JP2004156945A - Vehicle collision detector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicle collision detector which can securely detect the collision, while suppressing the increment of component installation space and preventing the structure from being complex. <P>SOLUTION: In the vehicle collision detector, a linear stress sensor 1 having an elastic conductive tube and a central electrode member which is inserted therein at an interval from the inner circumference of the tube is provided so as to be embedded in a guard member such as a bumper part, a molding part, and so forth provided to the outer periphery part of the vehicle, along the outer shape of the vehicle. The collision is detected through the electrical continuity by the contact between the elastic conductive tube and the central electrode member of the stress sensor 1, due to the application of stress associated with the collision. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vehicle collision detection device that detects a collision with another object of a vehicle.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As this kind of conventional technology, there is one described in Patent Document 1. In this conventional technique, a light-leakable fiber is provided in a front bumper of a vehicle, light is incident from one end of the optical fiber, and light that reaches the other end by transmitting through the optical fiber is received by a light receiving unit. Is detected by When a collision occurs, the optical fiber breaks or is compressed and deformed, so that the amount of light leakage increases and the amount of light reaching the light receiving unit decreases, whereby the collision is detected.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-7-190732
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-mentioned conventional technology, it is necessary to arrange a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit at both ends of the optical fiber in accordance with the arrangement of the optical fiber in the bumper. It is necessary to provide an arrangement space and an arrangement structure, which causes problems such as an increase in a space for installing parts and a complicated structure.
[0005]
As this type of vehicle collision detection device, a device using an acceleration sensor is preferably used. However, in a configuration using an acceleration sensor, even when an actual collision occurs, the acceleration generated at the time of the collision is small. If the vehicle speed is low or an offset collision occurs, the collision may not be detected.
[0006]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle collision detection device that can reliably detect a collision while suppressing an increase in component installation space and a complicated structure.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Technical means for achieving the above object are provided on a vehicle protection card portion provided at an outer peripheral portion of the vehicle, a stress sensor for detecting stress received from another object at the time of collision, an output portion, and the stress sensor And a control unit for detecting a collision with the other object through the output unit and outputting a warning via the output unit, wherein the stress sensor is a substantially linear first and It has a linear form with a second electrode member, and the two electrode members come into contact with each other by applying stress and become electrically conductive to detect stress.
[0008]
Preferably, the stress sensor is provided as the first electrode member, is formed of an elastic material, and has at least a part of a circumferential section of the elastic tube as a conductive portion having elasticity; A central electrode member that is provided as an electrode member, has a slender shape that is bendable in one direction, is provided in the elastic tube, and has at least the outer peripheral portion having conductivity, and at least the outer peripheral portion having insulating properties. And an insulated linear member spirally wound around the center electrode member at a predetermined winding interval.
[0009]
Preferably, the center electrode member has a predetermined tensile strength and resilience to bending deformation, and has an elongated center member having at least an outer peripheral portion having elasticity, and a helically laterally extending outer periphery of the center member. And a wound conductive metal wire.
[0010]
Further preferably, at least one of the first electrode member and the second electrode member of the stress sensor is a resistor having a predetermined resistance value per unit length in a longitudinal direction thereof. Is good.
[0011]
Preferably, the stress sensor is embedded in the guard.
[0012]
Further preferably, the control unit may further detect a collision with the other object via the stress sensor, and output a safety device operation signal for operating a predetermined safety device. .
[0013]
Preferably, at least an airbag device is provided as the safety device.
[0014]
More preferably, the control unit may further detect a collision with the another object via the stress sensor and output a brake operation signal for operating a brake.
[0015]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a vehicle collision detection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle collision detection device includes a stress sensor 1 having a substantially linear shape provided along an outer edge of the vehicle, a signal detection unit 3, a control unit 5, a warning generation device (output 7). It is preferable that the warning generation device 7 be provided in the vehicle compartment due to its role. However, the signal detection unit 3 and the control unit 5 may be installed in any place of the vehicle body.
[0016]
As shown in FIG. 2, the stress sensor 1 includes an elastic conductive tube (elastic tube) 11, a center electrode member 13, and an insulated linear member 15.
[0017]
As shown in FIG. 2, the elastic conductive tube 11 is formed of an elastic material, and at least a part of the circumferential direction is a conductive portion having elasticity (here, the entire elastic conductive tube 11 is a conductive rubber. And the entire section in the circumferential direction is a conductive portion).
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 3, the center electrode member 13 has an elongated shape that is bendable in one direction and is provided in the elastic conductive tube 11. As shown in FIG. 3, the center electrode member 13 has a predetermined tensile strength and resilience to bending deformation, and has a thin and long center section 21 having at least an outer peripheral portion having elasticity and a circular section. And a conductive thin metal wire 23 spirally and densely wound horizontally around the outer periphery of the center member 21 at a predetermined pitch. As a material of the metal wire 23, nickel alloy, copper, copper alloy, nichrome, stainless steel, or the like is used. Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the metal wire 23 is wound so that a part (here, about half) of the cross section is cut into the surface of the center member 21 to prevent displacement.
[0019]
As shown in FIG. 2, the center member 21 includes a center reinforcing member (tension member) 21a having high tensile strength, and an elastic material (here, an elastic insulating material) provided by extrusion molding around the center reinforcing member 21a. (In this case, an elastic insulating layer) 21b. As the material of the center reinforcing member 21a, a fiber obtained by twisting or bundling fibers having high tensile strength (aramid fiber or the like) is used. As the elastic insulating material of the elastic insulating layer 21b, fluorine rubber, silicone rubber, EPDM, or the like is used.
[0020]
The insulated linear member 15 has an elongated shape having an insulating property at least at an outer peripheral portion thereof. In the present embodiment, a metal wire and an insulating coating formed by applying an insulating material such as enamel to the surface of the metal wire are used. And a layer. As shown in FIG. 5, such an insulating linear member 15 is spirally wound around the center electrode member 13 at a predetermined winding interval D. Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the winding interval D and the like can be easily adjusted according to the sensor sensitivity and the like as described later.
[0021]
To assemble such a stress sensor 1, the insulated linear member 15 is continuously wound around the outer periphery of the center electrode member 13 in the longitudinal direction of the center electrode member 13 by a winding machine or the like, and the insulated linear member 15 is wound around the center electrode member 13. This is performed by inserting into the elastic conductive tube 11 together.
[0022]
With such a configuration, when no stress is applied to the stress sensor 1, the center electrode member 13 (particularly, the metal wire 23) and the elastic conductive tube 11 are separated from each other by the insulating linear member 15 to be electrically insulated. It is supposed to be.
[0023]
On the other hand, when a stress equal to or more than a predetermined strength is applied to the stress sensor 1 due to the collision of the vehicle, and the internal cavity of the elastic conductive tube 11 is elastically deformed so as to be crushed, the insulating wire wound spirally is formed. Electrical contact between the elastic conductive tube 11 and the center electrode member 13 is allowed through a gap between the members 15. The stress sensor 1 detects the presence or absence of the application of stress by detecting the presence or absence of electrical conduction between the elastic conductive tube 11 and the center electrode member 13. Then, with the release of the stress application, the elastic conductive tube 11 returns to the original shape shown in FIG. 2, and the electrical contact between the elastic conductive tube 11 and the center electrode member 13 is released.
[0024]
In addition, a lead wire for extracting a signal is electrically connected to one end of the elastic conductive tube 11 and the center electrode member 13.
[0025]
Here, the thickness (the width W in the longitudinal direction of the center electrode member 13 (see FIG. 5) and the thickness in the radial direction of the center electrode member 13) of the insulated linear member 15 and the winding interval D are elastic when stress is applied. The stress intensity required for the elastic conductive tube 11 to make electrical contact with the center electrode member 13 after being deformed, that is, the sensor sensitivity is set to a desired level. For example, in the example of FIG. 5, the thickness (outer diameter) of the insulated linear member 15 is set to 0.6 mm, and the winding interval D is set to about 15 mm. The thickness (outer diameter) of No. 15 is set to 0.3 mm, and the winding interval D is set to about 5 mm.
[0026]
Such a stress sensor 1 is embedded in a guard portion for protecting a vehicle provided at an outer edge portion of the vehicle, and detects a stress received from another object during a collision.
[0027]
In the present embodiment, the stress sensor 1 is provided on a front bumper section 31 (see FIG. 6), which is a guard section, a rear bumper section 33 (see FIG. 9), and a molding section 35 provided on the left and right side surfaces of the vehicle. In the present embodiment, the molding unit 35 is divided into a front fender molding unit 35A, a front door molding unit 35B, and a rear door molding unit 35C.
[0028]
For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the front bumper portion 31 is provided at a position inside the resin bumper cover 41 where a stress can be applied from another object at the time of collision. In the illustrated example of FIG. 6, it is arranged between the absorber 43 made of urethane or the like inside the bumper cover 41 and the bumper cover 41, for example, on the front surface of the absorber 43. As another example of arrangement, the stress sensor 1 may be embedded in the bumper cover 41 as shown in FIG. 7, or may be embedded in the absorber 43 as shown in FIG. May be.
[0029]
Therefore, when the vehicle collides with another object, the stress from the other object causes the bumper cover 41 to be pressed against the inner reinforcement 45 side and deformed by the stress from the other object. Elastically deforms such that the elastic conductive tube 11 and the center electrode member 13 are electrically connected as described above, and the occurrence of a collision is detected. If the bumper cover 41 autonomously returns to its original shape when the vehicle separates from another object due to a minor collision, the stress sensor 1 Is released, the elastic conductive tube 11 returns to the original shape shown in FIG. 2, and the electrical contact between the elastic conductive tube 11 and the center electrode member 13 is eliminated.
[0030]
The arrangement of the stress sensor 1 on the rear bumper 33 is the same as the arrangement on the front bumper 31 described above, and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0031]
For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the stress sensor 1 is disposed in the resin molding members 47 constituting the molding portions 35A, 35B, and 35C. This is done by embedding. As another arrangement, for example, a clearance space may be formed between the molding member 47 and the body 49, and the stress sensor 1 may be disposed in the clearance space.
[0032]
Then, when a stress from another object is applied to each of the molding portions 35A, 35B, 35C due to the collision, the molding sensor 47 is pressed against the body 49 and deformed. It is elastically deformed so as to be crushed by the stress from the object, thereby causing electrical conduction between the elastic conductive tube 11 and the center electrode member 13 as described above, and the occurrence of collision is detected. If the collision is minor and the molding member 47 returns to its original shape autonomously when the vehicle separates from another object, the stress sensor 1 Is released, the elastic conductive tube 11 returns to the original shape shown in FIG. 3, and the electrical contact between the elastic conductive tube 11 and the center electrode member 13 is eliminated.
[0033]
The signal detection unit 3 detects a signal necessary for collision detection obtained from each of the stress sensors 1, converts the signal from analog to digital, and outputs the signal to the control unit 5. Various specific examples of the content of the signal for collision detection detected by the signal detection unit 3 can be considered. For example, the signal between the elastic conductive tube 11 and the center electrode member 13 of each stress sensor 1 is considered. A predetermined voltage is applied via a lead wire, and a circuit that opens and closes according to the presence or absence of conduction between the elastic conductive tube 11 and the center electrode member 13 is configured. The signal detector 3 may detect a change state of the voltage level at a predetermined point as a signal.
[0034]
Here, at least one of the elastic conductive tube 11 and the center electrode member 13 of each stress sensor 1 may be a resistor having a predetermined resistance value per unit length in the longitudinal direction. By doing so, the resistance value of the circuit generated through the electrical contact between the elastic conductive tube 11 and the center electrode member 13 of each stress sensor 1 when the stress is applied by the collision increases the position of the electrical contact relative to the longitudinal direction, that is, Since it changes according to the stress application position (collision position) from the object, it is possible to use this to specify a collision location with another object at the outer edge of the vehicle.
[0035]
The warning generation device 7 can output at least one of a sound and an image, and under the control of the control unit 5, outputs a warning by sound or image when a collision is detected. In the present embodiment, the warning generation device 7 includes a display device such as an LCD and a speaker.
[0036]
The control unit 5 detects the presence or absence of a collision between the vehicle and another object based on a signal provided from the signal detection unit 3, and outputs a warning via the warning generation device 7 when a collision is detected. The detection of the collision by the control unit 5 is based on the content of the signal from each of the stress sensors 1 detected by the signal detection unit 3 as described above, between the elastic conductive tube 11 and the center electrode member 13 of each of the stress sensors 1. This is performed by detecting the presence or absence of conduction. That is, when conduction between the elastic conductive tube 11 and the center electrode member 13 occurs, it is determined that a collision has occurred.
[0037]
Further, when detecting a collision via the stress sensor 1, the control unit 5 activates a safety device (for example, an airbag device, a side airbag device, or the like) 51 to activate a predetermined safety device. Is output.
[0038]
Further, when detecting a collision via the stress sensor 1, the control unit 5 outputs a brake operation signal for operating the brake to the brake driving device 53.
[0039]
With such a configuration, when a vehicle collides with another vehicle during running or collides with an obstacle (such as a wall) during parking, the guard portion (31 , 33, 35) are deformed so as to be crushed, so that the stress sensor 1 is also elastically deformed so as to be crushed, and the elastic conductive tube 11 and the center electrode member 13 are brought into contact with each other to conduct, whereby A generated signal (or a change in the signal) from the stress sensor 1 is provided to the control unit 5 via the signal detection unit 3, and the control unit 5 detects occurrence of a collision. Then, in accordance with the collision detection, a warning is output by the control unit 5 via the warning generation device 7. Simultaneously with the detection of the collision, a safety device operation signal and a brake operation signal are output from the control unit 5, and a predetermined safety device 51 such as an airbag device is operated, and the brake is operated.
[0040]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the collision is detected using the linear stress sensor 1 including the elastic conductive tube 11 and the center electrode member 13, the guard portions (31, 33) of the vehicle are used. , 35), it is not necessary to install a special device such as a light projecting unit or a light receiving unit at both ends of the stress sensor 1 as in the related art, and it is possible to reduce the stress while suppressing an increase in component installation space and a complicated structure. The sensor 1 can be provided in the guard portions (31, 33, 35).
[0041]
Further, since the elastic conductive tube 11 and the center electrode member 13 of the stress sensor 1 come into contact with each other due to the application of the stress accompanying the collision and become electrically conductive, the collision is detected. Even when a collision occurs or an offset collision occurs, the collision can be reliably detected.
[0042]
Further, since the stress sensor 1 is configured such that the insulating linear member 15 is wound around the outer peripheral portion of the center electrode member 13 and the insulating linear member 15 is interposed between the elastic conductive tube 11 and the center electrode member 13. The structure is simple, the wound insulating wire member 15 can be easily and smoothly inserted together with the center electrode member 13 into the elastic conductive tube 11 for assembling, and the manufacturing can be performed easily and at low cost. it can.
[0043]
Further, since the insulated linear member 15 is interposed between the center electrode member 13 and the elastic conductive tube 11, even if the stress sensor 1 is arranged with a large curvature, the center electrode member 13 and the elastic conductive tube The conductive portion can be properly functioned without being inadvertently contacted with the conductive portion, thereby causing erroneous detection of stress (collision).
[0044]
Further, by adjusting at least one of the thickness of the insulated linear member 15 and the winding interval D, it is necessary for the elastic conductive tube 11 to be elastically deformed at the time of applying a stress so that the elastic conductive tube 11 makes electrical contact with the center electrode member 13. The stress intensity, that is, the sensor sensitivity can be easily adjusted.
[0045]
In addition, the center electrode member 13 of the stress sensor 1 has a predetermined tensile strength and resilience to bending deformation, and has an elongated center member 21 having at least an outer peripheral portion having elasticity. Since the stress sensor 1 is configured to include the conductive metal wire 23 that is horizontally wound in a shape, the stress sensor 1 can be easily arranged in a state where the stress sensor 1 is bent and deformed in accordance with various arrangement forms. At the same time, the mechanical strength of the stress sensor 1 can be improved. For this reason, a stress sensor can be provided along the outer peripheral shape of the vehicle even in a portion having a complicated shape such as a corner portion of the bumper portions 31 and 33. A collision can be detected even when a part that cannot be seen from the sky hits a wall or the like.
[0046]
Further, since the stress sensor 1 is embedded in the guard portions (31, 33, 35), it is possible to prevent the stress sensor 1 from being exposed to an external environment and deteriorated.
[0047]
In addition, a safety device (for example, an airbag device or a side airbag device) 51 predetermined by the control unit 5 at the time of a collision can be reliably operated, and when a collision is detected by the collision detection device according to the present embodiment. Which of the safety devices 51 is activated can be easily set.
[0048]
Further, by activating the brake by the control unit 5 at the time of collision detection, the impact at the time of collision can be reduced.
[0049]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, a collision is detected using a linear stress sensor having substantially linear first and second electrode members disposed substantially parallel and opposed to each other. There is no need to install special devices such as a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit at both ends of the stress sensor provided in the guard part of the vehicle as in the past. A sensor can be provided on the guard.
[0050]
In addition, since the first and second electrode members of the stress sensor come into contact with each other and become electrically conductive due to the application of the stress accompanying the collision, the collision is detected. Even in such cases, it is possible to reliably detect a collision.
[0051]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the stress sensor has a configuration in which an insulated linear member is wound around an outer peripheral portion of the center electrode member, and the insulated linear member is interposed between the elastic tube and the center electrode member. Because of this, the structure is simple, and the wound insulated linear member can be easily and smoothly inserted into the elastic tube together with the center electrode member for assembling, thereby enabling easy and low-cost production.
[0052]
Further, since the insulating linear member is interposed between the center electrode member and the elastic tube, the center electrode member and the conductive portion of the elastic tube are inadvertently arranged even if the stress sensor is bent with a large curvature. It is possible to function properly without causing erroneous detection of stress (collision) due to contact.
[0053]
Further, by adjusting at least one of the thickness and the winding interval of the insulated linear member, the stress required for the conductive portion of the elastic tube to make electrical contact with the center electrode member due to elastic deformation at the time of applying stress. The intensity, ie the sensor sensitivity, can be easily adjusted.
[0054]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the center electrode member has predetermined tensile strength and resilience to bending deformation, and has an elongated center member having elasticity at least in the outer peripheral portion, and an outer periphery of the central member. And a conductive metal wire that is spirally wound horizontally, so that the stress sensor can be easily arranged in a state where the stress sensor is bent and deformed in accordance with various arrangements. At the same time, the mechanical strength of the stress sensor can be improved. For this reason, a stress sensor can be provided along the outer peripheral shape of the vehicle even in a portion having a complicated shape such as a corner portion of a bumper as a guard portion. Can detect a collision even if the object hits a wall or the like.
[0055]
According to the invention described in claim 4, at least one of the first electrode member and the second electrode member of the stress sensor has a predetermined resistance value per unit length in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the resistance value of the circuit generated through the electric contact portions of the two electrode members when the stress due to the collision is applied is the position of the electric contact portion with respect to the longitudinal direction, that is, the stress application position from another object (collision position). Therefore, it is possible to specify a collision location with another object at the outer edge of the vehicle by using this.
[0056]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the stress sensor is embedded in the guard portion, it is possible to prevent the stress sensor from being exposed to an external environment and deteriorated.
[0057]
According to the inventions set forth in claims 6 and 7, a predetermined safety device (for example, an airbag device or a side airbag device) can be reliably operated at the time of a collision, and a collision detection according to the present invention is achieved. Which of the safety devices is to be activated when a collision is detected by the device can be easily set.
[0058]
According to the invention described in claim 8, by operating the brake when a collision is detected, it is possible to reduce the impact at the time of the collision.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a vehicle collision detection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the stress sensor.
FIG. 3 is a side view of a center electrode member.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of a center electrode member.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state where an insulated linear member is wound around a center electrode member.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an arrangement mode of a stress sensor on a front bumper portion.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of an arrangement form of the stress sensor on a bumper portion.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing still another example of an arrangement mode of a stress sensor on a bumper portion.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an arrangement form of a stress sensor on a side surface of a vehicle.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an arrangement mode of a stress sensor on a molding unit.
[Explanation of symbols]
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 stress sensor 3 signal detection unit 5 control unit 7 warning generation device 11 elastic conductive tube 13 center electrode member 15 insulated wire member 21 center member 21a center reinforcing member 21b elastic insulating layer 23 metal wire 31 front bumper unit 33 rear bumper units 35, 35A , 35B, 35C Molding section 41 Bumper cover 43 Absorber 45 Reinforcement 47 Molding member 51 Safety device 53 Brake drive device

Claims (8)

A stress sensor provided on a vehicle protection card portion provided on a vehicle outer edge portion and detecting a stress received from another object at the time of collision;
An output unit;
A control unit that detects a collision with the other object via the stress sensor and outputs a warning via the output unit.
With
The stress sensor,
It has a linear form having substantially linear first and second electrode members disposed substantially parallel and opposed to each other. , A vehicle collision detection device. The vehicle collision detection device according to claim 1,
The stress sensor,
An elastic tube that is provided as the first electrode member, is formed of an elastic material, and has a conductive portion having elasticity in at least a part of a section in a circumferential direction;
A central electrode member that is provided as the second electrode member, has an elongated shape that is bendable in one direction, is provided in the elastic tube, and has at least an outer peripheral portion having conductivity.
At least the outer peripheral portion is an elongated shape having insulating properties, an insulating linear member spirally wound around the center electrode member at a predetermined winding interval,
A vehicle collision detection device comprising: The vehicle collision detection device according to claim 2,
The center electrode member,
Elongated central member having predetermined tensile strength and resilience to bending deformation, at least the outer periphery of which has elasticity,
A conductive metal wire spirally wound horizontally around the outer periphery of the central member,
A vehicle collision detection device comprising: The vehicle collision detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A vehicle collision detecting device, wherein at least one of the first electrode member and the second electrode member of the stress sensor is a resistor having a predetermined resistance value per unit length in a longitudinal direction thereof. The vehicle collision detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The vehicle collision detection device, wherein the stress sensor is embedded in the guard portion. The vehicle collision detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The control unit further includes:
A vehicle collision detection device that detects a collision with the other object via the stress sensor and outputs a safety device operation signal for operating a predetermined safety device. The vehicle collision detection device according to claim 6,
A vehicle collision detection device including at least an airbag device as the safety device. The vehicle collision detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The control unit further includes:
A vehicle collision detection device that detects a collision with the other object via the stress sensor and outputs a brake operation signal for operating a brake.

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