DE102008003378A1 - Method and device for controlling an occupant protection device in a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device for controlling a child seat (14) in a vehicle, in which a sensor system (S) acquires driving condition data (F) and evaluates it with regard to an imminent danger condition, the occupant protection means being activated and positioned in an operative position when the dangerous condition is detected is, as occupant protection means in at least one degree of freedom movable child seat (14) is driven.

Description

The The invention relates to a method for controlling an occupant protection means in a vehicle according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

From the DE 86 10 073 U1 For example, a tiltable child seat is known with a base frame and a seat that engages the base frame. A backrest or the entire seat can be tilted into different positions. To adjust the seat and / or backrest tilt an electrically driven Reduziergetriebemotor is provided with a control and power transmission arrangement, whereby the child seat and / or the backrest at a certain angle backwards or forwards are tilted. The Reduziergetriebemotor is powered by a self-contained in the child seat power source and / or by connecting to the battery of a motor vehicle with power.

Furthermore, from the DE 101 21 386 C1 a method for driving a reversible occupant protection means in a motor vehicle with a driving condition sensor known. The reversible occupant protection means can be triggered before the collision time and thereby brought into operative position. For this purpose, driving status data are monitored with regard to a state of emergency braking and when the emergency braking state is determined, the occupant protection device is activated. In addition, a state of oversteer and a state of understeer are determined by a data processing unit. If the state of emergency braking and / or the state of oversteer and / or the state of understeer is detected by the data processing unit, the reversible occupant protection system is activated.

Usually has the child seat, in particular a baby seat over Adjustment mechanisms, which adjust the child seat in such a position, that the child is in an orthopedic recommended position or in a sleeping position. This can happen in an accident too cause serious consequences.

Of the Invention is therefore the object of an opposite The prior art improved method and apparatus to indicate for driving an occupant protection means in a vehicle.

The Task is according to the invention in terms of Method by the features specified in claim 1 and in terms the device solved by the features specified in claim 8. Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

The The invention relates to a method for controlling an occupant protection means in a vehicle with a sensor that detects driving condition data and evaluates with respect to an imminent hazardous condition, wherein if the danger condition is detected, the occupant protection means is activated and is positioned in an operative position. According to the invention as a reversible occupant protection means in at least one degree of freedom movable child seat controlled. In particular, the movable Child seat be equipped with a reversible actuator (reversible Occupant protection means), which is a controlled provision allowed in the initial state when the danger is over is and impact did not take place.

through such a child seat related as well as situation dependent controllable occupant protection means is given a device which ensures that a child is in a potential collision, especially before or during a collision in an optimal Sitting posture is brought, in which an optimal protective effect and thus a low risk of injury is given.

there in particular, as driving status data, data of an environmental detection, in particular a camera or a distance radar, and / or a Hazardous condition detection, in particular a so-called pre-safe or pre-crash system, detects, then the child seat adjusted in position by means of an electric adjusting drive becomes. The driving state data, in particular the data of the dangerous state detection become overturning in terms of a state of emergency braking, a state a state oversteer and / or a state understeer monitored. Is a state emergency braking, risk of overturning, oversteer and / or understeer determines the occupant protection means is controlled and positioned in an operative position. The child seat is preferred Depending on the situation so controlled that this before or during a collision time in an optimal operative position and in the absence of the collision back into an orthopedic recommended position is positioned.

is the occupant protection means can be reversible these are expediently activated several times and is therefore recyclable. In addition, this can alternately from the initial position to the active position or off the active position led back to the starting position become.

Furthermore, the method according to the invention provides that when identifying a dangerous situation, in particular before or during a possible collision, the child safety seat is considered an acute measure in the active position is positioned. If an adjustment, for example, the child seat tilt with or during a collision, the tilt adjustment is preferably carried out by means of pyrotechnic release mechanisms.

there is under active position in particular the moving of the child seat in an optimal protective effect deploying position, z. B. in one upright position of the child seat, understood. By this upright Position of the child seat become serious consequences of an accident, for example slipping under a lap belt avoided. Is the child seat arranged on a front seat in the direction of travel, with the upright Position of the child seat optimal effect opposite secured a triggered front airbag.

The Adjustment of the respective seating position of the child seat, in particular the upright position in dangerous situations or the orthopedic effective Position in the normal case is preferably by means of a rotating mechanism designed adjusting mechanism executed. It can the child seat itself, d. H. the seat pan, and / or the backrest and / or the seat rotated, tilted or pivoted become. Is the child seat in particular as a so-called baby seat formed with a continuous seat / cradle, which often is arranged against a direction of travel, so is the seat / cradle preferably pivoted or inclined in an upright position, thereby an optimal protective effect is possible. This is the infant carrier, for example, via a corresponding ball bearing or another suitable holder. Also, the Child seat even in a partially this, especially the lower Part surrounding ball, in particular a hemisphere be stored. Thus, the child seat in several degrees of freedom, in particular rotated about a vertical axis and pivoted about a horizontal axis. This allows the child seat both in its longitudinal orientation, z. B. in the direction of travel or against the direction of travel, as well as in its vertical orientation, z. B. in an upright position with a steep angle of attack or in a flat sleeping position with flat angle of attack, be made accordingly.

alternative can the upright position of the child seat by means of a designed as a rotating mechanism Adjusting mechanism can be adjusted. Beyond the Sensor system determines the driving condition data, which indicates a collision close, the child seat by means of the rotating mechanism is so controlled that the backrest and / or the child seat be advantageously positioned upright. In another possible Embodiment of the method according to the invention is the upright position of the child seat by means of a tilting mechanism adjusted adjusting mechanism set.

About that In addition, as further occupant protection means, for example an electric seat adjustment of a seat, z. For example, a front or rear seat, and / or an electric adjusting device Vehicle openings and / or a reversible belt tensioner and / or an electrically adjustable impact protection device become. In particular, the child seat receiving seat be placed in such a position in which the child seat easy, safe and fast in the upright position for optimal Protective effect can be brought.

additionally For example, with the window open in the area of a identified child seat the window will be closed. ever according to the type and design of the child seat - is this example, the safety belt or over a separate bracket attached to the seat - can in addition to adjusting the child seat, the safety belt be activated and streamlined accordingly, so that the child seat securely fixed and held on the seat is.

For the fastest possible release and position the child seat in an optimal position, especially when identifying a particularly critical situation based on the driving condition data at least one of the adjusting mechanisms by means of a pyrotechnic Trigger mechanism activated and adjusted. alternative the activation and adjustment electromechanical, in particular by means of an electric motor.

In a development of the method is at least one of the adjustment mechanisms preferably only activated when the vehicle is a predefinable Minimum speed has been reached or exceeded. This has the advantage that driving at low speeds is prevented because at low speeds a hazard of inmates is relatively low.

The sensor system for detecting the driving state data includes, for example, a steering angle sensor, a pedal travel sensor, a brake pressure sensor, wheel speed sensors, acceleration sensors and / or a yaw rate sensor and radar sensors. The steering angle sensor detects a steering angle on the steering wheel, this steering angle, as well as the pedal travel represents a desired amount of driving. By contrast, for example, the detected accelerations, the yaw rate and the wheel speeds are actual variables of the driving operation, by means of which an oversteer or understeer and thus a critical driving situation can be identified with certainty. In addition, via radar sensors, in particular a distance radar, or via a Camera detected a critical approach of objects to the own vehicle and identified and used to trigger the occupant protection device. Furthermore, based on signals from a wheel sensor or a rollover sensor, a risk of overturning can be identified and taken into account when controlling the child seat.

A Emergency braking occurs when a braking operation with at least one Characteristic, which indicates a dangerous situation. there a predefinable value range is specified. The state emergency braking is determined by at least one parameter brake pressure, speed a brake pedal operation and speed of return an accelerator pedal is used to evaluate a braking process.

alternative to an emergency braking, which causes of a driver Emergency braking may be automatic based on environmental sensing respectively. A signal indicating an automated emergency braking may also indicate an implementation of the invention Trigger procedure.

at Understeer the vehicle is monitored, whether a radius of a given by the steering angle desired path of Vehicle smaller than a radius of an actually passed Train is. In the condition of oversteering the vehicle is monitored whether the radius of the setpoint path given by the steering angle increases than the radius of the actually traversed path. Under the setpoint path given by the steering angle is a way to understand which arises when the vehicle with the steering angle to be considered and traveling at such a low speed that lateral forces opposite to the acting longitudinal forces can be neglected.

For monitoring the detected driving condition data is a data processing unit, in particular provided a control device. By means of the data processing unit is checked continuously, whether one of the states Emergency braking, risk of overturning, oversteer and / or Understeer exists. If one of the states is present, then the occupant protection means, in particular one of the adjustment mechanisms of the child seat activated and placed in an upright position. Depending on the conditions, emergency braking, risk of overturning, Understeer and oversteer a tripping speed and adjusted an actuating speed.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention Procedure is the state emergency braking based on an intervention in a driving dynamics recognized by a brake assist system is carried out. The brake assist system evaluates driving state variables, in order depending on a result of the evaluation To interfere with the driving dynamics. The procedure is done by sending of control signals to adjusting devices which the driving dynamics influence, realized. These control signals can for Detection of emergency braking can be used. Advantage of this embodiment is that the emergency braking is detected with little effort. It should trigger a setting for the child seat in the upright position to an algorithm of the brake assist system be coupled.

In In another embodiment, a control signal of a brake light switch included for checking the state emergency braking. This signal is often available on a data bus in the vehicle, whereby no further cabling is necessary. Based This training is a multiple review ensured upon detection of emergency braking, with a Decision reliability in the case of an activation of the occupant protection means, especially child protection is increased.

A Power supply for controlling the child seat, which preferred is electrically adjusted, is particularly advantageous over an electrical system of the vehicle available. Is the child seat with at least one of the adjustment mechanisms as a reversible Occupant protection equipment, it is possible the child seat under consideration of an effect then trigger on driver and passengers, when a dangerous situation is determined, which with a predefinable Probability leads to a collision.

One Embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to a drawing explained in more detail.

there shows:

1 schematically a block diagram of a device for controlling a child seat in a vehicle, and

2 schematically a concrete embodiment of the inventive method for controlling a child seat in a vehicle.

each other corresponding parts are in all figures with the same reference numerals Mistake.

1 shows a device for controlling an occupant protection means in a vehicle. For this purpose, the device comprises a data processing unit 1 , In particular, an already existing in the vehicle control unit, in which an algorithm for controlling the occupant protection means in is completed.

For controlling one as a child seat 14 trained occupant protection means are detected by means of a sensor S driving condition data F and from the data processing unit 1 evaluated for an imminent hazardous condition. If the evaluation shows that a hazardous condition, eg. B. emergency braking, a risk of overturning, oversteer and / or understeer is present, the movable in at least one degree of freedom child seat 14 controlled and positioned in an operative position in which an optimal protection is deployed.

there be as driving condition data F data of an environment detection and / or a dangerous condition detection, in particular a pre-crash or Pre-safe system, determined and evaluated.

2 shows a concrete embodiment of the inventive method for controlling the child seat 14 ,

In this case, a data processing unit 1 , z. As a control device, in particular via a data bus, not shown, for. B. a CAN bus, as input data, for example, a control signal S1 of a brake assist system and for an additional review of a state emergency braking a control signal S2 supplied to a brake light switch.

The control signals S1, S2 are in associated processing units 2 and 3 processed. This is done in the processing unit 2 the control signal S1 and in processing unit 3 the control signal S2 checked to see if they are active. If both control signals S1 and S2 are active, the state emergency braking is detected, which in a processing unit 4 is processed to a signal for activating a longitudinal protection SL.

In addition, further input data, such as a steering angle α, a wheel speed U _R , a yaw rate v _G , a lateral acceleration a _Q and / or vehicle inclination N via associated processing units 5 to 8th respectively. 15 the data processing unit 1 fed. These input data can also be used by the data processing unit 1 be supplied via the data bus. Alternatively, the supply of data via signal lines can take place.

In detail, in the processing unit 6 detected by the wheel speeds U _{R of} the vehicle wheels, a vehicle speed v _F to determine a state understeer. Based on the detected vehicle speed v _F , the steering angle α and the yaw rate v _G is in a further processing unit 9 a virtual target steering angle α _S determined. In this case, an immutable size of a wheelbase of the vehicle is taken into account. The virtual target steering angle α _S is also referred to as the so-called Ackermann angle. In the processing unit 9 is the virtual target steering angle α _S deducted from the steering angle α. If a value which is greater than a predefinable value is determined as the difference between the steering angle α and the virtual target steering angle α _S , a signal transverse protection SQ1 is activated.

In addition, in another processing unit 10 performed an alternative determination and monitoring of the sub-control parallel to the described understeer monitoring. For this purpose, the virtual target steering angle α _{S is also} calculated from the vehicle speed v _F and the steering angle α. If the magnitude of these two angles is greater than a predefinable value, a transverse protection signal SQ2 is activated. The two signals lateral protection SQ1 and lateral protection SQ2 become another processing unit 11 supplied and the signal transverse protection understeer SQU is activated, if the signals cross protection QS1 and lateral protection QS2 are activated. Monitoring based on the two separate algorithms advantageously increases a reliable identification of the state of understeer.

A state of oversteer is determined by means of the lateral acceleration a _Q , the yaw rate v _G and the wheel speeds U _R in a processing unit 12 supervised. For this purpose, a float angle is determined. If this value is greater than a predefinable value, the cross-guard-skid signal SQS is activated.

In an alternative embodiment, in the processing unit 12 For example, additionally the steering angle α are processed. For this and the wheel speeds U _R and the yaw rate V _G , a desired yaw rate is determined. If a difference between the desired yaw rate and the yaw rate v _G exceeds a predetermined value, the transversal skid signal SQS is activated.

Additionally or alternatively, an environment detection sensor system may be provided for identifying a critical driving situation, which detects, for example, the vehicle environment, wherein based on the acquired data B of the environmental detection 16 such as image data of a camera or radar data of a distance radar by means of an evaluation and control unit 13 a dangerous situation, in particular a foreseeable collision is identified.

Furthermore, on the basis of, for example, a tilt sensor, wheel sensor and / or Rollover sensor detected vehicle inclination N determines a risk of rollover, which based on the evaluation and control unit 13 in the adjustment of the child seat 14 is taken into account.

In the evaluation and control unit 13 In addition, the signals longitudinal protection SL, lateral protection understeer SQU and transverse protection centrifugal SQS are recorded and evaluated. If one of the detected signals is activated, the child seat becomes 14 controlled and adjusted by means of an integrated as a rotation, rotation and / or tilting mechanism adjusting mechanism in a predetermined position, in particular in an upright position.

If a critical driving situation is identified on the basis of the activation of several of the signals SL, SQU, SQS, then the child seat becomes 14 according to the rating in the evaluation and control unit 13 controlled and set up.

The processing of the acquired input data preferably takes place in the data processing unit 1 such that the child seat 14 , in particular one of these associated adjustment mechanisms is controlled before or during a collision time.

Here is the child seat 14 adjustable to set a maximum protection effecting position in at least one degree of freedom. This includes the child seat 14 a adjusting mechanism, not shown, depending on the nature and structure of the child seat 14 , z. B. a baby seat or a seat for an older child, as a rotation mechanism, rotating mechanism and / or tilting mechanism is formed. This allows the child seat 14 be pivoted, tilted and / or rotated.

If a particularly critical driving situation is identified, at least one pyrotechnic triggering mechanism can additionally be provided, which serves to activate and control one of the adjusting mechanisms. For example, the pyrotechnic triggering mechanism is formed from a pyrotechnic propellant whose rising pressure acts on triggering a piston which, for example, a power / train connection, for. B. a rope, in particular a steel cable, actuates one of the adjusting mechanisms. For example, the rotating mechanism is rotated or the tilting mechanism is tilted or pivoted so that the child seat 14 is placed in the upright position.

there may additionally be provided that the pyrotechnic Trigger mechanism is only triggered when the vehicle reaches or exceeds a predefinable minimum speed Has.

If, however, a non-occurrence of the danger situation, in particular a possible collision by means of the evaluation and control unit 13 identified, the adjusting mechanism is controlled so that the child seat 14 is positioned back in an orthopedic recommended position.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - DE 8610073 U1 [0002]
• - DE 10121386 C1 [0003]

Claims (13)

Method for controlling an occupant protection device in a vehicle, in which a sensor system (S) detects driving condition data (F) and evaluates it with regard to an imminent danger condition, wherein the occupant protection means is activated and positioned in an operative position when the danger condition is detected, characterized in that occupant protection means comprise an in at least one degree of freedom movable child seat ( 14 ) is driven. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the child seat ( 14 ) is positioned in the operative position before or during a collision. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the child seat ( 14 ) is positioned by means of a rotating mechanism, rotary mechanism and / or tilting mechanism formed adjusting mechanism in the operative position. Method according to claim 3, characterized that at least one of the adjusting mechanisms by means of a pyrotechnic Trigger mechanism is activated. A method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that a speed (v _F ) of the vehicle is determined and only then at least one of the adjustment mechanisms and / or the pyrotechnic release mechanism is activated or triggered when a predetermined minimum speed of the vehicle is reached or exceeded becomes. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that in that the driving condition data (F) is based on data (B) of an environmental detection and / or based on data of a dangerous condition detection become. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that based on the driving condition data (F) as a dangerous condition an emergency braking, a risk of overturning, oversteer or understeer is identified and monitored becomes. Device for carrying out the method according to one of claims 1 to 7, comprising a sensor system (S) for detecting and evaluating driving state data (F) with regard to an imminent hazardous condition and a data processing unit ( 1 ), which activates the occupant protection means when the danger condition is detected and positions it in an operative position, characterized in that a child seat adjustable in at least one degree of freedom (FIG. 14 ) is controllable. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the child seat ( 14 ) for adjusting possible in several degrees of freedom at least one adjustment mechanism designed as a rotation mechanism, a rotation mechanism and / or a tilting mechanism. Apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, characterized that at least one pyrotechnic triggering mechanism intended for activation and control of one of the adjustment mechanisms is. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that that the pyrotechnic triggering mechanism of a pyrotechnic Propellant is formed, which increases when triggered Pressure on a piston acts via a power / train connection one of the adjustment mechanisms actuated. Device according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that at least one speed sensor, in particular wheel speed sensor for detecting the speed (v _F ) of the vehicle is provided and only then at least one of the adjustment mechanisms and / or the pyrotechnic release mechanism is activated or triggered, if the vehicle reaches or exceeds a specified minimum speed. Device according to one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that at least one radar sensor for environmental detection and / or hazardous condition detection for Determination of at least one of the states emergency braking, risk of overturning, oversteer and / or understeer are or is provided.