JP7510113B2 - Door opening and closing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a door opening and closing device, and in particular to a door opening and closing device that enables automatic opening and closing of a swing door of a vehicle.

Some vehicles, such as passenger cars, are equipped with a door opening and closing device that automatically opens and closes the vehicle doors. The door opening and closing device is configured to drive an actuator to automatically open and close a target door in response to an operation of an opening and closing switch by a user.
For example, the door opening and closing device described in Patent Document 1 has a configuration in which an exterior opening and closing switch is provided near the outer door handle or integrally with the outer door handle.

JP 2005-212505 A

However, in the door opening and closing device described in the above Patent Document 1, the door opening and closing operation is performed with one outdoor opening and closing switch, which may lead to user erroneous operation. For example, if the target door is slightly open (so-called half-open), and the user erroneously closes the door, there is a possibility that an object or the like may be caught in the door.
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a door opening and closing device that enables the opening and closing operation of a vehicle door to be performed safely and reliably.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the door opening and closing device of the present invention is characterized in comprising a closing operation switch provided on the outer surface of a door to be operated among the doors of a vehicle, an opening operation switch provided on the outer surface of the vehicle other than the door to be operated, and a control device configured to control the closing operation of the door to be operated based on operation of the closing operation switch, and to control the opening operation of the door to be operated based on operation of the opening operation switch.

In a door opening and closing device according to one aspect of the present invention, the closing operation switch and the opening operation switch each have a display unit, and the control device is configured to, when the target door is open, display a closing operation permission display on the closing operation switch indicating that the target door can be closed, and to, when the target door is closed, display an opening operation permission display on the opening operation switch indicating that the target door can be opened.

In a door opening and closing device according to one aspect of the present invention, the control device is configured to display the opening operation permission indication based on an identification signal that identifies the user as a legitimate user.
In a door opening and closing device according to one aspect of the present invention, the control device is configured to display a closing operation stop indication on the closing operation switch, indicating that the closing operation can be stopped while the target door is performing a closing operation, and to display an opening operation stop indication on the opening operation switch, indicating that the opening operation can be stopped while the target door is performing an opening operation.

In a door opening and closing device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the control device is configured to display a lock permission display on the closing operation switch, indicating that the target door can be locked, when the target door is closed and unlocked, based on an identification signal identifying the user as a legitimate user.
In a door opening and closing device according to one aspect of the present invention , the control device is configured to display a stopped state on the display units of the opening operation switch and the closing operation switch during the opening and closing operations of the door to be operated.

In one aspect of the door opening and closing device of the present invention, the closing switch and the opening switch are arranged side by side in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle.

According to the door opening and closing device of the present invention, a close switch is provided on the outer surface of a target door among the doors of a vehicle, and an open switch is provided on the outer surface of the vehicle other than the target door. Since the close switch and the open switch are provided in separate positions, even if the target door is slightly open (so-called ajar), it is possible to reliably prevent the user from erroneously operating the switch and to prevent objects from getting caught in the target door. In this way, the vehicle door can be opened and closed safely and reliably.

1 is a right side view of a vehicle provided with a door opening and closing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 1 is a system configuration diagram of a door opening and closing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing an opening operation switch according to the embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart showing a door opening operation process realized by the door opening and closing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart showing a door opening operation process realized by the door opening and closing device according to the embodiment of the present invention, which is a continuation of the flowchart in FIG. 4 . FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing a closing operation switch according to the embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart showing a door closing operation process realized by the door opening and closing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. 8 is a flowchart showing a door closing operation process realized by the door opening and closing device according to the embodiment of the present invention, which is a continuation of the flowchart in FIG. 7 .

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a right side view of a vehicle 100 provided with a door opening/closing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram of the door opening/closing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. For convenience of explanation, "front", "rear", "left" and "right" are defined as viewed from a seated occupant with reference to the traveling direction of the vehicle 100, and "up" and "down" are defined with reference to gravity. That is, the arrows "front" and "rear" shown in each figure indicate the forward and backward directions of the vehicle, and the arrows "up" and "down" indicate the up-down direction of the vehicle. Although not shown, the left-right direction is a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and the up-down direction shown in each figure, and indicates the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 100. In the description of this embodiment, the vehicle 100 is provided with a right handle, and a case will be described in which the door opening/closing device 1 controls the opening and closing of a right front door 102 of the vehicle 100.
[Configuration of door opening and closing device 1]
As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a door opening and closing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a closing operation switch 2, an opening operation switch 3, an obstacle detection sensor 4, a door angle sensor 5, a contact sensor 6, an identification sensor 7, a door opening/closing state detection sensor 8, a door lock state detection sensor 9, an ECU 10 as a control device, a door opening/closing actuator 11, and an operation permission display device 12 as a display unit.

The ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 10 is a calculator including a microcomputer, and is attached to the vehicle 100. The ECU 10 has a CPU, a memory (ROM, RAM, etc.), a timer, and an input/output device (A/D converter, D/A converter, etc.), and is configured to perform a predetermined control by the CPU reading and executing a program recorded in the ROM. As shown in FIG. 2, the closing switch 2, the opening switch 3, the obstacle detection sensor 4, the door angle sensor 5, the contact sensor 6, the identification sensor 7, the door opening/closing state detection sensor 8, and the door lock state detection sensor 9 are connected to the ECU 10 by wire or wireless, and predetermined information is input from these sensors. In addition, the door opening/closing actuator 11 and the operation permission display device 12 are connected to the ECU 10 by wire or wireless. The ECU 10 performs a predetermined calculation based on the input predetermined information, and outputs the predetermined information to the door opening/closing actuator 11 and the operation permission display device 12. Specifically, the ECU 10 is configured to control the closing operation of the right front door 102 as the door to be operated, based on the user's operation of the closing operation switch 2, and to control the opening operation of the right front door 102, based on the user's operation of the opening operation switch 3. The opening operation process and closing operation process of the right front door 102, which are realized by the door opening and closing device 1 centered around the ECU 10, will be described later.

The close operation switch 2 is a switch for starting the closing operation of the right front door 102, and is provided on the outer surface of the right front door 102 of the vehicle 100. Specifically, the close operation switch 2 is embedded in the rear part 102c of the right front door panel 102a, which is a component of the right front door 102, so as to face the outside of the vehicle 100. The rear part 102c of the right front door panel 102a is located on the right side of the B pillar (not shown) of the vehicle 100. The right front door 102 is a swing-type door that can rotate around a rotation axis (not shown) provided on the front side of the right front door 102, and can be closed using the close operation switch 2, or can be closed by the user directly pushing the right front door 102.

The opening operation switch 3 is a switch for starting the opening operation of the right front door 102, and is provided on the outer surface of the vehicle 100 other than the right front door 102. Specifically, the opening operation switch 3 is provided on the outer surface of the right rear door 103. More specifically, the opening operation switch 3 is embedded in the front part 103c of the right rear door panel 103a, which is a part that constitutes the right rear door 103, so as to face the outside of the vehicle 100. The front part 103c of the right rear door panel 103a is located on the right side of the B pillar (not shown) of the vehicle 100, and is located adjacent to the rear side of the rear part 102c of the right front door panel 102a. In this way, the closing operation switch 2 and the opening operation switch 3 are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The closing operation switch 2 and the opening operation switch 3 may be arranged offset in the vertical direction. The right front door 102 can be opened using the opening switch 3, or the user can open it by directly pulling the right front door 102.

The obstacle detection sensor 4 is, for example, an ultrasonic sensor provided on the right front door 102. The obstacle detection sensor 4 is configured to detect an obstacle when the right front door 102 is opened or closed, and to transmit the obstacle information to the ECU 10.
The door angle sensor 5 is a sensor that detects the angle of the right front door 102, i.e., the turning angle of the right front door 102 based on the closed state, and is provided, for example, on the right front door 102. The door angle sensor 5 is configured to detect the turning angle of the right front door 102 when the right front door 102 is opened and closed, and to transmit the turning angle information to the ECU 10.

The contact sensor 6 is a sensor that detects contact between the right front door 102 and an object, and is provided, for example, on the right front door 102. The contact sensor 6 is configured to detect contact of an object with the right front door 102 when the right front door 102 is opened or closed, and to transmit the contact information to the ECU 10.
The identification sensor 7 is a sensor that detects an authentication ID stored in a remote control key or the like held by a user, and is provided, for example, on the right front door 102. The identification sensor 7 is configured to detect the authentication ID before the right front door 102 is opened or closed, and to transmit information about the authentication ID to the ECU 10.

The door open/closed state detection sensor 8 is a sensor that detects whether the right front door 102 is open or closed, and is provided, for example, on the right front door 102. The door open/closed state detection sensor 8 is configured to detect the open/closed state of the right front door 102, and transmit to the ECU 10 door open information when the right front door 102 is open, and door closed information when the right front door 102 is closed.

The door lock status detection sensor 9 is a sensor that detects whether the right front door 102 is locked or unlocked, and is provided, for example, on the right front door 102. The door lock status detection sensor 9 is configured to detect the locked status of the right front door 102 and transmit to the ECU 10 lock information when the right front door 102 is locked, and unlock information when the right front door 102 is unlocked.

The door opening/closing actuator 11 is a driving means for opening and closing the right front door 102, and has, for example, an electric motor (not shown) and a reducer (not shown) that reduces the rotation of the electric motor. The electric motor receives power from a battery (not shown) mounted on the vehicle 100 and outputs a predetermined rotational power. The door opening/closing actuator 11 is provided, for example, on the right front door 102, receives predetermined door opening/closing information from the ECU 10, and realizes a predetermined operation, i.e., the opening and closing operation of the right front door 102, based on the door opening/closing information.

The operation permission display device 12 is, for example, a liquid crystal display device provided on the closing switch 2 and the opening switch 3, and displays information permitting a specific operation on the right front door 102 on the closing switch 2 and the opening switch 3 (for example, "OPEN" (see FIG. 3), "CLOSE" (see FIG. 6), etc.). The operation permission display device 12 receives specific operation permission information from the ECU 10, and performs a specific display on the closing switch 2 and the opening switch 3 based on the operation permission information. The control of the ECU 10 over the door opening/closing actuator 11 and the operation permission display device 12 will be described later.

Since the configurations of the obstacle detection sensor 4, door angle sensor 5, contact sensor 6, identification sensor 7, door open/close status detection sensor 8, door lock status detection sensor 9, ECU 10, door open/close actuator 11, and operation permission display device 12 are publicly known, detailed explanations of these will be omitted.
[Opening Operation by Door Opening and Closing Device 1]
Next, the opening operation process of the right front door 102 by the door opening and closing device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 5. Figure 3 is an enlarged view showing the opening operation switch 3 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the opening operation process of the right front door 102 realized by the door opening and closing device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the opening operation process of the right front door 102 realized by the door opening and closing device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, and shows a continuation of the flowchart of Figure 4.

The door opening/closing device 1 is used when a user opens the right front door 102 from outside the vehicle 100. First, the ECU 10 receives the authentication ID information transmitted from the identification sensor 7 and determines whether it matches the authentication ID stored in the ECU 10 (S300). Specifically, a specific authentication ID is stored in the remote control key held by the user, and the same ID as the authentication ID is also pre-stored in the ECU 10. When the user approaches the vehicle 100 while carrying the remote control key, the identification sensor 7 wirelessly communicates with the remote control key, detects the authentication ID, and transmits the authentication ID information to the ECU 10. If the ECU 10 determines that the authentication IDs do not match (No in S300), the opening operation process of the door opening/closing device 1 ends without any further processing.

On the other hand, if the ECU 10 determines that the authentication IDs match (Yes in S300), the ECU 10 receives door open information or door closed information from the door open/close state detection sensor 8 and determines whether the right front door 102 is closed (S310). If the ECU 10 determines that the right front door 102 is not closed, i.e., is open (No in S310), the opening operation process of the door opening/closing device 1 ends without any further processing.

On the other hand, if the ECU 10 determines that the right front door 102 is closed (Yes in S310), the ECU 10 controls the operation permission display device 12 to display "OPEN" (see FIG. 3) on the opening operation switch 3, indicating that the right front door 102 can be opened (S320). This "OPEN" display lets the user know that the right front door 102 can be opened. In this way, when the right front door 102 is closed, the ECU 10 controls the opening operation switch 3 to display "OPEN", which is an opening operation permission display indicating that the right front door 102 can be opened (FIG. 3). The ECU 10 also controls the display of "OPEN", which is an opening operation permission display, based on an identification signal that identifies the user as a legitimate user (FIG. 3).

Next, the ECU 10 judges whether the opening switch 3 has been operated by the user (S330). If the ECU 10 judges that the opening switch 3 has not been operated (No in S330), the ECU 10 measures the waiting time set in the timer and judges whether the waiting time (predetermined time) has elapsed (S340). If the ECU 10 judges that the waiting time has not elapsed (No in S340), the ECU 10 controls the operation permission display device 12 to maintain the "OPEN" display on the opening switch 3 (S320). On the other hand, if the ECU 10 judges that the waiting time has elapsed (Yes in S340), the ECU 10 controls the operation permission display device 12 to erase the "OPEN" display on the opening switch 3 (S350). After that, the operation process of the door opening and closing device 1 returns to step S300, where it is determined whether the authentication ID of the remote control key matches the ID stored in the ECU 10.

On the other hand, if the ECU 10 determines that the opening switch 3 has been operated (Yes in S330), the ECU 10 receives lock or unlock information for the right front door 102 from the door lock state detection sensor 9 and determines whether the right front door 102 is locked (S360). If the ECU 10 determines that the right front door 102 is locked (Yes in S360), the ECU 10 controls the door opening actuator 11 to unlock the right front door 102 (S370). For example, the ECU 10 controls to release the striker from the door latch. Furthermore, the ECU 10 controls the door opening actuator 11 to perform an opening operation for the right front door 102 (S380). Specifically, the ECU 10 drives an electric motor (not shown) to open the right front door 102.

On the other hand, if the ECU 10 determines that the right front door 102 is not locked, i.e., is unlocked (No in S360), the ECU 10 skips the step of unlocking the door (S370) and controls the door opening/closing actuator 11 to open the right front door 102 (S380).
Next, while the right front door 102 is opening, the ECU 10 controls the opening switch 3 to display "STOP", which is an opening operation stop display (stop state display) indicating that the opening operation can be stopped (S390). Specifically, the ECU 10 controls the operation permission display device 12 to display "STOP" (see FIG. 3), which indicates that the opening operation of the right front door 102 can be stopped, on the opening switch 3. This "STOP" display allows the user to recognize that the opening operation of the right front door 102 can be immediately stopped.

Next, while the right front door 102 is opening, the ECU 10 receives obstacle information from the obstacle detection sensor 4 and determines whether or not an obstacle is present within the turning range of the right front door 102 (S400). If the ECU 10 determines that an obstacle is present within the turning range of the right front door 102 (Yes in S400), the ECU 10 controls the door opening/closing actuator 11 to stop the opening operation of the right front door 102 (S430).

On the other hand, if the ECU 10 determines that no obstacle is present within the rotation range of the right front door 102 (No in S400), the ECU 10 receives contact information from the contact sensor 6 and determines whether the right front door 102 has contacted an object (S410). If the ECU 10 determines that the right front door 102 has contacted an object (Yes in S410), the ECU 10 controls the door opening/closing actuator 11 to stop the opening operation of the right front door 102 (S430).

On the other hand, if the ECU 10 determines that the right front door 102 is not in contact with an object (No in S410), the ECU 10 determines whether the user has operated the opening switch 3 (S420). Specifically, the ECU 10 determines whether the user has operated the opening switch 3 to "STOP." If the ECU 10 determines that the opening switch 3 has been operated (Yes in S420), the ECU 10 controls the door opening actuator 11 to stop the opening operation of the right front door 102 (S430).

On the other hand, if the ECU 10 determines that the opening switch 3 has not been operated (No in S420), the ECU 10 determines that the user does not intend to stop the opening operation of the right front door 102, continues the opening operation of the right front door 102, and determines whether the opening angle of the right front door 102 is equal to or greater than a predetermined angle (S500). The step of determining whether the opening angle of the right front door 102 is equal to or greater than a predetermined angle (S500) will be described later.

After executing the step (S430) of stopping the opening operation of the right front door 102, the ECU 10 receives the turning angle information of the right front door 102 from the door angle sensor 5 and judges whether the turning angle of the right front door 102 is equal to or greater than a predetermined angle (S440). The predetermined angle is the turning angle required for the user to enter the vehicle 100, and may be, for example, 45 degrees. The angle is stored in the ECU 10 in advance. If the ECU 10 judges that the turning angle of the right front door 102 is equal to or greater than the predetermined angle (Yes in S440), it is judged that the user can enter the vehicle 100, and the opening operation process of the door opening and closing device 1 is stopped (S510). After that, the ECU 10 controls the operation permission display device 12 to erase the display on the opening operation switch 3 (S520), and the opening operation process ends.

On the other hand, if the ECU 10 determines that the rotation angle of the right front door 102 is not equal to or greater than the predetermined angle (No in S440), the ECU 10 controls the operation permission display device 12 to display "OPEN" (see FIG. 3) on the opening operation switch 3, indicating that further opening of the right front door 102 is possible (S450). This "OPEN" display allows the user to recognize that further opening of the right front door 102 is possible.

Next, the ECU 10 judges whether the user has further operated the opening switch 3 (S460). If the ECU 10 judges that the opening switch 3 has not been operated (No in S460), the ECU 10 measures the waiting time set in the timer and judges whether the waiting time (predetermined time) has elapsed (S470). If the ECU 10 judges that the waiting time has not elapsed (No in S470), the ECU 10 controls the operation permission display device 12 to continue displaying "OPEN" on the opening switch 3 (S450). On the other hand, if the ECU 10 judges that the waiting time has elapsed (Yes in S470), the ECU 10 stops the opening operation process of the door opening/closing device 1 (S510), controls the operation permission display device 12 to erase the display on the opening switch 3 (S520), and ends the opening operation process.

On the other hand, if the ECU 10 determines that the opening operation switch 3 has been operated (Yes in S460), the ECU 10 controls the door opening/closing actuator 11 to perform a further opening operation of the right front door 102 (S490).
Next, the ECU 10 judges whether the turning angle of the right front door 102 is equal to or greater than a predetermined angle based on the turning angle information of the right front door 102 received from the door angle sensor 5 (S500). The predetermined angle is a turning angle required for the user to enter the vehicle 100, and may be, for example, 45 degrees. The angle is stored in the ECU 10 in advance. If the ECU 10 judges that the turning angle of the right front door 102 is not equal to or greater than the predetermined angle (No in S500), the ECU 10 controls the door opening/closing actuator 11 to continue to perform a further opening operation of the right front door 102 (S490).

On the other hand, if the ECU 10 determines that the rotation angle of the right front door 102 is equal to or greater than the predetermined angle (Yes in S500), it determines that the user is permitted to enter the vehicle 100, and the opening operation process of the door opening and closing device 1 is stopped (S510). After that, the ECU 10 controls the operation permission display device 12 to erase the display on the opening operation switch 3 (S520), and the opening operation process ends. After the opening operation process of the right front door 102 by the door opening and closing device 1 is completed, the user can manually open the right front door 102.
[Closing Operation by Door Opening and Closing Device 1]
Next, the process of closing the right front door 102 by the door opening and closing device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 6 to 8. Fig. 6 is an enlarged view showing the closing operation switch 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the process of closing the right front door 102 implemented by the door opening and closing device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the process of closing the right front door 102 implemented by the door opening and closing device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, and shows a continuation of the flowchart of Fig. 7.

The door opening/closing device 1 is used when a user closes the right front door 102 from outside the vehicle 100. First, the ECU 10 receives the authentication ID information transmitted from the identification sensor 7 and determines whether it matches the authentication ID stored in the ECU 10 (S600). Specifically, when a user approaches the vehicle 100 while carrying a remote control key, the identification sensor 7 wirelessly communicates with the remote control key, detects the authentication ID, and transmits the authentication ID information to the ECU 10. If the ECU 10 determines that the authentication IDs do not match (No in S600), the closing operation process of the door opening/closing device 1 ends without any further processing.

On the other hand, if the ECU 10 determines that the authentication IDs match (Yes in S600), the ECU 10 receives door open information or door closed information from the door open/close state detection sensor 8 and determines whether the right front door 102 is open (S610). If the ECU 10 determines that the right front door 102 is not open, i.e., is closed (No in S610), the closing operation process of the door opening/closing device 1 ends without any further processing.

On the other hand, if the ECU 10 determines that the right front door 102 is open (Yes in S610), the ECU 10 controls the operation permission display device 12 to display "CLOSE" (see FIG. 3) on the close operation switch 2, indicating that the right front door 102 can be closed (S620). In this way, when the right front door 102 is open, the ECU 10 controls the close operation switch 2 to display "CLOSE", which is a close operation permission display indicating that the right front door 102 can be closed (FIG. 6). This "CLOSE" display allows the user to recognize that the right front door 102 can be closed.

Next, the ECU 10 judges whether the user has operated the closing switch 2 (S630). If the ECU 10 judges that the closing switch 2 has not been operated (No in S630), the ECU 10 measures the waiting time set in the timer and judges whether the waiting time (predetermined time) has elapsed (S640). If the ECU 10 judges that the waiting time has not elapsed (No in S640), the ECU 10 controls the operation permission display device 12 to continue displaying "CLOSE" on the closing switch 2 (S620). On the other hand, if the ECU 10 judges that the waiting time has elapsed (Yes in S640), the ECU 10 controls the operation permission display device 12 to erase the "CLOSE" display on the closing switch 2 (S650). After that, the closing operation process of the door opening and closing device 1 returns to step S600, where it is determined whether the authentication ID of the remote control key matches the ID stored in the ECU 10.

On the other hand, when the ECU 10 determines that the closing switch 2 has been operated (Yes in S630), the ECU 10 controls the door opening/closing actuator 11 to perform the closing operation of the right front door 102 (S670). Specifically, the ECU 10 drives an electric motor (not shown) to perform the closing operation of the right front door 102.
Next, while the right front door 102 is performing a closing operation, the ECU 10 controls the closing operation switch 2 to display "STOP", which is a closing operation stop display (stop state display) indicating that the closing operation can be stopped (S680). Specifically, the ECU 10 controls the operation permission display device 12 to display "STOP" (see FIG. 6), which indicates that the closing operation of the right front door 102 can be stopped, on the closing operation switch 2. This "STOP" display allows the user to recognize that the closing operation of the right front door 102 can be immediately stopped.

Next, while the right front door 102 is closing, the ECU 10 determines whether or not an obstacle is present within the turning range of the right front door 102 based on the obstacle information received from the obstacle detection sensor 4 (S690). If the ECU 10 determines that an obstacle is present within the turning range of the right front door 102 (Yes in S690), the ECU 10 controls the door opening/closing actuator 11 to stop the closing operation of the right front door 102 (S720).

On the other hand, if the ECU 10 determines that no obstacle is present within the rotation range of the right front door 102 (No in S690), the ECU 10 receives contact information from the contact sensor 6 and determines whether the right front door 102 has contacted an object (S700). If the ECU 10 determines that the right front door 102 has contacted an object (Yes in S700), the ECU 10 controls the door opening/closing actuator 11 to stop the closing operation of the right front door 102 (S720).

On the other hand, if the ECU 10 determines that the right front door 102 is not in contact with an object (No in S700), the ECU 10 determines whether the user has operated the closing switch 2 (S710). Specifically, the ECU 10 determines whether the user has operated the "STOP" of the closing switch 2. If the ECU 10 determines that the closing switch 2 has been operated (Yes in S710), the ECU 10 controls the door opening/closing actuator 11 to stop the closing operation of the right front door 102 (S720).

On the other hand, if the ECU 10 determines that the closing switch 2 has not been operated (No in S710), the ECU 10 determines that the user does not intend to stop the closing operation of the right front door 102, continues the closing operation of the right front door 102 (S770), and determines whether the right front door 102 is completely closed (S780). The step of determining whether the right front door 102 is completely closed (S780) will be described later.

After executing the step (S720) of stopping the closing operation of the right front door 102, the ECU 10 controls the operation permission display device 12 to display "CLOSE" (see FIG. 6) on the closing operation switch 2, indicating that further closing operation of the right front door 102 is possible (S730). This "CLOSE" display allows the user to recognize that further closing operation of the right front door 102 is possible.

Next, the ECU 10 judges whether the user has further operated the closing switch 2 (S740). If the ECU 10 judges that the closing switch 2 has not been operated (No in S740), the ECU 10 measures the waiting time set in the timer and judges whether the waiting time (predetermined time) has elapsed (S750). If the ECU 10 judges that the waiting time has not elapsed (No in S750), the ECU 10 controls the operation permission display device 12 to continue displaying "CLOSE" on the closing switch 2 (S730). On the other hand, if the ECU 10 judges that the waiting time has elapsed (Yes in S750), the ECU 10 controls the operation permission display device 12 to erase the display on the closing switch 2 (S840), and the closing operation process of the door opening and closing device 1 is terminated. After the door opening/closing device 1 has completed the closing process of the right front door 102, the user can manually close the right front door 102.

On the other hand, if the ECU 10 determines that the closing operation switch 2 has been operated (Yes in S740), the ECU 10 controls the door opening/closing actuator 11 to perform a further closing operation of the right front door 102 (S770).
Next, the ECU 10 receives door open information or door closed information from the door open/close state detection sensor 8 and judges whether the right front door 102 is closed or not (S780). If the ECU 10 judges that the right front door 102 is not closed, i.e., is open (No in S780), the ECU 10 controls the door opening/closing actuator 11 to continue to perform a further closing operation of the right front door 102 (S770).

On the other hand, if the ECU 10 determines that the right front door 102 is closed (Yes in S780), the ECU 10 receives the authentication ID information transmitted from the identification sensor 7 and determines whether it matches the authentication ID stored in the ECU 10 (S790). If the ECU 10 determines that the authentication ID does not match (No in S790), the ECU 10 controls the operation permission display device 12 to erase the display on the closing operation switch 2 (S840), and the closing operation process of the door opening and closing device 1 ends.

On the other hand, if the ECU 10 determines that the authentication IDs match (Yes in S790), the ECU 10 controls the operation permission display device 12 to display "LOCK" (see FIG. 6) on the closing operation switch 2, indicating that the right front door 102 can be locked (S800). This "LOCK" display lets the user know that the right front door 102 can be locked. In this way, the ECU 10 controls the closing operation switch 2 to display "LOCK", which is a lock permission display indicating that the right front door 102 can be locked, when the right front door 102 is closed and unlocked, based on the identification signal that identifies the user as a legitimate user (FIG. 6).

Next, the ECU 10 judges whether the user has operated the closing switch 2 (S810). If the ECU 10 judges that the closing switch 2 has not been operated (No in S810), the ECU 10 measures the waiting time set in the timer and judges whether the waiting time (predetermined time) has elapsed (S820). If the ECU 10 judges that the waiting time has not elapsed (No in S820), the ECU 10 controls the operation permission display device 12 to continue displaying "LOCK" on the closing switch 2 (S800). On the other hand, if the ECU 10 judges that the waiting time has elapsed (Yes in S820), the ECU 10 controls the door opening/closing actuator 11 to lock the right front door 102 (S830).

On the other hand, when the ECU 10 determines that the closing switch 2 has been operated (Yes in S810), the ECU 10 controls the door opening/closing actuator 11 to lock the right front door 102 (S830). After that, the ECU 10 controls the operation permission display device 12 to erase the display on the closing switch 2 (S840), and the closing operation process of the door opening/closing device 1 is completed.
[Functions and Effects of Door Opening and Closing Device 1]
Next, the operation and effect of the door opening and closing device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. As described above, according to the door opening and closing device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the closing operation switch 2 is provided on the outer surface of the right front door 102 of the vehicle 100, and the opening operation switch 3 is provided on the outer surface of the right rear door 103 separate from the right front door 102 of the vehicle 100. Therefore, when opening the right front door 102 from the outside of the vehicle 100, the user can perform the opening operation of the right front door 102 at a position away from the right front door 102 (for example, a position to the right of the right rear door 103) without standing in front of the right front door 102, and the right front door 102 can be prevented from coming into contact with the user's hand or the like during the opening operation of the right front door 102. In addition, since the closing operation switch 2 and the opening operation switch 3 are provided at separate positions, even if the right front door 102 is slightly open (so-called half-open), it is possible to reliably avoid erroneous operation of the closing operation switch 2 and the opening operation switch 3 by the user, and to prevent objects from being caught in the right front door 102. In this manner, the right front door 102 of the vehicle 100 can be opened and closed safely and reliably.

In addition, according to the door opening and closing device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the ECU 10 controls the closing operation switch 2 to display "CLOSE", which is a closing operation permission display indicating that the right front door 102 can be closed, when the right front door 102 is open (FIG. 6). In addition, the ECU 10 controls the opening operation switch 3 to display "OPEN", which is an opening operation permission display indicating that the right front door 102 can be opened, when the right front door 102 is closed (FIG. 3). Therefore, the user can clearly recognize whether the operation that can be performed on the right front door 102 is a closing operation process or an opening operation process. Therefore, it is possible to reliably avoid erroneous operation of the closing operation switch 2 and the opening operation switch 3 by the user, and the right front door 102 of the vehicle 100 can be opened and closed safely and reliably.

Furthermore, according to the door opening and closing device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the ECU 10 controls to display "OPEN", which is an opening operation permission display, based on an identification signal that identifies the user as being a legitimate user (FIG. 3). Therefore, only a legitimate user can start the opening operation process of the right front door 102, and the crime prevention performance of the vehicle 100 can be improved.
According to the door opening/closing device 1 of the embodiment of the present invention, the ECU 10 controls the closing switch 2 to display "STOP", which is a closing operation stop display (stop state display) indicating that the closing operation can be stopped while the right front door 102 is closing (FIG. 6). The ECU 10 also controls the opening switch 3 to display "STOP", which is an opening operation stop display (stop state display) indicating that the opening operation can be stopped while the right front door 102 is opening (FIG. 3). This allows the user to clearly recognize that the opening/closing operation of the right front door 102 can be stopped immediately. In addition, the opening/closing operation of the right front door 102 can be stopped by operating the closing switch 2 and the opening switch 3 at any time during the opening/closing operation of the right front door 102. This reliably avoids erroneous operation of the closing switch 2 and the opening switch 3 by the user, and allows the opening/closing operation of the right front door 102 of the vehicle 100 to be performed safely and reliably.

Furthermore, according to the door opening and closing device 1 of the embodiment of the present invention, the ECU 10 controls the closing operation switch 2 to display "LOCK", which is a lock permission display indicating that the right front door 102 can be locked, when the right front door 102 is closed and unlocked, based on an identification signal that identifies the user as a legitimate user (FIG. 6). This allows the user to clearly recognize that the right front door 102 can be locked after it is closed. This reliably prevents the user from forgetting to lock the door, improving the crime prevention performance of the vehicle 100.

Furthermore, according to the door opening and closing device 1 of the embodiment of the present invention, the closing switch 2 and the opening switch 3 are arranged side by side in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle 100. Therefore, by minimizing the movement of the user's line of sight, the closing switch 2 and the opening switch 3 themselves and the display contents of the switches 2, 3 can be recognized at a glance. This allows the right front door 102 of the vehicle 100 to be opened and closed reliably.

Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the door opening and closing device 1 according to the above embodiment, but includes all aspects included in the concept of the present invention and the scope of the claims, and each configuration may be appropriately and selectively combined. For example, the shape, material, arrangement, size, etc. of each component in the above embodiment may be appropriately changed depending on the specific embodiment of the present invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, the door opening/closing device 1 performs the opening/closing operation process of the right front door 102 of the vehicle 100. However, the door opening/closing device may also control the opening/closing operation of another door, for example, the right rear door 103. In this case, the close operation switch is attached to the right rear door, and the open operation switch is attached to a vehicle body member (e.g., C-pillar) located behind the right rear door. The door opening/closing device may also perform the opening/closing operation process of the left front door of the vehicle 100, in which case the close operation switch is attached to the left front door, and the open operation switch is attached to the left rear door. Furthermore, the door opening/closing device may also perform the opening/closing operation process of the left rear door of the vehicle 100. In this case, the close operation switch is attached to the left rear door, and the open operation switch is attached to a vehicle body member (e.g., C-pillar) located behind the left rear door. Furthermore, the door opening/closing device may also perform the opening/closing operation process of the rear door of the vehicle 100 (a flip-up back door, a double-door back door, etc.). In this case, the closing switch may be attached to the rear door itself, and the opening switch may be attached to a vehicle body member other than the rear door (for example, near the rear bumper).

In the above embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4, when the ECU 10 determines that the right front door 102 is closed during the opening operation process of the right front door 102 (Yes in S310), the ECU 10 controls the operation permission display device 12 to display "OPEN" (see Fig. 3) on the opening operation switch 3, indicating that the right front door 102 can be opened (S320). However, when the ECU 10 determines that the right front door 102 is closed (Yes in S310), the ECU 10 may receive lock information or unlock information of the right front door 102 from the door lock state detection sensor 9 and determine whether the right front door 102 is locked (S360). Then, when the ECU 10 determines that the right front door 102 is locked (Yes in S360), the ECU 10 may control the operation permission display device 12 to display "UNLOCK" on the opening operation switch 3, indicating that the right front door 102 can be unlocked (not shown). When the ECU 10 determines that the user has operated the opening operation switch 3, i.e., operated the "UNLOCK" switch, the ECU 10 controls the door opening/closing actuator 11 to unlock the right front door 102 (S370). Next, the ECU 10 may control the operation permission display device 12 to display "OPEN" (see FIG. 3) on the opening operation switch 3, indicating that the right front door 102 can be opened (S320). Thereafter, if it is determined that the user has operated the opening switch 3, i.e., the "OPEN" switch (Yes in S330), the ECU 10 controls the door opening/closing actuator 11 to perform an opening operation of the right front door 102 (S380). The subsequent opening operation process is the same as that in the above embodiment, and will not be described here.

1 Door opening/closing device 2 Close operation switch 3 Open operation switch 10 ECU (control device)
100 Vehicle 102 Right front door (door)
103 Right rear door

Claims (7)

a switch for closing the door provided on an outer surface of the door to be operated among the doors of the vehicle;
an opening operation switch provided on an outer surface of the vehicle other than the target door;
a control device configured to control the closing operation of the target door based on the operation of the closing operation switch, and to control the opening operation of the target door based on the operation of the opening operation switch. The closing switch and the opening switch each have a display unit,
2. The door opening and closing device according to claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to display, on the close operation switch, a close operation permission indication indicating that the closing operation of the target door is possible when the target door is open, and to display, on the open operation switch, an open operation permission indication indicating that the opening operation of the target door is possible when the target door is closed. The door opening and closing device according to claim 2, wherein the control device is configured to display the opening operation permission display based on an identification signal that identifies the user as a legitimate user. 4. The door opening and closing device according to claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to display a closing operation stop display on the closing operation switch, indicating that the closing operation can be stopped while the target door is performing a closing operation, and to display an opening operation stop display on the opening operation switch, indicating that the opening operation can be stopped while the target door is performing an opening operation. 5. The door opening and closing device according to claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to display a lock permission display on the closing operation switch, indicating that the target door can be locked, when the target door is closed and unlocked, based on an identification signal that identifies the user as a legitimate user. 6. The door opening and closing device according to claim 2, wherein the control device is configured to display a stop state on the display units of the opening operation switch and the closing operation switch during the opening operation and closing operation of the target door. The door opening and closing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the closing switch and the opening switch are arranged side by side in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle.

Images