JP2008105498A - System, method, device and program for controlling airbag - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To adequately deploy an airbag to be deployed between right and left seats in a collision of a vehicle according to the state of objects in the vehicle. <P>SOLUTION: A vision sensor 7 picks up an image of a state of objects in a rear seat of a vehicle. An image analysis unit 31 analyzes the picked-up image. An object state analysis unit 32 analyzes whether or not the object is present at a scheduled deployment position of a rear seat center airbag to be deployed between the right and left rear seats, and records the result of analysis in a state analysis information storage unit 34. When collision sensors 2-6 detect the collision of the vehicle, a collision analysis unit 35 analyzes the kind of the collision. An airbag deployment control unit 36 deploys an adequate airbag among a plurality of airbags according to the kind of the collision, and prohibits the deployment of the rear seat center airbag when the object is at the scheduled deployment position of the rear seat center airbag. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an airbag control system, an airbag control method, an airbag control device, and a program that control deployment of an airbag mounted on a vehicle.

A vehicle such as an automobile is equipped with an airbag in case of an emergency. The airbag is inflated and deployed at the time of collision to restrain the occupant, and mitigates the impact on the occupant at the time of collision.
Well-known airbags include driver-seat air mounted on the steering wheel and instrument panel to restrain the passengers in the driver's and passenger's seats and reduce the impact on the passengers during a frontal collision of the vehicle. There are bags and passenger airbags.

In recent years, in addition to these airbags, an increasing number of vehicles are equipped with side airbags that inflate and deploy between the doors or pillars and the occupant in order to reduce the impact on the occupant during a side collision of the vehicle.
As such a side airbag, there is a so-called curtain side airbag that is mounted between a roof side rail above the door and a ceiling member, and that deploys from top to bottom like a curtain when a side collision occurs.
By inflating and deploying the curtain side airbag at the time of a side collision, not only the driver seat and the passenger seat but also the impact from the side surface to the occupant of the rear seat can be reduced.

By the way, at the time of a side collision, for example, when two occupants are on the rear seat, there is an impact caused by the collision between the occupants apart from the impact caused by the occupant colliding with the door or the pillar. May occur.
As a means for alleviating the impact caused by the collision between passengers, there is an airbag that is installed in armrests between the left and right seats of the rear seat and inflates and deploys at the time of a side collision (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-121156

  However, since the airbag described in Patent Document 1 is deployed upward from the armrest between the left and right seats of the rear seat, when a vehicle such as a passenger's luggage is on the armrest, The vehicle and the airbag in the middle of deployment may come into contact with each other, and the airbag may not be deployed properly.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an airbag control system that can appropriately deploy an airbag that is deployed between left and right seats in the event of a vehicle collision according to the state of a vehicle, An object is to provide an airbag control method, an airbag control device, and a program.

In order to achieve the above object, an airbag control system according to a first aspect of the present invention includes:
A collision sensor for detecting a vehicle collision;
A middle airbag that is deployed between a left seat and a right seat of the vehicle;
When the collision sensor detects a vehicle collision, it determines whether or not the vehicle in the vehicle is in the deployed position of the middle airbag, and determines that the vehicle is not in the deployed position of the middle airbag. An airbag deployment control means for deploying the middle airbag when
Is provided.

In the airbag control system,
Vehicle state information acquisition means for acquiring state information of a vehicle in the vehicle;
Vehicle state determination means for determining whether or not the vehicle is in the deployed position of the middle airbag based on the vehicle state information acquired by the vehicle state information acquisition means;
Vehicle state determination result storage means for storing the determination result by the vehicle state determination means,
The airbag deployment control means includes
Based on the determination result stored in the vehicle state determination result storage means, it is determined whether or not the vehicle in the vehicle is at the deployment position of the middle airbag;
You may do it.

In the airbag control system,
A left side airbag deployed on the left side of the vehicle;
A right side airbag deployed on the right side of the vehicle,
The collision sensor is
A left side collision sensor for detecting a collision from the left side surface of the vehicle;
A right side collision sensor for detecting a collision from the right side surface of the vehicle,
The airbag deployment control means includes
When the left side collision sensor detects a vehicle collision, the left side airbag is deployed, and when the right side collision sensor detects a vehicle collision, the right side airbag is deployed.
When the left side collision sensor or the right side collision sensor detects a collision of the vehicle, it is determined whether or not the vehicle in the vehicle is in the deployed position of the middle airbag, and the vehicle is in the middle airbag. When it is determined that the airbag is not in the deployed position, the middle airbag is deployed.
You may do it.

In the airbag control system,
A left side airbag deployed on the left side of the vehicle;
A right side airbag deployed on the right side of the vehicle,
The collision sensor has a rollover sensor that detects the rollover of the vehicle,
The airbag deployment control means includes
When the rollover sensor detects a rollover of the vehicle, the left side airbag and the right side airbag are deployed, and it is determined whether or not a vehicle in the vehicle is in the deployed position of the middle airbag. And when it is determined that the vehicle is not at the deployment position of the middle airbag, the middle airbag is deployed.
You may do it.

In the airbag control system,
The middle airbag is an airbag that is deployed between the left seat and the right seat of the rear seat,
The left side airbag is an airbag that deploys to the left and front of the left seat of the rear seat,
The right side airbag is an airbag that deploys to the right and front of the right seat of the rear seat,
The collision sensor further includes a front collision sensor that detects a frontal collision of the vehicle,
The airbag deployment control means deploys the left side airbag and the right side airbag when the front collision sensor detects a vehicle collision,
You may do it.

In the airbag control system,
The vehicle state information acquisition means is a vision sensor that acquires image information indicating a state of a vehicle in the vehicle,
The vehicle state determination means includes
Vehicle position information acquisition means for acquiring position information of the vehicle from image information indicating the state of the vehicle acquired by the vision sensor;
Deployment position information storage means for storing deployment position information of the middle airbag;
Based on the deployment position information of the middle airbag stored in the deployment position information storage means and the position information of the vehicle acquired by the vehicle position information acquisition means, the vehicle is stored in the middle airbag. A means for determining whether or not it is in the unfolded position,
You may do it.

In the airbag control system,
The middle airbag is an airbag that is deployed on a middle seat between a left seat and a right seat of the rear seat,
The vehicle state information acquisition means is a load sensor that detects the weight of the vehicle on the middle seat,
The vehicle state determination means includes
When the load sensor detects the weight of the vehicle, it is determined that the vehicle is in the deployed position of the middle airbag.
You may do it.

Moreover, the airbag control method according to the second aspect of the present invention includes:
A collision detection step in which a collision sensor detects a vehicle collision;
When the control device detects a collision in the collision detection step, it determines whether or not the vehicle's vehicle is in the deployed position of the middle airbag that is deployed between the left seat and the right seat of the vehicle. An airbag deployment control step for deploying the middle airbag when it is determined that the vehicle is not in the middle airbag deployment position;
Is provided.

An airbag control apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention is
Collision determination means for determining whether or not the vehicle has collided based on the collision information of the vehicle input from the collision information acquisition device;
When it is determined by the collision determination means that the vehicle has collided, it is determined whether or not the vehicle in the vehicle is at the deployment position of the middle airbag that is deployed between the left seat and the right seat of the vehicle. And an airbag deployment control means for outputting a signal instructing deployment of the airbag to a middle airbag deployment device that deploys the middle airbag when it is determined that the vehicle is not at the deployment position of the middle airbag. When,
Is provided.

A program according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is:
On the computer,
A collision determination step for determining whether or not the vehicle has collided based on the collision information of the vehicle input from the collision information acquisition device;
When it is determined in the collision determination step that the vehicle has collided, it is determined whether or not the vehicle in the vehicle is at the deployment position of the middle airbag that is deployed between the left seat and the right seat of the vehicle. And an airbag deployment control step of outputting a signal instructing deployment of the airbag to a middle airbag deployment device that deploys the middle airbag when it is determined that the vehicle is not at the deployment position of the middle airbag. When,
Is executed.

  According to the present invention, the airbag that is deployed between the left and right seats at the time of a vehicle collision can be appropriately deployed according to the state of the vehicle.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the present embodiment, a case will be described as an example in which the impact on the passenger seated in the rear seat (rear seat) is mitigated by an airbag when a vehicle such as an automobile collides.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state in which the airbag control system according to the first embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a vehicle.
As shown in the figure, the airbag control system according to the present embodiment includes an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 1, a front collision sensor 2, a left collision sensor 3, a right collision sensor 4, and a left rollover sensor 5. A right rollover sensor 6, a vision sensor 7, a rear seat left side airbag module 8, a rear seat right side airbag module 9, and a rear seat central airbag module 10 are provided.

The ECU 1 is a control unit (airbag control device) that controls the entire airbag control system. The ECU 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The CPU executes the control program stored in the ROM while temporarily storing various data using the RAM as a work area, thereby performing airbag activation / deployment control.
ECU1 is installed in the vehicle lower part ahead of a passenger seat, for example.

  The front collision sensor 2, the left collision sensor 3, the right collision sensor 4, the left roll sensor 5, and the right roll sensor 6 are sensors that detect a collision of the vehicle, and each of the collision (front collision) from the front of the vehicle, Detects a side collision from the left side (left side collision), a side collision from the right side (right side collision), a rollover from the left side (left rollover), and a rollover from the right side (right rollover). Hereinafter, the front collision sensor 2, the left collision sensor 3, the right collision sensor 4, the left roll sensor 5, and the right roll sensor 6 are collectively referred to as a collision sensor.

The front collision sensor 2 is installed on the front side of the vehicle, the left side collision sensor 3 and the left side roll sensor 5 are installed on the left side of the vehicle, and the right side collision sensor 4 and the right roll sensor 6 are installed on the right side of the vehicle. The sensor is connected to the ECU 1 through a cord.
These collision sensors 2 to 6 each output a collision detection signal to the ECU 1 when a collision is detected or predicted.

The vision sensor 7 is a sensor that detects a state of a vehicle such as an occupant or a luggage on a rear seat in the vehicle. The vision sensor 7 is installed in the vicinity of the center of the roof inside the vehicle toward the rear seat, and is connected to the ECU 1 via a cord.
The vision sensor 7 includes an imaging unit such as a CCD camera that captures an image, an image processing unit that performs digital conversion processing or the like on an image captured by the imaging unit, and the like. The vision sensor 7 captures the state of the vehicle on the rear seat and outputs an image signal of the captured image to the ECU 1 as vehicle state information.

  The rear seat left side airbag module 8, the rear seat right side airbag module 9, and the rear seat central airbag module 10 are modules for inflating and deploying an airbag, and each airbag body is in a folded state. And an inflator for supplying a gas for inflation and deployment to the airbag.

  The rear seat left side airbag module 8 is in the vicinity of the upper part of the left rear pillar of the vehicle, the rear seat right side airbag module 9 is in the vicinity of the upper part of the right rear pillar of the vehicle, and the rear seat central airbag module 10 is in the rear part of the vehicle. Each airbag module is installed below the rear tray surface behind the left and right seats of the seat, and each airbag module is connected to the ECU 1 via a cord.

  A signal (deployment control signal) instructing deployment of the airbag is input from the ECU 1 to the airbag modules 8 to 10. When the deployment control signal is input to the airbag modules 8 to 10, the inflator in the airbag module 8 to 10 supplies gas to the airbag body in a folded state, and the airbag is inflated and deployed.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a rear seat of the vehicle.
FIG. 2A shows the state of the rear seat when the airbag is not deployed, and FIG. 2B shows the state of the rear seat when the airbag is deployed.
As shown in FIG. 2 (a), the rear seat in the present embodiment includes three seats: a left seat 21, a middle seat 22, and a right seat 23. A rear tray 24 is located at the upper rear of the rear seat, and a left rear pillar 25 is located on the left of the rear tray 24 and a right rear pillar 26 is located on the right.

  The rear seat left side airbag module 8, the rear seat right side airbag module 9, and the rear seat central airbag module 10 described above are respectively located near the upper portion of the left rear pillar 25, near the upper portion of the right rear pillar 26, and the rear tray 24. It is installed under the surface behind the middle sheet 22.

When the vehicle collides, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), the airbag main body provided in each of the airbag modules 8 to 10 is inflated and deployed.
The rear seat left side airbag 27 is an airbag provided in the rear seat left side airbag module 8 and is deployed on the left side and the front side of the left seat 21 of the rear seat at the time of a vehicle collision as shown in the figure. When the rear seat left side airbag 27 is deployed at the time of a collision, the impact on the occupant seated on the left seat 21 of the rear seat is reduced. Specifically, the impact on the occupant is mitigated by the portion 27a at the time of left-side collision and rollover, and the impact on the occupant is mitigated by the portion 27b at the time of the front collision.

  The rear seat right side airbag 28 is an airbag provided in the rear seat right side airbag module 9 and is deployed on the right side and the front side of the right seat 23 of the rear seat at the time of a vehicle collision, as shown in the figure. When the rear seat right side airbag 28 is deployed at the time of a collision, the impact on the occupant seated on the right seat 23 of the rear seat is mitigated. Specifically, the impact on the occupant is mitigated by the portion 28a at the time of a right-side collision and rollover, and the impact on the occupant is mitigated by the portion 28b at the time of a front collision.

  The rear seat central airbag 29 is an airbag provided in the rear seat central airbag module 10 and, as shown in the drawing, on the middle seat 22 between the left seat 21 and the right seat 23 of the rear seat at the time of a vehicle collision. Expand to. When the rear seat central airbag 29 is deployed at the time of a side collision and rollover, an impact generated by a collision between an occupant seated on the left seat 21 of the rear seat and an occupant seated on the right seat 23 occurs. Alleviated.

In the airbag control system configured as described above, the ECU 1 receives signals input from the front collision sensor 2, the left collision sensor 3, the right collision sensor 4, the left roll sensor 5, the right roll sensor 6, and the vision sensor 7. Based on the above, the type of collision and the state of the vehicle on the rear seat are determined. Then, the ECU 1 sends a signal for controlling the deployment / non-deployment of the rear seat left side airbag 27, the rear seat right side airbag 28, and the rear seat central airbag 29 to each airbag according to the determination result. The rear seat left side airbag module 8, the rear seat right side airbag module 9, and the rear seat central airbag module 10 are generated.
Thereby, at the time of a vehicle collision, the airbag can be appropriately deployed according to the type of the collision, the state of the vehicle on the rear seat, and the like.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the airbag control system according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 3, the same components as those already described are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the ECU 1 includes an image analysis unit 31, a vehicle state analysis unit 32, a reference position information storage unit 33, a state analysis information storage unit 34, a collision analysis unit 35, and an airbag deployment control. Part 36. The image analysis unit 31, the vehicle state analysis unit 32, the collision analysis unit 35, and the airbag deployment control unit 36 can be realized as software by a control program stored in the ROM in the ECU 1.

Information of an image obtained by photographing the space on the rear seat is input from the vision sensor 7 to the image analysis unit 31.
The image analysis unit 31 analyzes the input image information, and if a vehicle is present on the rear seat, obtains the position of the vehicle. In addition, as a method for obtaining the position of the photographing object from image information obtained by photographing the photographing object, for example, there is a known stereo method.
The image analysis unit 31 outputs the obtained vehicle position information to the vehicle state analysis unit 32.

The vehicle state analysis unit 32 determines that the vehicle on the rear seat is the deployment position of the rear seat central airbag 29 based on the vehicle position information input from the image analysis unit 31 and the stored content of the reference position information storage unit 33. It is determined whether or not it is in a state where it overlaps with.
The reference position information storage unit 33 is configured by a ROM or the like in the ECU 1 and stores position information in the deployed state of the rear seat central airbag 29 deployed on the rear seat as reference position information. The position of the rear seat central airbag 29 in the deployed state is obtained in advance from, for example, the image information in the deployed state and recorded in the reference position information storage unit 33.

  Specifically, when the vehicle state analysis unit 32 acquires the position information of the vehicle from the image analysis unit 31, the vehicle state analysis unit 32 reads the position information when the rear seat central airbag 29 is deployed from the reference position information storage unit 33. It is determined whether or not there is an overlapping portion at the position. Then, the vehicle state analysis unit 32 records the determination result in the state analysis information storage unit 34 as state analysis information.

  Whether the state analysis information storage unit 34 is configured by the RAM or the like in the ECU 1 and the vehicle is overlapped with the deployed position of the rear seat central airbag 29 or is in a non-overlapping position. Remember. The state analysis information storage unit 34 stores the state analysis information of the vehicle as, for example, the value of a 1-bit position overlap state flag F1 prepared in the RAM. For example, when the vehicle state analysis unit 32 determines that the position overlap state exists, the vehicle state analysis unit 32 sets the value of the position overlap state flag F1 to “1” (BIN) and determines that the position overlap state does not occur. In this case, the value of the position overlap state flag F1 is set to “0” (BIN).

The collision analysis unit 35 receives collision detection signals from the collision sensors 2, that is, the front collision sensor 2, the left collision sensor 3, the right collision sensor 4, the left rollover sensor 5, and the right rollover sensor 6.
The collision analysis unit 35 analyzes the input collision detection signal and determines the type of collision. Specifically, the collision analysis unit 35 determines a front collision when a collision detection signal is received from the front collision sensor 2, and determines a left collision when a collision detection signal is received from the left collision sensor 3. When a collision detection signal is received from the right side collision sensor 4, it is determined that the collision is a right side collision. Further, when a collision detection signal is received from the left rollover sensor 5 or the right rollover sensor 6, it is determined that the rollover has occurred.
Then, the collision analysis unit 35 outputs the determined result to the airbag deployment control unit 36 as collision type information.

The airbag deployment control unit 36 determines an appropriate combination of airbags for deployment based on the collision type information input from the collision analysis unit 35 and the state analysis information stored in the state analysis information storage unit 34. Deploy the airbag in the determined combination.
Specifically, the airbag deployment control unit 36 selects the rear seat left side airbag 27, the rear seat right side airbag 28, or the rear seat center airbag 29 according to the collision type information and the state analysis information. Determine the airbag to be deployed. Then, an airbag module having an airbag to be deployed is selected from the rear seat left side airbag module 8, the rear seat right side airbag module 9, and the rear seat central airbag module 10, and a deployment control signal is transmitted. Output.

  For example, when the collision type information is a front collision, even if two occupants are seated separately on the left and right seats in the rear seat, the occupants move in inertia in the lateral direction and collide with each other. Since there is no fear, the airbag deployment control unit 36 deploys the rear seat left side airbag 27 and the rear seat right side airbag 28 without deploying the rear seat central airbag 29.

When the collision type information is a left-side collision or a right-side collision, the airbag deployment control unit 36 sets the side airbag (the rear seat left side airbag 27 or the rear seat right side airbag 28) on the side surface that has collided. In principle, the rear seat central airbag 29 is deployed, but the rear seat central airbag 29 is not deployed when the state of the vehicle is in a position overlapping state.
Further, when the collision type information is rollover, the airbag deployment control unit 36 sets the airbags on both sides (the rear seat left side airbag 27 and the rear seat right side airbag 28) and the rear seat central airbag 29. In principle, the rear seat central airbag 29 is not deployed when the vehicle is in an overlapping position.

Next, the operation of the airbag control system having such a configuration will be described.
The airbag control system according to the present embodiment executes a state analysis information recording process for analyzing a state of a vehicle and recording state analysis information during operation (operation) of the vehicle engine. If a vehicle collision is detected during the execution of the state analysis information recording process, the state analysis information recording process is forcibly terminated, and a collision airbag development control process described later is preferentially executed. Even if the engine is not operating, these processes may be executed when operable power is supplied to the airbag control system.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of the state analysis information recording process.
This process is started, for example, when the vehicle engine is started.
First, the image analysis unit 31 acquires vehicle state information indicating the state of the vehicle on the rear seat from the vision sensor 7 (step S11).
Specifically, the vision sensor 7 images the space on the rear seat, and outputs image information obtained by the imaging to the image analysis unit 31. The image analysis unit 31 acquires image information indicating the state of the vehicle on the rear seat as vehicle state information.

Next, the image analysis unit 31 obtains vehicle position information from the acquired vehicle state information (step S12).
Specifically, the image analysis unit 31 analyzes the acquired image using a known three-dimensional shape recognition method such as a stereo method, and uses the three-dimensional position coordinates of the vehicle existing on the rear seat as the vehicle position. Ask for information.

Next, the vehicle state analysis unit 32 reads the reference position information from the reference position information storage unit 33 (step S13), and uses the read reference position information and the vehicle position information obtained by the image analysis unit 31. It is determined whether or not the vehicle is in a position overlapping state (step S14).
Specifically, the reference position information storage unit 33 stores in advance the three-dimensional position coordinates of the position where the deployment of the rear seat central airbag 29 is predicted in the event of a collision. The vehicle state analysis unit 32 compares the three-dimensional position coordinates of the vehicle with the three-dimensional position coordinates of the predicted airbag deployment position, and a position where there is an overlap between the position of the vehicle and the predicted airbag deployment position. It is determined whether or not there is an overlapping state.

When determining that the vehicle state analysis unit 32 is in the position overlap state (step S14: YES), the vehicle state analysis unit 32 records the state overlap information in the state analysis information storage unit 34 as the state analysis information (step S15). Specifically, for example, the value of the position overlap state flag F1 is set to “1”.
On the other hand, if it is determined that the position is not overlapped (step S14: NO), the vehicle state analyzer 32 records the state non-overlapping state in the state analysis information storage 34 as state analysis information (step S16). . Specifically, for example, the value of the position overlap state flag F1 is set to “0”.

Subsequently, the ECU 1 determines whether or not the engine of the vehicle is operating (step S17). If the vehicle is operating (step S17: YES), the ECU 1 returns to step S11 and repeats the processes of steps S11 to S16. When the position overlap state or the position non-overlap state of the vehicle changes, the information recorded in the state analysis information storage unit 34 is rewritten.
When the engine is not operating (step S17: NO), the ECU 1 ends this state analysis information recording process.

Next, the airbag deployment control process at the time of collision executed by using the state analysis information recorded in the state analysis information storage unit 34 by the state analysis information recording process will be described.
5 and 6 are flowcharts showing the flow of the airbag deployment control process at the time of collision.
Similar to the state analysis information recording process described above, this process is also started when the vehicle engine is started, for example.

First, the collision analysis unit 35 determines whether or not the vehicle has collided (step S21 in FIG. 5). Specifically, when the collision analysis unit 35 receives a collision detection signal from any of the front collision sensor 2, the left collision sensor 3, the right collision sensor 4, the left roll sensor 5, and the right roll sensor 6, It is determined that there is a collision.
If no collision is detected (step S21: NO), the collision analysis unit 35 continues to monitor the detection of the collision without proceeding to the following processing.

  When a collision is detected (step S21: YES), the airbag deployment control unit 36 acquires collision type information from the collision analysis unit 35 (step S22). Specifically, depending on which collision sensor the collision analysis unit 35 has received the collision detection signal, the collision type of the front collision, the left collision, the right collision, or the rollover is determined, and the collision type information is controlled by the airbag deployment control. To the unit 36.

  Next, the airbag deployment control unit 36 determines whether or not the collision type is a front collision (step S23). If it is a front collision (step S23: YES), the airbag deployment control unit 36 deploys the rear seat left side airbag 27 and the rear seat right side airbag 28 (step S24), and performs this process. Exit. Specifically, in order to deploy these airbags, the airbag deployment control unit 36 outputs a deployment control signal to the rear seat left side airbag module 8 and the rear seat right side airbag module 9, and A deployment control signal is not output to the central airbag module 10.

  At the time of a front collision, the rear seat left side airbag 27 having the portion 27b and the rear seat right side airbag 28 having the portion 28b as shown in FIG. Impact on passengers can be reduced.

If it is not a front collision (step S23: NO), the airbag deployment control unit 36 determines whether or not the collision type is a left collision (step S25).
If the vehicle is on the left side (step S25: YES), the airbag deployment control unit 36 reads out the state analysis information recorded in the state analysis information storage unit 34 in the state analysis information recording process described above, and gets on the vehicle. It is determined whether or not the state of the object is a position overlap state (step S26). Specifically, if the airbag deployment control unit 36 determines that the collision is on the left side, it reads the value of the position overlap state flag F1 from the state analysis information storage unit 34, and if F1 = “1”, the position overlap is performed. When the state is F1 = “0”, it is determined that the positions are non-overlapping.

  If the position is not overlapped (step S26: NO), the airbag deployment control unit 36 deploys the rear seat left side airbag 27 and the rear seat central airbag 29 (step S27), and performs this process. finish. Specifically, in order to deploy these airbags, the airbag deployment control unit 36 outputs a deployment control signal to the rear seat left side airbag module 8 and the rear seat central airbag module 10, and the rear seat right A deployment control signal is not output to the side airbag module 9.

  When the rear seat left side airbag 27 is inflated and deployed at the time of the left side collision, it is possible to mitigate the impact generated by the occupant inertially moving leftward due to the left side collision and colliding with the left side surface inside the vehicle. Furthermore, when the rear seat central airbag 29 is inflated and deployed, for example, when two occupants are riding in the left and right seats, the occupant seated on the right seat 23 moves to the left. The impact generated by the inertial movement and the collision with the occupant seated on the left seat 21 can be reduced.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S26 that the positions are overlapping (step S26: YES), the airbag deployment control unit 36 deploys only the rear seat left side airbag 27 (step S28). The process ends. Specifically, in order to deploy the airbag, the airbag deployment control unit 36 outputs a deployment control signal to the rear seat left side airbag module 8, and the rear seat right side airbag module 9 and the rear seat center. A deployment control signal is not output to the airbag module 10.

  As described above, the airbag control system according to the present embodiment has the rear seat central airbag 29 when the vehicle is present at the deployed position of the rear seat central airbag 29 at the time of the left collision. Prohibit the deployment of Thereby, it is possible to prevent the rear seat central airbag 29 from coming into contact with the vehicle during deployment.

If it is determined in step S25 that the collision is not the left side (step S25: NO), the airbag deployment control unit 36 determines whether the collision type is a right side collision (step S29 in FIG. 6).
If it is a right-side collision (step S29: YES), it is determined whether or not the state of the vehicle is a position overlap state as in step S26 (step S30).

  If the position is not overlapped (step S30: NO), the airbag deployment control unit 36 deploys the rear seat right side airbag 28 and the rear seat central airbag 29 (step S31), and performs this process. finish. Specifically, in order to deploy these airbags, the airbag deployment control unit 36 outputs a deployment control signal to the rear seat right side airbag module 9 and the rear seat central airbag module 10, and the rear seat left A deployment control signal is not output to the side airbag module 8.

  When the rear seat right side airbag 28 is inflated and deployed at the time of the right side collision, it is possible to mitigate the impact generated by the occupant inertially moving in the right direction due to the right side collision and colliding with the right side surface inside the vehicle. Further, when the rear seat central airbag 29 is inflated and deployed, for example, when two occupants are riding in the left and right seats in the rear seat, the occupant seated on the left seat 21 moves in the right direction. The impact generated by the inertial movement and the collision with the occupant seated on the right seat 23 can be reduced.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S30 that the positions are overlapped (step S30: YES), the airbag deployment control unit 36 deploys only the rear seat right side airbag 28 (step S32). The process ends. Specifically, in order to deploy the airbag, the airbag deployment control unit 36 outputs a deployment control signal to the rear seat right side airbag module 9, and the rear seat left side airbag module 8 and the rear seat center. A deployment control signal is not output to the airbag module 10.

  As described above, the airbag control system according to the present embodiment has the rear seat central airbag 29 when the vehicle is present at the deployed position of the rear seat central airbag 29 at the time of the right collision. Prohibit the deployment of Thereby, it is possible to prevent the rear seat central airbag 29 from coming into contact with the vehicle during deployment.

If it is determined in step S29 that it is not a right side collision (step S29: NO), since the collision type is neither a frontal collision nor a left side collision, the airbag deployment control unit 36 determines that the collision type is a rollover. Perform adaptive airbag deployment control.
First, similarly to step S26, it is determined whether or not the state of the vehicle is a position overlap state (step S33).

  If the position is not overlapped (step S33: NO), the airbag deployment control unit 36 deploys the rear seat left side airbag 27, the rear seat right side airbag 28, and the rear seat central airbag 29. (Step S34), and this process is terminated. Specifically, in order to deploy these airbags, the airbag deployment control unit 36 includes the rear seat left side airbag module 8, the rear seat right side airbag module 9, and the rear seat central airbag module 10. Output deployment control signals to all modules.

  When the vehicle rolls over, the rear seat left side airbag 27 and the rear seat right side airbag 28 inflate and deploy, thereby mitigating the impact caused by the passenger moving inertially in the left and right directions and colliding with the side surface inside the vehicle. be able to. Further, when the rear seat central airbag 29 is inflated and deployed, for example, when two occupants are riding in the left and right seats in the rear seat, each occupant moves laterally and the occupants The impact generated by the collision can be reduced.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S33 that the positions are overlapping (step S33: YES), the airbag deployment control unit 36 deploys the rear seat left side airbag 27 and the rear seat right side airbag 28. (Step S35), and this process is terminated. Specifically, in order to deploy these airbags, the airbag deployment control unit 36 outputs a deployment control signal to the rear seat left side airbag module 8 and the rear seat right side airbag module 9, and A deployment control signal is not output to the central airbag module 10.

  As described above, when the airbag control system according to the present embodiment is in a position overlapping state in which a vehicle is present at the deployed position of the rear seat central airbag 29 at the time of rollover, the airbag control system of the rear seat central airbag 29 Prohibit deployment. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the rear seat central airbag 29 from coming into contact with the vehicle during deployment.

  As described above, the airbag control system according to the present embodiment grasps the state of the vehicle on the rear seat by the state analysis information recording process and stores the latest state analysis information. In the event of a collision, the airbag deployment control process at the time of collision deploys the appropriate airbag according to the situation from among the multiple airbags mounted on the vehicle based on the type of collision and the latest state analysis information. Let

  Since the rear seat central airbag 29 is deployed on the middle seat 22 of the rear seat at the time of a collision, there is a possibility that the rear seat central airbag 29 may come into contact with a vehicle on the rear seat during inflation and deployment. And when an airbag contacts a vehicle in the middle of deployment, there is a risk that the airbag will not be deployed properly. Therefore, the airbag control system according to the present embodiment suppresses the inflation and deployment when the rear seat central airbag 29 may come into contact with the vehicle during deployment.

  Accordingly, an appropriate airbag can be deployed according to the type of collision, and the rear seat central airbag 29 can be appropriately deployed so as not to come into contact with the vehicle during inflation and deployment according to the state of the vehicle. Can be made.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, when the vehicle such as an occupant is present at the deployed position of the rear seat central airbag 29, the rear seat central airbag 29 is controlled not to be deployed. However, the state of the vehicle on the rear seat may be further divided into cases, and the deployment of the rear seat central airbag 29 may be controlled in accordance with the more detailed vehicle state.
Therefore, in the second embodiment of the present invention, a case will be described in which the deployment of the airbag is controlled depending on which seat of the rear seat the occupant is seated on.

The configuration of the airbag control system according to the second embodiment of the present invention can be substantially the same as the configuration of the airbag control system according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.
However, since the operations of the vehicle state analysis unit 32 and the airbag deployment control unit 36 are different from the stored contents of the reference position information storage unit 33 and the state analysis information storage unit 34, differences will be mainly described.

In the present embodiment, the reference position information storage unit 33 stores position information (position coordinates) of each of the left seat 21, the middle seat 22, and the right seat 23 of the rear seat.
When the vehicle state analysis unit 32 acquires the position information of the occupant from the image analysis unit 31, the vehicle state analysis unit 32 reads the position information of each seat from the reference position information storage unit 33, and the occupant reads the left seat 21, the middle seat 22, and the rear seat. It is determined which seat of the right seat 23 is seated.
Then, the vehicle state analysis unit 32 classifies the state of the vehicle into four states of the rear seat non-boarding state, the one-side riding state, the both-side riding state, and the central riding state from the determination result, and the state analysis information storage unit 34. To record.

Here, the rear seat non-riding state is a state in which no occupant is in the rear seat. The vehicle state analysis unit 32 determines that the vehicle is not in the rear seat state when no occupant is seated on any of the left seat 21, the middle seat 22, and the right seat 23.
The one-side boarding state is a state in which an occupant is on one side of the rear seat. The vehicle state analysis unit 32 determines that the vehicle is in the one-side riding state when the occupant is seated on either the left seat 21 or the right seat 23 and the occupant is not seated on the middle seat 22.
The both-side boarding state is a state in which an occupant is on both sides of the rear seat. The vehicle state analysis unit 32 determines that the vehicle is in the both-side boarding state when the occupant is seated on both the left seat 21 and the right seat 23 and the occupant is not seated on the middle seat 22.

The center riding state is a state in which an occupant is in the center of the rear seat. The vehicle state analysis unit 32 determines that the vehicle is in the central riding state when an occupant is seated on the middle seat 22. For this reason, when the occupant is seated across the middle seat 22 and the left seat 21 or the right seat 23, or when the occupant is sleeping over the entire rear seat, it is determined that the passenger is in the central riding state.
This central boarding state is a state in which an occupant may overlap the deployed position of the rear seat central airbag 29, and thus corresponds to the “position overlap state” in the first embodiment.

The state analysis information storage unit 34 stores the state analysis information classified into these four as, for example, the value of a 2-bit riding state flag F2 prepared in the RAM.
The vehicle state analysis unit 32 sets, for example, F2 = “00” (BIN) when it is determined that the rear seat is not in the riding state, and F2 = “01” (BIN) when it is determined that the vehicle is in the one-side riding state. When it is determined that the vehicle is in the both-side boarding state, F2 = "10" (BIN) is set. When it is determined that the vehicle is in the center riding state, F2 = "11" (BIN) is set.

  The airbag deployment control unit 36 determines an appropriate combination of airbags for deployment based on the state analysis information stored in the state analysis information storage unit 34 and the collision type information supplied from the collision analysis unit 35. Deploy the airbag in the determined combination.

Next, the airbag deployment control operation by the airbag deployment controller 36 will be described with reference to FIGS.
7 and 8 are flowcharts showing the flow of the airbag deployment control process at the time of collision in the second embodiment of the present invention.
7 and 8, detailed description of the same processing portions as those of the airbag deployment control process at the time of collision in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 will be omitted.

  First, the collision analysis unit 35 determines whether or not the vehicle has collided (step S41 in FIG. 7). If no collision is detected (step S41: NO), the collision analysis unit 35 monitors the detection of the collision. Keep doing.

When a collision is detected (step S41: YES), the airbag deployment control unit 36 acquires collision type information from the collision analysis unit 35 (step S42), and determines whether the collision type is a front collision (step S42). Step S43).
If it is a front collision (step S43: YES), the airbag deployment control unit 36 reads out the state analysis information recorded in the state analysis information storage unit 34, and determines whether or not it is in the rear seat non-boarding state. Is determined (step S44). Specifically, the airbag deployment control unit 36 reads the value of the riding state flag F2 from the state analysis information storage unit 34, and determines that the rear seat is not in the riding state when F2 = “00”.

If the rear seat is not in the boarding state (step S44: YES), the airbag deployment control unit 36 ends this processing without deploying the airbag in the rear seat. Specifically, the airbag deployment control unit 36 does not output a deployment control signal to any of the rear seat left side airbag module 8, the rear seat right side airbag module 9, and the rear seat central airbag module 10.
On the other hand, when the vehicle is not in the rear seat non-riding state (step S44: NO), the airbag deployment control unit 36, like step S24 in FIG. 5, performs the rear seat left side airbag 27 and the rear seat right side airbag 28. Is expanded (step S45), and this process is terminated.

If it is determined in step S43 that the collision is not a front collision (step S43: NO), the airbag deployment control unit 36 determines whether the collision type is a left collision (step S46).
If the vehicle is on the left side (step S46: YES), the airbag deployment control unit 36 reads out the state analysis information recorded in the state analysis information storage unit 34, and determines whether or not the vehicle is in the rear seat non-boarding state. Is determined (step S47).

If the rear seat is not in the boarding state (step S47: YES), the airbag deployment control unit 36 ends this processing without deploying the airbag in the rear seat.
On the other hand, if it is not in the rear seat non-riding state (step S47: NO), the airbag deployment control unit 36 further determines whether or not it is in the both-side riding state (step S48). Specifically, the airbag deployment control unit 36 determines that the vehicle is in the both-side boarding state when the value of the riding state flag F2 read from the state analysis information storage unit 34 is F2 = “10”.

When the vehicle is in the both-side boarding state (step S48: YES), the airbag deployment control unit 36 deploys the rear seat left side airbag 27 and the rear seat central airbag 29 as in step S27 of FIG. (Step S49), the process is terminated.
On the other hand, when the vehicle is not in the both-side boarding state (step S48: NO), that is, when it is in the one-side boarding state or the center boarding state, the airbag deployment control unit 36, as in step S28 in FIG. Only the airbag 27 is deployed (step S50), and this process is terminated.

If it is determined in step S46 that the collision is not the left side (step S46: NO), the airbag deployment control unit 36 determines whether the collision type is a right side collision (step S51 in FIG. 8).
And when it is a right side collision (step S51: YES), the airbag deployment control part 36 reads the state analysis information recorded in the state analysis information storage part 34, and is it not in a backseat non-boarding state? Is determined (step S52).

If the rear seat is not in the boarding state (step S52: YES), the airbag deployment control unit 36 ends this processing without deploying the airbag in the rear seat.
On the other hand, when it is not in the rear seat non-riding state (step S52: NO), the airbag deployment control unit 36 further determines whether or not it is in the both-side riding state (step S53).

When the vehicle is in the both-side boarding state (step S53: YES), the airbag deployment control unit 36 deploys the rear seat right side airbag 28 and the rear seat central airbag 29 in the same manner as in step S31 of FIG. (Step S54), the process ends.
On the other hand, when the vehicle is not in the both-side boarding state (step S53: NO), that is, when it is in the one-side boarding state or the center boarding state, the airbag deployment control unit 36, as in step S32 in FIG. Only the airbag 28 is deployed (step S55), and this process is terminated.

If it is determined in step S51 that the collision is not a right side collision (step S51: NO), since the collision type is neither a frontal collision nor a left side collision, the airbag deployment control unit 36 determines that the collision type is a rollover. Perform adaptive airbag deployment control.
First, the airbag deployment control unit 36 reads the state analysis information recorded in the state analysis information storage unit 34, and determines whether or not it is in the rear seat non-boarding state (step S56).

If the rear seat is not in the boarding state (step S56: YES), the airbag deployment control unit 36 ends this processing without deploying the airbag in the rear seat.
On the other hand, when it is not in the rear seat non-riding state (step S56: NO), the airbag deployment control unit 36 further determines whether or not it is in the central riding state (step S57). Specifically, the airbag deployment control unit 36 determines that the vehicle is in the central riding state when the value of the riding state flag F2 read from the state analysis information storage unit 34 is F2 = “11”.

When the vehicle is not in the center riding state (step S57: NO), the airbag deployment control unit 36, like step S34 in FIG. 6, performs the rear seat left side airbag 27, the rear seat right side airbag 28, and the rear seat. The central airbag 29 is deployed (step S58), and this process ends.
On the other hand, when the vehicle is in the center riding state (step S57: YES), the airbag deployment control unit 36 sets the rear seat left side airbag 27 and the rear seat right side airbag 28 in the same manner as in step S35 of FIG. After developing (step S59), the process is terminated.

  As described above, the airbag control system according to the second embodiment of the present invention determines whether or not the vehicle is in the rear seat non-boarding state in steps S44, S47, S52, and S56. When the rear seat is not in the rear seat with no passenger in the rear seat, the rear seat left side airbag 27, the rear seat right side airbag 28, and the rear seat central airbag 29 are not deployed. Accordingly, it is possible to prohibit the inflation and deployment of the airbag that does not contribute to alleviating the impact on the occupant.

  Further, the airbag control system according to the second embodiment of the present invention determines whether or not both sides are in a boarding state in steps S48 and S53 at the time of a side collision. The central airbag 29 is not deployed. That is, the rear seat central airbag 29 is not deployed not only when the occupant is in the central riding state where the rear seat central airbag 29 is in the deployed position, but also when the occupant is in one-side riding state. As a result, it is possible to prohibit the inflation and deployment of the airbag that does not contribute to the mitigation of the impact caused by the collision between passengers.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the airbag can be deployed more efficiently according to the state of the occupant of the rear seat at the time of the collision.

Note that the airbag deployment control operation by the airbag deployment control unit 36 is not limited to the operations shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, and more detailed airbag deployment control is performed according to the state of the occupant. It may be.
For example, the airbag deployment control may be performed by further dividing the one-side boarding state into a left one-side boarding state in which an occupant is seated on the left side and a right one-side boarding state in which the occupant is seated on the right side.

Specifically, in the above-described airbag deployment control process at the time of collision, for example, when the vehicle is in a one-side boarding state at the time of a left collision, the rear seat left side airbag 27 is uniformly deployed in step S50. When the passenger is seated on the right side where the passenger is seated on the opposite side of the collision side, the rear seat central airbag 29 on the left side of the passenger and closer to the passenger is deployed, and the rear seat left side airbag 27 is You may make it not expand.
That is, in the case of a side collision, when the occupant is seated on the side opposite to the collision side, the rear seat central airbag 29 is deployed. By controlling in this way, the occupant can be restrained more quickly in the event of a collision.

[Third Embodiment]
In the first and second embodiments, the vehicle state information is acquired by the vision sensor 7. However, the vehicle state information acquisition means is not limited to this.
Therefore, in the third embodiment of the present invention, a case where the vehicle state information is acquired by a load sensor installed under the rear seat will be described.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an airbag control system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 9, the same components as those in the airbag control system according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.
As shown in the figure, the airbag control system according to the present embodiment includes a rear seat left seat load sensor 41, a rear seat middle seat load sensor 42, and a rear seat right seat load sensor 43 instead of the vision sensor 7. . In addition, the operation of the vehicle state analysis unit 32 is different from the first and second embodiments.

The rear seat left seat load sensor 41 is below the surface of the left seat 21 of the rear seat, the rear seat middle seat load sensor 42 is below the surface of the middle seat 22, and the rear seat right seat load sensor 43 is below the surface of the right seat 23. Each load sensor is connected to the ECU 1 via a cord.
Each of the load sensors 41 to 43 detects the load when the vehicle is seated on the seat, and outputs a load detection signal to the vehicle state analysis unit 32 of the ECU 1.

The vehicle state analysis unit 32 generates state analysis information based on the load detection signals input from the load sensors 41 to 43 and records the state analysis information in the state analysis information storage unit 34.
The vehicle state analysis unit 32 classifies and records the state of the vehicle into four states, a rear seat non-boarding state, a one-side riding state, a both-side riding state, and a central riding state, as in the second embodiment. To do.

In this case, the vehicle state analysis unit 32 receives no load detection signal from any of the rear seat left seat load sensor 41, the rear seat middle seat load sensor 42, and the rear seat right seat load sensor 43. It is determined that the user is not in the rear seat.
Further, the vehicle state analysis unit 32 receives a load detection signal from either the rear seat left seat load sensor 41 or the rear seat right seat load sensor 43, and receives a load detection signal from the rear seat seat load sensor 42. If it is not received, it is determined that the vehicle is in a one-sided boarding state.

Further, the vehicle state analysis unit 32 receives load detection signals from both the rear seat left seat load sensor 41 and the rear seat right seat load sensor 43 and receives load detection signals from the rear seat middle seat load sensor 42. If not, it is determined that the vehicle is on both sides.
And the vehicle state analysis part 32 discriminate | determines that it is a center boarding state, when the load detection signal is received from the seat load sensor 42 in the backseat.

On the basis of the state analysis information determined in this way and recorded in the state analysis information storage unit 34, for example, the collision airbag airbag control process shown in FIGS. The rear seat left side airbag 27, the rear seat right side airbag 28, and the rear seat center airbag 29 can be appropriately deployed according to the state and the type of collision.
Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the configuration and processing of the ECU 1 are simplified and the processing load on the ECU 1 can be reduced as compared with the case where the vision sensor 7 is used.

  In the present embodiment, the state of the vehicle may be recorded separately as position overlap information and position non-overlap information as in the first embodiment. In that case, the vehicle state analysis unit 32 can generate vehicle state information using only the load detection signal from the seat load sensor 42 in the rear seat, so that the configuration of the airbag control system is further improved. This can be simplified, and the processing load on the ECU 1 can be further reduced.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention can be modified and applied in various forms and is not limited to the above embodiments.

For example, in the first and second embodiments, the image information acquired by the vision sensor 7 is analyzed by the ECU 1. However, the image analysis is performed in the vision sensor 7, and the vehicle position information as the analysis result is obtained by the ECU 1. May be output. Further, the vehicle state analysis may be performed in the vision sensor 7 and the state analysis information as the analysis result may be output to the ECU 1.
In this case, the processing can be distributed, and the processing burden on the ECU 1 can be reduced.

In the above-described embodiment, one ECU performs the state analysis information recording process and the airbag deployment control process at the time of collision, but these processes may be executed by separate ECUs.
Further, in the above embodiment, the state analysis information is determined by analyzing the state of the vehicle before the collision. However, when the processing speed of the ECU is high, the state of the vehicle is analyzed at the time of collision detection. Then, the state analysis information may be determined.

In the above-described embodiment, the side airbag has been described using an airbag that can reduce the impact on the occupant even during a frontal collision, but other side airbags such as curtain side airbags may be used. May be. In that case, the side airbag may not be deployed at the time of the front collision.
In the above embodiment, the airbag that is inflated and deployed from the rear tray is described as the airbag that is deployed between the left and right seats of the rear seat, but the airbag that is deployed from the armrest between the left and right seats, etc. Other fur airbags may be used.

Further, in the above embodiment, the airbag deployment control that is deployed in the rear seat has been described. However, the vision sensor 7 captures the front of the vehicle and controls the deployment of the airbag deployed in the front. You may make it perform.
The installation location of the vision sensor 7 is not limited to the roof, and may be any position where the vehicle can be photographed.
Further, the vehicle is not limited to an automobile, and the present invention may be applied to other vehicles such as trains.

  Further, the order of the processes in the flowcharts described in the above embodiments is not limited to the order, and can be arbitrarily changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the airbag deployment control process at the time of collision, determinations such as front collision, side collision, and rollover may be performed in any order.

Further, the function of the ECU 1 in the above embodiment can be realized not only by software but also by dedicated hardware.
Moreover, ECU1 is also realizable with a normal computer system.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the ECU 1 having a function as an airbag control device has been described as having an operation program stored in advance in a memory or the like. However, a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk, CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read-Only Memory), DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), MO (Magneto-Optical disk), etc. An apparatus that executes the above-described processing operation may be configured by storing and distributing the program in a medium and installing the program in a computer.

Further, the program may be stored in a disk device or the like included in a predetermined server device on a communication network such as the Internet, and may be downloaded onto a computer by being superimposed on a carrier wave, for example. Furthermore, the above-described processing can also be achieved by starting and executing a program while transferring it via a communication network.
In addition, when the above functions are realized by sharing an OS (Operating System), or when the functions are realized by cooperation between the OS and an application, only the part other than the OS may be stored in a medium and distributed. Alternatively, it may be downloaded to a computer.

It is a figure which shows typically a mode that the airbag control system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention is mounted in the vehicle. It is a figure showing typically the backseat of vehicles. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the airbag control system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the state analysis information recording process which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the airbag deployment control process at the time of the collision which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the airbag deployment control process at the time of the collision which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the airbag deployment control process at the time of the collision in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the airbag deployment control process at the time of the collision in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the airbag control system which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 ECU
2 Front collision sensor 3 Left collision sensor 4 Right collision sensor 5 Left roll sensor 6 Right roll sensor 7 Vision sensor 8 Rear seat left side airbag module 9 Rear seat right side airbag module 10 Rear seat central airbag module 21 Left seat 22 Middle seat 23 Right seat 24 Rear tray 25 Left rear pillar 26 Right rear pillar 27 Rear seat left side airbag 28 Rear seat right side airbag 29 Rear seat central airbag 31 Image analysis section 32 Vehicle condition analysis section 33 Reference position information storage section 34 State analysis information storage unit 35 Collision analysis unit 36 Airbag deployment control unit 41 Rear seat left seat load sensor 42 Rear seat middle seat load sensor 11 Rear seat right seat load sensor

Claims (10)

A collision sensor for detecting a vehicle collision;
A middle airbag that is deployed between a left seat and a right seat of the vehicle;
When the collision sensor detects a vehicle collision, it determines whether or not the vehicle in the vehicle is in the deployed position of the middle airbag, and determines that the vehicle is not in the deployed position of the middle airbag. An airbag deployment control means for deploying the middle airbag when
An airbag control system comprising: Vehicle state information acquisition means for acquiring state information of a vehicle in the vehicle;
Vehicle state determination means for determining whether or not the vehicle is in the deployed position of the middle airbag based on the vehicle state information acquired by the vehicle state information acquisition means;
Vehicle state determination result storage means for storing the determination result by the vehicle state determination means,
The airbag deployment control means includes
Based on the determination result stored in the vehicle state determination result storage means, it is determined whether or not the vehicle in the vehicle is at the deployment position of the middle airbag;
The airbag control system according to claim 1. A left side airbag deployed on the left side of the vehicle;
A right side airbag deployed on the right side of the vehicle,
The collision sensor is
A left side collision sensor for detecting a collision from the left side surface of the vehicle;
A right side collision sensor for detecting a collision from the right side surface of the vehicle,
The airbag deployment control means includes
When the left side collision sensor detects a vehicle collision, the left side airbag is deployed, and when the right side collision sensor detects a vehicle collision, the right side airbag is deployed.
When the left side collision sensor or the right side collision sensor detects a collision of the vehicle, it is determined whether or not the vehicle in the vehicle is in the deployed position of the middle airbag, and the vehicle is in the middle airbag. When it is determined that the airbag is not in the deployed position, the middle airbag is deployed.
The airbag control system according to claim 1. A left side airbag deployed on the left side of the vehicle;
A right side airbag deployed on the right side of the vehicle,
The collision sensor has a rollover sensor that detects the rollover of the vehicle,
The airbag deployment control means includes
When the rollover sensor detects a rollover of the vehicle, the left side airbag and the right side airbag are deployed, and it is determined whether or not a vehicle in the vehicle is in the deployed position of the middle airbag. And when it is determined that the vehicle is not at the deployment position of the middle airbag, the middle airbag is deployed.
The airbag control system according to claim 1. The middle airbag is an airbag that is deployed between the left seat and the right seat of the rear seat,
The left side airbag is an airbag that deploys to the left and front of the left seat of the rear seat,
The right side airbag is an airbag that deploys to the right and front of the right seat of the rear seat,
The collision sensor further includes a front collision sensor that detects a frontal collision of the vehicle,
The airbag deployment control means deploys the left side airbag and the right side airbag when the front collision sensor detects a vehicle collision,
The airbag control system according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by the above. The vehicle state information acquisition means is a vision sensor that acquires image information indicating a state of a vehicle in the vehicle,
The vehicle state determination means includes
Vehicle position information acquisition means for acquiring position information of the vehicle from image information indicating the state of the vehicle acquired by the vision sensor;
Deployment position information storage means for storing deployment position information of the middle airbag;
Based on the deployment position information of the middle airbag stored in the deployment position information storage means and the position information of the vehicle acquired by the vehicle position information acquisition means, the vehicle is stored in the middle airbag. A means for determining whether or not it is in the unfolded position,
The airbag control system according to claim 2. The middle airbag is an airbag that is deployed on a middle seat between a left seat and a right seat of the rear seat,
The vehicle state information acquisition means is a load sensor that detects the weight of the vehicle on the middle seat,
The vehicle state determination means includes
When the load sensor detects the weight of the vehicle, it is determined that the vehicle is in the deployed position of the middle airbag.
The airbag control system according to claim 2. A collision detection step in which a collision sensor detects a vehicle collision;
When the control device detects a collision in the collision detection step, it determines whether or not the vehicle's vehicle is in the deployed position of the middle airbag that is deployed between the left seat and the right seat of the vehicle. An airbag deployment control step for deploying the middle airbag when it is determined that the vehicle is not in the middle airbag deployment position;
An airbag control method comprising: Collision determination means for determining whether or not the vehicle has collided based on the collision information of the vehicle input from the collision information acquisition device;
When it is determined by the collision determination means that the vehicle has collided, it is determined whether or not the vehicle in the vehicle is at the deployment position of the middle airbag that is deployed between the left seat and the right seat of the vehicle. And an airbag deployment control means for outputting a signal instructing deployment of the airbag to a middle airbag deployment device that deploys the middle airbag when it is determined that the vehicle is not at the deployment position of the middle airbag. When,
An airbag control device comprising: On the computer,
A collision determination step for determining whether or not the vehicle has collided based on the collision information of the vehicle input from the collision information acquisition device;
When it is determined in the collision determination step that the vehicle has collided, it is determined whether or not the vehicle in the vehicle is at the deployment position of the middle airbag that is deployed between the left seat and the right seat of the vehicle. And an airbag deployment control step of outputting a signal instructing deployment of the airbag to a middle airbag deployment device that deploys the middle airbag when it is determined that the vehicle is not at the deployment position of the middle airbag. When,
A program for running

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