JP2009220784A - Airbag control device and airbag control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an airbag control device and an airbag control method capable of adequately controlling the deployment of an airbag according to the situation. <P>SOLUTION: The airbag control device controls the deployment of a side impact airbag by using at least collision detection signals detected by first and second collision detection means which are respectively arranged on a door part and a B pillar part of a vehicle to detect any collision on a side of the vehicle, and has an airbag control means for deploying the side impact airbag when a low speed collision to the door part is detected by the first collision detection means and any low speed collision to the B pillar part by the second collision detection means is not detected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an airbag control device and an airbag control method.

  Conventionally, an air bag device is mounted on a vehicle in order to protect an occupant during a vehicle collision. An occupant protection device such as an airbag device is activated and controlled based on a temporal change in acceleration detected by an accelerometer mounted on the vehicle. At this time, the form of vehicle collision is classified into normal collision, oblique collision, pole collision, offset collision, underride collision, etc. depending on the collision method, the direction of collision, the type of collision object, etc. Accordingly, it is required to appropriately activate the airbag device.

  For example, the following techniques are known as techniques related to the activation control of such an airbag apparatus.

  In Patent Document 1, in the activation control of the occupant protection device, the collision mode of the vehicle is determined based on the detection result of the side member deformation mode detection means, and the threshold is changed based on the determination result of the collision mode. There is disclosed a technology that does not activate in the case of a normal collision, and activates early in the case of a high-speed collision.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, in the side airbag control method, a comparison result of comparing each output value of the front and rear side collision sensors with a predetermined first threshold and both output values of the front and rear side collision sensors are shown. A technique is disclosed in which a local collision is determined accurately at an early stage by starting based on both a value calculated using the comparison result and a comparison result obtained by comparing a predetermined second threshold value.

Further, Patent Document 3 discloses a technique that uses speed determination of a side unit and a central unit in order to detect an oblique side collision and a side collision.
JP 2000-168489 A JP 2001-138856 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-321548

  By the way, in side airbags and curtain shield airbags (hereinafter collectively referred to as “side impact airbags”) as conventional airbags, mains provided at collision sites (doors, A pillars, B pillars, C pillars). The deployment or non-deployment of the side-impact airbag is determined based on the sensor and the sensor output of the safing sensor provided in the vehicle center (ECU, floor cross). At this time, a determination threshold value is set independently for each sensor. When the sensor output exceeds the determination threshold value, the output is on, and when the sensor output is less than the determination threshold value, the output is off. In this case, the side-impact airbag is deployed when both the main sensor and the safing sensor are turned on.

  Here, in a test configuration in which a part of a door such as a slant pole side collision receives a collision, since the vehicle deformation is large and the occupant injury value is large, it is desirable that the side collision airbag is deployed even at a low speed. . On the other hand, in a test configuration in which a collision occurs on the entire vehicle side surface such as a barrier side collision, since the vehicle deformation is small and the occupant injury value is small, it is desirable that the side collision airbag is not deployed at low speeds. That is, it is desirable to control the airbag deployment more appropriately according to the situation.

  However, the conventional side airbag has a problem that such a point is not taken into consideration. This is because it is necessary to detect the amount of deformation / acceleration from the collision to about 0 to 30 msec to determine whether the side airbag is deployed or not. This is because, in the case of the same level test, the same level of output is obtained regardless of the collision range.

  The present invention has been invented in order to solve this problem in view of the above points, and provides an airbag control device and an airbag control method that more appropriately control deployment of an airbag according to the situation. The purpose is to do.

  In order to achieve the above object, an airbag control device according to the present invention includes a first collision detection unit and a second collision detection unit, which are disposed at a door part and a B pillar part of a vehicle, respectively, for detecting a collision on a vehicle side surface. An airbag control device that performs control to deploy a side-impact airbag using at least a collision detection signal detected by a collision detection means, wherein a low-speed collision to the door portion is detected by the first collision detection means. In addition, when the second collision detection unit does not detect a low-speed collision with the B-pillar portion, the second collision detection unit can include an airbag control unit that deploys the side collision airbag.

  In order to achieve the above object, the airbag control means according to the present invention is configured such that the first collision detection means detects a low-speed collision with the door portion and the second collision detection means detects the B When a low-speed collision with the pillar portion is detected, the side airbag can be configured not to deploy.

  In order to achieve the above object, the airbag control means according to the present invention, when the output value of the collision detection signal detected by the first collision detection means exceeds a preset predetermined value. A low-speed collision to the door portion is detected, and a low-speed collision to the B-pillar portion is detected when an output value of a collision detection signal detected by the second collision detection means exceeds a predetermined value set in advance. Can be configured to.

  In order to achieve the above object, the airbag control means according to the present invention is configured such that the first collision detection means detects a low-speed collision with the door portion and the second collision detection means detects the B pillar. Even when the condition that the low-speed collision to the part is not detected is not satisfied, the B-pillar part is detected by the first collision detection means when the collision to the door part is detected or by the second collision detection means When a collision with the vehicle is detected, the side airbag can be configured to be deployed.

  In order to achieve the above object, an airbag control method according to the present invention includes a first collision detection unit and a first collision detection unit, which are disposed at a door part and a B pillar part of a vehicle, respectively, and detect a collision on a vehicle side surface. An airbag control method in an airbag control device that performs control for deploying a side-impact airbag using at least a collision detection signal detected by a second collision detection unit, wherein the door unit includes the door unit in the first collision detection unit. When a low-speed collision to the B-pillar portion is not detected in the second collision detection unit, an airbag control process for deploying the side-impact airbag is configured. Can do.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the airbag control step according to the present invention, a low-speed collision to the door unit is detected in the first collision detection unit, and the B in the second collision detection unit. When a low-speed collision with the pillar portion is detected, the side airbag can be configured not to deploy.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the airbag control step of the present invention, when the output value of the collision detection signal detected by the first collision detection unit exceeds a predetermined value set in advance. A low speed collision to the door part is detected, and a low speed collision to the B pillar part is detected when an output value of a collision detection signal detected by the second collision detection part exceeds a predetermined value set in advance. Can be configured to.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the airbag control step according to the present invention, the first collision detection unit detects a low-speed collision with the door unit, and the second collision detection unit detects the B pillar. Even when the condition that the low-speed collision to the part is not detected is satisfied, the B-pillar part is detected in the case where the collision to the door part is detected in the first collision detection part or in the second collision detection part When a collision with the vehicle is detected, the side airbag can be configured to be deployed.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the airbag control apparatus and airbag control method which control deployment of an airbag more appropriately according to a condition can be provided.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[Embodiment]
(Outline of the device)
FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing an airbag control device according to the present embodiment. In addition, the arrow FR in FIG. 1 shows the vehicle front direction.

  In FIG. 1, a vehicle equipped with the airbag control device of this embodiment includes a side airbag device 18 in a driver seat 12, a passenger seat 14, and a rear seat (hereinafter referred to as “rear seat”) 16 of a vehicle body 10. , 20, 22, and 24 are provided. Each of the side airbag devices 18, 20, 22, and 24 is inflated between an inflator (not shown) that ejects gas when activated, and a passenger seated on each seat and the side of the passenger compartment when the inflator is activated. Side airbag bag bodies 18A, 20A, 22A, and 24A that are deployed are provided, and each side airbag bag body 18A, 20A, 22A, and 24A is stored in a state of being folded on the side portion of each seat back.

  The control circuit 26 of the side airbag device that controls the operation of the inflator is disposed inside the front floor center tunnel 28, and detects the acceleration of the front part of the vehicle body due to a side collision in the control circuit 26. An ECU safing sensor (front side collision sensor) 30 is provided. Further, the control circuit 26 includes a C cross safing sensor (rear side collision sensor) 32 that detects acceleration of the rear part of the vehicle body due to a side collision, and Fr door sensors 34, 36 that detect an impact of the door part due to the side collision. B pillar sensors 38 and 40 for detecting the impact of the B pillar due to the side collision and C pillar sensors 42 and 44 for detecting the impact of the C pillar due to the side collision are connected.

  With the apparatus configuration shown above, in the vehicle equipped with the airbag control device in the present embodiment, the type of collision classified by the manner of collision, the direction of the collision, the type of the collision object (normal collision, oblique collision, Activate the airbag device appropriately in response to pole collision, offset collision, underride collision, etc.

  Subsequently, of the above-mentioned collision forms targeted in this embodiment, a collision form that receives a collision at a part of a door such as an oblique pole side collision and a collision that receives a collision on the entire vehicle side surface such as a barrier side collision. Two examples of this form will be described with reference to FIG.

(Collision form)
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a form of collision controlled by the airbag control device in the present embodiment. In FIG. 2, the schematic side view of the vehicle provided with the airbag control apparatus of FIG. 1 is shown. 2 indicates the forward direction of the vehicle and arrow UP indicates the upward direction of the vehicle. In FIG. 2, only the Fr door sensor 36 and the B pillar sensor 40 on one side of FIG. 1 are shown.

  An oblique pole side collision (hereinafter, simply referred to as “pole side collision”) is a collision at a side surface of a vehicle indicated by an oblique pole side collision (within a dotted frame) in FIG. Shows the form of collision. This pole-side collision has a feature that the vehicle deformation is large and the occupant injury value is large. Therefore, it is desirable to deploy the side airbag even when the collision speed is low. In addition, since it is the form of the collision which deform | transforms a part of door, it has the characteristic that the sensor output of B pillar sensor 40 is small compared with the sensor output of Fr door sensor 36.

  The barrier side collision refers to a form of collision that receives a collision at the side surface portion of the vehicle indicated by the barrier side collision (within the dotted line frame) in FIG. This barrier side collision has a feature that the vehicle deformation is small and the occupant injury value is small. Therefore, it is desirable that the side collision airbag is not deployed when the collision speed is low. In addition, since it is the form of the collision which deform | transforms the whole vehicle side surface, there exists a characteristic that the sensor output of the Fr door sensor 36 and the sensor output of the B pillar sensor 40 are comparable outputs.

  Therefore, in the airbag control device 1 according to the present embodiment, the configuration shown in FIG. 3 described later is used to separate the pole-side collision and the barrier-side collision using the above characteristics, and more appropriately according to the situation. It is possible to control the deployment of the airbag.

(Device configuration)
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the airbag control device according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 3, the airbag control device 1 includes a first collision detection unit 2, a second collision detection unit 3, an airbag control unit 4, and the like.

  The first collision detection unit 2 is, for example, the Fr door sensors 34 and 36 shown in FIG. 1 disposed on the door portion of the vehicle. Do. In addition, a predetermined determination threshold for determining a collision with the door portion of the vehicle is set in advance, and in the case of a sensor output exceeding the determination threshold, an ON output indicating a collision, and in a case of a sensor output less than the determination threshold Performs off output indicating non-collision.

  In this embodiment, in addition to this determination threshold, a determination threshold (hereinafter referred to as “low-speed pole-side collision on threshold”) is set as a new reference value for determining a pole-side collision at low speed. In the case of sensor output exceeding the low speed pole side collision on threshold, there is a possibility of a pole side collision at low speed, and in the case of sensor output less than the low speed pole side collision on threshold, the pole side at low speed Performs off output without the possibility of a collision. That is, the degree of low-speed collision with the door portion of the vehicle is detected using the low-speed pole side collision on threshold.

  The second collision detection unit 3 is, for example, the B pillar sensors 38 and 40 in FIG. 1 disposed in the B pillar portion of the vehicle, and detects the collision speed, the collision acceleration, and the like in the B pillar due to the side collision. Output. In addition, the predetermined determination threshold value for determining the collision with respect to the B-pillar part of the vehicle is set in advance, and in the case of the sensor output exceeding the determination threshold value, the ON output indicating the collision, and the sensor output less than the determination threshold value Gives off output indicating non-collision.

  In the present embodiment, in addition to this determination threshold, a determination threshold (hereinafter referred to as “low-speed barrier-side collision off threshold”) is set as a new reference value for determining a barrier-side collision at low speed. When the sensor output exceeds the low-speed barrier-side collision off threshold, the output is not likely to be a barrier-side collision at low speed. When the sensor output is less than the low-speed barrier-side collision off threshold, the barrier side at low speed Performs off output that may be a collision. That is, the low-speed collision degree to the B-pillar part of the vehicle is detected using the low-speed barrier side collision off threshold.

  The airbag control unit 4 is, for example, the control circuit 26 in FIG. 1, and deploys the side collision airbag using at least the collision detection signal detected by the first collision detection unit 2 and the second collision detection unit 3. Take control.

  As described above, the airbag control unit 4 performs control related to the deployment or non-deployment of the side-impact airbag using the main sensor at the collision site and the safing sensor at the center of the vehicle. Of the side impact airbag in the pole side impact and the barrier side impact based on the combination of the collision detection signals detected by the first collision detection unit 2 and the second collision detection unit 3. Judgment related to deployment.

  For example, when the collision detection signal detected by the first collision detection unit 2 and the collision detection signal detected by the second collision detection unit 3 are both turned on (that is, when it corresponds to the pole side collision). In addition, control for deploying the side-impact airbag is performed.

  That is, when the first collision detection unit 2 detects a low-speed collision to the vehicle door and the second collision detection unit 3 does not detect a low-speed collision to the vehicle B-pillar, It determines that it corresponds to and performs control which expand | deploys a side impact airbag.

  Otherwise, for example, when both the collision detection signal detected by the first collision detection unit 2 and the collision detection signal detected by the second collision detection unit 3 are turned off (that is, the above-described barrier) In the case of a side collision, control is performed to undeploy (prohibit deployment) the side-impact airbag.

  That is, when the first collision detection unit 2 detects a low-speed collision to the vehicle door and the second collision detection unit 3 detects a low-speed collision to the vehicle B-pillar, Control to undeploy (prohibit deployment) the bag.

  Thus, according to the airbag control device according to the present embodiment, the pole-side collision and the barrier-side collision at low speed based on the combined determination of the first collision detection unit 2 and the second collision detection unit 3. The control relating to the deployment and non-deployment of the airbag is performed by dividing between the airbag and the airbag. Therefore, the deployment of the airbag can be controlled more appropriately according to the situation.

(Circuit configuration)
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a circuit configuration of the airbag control device according to the present embodiment. Each AND circuit and OR circuit in FIG. 4 shows an example of a circuit configuration implemented in a control circuit 26 (see FIG. 1) as an example of the airbag control unit 4 in FIG.

  According to the present embodiment, an AND circuit based on a low-speed pole (low-speed pole side collision) on determination in the Fr door sensor 36 and a low-speed barrier off determination in the B pillar sensor 40 indicated by a dotted line frame in the figure is newly added. Thereby, based on the composite determination of the Fr door sensor 36 as the first collision detection unit 2 and the B pillar sensor 40 as the second collision detection unit 3, the distance between the pole side collision and the barrier side collision at the time of low speed. Carving in.

  That is, the control relating to the deployment or non-deployment of the side-impact airbag is performed based on the combination of the sensor output from the Fr door sensor 36 and the B pillar sensor 40. Except for this AND circuit, it is the same as in the prior art, so the description is omitted here.

  With the circuit configuration described above, according to the airbag control device 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to perform a door direct hit test such as a pole side collision at a low speed and a sensing determination of a barrier side collision.

(Modification of circuit configuration)
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a modification of the circuit configuration of the airbag control device according to the present embodiment. Since the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 5 is different from the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 4 in that an OR circuit 50 is added, the OR circuit 50 will be described here.

  By providing this OR circuit 50, when the Fr door sensor 36 makes a low-speed pole-on determination and the B-pillar sensor 40 makes a low-speed barrier-off determination (that is, when it corresponds to the above-mentioned pole side collision), or Fr door sensor When an on-determination indicating a collision is made in 36 or an on-determination indicating a collision is made in the B-pillar sensor 40, control is performed to deploy the side-impact airbag (ECU safing sensor 30, C cross safing sensor). 32 and C pillar sensor 44 are the same as those in the prior art, and the description thereof is omitted here).

  That is, the first collision detection unit 2 (Fr door sensor 36) detects a low-speed collision with the vehicle door, and the second collision detection unit 3 (B pillar sensor 40) detects the vehicle's B pillar. Even when the condition of the pole side collision that the low-speed collision is not detected is not satisfied, the case where the collision to the vehicle door is detected by the first collision detection unit 2 (Fr door sensor 36) or the second collision When a collision with the B-pillar part of the vehicle is detected by the detection unit 3 (B-pillar sensor 40), that is, when a so-called collision occurs, control for deploying the side-impact airbag is performed.

  As described above, the present invention has been described based on the embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the requirements shown here, such as combinations with other elements listed in the above embodiments. With respect to these points, the present invention can be changed within a range that does not detract from the gist of the present invention, and can be appropriately determined according to the application form.

It is a schematic plan view which shows the airbag control apparatus in this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the collision form controlled by the airbag control apparatus in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the airbag control apparatus in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the circuit structure of the airbag control apparatus in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the modification of the circuit structure of the airbag control apparatus in this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Airbag control apparatus 2 1st collision detection part 3 2nd collision detection part 4 Airbag control part 12 Driver's seat 14 Passenger seat 16 Rear seats 18, 20, 22, 24 Side airbag apparatus 18A, 20A, 22A, 24A Side airbag bag body 26 Control circuit 30 ECU safing sensor (front side collision sensor)
32 C cross safing sensor (rear side collision sensor)
34, 36 Fr door sensor 38, 40 B pillar sensor 42, 44 C pillar sensor

Claims (8)

Side impact airbag using at least the collision detection signals detected by the first collision detection means and the second collision detection means for detecting a collision on the side of the vehicle, which are respectively disposed on the door portion and the B pillar portion of the vehicle. An airbag control device for controlling the deployment of the airbag,
When the low-speed collision to the door part is detected by the first collision detection means and the low-speed collision to the B pillar part is not detected by the second collision detection means, the side collision airbag is deployed. An airbag control device comprising an airbag control means.   The airbag control means, when the low-speed collision to the door part is detected by the first collision detection means and the low-speed collision to the B pillar part is detected by the second collision detection means, An airbag control device that undeploys the side-impact airbag.   The airbag control means detects a low-speed collision to the door when the output value of the collision detection signal detected by the first collision detection means exceeds a predetermined value set in advance, and the second The low-speed collision to the B pillar part is detected when the output value of the collision detection signal detected by the collision detection means exceeds a predetermined value set in advance. Airbag control device.   The airbag control means does not satisfy the condition that the first collision detection means detects a low-speed collision to the door part and the second collision detection means does not detect a low-speed collision to the B pillar part. Even when the collision to the door part is detected by the first collision detection means or the collision to the B pillar part is detected by the second collision detection means, the side collision air The airbag control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the airbag is deployed. Side impact airbags using at least collision detection signals respectively detected by a first collision detection unit and a second collision detection unit that detect a vehicle side collision, which are respectively disposed on a vehicle door unit and a B-pillar unit. An airbag control method in an airbag control device that performs control to deploy a vehicle,
When the low-speed collision to the door part is detected in the first collision detection part and the low-speed collision to the B pillar part is not detected in the second collision detection part, the side collision airbag is deployed. An airbag control method comprising an airbag control step.   In the airbag control step, when a low speed collision to the door part is detected in the first collision detection part and a low speed collision to the B pillar part is detected in the second collision detection part, The airbag control method according to claim 5, wherein the side collision airbag is not deployed.   In the airbag control step, when the output value of the collision detection signal detected by the first collision detection unit exceeds a preset predetermined value, a low-speed collision to the door unit is detected, and the second The low-speed collision to the B-pillar part is detected when the output value of the collision detection signal detected by the collision detection part exceeds a predetermined value set in advance. Airbag control method.   The airbag control step does not satisfy the condition that the first collision detection unit detects a low-speed collision with the door unit and the second collision detection unit does not detect the low-speed collision with the B pillar unit. Even if the first collision detection unit detects a collision with the door unit or the second collision detection unit detects a collision with the B pillar unit, the side collision air The airbag control method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the bag is deployed.

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