JP2010228592A - Airbag deployment propriety control device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To appropriately perform deployment propriety control of each airbag without setting an extra changing-over switch even when an airbag is provided in a vehicle. <P>SOLUTION: This airbag deployment propriety control device controls propriety of each airbag provided corresponding to a plurality of seats of the vehicle. When a changeover instruction for changing over an airbag deployment mode is output by the manual operation of a driver positioned on the driver seat of the vehicle, window opening/closing switches arranged corresponding to the seats for concentrically controlling openable and closable windows arranged corresponding to the plurality of seats on the side of the driver seat of the vehicle is made to function as changing-over switches for changing over the airbag deployment mode for the airbags provided for the corresponding seats. The deployment propriety of the airbags corresponding to the window opening/closing switches related to the changing-over switches is controlled based on the operating condition of the changing-over switches. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a control device that controls whether or not an airbag mounted on a vehicle can be deployed.

  Modern vehicles are equipped with air bags to protect passengers in the event of an accident. With regard to occupant protection devices such as airbags, when a child seat is installed in the seat or when the occupant is not in the first place, it is necessary to prevent excessive deployment of the airbag when an accident occurs. As a purpose, a switch is provided for switching a deployment mode for determining whether or not to deploy the airbag of each seat by a manual operation of a user, particularly a vehicle operator (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). ). By installing this changeover switch, it is possible to prevent unnecessary deployment of the airbag, and thus it is possible to reduce vehicle repair costs in the event of an accident. In general, the changeover switch is often arranged under the handle of the cockpit, and there is a form in which the development mode is switched by a dial type or by using an ignition key.

  Recently, emphasis has also been placed on protecting infants in vehicles, and the above-described child seat mounting has been promoted. Here, in the case of an infant, an adult occupant may take an unintended action.For example, in order to prevent the infant from falling from the window, the window is opened and closed when it is detected that the infant is seated on the seat. A limited technology is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 3). At this time, a pressure sensor provided under the seat is used for detecting the seating of the infant, and further, the detection result obtained by the pressure sensor is also used for controlling the airbag. Yes.

JP 2006-327220 A JP 2000-272466 A JP-A-11-268531 JP 2005-247277 A

  With regard to the installation of vehicle airbags, in addition to the recent increase in safety orientation, in addition to airbags for protecting the cockpit and passenger seats from frontal impacts, side impacts for protecting them from side impacts. Various types of airbags such as airbags, airbags for protecting passengers in the second and third rows, and rollover airbags for protecting against impact when the vehicle rolls over have come to be installed. . As the number of airbags mounted on vehicles increases in this way, repair costs at the time of an accident also tend to increase, so the need for a changeover switch that controls whether or not airbag deployment is possible is considered to increase. . On the other hand, since the deployment of airbags is an important matter directly linked to the safety of passengers, even if the cost of repairing a vehicle is suppressed, the airbag corresponding to the seat will be used as long as the passenger is seated in the seat. The bag must be controlled so that it can be deployed.

Here, in order to ensure the protection of passengers in the event of an accident, vehicles equipped with airbags corresponding to the respective seats have recently become widespread. In such a vehicle, in order to surely control whether or not the airbag corresponding to each seat is deployed, if a switch for switching the deployment mode is prepared for each seat, the cost required for the switch and its arrangement Various problems occur, such as securing space for On the other hand, if the airbag deployment mode is switched at once for all seats of the vehicle, problems such as excessive deployment of airbags and insufficient protection of passengers occur.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem. Even when an air bag is provided in a vehicle, the control of whether or not each air bag can be deployed (switching of the deployment mode) is performed using an extra changeover switch. An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for controlling whether or not an airbag can be deployed so that it can be appropriately performed without being installed.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, in the present invention, an operation switch of a predetermined device installed in a vehicle, and an operation switch having an arrangement that is somehow related to the arrangement of the airbag is set as to whether or not the airbag can be deployed. It was decided to share it as a control switch. In other words, by using a plurality of operation switches not only for the original predetermined device but also as a changeover switch for controlling the airbag deployment, it is possible to determine whether or not the airbag can be deployed without arranging an additional switch. It becomes possible to control appropriately. The present applicant has found that a switch for controlling opening / closing of a vehicle window is suitable as an example of an operation switch of the predetermined device. Details of the present invention will be described below.

  The present invention has a window centralized control switch in which a plurality of switches corresponding to the plurality of windows are provided in a centralized manner in order to centrally control the states of the plurality of openable and closable windows. An airbag deployment enable / disable control device that is mounted on a vehicle and that controls whether or not airbags provided at a plurality of positions of the vehicle are deployed, in order to change the setting of whether or not the window central control switch is deployed. When the switch function switching unit that switches the switch function so as to function as a switch of the switch and the switch function switching unit are operated to change the setting of whether to deploy the airbag when the window central control switch is operated, When the switch corresponding to the predetermined window of the vehicle is operated among the window central control switches, the location corresponding to the switch for which the operation is performed is performed. Comprising of a deployment permission control unit that controls a setting change of development whether the air bag provided in the vicinity of the window, a.

  In the airbag deployment control device according to the present invention, the window central control switch for centrally controlling the opening and closing of the vehicle window by the switch function switching unit controls whether the airbag is deployed, that is, switches the airbag deployment mode. It is made to function as a switch for performing. In other words, a switch function switching unit includes a case where the same operation switch provided in the vehicle functions as an operation switch for opening and closing a window and a case where the same operation switch functions as a switch for switching an airbag deployment mode. Will be switched. In particular, when switching devices (window central control switch) that open and close windows and airbags that protect passengers in the event of an accident are installed in correspondence with the seats, switching such a switch function is useful. Conceivable. At this time, the deployment propriety control unit is provided with respect to an airbag for protecting an occupant seated on the vehicle seat provided in the vicinity of the predetermined window corresponding to the switch on which the operation is performed. It becomes the structure which controls the setting change of the deployment decision | availability of an airbag.

  As described above, by using the window central control switch also for the switching control of the airbag deployment mode, the switching control of the airbag deployment mode can be appropriately performed without installing an extra switching switch. The operation switch corresponding to the seat is preferably installed on the side of the cockpit in order to avoid a person other than the driver from touching it unnecessarily. It is not required to be placed in a position that can be reached, but even if it is within the reach of a person other than the pilot (person sitting in the passenger seat), the pilot can access it, and otherwise It suffices that the device is appropriately devised so that the operation by the person becomes difficult. Therefore, this operation switch may be provided between the cockpit seat and the passenger seat.

  In the airbag deployment enable / disable control device described above, in the case where it further includes an operation state detection unit that detects an operation state of a switch included in the window central control switch, the switch function switching unit is detected by the operation state detection unit. Further, based on the operation state of the window central control switch, the window central control switch is function-switched as a switch for changing the setting of whether or not the airbag can be deployed, and the deployment propriety control unit is controlled by the switch function switching unit. When the window central control switch is operated to change the setting of whether or not the airbag is deployed, based on the operation state of the switch corresponding to the predetermined window detected by the operation state detection unit Then, the setting change of whether or not to deploy the airbag provided in the vicinity of the predetermined window may be controlled.

  That is, the operation state detection unit that detects the operation state of the window central control switch for centrally opening and closing the window further controls the switch when the airbag deployment mode switching is controlled (in the present invention, the above-described switch). Note that the switch is physically the same as the window open / close switch.) In such a configuration, switching of the switch function is performed based on the operation state of the window central control switch detected by the operation state detection unit, and thereafter, the operation state of the switch when the operation state detection unit is in the expansion mode switching control. In addition, the airbag deployment mode switching control is also performed. In other words, in the above control device, in addition to window opening / closing control and airbag deployment mode switching control, switching from window opening / closing control to airbag deployment mode switching control is performed via a physically common operation switch. Is also done. Thereby, it can suppress that the number of operation switches installed in a vehicle increases.

  Here, when the operation state detection unit detects that the operation state of the window central control switch is a first operation state in which the window is further closed in a state where the window is in a fully closed state. The switch function switching unit may switch the function of the window central control switch as a switch for changing the setting of whether to deploy the airbag. The first operation state is given as an example of the operation state of the window central control switch for switching from the window opening / closing control to the airbag deployment mode switching control described above. Note that switching from window opening / closing control to airbag deployment mode switching control may be performed through other operation states, and an operation state that is easy for the user to operate is preferably employed.

  Further, as a specific mode of switching from the window opening / closing control to the airbag deployment mode switching control, when the operation state detection unit continuously detects the first operation state for a predetermined time, or the first operation When the state is intermittently detected a predetermined number of times, the switch function switching unit may switch the function of the window central control switch as a switch for changing the setting of whether to deploy the airbag.

  Here, in the airbag deployment enable / disable control device, when the operation switch is switched from window opening / closing control to airbag deployment mode switching control by the switch function switching unit, a dedicated switching is performed for the switching. A switch may be provided. That is, in the control device, the switch function switching unit is separate from the window central control switch and is operated by the operator in order to receive an instruction from the vehicle operator regarding switching function of the window central control switch. Based on a switching instruction from a switching instruction reception switch provided on the seat side, the window central control switch may be configured to switch functions as a switch for changing the setting of whether to deploy the airbag. By doing so, the operation state of the window central control switch as described above is used, compared with the case where switching from the window opening / closing control to the airbag deployment mode switching control is performed. Although the number is increased by one, it is considered that by providing a switch dedicated for function switching of the operation switch, a user operation required for function switching becomes simple and contributes to improvement in operability.

  Here, in the airbag deployment enable / disable control device described above, the switch function switching unit switches the switch function of the window central control switch when the vehicle is in a predetermined traveling state in which it is determined that the vehicle is not in a stopped state. You may comprise so that it may be prohibited. That is, the function switching of the operation switch by the switch function switching unit is permitted only when the vehicle is safely stopped. As a result, the airbag deployment mode can be switched unnecessarily while the vehicle is running, and the passenger can be prevented from being exposed to danger. The predetermined traveling state includes a state where the vehicle is not in a parking state or a state where the traveling speed of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined speed.

  Further, in the airbag deployment enable / disable control device described above, in a predetermined period after the switch function switching unit is switched as a switch for changing the setting of whether or not the window central control switch is deployed, The switch function switching unit is configured to cause the window central control switch to function again as a switch for opening and closing the window when the deployment change control unit does not control the change of setting of whether or not the airbag is deployed. May be. After the switch function is switched by the switch function switching unit, if the switch function is left as it is without control related to the airbag deployment mode, the state in which the window cannot be opened and closed continues. As a result, user convenience is impaired. Therefore, when a state in which the control relating to the airbag deployment mode is not performed continues for the predetermined period, the switch function switching unit again switches the window opening / closing switch to the window opening / closing operation switch. It is possible to control the opening and closing of the window.

  Here, in the airbag deployment enable / disable control device described above, the switch function switching unit moves the window central control switch to the air only when it is detected that the driver is present in the cockpit. You may comprise so that it may be permitted to function as a switch for bag deployment mode switching. It is not preferable for safe driving of the vehicle that the airbag deployment mode is switched unnecessarily. Therefore, switching of the switch function by the switch function switching unit is permitted only when the presence of a driver who is responsible for driving the vehicle is detected. The presence of the driver can be detected by using various sensors such as a pressure sensor provided under the cockpit.

  Here, when considering the window of the vehicle, the window should be an exit for an occupant to escape outside in an emergency. And as one of the emergency of a vehicle, the state where the said vehicle was submerged for some reason is mentioned. In such a submerged state, the occupant must escape from the vehicle as soon as possible. Therefore, in the airbag deployment permission control device according to the present invention, after the window central control switch is switched by the switch function switching unit as a switch for changing the setting of airbag deployment permission, the vehicle is When it is determined that the vehicle is in a predetermined submerged state, the switch function switching unit may be configured to forcibly cause the window central control switch to function again as a switch for opening and closing the window. With such a configuration, even if the vehicle is submerged, the operation switch that functioned as the switch for switching the airbag deployment mode can be forcibly made to function as a switch for original window opening / closing control. Therefore, the opening and closing of the window, which is the exit for the passenger, can be executed immediately.

Further, the airbag deployment permission / inhibition control device according to the present invention is grasped not from the aspect of commonality with the operation switch for window opening / closing control but from the aspect of commonality with the operation switch of a predetermined device installed in the vehicle. It is also possible. That is, the present invention is an airbag deployment propriety control device that controls whether or not an airbag provided corresponding to a plurality of seats of a vehicle is deployed, and is a predetermined unit related to the arrangement of the plurality of seats in the vehicle. A switch function that switches a switch function so that a plurality of operation switches that have an arrangement relationship and operate predetermined devices installed in the vehicle function as switches for changing the setting of whether to deploy the airbag. Corresponding to a predetermined seat of the vehicle among the plurality of operation switches when the operation unit is switched by the switching unit and the switch function switching unit to change the setting of whether to deploy the airbag When the switch to be operated is operated, a setting change of whether or not the airbag for the predetermined seat corresponding to the operated switch is deployed is changed. And a deployment permission control unit that controls.

  Even when the airbag deployment control device is configured in this way, the operation switch and the changeover switch of a predetermined device are shared, as in the case of the switch for performing opening / closing control of the window, so that the airbag deployment mode is redundant. The airbag deployment mode can be appropriately switched without installing a switch for switching. The technical idea disclosed for the airbag deployment permission control device up to the above can be applied to the control device using the operation switch of the predetermined device as long as there is no technical contradiction. .

  Even when the vehicle is provided with an airbag, it is possible to appropriately control whether or not each airbag is deployed (switching of the deployment mode) without installing an extra changeover switch.

It is a figure showing the schematic structure of the vehicle by which the control apparatus which controls the deployment possibility of the airbag which concerns on the Example of this invention is mounted. It is a figure which shows the structure of the centralized control switch for window opening / closing mounted in the vehicle shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the correlation of airbag ECU and body ECU constructed | assembled with the vehicle shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the airbag ECU shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of a body ECU shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a first flowchart of a process for switching the function of an operation switch executed in the vehicle shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a second flowchart of a process for switching the function of an operation switch executed in the vehicle shown in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows the 2nd structure of a centralized control switch.

  Here, an embodiment of an airbag deployment availability control device according to the present invention will be described based on the drawings attached to the specification. In addition, the said Example shows an example of the control apparatus which concerns on this invention, and does not limit the right range of this invention.

  Here, FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle 10 provided with an airbag device for protecting an occupant from an impact such as when an accident occurs. The vehicle 10 is provided with four seats 1 to 4 for a passenger to be seated. The seat 1 is a pilot seat where the pilot A is seated, and the seat 2 is a so-called passenger seat. And the seats 3 and 4 are provided as a back row seat. Here, in the state of the vehicle 10 shown in FIG. 1, passengers A, B, and C are seated in the seats 1, 2, and 4, respectively.

And in the vehicle 10, in order to protect the passenger | crew who seated there in each of the seats 1-4, the airbags 11-14 corresponding to each seat are provided. In the form of the airbag shown in FIG. 1, the airbag 11 for the seat (pilot seat) 1 is provided in the handle portion, and the airbag 12 for the seat (passenger seat) 2 is provided in the front dashboard. The airbags 13 and 14 for the rear row seats 3 and 4 are provided behind the front row seats. In addition to the airbag of such a form, as an airbag device (not shown), a side-impact airbag that protects an occupant from an impact when the vehicle 10 is collided from the side or an impact when the vehicle rolls over is used. A rollover airbag or the like that protects the occupant is disposed so as to correspond to each seat, that is, to protect the occupant seated in each seat.

  Further, the vehicle 10 is provided with windows 5 to 8 respectively corresponding to the seats 1 to 4. These windows are appropriately controlled to be opened and closed by an occupant seated in each seat by operating an opening / closing switch (not shown) provided in the vicinity of the seat. Opening / closing control is also possible by the operator operating a central control switch 15 for window opening / closing control provided near the vehicle. FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the central control switch 15. In the centralized control switch 15, four operation switches (window opening / closing switches described later) 151 to 154 are arranged and installed so as to correspond to the arrangement of the seats 1 to 4 in the vehicle 10. These operation switches are made to function as operation switches for opening and closing windows, and are also made to function as operation switches for switching the airbag deployment mode as described later. In the following, the terms of the operation switch, the window opening / closing switch, and the changeover switch are appropriately applied to each of the same reference numbers 151 to 154 for convenience of explanation.

  Here, each operation switch will be described on the assumption that the central control switch 15 opens and closes each window. The central control switch 15 includes a window opening / closing switch 151 for opening / closing the window 5 corresponding to the cockpit seat 1 on the front right side and a window opening / closing for opening / closing the window 6 corresponding to the passenger seat 2 seat. A window opening / closing switch 154 for opening / closing the window 8 corresponding to the rear seat left side 4 and a window opening / closing switch 154 for opening / closing the window 7 corresponding to the rear seat left side 4 are provided. Is provided on the rear left side. This makes it easier for the operator A to recognize the window to be opened and closed. These window opening / closing switches 151 to 154 are in an intermediate position when not operated, and the corresponding windows are not opened / closed. On the other hand, pressing the upper part of each switch (the part where the round projection in the figure is provided) opens the corresponding window in the fully open direction, and pressing the lower part of each switch The window to be closed closes in the fully closing direction. When each switch stops pressing the upper part or the lower part and the operator releases the switch, the switch automatically reaches the intermediate position.

  In the vehicle 10 configured as described above, in order to control whether or not the airbag 11 to 14 provided corresponding to each seat can be deployed (airbag deployment mode), it is executed by a manual operation of the operator. A manual cutting device has been constructed. This manual cutting device corresponds to the airbag deployment control device according to the present invention. By mounting the manual cut device on the vehicle 10, it is possible to suppress unnecessary deployment of the airbag. For example, in the state of the vehicle 10 shown in FIG. 1, no passenger is seated in the seat 3. Therefore, in such a case, it is not necessary for the seat 3 to deploy the airbag 13 corresponding to the seat 3 even when an accident occurs. If the airbag 13 is deployed in addition to the airbags 11, 12, and 14 corresponding to the seats 1, 2, and 4 due to an accident, the airbag 13 is also repaired when the vehicle 10 is repaired. This will result in extra repair costs. On the other hand, the airbags 11, 12, and 14 corresponding to the seats 1, 2, and 4 on which the occupant is seated must be surely deployed when an accident occurs. As described above, when an airbag is provided corresponding to a seat, whether or not the airbag can be deployed must be accurately set according to the situation of each seat.

However, if a manual cut device is provided with an operation switch for controlling the deployment possibility corresponding to each of the airbags 11 to 14 corresponding to each of the seats 1 to 4, a further device is provided in the vehicle 10. In some cases, it may be difficult to provide the device due to the installation space. In particular, since the airbag is a device that greatly affects the life protection of the occupant, it is not preferable that the deployment possibility of the airbag be changed unnecessarily. Therefore, as a suitable installation location of the manual cut device, the seat where the operator A is located It will be in the vicinity of 1. However, since the seat 1 is a cockpit, various devices for maneuvering are installed, so the problem of installation space for the manual cutting device is extremely important.

  Therefore, in the vehicle 10, the function of the manual cut device is provided in the central control switch 15 for opening and closing the window shown in FIG. And the structure of the manual cut apparatus in the vehicle 10 is demonstrated based on FIGS. FIG. 3 shows an airbag ECU (electronic arithmetic unit) 20 that mainly controls an airbag mounted on the vehicle 10, and a body ECU 30 that controls opening and closing of various sensors mounted on the vehicle 10 and windows 5-8. It is a figure which shows correlation with. FIG. 4 shows the control executed in the air bag ECU 20 as a functional block and visualized. FIG. 5 shows the control executed in the body ECU 30 as a functional block and visualized. It is. The control contents performed by these functional blocks are realized by various methods such as a dedicated processor constituting each ECU and a program executed therein.

  The airbag ECU 20 is a device for controlling the airbags 11 to 14 mounted on the vehicle 10 as described above, and receives the detection result of the collision sensor 22 provided in each part of the vehicle 10, Controls whether each airbag is deployed to protect passengers. When it is determined that the airbag needs to be deployed, an instruction is issued to the airbag squib 21 corresponding to each airbag, and the deployment of the airbag is executed. The collision sensor 22 is an acceleration sensor provided at the front / rear side or the side of the vehicle. Even if it is determined that the airbag ECU needs to be deployed by the airbag ECU, the manual cut device does not permit deployment of the corresponding airbag for a seat that does not require deployment of the airbag. In the present embodiment, it is formed as a functional block in the airbag ECU 20.

  Next, the body ECU 30 is in a state where mutual communication with the airbag ECU 20 is possible. The body ECU 30 is connected to a shift sensor 33, a speed sensor 34, a pressure sensor 35, and a submergence sensor 36, and a detection value from each sensor is delivered. The shift sensor 33 is a sensor that detects a shift state in the vehicle 10. In this embodiment, the shift sensor 33 detects at least whether or not the shift state is a parking state. The speed sensor 34 is a sensor that detects the vehicle speed of the vehicle 10. The pressure sensor 35 is a sensor that is installed under the seat 1 and detects a pressure based on the weight of the operator seated in the seat 1. The pressure sensor 35 detects whether or not the operator is seated on the seat 1. The submergence sensor 35 is a sensor for detecting whether or not the vehicle 10 is in a predetermined submergence state. The predetermined submerged state is a state in which the occupant needs to escape from the vehicle 10 immediately because the periphery of the vehicle 10 is surrounded by water. Therefore, the submergence sensor 36 is a sensor for detecting the presence of surrounding water in order to detect whether or not the vehicle 10 is in such a predetermined submergence state. Installed.

Furthermore, the body ECU 30 is connected with the window opening / closing switches 151 to 154 in the central control switch 15 described above, and receives instructions from the operator regarding the opening and closing of the windows 5 to 8, and the body ECU 30 follows the instructions. A drive command is issued to a window opening / closing motor 31 corresponding to each window (comprising four motors corresponding to the four windows 5 to 8). As described above, the window open / close switches 151 to 154 are essentially operation switches for opening and closing the windows 5 to 8. However, the windows are opened by the manual cut device formed in the airbag ECU 20 as described above. The open / close switches 151 to 154 are switched to operation switches for controlling whether or not the airbags 11 to 14 corresponding to the respective seats are deployed, that is, switches for switching the deployment mode of the airbags (hereinafter referred to as “switching switches”). Will be functioning. Hereinafter, the function switching in the operation switch is simply referred to as “operation switch function switching”.

  Therefore, the main functional blocks in the ECU 20 including the functional blocks in the airbag ECU 20 forming the manual cutting device will be described with reference to FIG. In the airbag ECU 20, a switch operation state detection unit 20a, a sensor output reception unit 20b, a switch function switching reception unit 20c, a switch function switching unit 20d, an airbag deployment mode switching unit 20e, a collision detection unit 20f, and an airbag deployment instruction A part 20g and a function return part 20h are formed. The switch operation state detection unit 20a is a functional unit that detects operation states of the window opening / closing switches 151 to 154. The operation state means a pressing state of the upper part or the lower part of each operation switch described above. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the window opening / closing switches 151 to 154 are connected to the body ECU 30. Therefore, the switch operation state detection unit 20a in the airbag ECU 20 is handed over to the airbag ECU 20 side by an operation state (see a switch operation state detection unit 30b in the body ECU 30 described later) once detected by the body ECU 30. The operation state is detected. Next, the sensor output receiving unit 20 b is a functional unit that receives the detection values of the sensors 33 to 36 connected to the body ECU 30 via the body ECU 30.

  The switch function switching accepting unit 20c is a function unit that accepts a request regarding the function switching of the operation switch from the operator. The request is issued according to the manual operation of the operator, and the acceptance by the function unit triggers the function switching of the operation switch. Next, the switch function switching unit 20d is a functional unit that actually executes the function switching of the operation switch using the request reception by the switch function switching reception unit 20c as a trigger. The airbag deployment mode switching unit 20e is a functional unit that switches the airbag deployment mode in a state where the function of the window opening / closing switch is switched to the switching switch. In the present embodiment, the airbag deployment mode can be sequentially switched between deployment ON, deployment OFF, and deployment automatic. Deployment ON is a state in which the airbag is permitted to be deployed, deployment OFF is a state in which the deployment of the airbag is restricted, and the airbag automatic is a pressure sensor provided in each seat (other than the seat 1 is not shown). In other words, it is determined whether or not an occupant is seated in each seat, and as a result, the deployment of the airbag is permitted only when it is determined that the occupant is seated.

  Furthermore, the collision detection unit 20f is a functional unit that detects whether or not the vehicle 10 is in a collision state in which the necessary airbag is deployed based on the detection value delivered from the collision sensor 22. The airbag deployment instruction unit 20g is a functional unit that issues a deployment instruction to the airbag squib 21 for an airbag that needs to be deployed when the collision detection unit 20f detects a collision. Deployment is realized. The function return unit 20h is a function unit that forcibly returns the function of the operation switch that has been switched to the function before switching the function.

  Among the functional units described above, a manual cut device is formed by the switch operation state detection unit 20a, the sensor output reception unit 20b, the switch function switching reception unit 20c, the switch function switching unit 20d, the airbag deployment mode switching unit 20e, and the function return unit 20h. In addition, a control unit for deploying the airbag when an accident occurs is formed by the collision detection unit 20f and the airbag deployment instruction unit 20g.

Next, functional parts formed in the body ECU 30 to correspond to the airbag ECU 20 will be described with reference to FIG. In the body ECU 30, a sensor output reception unit 30a, a switch operation state detection unit 30b, a data transmission unit 30c, and a window opening / closing instruction unit 30d are formed. The sensor output receiving unit 30a is a functional unit that receives the detection values of the sensors 33 to 36 connected to the body ECU 30. The switch operation state detection unit 30b is a functional unit that detects an operation state of the window opening / closing switches 151 to 154 connected to the body ECU 30, and the operation state is as described above. This switch operation state detection unit 30b detects the operation state regardless of the functions of the window opening / closing switches 151-154. The data transmission unit 30c is a functional unit that transmits data in order to deliver the detection values of the sensors obtained by the sensor output reception unit 30a and the operation state obtained by the switch operation state detection unit 30b to the airbag ECU 20. Thereby, the switch operation state detection part 20a in airbag ECU20 can detect an operation state, and the sensor output reception part 20b can receive the detection value of each sensor. Further, the window opening / closing instruction unit 30d instructs the corresponding window opening / closing motor 31 to open / close based on the operation state of each operation switch when the window opening / closing switches 151-154 are used for opening / closing each window. It is a functional part to issue.

  Each process shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is performed by the airbag ECU 20 and the body ECU 30 thus formed. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of switch function switching processing for switching the function of the operation switch. The process is a process executed by the airbag ECU 20 at an appropriate timing. In S101, it is determined whether or not window opening / closing control is being performed. That is, it is determined whether the operation switch in the central control switch 15 functions as a window opening / closing switch for opening / closing the windows 5-8. If a positive determination is made here, the process proceeds to S102, and if a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to S107. In addition, the process of S102-S104 demonstrated below is a process for determining whether the predetermined condition for switching the function of an operation switch is satisfied.

  In S102, it is determined whether or not the vehicle 10 is in a stopped state. This determination is made based on detection values from the shift sensor 33 and the speed sensor 34 received by the sensor output receiving unit 20b. Specifically, when the detected value from the shift sensor 33 indicates that the shift state of the vehicle 10 is parked, and the detected value from the speed sensor 34 is a predetermined speed (for example, 4 km / h or less), S102. Then, the vehicle 10 is in a stopped state, and a positive determination is made. If a negative determination is made here, the switch function switching process ends.

  In S103, it is determined whether or not the operator is seated in the seat (pilot seat) 1. This determination is made based on the detection value from the pressure sensor 35 received by the sensor output receiving unit 20b. Specifically, when the detected value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the pilot is seated on the seat 1 and an affirmative determination is made. If a negative determination is made here, the switch function switching process ends.

  In S104, it is determined whether or not the windows 5 to 8 provided in the vehicle 10 are fully closed. Here, the reason for the determination of S104 is that the operation state of the operation switch performed when the first operation state that triggers the function switching of the operation switch (refer to the processing of S105 described later) is the window fully closed state. Because. Therefore, if the window is not in the fully closed state, a negative determination is made in S104 because the precondition for switching the function of the operation switch is not satisfied, and the switch function switching process ends. If a positive determination is made here, the process proceeds to S105.

In S105, it is determined whether or not the first operation state continues for a predetermined time. Here, as described above, the first operation state is an operation state of the operation switch that serves as a trigger for switching the function of the operation switch from the window opening / closing switch to the changeover switch. That is, in this embodiment, the function switching of the operation switch is performed in the operation state of the operation switch itself formed by the manual operation of the operator. Here, the first operation state is an operation state of the operation switch in which an instruction is issued in a direction in which the window is fully closed and the window is further closed (a direction in which the window is not opened). Regarding the detection of the first operation state, for example, by detecting the impedance of the motor 31 that controls the opening and closing of the window, it is determined what command (open command or close command) is issued to the window. it can. The predetermined time may be set as appropriate in consideration of the convenience of the operator of the vehicle 10. If an affirmative determination is made in S105, a function switching request to the changeover switch of the operation switch is accepted by a manual operation of the operator, that is, when the operator has performed the first operation state on the operation switch. It will be. The function switching request is accepted by the switch function switching accepting unit 20c. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S106. If a negative determination is made in S105, the switch function switching process ends.

  In S106, the function switching of the operation switch is executed by the switch function switching unit 20d based on the determination result in S105. Specifically, the functions of the four operation switches 151 to 154 arranged in the central control switch 15 are changed from the window opening / closing switch to the changeover switch. Therefore, thereafter, the operator can use the changeover switches 151 to 154 to switch the airbag deployment mode corresponding to each operation switch. Incidentally, the changeover switches 151, 152, 153, and 154 correspond to the airbags 11, 12, 13, and 14, respectively. The switching of the airbag deployment mode will be described in the processing after S107. When the process of S106 ends, the switch function switching process ends.

  Here, the process of S107 to S109 when a negative determination is made by the determination of S101 will be described. The processing of S107 to S109 means that control for opening and closing the window is not performed, that is, the operation switches 151 to 154 are functioning as changeover switches. In such a state, in the process of S107, it is determined whether or not the second operation state continues for a predetermined time. Here, in contrast to the first operation state, the second operation state is an operation state of the operation switch that serves as a trigger for switching the function of the operation switch from the changeover switch to the window opening / closing switch. That is, in this embodiment, the function is switched from the changeover switch to the window opening / closing switch in the operation state of the operation switch itself formed by the manual operation of the operator. Here, as in the first operation state, the second operation state is an operation state of an operation switch in which an instruction is issued in a direction in which the window is fully closed and is further closed with respect to the window (a direction in which the window is not opened). . If an affirmative determination is made here, a function switching request to the window opening / closing switch of the operation switch is accepted by the operator's manual operation, that is, when the operator performs the second operation state on the operation switch. become. The function switching request is received by the switch function switching receiving unit 20c. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S108. In S108, the function switching of the operation switch is executed by the switch function switching unit 20d based on the determination result in S107.

  If a negative determination is made in S107, the process proceeds to S109, and the airbag deployment mode switching unit 20e switches the airbag deployment mode of the seat corresponding to the changeover switches 151-154. As described above, there are three types of airbag deployment modes: deployment ON, deployment OFF, and deployment automation. By operating each changeover switch, the airbag deployment mode for each seat is switched. For example, in the state shown in FIG. 1, since no occupant is seated in the seat 3, the deployment mode of the airbag 13 corresponding to the seat 3 is switched to deployment OFF by the changeover switch 153, and airbags corresponding to other seats are used. For 11, 12, 14, the deployment mode is set to ON or automatic with the switches 151, 152, 154. Switching between the expansion modes is performed by operating a changeover switch. For example, each time the upper part of the changeover switch (the part for closing the window) is pressed, the deployment mode of the airbag of the corresponding seat may be switched in the order of deployment ON, deployment OFF, and deployment automatic. As another form, the deployment mode of each airbag may be switched by assigning the upper part of the changeover switch to deployment ON and the lower part thereof to deployment OFF. In this case, the automatic deployment setting is omitted. When the process of S109 ends, the switch function switching process ends.

As described above, by switching the function of the operation switch between the window opening / closing switch for opening / closing the window and the changeover switch for switching the airbag deployment mode, no further space is secured in the vehicle 10. However, it is possible to reliably protect the occupants seated in the respective seats and to suppress the deployment of unnecessary airbags. In particular, since the operation switch for opening and closing the window is inherently provided corresponding to the arrangement of each seat, it is determined whether or not the airbag provided corresponding to each seat is deployed as shown in this embodiment. It is a suitable operation switch for control.

  Here, in consideration of switching the function of the operation switch between the window opening / closing switch and the airbag deployment mode switching switch, notifying means for accurately notifying the operator of which functional state the operation switch is in Is preferably provided. As an example of the notification means, a single light emitting element (such as a light emitting diode) is embedded in the central control switch 15 shown in FIG. You can be notified if you are playing.

  In addition, when the operation switch is caused to function as a change-over switch, it is preferable to provide a notification means for notifying which mode is the deployment mode of the airbag corresponding to each seat. Since the airbag deployment mode can be switched for each seat, the notification means is preferably provided in each of the changeover switches 151 to 154. For example, a light-emitting element is embedded in each change-over switch, and the type of deployment mode set for each airbag is notified to the operator using the presence / absence of lighting, flashing time, emission color, etc. Good.

  Here, as shown in the above-described embodiment, when the function of the operation switch is switched to function as a switch for switching the airbag deployment mode, the window of the vehicle 10 cannot naturally be opened or closed by the operation switch. On the other hand, since the vehicle window also serves as an exit for an in-house passenger to escape outside in an emergency, it is not preferable that the operation switch functions as a changeover switch for a long time. Therefore, there is a case where it is preferable to forcibly return the operation switch functioning as a changeover switch to the window opening / closing switch as necessary, and the processing for that purpose will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the switch function return process shown in FIG. 7 is executed by the function return unit 20h in the airbag ECU 20 shown in FIG.

  First, in S201, it is determined whether or not the airbag deployment mode is switched by switching the function of the operation switch. That is, it is determined whether or not the operation switch functions as a changeover switch. If an affirmative determination is made here, the process proceeds to S202, and if a negative determination is made, the switch function return process ends.

  In S202, it is determined whether or not the vehicle 10 is in a predetermined submerged state. This is determined based on a detection value from the submergence sensor 36 obtained via the sensor output receiving unit 20b. If a positive determination is made here, the process proceeds to S205, and if a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to S203. In S203, it is determined whether or not there is no switch operation related to switching of the airbag deployment mode for a predetermined period after the function of the operation switch is switched from the window opening / closing switch to the switch by the switch function switching unit 20d. That is, it is determined whether or not there is no processing by the airbag deployment mode switching unit 20e for a predetermined period. If a positive determination is made here, the process proceeds to S205, and if a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to S204.

When the process proceeds to S205 as a result of the determination in S202 or S203, the function of the operation switch is forcibly switched to the window opening / closing switch which is currently the airbag deployment changeover switch. This is based on the idea that it is not preferable that the operation switch functions as a changeover switch for a long time as described above. After the process of S205, the switch function return process is terminated. Further, when the process proceeds to S204 as a result of the determination in S203, this means that there is no problem even if the operation switch functions as a changeover switch.
In the same manner as in S109 shown in FIG. 6, the airbag deployment mode switching process is performed.

  As described above, the function of the operation switch is forcibly returned to the window opening / closing switch as necessary, so that the safety of passengers in the vehicle 10 can be ensured.

  Here, the above-described manual cutting device described above is configured by each functional unit formed in the airbag ECU 20 as shown in FIGS. However, the manual cut device which is the airbag deployment control device according to the present invention is not limited to this form, and various forms can be adopted. For example, the function switching of the operation switch based on the body ECU 30 is realized by forming the function units corresponding to the switch function switching receiving unit 20c, the switch function switching unit 20d, and the airbag deployment mode switching unit 20e in the body ECU 30. it can. Further, an ECU for switching the function of the operation switch, which is different from the airbag ECU 20 and the body ECU 30, may be provided, and a necessary functional unit may be formed therein. In this case, the operation switches 151 to 154 may be connected to the body ECU 30 and the function switching ECU, respectively, and connected to any one of the ECUs, and information on the operation state of the necessary operation switches is between the ECUs. Give and receive.

  In the first embodiment, the function of the operation switch is switched based on the operation state (first operation state or second operation state) of the operation switch. By doing so, it is not necessary to newly provide a switch for switching functions, but it is necessary for the operator to perform many operations on the operation switch. Therefore, in order to further improve the operability for the operator, as shown in FIG. 8, one function changeover switch 16 for changing the function of the operation switch is provided for the central control switch 15. The operator can sequentially switch the functions of the operation switches 151 to 154 between the window opening / closing switch and the changeover switch by pressing the function changeover switch 16.

  In this case, the switch function switching accepting unit 20d detects the pressed state of the function switching switch, thereby accepting a function switching request by a manual operation by the operator, and the function switching of the operation switch thereafter is performed. The switch function switching process shown in FIG. 6 and the switch function return process shown in FIG. 7 are also applicable to the operation switch shown in FIG.

<Other examples>
In the first and second embodiments, the operation switch for opening and closing the window of the vehicle 10 is used as a switch for switching the airbag deployment mode, and the function of the operation switch is switched. As described above, the central control switch 15 is based on the arrangement of the window opening / closing switches corresponding to the arrangement of the seats. Here, in the vehicle 10, there are cases where operation switches other than the operation switches for opening and closing the windows, and operation switches for devices installed in the vehicle 10 already exist. For example, when an operation switch of an in-vehicle device that performs vehicle navigation or music provision and the radio or audio operation switch corresponds to the seat arrangement, the audio operation switch and the airbag are used. The function may be switched between the expansion mode changeover switches. What should be considered at this time is that the airbag deployment mode changeover switch and the operation switch for switching the function are preferably arranged so as to remind the operator of the arrangement of the seats. .

1, 2, 3, 4, ... Seat 5, 6, 7, 8, ... Window 10 ... Vehicles 11, 12, 13, 14, ... Airbag 15 ... Centralized control Switches 151, 152, 153, 154... Operation switches (window open / close switch, changeover switch)
16 .... Function changeover switch 20 .... Airbag ECU
30 ... Body ECU

Claims (10)

In order to centrally control the state of a plurality of openable windows, a plurality of switches corresponding to the plurality of windows are mounted on a vehicle having a window centralized control switch provided centrally in one place. An airbag deployment availability control device for controlling whether or not airbags provided at a plurality of positions of the vehicle are deployed,
A switch function switching unit that switches the switch function so that the window central control switch functions as a switch for changing the setting of whether or not to deploy the airbag;
A switch corresponding to a predetermined window of the vehicle among the window central control switch when the switch function switching unit is switched to change the setting of whether or not the airbag is deployed when the window central control switch is operated. When the operation is performed, a deployment propriety control unit that controls a setting change of the deployment feasibility of the airbag provided in the vicinity of the predetermined window corresponding to the switch in which the operation is performed;
An airbag deployment availability control device. The deployment propriety control unit is configured to detect an airbag for protecting an occupant seated on the vehicle seat provided in the vicinity of the predetermined window corresponding to the switch on which the operation is performed. Control the change of deployment availability,
The airbag deployment availability control device according to claim 1. An operation state detection unit for detecting an operation state of a switch included in the window central control switch;
The switch function switching unit switches the function as a switch for changing the setting of whether to deploy the airbag based on the operation state of the window central control switch detected by the operation state detection unit. And
The deployability control unit is further detected by the operation state detection unit when the switch function switching unit is switched to change the setting of whether to deploy the airbag when the window central control switch is operated. Based on the operating state of the switch corresponding to the predetermined window, the setting change of whether to deploy the airbag provided in the vicinity of the predetermined window is controlled.
The airbag deployment propriety control device according to claim 1 or 2. When the operation state detection unit detects that the operation state of the window central control switch is a first operation state in which the window is in the fully closed state and further controls to close the window. The function switching unit switches the function of the window central control switch as a switch for changing the setting of whether to deploy the airbag.
The airbag deployment availability control device according to claim 3. When the operation state detection unit continuously detects the first operation state for a predetermined time, or when the operation state detection unit detects the first operation state intermittently a predetermined number of times, the switch function switching unit performs the window concentration control. Switching the function of the switch as a switch for changing the setting of whether to deploy the airbag,
The airbag deployment propriety control device according to claim 4. The switch function switching unit is a switch provided separately from the window central control switch and on the driver's seat side in order to receive an instruction related to switch function switching of the window central control switch from the driver of the vehicle. Based on the switching instruction from the instruction receiving switch, the window central control switch is function-switched as a switch for changing the setting of whether to deploy the airbag,
The airbag deployment propriety control device according to claim 1 or 2. The switch function switching unit is prohibited from switching the switch function of the window central control switch when the vehicle is in a predetermined traveling state in which it is determined that the vehicle is not in a stopped state.
The airbag deployment propriety control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. Setting of whether or not the airbag can be deployed by the deployment propriety control unit in a predetermined period after the window function control unit is switched as a switch for changing the setting of whether or not the airbag is deployed by the switch function switching unit. When the change control is not performed, the switch function switching unit causes the window central control switch to function again as a switch for opening and closing the window.
The airbag deployment propriety control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. When the switch function switching unit determines that the vehicle is in a predetermined submerged state after the window central control switch is switched as a switch for changing the setting of whether or not the airbag is deployed, the switch function The switching unit forces the window central control switch to function again as a switch for opening and closing the window,
The airbag deployment propriety control device according to any one of claims 1 to 8. An airbag deployment control device that controls whether or not airbags provided corresponding to a plurality of seats of a vehicle are deployed,
In order to change the setting of whether or not to deploy an airbag, a plurality of operation switches having a predetermined arrangement relationship related to the arrangement of the plurality of seats in the vehicle and operating a predetermined device installed in the vehicle A switch function switching unit that switches the switch function to function as a switch of
Operation of the switch corresponding to a predetermined seat of the vehicle among the plurality of operation switches when the switch function switching unit is switched to change the setting of whether to deploy the airbag when the operation switch is operated. A deployment propriety control unit that controls a setting change of deployment of the airbag for the predetermined seat corresponding to the switch on which the operation is performed;
An airbag deployment availability control device.

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