JP2007196946A - Vehicular collision detection device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicular collision detection device capable of detecting collision to a vehicle body in a wide range in the vehicular collision detection device provided with a first vehicle body constitution member having a closed space; a sensor for detecting the state of a pressure in the closed space; and a determination means for determining the collision to the vehicle based on the state of the pressure detected by the sensor. <P>SOLUTION: The closed spaces X2, X3 are provided on a vehicle body 2 as the first vehicle body constitution member, and pipe members 41, 42 as communication means for communicating the closed spaces of a back door X1 as the first vehicle body constitution member and the closed spaces X2, X3 of the vehicle body 2 are provided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle collision detection device that detects a collision with a vehicle.

  Conventionally, for example, when a collision of a vehicle or the like with a side door of a vehicle is detected, an occupant protection device such as a curtain airbag that can be deployed along the inner surface of the window glass is activated to protect the occupant. There is a vehicle that has been. In such a vehicle, an acceleration sensor may be provided on the side door as a sensor for detecting a collision. In this case, acceleration due to vibration is detected when the side door is closed, and the airbag device malfunctions. There is a fear. As a configuration that can suppress this malfunction, for example, an acceleration sensor may be attached to a pillar in the vicinity of the door side end. In this case, when a collision occurs on the side end opposite to the pillar. In addition, the acceleration due to the impact is not sufficiently transmitted to the pillar, and there is a possibility that the collision cannot be accurately detected.

  Therefore, in recent years, as disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, an air pressure sensor capable of measuring the air pressure is provided in the internal space of the door formed as a hollow body with a panel member, and the air pressure sensor at the time of collision with the door is provided. There is one that detects a change in air pressure inside the door due to the deformation of the door.

Japanese National Patent Publication No. 7-508950 JP-A-8-324379

  By the way, the collision with the vehicle occurs not only in the door but also in the vehicle body. In this case, if the sensor is provided in the closed space in the door as described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the vehicle body is May not be detected sufficiently.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle collision detection device capable of detecting a collision with a vehicle over a wide range.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention is configured as follows.

  First, the invention according to claim 1 of the present application is based on a first vehicle body constituent member having a closed space, a sensor for detecting a pressure state in the closed space, and a pressure state detected by the sensor. A vehicle collision detection device including a determination unit that determines a collision with a vehicle, the second vehicle body component member having a closed space, the closed space of the first vehicle body component member, and the second vehicle body component member Communication means for communicating with the closed space is provided.

  The pressure state is, for example, an air pressure state as shown in FIG. 1 or a sound pressure state as shown in FIG. In addition, the predetermined space is a space in which a change in the pressure state is likely to be larger than other spaces when there is a collision with the door as compared with a case where the pressure is not partitioned.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle collision detection device according to the first aspect, one of the first vehicle body constituting member and the second vehicle body constituting member is a door.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle collision detection device according to the second aspect, the other of the first vehicle body component member and the second vehicle body component member is a vehicle body body, and the communication means is The closed space of the first vehicle body structural member and the closed space of the second vehicle body structural member are connected via an edge portion or a peripheral portion thereof pivotally supported by the vehicle body main body of the door and a portion close to these parts of the vehicle body main body. It is characterized by making it communicate.

  Further, according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle collision detection device according to the third aspect, the door is a side door, and the closed space of the body body includes a closed space provided in a pillar and a fender. The communication means is a pipe member that connects the closed space of the door and the closed space of the vehicle body.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle collision detection device according to the fourth aspect, the pipe member is provided along a frame member constituting a vehicle body.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle collision detection device according to the third aspect, the door is a back door, and the closed space of the vehicle body is a closed portion provided in a rearmost pillar. At least one of a space, a closed space provided in the rear fender, and a closed space provided in the bumper beam of the rear bumper, and the communication means includes a door closed space and a vehicle body closed space. It is a pipe member to be connected.

  Further, the invention according to claim 7 is the vehicle collision detection device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the first vehicle body constituent member on which the sensor is disposed is a door, Is arranged in a closed space of the door.

  Next, the effect of the present invention will be described.

  First, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when a collision with the first vehicle body structural member occurs and the member is deformed, for example, recessed toward the vehicle inner side, the first vehicle body structural member is closed. The pressure state of the space changes, and the change in the pressure state is detected by a sensor. Then, a collision with the vehicle is determined based on the pressure state detected by the sensor.

  In this case, in the present invention, since the closed space of the first vehicle body constituent member and the closed space provided in the second vehicle body constituent member are communicated by the communication means, the second vehicle body constituent member collides. If there is, the change in the pressure state of the closed space of the member is transmitted to the closed space of the first vehicle body constituting member by the communicating means. This is detected by a sensor, and a collision with the vehicle is determined based on the pressure state. In other words, even if a sensor for detecting the pressure state of the closed space of the second vehicle body constituent member is not provided, only a sensor for detecting the pressure state of the closed space of the first vehicle body member detects the collision over a wide range. can do.

  By the way, the door is usually configured as a hollow body by a panel member, and often has a closed space. Therefore, in the invention described in claim 2, one of the first vehicle body component member and the second vehicle body component member is a door, and according to this, the closed space originally provided is effectively used. Thus, the present collision detection device can be configured.

  By the way, when one vehicle body component member is a door and the other vehicle body component member is a vehicle body body that pivotally supports the door, the door is opened and closed, so how to connect the closed spaces of both vehicle body component members. There are challenges.

  Therefore, in the invention described in claim 3, the closed space of the first vehicle body component member and the closed space of the second vehicle body component member are connected to the edge portion or its peripheral portion pivotally supported by the vehicle body main body at the door, The main body communicates with parts close to these parts, and according to this, the closed spaces communicate with each other at the shortest distance while eliminating the influence on the communication means by opening and closing the door as much as possible. be able to.

  Furthermore, according to the invention described in claim 4, a collision can be detected over a wide range of side doors, side pillars, and fenders. Further, even when one vehicle body component member is a side door and the other vehicle body component member is a vehicle body body, the closed space of both vehicle body component members can be communicated by a simple means called a pipe member.

  By the way, if the closed space of the first vehicle body constituent member and the closed space of the second vehicle body constituent member exist at a position apart from each other, the tube member for communicating both the closed spaces becomes long and easily bent, and the communication state May not be stable.

  However, according to the invention described in claim 5, since the pipe member is provided along the frame member constituting the vehicle body, the pipe member bends even if the closed spaces are separated from each other. It is restrained and both closed spaces communicate well.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to detect a collision over a wide range of the back door, the rear pillar, and the rear bumper. Further, even when one vehicle body component member is a back door and the other vehicle body component member is a vehicle body body, the closed space of both vehicle body component members can be communicated by a simple means called a pipe member.

  By the way, an occupant seat is provided in the vicinity of the side door, and even in the case of a back door, in the case of a light vehicle or a three-row seat type vehicle, an occupant seat is often provided in the vicinity of the door. Therefore, from the viewpoint of occupant protection, it is necessary to detect a collision with the door as soon as possible in preference to a collision with another part.

  Therefore, in the invention described in claim 7, the sensor is disposed in the closed space of the door. According to this, when there is a collision with the door, the fluctuation of the air pressure is not transmitted to the pipe member. It is transmitted directly to the sensor, and the collision with the door can be detected quickly.

  Hereinafter, a vehicle collision detection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, an opening 2 a is provided in the rear part of the vehicle body 2 of the vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment. The opening 2a can be opened and closed by a back door 4 pivotally supported by the vehicle body via the hinge members 3 and 3 so as to be rotatable around the upper edge side. An occupant seat device 5 is provided on the vehicle front side of the back door 4.

  An opening 4a is provided at the upper center of the back door 4, and a window glass 6 is attached to the opening 4a. As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the back door 4 includes an outer panel 11 that constitutes an outer surface of the vehicle, an inner panel 12 provided on the vehicle inner side of the outer panel 11, and the inner panel 12. Furthermore, it has the trim 13 which is provided in the vehicle inner side and comprises the surface inside a vehicle.

  The outer panel 11 and the inner panel 12 have substantially the same shape when viewed in the vehicle front-rear direction, and their outer peripheral edges are continuously joined together by welding or the like. Further, the edges of the openings 11a and 12a corresponding to the openings 4a of the panels 11 and 12 are continuously joined together by welding or the like. That is, the back door 4 is configured as a hollow body by the outer panel 11 and the inner panel 12, and has a closed space X1 inside.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the vehicle 1 is provided with an airbag device 51 having an airbag that can be deployed along the inner surface of the back door 4, and for performing deployment control of the airbag device 51. An air pressure sensor 61 for detecting the air pressure in the closed space X1 and a control unit 60 are provided. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the air pressure sensor 61 is attached to a surface of the inner panel 12 on the outer panel 11 side by a screw member (not shown) in the closed space X1 of the back door 4, specifically below the opening 4a. It has been. In addition, as the air pressure sensor 61, the thing similar to the well-known thing described in the said patent document 1, patent document 2, etc. can be utilized, and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the air pressure sensor 61 causes the vehicle body other than the back door 4, specifically the rear pillar 7 at the rearmost part of the vehicle body 2, the rear fender 8 below the rear pillar 7, and the rear bumper. 9 is configured so as to be able to detect a collision with the motor 9 and will be described in detail below.

  First, as shown in FIG. 8, in the rear pillar 7, the front edge portion and the rear edge portion of the outer panel 21 and the inner panel 22 constituting the vehicle body side portion are joined to form a closed cross section.

  On the other hand, below the rear pillar 7, the rear edges of the inner panel 21 and the rear panel 22 are joined to each other, but the front side located below the opening 2b of the vehicle body 2 where the rear window is provided is It is separated. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a vertical wall 31 is provided to partition the space into a space on the vehicle front side and a space on the vehicle rear side. A lower wall 32 that divides the space in the rear fender 8 up and down is provided at a lower position of the rear fender 8 at substantially the same height as the upper surface of the bumper 9. The lower end of the vertical wall 31 and the front end of the lower wall 32 are joined. Further, on the upper end side of the rear pillar 7, an upper wall 33 is provided that closes the upper end portion of the pillar 7 at substantially the same height as the upper end position of the rear side window opening 2 b of the vehicle body 2. Therefore, the closed space X <b> 2 is formed inside the rear pillar 7 and the rear fender 8.

  A pipe member 41 that communicates between the closed space X2 and the closed space X1 of the back door 4 is provided. Specifically, the pipe member 41 penetrates the upper wall 33 from the upper part of the space X2 and enters the space in the rear header 10 as shown in FIG. In this direction, it extends almost to the center, bends backward, passes through holes 10b, 10b provided in the rear wall 10a of the rear header 10 and exits to the external space, and then closes to the back wall 10a. A space X1 in the back door 4 passes through holes 12b, 12b provided in the inner panel 12 of the upper edge of the door 4 (the edge pivotally supported by the vehicle body 2) and enters the space in the door 4. And extends downward along the periphery of the opening 4a.

  In this case, the upper edges of the door 4 and the portions 41a and 42a that pass through the rear header 10 have a flexible bellows shape that is flexible as shown in FIG. And as shown in FIG. 9, it is comprised so that the pipe members 41 and 42 may not be cut | disconnected by bending while extending when the back door 4 is opened.

  Also, the bumper beam 72 that supports the bumper face 71 of the rear bumper 9 is closed at both ends in the vehicle width direction, and has a closed space X3 inside as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a pipe member 42 that communicates the closed space X <b> 3 and the closed space X <b> 1 of the back door is provided. Specifically, the tube member 42 passes through the front wall of the beam 72 from the closed space X3 of the bumper beam 72 and exits to the external space, and then passes through the lower wall 32 and enters the space X2. X2 extends upward, penetrates the upper wall 33 from the upper part of the space X2 and enters the space in the rear header 10, and thereafter extends to the lower part of the opening 4a in the same manner as the pipe member 41. .

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 8, each said pipe member 41 and 42 is arrange | positioned along the inner panels 12 and 22 in each said closed space X1 and X2, and this inner panel 12 and 22 is fixed with a fixing tool. It is fixed. If this is provided on the outer panel 11, 21 side, the pipe member may be bent and closed at the same time as the collision, so this is avoided.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a surrounding member 81 that surrounds the sensor 61 with the inner panel 12 is provided around the sensor 61 in the closed space X <b> 1 in the back door 3. The pipe members 41, 42 are guided through the left and right side walls of the surrounding member 81 into the enclosed space. The pipe members 41, 42 are diffused and attenuated throughout the closed space X 1 in the back door 4 until the fluctuation of the air pressure transmitted through the pipe members 41, 42 reaches the sensor 61. It is provided for the purpose of preventing this. Note that openings 81a and 81b are provided in the rear wall and the lower wall of the surrounding wall 81 so as to communicate with other spaces in the closed space X1.

  Next, operations and effects of the vehicle collision detection apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.

  For example, as shown by an arrow T in FIG. 4, when a collision or the like occurs in the back door 4 from the rear of the vehicle and the outer panel 11 is dented inwardly by the impact force, the back door 4 is closed. The air pressure in the space X1 varies. Then, when the air pressure variation is detected by the air pressure sensor 61 and the variation matches a predetermined condition, it is determined by the control unit 60 that there is a collision, and the airbag device 51 is activated.

  Further, when a collision or the like occurs in the rear fender 8 from obliquely rearward and the rear fender 8 is deformed by the impact force, the air pressure in the closed space X2 of the rear fender 8 fluctuates. The fluctuation is transmitted to the closed space X1 of the back door 4 through the pipe member 41. And when this is detected by the sensor 61 and it corresponds to a predetermined condition, the airbag apparatus 51 will operate | move. That is, the airbag device 51 can be activated by detecting a collision with the rear fender 8 without providing a sensor in the closed space X2.

  Further, when a collision or the like occurs in the rear bumper 9 from the rear or obliquely rearward and the bumper beam 72 of the rear bumper 9 is deformed due to the impact force, the air pressure in the closed space X3 of the bumper beam 72 fluctuates, The fluctuation is transmitted through the pipe member 42 to the closed space X1. When this is detected by the sensor 61 and matches a predetermined condition, the airbag device 51 is activated. That is, even if a sensor is not provided in the closed space X3, the airbag device 51 can be operated by detecting a collision for detecting a collision with the rear bumper 9.

  In that case, since the sensor 61 is disposed in the closed space X1 provided in the back door 4, if there is a collision with the back door 4, the fluctuation of the air pressure is not directly transmitted through the pipe member. As a result, the collision with the back door 4 can be quickly detected.

  Moreover, since one closed space X1 of the spaces X1 and X2 is the space of the back door 4, this apparatus can be configured by effectively utilizing the originally provided closed space X1.

  Further, the closed space X1 in which the sensor 61 is disposed and the closed space X2 in which the sensor 61 is not disposed are an upper edge portion pivotally supported by the vehicle body 2 in the door 4, and a rear header near the edge portion in the vehicle body. 8, the closed spaces X1, X2, and X3 can be communicated at the shortest distance while eliminating the influence on the pipe members 41 and 42 by opening and closing the back door 4 as much as possible.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the sensor 61 is provided in the space X1 inside the back door 4 has been described. However, the present invention can be applied even when the sensor is provided not in the space X1 but in the space X2 or X3. is there.

  Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the panels 11 'and 21' are disposed close to the outer panels 11 'and 21' of the back door 4 'and the rear pillar 7'. Openings 11 b ′ and 21 b ′ are respectively provided at the portions, and a bellows-like member 120 is fixed around one of the openings. In the closed state of the back door 4 ', the closed space X1' of the back door 4 'and the closed space X2' of the rear pillar 7 '(including the rear fender as in the above embodiment) communicate with each other. Yes. According to this, the closed spaces X1 ′ and X2 ′ can be easily communicated with each other without drawing the pipe member in the closed spaces X1 ′ and X2 ′.

  When the outer panel 11 'of the back door 4' and the outer panel 21 'of the rear pillar 7' are closer to each other at the portion where the openings 11a 'and 21a' are provided, a bellows-like member is used. Even if 120 is not provided, the closed spaces X1 ′ and X2 ′ can be communicated with each other.

  Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the first and second embodiments, mainly the collision with the rear portion of the back door 4 and the vehicle body 2 is targeted, but the present invention is also applicable to the collision with the vehicle body side portion. This will be described as a second embodiment. That is, in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the sensor 91 is provided in the space X <b> 11 inside the side door 101 that opens and closes the opening of the side part of the vehicle body 100. The side door 101 is pivotally supported via hinges 115 and 115 so as to be rotatable around the front edge side. Further, an upper partition wall 103 and a lower partition wall 104 that close the upper end and lower end of the side pillar 102 having a closed cross-sectional structure are provided, and the inside of the side pillar 102 is a closed space X12. In addition, a pipe member 111 that communicates between the closed space X12 and the closed space X11 of the side door 101 is provided. Specifically, the pipe member 111 extends from the lower portion of the closed space X12 through the lower partition wall 104 to the outer space and forwards along the side surface of the side frame 106 on the inner side of the side sill 105. (Fixed to the frame 106 by a fixing member (not shown)), penetrates the inner panel of the front fender 107, enters the space in the front fender 107, bends upward and extends upward, Then, it bends backward, passes through the inner panel of the front fender 107 and exits to the external space, then passes through the inner panel at the front edge of the side door 101 and enters the space in the side door 101, It extends backward to the vicinity of 91. Note that a flexible portion is provided between the edge portion of the pipe member 111 where the side door 101 is pivotally supported and the vehicle body main body, as in the first embodiment. According to this, not only when there is a collision in the side door 101 but also in the vicinity of the rear end of the side door 101, that is, when there is a collision in the side pillar 102, the collision is detected by the sensor 91, The device can be activated. Further, a collision can be detected over the range of the side door 101 and the side pillar 102. In addition, since the pipe member 111 is provided along the frame member 106 constituting the vehicle body, the pipe member 111 does not bend even if the closed spaces X11 and X12 are separated from each other. The spaces X11 and X12 communicate well. Of course, it is possible to configure as in the second embodiment. Further, a closed space may be provided in the front fender 107 by the same wall member as in the first and second embodiments, and according to this, a collision with the front fender 107 can also be detected.

  Of course, one vehicle may be provided with both the configuration of either the first or second embodiment and the configuration of the third embodiment.

  In the first to third embodiments, the air pressure in the closed space is detected. However, sound pressure or the like may be detected.

  The present invention is widely applicable to a vehicle collision detection device that detects a collision with a vehicle.

It is explanatory drawing of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of this invention similarly. It is the figure which looked at the vehicle which has the collision detection apparatus for vehicles which concerns on embodiment of this invention from the vehicle back. It is the figure which looked at the rear part of this vehicle from the side. It is AA sectional drawing of FIG. FIG. 6 is a view taken in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 5. It is CC sectional drawing of FIG. It is DD sectional drawing of FIG. FIG. 8 is a view corresponding to FIG. 7 in a state where the back door is opened. FIG. 9 is a view corresponding to FIG. 8 in the vehicle collision detection device according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is the figure which looked at the vehicle which has the collision detection apparatus for vehicles which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention from the side.

Explanation of symbols

1 Vehicle 2 Body body (second body component)
4 Back door (first body component, door, back door)
7 Rear pillar (last pillar)
8 Rear fender 9 Bumper 41, 42 Pipe member 60 Control unit (determination means)
61 Air pressure sensor
91 Sensor 100 Body body (second body component)
101 Side door (first body component, door, side door)
102 Side pillar (pillar)
107 front fender 111 tube member X1 closed space (closed space of the first vehicle body component, closed space of the door)
X2 closed space (closed space of the second vehicle body component, closed space provided in the last pillar, closed space provided in the rear fender)
X3 closed space (closed space of the second body component, closed space provided on the bumper beam of the rear bumper)
X11 closed space (closed space of the first vehicle body component, closed space of the door)
X12 closed space (closed space of the second vehicle body component, closed space of the vehicle body, closed space provided in the pillar)

Claims (7)

A first vehicle body member having a closed space; a sensor for detecting a pressure state in the closed space; and a determination unit for determining a collision with the vehicle based on the pressure state detected by the sensor. A collision detection apparatus for a vehicle,
A second vehicle body component having a closed space;
A vehicle collision detection device, comprising: a communication means for communicating the closed space of the first vehicle body constituting member and the closed space of the second vehicle body constituting member. In the vehicle collision detection device according to claim 1,
One of the said 1st vehicle body structural member and the 2nd vehicle body structural member is a door, The collision detection apparatus for vehicles characterized by the above-mentioned. In the vehicle collision detection device according to claim 2,
The other of the first vehicle body component member and the second vehicle body component member is a vehicle body body,
The communication means includes a closed space of the first vehicle body component member and a closed space of the second vehicle body component member, an edge portion or a peripheral portion thereof pivotally supported by the vehicle body body at the door, and close to these portions of the vehicle body body. A vehicle collision detection device, wherein the vehicle collision detection device communicates with a part. In the vehicle collision detection device according to claim 3,
The door is a side door;
The closed space of the vehicle body is at least one of a closed space provided in the pillar and a closed space provided in the fender,
The vehicle collision detection apparatus, wherein the communication means is a pipe member that connects a closed space of a door and a closed space of a vehicle body. In the vehicle collision detection device according to claim 4,
The collision detection device for a vehicle, wherein the pipe member is provided along a frame member constituting the vehicle body. In the vehicle collision detection device according to claim 3,
The door is a back door;
The closed space of the vehicle body is at least one of a closed space provided in the rearmost pillar, a closed space provided in the rear fender, and a closed space provided in the bumper beam of the rear bumper.
The vehicle collision detection apparatus, wherein the communication means is a pipe member that connects a closed space of a door and a closed space of a vehicle body. In the vehicle collision detection device according to any one of claims 2 to 6,
The first vehicle body component on which the sensor is disposed is a door,
A vehicle collision detection device, wherein the sensor is disposed in a closed space of the door.

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