JP2015136969A - Vehicle submergence detection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicle submergence detection device which accurately detects a situation that a vehicle is brought into a submergence state.SOLUTION: A vehicle submergence detection device 1 includes: a chamber member 2 disposed in a bumper 10 of a vehicle, the chamber member 2 in which a chamber space 2a is formed; a first pressure sensor 3 which detects a pressure of the chamber space 2a; a second pressure sensor 4 which is disposed in a door 14 of the vehicle and detects a pressure of a space 14a in the door 14; and a submergence detection ECU 5 serving as determination means which determines that the vehicle is brought into a submergence state on the basis of pressure detection results of the first pressure sensor 3 and the second pressure sensor 4.

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicular submersion detection device that detects that a submerged state has occurred in a vehicle.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a vehicle including a submergence detection device that detects that a submerged state has occurred in a vehicle when a submergence or submergence accident occurs in the vehicle. In this vehicle, a submergence detection device including a sensor is provided, and when the sensor detects that a submergence state has occurred in the vehicle, the vehicle is informed that the submergence state has occurred.

  The submergence detection device includes a chamber member disposed in a bumper of a vehicle and having a chamber space formed therein, a pressure sensor for detecting a pressure in the chamber space, and a submergence of the vehicle based on a detection result of the pressure sensor. Some have a determination means for determining the state.

  With this configuration, when the vehicle is submerged, the chamber member is deformed by water pressure, and the pressure sensor detects a change in the pressure of the chamber space due to the deformation of the chamber member, so that the vehicle is submerged. Can be detected.

JP 2012-180033 A

  However, the vehicle submergence detection device having the above-described configuration is configured to detect that the vehicle is submerged by detecting a pressure change in the chamber space of the chamber member. When the chamber member is damaged, there is a problem that the detection accuracy of the pressure change in the chamber space is lowered, and it may not be possible to accurately detect that the vehicle has been submerged.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle submersion detection device that can accurately detect that a vehicle has been submerged.

  A vehicle submergence detection device (1) according to claim 1 made to solve the above object is a chamber member disposed in a bumper (10) of a vehicle and having a chamber space (2a) formed therein. (2), a first pressure sensor (3) that detects the pressure in the chamber space, and a second pressure that is disposed in the door (14) of the vehicle and detects the pressure in the door internal space (14a). A sensor (4) and a determination unit (5) for determining that the vehicle is submerged based on pressure detection results by the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor are provided.

  According to this configuration, the first pressure sensor that detects the pressure in the chamber space of the chamber member disposed in the bumper of the vehicle and the second pressure sensor that detects the pressure in the space in the door are used. By performing submergence detection using two different parts of the bumper part and the door part, it is possible to accurately and reliably detect that the vehicle has been submerged. Moreover, even if any one of the sensor functions of the bumper part and the door part has a problem, the other can detect the submerged state. In addition, the code | symbol in the bracket | parenthesis of each means described in this column and the claim shows the correspondence with the specific means as described in embodiment mentioned later.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a vehicle submersion detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is an enlarged view of the bumper part of FIG. It is a cross-sectional view of the bumper part of FIG. It is a cross-sectional view of the door part of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows an electric structure. It is a figure which shows the pressure change of a pressure sensor. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a submergence detection determination process.

  Hereinafter, a vehicle submersion detection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle submergence detection device 1 of the present embodiment includes a chamber member 2, a first pressure sensor 3, a second pressure sensor 4, a submergence detection ECU 5 (corresponding to a determination unit), and a notification device 6. (Corresponding to notification means), an emergency notification device 7, a storage device 8 (corresponding to storage means), an auxiliary power source 9, and the like.

  The chamber member 2 is disposed on the front surface of the bumper reinforcement 13 in the bumper 10 as shown in FIGS. The bumper 10 includes a bumper cover 11, a bumper absorber 12, and a bumper reinforcement 13 as main components. The chamber member 2 is a hollow member made of a soft resin such as polyethylene and extending in the vehicle width direction (the vehicle left-right direction), and is disposed on the bumper absorber 12. Although not shown, the chamber member 2 is disposed below the positions where the engine air cleaner and the air conditioner air cleaner are disposed in the bonnet.

  A chamber space 2 a is formed inside the chamber member 2. The chamber space 2a is a closed space surrounded by a wall surface of a soft resin having a thickness of several millimeters. This chamber space 2a is not completely sealed, and communicates with the outside air at a part of a narrow portion and is at atmospheric pressure. This prevents them from being affected by changes in atmospheric pressure due to differences in altitude or changes in temperature. A pressure introducing pipe (not shown) of the first pressure sensor 3 is inserted into the chamber space 2a from an insertion port (not shown).

  The first pressure sensor 3 is a sensor device for detecting the pressure in the chamber space 2 a and is assembled above the chamber member 2. Specifically, the first pressure sensor 3 is configured such that its pressure introduction pipe is inserted into the chamber space 2a via the insertion port, and the pressure change of the air in the chamber space 2a can be detected. The chamber member 2 is deformed by water pressure when the vehicle is submerged. The first pressure sensor 3 detects a pressure change in the chamber space 2a due to the deformation of the chamber member 2, and outputs a signal proportional to the pressure to the submergence detection ECU 5. Since the first pressure sensor 3 is disposed above the chamber member 2, even if the chamber space 2a is completely submerged, the pressure in the chamber space 2a can be detected. .

  As shown in FIG. 4, the second pressure sensor 4 is a sensor device that is provided in the door 14 of the vehicle and detects the pressure in the space 14 a in the door 14. Specifically, one second pressure sensor 4 is provided at each of four locations of two left and right doors 14 (front doors) on the front side of the vehicle and two left and right doors 14 (rear doors) on the rear side of the vehicle. (See FIG. 1). The door 14 includes a metal door outer panel 15 provided on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, and a metal door inner panel 16 provided on the inner side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the door outer panel 15. As shown in FIG. 4, the second pressure sensor 4 is disposed on the upper part of the inner wall surface of the door outer panel 15. Thereby, even if water permeates into the door 14 and the space 14a is submerged by about 90%, the pressure can be detected.

  The door outer panel 15 and the door inner panel 16 are integrally formed, for example, by hemming at the lower end portion of the vehicle and the end portion in the front-rear direction of the vehicle to form a closed cross section. A door glass 17 is inserted between the door outer panel 15 and the door inner panel 16.

  When inundation occurs in the vehicle, the water enters the space 14 a of the door 14. And the pressure in the space 14a changes with this water immersion. The second pressure sensor 4 detects a pressure change in the space 14a due to water immersion, and outputs a signal proportional to the pressure to the submergence detection ECU 5.

  The submergence detection ECU 5 is composed mainly of a CPU and controls the overall operation of the submergence detection device 1 for a vehicle. The first pressure sensor 3, the second pressure sensor 4, a notification device 6, and an emergency call device 7 are used. The storage device 8 and the auxiliary power supply 9 are electrically connected via transmission lines (see FIG. 1). As shown in FIG. 5, the submergence detection ECU 5 receives pressure signals (pressure data) from the first pressure sensor 3 and the second pressure sensor 4, and the submergence detection ECU 5 receives the first pressure sensor 3. Based on the pressure detection result (input signal) by the sensor 3 and the second pressure sensor 4, a submergence determination process described later is executed to determine whether or not the vehicle is submerged.

  The notification device 6 is a notification means for notifying an occupant of the vehicle that the vehicle has been submerged, and is installed at a position where the occupant can visually recognize, for example, an instrument panel (not shown). . For example, the notification device 6 includes a display device and a speaker (not shown). Then, a message indicating that the vehicle has been submerged is displayed on the display device, and a warning message is issued from the speaker. In addition, a lamp or the like may be used as the notification device 6.

  The emergency call device 7 is a device called DCM (Data Communication Module), and troubles such as collision accidents and submergence accidents have occurred in vehicles such as external emergency centers (not shown). It is an apparatus for performing an emergency call operation for notifying the user. In this embodiment, the emergency call device 7 urgently sends an emergency call to the emergency center by wireless communication from a communication antenna (not shown) when a submergence accident occurs in the vehicle and the submergence detection ECU 5 determines that the vehicle is completely submerged. Make a report. In the emergency center, an operator is stationed, and an emergency call service is performed in which the operator contacts the police or hospital based on the emergency call.

  The storage device 8 is composed of, for example, a non-volatile memory, and is for recording submergence record information indicating that the submergence detection ECU 5 determines that the vehicle is submerged.

  The auxiliary power source 9 is made of, for example, a primary battery, and supplies power to the submergence detection ECU 5, the notification device 6, and the storage device 8 (see FIG. 1). Specifically, the auxiliary power supply 9 supplies power to the submergence detection ECU 5, the notification device 6, and the storage device 8 when the IG voltage of the vehicle becomes a predetermined value or less. Thereby, even when power is no longer supplied from an in-vehicle battery (not shown) due to flooding, or when the occupant stops the engine and parks, the submergence detection ECU 5, the notification device 6, and the storage device 8 It is possible to supply power.

  The bumper 10 is for reducing a shock at the time of a vehicle collision, and includes a bumper cover 11, a bumper absorber 12, a bumper reinforcement 13, and the like. The bumper cover 11 extends in the vehicle width direction (vehicle left-right direction) at the front end of the vehicle, is provided to cover the components of the bumper 10, and is a resin member such as polypropylene. The bumper cover 11 constitutes the appearance of the bumper 10 and at the same time constitutes a part of the overall appearance of the vehicle.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the bumper absorber 12 is provided in the lower part of the chamber member 2 on the front surface of the bumper reinforcement 13. The bumper absorber 12 is a member responsible for shock absorption in the bumper 10, and is made of, for example, foamed polypropylene.

  The bumper reinforcement 13 is a structural member made of metal such as aluminum disposed in the bumper cover 11 and extending in the vehicle width direction. As shown in FIG. It is a hollow member which has a character-shaped cross section. The bumper reinforcement 13 is attached to the front end of a side member 18 that is a pair of metal members extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction (see FIG. 2).

  Next, the flow of the submergence detection determination process by the vehicle submersion detection apparatus 1 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. However, this flowchart is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this.

  The submergence detection device 1 for a vehicle functions as a determination unit that determines whether the vehicle is in one of a “non-submerged state”, a “pre-submerged state”, and a “complete submerged state” in the submergence detection determination process. To do. Here, the “non-submerged state” refers to a state where the vehicle is not flooded. In addition, the “pre-submerged state” refers to, for example, a large pool of water generated on the road due to rain water or a state where the vehicle has entered a river or the like, and if the vehicle is advanced as it is, the vehicle is completely submerged. A possible state. In addition, the “completely submerged state” refers to a state in which the vehicle is completely submerged, for example, where the vehicle has fallen into the sea or a pond.

  In this submergence detection determination process, first, the value of the pressure in the chamber space 2a of the chamber member 2 detected by the first pressure sensor 3 is input to the submergence detection ECU 5 as a pressure signal (step S1, hereinafter step S1). The pressure value of the space 14a in the door 14 detected by the second pressure sensor 4 is input as a pressure signal (S2).

  Then, the submergence detection ECU 5 executes a submergence detection determination process using an OR circuit of a logic circuit as shown in FIG. That is, the submergence detection ECU 5 determines that the vehicle has been submerged when at least one of the pressure detection results of the first pressure sensor 3 and the second pressure sensor 4 exceeds a predetermined threshold value for each. . Specifically, the submergence detection ECU 5 sequentially determines whether or not the pressure value in the chamber space 2a is equal to or higher than the chamber second threshold value Pth2a (S3), and the pressure in the space 14a in each door 14 indicates the door second threshold value. Determination of whether or not Pth2b or higher (S4), determination of whether or not the pressure in the chamber space 2a is higher than or equal to the chamber first threshold Pth1a (S5), and whether or not the pressure of the space 14a in each door 14 is higher than or equal to the first door threshold Pth1b It is determined whether or not (S6). As described above, in the present embodiment, the first threshold values Pth1a and Pth1b are set as the threshold values of the pressure detection results by the first pressure sensor 3 and the second pressure sensor 4, respectively, and the second values that are larger than the first threshold value are used. Threshold values Pth2a and Pth2b are set (see FIG. 6).

  When the pressure in the chamber space 2a and the pressure in the space 14a in the door 14 are less than the first thresholds Pth1a and Pth1b for each (S3 to S6: No), the submergence detection ECU 5 is in a non-submergence state. (S7).

  Further, the submergence detection ECU 5 has a pressure in the chamber space 2a and a pressure in the space 14a in the door 14 that are less than the second threshold values Pth2a and Pth2b for each of them (S3, S4: No), and the pressure in the chamber space 2a is If the chamber first threshold value Pth1a or higher (S5: Yes) or the pressure in the space 14a in the door 14 is equal to or higher than the door first threshold value Pth1b (S6: Yes), it is determined that the vehicle is in a pre-water immersion state (S8). The fact that the vehicle is in a pre-submerged state is recorded in the storage device 8 as submerged record information (S9).

  Here, the first threshold values Pth1a and Pth1b are set to detect that the vehicle is in the “pre-water immersion state”, and are relatively small values so that the “pre-water immersion state” can be detected. (See FIG. 6). In the “pre-water immersion state”, the chamber member 2 is deformed to a small extent due to water accumulation or the like, and the pressure in the chamber space 2a is slightly increased, whereby the pre-water immersion state is detected. In this embodiment, in the detection of submergence of the door part, when all the pressures of the spaces 14a in the four doors 14 are equal to or higher than the door first threshold value Pth1b, it is determined that the state is a pre-submergence state (S8). . In addition, when any one of the four door 14 inner spaces 14a is equal to or more than the first door threshold value Pth1b, it may be determined that the vehicle is in the pre-water immersion state.

  Subsequently, the submergence detection ECU 5 determines whether or not the IG is ON (S10). When the IG is ON (S10: Yes), the notification device 6 notifies the occupant that the vehicle has been submerged. Notification is made (S11). In this case, for example, a warning message “the vehicle has been flooded” is issued from the speaker, and “inundation has occurred” is displayed on the display device.

  When the IG is not ON, that is, when the IG is OFF (S10: No), when the IG is turned ON (S12), the notification device 6 notifies the occupant that the vehicle has been submerged. (S13). This assumes, for example, a case in which the vehicle is flooded while the occupant parks the vehicle and is away from the vehicle. In this case, when the occupant returns to the vehicle and operates the engine, the notification device 6 is activated, so that the occupant is notified that the vehicle is in a pre-water immersion state in the same manner as in S11.

  Further, the submergence detection ECU 5 determines that the pressure in the chamber space 2a is equal to or higher than the chamber second threshold Pth2a (S3: Yes), or the pressure in the space 14a in the door 14 is equal to or higher than the door second threshold Pth2b (S4: Yes). Is determined that the vehicle has been completely submerged (S14), and the fact that the vehicle has been completely submerged is recorded in the storage device 8 as submersion record information (S15).

  Here, the second threshold values Pth2a and Pth2b are set to detect that the vehicle is in the “completely submerged state” (see FIG. 6). In the “completely submerged state”, the chamber member 2 is greatly deformed by the water pressure of the sea, a pond, or the like, and the pressure in the chamber space 2a is increased, whereby the completely submerged state is detected. In this embodiment, in the detection of submergence of the door part, when all the pressures of the spaces 14a in the four doors 14 are equal to or greater than the door second threshold value Pth2b, it is determined that the door is completely submerged (S14). . In addition, when any one of the four door 14 inner spaces 14a is equal to or greater than the door second threshold value Pth2b, it may be determined that the state is completely submerged.

  Subsequently, the submergence detection ECU 5 determines whether or not the IG is ON (S16). If the IG is ON (S16: Yes), the emergency notification device 7 is operated to make an emergency notification (S17). In this emergency call, the emergency center will be notified of the occurrence of a vehicle submergence accident such as a vehicle falling into the sea, etc. with passengers on board, so that the police, hospitals and other organizations can respond quickly. To do.

  If the submersion detection ECU 5 determines that the vehicle is completely submerged (S14), the door lock may be released and all windows may be fully opened.

  When the IG is not ON (S16: No), that is, when the IG is OFF, when the IG is turned on (S18), the notification device 6 notifies the occupant that the vehicle has been completely submerged. (S19). For example, it is assumed that the vehicle is flooded due to heavy rain or the like while the occupant parks the vehicle away from the vehicle and the vehicle is completely submerged. In this case, when the occupant returns to the vehicle and operates the engine, the notification device 6 is activated to notify the occupant that the vehicle has been completely submerged.

  In the present embodiment, in the submergence detection determination process described above, the submergence detection ECU 5 also determines whether or not the IG voltage of the vehicle is equal to or lower than a predetermined value. When the submergence detection ECU 5 determines that the IG voltage of the vehicle is equal to or lower than a predetermined value, power is supplied from the auxiliary power source 9 to the submergence detection ECU 5, the notification device 6, and the storage device 8. That is, for example, when the occupant stops the engine and parks, the submergence detection ECU 5 performs submergence detection determination processing by supplying power from the auxiliary power source 9. When the vehicle is submerged, the submerged record information is recorded in the storage device 8 by supplying power from the auxiliary power source 9.

  As described above, the submergence detection device 1 for a vehicle according to the present embodiment detects the pressure in the chamber member 2 that is disposed in the bumper 10 of the vehicle and in which the chamber space 2a is formed, and the pressure in the chamber space 2a. The first pressure sensor 3, the second pressure sensor 4 which is disposed in the door 14 of the vehicle and detects the pressure in the inner space 14a of the door 14, the first pressure sensor 3 and the second pressure sensor 4 A submergence detection ECU 5 is provided as a determination unit that determines that the vehicle is submerged based on the pressure detection result obtained by the above.

  According to this configuration, the first pressure sensor 3 that detects the pressure in the chamber space 2a of the chamber member 2 disposed in the bumper 10 of the vehicle, and the second pressure that detects the pressure in the inner space 14a of the door 14. By using the sensor 4, that is, by performing submersion detection using two different members of the bumper portion and the door portion, it is possible to accurately and reliably detect that the vehicle has been submerged. Moreover, even when any one of the sensor functions of the bumper part and the door part has a problem, the other part can detect the submerged state of the vehicle.

  Further, the submergence detection ECU 5 detects that at least one of the pressure detection results by the first pressure sensor 3 and the second pressure sensor 4 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value for each (S3 or S4: Yes, S5 or S6: Yes), it is determined that the vehicle has been submerged (S8, S14).

  According to this configuration, even when one of the first pressure sensor 3 and the second pressure sensor 4 fails, the other pressure sensor can detect the submergence of the vehicle. Further, even when any one of the chamber member 2 and the door 14 is damaged, the submergence of the vehicle can be detected by a pressure sensor installed on the other member. For example, even when the chamber member 2 is damaged due to a collision accident, the submersion of the vehicle can be detected by the second pressure sensor 4 provided in the door 14.

  In addition, when the submergence detection ECU 5 determines that the vehicle has been submerged, the notification device 6 is provided as a notification unit that notifies the vehicle occupant that the vehicle has submerged. And

  According to this configuration, the occupant can recognize that the vehicle has been submerged by the notification device 6. Thereby, the occupant can avoid the deterioration of the submerged state by moving the vehicle. In addition, it is possible to take measures such as transporting a vehicle that has been submerged to a repair center.

  Further, the threshold values of the pressure detection results by the first pressure sensor 3 and the second pressure sensor 4 are the first threshold value (Pth1a, Pth1b) and the second threshold value (Pth2a, Pth2b) larger than the first threshold value, respectively. ), And the submergence detection ECU 5 determines that at least one of the pressure detection results by the first pressure sensor 3 and the second pressure sensor 4 is equal to or higher than the first threshold (S5 or S6: Yes), It is determined that the vehicle is in a pre-submerged state (S8), and when it is equal to or greater than the second threshold (S3 or S4: Yes), it is determined that the vehicle is in a fully submerged state (S14).

  According to this configuration, by setting the first threshold value for detecting the pre-submerged state and the second threshold value for detecting the fully submerged state in advance, the submergence detection ECU 5 causes the vehicle to be submerged (pre-submerged). It is possible to accurately determine that the state has been submerged or completely submerged. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the submergence accident from getting worse by performing a quick treatment.

  Moreover, it is provided with a notification device 6 that is a notification means for notifying the vehicle occupant that the vehicle has been submerged, and the submergence detection ECU 5 provides notification device 6 when it is determined that the vehicle has been submerged. Is operated.

  According to this configuration, since the notification device 6 can notify the occupant that the vehicle has been submerged (S11), the occupant is withdrawn from the vehicle before the vehicle is completely submerged. Or by changing the traveling direction of the vehicle by the occupant can prevent the vehicle from being completely submerged and becoming inoperable.

  In addition, an emergency call device 7 is provided for making an emergency call to the outside of the vehicle that the vehicle has been submerged, and the submergence detection ECU 5 sets the emergency call device 7 when the vehicle has been completely submerged. It is operated.

  According to this configuration, when the vehicle is completely submerged and the occupant needs to be rescued, the emergency call device 7 makes an emergency call to the emergency center, and the emergency center operator contacts the police or hospital. It is possible to rescue the occupant quickly by performing.

  The storage device 8 is a storage device that records that the vehicle has been submerged by the submergence detection ECU 5, and the auxiliary power source 9 that supplies power to the submergence detection ECU 5 and the storage device 8. Supplies power to the submergence detection ECU 5, the notification device 6, and the storage device 8 when the IG voltage of the vehicle is equal to or lower than a predetermined value. The storage device 8 assists when the IG voltage of the vehicle is equal to or lower than the predetermined value. The submergence detection ECU 5 records submergence record information indicating that the submergence state of the vehicle has been determined by supplying power from the power source 9.

  According to this configuration, for example, when the occupant stops the engine and parks the vehicle, when the vehicle is submerged, power is supplied from the auxiliary power source 9 to the submergence detection ECU 5 and the storage device 8. Thus, the submergence detection ECU 5 can determine the submergence state of the vehicle, and the submergence record information can be recorded in the storage device 8. In addition, even when the vehicle is inundated and the power supply from the in-vehicle battery is defective, the submergence detection ECU 5 can perform the submergence detection determination process by the power supply from the auxiliary power source 9 and the notification device 6 A passenger can be notified that a submerged state has occurred.

  The submergence detection ECU 5 is characterized in that the notification device 6 is operated when the submergence record information is recorded in the storage device 8.

  According to this configuration, for example, when a submerged state occurs in the vehicle while the occupant is away from the vehicle, for example, by parking the vehicle, the notification device is used when the occupant returns to the vehicle and operates the engine. 6 operates, the passenger can recognize that the vehicle has been submerged. As a result, it is possible to take measures such as transporting the submerged vehicle to the repair center.

  In the present embodiment, the chamber member 2 is disposed on the front surface of the bumper reinforcement 13, and the existing chamber member 2 for detecting a pedestrian collision can be used for submergence detection. Thereby, it is not necessary to add the chamber member 2 for submergence detection, and the number of parts can be reduced.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications or expansions can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, one first pressure sensor 3 is disposed in the bumper 10 and one second pressure sensor 4 is disposed in each door 14, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is assumed that the location and number of the first pressure sensor 3 and the second pressure sensor 4 can be changed as appropriate.

  In this embodiment, when the IG is turned on (S10: Yes), the occupant is informed that the vehicle is in a pre-submerged state (S11). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the IG is turned off. Even in such a case, the passenger may be notified that the vehicle has been submerged. In this case, even when the occupant stops the engine and sleeps in the vehicle compartment and the water is inundated and becomes in a pre-submerged state, the occupant can be notified in the pre-submerged state. . Accordingly, it is possible for the occupant to take measures such as moving the vehicle before the vehicle is completely submerged.

  Further, the threshold value of the submergence detection determination process is not limited to the pressure value, and for example, a pressure change rate per unit time may be used. Further, three or more threshold values may be set, and the submerged state may be determined stepwise to notify the occupant.

  Further, the chamber member 2 for submergence detection may be disposed in a bumper reinforcement in a bumper cover on the vehicle rear side. In this case, it is possible to quickly detect the submerged state when inundation occurs from the vehicle rear side.

  Further, the chamber member 2 may be installed on the rear surface of the bumper reinforcement 13. Furthermore, the arrangement location of the chamber member 2 is not limited to the bumper reinforcement 13 and may be another portion of the vehicle.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Submergence detection apparatus for vehicles 2 Chamber member 2a Chamber space 3 1st pressure sensor 4 2nd pressure sensor 5 Submergence detection ECU (determination means)
6 Notification device (notification means)
7 Emergency call device 8 Storage device (storage means)
9 Auxiliary power supply 10 Bumper 14 Door

Claims (8)

A chamber member (2) disposed in a vehicle bumper (10) and having a chamber space (2a) formed therein;
A first pressure sensor (3) for detecting the pressure in the chamber space;
A second pressure sensor (4) disposed in the door (14) of the vehicle for detecting the pressure in the door interior space (14a);
Determination means (5) for determining that the vehicle has been submerged based on pressure detection results by the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor;
A submergence detection device for vehicles (1), comprising:   The determination means determines that the vehicle has been submerged when at least one of the pressure detection results by the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold for each. The submergence detection device for a vehicle according to claim 1.   An informing means (6) for notifying an occupant of the vehicle that the vehicle has been submerged when the determining means determines that the vehicle has been submerged. Item 3. The vehicle submergence detection device according to Item 1 or 2. The threshold values of the pressure detection results by the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor include a first threshold value and a second threshold value that is larger than the first threshold value, respectively.
The determination means determines that the vehicle has been submerged when at least one of the pressure detection results by the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor is equal to or greater than the first threshold value, 4. The vehicle submergence detection device according to claim 2, wherein the vehicle submergence detection device determines that the vehicle has been completely submerged when the second threshold value is reached. Informing means (6) for informing the passenger of the vehicle that the vehicle has been submerged,
The vehicle submergence detection device according to claim 4, wherein the determination unit activates the notification unit when it is determined that the vehicle is in the pre-submerged state. An emergency call device (7) for making an emergency call to the outside of the vehicle that the vehicle has been submerged,
The vehicle submergence detection device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the determination unit activates the emergency notification device when it is determined that the vehicle has been completely submerged. Storage means (8) for recording that the determination means determines that the vehicle has been submerged;
An auxiliary power supply (9) for supplying power to the determination means and the storage means;
With
The auxiliary power supply supplies power to the determination means and the storage means when the IG voltage of the vehicle is a predetermined value or less,
When the IG voltage of the vehicle is equal to or lower than a predetermined value, the storage unit records submergence record information indicating that the determination unit has determined the submergence state of the vehicle by supplying power from the auxiliary power source. The submergence detection device for vehicles according to any one of claims 1 to 6.   The vehicle submergence detection device according to claim 7, wherein the determination unit activates the notification unit when the submergence record information is recorded in the storage unit.