JP2007145141A - Vehicular smart entry system, and vehicular illumination device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicular smart entry system capable of enhancing the ease of getting-on/getting-off at night time or the like by adequately demonstrating the function of an illumination device provided on a door mirror part of a vehicle when a person gets on/gets off the vehicle. <P>SOLUTION: In the vehicular smart entry system for performing the lock control of a vehicle 300 by a portable machine 10, when the presence of the portable machine 10 is detected in a predetermined area with respect to the vehicle 300, an illumination device provided on a door mirror part DM of the vehicle 300 is lit to illuminate an area at the feet of a user U1. Thus, a person can easily get on/get off the vehicle even in a dark place. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicular smart entry system, and more particularly to a vehicular smart entry system applied to a vehicle in which a lighting device is turned on when the vehicle gets on and off.

The vehicle smart entry system automatically locks and unlocks the doors of a vehicle by bringing a mobile device called a smart card or smart key close to or away from the vehicle. Smart entry systems have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 4).
On the other hand, in a vehicle in which the door is manually locked and unlocked using a key, when a driver or another occupant gets on and off at night or the like, it may be difficult to get on or off at least near the foot. As a technique for solving this problem, in a vehicle that employs a keyless entry system, a technique is disclosed in which a lighting device is provided in a door mirror, and the lighting device is turned on by remote control from a portable device when getting into the vehicle ( (See Patent Document 5).
JP 2000-16203 A JP 2004-189150 A JP 2001-349110 A JP 2002-37027 A JP 2001-206141 A

By the way, since the installation area | region of the illuminating device provided in a door mirror part is narrow, a dimension is restrict | limited. For this reason, the range in which the illumination device can illuminate is limited to a narrow range, and it cannot be said that the illumination function of the illumination device is sufficiently functioning when riding.
In addition, in a type of vehicle in which the door mirror part is automatically retracted and returned, when the lighting device is installed in the door mirror part, the range illuminated by the lighting device changes according to the storage and return of the door mirror part. It is difficult to make full use of the role of the lighting device.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the object of the present invention is to appropriately exert the function of the illumination device provided in the door mirror portion of the vehicle when getting on and off the vehicle. It is an object of the present invention to provide a smart entry system for a vehicle that can improve the ease of getting on and off a vehicle parked in a dark place such as at night.

A smart entry system for a vehicle according to the present invention is a smart entry system for a vehicle that controls a lock of a vehicle by a portable device, and detects the presence of the portable device within a predetermined area with respect to the vehicle. Illuminating means provided in the vehicle is turned on so that the ground at a position corresponding to the position can be illuminated, and the lighting means is turned off when the portable device moves out of a predetermined area with respect to the vehicle. It is said.
According to this configuration, when both the user gets on the vehicle and gets off the vehicle, when the user who has the portable device is within a predetermined area with respect to the vehicle, the user is illuminated by the illumination means provided on the vehicle. This improves the ease of getting on and off the vehicle.

The said structure WHEREIN: The said illumination means can employ | adopt the structure provided in the door mirror part of the said vehicle.
According to this configuration, it is possible to easily illuminate the user's feet.

The said structure WHEREIN: The structure which tracks the fluctuation | variation of the position of the said portable device and changes the illumination direction of the said illumination means is employable.
According to this configuration, it is possible to reliably illuminate the user's feet within a predetermined area with respect to the vehicle.

In the above configuration, the door mirror portion is formed so as to be automatically stored and returned in accordance with getting on and off of the vehicle of the user carrying the portable device, and when the presence of the portable device is detected within a predetermined area with respect to the vehicle, It is possible to adopt a configuration in which the unit is set in the return state and the door mirror unit is set in the retracted state when the portable device moves out of the predetermined area.
According to this structure, a user can store a door mirror part automatically, after confirming back with a door mirror and getting off.

In the above configuration, the illumination means changes its direction as the door mirror part is retracted and restored, and the lighting means is turned on after the door mirror part is restored, and the door mirror part is placed in the retracted state after the illumination means is extinguished. Can adopt the configuration.
According to this configuration, it is possible to illuminate the user with the lighting device without being affected by the storing and returning operations of the door mirror unit.

  The vehicle lighting device according to the present invention detects the presence of a portable device that remotely controls an electronic device for a vehicle, and can illuminate the ground at a position corresponding to the position of the portable device. The illumination means provided in is turned on.

  Another vehicle lighting device according to the present invention is provided on the door mirror portion of the vehicle so as to illuminate the ground at a position corresponding to the position of the portable device when the presence of the registered portable device is detected. It is characterized by lighting the means.

  According to the present invention, a user having a portable device can be appropriately illuminated by the illumination device provided in the door mirror unit, so that the ease of getting on and off in a dark place such as at night can be improved.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 to FIG. 6 are diagrams showing an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a main configuration of a smart entry system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an applied vehicle, FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the principle of position detection of a portable device, a diagram for explaining the operation of an illumination device provided in a door mirror, and FIG. 5 is an illumination light of the illumination device The figure which shows an example of the motion with respect to the vehicle, and FIG. 6 are figures which show the other example of the motion with respect to the vehicle of the illumination light of an illuminating device.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the smart entry system includes a portable device 10, a smart entry ECU 20 (hereinafter referred to as SM-ECU 20), a plurality of transmission antenna units 30A to 30E, and the like.

The SM-ECU 20 includes hardware such as a processor and a memory, and necessary software, and is installed in the vehicle 300 as shown in FIG.
The SM-ECU 20 is connected to a reception antenna 21 for receiving a high-frequency radio signal HF and a transmission antenna 22 for transmitting a low-frequency radio signal LF, and signals to a plurality of transmission antenna units 30A to 30E. It is connected so that transmission is possible, and various data is output to these.
Further, the SM-ECU 20 can control a door mirror driving unit 50 that drives a door mirror unit DM, which will be described later, of the vehicle 300, and a lighting device LT, which will be described later, as an illumination unit provided in the door mirror unit DM.
A detection signal of a light sensor 60 provided in the vehicle 300 is input to the SM-ECU 20. The light sensor 60 detects the brightness outside the vehicle 300.

The plurality of transmission antenna units 30A to 30E are provided in the vehicle 300 as shown in FIG.
Specifically, the transmission antenna unit 30A is near the door on the driver seat DS side, the transmission antenna unit 30B is near the door on the passenger seat PS side, the transmission antenna unit 30C is near the door on the rear right seat RRS side, and the transmission antenna unit 30D is Near the rear left seat RLS side door, the transmitting antenna unit 30E is installed near the back gate.
The plurality of transmission antenna units 30A to 30E output low-frequency radio signals LFA to LFE based on data from the SM-ECU 20, as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the portable device 10 includes an antenna capable of receiving a low-frequency radio signal LF and transmitting a high-frequency radio signal HF, and includes hardware such as a processor and a memory (not shown) and necessary software. Built-in wear.
As shown in FIG. 1, the portable device 10 includes a button BT1 for locking and a button BT2 for unlocking. In addition, as a button for locking / unlocking the portable device 10, the functions of the buttons BT1 and BT2 are combined with one button, and the locking and unlocking can be performed depending on the operation method such as the length of the button and the pressing method. It is also possible to control.
When the portable device 10 receives the low-frequency wireless signal LF from the transmission antenna units 30A to 30E, the portable device 10 transmits a response signal including its own identification number ID by the high-frequency wireless signal HF. This response signal is received by the receiving antenna 21 of the SM-ECU 20.

As shown in FIG. 4, lighting device LT is built in the lower end portion of door mirror portion DM of vehicle 300. The illumination device LT is configured to irradiate the illumination light LB and change the illumination direction by an actuator (configured by a motor, a gear, or the like) (not shown). When getting on and off, it is provided so that the ground of the position corresponding to the position of the portable device 10 can be illuminated, so that at least the vicinity of the user's feet can be illuminated.
Specifically, the illumination device LT can change the direction of the illumination light LB to the front-rear direction of the vehicle 300 as shown in FIG. 5, and also changes to the left-right direction of the vehicle 300 as shown in FIG. be able to. Thereby, the illuminating device LT can irradiate the illumination light LB on the ground in an arbitrary direction in the vicinity of the door on the driver seat DS side of the vehicle 300.
Note that the illumination device LT is provided in the door mirror DM on the driver's seat DS side among the door mirrors DM on the left and right sides of the vehicle 300.

  The door mirror drive unit 50 includes an actuator (not shown) that stores and returns the door mirror unit DM, an actuator that drives the mirror, and the like, and drives the door mirror unit DM according to a command from the SM-ECU 20.

  The basic functions of the smart entry system will be described. When the user of the portable device 10 approaches the vehicle 300, the portable device 10 receives the radio signals LFA to LFE from the transmission antenna units 30A to 30E. A response signal including the identification number (ID) is transmitted to the receiving antenna 21 of the SM-ECU 20. Thereby, the SM-ECU 20 can recognize that the user is approaching the vehicle 300.

On the other hand, the transmission antenna 22 connected to the SM-ECU 20 periodically transmits a low-frequency radio signal LF that can be received in a specific area in the vehicle interior of the vehicle 300. When the user gets into the vehicle 300 and the portable device 10 receives the radio signal LF from the transmission antenna 22 and transmits a response signal including its own ID to the reception antenna 21 of the SM-ECU 20, the SM-ECU 20 It can be detected whether 10 is in the room of the vehicle 300 or outside. That is, the transmission antenna 22 is an antenna for detecting whether or not the portable device 10 is in the passenger compartment.
Further, the SM-ECU 20 can identify the portable device when there are a plurality of portable devices 10 by acquiring the ID of the portable device 10 through the receiving antenna 21.
Then, the smart entry system automatically locks and unlocks each door of the vehicle 300 by recognizing whether the portable device 10 is inside or outside the vehicle 300.

Here, an example of a method for detecting the position of the portable device 10 in the smart entry system will be described.
The portable device 10 can receive the radio signals LFA to LFE from the transmission antenna units 30A to 30E, respectively. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the radio transmitted from the three transmission antenna units 30A, 30B, and 30E. If any of the signals is within a receivable range, the three transmitting antenna units 30A, 30B, 30E
Are detected, and the detected strengths K1, K2, and K3 are transmitted to the receiving antenna 21 of the SM-ECU 20, respectively.
The SM-ECU 20 recognizes the positions of the three transmitting antenna units 30A, 30B, and 30E in advance, and based on the principle of triangulation from the strengths K1, K2, and K3 of the obtained radio signals LFA, LFB, and LFE, The position of the portable device 10 is calculated.
If the portable device 10 is within a predetermined area in which the wireless signal LFA to LFE can be received with respect to the vehicle 300, that is, the portable device 10 may receive at least three wireless signals among the five wireless signals LFA to LFE. If possible, the position of the portable device 10 can always be recognized (calculated). Of the five radio signals LFA to LFE, which radio signal is used can be appropriately changed according to the situation or the like.

Next, an example of processing performed by the SM-ECU 20 when a user (driver) of the vehicle 300 gets into the vehicle 300 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by the SM-ECU 20 during boarding, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state where the user is outside the predetermined area with respect to the vehicle 300, and FIG. FIG. 10 and FIG. 10 are views showing a state where the user has entered the vehicle. The smart entry ECU 20 is repeatedly executed in a state in which the portable device 10 is detected outside the vehicle (around the vehicle), for example, when it is estimated that the user has approached the process shown in FIG.

First, as shown in FIG. 7, the SM-ECU 20 determines whether the portable device 10 is in a predetermined illumination area (predetermined area) with respect to the vehicle 300 (step ST1). The predetermined illumination area is, for example, a range in which the illumination device LT can illuminate illumination light.
Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, the operation state will be described on the assumption that a driver U1 as a user approaches a vehicle 300 parked and stopped at night to get on. In this state, the door mirror part DM of the vehicle 300 is in the retracted state.
When the driver U1 approaches the vehicle 300 to a position where the portable device 10 can receive the radio signals LFA to LFE, the SM-ECU 20 specifies the position of the portable device 10.
Then, the SM-ECU 20 determines whether the position of the portable device 10 is within a predetermined illumination area set in advance with respect to the vehicle 300. If the presence of the portable device 10 is not detected, the process ends.

  If the portable device 10 is in the illumination area, it is determined that the driver U1 is approaching the vehicle 300, and it is determined whether the driver U1's feet need to be illuminated with illumination light (step ST2). This determination is made based on, for example, the brightness outside the vehicle 300 detected by the light sensor 60. If no illumination is required, the process is terminated.

When the illumination is necessary, the SM-ECU 20 returns the door mirror part DM as shown in FIG. 9 (step ST3). Thereby, the illumination direction of the illuminating device LT provided in the door mirror part DM can be turned to the driver | operator's U1 leg direction.
After returning the door mirror part DM, the SM-ECU 20 turns on the illumination device LT to illuminate the illumination light LB (step ST4).

  The SM-ECU 20 further performs control for causing the direction of the illumination light LB to follow the movement of the driver U1 based on the detection position of the portable device 10 (step ST5). That is, in the state where the driver U1 is relatively far away from the vehicle 300, the position where the illumination light LB is illuminated is directed toward the feet of the driver U1 far away, and illumination is performed as the driver U1 approaches the vehicle 300. The position where the light LB is illuminated is brought closer to the vehicle 300. As a result, the driver U1 can safely walk and approach the vehicle 300 in the dark.

Next, the SM-ECU 20 determines whether the portable device 10 is in the illumination area (step ST6).
When the portable device 10 is in the illumination area, the above processing is repeated again.
On the other hand, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, when the driver U1 completes the boarding of the vehicle 300, or when the driver U1 once approaches the vehicle 300 and moves out of the illumination area again, the lighting device LT is turned off. (Step ST7), the control for causing the direction of the illumination light LB to follow the movement of the driver U1 is terminated (Step ST8). Note that this process is repeatedly executed until a predetermined time elapses after the engine is stopped, the door is opened, the door is closed and locked again, for example, when it is estimated that the user gets off. Completion of boarding the vehicle 300 can be determined not only by detecting the position of the portable device 10, but also by detecting the opening / closing operation of the door or detecting the seating of the driver (occupant) by a seating sensor or the like.

Next, an example of processing performed by the SM-ECU 20 when the driver U1 of the vehicle 300 gets off the vehicle 300 will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.
First, as shown in FIG. 11, the SM-ECU 20 determines whether or not the portable device 10 is within a predetermined illumination area (predetermined area) with respect to the vehicle 300 (step ST11). For example, when the driver U1 gets off, it is determined that the portable device 10 is in a predetermined area (area) because it is outside the vehicle.

  Next, similarly to the above, it is determined whether the driver U1's feet need to be illuminated with illumination light (step ST12). If illumination is necessary, the illumination device LT is turned on to illuminate the illumination light LB ( Step ST13) Based on the detection position of the portable device 10, the control for causing the direction of the illumination light LB to follow the movement of the driver U1 is executed (step ST14). Thereby, even when the driver U1 gets off, the illumination light LB can be illuminated on the feet of the driver U1.

Next, the SM-ECU 20 determines whether the portable device 10 is in the illumination area in the same manner as described above (step ST15).
When the driver U1 moves outside the illumination area, the lighting device LT is turned off (step ST16), and the control for causing the direction of the illumination light LB to follow the movement of the driver U1 is ended (step ST17).
Further, the SM-ECU 20 stores the door mirror part DM (step ST18).

  As described above, according to this embodiment, while the driver U1 is in the illumination area, the illumination light LB can be reliably applied to the feet of the driver U1. Get on and off 300 easily.

  In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the lighting device LT is automatically activated when the driver U1 approaches the vehicle 300 in a dark place has been described. However, in a place where lighting is not necessary, for example, in a parking lot at home, lighting is performed. It is also possible not to light the device LT. That is, by setting the conditions (location and time) for lighting the lighting device LT in the memory of the system in advance, it is possible to prevent the lighting device from lighting in a scene that does not require lighting.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the lighting device LT is provided in the door mirror part DM on the driver's seat DS has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be provided in the door mirror part DM on the passenger seat PS side. In this case, the lighting device is activated in response to the passenger getting on and off the passenger seat PS in the vehicle 300.

In the above embodiment, the case where the illumination direction of the lighting device LT fluctuates with the storage and return of the door mirror unit DM has been described. However, the illumination direction of the lighting device LT changes even when the door mirror unit DM stores and returns. It is also possible to install so that it does not.
It should be noted that the present invention can be applied to a vehicle in which the door mirror part DM is not automatically retracted and restored.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the position of the portable device is detected by a wireless signal has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other detection methods can be adopted as long as the position of the portable device can be detected.

  In the above embodiment, as a method for detecting the position of a portable device, a plurality of transmission antenna units are installed in a vehicle, a wireless signal from each unit is received by the portable device, and the position of the portable device is detected based on the strength thereof. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the vehicle is provided with a plurality of receiving antenna units, and each receiving antenna unit receives a radio signal transmitted from the portable device, and the position of the portable device is determined from the received information. Can also be calculated.

In the above embodiment, the case of getting on the driver's seat or the passenger's seat has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the passenger can get on and off the rear seat of the vehicle by expanding the irradiable range of the lighting device. The present invention can also be applied to the case of approaching the trunk or back door.
Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated the case where the illuminating device was provided in the door mirror part, if it installs in a vehicle so that a passenger | crew can be illuminated not only in a door mirror part, this invention is applicable.

  In addition to the portable device described in the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to any portable device capable of remotely controlling a vehicle electronic device (for example, a portable device capable of remotely controlling an anti-theft device, an engine starter, etc.). Is possible. Moreover, it is also possible to use a cellular phone or the like by registering in advance so that the ECU of the vehicle can recognize it. By using portable devices such as these, the present invention can be realized relatively easily and at a low price (which can be retrofitted to a vehicle) by using the transmission function (ID transmission etc.) inherently possessed by these devices. . Further, a configuration for newly identifying a user, for example, processing such as setting an ID is unnecessary.

It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the smart entry system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the vehicle to which the smart entry system was applied. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the position detection method of a portable device. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the illuminating device provided in the door mirror part. It is a figure which shows an example of operation | movement of the illuminating device provided in the door mirror part. It is a figure which shows the other example of operation | movement of the illuminating device provided in the door mirror part. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process at the time of boarding by smart entry ECU. It is a figure which shows the state in which a user is outside the predetermined area | region with respect to a vehicle. It is a figure which shows the state in which the user entered into the predetermined area | region with respect to a vehicle. It is a figure which shows the state in which the user got on the vehicle. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process at the time of alighting.

Explanation of symbols

10 ... portable device 20 ... smart entry ECU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 ... Reception antenna 22 ... Transmission antenna 30A-30E ... Transmission antenna unit 50 ... Door mirror drive part 60 ... Light sensor 300 ... Vehicle LT ... Illuminating device (illuminating means)
LB ... Illumination light DM ... Door mirror part LF, LFA-LFE ... Radio signal (low frequency)
HF, HFA to HFE ... Radio signal (high frequency)
U1 ... Driver

Claims (7)

A smart entry system for a vehicle that controls a vehicle with a portable device,
When the presence of the portable device is detected within a predetermined area with respect to the vehicle, lighting means provided in the vehicle is turned on so that the ground at a position corresponding to the position of the portable device can be illuminated, and the portable device is When the vehicle moves out of a predetermined area, the lighting means is turned off.
A smart entry system for vehicles. The smart entry system for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the illumination means is provided in a door mirror portion of the vehicle. 3. The smart entry system for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the illumination direction of the illumination unit is changed following a change in the position of the portable device. The door mirror part is formed so as to automatically retract and return in response to getting on and off of the vehicle of the user carrying the portable device,
The presence of the portable device within a predetermined area with respect to the vehicle causes the door mirror unit to return to a return state, and when the portable device moves out of the predetermined region, the door mirror unit enters a retracted state. Item 4. The smart entry system for vehicles according to Item 2 or 3. The illumination means changes direction with the storage and return of the door mirror part, the lighting means is turned on after the door mirror part is returned to a return state, and the door mirror part is stored after being turned off. The vehicle smart entry system according to claim 4, wherein When the presence of a portable device that remotely controls the electronic device for the vehicle is detected, lighting means provided on the door mirror portion of the vehicle is turned on so that the ground at a position corresponding to the position of the portable device can be illuminated.
An illumination device for a vehicle characterized by the above. When the presence of the registered portable device is detected, lighting means provided on the door mirror portion of the vehicle is turned on so that the ground at a position corresponding to the position of the portable device can be illuminated.
An illumination device for a vehicle characterized by the above.

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