DE102016014807A1 - Method for controlling a belt tensioner - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for controlling a belt tensioner (10) of a safety belt (4) while driving a vehicle (2), wherein a future route course is determined. According to the invention, an occupant model is created, wherein
- the vehicle model instantaneous vehicle movements are supplied,
A body weight of an occupant (1) carrying the safety belt (4) is detected,
A trunk size of the occupant (1) is determined,
A momentary posture of the occupant (1) is detected,
- A belt position with respect to the occupant (1) and a belt adjustment are determined, wherein the belt tensioner (10) depending on the future route course, based on the occupant model and determined, on the occupant (1) acting forces is controlled such that the Safety belt (4) is tightened, locked or loosened as needed.

Description

The invention relates to a method for controlling a belt tensioner of a safety belt while driving a vehicle, wherein a future route course is determined.

From the DE 10 2009 033 689 A1 For example, a vehicle seat belt system and method for controlling a seatbelt tightening force is known. The vehicle safety belt system includes a reversible seat belt pretensioner that can apply a belt tightening force of a plurality of predetermined levels to a seatbelt webbing, a belt tensioner driving control unit, and a road running detection apparatus and front corner vehicle cornering detection apparatus. The control unit causes the belt tightening force to be maintained at an elevated level when another curve is added to a straight-line curve at a predetermined distance along the road.

The invention has for its object to provide a comparison with the prior art improved method for controlling a belt tensioner of a seat belt while driving a vehicle.

The object is achieved by the features specified in claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

A method for controlling a belt tensioner of a safety belt while driving a vehicle provides that a future route course is determined. According to the invention, an occupant model is created, the occupant model being given instantaneous vehicle movements, a body weight of an occupant wearing the seatbelt being determined, a torso size of the occupant being determined, an instantaneous posture of the occupant being detected, a belt position with respect to the occupant being ascertained, and a belt adjustment be, with the belt tensioner depending on the future course of the route and based on the occupant model and determined, acting on the occupants forces of the belt tensioner is driven, so that the seat belt is tightened as needed, locked or loosened.

By applying the method, driving comfort for the occupant who has put on the seat belt is substantially increased while the vehicle is being driven, and the occupant is also assisted during the driving operation, in particular with respect to his sitting position relative to his vehicle seat.

Embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing.

It shows:

1 schematically an occupant of a vehicle with a seat belt on a vehicle seat.

In the only figure is an inmate 1 in a vehicle 2 on a vehicle seat 3 with attached seat belt 4 shown.

At the safety belt 4 it is a three-point belt, allowing the occupant 1 when wearing a seatbelt 4 is connected to three attachment points B1 to B3 of a vehicle body.

This forms a buckle 5 , in which a slidable on the seat belt 4 arranged belt lock tongue 6 can be inserted, a first attachment point B1. A second attachment point B2 forms an end fitting 7 and a third attachment point B3 is of a diverter 8th or a belt retractor 9 of the safety belt 4 educated. In the present embodiment, the third attachment point B3 is through the belt retractor 9 educated.

In the present embodiment, the belt retractor 9 with a reversible belt tensioner 10 coupled, alternatively or additionally, the end fitting 7 and / or the buckle 5 with such a reversible belt tensioner 10 can be coupled or can.

Sets the occupant 1 his safety belt 4 on and the buckle tongue 6 gets into the belt buckle 5 plugged in, the belt tensioner 10 controlled, so the seat belt 4 tightened and a slack is reduced. The safety belt 4 After tightening, it is essentially taut on the body of the occupant 1 at.

For a comfort to the occupant 1 while driving the vehicle 2 significantly increase and the occupant 1 To provide more safety is provided, the belt tensioner 10 depending on a route course and depending on a created occupant model to control.

The route course is based on information of a navigation system of the vehicle 2 and / or based on information from a digital road map that is in the vehicle 3 implemented, determined.

The occupant model becomes parameters of an instantaneous vehicle movement, in particular a driving speed in the longitudinal and lateral directions and an acceleration in the longitudinal and lateral directions supplied. These parameters represent input parameters of the occupant model.

To the inmates 1 determine forces acting during driving, the occupant model is a body weight of the occupant 1 supplied, this example, on the basis of detected signals one in the vehicle seat 3 integrated weight sensor, which z. B. part of a seat occupancy detection is determined.

Based on a setting of the vehicle seat 3 , An adjustment of the safety belt, for example on the basis of a rolling length and / or based on a set height of the deflection 8th of the safety belt 4 on the basis of detected sensor data, for example on the basis of detected signals of an image acquisition unit, an ultrasound-based and / or a radar-based sensor and / or stored data of a personal profile of the occupant, a body size thereof is determined and taken into account in the occupant model.

It is also conceivable that of the inmate 1 Manually enter data that indicates the hull size and / or can be used to determine the hull size.

In addition, by means of at least one in the interior of the vehicle 2 arranged detection unit, in particular the image detection unit and / or based on detected signals of at least one further sensor a posture of the occupant 1 determined, which is also taken into account in the occupant model.

Further, a belt position with respect to the occupant becomes 1 ie a course of the safety belt 4 , and a belt adjustment, ie the above-mentioned safety belt settings 4 determined. Is the safety belt 4 Occasionally covered, a degraded estimate of the belt position is carried out via fuselage models to determine the belt position based on the estimate and the settings of the seat belt 4 to investigate.

If it is not necessary to carry out such an estimation, the belt adjustment is determined on the basis of acquired image data of the image acquisition unit and / or on the basis of detected signals of at least one further detection unit arranged in the interior.

Both the parameters of the vehicle movements and the occupants 1 and the seatbelt 4 The above-mentioned parameters represent input parameters of the occupant model.

On the basis of this the occupant model supplied input parameters of the route course and a determination of the occupants 1 , in particular one on a torso of the occupant 1 driving forces, the seat belt is 4 in accordance with the body, in particular the upper body, acting movement influences accordingly tightened, locked or solved.

For example, the seat belt 4 tightened on a winding ride, which may be provided that the seat belt 4 solved on a climb and locked in a downhill to particular driving comfort for the occupants 1 increase and convey a feeling of more security.

The belt tensioner 10 is controlled as seating position specific and needs-based to the seat belt 4 if necessary, tighten, lock or release so that the inmate 1 while driving the vehicle 2 In addition, especially in relation to his seating position, is supported.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

inmate

2

vehicle

3

vehicle seat

4

safety belt

5

buckle

6

buckle tongue

7

Endfitting

8th

redirection

9

retractor

10

pretensioners

B1

first attachment point

B2

second attachment point

B3

third attachment point

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102009033689 A1 [0002]

Claims (3)

Method for controlling a belt tensioner ( 10 ) of a safety belt ( 4 ) while driving a vehicle ( 2 ), wherein a future route course is determined, characterized in that an occupant model is created, wherein - the occupant model instantaneous vehicle movements are supplied, - a body weight of the seat belt ( 4 ) occupants ( 1 ), - a fuselage size of the occupant ( 1 ), - a current posture of the occupant ( 1 ), - a belt position with respect to the occupant ( 1 ) and a belt adjustment are determined, wherein the belt tensioner ( 10 ) depending on the future course of the route, on the basis of the occupant model and determined, on the occupants ( 1 ) acting forces is controlled such that the safety belt ( 4 ) is tightened, arrested or solved as needed. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that as vehicle movements, a driving speed in the longitudinal and lateral directions and an acceleration in the longitudinal and lateral directions are detected. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a current posture of the occupant ( 1 ) is determined on the basis of detected signals of an image acquisition unit, an ultrasound-based and / or a radar-based sensor.

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