JP3037877B2 - Drive control device for movable spoiler and method for detecting abnormal operation of movable spoiler - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a drive control device for a movable spoiler and a method for detecting a malfunction of a movable spoiler, and more particularly to a movable spoiler for controlling the drive of a drive means to move a spoiler to a retracted position and a deployed position. A drive control device and an operation abnormality detection method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a spoiler (front spoiler) is provided below a head portion of a vehicle, for example, an automobile. The front spoiler applies downforce to the vehicle, preventing the vehicle from skidding during high-speed driving,
The driving stability of the car has been improved. However, the spoiler can improve the steering stability of the vehicle at high speeds, but at low speeds, at low speeds such as when traveling on rough roads and when parking, the spoiler may interfere with the road surface and curbs. The situation is easily damaged.

For this reason, the spoiler is set (developed) to a position where an effect is obtained depending on conditions such as a switch and a vehicle speed.
It is preferable to attach a movable spoiler that can be set (retracted) at a position that does not cause running resistance, and is already known (for example, JP-A-3-90485). Such a movable spoiler is provided with a motor for moving a spoiler body (spoiler panel) to a deployed position and a retracted position. This motor fixes a crank arm to a worm-reduced output shaft, and attaches the crank arm to the crank arm. It is connected to the spoiler by a so-called link mechanism that is swingably connected.

[0004]

However, for example, when a part of the link mechanism is disengaged and the driving force of the motor is not sufficiently transmitted to the spoiler, the spoiler cannot be deployed and stored accurately. Such a malfunction is difficult to judge from the driver's seat, and the adjustment timing may be delayed.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned facts, and is capable of promptly determining that the spoiler has an operation abnormality, and alerting the operator or the driver if necessary. An object of the present invention is to provide a drive control device for a spoiler and a method for detecting a malfunction of a movable spoiler.

[0006]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
Drive means for selectively moving the spoiler to two storage positions or unfolded positions; drive control means for controlling the drive of the drive means according to predetermined conditions including at least vehicle speed; Measuring means for measuring the travel time between, the time measured by the measuring means,
It is set based on the vehicle speed and the power of the vehicle battery
A determination unit configured to determine that the driving unit is in a no-load state and has an abnormal operation when the driving unit is shorter than a predetermined reference value that is changed according to the voltage .

A drive control device for a movable spoiler according to a second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect, an informing means for informing according to a signal from the determining means is further provided.

[0008]

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for detecting an abnormal operation of a movable spoiler, wherein the spoiler is selectively moved to two positions, a storage position or a deployed position, under predetermined conditions including at least a vehicle speed. generates a respective storage signal and deployment signal stored position and a deployed position of said spoiler, measures the output interval time between the stored signal and the deployment signal, the car with the set based on the vehicle speed
If the measured time than a predetermined reference value is less subject to change according to the power supply voltage of placing the battery, driving the hands of the spoiler
It is characterized in that it recognizes that the operation of the spoiler is abnormal due to the no-load state of the step .

[0010]

[0011]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the drive means controlled by the drive control means under predetermined conditions including at least the vehicle speed moves the spoiler between the storage position and the deployed position, and the movement time is determined. It is measured by the measuring means. Normally, the movement is suppressed by air resistance or a mechanical load such as a link mechanism, so that the movement time is longer than a similar movement time when the driving unit is not loaded. However, if the driving unit is driven in a no-load state for some reason, a moving time shorter than a predetermined reference value is measured, and it is determined that the driving force of the motor is not sufficiently transmitted and the motor is idling. Thus, it is possible to know that an operation abnormality has occurred. In particular,
If the travel time from the storage position of the spoiler to the deployed position is measured, a significant difference in the load due to air resistance appears between normal and abnormal cases, so it is possible to reliably determine the abnormality in the movement operation from the stored position to the deployed position. can do. In addition, the specified group
The reference value is set based on the vehicle speed and
Is changed according to the power supply voltage of the vehicle.
Considering the appropriate air resistance and the power supply voltage of the vehicle battery,
Error when the spoiler drive unit is properly
You can always know.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the result of the judgment by the judging means is notified by the notifying means, so that the driver can quickly and easily know the operation abnormality.

[0013]

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a storage signal and a development signal are generated at the storage and development positions of the spoiler, respectively, and an output interval time between the storage signal and the development signal is measured to obtain a predetermined reference value. If shorter than, the recognition and operation abnormality of the spoiler is occurring, the driving means of the spoiler
Becomes unloaded condition, occurring the idling state of the movement of the spoiler, when the time until the generation of the signal of the storage position or deployed position becomes shorter, and the driving force of the motor occurs sufficiently Tsutawa should not be operation abnormality recognition I do. Therefore, it is possible to quickly and easily notify the driver that the operation abnormality has occurred by measuring the output interval time between the storage signal and the deployment signal. Further, the predetermined reference value is set based on the vehicle speed.
Is changed according to the power supply voltage of the vehicle battery.
The air resistance and vehicle battery according to the vehicle speed while driving
The spoiler driving means is properly loaded considering the power supply voltage
It is possible to know the operation abnormality that causes the load state.

[0015]

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a front spoiler (hereinafter simply referred to as "spoiler") 10 of a vehicle according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2A shows a back surface of the spoiler 10. FIG. 2B shows an enlarged view of the connecting portion of the link mechanism.

A motor 12 as a driving means is disposed on the upper side of one end of the spoiler 10 in the width direction. A gear box 14 is provided at the lower end of the motor 12, that is, on the side where the output shaft protrudes, and is connected to the output shaft.
The gear box 14 accommodates a worm speed reduction mechanism that outputs the rotation of the motor 12 by reducing the speed with a worm and a worm wheel. The gear box 14 is attached to a substantially U-shaped bracket 16. A pair of side plates 16A (only one is shown in FIG. 1) of the bracket 16 is provided with a shaft through-hole, and a drive transmission shaft 26 as an output shaft of the gear box 14 penetrates.

A tongue piece 16B is integrally formed below the side plate 16A, and a shaft 18 is bridged through a bearing 17. The shaft 18 is supported by a cylindrical portion 19A of a vehicle mounting bracket 19. The flange portion 19B of the vehicle mounting bracket 19 is fixed to a predetermined position of the vehicle, whereby the shaft 18 is supported by the vehicle via the vehicle mounting bracket 19. Shaft 1
Both ends of 8 are respectively supported by panel brackets 22 provided on the back surface of the spoiler panel 20. That is, the shaft 18 has a role as a rotation center axis of the spoiler panel 20.

A distal end of the drive transmission shaft 26 penetrating the side plate 16A of the bracket 16 has a crank arm 30
Has been fixed. Thereby, the crank arm 30
When the drive transmission shaft 26 rotates about the axis of the drive transmission shaft 26, the drive transmission shaft 26 rotates accordingly.

At the other end of the crank arm 30, FIG.
As shown in (B), a ball shaft 28 is provided which projects in a direction opposite to the bracket 16 side in parallel with the projecting direction of the drive transmission shaft 26, and the ball shaft 28 has ball bearings 29 at both ends. Is rotatably supported by one of the link arms 32 having the crank arm 3.
0 and the link arm 32 are connected.

On the other hand, a ball bearing 29 at the other end of the link arm 32 has one end fixed to a part of the panel bracket 22 and the ball shaft 28 of an interlocking shaft 34 having a ball shaft 28 at the other end. I have. As described above, since the link arm 32 has one end connected to the crank arm 30 and the other end connected to the panel bracket 22 via the interlocking shaft 34, the panel bracket 22 moves in conjunction with the movement of the link arm 32. It is supposed to.

Referring to FIG. 3, when the motor 12 rotates clockwise as indicated by arrow Q in FIG. 3, the spoiler panel 20 is rotated by the link mechanism of the crank arm 30 and the link arm 32. Swings through the panel bracket 22 in the direction of arrow S in FIG. 3 within a range of a predetermined angle (approximately 90 °).

Further, as shown in FIG.
6, the motor 12, the spoiler switch 38, and the vehicle speed pulse detector 40 are connected. Spoiler switch 3
8 is a switch for permitting the driving of the spoiler 10,
It is attached to the instrument panel in the driver's seat. The vehicle speed pulse detector 40 outputs a pulse according to the vehicle speed, and the drive control unit 36 calculates the vehicle speed according to the pulse signal. In this embodiment, when the vehicle speed becomes 70 km / h or more with the spoiler switch 38 turned on (drive permission), the spoiler panel 20 is turned on.
The spoiler panel 20 is stored when the speed becomes 50 km / h or less.

The drive control unit 36 includes a warning lamp 4
2 is connected, and when an abnormal operation of the spoiler 10 is detected, the warning lamp 42 is turned on to notify the driver.

The drive controller 36 is connected to the motor 12 via a relay switch 50. Relay switch 5
0 controls the drive or stop of the motor 12 by energizing or de-energizing the coil unit 50B of the relay switch, switching the contact point of the switch unit 50A.

The deployed position and the stored position of the spoiler panel 20 are determined according to a signal from the cam switch 24.

The cam switch 24 is connected to the gear box 1
The cam plate 44 includes a cam plate 44 fixed to the side surface of the worm wheel and a plurality of fixed contacts for slidingly contacting the cam plate 44 to detect respective positions. The cam plate 44 is configured to rotate integrally with the drive transmission shaft 26 (in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 5).

As shown in FIG. 5, the cam plate 44 is composed of three conductive lanes which are electrically connected to each other. The two conductive lanes outside and in the center of the conductive lane are respectively non-conductive to a position indicating that the spoiler panel 20 is in the storage position and a position indicating that the spoiler panel 20 is in the deployed position. The parts 46 and 48 are provided in a 180 ° positional relationship about the drive transmission shaft 26. In each lane, a common contact G, a storage contact A, and a development contact B are held in contact with each other in order from the inside. The common contact G is grounded, and a power supply voltage V is supplied to the storage contact A and the development contact B via a resistor R. For this reason, when the storage contact A and the common contact G or the development contact B and the common contact G are in a conductive state by the lane, no current flows to the drive control unit 36 and the L signal is supplied. Become. Here, the non-conductive portion 4
6 or non-conducting portion 48 and contact A for storage or contact B for deployment
When the above is satisfied, a current flows to the drive control unit 36 and an H signal is supplied. In the drive control unit 36,
By supplying the H signal, the development position or the storage position can be recognized. Hereinafter, a signal for detecting the storage position is called a cam 1 and a signal for detecting the developed position is called a cam 2.

The operation of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6A shows a time chart of a signal accompanying deployment of the spoiler panel 20 in a normal state where no operation abnormality has occurred.

Spoiler switch 3 mounted on vehicle
When the vehicle speed becomes 70 km / h or more, the motor 12 starts driving (at the point X in FIG. 6). When the motor 12 is driven, the spoiler panel 20
Move (see FIG. 3; move from the position of the imaginary line to the position of the solid line), the cam plate 44 rotates accordingly, and the positions of the storage contact A and the deployment contact B move on the cam plate 44. . When the motor 12 starts driving, the storage contact A comes off the non-conductive portion 46, and the cam 1 becomes an L signal (see the middle part of FIG. 6A). Thereafter, when the contact for deployment B reaches the non-conductive portion 48, the cam 2 becomes an H signal (FIG. 6).
(A) (see lower part), the motor 1
2 is stopped, and the movement of the spoiler panel 20 from the storage position to the development position is completed. In this case, the period from the driving of the motor 12 to the input of the cam 2 is defined as the developing time.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the operation is abnormal, for example, when the connection between the crank arm 30 and the link arm 32 of the link mechanism is disconnected and the motor 12 runs idle, the deployment time is shortened. This is because the load applied when the spoiler panel 20 is moved to the deployed position against the headwind is almost in a no-load state, so that the rotation of the motor 12 becomes faster and the cam switch 24 is moved from the retracted position to the deployed position. This is because the time until the detection is shortened.

FIG. 7 shows the deployment time at a vehicle speed of 70 km / h measured based on each power supply voltage of the vehicle-mounted battery. The deployment time (△) in the idling state is shorter than the deployment time (○) in the normal connection state even at each power supply voltage. Therefore, a constant reference value (warning occurrence determination value D) corresponding to 550 ms is set for a general vehicle having a power supply voltage of less than 13.5 V when the vehicle-mounted battery runs, and the cam 12 starts driving the motor 12. The time required to input 2 is the set warning occurrence determination value D
If the value falls below the threshold, the warning lamp 42 is turned on to give a warning.

Hereinafter, the detection of the operation abnormality will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. FIG. 8A shows an abnormal operation detection routine. In step 100, whether or not the position of the spoiler panel 20 is moving in the developing direction is determined every control cycle of 1 ms. If the spoiler panel 20 is moving, the determination is affirmative, and at step 102, the development time is measured by incrementing the development time counter T. The measurement of the deployment time is continued until the determination is denied.

If the position of the spoiler panel 20 has not been moved to the developed position, the determination at step 100 is denied, and the routine proceeds to step 104, where it is determined whether or not the value of the developed time counter T is 0. Is done. Deployment time counter T
Is zero, the detection routine ends. on the other hand,
If the value of the development time counter T is not 0, the determination is negative and the process proceeds to step 106.

In step 106, the warning occurrence determination value D is compared with the value of the development time counter T to determine whether the development time counter T is greater than the warning occurrence determination value D.
If the development time counter T is smaller, that is, if the development time required to move the spoiler panel is shorter than the warning occurrence determination value D, the determination is denied and the routine proceeds to step 108, where the warning lamp lighting flag F Is set (1). When the warning lamp lighting flag F is set, step 110 is executed.
, The value of the development time counter T is reset (0). On the other hand, when the development time counter T is larger than the warning occurrence determination value D, the determination in step 106 is affirmed, and in step 110, the development time counter T is reset. This ends the operation abnormality detection routine.

FIG . 8B is a flowchart showing a warning lamp control routine. In step 200,
It is determined whether or not the warning lamp lighting flag F is set (1).
At 02, the warning lamp 42 is turned on.

When the warning lamp 42 is turned on, step 2
In 04, whether the repair completion signal is inputted it is determined. The repair completion signal is sent to the spoiler 10 through the repair process.
Is input from a predetermined switch when the operation abnormality of the is eliminated. If the repair completion signal is not input, the warning lamp 42 is maintained while the warning lamp control routine is repeated.
Remains lit.

When the repair completion signal is input, step 20
At 6, the warning lamp 42 is turned off. Thus, the driver can know that the operation abnormality of the spoiler 10 has been eliminated.

When the warning lamp 20 is turned off, step 2
At 08, the warning lamp lighting flag F is reset (0). Thus, the warning lamp control routine ends.

In this manner, even while the vehicle is traveling, the operation abnormality of the spoiler 10 can be detected, and the driver can
The operation abnormality can be known from the lighting of the warning lamp 42.

In this embodiment, the time from the start of driving of the motor 12 to the input of the cam 2 is measured as the development time. However, in order to obtain the same effect, the time from the start of driving of the motor 12 is measured. It is not limited to doing. For example, since the cam 1 is not generated when the motor 12 starts driving and the cam plate 44 rotates, the cam 1
Can be measured from the point in time when is no longer input to the drive control unit 36.

In this embodiment, the warning occurrence determination value D is uniquely set with reference to a general 12V vehicle. However, if the electric load such as an air conditioner or car audio is large, the power supply voltage becomes 10 to 11V. Therefore, in this case, the warning occurrence determination value D may be changed.

Further, it may be changed according to the power supply voltage of the vehicle-mounted battery. In this case, a means for detecting the power supply voltage of the vehicle-mounted battery is provided, and a warning occurrence determination value D ′ is set according to the power supply voltage. Is corrected to the warning occurrence determination value D '. As a result, the fact that the deployment time has been reduced due to the high power supply voltage can be excluded from being determined as an operation abnormality, and despite the fact that the power supply voltage is low, the operation abnormality has occurred. The situation where the warning lamp 42 does not light can be eliminated.

In this embodiment, the vehicle speed at which the drive of the spoiler 10 is started is 70 km / h, but another vehicle speed may be set.
When a vehicle speed exceeding 70 km / h is set as the vehicle speed at the start of driving, as shown in FIG. 9, since the air resistance increases as the vehicle speed increases, the warning occurrence determination value D is set in consideration of this. Particularly, in the case of a vehicle having a low power supply voltage, the deployment time due to air resistance is significantly prolonged. Therefore, when a vehicle speed of 70 km / h or more is set as the driving start condition, a warning generation determination value D corresponding to the power supply voltage of the vehicle battery is set. 'Is preferably set.

As a result, the warning occurrence determination value D is properly set regardless of the power supply voltage of the various vehicle-mounted batteries or the vehicle speed, so that the driver can operate the spoiler 10 abnormally. You can know exactly.

Further, in this embodiment, the warning lamp 42 is used as the notifying means, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a buzzer, a panel display, a sound, or the like may be used. In particular, an informing means appealing to hearing, such as a buzzer and a sound, can inform the driver more easily and quickly.

In the present invention, the operation abnormality is detected based on the time required to move from the storage position to the development position where the operation abnormality can be more easily detected. An operation abnormality can also be detected based on the reference.

[0049]

As described above, according to the present invention, a drive control device for a movable spoiler and a movable spoiler capable of promptly judging that the spoiler has a malfunction and issuing a warning as required. Can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a spoiler according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a rear view of a spoiler according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2B is an enlarged exploded view of a connecting portion of a link mechanism of the spoiler.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the spoiler showing a driving state of the spoiler according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a drive control device for a spoiler according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a cam plate according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a time chart of normal operation (A) and abnormal operation (B) of the cam 1 and the cam 2 input to the drive and drive control unit of the spoiler motor according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a graph showing a correlation between a power supply voltage of a vehicle-mounted battery of the spoiler according to the embodiment of the present invention and a deployment time.

FIG. 8A is a flowchart illustrating a spoiler operation abnormality detection routine according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8B is a flowchart illustrating a spoiler warning lamp control routine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a graph showing the correlation between the vehicle speed and the deployment time of the spoiler according to the embodiment of the present invention at various power supply voltages.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 spoiler 12 motor 20 spoiler panel 30 crank arm 32 link arm 36 drive control unit 38 spoiler switch 40 vehicle speed pulse detector 42 warning lamp 44 cam plate

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Yoshito Hayashi 1-1-1 Showa-cho, Kariya-shi, Aichi Japan Inside Denso Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-55-1205 (JP, A) JP-A-6-205 107118 (JP, A) Japanese Utility Model Hei 4-18078 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B62D 37/02

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] A drive unit for selectively moving the spoiler to two storage positions or a deployed position; a drive control unit for controlling the drive of the drive unit according to a predetermined condition including at least a vehicle speed; and the storage position. Measuring means for measuring the travel time between the vehicle and the deployed position, and the time measured by the measuring means is based on the vehicle speed.
Is set and changes according to the power supply voltage of the vehicle battery.
The driving means, if it is shorter than a predetermined reference value
A drive control device for a movable spoiler, comprising: a determination unit configured to determine that the operation is abnormal due to no load . 2. The drive control device for a movable spoiler according to claim 1, further comprising a notifying means for notifying according to a signal from said judging means. 3. An operation abnormality detection method for a movable spoiler for selectively moving a spoiler to a storage position or a deployment position according to predetermined conditions including at least a vehicle speed, wherein a storage signal is stored at each of the storage position and the deployment position of the spoiler. and generating a deployment signal, measures the output interval time between the stored signal and the deployment signal, when it is set on the basis of the vehicle speed co
When the measurement time is shorter than a predetermined reference value changed according to the power supply voltage of the vehicle battery, the drive of the spoiler is performed.
Recognizing that an abnormality has occurred in the operation of the spoiler as a result of the moving means being in a no-load state .