Vehicle

A wheeled vehicle includes a rear opening that is formed in a rear surface of a vehicle body, a tailgate that is provided to open and close the rear opening, a sub door opening that is formed in a transverse portion of the tailgate, and a sub door that is provided to open and close the sub door opening. In the tailgate, a tailgate side window panel is provided on the tailgate, and a sub door side window panel is provided on the sub door. These tailgate side window panel and the sub door side window panel are made substantially level with each other while being disposed continuously in a transverse direction. The control unit prohibits the operation of a wiper device that moves over the individual window panels so as to clean and remove water therefrom, with the sub door left open.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an improved wheeled vehicle.

BACKGROUND ART

There is known a vehicle in which an opening is formed in a rear surface of a vehicle body and a door is provided which can open and close the opening. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique as a prior art technique in relation to such a vehicle.

In a wheeled vehicle disclosed in Patent Document 1, a tailgate is mounted at a rear portion of a vehicle body. This tailgate includes a pair of sub doors that are double doors that open respectively to the left and right. The tailgate swings up and down in an up-to-down or vertical direction, and the sub doors, which are the double doors opening respectively to the left and right, swing in left-to-right or transverse directions.

For example, in order to ensure obtain a rearward view through a backlight, it is considered that a window panel is mounted on each of the sub doors. As this occurs, it is desirable that a wiper device is mounted to clean and remove water from the window panels. When a wiper device is so mounted, it will be expensive in case a wiper device is mounted on each of the window panels. Owing to this, it is desirable that both the window panels are made level with each other and that a wiper device is used which can move over both the window panels so as to clean and remove water therefrom.

It is considered that the sub doors are erroneously opened while the wiper device is kept operating. Since a difference in level is generated between the window panels when the sub doors are opened, a measure is needed to counteract this problem from the viewpoint of projecting the wiper device.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT

Patent Document

Patent Document 1: Japanese Utility Model Registration Publication No. 2,514,650

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Problem to be Solved

The object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle that can protect a wiper device.

Means for Solving the Problem

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wheeled vehicle in which a rear opening is formed in a rear surface of a vehicle body, a tailgate is provided to open and close the rear opening, a sub door opening is formed in a transverse portion of the tailgate, and a sub door is provided to open and close the sub door opening, comprising:

a tailgate side window panel configured to be provided on the tailgate;

a sub door side window panel configured to be provided on the sub door;

a wiper device configured to move over the individual window panels so as to clean and remove water therefrom; and

a control unit configured to control the wiper device,

wherein the tailgate side window panel and the sub door side window panel are successively disposed with each other in a substantially same plane in a transverse direction, and

wherein when the sub door is opening, the control unit controls the wiper device so as not to be operated.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wheeled vehicle in which a rear opening is formed in a rear surface of a vehicle body, a tailgate is provided to open and close the rear opening, a sub door opening is formed in a transverse portion of the tailgate, and a sub door is provided to open and close the sub door opening, comprising:

a tailgate side window panel configured to be provided on the tailgate;

a sub door side window panel configured to be provided on the sub door;

a wiper device configured to move over the individual window panels so as to clean and remove water therefrom;

a sub door latch device configured to engage the vehicle body with the sub door; and

a control unit configured to control the sub door latch device,

wherein the tailgate side window panel and the sub door side window panel are successively disposed with each other in a substantially same plane in a transverse direction, and

wherein when the wiper device is operating, the control unit controls the sub door latch device so as not to open the sub door.

It is preferable that the wheeled vehicle includes a sub door unlocking device configured to operate the sub door latch device and that when the wiper device is operating and the sub door unlocking device is operated, the control unit stops the wiper device after moving a blade of the wiper device to a stop position.

It is preferable that the control unit controls the sub door latch device so as to open the sub door when the wiper device stops in the stop position.

It is preferable that the wheeled vehicle includes a warning device configured to issue a warning and that the control unit executes a control to activate the warning device after the wiper device is stopped and before the control unit executes a control to open the sub door.

It is preferable that the control unit controls the sub door latch device so as to open the sub door when the sub door unlocking device is operated again after the wiper device has stopped.

It is preferable that the control unit executes a control to keep the wiper device stopping when the sub door is closed after the sub door is opened.

It is preferable that the control unit executes a control to activate the wiper device when the wheeled vehicle is running.

It is preferable that the control unit resumes an operation of the wiper device when the sub door is closed again after the sub door is opened.

It is preferable that the wheeled vehicle includes a warning device that issues a warning, and that the control unit controls the warning device so as to issue a warning before the operation of the wiper device is resumed after the sub door is closed again.

Effects of the Invention

According to the one aspect of the present invention, when the sub door is left open, the control unit executes a control to prohibit the operation of the wiper device. Owing to this, the wiper device can be activated to operate only when the tailgate side window panel and the sub door side window panel are level with each other. The wiper device can be prevented from being activated to operate when there is caused a different in level between the window panels, thereby making it possible to protect the wiper device.

The wheeled vehicle of the present invention is based on a premise that a door is mounted at a transverse portion of the rear portion of the vehicle body so as to swing, that two window panels, which are a window panel that is mounted on this door and a window panel that is provided separately from the window panel to make up the rear surface of the wheeled vehicle, are disposed so as to be substantially level with each other while extending continuously in the transverse direction, and that the wiper device is provided which can move over those window panels so as to clean and remove water from them. Premising that the wheeled vehicle is configured in the way described above, when it is determined that the sub door is left open, the wiper device is prohibited from operating.

According to the other aspect of the present invention, the control controls the sub door latch device so as to prohibit the opening of the sub door when the wiper device is in operation. This enables the wiper device to be activated to operate only when the tailgate side window panel and the sub door side window panel are level with each other. This can prevent the opening of the sub door when the wiper device is in operation, thereby making it possible to protect the wiper device.

Namely, The wheeled vehicle of the present invention is based on a premise that a door is mounted at a transverse portion of the rear portion of the vehicle body so as to swing, that two window panels, which are a window panel that is mounted on this door and a window panel that is provided separately from the window panel to make up the rear surface of the wheeled vehicle, are disposed so as to be substantially level with each other while extending continuously in the transverse direction, and that the wiper device is provided which can move over those window panels so as to clean and remove water from them. Premising that the wheeled vehicle10is configured in the way described above, the sub door is prohibited from being opened when the wiper device is in operation.

Further, in the present invention, the control unit moves the blade to the stop position so as to stop the wiper device when the sub door unlocking device is operated while the wiper device is in operation. Thus, the wiper device can be stopped without operating an operating module of the wiper device.

In addition, it is considered from the fact that the sub door unlocking device is operated that the operator stays near the wiper device. In case the wiper device is kept operating while the operator stays near the wiper device, there are fears that water removed by the wiper device is splashed on the operator. Owing to this, it is desirable that the wiper device is stopped.

Further, in the present invention, the control unit controls the sub door latch device so as to open the sub door when the wiper device stops in the stop position. Even though the sub door unlocking device is operated while the wiper device is kept in operation, the sub door is allowed to be opened without performing an opening operation again. This is desirable since the sub door can be opened through a single operation.

Further, in the present invention, the control unit activates the warning device after the wiper device has stopped its operation and before the sub door is opened. The operator can recognize that the sub door will be opened as a result of the activation of the warning device. In particular, in the event that it takes a long time from the operation of the sub door unlocking device to the opening the sub door, the sub door can be prevented from being opened unintentionally and abruptly.

Further, in the present invention, in the event that the sub door unlocking device is operated again after the wiper device has stopped operation, the control unit executes a control to open the sub door. As a result of the operator being required to operate again the sub door unlocking device after the wiper device has stopped operation, the operator can be prevented from being surprised by an unintentional and abrupt opening of the sub door.

Further, in the present invention, the control unit executes a control to keep the wiper device stopping in the event that the sub door is closed again after the sub door is once opened. It is considered that the operator of the sub door still stays near the sub door immediately after the sub door is closed. In case the wiper device is activated to operate immediately after the sub door is closed, there are fears that water removed by the wiper device is splashed on the operator. The operator is prevented from being splashed on by water removed by the wiper device by keeping the wiper device stopping.

Further, in the present invention, the control unit executes a control to activate the wiper device when the wheeled vehicle is running. If running of the wheeled vehicle has ended, it is considered that there is no person who lies near the wheeled vehicle. Thus, the wiper device can be reactivated to operate without performing a reactivating operation of the wiper device while preventing a person lying on the periphery of the wheeled vehicle from being splashed on by water removed by the wiper device.

Further, in the present invention, the control unit executes a control to resume the operation of the wiper device when the sub door is closed after the sub door is once opened. Thus, the wiper device can be reactivated to operate without performing the reactivating operation of the wiper device.

Further, in the present invention, the control unit executes a control for a warning to be issued after the sub door is closed again and before the wiper device resumes its operation. The operator can recognize that the wiper device will be activated to operate as a result of the warning device being controlled to issue a warning. In particular, in case it takes a long time from the opening of the sub door to the relocking of the sub door, it is considered that the operator of the sub door forgets that the wiper device is on. Even as this occurs, the wiper device can be prevented from being activated to operate unintentionally and abruptly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

A mode for carrying out the present invention will be described based on the accompanying drawings. When referred to in the following description, “left” and “right” denote, respectively, the left and right of an occupant of a wheeled vehicle who sits facing forwards, and “front” and “rear” denote, respectively, front and rear in relation to a traveling direction of the wheeled vehicle. In the drawings, Fr denotes front, and Rr denotes rear. L denotes the left of the occupant facing the front, and R denotes the right of the occupant facing the front. Up denotes up, and Dn denotes down.

A wheeled vehicle according to Embodiment 1 will be described.

FIG. 1shows a right-hand drive tall station wagon or a van-type passenger vehicle as an example of a wheeled vehicle10. In the wheeled vehicle10, an engine compartment12is formed at the front of a passenger compartment11, and an engine13as a driving power source is mounted in the engine compartment12. Three rows of seats in which occupants are seated are provided inside the passenger compartment11.

A driver's seat15is provided on a right hand side of a front portion of the passenger compartment11, and a front passenger's seat16(another seat16) is provided adjacent to the driver's seat15. A center line C1that passes a transverse center to extend in a front-to-rear direction is situated between the driver's seat15and the front passenger's seat16. Namely, the driver's seat15is disposed in a position that is offset to the right with respect to the transverse center C1, and the front passenger's seat16is disposed in a position that is offset to the left with respect to the transverse center C1. Hereinafter, a right hand side of the wheeled vehicle will be referred to as a “driver's seat side” and a left hand side of the wheeled vehicle will be referred to as a “front passenger's seat side” as required. Namely, in this embodiment, the driver's seat side can be referred to as the right hand side of the wheeled vehicle, and the front passenger's seat side can be referred to as the left hand side of the wheeled vehicle. When looking at the wheeled vehicle10from a side thereof, the driver's seat15and the front passenger's seat16overlap each other, and hence, these front seats will be referred to as a first row seat as a whole as required.

A second row seat17in which three occupants can be seated is provided behind the driver's seat15and the front passenger's seat16(the first row seats15,16) so as to extend along a vehicle's width or transverse direction. A third row seat18(the rear row seat18) in which three occupant can be seated is provided behind the second row seat17(the middle row seat17) so as to extend along the transverse direction. The second row seat17is configured as a single bench seat by providing two seats continuously in the transverse direction. The two seats that make up the second row seat17are each constructed so as to be folded up.

The configuration of the third row seat18is similar to that of the second row seat17, and hence, the detailed description thereof will be omitted here. A luggage compartment11awhere to store luggage is formed at a rear end portion of the passenger compartment11, that is, a portion behind the third row seat18.

An inside rearview mirror22is mounted at a transverse center of an upper portion of a windshield21for an occupant Mn to obtain a rearward view through a backlight. Additionally, outside rearview mirrors23,23are mounted at left and right end portion of a front portion of a vehicle body25for the occupant to obtain sideward and rearward views. The wheeled vehicle10will be described in greater detail based onFIGS. 2 and 3.

As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, a rear opening30is formed at a rear end of the vehicle body25so as to expand fully along the transverse direction and in a up-to-down or vertical direction. A tailgate40is mounted so as to open and close this rear opening portion30. When in a closed state, part of the tailgate40makes up a rear surface of the wheeled vehicle.

A sub door opening50(a door opening50or an ingress and egress opening50) is formed in a transverse portion of the tailgate40so as to expand fully in a height-wise direction of the tailgate40. The sub door opening50is an opening that is formed for an occupant to get on and off the wheeled vehicle and is formed so as to expand from an end portion of the wheeled vehicle10on the front passenger's seat side to a position that lies beyond the transverse center (refer to a center line C2extending vertically at the transverse center). A sub door60(a door60or an ingress and egress sub door60) is mounted in the sub door opening50so as to open and close the sub door opening50. With the tailgate40and the sub door60both left in a closed state, the sub door60makes up part of the rear surface of the wheeled vehicle10.

Hereinafter, the “center line C2that extends vertically at the transverse center” will be referred to as a “transverse center C2,” as required.

A rear window panel78is disposed on the rear surface of the wheeled vehicle10so as to expand along the transverse direction. The rear window panel78is made up of a tailgate side window panel48that is fixed to the tailgate40and a sub door side window panel68that is fixed to the sub door60. The tailgate side window panel48and the sub door side window panel68are provided continuously along the transverse direction. A rear surface of the tailgate side window panel48and a rear surface of the sub door side window panel68are disposed so as to be substantially level with each other.

Here, the expression of “substantially level” includes a case where the rear surface of the tailgate side window panel48and the sub door side window panel68are formed continuously and the window panels48,68are both formed into a curved surface.

A wiper device90is provided on the rear window panel78which cleans and removes water from both the tailgate side window panel48and the sub door side window panel68by moving thereon as indicated by imaginary lines shown inFIG. 2. This wiper device90operates to move over both the tailgate side window panel48and the sub door side window panel68so as to clean and remove water therefrom. Hereinafter, the “wiper device90” will be referred to as a “rear wiper90” as required.

The tailgate40is mounded at a rear portion of the vehicle body25so as to swing about a first opening and closing axis L1that extends in a horizontal direction at an upper portion of the vehicle body25. The tailgate40swings up and down in the vertical direction.

An electrically unlocked tailgate latch device41(a tailgate lock device41) is mounted at a lower end of the tailgate40for bringing the tailgate40into engagement with the vehicle body. The tailgate latch device41is a known latch device that is locked (is put in a latched state) by being brought into engagement with a tailgate striker31that is mounted at a center of a lower edge30dof the rear opening30.

The tailgate latch device41is released from the locked state by a tailgate handle43that is provided on a rear surface portion40aof the tailgate40.

A center line C3that extends vertically at a transverse center of the sub door opening50is offset to the left with respect to the center line C2that extends vertically at the center of the vehicle. Namely, the center line C3of the sub door opening50is positioned at a portion that is offset to the front passenger's seat side with respect to the center line C2that extends vertically at the transverse center.

A right edge portion50bof the sub door opening50(a side edge portion on the driver's seat side) is positioned closer to the driver's seat side than the transverse center C2. A pillar44that supports the sub door60extends in the vertical direction along the right edge portion50bof the sub door opening50.

Two hinges45,45that support the sub door60so as to rotate in the horizontal direction are mounted on a thick portion44bof the pillar44that is positioned lower than the rear window panel78.

The sub door60is supported on the pillar44via the two hinges45,45and is configured as a so-called laterally opening door. An axis that passes a center between the two hinges45to extend in a perpendicular direction is referred to as a second opening and closing axis L2, and the sub door60swings about this second opening and closing axis L2. The sub door60swings in a front-to-rear or longitudinal direction of the vehicle body25and in the horizontal direction. As this occurs, the sub door60opens from the other end portion (a side of the rear opening30that faces a left side edge30c) that is opposite to the driver's seat side.

An electrically unlocked sub door latch device61(a sub door lock device61) is mounted at a front passenger's seat side end portion of the sub door60to bring the sub door60into engagement with the vehicle body. The sub door latch device61is a known latch device that is locked (is put in a latched state) by being locked by a sub door striker51that is mounted on a left side edge50cof the sub door opening50.

A handle garnish66(a garnish66) is attached so as to extend from the front passenger's seat side end portion of the sub door60towards the transverse center C2. The handle garnish66supports a sub door outer handle63(a sub door unlocking device63) by which the sub door60is opened.

Although this will be described in detail later, a sub door inner handle (denoted by reference numeral64inFIG. 10) by which the sub door60is opened is disposed further on an inner side surface portion of the sub door60. Namely, the two sub door handles, the sub door outer handle63and the sub door inner handle, are mounted on the sub door60.

A lock switch67is disposed in the sub door60between the sub door outer handle63and the tailgate handle43, and this lock switch67is used not only to lock or unlock the tailgate40but also to lock or unlock the sub door60. A single lock switch67is disposed.

Here, locking or unlocking the tail gate40and the sub door60by operating the lock switch67makes the tailgate handle43, the sub door outer handle63and the sub door inner handle operable or inoperable. Namely, when the lock switch67is operated to lock the tailgate40, even though the tailgate handle43is operated, the tailgate latch device41is not activated. On the contrary, when the lock switch67is operated to unlock the tailgate40, the tailgate latch device41is activated by operating the tailgate handle43. This will be true with the sub door latch device.

A known mechanism is adopted as a mechanism of switching between locking and unlocking by depressing the lock switch67.

A lower side78dof the rear window panel78is made up of a driver's seat side horizontal portion81athat extends substantially horizontally from a driver's seat side end portion to the transverse center C2, an inclined edge81bthat extends along a downward gradient from the transverse center C2towards a front passenger's seat side end portion, and a front passenger's seat side horizontal portion81c(an another seat side horizontal portion81c) that extends from a lower end of the inclined edge81bto the front passenger's seat side end portion. By adopting this configuration, in the lower side78dof the rear window panel78, the front passenger's seat side deviates further downwards than the driver's seat side.

The driver's seat side horizontal portion81aof the lower side78dof the rear window panel78is made up of part of a lower side of the sub door side window panel68and a lower side of the tailgate side window panel48. The inclined edge81b and the front passenger's seat side horizontal portion81care made up of the remaining portion of the lower side of the sub door side window panel68.

The wiper device90includes a pivot shaft91that is positioned closer to a driver's seat15side than the transverse center C2, a wiper arm92that extends from the pivot shaft91transversely outwards and downwards and a blade93that extends transversely outwards in the horizontal direction from a distal end of the wiper arm92. As shown inFIG. 2, with the wiper device90staying at rest, the blade93stays stationary above the front passenger's seat side horizontal portion81cof the rear window panel78while extending therealong. This position is referred to as a stationary or stop position.

The wheeled vehicle10of the present invention is based on a premise that a door (the sub door60) is mounted at a transverse portion of the rear portion of the vehicle body25so as to swing, that two window panels, which are a window panel (the sub door side window panel68) that is mounted on this door and a window panel (the tailgate side window panel48) that is provided separately from the window panel to make up the rear surface of the wheeled vehicle, are disposed so as to be substantially level with each other while extending continuously in the transverse direction, and that the wiper device90is provided which can move over those window panels so as to clean and remove water from them. Premising that the wheeled vehicle10is configured in the way described above, when it is determined that the door is closed, the wiper device90is allowed to operate, while when it is determined that the wiper device90stops, the door is allowed to be opened. Hereinafter, this will be described in detail.

As shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, the wheeled vehicle10has a control unit100that controls operations of the tailgate40, the sub door60and the rear wiper90.

This control unit100receives detection signals from a tailgate switch101(a tailgate detecting module101) that detects that the tailgate40is in a closed state, a sub door switch102(a sub door detecting module102) that detects that the sub door60is in a closed state, a child switch103that prohibits the sub door60from being opened from a passenger compartment side when switched on, a tailgate handle switch104that detects that the tailgate handle43is operated, an inner sub door opening switch105(a sub door unlocking operation detecting module105) that detects that the sub door inner handle (denoted by reference numeral64inFIG. 10) is operated, an outer sub door opening switch106(a sub door unlocking operation detecting module106) that detects that the sub door outer handle63is operated, a rear wiper switch107(a rear wiper control module107) that issues an operation command and a stop command to the rear wiper90, a rear wiper position sensor108(a wiper position detecting module108) that detects that the blade93of the rear wiper90stays in the stop position, a vehicle speed sensor109(a running detecting module109) that measures a vehicle speed of the wheeled vehicle10, and a rear wiper operating state detecting module117that detects that the rear wiper90is in operation.

The rear wiper operating state detecting module117detects whether or not the blade is swinging actually, irrespective of whether or not an operation command has been issued to the rear wiper90. In addition, a single sensor can be used to function as the rear wiper position sensor108and the rear wiper operating state detecting module117.

On the other hand, the control unit100controls a tailgate motor111that activates the tailgate latch device41to operate, a sub door motor112that activates the sub door latch device61to operate, a rear wiper motor113that activates the blade93of the rear wiper90to swing, a courtesy lamp114that illuminates near the sub door60, and a buzzer115(a warning device115) that emits a warning sound based on the detection signals.

In addition to the buzzer115that is a device emitting a warning in an auditory fashion, a device like a lamp that emits a warning in a visual fashion can be adopted as the warning device. Further, both the auditory device and the visual device may be adopted together. Furthermore, the warning device may be mounted not only in the vicinity of the tailgate40but also in the vicinity of the driver's seat (for example, as an integral part of the instrumentation). Namely, the warning device can be mounted in an arbitrary location, and hence, where to locate the warning device is not limited to those locations.

Additionally, the switches or sensors that send detection signals to the control unit100may adopt devices that make assumptions from separate parameters. Namely, the detecting modules are not limited to the switches or sensors.

Referring toFIGS. 5 and 8, too, conditions will be described under which the rear wiper90is activated to operate. Firstly, the control unit100determines whether or not the sub door60is in a closed state based on the detection signal from the sub door switch102(step01. Hereinafter, “step” will be written as “ST.”). The sub door switch102detects that the sub door60is in the closed state when the sub door latch device61is in a fully latched state and in a half latched state.

If the sub door60is in the closed state, a vehicle speed v is measured by the vehicle speed sensor109(ST02), and the control unit100determines whether or not the vehicle speed v is faster than a reference speed v0(ST03). If it determines that the vehicle speed v is faster than the reference speed v0, the control unit100determines whether or not the rear wiper90stops based on the detection signal from the rear wiper operating state detecting module117(ST04). If it determines that the rear wiper90stops, the control unit100determines whether or not an operation command has been issued to the rear wiper90based on the detection signal from rear wiper switch107(ST05).

If it determines that the operation command has been issued to the rear wiper and that the rear wiper stops, the control unit100controls the rear wiper motor113to activate the rear wiper90to operate (ST06) and then ends the control. If a stop command has been issued to the rear wiper90, the control unit100keeps the rear wiper90stopping. If it determines in ST04that the rear wiper90does not stop, that is, if the rear wiper90is in operation, the control unit100ends the control then.

Namely, if it is determined that the sub door60is closed and that the vehicle speed is faster than the predetermined speed, the rear wiper90can be activated to operate (again).

If the control unit100determines in ST03that the vehicle speed v is equal to or slower than the reference speed v0, the control unit100ends the control then. Namely, if the rear wiper90is stopped in ST32, the control unit100keeps the rear wiper90stopping. Here, when the rear wiper switch107is switched off (a stop command) once and then is switched on (an operation command) again, the rear wiper90may be activated to operate as instructed by the command. By doing so, when the user intends to resume the wiping operation, the operation of the wiper can be resumed.

If it determines in ST01that the sub door60is left open, the control unit100determines based on the detection signal from the rear wiper switch107whether or not a stop command has been issued to the rear wiper90(ST07).

If the control unit100determines that the stop command has been issued to the rear wiper90, from flowcharts shown inFIGS. 6 and 7, with the sub door60left open, the control unit100ends the control then, since it is sure that the rear wiper90stops. If the control unit100determines that the operation command has been issued to the rear wiper90, the control unit100controls the rear wiper motor113so as to stop the rear wiper90(to prohibit the operation of the rear wiper90) (ST08) and ends the control.

Namely, if it determines that the sub door60is left open, the control unit100prohibits the operation of the rear wiper90. Owing to this, the wiper device90can be activated to operate only when the tailgate side window panel48and the sub door side window panel68are substantially level with each other. Thus, the wiper device90can be prevented from being activated to operate when a different in level is caused between the window panels48,68, thereby making it possible to protect the wiper device90.

Based onFIGS. 3, 4 and 6, a case where the sub door60is opened will be described. Firstly, the control unit100determines whether or not the sub door60is closed based on the detection signal from the sub door switch102(ST11).

If the sub door60is not closed, namely, if the sub door60is left open, the control unit100determines whether or not the courtesy lamp114is turned off (ST12). If it determines that the courtesy lamp114is turned off, the control unit100turns on the courtesy lamp114(ST13) and ends the control then. On the other hand, if it determines that the courtesy lamp114is turned on, the control unit100ends the control then.

If it determines in ST11that the sub door60is closed, the control unit100determines whether or not the sub door60is operated to be opened based on the detection signal from the inner or outer sub door opening switch105,106(ST14).

If it determines that the inner or outer sub door opening switch105,106has been operated, the control unit100determines whether or not the child switch103is switched off based on the detection signal from the child switch103(ST15).

If it determines that the child switch103is off, the control unit100determines whether or not the tailgate40is closed based on the detection signal from the tailgate switch101(ST16). If it determines that the tailgate40is closed, the control unit100measures a vehicle speed v by the use of the vehicle speed sensor109(ST17) and determines whether or not the vehicle speed v is slower than a reference speed vb (ST18).

If it determines that the vehicle speed v is slower than the reference speed vb, the control unit100determines whether or not the rear wiper90stops based on the detection signal from the rear wiper operating state detecting module117(ST19). If it determines that the rear wiper90stops, the control unit100controls the sub door motor112so as to open the sub door60(ST20).

This releases the locking of the sub door latch device61on the sub door striker51, whereby the sub door60is opened. The control unit100turns on the courtesy lamp114(ST21) to be ended.

Namely, the sub door60is opened if the control unit100determines that the sub door outer handle63or the sub door inner handle is operated, that the child switch103is switched off, the tailgate40is closed, that the vehicle speed is faster than the predetermined speed and that the rear wiper90stops.

If it is determined in ST14that the sub door outer handle63or the sub door inner handle is not operated, if it is determined in ST15that the child switch103is on, if it is determined in ST16that the tailgate40is opened, or if it is determined in ST18that the vehicle speed v is equal to or faster than the reference speed vb, the control unit100ends the control then. Namely, the control unit100prohibits the sub door60from being opened in anyone of those conditions.

If it determines in ST19that the rear wiper90is in operation, the control unit100controls the rear wiper90as will be described inFIG. 7(ST22).

The control of the rear wiper will be described based onFIGS. 3, 4 and 7. When the rear wiper90is in operation, the control unit100controls the rear wiper motor113so as to move the blade93of the rear wiper90to the stop position (ST31).

When the blade93of the rear wiper90has moved to the stop position, the control unit100controls the rear wiper motor113so as to stop its operation to thereby stop the rear wiper90(ST32). Whether or not the blade93stays in the stop position is determined by the detection signal from the rear wiper position sensor108.

If the rear wiper90stops, the control unit100switches on the buzzer115(ST33) and unlocks the sub door60(releases the sub door60from the latched state) (ST34). This allows the sub door60to be opened. If the sub door60is opened, the control unit100switches on the courtesy lamp114(ST35). Namely, the courtesy lamp114is illuminated.

If the sub door60is closed again (ST36), the control unit100switches off the courtesy lamp114(ST37). Then, a vehicle speed v is measured by the vehicle speed sensor109(ST38). The control unit100determines whether or not the vehicle speed v is faster than the reference speed V0(ST39). If it determines that the vehicle speed v is faster than the reference speed v0, the control unit100controls the rear wiper motor113so as to activate the rear wiper90to operate (ST40) and ends the control then.

If the vehicle speed v is equal to or slower than the reference speed v0, a vehicle speed v is measured again (ST38). Namely, when the sub door60is closed after the sub door60is opened and the wheeled vehicle10starts to run again, the rear wiper90is activated to operate again. As this occurs, the rear wiper device90does not have to be operated. Further, the rear wiper90is kept stopping until the vehicle speed v exceeds the reference speed v0after the wheeled vehicle10starts to run again.

If an operating module of the rear wiper device90is has been switched off until the wheeled vehicle10starts to run again, the rear wiper device90is not activated. In this case, the control unit100moves the blade93to the stop position after the wheeled vehicle10has started to run and then stops the rear wiper device90.

Returning toFIGS. 3, 4 and 6, as has been described above, the control unit100controls the sub door latch device61(the sub door motor112) so as to prohibit the opening of the sub door60when the rear wiper90is in operation. Owing to this, the wiper device90can be activated to operate only when the tailgate side window panel48and the sub door side window panel68are substantially level with each other. Thus, the sub door60can be prevented from being opened while the wiper device90is in operation, thereby making it possible to protect the wiper device90.

Referring toFIG. 7, too, if the control unit100determines that the sub door outer handle63or the sub door inner handle (denoted by reference numeral64inFIG. 10) is operated while the rear wiper90is in operation, the control unit100moves the blade93to the stop position and then stops the rear wiper90. Thus, the rear wiper90can be stopped without operating the operating module of the rear wiper90to stop it.

In addition, it is considered from the fact that the sub door outer handle63or the sub door inner handle is operated that the operator stays near the wiper device90. In the event that the wiper device90is kept operating in such a state that the operator stays near the wiper device90, there are fears that water removed by the wiper device90is splashed on the operator. Owing to this, it is desirable to stop the wiper device90.

Further, the control unit100activates the buzzer115after the wiper device90is stopped and before it executes a control to open the sub door60. The operator can recognize that the sub door60will be opened by the activation of the buzzer115. In particular, this can prevent the sub door60being opened abruptly when it takes a long time from the operation of the sub door outer handle63or the sub door inner handle to the opening of the sub door60.

In addition, if it determines that the wiper device90stops in the stop position, the control unit100controls the sub door motor112(the sub door latch device61) so as to open the sub door60. Even though the sub door outer handle63or the sub door inner handle is operated while the wiper device90is in operation, the sub door60is opened without performing an opening operation again. This is desirable since the sub door60can be opened through a single operation.

Further, if the control unit100determines that the sub door60is closed again after the sub door60is once opened, the control unit100executes a control to keep the wiper device90stopping. It is considered that the operator of the sub door60stays near the sub door60immediately after the sub door60is closed. In case the wiper device90is activated to operate immediately after the sub door60is closed, there are fears that water removed by the wiper device90is splashed on the operator. By keeping the wiper device90stopping, the operator is prevented from being splashed on by the water so removed.

In addition, if the control unit100determines that the wheeled vehicle10is running, the control unit100executes a control to activate the wiper device90to operate. It is considered that there stays no person near the wheeled vehicle10after the wheeled vehicle10has started to run. The wiper device90can be activated to operate again without performing an activating operation of the wiper device90while preventing persons staying near the wiper device90from being splashed on by water removed by the wiper device90.

The function of the wheeled vehicle10will be described inFIGS. 9 and 10.

As shown inFIG. 9, when loading a large piece of luggage BC in the wheeled vehicle10, the tailgate40is swung upwards. Since the rear opening30is opened to a full extent of the rear surface of the wheeled vehicle10, the large piece of luggage BC can easily be loaded in the wheeled vehicle10.

As shown inFIG. 10, the sub door opening50is opened in the transverse portion of the tailgate40and expands substantially to a full extent in relation to the height-wise direction. The occupant can get on or off from the rear portion of the wheeled vehicle10by using the sub door opening50.

In particular, the sub door inner handle64(the sub door unlocking device64) that can release the sub door latch device (denoted by reference numeral61inFIG. 3) is provided on an inner surface of the sub door60. The sub door inner handle64is disposed at an opening end side of the sub door60. Providing the sub door inner handle64enables the sub door60to be opened and closed by operating the sub door inner handle64from the inside of the passenger compartment, whereby the occupant can get off through the rear portion of the vehicle body25. Namely, allowing the occupant to get on and off the wheeled vehicle also from the inside of the passenger compartment enhances the ease with which the occupant gets on and off the wheeled vehicle.

Additionally, when loading a small piece of luggage SC in the wheeled vehicle10, the sub door60is swung in the horizontal direction. The sub door60starts opening from a side edge50con a transverse end portion side of the sub door opening50. Since the sub door60makes up part of the tailgate40, the sub door60is lighter in weight than the tailgate40. Since the sub door60is lighter than the tailgate40, it is easy to open and close the sub door60, providing a superior operability.

Next, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

FIG. 11shows a schematic diagram of a control system of Embodiment 2 , which corresponds toFIG. 4. In the control system of Embodiment 2 , a timer116is added to the control system of Embodiment 1 . The timer116measures whether or not a predetermined length of time t0has elapsed since start. The other configurations of Embodiment 2 are similar to those of Embodiment 1 , and hence, like reference numerals will be given to like constituent parts, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

FIG. 12shows a flowchart showing a flow of operations until a sub door is opened. The contents thereof are similar to those described inFIG. 6, and hence, the detailed description thereof will be omitted here. If it determines in ST19that the rear wiper (denoted by reference numeral90inFIG. 3) is in operation, the control unit100controls the rear wiper (ST22) as described inFIG. 13.

The control of the rear wiper90will be described based onFIGS. 3, 11 and 13. If it determines that the rear wiper90is in operation, the control unit100controls the rear wiper motor113to move the blade93of the rear wiper90to the stop position (ST51).

If the blade93of the rear wiper90moves to the stop position, the control unit100controls the rear wiper motor113to stop to thereby stop the rear wiper90(ST52). The control unit100determines whether or not the blade93stays in the stop position based on the detection signal from the rear wiper position sensor108.

If it determines that the rear wiper90stops, the control unit100determines whether or not the sub door60is operated to be opened based on the detection signal from the inner or outer sub door opening switch105,106(ST53).

If it determines that the sub door60is operated to be opened, the control unit100determines whether or not the tailgate40is closed based on the detection signal from the tailgate switch101(ST54). If it determines that the tailgate is left open, the control unit100ends the control then. On the other hand, if it determines that the tailgate40is closed, the control unit100causes the vehicle speed sensor109to measure a vehicle speed v (ST55) and then determines whether or not the vehicle speed v is slower than a reference speed vb (ST56).

If it determines that the vehicle speed v is slower than the reference speed vb, the control unit100controls the sub door motor112so as to unlock the sub door60(releases the sub door60from the latched state) (ST57). This releases the locking of a sub door latch device61on a sub door striker51, whereby the sub door60is opened. The control unit100turns on a courtesy lamp114(ST58).

If it determines in ST53that the sub door60is not operated to be opened, the control unit100causes the vehicle speed sensor109to measure a vehicle speed v (ST59) and then determines if the vehicle speed v is faster than a reference speed v0(ST60). In addition, if it determines in ST56that the vehicle speed v is equal to or faster than the reference speed vb, the control unit100determines whether or not the vehicle speed v is faster than the reference speed v0(ST60).

If it determines that the vehicle speed v is faster than the reference speed v0, the control unit100controls the rear wiper motor113so as to activate the rear wiper90to operate (ST61) and then ends the control. If it determines that the vehicle speed v is equal to or slower than the reference speed v0, the control unit100returns to ST53. Operations after the courtesy lamp114is switched on in ST58will be described based onFIG. 14.

A flow of control operations when the sub door60is closed again after the sub door60is once opened will be described based onFIGS. 3, 11 and 14. If the sub door60is closed again (ST71), the control unit100switches off the courtesy lamp114(ST72) and starts the timer116(ST73). Then, when a reference time t0has elapsed (ST74), the control unit100switches on a buzzer116(ST75), activates the rear wiper90to operate (ST76) and stops the timer116(ST77). The timer116is reset at the point in time when the timer116is stopped, and the control unit100ends the control then.

Returning toFIGS. 3, 11 and 13, as has been described above, if it determines that the sub door outer handle63or the sub door inner handle (denoted by reference numeral64inFIG. 10) is operated again after the rear wiper90has stopped, the control unit100executes a control to open the sub door60. As a result of the operator being required to operate again the sub door outer handle63or the sub door inner handle after the rear wiper90has stopped, the operator can be prevented from being surprised by an unintentional and abrupt opening of the sub door60.

Also, referring toFIG. 14, if it determines that the sub door60is closed after the sub door60is once opened, the control unit100resumes the operation of the rear wiper90. The rear wiper90can be activated to operate again without performing a reactivating operation of the rear wiper90.

Further, the control unit100executes a control to issue a warning after the sub door60is closed again and before the operation of the rear wiper90is resumed. As a result of the buzzer115being activated, the operator can recognize that the rear wiper90will be activated to operate. In particular, in case it takes a long time from the opening of the sub door60to the reclosing thereof, it is considered that the operator of the sub door60forgets that the rear wiper90is on. Even as this occurs, the rear wiper90can be prevented from being activated to operate unintentionally and abruptly.

In the embodiments, the right-hand drive tall station wagon or van-type passenger vehicle is described as being the wheeled vehicle of the present invention, however, the present invention can also be applied to a left-hand drive tall station wagon or van-type passenger vehicle, as well as a bus other than the tall station wagons or van-type passenger vehicles. Namely, the embodiments that have been described are only the examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to those types of vehicles as long as the functions and advantages described herein can be provided.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The wheeled vehicle of the present invention is preferable for use for a tall station wagon or van-type passenger vehicle.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS