JP7205183B2 - Door locking systems and vehicle door handles - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a door locking system and a vehicle door handle capable of unlocking or locking a door, and unlocking and locking the door.

2. Description of the Related Art A portable wireless key device (hereinafter referred to as a key device) is used to unlock and lock a door of a vehicle or the like at a location away from the door. Among such key devices, a key that can be unlocked and locked by bringing a hand close to, contacting, or separating from a door handle while the key device is stored in a pocket or bag is called a smart key.

Patent Document 1 describes an invention relating to a vehicle door handle device employing a smart key system. This vehicle door handle device has an in-vehicle device (door lock system) mounted inside the door handle. The in-vehicle device is electrically connected to the ECU (Electronic Control Unit) of the vehicle through the first line and the second line. The in-vehicle device includes an antenna coil having an antenna function for externally transmitting a response request signal to a portable device (an example of a key device), and a human detection IC having a lock sensor and an unlock sensor.

JP 2012-154119 A

A conventional smart key system such as that described in Patent Document 1 uses a key device that is predetermined for a vehicle (door). However, with the recent spread of mobile terminals such as smartphones and the development of a so-called car-sharing culture in which multiple people share one vehicle, various key devices can be used in addition to the predetermined key devices. is required. In this case, it is conceivable to mount a door unlocking device corresponding to a plurality of types of key devices on the door handle. However, in this case, there is a problem of interference between the circuits and antennas provided for each of the multiple types of key devices, and their radio wave communication and signal transmission. If interference occurs, it is a problem because appropriate unlocking and locking cannot be performed. In addition, since the increase in the number of circuits and the like may complicate the connection interface with the vehicle, simplification of the interface is required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a door lock system and a vehicle door handle which are compatible with a plurality of types of key devices and have a simplified interface. be.

A door locking system according to the present invention for achieving the above object is characterized by: a first circuit for executing a first communication requesting a response for determining whether or not a door can be unlocked; A second circuit that executes a second communication for determining the second communication and outputs the reception result of the second communication to the outside, and a control circuit that controls the operation of the first circuit and the second circuit, The control circuit stops execution of one of the first communication and the second communication when the other is executed , the first circuit includes a coil and a capacitor, and the coil and the capacitor are: An LC parallel circuit can be configured or the configuration of the LC parallel circuit can be canceled, the first circuit becomes incapable of communication when the LC parallel circuit is configured, and when the configuration of the LC parallel circuit is released, It is at the point where communication becomes possible .

According to the above configuration, the first circuit can execute the first communication requesting a response for determining whether the door can be unlocked from the first key device. The first communication is a one-way transmission from the first circuit to the first key device. The first communication includes broadcast communication. A second circuit is capable of performing a second communication with a second (other) key device. The second communication is two-way communication including communication requesting a response for determining whether the door can be unlocked and reception of the response. The second circuit sends a reception result including information for determining whether or not the door can be unlocked to the outside (for example, the ECU of the vehicle). This allows the door lock system to accommodate multiple (two or more) key devices.

According to the above configuration, the control circuit suspends the execution of one of the first communication and the second communication when the other is executed. As a result, the first circuit or the second circuit is not subject to interference (noise) due to communication of the other circuit when one circuit is executing communication. As a result, the first communication and the second communication can be performed properly, and the door locking system can properly handle multiple key devices. Since interference can be avoided in this way, the interface between the door locking system and the outside (for example, the ECU of the vehicle) can also be simplified. For example, it is not necessary to use separate signal lines for the first circuit and the second circuit.

A further characteristic configuration of the door lock system according to the present invention is that the first circuit is capable of executing the first communication by wireless communication, and the second circuit is capable of executing the second communication by wireless communication. and wherein the first circuit performs relatively long-distance wireless communication with the second circuit.

According to the above configuration, the first circuit can perform relatively long-distance wireless communication with the second circuit. For example, communication with a remote key device is performed by the first circuit as the first communication. Communication with the short-range key device is performed by the second circuit as second communication. Since the execution of the first communication is suspended when executing the second communication with a key device at a short distance, the second communication is properly executed when the passenger approaches a key device such as a door handle. can be unlocked and locked.

A further characteristic configuration of the door locking system according to the present invention is that the control circuit stops execution of the first communication when the second communication is executable.

According to the above configuration, when the key device corresponding to the first communication and the key device corresponding to the second communication can communicate with the first communication and the second communication, respectively, the execution of the first communication is stopped. , the second communication is preferentially executed. Moreover, when the second communication is being executed, it is possible to prevent the second communication from being hindered by starting the execution of the first communication while the second communication is being executed.

A further feature of the door locking system according to the present invention is that the control circuit disables the first circuit when the second communication is performed.

According to the above configuration, when the key device corresponding to the first communication and the key device corresponding to the second communication can communicate by the first communication and the second communication, respectively, the first circuit is disabled. This stops execution of the first communication. Thereby, the second communication is preferentially executed. Also, when the second communication is being executed, by setting the first circuit to be inoperable and preventing the execution of the first communication, the execution of the first communication is started while the second communication is being executed. It is possible to prevent the second communication from being blocked by the

A further characteristic configuration of the door locking system according to the present invention is that the first circuit has a first antenna circuit for wireless communication, and the control circuit controls, when the second communication is performed, the first One is to cut off the antenna circuit.

According to the above configuration, the first circuit becomes incapable of executing the first communication by disconnecting the first antenna circuit. Thereby, the second communication is preferentially executed. Also, it is possible to prevent the second communication from being blocked.

A further characteristic configuration of the door locking system according to the present invention is that the first antenna circuit has a first antenna having the coil, the capacitor and a switch connected in series to the capacitor, and the coil and the The capacitor and the switch are connected in parallel with the control circuit, and the control circuit short-circuits the switch when the second communication is performed to form the LC parallel circuit. be.

According to the above configuration, an LC parallel circuit can be configured in the first antenna circuit by short-circuiting the switch. The control circuit shorts the switch, thereby disabling the first circuit from performing the first communication.

Another characteristic configuration of the door locking system according to the present invention for achieving the above object is a first circuit for executing a first communication requesting a response for determining whether the door can be unlocked; a second circuit for executing a second communication for determining whether or not the lock can be locked, and transmitting the reception result of the second communication to the outside; a control circuit for controlling the operations of the first circuit and the second circuit; a proximity sensor for inputting a door unlocking instruction or door locking instruction, wherein the control circuit stops execution of one of the first communication and the second communication when the other is executed, The second circuit has a second antenna for wireless communication, the proximity sensor has an electrode for detecting the unlocking instruction or the locking instruction, and the second antenna is an outer circumference of the electrode. It's located next to it.

According to the above configuration, the first circuit can execute the first communication requesting a response for determining whether the door can be unlocked from the first key device. The first communication is a one-way transmission from the first circuit to the first key device. The first communication includes broadcast communication. A second circuit is capable of performing a second communication with a second (other) key device. The second communication is two-way communication including communication requesting a response for determining whether the door can be unlocked and reception of the response. The second circuit sends a reception result including information for determining whether or not the door can be unlocked to the outside (for example, the ECU of the vehicle). This allows the door lock system to accommodate multiple (two or more) key devices.
Moreover, according to the above configuration, when one of the first communication and the second communication is executed, the control circuit stops the other. As a result, the first circuit or the second circuit is not subject to interference (noise) due to communication of the other circuit when one circuit is executing communication. As a result, the first communication and the second communication can be performed properly, and the door locking system can properly handle multiple key devices. Since interference can be avoided in this way, the interface between the door locking system and the outside (for example, the ECU of the vehicle) can also be simplified. For example, it is not necessary to use separate signal lines for the first circuit and the second circuit.
Further, according to the above configuration, when it is determined in advance that the door can be unlocked by communicating with the key device possessed by the passenger, the passenger holding the key device can open the door via the electrode of the proximity sensor. You can issue an unlock command. Similarly, when it is determined in advance that the door can be locked by communication with the key device held by the passenger, the passenger holding the key device can issue a door locking instruction via the electrodes of the proximity sensor. Note that the proximity sensor is a sensor that detects the proximity and separation of the passenger's body (for example, hand). In the following description, proximity includes contact.

According to the above configuration, by providing the second antenna adjacent to the outer periphery of the proximity sensor, the electrodes of the second antenna and the proximity sensor can be arranged compactly. In particular, if the first circuit performs relatively long-range wireless communication with respect to the second circuit, the second circuit with the second antenna performs relatively short-range wireless communication, but the second antenna And, the electrodes of the proximity sensor are provided adjacent to each other, so that the electrodes of the proximity sensor can issue an unlocking instruction or a locking instruction at the same time or immediately after the key device determines whether the door can be unlocked or locked at a short distance. As a result, it is possible to improve the usability of the passenger and improve security.

A further characteristic configuration of the door locking system according to the present invention is that the proximity sensor is capable of distinguishing between a first proximity distance and a second proximity distance that is closer than the first proximity distance, and the control circuit is configured to: Execution of the second communication is enabled when proximity at the first proximity distance is detected, and execution of the second communication is stopped when proximity at the second proximity distance is detected.

According to the above configuration, for example, the second proximity distance such as contact is distinguished from the first proximity distance that is close enough to be detected by the proximity sensor and is farther than the second proximity distance, and detected by the proximity sensor. The second communication can be performed while confirming that there is an occupant holding the key device at a first proximity distance close enough to be touched but not close enough to touch. In this case, the passenger may input an unlocking instruction or a locking instruction by touching the proximity sensor.

A further characteristic configuration of the door locking system according to the present invention is that the control circuit stops the operation of the proximity sensor when the second communication is performed.

According to the above configuration, interference (noise) from the electrodes of the proximity sensor is not received during execution of the second communication. As a result, the second communication can be properly executed.

A vehicle door handle according to the present invention for achieving the above object is characterized by: a first circuit for executing a first communication requesting a response for determining whether or not the vehicle door can be unlocked; a second circuit for executing a second communication for determining whether or not the door can be unlocked and transmitting the reception result of the second communication; and a control circuit for controlling the operations of the first circuit and the second circuit. , a pair of electric wires in which the first circuit and the control circuit are connected in parallel, and a casing housing the first circuit, the second circuit, and the control circuit, wherein the pair of electric wires are connected to the A reception result of the second communication is sent to the outside, and the power supplied from the outside is supplied to the first circuit, the second circuit, and the control circuit, and the control circuit receives the first communication or the The point is that when one of the second communications is executed, the other is stopped.

According to the above configuration, in the handle of the vehicle door in which the above-described door locking system is accommodated in the casing, the same effects as those of the above-described door locking system can be obtained. In addition, the door lock system described above receives power from a pair of electric wires when housed in the casing, and is capable of outputting power to the outside. The interface with (eg, the vehicle's ECU) is simplified.

It is possible to provide a door locking system and a vehicle door handle with a simplified interface while supporting multiple types of key devices.

Configuration diagram of vehicle door handle and door lock system An exploded perspective view of a vehicle door handle Partially enlarged view of the lock sensor and the second antenna part Another configuration diagram of a vehicle door handle and door locking system

A door locking system and a vehicle door handle according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG.

[Outline configuration]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the door lock system 100 is built into a handle 200 of a vehicle door (an example of a door). As shown in FIG. 1, the door lock system 100 is connected to an electronic control unit (hereinafter referred to as ECU 9) of a vehicle (not shown) via a pair of electric wires 9s and 9g.

The door lock system 100 has a coil 40 (an example of a first antenna) and a coil 30 (an example of a second antenna) having an antenna function, and functions as a key device carried by a vehicle occupant or a key device. Information for communicating with a portable electronic device (e.g., smartphone) that can be used to determine whether unlocking or locking is possible (e.g., the ID of a passenger permitted to board the vehicle, an example of the reception result) is a device for requesting or obtaining a door opening/closing command input from a passenger. The door locking system 100 uses the coil 40 to perform a first communication requesting a response for determining whether unlocking or locking is possible. The door locking system 100 uses the coil 30 to perform second communication for determining whether the door can be unlocked or locked. Below, information for determining whether unlocking or locking is possible may simply be referred to as determination information. Further, hereinafter, the above-mentioned key device and portable electronic equipment capable of functioning as a key device may be collectively referred to simply as a key device. In the following description, the first communication and the second communication when the door locking system 100 is unlocked will be mainly described as an example, but the same applies to the case of locking.

The second communication can be performed within an area closer to the door lock system 100 than the area in which the key device can perform the first communication.

[Explanation of ECU]
The ECU 9 is, or is part of, the central control unit of the vehicle using the steering wheel 200 equipped with the door lock system 100 . The ECU 9 has a power supply circuit 90 , an unlocking circuit 91 and a first antenna driving circuit 92 . In addition, the circuit in this embodiment includes a case where a plurality of electronic components are mounted on a single substrate, a so-called integrated circuit (IC) in which the functions of a plurality of electronic components are integrated into one chip, and the like. does not specify any specific form.

The power supply circuit 90 is a power supply device that supplies drive power to the door lock system 100 . The power supply circuit 90 supplies power as a direct current through the electric wire 9s. Note that the electric wire 9g is the ground.

The unlocking circuit 91 acquires from the door locking system 100 information for judging whether or not to unlock the vehicle door and information related to the input of the unlocking instruction for the door, based on the amplitude of the current value of the electric wire 9s. Based on this information, the unlocking circuit 91 determines whether or not the vehicle door can be unlocked, and sends an unlocking instruction to a door unlocking device (not shown).

The first antenna drive circuit 92 is a drive circuit for the coil 40 as an antenna. The first antenna driving circuit 92 supplies an encoded alternating current to the wire 9g and causes the coil 40 to transmit a predetermined signal (for example, a communication request signal to the key device).

[Description of the door lock system]
The door locking system 100 has a first circuit 4 suitable for telecommunication, coil 30, having a coil 40, as shown in FIG. A second circuit 3 suitable for , an unlock sensor unit 16 (an example of a proximity sensor) that receives an input of a door unlocking instruction from an occupant, a first circuit 4, a second circuit 3, a door locking instruction from an occupant A control circuit 1 having a control unit 2 that controls the operation of the door locking system 100 based on the operation of a lock sensor unit 15 that receives an input, and a pair of electric wires 5 (electric wires 51, 52).

The first circuit 4 is a circuit for wireless communication (transmission) using radio waves with a key device carried (possessed) by a passenger (for example, a wireless key device pre-sold attached to a vehicle). The first circuit 4 performs communication by a communication method suitable for long-distance communication in this embodiment. In the present embodiment, the first circuit 4 uses a so-called LF band (frequency of 30 kHz to 300 kHz), for example, performs wireless communication (so-called LF communication) that broadcasts a response request signal encoded by AM modulation ( An example of the first communication). Hereinafter, transmission of a response request signal performed by the first circuit 4 or the like as the door lock system 100 may be simply referred to as communication. Although LF communication is exemplified here, communication may be transmitted and received in the case of other long-distance communication, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication.

The first circuit 4 has a coil 40 having an antenna function, a first capacitor 41 connected in series with the coil 40, a second capacitor 42 connected in parallel with the coil 40, and a switch 43 connected in series with the second capacitor 42. .

The first capacitor 41 is provided on the electric wire 51 . The first capacitor 41 is a DC cut (so-called coupling) circuit. The first capacitor 41 makes it possible to supply (bypass) the alternating current sent from the first antenna driving circuit 92 of the ECU 9 to the coil 40, and cuts the DC component of the current supplied from the electric wire 51 so that it is not supplied to the coil 40. do. Also, the first capacitor 41 configures an LC series resonance circuit together with the coil 40 . This LC series resonance circuit resonates with the frequency of the alternating current sent from the first antenna driving circuit 92 of the ECU 9 by adjusting the capacitance of the first capacitor 41 . Thereby, the coil 40 can perform appropriate transmission in wireless communication.

The coil 40 is a winding wire having an antenna function in the LF band. The coil 40 has one end connected to the electric wire 51 and the other end connected to the electric wire 52 . The electric wire 51 between the coil 40 and the first capacitor 41 is hereinafter referred to as an electric wire 51b, and the other portion of the electric wire 51 is referred to as an electric wire 51a.

A second capacitor 42 and a switch 43 are provided on an electric wire 42a connected to the electric wires 51b and 52 . In this embodiment, the second capacitor 42 is provided on the wire 51b side with respect to the switch 43 . The second capacitor 42 constitutes an LC parallel circuit (first antenna circuit, an example of an LC circuit) together with the coil 40 when the switch 43 is short-circuited. The second capacitor 42 constitutes an LC parallel circuit with the coil 40 when the switch 43 is short-circuited (so-called closed). When the switch 43 is opened (disconnected, so-called open), the configuration of the LC parallel circuit with the coil 40 is released. The opening and closing (shutdown and short circuit) of the switch 43 is performed based on the command from the control circuit 1 . The switch 43 may be a field effect transistor, an insulated gate bipolar transistor, or any other device or contact structure having a switch function.

When the switch 43 is short-circuited to form an LC parallel circuit, the first circuit 4 cannot communicate. When the switch 43 is opened to disconnect the second capacitor 42 from the coil 40, the LC parallel circuit is released. This enables the first circuit 4 to communicate.

The key device that receives the communication of the first circuit 4 transmits information including the first unique ID to the vehicle (hereinafter referred to as first response communication). In this embodiment, the vehicle is provided with an antenna (not shown) separate from the coils 40 and 30, and the antenna receives the first response communication of the key device. The unlocking circuit 91 acquires information including the first unique ID from the first response communication, and waits for reception of an unlocking command from the unlock sensor unit 16 if it determines that unlocking is permitted. If the unlocking circuit 91 determines that unlocking is impossible, the unlocking circuit 91 waits as it is.

The second circuit 3 is a circuit for performing wireless communication using radio waves with another key device carried by the passenger (for example, a smart phone in which ID information registered in the vehicle in advance is recorded). The second circuit 3 performs communication by a communication method suitable for short-distance communication in this embodiment. The second circuit 3 communicates by a communication method or the like that realizes an individual identification function by wireless communication called RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification). In the present embodiment, the second circuit 3 performs near field communication, so-called NFC (Near Field Communication). signal) to acquire determination information (an example of second communication). The second circuit 3 performs communication based on the operation command from the control section 2 . A detailed description of short-range wireless communication is omitted.

The second circuit 3 transmits a signal included in the radio signal received by the coil 30, the second antenna driving circuit 31 that drives the coil 30, and the coil 30 to the control circuit 1, and the control circuit 1 transmits the signal included in the second circuit 3. It has a communication unit 32 that receives a command for operation. The second circuit 3 is supplied with electric power by connecting the power terminal 39s and the electric wire 51a with an electric wire 3s having a diode 3d. The anode side of the diode 3d is connected to the wire 51a side. The second circuit 3 is grounded by connecting the ground terminal 39g and the electric wire 52 with the electric wire 3g. That is, the control circuit 1 is connected in parallel with the first circuit 4 and the coil 40 of the first circuit 4 with respect to the pair of electric wires 5 .

The coil 30 is a wound wire having an NFC antenna function. In this embodiment, as an example of realizing the NFC antenna function, a coil in which the coil 30 is a wound wire is exemplified. Also good.

The second antenna driving circuit 31 is a circuit for NFC communication. The second antenna driving circuit 31 drives the coil 30 to perform NFC communication. Further, the second antenna driving circuit 31 detects that another device capable of NFC communication (in this embodiment, a key device capable of NFC communication) is in the communicable area of the second circuit 3 based on the change in the impedance of the coil 30. The presence is detected, and the NFC communication is executed as the second circuit 3 when the detection is performed.

The communication unit 32 is communicably connected to the control circuit 1 through the signal line 12a. The communication unit 32 causes the second antenna driving circuit 31 to perform communication based on the operation command received by communicating with the control circuit 1 . The communication unit 32 acquires a signal included in the radio signal received by the coil 30 by executing the communication of the second antenna driving circuit 31 . The communication unit 32 drives the second antenna drive circuit 31 based on the operation command acquired from the control circuit 1 to transmit a predetermined signal via the coil 30 . In this embodiment, the second antenna drive circuit 31 demodulates the signal included in the radio signal received by the coil 30 and then sends the demodulated signal to the communication unit 32 .

The control circuit 1 is a circuit that has a control unit 2 and controls the operations of the first circuit 4, the second circuit 3, and the like. The control circuit 1 communicates with the second circuit 3 to control the second circuit 3, a second circuit control unit 12 that acquires a signal from the second circuit 3, and a first circuit that monitors the operating state of the first circuit 4. It has a circuit detection unit 13, a first circuit control unit 14 for controlling the opening and closing of the switch 43, and a lock sensor electrode 15a. The ECU 9 acquires an unlocking command from the unlocking sensor electrode 16a that detects the input of the unlocking command from the occupant and detects the input of the unlocking command from the occupant. An unlock sensor unit 16 for sending an unlocking command to the door, and an output unit 11 are provided.

The control circuit 1 is supplied with power by connecting its power supply terminal 19s and an electric wire 51a with an electric wire 1s having a diode 1d and a resistor 1r. The diode 1d has its anode side connected to the wire 51a side. The control circuit 1 is connected to the ground by connecting the ground terminal 19g and the electric wire 52 with the electric wire 1g. In the control circuit 1, the output section 11 and the electric wire 1s on the electric wire 51a side of the diode 1d are connected by the electric wire 11a having the diode 11d and the resistor 11r. The anode side of the diode 11d is connected to the wire 1s side.

The output unit 11 is a circuit that converts (encodes) the signals output from the second circuit control unit 12, the lock sensor unit 15, the unlock sensor unit 16, etc. of the control circuit 1 into current amplitudes (encodes) and sends the signals to the ECU 9. is. Signals output from each section of the control circuit 1 to the ECU 9 are output to the ECU 9 via the output section 11 . The description of the operation of the output unit 11 is omitted below.

The first circuit detection unit 13 is connected to the electric wire 51b by an electric wire 13a having a resistance 13r. The first circuit detection unit 13 detects the voltage (the magnitude of the peak voltage) of the electric wire 51 b and sends the detection result to the control unit 2 . Based on the detection result of the first circuit detection section 13, the control section 2 determines whether or not the first circuit 4 is being driven by the ECU 9 to perform transmission. In this embodiment, if the peak voltage is higher than a predetermined value, it is determined that transmission is in progress.

The second circuit control unit 12 receives a signal including determination information from the communication unit 32, and issues a command (such as permission or prohibition of communication) related to the operation of the second circuit 3 based on the operation command of the control unit 2. Send to circuit 3. The second circuit control section 12 further sends out a signal including determination information to the unlocking circuit 91 . When the unlocking circuit 91 receives the signal including the determination information and determines that unlocking is permitted, the unlocking circuit 91 unlocks without waiting for the unlock command from the unlock sensor 16 . If the unlocking circuit 91 determines that unlocking is impossible, the unlocking circuit 91 waits as it is.

The lock sensor electrode 15a and the unlock sensor electrode 16a are capacitive proximity sensors or the like. When the lock sensor electrode 15a and the unlock sensor electrode 16a detect the proximity of the occupant, the lock sensor unit 15 and the unlock sensor unit 16 send out a lock command and an unlock command to the ECU 9, respectively. It should be noted that proximity in this embodiment includes contact.

The first circuit control section 14 opens and closes the switch 43 based on the command from the control section 2 . The first circuit control unit 14 and the switch 43 are communicably connected via a signal line 14a.

The control unit 2 is a CPU of the control circuit 1 or the like, and is a central control unit that controls each unit of the control circuit 1 and controls the operations of the first circuit 4 and the second circuit 3 .

When one of the first circuit 4 and the second circuit 3 communicates, the control unit 2 can stop the communication of the other.

[Description of the operation of the door lock system]
An example of the operation of the door locking system according to this embodiment will be described. The door locking system 100 shown in FIG. 1 will be described below.

Based on the detection result of the first circuit detection unit 13, the control unit 2 causes the second circuit 3 to communicate at a timing when the ECU 9 is not communicating with the first circuit 4 (within a period of time). The control unit 2 stops the communication of the first circuit 4 when causing the second circuit 3 to communicate. That is, priority is given to the communication of the second circuit 3 .

When stopping the communication of the first circuit 4 , the control unit 2 instructs the first circuit control unit 14 to short-circuit the switch 43 to form an LC parallel circuit, thereby disabling the transmission of the first circuit 4 .

The ECU 9 alternately repeats transmission and stop of transmission of the first circuit 4 at predetermined timings.

The control unit 2 opens the switch 43 during the transmission period of the first circuit 4 . Note that the control unit 2 may notify the ECU 9 in advance that the switch 43 is open, and the ECU 9 may cause the first circuit 4 to transmit based on the notification.

The control unit 2 short-circuits the switch 43 while the ECU 9 stops transmission from the first circuit 4 (during the period). Thereby, an LC parallel circuit is formed in the first circuit 4, and the first circuit 4 becomes unable to communicate. The control unit 2 causes the first circuit 4 to maintain the communication-disabled state for a certain period of time, and then opens the switch 43 to enable the first circuit 4 to transmit.

The control unit 2 communicates with the second circuit 3 when the ECU 9 has stopped communication from the first circuit 4 and when the first circuit 4 is disabled for communication (during the period). allow The second circuit 3 detects whether or not a communicable key device exists in the communicable area of the second circuit 3, executes communication when the presence is detected, acquires determination information, and outputs the information to the ECU 9. Send to When the control unit 2 prohibits communication, the second circuit 3 stops executing communication. When the control unit 2 permits or prohibits communication with the second circuit 3, the control unit 2 may notify the ECU 9 to that effect. With this notification, the ECU 9 can wait for the communication from the first circuit 4 and resume the communication.

[Description of handle]
FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of a handle 200 for a vehicle equipped with the door locking system 100. As shown in FIG.

The handle 200 is mounted on a vehicle door (not shown). As shown in FIG. 2 , the handle 200 is a first seat portion 81 on which the door locking system 100 is mounted, and the handle 200 is fitted into and fixed to the first seat portion 81 to support a portion of the substrate of the door locking system 100 . and a casing 83 enclosing and enclosing the second seat 82 and the door locking system 100 .

In this embodiment, the door lock system 100 arranges the coil 30 and the lock sensor electrode 15a on one end side of the handle 200 in the longitudinal direction, and arranges the coil 40 and the unlock sensor electrode 16a on the other end side. A pair of electric wires 5 of the door lock system 100 has a pair of connection terminals 5a provided on one end side of the handle 200, and is connected to the ECU 9 of the vehicle via the connection terminals 5a.

FIG. 3 is a partial enlarged view of the portion where the coil 30 and the lock sensor electrode 15a are arranged in the door locking system 100 shown in FIG. A coil 30 is arranged along the outer circumference of the electrode plate of the flat lock sensor electrode 15a so as to surround it. The coil 30 is provided adjacent to the lock sensor electrode 15a. The coil 30 is formed as an electrode pattern on the support base of the lock sensor electrode 15a.

As described above, it is possible to provide a door locking system and a vehicle door handle that are compatible with a plurality of types of key devices and have a simplified interface.

[Another embodiment]
(1) In the above embodiment, it has been explained that when one of the first circuit 4 and the second circuit 3 communicates, the control unit 2 can stop the communication of the other circuit. However, the control unit 2 can also stop detection by the lock sensor electrode 15a and the unlock sensor electrode 16a of the lock sensor unit 15 and the unlock sensor unit 16 when the second circuit 3 communicates.

For example, it is preferable to stop the detection by the lock sensor electrode 15a of the lock sensor unit 15 when the control unit 2 permits the second circuit 3 to communicate. In this case, particularly when the second antenna drive circuit 31 detects that a communicable key device exists in the communicable area of the second circuit 3, it is preferable to stop the detection by the lock sensor electrode 15a of the lock sensor section 15. . By doing so, the certainty of communication between the second circuit 3 and the key device is enhanced. The detection by the lock sensor electrode 15a of the lock sensor section 15 may be stopped by, for example, cutting off the connection between the lock sensor section 15 and the lock sensor electrode 15a, or by connecting the lock sensor electrode 15a to the ground. . The same applies to the unlock sensor section 16 and the unlock sensor electrode 16a.

(2) In the above embodiment, the case where the second circuit 3 performs NFC communication has been described, but short-range wireless communication other than NFC communication can be performed.

(3) In the above embodiment, the lock sensor electrode 15a and the unlock sensor electrode 16a are capacitance type proximity sensors or the like, and the lock sensor section 15 and the unlock sensor section 16 are the lock sensor electrode 15a and the unlock sensor electrode 16a. A case has been described in which when the sensor electrode 16a detects the proximity of the passenger, it sends out a locking command or an unlocking command to the ECU 9, respectively. When detecting the approach of the passenger in this way, the lock sensor unit 15 and the unlock sensor unit 16 distinguish between contact (second proximity distance) and proximity other than contact (first proximity distance) (an example of identification). ), contact and proximity other than contact can be recognized as different motion commands.

For example, the control unit 2 prohibits communication of the second circuit 3 when proximity other than contact is detected by the unlock sensor unit 16, and permits communication of the second circuit 3 while contact is detected. You may In this case, for example, an occupant with a key device happens to be near the vehicle, the second circuit 3 communicates with the key device, and the unlock circuit 91 receives an unlock command from the unlock sensor unit 16. When waiting for reception, another person who does not have a key device approaches the unlock sensor electrode 16a, and the door is unlocked regardless of the unlocking intention of the occupant who has the key device. You can avoid inconveniences such as

Further, when proximity other than contact is detected by the lock sensor unit 15, the control unit 2 permits the communication of the second circuit 3 (an example of enabling execution of the second communication), and the contact is detected. In the state, the communication of the second circuit 3 can be prohibited (an example of stopping execution of the second communication). In this case, communication can be performed by the second circuit 3 while confirming that the key device exists so close that the lock sensor unit 15 can detect the proximity. Note that the unlock sensor unit 16 may be used instead of the lock sensor unit 15 .

(4) Although the first circuit 4 has the switch 43 in the above embodiment, the control circuit 1 may incorporate the switch 43 .

(5) In the above embodiment, the second circuit 3 receives power by connecting the power supply terminal 39s and the wire 51a with the wire 3s having the diode 3d. may receive power from the control circuit 1 as shown in FIG. In this case, the control circuit 1 is provided with an output terminal 19a for outputting a current voltage-regulated by a regulator or the like. The second circuit 3 is supplied with power by connecting the power supply terminal 39s and the output terminal 19a with a wire.

(6) In the above embodiment, the case where the first capacitor 41 of the first circuit 4 configures the LC series resonance circuit together with the coil 40 has been described. Additionally, the first circuit 4 may have a damping resistor connected in series with the first capacitor 41 and the coil 40 . With this damping resistor, when the first circuit 4 transmits, the charge accumulated in the LC series resonance circuit can be damped early, and the resonance of the LC series resonance circuit can be sharpened.

(7) In the above embodiment, the door lock system 100 has the first circuit 4 that performs LF communication and the second circuit 3 that performs near field communication such as NFC. In addition to these, the door lock system 100 may have a communication circuit that performs other communication methods (for example, communication such as Bluetooth). Door locking system 100 may have more than two communication circuits, including first circuit 4, second circuit 3, and other communication circuits.

(8) In the above embodiment, the first circuit 4 includes the coil 40 having an antenna function, the first capacitor 41 connected in series with the coil 40, the second capacitor 42 connected in parallel with the coil 40, and the second capacitor 42. The case of having switches 43 connected in series has been described. When the control unit 2 stops the communication of the first circuit 4, the control unit 2 instructs the first circuit control unit 14 to short-circuit the switch 43 to form an LC parallel circuit, thereby disabling the transmission of the first circuit 4. explained when to do so. However, instead of the second capacitor 42 and the switch 43, it may have a second switch connected in series with the coil 40. FIG. In this case, when the control unit 2 stops the communication of the first circuit 4, the second switch can be opened to disable the first circuit 4 from transmitting.

It should be noted that the configurations disclosed in the above embodiments (including other embodiments, the same shall apply hereinafter) can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments as long as there is no contradiction. The embodiments disclosed in this specification are exemplifications, and the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the object of the present invention.

1: control circuit 2: control unit 3: second circuit 4: first circuit 9g: electric wire 9s: electric wire 16: unlock sensor unit (proximity sensor)
16a: unlock sensor electrode (electrode)
30: Second antenna 40: Coil (first antenna, first antenna circuit, LC circuit)
42: second capacitor (first antenna circuit, LC circuit)
83: Casing 100: Door lock system 200: Handle

Claims (10)

a first circuit that performs a first communication requesting a response for determining whether the door can be unlocked;
a second circuit that executes a second communication for determining whether or not the door can be unlocked, and outputs a reception result of the second communication to the outside;
a control circuit that controls operations of the first circuit and the second circuit;
the control circuit suspends execution of one of the first communication and the second communication when the other is executed ;
the first circuit includes a coil and a capacitor;
The coil and the capacitor can form an LC parallel circuit or cancel the LC parallel circuit,
A door lock system in which the first circuit becomes incapable of communication when the LC parallel circuit is configured, and becomes communicable when the configuration of the LC parallel circuit is released . The first circuit is capable of executing the first communication by wireless communication,
The second circuit is capable of executing the second communication by wireless communication,
2. The door locking system of claim 1, wherein said first circuit performs relatively long-range wireless communication with said second circuit. 3. The door lock system according to claim 2, wherein said control circuit stops execution of said first communication when said second communication is executable. 4. A door locking system according to any preceding claim, wherein the control circuit disables the first circuit when the second communication is performed. The first circuit has a first antenna circuit for wireless communication,
5. The door locking system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said control circuit cuts off said first antenna circuit when said second communication is performed. The first antenna circuit has a first antenna having the coil, the capacitor and a switch connected in series with the capacitor,
The coil, the capacitor and the switch are connected in parallel with the control circuit,
6. The door lock system according to claim 5, wherein the control circuit short-circuits the switch when the second communication is performed to configure the LC parallel circuit. a first circuit that performs a first communication requesting a response for determining whether the door can be unlocked;
a second circuit that executes a second communication for determining whether or not the door can be unlocked, and outputs a reception result of the second communication to the outside;
a control circuit that controls operations of the first circuit and the second circuit;
a proximity sensor for inputting an unlocking instruction or a locking instruction for the door,
the control circuit suspends execution of one of the first communication and the second communication when the other is executed;
The second circuit has a second antenna for wireless communication,
The proximity sensor has an electrode for detecting the unlocking instruction or the locking instruction,
The door locking system, wherein the second antenna is located adjacent to the perimeter of the electrode. The proximity sensor is capable of distinguishing between a first proximity distance and a second proximity distance that is closer than the first proximity distance,
The control circuit enables execution of the second communication when proximity is detected at the first proximity distance, and stops execution of the second communication when proximity is detected at the second proximity distance. A door locking system according to claim 7. 8. The door locking system of claim 7, wherein the control circuit deactivates the proximity sensor when the second communication is performed. a first circuit that performs a first communication requesting a response for determining whether the vehicle door can be unlocked;
a second circuit that executes a second communication for determining whether or not the vehicle door can be unlocked, and transmits a reception result of the second communication;
a control circuit that controls operations of the first circuit and the second circuit;
a pair of electric wires in which the first circuit and the control circuit are connected in parallel;
a casing housing the first circuit, the second circuit, and the control circuit;
The pair of wires transmit the reception result of the second communication to the outside and supply the power supplied from the outside to the first circuit, the second circuit, and the control circuit,
A vehicle door handle in which the control circuit stops execution of one of the first communication and the second communication when the other is executed.

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