JP2008096378A - Submersion detector and submersion detecting method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a submersion detector and a submersion detecting method capable of restraining a malfunction and capable of quickly determining submersion. <P>SOLUTION: The submersion detector/submersion detecting method includes a plurality of submersion sensors 12, 14, 16, 18 more than three, and a detecting part 29 for detecting the submersion when the at least two submersion sensors out of the plurality of submersion sensors detect the submersion. The submersion is not detected as far as the two submersion sensors do not detect. The malfunction of the submersion detector is thereby restrained caused by dew condensation in the submersion sensors. The submersion is further detected quickly because the submersion is detected by detecting the submersion with the at least two submersion sensors out of the three or more of submersion sensors. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a submergence detection device and a submergence detection method, and more particularly to a submergence detection device and a submergence detection method having a plurality of submersion sensors.

  The submergence detection device detects that a vehicle or the like has been submerged, for example. When an accident in which the vehicle is submerged occurs, the submergence detection device detects the submergence, thereby opening the power window, for example, to ensure the safety of the passenger. Patent Document 1 discloses a submergence detection device that has a plurality of submersion sensors and determines that the vehicle has submerged when any of the plurality of submersion sensors detects submersion.

JP 2002-227527 A

  The submergence detection device according to Patent Document 1 determines that the vehicle has been submerged when any of the plurality of submersion sensors detects submersion. For this reason, if one submergence sensor malfunctions due to condensation or the like, the submergence detection device also malfunctions. On the other hand, the submersion detection device that determines that the submersion is submerged when all of the plurality of submersion sensors detect submersion cannot quickly determine whether the submersion is submerged. This increases the passenger's risk.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and an object thereof is to provide a submergence detection device and a submergence detection method capable of suppressing malfunction and promptly determining submergence.

  The present invention comprises three or more submersible sensors, and a detection unit that detects submersion when at least two of the submersible sensors detect submersion. It is a submergence detection device. According to the present invention, submersion is not detected unless the two submersion sensors detect submersion. Therefore, it is possible to suppress malfunction of the submergence detection device due to condensation of the submersion sensor. Furthermore, since the submersion is detected by detecting the submersion of at least two submersion sensors among the three or more submersion sensors, submersion can be detected quickly.

  In the present invention, when a plurality of submersion sensors arranged at the apex of a polygon and two submersion sensors at both ends of one side of each of the plurality of submersion sensors detect the submersion A submergence detection device comprising: a detection unit that detects submersion. According to this configuration, submergence can be detected quickly regardless of the submergence direction.

  The present invention includes a step of detecting submersion when at least two of the plurality of submersion sensors detect submersion, and a step of detecting submersion when at least two of the submersion sensors detect submersion. It is a detection method. According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress malfunctions and quickly determine whether or not the water is submerged.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the submergence detection apparatus and the submergence detection method which can suppress malfunctioning and can judge quick submergence can be provided.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  Example 1 is an example of a submergence detection device mounted on a vehicle. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a submergence detection device 60 according to the first embodiment. The submergence detection device 60 includes four submersion sensors 12, 14, 16 and 18, a detection unit 29, FETs 31 and 32, and drive circuits 33 and 34, which are provided on the substrate 10. The detection unit 29 includes OR circuits 20 and 22 and an AND circuit 24.

  The board | substrate 10 is a board | substrate which comprises ECU (vehicle control apparatus), for example. The outputs of the water immersion sensors 12, 14, 16 and 18 are input to the detection unit 29. The flooding sensors 12, 14, 16 and 18 output a high level when flooded. The OR circuit 20 performs OR processing on the outputs of the water immersion sensor A12 and the water immersion sensor B14. That is, when one of the submersion sensor A12 and the submersion sensor B14 detects the submersion, the OR circuit 20 outputs a high level. The OR circuit 22 performs OR processing on the outputs of the water immersion sensor C16 and the water immersion sensor D18. That is, when one of the submersion sensor C16 and the submersion sensor D18 detects the submersion, the OR circuit 22 outputs a high level.

  The AND circuit 24 ANDs the outputs of the OR circuits 20 and 22. That is, when both the outputs of the OR circuits 20 and 22 are at a high level, the AND circuit 24 outputs a high level. The output of the AND circuit 24 is connected to the gates of FETs 31 and 32 as switches as the output of the detection unit 29. The source and drain of the FET 31 are connected to the power source and the drive circuit 33, respectively. The source and drain of the FET 32 are connected to the power source and the drive circuit 34, respectively. When the output of the detection unit 29 becomes high level, the FETs 31 and 32 are turned on, and the power supply is connected to the drive circuits 33 and 34.

  Drive circuits 33 and 34 are circuits for driving a power window (P / W) control ECU 37 and a starter motor 38, respectively. When the output of the drive circuit 33 becomes high level, the relay 35 connects the P / W control ECU 37 to the power source. Therefore, the power window is driven. On the other hand, when the output of the drive circuit 34 becomes high level, the relay 36 cuts off the power supply of the starter motor 38.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the submergence detection device 60. A water immersion sensor 66 is provided on the substrate 10. The immersion sensor 66 is the immersion sensor 12, 14, 16, 18 shown in FIG. Although not shown, the detection unit 29, FETs 31 and 32, and drive circuits 33 and 34 are also mounted on the substrate 10. Further, a circuit as an ECU other than the submergence detection device 60 may be mounted. The substrate 10 is housed in the housings 62 and 64. When the vehicle is submerged, water enters the housings 62 and 64 through the gaps 68 between the housings 62 and 64 and through holes provided in the housings 62 and 64. The submergence detection device 60 may not have the housings 62 and 64, and the water immersion sensor 66 may be provided outside the housings 62 and 64.

  FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of the water immersion sensor 66. Referring to FIG. 3, conductive patterns 52, 54, and 56 are formed on substrate 10 at a constant distance. The patterns 52 and 54 are insulated by a notch 53, and the patterns 54 and 56 are insulated by a notch 55. The patterns 52, 54, and 56 can be formed of the same metal film as the wiring pattern formed on the substrate 10, for example. The pattern 52 is connected to the power source, the pattern 56 is connected to the ground, and the pattern 54 is connected to the gate of the P-type MOSFET 1. A resistor R, a capacitor C1, and a diode D1 are connected between the patterns 52 and 54. A capacitor C2 and a diode D2 are connected between the patterns 54 and 56. The power source is connected to the source of FET1, and the drain of FET1 is output via a diode D3. The threshold voltage of the FET 1 is set so that the gate is turned off when the voltage of the power supply is on and is turned on when the voltage is about half that of the power supply.

  When the patterns 52, 54, and 56 are not submerged, the patterns 52 and 54 are insulated by the notch 53 and the patterns 54 and 56 are insulated by the notch 55. Therefore, the gate of FET1 is almost the power supply voltage, and FET1 is off. When the patterns 52, 54, and 56 are submerged, ions in moisture flow between the patterns 52 and 54 and between the patterns 54 and 56. Therefore, the resistance between the patterns 52 and 54 and between the patterns 54 and 56 is lower than the resistance R1. For example, the notches 53 and 55 are set so that the resistance between the patterns 52 and 54 and the resistance between the patterns 54 and 56 are approximately the same. In this case, the gate becomes approximately half the power supply voltage, and the FET 1 is turned on. Therefore, the water immersion sensor 66 outputs a high level.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of a vehicle on which the submergence detection device 60 is mounted. Referring to FIG. 4, the submergence detection device 60 is mounted in the engine compartment 51 (encoper) of the vehicle 50 in the vertical direction with the upper side in FIG. The mounting position can be not only in the ENCOPA but also in the passenger compartment or in the passenger seat glow box.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the submergence detection device 60. First, the water immersion sensors 12, 14, 16 and 18 detect water immersion (step S10). Next, the detection unit 29 determines whether the water immersion sensor A12 or B14 and the water immersion sensor C16 or D18 have detected water immersion (step S12). In the case of No, the detection unit 29 outputs a low level. It is determined whether or not to end (step S14). For example, when the ignition key is removed, the end is determined. If not completed, the process returns to step S10. In the case of Yes in step S12, the detection unit 29 outputs a high level. That is, the submergence detection device 60 detects that the vehicle is submerged (step S16). The drive circuits 33 and 34 open the power window and stop the starter motor (step S18).

  Thus, the submergence detection device 60 detects the submergence of the vehicle 50 to ensure the safety of the passenger. When detecting the submergence of the vehicle 50, if the submergence detection device 60 detects that the vehicle 50 is submerged even though the vehicle 50 is not submerged, for example, the power window is opened during traveling, which is dangerous. On the other hand, when a vehicle is submerged, it is required to detect submergence as soon as possible. According to the first embodiment, the submergence detection device 60 does not detect submergence unless two physically separate submersion sensors detect submersion. Two physically separate water immersion sensors are unlikely to condense at the same time. Therefore, malfunction of the submergence detection device due to condensation can be suppressed. Moreover, even if all the four submersion sensors do not detect the submersion, the submersion detection device 60 detects submersion by detecting the submersion of the two submersion sensors. Therefore, it is possible to quickly detect submergence.

  FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C are diagrams showing a modification of the first embodiment. Referring to FIG. 6A, the AND circuit 26 AND-processes the outputs of the submersion sensors A12 and B14 and outputs the result to the OR circuit 28. The AND circuit 27 performs AND processing on the outputs of the water immersion sensors C16 and D18 and outputs the result to the OR circuit 28. The OR circuit 28 ORs the outputs of the AND circuits 26 and 27 and outputs the result. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the description is omitted and not shown.

  Referring to FIG. 6B, the only submersion sensor is the submersion sensor C17, and the AND circuit 25 performs an AND process on the output of the OR circuit 20 and the output of the submersion sensor C17 and outputs the result. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the description is omitted and not shown.

  Referring to FIG. 6C, OR circuits 21 and 23 OR process diagonal water immersion sensors A12 and D18 and water immersion sensors B14 and C16, respectively. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the description is omitted and not shown.

  According to the first embodiment and the modified example of FIGS. 6A to 6C, when at least two of the plurality of submersion sensors and at least two of the plurality of submersion sensors detect inundation. And a detecting unit 29 for detecting submergence. If at least two inundation sensors that are physically separated do not detect inundation, submersion is not detected. For this reason, it is possible to suppress malfunction of the submergence detection device due to condensation of the submersion sensor. Furthermore, since the submersion is detected by detecting the submersion of at least two submersion sensors among the three or more submersion sensors, submersion can be detected quickly. The number of inundation sensors may be three as in the modification of FIG. 6 (b), may be four as in FIG. 1, FIG. 6 (a) and FIG. 6 (c), or may be five or more. .

  Moreover, it is preferable that the plurality of water immersion sensors are separated from each other in order to suppress malfunction due to condensation. Therefore, when four submersion sensors are used, it is preferable to provide a plurality of submersion sensors at the four corners of the substrate 10 or the like.

  FIG. 7A to FIG. 7C are schematic views showing the position of the submersion sensor when the submersion detection device 60 is submerged. The submergence detection device 60 according to the first embodiment of FIG. 1 detects submersion when the submersion sensors B14 and D18 are submerged as shown in FIG. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7B, when the submersion sensors C16 and D18 are submerged, the submergence is not detected. As shown in FIG. 7C, the submergence is detected when the submersion sensor B14 is further submerged. Vehicles can be submerged from any direction. For example, as described above, when the submergence detection device 60 according to the first embodiment of FIG. 1 is submerged from the direction of FIG. 7B, detection of submergence is delayed.

  According to the submergence detection device of FIG. 6 (c), the two submersion sensors on either side of each of the submersion sensors 12, 14, 16 and 18 arranged at the vertices of the quadrangle shape detect inundation. In the case, the detection unit 29 detects submersion. Therefore, even if the two submersion sensors detect submergence even if submerged from either direction of FIG. 7A or FIG. 7B, the detection unit 29 detects submergence. For this reason, submergence can be detected quickly.

  The arrangement of the plurality of submersion sensors is not limited to a quadrangular shape, and may be a triangular shape, a pentagonal shape or more. That is, when a plurality of submersion sensors are arranged in a polygonal shape, and the two inundation sensors on both ends of one side of each of the polygonal sides of the plurality of submersion sensors detect the submersion, Detect submersion. Thereby, submergence can be detected more quickly.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. Is possible.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the submergence detection device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the submergence detection device. FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of the water immersion sensor. FIG. 4 shows a submergence detection device mounted on a vehicle. FIG. 5 is a floating chart illustrating the operation of the submergence detection apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C are diagrams showing a modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 7A to FIG. 7C are schematic views showing a submerged state of the submergence detection device.

Explanation of symbols

10 Submergence detection device 12, 14, 16, 18 Inundation sensor 20, 21, 22, 28 OR circuit 24, 25, 26, 27 AND circuit 29 Detection unit 31, 32 FET
35, 36 Relay

Claims (3)

Three or more submersion sensors,
A submergence detection device comprising: a detection unit that detects submersion when at least two of the plurality of submersion sensors detect submersion. A plurality of water immersion sensors arranged at the apex of the polygonal shape;
A submergence sensor comprising: a detection unit that detects submersion when two submersion sensors at both ends of each of the polygonal sides of the plurality of submersion sensors detect submersion. Detection device. A step of detecting inundation by three or more plural inundation sensors;
A submergence detection method comprising: detecting submersion when at least two of the plurality of submersion sensors detect submersion.

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