JP2008291492A - Power window and window glass - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power window enabling the detection of wire breakage of an electrode for detecting capacitance; and a window glass for the power window. <P>SOLUTION: This power window for reciprocating the window glass between the position where the opening formed by a window frame is closed while avoiding the pinching of a human body and the position where the opening is open according to a pinching detection signal utilizing the capacitance comprises: the window glass 102 having the electrode 320 for detecting the capacitance which is arranged continuously from the end surface of a window glass portion thereof approaching the window frame when the opening formed by the window frame is closed to the side surface of the window glass portion remaining on the outside of the window frame even when the opening formed by the window frame is closed; and a wire breakage detection means 300 for detecting the breakage of the wire of the electrode according to the capacitance detected through the electrode. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a power window and a window glass, and in particular, between a position where an opening formed by a window frame is closed and an open position while avoiding pinching of a human body based on a pinching detection signal using capacitance. And a window glass for such a power window.

  A power window of a vehicle or the like is configured to reciprocate a window glass between a position where an opening formed by a window frame is closed by a window regulator and an open position. The window regulator is controlled to prevent the passenger's body and the like from being pinched by the window glass.

As one method of such control, there is one in which contact between a human body is detected using electrostatic capacitance between a window glass and a window frame to avoid pinching. The presence / absence of human body contact is determined by comparing the capacitance value with a predetermined threshold (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-110574

  The electrode for detecting capacitance is continuously provided along the end face of the window glass. Since such an electrode is located on the outermost side of the window glass, disconnection due to wear or the like is likely to occur. If the electrode is disconnected, the capacitance cannot be detected correctly, which hinders avoiding pinching.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to realize a power window capable of detecting disconnection of the capacitance detection electrode and a window glass for such a power window.

  The invention according to claim 1 for solving the above-described problem is that the opening formed by the window frame is opened to a closed position while avoiding the pinching of the human body based on the pinching detection signal using the electrostatic capacitance. A power window that reciprocates the window glass between positions, and when the opening formed by the window frame is closed, the opening formed by the window frame is closed from the end surface of the window glass portion that approaches the window frame. A window glass having a capacitance detecting electrode continuously provided over the side surface of the window glass portion that remains outside the window frame, and detecting disconnection of the electrode based on the capacitance detected through the electrode. It is a power window characterized by comprising a disconnection detection means.

The invention according to claim 2 for solving the above problem is the power window according to claim 1, wherein the electrode on the side surface has a length equal to or longer than the length of the electrode on the end surface. .
The invention according to claim 3 for solving the above problem is that the electrodes on the side surface are provided on both side surfaces of the window glass portion that remains outside the window frame even when the opening formed by the window frame is closed. The power window according to claim 1.

  The invention according to claim 4 for solving the above-described problem is that the electrode on the end surface passes through the innermost end surface of the window glass portion that remains outside the window frame even when the opening formed by the window frame is closed. The power window according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the power window is continuous with the electrode on the side surface.

It is.
The invention according to claim 5 for solving the above-mentioned problem is that the opening formed by the window frame is opened to a closed position while avoiding pinching of the human body based on a pinching detection signal using electrostatic capacitance. A window glass for a power window that reciprocates a window glass between positions, and an opening formed by the window frame from an end surface of the window glass part that approaches the window frame when the opening formed by the window frame is closed A window glass comprising an electrode for capacitance detection provided continuously over a side surface of a window glass portion that remains outside the window frame even when the part is closed.

The invention according to claim 6 for solving the above problem is the window glass according to claim 5, wherein the electrode on the side surface has a length equal to or longer than the length of the electrode on the end surface. .
The invention according to claim 7 for solving the above problem is that the electrodes on the side surface are provided on both side surfaces of the window glass portion that remains outside the window frame even when the opening formed by the window frame is closed. It is a window glass of Claim 5 characterized by the above-mentioned.

  In the invention according to claim 8 for solving the above-mentioned problem, the electrode on the end surface passes through the innermost end surface of the window glass portion that remains outside the window frame even when the opening formed by the window frame is closed. The window glass according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the window glass is continuous with the electrode on the side surface.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the window glass is provided between the position where the opening formed by the window frame is closed and the position where the opening is formed while avoiding the human body from being pinched based on the pinching detection signal using electrostatic capacity. The power window that reciprocates the window glass that stays outside the window frame even when the opening formed by the window frame is closed from the end surface of the window glass portion that approaches the window frame when the opening formed by the window frame is closed Since the window glass having the electrode for capacitance detection provided continuously over the side surface of the part, and the disconnection detection means for detecting the disconnection of the electrode based on the capacitance detected through the electrode, A power window capable of detecting disconnection of the capacitance detection electrode can be realized.

  According to the invention which concerns on Claim 5, it is a window glass between the position which closed the opening part formed with a window frame, and the open position, avoiding pinching of a human body based on the pinching detection signal using an electrostatic capacitance. The window glass for a power window that reciprocates the outside of the window frame even when the opening formed by the window frame is closed from the end surface of the window glass portion that approaches the window frame when the opening formed by the window frame is closed. Since the capacitance detection electrode is provided continuously across the side surface of the window glass portion remaining in the window glass, a power window window glass capable of detecting disconnection of the capacitance detection electrode can be realized. .

  According to the invention according to claim 2 or claim 6, since the electrode on the side surface has a length equal to or longer than the length of the electrode on the end face, a change in capacitance due to disconnection of the electrode on the end face is made remarkable. be able to.

  According to the invention of claim 3 or claim 7, the side electrodes are provided on both side surfaces of the window glass portion that remains outside the window frame even when the opening formed by the window frame is closed. The change in capacitance due to the disconnection of the electrode can be made remarkable.

  According to the invention according to claim 4 or claim 8, the electrode on the end face passes through the innermost end face of the window glass portion that remains outside the window frame even when the opening formed by the window frame is closed. Since it is continuous with the side electrode, it is possible to avoid wear of the side electrode due to the glass run.

  The best mode for carrying out the invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the best mode for carrying out the invention. FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an example of a power window. This power window is an example of the best mode for carrying out the invention. An example of the best mode for carrying out the invention relating to the power window is shown by the configuration of the power window.

As shown in FIG. 1, the power window includes a window 100, a window regulator 200, and a control device 300.
The window 100 has a window glass 102. The window regulator 200 has a motor 202 and a lifting mechanism 204, and the window glass 102 is lifted and lowered by the motor 202 via the lifting mechanism 204. The control device 300 controls the raising and lowering of the window glass 102 by the window regulator 200.

  The control device 300 has a CPU 302. The CPU 302 is the center of the control device 300 and controls the window regulator 200 based on a predetermined program. The CPU 302 has a memory 312 and appropriately writes and reads data in the course of program execution.

  The CPU 302 controls the motor 202 via the motor drive circuit 304. The rotation amount of the motor 202 is fed back to the CPU 302 through the pulse generator 306 and the counter 308. The CPU 302 recognizes the window glass position based on the counter 308 count value. The window glass 102 is provided with an electrode 320. The capacitance of the electrode 320 is detected by the capacitance detection unit 330, and a capacitance detection signal is input to the CPU 302.

  In a vehicle having a plurality of power windows, a plurality of systems including the window 100 and the window regulator 200 are provided, and a plurality of systems including the pulse generator 306, the counter 308, and the electrostatic capacitance detection unit 330 are also provided correspondingly. In FIG. 1, only one of them is shown. The CPU 302 individually controls the raising and lowering of the window glass 102 for a plurality of systems of windows and window regulators.

  A window glass raising / lowering command is input to the CPU 302 through the switch 310. The switch 310 is operated by the user. In the auto mode, the window glass is raised or lowered by a one-touch operation of the switch 310. In the manual mode, the window glass is raised or lowered only while the switch 310 is turned on.

  The switch 310 has a plurality of switches corresponding to a plurality of windows. These switches are provided centrally in the vicinity of the driver's seat so that any of a plurality of windows can be opened and closed from the driver's seat.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of a vehicle door provided with such a power window. Here, an example of a front door of a sedan type vehicle is shown, but the other doors basically have the same configuration. The vehicle door has a window 100 at the top of the door body 110. The window 100 has a structure in which an opening formed by the window frame 104 is opened and closed by a window glass 102 that is raised and lowered from the door body 110 side. A window regulator 200 that raises and lowers the window glass 102 and its control device 300 are provided in the door body 110.

  The window frame 104 has an upper frame 104a, a front frame 104b, and a rear frame 104c. The upper frame 104a is substantially horizontal. The front frame 104b is inclined substantially in the front downward direction. The rear frame 104c is substantially vertical. The electrode 320 of the window glass 102 is provided, for example, over three sides corresponding to the upper frame 104a and the front and rear frames 104b and 104c.

  FIG. 3 shows the arrangement of the electrodes 320 in the window glass 102. As shown in FIG. 3, the electrodes 320 are continuously provided on the end surfaces of the window glass 102 from the upper side to the front and rear sides. The electrode 320 is configured using, for example, a conductive material. The electrode on the window frame side corresponding to the electrode 320 is provided in the glass run of the window frame.

  In FIG. 3, the electrode 320 is shown only for a portion related to pinching detection. In addition to this, the electrode 320 has an extended portion that is not involved in pinching detection. The configuration and operation of this extension will be described later.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of a specific arrangement of the window glass side electrode and the window frame side electrode. As shown in FIG. 4, the window frame 104 is provided with a side visor 148 on the outer side of the vehicle and a glass run 144 on the inner side. In the glass run 144, an electrode 146 is embedded in the front end portion on the inner side of the two hanging portions. Hereinafter, the electrode 146 is also referred to as a window frame electrode.

  An electrode 320 is provided on the end surface of the window glass 102. The electrode 320 is an electrode on the window glass side for pinching detection, and the electrostatic amount Cx between the window frame electrode 146 is used for pinching detection. Hereinafter, the electrode 320 is also referred to as a window glass side electrode.

  Since the window frame electrode 146 is at the ground potential, the capacitance cx is a capacitance with respect to the ground. The capacitance with respect to the ground increases when a human body such as a passenger's hand or finger touches the electrode 320.

  This is because the human body electrostatic capacity cx 'is connected in parallel to the electrostatic capacity cx of the electrode 320, as shown by an equivalent circuit in FIG. Since the capacitance cx of the electrode 320 is, for example, about 80 pF, and the capacitance cx ′ of the human body is, for example, about 400 pF, the capacitance of the equivalent circuit is greatly increased. Such a change in capacitance is used for detecting contact with a human body.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of a circuit that detects a change in capacitance. This circuit constitutes a main part of the capacitance detection unit 330. As shown in FIG. 6, this circuit is configured using a differential amplifier 332. The differential amplifier 332 is supplied with, for example, a unipolar DC power source with VC = + 5V and VE = 0V.

  In the differential amplifier 332, a capacitor cx and a resistor Rx are connected in parallel between the non-inverting input terminal and the ground, a capacitor ci is connected in parallel between the inverting input terminal and the ground, and the inverting input terminal and the output terminal are resistors. Connected by Rf.

  The capacitor cx is the capacitance cx of the window glass electrode 320. The capacitor ci is a compensation capacitor and has a capacitance corresponding to the capacitance of the electrode 320 when a human body or the like is not in contact. The resistance Rx has the same value as the resistance Rf.

  The voltage Vi of the voltage generator 334 is input to the non-inverting input terminal and the inverting input terminal of the differential amplifier 332 through the resistors Ri + and Ri−, respectively. The resistors Ri + and Ri− are equal in value.

  The differential amplifier 332 outputs a voltage obtained by amplifying the difference between the voltage V + at the non-inverting input terminal and the voltage V− at the inverting input terminal with an amplification factor Rf / Ri. This voltage is smoothed by a smoothing circuit composed of a resistor Ro and a capacitor Co to become an output voltage Vo. The output voltage Vo is input to the CPU 302 as a capacitance detection signal.

  7 and 8 show examples of waveforms of the voltages Vi, V−, V +, and Vo. As shown in both figures, the voltage Vi is a unipolar, constant-period rectangular wave pulse. The voltages V− and V + are the charging voltages of the capacitors Ci and Cx by the voltage Vi, respectively. The voltage Vo is obtained by smoothing the amplified value of the difference between V + and V−.

  FIG. 7 shows a case where there is no contact of the human body or the like with the window glass electrode 320. Since there is no difference in capacitance between the capacitors Cx and Ci, the voltages V + and V− have the same waveform and amplitude. The voltage Vo obtained by amplifying and smoothing the difference is 0V.

  FIG. 8 shows a case where the human body or the like is in contact with the electrode 320 of the window glass. Since the waveform and amplitude of the voltage V + change due to the increase in the capacitance of the capacitor Cx, the difference between V + and V− is amplified and smoothed. The voltage Vo obtained in this way is increased from 0V. The increase amount corresponds to an increase in the capacitance of the capacitor Cx.

  In FIG. 9, the raising / lowering process of the window glass 102 is shown. As shown in FIG. 9, the window glass 102 rises in the order of (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e). The descending order is the reverse order. (A) shows the state where the window glass 102 is at the bottom dead center, and (e) shows the state at the top dead center. (B), (c), (d) shows the state in the middle.

  If each state is further described, (a) is a fully open state (bottom dead center) of the power window. (B) is the state which the window glass 102 began to raise. In this state, a gap is formed between the upper side and the rear side of the window glass 102 with respect to the upper frame 104a and the front frame 104b, respectively. The front side of the window glass 102 is in the rear frame 104c throughout the entire lifting process.

  (C) is a state in which the upper side and the rear side of the window glass 102 approach the upper frame 104a and the front frame 104b, respectively. (D) is a state in which the upper side and the rear side of the window glass 102 begin to enter the upper frame 104a and the front frame 104b, respectively. (E) is a state in which the upper side and the rear side of the window glass 102 have completely entered the upper frame 104a and the front frame 104b, respectively. This is the fully closed state (top dead center) of the power window.

  If the states of (d) and (e) are shown in more detail, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, in the state of (d), the glass run of the upper frame 104a and the front frame 104b is the upper side and the rear side of the window glass 102. In the state of (e), the upper side and the rear side of the window glass 102 completely enter the glass run 144 of the upper frame 104a and the front frame 104b. The glass run 144 is made of an insulating material such as rubber or plastic.

  FIG. 11 shows changes in the capacitance detection signal as the window glass 102 moves up and down. FIG. 11 is a graph with the horizontal axis representing the window glass position and the vertical axis representing the signal strength of the capacitance detection signal. Reference numerals ae attached to various parts of the horizontal axis correspond to the window glass positions (a)-(e) shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the window glass is also referred to as glass, and the window glass position is also referred to as glass position. The capacitance detection signal is also simply referred to as capacitance or detection signal.

  The detection signal has a small signal intensity and little change from position a to c. This is because there is a sufficient space between the electrode 320 and the window frame 104. From position c to d, the signal intensity increases rapidly. This is because the electrode 320 enters the window frame 104. From position d to e, the signal intensity is large and the signal hardly changes. This is because the electrode 320 completely enters the window frame 104.

  With respect to such a detection signal, a threshold value for determining the presence or absence of human contact or pinching is set. The threshold value is greater than the detection signal intensity when the window glass 102 does not enter the window frame, is smaller than the detection signal intensity when the window glass 102 enters the window frame, and is due to human contact or the like as indicated by the alternate long and short dash line A value that can reliably determine an increase in the detection signal is set, for example, as indicated by a broken line. The threshold value may be set for each glass position. The threshold value is stored in the memory 312 and used for pinching determination by the CPU 302. The CPU 302 lowers the window glass 102 when it is determined to be pinched, and avoids pinching.

The above is the basic operation for avoiding pinching, but this apparatus has a mechanism for detecting disconnection of the electrode 320. This will be described below.
FIG. 12 shows an example of attachment of the electrode 320 to the window glass 102. Window glass 102 to which electrode 320 is attached is an example of the best mode for carrying out the invention. The configuration of the window glass 102 shows an example of the best mode for carrying out the invention related to the window glass.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the electrodes 320 are continuously provided on the end surfaces of the window glass 102 from the front side to the rear side, and further, the extension portion beyond that is the side surface of the lower part of the window glass 102. It is provided along. The extension portion is provided in a window glass portion that remains outside the window frame even when the opening formed by the window frame is closed. This portion corresponds to a portion below the belt line indicated by a broken line.

  End surfaces of the front side, the upper side, and the rear side of the window glass 102 are portions that approach the window frame when the opening formed by the window frame is closed, and can be sandwiched. The electrode 320 is involved in detecting pinching in these parts. On the other hand, since the extended part of the electrode 320 is located below the belt line, it does not participate in detection of pinching.

  Hereinafter, of the electrode 320, a portion related to pinching detection is referred to as a detection electrode 320a, and an extended portion not related to pinching detection is referred to as an extension electrode 320b. The ratio of the length of the extension electrode 320b to the total length of the electrode 320 is 0.5 or more. That is, the extension electrode 320b has a length equal to or longer than the length of the detection electrode 320a. In other words, the detection electrode 320a has a length ratio of 0.5 or less and a length that is less than or equal to the length of the extension electrode 320b.

  Such a two-part electrode 320 is connected to the control device 300 through the harness 322 at the start end of the detection electrode 320a side. In the control device 300, the electrostatic capacitance detection unit 330 detects the electrostatic capacitance of the electrode 320, and the CPU 302 determines the presence or absence of pinching based on the detection signal.

  The capacitance when no pinching occurs is determined by the length of the electrode 320. When disconnection does not occur anywhere, the length of the electrode 320 is a regular length, and the capacitance is also a regular value. On the other hand, when some part is disconnected, the effective length of the electrode 320 is that much, which is shorter than the normal length, and the capacitance decreases.

  When the disconnection occurs in the detection electrode 320a, the capacitance decreases to ½ or less of the normal value. This is because the detection electrode 320a, which has only a length of ½ or less of the entire length of the electrode 320, is further shortened. The CPU 302 detects disconnection of the electrode 320 based on such a change in capacitance. Since the capacitance at the time of disconnection significantly changes to 1/2 or less of the normal value, disconnection detection is performed with high accuracy. The detected disconnection is notified to the passenger by an appropriate method. A portion including the capacitance detection unit 330 and the CPU 302 is an example of a disconnection detection unit in the present invention.

  When the disconnection occurs in the extension electrode 320b, the change in capacitance is smaller than that when the detection electrode 320a is disconnected, so that it is relatively difficult to detect. The extension electrode 320b is easily disconnected at a portion where the attachment of the electrode 320 shifts from the end surface of the window glass 102 to the side surface.

  FIG. 13 shows an example of the configuration of the part where the attachment of the electrode 320 shifts from the end face to the side face. 13A is a side view, and FIG. 13B is a BB cross-sectional view of a transition portion including a glass run. As shown in (b), the lip of the glass run 144 is in contact with the surface of the electrode 320. For this reason, every time the window glass 102 moves up and down, the electrode 320 is rubbed, and gradually wears out, possibly leading to disconnection.

  FIG. 14 shows an example of a configuration that prevents such a situation from occurring. FIG. 14A is a side view, and FIG. 14B is an AA cross-sectional view. As shown to (a), the transfer of the attachment from an end surface to a side surface is performed in the place which passed the lowermost end part of the window glass 102. FIG. In this way, as shown in (b), the electrode 320 does not come into contact with the lip of the glass run 144, and disconnection due to wear can be avoided.

  FIG. 15 shows another example of attachment of the extension electrode 320 b to the side surface of the window glass 102. 15A is a side view, and FIG. 15B is a rear view. As shown in FIG. 15, the extension electrode 320b is composed of two extension electrodes 320b1 and 320b2 arranged in parallel, one provided on the front surface of the window glass 102 and the other on the back surface.

  When this is done, the effective length of the extension electrode 320b as a whole is the sum of the lengths of the two extension electrodes 320b1 and 320b2, so the length of each extension electrode 320b1 and 320b2 is the required length of the extension electrode 320. Half of that. Such a configuration is effective when the area of the window glass 102 below the belt line is small.

  The above is an example of a power window in which the window glass moves up and down, but the power window may reciprocate in the horizontal direction. In that case, the concept of the belt line disappears, but the window glass part below the belt line corresponds to the window glass part that remains outside the window frame even when the opening formed by the window frame is closed. The lowermost end of the window glass corresponds to the innermost end face of the window glass portion that remains outside the window frame even when the opening formed by the window frame is closed.

It is a block diagram of the power window which uses the window regulator control apparatus of an example of the best form for implementing this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the power window which uses the window regulator control apparatus of an example of the best form for implementing this invention. It is a figure which shows arrangement | positioning of the electrode in a window glass. It is a figure which shows an example of the specific arrangement | positioning of the electrode in a window glass and a window frame. It is an equivalent circuit diagram which shows the electrostatic capacitance of an electrode. It is a circuit diagram of the principal part of an electrostatic capacitance detection part. It is a figure which shows the voltage waveform in the circuit of the principal part of an electrostatic capacitance detection part. It is a figure which shows the voltage waveform in the circuit of the principal part of an electrostatic capacitance detection part. It is a figure which shows the raising / lowering state of a window glass. It is a figure which shows the relationship between a window glass and a glass run. It is a figure which shows the relationship between a window glass position and an electrostatic capacitance detection signal. It is a figure which shows an example of attachment of the electrode to a window glass. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the part which the attachment of an electrode transfers to a side surface from an end surface. It is a figure which shows an example of the structure which abraded electrode. It is a figure which shows the other example of attachment of the extension electrode to the side surface of a window glass.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100: Window 102: Window glass 104: Window frame 104a: Upper frame 104b: Front frame 104c: Rear frame 110: Door main body 144: Glass run 146: Window frame electrode 148: Side visor 200: Window regulator 202: Motor 204: Lifting mechanism 300: Control device 302: CPU
304: Motor drive circuit 306: Pulse generator 308: Counter 310: Switch 312: Memory 320: Electrode 320a: Detection electrode 320b: Extension electrode 322: Harness 330: Capacitance detection unit 332: Differential amplifier 334: Voltage generator

Claims (8)

A power window that reciprocates a window glass between a position where an opening formed by a window frame is closed and an open position while avoiding pinching of a human body based on a pinching detection signal using electrostatic capacitance,
When the opening formed by the window frame is closed, continuously from the end surface of the window glass portion approaching the window frame to the side surface of the window glass portion that remains outside the window frame even when the opening formed by the window frame is closed. A window glass having an electrode for capacitance detection provided;
A power window, comprising: a disconnection detecting means for detecting disconnection of the electrode based on a capacitance detected through the electrode. The power window according to claim 1, wherein the side electrode has a length equal to or longer than a length of the end face electrode. 2. The power window according to claim 1, wherein the side electrodes are provided on both side surfaces of a window glass portion that remains outside the window frame even when an opening formed by the window frame is closed. The electrode on the end surface is continuous with the electrode on the side surface via the innermost end surface of the window glass portion that remains outside the window frame even when the opening formed by the window frame is closed. The power window according to any one of claims 3 to 4. A window glass for a power window that reciprocates a window glass between a closed position and an open position formed by a window frame while avoiding human body pinching based on a pinching detection signal using capacitance. There,
When the opening formed by the window frame is closed, continuously from the end surface of the window glass portion approaching the window frame to the side surface of the window glass portion that remains outside the window frame even when the opening formed by the window frame is closed. A window glass comprising an electrode for capacitance detection provided. The window glass according to claim 5, wherein the side electrode has a length equal to or longer than a length of the end face electrode. The window glass according to claim 5, wherein the side electrodes are provided on both side surfaces of the window glass portion that remains outside the window frame even when the opening formed by the window frame is closed. 6. The electrode on the end surface is continuous with the electrode on the side surface via an innermost end surface of a window glass portion that remains outside the window frame even when the opening formed by the window frame is closed. The window glass according to any one of claims 7 to 9.

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