 7 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). .

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the drive mechanism 50 includes a latch lever 51 that rotates in conjunction with the latch 31, a release lever 52 that releases the meshing state of the latch 31 and the ratchet 32, and a latch lever 51. And a sector gear 53 that selectively operates the release lever 52, a neutral position detection switch 54 that detects that the sector gear 53 has rotated to the neutral position, a latch drive motor 55 that is a drive source of the drive mechanism 50, and a latch And a pinion gear 56 that transmits the power of the drive motor 55 to the sector gear 53.

  The latch lever 51 is for actively rotating the latch 31 from the half latch position to the full latch position. For example, as shown in FIGS. Formed). The vicinity of the upper end of the latch shaft 37 is inserted and fixed to one end of the latch lever 51. With this structure, the latch lever 51 can rotate in association with the latch 31 around the latch shaft 37 on the upper surface of the back plate 43. Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a contact portion 51 a is erected on the other end portion of the latch lever 51 (an end portion opposite to the latch shaft 37) as one component of the latch lever 51. The contact portion 51 a is a cylindrical pin (shaft) that protrudes to a position slightly below the gear portion of the sector gear 53.

  The release lever 52 is for releasing the meshing state of the latch 31 and the ratchet 32. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the release lever 52 is disposed on the back surface of the mounting portion 44 protruding upward from the rear end of the back plate 43, and is pivotally supported by a release lever shaft 57 provided on the mounting portion 44. Is done. In this way, the release lever 52 is provided so as to be rotatable between the attachment portion 44 and the sector gear 53. Further, the release lever 52 is attached to a direction in which the lower end portion of the release lever 52 shown in FIG. 6 is separated from the ratchet 32 (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 4) by a release lever spring 58 provided on the release lever shaft 57. It is energized. When the release lever 52 is pressed by a pressing portion 53a of the sector gear 53 described later, the release lever 52 rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. 4 against the urging force of the release lever spring 58 and rotates the ratchet 32 in the release direction. Move. As a result, the release lever 52 separates the ratchet 32 from the latch 31 and releases the meshing state of the latch 31 and the ratchet 32. As a result, the latch 31 rotates from the full latch position or the half latch position to the unlatched position.

  The upper arm portion of the release lever 52 functions as a manual release unit that manually releases the meshing state of the latch 31 and the ratchet 32. For example, the lid drive motor 55 from the vehicle inner side of the back door 101 in an emergency in which power cannot be supplied to the latch drive motor 55 due to failure of the electric system, battery exhaustion, etc., and the striker 103 cannot be released from the door latch device 3 (see FIG. (Not shown) is removed and the upper arm portion of the release lever 52 is manually rotated, so that the meshing state of the latch 31 and the ratchet 32 can be manually released.

  The sector gear 53 is for performing the closing operation or the releasing operation of the meshing mechanism 30 using the power of the latch drive motor 55. Specifically, the sector gear 53 is a fan-shaped gear member having a gear portion on the upper outer peripheral surface thereof, and is disposed between the back plate 43 and the bracket 60 as shown in FIGS. At this time, the sector gear 53 is pivotally supported by a sector gear shaft 53 c fixed to the bracket 60 at a height approximately equal to the upper surface of the back plate 43. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a pinion gear 56 that rotates by the power of the latch drive motor 55 is engaged with the gear portion of the sector gear 53. The sector gear 53 rotates in the direction toward the latch lever 51 or the direction toward the release lever 52 when the power of the latch drive motor 55 is transmitted by the rotation of the pinion gear 56.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 6, the sector gear 53 includes a pressing portion 53 a that can alternatively press the latch lever 51 and the release lever 52. The pressing portion 53 a is a cylindrical pin (shaft) that protrudes forward from the front surface of the sector gear 53 (a direction that passes between the contact portion 51 a of the latch lever 51 and the release lever 52). Regardless of the rotation position of the latch lever 51, the pressing portion 53 a has a length that can contact the peripheral surface of the contact portion 51 a of the latch lever 51. The sector gear 53 rotates to the latch lever 51 side using the power of the latch drive motor 55 transmitted through the pinion gear 56, thereby causing the latch lever 51 (specifically, the abutting portion 51a) to press the pressing portion 53a. Press. In this way, the sector gear 53 performs a closing operation for rotating the latch 31 together with the latch lever 51 from the half latch position to the full latch position. The sector gear 53 rotates to the release lever 52 side using the power of the latch drive motor 55 described above, and thereby presses the release lever 52 with the pressing portion 53a. In this manner, the sector gear 53 performs a release operation that causes the release lever 52 to release the meshed state of the latch 31 and the ratchet 32.

  In the present embodiment, the striker 103 is completely engaged and held by the latch 31 by the closing operation described above, and the engagement state between the latch 31 and the striker 103 is maintained by the ratchet 32. The closed state is locked. On the other hand, the engagement state between the latch 31 and the striker 103 is released by the release operation described above, and as a result, the striker 103 is released from the latch 31 and the closed lock of the back door 101 is released. That is, the back door 103 can be opened.

  The neutral position detection switch 54 functions as a neutral position detector that detects the return of the sector gear 53 to the neutral position. Specifically, the neutral position detection switch 54 is configured by using a push button type detection terminal that moves forward and backward before and after contact with the object, and from the front of the gear portion of the sector gear 53 as shown in FIGS. It is attached to the bracket 60 so as to be located apart.

  Here, on the front surface of the sector gear 53, a detection piece 53b having an arc-shaped cam surface along the rotation trajectory of the sector gear 53 is projected. The detection piece 53b rotates integrally with the sector gear 53, and can slidably contact the detection terminal of the neutral position detection switch 54 at the neutral position of the sector gear 53. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the neutral position is a state in which the pressing portion 53a is separated from the latch lever 51 and the release lever 52, that is, a contact portion 51a of the latch lever 51 and a release arm portion of the release lever 52 (described later). From any of these, the rotation position of the sector gear 53 is in a state in which the pressing portion 53a is completely separated at a desired interval.

  When the rotation position of the sector gear 53 is not the neutral position, the neutral position detection switch 54 is turned off from the cam surface of the detection piece 53b. The neutral position detection switch 54 is connected to the cam surface of the detection piece 53b when the rotation position of the sector gear 53 is the neutral position, that is, when the sector gear 53 after performing the closing operation or the release operation returns to the neutral position. Touch to turn off. The neutral position detection switch 54 detects that the sector gear 53 has returned to the neutral position by such switching between the on state and the off state. The neutral position detection switch 54 sequentially transmits an electric signal indicating the detection result of the rotational position of the sector gear 53 described above, that is, a detection signal indicating an on state or an off state to the electronic control unit 7 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). .

  The latch drive motor 55 is a drive source that generates power for the door latch device 3. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the latch drive motor 55 has a rear surface of the bracket 60 so that the longitudinal direction thereof is in a state along the width direction of the door latch device 3 (the left and right direction toward the paper surface of FIG. 4). Fixed to. The latch drive motor 55 is driven by being supplied with power from the on-vehicle power source of the vehicle 100, thereby generating power. The power of the latch drive motor 55 is transmitted to the pinion gear 56 through a gear mechanism or the like (not shown). As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the pinion gear 56 is disposed so as to protrude from the back side to the front side of the bracket 60 through an opening formed in the bracket 60, and meshes with the gear portion of the sector gear 53. The latch drive motor 55 rotates the drive shaft in the forward direction (hereinafter referred to as forward rotation operation), thereby rotating the pinion gear 56 in the forward direction and moving the sector gear 53 toward the latch lever 51 side. It can be rotated. The latch drive motor 55 rotates the drive shaft in the reverse direction (hereinafter referred to as reverse operation), thereby rotating the pinion gear 56 in the reverse direction and rotating the sector gear 53 in the direction toward the release lever 52 side. Can be moved.

  The bracket 60 is a member to which the components of the meshing mechanism 30 and the driving mechanism 50 described above are appropriately attached. For example, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the container 41 of the meshing mechanism 30 is attached to the lower end portion of the bracket 60 by screwing or the like. A sector gear 53, a neutral position detection switch 54, and a pinion gear 56 are provided on the front side of the bracket 60. A latch drive motor 55 is provided on the back side of the bracket 60. The bracket 60 provided with the components of the meshing mechanism 30 and the drive mechanism 50 in this manner is attached to the back door 101 by screwing or the like as shown in FIG. At this time, the door latch device 3 is provided on the back door 101 such that the meshing mechanism 30 that meshes with the striker 103 is exposed from the back door 101 toward the inside of the vehicle body.

(Engagement operation between striker and meshing mechanism)
Next, an engaging operation between the striker 103 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) and the meshing mechanism 30 of the door latch device 3 when the back door 101 of the vehicle 100 is opened and closed will be described. 8A to 8C are diagrams for explaining the engaging operation between the striker and the meshing mechanism in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating a state of the latch and the ratchet at the unlatched position. FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating a meshing state of the latch and the ratchet at the half latch position. FIG. 8C is a diagram showing a meshed state of the latch and the ratchet in the full latch position.

  As shown in FIGS. 8A to 8C, the latch 31 includes an engaging groove 31 a that opens on the outer peripheral surface as described above, a hook portion 31 b that engages with the striker 103, and a full latch locking portion that engages with the ratchet 32 in the fully latched state. 31c and a half latch locking portion 31d that meshes with the ratchet 32 in the half latch state. In such an unlatched state where the latch 31 is in the unlatched position, as shown in FIG. 8A, the opening of the engaging groove 31 a is a striker formed on the cover plate 42 that is a component of the container 41 of the meshing mechanism 30. It matches the opening of the entry groove 45. The hook portion 31 b located on the right side of the engagement groove 31 a is in a state of being retracted from the striker entry groove 45. That is, in the unlatched state, the latch 31 is not engaged with the striker 103 and can receive the striker 103 that enters the striker entry groove 45, or can release the striker 103 from the striker entry groove 45.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, when the latch 31 is in the unlatched position, the half latch detection switch 33 and the full latch detection switch 34 are in contact with the cam surface 31f of the cam portion 31e, and therefore both are in the on state. . Further, when the latch 31 is in the unlatched position, the meshing mechanism 30 of the door latch device 3 releases the lock of the back door 101 in the closed state. In this case, the back door 101 can be opened and closed without operating an operation handle (not shown) provided on the back door 101.

  Next, when the back door 101 is closed, the door latch device 3 approaches so as to engage with the striker 103 provided in the vehicle body rear portion 104 of the vehicle 100. At this time, the striker 103 enters the inside of the meshing mechanism 30 along the striker entry groove 45. The latch 31 makes the striker 103 that has entered approach the full latch locking portion 31c and receive it in the engagement groove 31a. Thereafter, the latch 31 rotates from the unlatched position shown in FIG. 8A to the half-latch position shown in FIG. 8B around the latch shaft 37 while maintaining the state where the striker 103 is received in the engaging groove 31a. As the latch 31 rotates, the hook portion 31b moves across the striker entry groove 45 as shown in FIG. 8B while sequentially moving from the front end side to the back side of the striker entry groove 45. In this state, the latch 31 finishes rotating to the half latch position and engages with the striker 103 at the half latch position as shown in FIG. 8B. Specifically, the hook portion 31b engages with the striker 103 to prevent the striker 103 from being released from the striker entry groove 45, and engages and holds the striker 103 in the engagement groove 31a.

  The rotation of the latch 31 at the half latch position to the unlatched position is restricted by the ratchet 32 engaging with the half latch engaging portion 31d as shown in FIG. 8B. As shown in FIG. 8B, when the latch 31 is in the half latch position, the half latch detection switch 33 is separated from the cam surface 31f of the cam portion 31e and switched from the on state to the off state. The full latch detection switch 34 continues contact with the cam surface 31f and maintains the ON state. Further, the ratchet detection switch 35 temporarily comes into contact with the protruding portion 32a when the ratchet 32 is not in the set position as the ratchet 32 is rotated before and after the half latch engaging portion 31d is engaged with the protruding portion 32a. When the ratchet 32 is in the set position, the ratchet 32 is switched to the on state when separated from the protrusion 32a. On the other hand, when the latch 31 is in the half latch position, the meshing mechanism 30 of the door latch device 3 places the back door 101 in a half door state. In this case, the back door 101 cannot be opened unless the operating handle or the like is operated to rotate the latch 31 to the unlatched position. The half door state is defined as follows. That is, in the fully closed state, even if the full latch locking portion 31c of the latch 31 and the ratchet 32 are disengaged for some reason, the back latch 101 is not opened unexpectedly. In the meantime, the half latch position is set such that the ratchet 32 can mesh with the half latch engaging portion 31 d of the latch 31 to hold the back door 101 in a semi-closed state. This half-closed state of the back door 101 is referred to as a “half-door state”.

  As described above, when the latch 31 in the half latch position rotates toward the full latch position about the latch shaft 37, the hook portion 31b crosses the inner portion of the striker entry groove 45 as shown in FIG. 8C. Thus, the opening of the striker entry groove 45 is closed. In this state, the latch 31 finishes rotating to the full latch position and fully engages with the striker 103 at the full latch position as shown in FIG. 8C. Specifically, the hook portion 31b advances the engagement with the striker 103 and keeps the striker 103 completely engaged in the engagement groove 31a while continuing to prevent the release of the striker 103 from the striker entry groove 45. To do.

  As shown in FIG. 8C, the rotation of the latch 31 at the full latch position to the half latch position or the unlatch position is restricted by the ratchet 32 meshing with the full latch locking portion 31c. As shown in FIG. 8C, when the latch 31 is at the full latch position, the half latch detection switch 33 continues to be away from the cam surface 31f and maintains the OFF state. The full latch detection switch 34 is separated from the cam surface 31f and switched from the on state to the off state. Further, the ratchet detection switch 35 temporarily comes into contact with the protrusion 32a when the ratchet 32 is not in the set position as the ratchet 32 rotates before and after meshing with the full latch locking portion 31c. It switches to the off state at the time of contact, and switches to the on state when the ratchet 32 is separated from the protrusion 32a when in the set position. On the other hand, when the latch 31 is in the fully latched position, the meshing mechanism 30 of the door latch device 3 completely locks the closed state of the back door 101 (fully closed state). In this case, unless the drive mechanism 50 of the door latch device 3 rotates the latch 31 to the unlatched position by operating an opening operation unit or the like that instructs the electronic control device 7 to open the back door 101, the back door 101 Can not be opened.

  On the other hand, the ratchet 32 can release the meshing state with the latch 31 in the half latch position shown in FIG. 8B or the full latch position shown in FIG. 8C by rotating in the release direction about the ratchet shaft 38. That is, the engagement mechanism shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C is performed by performing a release operation in which the drive mechanism 50 of the door latch device 3 operates the release lever 52 (see FIGS. 3 to 6) to release the engagement state of the latch 31 and the ratchet 32. The engagement state between the mechanism 30 and the striker 103 can be released. The ratchet 32 is biased to rotate in the meshing direction about the ratchet shaft 38. The rotation of the ratchet 32 about the ratchet shaft 38 in the meshing direction is restricted by the stopper 36 receiving the extending portion of the ratchet 32 as shown in FIGS.

(Configuration of electronic control unit)
Next, the configuration of the electronic control unit 7 in the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the door opening / closing control system according to the embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the configuration of the electronic control device 7 together with the functional configuration of the door opening / closing control system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 9.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the door opening / closing control system 1 is based on the detection results of the neutral position detection switch 54, the half latch detection switch 33, the full latch detection switch 34, and the ratchet detection switch 35 of the door latch device 3. The controller 7 is configured to control the PTG motor 21 of the door opening / closing device 2 and the latch drive motor 55 of the door latch device 3. The door opening / closing control system 1 operates the door opening operation of the back door 101 of the vehicle 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in addition to the door opening / closing device 2, the door latch device 3, and the electronic control device 7 described above. The opening operation unit 8 and the closing operation unit 9 for operating the closing operation of the back door 101 are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the electronic control unit 7 includes a processing unit 71 that executes various processes necessary for opening / closing control of the back door 101, and various reference values used for various processes for opening / closing control of the back door 101. And a storage unit 72 for storing information. The processing unit 71 includes a determination processing unit 71 a that executes various determination processes, and a drive control unit 71 b that executes each drive control of the door opening and closing device 2 and the door latch device 3. The electronic control device 7 receives detection signals from each of the detection switches (the neutral position detection switch 54, the half latch detection switch 33, the full latch detection switch 34, and the ratchet detection switch 35) of the door latch device 3. Further, the electronic control device 7 receives an instruction signal for opening / closing the back door 101 from the opening operation unit 8 or the closing operation unit 9. The electronic control device 7 controls the opening and closing of the back door 101 by appropriately controlling the PTG motor 21 and the latch drive motor 55 based on these received signals.

  Based on the detection signal from the neutral position detection switch 54, the determination processing unit 71a determines whether or not the rotation position of the sector gear 53 is the neutral position. In addition, during the period in which the operation of returning the sector gear 53 to the neutral position after completion of the closing operation is being performed, the determination processing unit 71a performs the neutral position detection switch 54 and the ratchet detection switch 35 in addition to the neutral position determination process described above. It is determined whether or not the neutral position detection switch 54 has failed based on the detection signals from. On the other hand, the determination processing unit 71a determines whether the rotation position of the latch 31 is the unlatch position, the half latch position, or the full latch position based on the detection signals from the half latch detection switch 33 and the full latch detection switch 34. To do. Further, the determination processing unit 71 a determines the meshing state of the latch 31 and the ratchet 32 based on the detection signals from the half latch detection switch 33, the full latch detection switch 34, and the ratchet detection switch 35.

  The drive control unit 71b appropriately controls each drive of the PTG motor 21 and the latch drive motor 55 of the door opening / closing device 2 based on the determination result by the determination processing unit 71a. In addition, the drive control unit 71b is configured so that each of the PTG motor 21 and the latch drive motor 55 performs the door opening operation or the door closing operation of the back door 101 based on an instruction signal from the opening operation unit 8 or the closing operation unit 9. Control the drive.

  The memory | storage part 72 memorize | stores information, such as a reference value used for the determination process of the determination process part 71a, and the determination result by the determination process part 71a. The storage unit 72 stores a program executed by the processing unit 71 in advance. Information and programs stored in the storage unit 72 are appropriately read by the processing unit 71.

  The electronic control unit 7 controls the latch drive motor 55 by the drive control unit 71b based on the determination result of the determination processing unit 71a, thereby rotating the sector gear 53 after completion of the closing operation toward the neutral position. When the neutral position detection switch 54 detects the return of the sector gear 53 to the neutral position while the sector gear 53 is rotating, the electronic control unit 7 stops the sector gear 53 at the neutral position. On the other hand, if the neutral position detection switch 54 does not detect the return of the sector gear 53 to the neutral position and the ratchet detection switch 35 detects that there is no ratchet 32 at the set position during the rotation of the sector gear 53, the electronic control The apparatus 7 determines that the neutral position detection switch 54 has failed by the determination processing unit 71a. At the same time, the electronic control unit 7 controls the PTG motor 21 by the drive control unit 71b to cause the door opening / closing device 2 to perform the door closing operation to close the back door 101, thereby preventing the back door 101 from being opened.

  In addition, the electronic control unit 7 uses the determination processing unit 71a to determine whether the latch 31 has an unlatched position, a half-latch position, and a full-latch position based on the detection result of the half-latch detection switch 33 and the detection result of the full-latch detection switch 34. It is determined in which position. When the electronic control unit 7 determines that the neutral position detection switch 54 has failed and determines that the latch 31 is in the half latch position, the electronic control unit 7 closes the sector gear 53 by controlling the latch drive motor 55 by the drive control unit 71b. The operation is performed to rotate the latch 31 from the half latch position to the full latch position.

  Further, the electronic control unit 7 performs the closing operation after the neutral position detection switch 54 has failed, based on the detection result of the half latch detection switch 33 and the detection result of the full latch detection switch 34 by the determination processing unit 71a. When it is determined that the latch 31 is in the half latch position, the drive control unit 71b causes the power of the PTG motor 21 of the door opening / closing device 2 performing the door closing operation to be changed before the latch 31 is switched from the unlatch position to the half latch position. In comparison with this, the force of pressing the back door 101 against the rear body 104 of the vehicle body is weakened by this closing operation. Thereafter, the electronic control unit 7 determines whether or not the latch 31 at the half latch position is engaged with the ratchet 32 based on the detection result of the ratchet detection switch 35 by the determination processing unit 71a. When the electronic control unit 7 determines that the latch 31 in the half latch position is engaged with the ratchet 32, the electronic control unit 7 controls the PTG motor 21 by the drive control unit 71b to stop the above-described door closing operation.

  On the other hand, the electronic control unit 7 determines the threshold elapsed time from when the sector gear 53 after the closing operation is completed starts to rotate toward the release lever 52 until the sector gear 53 stops before the pressing portion 53a of the sector gear 53 contacts the release lever 52. , Stored in advance in the storage unit 72. When the electronic control device 7 determines that the neutral position detection switch 54 has failed as described above and causes the sector gear 53 to perform the closing operation, the electronic control device 7 rotates the sector gear 53 after completion of the closing operation toward the neutral position. The determination processing unit 71a determines whether or not the elapsed time from the start has reached the threshold elapsed time. When the electronic control unit 7 determines that the elapsed time has reached the threshold elapsed time as a result of the determination process, the electronic control unit 7 controls the latch drive motor 55 by the drive control unit 71b at this time, thereby rotating the sector gear 53. Stop moving.

  On the other hand, the electronic control unit 7 stores in the storage unit 72 in advance the necessary rotation time required for the sector gear 53 after the release operation to be completed to release the pressing portion 53a completely from the release lever 52 and return to the neutral position. keeping. After determining that the neutral position detection switch 54 has failed as described above, the electronic control unit 7 rotates the sector gear 53 with the release lever 52 pressed by the pressing portion 53a toward the neutral position by the drive control unit 71b. The determination processing unit 71a determines whether or not the ratchet 32 is at the set position based on the detection result of the ratchet detection switch 35. The electronic control unit 7 determines whether or not the elapsed time from the time when it is determined that the ratchet 32 is in the set position has reached the necessary rotation time, by the determination processing unit 71a. When the electronic control unit 7 determines that the elapsed time has reached the required rotation time as a result of the determination process, the electronic control unit 7 controls the latch drive motor 55 by the drive control unit 71b at this time, thereby controlling the sector gear 53. Stop turning.

  The opening operation unit 8 and the closing operation unit 9 are operation means for operating opening / closing of the back door 101. For example, each of the opening operation unit 8 and the closing operation unit 9 is configured using an operation unit such as an operation button or an operation switch, and is provided inside the vehicle 100 or the back door 101 or the like. The opening operation unit 8 inputs an opening instruction signal for instructing execution of the opening operation of the back door 101 to the electronic control unit 7 in accordance with a user operation. The closing operation unit 9 inputs a closing instruction signal for instructing execution of the closing operation of the back door 101 to the electronic control device 7 in accordance with a user operation.

(Door open / close control operation)
Next, the opening / closing control operation of the back door 101 by the door opening / closing control system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the door opening / closing control system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a state before executing the closing operation in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a state in which the closing operation is executed in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state in which the sector gear cannot return to the neutral position due to a failure of the neutral position detection switch in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a state in which the sector gear is returned to the neutral position after a failure of the neutral position detection switch in the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, as an example, the back door 101 of the vehicle 100 is in an open state as shown in FIG. At this time, in the door latch device 3, as shown in FIG. 8A, the latch 31 is in an unlatched position that is not engaged with the striker 103. As shown in FIG. 11, the sector gear 53 is in a state of being stopped at a neutral position where the pressing portion 53a is not in contact with any of the contact portion 51a of the latch lever 51 and the release arm portion 52a of the release lever 52 (stop). State). As shown in FIG. 11, the release arm portion 52 a is an arm portion below the release lever shaft 57 in the release lever 52.

  In this stop state, as shown in the period before time t1 in FIG. 10, the neutral position detection switch 54 is in an OFF state in contact with the detection piece 53b of the sector gear 53 in the neutral position. As shown in FIG. 8A, the half latch detection switch 33 and the full latch detection switch 34 are in an on state in contact with the cam portion 31e of the latch 31. Further, the PTG motor 21 of the door opening / closing device 2 and the latch drive motor 55 of the door latch device 3 are stopped.

  Next, the above-described open back door 101 is manually closed by the user. At this time, the striker 103 of the vehicle 100 enters the meshing mechanism 30 of the door latch device 3 along the striker entry groove 45. In this state, the latch 31 rotates from the unlatched position shown in FIG. 8A to the half-latch position shown in FIG. 8B while contacting the striker 103. As the latch 31 rotates, the ratchet 32 rotates in the release direction from the set position. As a result, the ratchet detection switch 35 contacts the protrusion 32a and switches from the on state to the off state. The half latch detection switch 33 is kept on until the latch 31 finishes rotating from the unlatched position to the half latched position.

  The latch 31 finishes rotating from the unlatched position to the half-latch position while contacting the striker 103 at the time t1 shown in FIG. 10, and engages and holds the striker 103 at the half-latch position. At this time, as shown in FIG. 8B, the half latch detection switch 33 moves away from the cam portion 31e of the latch 31 at the half latch position and switches from the on state to the off state. The ratchet detection switch 35 has already been switched off at the time t1 as described above. As shown in FIG. 10, the door opening / closing control system 1 starts the normal-time closing operation S1 from the timing of this time t1.

  In the normal close operation S1, the determination processing unit 71a of the electronic control device 7 is based on the detection signal from the half latch detection switch 33 being in the OFF state and the detection signal from the full latch detection switch 34 being in the ON state. It is determined that the latch 31 is in the half latch position. The drive control unit 71b of the electronic control device 7 controls the latch drive motor 55 so that the door latch device 3 performs the closing operation based on the determination result of the determination processing unit 71a. Based on the control of the drive control unit 71b, the latch drive motor 55 starts to rotate forward at a timing slightly delayed from the time t1, as shown in FIG. On the other hand, when the latch 31 has finished rotating to the half latch position, the ratchet 32 rotates in the meshing direction toward the set position and meshes with the half latch locking portion 31d of the latch 31 (see FIG. 8B). Thereby, the ratchet 32 restricts the rotation of the latch 31 to the unlatched position. The ratchet detection switch 35 moves away from the protrusion 32a at the timing when the ratchet 32 meshes with the half latch locking portion 31d, and switches from the off state to the on state as shown in FIG.

  Further, in the normal close operation S1, the sector gear 53 uses the power generated by the forward rotation of the latch drive motor 55 described above, and moves from the neutral position to the latch lever 51 side around the sector gear shaft 53c (clockwise in FIG. 11). Direction: hereinafter referred to as the forward rotation direction). The neutral position detection switch 54 moves away from the detection piece 53b of the sector gear 53 at the timing when the rotating sector gear 53 reaches the position deviated from the neutral position, and changes from the OFF state to the ON state as shown in FIG. Switch.

  The sector gear 53 continues to rotate in the forward direction around the sector gear shaft 53c as the latch drive motor 55 continues forward rotation. Finally, as shown in FIG. The contact part 51a is pressed by the pressing part 53a. As a result, the sector gear 53 rotates the latch lever 51 about the latch shaft 37 as shown in FIG. 12, and rotates the latch 31 (see FIGS. 8B and 8C) together with the latch lever 51 from the half latch position to the full latch position. Move.

  The latch 31 rotates in conjunction with the latch lever 51 pressed by the pressing portion 53a as described above, and from the half latch position to the full latch position while engaging with the striker 103, as shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C. Finish turning. The latch 31 fully engages and holds the striker 103 at the full latch position. At this time, as shown in FIG. 8C, the full latch detection switch 34 moves away from the cam portion 31e of the latch 31 at the full latch position and switches from the on state to the off state. On the other hand, the ratchet 32 rotates in the release direction from the set position as the latch 31 rotates from the half latch position to the full latch position. As a result, the ratchet detection switch 35 contacts the protrusion 32a and switches from the on state to the off state. After that, when the latch 31 has finished rotating to the full latch position, the ratchet 32 rotates in the meshing direction toward the set position and meshes with the full latch locking portion 31c of the latch 31 (see FIG. 8C). Thereby, the ratchet 32 restricts the rotation of the latch 31 to the half latch position (and hence to the unlatched position). The ratchet detection switch 35 moves away from the protrusion 32a at the timing when the ratchet 32 meshes with the full latch locking portion 31c, and switches from the off state to the on state as shown in FIG.

  The determination processing unit 71a of the electronic control device 7 determines that the latch 31 is in the full latch position based on the fact that the detection signals from the half latch detection switch 33 and the full latch detection switch 34 are both in the off state. Further, the determination processing unit 71a determines that the latch 31 is in the full latch position based on the determination result that the latch 31 is in the full latch position and the detection signal from the ratchet detection switch 35 being switched from the off state to the on state. It is determined that the ratchet 32 is engaged. The drive control unit 71b of the electronic control unit 7 controls the latch drive motor 55 so as to end the closing operation based on the determination result of the determination processing unit 71a. Based on the control of the drive control unit 71b, the latch drive motor 55 stops the forward rotation operation at the timing of time t2, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, the normal close operation S1 is executed from the timing at time t1 to the timing at time t2.

  After executing the normal close operation S1, the door opening / closing control system 1 executes a closer return operation S2 for returning the sector gear 53 to the neutral position after completion of the close operation, as shown in FIG. Specifically, in the closer return operation S2, the drive control unit 71b of the electronic control device 7 stops the forward rotation operation of the latch drive motor 55 in the normal close operation S1 described above, and then the sector gear 53 after the close operation is completed. The latch drive motor 55 is controlled so as to rotate toward the neutral position. Based on the control of the drive control unit 71b, the latch drive motor 55 starts reverse operation at the timing when the normal rotation operation is completely stopped as shown in FIG.

  In the closer return operation S2, the sector gear 53 uses the power generated by the reverse rotation operation of the latch drive motor 55 described above, and the direction from the latch lever 51 side toward the neutral position around the sector gear shaft 53c (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 11: Hereinafter, it rotates in the reverse direction). In parallel with this, the determination processing unit 71a of the electronic control unit 7 constantly monitors the on / off state of the detection signal from the neutral position detection switch 54, and the sector gear 53 is activated based on the detection signal being in the on state. It is determined that the neutral position has not been restored. Based on the determination result of the determination processing unit 71a, the drive control unit 71b controls the latch drive motor 55 so as to continue the reverse rotation operation of rotating the sector gear 53 in the reverse rotation direction.

  Here, when the neutral position detection switch 54 is normal, when the sector gear 53 returns to the neutral position, the neutral position detection switch 54 contacts the detection piece 53b of the sector gear 53 and switches from the on state to the off state. Thereby, the neutral position detection switch 54 detects the return to the neutral position of the sector gear 53. In this case, the determination processing unit 71a acquires a detection signal indicating the detection result of the neutral position return from the neutral position detection switch 54, and switches the neutral position detection switch 54 from the ON state to the OFF state indicated by the acquired detection signal. Based on the above, it is determined that the sector gear 53 has returned to the neutral position. The drive control unit 71b controls the latch drive motor 55 to stop the rotation of the sector gear 53 based on the determination result of the determination processing unit 71a. As a result, the latch drive motor 55 stops the reverse rotation operation, and at the same time, the sector gear 53 stops (returns) to the neutral position.

  On the other hand, when the neutral position detection switch 54 fails, even if the sector gear 53 returns to the neutral position, the neutral position detection switch 54 does not switch to the off state but remains in the on state. That is, even if the sector gear 53 returns to the neutral position, the neutral position detection switch 54 does not detect this neutral position return. In this case, the determination processing unit 71a determines that the sector gear 53 has not returned to the neutral position based on the detection signal from the neutral position detection switch 54 being on. The drive control unit 71b controls the latch drive motor 55 so as to continue the above-described reverse rotation operation based on the determination result of the determination processing unit 71a.

  Therefore, when the neutral position detection switch 54 fails, the latch drive motor 55 continues the reverse operation even when the sector gear 53 after the closing operation is returned to the neutral position. As a result, as shown in FIG. 13, the sector gear 53 rotates in the reverse direction around the sector gear shaft 53c even if it passes through the neutral position (the rotational position where the neutral position detection switch 54 and the detection piece 53b are in contact). It continues to move, and finally the release arm portion 52a of the release lever 52 is pressed by the pressing portion 53a.

  As shown in FIG. 13, when the release arm 52a is pressed by the pressing portion 53a, the release lever 52 is positioned in the direction in which the release arm 52a approaches the ratchet 32 around the release lever shaft 57 (the timepiece in FIG. 13). Rotate in the direction of rotation). As a result, the release lever 52 presses the ratchet 32 with the release arm 52a as shown in FIG. 13, and as a result, the ratchet 32 is rotated in the release direction, and the latch 31 and the ratchet 32 at the full latch position are rotated. The meshing state (see FIG. 8C) is released. At this time, the ratchet detection switch 35 contacts the protrusion 32a of the ratchet 32 and switches from the on state to the off state. That is, the ratchet detection switch 35 detects that the ratchet 32 is not in the set position.

  The electronic control unit 7 does not detect the return of the sector gear 53 to the neutral position and the ratchet detection switch 35 is in the set position while the sector gear 53 is rotated in the reverse direction after the closing operation is completed. When it is detected that there is no ratchet 32, it is detected that the neutral position detection switch 54 has failed. That is, as shown in FIG. 10, the determination processing unit 71 a indicates that the detection signal from the neutral position detection switch 54 is kept on during the execution period of the closer return operation S2, and that the ratchet detection switch 35 Based on the detection signal being switched from the on state to the off state, it is determined that the neutral position detection switch 54 has failed.

  In this way, the failure of the neutral position detection switch 54 is determined (detected), and the drive control unit 71b of the electronic control unit 7 controls the latch drive motor 55 so as to stop driving. Based on this control, the latch drive motor 55 stops the reverse rotation operation at the timing of time t3 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, the timing of the time t3 is a timing at which the ratchet detection switch 35 is switched from the on state to the off state during the execution period of the closer return operation S2, and the failure of the neutral position detection switch 54 as described above. Is the timing of determination (detection). In the present embodiment, the closer return operation S2 is executed from the timing at time t2 to the timing at time t3, as shown in FIG.

  Simultaneously with the completion of the above-described closing operation S2 (timing at time t3), the door opening / closing control system 1 executes a door opening blocking operation S3 that blocks the opening of the back door 101 as shown in FIG. To do. Specifically, the drive control unit 71b of the electronic control unit 7 performs the back-up operation at the same time when the ratchet detection switch 35 is switched from the on state to the off state, that is, at the same time as the failure of the neutral position detection switch 54 is determined (detected). The PTG motor 21 of the door opening / closing device 2 is controlled so as to close the door 101. Based on this control, the PTG motor 21 starts the door closing operation by generating power at the timing of time t3 as shown in FIG.

  Here, at the timing of the time t3 shown in FIG. 10, the ratchet 32 is rotated in the releasing direction by the pressing action of the release lever 52 (see FIG. 13), thereby engaging with the latch 31 in the full latch position (see FIG. (See FIG. 8C). That is, the latch 31 is rotated from the full latch position to the unlatched position by releasing the meshing state with the ratchet 32, and is in a state where the engagement state with the striker 103 is released (latched state). As a result, the striker 103 is released from the latch 31, and the back door 101 is unlocked.

  The half latch detection switch 33 and the full latch detection switch 34 are switched from the off state to the on state as shown in FIG. 10 as a result of the latch 31 rotating to the unlatched position as described above. On the other hand, the ratchet detection switch 35 is in an OFF state because the sector gear 53 is in a state where the release arm 52a of the release lever 52 is pressed by the pressing portion 53a (see FIG. 13).

  In the door opening prevention operation S3, as described above, the PTG motor 21 is configured to prevent the situation where the back door 101 released from the engagement of the striker 103 by the latch 31 is unintentionally opened as shown in FIG. The door closing operation is started at the timing of time t3. The door opening / closing device 2 closes the back door 101 by attracting it to the rear part 104 of the vehicle body by executing this closing operation. As a result, the door opening / closing device 2 prevents the back door 101 from being unintentionally opened and engages the striker 103 and the latch 31 with the power of the PTG motor 21.

  Thus, in a state where the back door 101 is attracted to the rear part 104 of the vehicle body by the closing operation of the PTG motor 21, the latch 31 is in contact with the striker 103 while being supported by the power of the PTG motor 21, and from the unlatched position to the half latch position. Rotate toward During the period in which the contact between the striker 103 and the latch 31 is supported by the power of the PTG motor 21, the door opening / closing control system 1 executes the releaser return operation S4 at the time of failure as shown in FIG. The door opening / closing control system 1 fails at the timing after the stop output of the latch drive motor 55 is continued for a specified time from the timing of the time t3 when the reverse operation of the latch drive motor 55 is stopped (time t4 shown in FIG. 10). The time releaser return operation S4 starts to be executed.

  In the releaser return operation S4 at the time of failure, the drive control unit 71b of the electronic control unit 7 rotates the sector gear 53 that presses the release arm 52a of the release lever 52 with the pressing unit 53a in the forward direction as shown in FIG. The latch drive motor 55 is controlled so as to be moved. Based on this control, the latch drive motor 55 starts the forward rotation operation at the timing of time t4 as shown in FIG. 10, and continues this forward rotation operation. The sector gear 53 is rotated in the forward rotation direction by the forward rotation operation of the latch drive motor 55 to gradually weaken the pressing of the release arm portion 52a by the pressing portion 53a and is urged in the meshing direction by the ratchet spring 40. The ratchet 32 is sequentially rotated in the meshing direction. The sector gear 53 continues to rotate in such a normal rotation direction, thereby separating the pressing portion 53a from the release arm portion 52a. As a result, the ratchet 32 is in the set position by rotating in the meshing direction. The ratchet detection switch 35 is switched from the off state to the on state while the ratchet 32 rotates to the set position and moves away from the protrusion 32a.

  In such a failure releaser return operation S4, after determining that the neutral position detection switch 54 has failed as described above, the electronic control unit 7 moves the sector gear 53 in a state where the release lever 52 is pressed by the pressing portion 53a to the neutral position. , It is determined whether or not the ratchet 32 is in the set position based on the detection result of the ratchet detection switch 35. At this time, the determination processing unit 71a determines that the ratchet 32 is in the set position based on the detection signal from the ratchet detection switch 35 being switched from the off state to the on state. The drive control unit 71b causes the latch drive motor 55 to continue normal rotation while monitoring the elapsed time from the time point when the ratchet 32 is determined to be in the set position. The drive control unit 71b stops the forward rotation operation when the elapsed time reaches the necessary rotation time (for example, 110 [ms]) read from the storage unit 72 (timing at time t5 shown in FIG. 10). The latch drive motor 55 is controlled. Based on this control, the latch drive motor 55 stops the rotation of the sector gear 53 in the forward direction at the timing of time t5.

  That is, the releaser return operation S4 at the time of failure is executed from the timing at time t4 to the timing at time t5, as shown in FIG. As a result, the pressing portion 53a of the sector gear 53 is sufficiently separated from the release lever 52 and is not in contact with the contact portion 51a of the latch lever 51 during the execution period of the door opening preventing operation S3.

  On the other hand, in the door opening prevention operation S3, the latch 31 is brought into a state in which the latch 31 can mesh with the ratchet 32 after the failure releaser return operation S4 is executed. The latch 31 rotates from the unlatched position to the half-latch position while coming into contact with the striker 103 that enters the inner side of the striker entry groove 45 by the power of the PTG motor 21. At this time, the half latch detection switch 33 is switched from the on state to the off state. Further, the ratchet 32 rotates in the releasing direction from the set position as the latch 31 rotates, and the latch 31 rotates to the half latch position and rotates in the meshing direction to stop at the set position. It meshes with the latch 31 in the half latch position. The ratchet detection switch 35 switches from the on state to the off state as the ratchet 32 rotates in the release direction, and then switches from the off state to the on state as the latch 31 and the ratchet 32 are engaged.

  After the determination processing unit 71a of the electronic control device 7 determines that the neutral position detection switch 54 has failed as described above, specifically, the execution period of the closing operation after the timing of the time t3 shown in FIG. The rotation position of the latch 31 is determined based on the detection result of the switch 33 and the detection result of the full latch detection switch 34. At this time, the determination processing unit 71a is based on the fact that the detection signal from the half latch detection switch 33 is switched from the on state to the off state and the detection signal from the full latch detection switch 34 is maintained in the on state. Thus, it is determined that the latch 31 is in the half latch position. When the electronic control unit 7 determines that the latch 31 is in the half latch position as described above, the sector gear is controlled from this timing (time t6 shown in FIG. 10) by the control of the latch drive motor 55 by the drive control unit 71b. 53 is caused to perform a closing operation to rotate the latch 31 from the half latch position to the full latch position. That is, as shown in FIG. 10, the door opening / closing control system 1 starts to execute the failure closing operation S5 from the timing of time t6. In the present embodiment, the time t6 may be, for example, a time (timing) 200 ms after the full latch detection switch 34 is in the on state and the half latch detection switch 33 is switched from the on state to the off state. Thereby, after confirming that the latch 31 is in the half latch state, the execution of the failure close operation S5 can be started.

  Further, from the timing of this time t6, the drive control unit 71b of the electronic control device 7 uses the power of the PTG motor 21 of the door opening / closing device 2 performing the closing operation before the latch 31 switches from the unlatched position to the half latched position. The force for pressing the back door 101 by the closing operation is weakened. Thereafter, the determination processing unit 71a determines whether or not the latch 31 at the half latch position is engaged with the ratchet 32 based on the detection result of the ratchet detection switch 35. The determination processing unit 71a determines that the latch 31 at the half latch position has been engaged with the ratchet 32 based on the detection signal from the ratchet detection switch 35 being switched from the off state to the on state. At this time, that is, at the timing of time t7 shown in FIG. 10, the drive control unit 71b stops the above-described door closing operation under the control of the PTG motor 21. As shown in FIG. 10, the door opening prevention operation S3 is executed from the timing at time t3 to the timing at time t7. At the timing of this time t7, the striker 103 is engaged and held (mechanically latched) by the latch 31 at the half latch position. That is, the back door 101 is in a half door state.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in the failure close operation S5 started from time t6, the drive control unit 71b of the electronic control unit 7 controls the latch drive motor 55 so that the sector gear 53 rotates in the forward rotation direction. . Based on this control, the latch drive motor 55 starts to rotate forward at time t6. The sector gear 53 rotates in the forward rotation direction by the forward rotation operation of the latch drive motor 55 to press the contact portion 51a of the latch lever 51 with the pressing portion 53a, and the latch 31 together with the latch lever 51 from the half latch position. A close operation is performed to rotate the full latch position.

  The full latch detection switch 34 switches from the on state to the off state at the timing when the latch 31 has finished rotating to the full latch position by this closing operation. The ratchet 32 rotates in the release direction from the set position in accordance with the rotation of the latch 31 from the half latch position to the full latch position described above, and rotates in the meshing direction while the latch 31 finishes rotating to the full latch position. Stops at the set position and engages with the latch 31 at the full latch position. The ratchet detection switch 35 switches from the on state to the off state as the ratchet 32 rotates in the release direction, and then switches from the off state to the on state as the latch 31 and the ratchet 32 are engaged.

  In such a failure close operation S5, the determination processing unit 71a of the electronic control unit 7 indicates that the detection signal from the half latch detection switch 33 is maintained in the OFF state and the detection signal from the full latch detection switch 34 is received. Based on the switching from the on state to the off state, it is determined that the latch 31 is in the full latch position. Further, after the determination of the full latch position, the determination processing unit 71a makes the latch 31 in the full latch position mesh with the ratchet 32 based on the detection signal from the ratchet detection switch 35 being switched from the off state to the on state. It is determined that it has become. At this time, that is, at the timing of time t8 shown in FIG. 10, the drive control unit 71b of the electronic control unit 7 controls the latch drive motor 55 so as to end the closing operation. Based on the control of the drive control unit 71b, the latch drive motor 55 stops the forward rotation operation at time t8 as shown in FIG. In this way, the failure close operation S5 is executed from the timing at time t6 to the timing at time t8 shown in FIG.

  After performing the failure closing operation S5 described above, the door opening / closing control system 1 executes the failure closer return operation S6 as shown in FIG. The failure closer return operation S6 is an operation for returning the sector gear 53 to the neutral position after the closing operation is completed when the closing operation is performed on the sector gear 53 after determining that the neutral position detection switch 54 has failed as described above. It is.

  In the failure closer return operation S6, the drive control unit 71b of the electronic control unit 7 latches the drive motor so as to rotate the sector gear 53 that has completed the closing operation after the neutral position detection switch 54 has failed in the reverse direction. 55 is controlled. The latch drive motor 55 performs a reverse rotation operation based on the control of the drive control unit 71b. As shown in FIG. 14, the sector gear 53 rotates in the reverse rotation direction (see the arrow in FIG. 14) from the latch lever 51 side toward the neutral position with the sector gear shaft 53c as the center, as shown in FIG. Then, the pressing portion 53 a is separated from the contact portion 51 a of the latch lever 51.

  At the same time, the drive control unit 71b calculates the elapsed time after starting the sector gear 53 after the closing operation is completed to rotate toward the neutral position (that is, the elapsed time after the latch drive motor 55 starts reverse operation). While monitoring, the latch drive motor 55 continues the reverse rotation operation. The drive control unit 71b performs latch driving so as to stop the reverse rotation operation when the elapsed time reaches a threshold elapsed time (for example, 430 [ms]) read from the storage unit 72 (timing at time t9 shown in FIG. 10). The motor 55 is controlled. Based on this control, the latch drive motor 55 stops the rotation of the sector gear 53 in the reverse direction at the timing of time t9.

  That is, the failure closer return operation S6 is executed from time t8 to time t9, as shown in FIG. As a result, as shown in FIG. 14, the sector gear 53 has the pressing portion 53 a sufficiently separated from the abutting portion 51 a of the latch lever 51 and the pressing portion 53 a on the release arm portion 52 a of the release lever 52 that operates the ratchet 32. It stops at the rotation position before the contact, that is, the neutral position (stopped state).

  After that, the door opening / closing control system 1 maintains the closed lock of the back door 101 due to the engagement between the striker 103 and the latch 31 unless the back door 101 is opened or closed manually or electrically. On the other hand, when the door opening / closing control system 1 performs a release operation as necessary, the door opening / closing control system 1 controls the drive time of the latch drive motor 55 as in the above-described failure releaser return operation S4, so that the sector gear after the release operation is completed. 53 is returned to the neutral position. Further, when the door opening / closing control system 1 performs the closing operation as necessary, the drive time of the latch driving motor 55 is controlled as in the above-described closer returning operation S6 at the time of failure, so that the sector gear after the closing operation is completed. 53 is returned to the neutral position.

  As described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, when the back door 101 of the vehicle 100 is closed, the striker 103 of the vehicle 100 is engaged with the latch 31 of the door latch device 3 and is rotated in conjunction with the latch 31. The contact portion 51a of the moving latch lever 51 is pressed by the pressing portion 53a of the sector gear 53, and the closing operation for rotating the latch 31 from the half latch position to the full latch position together with the latch lever 51 is executed. While the sector gear 53 is rotating in the direction from the latch lever 51 toward the neutral position (reverse direction), the neutral position detection switch 54 does not detect the return to the neutral position of the sector gear 53 and the ratchet detection switch 35 is set to the set position. When it is determined that the ratchet 32 is not present, the neutral position detection switch 54 is determined to have failed. In, and to perform the closing operation of the back door 101 to the door opening and closing device 2.

  For this reason, due to the failure of the neutral position detection switch 54, which is the only detection means for detecting the return to the neutral position of the sector gear 53, the sector gear 53 after the closing operation is completed pushes the release lever 52 past the neutral position. Even if the release operation for releasing the meshing state of the latch 31 and the ratchet 32 by pressing with the portion 53a is mistakenly performed, the back door 101 whose unlocked state is released by this release operation is used for the door opening / closing device 2. The driving force (power of the PTG motor 21) can be attracted to the vehicle body rear portion 104 of the vehicle 100 and closed, and unintentional opening of the back door 101 can be prevented. From this, even if the possibility that the neutral position detection switch 54 may break down can be taken into consideration, the number of the neutral position detection switches 54 can be reduced from a plurality of conventional (for example, two) to one, Even if this single neutral position detection switch 54 fails, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the back door 101 of the vehicle 100 remains open unintentionally.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, after determining that the neutral position detection switch 54 has failed, the detection result of the half latch detection switch 33 and the detection result of the full latch detection switch 34 are performed while performing the above-described closing operation. When the latch 31 is determined to be in the half latch position, the sector gear 53 is closed to rotate the latch 31 from the half latch position to the full latch position.

  For this reason, while preventing the opening of the back door 101 by the driving force of the door opening and closing device 2, the latch 31 rotated from the unlatch position to the half latch position while abutting the striker 103 and the latch 31 by this driving force, It can be rotated to the full latch position by the closing operation. As a result, the engagement state between the striker 103 and the latch 31 that is unintentionally released by the erroneous release operation described above can be recovered. As a result, the engagement state between the latch 31 and the striker 103 at the full latch position can be maintained again, so that the fully closed state of the back door 101 can be ensured, and hence the unintended opening of the back door 101 is caused. The risk of doing it can be avoided.

  Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, it is determined that the latch 31 is in the half latch position based on the execution period of the door closing operation described above, the detection result of the half latch detection switch 33 and the detection result of the full latch detection switch 34. In this case, the power of the PTG motor 21 of the door opening / closing device 2 performing the door closing operation is reduced compared to before the latch 31 is switched from the unlatched position to the half latch position, and the back door 101 is attracted and closed by the door closing operation. We weaken power. Thereby, during the period until the striker 103 is engaged and held by the latch 31 in the half latch position or the full latch position, the power of the door closing operation for continuously preventing the unintentional opening of the back door 101 is kept to the minimum necessary. can do. As a result, it is possible to reduce the load and power consumption applied to the PTG motor 21 of the door opening / closing device 2 that continues to perform the above-described closing operation.

  Furthermore, after reducing the power of the PTG motor 21 during the door closing operation as described above, whether or not the latch 31 in the half latch position is engaged with the ratchet 32 based on the detection result of the ratchet detection switch 35. The above-described door closing operation is stopped when it is determined that the latch 31 in the half latch position is engaged with the ratchet 32. As a result, the striker 103 can be engaged and held by the latch 31 in the half latch position, and after the engagement state between the latch 31 and the striker 103 can be maintained by the ratchet 32, the above-described door closing operation is unnecessary. It is possible to stop at an appropriate timing without continuing. As a result, useless load and power consumption applied to the PTG motor 21 of the door opening / closing device 2 can be omitted.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the sector gear 53 after completion of the closing operation starts to rotate toward the release lever 52 and is stopped before the pressing portion 53a is brought into contact with the release arm portion 52a of the release lever 52. When the threshold elapsed time that is the threshold of the elapsed time (determination reference value) is stored and held in advance in the storage unit 72, and it is determined that the neutral position detection switch 54 has failed, the sector gear 53 performs a closing operation. The rotation of the sector gear 53 is stopped when the elapsed time from the start of the rotation of the sector gear 53 to the neutral position after the completion of the closing operation reaches the threshold elapsed time. Therefore, the sector gear 53 that has completed the closing operation after the failure of the neutral position detection switch 54 can be returned to the neutral position by controlling the drive time of the latch drive motor 55 that generates the rotational force of the sector gear 53. .

  Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the storage unit 72 stores in advance a necessary rotation time that is a rotation time required for the sector gear 53 after the release operation to be completed to release the pressing portion 53a from the release lever 52 and return to the neutral position. After the determination that the neutral position detection switch 54 has failed, detection of the ratchet detection switch 35 while rotating the sector gear 53 with the release lever 52 pressed by the pressing portion 53a toward the neutral position. Based on the result, it is determined whether or not the ratchet 32 is in the set position, and the rotation of the sector gear 53 is stopped when the elapsed time from the time when it is determined that the ratchet 32 is in the set position reaches the required rotation time. I am letting. For this reason, the pressing portion 53a of the sector gear 53 which has performed the release operation after the failure of the neutral position detection switch 54 is controlled so as not to contact the contact portion 51a of the latch lever 51 by controlling the driving time of the latch drive motor 55. The release lever 52 can be completely separated from the release arm portion 52a. As a result, the sector gear 53 after the completion of the release operation can be returned to the neutral position.

  In the above-described embodiment, the striker 103 is driven by the driving force of the door latch device 3 (power of the latch drive motor 55) while performing the door closing operation by the door opening and closing device 2 to prevent unintentional opening of the back door 101. The latch 31 that is in contact with the head is rotated from the unlatched position to the full latched position via the half-latch position, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the turning position of the latch 31 that engages with the striker 103 is maintained at the full latch position by the power of the door closing operation in the door opening preventing operation S3 described above, and the sector gear 53 is neutralized by the above-described failure releaser return operation S4. While returning to the position, the latch 31 and the ratchet 32 in the full latch position may be engaged with each other. In this case, the failure closing operation S5 and the failure closer return operation S6 described above may not be executed.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, when the release operation is performed after the above-described failure closer return operation S6 is performed, the sector gear 53 after the release operation is completed is performed by performing the above-described failure releaser recovery operation S4. When the closing operation is performed by returning to the neutral position, the sector gear 53 after completion of the closing operation is returned to the neutral position by executing the above-described closer returning operation S6 at the time of failure. It is not limited to this. In the present invention, after the above-described closer return operation S6 at the time of failure is performed, the electronic controller 7 prohibits the electric close operation and release operation by the power of the latch drive motor 55 to maintain the closed state of the back door 101. Also good.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the back door 101 is exemplified as the door to be opened and closed of the vehicle 100, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the door to be opened / closed of the vehicle 100 may be a side door. In this case, the door opening / closing device 2 and the door latch device 3 for the back door 101 described above may be replaced with a door opening / closing device and a door latch device for the side door, respectively.

  Further, the present invention is not limited by the above-described embodiment, and the present invention includes a configuration in which the above-described constituent elements are appropriately combined. In addition, other embodiments, examples, operational techniques, and the like made by those skilled in the art based on the above-described embodiments are all included in the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Door opening / closing control system 2 Door opening / closing apparatus 3 Door latch apparatus 7 Electronic control apparatus 8 Opening operation part 9 Closing operation part 21 PTG motor 22 Arm 23 Rod 30 Engagement mechanism 31 Latch 31a Engaging groove 31b Hook part 31c Full latch latching part 31d Half Latch locking portion 31e Cam portion 31f Cam surface 32 Ratchet 32a Protrusion portion 33 Half latch detection switch 34 Full latch detection switch 35 Ratchet detection switch 36 Stopper 37 Latch shaft 38 Ratchet shaft 39 Latch spring 40 Ratchet spring 41 Housing 42 Cover plate 43 Back Plate 44 Mounting portion 45 Striker entry groove 50 Drive mechanism 51 Latch lever 51a Abutting portion 52 Release lever 52a Release arm portion 53 Sector gear 53a Pressing portion 53b Detection piece 3c Sector gear shaft 54 Neutral position detection switch 55 Latch drive motor 56 Pinion gear 57 Release lever shaft 58 Release lever spring 60 Bracket 71 Processing unit 71a Determination processing unit 71b Drive control unit 72 Storage unit 100 Vehicle 101 Back door 102 Hinge 103 Striker 104 Vehicle body rear end

Claims (6)

A door opening and closing device for opening and closing the door of the vehicle using the power of the motor;
A latch lever that rotates in conjunction with a latch that engages and holds the striker of the vehicle when the door is closed;
A ratchet that meshes with the latch and maintains the engaged state of the latch and the striker, and a release lever that releases the meshed state of the latch;
The latch lever and the release lever have a pressing portion that can be alternatively pressed, and are rotated by using the power of a motor so that the latch lever is pressed by the pressing portion together with the latch lever. A sector gear that performs a closing operation to rotate the half latch position to a full latch position, and performs a release operation to release the engagement state of the latch and the ratchet by pressing the release lever with the pressing portion;
A ratchet detector that detects whether or not the ratchet is at a set position that is a position of the ratchet that can be engaged with the latch at the half latch position or the full latch position;
A neutral position detection unit that detects return of the sector gear to a neutral position that is a rotation position of the sector gear in a state where the pressing unit is separated from the latch lever and the release lever;
While the sector gear after the closing operation is completed is rotated in the direction from the latch lever side toward the neutral position side, the neutral position detection unit does not detect the return of the sector gear to the neutral position and the ratchet detection unit When it is detected that the ratchet is not in the set position, it is determined that the neutral position detection unit has failed, and a control device that causes the door opening and closing device to perform a door closing operation to close the door;
A door opening and closing control system characterized by comprising: A half latch detector for detecting that the latch has rotated to the half latch position;
A full latch detector for detecting that the latch has rotated to the full latch position;
Further comprising
After determining that the neutral position detection unit has failed, the control device determines a rotation position of the latch based on a detection result of the half latch detection unit and a detection result of the full latch detection unit. 2. The door opening and closing according to claim 1, wherein when the position is determined to be in the half latch position, the closing operation is performed by the sector gear to rotate the latch from the half latch position to the full latch position. Control system.   When the control device determines that the latch is in the half latch position based on the execution period of the door closing operation, the detection result of the half latch detection unit and the detection result of the full latch detection unit, the door closing operation The power of the motor of the door opening and closing device performing the reduction is reduced compared to before the latch is switched from the unlatched position to the half-latch position, and the force for closing the door in the closing operation is weakened. Item 3. The door opening / closing control system according to Item 2.   The control device determines that the latch is in the half-latch position based on an execution period of the door closing operation, a detection result of the half-latch detection unit, and a detection result of the full-latch detection unit, and then the ratchet Based on the detection result of the detection unit, it is determined whether or not the latch at the half latch position is engaged with the ratchet, and the latch at the half latch position is engaged with the ratchet. The door opening / closing control system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the door closing operation is stopped at the time of determination.   The control device previously holds a threshold elapsed time from when the sector gear after completion of the closing operation starts to rotate toward the release lever until it stops before contacting the pressing portion with the release lever, If it is determined that the neutral position detection unit has failed and the sector gear performs the closing operation, the elapsed time from the start of turning the sector gear toward the neutral position after completion of the closing operation is the threshold elapsed time. The door opening / closing control system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the rotation of the sector gear is stopped when the time is reached.   The control device holds in advance a rotation time required for the sector gear after the release operation to be completed to release the pressing portion from the release lever and return to the neutral position, and the neutral position detection unit has failed. After the determination, whether or not the ratchet is in the set position based on the detection result of the ratchet detection unit while rotating the sector gear in a state where the release lever is pressed by the pressing unit toward the neutral position 6. The rotation of the sector gear is stopped when an elapsed time from the time when it is determined that the ratchet is in the set position reaches the required rotation time. The door opening and closing control system according to any one of the above.

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