AUTOMATIC OPENING AND CLOSING APPARATUS OF OPENING AND CLOSING MEMBER FOR VEHICLE AND STRUCTURAL MEMBER INCLUDED IN VEHICLE

• US 20140142815A1
• Filed: 11/01/2013
• Published: 05/22/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. (Aisin Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. (Aisin Corp.)
• Inventors: HIROTA, Koichi, SUZUKI, Shintaro, TAKAYANAGI, Hitoshi
• Granted Patent: US 9,156,439 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/49
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/246 characterised by the challenge triggering
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/08 With time considerations, e.g. temporary activation, valid time window or time limitations
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/64 using a proximity sensor
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks

Abstract

An automatic opening and closing apparatus of an opening and closing member for a vehicle includes an opening and closing member driving portion, a receiving portion configured to receive a radio signal transmitted from a radio transmitter and indicating identification information for identifying the vehicle, a non-contact detection sensor including a detection range that is specified to an inner side than an outermost position of the vehicle in a direction towards an outer side of a vehicle interior from the opening and closing member in a state where the opening and closing member is closed, and a control portion configured to control the opening and closing member driving portion in a case where the non-contact detection sensor detects an object in a state where the identification information is correlated to the vehicle on a basis of the radio signal received from the radio transmitter.

Claims

1. An automatic opening and closing apparatus of an opening and closing member for a vehicle, comprising:

an opening and closing member driving portion configured to automatically open and close the opening and closing member mounted at the vehicle;

a receiving portion configured to receive a radio signal transmitted from a radio transmitter and indicating identification information for identifying the vehicle;

a non-contact detection sensor configured to detect an object in a non-contact manner and including a detection range that is specified to an inner side than an outermost position of the vehicle in a direction towards an outer side of a vehicle interior of the vehicle from the opening and closing member in a state where the opening and closing member is closed; and

a control portion controlling the opening and closing member driving portion,

the control portion configured to control the opening and closing member driving portion in a case where the non-contact detection sensor detects an object in a state where the identification information is correlated to the vehicle on a basis of the radio signal received from the radio transmitter.

2. The automatic opening and closing apparatus of the opening and closing member according to claim 1, wherein the non-contact detection sensor is a capacitive sensor, the capacitive sensor being covered by a non-conductive member from an outside of the vehicle interior of the vehicle.

3. The automatic opening and closing apparatus of the opening and closing member according to claim 1, wherein the non-contact detection sensor is an optical sensor.

4. The automatic opening and closing apparatus of the opening and closing member according to claim 1, wherein the opening and closing member is a side door.

5. The automatic opening and closing apparatus of the opening and closing member according to claim 4, wherein the detection range is configured to be specified to an inner side than an outermost position of the side door.

6. The automatic opening and closing apparatus of the opening and closing member according to claim 4, wherein the non-contact detection sensor is mounted to a belt molding.

7. The automatic opening and closing apparatus of the opening and closing member according to claim 1, wherein the non-contact detection sensor is mounted to a pillar.

8. The automatic opening and closing apparatus of the opening and closing member according to claim 4, wherein the side door includes a door panel, a window glass configured to open and close, and a dent portion formed at an area at which the window glass of the door panel is provided and including a thickness that is gradually decreasing towards the window glass, the non-contact detection sensor being configured to be arranged at the dent portion.

9. The automatic opening and closing apparatus of the opening and closing member according to claim 1, wherein the opening and closing member is a back door.

10. The automatic opening and closing apparatus of the opening and closing member according to claim 9, wherein the detection range is configured to be specified to an inner side than an outermost position of a bumper provided at a rear portion of the vehicle.

11. The automatic opening and closing apparatus of the opening and closing member according to claim 3, wherein the opening and closing member is a side door, and the optical sensor is provided at an inside of the vehicle interior relative to a window glass of the side door.

12. The automatic opening and closing apparatus of the opening and closing member according to claim 11, wherein the optical sensor includes a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion, the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion being hidden by the window glass relative to an outside of the vehicle interior in a state where the window glass is fully opened.

17. The automatic opening and closing apparatus of the opening and closing member according to claim 9, wherein the non-contact detection sensor is provided at an emblem that is attached to the back door.

13. A structural member included in a vehicle, comprising:

a non-contact detection sensor configured to detect an object in a non-contact manner,

the non-contact detection sensor being configured to be inhibited from detecting an outer side than an outermost portion of the vehicle at a side portion of the vehicle at which the structural member is provided to face.

14. The structural member according to claim 13, wherein the structural member is a side door, the side door including a door panel, a window glass configured to open and close, and a dent portion formed at an area at which the window glass of the door panel is provided and including a thickness that is gradually decreasing towards the window glass, the non-contact detection sensor being arranged at the dent portion.

15. The structural member according to claim 14, wherein the non-contact detection sensor is covered by a belt molding from an outside of a vehicle interior of the vehicle.

16. The structural member according to claim 15, wherein the non-contact detection sensor is integrally formed at the belt molding.