JP2005297589A - Load discriminating method and load discriminating apparatus for vehicle seat - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize the object of preventing frequent switching of discrimination results while improving discrimination accuracy itself and without complicating the configuration.
Based on load information from a load sensor (# 1 to # 4), a load load on a seat is calculated and measured, and the load load is compared with a predetermined threshold value to thereby detect the load on the seat. The information processing means 18 having a function of appropriately discriminating and selecting a load zone to which the load load belongs performs a predetermined smoothing process on a plurality of predetermined load information sequentially detected by the load sensor. Based on the data, the function of calculating and estimating the load load at that time, which is compared with the threshold value, and the specific gravity information collected by this smoothing process, the gravity center position for each load information It further has a function of calculating and estimating.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle seat load discriminating method and load discriminating apparatus for appropriately discriminating and selecting a load zone to which the load load belongs by comparing the load applied on the seat with a predetermined threshold. .

  An airbag, which is an occupant protection device for a vehicle, is generally configured to be instantly deployed (inflated) to a certain deployed shape (maximum inflated shape) when an impact exceeding a specific level is detected. While it is possible to ensure sufficient safety performance if operated, there are indications such as the uselessness of deployment when not sitting and the harm when the seated person is a child, so in recent years the presence or absence of sitting and the load Detecting the magnitude of the load, etc., and switching the expansion / non-expansion appropriately.

  In general, the load applied on the seat is measured based on a detection value (load information) detected by a load detection means such as a seating sensor. Then, comparing the load load with a predetermined threshold value and switching the airbag deployment / non-deployment when the load load exceeds the threshold value in either the large or small direction is adopted as a general control method. Yes.

  In general, the non-deployment of the airbag is selected when the load is not seated, that is, when it is determined as an empty seat or when the child is seated, The airbag is permitted to be deployed when the load is determined to be an adult seating.

  By the way, it is natural that the load on the seat fluctuates due to the seating / leaving of the occupant and the change of the occupant. For example, when the load is a value that stays in the vicinity of the threshold, the threshold may be frequently and periodically transferred.

  In particular, frequent traffic of the load load with respect to the threshold value for distinguishing between adults and children causes frequent switching of the discrimination result, that is, the control of airbag deployment / non-deployment, which causes malfunction of the switching control. In the case where there is a display means such as an indicator for indicating the state, there is a possibility that anxiety or discomfort may be given to an occupant, particularly a seated person, by frequently switching the display.

  Therefore, as a configuration for suppressing frequent switching of the determination result, for example, the load zone of the detected value (load load) is determined and selected based on the magnitude relationship with one of the two threshold values. The configuration disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-74541 in which the first load zone is continuously maintained until the subsequent detection value exceeds another threshold value, and the detection when the magnitude relationship with respect to the threshold value is switched. A configuration disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-240613 is known in which a change amount of a value is detected and switching of the determination result is prohibited when the change amount is smaller than a predetermined amount.

  Since both of these configurations are embodied as switching of the determination when a specific condition is satisfied, a general comparison in which the determination is switched based on a simple comparison with a predetermined threshold value. Compared to the configuration, the frequent switching of the determination result can surely be suppressed.

  However, since the instantaneous detection value when traveling on a rough road or the like tends to have a large fluctuation range, this large load fluctuation exceeds the other threshold in the former configuration, and this large amount in the latter configuration. Naturally, it can also occur that a large load fluctuation exceeds a predetermined fluctuation amount. In other words, even if such a known configuration can be expected to have an effect on fine load fluctuations, the expectation of the effect will not be reduced under the circumstances where a large load fluctuation is generated instantaneously. It is considered inevitable.

  Also, not only when the vehicle is traveling, but also when the upper body of the seated person tilts when starting, stopping, cornering, etc., the load load detected by the load detecting means varies each time. . Even in this case, if the measured load exceeds a predetermined threshold or fluctuation range, the determination result is changed in the above-described known configuration. It is hard to say that it is highly reliable.

  Here, for example, there is a configuration disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-297334 in which acceleration of a vehicle body is detected by an acceleration sensor and correction corresponding to the acceleration is performed on a load. By combining this configuration with the known technology, it is possible to suppress discrimination switching caused by load fluctuations due to acceleration. However, since this acceleration sensor can detect vibrations due to road surface conditions and impacts such as collisions, correction for such large fluctuations is likely to be difficult, and the combination of the acceleration sensors itself is likely to be expensive. Therefore, it is difficult to say that this combination is also preferable.

  In addition, the measured load may vary greatly depending on the seating posture, and if the load fluctuations are caused by the seating posture, the load load may be kept unchanged for a long time. Can happen. For example, the load fluctuation in a state where the seat back is greatly tilted backward, sitting on the front end of the seat and having a large specific gravity on the foot, or leaning on an armrest on the inner surface of the door, etc. Even if the load is a load that can be identified as an adult seating, depending on the seating posture, there may be cases where the airbag is harmed by the deployment of the airbag or the airbag is unusable.

  Therefore, as a means for suppressing the switching of the determination result due to the load fluctuation caused by such a seating posture, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-257620 that performs load determination only when the seating posture is a normal seating posture. The disclosed configuration is known.

With such a configuration, since it is possible to regulate the deployment of the airbag when seated on the front or back of the seat, unnecessary deployment of the airbag, harm to the airbag, etc. are sufficient To be suppressed. However, since this known configuration is intended to roughly estimate the seating posture by comparing the front load sensor and the rear load sensor, it sufficiently responds to the load movement in the lateral direction of the seat. It is hard to say what you can do.
JP 2001-74541 A JP 2002-240613 A JP-A-10-297334 JP 2002-257620 A

  The problem to be solved is that it is considered that suppression of frequent switching of discrimination results is not sufficient in the known configuration, and that the discrimination accuracy itself can be further improved by adopting another method. Is a point.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a load determination method for a vehicle seat, wherein a predetermined smoothing process is performed on a plurality of predetermined pieces of load information sequentially detected by a load detection unit, and a threshold value is determined based on the smoothed data. The load load at that time is calculated, estimated, compared with a threshold value, and when the load load is roughly determined to be at least a child's seating, a plurality of specific samples taken after that Based on the load information, the center of gravity position for each load information is calculated and estimated, and the ease of movement based on the amount of movement of the center of gravity for each specific plurality is calculated in the seat front-rear direction and the seat left-right direction, When it is determined that this easy movement is greater than the reference upper limit value based on a comparison with a specific reference value, a series of methods for avoiding determination and selection of the load zone at the load load at this time, The most It has been a major feature.

  Further, claim 2 of the present invention calculates a center point of the variation distribution from a plurality of specific center of gravity positions, and specifies a seating surface area to which the center point belongs from a group of seating surface areas defined in advance. If the distribution of the center of gravity is regarded as a corresponding ellipse and this ellipse is not included within the specified range within the specified seating area, the load zone at the load load at this time The main feature is to avoid discrimination and selection.

  Further, according to claim 3 of the present invention, it is determined that a predetermined range including a type threshold value that distinguishes a child load zone and an adult load zone is specified as a specific load zone, and the load load belongs to the specific load zone. When it is determined that the specified seating area is within the specified seating area group, the type threshold is temporarily raised to a specified value near the adult load zone in the specified load zone. This is the main feature.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the presence or absence of the seat belt is detected, the load load belongs to the specific load zone, and the specified seat surface area is the seat front end area in the specified seat surface area group. When it is determined that the seat is seated, the most important feature is to determine whether the seat is a child seat or an adult seat according to the presence or absence of the seat belt.

  In the vehicle seat load discriminating apparatus according to claim 5, the load load on the seat is calculated and measured based on the load information from the load detecting means, and the load load is compared with a predetermined threshold value. As a result, the information processing means having the function of appropriately determining and selecting the load zone to which the load load on the seat belongs is subjected to a predetermined smoothing process on the predetermined plurality of load information sequentially detected by the load detection means. Based on the smoothed data, the function for calculating and estimating the load load at that time, which is compared with the threshold value, and each load information based on a plurality of specific load information collected by the smoothing process. The function of calculating and estimating the center of gravity position of each is further included, and when it is roughly determined that the load applied by the smoothing process is at least as large as the seating of the child, The movement based on the center of gravity position based on the specific plurality of load information and the amount of movement of the center of gravity position for each specific plurality is calculated in the seat front-rear direction and the seat left-right direction. The main feature is to avoid the determination and selection of the load zone based on the load when it is determined that the value is larger than the reference upper limit value.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the information processing means calculates the center point of the variation distribution from a plurality of specific center of gravity positions, and the seat surface area to which the center point belongs is defined as a seat surface area defined in advance. When the function to identify from the group and the function of grasping the variation distribution of the center of gravity position as a corresponding large ellipse, and the ellipse is not included in the identified seating area more than a predetermined range, The main feature is to avoid discrimination and selection of the load zone with the load at this time.

  Further, according to claim 7 of the present invention, the information processing means sets the type threshold value for distinguishing the child load zone and the adult load zone as a predetermined range including the type threshold value, and is closer to the adult load zone. The main feature is that it further has a function of temporarily raising it to a specific value.

  The most important feature of claim 8 of the present invention is that it further comprises belt detecting means for detecting whether or not the seat belt is worn.

  Further, claim 9 of the present invention is characterized in that the load detecting means is a combination of load sensors arranged at four positions apart from each other on the plane.

  In the vehicle seat load determination method according to the first aspect of the present invention, since the load load is calculated and estimated based on the load information subjected to the smoothing process, the instantaneous load caused by the vibration of the vehicle or the like. It is sufficiently suppressed that a large load variation appears as it is in the load load, and thus in the load determination result. In addition, since the load discrimination is determined according to the calculated and estimated movement amount of the center of gravity position, it is possible to prevent the load fluctuation caused by the trunk movement from appearing in the load discrimination result.

  In other words, according to the load determination method of claim 1, instantaneous load fluctuations caused by vehicle vibrations that could not be excluded in the past, and load fluctuations due to the movement of the trunk of the seated person are directly included in the determination results. Therefore, there is an advantage that frequent switching of the determination result can be realized with high reliability.

  Further, in claim 2 of the present invention, when the variation distribution of the center of gravity is regarded as a corresponding large ellipse, and this ellipse is not included in the specified seating surface area over a predetermined range, Since determination and selection of the load zone by the load load are avoided, there are advantages that a stable determination result and stable switching can be easily performed.

  Furthermore, in claim 3 of the present invention, a predetermined range including a type threshold value for distinguishing a child load zone and an adult load zone is defined in advance as a specific load zone, and it is determined that the load load belongs to the specific load zone. And when it is determined that the specified seating area is within the specified seating area group, the type threshold is temporarily raised to a specific value in the specific load zone and closer to the adult load zone. Therefore, the irregular sitting posture of the adult seated person can be estimated by this, and there is an advantage that the safety at the time of sitting of the adult is further improved.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, whether or not a seat belt is attached is detected, the load load belongs to the specific load zone, and the specified seat surface area is the front end of the seat in the specified seat surface area group. When it is determined that the vehicle is in the seat area, it is determined whether the seat is a child seat or an adult seat according to whether or not the seat belt is worn. There is an advantage that it is improved.

  In the fifth aspect of the present invention, the information processing means performs a predetermined smoothing process on the predetermined plurality of load information sequentially detected by the load detection means, and based on the smoothed data, the threshold value and A function for calculating and estimating the load load at that time to be compared, and a function for calculating and estimating the position of the center of gravity for each load information based on a plurality of specific load information collected by the smoothing process. Under this function, in order to prevent momentary load fluctuations due to vehicle vibration etc. and load fluctuations due to movement of the trunk of the seated person to directly affect the discrimination result, There is an advantage that measures can be taken without complicating the configuration.

  Further, in claim 6 of the present invention, the information processing means calculates the center point coordinates of the variation distribution from a plurality of specific gravity center positions, and the seating surface area to which the center point coordinates belong is defined in advance. It further has a function of identifying from the seating area group and a function of capturing the variation distribution of the center of gravity position as a corresponding large ellipse, and this ellipse is included in the identified seating area more than a predetermined range. If this is not the case, the determination and selection of the load zone with the load applied at this time is avoided, so stable determination results and stable switching can be easily performed without complicating the overall configuration. There is an advantage of becoming.

  Furthermore, in claim 7 of the present invention, the information processing means further has a function of tentatively raising the type threshold value to a specific value near the adult load zone in the specific load zone. There is an advantage that an irregular sitting posture of an adult seated person can be estimated without complicating the configuration.

  Further, according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, since the belt detecting means for detecting the presence / absence of the seat belt is further provided, the seating posture can be estimated according to the presence / absence of the seat belt. There is.

  According to claim 9 of the present invention, since the load detecting means is a combination of load sensors arranged at four positions apart from each other on the plane, it is possible to easily estimate the position of the center of gravity without complicating the configuration. There is an advantage that becomes possible.

  The purpose of preventing frequent switching of discrimination results can be achieved without increasing the accuracy of discrimination and without complicating the configuration.

  As can be seen from the schematic block diagram shown in FIG. 1 and the schematic configuration diagram shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle seat load discriminating apparatus 10 of the present invention detects the load applied on the seat 12 and detects the load. A load detection unit 14 that outputs a value as load information and an information processing unit 18 that appropriately processes the load information from the load detection unit are provided. The load discriminating apparatus 10 is configured to control the deployment of the airbag 20 based on the load discrimination performed by the information processing means 18.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the airbag 20 that is folded small in its contracted state is usually a front arrangement member of the seat 12 as an airbag unit 24 that is a combination with the gas generation / ignition means 22, for example, the front of the passenger seat. Is installed in the instrument panel 26. Then, under the operation of the gas generation / ignition means 22 by the output signal from the SRS unit 28 having an impact sensor (not shown), the airbag 20 can be inflated and deployed from the instrument panel 26 to the outside. (Refer to the one-dot chain line in FIG. 2).

  The configuration of this type of airbag is well known, and the airbag itself is not the gist of the present invention. Therefore, detailed description of the airbag 20 is omitted here.

  Here, in this embodiment, the load detecting means 14 is embodied as a combination of load sensors (# 1 to # 4) arranged at four spaced apart positions on the front, rear, left and right sides of the seat 12 as shown in FIG. ing. A combination of the strain generating member 30 and a strain gauge 32 as shown in FIG. 4 can be exemplified as the load sensor 14 (# 1 to # 4) (load detection means).

  For example, the strain generating member 30 made of a strainable material having a restoring force such as spring steel is fixed to the lower surface of the lower rail 35 of the seat side member, for example, the seat slide device 34 by fixing the one end 30a thereof with the caulking pin 33. In addition, the seat 12 can be elastically supported with respect to the floor body 39 under the support of the other end 30b by the support shaft 37 in the floor body side member, for example, the fixed base member 36. (See FIG. 2).

  Then, as shown in FIG. 4, a strain gauge 32, for example, a resistance wire gauge, can detect the amount of distortion of the strain generating member 30 at a part, for example, the easily strained portion 30c, which is a thin portion. It arrange | positions by the sticking etc. in the easily distorted part.

  According to the load sensor 14 (# 1 to # 4) having this configuration, the strain generating member 30 is distorted in the easily strainable portion 30c by an amount corresponding to the load applied on the sheet 12. Then, the strain gauge 32 outputs a signal corresponding to the amount of distortion as a detection value, so that the load received by the strain generating member 30 can be detected for each load sensor.

  The basic structure of the load sensor 14 (# 1 to # 4), which is a combination of the strain generating member 30 and the strain gauge 32, is known as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-166768, and the basics thereof. Since the configuration itself is not the gist of the present invention, a detailed description of the basic configuration is omitted here.

  This load sensor 14 (# 1 to # 4), more specifically, each strain gauge 32, is connected to the information processing means 18 as shown in FIGS.

  As can be seen from FIG. 1, the information processing means 18 is a kind of so-called ECU (electronic control unit) having a central CPU 38, and the detected value detected by the strain gauge 32 is applied to the load sensor 14 ( This information processing means is configured to monitor and process the load information from # 1 to # 4).

  A reference numeral 40 shown in FIG. 1 incorporated in the information processing means 18 is a drive unit including an internal power source for controlling the operation of the strain gauge 32 of the load sensor 14 (# 1 to # 4).

  The load sensors 14 (# 1 to # 4) are connected to the CPU 38 of the information processing means (ECU) 18 via, for example, the channel switching means 42, and the switching control for the channel switching means is performed. This is performed in the channel control unit 44 of the CPU. The detected values from the load sensors 14 (# 1 to # 4) selectively taken out under the switching control by the channel control unit 44 are appropriately input in the order of input in the load information processing unit 46 of the CPU. It is processed.

  The selective switching of input signals from the load sensors 14 (# 1 to # 4) by the channel switching means 42 is repeatedly performed with a predetermined circulation order.

  Each detected value from the load sensor 14 (# 1 to # 4) is converted into a corresponding individual load value under a predetermined calculation in the load information processing unit 46 of the CPU. Each individual load value for each load sensor 14 (# 1 to # 4) is recognized by the load information processing unit 46 as load information at each corresponding part detected by each load sensor.

  Here, in such a configuration in which the load sensors 14 (# 1 to # 4) are arranged at four positions apart from each other in the front, rear, left, and right planes, the load sensor 14 (# 1 to # 4) is normally applied to the seat 12 as a sum of individual load values by the load sensors. In the present invention, the load load is calculated and measured as a sum total based on individual load values (smoothed data) smoothed under a predetermined smoothing method.

  As this smoothing method, for example, an exponential smoothing method that is used as a smoothing method for stock price fluctuations can be used.

  In addition, since the smoothing process itself by this exponential smoothing method is only a well-known method, the outline will be touched in the below-mentioned flowchart, and detailed description here is abbreviate | omitted.

  The smoothing process of the individual load value for each load sensor 14 (# 1 to # 4) is performed in the load information processing unit 46 of the ECU 18 (CPU 38), for example. The load load thus obtained is sent from the load information processing unit 46 to the discrimination processing unit 50 as shown in FIG. 1, and the discrimination processing unit performs the discrimination processing.

  The discrimination process here is normally performed based on a comparison between the load obtained by various processes and a predetermined threshold value.

  As can be seen from FIG. 5, in this embodiment, the vacant seat threshold value Tha that becomes the boundary for the presence / absence of sitting and the type threshold value Thd that becomes the boundary between the child seating and the adult seating are The vacant seat zone for discriminating the vacant seat state, the child load zone for discriminating the seating of the child, and the adult load zone for discriminating the seating of the adult are respectively set as thresholds for roughly classifying and defining.

  Then, the discrimination processing unit 50 of the CPU shown in FIG. 1 discriminates and selects which load zone at that time belongs to which of the load zones shown in FIG. 5 based on comparison with each threshold value. A determination signal corresponding to the determination result is output to, for example, a communication line 52 that forms part of the ECU 18, and the operation of the display means 54 and the SRS unit 28 is controlled based on a control signal from the communication line. It is comprised as a thing (refer FIG. 1 and FIG. 2).

  The SRS unit 28 is a control unit that controls the operation of the airbag 20, and examples of the display means 54 include various indicators that can be turned on or a display that can display a message.

  As can be seen from FIG. 5, in this load determination device 10, the vacant seat zone and the child load zone are used as airbag deployment disapproval zones where the airbag 20 is not deployed, and the adult load zone is deployed. Each is defined as an airbag deployment permission zone. Further, in this embodiment, only when the load zone of the load is determined and selected as a child load zone, warning display by the display means 54 is performed (warning display ON).

  By the way, the load discriminating apparatus 10 of the present invention is based on the smoothing process as described above for the purpose of suppressing frequent switching of discrimination results between the child load zone and the adult load zone. Load information processing is performed. However, it is considered that the cause of the load fluctuation is not only due to the vibration of the vehicle, but also due to a change in the trunk of the seated person. Then, it is considered that such load fluctuations due to trunk changes including fluctuations at very low frequency components cannot be sufficiently eliminated only by load information smoothing processing.

  Therefore, in the present invention, in order to eliminate such fluctuations that cannot be excluded, in addition to direct load determination based on load load, the amount of movement of the trunk is also used as a determination material for load determination. Yes.

  In the present invention, the load load calculated and measured under the smoothing method is compared with the above threshold values, and this load load is at least the seating of the child, that is, the vacant seat threshold Tha of FIG. Is roughly calculated and estimated based on the plurality of specific load information collected thereafter, and the center of gravity position for each specific plurality is calculated based on the center of gravity position. The amount of movement is calculated in each of the seat front-rear direction and the seat left-right direction.

  One embodiment of the load determination method executed in the load determination apparatus 10 having the above configuration including these series of operations in the present invention will be described below with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  In the load determination method of the present invention, first, a load information processing step of detecting and calculating a load on the seat 12 is executed.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in this load determination method, for example, after the initialization accompanying the generation of the operation start command (Start) by turning on the ignition switch, that is, the initialization of the CPU 38 (102), first, the data collection count A reset value “0” is given to each of the numbers j, m, and n as an initial value, and the load data measurement data number N0, for example, “8” is also used as the detection information calculation data number J0. For example, “10” is given as their initial values (104). Then, the coefficients ρ and A used in the smoothing process for the individual load values detected and measured by the load sensors 14 (# 1 to # 4) are respectively calculated by the predetermined formulas (106).

  Next, it is first determined whether the data collection here is for load load measurement or detection information calculation (108). Here, depending on whether or not the data collection count number n satisfies the relationship of “n = N0 + 2”, that is, whether or not the data collection count number n exceeds “8” that is the number of collected data for load measurement. Any one of them is embodied, and if it is an initial time when “0” is inputted in step (104), it is naturally judged as No in this step (108).

  Next, after adding “1” to the data collection count number n (n + 1) (110), the load information of the “n + 1” -th round is detected and collected (112).

  As can be seen from this step (112) and the layout of the load sensors 14 (# 1 to # 4) shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the detection order by the load sensors is # 1 → # 4 → #. A so-called diagonal method is used in the order of 3 → # 2. By using such a diagonal method that takes a priority in the diagonal direction, it is possible to instantly capture changes in the trunk during the tour, so such a diagonal method. According to this, it is possible to reliably prevent the load change from being missed.

  In this step (112), the individual load values (wt1n, wt4n, wt3n, wt2n) for the respective load sensors are determined from the detected values εi (ε1 to ε4) detected by the load sensors 14 (# 1 to # 4). Each individual load value is detected and stored each time.

It should be noted that the expression Wtin = Ki (εi−ε0i) expressed in this step (112)
I represents a load sensor #i, K represents a sensor calibration coefficient, ε represents a detection value, and ε0 represents a tare detection distortion amount.

  After detection and calculation of individual load values (wt1n, wt4n, wt3n, wt2n) for one cycle, next, whether data collection here is for load load measurement or detection information calculation Then, it is confirmed again based on the determination of whether or not “n = N0 + 2” (114), and if “No” is determined here, whether or not “n = N0 + 1” is next, that is, the number of data collection is specified. It is determined whether the number has been reached (116).

  Here, it is determined No until the data collection count number n reaches “N0 + 1”, that is, “9”, and by this determination, a loop from step (110), that is, a data collection loop is formed. Become.

  Under the addition in step (110), when the data collection for nine cycles after the data collection count number n is counted up to “9” is completed, it is determined Yes in step (116). Then, the average value of the data for the previous eight cycles of the individual load values (wt1n, wt2n, wt3n, wt4n) for each load sensor 14 (# 1 to # 4) collected under the data collection loop is obtained as the load. Each sensor is calculated, and is recognized for each load sensor as a predicted value wtnE (k−1) immediately before the k time point which is the data sampling time point (118). As shown in FIG. 7, the predicted value wtnE (k−1), the individual load values (wt1n, wt2n, wt3n, wt4n) for the load sensors 14 (# 1 to # 4) in the ninth round, Using the coefficients ρ and A calculated in step (106) of step 6, the individual load values for each load sensor are smoothed (120).

  The smoothing processing of the individual load values is performed under the calculation based on the predetermined mathematical expression described in step (120), and each of the smoothed data is represented as wtEk (wt1Ek to wt4Ek) as load sensor 14 (# 1 to # 4) are recognized.

  Then, by calculating the sum of the individual load values (smoothed data: wt1Ek, wt2Ek, wt3Ek, wt4Ek) for each of the load sensors 14 (# 1 to # 4) subjected to the smoothing process, this acts on the sheet 12. Recognized as an applied load WT (122).

  The steps so far are the load information processing step with the smoothing process of the load load WT applied on the seat 12, and the following detection information calculation is performed based on the load load WT calculated in the load information processing step. A process or a load determination process is executed.

  The measured load WT is first compared with the vacant seat threshold value Tha (see FIG. 5) after adding “1” to the data collection count number m (m + 1) (124) (126). For example, if the seat 12 is in a vacant seat state and the load WT at that time does not satisfy the vacant seat threshold value Tha, it is determined No in this step (126), and then shown in FIGS. The process proceeds to a load determination step in this load determination method.

  As can be seen from FIG. 8, in this load determination step, first, whether or not the load load WT satisfies the relationship of “Thb ≦ WT ≦ Thf”, that is, the load load WT is a specific load zone (FIG. 5), it is determined (202).

  If the load WT here is a vacant seat (WT <Tha), it is judged No in this step (202), and then this load load WT is “Thf <WT” (see FIG. 5). ) Is satisfied (204), and if it is determined NO here, it is then determined whether or not the load WT satisfies the relationship of “WT <Tha” (see FIG. 5). (206). If it is determined Yes in this step (206), “1”, which is an established signal, is set to the vacant seat determination flag fe, and “0”, which is a non-established signal, to the child determination flag fc and the adult determination flag fa Each is input as a determination result of the load WT that has passed through the above steps (208).

  As can be seen from FIGS. 9 and 10, next, it is sequentially determined which of the vacant seat determination flag fe, the child determination flag fc and the adult determination flag fa is established (210) (212) (214). If it is determined Yes in step (210) of FIG. 10 by the establishment (1) of the vacant seat determination flag fe in step (208) of FIG. 8, the airbag deployment flag fb is “0” which is a deployment non-permission signal. And “0”, which is an OFF signal, is input to the warning display flag ft (216), and communication control based on the flags is appropriately performed (see FIG. 5) (218). After the control, the vacant seat determination flag fe, the child determination flag fc, and the adult determination flag fa are all reset (= 0) (220).

  As indicated by “Return” in FIG. 6, after resetting each flag in step (220) in FIG. 10, the process returns to step (104) in FIG. 6 to perform the load information processing as described above. It is repeatedly executed from the process.

  The above is an example in the case of a vacant seat, but when a load applied by seating acts on the seat 12, the control is changed as follows.

  Regardless of the magnitude of the load load, the load load acting on the seat 12 is detected and calculated in the load information processing step in step (104) in FIG. 6 to step (122) in FIG. Therefore, the work flow in this load information processing step will be omitted below.

  For example, when the user sits on the seat 12 and the load WT exceeds the vacant seat threshold Tha (see FIG. 5), it is determined Yes in step (126) of FIG. 7, and the operation proceeds to the detection information calculation step. Is migrated.

  In this detection information calculation step, “N0 + 2” is first input to the data collection count number n, and “1” is added (j + 1) to the data collection count number j (128). Then, after recognizing the load WT calculated in the load information processing step as “WTj”, that is, the first portion as “WT1” (130), whether or not the data collection count number j has reached the value of J0, that is, It is determined whether or not “j = J0” (132).

  As can be seen from step (104) in FIG. 6, in this embodiment, it is assumed that “J0 = 10”. Therefore, in step (132) in FIG. 7, the addition in step (128) is also performed. Thus, it is determined No until “j = 10”. And if it is judged No in this step (132), it will return to step (108) of FIG. 6, and the load information processing process from this step (108) will be performed.

  At the time of detection and measurement of the load WT for detection information calculation, that is, WTj in the detection information calculation step after the determination of Yes in step (126) of FIG. 7, the data collection count in step (128). Since “N0 + 2” is input as n, in this case, “Yes” is determined in this step (108), and the operation is shifted to step (112). In this step (112), the individual load values (wt1n, wt4n, wt3n, wt2n) of the load sensors 14 (# 1 to # 4) are sequentially measured and recognized, and then the step (114) similar to step (108) is performed. ), Each individual load value (wt1n, wt4n, wt3n, wt2n) is replaced with wtiE (k-1) (134), and wtiE (k-1) by this substitution. In step (120) in FIG. 7, the individual load value is smoothed at this time.

  Then, as the sum of the individual load values (wt1n, wt4n, wt3n, wt2n) for each of the smoothed load sensors 14 (# 1 to # 4), the load load WTj at this time is calculated in step (122). Is done.

  After calculating the load WTj, “1” is added to the data collection count number m (m + 1) (124), and it is determined again whether or not “WT ≧ Tha” (126). If it is determined, the measurement loop of the load WTj for calculation of detection information in this detection information calculation step is executed until it is determined Yes in step (132).

  When such repeated measurement of the load WTj is repeated until “j = J0”, that is, until the data of 10 load loads WTj are collected, the determination in step (132) is Yes. Then, it is confirmed whether or not the data collection count number m has reached the same number as “J0”, that is, whether or not J0 (10) load loads WTj have been continuously collected (136). If it is determined as Yes, each detection information is calculated and specified sequentially in the non-load information processing routine (138).

  If it is determined NO in step (136) by negating "m = J0", after inputting the reset value "0" to the data collection count numbers j and m (140), FIG. The load information processing step from step (108) shown in FIG.

  Here, in this embodiment, since a technique of capturing the position of the center of gravity of the load load on the coordinates is adopted, as can be seen from FIG. 11, in this non-load information processing routine, first, the collected load Calculation of the center-of-gravity position coordinates CG / P (xj, yj) of each of the 10 loads TWj, calculation of the variation amount (σx, σy) of the 10 CG / Ps, and center point coordinates O (xo, yo) of the variation Are respectively calculated (302).

  When the center-of-gravity position coordinates CG / P (xj, yj) of the load TWj are viewed on the coordinates as shown in FIG. 14, for example, the center-of-gravity position coordinates CG / P (xj, yj) of the ten load TWj are , Are positioned on the coordinates as having variations. Therefore, in the present invention, the standard deviation (σx, σy) in each of the x direction and the y direction is calculated as the variation amount of the ten centroid position coordinates CG / P (xj, yj), and this variation is calculated. As a quantity, the average value (xo, yo) in the x direction and y direction is calculated as the likelihood value of the ten centroid position coordinates CG / P (xj, yj), and this is the center point of the variation. It is assumed that the coordinates are O.

  The center point coordinates O (xo, yo) of the barycentric position coordinates CG / P (xj, yj) are calculated by, for example, the following formula 1.

  It should be noted that the calculation method of the center-of-gravity position coordinates CG / P (xj, yj) is not the gist of the present invention, and the limitation of the method is not necessary here. This is omitted here.

  Next, first, the seating surface area of the collection of the ten centroid position coordinates CG / P (xj, yj), that is, the center point coordinates O (xo, yo) of the centroid position coordinate group CG / G is specified. (See FIG. 15). This specification of the seating surface area specifies which of the seating surface area groups the central point coordinates O (xo, yo) calculated in step (302) of FIG. 11 belong to in FIG. Here, first, the relationship of the X axis coordinate xo of the center point coordinate O is “La1 ≦ xo <La2”, “La2 ≦ xo <La3”, “La3 ≦ xo ≦ La4” (see FIG. 3). It is sequentially determined whether or not the conditions satisfy (304) (306) (308).

  For example, if the X-axis coordinate xo of the center point coordinate O shown in FIG. 15 satisfies the relationship “La1 ≦ xo <La2” in FIG. The Y-axis coordinate yo of the center point coordinate O at that time satisfies any of the relations “Lb2 <yo <Lb5”, “Lb5 ≦ yo ≦ Lb6”, and “Lb6 <yo <Lb9” (see FIG. 3). It is sequentially judged whether there is (310) (312) (314).

  At this time, for example, if the Y-axis coordinate yo of the center point coordinate O shown in FIG. 15 satisfies the relationship of “Lb2 <yo <Lb5” on FIG. 3, it is determined Yes in step (310) of FIG. Then, “3” is input to the seat surface area code a indicating the seat surface area, and “1” is input to the seat surface area code b (316) (see FIG. 3). After specifying the seating area codes a and b, “2” is input to the Y-axis code r, “5” is input to the Y-axis code s (318), and “1” is input to the X-axis code p. "2" is input to the X-axis code q (320) (see FIG. 3 and FIG. 15), and the center point coordinates O (xo, yo) in this case from the seating surface area group. The specification of the seating area is finished.

  Further, the X-axis coordinate xo (see FIG. 15) of the center point coordinate O satisfies the relationship “La1 ≦ xo <La2”, and the Y-axis coordinate yo of the center point coordinate O satisfies the relationship “Lb5 ≦ yo ≦ Lb6”. Assuming that it is satisfied, Yes is determined in Step (304) in FIG. 11 and No is determined in Step (310), and “3” is set in the seating area code a based on the determination of Yes in Step (312). "," And "2" are respectively input to the seating area code b (322). After specifying the seating area codes a and b, “5” is input to the Y-axis code r and “6” is input to the Y-axis code s (324), and in step (320) the X-axis code By specifying “1” for p and “2” for the X-axis code q (see FIGS. 3 and 15), the seating area of the center point coordinate O (xo, yo) in this case can be specified. Conversion is terminated.

  Further, the X-axis coordinate xo (see FIG. 15) of the center point coordinate O satisfies the relationship “La1 ≦ xo <La2”, and the Y-axis coordinate yo of the center point coordinate O satisfies the relationship “Lb6 <yo <Lb9”. Assuming that the conditions are satisfied, Yes in step (304) in FIG. 11, No in step (310), No in step (312), and No in step (312). "3" is input to the surface area code a, and "3" is input to the seating surface area code b (326). After specifying the seating area codes a and b, “6” is input to the Y-axis code r and “9” is input to the Y-axis code s (328), and the X-axis code is input in step (320). By specifying “1” for p and “2” for the X-axis code q (see FIGS. 3 and 15), the seating area of the center point coordinate O (xo, yo) in this case can be specified. Conversion is terminated.

  If it is also determined No in step (314) of FIG. 11, the coordinate yo of the center point coordinate O is considered to be at an unspecified position, and as shown in FIG. “0” is input (reset) to each of q and Y-axis codes r and s (330), and “0” is input (reset) to the seating surface area codes a and b (332). As shown in FIG. 13, after “0” is input (reset) to easy movement codes c and d, which will be described later (334), the process is returned to the re-execution from step (104) in FIG. 6.

  Further, when it is assumed that the X-axis coordinate xo of the center point coordinate O shown in FIG. 15 is in a position satisfying the relationship of “La2 ≦ xo <La3” shown in FIG. 3, step (304) in FIG. It is determined No, and it is determined Yes in the subsequent step (306). Then, it is sequentially determined whether the Y-axis coordinate yo of the center point coordinate O satisfies “Lb1 <yo <Lb4”, “Lb4 ≦ yo ≦ Lb7”, or “Lb7 <yo <Lb10”. (336) (338) (340).

  For example, when the Y-axis coordinate yo (see FIG. 15) of the center point coordinate O at this time satisfies the relationship of “Lb1 <yo <Lb4” in FIG. 3, it is determined Yes in step (336) of FIG. Then, “2” is input to the seat surface area code a indicating the seat surface area, and “1” is input to the seat surface area code b (342) (see FIG. 3). After specifying the seating area codes a and b, “1” is input to the Y-axis code r, “4” is input to the Y-axis code s (344), and “2” is input to the X-axis code p. ”And“ 3 ”are input to the X-axis code q (346) (see FIGS. 3 and 15), and the center point coordinates O (xo, yo) in this case from the seating surface area group. The specification of the seating area is finished.

  Further, the X-axis coordinate xo (see FIG. 15) of the center point coordinate O satisfies the relationship “La2 ≦ xo <La3”, and the Y-axis coordinate yo of the center point coordinate O satisfies the relationship “Lb4 ≦ yo ≦ Lb7”. Assuming that the conditions are satisfied, No in step (304) in FIG. 11, Yes in step (306), No in step (336), and No in step (338). Then, “2” is input to the seating area code a and “2” is input to the seating area code b (348). After the seating surface area codes a and b are specified, “4” is input to the Y-axis code r and “7” is input to the Y-axis code s (350), and in step (346) the X-axis code By inputting “2” for p and “3” for the X-axis code q (see FIGS. 3 and 15), the seating surface area of the center point coordinate O (xo, yo) in this case is specified. Conversion is terminated.

  Further, the X-axis coordinate xo (see FIG. 15) of the center point coordinate O satisfies the relationship “La2 ≦ xo <La3”, and the Y-axis coordinate yo of the center point coordinate O satisfies the relationship “Lb7 <yo <Lb10”. Assuming that the above conditions are satisfied, it is sequentially determined as No in step (304) in FIG. 11, Yes in step (306), No in step (336), No in step (338), and Yes in step (340). Based on this determination, “2” is input to the seating area code a and “3” is input to the seating area code b (352). After specifying the seating area codes a and b, “7” is input to the Y-axis code r and “10” is input to the Y-axis code s (354), and in step (346) the X-axis code By inputting “2” for p and “3” for the X-axis code q (see FIGS. 3 and 15), the seating surface area of the center point coordinate O (xo, yo) in this case is specified. Conversion is terminated.

  If it is also determined No in step (340) of FIG. 11, the coordinate yo of the center point coordinate O is considered to be at an unspecified position, and as shown in FIG. “0” is input (reset) to each of q and Y-axis codes r and s (330), and “0” is input (reset) to the seating surface area codes a and b (332). As shown in FIG. 13, after “0” is input (reset) to easy movement codes c and d, which will be described later (334), the process is returned to the re-execution from step (104) in FIG. 6.

  Further, when it is assumed that the X-axis coordinate xo of the center point coordinate O shown in FIG. 15 is in a position satisfying the relationship of “La3 ≦ xo ≦ La4” shown in FIG. 3, step (304) in FIG. In step (306), No is determined, and in subsequent step (308), Yes is determined. Next, it is determined whether or not the Y-axis coordinate yo of the center point coordinate O satisfies the relationship of “Lb3 ≦ yo ≦ Lb8” (356). “1” is input to the surface area code a and “2” is input to the seating area code b (358). After the seating area codes a and b are specified, “3” is input to the Y-axis code r. , “8” is input to the Y-axis code s (360), and “3” is input to the X-axis code p and “4” is input to the X-axis code q (362) (FIG. 3). And the specification of the seating area of the center point coordinates O (xo, yo) in this case is finished.

  In addition, when it is determined No in step (308) of FIG. 11, the X-axis coordinate xo of the center point coordinate O is considered to be at an unspecified position, and when it is determined No in step (356). In FIG. 12, the Y-axis coordinate yo of the center point coordinate O is considered to be at an unspecified position, and as shown in FIG. 12, “0” is set in each of the X-axis code p, q and the Y-axis code r, s. While being input (reset) (330), "0" is input (reset) to the seating area codes a and b (332), respectively, and as shown in FIG. After “0” is input (reset) in each case (334), the process returns to the re-execution from step (104) in FIG.

  Thus, in the present invention, by specifying the seating area codes a and b, the seating area of the center point coordinate O (xo, yo) from the seating area group shown in FIG. 3 is specified. I'm wearing

  Further, in the present invention, when it is determined that the center point coordinate O (xo, yo) is at a so-called unspecified position that is out of a specified area, that is, a predetermined seating surface area group (see FIG. 3). The load discrimination itself is avoided at that time.

  In specifying the seating area of the center point coordinate O (Oxo, yo), four code data (X-axis code p, q and Y-axis code r, s) representing the seating area are specified. Thus, this is used in the comparison between the center-of-gravity position coordinate group CG / G from the next step and the specific seating area.

  Here, in the present invention, a collection of ten centroid position coordinates CG / P, that is, a centroid position coordinate group CG / G is assumed to be an elliptical shape as indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIG. Whether the barycentric position coordinate group is located in the specific seating surface area by comparing the size and position with the seating surface area specified as the seating surface area to which the center point coordinate O belongs. Judging.

  The elliptical shape based on the variation in the center-of-gravity position coordinates CG / P is calculated by, for example, the following formula 2.

(Equation 2)
{(X−xo) ² /(1.96σx) ² } + {(y−yo) ² /(1.96σy) ² } = 1

  And in this invention, it is materialized as what estimates and determines the magnitude | size and position of the ellipse shape from the relational expression based on this numerical formula.

  The ellipse shape of the centroid position coordinate group CG / G composed of the ten centroid position coordinates CG / P is within the specified seating surface area (hatched line display portion), for example, an ellipse A indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIG. If so, the relational expressions of “Lap <(xo ± 1.96σx) <Laq” on the X-axis and “Lbr <(yo ± 1.96σy) <Lbs” on the Y-axis are satisfied. . Here, based on this relational expression, the amount of variation σx in the X-axis direction and the amount of variation σy in the Y-axis direction are monitored.

  As can be seen from FIG. 12, in this embodiment, first, a relationship of “(Laq−Lap) ≦ 1.96σx” is established between the X-axis codes p and q and the variation amount σx in the X-axis direction. And whether or not a relationship of “(Lbs−Lbr) ≦ 1.96σy” is established between the Y-axis codes r and s and the variation amount σy in the Y-axis direction. (364). This is for determining the size of the center-of-gravity position coordinate group CG / G with respect to the specified seating surface area, and is shown when the relationship of “(Laq−Lap) ≦ 1.96σx” is established. 16 and when the relationship “(Las−Lar) ≦ 1.96σy” is established, the shape is estimated as an ellipse C in FIG. Is not established, it is determined that there is no excessive variation in the center-of-gravity position coordinates CG / P, and No is determined in step (364) in FIG.

  If at least one of the relational expressions “(Laq−Lap) ≦ 1.96σx” and “(Las−Lar) ≦ 1.96σy” is satisfied, the center-of-gravity position coordinates CG / P are excessively varied. As a result, based on the determination of Yes in this step (364), the X-axis code p, q and the Y-axis code r, s are reset in step (330), and step (332) After resetting the seating surface area codes a and b in FIG. 13, the mobility codes c and d (to be described later) in step (334) in FIG. 13 are reset, and re-execution from step (104) in FIG. By returning to the above, subsequent determination at this point, and hence load determination, is avoided.

  If it is determined No in step (364) of FIG. 12, then “Lap <(xo ± 1.96σx) <Laq” between the X-axis codes p and q and the variation amount σx in the X-axis direction. Whether or not the relationship is established, and whether or not the relationship of “Lbr <(yo ± 1.96σy) <Lbs” is established between the Y-axis codes r and s and the variation amount σy in the Y-axis direction. Are determined (366). This is because the elliptical shape of the centroid position coordinate group CG / G is specified by the establishment of both relational expressions, that is, the variation of the centroid position coordinates is the same as the ellipse A shown in FIG. If it is determined to be “Yes”, it is recognized that the center-of-gravity position coordinate group CG / G is within the specified seating surface area.

  Here, when there is no excessive variation but a part of the elliptical shape deviates from the specific seating surface area, “Lap <(xo ± 1.96σx) <Laq” and “Lbr <(yo ± 1) .96σy) <Lbs ”due to the failure of any relationship, it is determined No in (366) in FIG. 12, and then the degree of deviation from the specified seating surface area is confirmed.

  As an example in this case, as shown in FIG. 17, an ellipse D hanging in the X direction on the specified seating surface area, an ellipse E hanging in the Y direction on the seating surface area, and a specifying as shown in FIG. An ellipse F that hangs on both the X-axis line and the Y-axis line of the seating surface area is mentioned. In the ellipse at such positions, the elliptical shape is 1/2 or more in the X direction with respect to a specific seating surface area. If they overlap, the relational expression of “xo ≦ (Laq−1.96σx / 2)” or “xo ≧ (Lap−1.96σx / 2)” is established, and the elliptical shape is a specific seating surface. If the area overlaps more than 1/2 in the Y direction, the relational expression “yo ≦ (Lbs−1.96σy / 2)” or “yo ≧ (Lbr−1.96σx / 2)” is established. Therefore, “xo ≦ (Laq−1. 6σx / 2) ”or“ xo ≧ (Lap−1.96σx / 2) ”, and“ yo ≦ (Lbs−1.96σy / 2) ”or“ yo ≧ (Lbr−1.96σx / 2) ”. "Is satisfied, based on the determination of Yes in step (368) of FIG. 12, the overlap of the elliptical shape with respect to the specified seating surface area is confirmed to be ½ or more. .

  That is, even if it is determined No in step (366), if it is determined Yes in this step (368), it is considered that the center-of-gravity position coordinate group CG / G is in the specific seating area, and the next process It is moved to.

  If it is also determined No in step (368), it is considered that the elliptical shape is out of the specified seating surface area, and the X-axis codes p, q, After resetting the Y and Y axis codes r and s and resetting the bearing surface area codes a and b in step (332), the easiness codes c and d in step (334) of FIG. After the reset, the process is returned to the re-execution from step (104) in FIG. 6, so that the subsequent determination at this point, and hence the load determination, is avoided.

  Thus, in this embodiment, the seating surface area to which the center point coordinates O (xo, yo) of the ten gravity center position coordinates CG / P belong is specified from the prescribed seating surface area group, and the ten The movement amount of the upper body of the seated person at that time depends on whether or not the center-of-gravity position coordinate group CG / G composed of the center-of-gravity position coordinates CG / P (xj, yj) is located within the specified seating surface area. Is estimated. If the movement amount, that is, the variation of the center of gravity position coordinates CG / P (xj, yj) is excessively large or varies at a position deviated from the specified seating surface area, the vibration or the running state of the vehicle is considered. Since it is assumed that it is caused by tilting in accordance with the response state or an irregular seating posture and the load discrimination at that time is avoided, the degradation of the load discrimination accuracy due to uncertain elements and the variation of the discrimination results are ensured To be suppressed.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, there is an advantage that stable load determination and stable switching of load determination results can be easily ensured.

  Further, in this embodiment, the center-of-gravity position coordinate group CG / G is regarded as an elliptical shape. That is, in the present invention, the center-of-gravity position coordinate group CG / G is regarded as one shape of the corresponding range, so that the comparison with the specified seating area is facilitated, and therefore the comparison determination accuracy for the seating area is increased. Is definitely improved.

  After the end of the collation process of the barycentric position coordinate group CG / G, the ease of movement is specified next.

  As shown in FIG. 13, in specifying the ease of movement, first, amounts of easy movement Δx, Δy in the X direction and Y direction are respectively calculated by the mathematical expressions in the drawing (370). Then, using the easy movement amounts Δx and Δy, the easy movement is coded.

  Here, first, the amount of easy movement Δx in the X-axis direction is coded, and this coding is performed by specifying the magnitude relationship of the ease of movement in the front-rear and left-right directions of the seat.

  The magnitude relation of the ease of movement in the front-rear and left-right directions of the seat is determined based on a comparison with threshold values (small: Ths, medium: Thm, large: Thl) as shown in FIG. Here, for example, here, for example, whether or not the amount of movement Δx satisfies the relationship of “Δx <Ths” (372), whether or not the relationship of “Ths ≦ Δx ≦ Thm” is satisfied (374), and “Thm” Whether or not the relationship <Δx ≦ Thl ”is satisfied (376) is sequentially determined.

  For example, if the amount of movement Δx satisfies the relationship of “Δx <Ths”, “1” is input to the movement code c in the X-axis direction based on the determination of Yes in step (372) (378) (FIG. 19), and if the amount of movement Δx satisfies the relationship of “Ths ≦ Δx ≦ Thm”, the determination of No in step (372) and the determination of Yes in step (374) result in the X-axis direction. "2" is input to the easiness movement code c (380) (see FIG. 19). Furthermore, if the amount of movement Δx satisfies the relationship “Thm <Δx ≦ Thl”, the determination of No in Steps (372) and (374) and the determination of Yes in Step (376) will result in the X-axis direction. When “3” is input to the easiness code c (382) (see FIG. 19), and the input of the easiness code c in the X direction is finished, next, the easy movement amount Δy is related to “Δy <Ths”. Whether or not (384), whether or not the relationship of “Ths ≦ Δy ≦ Thm” is satisfied (386), and whether or not the relationship of “Thm <Δy ≦ Thl” is satisfied (388) are sequentially determined. The

  As shown in FIG. 13, for example, if the amount of movement Δy satisfies the relationship “Δy <Ths”, “1” is set in the Y-axis direction movement code d based on the determination of Yes in step (384). If it is input (390) (see FIG. 19) and the amount of movement Δy satisfies the relationship of “Ths ≦ Δy ≦ Thm”, it is determined as No in step (384), and Yes in step (386). As a result of the determination, “2” is input to the ease code in the Y-axis direction (392) (see FIG. 19). Furthermore, if the amount of movement Δy satisfies the relationship “Thm <Δy ≦ Thl”, the determination of No in steps (384) and (386) and the determination of Yes in step (388) result in When “3” is input to the ease code d (394) (see FIG. 19), the coding of the amount of ease (Δx, Δy) ends here.

  If the easy movement amount Δx does not satisfy the relationship “Thm <Δx ≦ Thl” in step (376) in FIG. 13, and the easy movement amount Δy satisfies the relationship “Thm <Δy ≦ Thl” in step (388). If not, the determination of No in each step is followed by resetting the mobility codes c and d in step (334) and returning to the re-execution from step (104) in FIG. Thus, the subsequent determination at this point, and hence the load determination, is avoided.

  After the specification of the ease of movement, that is, after the provision of the ease codes c and d, as shown in FIG. 13, next, the seat belt wearing state is confirmed, and a code corresponding to the wearing state is provided. The attachment is made in this process.

  The presence / absence of the seat belt is confirmed by detecting ON / OFF of a belt detection means, for example, a seat belt switch 58 provided in the seat belt tongue 56 as shown in FIG. As can be seen from FIG. 1 in addition to FIG. 2, the detection signal from the belt switch is output to the CPU 38 of the ECU 18, more specifically, to the load information processing unit 46.

  As shown in FIG. 13, in this step, it is first determined whether or not the seat belt switch (belt detection means) 58 is ON (396). If it is determined that the seat belt is attached and the determination in step (396) is Yes, "1" is input to the seat belt cord e (398), and the seat belt is not attached, and this step (396) ), “0” is input to the seat belt cord e (400).

  With the above, the non-load information processing routine in step (138) of FIG. 7 ends. Then, as can be seen from FIG. 7, after the end of this non-load information processing routine, at least one of the mobility codes c and d specified above exceeds “2”. Is determined, that is, whether or not the specified easy movement is “large” or more (142).

  The situations where the mobility codes c and d exceed “2” include, for example, sitting at the front edge of the seat, sitting away from the seat back, sitting backwards, and a child standing on the seat. Sit by posture. And if it is judged as Yes in this step (142) under the seating by such a non-standard posture, etc., it will return to the re-execution from step (104) in FIG. Subsequent determination, and hence load determination, is avoided.

  Further, when it is determined that the ease of movement code c, d is “2” or less under the prescribed posture, etc., it is determined No in step (142) of FIG. 7, and then FIG. In step (202), it is determined whether or not the load WT at that time satisfies the relationship of “Thb ≦ WT ≦ Thf”, that is, whether or not it is within a predetermined specific load zone. (See FIG. 5).

  As can be seen from FIG. 5, this specific load zone is assumed in consideration of the threshold Thb assumed as the upper limit of the net weight of the child and the loss of load on the floor and other body members. If it is determined in advance as a threshold value Thf that is an adult determined value and the load is determined to be outside this specific load zone, it is determined as a clear load value for children, adults, etc. Is determined to be in this specific load zone, it is embodied in this embodiment as to determine whether it is due to an increase in child load or a loss of adult load. Yes.

  That is, when the load WT does not belong to the specific load zone and it is determined No in step (202) in FIG. 8, the rough determination process is performed assuming that the load can be clearly determined from the load. Transition. In this rough discrimination step, next, in step (204), whether or not the load WT exceeds the threshold value (adult determination value) Thf, that is, whether or not the relationship of “Thf <WT” is satisfied. (See FIG. 5), and when it is determined to be “Yes” here, the determination signal “1” is set to the adult determination flag fa based on the determination of the adult seating, and the vacant seat determination flag fe and “0”, which is a non-establishment signal, is input to the child determination flag fc as a determination result of the load WT having undergone the above steps (222).

  After the determination flag is set, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the establishment flag is selected in steps (210), (212), and (214) in FIG. If it is determined No in steps (210) and (212) of FIG. 10 and Yes in step (214) based on the establishment of the adult discrimination flag fa in (222), the airbag is expanded to the airbag deployment flag fb. “1” as the permission signal and “0” as the OFF signal are input to the warning display flag ft (224), respectively, and communication control based on these flags is appropriately performed in step (218) ( After this communication control, in step (220), any of the vacant seat determination flag fe, the child determination flag fc, and the adult determination flag fa is selected. Reset (= 0) it is.

  If the load WT does not satisfy the relationship of “Thf <WT” and it is determined No in step (204) of FIG. 8 which is a rough determination process, then “WT <Tha” is determined in step (206). For example, if it is determined to be No under the seating of the child, it is determined that the child signal is “1” in the child discrimination flag fc by the discrimination from the child seating. “0”, which is a non-establishment signal, is input to the vacant seat determination flag fe and the adult determination flag fa as a determination result of the load WT that has passed through the above steps (226).

  Then, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the establishment flag is selected in steps (210), (212), and (214) in FIG. 10, and the child determination flag fc established in step (226) in FIG. If it is determined No in step (210) of FIG. 10 and Yes in step (212), “0”, which is a deployment non-permission signal, is displayed in the airbag deployment flag fb. “1”, which is an ON signal, is input to the flag ft (228), and communication control based on the flags is appropriately performed in step (218) (see FIG. 5). In step (220), the vacant seat determination flag fe, the child determination flag fc, and the adult determination flag fa are all reset (= 0).

  During this determination, if it is determined No in any of steps (210), (212), and (214) in FIG. 10, the process is returned to the re-execution from step (104) in FIG. Subsequent determinations at the time, and therefore load determination, are avoided.

  If it is determined that the load WT satisfies the relationship “Thb ≦ WT ≦ Thf” and belongs to the specific load zone, it is determined Yes in step (202) in FIG. The process proceeds to the specific load determining step.

  Here, first, it is sequentially determined which one of “1, 2, 3” the seating surface area code a of the center point coordinate O of the centroid position coordinate group CG / G is specified (230) (232) (234). When the seating area code “a” is “= 1”, it is determined whether or not the seating area code “b” is “= 2” by determining “Yes” in step (230). (236).

  As can be seen from FIG. 3, the seating surface area codes a = 1 and b = 2 are within the specified seating surface area at the center of the front end portion of the seat, and therefore it is determined Yes in step (236) of FIG. Then, it is determined whether or not the load WT satisfies the relational expression “WT ≦ Thd” (see FIG. 5) (238). If it is determined Yes in this step (238), “1”, which is the establishment signal in the child determination flag fc, is determined in the child determination flag fc, and the vacancy determination flag fe and the adult determination flag fa based on the determination that the child is sitting. A non-satisfied signal “0” is input as a determination result of the load WT that has passed through each of the above steps (240), and the airbag is deployed based on the determination of Yes in step (212) of FIG. “0”, which is a development non-permission signal, is input to the flag fb, and “1”, which is an ON signal, is input to the warning display flag ft (228). Communication control based on these flags in step (218) (See FIG. 5), and after this communication control, in step (220), the vacant seat determination flag fe, the child determination flag fc, and the adult determination flag fa are set. Re is also reset (= 0).

  Further, if the load WT does not satisfy the relational expression “WT ≦ Thd” in the specific state of the seating area code a = 1, b = 2, it is determined No in step (238) of FIG. Next, it is determined whether or not the load WT satisfies the relational expression “WT <The” (see FIG. 5) (242). If the determination is Yes, then the seat belt flag e is set to “1”. ”, That is, whether or not the seat belt is worn (244), and if“ Yes ”is judged here while wearing the seat belt, the step is determined by determining whether the child is seated or not. In (240), “1”, which is the establishment signal, is input to the child determination flag fc, and “0”, which is the non-establishment signal, is input to the vacant seat determination flag fe and the adult determination flag fa. If it is determined No in this step (244), that is, it is determined that the seat belt is not worn, an adult determination flag fa is a determination signal based on the determination of the sitting of the adult in a collapsed posture. “1” is input to the vacant seat determination flag fe and the child determination flag fc, respectively, and “0” which is a non-establishment signal is input (246).

  If the seating surface area code a is “1” and the seating surface area code b is other than “2” and it is determined No in step (236), the seating posture at the non-specified position is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 6, load determination of the load is avoided.

  If it is determined that the seating area code a is “1” and it is determined No in step (230) of FIG. 9, then the seating area code a is “2” in step (232). If it is determined here to be Yes, it is next determined whether or not the seating area code b satisfies the relational expression “1 ≦ b ≦ 3” (248) (FIG. 3).

  The case where the seating area code b satisfies the relational expression “1 ≦ b ≦ 3” means that the specified seating area is located within the specified area in the left-right direction of the seat. If it is determined Yes, it is then determined whether this seating area code b is “1or3”, that is, whether it is biased to the left or right of the seat (250). Then, it is determined whether the load WT satisfies the relational expression “Thd ≦ WT” (252).

  Here, even if the position of the center of gravity is shifted to the left or right of the seat, if it is within the specified area, it will be regarded as adult seating. If it is determined Yes in this step (252), Then, “1”, which is the establishment signal, is input to the adult determination flag fa, and “0”, which is the non-establishment signal, is input to the vacant seat determination flag fe and the child determination flag fc, respectively (254).

  If the load WT does not satisfy the threshold value Thd and it is determined No in step (252), the determination signal “1” is displayed in the child determination flag fc under the determination that the child is seated. A non-establishment signal “0” is input to the vacant seat determination flag fe and the adult determination flag fa (256).

  Further, when “1or3” of the seating area code b is denied, that is, when the seating area code b is “2”, it is determined No in step (250), and then It is determined whether the load WT satisfies the relational expression “The ≦ WT” (258).

  As shown in FIG. 5, this threshold value The included in the specific load zone is a type threshold value in consideration of a normal sitting posture and a standard loss at the sitting position, that is, whether it is a child seat or an adult seat. This is a specific value that can be a threshold for discriminating, and in this embodiment, according to the specified seating surface area and the load load WT, the type threshold is set to the adult load zone within the specific load zone from the specified threshold Thd. This is embodied as a provisional increase to the threshold value The at the side.

  For example, if the applied load WT is equal to or greater than the threshold value The, it is determined Yes in this step (258), and “1”, which is the establishment signal, is set in the adult determination flag fa based on the determination of adult seating. In addition, “0” which is a non-establishment signal is input to the vacant seat determination flag fe and the child determination flag fc, respectively (260).

  Then, if it is determined that the load WT is less than the threshold value The taking into account the loss, a determination of “No” in this step (258) indicates that the child determination flag fc is an established signal in step (256). “1” is input to the vacant seat determination flag fe and the adult determination flag fa.

  Further, if the seating area code “a” is “3”, the relational expression that the seating area code “b” is “1 ≦ b ≦ 3” is determined based on the determination of Yes in step (234). It is determined whether or not it is satisfied (262), and if it is determined to be Yes here, whether it is an adult seat or a child seat is appropriately sorted according to the flow from step (250) above.

  As can be seen from FIG. 3, when the seating area code a is “1”, the seating area code b is limited to “2” within the specified area. When it is determined No in step (236), as shown in FIG. 10, by returning to the re-execution from step (104) in FIG. 6, the subsequent determination at this point, and hence the load determination, is performed. Avoided.

  Similarly, the center point coordinate O of the center-of-gravity position coordinate group CG / G is specified also when it is determined No in step (248) of FIG. 9 and when it is determined No in step (262). As shown in FIG. 10, by returning to the re-execution from step (104) in FIG. 6, the subsequent determination at this point, and hence the load determination, can be avoided. Is done.

  As described above, in the vehicle seat load determination method of the present invention, the load load is calculated and estimated based on the load information subjected to the smoothing process. It is sufficiently suppressed that a large load variation appears as it is in the load load, and thus in the load determination result. In addition, since it is determined whether or not to determine the load according to the amount of movement of the calculated and estimated center-of-gravity position, it is possible to sufficiently prevent the load fluctuation caused by the trunk movement from appearing in the load determination result. .

  In other words, according to the present invention, instantaneous load fluctuations due to vehicle vibrations that could not be eliminated in the past, and load fluctuations due to the movement of the trunk of the seated person directly affect the determination result. Since it can be easily prevented, frequent switching of discrimination results can be realized as a highly reliable one.

  Moreover, in this invention, based on the combination of the load information detected by the load sensor 14 (# 1 to # 4) and the so-called non-load information resulting from the trunk movement of the seated person, The seating posture is estimated, and the load zone to which the load load at that time belongs is determined and set by comparison with a threshold value according to the seating posture, so there is no possibility that sufficient determination cannot be made depending on the seating posture, It is possible to easily ensure a higher level of discrimination accuracy.

  According to the vehicle seat load discriminating apparatus 10 of the present invention, the information processing means 18 performs predetermined smoothing on predetermined load information sequentially detected by the load sensors 14 (# 1 to # 4). A function to calculate and estimate a load load at that time, which is compared with a threshold value based on the smoothed data, and the load information based on a plurality of specific load information collected by the smoothing process. Since it further has a function of calculating and estimating the position of the center of gravity for each piece of information, frequent switching of discrimination results can be easily ensured without complicating the configuration.

  Here, in the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the load detection means is embodied as the load sensors 14 (# 1 to # 4) arranged at four positions on the separation plane. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any other configuration may be used as the load detection means 14.

  However, by using the load sensor 14 (# 1 to # 4) as the load detection means, the position of the center of gravity of the load applied on the seat 12 is detected and specified by the load from the load sensor units at the four separated planes. Since it can be performed based on information, the advantage that measurement of a load and specification of the position of the center of gravity can be performed without complicating the configuration can be obtained according to this configuration.

  Further, in this embodiment, “8” is specified as the number of collected data for load load measurement, and “10” is the number of detection information calculation data, but these may be any number. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this.

  By the way, the procedure in the load discrimination | determination process in this Example shown in FIG. 8 thru | or FIG. 10 is a simple example, and is not limited to this. Therefore, another example of this load determination step will be described below.

  Another method exemplified here is a so-called two-stage discrimination technique. In this two-stage discrimination technique, after it is determined No in either step (126) or step (142) in FIG. As shown, it is first determined whether or not the load WT is in a relationship of “WT <Tha”, that is, whether or not the seat is vacant (402) (see FIG. 5). If YES is determined here, as a determination result in the primary determination, “1”, which is the establishment signal for the vacant seat determination flag fe, and “non-establishment signal,” for the child determination flag fc1 and the adult determination flag fa1. "0" is input (404).

  If it is determined No in step (402) of FIG. 20 due to the negative of the vacant seat state, it is next determined whether or not the load WT satisfies the relationship “Tha ≦ WT ≦ Thd” ( 406) (see FIG. 5), for example, if it is determined to be Yes under the load of the child's seating degree, the determination result in the primary determination is “1” which is the establishment signal in the child determination flag fc1. However, “0” which is a non-establishment signal is input to the vacant seat determination flag fe and the adult determination flag fa1 (408).

  Furthermore, similarly, if it is determined No in steps (402) and (406) of FIG. 20 due to the negation of the vacant seat state and the negation of the child load, next, the load load WT is “Thd <WT”. (410) (see FIG. 5). For example, if the determination is Yes under a load of an adult's seating level, the determination result in the primary determination is adult. A determination signal “1” is input to the determination flag fa1, and a non-establishment signal “0” is input to the vacant seat determination flag fe and the child determination flag fc1 (412).

  If it is also determined No in step (410) of FIG. 20, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the load determination error is returned to the re-execution from step (104) of FIG. Thus, the subsequent determination at this point, and hence the load determination, is avoided.

  When the determination result in the primary determination is given in steps (404), (408), and (412) of FIG. 20, next, whether or not the load WT at that time satisfies the relationship of “Thb ≦ WT ≦ Thf”, That is, it is determined whether or not the vehicle is within a preset specific load zone (see FIG. 5) (414).

  Here, first, the case where the load WT is out of the specific load zone will be described. Thus, if the load WT is out of the specific load zone, it is determined No in step (414) of FIG. 20, and “0” that is a non-establishment signal is input to the specific zone flag fv (416). ).

  As described above, when it is determined that the load WT is out of the specific load zone in the primary determination, the secondary determination is omitted and the next final determination is performed as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22. And proceed. In this final determination, first, whether or not the vacant seat flag fe is satisfied (fe = 1), whether the child determination flags fc1 and 2 are satisfied (fc1 = 1, fc2 = 1), Further, it is sequentially judged whether or not the adult discrimination flags fa1, 2 are established (fa1 = 1, fa2 = 1) (418) (420) (422). For example, the vacant seat flag fe as a result of the temporary discrimination. If YES is established, it is determined Yes in this step (418), "0" that is the deployment non-permission signal is displayed in the airbag deployment flag fb, and "0" that is the OFF signal is displayed in the warning display flag ft. Are input (424) (see FIG. 5), and communication control based on the flags is appropriately performed (426), and then the vacant seat determination flag fe, the child determination flag fc1, 2 and the adult determination flag fa , Through the second reset (= 0) (428), returned to the re-execution of the steps of FIG. 6 (104).

  If the child discrimination flag fc1 is established in the primary discrimination shown in FIG. 20, it is determined No in step (418) in FIG. 22, Yes in step (420), and then the specific zone flag fv is established. It is determined whether or not (fv = 1) (430). Here, since the case where the load load WT is outside the specific load zone is described as an example, as in the case of the primary determination, if it is determined again as No here, the airbag deployment flag fb is a deployment non-permission signal. After “0” and “1”, which is an ON signal, are input to the warning display flag ft (432) (see FIG. 5) and communication control based on each flag is appropriately performed (426), After the vacant seat determination flag fe, the child determination flags fc1, 2 and the adult determination flags fa1, 2 are reset (= 0) (428), the process returns to the re-execution from step (104) in FIG.

  Similarly, in the case where the adult determination flag fa1 is established in the primary determination shown in FIG. 20, No is determined in steps (418) and (420) in FIG. 22, and Yes is determined in step (422). Then, it is determined whether or not the specific zone flag fv is established (fv = 1) (434). If the determination is NO again, as in the primary determination, the airbag deployment flag fb is permitted to deploy. The signal “1” and the warning display flag ft are input with “0”, which is an OFF signal (436) (see FIG. 5), and communication control based on these flags is appropriately performed ( 426), the vacant seat determination flag fe, the child determination flags fc1, 2 and the adult determination flags fa1, 2 are reset (= 0) (428), and the process is returned to the re-execution from step (104) in FIG. That.

  In addition, when it is also determined No in step (422) in FIG. 22, it is returned to the re-execution from step (104) in FIG. As a result, load discrimination is avoided.

  Next, a case where the load load WT belongs to the specific load zone will be described. Thus, if the load WT belongs to the specific load zone (see FIG. 5), it is determined Yes in step (414) in FIG. 20, and “1”, which is the establishment signal, is set in the specific zone flag fv. It is input (438). Then, as shown in FIG. 21, the secondary discrimination is performed next. In this secondary discrimination, first, the seating area code a of the center point coordinate O of the centroid position coordinate group CG / G is “1, 2”. , 3 ”is sequentially determined (440) (442) (444). For example, when the seating area code“ a ”is“ = 1 ”,“ Yes ”in step (440) Based on the determination, it is next determined whether or not the seating area code b is “= 2” (446).

  If, for example, Yes is determined in this step (446), it is next determined whether or not the load WT satisfies the relational expression “WT ≦ Thd” (see FIG. 5) (448). If it is determined Yes in this step (448), the determination result in the secondary determination is “1” that is the establishment signal in the child determination flag fc2, and “0” that is the non-establishment signal in the adult determination flag fa2. Are respectively input (450).

  When this secondary discrimination result is output, next final discrimination is performed. As can be seen from FIG. 22, in this final determination, first, in steps (418), (420), and (422), it is determined which determination flag is established as a determination result in the primary determination, When the child determination flag fc2 is established (= 1) as shown in FIG. 6, the specific zone flag fv is subsequently established (fv) based on the determination of Yes in step (420). = 1) or not is determined in step (430), and if this specific zone flag fv is established in step (438) of FIG. 20, the result of Yes in step (430) of FIG. Based on the determination, it is next determined whether or not the child determination flag fc2 is established (452).

  If the child discrimination flag fc2 is established (= 1) at this point as shown in the establishment flag in step (450) of FIG. 21, it is determined Yes in this step (452), and the airbag deployment is performed as the final determination result. “0”, which is a development non-permission signal, and “1”, which is an ON signal, are input to the flag fb (432) (see FIG. 5), and communication control based on these flags is performed. After being appropriately performed (426), the vacant seat determination flag fe, the child determination flags fc1, 2 and the adult determination flags fa1, 2 are reset (= 0) (428), and re-executed from step (104) in FIG. Returned to

  When it is determined No in step (452) of FIG. 22, it is regarded as a load determination error, and the vacant seat determination flag fe, the child determination flag fc1, 2 and the adult determination flag fa1, 2 are reset (= 0). ) (428), and returning to the re-execution from step (104) in FIG. 6, the final determination of the load is avoided.

  If the load WT does not satisfy the relational expression “WT ≦ Thd” in the specific state of the seating area code a = 1, b = 2, it is determined No in step (448) of FIG. Next, it is determined whether or not the load WT satisfies the relational expression “WT <The” (see FIG. 5) (454). If the determination is Yes, then the seat belt flag e is set to “1”. ”, That is, whether or not the seat belt is worn (456). If“ Yes ”is determined here by wearing the seat belt, the step (450) is determined by determining whether the child is seated. , “1”, which is the establishment signal, is input to the child determination flag fc2, and “0”, which is the non-establishment signal, is input to the adult determination flag fa2.

  Then, in the following, the final determination is performed in the final determination shown in FIG. 22. However, since the final determination procedure is as described above, the description thereof is omitted here.

  When the load load WT is equal to or greater than the threshold value The (see FIG. 5), as shown in FIG. 5, it is determined that the load load WT at that time is a load caused by adult seating. Based on the determination of No in step (454) of FIG. 21, the child determination flag fc2 is “0” as a non-establishment signal, and the adult determination flag fa2 is “1” as a success signal. Each is input as a determination result, and the process proceeds to the subsequent final determination (458).

  Further, even when the load WT is equal to or less than the threshold value The (see FIG. 5) and it is determined Yes in step (454) in FIG. 21, no seat belt is attached and it is determined No in step (456). Similarly, “0”, which is a non-establishment signal, is input to the child determination flag fc2 and “1”, which is a determination signal to the adult determination flag fa2, respectively, as the secondary determination results, and the subsequent final determination is performed. (458).

  The above example is a case where “1” is specified as the seating area code “a”. For example, when “2” is specified as the seating area code “a” (440 in FIG. 21). ), No in step (442), and “Yes” in turn, and then it is determined whether or not the seating area code b satisfies the relational expression “1 ≦ b ≦ 3” (460) (FIG. 3). reference).

  If this seating surface area code b is located in the prescribed area in the left-right direction of the seat, and if it is determined Yes in step (460) of FIG. 21, then this seating surface area code b is “1or3”. Whether it is biased to the left or right side of the seat (462). If it is determined to be Yes here, then whether the load WT satisfies the relational expression "Thd ≦ WT"? It is determined whether or not (464) (see FIG. 5).

  If the load WT is equal to or greater than the threshold value Thd and it is determined Yes in this step (464), the child determination flag fc2 is “0”, which is a non-establishment signal, and the adult determination flag fa2 is a determination signal “ 1 ”is input as the secondary discrimination result, and the process proceeds to the final discrimination thereafter (466).

  If the load WT is less than the threshold value Thd and it is determined No in step (464) in FIG. 21, the child determination flag fc2 is “1”, which is an establishment signal, based on the recognition of the load applied by the child sitting. However, “0”, which is a non-establishment signal, is input to the adult determination flag fa2 as the secondary determination result, and the process proceeds to the subsequent final determination (468).

  If it is determined No in step (462) of FIG. 21 by negating “1or3” of the seating area code b, the load WT at that time satisfies the relational expression “The ≦ WT”. Is determined (470). If the load WT is equal to or greater than the threshold value The, it is determined Yes in this step (470), and "0", which is a non-establishment signal, is set to the child determination flag fc2, and a determination signal is set to the adult determination flag fa2. “1” is respectively input as the secondary discrimination result, and the process proceeds to the subsequent final discrimination (472).

  Further, when “3” is specified as the seating area code “a”, “No” in (440) and (442) in FIG. 21 and “Yes” in step (444) are sequentially judged, and then the seating area It is determined whether the code b satisfies the relational expression “1 ≦ b ≦ 3” (474) (see FIG. 3). In the following, secondary determination is sequentially performed based on the determination result in step (462). Since the progress transition after step (462) is as described above, detailed description thereof is omitted here. To do.

  In addition, when it is determined No in steps (444), (460), and (474) in FIG. 21, as shown in FIG. 22, the load determination error is returned to the re-execution from step (104) in FIG. As a result, subsequent determination at this point, and hence load determination, is avoided.

  As described above, in another embodiment of the load determination step, since each determination result is determined in two stages of primary determination and secondary determination, more detailed determination can be easily performed.

  Therefore, according to this other embodiment, the discrimination accuracy can be further improved.

  In another embodiment of the load determination step, the final determination of the airbag is performed in the final determination after the primary determination and the secondary determination, based on the determination results in these two stages. Therefore, higher accuracy can be secured for the deployment control.

  The above-described embodiments are for explaining the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. All modifications, alterations, etc. within the technical scope of the present invention are included in the present invention. Needless to say.

  Generally, it is used as a load discriminating method and a load discriminating device for controlling the operation of the airbag, but the control target is not limited to this.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to a seat such as an automobile, and the present invention may be applied to other vehicle seats such as trains, airplanes, and ships.

1 is a schematic block diagram of a load determination device for a vehicle seat according to the present invention. It is a schematic side view of a vehicle seat. It is a seating area arrangement | positioning diagram and a seating surface area code | cord | chord table which serve as the arrangement | positioning block diagram of a load sensor. It is the front view and longitudinal cross-sectional view of a corresponding part which mainly have a load sensor. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a load zone and a threshold value. It is a flowchart which shows an example of control by the load discriminating method of the vehicle seat which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart following FIG. 6 which shows an example of the control by the load discrimination | determination method of a vehicle seat. It is a flowchart following FIG. 7 which shows an example of the control by the load determination method of the vehicle seat. FIG. 9 is a flowchart subsequent to FIG. 8, illustrating an example of control in the vehicle seat load determination method. FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart following FIG. 9 showing an example of control in the vehicle seat load determination method. FIG. It is a non-load information processing routine in the flowchart in the load determination method of the vehicle seat. 12 is a flowchart subsequent to FIG. 11 in the non-load information processing routine. It is a flowchart following FIG. 12 in a non-load information processing routine. It is a schematic explanatory drawing which shows an example of the dispersion | variation in a gravity center position coordinate group. It is a schematic explanatory drawing which shows an example of the ellipse shape of a gravity center position coordinate group. It is a schematic explanatory drawing which shows an example of the ellipse shape of a gravity center position coordinate group. It is a schematic explanatory drawing which shows an example of the ellipse shape of a gravity center position coordinate group. It is a schematic explanatory drawing which shows an example of the ellipse shape of a gravity center position coordinate group. It is a schematic explanatory drawing which shows an ease code | symbol. It is a flowchart which shows the partial another example of control by the load determination method of the vehicle seat. It is a flowchart following FIG. 20 which shows the other example of a partial control by the load determination method of the vehicle seat. FIG. 22 is a flowchart subsequent to FIG. 21, showing another example of partial control in the vehicle seat load determination method.

Explanation of symbols

10 Vehicle seat load discriminating device 14 Load detection means (load sensor)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 18 Information processing means 20 Air bag 46 Load information processing part 50 Discrimination processing part 58 Belt detection means (seat belt switch)

Claims (9)

Based on the load information from the predetermined load detection means, the load load acting on the seat is measured, and by comparing this load load with a predetermined threshold group, the load zone to which the load load on the seat belongs is determined. In the method for determining the load of the vehicle seat to be appropriately determined and selected,
A predetermined smoothing process is performed on the predetermined plurality of load information sequentially detected by the load detection means, and the load load at that time is calculated and estimated based on the smoothed data and compared with a threshold value. And
When this load load is compared with the predetermined threshold value and when it is roughly determined that the load load is at least a child's seating, the center of gravity for each load information is based on a plurality of specific load information collected thereafter. Calculate and estimate the position, respectively, and calculate the ease of movement based on the amount of movement of the center of gravity for each specific plurality in the seat longitudinal direction and the seat lateral direction,
When it is judged that this easy movement is larger than the reference upper limit value based on a comparison with a specific reference value, the determination and selection of the load zone with the load load at this time is avoided. A vehicle seat load determination method. The center point of the variation distribution is calculated from the plurality of specific gravity center positions, and the seating surface area to which the center point belongs is specified from a group of seating surface areas defined in advance,
When the variation distribution of the center of gravity is regarded as a corresponding large ellipse, and this ellipse is not included within the specified range within the specified seating surface area, determination and selection of the load zone with the load applied at this time The vehicle seat load determination method according to claim 1, wherein:   A predetermined range including a type threshold value that distinguishes a child load zone and an adult load zone is defined in advance as a specific load zone, and it is determined that the load load belongs to the specific load zone, and the specified seating surface area 3. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the type threshold value is temporarily raised to a specific value close to the adult load zone in the specific load zone when it is determined that the vehicle is within a specified seating area group. Sheet load discrimination method.   When the presence / absence of a seat belt is detected, and it is determined that the load load belongs to the specific load zone, and the specified seat surface area is in the seat front end area in a specified seat surface area group 4. The vehicle seat load determination method according to claim 3, wherein whether the seat is a child seat or an adult seat is determined according to the determination of whether or not the seat belt is worn. Load detecting means for detecting a load on the seat and outputting the detected value as load information; based on the load information from the load detecting means, calculating and measuring the load acting on the seat; An information processing means having a function of appropriately determining and selecting a load zone to which the load load on the seat belongs by comparing the load load with a predetermined threshold;
The information processing means performs a predetermined smoothing process on the predetermined plurality of load information sequentially detected by the load detection means, and is compared with a threshold value based on the smoothed data. A function of calculating and estimating a load load, and a function of calculating and estimating the position of the center of gravity for each load information based on a plurality of specific load information collected by the smoothing process,
When it is roughly determined that the load load collected by the smoothing process is at least a child's seating or more, the center of gravity position based on a plurality of specific load information and the amount of movement of the center of gravity position for each specific plurality The movement is calculated in the longitudinal direction of the seat and in the lateral direction of the seat, and when it is determined that this easy movement is greater than the reference upper limit value based on a comparison with a specific reference value, A vehicle seat load discriminating apparatus characterized by avoiding discrimination and selection of a load zone.   The information processing means calculates a center point of the variation distribution from the plurality of specific gravity center positions, and specifies a seating surface area to which the center point belongs from a group of seating surface areas defined in advance, And a function of capturing the variation distribution of the center of gravity position as a corresponding large ellipse, and when the ellipse is not included in the specified seating surface area beyond a predetermined range, 6. The vehicle seat load discriminating apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the discriminating and selecting of the load zone is avoided.   The information processing means has a function of tentatively raising the type threshold value for dividing the child load zone and the adult load zone to a specific value closer to the adult load zone in a specific load zone that is a predetermined range including the type threshold value. The vehicle seat load determination device according to claim 6, further comprising:   8. The vehicle seat load determination device according to claim 5, further comprising belt detection means for detecting whether or not the seat belt is worn. 9. The vehicle seat load discriminating apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the load detecting means is a combination of load sensors arranged at four positions apart from each other on the plane.

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