KR102463713B1 - Apparatus for controlling sliding door of a vehicle and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for controlling a sliding door of a vehicle, and to open a sliding door by accurately detecting a user's intention to open a sliding door with high accuracy only by interworking with a smart key system without a separate sensor. An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for controlling a sliding door of a vehicle that do not have to take an unstable posture to open a sliding door while carrying a load.
To this end, the present invention provides an apparatus for controlling a sliding door of a vehicle, comprising: an interlocking unit for obtaining detection area information of a smart key from a smart key system; If the smart key is located in the first area for the first reference time and then moves to the second area within the second reference time and waits for the third reference time, it is determined that the user is willing to open the sliding door and opens the sliding door. a control unit for controlling the driving unit; and the driving unit for opening and closing the sliding door.

Description

Apparatus for controlling a sliding door of a vehicle and a method therefor

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for controlling a sliding door of a vehicle, and more particularly, to a technology for accurately detecting a user's intention to open a sliding door without additionally providing a sensor in the vehicle.

As vehicles have recently been upgraded, various convenience devices are being installed in vehicles for the convenience of users. One of such convenience devices is a power sliding door system that automatically opens and closes a sliding door of a vehicle.

In general, a power sliding door system for a vehicle automatically opens and closes a sliding door using various software and RKE (Remote Keyless Entry), and enables automatic locking and unlocking of the sliding door. Recently, a hands-free power sliding door system that allows a user to open a sliding door even with a load in both hands is attracting attention.

Such a hands-free power sliding door system must additionally include a separate capacitive sensor and a sensor-dedicated ECU for controlling the user's intention to open the sliding door.

Therefore, the conventional hands-free power sliding door system is expensive to configure, and the detection performance accuracy is not high. There is a problem that can cause a fall accident.

As another conventional technique, when the user stays near the sliding door for more than a reference time, it is determined by the user's willingness to open the sliding door and opens the sliding door. It may not be the will, so there is a problem in that the accuracy of understanding the user's will is not high.

Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 2015-0108715

In order to solve the problems of the prior art as described above, the present invention opens the sliding door by accurately detecting the user's willingness to open the sliding door only by interworking with the smart key system without having a separate sensor, thereby allowing the user to lift a heavy load. An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for controlling a sliding door of a vehicle so that it is not necessary to take an unstable posture to open a sliding door in a holding situation.

The objects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned objects, and other objects and advantages of the present invention not mentioned may be understood by the following description, and will be more clearly understood by the examples of the present invention. It will also be readily apparent that the objects and advantages of the present invention may be realized by the means and combinations thereof indicated in the appended claims.

In order to achieve the above object, an apparatus of the present invention provides an apparatus for controlling a sliding door of a vehicle, comprising: an interlocking unit configured to obtain information on a detection area of a smart key from a smart key system; If the smart key is located in the first area for the first reference time and then moves to the second area within the second reference time and waits for the third reference time, it is determined that the user is willing to open the sliding door and opens the sliding door. a control unit for controlling the driving unit; and the driving unit for opening and closing the sliding door.

The device of the present invention may further include a notification unit, and the control unit may control the notification unit to notify the user when the smart key is located in the first area and the second area.

Here, the first area may be an overlapping area between the detection area of the door antenna of the smart key system and the detection area of the bumper antenna, or the detection area of the bumper antenna of the smart key system.

In addition, the second area may be a detection area of the door antenna of the smart key system.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling a sliding door of a vehicle, the method comprising: obtaining information on a detection area of a smart key from a smart key system; determining that the user has a willingness to open the sliding door when the smart key is located in the first area for a first reference time and then moves to a second area within a second reference time and waits for a third reference time; and opening the sliding door when there is a user's willingness to open the sliding door.

The method of the present invention may further include the step of notifying the user when the smart key is located in the first area and the second area.

Here, the first area may be an overlapping area between the detection area of the door antenna of the smart key system and the detection area of the bumper antenna or the detection area of the bumper antenna of the smart key system.

In addition, the second area may be a detection area of the door antenna of the smart key system.

Another device of the present invention for achieving the above object is a sliding door control device for a vehicle, comprising: a door antenna installed in a door of the vehicle to detect a smart key; a bumper antenna built into the rear bumper of the vehicle to detect the smart key; If the smart key is located in the first area for the first reference time and then moves to the second area within the second reference time and waits for the third reference time, it is determined that the user is willing to open the sliding door and opens the sliding door. a control unit for controlling the driving unit; and the driving unit for opening and closing the sliding door.

Another device of the present invention may further include a notification unit, and the controller may control the notification unit to notify the user when the smart key is located in the first area and the second area.

Here, the first area may be an overlapping area between the detection area of the door antenna of the smart key system and the detection area of the bumper antenna, or the detection area of the bumper antenna of the smart key system.

In addition, the second area may be a detection area of the door antenna of the smart key system.

According to the present invention as described above, the sliding door is opened by accurately detecting the user's intention to open the sliding door only by interlocking with the smart key system without a separate sensor, thereby opening the sliding door in a situation where the user is carrying a heavy load. It has the effect of not having to take an anxious posture to do it.

In addition, the present invention informs the user that the logic for determining the user's intention to open the sliding door is being performed through a horn (Klaxon) or an emergency light (Hazard) in the process of recognizing the user's intention to open the sliding door, thereby indicating the user's sliding door open intention. It has the effect of figuring out the open will with high accuracy.

In addition, the present invention informs the user that the logic for determining the user's intention to open the sliding door is being performed through a horn (Klaxon) or an emergency light (Hazard) in the process of recognizing the user's intention to open the sliding door, so that the user If it is expressed that there is no intention to open the door, there is an effect that it is not necessary to perform the logic to determine the user's intention to open the sliding door anymore.

In addition, the present invention has the effect of preventing the waste of the system source in advance by not performing the logic for determining the user's intention to open the sliding door when the user expresses that he/she has no intention to open the sliding door.

1 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of an apparatus for controlling a sliding door of a vehicle according to the present invention;
2 is an exemplary view of a first area according to the present invention;
3 is an exemplary view of a second area according to the present invention;
4 is an exemplary view of a vehicle system to which the present invention is applied;
5 is a configuration diagram of another embodiment of a sliding door control apparatus for a vehicle according to the present invention;
6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a sliding door of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to exemplary drawings. In adding reference numerals to the components of each drawing, it should be noted that the same components are given the same reference numerals as much as possible even though they are indicated on different drawings. In addition, in describing the embodiment of the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function interferes with the understanding of the embodiment of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In describing the components of the embodiment of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. may be used. These terms are only for distinguishing the elements from other elements, and the essence, order, or order of the elements are not limited by the terms. In addition, unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning in the context of the related art, and should not be interpreted in an ideal or excessively formal meaning unless explicitly defined in the present application. does not

1 is a configuration diagram of a sliding door control apparatus for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the apparatus for controlling a sliding door of a vehicle according to the present invention includes a notification unit 10 , a driving unit 20 , a smart key system interlocking unit 30 , and a control unit 40 . Depending on the method of carrying out the present invention, each component may be combined with each other and provided as one, and some components may be omitted depending on the method of carrying out the invention.

Looking at each of the above components, first, the notification unit 10 serves to inform the user of a specific state while the sliding door control device of the vehicle according to the present invention performs a logic for detecting the user's intention to open the sliding door. do. That is, when the user needs to move from the first area to the second area at a specific time, for example, the notification unit 10 informs the user based on an auditory element or a visual element so that the user's willingness to open the sliding door moves provokes In this case, the auditory element may include a horn, and the visual element may include an emergency light.

Next, the driving unit 20 opens and closes the power sliding door under the control of the control unit 40 .

Next, the smart key system interworking unit 30 provides an interface with the smart key system, and may obtain the user's location information from the smart key system.

Next, the control unit 40 performs overall control so that each of the components can perform their functions normally. The control unit 40 may be implemented in the form of hardware or software, and may exist in a form in which hardware and software are combined. Preferably, the control unit 40 may be provided with a microprocessor, but is not limited thereto.

Also, the control unit 40 may determine the user's intention to open the sliding door based on the user's location information obtained from the smart key system through the smart key system linkage unit 30 .

For example, when the user is located in the first area, the control unit 40 notifies that the user is located in the first area through the notification unit 10 . At this time, once per second, the horn may be operated a total of three times or the emergency light may be operated.

After this process is completed, that is, it is checked whether the user moves to the second area within the second reference time (eg, 5 seconds) after the user is located in the first area for the first reference time (eg, 3 seconds).

Thereafter, if the user waits for a third reference time (eg, 2 seconds) in the second area, the controller 40 determines that the user is willing to open the sliding door and controls the driving unit 20 to open the sliding door. Here, the controller 20 may operate the horn or the emergency light once per second a total of two times while the user waits for the third reference time in the second area.

The first region described above may be a region in which the detection region of the door antenna and the detection region of the bumper antenna in the smart key system overlap, or may be the detection region of the bumper antenna. The second area may be a detection area of the door antenna.

In more detail, the first area may be an area 210 as shown in FIG. 2 , and the second area may be an area 310 as shown in FIG. 3 .

4 is an exemplary view of a vehicle system to which the present invention is applied.

4, the vehicle system to which the present invention is applied is a smart key system, including a smart key 31, a smart key controller 32, an antenna 33 mounted around the handle of the right door, and a handle of the left door. It may include an antenna 34 mounted on the periphery, and an antenna 35 mounted on the rear bumper of the vehicle.

In addition, an example of the notification unit 10 may include a horn 11 and an emergency light 12 .

Hereinafter, a detailed configuration of the smart key system will be described.

The smart key system includes a signal applying unit that applies an electrical signal to the signal processing unit, and a signal processing unit (controller, 32) that generates and transmits a user information request signal for user confirmation when a signal is applied through the signal applying unit (controller, 32); A signal transmitting unit for receiving the user information request signal transmitted from the signal processing unit and transmitting it to the outside, and a signal generating unit formed to be portable and generating a response signal including user information in response to the user information request signal, The signal processing unit receives the response signal from the signal generator to perform user authentication and various control functions.

Here, the signal generator is implemented as a smart key 31 that is portable and is provided with a button to generate a remote signal, and communicates with the signal processor through RF communication. In addition, the signal transmitter is implemented with the LF antennas 33, 34, 35, and preferably, the door antennas 33 and 34 built into the door handle and the bumper antenna 35 disposed on the rear bumper of the vehicle. have.

In addition, the signal applying unit is preferably provided with an SSB formed in the door button and the key switch module on one side of the door handle. The signal processing unit is installed in the body of the vehicle.

In addition, the smart key system may further include a power supply connected to the signal processing unit, BCM, ESCL (Electrical Steering Column Lock), a driving control unit, and a notification unit (10). Here, the notification unit 10 may be configured as a buzzer (horn) installed inside the vehicle, or an emergency light.

In addition, the signal processing unit controls the BCM to control the door lock/unlock of the vehicle according to whether the user is authenticated. In addition, the signal processing unit controls the ESCL and the driving control unit to drive the vehicle according to whether the user is authenticated. In addition, the signal processing unit is configured to control a notification indicating a specific state.

On the other hand, the signal processing unit prevents unnecessary consumption of the battery in the vehicle by distinguishing between a case in which the vehicle is equipped with a welcome light function and a case in which the vehicle is not equipped with the welcome light function. At this time, the welcome light function is a function that the LF antenna is driven periodically to turn on the pocket lamp when a valid smart key approaches. Such a welcome light function is a well-known and common technique, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

First, if the vehicle is not equipped with the welcome light function, when the first input is received through the door button, the related device (LF antenna, BCM, etc.) for unlocking the door is driven, and the authentication procedure is performed to authenticate normally. When this is completed, the door is unlocked, but if the user does not have a valid smart key or does not have a smart key at all, the door is not unlocked. At this time, if a predetermined condition is satisfied by counting the number of consecutive inputs through the door button in a state where authentication is not normally processed, the related device for unlocking the door is no longer driven.

Second, when the vehicle is equipped with a welcome light function, the signal processing unit operates according to the welcome light function. When a user who is normally authenticated through the welcome light function presses the door button, the door is unlocked. However, if a user who is not normally authenticated presses the door button, the door is not unlocked. At this time, if a predetermined condition is satisfied by monitoring the number of times the user who is not normally authenticated continuously presses the door button, the related device for unlocking the door is no longer driven.

Additionally, the signal processing unit works in conjunction with CAN communication or ECU (Electronic Control Units) to return to the original function when detecting unlocking of the vehicle door through the metal key rather than the smart key 31 . Of course, it may be implemented to automatically return to the original function when a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes) elapses. Here, the original function refers to a function of driving a related device for unlocking the door whenever an input is received through the door button.

In addition, the signal processing unit may notify the vehicle owner that an abnormal user is damaging the vehicle through a Mobile Telematics System (MTS). In this case, the borrower may check through a mobile communication terminal such as his/her smart phone.

5 is a configuration diagram of another embodiment of a sliding door control apparatus for a vehicle according to the present invention. Components performing the same functions as those of the configuration of FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals.

The embodiment of FIG. 5 is a method of controlling a sliding door of a vehicle by providing the door antenna 51 and the bumper antenna 52 by itself without the need to interwork with the smart key system as in the embodiment of FIG. 1 .

The door antenna 51 detects the smart key 31 possessed by the user under the control of the control unit 53 . The door antenna 51 may determine the location (direction, distance) of the smart key 31 .

The bumper antenna 52 detects the smart key 31 possessed by the user under the control of the controller 53 . This bumper antenna 52 can determine the location (direction, distance) of the smart key 31 .

The control unit 53 determines the user's intention to open the sliding door based on the position of the smart key 31 detected by the door antenna 51 and the position of the smart key 31 detected by the bumper antenna 52 . . That is, the controller 53 may determine the user's intention to open the sliding door based on a predefined condition. As an example, the condition is that the user's smart key 31 stays in the first area 210 for 3 seconds or more and then moves to the second area 310 within 5 seconds and then stays in the second area 310 for 2 seconds. In this case, it may be determined that the user has a willingness to open the sliding door.

In addition, the control unit 53 may further perform the smart key 31 authentication function performed by the smart key system.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a sliding door of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, the smart key system interlocking unit 30 acquires detection area information of the smart key from the smart key system under the control of the controller 40 ( 601 ).

Thereafter, the control unit 40 detects the user's intention to open the sliding door based on the detection area information of the smart key obtained by the smart key system linkage unit 30 . That is, when the smart key is located in the first area for the first reference time, the control unit 40 moves to the second area within the second reference time and waits for the third reference time, it is determined that the user has a willingness to open the sliding door. Determine (602).

Thereafter, the driving unit 20 opens the sliding door when there is a user's will to open the sliding door under the control of the control unit 40 ( 603 ).

Through this process, there is an advantage in that the user does not have to take an anxious posture to open the sliding door in a situation where he is carrying a heavy load.

The above description is merely illustrative of the technical spirit of the present invention, and various modifications and variations will be possible without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains.

Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are not intended to limit the technical spirit of the present invention, but to explain, and the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. The protection scope of the present invention should be construed by the following claims, and all technical ideas within the equivalent range should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention.

10: notification unit
20: drive unit
30: smart key system interlocking part
40: control unit

Claims (15)

a linkage unit for obtaining detection area information of a smart key from a smart key system;
If the smart key is located in the first area for the first reference time and then moves to the second area within the second reference time and waits for the third reference time, it is determined that the user is willing to open the sliding door and opens the sliding door. a control unit for controlling the driving unit; and
Including the driving unit for opening and closing the sliding door,
The first area is
Sliding door control device for a vehicle, characterized in that the overlapping area of the detection area of the door antenna of the smart key system and the detection area of the bumper antenna.
The method of claim 1,
Further including a notification unit,
The control unit is
When the smart key is located in the first area and the second area, the apparatus for controlling the sliding door of a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit is controlled to notify the user of the location of the smart key.
delete delete The method of claim 1,
The second area is
A sliding door control device for a vehicle, characterized in that it is a detection area of the door antenna of the smart key system.
obtaining information on a detection area of a smart key from a smart key system;
determining that the user has a willingness to open the sliding door when the smart key is located in the first area for a first reference time and then moves to a second area within a second reference time and waits for a third reference time; and
Including the step of opening the sliding door when there is a user's willingness to open the sliding door,
The first area is
The sliding door control method of a vehicle, characterized in that the overlapping area of the detection area of the door antenna of the smart key system and the detection area of the bumper antenna.
7. The method of claim 6,
Notifying the user when the smart key is located in the first area and the second area
A method of controlling a sliding door of a vehicle further comprising a.
delete delete 7. The method of claim 6,
The second area is
A sliding door control method of a vehicle, characterized in that the detection area of the door antenna of the smart key system.
a door antenna embedded in a vehicle door to detect a smart key;
a bumper antenna built into the rear bumper of the vehicle to detect the smart key;
If the smart key is located in the first area for the first reference time and then moves to the second area within the second reference time and waits for the third reference time, it is determined that the user is willing to open the sliding door and opens the sliding door. a control unit for controlling the driving unit; and
Including the driving unit for opening and closing the sliding door,
The first area is
A sliding door control device for a vehicle, characterized in that it is an overlapping area between the detection area of the door antenna of the smart key system and the detection area of the bumper antenna.
12. The method of claim 11,
Further including a notification unit,
The control unit is
When the smart key is located in the first area and the second area, the apparatus for controlling the sliding door of a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit is controlled to notify the user of the location of the smart key.
delete delete 12. The method of claim 11,
The second area is
A sliding door control device for a vehicle, characterized in that the detection area of the door antenna.

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