Vehicle cover opening and closing control device

• US 9,580,940 B2
• Filed: 12/09/2013
• Issued: 02/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Johnan Manufacturing Inc.
• Original Assignee: Johnan Manufacturing Inc.
• Inventors: Kondo, Tsuyoshi, Takehara, Hideaki, Yoshizawa, Masakane, Sakurai, Shun
• Primary Examiner(s): REDMAN, JERRY E
• Application Number:
  US14/891,181
• Publication Number:
  US 20160083981A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,177 Days
• Field of Search: 493/39, 493/40, 296/56, 296/97.22
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/04 of the electric storage means for propulsion exchanging batteries for electric propulsion of vehicles B60L53/80; for auxiliary purposes only B60R16/04; supplying batteries to, or removing batteries from, vehicles B60S5/06
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/80 Time limits
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/10 by alarm
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/16 by display
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2270/32 of electricity
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2270/34 of parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/00 Electric devices on electrically-propelled vehicles for safety purposes; Monitoring operating variables, e.g. speed, deceleration or energy consumption methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells B60L58/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/16 Connectors, e.g. plugs or sockets, specially adapted for charging electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0072 Operation
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0084 Key or electric means; Emergency release
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0001 with electric actuators; Constructional features thereof for vehicles E05B81/04
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/01 Comfort closing, i.e. the locking action for a wing is combined with actuation of other vehicle functions, e.g. locking the doors and closing the windows simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/58 including time control, e.g. for controlling run-time of electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/62 for opening or closing of a circuit depending on electrical parameters, e.g. increase of motor current
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/74 by sensing the state of the actuator
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/60 using electrical actuators
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/77 using wireless control
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/79 using time control
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 : Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 : Plug-in electric vehicles

Abstract

An opening and closing control device of a vehicle cover is configured to control opening and closing of a cover covering a connection part of a vehicle connecting a connection member, and includes a drive unit which performs the opening and closing operation by moving the cover. An operation status detection unit an operation position of the cover, a control unit drives and controls the drive unit so that the cover is set in one of a plurality of positions based on whether the connection member is connected or not, the operation position detected by the operation status detection unit, and the ON/OFF state of the power of the vehicle when a control signal is input from a control switch or a remote key.

Claims

1. A control device for controlling opening and closing of a vehicle cover covering a connection part of a vehicle, which is configured to connect to a connection member, comprising:

a drive unit configured to move the cover to an open position, a closed position, or a restricted position in which the cover restricts the connection member which is in a connection state, so the connection member is not released from the connection state;

an operation status detection unit configured to detect a position of the cover;

a control unit configured to drive and control the drive unit in such a manner that the cover is set at one of the open position, the closed position or the restricted position based on whether the connection member is connected to the connection part, the position detected by the operation status detection unit, and an ON/OFF state of a vehicle power when a predetermined signal is input from a remote key to perform locking a door or charging, or from an operation switch to perform an input for charging.

2. A control device for controlling opening and closing of a vehicle cover according to claim 1, wherein in the open position the cover is opened such that the connection part is exposed and a connection operation is enabled, in the restricted position a connection status of the connection member is restricted so as not to be released, and in the closed position the cover is closed such that the connection part is covered by the cover.

3. A control device for controlling opening and closing of a vehicle cover according to claim 2, wherein the control unit is configured to set the cover at a position other than the open position when the position of the cover is at the open position for a predetermined time.

4. A control device for controlling opening and closing of a vehicle cover according to claim 2, wherein the control unit is configured to set the cover at the closed position when the connection member is not connected and the position of the cover is the open position when the vehicle power is switched on.

5. A control device for controlling opening and closing of a vehicle cover according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to set the cover at a setting position other than the open position when the position of the cover is at the open position for a predetermined time.

6. A control device for controlling opening and closing of a vehicle cover according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to set the cover at the closed position when the connection member is not connected and the position of the cover is the open position when the vehicle power is switched on.

7. A control device for controlling opening and closing of a vehicle cover according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to set the vehicle in a travelable state when the position of the cover is the closed position when the vehicle power is switched on.