JP2014162265A - Side impact detection device of vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To appropriately identify a side impact with a simple arrangement.SOLUTION: When a door outer panel 13 is moved inward a vehicle 1 because of a collision object 25, a tube 16 is pressed by a pressing piece member 21a whose distance to the tube 16 is the shortest. Thereafter, the tube 16 is pressed by pressing piece members 21b whose distances get gradually longer. A side impact is identified based on a varying situation of an internal pressure of the tube 16 detected by a pressure sensor.

Description

  The present invention relates to a side collision detection device for a vehicle that detects the intrusion of a colliding object from the side of the vehicle.

  As a device that detects the intrusion of a collision object from the side of the vehicle, that is, a side collision of the vehicle, it is known to detect a side collision by measuring the fluctuation of the pressure inside the door due to the intrusion of the collision object. (See Patent Document 1). The technology of Patent Document 1 is a technology in which a pressure sensor for detecting the pressure inside the door and a displacement sensor for detecting the displacement amount of the door panel are provided on the door, and the detection result of the pressure sensor is corrected by the detection value of the displacement sensor. is there.

  Thus, the side collision is detected from the detection result of the pressure sensor in consideration of the displacement state of the door which is the detection state of the displacement sensor. Therefore, the side collision can be detected at an early stage by taking advantage of the pressure sensor.

  The technique described in Patent Literature 1 can detect a side collision at an early stage, but requires a plurality of sensors for detection. For this reason, the structural member and control were complicated. In addition, since the side collision is determined by the absolute value of the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor, correction by atmospheric pressure and disturbance is necessary, and the configuration and control for correction are indispensable. This contributed to an increase in costs.

JP 2008-137491 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle side collision detection apparatus that can accurately determine a side collision with a simple configuration.

  In order to achieve the above object, a vehicle side collision detection apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, is arranged inside a door, and is pressurized from outside to pressurize an internal fluid. The pipe material, one pressure detection means for detecting the fluctuation of the pressure inside the pipe material, and a plurality of types of lengths with different distances to the pipe material. A push piece member that is arranged side by side in the direction and is displaced toward the tube material side in accordance with the displacement of the door outer panel toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction and presses the tube material, and the outer panel is displaced toward the inside of the vehicle. And a judging means for judging a side collision of the vehicle according to the state of pressure fluctuation detected by the pressure detecting means when the pipe material is pushed in order from the push piece member having a short distance to the pipe material. It is characterized by that.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, when the door moves to the inside of the vehicle due to the intrusion of the collision object, the pipe material is pushed in order from the push piece member having a short distance to the pipe material, and the fluctuation of the internal pressure of the pipe material is detected by the pressure detecting means. Depending on the state of fluctuation of the internal pressure of the pipe material, a sudden change in pressure or the like is determined regardless of the absolute value of the pressure value, and a collision from the side surface is determined.

  For this reason, it is possible to accurately determine the side collision with a simple configuration by using the push piece members having different distances from one pressure detection means and the pipe material.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the side collision detection device for a vehicle according to the first aspect, wherein the judging means includes the push piece member having a shortest distance to the pipe member. Estimating the displacement speed of the outer panel according to the time from the pressure variation when the tube material is first pushed until the adjacent push piece member detects the pressure variation when the tube material is pushed, A side collision is judged from the displacement speed of the outer panel.

  In the present invention according to claim 2, when the time until the pressure fluctuates when the adjacent pushing piece member pushes the pipe material is short, it can be determined that the intrusion speed of the collision object is high, and the side collision Judgment can be made accurately.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the side collision detection device for a vehicle according to the first or second aspect, wherein the pressure detecting means is attached to one end of the pipe material. The other end is sealed, and a plurality of the push piece members are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction of the vehicle so that the distance to the pipe member gradually increases toward the pressure detection means side. .

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a side collision detection device for a vehicle according to the third aspect of the present invention, wherein the distance to the pipe is gradually increased. A plurality of piece groups are arranged.

  According to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention, it is possible to accurately detect the intrusion of the collision object in a wide range centering on the occupant.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a side collision detection device for a vehicle according to the first or second aspect, wherein the pressure detecting means is attached to one end of the pipe material. The vehicle extends in the front-rear direction and is folded back, and the other end is connected to the pressure detection means.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the side collision detection device for a vehicle according to the fifth aspect, wherein the push piece member is a push piece member having a shortest distance to the pipe member. It is characterized in that a plurality of them are arranged side by side so as to face the front side of the vehicle and the rear side of the vehicle so that the distance to the pipe member gradually increases.

  In the present invention according to claims 5 and 6, it is possible to accurately detect the intrusion of the collision object in a wide range in any of the front and rear directions of the vehicle with the occupant as the center.

  The side collision detection device for a vehicle according to the present invention can accurately determine a side collision with a simple configuration.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a vehicle side collision detection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic side view showing a door panel. It is the III-III arrow directional view in FIG. It is the IV-IV line arrow directional view in FIG. It is a top view showing the intrusion state of a colliding object. It is a graph showing the detection condition of a pressure sensor. It is a principal part top view of the side collision detection apparatus of the vehicle which concerns on the other Example of this invention. It is a principal part top view of the side collision detection apparatus of the vehicle which concerns on the other Example of this invention.

  The configuration of the vehicle side collision detection device will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of the overall configuration of a vehicle equipped with a side collision detection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing a part of a door panel, and FIG. 3 is III-III in FIG. FIG. 4 shows a view taken along a line arrow (cross-sectional view along the vehicle width direction), and FIG. 4 shows a view taken along line IV-IV (cross-sectional view taken along a plane) in FIG.

  The overall schematic configuration of the side collision detection device for a vehicle will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in the figure, the vehicle 1 is provided with a side airbag 2 and a curtain airbag 3, and the side airbag 2 and the curtain airbag 3 are deployed at the time of a side collision (the inflator is ignited) according to a command from the airbag ECU 4. The Information on the pressure detection means 5 is input to the airbag ECU 4.

  As will be described in detail later, the pressure detection means 5 includes a push piece member 21 and a tube 16, and pressure fluctuation when the tube 16 is pushed by the push piece member 21 (when a collision object enters from the side surface). Is detected by the pressure sensor 6. Detection information of the pressure sensor 6 is input to the airbag ECU 4, and the airbag ECU 4 determines the intrusion of the collision object from the side based on the detection information (pressure fluctuation) of the pressure sensor 6 (determination means). .

  When the airbag ECU 4 determines that a collision object has entered from the side surface, that is, when it is determined that a side collision has occurred, a deployment command is output to the side airbag 2 and the curtain airbag 3, and the inflator is ignited. The side airbag 2 and the curtain airbag 3 are deployed.

  The pressure detection means 5 (side collision detection device) will be specifically described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in the figure, an impact bar 20 extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 1 is provided on the door outer panel 12 side of the door inner panel 12 of the door panel 11. The impact bar 20 is formed in a U-shaped cross section (see FIG. 3), and the door outer panel 13 side is open. Further, a door trim 14 is provided on the vehicle interior side of the door inner panel 12.

  Inside the impact bar 20, a long tube 16 (for example, made of rubber) is disposed in the vehicle front-rear direction as a pipe material, and a plug 17 is provided at the rear end (right side in FIG. 4) of the tube 16. Is attached. A pressure sensor 6 is attached to an end of the tube 16 on the front side (left side in FIG. 4) of the vehicle 1. When the tube 16 is pushed from the outside, the internal air is pressurized by the pressure sensor 6. Detected.

  A plurality of push piece members 21 are arranged inside the door outer panel 13 (outside the vehicle 1 of the tube 16) so as to face the tube 16. The plurality of push piece members 21 are arranged so that the distances to the tubes 16 are different from each other. For example, five push piece members 21 a, 21 b, 21 c, 21 d, and 21 e having different lengths in the vehicle width direction are arranged in a line along the tube 16 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 1.

  The plurality of push piece members 21 are made of, for example, a synthetic resin material such as expanded polystyrene. The push piece member 21 is not limited to the synthetic resin material, and various materials can be applied as long as the push piece member 21 has a rigidity to crush the tube 16.

  The five push piece members 21 have the shortest distance to the tube 16 of the push piece member 21a on the rear side (right side in FIG. 4) of the vehicle 1 and face the front side of the vehicle 1, and push piece members 21b, 21c, and 21d. The distance to the tube 16 gradually increases, and the distance to the tube 16 of the push piece member 21e on the front side (left side in FIG. 4) of the vehicle 1 is the longest.

  That is, the length in the vehicle width direction of the push piece member 21a farthest from the pressure sensor 6 is the longest (the distance to the tube 16 is short), and the length in the vehicle width direction is short as the pressure sensor 6 is approached ( The distance from the tube 16 is long).

  When the door outer panel 13 moves to the inside of the vehicle 1, the tube 16 is pushed by the push piece member 21 a having the shortest distance to the tube 16, and then the push piece members 21 b, 21 c, 21 d, and 21 e that gradually increase in distance are sequentially arranged. The tube 16 is pushed. Thereby, the fluctuation of the internal pressure of the tube 16 is detected by the pressure sensor 6. From the detection result detected by the pressure sensor 6, the state of fluctuation of the internal pressure of the tube 16 is read, and it is determined by the airbag ECU 4 (see FIG. 1) whether a side collision has occurred.

  For this reason, the side collision can be accurately determined with a simple configuration by one pressure sensor 6 and the push piece member 21 having a different distance to the tube 16.

  The operation state of the pressure detection means 5 (side collision detection device) will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 5 shows a plan view of a situation where a collision object has entered, FIG. 5A shows a situation when the collision object collides, FIG. 5B shows a situation when the collision object starts intrusion, FIG. 5C shows a situation in which a collision object has further entered. FIG. 6 shows the change over time in the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 6.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, when the collision object 25 comes into contact with the door outer panel 13 (time t0 in FIG. 6), the door outer panel 13 is not deformed, and the push piece member with the shortest distance to the tube 16 is used. 21 a does not crush the tube 16. For this reason, the pressure sensor 6 does not detect an increase in pressure, and the amount of increase in pressure becomes zero.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, when the collision object 25 enters and the door outer panel 13 starts to deform inward, the pushing piece member 21a having the shortest distance to the tube 16 starts to crush the tube 16, and the pushing piece The tube 16 is crushed by the member 21a (time t1 in FIG. 6). For this reason, the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 6 increases, and the amount of increase in pressure becomes ΔP1.

  After the tube 16 is crushed by the push piece member 21a, a time until the adjacent push piece member 21b starts to crush the tube 16 is generated according to the speed of the intrusion of the collision object 25 (time in FIG. 6). t1 to t2). For this reason, the pressure sensor 6 does not detect an increase in pressure, and the amount of increase in pressure becomes zero during the time Δt.

  As shown in FIG. 5C, when the collision object 25 further enters and the door outer panel 13 is further deformed inward, the adjacent push piece member 21b starts to crush the tube 16, and the push piece member 21a and the push piece The tube 16 is crushed by the member 21b (from time t2 to t3 in FIG. 6). For this reason, the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 6 further increases, and the amount of increase in pressure becomes ΔP2.

  The door outer panel is detected depending on the length of time Δt from when the intrusion of the door outer panel 13 is detected by the pressure increase amount ΔP detected by the pressure sensor 6 until the pushing piece member 21b starts to be crushed (the time when there is no pressure increase). Thirteen intrusion rates are detected. When the time Δt during which there is no pressure increase is shorter than a predetermined threshold value, it is determined that the door outer panel 13 has entered at a high speed in a state where the predetermined pressure is generated, and it is accurately determined that the side collision has occurred. Is done.

  When the collision object 25 first pushes the push piece member 21b (21c, 21d), the pressure increase amount ΔP and the determination of the length of the time Δt when the pressure does not increase are determined by the push piece member 21b (21c). 21d) and the push piece member 21c (21d, 21e).

  Based on detection information (pressure fluctuation state) of one pressure sensor 6, the airbag ECU 4 (see FIG. 1) determines that the collision object 25 has entered from the side surface, and determines that it is a side collision. . When it is determined that a side collision has occurred, a deployment command is output to the side airbag 2 (see FIG. 1) and the curtain airbag 3 (see FIG. 1), the inflator is ignited, and the side airbag 2 (see FIG. 1) and The curtain airbag 3 (see FIG. 1) is deployed.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the state of fluctuation of the internal pressure of the tube 16 is detected by the single pressure sensor 6, and the collision from the side surface is determined based on the length of the time Δt when the pressure of the tube 16 does not fluctuate. Therefore, regardless of the absolute value of the pressure value, it is possible to accurately determine the side collision without performing correction due to atmospheric pressure or disturbance.

  Another embodiment of the side collision detection device will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7 shows a plan view of the situation where the collision object has entered, FIG. 7A shows the situation when the collision object collides, FIG. 7B shows the situation when the collision object starts intrusion, FIG. 7C shows a situation where a collision object has further entered. The same members as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  Opposite the tube 16, three sets (plural sets) of push piece groups 31 are arranged on the inner side of the door outer panel 13 (outside of the vehicle 1 of the tube 16). Pushing piece members 32a, 32b, and 32c are formed. The three push piece members 32a, 32b, and 32c are formed so that the distance to the tube 16 is gradually increased.

  That is, in the push piece group 31, the push piece member 32 a farthest from the pressure sensor 6 has the longest length in the vehicle width direction, and the push piece member 32 c closest to the pressure sensor 6 has a long length in the vehicle width direction. Is set to be the shortest.

  The push piece set 31 is not limited to three sets, and two sets or four or more sets may be provided. Further, the pushing piece member 32 is not limited to three, and two or four or more pushing piece members can be provided.

  When the door outer panel 13 moves to the inside of the vehicle 1, one of the three push piece sets 31 moves to the tube 16 side, and the push piece member 32 a having the shortest distance to the tube 16 pushes the push piece set 31. The tube 16 is pushed in the order of the piece members 32b and 32c. The tube 16 is sequentially crushed by the three push piece members 32 a, 32 b, and 32 c of the push piece set 31, and the pressure sensor 6 detects a change over time in the pressure increase amount in the situation shown in FIG. 6.

  That is, similarly to the situation shown in FIG. 6, the increase in the internal pressure of the tube 16 when it is crushed by the push piece member 32a (32b) is detected by the pressure sensor 6, and the door outer panel 13 is detected by the pressure increase amount ΔP. Intrusion is detected. Then, the speed of intrusion of the door outer panel 13 is detected based on the length of time (the time when pressure does not increase) Δt until the push piece member 32b (32c) starts to be crushed.

  When the time Δt during which there is no pressure increase is shorter than a predetermined threshold value, it is determined that the door outer panel 13 has entered at a high speed in a state where the predetermined pressure is generated, and it is accurately determined that the side collision has occurred. Is done.

  Since the three push piece sets 31 are arranged inside the door outer panel 13, the intrusion of the collision object 25 is detected at any location within the range where the push piece set 31 is arranged with the occupant as the center. be able to. Accordingly, it is possible to accurately detect the intrusion of the collision object 25 in a wide range.

  In the side collision detection apparatus shown in FIG. 7, the collision object 25 is detected by the airbag ECU 4 (see FIG. 1) based on the detection information (pressure fluctuation state) of one pressure sensor 6 as in the above-described embodiment. Is determined to have entered from the side, and a side collision is determined. When it is determined that a side collision has occurred, a deployment command is output to the side airbag 2 (see FIG. 1) and the curtain airbag 3 (see FIG. 1), the inflator is ignited, and the side airbag 2 (see FIG. 1) and The curtain airbag 3 (see FIG. 1) is deployed.

  Another embodiment of the side collision detection device will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 8 shows a plan view of the situation where the collision object has entered, FIG. 8A shows the situation when the collision object collides, FIG. 8B shows the situation when the collision object starts intrusion, FIG. 8C shows a situation in which a collision object has further entered. The same members as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  Inside the impact bar 20, a long rubber tube 35 is disposed as a pipe material. The tube 35 has a pressure sensor 6 attached to one end, extends in the rearward direction of the vehicle, is folded back to the vehicle interior side, extends in the forward direction, and the other end is connected to the pressure sensor 6.

  Seven (a plurality of) push piece members 36 are arranged on the inner side of the door outer panel 13 (the outer side of the vehicle 1 of the tube 35) facing the tube 35. The push piece member 36 has push piece members 36c, 36b, and 36a that gradually increase in distance to the tube 35 toward the rear side (right side in the figure) of the push piece member 36d having the shortest distance to the tube 35. Push piece members 36e, 36f, and 36g that are gradually increased in distance to the tube 35 toward the front side (left side in the figure) of the vehicle are arranged.

  That is, the length in the vehicle width direction of the push piece member 36d located in the middle is set to be the longest, and the length in the vehicle width direction is set shorter as the distance from the push piece member 36d in the vehicle front-rear direction.

  The push piece member 36 is not limited to seven, and can be provided from three to six or eight or more.

  When the door outer panel 13 moves to the inside of the vehicle 1, for example, the push piece member 36d having the shortest distance to the tube 35 moves to the tube 35 side, and the push piece member 36d is followed by the push piece members 36c, 36b, and 36a in this order. Alternatively, the push piece members 36e, 36f, and 36g move to the tube 35 side in this order.

  The tube 35 is sequentially crushed from the push piece member 36d in the order of push piece members 36c, 36b, 36a, or in the order of push piece members 36e, 36f, 36g, and the collision object 25 sandwiches the push piece member 36d. Regardless of the front direction or the rear direction, the pressure sensor 6 detects the change over time in the pressure increase amount in the situation shown in FIG.

  That is, similarly to the situation shown in FIG. 6, for example, an increase in the internal pressure of the tube 35 when it is crushed by the push piece member 36 d is detected by the pressure sensor 6, and the door outer panel 13 enters by the pressure increase amount ΔP. Is detected. Then, the intrusion speed of the door outer panel 13 is detected based on the length of time Δt until the push piece member 36c or the push piece member 36e starts to be crushed (the time when there is no pressure increase) Δt.

  When the time Δt during which there is no pressure increase is shorter than a predetermined threshold value, it is determined that the door outer panel 13 has entered at a high speed in a state where the predetermined pressure is generated, and it is accurately determined that the side collision has occurred. Is done.

  The tube 35 has a pressure sensor 6 attached to one end, extends in the rearward direction of the vehicle and is folded back, and the other end is connected to the pressure sensor 6, and the push piece member 36 d having the shortest distance to the tube 35 is interposed between the tube 35 and the vehicle. A push piece member 36 is disposed in which the distance to the tube 35 facing forward and backward becomes gradually longer. For this reason, it is possible to accurately detect the intrusion of the collision object 25 in a wide range regardless of the direction of the front or rear of the vehicle with the occupant as the center.

  In the side collision detection apparatus shown in FIG. 8, the collision object 25 is detected by the airbag ECU 4 (see FIG. 1) based on the detection information (pressure fluctuation state) of one pressure sensor 6 as in the above-described embodiment. Is determined to have entered from the side, and a side collision is determined. When a side collision is determined, a deployment command is output to the side airbag 2 (see FIG. 1) and the curtain airbag 3 (see FIG. 1), the inflator is ignited, and the side airbag 2 (see FIG. 1) and The curtain airbag 3 (see FIG. 1) is deployed.

  The side collision detection device of the present invention can accurately determine a side collision with a simple configuration by one pressure sensor 6 and a push piece member having a different distance to the tube 16 (35). Since the collision is determined according to the length of time Δt in which the pressure value of the pressure sensor 6 does not increase, the correction due to atmospheric pressure or disturbance is performed regardless of the absolute value of the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor 6. It is possible to accurately determine the side collision without performing.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used in the industrial field of a side collision detection device for a vehicle that detects the intrusion of a collision object from the side of the vehicle.

1 Vehicle 2 Side Airbag 3 Curtain Airbag 4 Airbag ECU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 Pressure detection means 6 Pressure detection sensor 11 Door panel 12 Door inner panel 13 Door outer panel 14 Door trim 16, 35 Tube 20 Impact bar 21, 32, 36 Pushing piece member 25 Colliding object 31 Pushing piece group

Claims (6)

A pipe that extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, is arranged inside the door, and is pressurized from outside to pressurize the internal fluid;
One pressure detecting means for detecting fluctuations in pressure inside the pipe;
A plurality of types of lengths with different distances to the pipe material are set, and a plurality of lengths are arranged side by side in the vehicle front-rear direction on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the pipe material. A pushing piece member that is displaced toward the tube material and presses the tube material,
When the outer panel is displaced to the inside of the vehicle and the pipe member is pushed in order from the push piece member having a short distance to the pipe member, depending on the pressure fluctuation detected by the pressure detection means, A vehicle side collision detection apparatus comprising: a determination unit configured to determine a side collision. The side collision detection device for a vehicle according to claim 1,
The determination means detects a change in pressure when the adjacent push piece member presses the pipe material from a change in pressure when the push piece member having the shortest distance to the pipe material first pushes the pipe material. A side collision detection device for a vehicle, characterized in that a speed of displacement of the outer panel is estimated according to a time until it is done, and a side collision is determined from the speed of displacement of the outer panel. In the side collision detection device for a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2,
The tube material has the pressure detecting means attached to one end and the other end sealed,
A plurality of the push piece members are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction of the vehicle so that the distance to the pipe member gradually increases toward the pressure detection means side. The side collision detection device for a vehicle according to claim 3,
A side collision detection device for a vehicle, characterized in that a plurality of push piece groups each composed of a plurality of push piece members whose distances to the pipe members are gradually increased are arranged. In the side collision detection device for a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2,
The pipe has a pressure detection means attached to one end, extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle and is folded back, and the other end is connected to the pressure detection means. The side collision detection device for a vehicle according to claim 5,
A plurality of the push piece members are arranged side by side so that the push piece member having the shortest distance to the pipe member is sandwiched between the push piece members toward the front side of the vehicle and the rear side of the vehicle, and the distance to the pipe member gradually increases. A side collision detection device for a vehicle, characterized in that

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