JP6721418B2 - Door handle device - Google Patents

Description

This embodiment relates to a door handle device .

Locks (locks) of houses and condominiums, door locks of vehicles, and the like can be closed and opened by wireless communication with a key such as a card or a smartphone. A person holding the key can open and close the lock without touching the door knob or the door handle, that is, if the key is worn, without removing the key.

Further, a vehicle door handle device called a smart key system or a smart entry system using a capacitance type lock sensor electrode and an unlock type sensor electrode is also disclosed.

JP, 2014-122853, A JP, 2012-154118, A JP2012-154119A JP, 2012-26205, A JP-A-2002-295094 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 05-156851 JP, 2003-221947, A

However, in the case of a house lock or a vehicle door lock, it may be rather undesirable that the lock can be easily unlocked.

For example, in a vehicle door handle device called a smart key system or a smart entry system that uses a capacitance type lock sensor electrode and an unlock sensor electrode, a change in stray capacitance generated between the lock sensor electrode and a human body is detected. Therefore, it is difficult to discriminate between water droplets and human contact. In such a vehicle door handle device, a water droplet having a relative dielectric constant (ε _s =80) similar to that of a human body is attached to a portion (a portion that detects a change in floating capacitance) that determines whether the lock is opened or closed. If so, it is determined that the person is in contact, and the door lock is released. Sources of such water droplets include, for example, raindrops during rainfall and water streams during car washing.

As described above, contact/non-contact unlocking/locking is possible with the spread of smartphones and card keys, but it is difficult to prevent malfunction due to rain, especially when used outdoors.

Further, if the mechanism is complicated to prevent malfunction, there is a problem that it cannot fit in a limited space such as a door handle and the manufacturing cost is increased.

The present embodiment provides a door handle device having an electrostatic lock mechanism that prevents malfunction due to water droplets or the like adhering to a door handle of a vehicle or the like.

The present embodiment provides a door handle device capable of preventing a malfunction due to water droplets or the like adhering to a door handle of a vehicle or the like having an electrostatic locking mechanism and reducing the manufacturing cost.

According to one aspect of this embodiment, a guide groove to guide water droplets befall door, said guide grooves to be arranged is Ru tangent touching possess a sensing electrode, the contact detection electrode and the object and the capacity to form The presence or absence of the contact of the object with the door is detected based on the change, and when the object is partially in contact with the contact detection electrode, the object in contact with the door is the water droplet. determining that, when the object to cover the entirety of the touch sensing electrodes are in contact, a contact detection unit for the object in contact with the door is determined to be at least part of the human body When the door is unlocked and locked, and the result of the determination of the contact detection unit is a determination that the contact with the door is due to the water droplet, the door remains locked. and a controller for instructing the locking portion to the guide groove, but the induced the water droplet Ru with a stagnation portion for stagnation on at least a portion of the touch sensing electrodes are provided.

According to another aspect of the present embodiment, a guide groove for guiding water droplets falling on the door and a contact detection electrode arranged in the guide groove are provided, and a capacitance formed by the contact detection electrode and an object is The presence or absence of the contact of the object with the door is detected based on the change, and when the object is partially in contact with the contact detection electrode, the object in contact with the door is the water droplet. And a contact detection unit that determines that the object in contact with the door is at least a part of a human body when the object is in contact with the entire contact detection electrode. When the door is unlocked and locked, and the result of the determination of the contact detection unit is a determination that the contact with the door is due to the water droplet, the door remains locked. There is provided a door handle device comprising: a control unit for instructing the locking unit so that the guide groove has a guide groove for collecting the water droplets and guiding the water drop to the guide groove at an upper end portion of the guide groove. It

According to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a door handle device having an electrostatic lock mechanism that prevents malfunction due to water droplets or the like adhering to the door handle of a vehicle or the like.

According to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a door handle device capable of preventing malfunction due to water droplets or the like adhering to a door handle of a vehicle or the like having an electrostatic locking mechanism and reducing the manufacturing cost. ..

The schematic block block diagram which shows the structural example of the door handle apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. (a) A schematic schematic external view of an example of a door handle in a comparative example, (b) a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which a person's hand is gripping the door handle illustrated in FIG. 2(a), (c) FIG. The schematic diagram which illustrates a mode that a water drop adheres to a door handle illustrated in a). It is the schematic which illustrates typically the detection mechanism of the contact detection electrode used in the contact detection part of the door handle apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, (a) Water amount (water level) is detected. (B) Example of a mechanism for detecting a human body (hand). It is a schematic diagram which illustrates typically the shape of the guide groove used in the contact detection part of the door handle device concerning 1st Embodiment, and the contact detection electrode arranged in this guide groove, Comprising: (a) Comparative example Examples of the shapes of the guide groove and the contact detection electrode in FIG. 4, (b) Examples of the shape of the guide groove and the contact detection electrode according to the first embodiment, (c) The guide groove and the contact detection illustrated in FIG. An example in which electrodes are formed on the back surface of the door handle. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating an example of a detection capacitance detected by the contact detection electrode used in the contact detection unit of the door handle device according to the first embodiment, in which (a) a human hand holds the door handle. An example of the case where the hand is in contact with the entire contact detection electrode by grasping, (b) An example of the detection capacitance when raindrops are partially attached to the contact detection electrode during rainfall. It is a schematic diagram which illustrates typically the example of the detection electrode arrangement area of the guide groove and contact detection electrode used in the contact detection part of the door handle device concerning 1st Embodiment, and (a) 1st Embodiment 6B is a schematic view schematically illustrating the size of the door handle used in the embodiment, (b) an example in which the left side portion of the door handle illustrated in FIG. 6A is held by a child's hand, and FIG. An example in which the right side of the door handle illustrated in FIG. 6A is held by a child's hand, and an example in which the door handle illustrated in FIG. 6A is held by an adult's hand. The schematic diagram which illustrates typically the example of the guide groove and contact detection electrode formed in the detection electrode arrangement area illustrated in FIG. FIG. 8 is a schematic view schematically illustrating a door handle having a detection electrode arrangement area in which the guide groove and the contact detection electrode illustrated in FIG. 7 are formed, where (a) the detection electrode arrangement area of the door handle is set by a human hand. An example of a state of gripping, (b) An example of a state in which raindrops partially adhere to the detection electrode arrangement area of the door handle. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating a detection capacitance determination unit used when determining what is in contact with the contact detection electrode according to the first embodiment, in which (a) a human hand holds a door handle. An example in which the hand is in contact with the entire contact detection electrode by grasping, (b) An example in which raindrops are partially attached to the contact detection electrode during rainfall. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a contact detection LSI of the contact detection unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an application circuit configuration of a contact detection unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for determining contact with a door handle and locking/unlocking in the door handle device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating an example of an averaging method performed by the averaging unit of the contact detection LSI according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic schematic external view of a door handle example having an automatic lock release function in a comparative example. The schematic block block diagram which shows the structural example of the door handle apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a schematic schematic diagram which illustrates the mounting substrate which laid the proximity/contact detection electrode used for the door handle apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment, (a) Example of 1st electrode, (b) 2nd electrode (C) An example in which the first electrode and the second electrode are laid on the mounting substrate. Explanatory drawing which illustrates the arrangement|positioning location, area, and sensitivity of the proximity/contact detection electrode (1st electrode and 2nd electrode) in 2nd Embodiment. It is the schematic which illustrates typically the detection mechanism of the proximity/contact detection electrode in 2nd Embodiment, (a) The example of the mechanism which detects water volume (water level), (b) Proximity of a human body (hand) Alternatively, an example of a mechanism that detects contact, (c) an example of a mechanism that detects the proximity of a human body (hand). The schematic diagram which shows the example which has arrange|positioned the mounting substrate which laid the proximity/contact detection electrode in 2nd Embodiment on the door handle. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which a vehicle equipped with the electronic key system according to the second embodiment is operated. It is a schematic diagram which illustrates typically the example (pattern 1) of the detection result (detection capacity) by the proximity/contact detection electrode in a 2nd embodiment, (a) The example of the detection result by the 1st electrode, b) Example of detection result by the second electrode. It is a schematic diagram which illustrates typically an example (pattern 2) of a detection result (detection capacity) by a proximity/contact detection electrode in a 2nd embodiment, (a) An example of a detection result by a 1st electrode, b) Example of detection result by the second electrode. It is the schematic which illustrates typically the example (pattern 3) of the detection result (detection capacity) by the proximity/contact detection electrode in 2nd Embodiment, (a) The example of the detection result by a 1st electrode, b) Example of detection result by the second electrode. It is a schematic diagram which illustrates typically the example (pattern 2B) of the detection result (detection capacity) by the proximity/contact detection electrode in a 2nd embodiment, (a) The example of the detection result by the 1st electrode, b) Example of detection result by the second electrode. FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a proximity/contact detection IC of a proximity/contact detection unit according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an application circuit configuration of a proximity/contact detection unit according to the second embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows the example of case classification of the detection result by the proximity/contact detection electrode in 2nd Embodiment. 9 is a schematic flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for locking/unlocking by determining proximity or contact with a door handle in the door handle device according to the second embodiment. 29 is a schematic flowchart illustrating a detailed processing procedure of proximity/contact pattern identification processing in the processing procedure illustrated in FIG. 28. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating an example of an averaging method performed in the averaging unit of the proximity/contact detection IC according to the second embodiment.

Next, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals are given to the same or similar parts. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and ratios of respective dimensions and the like are different from actual ones. Therefore, specific dimensions should be determined in consideration of the following description. Further, it is needless to say that the drawings include portions having different dimensional relationships and ratios.

Further, the embodiments described below exemplify devices and methods for embodying the technical idea, and do not specify the material, shape, structure, arrangement, etc. of the constituent parts to the following. .. This embodiment can be modified in various ways within the scope of the claims.

[First Embodiment]
(Door handle device block configuration)
FIG. 1 is a schematic block configuration diagram showing a configuration example of a door handle device 1 according to the first embodiment.

In the door handle device 1 according to the first embodiment, generally, a guide groove 19 (see FIG. 4) that guides a water droplet 9 falling on the door handle 4 and a guide groove 19 arranged in the guide groove 19 and contacting the door handle 4 are provided. Based on the detection result by the contact detection unit 120 having a contact detection electrode 132 (see FIG. 4) for detecting the lock, the locking unit 160 for unlocking and locking the door handle 4, and the contact detection electrode 132, And a control unit 200 that instructs the locking unit 160 to keep the door handle 4 locked when it is determined that the contact with the door is caused by the water droplet 9.

Further, the control unit 200 determines that the contact with the door handle 4 is caused by at least a part of the human body (for example, the hand 8 (see FIG. 8)) based on the detection result by the contact detection electrode 132. In this case, the locking unit 160 is instructed to unlock the door handle 4.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the door handle device 1 according to the first embodiment includes an opening/closing mechanism unit 100, other detection unit 300, other function unit 400, and a control unit (a microcomputer that controls the above-described units. ) 200 and. The opening/closing mechanism unit 100 includes a contact detection unit 120, a non-contact detection unit 140, and a locking unit (lock unit) 160. The other detection unit 300 includes an SOS signal detection unit 302, a forced signal detection unit 304, a test signal detection unit 306, an engine start detection unit 308, a traveling speed detection unit 310, and another detection unit 312. The engine start detection unit 308 and the traveling speed detection unit 310 are optional functions used when the door handle device 1 according to the first embodiment is applied to moving means such as a vehicle.

The contact detection unit 120 is, for example, a contact detection electrode 132 including a switch operation detection electrode such as an electrostatic capacitance sensor that detects electrostatic capacitance, and an electrostatic switch that controls the contact detection electrode 132 (2 to 6 ch). And a control IC 126. The electrostatic switch control IC 126 includes the contact detection LSI 20. The contact detection electrode 132 detects whether the contact with the door handle 4 is made by a person (for example, the hand 8) or a raindrop 9 (water or waterdrop: hereinafter, used in the same meaning as raindrop). More specifically, the contact detection electrode 132 determines whether the water drop 9 due to rain or the like is in contact with the door handle 4, or at least a part of the human body (for example, a hand or a hand when the human opens and closes the door). It is detected whether a finger or the like) is in contact with the door handle 4.

Based on the detection result by the contact detection electrode 132, the control unit 200 unlocks the door when determining that the contact with the contact portion is due to at least a part of the human body. Instruct 160.

The non-contact detection unit 140 is based on, for example, a signal transmission/reception unit (signal transmission/reception device) 142 that transmits/receives a signal to/from the electronic key 3 configured by a card key, a smartphone, or the like, and a signal transmitted/received by the signal transmission/reception unit 142. A key recognition unit 144 that recognizes keys and key operations.

The locking unit 160 is based on a detection signal (data) detected by a locking unit (locking device) 162 for locking/unlocking a door or the like, a contact detection unit 120, a non-contact detection unit 140, and other detection unit 300. The locking unit 162 includes a locking control unit 164 that controls locking (locking)/unlocking (unlocking).

The other function unit 400 includes various functions such as an air conditioner function, a car navigation function, an audio/video function, a lighting function, and the like, and is detected by the contact detection unit 120, the non-contact detection unit 140, the other detection unit 300, and the like. Various functions can be controlled based on the signal (data).

(Comparative example of door handle)
The schematic outline of the example of the door handle 4 in the comparative example is shown in FIG. 2A, and FIG. 2B shows the door handle 4 illustrated in FIG. 2(c) illustrates a state in which water droplets 9 are attached to the door handle 4 illustrated in FIG. 2(a).

In the detection electrode arrangement area EA of the door handle 4 shown in FIG. 2(a), contact detection electrodes (not shown) composed of detection electrodes for switch operation such as a capacitance sensor for detecting capacitance are arranged. (It is embedded in the door handle 4). However, since the water droplet 9 has a relative dielectric constant (ε _s =80) similar to that of the human body, as shown in FIG. 2( b ), the human hand 8 holds the door handle 4. 2 is whether the hand 8 is in contact with the contact detection electrode (not shown), or as illustrated in FIG. 2C, water droplets 9 are attached to the contact detection electrode (not shown) due to rainfall or the like. I can't tell you what. Therefore, even if the water drop 9 due to rainfall or the like is attached to the door handle 4, the door is unlocked.

(Contact detection electrode)
The detection mechanism of the contact detection electrode 132 used in the contact detection unit 120 of the door handle device 1 according to the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 is represented as illustrated in FIG. 3, and FIG. 3A is an example of a mechanism for detecting the amount of water (water level) 9A existing in a certain container 50, and FIG. 3B is an example of a mechanism for detecting the human hand 8.

As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the contact detection electrode 132 used in the first embodiment is laid on the outside or the inside of a certain container 50, or built in the material of the container 50. .. The contact detection electrode 132 is laid or built at a predetermined distance from the water 9 (that is, a minimum distance (for example, about 1 to 2 mm) necessary for the contact detection electrode 132 to detect the presence of the water 9). .. As the contact detection electrode 132, for example, a capacitance-type detection electrode can be used, and the presence or absence of contact of the water 9 with the contact detection electrode 132 (that is, the presence or absence of water 9) changes the capacitance. Is an electrode for detecting as. The container 50 is grounded. Further, a reference capacitance C serving as a reference for calibration is provided, and the contact detection LSI 20 connected to the contact detection electrode 132 compares the electrostatic capacitance detected by the contact detection electrode 132 with the reference capacitance C. Then, the water amount (water level) of the water 9 in the container 50 is detected.

The container 50 illustrated in FIG. 3A is replaced with the door handle 4 used in the first embodiment, and the water 9 in the container 50 illustrated in FIG. 3A is used in the first embodiment. By replacing the water droplet 9 attached to the used door handle 4, the contact detection LSI 20 determines whether or not the water droplet 9 is attached to the contact detection electrode 132 (that is, the door handle 4). More specifically, the electrostatic capacitance detected by the contact detection electrode 132 changes in accordance with the variation in the amount (area) of the water droplet 9 attached to the size (area) of the electrode, and thus is detected by the contact detection electrode 132. By monitoring the change in the capacitance value, the contact detection LSI 20 determines whether or not the water droplet 9 is attached to the contact detection electrode 132 (that is, the door handle 4).

Further, by detecting the change in the stray capacitance C1 illustrated in FIG. 3B, it is detected whether or not the human hand 8 is in contact with the contact detection electrode 132. By laying such a contact detection electrode 132 on the outside or the inside of the door handle 4 used in the first embodiment, or by incorporating the contact detection electrode 132 in the outer wall of the door handle 4, the contact detection LSI 20 can detect the contact detection electrode 132. It is determined whether the human hand 8 is in contact with 132 (that is, the door handle 4).

As the contact detection electrode 132, a capacitance type contact detection electrode is used, but a pressure sensitive resistance film type detection electrode may be used instead of the capacitance type.

(Structure example 1 of guide groove)
FIG. 4 schematically illustrates the shapes of the guide groove 19 used in the contact detection unit 120 of the door handle device 1 according to the first embodiment and the shape of the contact detection electrode 132 arranged in the guide groove 19. .. FIG. 4A is an example of the shapes of the guide groove 19 and the contact detection electrode 132 in the comparative example, and FIG. 4B is the shape of the guide groove 19 and the contact detection electrode 132 according to the first embodiment. 4C is an example in which the guide groove 19 and the contact detection electrode 132 illustrated in FIG. 4B are formed on the back surface side of the door handle 4.

As illustrated in FIG. 4C, a guide groove 19 for guiding the water droplet 9 to the contact detection electrode 132 is provided on one or both of the back surface side and the front surface side of the door handle 4, and the contact detection electrode 132 is provided. Guides the attachment of the water droplet 9 so that it can be detected with high accuracy. The contact detection electrode 132 is laid outside or inside the guide groove 19, or built in the wall of the guide groove 19.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 4B, the guide groove 19 softens the inclination at a lower portion of the guide groove 19 (a lower portion toward the paper surface of FIG. 4B), and the water droplet 9 causes the contact detection electrode. A stagnation portion (zone a in FIG. 4B) that facilitates retention (stagnation) is provided on 132. However, as illustrated in FIG. 4A, when the stagnant portion a of the guide groove 19 is formed to be angular, the water droplet 9 does not stay, but “remains”. Therefore, the stagnant portion (zone a) of the guide groove 19 is not angular as illustrated in FIG. 4A, but is rounded as illustrated in FIG. 4B. More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 4B, the center of the circle formed by the roundness (trajectory P1 and P2) in which the water droplet 9 in the stagnant portion (zone a) of the guide groove 19 is formed is CE, The radius of curvature is R, where Δθ is the central angle of the loci P1 and P2 on which the water droplets 9 are favorably retained.

As shown in FIG. 4A, when the water drop 9 is favorably retained (stagnation) on the contact detection electrode 132 even if the stagnant portion a of the guide groove 19 is formed to be angular, the guide groove 19 The stagnant portion a may be formed to be angular.

Further, a guide groove (not shown) may be formed at the upper end of the guide groove 19 to collect the water droplets 9 and guide the water droplets 9 into the guide groove 19. By forming such a guide groove on the upper end portion of the guide groove 19, the water droplet 9 can be efficiently guided to the guide groove 19.

By forming the guide groove 19 and the contact detection electrode 132 in the door handle 4 as illustrated in FIG. 4C, the detection result (detection capacitance) by the contact detection electrode 132 as illustrated in FIG. 5 can be obtained. .. FIG. 5A is an example of the detection result (detection capacitance) when the human hand 8 holds the door handle 4 and the hand 8 is in contact with the entire contact detection electrode 132, and FIG. Is an example of the detection result (detection capacitance) when the water droplet 9 partially adheres to the contact detection electrode 132 during rain.

In the example of FIG. 5A, since the hand 8 is in contact with the entire contact detection electrode 132 from time T11 to T12, the detection capacitance (detection intensity) at times T11 to T12 is always the maximum detection value Int_MAX. Be stable to some extent.

In the example of FIG. 5B, since the water droplet 9 partially adheres to the contact detection electrode 132, the detection capacitance at times T11 to T12 becomes unstable. In particular, in the detection result zone 51, a relatively stable detection result is obtained from time T11 to T12 due to the effect of forming the guide groove 19, but in the detection result zone 52, the entire contact detection electrode 132 is submerged. Unless otherwise, the contact detection electrode 132 has a region where the water droplet 9 is not applied, and thus the obtained detection result is always unstable.

In this way, the contact detection LSI 20 determines from the detected capacitance value in the detection result zone 52 whether the human hand 8 or the water drop 9 is in contact with the contact detection electrode 132 (that is, the door handle 4). be able to.

(Structure example 2 of guide groove)
FIG. 6 schematically illustrates an example of the detection electrode arrangement area EA in which the guide groove 19 and the contact detection electrode 132 used in the contact detection unit of the door handle device 1 according to the first embodiment are arranged. FIG. 6A is a schematic view schematically illustrating the size of the door handle 4 used in the first embodiment, and FIG. 6B is a schematic view illustrating the size of the door handle 4 illustrated in FIG. FIG. 6C shows an example in which the left side portion is held by the child's hand 8, and FIG. 6C shows an example in which the right side portion of the door handle 4 illustrated in FIG. 6A is held by the child's hand 8. 6D is an example in which the door handle 4 illustrated in FIG. 6A is grasped by an adult's hand 8.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the length of the handle portion of the door handle 4 in the longitudinal direction is L1 (for example, 9 cm), and the length of the handle portion of the door handle 4 in the height direction is H1. The length of the handle portion of the door handle 4 covered by the adult's hand 8 when gripped by 8 is L2, and when it is gripped by the child's hand 8, it is contacted (covered by the child's hand 8) ) If the length of the handle portion of the door handle 4 in the longitudinal direction is L3, in the example of FIG. 6D, an adult with a large hand 8 grips (touches) most of the handle portion of the door handle 4. Therefore, even if the grip position deviates slightly to the left or right, the shape and location of the contact detection electrode 132 are less likely to be affected. On the other hand, in the case of a child with a small hand 8, if the gripping position is biased to the left or right, as shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C, the entire contact detection electrode 132 may not be gripped. .. Therefore, the size of the detection electrode arrangement area EA according to the first embodiment is set to L4×H1 by using the overlapping portion having the length L4 illustrated in FIGS. 6B and 6C, One or more guide grooves 19 are formed in the detection electrode arrangement area EA, and the contact detection electrodes 132 are arranged in the respective guide grooves 19 (see FIG. 7).

Here, the length L4 of the overlapping portion is calculated by the following equation (1).
L4=2×L3-L1 (1)
When L1 is about 9 cm, L2 is about 8 cm, and L3 is about 6 cm, the length L4 of the overlapping part is about 3 cm.

In this way, by forming the detection electrode placement area EA so as to include a portion (a portion which is always touched) that overlaps wherever the handle portion of the door handle 4 is gripped, a child with a relatively small hand can handle the door. No matter where the handle portion of the handle 4 is held, contact detection can be performed well.

FIG. 7 schematically illustrates an example of the two guide grooves 19 formed in the detection electrode arrangement area EA illustrated in FIG. 6 and the contact detection electrodes 132 arranged in each guide groove 19. 8 is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating the door handle 4 having the detection electrode arrangement area EA illustrated in FIG. 7, and FIG. 8A illustrates the detection electrode arrangement area EA of the door handle 4. FIG. 8B is an example of a state in which a person's hand is gripping, and FIG. 8B is an example of a state in which water droplets 9 are partially attached to the detection electrode arrangement area EA of the door handle 4.

Further, FIG. 9 schematically exemplifies the detection capacitance determination unit B used when determining the contact with the contact detection electrode 132 according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 9B is an example of the case where the human hand 8 holds the door handle 4 and the hand 8 is in contact with the entire contact detection electrode 132. FIG. This is an example in the case of partial adhesion.

In the example of FIG. 9A, since the hand 8 is in contact with the contact detection electrode 132 so as to cover the entire contact detection electrode 132 from time T11 to T12, the detection capacitance at times T11 to T12 is always stable at the detection maximum value Int_MAX. ..

On the other hand, in the example of FIG. 9B, since the water droplet 9 is partially attached to the contact detection electrode 132, the detection capacitance at times T11 to T12 becomes unstable. Particularly, in the detection result zone B, unless the entire contact detection electrode 132 is submerged in water, a region where the water droplet 9 is not applied occurs in the contact detection electrode 132, so that the obtained detection result is always unstable.

In this way, the contact detection LSI 20 can determine from the detection capacitance in the detection result zone B whether it is the human hand 8 or the water drop 9 that is in contact with the contact detection electrode 132 (that is, the door handle 4 ). You can That is, the contact detection LSI 20 confirms the detection capacity of the detection result zone B, and if the detection capacity is stable, it is determined that the hand 8 is in contact with the contact detection electrode 132, and conversely, the detection capacity is If it is unstable, it can be determined that the raindrop 9 is in contact with the contact detection electrode 132.

(Block configuration of contact detection LSI (contact detection device))
FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the contact detection LSI 20 (contact detection device) of the contact detection unit 120 according to the first embodiment.

The contact detection LSI 20 is arranged in the guide groove 19 that guides water droplets that land on the door, and converts the detection result (detection capacitance) by the contact detection electrode 132 that detects contact with the door handle 4 from analog data to digital data. The analog/digital (A/D) converter 21, the detected capacitance value output from the A/D converter 21, and the reference capacitance (dummy capacitance) value for calibration stored in the reference capacitance setting memory 26 A comparison unit 22 for comparison, a detection result determination unit 23 for determining whether or not something is in contact with the contact detection electrode 132 based on the comparison result output from the comparison unit 22, and an averaging method setting memory 27. An averaging unit 24 that performs an averaging process on the detection result based on various setting values of the averaging method (averaging filter) stored in, and detection performed by the averaging unit 24. Based on the result and the predetermined threshold value stored in the threshold value setting memory 28, it is determined whether the contact detection electrode 132 (that is, the door handle 4) is in the human hand 8 or the water drop 9. And 25. In the threshold value setting memory 28, the judgment threshold value of the detection result zone B illustrated in FIG. 9 is set and stored.

Since the reference capacity value varies from system to system depending on the wiring, circuit, etc. actually arranged on the door handle 4, the value of the reference capacity and the method of storing it in the reference capacity setting memory 26 should be examined at the time of system construction (design). decide. For example, if the reference capacity value can be specified in advance, the reference capacity setting memory 26 can be configured by a read-only memory (ROM), and if it is impossible to specify the reference capacity value in advance, at the start of operation. Since the value of the reference capacity C is stored every time, the reference capacity setting memory 26 is composed of a random access memory (RAM).

(Applied circuit configuration of contact detector)
FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an application circuit configuration of the contact detection unit 120 according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 11, the application circuit configuration of the contact detection unit 120 includes an electrostatic switch control IC 126 and a contact detection electrode 132 (two contact detection electrodes 132 in the example of FIG. 11) connected to the electrostatic switch control IC 126. ) And the electrostatic switch control IC 126 is connected to a host device 129 such as an electronic device of an electronic key system.

The electrostatic switch control IC 126 is a controller of an electrostatic capacitance sensor for switching the contact detection electrode 132.

The electrostatic switch control IC 126 includes an AFE (Analog Front End) that detects electrostatic capacitance, an A/D converter that converts the detected capacitance into a digital detection value, an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) that processes the detection value, and a PWM (Pulse Width). Modulation) compatible LED (Light Emitting Diode) controller, 2-wire serial bus host interface compatible with I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) bus protocol, power-on reset, clock oscillation circuit, internal LDO (Low Drop-Out regulator), etc. Can be built-in.

In the electrostatic switch control IC 126, as illustrated in FIG. 11, one capacitance sensor can be used as one independent switch (that is, an independent contact detection electrode 132). Each independent detection sensor can recognize ON, OFF, long press and the like.

(Control method of door handle device)
FIG. 12 exemplifies a processing procedure for determining the contact with the door handle 4 and locking/unlocking the door handle device 1 according to the first embodiment.

When a person (a driver, etc.) carrying (wearing) the electronic key 3 enters a range (operating range) in which a signal transmitted from the vehicle side can be received, non-contact detection between the electronic key 3 and the vehicle The unit 140 transmits and receives signals.

In step S101, the control unit 200 determines whether or not the engine of the vehicle is started based on the detection signal from the engine start detection unit 308. When the engine of the vehicle is started, next, in step S102, the control unit 200 determines whether or not the vehicle is stopped based on the detection signal from the traveling speed detection unit 310. If the vehicle is not stopped, that is, if the vehicle 1 is traveling, in step S111, the control unit 200 sends an instruction to the locking control unit 164 so that the locking unit 162 remains locked. ..

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S101 that the engine of the vehicle 1 has not started (that is, the engine has stopped), or the engine of the vehicle 1 has started, but the vehicle 1 has stopped. If it is determined in step S102, the process proceeds to step S103.

In step S103, the control unit 200 determines whether or not a signal (unlocking signal) for unlocking from the electronic key 3 is sent to the non-contact detection unit 140, and if the unlocking signal is sent, In step S110, an instruction is sent to the lock control unit 164 to unlock the lock unit 162.

In step S103, if the signal for unlocking (the unlocking signal) is not sent from the electronic key 3, the process proceeds to the process of the contact detection LSI 20 of the contact detection unit 120 after step S104.

In step S104, the contact detection LSI 20 sets a calibration reference capacitance (dummy capacitance) value. More specifically, a value stored in advance in the reference capacitance setting memory 26 is used as the maximum detection value Int_MAX (full state) detected by the contact detection electrode 132, or the maximum detection value Int_MAX (full value) for this processing is used. The reference capacity (dummy capacity) C is set as the state and stored in the reference capacity setting memory 26.

Next, in step S105, the comparison unit 22 compares the detected capacitance value detected by the contact detection electrode 132 with the calibration reference capacitance (dummy capacitance) value stored in the reference capacitance setting memory 26.

Next, in step S106, the detection result determination unit 23 determines whether something is present in the contact detection electrode 132 (particularly, the stagnant portion (zone a) in FIG. 4B) based on the comparison result output from the comparison unit 22. Determine if they are in contact.

In step S107, if the detection intensity of the stagnation portion (zone a) of the contact detection electrode 132 is unstable (not in the Full state), the determination unit 25 determines that nothing is in contact with the contact detection electrode 132. It is determined and the process proceeds to step S111. Then, in step S111, the control unit 200 sends an instruction to the locking control unit 164 so that the locking unit 162 remains locked.

On the contrary, in step S107, if the detection intensity of the stagnant portion (zone a) of the contact detection electrode 132 is detected with a stable (Full state) value, the detection result determination unit 23 determines whether the contact detection electrode 132 has something. It is determined that they are in contact with each other and the process proceeds to step S108.

Next, in step S108, the averaging unit 24 executes processing such as averaging on the detection result based on the setting values of various averaging methods stored in the averaging method setting memory 27.

Next, in step S109, the determination unit 25 determines the contact detection electrode 132 (that is, the door handle 4) from the detection result averaged by the averaging unit 24 and the threshold value stored in the threshold setting memory 28. ) Is in contact with the human hand 8 or the water drop 9. For example, in the detection result zone B, if the detection capacitance is stable as compared with the set threshold value (see FIG. 9A), the determination unit 25 causes the contact detection electrode 132 to contact the human hand 8. It is determined that the operation is being performed, and the process proceeds to step S110. Then, in step S110, the control unit 200 sends an instruction to the locking control unit 164 to unlock the locking unit 162.

On the contrary, in the detection result zone B, when the detection capacitance is unstable as compared with the set threshold value (see FIG. 9B), the determination unit 25 touches the contact detection electrode 132. It is determined that it is the water drop 9, and the process proceeds to step S110. Then, in step S111, the control unit 200 sends an instruction to the locking control unit 164 so that the locking unit 162 remains locked. It should be noted that when the snow is covered, the detection capacity is less varied (unstable) than when it is rained.
[Averaging method determination memory]
In step S108, various setting values of the averaging method (averaging filter) stored in the averaging method setting memory 27 used by the averaging unit 24 include, for example, the following items, and noise of the noise is generated by averaging the sampling data. Remove it.

・Setting of the parameter to be averaged ・Setting of the number of valid data (simple, number from the center, number from the beginning, number from the end, etc.)
-Sort method (none, ascending, descending, etc.)
FIG. 13 schematically illustrates an example of an averaging method performed by the averaging unit 24 of the contact detection LSI 20 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 14 shows an example in which the number of samples S1 to Sn is n during the sampling period SP, and the sampling interval is, for example, several milliseconds.

A median filter or the like can be used instead of the averaging filter.

Based on the detection result thus averaged by the averaging unit 24, the judging unit 25 sets the threshold value Int_TH and stores it in the threshold value setting memory 28 as illustrated in FIG. To do. Then, based on the threshold value Int_TH and the detection capacity in the detection result zone B, the determination unit 25 determines whether the contact detection electrode 132 (that is, the door handle 4) is in contact with the human hand 8 or the water droplet 9. Determine if it is.

According to the present embodiment, there is provided a contact detection device, a door handle device and a control method thereof, and an electronic key system which prevent malfunction due to water droplets or the like adhering to a door handle of a vehicle or the like having an electrostatic lock mechanism. You can

[Second Embodiment]
(Comparative example)
FIG. 14 schematically shows an example of a door handle having an automatic lock release function in a comparative example.

As illustrated in FIG. 14, a capacitive-type contact detection electrode (Pad electrode) 128, a mounting substrate (PCB: Printed Circuit Board) 210 including an electrostatic capacitance detection IC 211 and a control circuit 212, and an antenna 220. And are mounted on the door handle 4, and have an automatic lock release function for releasing the door lock only by the hand 8 touching the door handle 4 by the electrostatic touch switch. The contact detection electrode 128 is an electrode for detecting a touch by a person. In order to detect that the person grips the door handle 4, the contact detection electrode 128 is built in on the back side of the door handle 4, or the grip is performed. Some of them are built into both the front surface and the back surface of the door handle 4 for reliable detection. The antenna 220 transmits/receives signals such as an identification signal, an authentication signal, and an unlock/lock signal to/from an electronic key such as a card key or a smartphone.

Generally, the door handle 4 is installed outdoors, such as outside the vehicle, and is therefore easily exposed to the weather. When the touch of the human hand 8 on the door handle 4 is detected by the electrostatic capacitance method, it is difficult to distinguish it because the permittivity of the human body is close to that of water. If water drops or the like adhere to the door handle 4 during rain or a car wash, the system side may mistakenly recognize that the hand 8 is touching the door handle 4, and as a result, the door lock may be released. In some cases, the atmospheric pressure adjusting mechanism may malfunction.

In addition, if the mechanism of the automatic unlocking function is complicated as a countermeasure against malfunctions, it will not fit in the limited space of the door handle 4, and the manufacturing cost will increase.

(Door handle device block configuration)
FIG. 15 is a schematic block configuration diagram showing a configuration example of the door handle device 1B according to the second embodiment.

In the door handle device 1B according to the second embodiment, the door lock release function provided in the door handle 4 can be changed to improve the accuracy of the detection determination according to the case (pattern) and to make the determination until now. We will distinguish between difficult people and rain (water drops) and reduce the manufacturing cost of door handle devices.

The door handle device 1B according to the second embodiment is generally composed of a first electrode 131 and a second electrode 133 that are formed so that one or both of the area and the detection sensitivity have different values. And a proximity/contact detection electrode 120 for detecting proximity or contact with the door handle 4, and a proximity/contact detection unit 120B for identifying a detection result of the proximity/contact detection electrode 130 into a predetermined pattern, and a door opening. If it is determined that the contact with the door handle 4 is caused by water droplets based on the detection result identified by the locking and locking unit 160 and a predetermined pattern, the door is kept locked. And a control unit 200 for instructing the locking unit 160.

In addition, when the control unit 200 determines that the contact with the door handle 4 is caused by at least a part of the body of the human 80 based on the detection result identified by the predetermined pattern, the control unit 200 unlocks the door. The locking unit 160 is instructed to perform.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, the door handle device 1B according to the second embodiment includes an opening/closing mechanism unit 100, another detection unit 300, another function unit 400, and a control unit (a microcomputer that controls the above-described units. ) 200 and. The opening/closing mechanism unit 100 includes a proximity/contact detection unit 120B, a non-contact detection unit 140, and a locking unit (lock unit) 160. The other detection unit 300 includes an SOS signal detection unit 302, a forced signal detection unit 304, a test signal detection unit 306, an engine start detection unit 308, a traveling speed detection unit 310, and another detection unit 312. The engine start detection unit 308 and the traveling speed detection unit 310 are optional functions used when the door handle device 1B according to the second embodiment is applied to moving means such as a vehicle.

The proximity/contact detection unit 120B controls the proximity/contact detection electrode 130 including a proximity/contact detection electrode for switch operation such as a capacitance sensor that detects capacitance, and the proximity/contact detection electrode 130, for example. The electrostatic switch control IC 126 and the control circuit 212 for controlling the electrostatic switch control IC 126 are provided. The electrostatic switch control IC 126 includes a proximity/contact detection IC 180. The proximity/contact detection electrode 130 includes a first electrode 131 and a second electrode 133, which will be described later. The proximity/contact detection electrode 130 detects whether the proximity/contact to the door handle 4 is caused by the human 80 (for example, the hand 8) or raindrops (water or waterdrops: hereinafter, the same meaning as raindrops). To do. More specifically, the proximity/contact detection electrode 130 determines whether or not water droplets due to rain or the like are in proximity/contact with the door handle 4, or at least one of the human body 80 when the human 80 performs the opening/closing operation of the door. It is detected whether a part (for example, a hand or a finger) approaches/contacts the door handle 4.

When the control unit 200 determines that the proximity/contact is caused by at least a part of the body of the human 80 based on the detection result by the proximity/contact detection electrode 130, the control unit 200 locks the door. Instruct the section 160.

The non-contact detection unit 140 includes, for example, a signal transmission/reception unit (signal transmission/reception device) 142 that transmits/receives a signal to/from the electronic key 3 including a card key or a smartphone via the antenna 220 (FIGS. 19 and 20). A key recognition unit 144 for recognizing a key or a key operation based on a signal transmitted/received by the signal transmission/reception unit 142.

The locking unit 160 is based on a detection signal (data) detected by a locking unit (locking device) 162 for locking/unlocking a door or the like, a proximity/contact detection unit 120B, a non-contact detection unit 140, and other detection unit 300. In addition, the locking unit 162 includes a locking control unit 164 that controls locking (locking)/unlocking (unlocking).

The other function unit 400 includes various functions such as an air conditioner function, a car navigation function, an audio/video function, and a lighting function, and is detected by the proximity/contact detection unit 120B, the non-contact detection unit 140, the other detection unit 300, and the like. Various functions can be controlled based on the detected signal (data).

(Mounting board)
FIG. 16 schematically illustrates a PCB 210 provided with a proximity/contact detection electrode 130 used in the door handle device 1B according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 16 is an example of the (a) first electrode 131. 16B is an example of the second electrode 133, and FIG. 16C is an example in which the first electrode 131 and the second electrode 133 are laid on the mounting substrate 210.

In the door handle device 1B according to the second embodiment, a capacitance type proximity/contact detection electrode 130 is used. The proximity/contact detection electrode 130 is composed of two different electrodes, a first electrode 131 and a second electrode 133.

The first electrode 131 is an electrode laid on the outer circumference of the PCB 210, and the second electrode 133 is laid on a portion other than the outer circumference as far as possible from the outer circumference of the PCB 210 (for example, near the center on the PCB 210). The two electrodes, the first electrode 131 and the second electrode 133, are formed so that one or both of the area and the detection sensitivity have different values, and are connected to the proximity/contact detection IC 180, respectively, and are connected to the PCB 210. Is laid.

FIG. 17 shows a specific example of the location, area, and sensitivity of the proximity/contact detection electrode 130 (first electrode 131 and second electrode 133). In the example shown in FIG. 17, the first electrode 131 is laid on the outer periphery of the PCB 210, has higher detection sensitivity than the second electrode 133, and has a larger area than the second electrode 133. On the other hand, the second electrode 133 is laid in the central portion of the PCB 210, has lower detection sensitivity than the second electrode 133, and has a smaller area than the second electrode 133. By forming the first electrode 131 and the second electrode 133 in this manner, the distance at which the first electrode 131 can detect the “approach” of the hand 8 of the human 80 is adjusted to, for example, 0 to 30 cm, and the second electrode is adjusted. The distance at which 133 can detect the “approach” of the hand 8 of the human 80 is shorter than the distance of the first electrode 131, for example, about 0 cm to about 10 cm. When the distance is 0 cm, "contact" is detected instead of "approach".

In this way, the detection result of the target object is characterized by making the areas and sensitivities of the first electrode 131 and the second electrode 133 different from each other, and by separating the cases, the hands 8 and water droplets can be removed. Identify.

Further, since not only “contact” detection but also “proximity” detection can be performed, it is not necessary for the hand 8 to directly touch the proximity/contact detection electrode 130, and thus there is a positional restriction of the proximity/contact detection electrode 130 to be arranged. It is reduced (the positional freedom of the arranged electrodes is increased).

(Proximity/contact detection electrode)
The detection mechanism of the proximity/contact detection electrode 130 (the first electrode 131 and the second electrode 133) used in the proximity/contact detection unit 120B of the door handle device 1B according to the second embodiment is exemplified in FIG. 18A is an example of a mechanism that detects the amount of water (water level) 9A existing in a certain container 50, and FIG. 18B is an example of a mechanism that detects the hand 8 of a human 80. Yes, FIG. 18C is an example of a mechanism for detecting the proximity of the hand 8.

As illustrated in FIG. 18A, the proximity/contact detection electrode 130 used in the second embodiment is laid on the outside or the inside of a certain container 50, or built in the material of the container 50. ing. The proximity/contact detection electrode 130 is placed at a predetermined distance from the water 9A (that is, a minimum distance (for example, about 1 mm to 2 mm) that is necessary for the proximity/contact detection electrode 130 to detect the presence of the water 9A). Laid or built-in. As the proximity/contact detection electrode 130, for example, a capacitance type detection electrode can be used, and an electrode for detecting the presence/absence of the water 9A on the proximity/contact detection electrode 130 as a change in capacitance. Is. The container 50 is grounded. Further, a reference capacitance C serving as a reference for calibration is provided, and the proximity/contact detection IC 180 connected to the proximity/contact detection electrode 130 has a capacitance detected by the proximity/contact detection electrode 130 and a reference. By comparing with the capacity C, the water amount (water level) of the water 9A in the container 50 is detected.

The container 50 illustrated in FIG. 18A is replaced with the door handle 4 used in the second embodiment, and the water 9A in the container 50 illustrated in FIG. By substituting the water droplets attached to the used door handle 4, the proximity/contact detection IC 180 determines whether or not the droplets are attached to the proximity/contact detection electrode 130 (that is, the door handle 4). More specifically, since the capacitance detected by the proximity/contact detection electrode 130 changes according to the variation in the amount (area) of water droplets attached to the size (area) of the electrode, the proximity/contact detection electrode 130 changes the capacitance. By monitoring the change in the detected electrostatic capacitance value, the proximity/contact detection IC 180 determines whether or not water droplets are attached to the proximity/contact detection electrode 130 (that is, the door handle 4).

Further, by detecting the change in the stray capacitance C1 illustrated in FIG. 18B, it is detected whether or not the hand 8 of the human 80 is in contact with the proximity/contact detection electrode 130.

In addition, by detecting a change in the capacitance C_AIR generated between the proximity/contact detection electrode 130 and the human 80 (hand 8) illustrated in FIG. 18C, the proximity/contact detection electrode 130 is detected by the human. It is detected whether or not the hand 8 of 80 is in proximity→contact. The distance L1 at which the first electrode 131 can detect the "approach" of the human 80's hand 8 is adjusted to, for example, about 0 cm to about 30 cm, and the second electrode 133 detects the "approach" of the human 80's hand 8. The detectable distance L1 is adjusted to be shorter than the distance of the first electrode 131, for example, about 0 cm to about 10 cm.

FIG. 19 is an example in which the mounting substrate 210 on which the proximity/contact detection electrode 130 (first electrode 131 and second electrode 133) according to the second embodiment is laid is arranged on the door handle 4 adjacent to the antenna 220. It shows typically.

The antenna 220 is provided in the signal transmitting/receiving unit 142 illustrated in FIG. 15, and is used for wireless communication with the electronic key 3 (FIGS. 15 and 20) carried by a person 80 such as a driver. The antenna 220 may be, for example, an identification signal for detecting that a person 80 wearing the electronic key 3 is approaching a vehicle (door handle 4), an authentication signal for authenticating the validity of the electronic key 3, or the like. , An unlocking/locking signal for unlocking/locking the door lock is transmitted/received to/from the electronic key 3.

As illustrated in FIG. 19, by embedding (laying) the proximity/contact detection electrode 130 in the PCB 210, it is possible to reduce wiring and terminals between the PCB 210 and the proximity/contact detection electrode 130, and to perform proximity/contact detection. It is possible to secure a place for embedding/fixing the electrode 130 in the door handle 4 and reduce the number of work steps.

FIG. 20 schematically illustrates how a vehicle equipped with the electronic key system according to the second embodiment is operated. When a person 80 (a driver or the like) carrying (wearing) the electronic key 3 enters an operation range L2 (a range in which the presence of the owner 80 can be recognized) in which the signal transmitted from the vehicle side can be received, the electronic The key 3 and the non-contact detection unit 140 in the vehicle transmit and receive signals via the antenna 220. The operating range L2 is set to have a radius of about 1 mm to 3 m, for example.

(Detection judgment by case (pattern) classification)
(Pattern 1)
FIG. 21 schematically illustrates an example (pattern 1) of the detection result (detection capacitance) by the proximity/contact detection electrode 130 (the first electrode 131 and the second electrode 133) in the second embodiment, 21A shows an example of the detection result by the first electrode 131, and FIG. 21B shows an example of the detection result by the second electrode 133.

The pattern 1 is a pattern in which the person 80 approaches the door handle 4 and then contacts the door handle 4 (willing to unlock) in a situation where it is not raining, and can be characterized as follows.
(1) After the human 80 carrying (wearing) the electronic key 3 enters the operating range L2, the first electrode 131 enters the range L1 in which the proximity of the human 80 (hand 8) can be detected (FIG. 21). Up to time T11), the first electrode 13 and the second electrode 133 detect nothing.
(2) At time T11, when the human 80 (hand 8) enters the detection range L1 of the first electrode 131 (for example, within about 30 cm), the first electrode 131 having higher sensitivity and larger area than the second electrode 133. Starts detecting the proximity of the human 80 (hand 8).
(3) After that, at time T12, when the human 80 (hand 8) enters the detection range L1 of the second electrode 133 (for example, within about 10 cm), the sensitivity is lower and the area is smaller than that of the first electrode 131. The electrode 133 also starts to detect the proximity of the human 80 (hand 8).
(4) After that, at time T13, when the hand 8 comes into contact with the door handle 4 (that is, the first electrode 131 and the second electrode 133), the respective detection capacitance values of the first electrode 131 and the second electrode 133 are for determination. A stable state is reached by exceeding the threshold value TH1.
(5) The proximity detection start timing (time T12) of the second electrode 133 is later than the proximity detection start timing (time T11) of the first electrode 131, but the contact detection start timing (time T13) of the second electrode 133 is Since it is the same as the contact detection start timing (time T13) of the first electrode 131, the angle (θ2) of the detection locus of the second electrode 133 is steeper than the angle (θ1) of the detection locus of the first electrode 131. (Θ1<θ2).

(Pattern 2)
FIG. 22 schematically illustrates an example (pattern 2) of the detection result (detection capacitance) by the proximity/contact detection electrode 130 (the first electrode 131 and the second electrode 133) in the second embodiment, 22A shows an example of the detection result by the first electrode 131, and FIG. 22B shows an example of the detection result by the second electrode 133.

The pattern 2 is a situation where there is relatively heavy rain (there is no intention of unlocking by a person), and can be characterized as follows.
(1) Immediately after the human 80 carrying (wearing) the electronic key 3 enters the operating range L2, both the first electrode 131 and the second electrode 133 both start proximity/contact detection.
(2) Neither the detection result of the first electrode 131 nor the detection result of the second electrode 133 shows any particular tendency, which results in an unstable detection result. However, when the rain is heavy, water droplets similarly fall on both the first electrode 131 and the second electrode 133. Therefore, the detection result of the first electrode 131 and the detection result of the second electrode 133 are unstable but are mutually different. A similar trajectory can be seen.

(Pattern 3)
FIG. 23 schematically illustrates an example (pattern 3) of the detection result (detection capacitance) by the proximity/contact detection electrode 130 (the first electrode 131 and the second electrode 133) in the second embodiment, 23A shows an example of the detection result by the first electrode 131, and FIG. 23B shows an example of the detection result by the second electrode 133.

The pattern 3 is a situation where there is relatively light rain (there is no intention of unlocking by a person), and it can be characterized as follows.
(1) Immediately after the human 80 carrying (wearing) the electronic key 3 enters the operating range L2, both the first electrode 131 and the second electrode 133 both start proximity/contact detection.
(2) Neither the detection result of the first electrode 131 nor the detection result of the second electrode 133 shows any particular tendency, which results in an unstable detection result. However, if the rain is weak, water droplets are likely to fall on the first electrode 131, but since water droplets hardly fall on the second electrode 133, there is a tendency that almost no water droplets are detected by the second electrode 133. Further, the detection results of the first electrode 131 and the detection result of the second electrode 133 do not show similar trajectories.

(Pattern 2B)
FIG. 24 schematically illustrates an example (pattern 2B) of the detection result (detection capacitance) by the proximity/contact detection electrode 130 (the first electrode 131 and the second electrode 133) in the second embodiment, 24A shows an example of the detection result obtained by the first electrode 131, and FIG. 24B shows an example of the detection result obtained by the second electrode 133.

The pattern 2B is a pattern in which the human 80 is close to (close to) the human 80 but is in contact with water (for example, washing the car and not intending to unlock it), and is characterized as follows. You can
(1) Nothing is detected by the first electrode 13 and the second electrode 133 from the time when the human 80 carrying (wearing) the electronic key 3 enters the operating range L2 until the car wash starts (time T11). do not do.
(2) After that, when the car wash starts at time T11, both the first electrode 131 and the second electrode 133 start detection.
(3) Neither the detection result of the first electrode 131 nor the detection result of the second electrode 133 shows an unstable detection result. However, when there is a large amount of water, such as when washing a car, water droplets similarly fall on both the first electrode 131 and the second electrode 133, so the detection result of the first electrode 131 and the detection result of the second electrode 133 are unstable. However, traces similar to each other can be seen.

(Block configuration of proximity/contact detection IC)
FIG. 25 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the proximity/contact detection IC 180 of the proximity/contact detection unit 120B according to the second embodiment.

The proximity/contact detection IC 180 converts the detection result (detection capacitance) by the proximity/contact detection electrode 130 (the first electrode 131 and the second electrode 133) that detects proximity or contact with the door handle 4 from analog data to digital data. An analog/digital (A/D) converter 21 for conversion, a detected capacitance value output from the A/D converter 21, and a reference capacitance (dummy capacitance) value for calibration stored in the reference capacitance setting memory 26. And a detection result determination unit 23 that determines whether or not something is in proximity/contact with the proximity/contact detection electrode 130 based on the comparison result output from the comparison unit 22, An averaging unit 24 that executes an averaging process on the detection results based on various setting values of the averaging system (averaging filter) stored in the averaging system setting memory 27, and the averaging unit 24 performs averaging. 21 to 24, a proximity/contact pattern identification unit 29 for identifying a predetermined pattern 1, a pattern 2, a pattern 2B, and a pattern 3 as illustrated in FIGS. The proximity/contact detection electrode 130 (that is, the door) based on the detection result subjected to the digitization, the pattern identified by the proximity/contact pattern identification unit 29, and the predetermined threshold value stored in the threshold setting memory 28. It is provided with a determination unit 25 that determines whether the hand 8) that is in contact with the handle 4) is the human hand 8 or the water droplet (FIG. 27). In the threshold setting memory 28, the determination threshold TH1 as illustrated in FIGS. 21 to 24 is set and stored.

Since the reference capacity value varies from system to system depending on the wiring, circuit, etc. actually arranged on the door handle 4, the value of the reference capacity and the method of storing it in the reference capacity setting memory 26 should be examined at the time of system construction (design). decide. For example, if the reference capacity value can be specified in advance, the reference capacity setting memory 26 can be composed of a read-only memory (ROM), and if it is impossible to specify the reference capacity value in advance, at the start of operation. Since the value of the reference capacity C is stored every time, the reference capacity setting memory 26 is composed of a random access memory (RAM).

(Applied circuit (proximity/contact detection device) configuration of proximity/contact detection unit)
FIG. 26 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an application circuit configuration (PCB 210 (proximity/contact detection device)) of the proximity/contact detection unit 120B according to the second embodiment.

The application circuit configuration of the proximity/contact detection unit 120B is, as illustrated in FIG. 26, an electrostatic switch control IC 126 and a proximity/contact detection electrode 130 (first electrode 131 and second electrode 131 connected to the electrostatic switch control IC 126). The electrode 133) and the control circuit 212 for controlling the electrostatic switch control IC 126 are provided, and the electrostatic switch control IC 126 is provided with the proximity/contact detection IC 180. The electrostatic switch control IC 126 is connected to a host device 129 such as an electronic device of an electronic key system.

The electrostatic switch control IC 126 is a controller of an electrostatic capacitance sensor for switch operation of the proximity/contact detection electrode 130.

The electrostatic switch control IC 126 includes an AFE (Analog Front End) that detects electrostatic capacitance, an A/D converter that converts the detected capacitance into a digital detection value, an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) that processes the detection value, and a PWM (Pulse Width). Modulation) compatible LED (Light Emitting Diode) controller, 2-wire serial bus host interface compatible with I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) bus protocol, power-on reset, clock oscillation circuit, internal LDO (Low Drop-Out regulator), etc. Can be built-in.

In the electrostatic switch control IC 126, one capacitance sensor can be used as one independent switch (that is, independent proximity/contact detection electrode 130) as illustrated in FIG. Each independent detection sensor can recognize ON, OFF, long press and the like.

The detection sensitivity (see FIG. 17) of the proximity/contact detection electrode 130 (the first electrode 131 and the second electrode 133) can be adjusted by adjusting the resolution of the AFE.

(Control method of door handle device)
FIG. 27 shows an example of pattern division of detection results by the proximity/contact detection electrode 130 (first electrode 131 and second electrode 133) in the second embodiment. Further, FIG. 28 illustrates a processing procedure for locking/unlocking by determining proximity or contact with the door handle 4 in the door handle device 1B according to the second embodiment.

In step S100, when a person (a driver or the like) carrying (wearing) the electronic key 3 enters a range (operating range) in which a signal transmitted from the vehicle side can be received, the electronic key 3 and the inside of the vehicle The non-contact detection unit 140 starts transmitting and receiving signals via the antenna 220, and the system is started (step S200).

In step S201, the control unit 200 determines whether the engine of the vehicle has started based on the detection signal from the engine start detection unit 308. If the engine of the vehicle has started, then in step S202, control unit 200 determines whether or not the vehicle is stopped based on the detection signal from traveling speed detection unit 310. If the vehicle is not stopped, that is, if the vehicle 1 is traveling, in step S210, the control unit 200 sends an instruction to the locking control unit 164 so that the locking unit 162 remains locked. ..

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S201 that the engine of the vehicle 1 has not started (that is, the engine has stopped), or the engine of the vehicle 1 has started, but the vehicle 1 has stopped. When it is determined in step S202, the process proceeds to step S203.

In step S203, the control unit 200 determines whether or not a signal (unlocking signal) for unlocking the electronic key 3 is sent to the non-contact detecting unit 140 via the antenna 220, and the unlocking signal is sent. If so, in step S211, an instruction is sent to the lock control unit 164 to unlock the lock unit 162.

In step S203, if the signal for unlocking (the unlocking signal) is not sent from the electronic key 3, the process proceeds to the process of the proximity/contact detection IC 180 of the contact detection unit 120B after step S204.

In step S204, the proximity/contact detection IC 180 sets a calibration reference capacitance (dummy capacitance) value. More specifically, a value stored in advance in the reference capacitance setting memory 26 is used as the maximum detection value Int_MAX (full state) by the proximity/contact detection electrode 130, or the maximum detection value Int_MAX( for the current processing is used. The reference capacity (dummy capacity) C is set as the Full state and stored in the reference capacity setting memory 26.

Next, in step S205, the comparison unit 22 compares the detection capacitance value detected by the proximity/contact detection electrode 130 with the calibration reference capacitance (dummy capacitance) value stored in the reference capacitance setting memory 26. ..

Next, in step S206, the detection result determination unit 23 determines whether or not something has approached the proximity/contact detection electrode 130 (the first electrode 131 and the second electrode 133) based on the comparison result output from the comparison unit 22. Determine if they are in contact. If nothing is in proximity/contact with the proximity/contact detection electrode 130 (the first electrode 131 and the second electrode 133), the process after step S207 may be skipped and the process may proceed to step S210.

Next, in step S207, the averaging unit 24 executes processing such as averaging on the detection result based on the setting values of various averaging methods stored in the averaging method setting memory 27.

Next, in step S208, the proximity/contact pattern identification unit 29, while being averaged by the averaging unit 24, the patterns 1, 2, 2′, and the like illustrated in FIGS. Identify 3.

Next, in step S209, the determination unit 25 stores the detection result averaged by the averaging unit 24, the pattern identified by the proximity/contact pattern identification unit 29, and the threshold setting memory 28. Based on the predetermined threshold value, it is determined whether the contact/contact detection electrode 130 (that is, the door handle 4) is in contact with the human hand 8 or a water drop. It is the hand 8 of the human 80 that is in proximity/contact with the proximity/contact detection electrode 130, and if it is determined that the human 80 has the intention to unlock, the process proceeds to step S211 to unlock the door. On the contrary, if it is a water droplet that is in contact with the proximity/contact detection electrode 130, the process proceeds to step S210, and the locking portion 162 remains locked.

Here, with reference to FIG. 29, a detailed processing procedure of steps S208 to S209 in the processing procedure illustrated in FIG. 28 is shown.

In step S301, the proximity/contact pattern identification unit 29 determines whether the weather is rain. More specifically, it is determined whether or not at least one of the first electrode 131 and the second electrode 133 has started proximity/contact detection immediately after the person 80 carrying the electronic key 3 enters the operation range L2. ..

If the weather is not rain as a result of the determination in step S301, next, in step S302, it is determined whether or not the vehicle is being washed. More specifically, (a) whether or not the proximity detection start timing (time T12) of the second electrode 133 is later than the proximity detection start timing (time T11) of the first electrode 131, (b) the second electrode It is determined whether the angle (θ2) of the detection locus 133 is steeper (θ1<θ2) than the angle (θ1) of the detection locus of the first electrode 131.

If the result of determination in step S302 is that the vehicle is not being washed, then in step S307 it is determined whether or not to recognize the human 80. More specifically, it is determined whether or not the respective detected capacitance values of the first electrode 131 and the second electrode 133 exceed the determination threshold value TH1 and become stable.

If the person 80 can be recognized as a result of the determination in step S307, the person 80 approaches the door handle 4 in a situation where it is not raining and then contacts the door handle 4 (willing to unlock) Pattern 1 Since it can be determined that the above condition applies, the process proceeds to step S308 and is classified into pattern 1 (determined in pattern 1).

On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S302 is that the vehicle is being washed, the process proceeds to step S304 and is classified into pattern 2B (provisional). Then, after that, the process proceeds to step S307, it is determined whether or not the human 80 is recognized, and if the human 80 can be recognized as a result of the determination, the car wash ends and the human 80 gets into the vehicle (with the intention of unlocking). ), the process proceeds to step S308 and is classified as the pattern 2B to the pattern 1 (determined by pattern 1→pattern 2B). On the contrary, if the human 80 cannot be recognized in step S307, the process proceeds to step S309, and it is determined whether the human 80 exists (whether the electronic key 3 exists in the operation range L2). If the result of the determination in step S309 is that there is no human 80, it is determined that the car wash has ended and the human 80 has left (no intention to unlock), the process proceeds to step S310, and the process ends (determined as pattern 2B). ).

If the result of determination in step S309 is that there is a person 80, processing returns to step S301 and is repeated.

On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S301 is that the weather is rainy, next, in step S303, the intensity of rain is determined from the respective detection intensities of the first electrode 131 and the second electrode 133.

As a result of step S303, if the detection result of the first electrode 131 and the detection result of the second electrode 133 are unstable but similar to each other (substantially coincident with each other), it means that the rain is relatively heavy. It is determined and classified into pattern 2 in step S305 (provisional).

If the pattern 2 is provisionally classified in step S305, the process proceeds to step S307, and it is determined whether the human 80 is recognized. If the person 80 can be recognized as a result of the determination in step S307, it can be determined that the person 80 gets into the vehicle (willing to unlock the vehicle) on a relatively heavy rainy day. It is classified as having moved to 1 (determined by pattern 2→pattern 1). If the human 80 cannot be recognized in step S307, the process proceeds to step S309 to determine whether the human 80 exists. As a result of the determination in step S309, if the human 80 does not exist, it is determined that there is no intention of unlocking just because it is raining heavily, the process proceeds to step S310, and the process ends (determined as pattern 2 remains).

When the detection result of the first electrode 131 and the detection result of the second electrode 133 are unstable and do not match as a result of step S303, it is determined that the rain is relatively weak, and the pattern is detected in step S306. It is classified into 3 (provisional).

Even when the pattern 3 is provisionally classified in step S306, similarly, the process proceeds to step S307, and it is determined whether or not the human 80 is recognized. If the human 80 can be recognized as a result of the determination in step S307, it can be determined that the human 80 gets into the vehicle (willing to unlock the vehicle) on a rainy day. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S308 and the pattern 3 to the pattern It is classified as having moved to 1 (determined by pattern 3→1). If the human 80 cannot be recognized in step S307, the process proceeds to step S309 to determine whether the human 80 exists. If the person 80 does not exist as a result of the determination in step S309, it is determined that there is no intention of unlocking just because it is raining lightly, and the process proceeds to step S310 to end the process (the pattern 3 is fixed).

If the result of determination in step S309 is that there is a human 80, processing returns to step S301 and is repeated.

Returning to FIG. 28, the confirmed pattern is confirmed in step S209. If the confirmed pattern is any of pattern 1, pattern 2→pattern 1, pattern 3→pattern 1, pattern 2B→pattern 1, the control unit 200 unlocks the locking unit 162 in step S210. , Sends an instruction to the lock control unit 164.

If the confirmed pattern is any one of pattern 2, pattern 3, and pattern 2B, in step S210, the control unit 200 instructs the locking control unit 164 to keep the locking unit 162 locked. send.

[Averaging method determination memory]
In step S108, various setting values of the averaging method (averaging filter) stored in the averaging method setting memory 27 used by the averaging unit 24 include, for example, the following items, and noise of the noise is generated by averaging the sampling data. Remove it.

・Setting of the parameter to be averaged ・Setting of the number of valid data (simple, number from the center, number from the beginning, number from the end, etc.)
-Sort method (None, Largest, Smallest, etc.)
FIG. 30 schematically illustrates an example of an averaging method performed by the averaging unit 24 of the proximity/contact detection IC 180 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 30 shows an example in which the number of samples S1 to Sn is n during the sampling period SP, and the sampling interval is, for example, several milliseconds.

Note that a median filter, a Gaussian filter, or the like can be used instead of the averaging filter.

Here, regarding the recognition of the human 80, consider the time until the human 80 touches the door handle 4.

Assuming that the time from when the first electrode 131 side detects the proximity of the hand 8 until it completely contacts the door handle 4 is 0.5 seconds, the distance is 30 cm, and the sampling time is 5 milliseconds/time, it is 100 times/30 cm. Becomes

Similarly, if the distance at which the second electrode 133 side detects the hand 8 is adjusted to 10 cm, it becomes 33 times/10 cm.

Then, the determination processes of steps S301, S302, S303, S307, and S309 illustrated in FIG. 29 are executed during the 100 sampling periods.

Based on the detection result thus averaged by the averaging unit 24, the determining unit 25 sets the threshold TH1 and stores it in the threshold setting memory 28, as illustrated in FIG. To do. Then, the determination unit 25 determines whether it is the hand 8 of the human 80 or the water droplet that is in contact with the proximity/contact detection electrode 130 (that is, the door handle 4) based on the threshold value TH1.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the proximity/contact that can prevent the malfunction due to water droplets or the like adhering to the door handle of the vehicle having the electrostatic lock mechanism and can reduce the manufacturing cost. A detection device, a door handle device, a control method thereof, and an electronic key system can be provided.

[Other Embodiments]
As described above, the first and second embodiments have been described, but it should not be understood that the discussion and drawings forming a part of this disclosure are merely illustrative and limitative. From this disclosure, various alternative embodiments, examples and operational techniques will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

For example, although the door handle 4 of the vehicle has been mainly described in the first and second embodiments, the present invention can be applied to a door other than the vehicle such as a building. When the method is applied to a door other than the vehicle, steps S101 and S102 of the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 12 may be skipped and the process may be started from step S103. Similarly, steps S100, S200, S201, and S202 of the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 28 may be skipped and the process may be started from step S203.

As described above, various embodiments and the like not described here are included.

The contact detection device, the proximity/contact detection device, the door handle device and the control method thereof, and the electronic key system according to the present embodiment are applicable to doors of buildings, vehicles, and the like.

1, 1B... Door handle device 3... Electronic key 4... Door handle 8... Hand 9... Raindrop (water, waterdrop)
20... Contact detection LSI
21... Analog/Digital (A/D) conversion section 22... Comparison section 23... Detection result determination section 24... Averaging section 25... Judgment section 26... Reference capacity setting memory 27... Averaging method setting memory 28... Threshold setting Memory 29... Proximity/contact pattern identification unit 50... Containers 51, 52, B... Detection result zone 80... Human 100... Opening/closing mechanism unit 120... Contact detection unit (contact detection device)
120B... Proximity/contact detection unit (proximity/contact detection device)
126... Electrostatic switch control IC
128... Contact detection electrode (Pad electrode)
129... Host device 130... Proximity/contact detection electrode 131... First electrode 132... Contact detection electrode 133... Second electrode 140... Non-contact detection unit 142... Signal transmission/reception unit (signal transmission/reception device)
144... Key recognition unit 160... Locking unit (locking unit)
162... Locking unit (locking device)
164...Locking control unit 180...Proximity/contact detection IC
200... Control unit (microcomputer)
210... Mounting board (PCB)
211... Capacitance detection IC
212... Control circuit 220... Antenna 300... Other detecting section 302... SOS signal detecting section 304... Forced signal detecting section 306... Test signal detecting section 308... Engine start detecting section 310... Running speed detecting section 312... Other detecting section 400... Other Functional portion CE... Center of circle EA... Detection electrode arrangement area Int_MAX... Detection maximum value Int_TH... Threshold value L1, L2, L3, L4... Length H1... Height P1, P2... Locus R... Radius of curvature S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, Sn, S-TH... Sample

Claims (11)

The object has a guide groove for guiding a water droplet that falls on the door, and a contact detection electrode arranged in the guide groove, and the contact of the object with the door based on a change in capacitance formed by the contact detection electrode and the object. The presence or absence of the object is detected, and when the object is in partial contact with the contact detection electrode, it is determined that the object in contact with the door is the water droplet, and the entire contact detection electrode is covered. As in the case where the object is in contact, a contact detection unit that determines that the object in contact with the door is at least a part of the human body,
A locking unit for unlocking and locking the door,
When the result of the determination of the contact detection unit is a determination that the contact with the door is due to the water droplets, a control unit for instructing the locking unit to keep the door locked.
Equipped with
The door handle device according to claim 1, wherein the guide groove includes a stagnant portion for stagnating the guided water droplet on at least a part of the contact detection electrode. The object has a guide groove for guiding a water droplet that falls on the door, and a contact detection electrode arranged in the guide groove, and the contact of the object with the door based on a change in capacitance formed by the contact detection electrode and the object. The presence or absence of the object is detected, and when the object is in partial contact with the contact detection electrode, it is determined that the object in contact with the door is the water droplet, and the entire contact detection electrode is covered. As in the case where the object is in contact, a contact detection unit that determines that the object in contact with the door is at least a part of the human body,
A locking unit for unlocking and locking the door,
When the result of the determination of the contact detection unit is a determination that the contact with the door is due to the water droplets, a control unit for instructing the locking unit to keep the door locked.
Equipped with
The door handle device, wherein the guide groove includes a guide groove for collecting the water droplets and guiding the water drop to the guide groove at an upper end portion of the guide groove. The control unit locks the door so that the door is unlocked when the result of the determination by the contact detection unit is a determination that the contact with the door is caused by at least a part of a human body. The door handle device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the door handle device is instructed. The door handle device according to claim 2, wherein the guide groove includes a stagnant part for stagnating the guided water droplet on at least a part of the contact detection electrode. The door handle device according to claim 1, wherein the stagnant portion has a rounded shape. The door handle device according to claim 1, wherein the stagnant portion has a shape that softens the inclination of the lower portion of the guide groove. The door handle device according to claim 1, wherein the guide groove includes a guide groove at an upper end portion of the guide groove for collecting the water droplets and guiding the water drop to the guide groove. The detection electrode arrangement area in which the guide groove and the contact detection electrode arranged in the guide groove are formed is provided with a portion which is inevitably touched regardless of which part of the handle portion of the door is gripped. 2. The door handle device according to item 2. The door handle device according to claim 8, wherein the detection electrode arrangement area is arranged on a back surface of the handle portion of the door. 10. The door handle device according to claim 8, wherein the detection electrode arrangement area is arranged on a surface of the handle portion of the door. The door handle device according to claim 1, wherein the contact detection electrode includes a capacitance-type contact detection electrode.

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