JP3003484B2 - Vehicle collision detection device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle collision detecting device which detects a collision of a vehicle in advance and outputs a signal for activating a safety device for a vehicle collision such as an airbag.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An airbag device for protecting an occupant by inflating an airbag at the time of a collision of a vehicle is switched on by a sensor mounted on the vehicle body or the like when the sensor is crushed. To generate gas and inflate and deploy the airbag with the generated gas, thereby protecting the occupant from a secondary collision. In particular, in the case of an airbag device for a side collision of a vehicle, the number of shock absorbing structures that absorb a shock by being deformed is smaller than that of a front portion of a vehicle body having an engine room. It is necessary to detect the collision early and deploy the airbag to protect the occupant.

Therefore, conventionally, for example, in the event of a side collision, a strain gauge is attached to the inner surface of the door outer panel to which a load due to the collision is applied first, and the strain gauge is distorted more than a predetermined amount so that the side collision can be detected early. A collision sensor that detects a collision by being compressed by a pressure-sensitive sensor or the like is placed on a rigid body such as a side impact beam placed close to the door outer panel in the side door to prevent side collision as much as possible. So that it can be detected quickly.

As described above, conventionally, by mounting the collision sensor at a position closest to the side of the vehicle body,
A side collision can be detected quickly, but by installing a collision sensor on the vehicle body, the collision can be detected only after the collision vehicle actually collides with the own vehicle, so the side collision can be detected early. Also had limitations.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-361163 discloses that
An airbag system for a frontal collision capable of predicting a collision is described. As shown in FIG. 7, this system includes a distance sensor 2 for detecting a distance to a forward obstacle and a collision sensor 3 for detecting a collision from a change in acceleration of the vehicle, on a front surface of a vehicle body 1, and a distance sensor. 2, the rate of change of the distance detected, that is, the relative speed with respect to the obstacle in front is calculated, and it is determined whether or not the obstacle collides after a predetermined time. The collision prediction device 4 is provided.

The collision prediction device 4 outputs a collision unavoidable signal based on the signal of the distance sensor 2, and the acceleration type collision sensor 3 detects a collision and outputs a collision detection signal when an actual collision occurs. In this case, for example, the airbag 7 housed in the instrument panel 6 in front of the passenger seat 5 is inflated, and the airbag 7 is connected to the instrument panel 6 and the upper body of the occupant sitting on the passenger seat 5. To protect the occupant from secondary collisions.

[0007]

However, since the conventional airbag system described above prevents the airbag device from malfunctioning during a non-collision, the collision can be predicted. Is starting to roll out
Since the collision of the vehicle is detected by the acceleration-type collision sensor 3, even if the collision can be predicted, the inflation of the airbag 7 is not started before the collision.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and detects a collision of a vehicle in advance and starts operation of a collision safety device such as an airbag mounted on the vehicle before the collision. It is another object of the present invention to provide a vehicle collision detection device capable of preventing a malfunction of the safety device during a non-collision.

[0009]

According to the present invention, there is provided a vehicle collision detecting device for outputting an operation signal for operating an anti-collision safety device mounted on a vehicle. A collision prediction sensor that switches on by detecting an object such as another vehicle in a predetermined area in front and side of the vehicle before the collision, detects a speed of the object, and outputs a collision prediction signal, A collision detection sensor that switches on and outputs a collision detection signal when detecting that the object collides with the vehicle, and a vehicle speed sensor that detects the speed of the own vehicle, the speed of the own vehicle and the speed of the object Is compared with the set speed, at least one of the speed of the vehicle and the speed of the object is higher than the set speed, and the collision prediction sensor and the collision detection sensor When at least one of the sensors is switched on, when both the speed of the host vehicle and the speed of the object are lower than a set speed, and both the collision prediction sensor and the collision detection sensor are switched on. And an operation signal output means for outputting the operation signal.

[0010]

According to the above construction, when the speed of each of the objects such as the own vehicle and another vehicle is both higher than a preset speed, or when either one of them is higher, When one or both of the collision prediction sensor and the collision detection sensor are turned on to output a collision prediction signal or a collision detection signal, one or both of the two signals are input to the operation signal output means, Then, the operation signal is transmitted to the anti-collision safety device mounted on the own vehicle. That is, when the collision prediction signal is input, the operation signal is immediately output from the operation signal output means, and the anti-collision safety device such as the airbag device starts operating before the collision. Also, when the collision detection sensor is switched on alone or both the collision prediction sensor and the collision detection sensor are switched on at the time of a collision, the operation signal is immediately output from the operation signal output means, and the safety device for collision is activated. Activate.

If the speeds of the own vehicle and other objects such as other vehicles are both lower than a preset speed, both the collision prediction sensor and the collision detection sensor are switched on. The operation signal is transmitted to the anti-collision safety device mounted on the host vehicle only when both the collision prediction signal and the collision detection signal output from each are input.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment in which the vehicle collision detecting device of the present invention is applied to an operating mechanism of an airbag device for side collision will be described below with reference to FIGS.

The vehicle collision detection device 11 includes a plate-shaped collision detection sensor 12 disposed substantially horizontally on the outer surface of the side door 10a of the vehicle body 10, and a plate-shaped collision detection sensor 12
Collision prediction sensors 13 fitted in a row on the surface of
And a vehicle speed sensor 14 for detecting a vehicle speed from rotation of a gear of the transmission, and an operation signal output device 15. The operation signal output device 15 outputs an operation signal to a side airbag module 16 in which a side airbag and an inflator for inflating the side airbag are integrally housed in a case. When the signals from 12, 13, and 14 satisfy certain conditions, the side airbag module 1 housed on the side of the side door 10a in the vehicle interior (the left side in FIG. 1).
The occupant is protected from a secondary collision by sending an operation signal to the inflator 6 to ignite it to generate gas and inflating and deploying the side airbag with the gas.

When the collision detecting sensor 12 is compressed at the time of a side collision, the contact is turned on and the switch is turned on.
A collision detection signal is output to the operation signal output device 15. The plate-like collision detection sensor 1
The collision prediction sensor 13 is fitted on the surface of the vehicle 2 at a predetermined interval, and a predetermined area substantially perpendicular to the traveling direction of the vehicle (a warning area and an area in the security area that is closer to the own vehicle). (E.g., a dangerous area) by emitting ultrasonic waves or laser light, and receiving the reflected wave or reflected light to detect the presence of an object such as another vehicle in the area and to generate a collision prediction signal. Is output to the operation signal output device 15 and, for example, 3
The size of the object, the distance to the object, the moving speed of the object, and the like can be detected from the input state of the reflected waves and the like to the collision prediction sensors 13. Further, the vehicle speed sensor 14 constantly outputs the detected speed of the own vehicle to the operation signal output device 15.

The operation signal output means 15 outputs a collision prediction signal output when the collision prediction sensor 12 is turned on and a collision detection signal output when the collision detection sensor 13 is turned on. An OR circuit that switches on when at least one is input and outputs an operation signal and an A circuit that switches on and outputs an operation signal when both the collision prediction signal and the collision detection signal are input.
An ND circuit is provided, and the OR circuit and the AND circuit are selected depending on whether the combination of the speed of the own vehicle and the speed of an object such as another vehicle is higher or lower. I have. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, when the speed of the own vehicle and the speed of the object are both higher than the set speed, the OR circuit of the collision prediction signal and the collision detection signal is selected, and the speed of the own vehicle is When either one of the speed of the object is higher than the set speed, the OR circuit of the collision prediction signal and the collision detection signal is selected. When both the speed of the vehicle and the speed of the object are lower than the set speed, an AND circuit of the collision prediction signal and the collision detection signal is selected.

Next, the operation of this embodiment constructed as described above will be described. First, when an object such as another vehicle enters a predetermined area on the side of the running vehicle, the collision prediction sensor 13 will be described. The presence of the object is detected and the speed of the object is detected. As a result, a collision prediction signal is input to the operation signal output device 15. Then, in the activation signal output device 15, whether at least one of the detected speed of the object and the vehicle speed of the own vehicle constantly input from the vehicle speed sensor 14 is a speed at which the side airbag needs to be activated. If the reference speed is higher than a reference speed set in advance, the OR circuit of the collision prediction signal and the collision detection signal is selected. An activation signal is output from the device 15 to the side airbag module 16.

Therefore, when it is detected that an object such as another vehicle has entered the predetermined area, that is, before the collision, the operation of the side airbag can be started, so that the time until the actual collision is earned. Thus, the time required for inflating and deploying the side airbag can be sufficiently secured. As a result, when the object actually collides with the side surface of the vehicle, the side airbag is inflated and deployed between the occupant and the side wall of the vehicle interior to a state sufficient to cushion the occupant, and Protects occupants from secondary collisions.

If at least one of the speed of the object and the speed of the own vehicle is higher than the reference speed, an OR circuit of the collision prediction signal and the collision detection signal is selected, so that the collision is performed. Even if the prediction sensor 13 cannot detect the entry of the object into the predetermined area, the collision detection signal 12 is switched on and output when the object actually collides with the side surface of the vehicle. But,
By being input to the operation signal output device 15, the side airbag module 1 is output from the operation signal output device 15.
Since the actuation signal is output to 6, the side airbag can be inflated and deployed.

Since the OR circuit is a general inclusive OR circuit, it is turned on even when both the collision prediction signal and the collision detection signal are inputted, and the operation signal is sent to the side airbag module 16. Is output to inflate and deploy the side airbag.

If both the speed of the object and the speed of the own vehicle are lower than the reference speed, an AND circuit of a collision prediction signal and a collision detection signal is selected, so that the collision prediction sensor 13 detects the entry of the object into the predetermined area and inputs a collision prediction signal to the operation signal output device 15, but at this time, the operation signal is not output, and the collision is actually performed. Only when a collision detection signal output when a collision is detected by the detection sensor 12 is input together, an operation signal is output from the operation signal output device 15 to inflate and deploy the side airbag.

Therefore, when both the speed of the object and the speed of the own vehicle are lower than the reference speed, the collision partner is selected by selecting an AND circuit of the collision prediction signal and the collision detection signal. When the collision detection sensor 12 does not switch on even if the object is large but light as a large balloon, and the collision detection sensor 12 does not switch on, or because the speed is not so fast, there is a possibility of avoiding a collision just before collision. A malfunction of the airbag device can be prevented.

FIGS. 4 to 6 show a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the operation signal output device 15 in the first embodiment is changed to an operation control device using a microcomputer. Since the configuration is almost the same as that of the first embodiment, the illustration showing the configuration of the second embodiment will be omitted.

As in the first embodiment, the vehicle collision detecting device of this embodiment is disposed substantially horizontally on the outer surface of the side door, and is switched on by being compressed at the time of a collision to detect a collision. And a plate-like collision detection sensor that measures a collision load from the compressed state, three collision prediction sensors fitted in a row in the collision detection sensor,
A vehicle speed sensor that detects a vehicle speed of the host vehicle; and an operation control device that outputs an operation signal to the side airbag module when a signal from each of the sensors satisfies certain conditions. 4 is a collision prediction routine for predicting a collision, FIG. 5 is a collision detection routine for detecting an actual collision, and FIG. 6 is a collision prediction signal among control programs installed in the operation control device of the vehicle collision detection device. A determination routine for determining whether or not to output an activation signal to the side airbag based on the collision detection signal and the collision detection signal, respectively, will be described below with reference to these flowcharts.

At the same time when the main switch of the vehicle is turned on, a collision prediction routine and a collision detection routine are started. When the program starts,
First, in step 1 of the collision prediction routine of FIG.
Sensing for detecting the presence of an object such as another vehicle in the alert area on both sides of the own vehicle by the collision prediction sensors 13 is started, and in step 8 of the collision detection routine of FIG. Of the collision load is performed.

When the collision prediction sensor 13 detects the entry of the object into the alert area, the process proceeds from step 1 to step 2, where the size of the detected object is determined by the three collision prediction sensors. If it is determined from the detection state and the detected object is smaller than the preset reference size, there is no danger even if it comes into contact with this object, and the process returns to step 1 to resume sensing. Then, in Step 2, if the detected object is larger than the reference, the process proceeds to Step 3, and from the time required for the ultrasonic wave or the like emitted from the collision prediction sensor 13 to hit the object and be reflected back, Measure the distance from your vehicle to the object. Next, the routine proceeds to step 4, where the collision prediction sensor 13
The speed of the object is measured from the amount of change in the time required for the ultrasonic waves or the like emitted from the object to return after hitting the object, and the relative speed VL in the lateral direction is calculated from the speed of the object and the speed of the own vehicle. When the calculation result is obtained, step 5
Proceed to.

In step 5, it is determined whether or not the lateral relative speed VL obtained by the calculation is higher than a preset low-speed lower limit speed a (minimum speed at which the protection of the occupant by the side airbag is required). If the lateral relative speed VL is lower than the low speed lower limit speed a,
Return to Step 1 because protection by the side airbag is not required. If the relative speed VL is higher than the lower speed limit a, the process proceeds to step 6, where it is determined whether or not the object exists in a dangerous area that is a predetermined range inside the alert area. If the object is not detected, it is determined that the collision has been avoided, and the process returns to step 1. If an object is detected in the dangerous area in step 6, the process proceeds to step 7 and outputs a collision prediction signal A. This collision prediction signal A is input to the determination routine J of FIG.

When the collision detection sensor 12 detects a collision load due to the collision of the object with the host vehicle in step 8, the process proceeds to step 9. Then, it is determined whether or not the detected collision load is larger than the set value. If the detected collision load is smaller than the set value, the process returns to step 8 because the protection by the side airbag is not necessary, and the detection of the collision load is restarted. You. If the collision load detected in step 9 is larger than the set value, the process proceeds to step 10 and outputs a collision detection signal B. This collision detection signal B is input to the determination routine J of FIG.

In the determination routine J of FIG. 6, the input signals of the collision prediction signal A output from the collision prediction routine and the collision detection signal B output from the collision detection routine are read in step 11; That is, the process proceeds to step 12 after reading whether the input signal is one of the collision prediction signal A and the collision detection signal B or both.

In step 12, the relative speed VL
Is determined to be higher than a preset low-limit upper speed b (a maximum speed at which the prevention of malfunction of the airbag can be prioritized over the deployment of the airbag). If the speed is lower than the relative speed VL, step 13 is executed. Then, it is determined whether the signal read in step 11 is both the collision prediction signal A and the collision detection signal B, and if only one of the signals is detected, the collision detection signal is erroneously detected. Return to step 12 as there is no need to deploy the side airbag. If both the signals A and B are read in step 13, the process proceeds to step 14, in which a side airbag activation signal (inflator ignition signal) is output to the side airbag module 16, The control program ends.

In step 12, the relative speed V
If L is higher than the low speed upper limit speed b, the process proceeds to step 15, where the relative speed VL is higher than the high speed lower limit speed c (the minimum speed at which the deployment of the airbag must be prioritized over the prevention of airbag malfunction). It is determined whether or not the relative speed VL is lower than the high speed lower limit speed b.
Proceeding to 16, it is determined whether or not the signal detected in step 11 includes the collision detection signal B. If the result of the determination is that there is no collision detection signal B, the process returns to step 12. If the collision detection signal B has been read in step 16, the process proceeds to step 14, and this step
At 14, a side airbag activation signal is output to the side airbag module 16, and the control program ends.

Further, when the relative speed VL is higher than the high speed lower limit speed b in step 15, step 17
Then, it is determined whether the signal read in step 11 is the collision prediction signal A or the collision detection signal B or any other signal. As a result of the determination, the signals other than A and B are determined. If so, the process returns to step 12. If the result of determination in step 17 is that the signal is either A or B, the process proceeds to step 14, where a side airbag activation signal is output to the side airbag module 16 and control is performed. The program ends.

Therefore, in the vehicle collision detection device of this embodiment, the lateral relative speed VL between the vehicle and the object is determined.
Is higher than a preset low-speed lower limit speed a (the minimum speed at which the protection of the occupant by the side airbag is required) and a low-speed upper limit speed b (to prevent malfunction of the airbag,
When the speed is lower than the maximum speed that can be prioritized over the deployment of the airbag), the activation signal is output only when both the collision prediction signal A and the collision detection signal B are input, so that the side airbag is activated. By deploying, malfunctions at the time of collision avoidance or at the time of erroneous collision detection are prevented. When the relative speed VL is higher than the low speed upper limit speed b, an operation signal is output when the collision detection signal B is input, and despite the presence of an object in the alert area,
Even when the collision prediction sensor 13 cannot detect this object, the side airbag can be deployed, and the relative speed VL is set to the high speed lower limit speed c.
(The minimum speed at which airbag deployment must be prioritized over airbag malfunction prevention)
When either the collision prediction signal A or the collision detection signal B is input, an operation signal is output, and the collision prediction signal A output when the collision prediction sensor 13 detects an object in the alert area. By inputting an actuation signal before the collision occurs and starting the inflation and deployment of the side airbag, the time until the collision with the object is gained and the side airbag is fully inflated to a predetermined state. It can be expanded to.

In both of the above embodiments, the case where the vehicle collision detecting device of the present invention is applied to the operating mechanism of the side airbag device has been described. The present invention can be similarly applied to an operation mechanism of another safety device for collision, such as an operation mechanism of an electric lock device for a seat belt.

[0034]

As described above, the vehicular collision detecting apparatus according to the present invention can be used when at least one of the speed of the own vehicle and the speed of an object such as another vehicle is higher than a preset speed. When one of the collision prediction signal and the collision detection signal is input, the operation signal is output to the anti-collision safety device equipped in the vehicle. When it is necessary to activate the collision safety device early, when the collision prediction signal is input,
That is, by operating the anti-collision safety device in advance before the collision, it is possible to ensure that the occupant is sufficiently protected by the anti-collision safety device before the actual collision.

When both the speed of the own vehicle and the speed of an object such as another vehicle are lower than the set speed, if both the collision prediction signal and the collision detection signal are input, the anti-collision safety signal is input. Since an operation signal is output to the device, collision avoidance that is possible due to relatively low speed, and the collision target is lightweight such as a balloon and the collision detection sensor is It is possible to prevent useless operation of the anti-collision safety device at the time of non-collision such as when the switch is not turned on.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a first embodiment of a vehicle collision detection device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the vehicle showing a state where the collision detection sensor and the collision prediction sensor according to the first embodiment are provided.

FIG. 3 is a table showing a relationship between a combination of the speed of the host vehicle and the speed of an object according to the first embodiment and a selected circuit;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a collision prediction routine of a control program according to a second embodiment of the present invention using a microcomputer.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a collision detection routine.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a determination routine.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view schematically showing a conventional airbag device using a collision prediction sensor.

[Description of Signs] 10a side door 11 vehicle collision detection device 12 collision detection sensor 13 collision prediction sensor 14 vehicle speed sensor 15 operation signal output device 16 side airbag module

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A vehicle collision detection device for outputting an operation signal for activating an anti-collision safety device mounted on an own vehicle, comprising: detecting an object such as another vehicle in a predetermined area in front and side of the own vehicle; A collision prediction sensor that switches on by detecting before the collision, outputs a collision prediction signal by detecting the speed of the object, and switches on when a collision of the object with the host vehicle is detected by detecting a collision of the object with the own vehicle. And a vehicle speed sensor for detecting the speed of the host vehicle, comparing the speed of the host vehicle and the speed of the object with set speeds respectively, and comparing the speed of the host vehicle with the speed of the object. And at least one of the speed is higher than the set speed, and at least one of the collision prediction sensor and the collision detection sensor is switched on,
A signal output unit that outputs the operation signal when both the speed of the host vehicle and the speed of the object are lower than a set speed, and both the collision prediction sensor and the collision detection sensor are switched on. A vehicle collision detection device, comprising: