Control circuit for opening/closing device in a vehicle

Abstract: The control circuit controls opening and closing of a device such as a powered window or sun roof in a vehicle. In normal operation UP direction current is supplied to a motor (9) according to ON-operation of an UP switch (3), and DOWN direction current is supplied to the motor (9) according to ON-operation of a DOWN switch (5). If a failure occurs, such as a short circuit, as a result of which UP direction current is supplied to the motor (9) when the UP switch (3) is not ON-operated, ON-operation of the DOWN switch 5 causes the current to be switched over to the DOWN direction. This is ensured by interlocked switches (5,7) or by a forcedly connecting circuit.

Description: The present invention relates to a control device for an opening/closing device in a vehicle and, in particular, to a control device for an opening/closing device such as a power window, a sun roof and the like which are equipped in a vehicle. FIG. 1A is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a conventional control circuit 101 of a power window in a vehicle. The control circuit 101 is provided with an UP switch 103 which is operated to raise up a glass window of a land vehicle, a DOWN switch 113 which is operated to lower the window glass, a motor 109 which switches over a rotational direction thereof in accordance with a flowing direction of current, a battery power source 107 which stores and supplies electric energy generated by a power generator equipped in the land vehicle, and an UP relay 105 and a DOWN relay 111 which switch over a contact when direct current from the battery power source 107 is supplied to an interior coil. When the UP switch 103 is turned on by a passenger of the land vehicle, a contact of the UP relay 105 is switched over from a state of being in contact with an X side to a state of being in contact with a W side. In this case, the current from the battery power source 107 flows through a terminal W of the UP relay 105, and flows in an I UP direction going through the motor 109 to a terminal Z of the DOWN relay 111 to earth. And then, the motor 109 is rotated in a direction of raising up the glass window in accordance with the flowing direction of current. Thus, during an ON-state of the UP switch 103, the motor 109 continues to rotate so that the glass window is raised up. On the other hand, when the DOWN switch 113 is turned on by a passenger of the land vehicle, a contact of the DOWN relay 111 is switched over from a state of being in contact with a Z side to a state of being in contact with a Y side. In this case, the current from the battery power source 107 flows through a terminal Y of the DOWN relay 111, and flows in an I DOWN direction going through the motor 109 and a terminal X of the UP relay 105 to earth. And then, the motor 109 is rotated in a direction of lowering the glass window in accordance with the flowing direction of current. Thus, during an ON-state of the DOWN switch 113, the motor 109 continues to rotate so that the glass window is lowered. FIG. 1B is a circuit diagram showing an equivalent circuit in the case where a connecting line between the UP relay 105 and the UP switch 103 short-circuits due to a failure , or in the case where the UP relay 105 is fixed to the terminal W side. In this case, the connecting line between the UP relay 105 and the UP switch 103 short-circuits; for this reason, this is the same state as the UP switch 103 is turned on. Therefore, the contact of the UP relay 105 is kept at a state of being in contact with the W side. Further, the I UP direction current flows through the motor 109, and then, the motor 109 is rotated to a direction of raising up the glass window. At this time, when the DOWN switch 113 is turned on by a passenger of the land vehicle, the terminal of the DOWN relay 111 is switched over from a state of being in contact with a Z side to a state of being in contact with a Y side. However, both terminals of the motor 109 become the same potential; for this reason, no current flows through the motor 109. As a result, even when the DOWN switch 113 is turned, the motor 109 is not rotated; for this reason, the glass window is not lowered. As described above, there has arisen a problem that the glass window is not lowered in the case where a connecting line between the UP relay 105 and the UP switch 103 short-circuits, or in the case where the UP relay 105 is fixed to the terminal W side. Moreover, a power window system as shown in FIG. 2 has been known as another related art. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration for open/close driving a window provided in a door on a front passenger seat side. The power window system is provided with a master control unit 110 which performs control relative to communication and power window units 120, 130, 140,and 150 which control motorsfor open/close driving windows provided in doorson the various seat sides in accordance with a switch signal outputted from the master control unit 110. The power window system is constructed in a manner that the master control unit 110 and respective seat units 120, 130, 140, and 150 are mutually connected by means of a multiplex communication line 111, and these units make a communication of a switch state, a switch signal or the like. First, when a driver assistant seat DOWN_SW (switch) on the driver's seat unit 120 provided the driver's seat side is operated by a driver, the driver's seat unit 120 transmits an ON-switch signal by the DOWN_SW to the master control unit 110 via the multiplex communication line 111. Next, the driver's seat unit 120 transmits an OFF-switch signal by a P/WDW lock SW to the master control unit 110 via the multiplex communication line 111. On the other hand, the master control unit 110 makes a decision that a window operation allowable condition of the front passenger seat is satisfied because the P/WDW lock SW provided on the driver's seat unit 120 is in an OFF-state and an IGN_SW is in an ON-state, on the basis of the switch signal received via the multiplex communication line 111. And then, the master control unit 110 transmits an open-switch signal for open-driving a P/WDW motor 156 provided on the front passenger seat unit 150 via the multiplex communication line 111. In the front passenger seat unit 150, a communication IC 151 receives the open-switch signal from the master control unit 110 via the multiplex communication line 111. Based on the received open-switch signal, the communication IC 151 outputs High to a base input of a transistor TR 152 to turn ON the transistor 152. As a result, a solenoid coil of a driving relay 153 is excited, and then, a contact "a" of the driving relay 153 is connected to a contact "b" thereof. Further, power is supplied to a terminal D of the P/WDW motor 156, while the other terminal U thereof is ground because a contact "a" of a driving relay 155 is connected to a contact "c" thereof. As a result, an open-drive current direction from the terminal D to the terminal U flows through the P/WDW motor 156 so that a door window on the driver assistant seat side is open-driven. Further, when a DOWN_SW attached to the communication IC 151 of the driver assistant seat unit 150 is turned ON, the communication IC 151 of the front passenger seat unit 150 once transmits an open-switch signal for open-driving the power window on the front passenger seat side to the master control unit 110 via the multiplex communication line 111. However, according to the aforesaid conventional power window system, in the case where a fault occurs in the multiplex communication line due to any cause and communication is not made between units, for example, the open-switch signal is not transmitted from the master control unit 110 to the communication IC 151 of the front passenger seat unit 150. As a result, there has arisen that the window is not open-driven by the front passenger seat unit 150. EP-A-0 653 333 discloses a control device according to the pre-characterising part of claim 1. It would be desirable to be able to provide a control device which can improve reliability in operation of the opening/closing device. The present invention provides a control device for an opening/closing device in a vehicle, as set forth in claim 1. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1A is a circuit diagram showing a normal state of a conventional control circuit 101 of a window; FIG. 1B is a circuit diagram showing a case where a short circuit occurs in a connecting line between an UP relay 105 and an UP switch 103 of the conventional control circuit 101 of a window; FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a conventional power window system; FIG. 3A is a circuit diagram showing a normal state of a control circuit 1 of a window according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3B is a circuit diagram when turning on an UP switch 3 of the control circuit 1 of the window according to the first embodiment; FIG. 3C is a circuit diagram when turning on a DOWN switch 3 of the control circuit 1 of the window according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4A is an equivalent circuit diagram in the case where a short circuit occurs in a connecting line between an UP relay 11 and the UP switch 3 of the control circuit 1 of the window according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4B is an equivalent circuit diagram when turning on the DOWN switch 5 of the control circuit 1 of the window according to the first embodiment; FIG. 5A is a circuit diagram showing a normal state of a control circuit 21 of a window according to a second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5B is a circuit diagram when turning on an UP switch 29 of the control circuit 21 of the window according to the second embodiment; FIG. 5C is a circuit diagram when turning on a DOWN switch 31 of the control circuit 21 of the window according to the second embodiment; FIG. 6A is an equivalent circuit diagram in the case where a short circuit occurs in a connecting line between an UP relay 25 and the UP switch 29 of the control circuit 21 of the window according to the second embodiment; FIG. 6B is an equivalent circuit diagram when turning on the DOWN switch 31 of the control circuit 21 of the window according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. First embodiment FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C and FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B show a circuit diagram of a control circuit of a power window system for a land vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In these figures, an UP switch 3 is operated when raising up (closing) a glass window (not shown), and a DOWN switch 5 is a switch which is operated when lowering (opening) the glass window. The UP switch 3 and DOWN switch 5 are provided on a side portion of a door, and are operated by a passenger of the land vehicle as the need arises. Further, the DOWN switch 5 is connected with an interlocking switch 7 via a link 1, and opens and closes a contact of the interlocking switch 7 in accordance with a switch operation of the DOWN switch 5. A motor 9 is rotated in a forward and reverse direction in accordance with a current (close-drive current) flowing to an UP direction and a current (open-drive current) flowing to a DOWN direction. The motor 9 is connected with the glass window by means of an arm (not shown), and the glass window can be raised up and lowered by the rotation of the motor 9. Further, in order to detect full close and full open states of the glass window, a detector (not shown) is provided. In this case, the detector may detect a position of the glass window with the use of an encoder or the like, or may detect full close and full open states of the glass window with the use of a limit switch or the like. Furthermore, the motor 9 may be controlled so as to be stopped rotating in the case where the full close and full open states of the glass window are detected. A battery power source 15 stores and supplies electric energy generated by a power generator equipped in a land vehicle. An UP relay 11 and a DOWN relay 13 are constructed so as to switch over their contacts when direct current power from the battery power source 15 is supplied to coils of their interiors. Next, an operation when the aforesaid control circuit 1 is in a normal state will be described below with reference to FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C. FIG. 3A is a circuit diagram when the UP switch 3 and the DOWWN switch 5 are in an off-state. When the UP switch 3 and the DOWN switch 5 are in an off-state, a contact of the UP relay 11 is kept at a state of being in contact with a B side; on the other hand, a contact of the DOWN relay 13 is kept at a state of being in contact with a D side. In this case, the motor 9 is in a state that a current does not flow therethrough because it is not connected with the battery power source 15; therefore, the motor 9 is not rotated. FIG. 3B is a circuit diagram when the UP switch 3 is in an ON-state. When the UP switch 3 is turned on by a passenger of a land vehicle, an operating current flows through the coil of the UP relay 11, and then, the contact of the UP relay 11 switches over from a state of being in contact with the B side to a state of being contact with an A side. In this case, the current from the battery power source 15 flows in the I UP direction going from the motor 9 and the terminal D of the DOWN relay 13 to earth via the terminal A of the UP relay 11. In accordance with the current direction, the motor 9 makes forward rotation in a direction of closing the glass window. And then, during the ON-state of the UP switch 3, the contact of the UP relay 11 is kept at a state of being in contact with the A side; for this reason, the motor 9 continues to make forward rotation. Thus, the glass window continues to be raised up. When the UP switch 3 is turned off by a passenger of the land vehicle, the contact of the UP relay 11 returns from the state of being in contact with the A side to a state of being contact with the B side. And then, the motor 9 is in a state that a current does not flow therethrough because it is not connected with the battery power source 15; for this reason, the motor 9 stops rotating. Therefore, the glass window is kept on a position at the point of time. FIG. 3C is a circuit diagram when the DOWN switch 5 is an ON-state. When the switch 5 is turned on by a passenger of a land vehicle, an operating current flows through the coil of the DOWN relay 13, and then, the contact of the DOWN relay 13 switches over from a state of being in contact with the D side to a state of being contact with a C side. In this case, the current from the battery power source 15 flows in the I DOWN direction going from the motor 9 and the terminal B of the UP relay 11 to earth via the terminal C of the DOWN relay 13. In accordance with the current direction, the motor 9 makes reverse rotation in a direction of lowering the glass window. And then, during the ON-state of the DOWN switch 5, the contact of the DOWN relay 13 is kept at a state of being in contact with the C side; for this reason, the motor 9 continues to make reverse rotation. Thus, the glass window continues to be lowered. When the DOWN switch 5 is turned off by a passenger of a land vehicle, the contact of the DOWN relay 13 returns from a state of being in contact with the C side to a state of being contact with the D side. Simultaneously, the interlocking switch 7 also returns from a state of being in contact with the F side to a state of being contact with the E side. And then, the motor 9 is in a state that a current does not flow therethrough because it is not connected with the battery power source 15; for this reason, the motor 9 stops rotating. Therefore, the glass window is kept on a position at the point of time. Next, with reference to FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, the following is a description of an operation of the control circuit 1 in the case where a short circuit occurs in a connecting line between the UP relay 11 and the UP switch 3 due to any causes, or in the case where the contact of the UP relay 11 is fixed to the A side. FIG. 4A is an equivalent circuit diagram when a short circuit occurs in a connecting line between the UP relay 11 and the UP switch 3 due to any causes, or when the contact of the UP relay 11 is fixed to the A side. This case becomes the same state as the UP switch 3 is turned on, and the contact of the UP relay 11 is kept at a state of being in contact with the side A. For this reason, as the UP switch 3 is in an ON-state, so the current from the battery power source 15 flows in the I UP direction going from the motor 9 and the terminal D of the DOWN relay 13 to earth via the terminal A of the UP relay 11. In accordance with the current direction, the motor 9 makes forward rotation in a direction of raising up the glass window. FIG. 4B is an equivalent circuit diagram when the DOWN switch 5 is in an ON-state. When the DOWN switch 5 is turned on by a passenger of a land vehicle, an operating current flows through the coil of the DOWN relay 13, and then, the contact of the DOWN relay 13 switches over from a state of being in contact with the D side to a state of being contact with a C side. Simultaneously, the contact of the interlocking switch 7 switches over from a state of being in contact with the E side to a state of being contact with an F side, together with the operation of the DOWN switch 5. In this case, the current from the battery power source 15 flows in the I DOWN direction going from the motor 9, the terminal A of the UP relay 11 and the terminal F of the interlocking switch 7 to earth via the terminal C of the DOWN relay 13. In accordance with the current direction, the motor 9 makes reverse rotation in a direction of lowering the glass window. And then, during the ON-state of the DOWN switch 5, the contact of the DOWN relay 13 is kept at a state of being in contact with the C side; for this reason, the motor 9 continues to make reverse rotation. Thus, the glass window continues to be lowered. Therefore, according to this first embodiment, even in the case where the UP direction current is supplied to the motor when the UP switch 3 is not turned on, in accordance with the ON-operation of the DOWN switch 5, the UP direction current supplied to the motor is broken. And then, the DOWN direction current is supplied to the motor 9, so that the glass window can be lowered. Second embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 5A to FIG. 5C, FIG. 6A,and FIG. 6B are each a diagram showing a control circuit 21 of power window system for a land vehicle according to the second embodiment. In these figures, like reference numerals are used to designate the same parts as the first embodiment, and the details thereof are omitted. First, an operation when the control circuit of the land vehicle power window system is in a normal state will be described below with reference to FIG. 5A to FIG. 5C. The features of the control circuit of the second embodiment lies in that an interlocking switch 23 is interposed between the UP relay 25 and the motor 9. FIG. 5A is a circuit diagram when an UP switch 29 and a DOWN switch 31 are in an off-state. When the UP switch 29 and the DOWN switch 31 are in an off-state, a contact of an UP relay 25 is kept at a state of being in contact with an L side; on the other hand, a contact of a DOWN relay 27 is kept at a state of being in contact with an N side. In this case, the motor 9 is in a state that a current does not flow therethrough because it is not connected with the battery power source 15; therefore, the motor 9 is not rotated. FIG. 5B is a circuit diagram when the UP switch 29 is in an ON-state. When the UP switch 29 is turned on by a passenger of a land vehicle, an operating current flows through the coil of the UP relay 25, and then, the contact of the UP relay 25 switches over from a state of being in contact with the L side to a state of being contact with a K side. In this case, the current from the battery power source 15 flows in the I UP direction going from a terminal O of the interlocking switch 23, the motor 9 and the terminal N of the DOWN relay 27 to earth via the terminal K of the UP relay 25. In accordance with the current direction, the motor 9 makes forward rotation in a direction of raising up the glass window. And then, during the ON-state of the UP switch 29, the contact of the UP relay 25 is kept at a state of being in contact with the K side; for this reason, the motor 9 continues to make forward rotation. Thus, the glass window continues to be raised up. When the UP switch 29 is turned off by a passenger of a land vehicle, the contact of the UP relay 25 returns from a state of being in contact with the K side to a state of being contact with the L side. And then, the motor 9 is in a state that a current does not flow therethrough because it is not connected with the battery power source 15; for this reason, the motor 9 stops rotating. Therefore, the glass window is kept on a position at the point of time. FIG. 5C is a circuit diagram when the DOWN switch 31 is an ON-state. When the DOWN switch 31 is turned on by a passenger of a land vehicle, an operating current flows through the coil of the DOWN relay 27, and then, the contact of the DOWN relay 27 switches over from a state of being in contact with the N side to a state of being contact with an M side. Further, simultaneously with the switching operation of the DOWN switch 31, the contact of the interlocking switch 23 switches over from a state of being in contact with the O side to a state of being contact with a P side. In this case, the current from the battery power source 15 flows in the I DOWN direction going from the motor 9 and the terminal P of the interlocking switch 23 to earth via the terminal M of the DOWN relay 27. In accordance with the current direction, the motor 9 make reverse rotation in a direction of lowering the glass window. And then, during the ON-state of the DOWN switch 31, the contact of the DOWN relay 27 is kept at a state of being in contact with the M side; for this reason, the motor 9 continues to make reverse rotation. Thus, the glass window continues to be lowered. When the DOWN switch 31 is turned off by a passenger of a land vehicle, the contact of the DOWN relay 27 returns from a state of being in contact with the M side to a state of being contact with the N side. Simultaneously, the interlocking switch 23 also returns from a state of being in contact with the P side to a state of being contact with the O side. And then, the motor 9 is in a state that a current does not flow therethrough because it is not connected with the battery power source 15; for this reason, the motor 9 stops rotating. Therefore, the glass window is kept on a position at the point of time. Next, with reference to FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, the following is a description on an operation of the control circuit in the case where a short circuit occurs in a connecting line between the UP relay 25 and the UP switch 29 due to any causes, or in the case where the contact of the UP relay 25 is fixed to the K side. FIG. 6A is an equivalent circuit diagram when a short circuit occurs in a connecting line between the UP relay 25 and the UP switch 29 due to any causes, or when the contact of the UP relay 25 is fixed to the K side. This case becomes the same state as the UP switch 29 is turned on, and the contact of the UP relay 29 is kept at a state of being in contact with the side K. For this reason, as the UP switch 29 is in an ON-state, so the current from the battery power source 15 flows in the I UP direction going from the terminal O of the interlocking switch 23, the motor 9 and the terminal N of the DOWN relay 27 to earth via the terminal K of the UP relay 25. In accordance with the current direction, the motor 9 makes forward rotation in a direction of raising up the glass window. FIG. 6B is an equivalent circuit diagram when the DOWN switch 31 is in an ON-state. When the DOWN switch 31 is turned on by a passenger of a land vehicle, an operating current flows through the coil of the DOWN relay 27, and then, the contact of the DOWN relay 27 switches over from a state of being in contact with the N side to a state of being contact with the M side. Simultaneously with the switching operation of the DOWN switch 31, the contact of the interlocking switch 23 switches over from a state of being in contact with the O side to a state of being contact with a P side. In this case, the current from the battery power source 15 flows in the I DOWN direction going from the motor 9 and the terminal P of the interlocking switch 23 to earth via the terminal M of the DOWN relay 27. In accordance with the current direction, the motor 9 makes reverse rotation in a direction of lowering the glass window. And then, during the ON-state of the DOWN switch 31, the contact of the DOWN relay 27 is kept at a state of being in contact with the M side; for this reason, the motor 9 continues to make reverse rotation. Thus, the glass window continues to be lowered. Therefore, according to this second embodiment, even in the case where the UP direction current is supplied to the motor 9 when the UP switch 29 is not turned on, in accordance with the ON-operation of the DOWN switch 31, the UP direction current supplied to the motor is broken. And then, the DOWN direction current is supplied to the motor 9, so that the glass window can be lowered. The above second embodiment has described the control circuit of the power window for land vehicles. The present invention is not limited to the control circuit of the power window, and also, is applicable to a sun roof for land vehicles or the like. Likewise, the sun roof can be close-driven or open-driven.

Claims: A control device for an opening/closing device in a vehicle, comprising: a close switch (3, 29) for closing the opening/closing device; an open switch (5, 31) for opening the opening/closing device; a motor (9) for driving the opening/closing device; a relay circuit (11, 13; 25, 27) for selectively supplying open-drive current and close-drive current to the motor in accordance with operation of the open switch (5, 31) and the close switch (3, 29); the control device further comprises: a relay circuit comprising; a first contact (13, 27) for switching over a first terminal of the motor (9) from earth to a power source (15) in accordance with operation of the open switch (5, 31), and a second contact (11, 25) for switching over a second terminal of the motor (9) from earth to the power source (15) in accordance with operation of the close switch (3, 29); characterised by having an interlocking switch (7, 23) for forcibly switching over the second terminal of the motor (9) to earth when the open switch (5, 31) is operated, irrespective of the signal from the close switch. The control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the interlocking switch (7, 23) is provided between the power source (15) and the second contact (11), or between the second contact (25) and the second terminal of the motor (9).

Inventors: HATAKEYAMA SHIGERU, MIYATA YUKIO, SAKAGAMI ATSUSHI, SEKINO YUTAKA, HATAKEYAMA, SHIGERU, MIYATA, YUKIO, SAKAGAMI, ATSUSHI, SEKINO, YUTAKA
Applicants: NISSAN MOTOR, NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
Application year: 1998
Main classification: B60R16
IPC codes: B60R16, E05F15