JP6895874B2 - Obstacle detector - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an obstacle detection device that detects that an obstacle has come into contact with or is close to a movable member provided on a vehicle body.

Conventionally, an automatic opening / closing mechanism mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile includes an opening / closing body that opens / closes an opening, an actuator that drives the opening / closing body, and an operation switch that turns the actuator on or off. Then, the actuator is driven by operating the operation switch, whereby the opening / closing body is driven to open or close.

Further, the automatic opening / closing mechanism is provided with an obstacle detection device that detects that an obstacle is caught between the front side of the opening / closing body and the vehicle body. The obstacle detection device includes a touch sensor and a controller, and the touch sensor is provided in front of the opening / closing body along the front-rear direction of the vehicle body to detect contact with an obstacle. By inputting a detection signal from the touch sensor, the controller opens and drives the closed-driven opening / closing body regardless of the operation of the operation switch, or stops the closed-driving opening / closing body on the spot.

An example of such an obstacle detection device is described in Patent Document 1. The obstacle detection device described in Patent Document 1 includes a long touch sensor unit (touch sensor) forming a string shape, and the touch sensor unit extends in front of the opening / closing body and in the vertical direction of the vehicle body. It is provided in this way. As a result, when the opening / closing body is closed, it is detected that an obstacle is caught between the front side of the opening / closing body and the vehicle body.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-139459

However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1 described above, contact with an obstacle moving to the front of the vehicle body can be detected, but an obstacle to a movable member such as the opening / closing body moved in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body can be detected. Could not detect the contact. More specifically, for example, the opening / closing body (sliding door of the vehicle) is pulled into the opening and moved in the vehicle width direction when the opening is closed, and the opening / closing body (sliding door of the vehicle) is moved in the vehicle width direction. It was not possible to detect the pinching of obstacles with the vehicle body.

An object of the present invention is to provide an obstacle detection device capable of detecting contact of an obstacle with a movable member moved in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body.

In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a obstacle detection apparatus obstacle to the movable member provided it is detected that contact with or in proximity to the body, a sensor provided in the vehicle body, is connected to the sensor, the sensor It has a controller to which a detection signal is input from, and an actuator connected to the controller to drive the movable member, and the sensor is provided on the outer side of the vehicle body in the vehicle width direction, and the front and rear of the vehicle body. A sliding door that extends in the direction, the movable member moves in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body to open and close the opening of the vehicle body, and the sensor is provided inside the vehicle body to allow an occupant to move up and down. There is provided a vehicle step of placing the foot, said sensor, you outputs the detection signal by the contact or proximity of the obstacle at the time of pulling into the opening of the sliding door.

In another aspect of the present invention, a door arm that moves in the vicinity of the in-vehicle step when the slide door is opened and closed is provided on the front side of the vehicle body of the slide door, and the slide door is pulled into the opening. The sensor is provided only in a portion of the vehicle interior step other than the portion where the door arm is arranged.

In another aspect of the present invention, the vehicle interior step is provided with a protective wall that prevents the sensor from falling off the vehicle interior step.

In another aspect of the present invention, it is an obstacle detection device that detects that an obstacle is in contact with or is close to a movable member provided on a vehicle body, and is connected to a sensor provided on the movable member and the sensor. It has a controller to which a detection signal from a sensor is input and an actuator connected to the controller to drive the movable member, and the sensor is provided on the outer side of the vehicle body in the vehicle width direction and of the vehicle body. It extends in the front-rear direction, and the movable member is provided outside the vehicle body and is moved in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body when ascending and descending, and is a step outside the vehicle on which an occupant puts his / her foot. It is provided on the step.

In another aspect of the present invention, the sensor is a touch sensor including a plurality of electrodes, and the touch sensor is elastically deformed by contact with the obstacle, and a short-circuit signal of the plurality of electrodes due to the elastic deformation is transmitted. Output to the controller.

According to the present invention, an actuator is provided on either the vehicle body or a movable member, the sensor is connected to a controller to which a short-circuit signal from the sensor is input, and the controller is used to drive the movable member. The sensor is provided on the outside in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body and extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body.

This makes it possible to detect the contact or proximity of an obstacle to a movable member that is moved in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body.

It is a side view which shows the outline of the vehicle equipped with a touch sensor. It is an enlarged perspective view which looked at the step in a car from diagonally above. It is a perspective view which shows the touch sensor by itself. It is a perspective view which shows the end part of a touch sensor. It is sectional drawing which follows the direction which intersects with the longitudinal direction of a touch sensor. (A) and (b) are operation explanatory diagrams of the touch sensor. It is a perspective view corresponding to FIG. 2 explaining Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 5 for explaining the third embodiment. FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of an external step for explaining the fourth embodiment. It is a perspective view corresponding to FIG. 2 explaining Embodiment 5.

Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side view showing an outline of a vehicle equipped with a touch sensor, FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a step inside the vehicle viewed from diagonally above, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the touch sensor alone, and FIG. 4 is a touch. A perspective view showing an end portion of the sensor is shown, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the touch sensor, and FIGS. 6A and 6B are explanatory views of the operation of the touch sensor.

The vehicle 10 shown in FIG. 1 is a so-called minivan type passenger car. The vehicle 10 has a two-box vehicle body 11 provided with an engine room and a riding space, and an opening 11a is provided on the side surface of the vehicle body 11 for occupants to move up and down and to put in and take out large luggage. .. The opening 11a is opened and closed by a sliding door 12 that is moved in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body 11. Here, the slide door 12 constitutes the movable member according to the present invention, and is assembled to the side surface of the vehicle body 11 via a plurality of rollers (wheels).

Then, in the open state of the slide door 12 shown in FIG. 1, the slide door 12 is arranged so as to protrude outward in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body 11. That is, the sliding door 12 is arranged so as to overlap the vehicle body 11 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction. On the other hand, in the closed state of the slide door 12, the slide door 12 is retracted and arranged inward in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body 11 with respect to the opening 11a. That is, the sliding door 12 is flush with the side surface of the vehicle body 11 without a step.

Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the base end side of the door arm 12a is connected to the front side of the vehicle body and the lower side of the vehicle body of the slide door 12. Further, a roller is rotatably provided on the tip end side of the door arm 12a. Then, the roller rolls on the guide rail 11b provided on the lower side of the vehicle body of the opening 11a in the vehicle body 11. As a result, the sliding door 12 can be smoothly moved with respect to the vehicle body 11. In addition to the above, rollers are also provided at two locations, one on the front side of the sliding door 12 and above the vehicle body, and the other on the rear side of the sliding door 12 and on the rear side of the vehicle body 11 along the vertical direction. Has been done. That is, the slide door 12 is supported at three points by three rollers (none of which are shown).

Further, in the vicinity of the slide door 12 in the vehicle body 11, an actuator 13 for moving (driving) the slide door 12 and a controller 14 for supplying a drive current to the actuator 13 are provided. The actuator 13 and the controller 14 are electrically connected to each other via an electric wire 15a. The actuator 13 has a rotary drum (not shown) in which one end side of an electric motor and a pair of drive cables is wound, and the other end side of the pair of drive cables is a vehicle body front side of a slide door 12 and a vehicle body. It is connected to the rear side respectively. As a result, the controller 14 rotationally drives the actuator 13 in the forward and reverse directions, so that the slide door 12 is moved in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body 11.

A first touch sensor 16 (shaded portion in the figure) is attached to the front end of the slide door 12 on the vehicle body front side. The first touch sensor 16 is arranged in the same place as the conventional one described above, and is provided so as to extend in the vertical direction of the vehicle body 11. As a result, when the sliding door 12 is closed, the obstacle DA1 (see FIG. 1) is detected between the front side of the sliding door 12 and the vehicle body 11. Here, the first touch sensor 16 has the same configuration (structure) as the second touch sensor 20 (sensor and touch sensor in the present invention) described later.

The first touch sensor 16 is electrically connected to the controller 14 via the electric wire 15b. Then, when the obstacle DA1 is sandwiched between the vehicle body front side of the slide door 12 and the vehicle body 11 during the closing operation of the slide door 12, the first touch sensor 16 is elastically deformed. As a result, a detection signal (short-circuit signal) is sent from the first touch sensor 16 to the controller 14. Therefore, the controller 14 recognizes the pinch (contact) of the obstacle DA1 and drives and controls the actuator 13 to rotate in the reverse direction, or makes the actuator 13 urgently stop on the spot. Therefore, further pinching of the obstacle DA1 is avoided.

Inside the vehicle body 11 and in the vicinity of the opening 11a, an in-vehicle step 17 on which the occupant rests his / her feet when ascending / descending is provided. The in-vehicle step 17 constitutes a part of the vehicle body in the present invention, is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape by hard plastic or the like, and extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body 11. The in-vehicle step 17 is provided so as to cover the guide rail 11b from above, and is arranged in the vicinity of the guide rail 11b. That is, when the sliding door 12 is opened and closed, the door arm 12a moves in the vicinity of the in-vehicle step 17.

A narrow portion 17a having a small width along the vehicle width direction is provided on the front side of the vehicle body of the in-vehicle step 17, and a width dimension along the vehicle width direction is smaller than the narrow portion 17a on the rear side of the vehicle body of the in-vehicle step 17. A large wide portion 17b is provided. As a result, a recessed portion 17c that is recessed toward the inside of the vehicle body 11 is formed on the vehicle body front side of the vehicle interior step 17.

It should be noted that the door arm 12a is arranged in the portion where the recessed portion 17c is located just before the sliding door 12 is closed or in the closed state (see FIG. 6). Further, the length dimension of the narrow portion 17a along the longitudinal direction of the in-vehicle step 17 (left-right direction in the drawing) is approximately 1/3 of the length dimension of the wide portion 17b along the longitudinal direction of the in-vehicle step 17. ..

A second touch sensor 20 (shaded portion in the figure) is provided on the outside of the step 17 in the vehicle in the vehicle width direction. Specifically, the second touch sensor 20 is firmly fixed to the in-vehicle step 17 by an adhesive member BD (see FIGS. 3 and 5) such as a strong double-sided tape. The second touch sensor 20 constitutes the sensor and the touch sensor according to the present invention, and extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body 11.

As a result, the second touch sensor 20 is arranged close to and facing the door surface on the vehicle interior side (inside of the vehicle body 11) of the slide door 12 in the closed state of the slide door 12. Therefore, when the obstacle DA2 (see FIG. 6B) comes into contact with the vehicle interior side of the slide door 12 and the lower side along the vertical direction of the vehicle body 11, the opening 11a of the slide door 12 is reached. When the vehicle is pulled in, the obstacle DA2 is sandwiched between the step 17 in the vehicle and the sliding door 12. As a result, the obstacle DA2 comes into contact with the second touch sensor 20, and the second touch sensor 20 is elastically deformed.

The second touch sensor 20 is electrically connected to the controller 14 via the electric wire 15c. Then, when the obstacle DA2 is sandwiched between the in-vehicle step 17 and the slide door 12 during the closing operation of the slide door 12, the second touch sensor 20 is elastically deformed, and eventually the second touch sensor 20 is transferred to the controller 14. A detection signal (short-circuit signal) is sent toward the target. As a result, the controller 14 recognizes the pinch (contact) of the obstacle DA2 and drives and controls the actuator 13 to rotate in the reverse direction, or stops the actuator 13 on the spot in an emergency. Therefore, further pinching of the obstacle DA2 is avoided.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the first touch sensor 16 detects the pinch of the obstacle DA1 (see FIG. 1) when the slide door 12 moves forward to the vehicle body as in the conventional case, and the subsequent countermeasures (see FIG. 1). It is possible to reverse the actuator 13 or make an emergency stop). In addition to this, the obstacle DA2 (see FIG. 6B) is pinched when the sliding door 12 is moved toward the vehicle interior side along the vehicle width direction, that is, when the sliding door 12 is pulled into the opening 11a. It is detected by the second touch sensor 20 and the subsequent countermeasures (reversal of the actuator 13 and emergency stop) are possible. This further improves the reliability of the vehicle 10.

The sliding door 12 follows a locus as shown by the broken line arrow M in FIGS. 2 and 6 when the sliding door 12 is closed. The "slide area" shown in FIGS. 2 and 6 is a region in which the slide door 12 moves in the front-rear direction of the car body 11 on the side of the car body 11, that is, the door arm 12a is moved in the front-rear direction of the car body 11. The area is shown. Therefore, when the door arm 12a is located in this "slide area", the gap S1 (see FIG. 6) between the in-vehicle step 17 and the slide door 12 is the widest.

On the other hand, the "pull-in area" shown in FIGS. 2 and 6 is an area in which the slide door 12 moves in the vehicle width direction and the slide door 12 is pulled into the vehicle interior side along the vehicle width direction, that is, a door arm. 12a indicates an area where the vehicle body 11 is moved in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, when there is a door arm 12a in this "pull-in area" and when the slide door 12 is closed, the gap S1 between the in-vehicle step 17 and the slide door 12 gradually changes from the gap S2 to the gap S3. (See Fig. 6).

The obstacle detection device according to the present invention is configured by the second touch sensor 20, the controller 14, and the actuator 13.

Next, the structure of the second touch sensor 20 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the second touch sensor 20 includes a sensor main body 21 and a sensor holder 22 that holds the sensor main body 21. The proximal end side of the pair of electrodes 21b and 21c is arranged on the proximal end side of the second touch sensor 20, and the female connector (not shown) of the controller 14 is attached to the proximal end portion of these electrodes 21b and 21c. A male connector 20a to be connected is provided.

The sensor body 21 includes an insulating tube 21a made of a flexible insulating rubber material or the like. The insulating tube 21a is elastically deformed by a load of an external force, and a pair of electrodes 21b and 21c are spirally fixed inside (inside) the insulating tube 21a in the radial direction. These electrodes 21b and 21c are provided with a conductive tube 21d made of a flexible conductive rubber or the like, and a conductive wire 21e formed by bundling a plurality of copper wires is provided inside the conductive tube 21d. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the inner diameter dimension of the insulating tube 21a is substantially three times the diameter dimension of the electrodes 21b and 21c. That is, a gap is formed between the electrodes 21b and 21c facing each other about the axis of the insulating tube 21a so that approximately one electrode 21b and 21c can be inserted.

In this way, a pair of electrodes 21b and 21c are arranged radially inside the insulating tube 21a at intervals of 180 degrees in the circumferential direction of the insulating tube 21a, and are spirally fixed in the longitudinal direction of the insulating tube 21a. Further, a gap is formed between the electrodes 21b and 21c facing each other about the axis of the insulating tube 21a so that approximately one electrode 21b and 21c can be inserted. As a result, no matter which position along the circumferential direction of the insulating tube 21a is elastically deformed by the obstacle DA2 (see FIG. 6B) in contact with the sensor main body 21, the respective positions (pressing pressure) are substantially the same. The electrodes 21b and 21c of the above are in contact with each other and are short-circuited.

Here, in the second touch sensor 20, the diameter dimension of the insulating tube 21a is about 5 mm, and the diameter dimension of the pair of electrodes 21b and 21c is about 1 mm. As a result, the flexibility of the second touch sensor 20 is ensured so that the second touch sensor 20 can be mounted according to the step shape between the narrow portion 17a and the wide portion 17b of the in-vehicle step 17 (see FIG. 2).

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the sensor holder 22 is formed into a long length by extruding a flexible insulating rubber material or the like, and a hollow sensor holding portion in which the sensor main body 21 is provided. 22a and a base portion 22b fixed to the outside of the vehicle interior step 17 in the vehicle width direction are provided.

The cross-sectional shape of the sensor holding portion 22a along the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction (short direction) of the sensor holder 22 is formed into a substantially circular shape, and the wall thickness thereof is thinner than the wall thickness of the insulating tube 21a. .. As a result, the electrodes 21b and 21c held by the sensor holding portion 22a via the insulating tube 21a can easily come into contact with each other due to the elastic deformation of the sensor holding portion 22a. Therefore, sufficient detection performance (sensitivity) of the sensor body 21 is ensured.

The base portion 22b is integrally provided with the sensor holding portion 22a along the longitudinal direction thereof, and has a function of fixing the sensor holding portion 22a to the outside of the vehicle interior step 17 in the vehicle width direction. Further, the base portion 22b has a substantially trapezoidal cross-sectional shape along the lateral direction of the sensor holder 22, and the sensor holder 22 is fixed to the bottom surface 22c of the base portion 22b on the outside of the vehicle interior step 17 in the vehicle width direction. The adhesive member BD for this is fixed.

Here, the sensor holding portion 22a and the base portion 22b are connected via a pair of inclined surfaces TP so as to be smoothly connected to each other. In this way, by providing the inclined surface TP between the sensor holding portion 22a and the base portion 22b, stress is concentrated between the sensor holding portion 22a and the base portion 22b to prevent cracks and the like from occurring. .. This improves the durability of the sensor holder 22.

In the sensor holder 22 of the present embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the sensor body 21 (insulating tube 21a) in the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction (short direction) is non-circular. Therefore, the sensor holding portion 22a is easily elastically deformed, and the rigidity of the base portion 22b is made sufficient to secure the fixing strength of the step 17 in the vehicle to the outside in the vehicle width direction by the adhesive member BD.

As shown in FIG. 4, a separator SP made of an insulator, one resistor RS, and two caulking members SW are provided on the tip end side of the second touch sensor 20. These separator SP, resistor RS, and caulking member SW are embedded inside the mold resin MR by insert molding. Both ends of the resistor RS are electrically connected to the conductive wires 21e of the pair of electrodes 21b and 21c by caulking members SW, respectively. That is, the ends of the pair of electrodes 21b and 21c are electrically connected to each other via the resistor RS. The separator SP prevents the conductive wires 21e of the pair of electrodes 21b and 21c from being short-circuited at the portion of the separator SP without passing through the resistor RS.

Next, the operation of the second touch sensor 20 formed as described above will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the sliding door 12 is in the open state (OPEN), and when an occupant or the like pulls the door knob (not shown) from this state, the actuator 13 is driven by this as a trigger. .. Therefore, as shown by the broken line arrow M in FIG. 6A, the sliding door 12 is gradually moved to the front side of the vehicle body 11.

Then, in the initial stage of the closing operation of the slide door 12, the door arm 12a moves the "slide area" toward the front of the vehicle body. As a result, the opening 11a (see FIG. 1) of the vehicle body 11 is gradually closed. After that, the door arm 12a passes through the "slide area" and reaches the "pull-in area" as shown by the broken line arrow M in FIG. 6 (a). As a result, the sliding door 12 is moved inward in the vehicle width direction (upper side in the drawing), and is eventually pulled into the opening 11a. Then, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the gap between the in-vehicle step 17 and the sliding door 12 gradually becomes "gap S1" → "gap S2" → “gap S3”. It will be narrowed down.

After that, when the obstacle DA2 (see FIG. 6B) is not sandwiched between the in-vehicle step 17 and the sliding door 12 during the pulling operation of the sliding door 12 into the opening 11a, FIG. 6A ), The second touch sensor 20 is not elastically deformed. Therefore, the detection signal, that is, the short-circuit signal (change in resistance value) indicating that the pair of electrodes 21b and 21c (see FIG. 5) is short-circuited is not input to the controller 14. Therefore, the opening 11a of the vehicle body 11 is completely closed by the sliding door 12 (CLOSE).

On the other hand, when the obstacle DA2 is sandwiched between the in-vehicle step 17 and the slide door 12 during the pulling operation of the slide door 12 into the opening 11a, as shown in FIG. The touch sensor 20 is elastically deformed. As a result, a detection signal, that is, a short-circuit signal (change in resistance value) indicating that the pair of electrodes 21b and 21c are short-circuited is input to the controller 14. Then, the controller 14 immediately reversely drives the actuator 13 to move the slide door 12 to the rear side (reverse direction) of the vehicle body 11 as shown by the broken line arrow R. As a result, further pinching of the obstacle DA2 is avoided.

The controller 14 sounds an alarm buzzer (not shown) in order to notify the occupants and the like that an emergency operation is being performed when the obstacle DA2 is detected to be pinched.

As described in detail above, according to the first embodiment, the second touch sensor 20 provided with the pair of electrodes 21b and 21c is provided on the in-vehicle step 17 forming a part of the vehicle body 11, and the second touch sensor 20 is provided. A controller 14 to which a short-circuit signal of a pair of electrodes 21b and 21c due to elastic deformation of the second touch sensor 20 is input is connected to the controller 14, and an actuator 13 for driving the slide door 12 is connected to the controller 14. The second touch sensor 20 is provided on the outer side of the vehicle body 11 in the vehicle width direction and extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body 11.

Thereby, the contact of the obstacle DA2 with the sliding door 12 moved in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body 11 can be detected.

Next, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The same symbols are given to the parts having the same functions as those in the first embodiment described above, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view corresponding to FIG. 2 for explaining the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the second embodiment, only the length dimension of the second touch sensor 30 is different from that of the first embodiment.

More specifically, the length dimension of the second touch sensor 20 of the first embodiment is the length dimension extending in the entire longitudinal direction of the step 17 in the vehicle as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the length dimension of the second touch sensor 30 of the second embodiment is a length dimension extending only to the portion corresponding to the wide portion 17b along the longitudinal direction of the step 17 in the vehicle.

In other words, the second touch sensor 30 is a portion (“slide region” portion, wide portion 17b) other than the portion where the door arm 12a of the in-vehicle step 17 is arranged when the slide door 12 is pulled into the opening 11a. It is provided only in the part where there is. The second touch sensor 30 constitutes the sensor and the touch sensor in the present invention, and the structure of the second touch sensor 30 is the same as that of the second touch sensor 20 in the first embodiment.

As described above, even if the second touch sensor 30 is shortened, the detection performance (sensitivity) of the obstacle DA2 (see FIG. 6B) is less likely to be adversely affected for the following reasons. That is, during the pull-in operation of the slide door 12 into the opening 11a, the door arm 12a is always arranged in the "pull-in area" (see FIGS. 6A and 6B). Therefore, the door arm 12a is an obstacle, and it is difficult for the obstacle DA2 to be interposed in the "retracted area" and between the in-vehicle step 17 and the sliding door 12.

Also in the second embodiment configured as described above, the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above can be obtained. In addition to this, in the second embodiment, the length dimension of the second touch sensor 30 can be shortened to the minimum necessary length dimension, so that the cost of the second touch sensor 30 can be reduced and the cost of the second touch sensor 30 can be reduced. The ease of assembling the second touch sensor 30 to the in-vehicle step 17 can be improved.

The obstacle detection device according to the present invention is configured by the second touch sensor 30, the controller 14, and the actuator 13.

Next, Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The same symbols are given to the parts having the same functions as those in the first embodiment described above, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 5 for explaining the third embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the third embodiment, as compared with the first embodiment, the vehicle interior step 17 is provided with a protective wall 40 for preventing the second touch sensor 20 from falling off from the vehicle interior step 17. Only the points are different.

More specifically, the protective wall 40 projecting outward in the vehicle width direction on the outside in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle interior step 17 in the third embodiment and on the upper side (upper side in the drawing) along the vertical direction of the vehicle body 11 Is provided. The protective wall 40 is integrally provided on the step 17 inside the vehicle, and the protruding height thereof is substantially the same as the height of the base portion 22b (thickness along the vehicle width direction) of the second touch sensor 20.

As a result, when the in-vehicle step 17 is viewed from above the vehicle body (upper in the drawing), the protective wall 40 covers the base portion 22b of the second touch sensor 20. Therefore, the second touch sensor 20 is prevented from falling off from the in-vehicle step 17 due to the occupant putting his / her foot on it. As shown in FIG. 8, the sensor holding portion 22a of the second touch sensor 20 is not covered by the protective wall 40. Therefore, the detection performance (sensitivity) of the sensor body 21 is sufficiently secured.

Also in the third embodiment configured as described above, the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above can be obtained. In addition to this, in the third embodiment, since it is possible to significantly reduce the occupant's direct footing on the second touch sensor 20, the second touch sensor 20 is dropped from the in-vehicle step 17. This can be prevented more reliably, and thus the life of the second touch sensor 20 can be extended. Therefore, the maintenance cycle can be shortened to reduce the burden on the user.

Next, Embodiment 4 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The same symbols are given to the parts having the same functions as those in the first embodiment described above, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 9 shows an enlarged perspective view of an outside step for explaining the fourth embodiment.

In the first embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. 2, a second touch sensor 20 is provided in the in-vehicle step 17 that constitutes a part of the vehicle body 11, and the second touch sensor 20 provides an obstacle DA2 (FIG. 6 (FIG. 6). b) When the contact of) was detected, the controller 14 reversely driven the actuator 13 to open the slide door 12.

On the other hand, in the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the second step 50 is provided outside the vehicle body 11 and is moved in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body 11 when ascending and descending, and the occupant puts his / her foot on the vehicle. A touch sensor 51 is provided.

More specifically, the second touch sensor 51 is provided outside the vehicle outer step 50 in the vehicle width direction, and extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body 11. Then, as shown by the broken line arrow M in the drawing, the vehicle outer step 50 is moved so as to protrude outward in the vehicle width direction from the vehicle body 11 when ascending / descending (when the slide door 12 is in the open state). Here, the vehicle exterior step 50 is driven by an actuator 52 different from the actuator 13 that drives the slide door 12. The actuator 52 is electrically connected to the controller 14 via the electric wire 15d.

Further, the second touch sensor 51 is electrically connected to the controller 14 via the electric wire 15e. Here, the second touch sensor 51 constitutes the sensor and the touch sensor in the present invention, and the structure of the second touch sensor 51 is the same as that of the second touch sensor 20 in the first embodiment except for the length dimension. It has a structure.

As a result, when the obstacle DA3 exists in the vicinity of the vehicle outer step 50 and the vehicle outer step 50 is moved outward in the vehicle width direction from the vehicle body 11 in this state, the obstacle DA3 comes into contact with the second touch sensor 51. Therefore, the second touch sensor 51 is elastically deformed. As a result, the controller 14 reversely drives the actuator 52 to retract the vehicle exterior step 50 below the vehicle body 11.

Therefore, pressing the obstacle DA3 toward the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body 11 is suppressed, and damage to the obstacle DA3 due to the step 50 outside the vehicle can be reliably prevented.

The vehicle exterior step 50 constitutes the movable member of the present invention, the actuator 52 constitutes the actuator of the present invention, and the second touch sensor 51, the controller 14 and the actuator 52 constitute the obstacle detection device of the present invention. Will be done.

Next, Embodiment 5 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The same symbols are given to the parts having the same functions as those in the first embodiment described above, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view corresponding to FIG. 2 for explaining the fifth embodiment.

As shown in the hatched portion of FIG. 10, in the fifth embodiment, only the structure of the sensor provided on the outer side of the step 17 in the vehicle in the vehicle width direction is different from that of the first embodiment. Specifically, in the first embodiment, as the sensor in the present invention, a second touch sensor 20 for detecting the contact of an obstacle DA2 (see FIG. 6B) is adopted, but it is carried out. In the fifth aspect, as the sensor in the present invention, a long capacitance type proximity sensor 60 is adopted. The capacitance type proximity sensor 60 is a sensor that detects the stage before the obstacle DA2 is brought into contact, that is, that the obstacle DA2 is in close proximity. For example, the proximity of the human body causes static electricity with the human body. It is equipped with a sensor electrode whose capacitance changes (not shown in detail).

Therefore, in addition to exhibiting the same action and effect as in the first embodiment in the fifth embodiment, when the obstacle DA2 is a human body or the like, pinching is more reliably prevented without touching the human body or the like. Is possible.

The proximity sensor 60 may be provided only in the portion corresponding to the wide portion 17b of the in-vehicle step 17 as in the second embodiment, or the protective wall 40 (FIG. 8) is provided on the in-vehicle step 17 as in the third embodiment. (See) may be provided. Further, the proximity sensor 60 may be provided on the outside of the vehicle exterior step 50 (see FIG. 9) in the vehicle width direction, as in the fourth embodiment.

Here, the proximity sensor 60, the controller 14, and the actuator 13 constitute the obstacle detection device according to the present invention. However, a capacitance change signal (detection signal) is input to the controller 14 instead of the short-circuit signal according to the first embodiment.

It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist thereof. For example, in the above-described first to fourth embodiments, a pair of electrodes 21b and 21c are spirally fixed inside the insulating tube 21a, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the thickness of the electrodes and the required thickness are not limited to this. Depending on the detection performance and the like, four or six electrodes may be provided spirally or in parallel.

In addition, the material, shape, dimensions, number, installation location, and the like of the components in the above embodiment are arbitrary as long as the present invention can be achieved, and are not limited to the above embodiment.

10 Vehicle 11 Body 11a Opening 11b Guide rail 12 Sliding door (movable member)
12a Door arm 13 Actuator 14 Controller 15a to 15e Electric wire 16 First touch sensor 17 In-vehicle step (vehicle body)
17a Narrow part 17b Wide part 17c Recessed part 20 Second touch sensor (sensor and touch sensor)
20a Male connector 21 Sensor body 21a Insulation tube 21b, 21c Electrode 21d Conductive tube 21e Conductive wire 22 Sensor holder 22a Sensor holder 22b Base 22c Bottom 30 Second touch sensor (sensor and touch sensor)
40 Protective wall 50 Outside step (movable member)
51 Second touch sensor (sensor and touch sensor)
52 Actuator 60 Proximity sensor (sensor)
BD Adhesive Member DA1-DA3 Obstacle MR Mold Resin RS Resistor SP Separator SW Caulking Member TP Inclined Surface

Claims (5)

An obstacle detection device that detects that an obstacle has come into contact with or is close to a movable member provided on the vehicle body.
A sensor provided in the vehicle body,
A controller connected to the sensor and input a detection signal from the sensor,
An actuator connected to the controller and driving the movable member,
Have,
The sensor is provided on the outside in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body and extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body .
The movable member is a sliding door that moves in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body to open and close the opening of the vehicle body.
The sensor is provided inside the vehicle body and is provided on an in-vehicle step on which the occupant rests his / her foot when going up and down.
The sensor outputs the detection signal by the contact or proximity of the obstacle at the time of pulling into the opening of the sliding door,
Obstacle detection device. In the obstacle detection device according to claim 1,
A door arm that moves in the vicinity of the in-vehicle step when the slide door is opened and closed is provided on the front side of the vehicle body of the slide door.
The sensor is provided only in a portion other than the portion of the in-vehicle step where the door arm is arranged when the sliding door is pulled into the opening.
Obstacle detection device. In the obstacle detection device according to claim 1 or 2.
The in-vehicle step is provided with a protective wall for preventing the sensor from falling out of the in-vehicle step.
Obstacle detection device. An obstacle detection device that detects that an obstacle has come into contact with or is close to a movable member provided on the vehicle body.
The sensor provided on the movable member and
A controller connected to the sensor and input a detection signal from the sensor,
An actuator connected to the controller and driving the movable member,
Have,
The sensor is provided on the outside in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body and extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body.
The movable member is provided outside the vehicle body and is moved in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body when ascending and descending, and is an outside step on which the occupant puts his / her foot.
The sensor is provided on the outer step.
Obstacle detection device. In the obstacle detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
The sensor is a touch sensor having a plurality of electrodes.
The touch sensor is elastically deformed by the contact of the obstacle, and outputs a short-circuit signal of the plurality of electrodes due to the elastic deformation to the controller.
Obstacle detection device.

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