JP2022033566A - Opening/closing body control device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an opening/closing body control device that can reliably return a sector gear to its neutral position, even if neutral position detection means is in failure before a latch mechanism undergoes an unlock operation under a condition that the sector gear is held at a lock end (lock position).SOLUTION: When a sector gear at a lock position Pa2 performs an operation to unlock a latch mechanism, a control device obtains the actual rotation time ta when the sector gear rotates from the lock position Pa2 to an unlock position Pa3, calculates the neutral return time T, which is the time required for the sector gear to rotate from the unlock position Pa3 to a neutral position Pa1 by multiplying the actual rotation time ta by a predetermined ratio α, and performs a neutral return operation to rotate the sector gear from the unlock position Pa3 toward the lock position Pa2, after completion of the unlocking operation by the latch mechanism, until the neutral return time T has elapsed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

The present invention relates to an opening / closing body control device.

Conventionally, there has been known an opening / closing body control device that automatically "locks" and "unlocks" an opening / closing body composed of, for example, a back door or a sliding door of a vehicle.
For example, in Patent Document 1, mainly, a locking operation of engaging with a striker provided on an opening / closing body to hold the opening / closing body in a closed state, and opening / closing the opening / closing body by releasing the engaged state with the striker. A latch mechanism that performs an unlocking operation that enables operation, and an opening / closing body drive control device (opening / closing body control device) that includes a latch mechanism control unit (control device) that controls the operation of the latch mechanism are disclosed.

Here, the latch mechanism engages with a sector gear rotatably provided from a neutral position toward an opening direction (unlocking direction) and a closing direction (locking direction), and a striker by rotating the sector gear in the closing direction. A latch that rotates in the matching direction, a ratchet that is provided so that the rotating latch can be locked and that the sector gear rotates in the opening direction to release the locked state with the latch, and the sector gear. It is provided with an electric motor for driving in the open direction and the closed direction, a neutral position detecting switch (neutral position detecting means) for detecting that the sector gear is located in the neutral position, and the like.

Then, after the unlocking operation is completed, the latch mechanism rotates the sector gear that has reached the open end (unlocking end) toward the closed end (locking end) side until the neutral position detecting means detects the sector gear. Return to the neutral position.
Further, after the locking operation is completed, the latch mechanism rotates the sector gear that has reached the closed end toward the open end side until the neutral position detecting means detects it, and returns the sector gear to the neutral position.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-50411

By the way, if the neutral position detecting means is out of order, the sector gear that rotates toward the closed end (locking end) side after the unlocking operation is completed is temporarily stopped after a lapse of a predetermined time and then opened again (unlocking). It is rotated to the end), and then it is rotated toward the closed end side by the amount of movement during the unlocking operation performed immediately before and stopped.
Therefore, in a situation where the neutral position detecting means is out of order, for example, when the unlocking operation of the latch mechanism is instructed from the state where the sector gear is stopped at the closed end, the unlocking operation is started. Since the immediately preceding sector gear was stopped at the closed end, the closed end was mistakenly recognized as the neutral position, and when the sector gear was returned to the neutral position after the unlocking operation was completed, the sector gear was rotated to the closed end. It may cause a so-called idle swing state (a phenomenon in which the latch is closed without engaging the striker).

An object of the present invention is to ensure that the sector gear is secured even if the neutral position detecting means fails when the latch mechanism is unlocked while the sector gear is held at the locking end (locking position). It is an object of the present invention to provide an opening / closing body control device capable of returning to a neutral position.
An object of the present invention is, for example, that the sector gear can be reliably returned to the neutral position even when the latch mechanism is unlocked while the sector gear is held at the locking end (locking position). The purpose is to provide an opening / closing body control device.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is as described above, and next, the means for solving this problem will be described.

That is, the opening / closing body control device according to the present invention engages with a striker to perform a locking operation of holding the opening / closing body in a closed state and an unlocking operation of releasing the striker to enable the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing body. An opening / closing body control device including a mechanism and a control device for controlling the operation of the latch mechanism, wherein the latch mechanism has a latch position in which the striker is engaged and the striker can be disengaged. The sector gear has a latch rotatably provided between the unlatch positions to be in a state and a sector gear for controlling the rotational operation of the latch, and the sector gear has a lock position for holding the latch at the latch position and the lock position. The latch is rotatably provided between the unlocking position and the unlocking position so that the latch can be displaced to the unlatch position, and the control device releases the latch mechanism from the state where the sector gear is held at the lock position. When performing the locking operation, the actual rotation time when the sector gear rotates from the locking position to the unlocking position is acquired, and the neutral return time is calculated by multiplying the actual rotation time by a predetermined ratio. After the unlocking operation by the latch mechanism is completed, the sector gear is rotated from the unlocking position to the locking position until the neutral return time elapses. do.

As the effect of the present invention, the following effects are exhibited.
That is, according to the open / close body control device according to the present invention, it is assumed that the neutral position detecting means has failed when the latch mechanism is unlocked while the sector gear is held at the lock end (locking position). Also, the sector gear can be reliably returned to the neutral position.

It is a figure which showed the schematic structure of the vehicle provided with the opening / closing body control device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which showed the structure of the opening / closing body control apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention by a block diagram. It is a figure which showed the whole structure of a latch mechanism. It is a figure which showed the internal structure of a latch mechanism. It is a diagram mainly showing the operation mode of the sector gear, (a) is a diagram showing a state in which the sector gear is located in the neutral position, and (b) is a diagram showing a state in which the sector gear has reached the locked position. Yes, (c) is a diagram showing a state in which the sector gear has reached the unlocked position. It is a figure which mainly showed the operation mode of a latch, (a) is a figure which showed the state which a latch was positioned at an unlatch position, (b) is a figure which showed the state which a latch was positioned at a half-latch position. (C) is a diagram showing a state in which the latch is located at the full latch position. It is a figure which showed the unlocking operation at the time of the neutral position detection SW failure in the opening / closing body control apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention by the timing chart. It is a figure for demonstrating a series of operations of a sector gear at the time of performing the unlocking operation when the neutral position detection SW has failed in the opening / closing body control apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

Next, the opening / closing body control device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.
For the sake of convenience, the following description will be described by defining the vertical direction, the front-rear direction, and the left-right direction of the vehicle 100 or the latch mechanism 3 by the directions of the arrows shown in FIGS. 1, 3 to 6.

[Overall configuration of open / close control device 1]
First, the overall configuration of the open / close body control device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
The opening / closing body control device 1 in the present embodiment is a device that opens / closes the opening / closing body, which is an object, by moving the opening / closing body as an object in a predetermined direction by a drive unit including a drive motor.
As an example of such an opening / closing body control device 1, for example, in the vehicle body 101 of the vehicle 100 as shown in FIG. 1, a back door 102 which is an opening / closing body for opening / closing the opening 101a on the rear back surface is used as an opening / closing body, and the back door 102 is used as the opening / closing body. An example is a back door opening / closing device that moves (rotates) the door 102 in the vertical direction.

The configuration of the switchgear control device 1 is not limited to the back door switchgear as in the present embodiment, and is, for example, a slide door provided so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction on the side surface of the vehicle body 101. It can also be used as a sliding door opening / closing device that opens and closes.
Further, the switchgear control device 1 has, for example, a shutter, a sliding door, a hinged door installed in a structure such as a store or a garage, or a foldable eaves arranged above an opening in front of the structure. It can also be used as an opening / closing device.
That is, the switchgear control device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the backdoor opening / closing device that opens / closes the backdoor 102 as described above, and moves an article or a structure that is a moving object up and down. It can be applied to various devices that move directionally, horizontally, or diagonally.

The opening / closing body control device 1 mainly opens the back door 102 and the back door 102, which are examples of the opening / closing body, in the opening direction (direction of arrow Du in FIG. 1) and the closing direction (direction of arrow Dd in FIG. 1). It is provided with a drive unit 2 for moving (opening / closing drive), a latch mechanism 3 for unlocking and locking the back door 102, and a control device 4 for controlling the operation of these drive units 2 and the latch mechanism 3.

The back door 102 is provided on both the left and right sides of the upper end portion so as to be movable (rotatable) in the vertical direction with respect to the vehicle body 101 via a hinge 103 or the like.
On the other hand, the drive unit 2 is a ceiling portion of the vehicle body 101, is provided in the vicinity of the hinge 103, and is connected to the back door 102 via a link mechanism composed of a swivel arm 21, a link arm 22, and the like. Has been done.

The drive unit 2 includes a PBD (Power Back Door) motor 23 that is a drive source, and the swivel arm 21 is rotated by the PBD motor 23 to open and close the bag door 102 via the link arm 22. The action is performed.

The structure, shape, arrangement position, and the like of the drive unit 2 are not particularly limited to the present embodiment as long as the back door 102 can be opened and closed.
For example, as another embodiment of the drive unit 2, it is composed of a drive main body unit arranged on one side in the axial direction, an advancing / retreating unit arranged on the other side in the axial direction, and being provided so as to be able to appear and disappear from the drive main body unit. Further, a stretchable rod-shaped actuator or the like may be adopted.
Further, the two drive units 2 may be arranged on both the left and right sides of the vehicle body 101 and in the vicinity of the hinge 103, or either one of the two drive units 2 may be replaced by a damper mechanism or the like. You may do it.

The latch mechanism 3 is arranged at the lower end of the front side surface of the back door 102 (that is, the inner surface of the vehicle body 101), and by closing the back door 102, the opening 101a in the vehicle body 101 is opened. The striker 104 provided near the lower part is received and engaged, and the back door 102 is held in the closed state.
Further, the latch mechanism 3 includes a latch drive motor 34 (see FIG. 3), and the latch 31 (see FIG. 4) is displaced by the latch drive motor 34 to release the engagement state with the striker 104. , The back door 102 is in a state where it can be opened.
That is, the latch mechanism 3 engages with the striker 104 to hold the back door 102 in the closed state, and the striker 104 is released to open and close the back door 102 by the drive unit 2. I do.

The details of the configuration of the latch mechanism 3 will be described later.

The control device 4 is composed of, for example, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) that controls each part of the vehicle 100, and controls and monitors each part of the opening / closing body control device 1.
As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 4 is electrically connected to the drive unit 2 and the latch mechanism 3 via wiring or the like, and is arranged inside the vehicle at the rear of the vehicle body 101 (see FIG. 1), for example. Will be done.
Further, the control device 4 is electrically connected to the open operation unit 5 and the closed operation unit 6 via wiring or the like.

Here, the opening operation unit 5 and the closing operation unit 6 are operation means for operating the opening / closing operation of the back door 102 (see FIG. 1), and are, for example, by an operation unit including an operation button or an operation switch. Each of them is configured and arranged in the vehicle of the vehicle 100 or in the handle portion of the back door 102.

Then, the opening operation unit 5 transmits an instruction signal instructing the execution of the opening operation of the back door 102 to the control device 4 in response to the user's operation.
As a result, the control device 4 that has received the instruction signal from the opening operation unit 5 transmits an electric signal to the driving unit 2 to drive the PBD motor 23 and move (rotate) the back door 102 in the opening direction.

Further, the closing operation unit 6 transmits an instruction signal instructing the execution of the closing operation of the back door 102 to the control device 4 in response to the user's operation.
As a result, the control device 4 that has received the closing operation signal from the closing operation unit 6 transmits an electric signal to the driving unit 2 to drive the PBD motor 23 and move (rotate) the back door 102 in the closing direction. ..

The control device 4 includes an arithmetic processing unit 41 that executes various processes necessary for opening / closing control of the back door 102, a storage unit 42 that stores various information such as reference values used when executing the various processes, and the like. ..
Further, the arithmetic processing unit 41 includes a determination processing unit 41a that executes various determination processes, a drive control unit 41b that executes each drive control of the drive unit 2 and the latch mechanism 3, and the like.

Then, the control device 4 receives a detection signal from each detection switch (neutral position detection SW61, half latch detection 62, full latch position detection SW63, and ratchet detection SW64) of the latch mechanism 3 described later.
Further, the control device 4 receives an instruction signal for opening / closing the back door 102 from the opening operation unit 5 or the closing operation unit 6.
As a result, the control device 4 appropriately controls the PBD motor 23 and the latch drive motor 34 based on each of these received signals, and controls the opening / closing operation of the back door 102.

[Structure of latch mechanism 3]
Next, the configuration of the latch mechanism 3 will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 6.
As shown in FIG. 3, the latch mechanism 3 mainly includes a latch 31, a ratchet 32 (see FIG. 4), a sector gear 33, a latch drive motor 34 as a drive source, and these latch 31, ratchet 32, and sector gear 33. It has a detection switch group 60 and the like for detecting each of the states.

The latch 31 engages the striker 104 provided on the vehicle body 101 (see FIG. 1) side.
As shown in FIG. 4, the latch 31 is, for example, a latch main body 31A and a latch main body 31A made of a substantially “C” -shaped plate-shaped member provided with a concave engaging groove 31A1 in a part of the outer peripheral portion. On the plane surface of the latch shaft portion 31B and the latch main body portion 31A that are penetrated in the orthogonal direction in the central portion of the plane of the above, and on the side facing the engagement groove 31A1 side with respect to the latch shaft portion 31B, the latch main body portion. It is composed of a latch cam portion 31C or the like projecting along the outer edge of 31A.

Here, as shown in FIG. 6, a half latch hooking portion 31A2 and a full latch hooking portion 31A3 that can be engaged with the hooking portion 32C of the ratchet 32, which will be described later, are engaged with the outer peripheral portion of the latch main body portion 31A. It is provided at a position approaching the groove 31A1 in order.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a latch lever 35 extending in a direction orthogonal to the latch shaft portion 31B is provided at the tip end portion of the latch shaft portion 31B, and the extending end portion of the latch lever 35 is provided. Is provided with a latch pin 36 that is parallel to the latch shaft portion 31B and extends to the side opposite to the latch main body portion 31A side.

The latch 31 is arranged on the upper surface of the lower cover 50 as a base so that the latch cam portion 31C and the latch pin 36 project upward while the axial direction of the latch shaft portion 31B is in the vertical direction. It is rotatably provided around the portion 31B.

Further, on the upper surface of the lower cover 50, a striker guide groove 50b extending from the striker entrance 50a provided at one side end portion toward the center portion of the plane is formed, and the latch 31 is a latch in a plan view. The engaging groove 31A1 of the main body 31A is arranged so as to overlap the striker guide groove 50b.

Further, a first torsion coil spring 51 is coaxially provided on the outer diameter side of the latch shaft portion 31B, and the latch 31 causes the latch shaft portion 31B to be connected by the first torsion coil spring 51. As the center, the engagement groove 31A1 rotates in the direction toward the striker entrance 50a (that is, in the counterclockwise direction around the latch shaft portion 31B in a plan view, hereinafter referred to as "opening direction"). Always being urged to do so.

With such a configuration, the latch 31 welcomes the striker 104 (see FIG. 6) that passes through the striker entrance 50a and is guided into the striker guide groove 50b into the engagement groove 31A1.

Then, the latch pin 36 is placed on the opposite side of the latch shaft portion 31B from the engagement groove 31A1 side (that is, the right side in FIG. 4) against the urging force of the first torsion coil spring 51. When pressed, the latch 31 is oriented in a direction in which the engaging groove 31A1 faces the plane center portion side of the lower cover 50 with the latch shaft portion 31B as the center (that is, in a clockwise direction centered on the latch shaft portion 31B in a plan view). It is rotated in the "engagement direction").
As a result, the striker guide groove 50b of the lower cover 50 is isolated by the engaging groove 31A1 of the latch 31, and the striker 104 is engaged by the latch 31 in the engaging groove 31A1.

The ratchet 32 engages the latch 31 that has been rotated to a predetermined position.
The ratchet 32 is, for example, one end of a ratchet main body 32A made of a substantially “L” -shaped plate member, a ratchet shaft 32B penetrating in a orthogonal direction in a plane center portion of the ratchet main body 32A, and one end of the ratchet main body 32A. It is composed of a hooking portion 32C provided on the portion, a protruding portion 32D protruding in parallel with the ratchet shaft portion 32B at the other end of the ratchet main body portion 32A, and the like.
Further, the ratchet 32 is arranged adjacent to the latch 31 on the upper surface of the lower cover 50 with the striker guide groove 50b interposed therebetween, and the latch portion 32C is arranged with the axial direction of the ratchet shaft portion 32B in the vertical direction. Is rotatably provided around the ratchet shaft portion 32B in a state where the ratchet portion 32D is directed toward the latch 31 side and the protrusion portion 32D is projected upward.

Here, a second torsion coil spring 52 is coaxially provided on the outer diameter side of the ratchet shaft portion 32B, and the second torsion coil spring 52 causes the ratchet 32 to the ratchet shaft portion 32B. The direction in which the hooking portion 32C abuts on the latch 31 and is hooked around the center (that is, the clockwise direction around the ratchet shaft portion 32B in a plan view. Hereinafter referred to as “hooking direction”). It is always urged to rotate to.

Then, as will be described later, in a state where the latch 31 is rotated to the half latch position Pb2 (see FIG. 6B), the ratchet 32 is engaged with the half latch of the latch main body 31A via the hooking portion 32C. It engages with the stop portion 31A2 and limits the rotational operation of the latch 31 (rotating operation in the counterclockwise direction in a plan view) due to the urging force of the first torsion coil spring 51.
Further, in a state where the latch 31 is rotated to the full latch position Pb3 (see FIG. 6C), the ratchet 32 engages with the full latch hooking portion 31A3 of the latch main body 31A via the hooking portion 32C. Similar to the above, the rotational operation of the latch 31 by the urging force of the first torsion coil spring 51 is limited.

On the other hand, at one end of the ratchet main body portion 32A, a lever portion 32E extending in a direction orthogonal to the ratchet shaft portion 32B is further provided, and the lever portion 32E is further provided to resist the urging force of the second torsion coil spring 52. When the lever portion 32E is pushed to the side separated from the latch 31 (that is, the left side in FIG. 4), the ratchet 32 has the ratchet shaft portion 32B as the center, and the hook portion 32C has the latch main body portion 31A. It is rotated in a direction away from each other (that is, a counterclockwise direction centered on the ratchet shaft portion 32B in a plan view, hereinafter referred to as a "release direction").
As a result, the engaged state between the latch 31 and the ratchet 32 as described above is released, and the latch 31 becomes rotatable about the latch shaft portion 31B.

The sector gear 33 rotates the latch 31 and the ratchet 32 in predetermined directions, respectively. That is, the sector gear 33 controls the rotational operation of the latch 31 and the ratchet 32.
The sector gear 33 includes, for example, a sector gear main body 33A made of a substantially fan-shaped plate-shaped member, a sector gear shaft portion 33B penetrating in the vicinity of a central angle portion in a orthogonal direction in a flat surface portion of the sector gear main body 33A, and an arc. It is composed of a sector cam portion 33C or the like provided so as to project in the vicinity of the portion.

Further, in the flat surface portion of the sector gear main body portion 33A, a sector pin 37 which is one side in the orthogonal direction and extends to the side where the sector cam portion 33C is provided is further provided in the vicinity of the arc portion.

The sector gear 33 is above the latch 31 and the ratchet 32, and between the two members 31 and 32, the sector gear shaft portion 33B is latched in the axial direction while the arc portion of the sector gear main body portion 33A is directed upward. The direction is orthogonal to the shaft portion 31B and the ratchet shaft portion 32B, and the sector pin 37 is rotatably provided around the sector gear shaft portion 33B in a state where the extending direction of the sector pin 37 is directed to both the members 31 and 32.

With such a configuration, the sector gear 33 rotates around the sector gear shaft portion 33B toward the latch 31 side (right side in FIG. 4), thereby pressing the sector pin 37 against the latch pin 36 and pressing the latch 31 against the latch pin 36 as described above. Rotate in the engagement direction.

Further, for example, in the present embodiment, a release lever 38 is rotatably provided between the sector gear 33 and the ratchet 32 about the lever shaft portion 38A, and the sector gear 33 is centered on the sector gear shaft portion 33B. By rotating to the ratchet 32 side (left side in FIG. 4), the sector pin 37 is pressed against the release lever 38, and the release lever 38 is rotated.
As a result, the rotated release lever 38 rotates the ratchet 32 in the above-mentioned release direction via the lever portion 32E.

By the way, a tooth profile portion 33A1 is formed along an outer edge in the arc portion of the sector gear main body portion 33A, and the sector gear 33 uses the pinion gear 39 of the latch drive motor 34 (see FIG. 3) via the tooth profile portion 33A1. ) Is engaged.

Then, as will be described later, in response to the instruction signal from the control device 4 (see FIG. 2), the latch drive motor 34 rotationally drives the pinion gear 39 to one side or the other side in response to the instruction signal. The sector gear 33 is also rotated in a predetermined direction, and the latch 31 and the ratchet 32 are rotated respectively.

The detection switch group 60 mainly includes a neutral position detection SW61 for detecting the state of the sector gear 33, a half latch position detection SW62 and a full latch position detection SW63 for detecting the state of the latch 31, and a ratchet detection SW64 for detecting the state of the ratchet 32. It is composed of such things.

The neutral position detection SW61 is an example of a neutral position detecting means for detecting that the rotatable sector gear 33 has reached a predetermined neutral position Pa1 (see FIG. 5A), and the sector gear 33 is in the neutral position. It is a detection means for detecting whether or not it is in the state of being located at Pa1.
Here, the "neutral position Pa1" is the rotational position of the sector gear 33 located between the locking position Pa2 and the unlocking position Pa3, which will be described later, and the sector gear 33 determines which of the latch 31 and the ratchet 32. Also means a standby position that does not rotate.

The neutral position detection SW61 is composed of a push button type detector, and is in the "OFF" state when the push button is pressed by the sector cam portion 33C of the sector gear 33, and is released from the pressed state by the sector cam portion 33C. It is set to function as a so-called "b contact switch" that is in the "ON" state.

The neutral position detection SW61 may be limited to the present embodiment as long as it can detect whether or not the sector gear 33 is located at the neutral position Pa1, and its detection method and ON-OFF switching format are limited to this embodiment. It's not a thing.

The half-latch position detection SW62 is a detection means for detecting whether or not the latch 31 has reached the half-latch position Pb2 (see FIG. 6B).
Here, the "half-latch position Pb2" is a stage before the back door 102 (see FIG. 1) is completely closed, and the striker 104 can be engaged by the latch 31 (so-called half-door). It means the rotation position to be the state).

The half-latch position detection SW62 is composed of a push button type detector, and is turned “ON” by pressing the push button by the latch cam portion 31C of the latch 31, and is released from the pressed state by the latch cam portion 31C. It is set to function as a so-called "a contact switch" that is in the "OFF" state.

The half-latch position detection SW62 may be limited to the present embodiment as long as it can detect whether or not the latch 31 has reached the half-latch position Pb2, and its detection method and ON-OFF switching format are limited to this embodiment. is not it.

The full latch position detection SW63 is a detection means for detecting whether or not the latch 31 has reached the full latch position Pb3 (see FIG. 6C).
Here, the "full latch position Pb3" is a stage in which the back door 102 is in a completely closed state, and the rotation passes through the half latch position Pb2 so that the striker 104 can be engaged by the latch 31. Means position.

The full latch position detection SW63 includes a push button type detector, and like the above half latch position detection SW62, the push button is pressed by the latch cam portion 31C of the latch 31 to turn it into an “ON” state, and the latch cam It is set to function as a so-called "a contact switch", which is in an "OFF" state when released from the pressed state by the unit 31C.

The full latch position detection SW63 may be capable of detecting whether or not the latch 31 has reached the full latch position Pb3, and the detection method and the ON-OFF switching format are not limited to this embodiment. ..

The ratchet detection SW64 is a detection means for detecting whether or not the ratchet 32 is in a state of being engaged with the latch 31.
Specifically, the ratchet detection SW64 is a detection means for detecting whether or not the ratchet 32 is in a state in which the latch 31 that has reached the half latch position Pb2 or the full latch position Pb3 is engaged.

The ratchet detection SW64 is composed of a push button type detector, and is in the "OFF" state when the push button is pressed by the protrusion 32D of the ratchet 32, and is released from the pressed state by the protrusion 32D. It is set to function as a so-called "b contact switch" that is in the "ON" state.

The ratchet detection SW64 may be capable of detecting whether or not the ratchet 32 is engaged with the latch 31, and the detection method and the ON-OFF switching format are not limited to the present embodiment.

[Operation procedure of latch mechanism 3]
Next, the operation procedure of the latch mechanism 3 when opening and closing the back door 102 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.
First, as shown in FIG. 5A, for example, in the initial state in which the latch drive motor 34 (see FIG. 3) has not yet received the instruction signal from the control device 4 (see FIG. 2). , The sector gear 33 is normally stopped at the neutral position Pa1.
In this state, the sector pin 37 is located between the latch pin 36 and the release lever 38, and is not in contact with any of these members 36 and 37.

The neutral position detection SW61 is pressed by the sector cam portion 33C and is in the OFF state.

When the back door 102 (see FIG. 1) is closed, as shown in FIG. 6A, the latch 31 is in a state of being stopped at the unlatch position Pb1 as an initial state, and the engagement groove 31A1 is in a state of being stopped. However, it is in a state of communicating with the striker guide groove 50b toward the striker entrance 50a side.
Here, the "unlatch position Pb1" means the rotation position of the latch 31 so that the striker 104 can be detached from the striker guide groove 50b.

Further, the ratchet 32 is rotated in the hooking direction by the urging force of the second torsion coil spring 52 (see FIG. 4), and the hooking portion 32C abuts on the outer edge portion of the latch main body portion 31A. It is in a state of being.

In the above state, both the half latch position detection SW62 and the full latch position detection SW63 are pressed by the latch cam portion 31C and are in the ON state.
Further, the ratchet detection SW64 is in a state of being released from the pressed state by the protrusion 32D, and is in an ON state.

Then, when the closing operation unit 6 (see FIG. 2) described above is operated or the back door 102 is moved in the closing direction by the user's hand, the striker 104 enters the striker guide groove 50b and the latch 31 It comes into contact with the inner peripheral portion of the engaging groove 31A1 of.

Then, as the movement of the back door 102 progresses, the latch 31 is gradually rotated in the engaging direction by the striker 104 against the urging force of the first torsion coil spring 51 (see FIG. 4). At the same time, the ratchet 32 resists the urging force of the second torsion coil spring 52 while sliding the latch portion 32C along the first curved portion 31A4 formed on the outer edge portion of the latch main body portion 31A. Is gradually rotated in the release direction.

By rotating the ratchet 32 in the release direction, the ratchet detection SW64 is pressed by the protrusion 32D and switched to the OFF state.

When the rotation operation of the latch 31 further progresses and the latch portion 32C of the ratchet 32 passes through the first curved portion 31A4, the ratchet 32 immediately rotates in the latching direction by the urging force of the second torsion coil spring 52. Then, as shown in FIG. 6B, the hooking portion 32C engages with the half-latch hooking portion 31A2 of the latch main body portion 31A.
As a result, the latch 31 is stopped at the half latch position Pb2 which is the first engaged state engaged with the striker 104, and the ratchet 32 regulates the rotational operation in the opening direction.
As a result, the back door 102 is held in a so-called half-door state, which is a stage before the completely closed state.

When the latch 31 reaches the half latch position Pb2 and stops, the half latch position detection SW62 is released from the pressed state by the latch cam portion 31C (in other words, the latch cam portion 31C is released from the half latch position detection SW62). Switch to the OFF state.
Further, when the ratchet 32 engages with the half-latch hooking portion 31A2 of the latch main body 31A via the hooking portion 32C, the ratchet detection SW64 is released again from the pressed state by the protrusion 32D and switched to the ON state. To.

The control device 4 that has grasped that the latch 31 has reached the half-latch position Pb2 and stopped by the signal from each detection switch (half-latch position detection SW62, full-latch position detection SW63, and ratchet detection SW64) waits for a predetermined time. After the lapse of time (time lag), the locking operation by the latch mechanism 3 is started immediately.
Specifically, in FIG. 5A, the control device 4 transmits an instruction signal to the latch drive motor 34 (see FIG. 3), and the pinion gear 39 is described as a predetermined side (hereinafter referred to as “normal rotation side”). The sector gear 33 is rotationally driven toward the latch 31 side (hereinafter, referred to as “locking side”).

Since the sector cam portion 33C is detached from the neutral position detection SW61 due to the rotational operation of the sector gear 33, the neutral position detection SW61 is released from the pressed state by the sector cam portion 33C and is switched to the ON state.

As the rotation of the sector gear 33 progresses, the sector pin 37 comes into contact with the latch pin 36 of the latch 31.
After that, when the rotation operation of the sector gear 33 further progresses, the latch 31 gradually moves in the engaging direction again against the urging force of the first torsion coil spring 51 while the latch pin 36 is pushed by the sector pin 37. While being rotated, the ratchet 32 slides the hook portion 32C along the second curved portion 31A5 formed on the outer edge portion of the latch main body portion 31A (see FIG. 6B). It is gradually rotated in the release direction again against the urging force of the two-twisting coil spring 52.

By rotating the ratchet 32 in the release direction, the ratchet detection SW64 is pressed by the protrusion 32D and switched to the OFF state again.

Then, as shown in FIG. 6 (c), when the hooking portion 32C of the ratchet 32 passes through the second curved portion 31A5, the ratchet 32 immediately moves in the hooking direction by the urging force of the second torsion coil spring 52. It is rotated and the hooking portion 32C engages with the full latch hooking portion 31A3 of the latch main body portion 31A.
As a result, the latch 31 is stopped at the full latch position Pb3 which is in the second engaged state engaged with the striker 104, and the ratchet 32 regulates the rotational operation in the opening direction.
As a result, the back door 102 is locked in a completely closed state.

When the latch 31 reaches the full latch position Pb3 and stops, the full latch position detection SW63 is released from the pressed state by the latch cam portion 31C (in other words, the latch cam portion 31C is released from the full latch position detection SW63) and is turned off. Switch.
Further, when the ratchet 32 engages with the full latch hooking portion 31A3 of the latch main body 31A via the hooking portion 32C, the ratchet detection SW64 is released again from the pressed state by the protrusion 32D and switched to the ON state. ..

On the other hand, when the latch 31 reaches the full latch position Pb3 and stops, the control device 4 immediately stops the transmission of the instruction signal to the latch drive motor 34, and stops the rotational drive of the pinion gear 39 by the latch drive motor 34. ..
As a result, as shown in FIG. 5B, the sector gear 33 is in a stopped state at the locking position Pa2.
Here, the "locking position Pa2" means the rotation position of the sector gear 33 in which the latch 31 is held at the latch position (more specifically, the full latch position Pb3).

The control device 4 in which the sector gear 33 is stopped at the locked position Pa2 then starts the operation of returning to the neutral position Pa1 of the sector gear 33.
Specifically, the control device 4 transmits an instruction signal to the latch drive motor 34 again, and causes the pinion gear 39 to be rotationally driven to the side opposite to the normal rotation side (hereinafter, referred to as “reverse rotation side”). , The sector gear 33 is rotated toward the ratchet 32 side (hereinafter, referred to as "unlocking side").

Then, as shown in FIG. 5A, the neutral position detection SW61 is pressed by the sector cam portion 33C, and the neutral position detection SW61 is turned off again, so that the control device 4 sets the sector gear 33 to the neutral position Pa1. It is determined that the signal has been reached, the transmission of the instruction signal to the latch drive motor 34 is stopped, and the operation of returning to the neutral position Pa1 of the sector gear 33 is completed.
As a result, the locking operation by the latch mechanism 3 is completed, and the closing operation of the back door 102 is completed.

The closing operation of the back door 102 is executed according to the procedure shown above, while the opening operation of the back door 102 is executed according to the following procedure.
That is, when the back door 102 is opened, as shown in FIG. 6C, the latch 31 is in a state of being stopped at the full latch position Pb3 as an initial state, and the striker 104 is caused by the engaging groove 31A1. It is in an engaged state.

Further, the ratchet 32 is rotated in the engaging direction by the urging force of the second torsion coil spring 52, and the engaging portion 32C is in a state of being engaged with the full latch engaging portion 31A3 of the latch 31.
That is, the latch 31 is in a state in which the rotation operation in the opening direction is restricted by the ratchet 32.

In the above state, both the half-latch position detection SW62 and the full-latch position detection SW63 are in a state of being released from the pressed state by the latch cam portion 31C of the latch 31, and are in the OFF state.
Further, the ratchet detection SW64 is in a state of being released from the pressed state by the protrusion 32D of the ratchet 32, and is in the ON state.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5A, in the initial state, the sector gear 33 is normally stopped at the neutral position Pa1 as in the case of closing the back door 102 described above.

The neutral position detection SW61 is pressed by the sector cam portion 33C and is in the OFF state.

Then, by operating the opening operation unit 5 (see FIG. 2) described above, the control device 4 starts the unlocking operation by the latch mechanism 3.
Specifically, the control device 4 transmits an instruction signal to the latch drive motor 34, drives the pinion gear 39 to rotate on the reverse side, and rotates the sector gear 33 toward the unlock side.

Since the sector cam portion 33C is detached from the neutral position detection SW61 due to the rotational operation of the sector gear 33, the neutral position detection SW61 is released from the pressed state by the sector cam portion 33C and is switched to the ON state.

As the rotation of the sector gear 33 progresses, the sector pin 37 comes into contact with the release lever 38.
After that, when the rotation operation of the sector gear 33 further progresses, the release lever 38 is rotated to a predetermined side about the lever shaft portion 38A while being pushed by the sector pin 37.
As a result, the ratchet 32 is gradually rotated in the release direction against the urging force of the second torsion coil spring 52 while the lever portion 32E is pushed by the lower end portion of the release lever 38.

By rotating the ratchet 32 in the release direction, the ratchet detection SW64 is pressed by the protrusion 32D and switched to the OFF state.

Then, when the latch portion 32C of the ratchet 32 is disengaged from the full latch hook portion 31A3 of the latch 31 and the restriction on the rotation operation of the latch 31 in the opening direction by the ratchet 32 is released, the latch 31 is engaged. With the striker 104 engaged in the groove 31A1, the striker 104 is immediately rotated in the opening direction by the urging force of the first torsion coil spring 51, and reaches the unlatch position Pb1 as shown in FIG. 6A. And stop.
Further, with the rotation operation of the latch 31, the full latch position detection SW63 and the half latch position detection SW62 are sequentially pressed by the latch cam portion 31C to switch to the ON state.
As a result, the striker 104 is in a state where it can be detached from the striker guide groove 50b, the locked state of the striker 104 by the latch mechanism 3 is released, and the back door 102 is unlocked so as to be able to open and close.

Further, the control device 4 immediately stops the transmission of the instruction signal to the latch drive motor 34 at the timing when the full latch position detection SW 63 is switched to the ON state, and stops the rotation drive of the pinion gear 39 by the latch drive motor 34. Let me.
As a result, as shown in FIG. 5C, the sector gear 33 is in a stopped state at the unlocking position Pa3.
Here, the "unlocking position Pa3" means the rotation position of the sector gear 33 in which the latch 31 is released from the restriction of the rotation operation by the ratchet 32 and the latch 31 can be displaced to the unlatch position Pb1. do.

After that, for example, when the back door 102 is moved in the opening direction by the user's hand and the striker 104 is completely separated from the striker guide groove 50b, the control device 4 starts the operation of returning to the neutral position Pa1 of the sector gear 33.
Specifically, the control device 4 transmits an instruction signal to the latch drive motor 34 again, drives the pinion gear 39 to rotate in the forward rotation side, and rotates the sector gear 33 toward the locking side.

As the rotation operation of the sector gear 33 progresses, the release lever 38 is rotated around the lever shaft portion 38A in a state of being in contact with the sector pin 37, and is pushed in the release direction by the lower end portion of the release lever 38. The ratchet 32 is gradually rotated in the engaging direction by the urging force of the second torsion coil spring 52.

After that, as shown in FIG. 6A, when the latch portion 32C of the ratchet 32 comes into contact with the outer edge portion of the latch main body portion 31A, the release lever 38 separates from the ratchet 32 and stops the rotational operation. ..
Further, when the rotation operation of the release lever 38 is stopped, the sector gear 33 separates the sector pin 37 from the release lever 38 and further rotates toward the locking side.

Then, as shown in FIG. 5A, the neutral position detection SW61 is pressed by the sector cam portion 33C, and the neutral position detection SW61 is turned off again, so that the control device 4 sets the sector gear 33 to the neutral position Pa1. It is determined that the signal has been reached, the transmission of the instruction signal to the latch drive motor 34 is stopped, and the operation of returning to the neutral position Pa1 of the sector gear 33 is completed.
As a result, the unlocking operation by the latch mechanism 3 is completed, and the opening operation of the back door 102 is completed.

By the way, in the opening / closing body control device 1 of the present embodiment, in the operation of returning to the neutral position Pa1 of the sector gear 33 when the above-mentioned back door 102 is opened, the control response to the failure of the neutral position detection SW61 is taken. There is a plan.

That is, although the details will be described later, in the present embodiment, after the striker 104 is completely separated from the striker guide groove 50b, the neutral position is detected when the sector gear 33 located at the unlocking position Pa3 is rotated to the neutral position Pa1. When the SW61 is out of order, the sector gear 33 is rotated to the latch 31 side for a predetermined time (“neutral return time T” described later) derived by a preset calculation program to move the sector gear 33 to the neutral position Pa1. Is to be reached.
Further, in the above calculation program, a predetermined predetermined time set in advance with respect to the actual elapsed time required for the sector gear 33 to rotate from the lock position Pa2 to the unlock position Pa3 (“actual rotation time Ta” described later). A predetermined time (neutral return time T) is calculated by multiplying by the ratio α.

By providing such a control measure, in a situation where the neutral position detection SW61 is out of order, for example, the sector gear 33 is stopped at the locked position Pa2 for some reason, and the latch mechanism 3 is released. Even when the lock operation is instructed, the sector gear 33 can be more reliably returned to the neutral position Pa1 according to the opening / closing body control device 1 in the present embodiment.

[Operation procedure for opening the back door 102 when the neutral position detection SW61 fails]
Next, the operation procedure when the back door 102 is opened under the condition that the neutral position detection SW61 is out of order will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8.
First, as shown in FIG. 7, the neutral position detection SW61 is out of order and is always in the ON state without being involved in each operation of the latch mechanism 3 (events E01 to E07 described later).
The failure status of the neutral position detection SW61 is not limited to this embodiment, and may be always in the OFF state regardless of each operation of the latch mechanism 3.

Further, as a prerequisite for opening the back door 102, the back door 102 is in a completely closed state, and as shown in FIG. 6 (c), the latch 31 is stopped at the full latch position Pb3. The ratchet 32 regulates the rotation operation in the opening direction.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, both the half-latch position detection SW62 and the full-latch position detection SW63 are in the OFF state, and the ratchet detection SW64 is in the ON state.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, the sector gear 33 has, for example, an emergency response to the closing operation of the back door 102 when the neutral position detection SW61 fails, or an unexpected impact is applied from the outside. For some reason, it is stopped at the locking position Pa2.

In the latch mechanism 3 in such an initial state, as shown in FIG. 7, for example, when the opening operation unit 5 (see FIG. 2) is operated at the timing of time t1, the event E01 is executed.

When the event E01 is executed, the control device 4 transmits an instruction signal to the latch drive motor 34 to rotate the sector gear 33 toward the unlocking side (see FIG. 8).
That is, the operating state of the latch drive motor 34 is the open state (OPEN state) for opening the back door 102.

Then, the ratchet 32 is rotated in the release direction by the rotation operation of the sector gear 33, and the ratchet detection SW 64 is switched to the OFF state.
Further, by rotating the ratchet 32 in the release direction, the latch 31 is released from the restriction of the rotation operation by the ratchet 32.
As a result, for example, the reaction force of the weather strip (not shown) interposed along the circumference of the opening 101a (or the back door 102) between the opening 101a of the vehicle body 101 and the back door 102, etc. Under the influence of, the latch 31 is immediately rotated in the opening direction, and the full latch position detection SW63 and the half latch position detection SW62 are immediately switched to the ON state in order.

On the other hand, the control device 4 controls the latch drive motor 34 according to the timing of the time t2 when either one of the full latch position detection SW63 or the half latch position detection SW62 (in this embodiment, the full latch position detection SW63) is switched to the ON state. The transmission of the instruction signal to is stopped, and the sector gear 33 is stopped at the unlocking position Pa3 (see FIG. 8).
That is, the operating state of the latch drive motor 34 is the stopped state (OFF state).
As a result, the event E01 ends, and then the event E02 is executed.

Then, as shown in FIG. 8, in the present embodiment, when the latch mechanism 3 is unlocked from the state where the sector gear 33 is in the lock position Pa2, the control device 4 controls the lock position when the event E01 is executed. It is preset to acquire the actual rotation time ta when the sector gear 33 rotates from Pa2 to the unlocking position Pa3, and the acquired information of the actual rotation time ta is stored in the storage unit 42 (see FIG. 2). ) Is temporarily stored.
Specifically, the control device 4 determines that the sector gear 33 has reached the predetermined unlocking position Pa3 at the timing when the ratchet detection SW64 is switched to the OFF state, and the latch drive motor 34 is in the OPEN state from the time t1. The time until the above timing is stored in the storage unit 42 as the actual rotation time ta.

The reason why the sector gear 33 is determined to have reached the predetermined unlocking position Pa3 at the timing when the ratchet detection SW64 is switched to the OFF state is as follows.
That is, as described above, the full latch position detection SW63 (or the half latch position detection SW62) is turned on from the OFF state at the timing when the latch drive motor 34 that rotates the sector gear 33 switches from the OPEN state to the OFF state. Although it is the timing of the time t2 for switching to the state, the time t2 may vary slightly due to changes in the surrounding environment or the like.
Specifically, the latch 31 released from the restricted state by the ratchet 32 is immediately rotated in the opening direction under the influence of the reaction force of the weatherstrip, and the full latch position detection SW63 and the half latch position detection SW62 It immediately switches to the ON state in order, but the timing at which these full-latch position detection SW63 and half-latch position detection SW62 are switched is due to changes in the surrounding environment (for example, changes in the elastic force of the weatherstrip due to changes in the ambient temperature, etc.). Some variation may occur depending on the inclination angle of the vehicle body 101, etc.).

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the timing of the time t2 (that is, the full latch position detection SW63 (or the half latch position detection SW62), which may cause some variation due to such a change in the surrounding environment, is turned ON from the OFF state. Instead of the timing of switching to the state), it is determined that the sector gear 33 has reached the predetermined unlocking position Pa3 at the timing when the ratchet detection SW64 is switched to the OFF state, which is not easily affected by the change in the surrounding environment.

However, the timing for determining that the sector gear 33 has reached the predetermined unlocking position Pa3 is not limited to this embodiment, and is, for example, the timing at which the latch drive motor 34 actually switches from the OPEN state to the OFF state. It may be judged by.

As shown in FIG. 7, the event E02 is continuously executed even after the half latch position detection SW62 is switched to the ON state, and as described above, the striker 104 is completely separated from the striker guide groove 50b. It ends at the timing of the detected time t3, and the event E03 is subsequently executed.

When the event E03 is executed, the control device 4 starts the operation of returning to the neutral position Pa1 of the sector gear 33.
Specifically, the control device 4 transmits an instruction signal to the latch drive motor 34, and rotates the sector gear 33 toward the locking side (see FIG. 8).
That is, the operating state of the latch drive motor 34 is the closed state (CLOSE state) for closing the back door 102.

Then, when the sector gear 33 is rotated to a predetermined position, the sector pin 37 is separated from the release lever 38, the ratchet 32 is rotated in the hooking direction, and the ratchet detection SW 64 is switched to the ON state.
Further, even after the ratchet detection SW64 is switched to the ON state, the rotation operation of the sector gear 33 is continuously executed.

Here, the arithmetic processing unit 41 (see FIG. 2) of the control device 4 stores an abnormality determination program for determining the presence or absence of a failure of the neutral position detection SW61, and the abnormality determination program is the unlocking position Pa3. Even after a predetermined time (abnormality determination time) in which the sector gear 33 can sufficiently reach the neutral position Pa1 has elapsed, the neutral position detection SW61 does not switch from the ON state to the OFF state (that is, the sector gear 33 is not detected). , It is determined that the neutral position detection SW61 is in an abnormal state and is out of order.

Then, the control device 4 executes the abnormality determination program at the same time as the start of the rotation operation of the sector gear 33 to the lock side, and performs the return operation to the neutral position Pa1 of the sector gear 33.

Even if the rotation operation of the sector gear 33 progresses and the sector gear 33 reaches the neutral position Pa1 (see FIG. 8), as described above, in the present embodiment, the neutral position detection SW61 has failed and is turned on. It does not switch from the state to the OFF state.
In this case, the control device 4 determines that "the neutral position detection SW61 is in an abnormal state (failed)" depending on the timing of the time t4 when the predetermined time (abnormality determination time) in the abnormality determination program has elapsed. The transmission of the instruction signal to the latch drive motor 34 is stopped, and the rotational operation of the sector gear 33 is temporarily stopped.
That is, the operating state of the latch drive motor 34 is the stopped state (OFF state).
As a result, the event E03 ends, and then the event E05 is executed at the timing of the time t5 when the event E04, which is a predetermined waiting time (time lag), has elapsed.

When the neutral position detection SW61 is in the normal state and the sector gear 33 reaches the neutral position Pa1, the neutral position detection SW61 detects the sector gear 33 and switches from the ON state to the OFF state, the control device 4 Stops the transmission of the instruction signal to the latch drive motor 34 at the timing detected by the neutral position detection SW61, stops the rotation operation of the sector gear 33, and returns to the neutral position Pa1 of the sector gear 33. finish.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the abnormal state of the neutral position detection SW61 is confirmed, the control device 4 reads the information of the actual rotation time ta described above from the storage unit 42, and the arithmetic processing unit 41 (FIG. 2). The neutral return time T, which is the time required for the sector gear 33 to rotate from the unlocked position Pa3 to the neutral position Pa1, is immediately calculated by multiplying the actual rotation time ta by a predetermined ratio α. (T = ta × α), and the calculated neutral return time T information is temporarily stored in the storage unit 42.

Regarding the arithmetic processing for calculating the neutral return time T, for example, in the event E01 for acquiring the actual rotation time ta without waiting for the confirmation of the abnormal state of the neutral position detection SW61 as in the present embodiment. It may be executed immediately after the end.

When the event E05 is executed, the control device 4 immediately starts the retry operation.
Specifically, the control device 4 transmits an instruction signal to the latch drive motor 34, and rotates the sector gear 33 toward the unlocking side again.
That is, the operating state of the latch drive motor 34 becomes the open state (OPEN state) again.

Then, the rotation operation of the sector gear 33 proceeds, the ratchet 32 is rotated again in the release direction, and the control device 4 unlocks the sector gear 33 again at the timing of the time t6 when the ratchet detection SW64 is switched to the OFF state. It is determined that the position Pa3 has been reached, the transmission of the instruction signal to the latch drive motor 34 is stopped, and the rotation operation of the sector gear 33 is stopped.
That is, the operating state of the latch drive motor 34 is the stopped state (OFF state).
As a result, the event E05 ends, and then the event E07 is executed at the timing of the time t7 when the event E06, which is a predetermined waiting time (time lag), has elapsed.

When the event E07 is executed, the control device 4 starts the return operation to the neutral position Pa1 of the sector gear 33 again.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the control device 4 reads the above-mentioned information on the neutral return time T from the storage unit 42, and gives an instruction signal to the latch drive motor 34 until the neutral return time elapses. Is transmitted, and the sector gear 33 is rotated again from the unlocking position Pa3 toward the locking position Pa2.
That is, the operating state of the latch drive motor 34 becomes the closed state (CLOSE state) again.

Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the control device 4 stops the transmission of the instruction signal to the latch drive motor 34 at the timing of the time t8 when the neutral return time T elapses from the time t7, and the sector gear 33 Stop the rotation operation.
That is, the operating state of the latch drive motor 34 is the stopped state (OFF state).
As a result, the event E07 ends, the retry operation is completed, and the sector gear 33 is surely stopped (returned) at the predetermined neutral position Pa1.

[effect]
As described above, the opening / closing body control device 1 in the present embodiment engages with the striker 104 to hold the back door (opening / closing body) 102 in the closed state, and opens the striker 104 to open the back door 102. It is an opening / closing body control device including a latch mechanism 3 that performs an unlocking operation that enables an opening / closing operation, and a control device 4 that controls the operation of the latch mechanism 3.

Here, the latch mechanism 3 rotates between the latch position (half latch position Pb2 and full latch position Pb3) in which the striker 104 is engaged and the unlatch position Pb1 in which the striker 104 can be disengaged. It has a latch 31 that can be provided, and a sector gear 33 that controls the rotational operation of the latch 31.
Further, the sector gear 33 has a locking position Pa2 that holds the latch 31 at the latch position (half latch position Pb2 and a full latch position Pb3), an unlocking position Pa3 that displaces the latch 31 to the unlatch position Pb1, and a locking position Pa2. It is rotatably provided at the neutral position Pa1 between the unlocking position Pa3 and the unlocking position Pa3.

Then, when the control device 4 performs the unlocking operation of the latch mechanism 3 from the state where the sector gear 33 is in the locking position Pa2, the actual rotation time when the sector gear 33 rotates from the locking position Pa2 to the unlocking position Pa3. The neutral return time T, which is the time required for the sector gear 33 to rotate from the unlocking position Pa3 to the neutral position Pa1 by acquiring ta, is calculated by multiplying the actual rotation time ta by a predetermined ratio α (T). = Ta × α).
After that, after the unlocking operation by the latch mechanism 3 is completed, the control device 4 rotates the sector gear 33 from the unlocking position Pa3 to the locking position Pa2 until the neutral return time T elapses. It is characterized by performing (returning operation to the neutral position Pa1 of the sector gear 33).

Here, the rotation time when the sector gear 33 rotates from the unlocked position Pa3 to the neutral position Pa1 is, for example, a variation in the applied voltage of the latch drive motor 34 that rotates the sector gear 33, a change in the ambient temperature, and the like. There is a large variation due to the influence of.
However, the ratio of the rotation time to the total rotation time when the sector gear 33 rotates between the lock position Pa2 and the unlock position Pa3 is the fluctuation of the applied voltage of the latch drive motor 34 and the surroundings. It is not easily affected by temperature changes, and is almost constant.

Therefore, in the opening / closing body control device 1 of the present embodiment, when the latch mechanism 3 is unlocked from the state where the sector gear 33 is in the locking position Pa2, the sector gear 33 is operated from the locking position Pa2 to the unlocking position Pa3. The neutral return time T is calculated by multiplying the actual rotation time ta when rotating by a predetermined ratio α (T = ta × α), and after the unlocking operation Pa3 is completed, the sector gear 33 is returned to the neutral position Pa1. At this time, the sector gear 33 is rotated from the unlocking position Pa3 to the locking position Pa2 until the neutral return time T elapses.
Therefore, for example, even when the latch mechanism 3 is unlocked while the sector gear 33 is held at the locked position (locking end) Pa2, the sector gear 33 can be reliably returned to the neutral position Pa1. can.

Further, in the opening / closing body control device 1 of the present embodiment, the latch mechanism 3 has a neutral position detecting SW (neutral position detecting means) 61 for detecting that the sector gear 33 has reached the neutral position Pa1.

Then, after the unlocking operation by the latch mechanism 3 is completed, the control device 4 rotates the sector gear 33 from the unlocking position Pa3 toward the locking position Pa2, and when the neutral position detection SW61 detects the sector gear 33, it is neutral. The rotation operation of the sector gear 33 is stopped at the timing detected by the position detection SW61.

On the other hand, if the neutral position detection SW61 does not detect the sector gear 33 even after the lapse of a predetermined time, the control device 4 determines that the neutral position detection SW61 is out of order, and determines that the neutral position detection SW61 is out of order, and again the sector gear 33 up to the unlocking position Pa3. Is rotated, and then the above-mentioned neutral return operation is performed.

With such a configuration, according to the opening / closing body control device 1 in the present embodiment, when the failure of the neutral position detection SW61 continues, the sector gear 33 is surely based on the above-mentioned neutral return time T. Can be returned to the neutral position Pa1, and when the failure of the neutral position detection SW61 is repaired, the sector gear 33 is immediately directly detected by the neutral position detection SW61, and the sector gear 33 is reliably set to the neutral position Pa1. Can be restored to.

1 Open / close body control device 3 Latch mechanism 4 Control device 31 Latch 33 Sector gear 61 Neutral position detection SW (Neutral position detection means)
102 Back door (opening and closing body)
104 Striker Pa1 Neutral position Pa2 Locking position Pa3 Unlocking position Pb1 Unlatch position Pb2 Half-latch position (latch position)
Pb3 full latch position (latch position)
T Neutral return time ta Actual rotation time α Predetermined ratio

Claims (2)

A latch mechanism that engages with the striker to hold the open / close body in the closed state, and unlocks the striker to open and close the open / close body.
An opening / closing body control device including a control device for controlling the operation of the latch mechanism.
The latch mechanism is
A latch provided so as to be rotatable between a latch position in which the striker is engaged and an unlatch position in which the striker can be disengaged.
It has a sector gear that controls the rotational operation of the latch.
The sector gear is
It is rotatably provided at a locking position where the latch is held at the latch position, an unlocking position where the latch can be displaced to the unlatch position, and a neutral position between the locking position and the unlocking position. Be,
The control device is
When the unlocking operation of the latch mechanism is performed from the state where the sector gear is in the locked position,
The neutral return time, which is the time required for the sector gear to rotate from the unlocked position to the neutral position by acquiring the actual rotation time when the sector gear rotates from the locked position to the unlocked position. Is calculated by multiplying the actual rotation time by a predetermined ratio.
After the unlocking operation by the latch mechanism is completed,
Until the neutral return time elapses, the neutral return operation is performed by rotating the sector gear from the unlock position to the lock position.
Open / close body control device. The latch mechanism is
It has a neutral position detecting means for detecting that the sector gear has reached the neutral position.
The control device is
After the unlocking operation by the latch mechanism is completed,
The sector gear is rotated from the unlocked position toward the locked position.
When the neutral position detecting means detects the sector gear, the rotation operation of the sector gear is stopped at the timing detected by the neutral position detecting means.
If the neutral position detecting means does not detect the sector gear even after a lapse of a predetermined time, it is determined that the neutral position detecting means is out of order, and the sector gear is rotated to the unlocked position again. After that, the neutral return operation is performed.
The opening / closing body control device according to claim 1.

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