JP2019189104A - Occupant detection device - Google Patents

Abstract

To accurately detect a child seat which is installed on a seat.SOLUTION: A control device as a seating state determination part determines whether or not the inner pressure Pa of a center airbag arranged at an occupant seating part which is set at a seat cushion is equal to a vacant seat determination center threshold THa1 or lower (step S101). The control device also determines whether or not the inner pressure Pb of a side airbag arranged at a side support part which is formed at a sideway of the occupant seating part exceeds a vacant seat determination side threshold THb1 (strep S102). Then, when these conditions are satisfied (Pa≤THa1, step 101: YES, and Pb>THb1, step 102: YES), the control device determines that a child seat is installed at a seat (step 103).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to an occupant detection device.

  Conventional vehicle occupant detection devices include, for example, those using a load sensor provided on a seat frame as shown in Patent Document 1, and those provided in a seat cushion as shown in Patent Document 2. Some use capacitive sensors. Patent Document 3 discloses a configuration for detecting a child seat installed on a seat based on a connection state of a connector provided on a fixing member of the child seat. Further, in this prior art, a child occupant seated on the child seat is detected based on the wearing state of the child seat belt provided on the child seat. When it is determined that the child occupant is left in the vehicle (leaved), a warning output is executed.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2015-87761 Japanese Patent No. 4529086 JP 2012-188035 A

  However, in an actual vehicle, it is not always possible to acquire a control signal that directly indicates the installation of a child seat with respect to the seat as described above. Further, the configuration using a load sensor and a capacitance sensor also has a problem that it is difficult to ensure the high detection accuracy when considering the installation of such a child seat. It left room for improvement.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an occupant detection device that can accurately detect a child seat installed on a seat.

  An occupant detection device that solves the above problems includes an air bag provided inside a skin constituting a seating surface of a seat, a pressure sensor that detects an internal pressure of the air bag, and the seat based on the internal pressure of the air bag. A seating state determination unit that determines a seating state of the occupant with respect to the air bag, and a center air bag provided in the occupant seating portion set in the seat cushion is formed on a side of the occupant seating portion. A side air bag provided in the side support portion, wherein the seating state determination unit includes an internal pressure of the center air bag that is equal to or less than a vacant seat determination center threshold value, and an internal pressure of the side air bag. Determines that a child seat is installed on the seat.

  That is, normally, a seat for a vehicle has a lower seating surface position in the occupant seating portion set in the seat cushion than the left and right side support portions formed on the side of the occupant seating portion. Many child seats are placed on the seat cushion in such a manner as to straddle the left and right side support portions. That is, in the occupant seating portion located between these both side support portions, a gap is formed between the seating surface and the child seat. For this reason, when a child seat is installed on the seat, the load of the child seat is applied to the side support portion provided with the side air bag, while the load is not applied to the passenger seating portion provided with the center air bag. Therefore, according to the said structure, the child seat installed in the sheet | seat can be detected accurately.

  In the occupant detection device that solves the above problem, the seating state determination unit, when the internal pressure of the center air bag is equal to or less than a vacant seat determination center threshold value and the internal pressure of the side air bag exceeds the vacant seat determination side threshold value, The center air bag is filled with additional air and the center air bag is expanded to lift the occupant seat portion upward, and in the state where the occupant seat portion is lifted upward, the internal pressure of the center air bag is increased. It is preferable to determine that the child seat is installed on condition that the vacant seat determination center threshold is exceeded.

  That is, when the seat is in an empty seat state, even when the center air bag is filled with additional air and the occupant seat is lifted upward, the internal pressure of the center air bag remains substantially unchanged. On the other hand, when the child seat is installed on this seat, the gap between the occupant seating portion and the child seat is filled, so that the load is also applied to the occupant seating portion provided with the center air bag. Therefore, according to the said structure, the child seat installed in the sheet | seat can be detected more accurately.

  An occupant detection device that solves the above problems includes an air bag provided inside a skin constituting a seating surface of a seat, a pressure sensor that detects an internal pressure of the air bag, and the seat based on the internal pressure of the air bag. A seating state determination unit that determines a seating state of the occupant with respect to the air bag, and a center air bag provided in the occupant seating portion set in the seat cushion is formed on a side of the occupant seating portion. A side air bag provided in the side support portion, wherein the seating state determination unit includes an internal pressure of the center air bag that is equal to or less than a vacant seat determination center threshold value, and an internal pressure of the side air bag. If the passenger seat exceeds the vacant seat determination side threshold value, the center air bag is filled with additional air and the center air bag is expanded to lift the occupant seating portion upward. To determine in a state in which the occupant seat is lifted upward, when the internal pressure of the center bladder exceeds the vacancy determination center threshold value, the child seat to the seat is installed.

  In the occupant detection device that solves the above problem, the seating state determination unit, when the internal pressure of the center air bag is equal to or less than a vacant seat determination center threshold value and the internal pressure of the side air bag exceeds the vacant seat determination side threshold value, The center air bag is filled with additional air and the center air bag is expanded to lift the occupant seat portion upward, and in the state where the occupant seat portion is lifted upward, the internal pressure of the center air bag is increased. It is preferable that it is determined that a child occupant is seated on the child seat when the child determination center threshold value is greater than or equal to the vacant seat determination center threshold value.

  That is, by filling the center air bag with additional air and lifting the occupant seating portion upward, a gap between the occupant seating portion and the child seat can be filled. As a result, the load of the child occupant seated on the child seat is applied to the occupant seating portion provided with the center air bag. Therefore, according to the above configuration, a child occupant seated on the child seat can be accurately detected.

  In the occupant detection device that solves the above problem, the seating state determination unit is configured such that the internal pressure of the center air bag is set to a value larger than the vacant seat determination center threshold value when the occupant seating part is lifted upward. It is preferable to determine that a child occupant is seated on the child seat when the child determination center threshold value is exceeded.

  In the occupant detection device that solves the above-described problem, the seating state determination unit is configured to apply the child seat to the child seat when the internal pressure of the side air bag is equal to or greater than a child determination side threshold value set to a value larger than the vacant seat determination side threshold value. It is preferable to determine that a child occupant is seated.

  That is, when the child occupant sits on the child seat installed on the seat, the load is applied to the side support portion provided with the side air bag. Therefore, according to the above configuration, a child occupant seated on the child seat can be accurately detected.

  In the occupant detection device that solves the above-described problem, the seating state determination unit is configured so that the child occupant is conditioned on an increase in the internal pressure of the air bag after the opening operation of the door provided in the vehicle is detected. It is preferable to determine that the user is seated.

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to capture a situation where a child occupant is seated on a child seat installed on the seat by opening the door of the vehicle. Thus, the child occupant seated on the child seat can be detected with higher accuracy.

  In the occupant detection device that solves the above-described problem, the seating state determination unit is configured such that the child occupant is seated on the condition that a fluctuation indicating the swing of the child seat is detected in the internal pressure of the air bag. It is preferable to determine.

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to capture a situation in which a child occupant moves by swinging a child seat. Thus, the child occupant seated on the child seat can be detected with higher accuracy.

  In the occupant detection device that solves the above-described problem, the side air bag includes a left side air bag and a right side air bag that are provided separately from the left and right side support portions that sandwich the occupant seat portion in the width direction. The pressure sensor is capable of independently detecting internal pressures of the left side air bag and the right side air bag, and the seating state determination unit is configured so that the internal pressures of the left side air bag and the right side air bag are It is preferable to determine that the child seat is installed on the condition that both are equal to or greater than the vacant seat determination side threshold value.

  According to the above configuration, for example, it is possible to detect a child seat installed on the seat more accurately, excluding the case where a load is placed on one of the left and right side support portions. it can.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to accurately detect a child seat installed on a seat.

The front view of the sheet | seat in which the air bag was provided. The top view of the sheet | seat in which the air bag was provided. The schematic block diagram of the seat apparatus which has the function as a passenger | crew detection apparatus which uses the internal pressure of an air bag for seating state determination. Explanatory drawing of the passenger | crew of the child seated on the child seat installed in this seat and this child seat. The flowchart which shows the process sequence of the seating state determination based on the internal pressure of an air bag. Explanatory drawing which shows the internal pressure change of the air bag which arises by installation of the child seat with respect to a seat | sheet, and seating of the passenger | crew's passenger | crew with respect to this child seat. The flowchart which shows the process sequence of the seating state determination of another example based on the internal pressure of an air bag. The flowchart which shows the process sequence of the seating state determination of another example based on the internal pressure of an air bag. The flowchart which shows the process sequence of the seating state determination of another example based on the internal pressure of an air bag. The schematic block diagram of the seat apparatus of another example with the function as a passenger | crew detection apparatus which uses the internal pressure of an air bag for seating state determination. The flowchart which shows the process sequence of the seating state determination of another example based on the internal pressure of an air bag. The flowchart which shows the process sequence of the seating state determination of another example based on the internal pressure of an air bag.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of an occupant detection device will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vehicle seat 1 includes a seat cushion 2 and a seat back 3 provided at a rear end portion of the seat cushion 2. A headrest 4 is provided at the upper end of the seat back 3.

  Further, the seat cushion 2 of the present embodiment is provided with a plurality of air bags 10 (11, 12) provided on the inner side of the outer skin (seat outer skin 5) constituting the seating surface S of the seat 1. Specifically, each of these air bags 10 expands by being filled with air, and lifts the seat skin 5 located above the air bag 10. And in this embodiment, the seat apparatus 30 which can give the massage effect (refreshing effect) with respect to the passenger | crew who changes the support shape of the seat | sheet 1 or is seated on the seat | sheet 1 by this is formed. .

  Specifically, the seat cushion 2 of the present embodiment is set to the occupant seating portion α in which the center portion in the width direction (the left-right direction in FIGS. 1 and 2) is a seating position of an occupant (adult occupant) not shown. Has been. The occupant seat portion α is provided with a plurality (six in this embodiment) of center air bags 11 arranged in two rows along the front-rear direction (vertical direction in FIG. 2) of the seat cushion 2. Yes.

  Further, the seat cushion 2 of the present embodiment has a shape in which the left and right side support portions β formed on the side of the occupant seating portion α and on both sides in the width direction bulge upward. Each side support portion β is provided with a long bag-type side air bag 12 (12L, 12R) extending in the front-rear direction of the seat cushion 2 (the vertical direction in FIG. 2).

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the seat 1 of the present embodiment is provided with an air pump 31 that pumps air into the air bags 10 (11, 12). Further, an air supply / exhaust valve device 32 is provided in the flow path X connecting the air pump 31 and each air bag 10. In the seat 1 of the present embodiment, the air pump 31 and the air supply / exhaust valve device 32 are provided inside the seat back 3. The seat device 30 of the present embodiment is configured such that the operation of the air pump 31 and the air supply / exhaust valve device 32 is controlled by the control device 33.

  Specifically, in the seat device 30 of the present embodiment, the flow path X has a structure branched into a center flow path Xa that communicates with the center air bag 11 and a side flow path Xb that communicates with the side air bag 12. ing. The center flow path Xa and the side flow path Xb are respectively provided with an air supply valve 34 and an exhaust valve 35 that operate independently.

  That is, when each air bag 10 (11, 12) is filled with air and each air bag 10 is expanded, the air pump 31 is closed with the exhaust valve 35 closed and the air supply valve 34 opened. As a result of the operation, air is pumped into the flow path X. Further, when the air in each air bag 10 is discharged and the air bags 10 are contracted, the air supply valve 34 is closed and the exhaust valve 35 is opened. And the control apparatus 33 of this embodiment becomes a structure which expands / contracts each air bag 10 provided in the sheet | seat 1 by controlling the action | operation of the air pump 31 and the air supply / exhaust valve apparatus 32 in this way. Yes.

  Further, the seat device 30 of the present embodiment includes a pressure sensor 40 for detecting the internal pressure P of each air bag 10. Specifically, the air supply / exhaust valve device 32 of the present embodiment includes a pressure sensor 41 provided in the center flow path Xa and a pressure sensor 42 provided in the side flow path Xb. Furthermore, the control device 33 of the present embodiment independently detects the internal pressures Pa and Pb of the center air bag 11 and the side air bag 12 based on the output signals of these pressure sensors 40 (41 and 42). The detected internal pressure P (Pa, Pb) of each air bag 10 (11, 12) is used for expansion / contraction control of each air bag 10.

  In the seat device 30 of the present embodiment, the center air bag 11 is used to provide a massage function for the passenger of the seat 1. And the side air bag 12 is used for adjustment of the seat support shape set to the left and right side support portions β.

  Further, the control device 33 of the present embodiment has a function of determining the seating state of the occupant on the seat 1 based on the internal pressures Pa and Pb of the air bags 10 (11, 12). Specifically, the control device 33 of the present embodiment compares the internal pressures Pa and Pb of the air bags 10 (11, 12) with predetermined threshold values, respectively. Thus, the child seat 50 installed on the seat 1 and the child occupant 60 seated on the child seat 50 can be detected (see FIG. 4).

  More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the seat cushion 2 of the present embodiment has the left and right side support portions β formed on both sides in the width direction of the occupant seat portion α as described above. Has a shape bulging upward. As a result, the position of the seating surface S in the passenger seating portion α is lower than that of the left and right side support portions β.

  Further, many child seats 50 are placed on the seat cushion 2 so as to straddle the left and right side support portions β. That is, in the occupant seating portion α located between the both side support portions β, a gap is formed between the seating surface S and the child seat 50. Based on the difference between the internal pressure Pa of the center air bag 11 and the internal pressure Pb of the side air bag 12, the control device 33 according to the present embodiment detects the child seat 50 installed on the seat 1 and detects the child seat 50. It is configured to detect the occupant 60.

  More specifically, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, the control device 33 of the present embodiment determines whether or not the internal pressure Pa of the center air bag 11 is equal to or less than the vacant seat determination center threshold value THa1 (step 101). Further, the control device 33 determines whether or not the internal pressure Pb of the side air bag 12 exceeds the vacant seat determination side threshold value THb1 (step 102). When the internal pressure Pa of the center air bag 11 is equal to or less than the vacant seat determination center threshold value THa1 (Pa ≦ THa1, Step 101: YES), and the internal pressure Pb of the side air bag 12 exceeds the vacant seat determination side threshold value THb1 (Pb> THb1 Step 102: YES), it is determined that the child seat 50 is installed on the seat 1 (Step 103).

  In addition, when the control device 33 of the present embodiment detects the installation of the child seat 50 in the above-described step 103, the control device 33 controls the operation of the air pump 31 and the air supply / exhaust valve device 32 to supply additional air to the center air bag 11. By filling, the passenger seating portion α (the seating surface S) of the seat cushion 2 is lifted upward (step 104).

  Further, in this state, the control device 33 determines whether or not the internal pressure Pa of the center air bag 11 is equal to or greater than the child determination center threshold THa2 set to a value larger than the vacant seat determination center threshold THa1 (step 105). ). Further, the control device 33 determines whether or not the internal pressure Pb of the side air bag 12 exceeds a child determination side threshold value THb2 set to a value larger than the vacant seat determination side threshold value THb1 (step 106). When the internal pressure Pa of the center air bag 11 is not less than the child determination center threshold THa2 (Pa ≧ THa2, step 105: YES) and the internal pressure Pb of the side air bag 12 is not less than the child determination side threshold THb2 (Pb ≧ THb2, Step 106: YES), it is determined that the child occupant 60 is seated on the child seat 50 (Step 107).

  That is, as shown in FIG. 6, it is assumed that the internal pressure Pa of the center air bag 11 is “Pa0” and the internal pressure Pb of the side air bag 12 is “Pb0” when the seat 1 is empty. In the case where the child seat 50 is installed, the internal pressure Pb of the side air bag 12 increases to “Pb1” by applying the load to the side support portion β. However, the inner pressure of the center air bag 11 is affected by a gap formed between the occupant seating portion α (the seating surface S) on which the center air bag 11 is provided and the child seat 50 (see FIG. 1). Pa remains “Pa0”. Then, as described above, the control device 33 according to the present embodiment makes such a situation by comparing the internal pressures Pa and Pb of the center air bag 11 and the side air bag 12 with the vacant seat determination threshold values (THa1 and THb1). , The child seat 50 installed on the seat 1 can be accurately detected.

  Further, by filling the center air bag 11 with additional air and lifting the occupant seating portion α upward, a gap between the occupant seating portion α and the child seat 50 can be filled. That is, the child seat 50 and the load of the child occupant 60 seated on the child seat 50 are transmitted to the occupant seating portion α. As a result, in the example shown in FIG. 6, the internal pressure Pa of the center air bag 11 and the internal pressure Pb of the side air bag 12 increase to “Pa2” and “Pb2 ′”, respectively.

  In this case, the reason why the internal pressure Pb of the side air bag 12 is set to “Pb2 ′” is that the load is dispersed in the occupant seating portion α. And the control apparatus 33 of this embodiment compares with each internal pressure Pa and Pb of the center air bag 11 and the side air bag 12, and a child determination threshold value (THa2, THb2) like the installation determination of the child seat 50 as mentioned above. Thus, by capturing such a state, the child occupant 60 seated on the child seat 50 can be accurately detected.

  The control device 33 according to the present embodiment performs such a sitting state determination, for example, when an occupant gets on the vehicle. When the child seat 50 is detected, the airbag is not allowed to be deployed on the seat 1.

  Note that the vehicle according to the present embodiment performs authentication to determine whether or not the portable device is a regular portable device by performing wireless communication with a portable device (electronic key) located around the vehicle. A device (not shown) is provided. And the control apparatus 33 of this embodiment is a structure which determines whether a passenger | crew (regular passenger | crew) is located in the periphery of a vehicle based on the authentication signal Sau acquired from this authentication apparatus.

  Further, the control device 33 of the present embodiment is input with an ignition signal Sig of the vehicle, an opening / closing operation signal Sdr indicating the opening / closing operation of the door, and the like. Further, based on these control signals, the control device 33 performs a leave determination (leave determination) as to whether or not the child occupant 60 seated on the child seat 50 is left in the vehicle. When it is determined that the child occupant 60 is left in the vehicle, the alarm output via the alarm device 70 is executed.

  Specifically, the control device 33 according to the present embodiment, for example, is a situation where the child occupant 60 is seated on the child seat 50 even after the ignition switch of the vehicle is turned off and the opening / closing operation of the door is detected. When the occupant holding the portable device tries to leave the vehicle, it is determined that the child occupant 60 is left in the vehicle. At this time, the control device 33 uses the vehicle horn, the blinker lamp, or the like for the alarm device 70, thereby executing an alarm output using light or sound. Furthermore, the vehicle of this embodiment has a communication function with the portable information terminal which a passenger | crew hold | maintains. And the control apparatus 33 of this embodiment can perform alarm output using the passenger | crew's portable information terminal by this.

Next, the effect of this embodiment will be described.
(1) The seat device 30 having the function as the occupant detection device 80 includes an air bag 10 provided inside the seat skin 5 constituting the seating surface S, and a pressure sensor that detects an internal pressure P of the air bag 10. 40. In addition, the seat device 30 includes a control device 33 as a seating state determination unit 81 that determines the seating state of the occupant on the seat 1 based on the internal pressure P of the air bag 10. Further, the air bag 10 includes a center air bag 11 provided in an occupant seating portion α set on the seat cushion 2 and side air provided in a side support portion β formed on the side of the occupant seating portion α. A bag 12. And the control apparatus 33 is the case where the internal pressure Pa of the center air bag 11 is below the vacant seat determination center threshold value THa1 (Pa ≦ THa1) and the internal pressure Pb of the side air bag 12 exceeds the vacant seat determination side threshold value THb1 (Pb> THb1), it is determined that the child seat 50 is installed on the seat 1.

  That is, normally, the vehicle seat 1 is such that the position of the seating surface S in the occupant seating portion α set in the seat cushion 2 is greater than that of the left and right side support portions β formed on the side of the occupant seating portion α. It is low. A large number of child seats 50 are placed on the seat cushion 2 so as to straddle the left and right side support parts β. That is, in the occupant seating portion α located between the both side support portions β, a gap is formed between the seating surface S and the child seat 50. For this reason, when the child seat 50 is installed on the seat 1, the load of the child seat 50 is applied to the side support portion β provided with the side air bag 12, while the occupant seating portion α provided with the center air bag 11 The load is not applied. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the child seat 50 installed on the seat 1 can be detected with high accuracy.

  (2) The control device 33 is added to the center air bag 11 when the internal pressure Pa of the center air bag 11 is equal to or lower than the empty seat determination center threshold value THa1 and the internal pressure Pb of the side air bag 12 exceeds the empty seat determination side threshold value THb1. The center air bag 11 is expanded and the occupant seating portion α (the seating surface S) is lifted upward. Further, in this state, the control device 33 determines whether or not the internal pressure Pa of the center air bag 11 is equal to or greater than the child determination center threshold value THa2 set to a value larger than the vacant seat determination center threshold value THa1. Further, the control device 33 determines whether or not the internal pressure Pb of the side air bag 12 is equal to or greater than the child determination side threshold value THa2 set to a value larger than the vacant seat determination side threshold value THb1. When the internal pressure Pa of the center air bag 11 is not less than the child determination center threshold THa2 (Pa ≧ THa2) and the internal pressure Pb of the side air bag 12 is not less than the child determination side threshold THb2 (Pb ≧ THb2), It is determined that the child occupant 60 is seated on the child seat 50.

  That is, when the child occupant 60 is seated on the child seat 50 installed on the seat 1, the load is applied to the side support portion β where the side air bag 12 is provided. Further, by filling the center air bag 11 with additional air and lifting the occupant seating portion α upward, the gap between the occupant seating portion α and the child seat 50 can be filled. As a result, the load of the child occupant 60 seated on the child seat 50 is also applied to the occupant seating portion α provided with the center air bag 11. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the child occupant 60 seated on the child seat 50 can be accurately detected.

  In addition, the said embodiment can be changed and implemented as follows. The above embodiment and the following modification examples can be implemented in combination with each other within a technically consistent range.

  In the above embodiment, the center air bag 11 is used for providing a massage function. The side air bag 12 is used for adjusting the seat support shape. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and the side air bag 12 used for providing the massage function may be used for the seating state determination, or the center air bag 11 used for adjusting the seat support shape may be used for the seating state determination. Good. And the structure provided with the center air bag 11 and the side air bag 12 for exclusive use used only for a seating state determination may be sufficient.

  The seat 1 that is the object of the seating state determination based on the internal pressures Pa and Pb of the center air bag 11 and the side air bag 12 may be a front seat or a rear seat. Further, the type of the seat 1 is not limited to an independent seat forming one seat, and may be a bench seat in which a plurality of seats are integrated. That is, the seat 1 may have a plurality of passenger seating portions α. And in such a case, for each individual seat formed by the seat 1, in other words, for each independent seat formed by a plurality of sets of passenger seating portions α and side support portions β set in the seat cushion 2, It is preferable that the seating state determination is performed individually.

  In the above embodiment, the control device 33 controls the operation of the air pump 31 and the air supply / exhaust valve device 32 to control the expansion / contraction of the air bag 10 (11, 12). However, the configuration is not limited thereto, and a configuration in which the expansion / contraction control unit for the air bag 10 is provided separately from the control device 33 as the seating state determination unit 81 may be employed.

  The timing for executing the seating state determination may be arbitrarily set in addition to the time when the occupant gets on and off the vehicle. The determination method for leaving the child occupant 60 sitting on the child seat 50 may be arbitrarily changed, for example, by adding a time lapse condition after the ignition switch is turned off.

  In the above embodiment, in the state before the center air bag 11 is filled with additional air and the occupant seating portion α is lifted upward, the internal pressure Pa is not more than the vacant seat determination center threshold value THa1, and the side air bag 12 When the internal pressure Pb exceeds the vacant seat determination side threshold value THb1, it is determined that the child seat 50 is installed on the seat 1 (see FIG. 5).

  However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. 7, the internal pressure Pa of the center air bag 11 is equal to or lower than the vacant seat determination center threshold value THa1 (step 201: YES), and the internal pressure Pb of the side air bag 12 is equal to the vacant seat determination side threshold value THb1. After judging that it exceeds (step 202: YES), the center air bag 11 is filled with additional air (step 203). Then, with the occupant seating portion α lifted upward, the internal pressure Pa of the center air bag 11 exceeds the vacant seat determination center threshold value THa1 (Pa> THa1, step 204: YES). It may be configured that the child seat 50 is determined to be installed (step 205).

  That is, as shown in FIG. 6, when the seat 1 is in an empty seat state, even when the center air bag 11 is filled with additional air and the passenger seating portion α is lifted upward, the internal pressure of the center air bag 11 is increased. Pa is substantially unchanged (“Pa0” → “Pa0 ′”). On the other hand, when the child seat 50 is installed on the seat 1, a gap between the occupant seating portion α and the child seat 50 is filled, so that the load is applied to the occupant seating portion α provided with the center air bag 11. Will also join. As a result, in the example shown in FIG. 6, the internal pressure Pa of the center air bag 11 and the internal pressure Pb of the side air bag 12 are increased to “Pa1” and “Pb1 ′”, respectively. In this case, the reason why the internal pressure Pb of the side air bag 12 is set to “Pb1 ′” is that the load is dispersed in the occupant seating portion α. Therefore, according to the said structure, the child seat 50 installed in the sheet | seat 1 can be detected more accurately.

  In the above embodiment, in the state where the center air bag 11 is expanded and the passenger seating portion α is lifted upward, the internal pressure Pa of the center air bag 11 is not less than the child determination center threshold value THa2 and the internal pressure of the side air bag 12 When Pb is equal to or greater than the child determination side threshold THb2, it is determined that the child occupant 60 is seated on the child seat 50.

  However, the seat is not limited to this, and either the internal pressure Pa of the center air bag 11 is equal to or higher than the child determination center threshold value THa2, or the internal pressure Pb of the side air bag 12 is equal to or higher than the child determination side threshold value THb2. 1 may be configured to determine that the child occupant 60 is seated on the child seat 50 installed in the vehicle. When only the internal pressure Pb of the side air bag 12 is used for the seating determination of the child occupant 60 with respect to such a child seat 50, the center air bag 11 is not necessarily filled with additional air and the occupant seating portion α is defined. It is not necessary to perform the process of lifting upward.

  Furthermore, even when the internal pressure Pa of the center air bag 11 is used for the seating determination of the child occupant 60 with respect to the child seat 50, the internal pressure Pa of the center air bag 11 is not used for the determination of the child seat 50 with respect to the seat 1 Alternatively, the child seat 50 may be installed so that the internal pressure Pa of the center air bag 11 does not increase. That is, in consideration of deformation of the child seat 50 (bending of the bottom portion) caused by the child occupant 60 sitting, the load may be applied to the occupant seating portion α that is lifted upward.

  -Moreover, as shown in FIG. 8, after the opening operation | movement of the door provided in the vehicle was detected, the raise of the internal pressure P is detected about each air bag 10 (11,12) provided in the seat cushion 2 It is determined whether or not it has been done (step 307). In this case, the air bag 10 for monitoring the increase in the internal pressure P may be both the center air bag 11 and the side air bag 12, or one of them. Then, after the opening operation of the door is detected, the child occupant 60 is seated on the child seat 50 installed on the seat 1 on the condition that the internal pressure P of the air bag 10 has increased (step 307: YES). (Step 308).

  That is, according to the above configuration, it is possible to capture a situation in which the child occupant 60 is seated on the child seat 50 installed on the seat 1 by opening the door of the vehicle. As a result, the child occupant 60 seated on the child seat 50 can be detected with higher accuracy.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, it is determined whether or not the internal pressure P of the air bag 10 provided in the seat cushion 2 has a fluctuation indicating the swing of the child seat 50 installed in the seat 1 (step 407). ). Then, on the condition that such a change in the internal pressure P is detected (step 407: YES), it is determined that the child occupant 60 is seated on the child seat 50 installed on the seat 1 (step 408). It is good.

  That is, according to the above configuration, it is possible to capture a situation where the child occupant 60 moves by swinging the child seat 50. As a result, the child occupant 60 seated on the child seat 50 can be detected with higher accuracy.

  In this case, with respect to the detection method of “the fluctuation of the internal pressure P indicating the swing of the child seat 50”, for example, the air bag is collated with the fluctuation pattern of the internal pressure P stored in advance as a sample or with a fluctuation width exceeding a predetermined threshold value. It may be arbitrarily designed such as determining whether or not the internal pressure P of 10 is increasing or decreasing. Also in this case, the air bag 10 for monitoring the fluctuation of the internal pressure P may be both the center air bag 11 and the side air bag 12, or one of them.

  In the above embodiment, independent pressure sensors 41 and 42 are provided for the center channel Xa communicating with the center air bag 11 and the side channel Xb communicating with the side air bag 12, respectively. Then, the seating state determination is performed based on the internal pressures Pa and Pb of the center air bag 11 and the side air bag 12 detected by using these pressure sensors 41 and 42.

  However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. 10, as the side air bag 12, the left side air bag 12 </ b> L and the right side air provided separately to the left and right side support parts β that sandwich the occupant seating portion α in the width direction. A bag 12R is provided (see FIG. 1). Further, the pressure sensor 42L is provided in the left side flow path XbL communicating with the left side air bag 12L, and the pressure sensor 42L is provided in the right side flow path XbR communicating with the right side air bag 12R, whereby the left side air bag. The internal pressures PbL and PbR of the 12L and the right side air bladder 12R can be independently detected.

  And as shown in FIG. 11, on condition that each internal pressure PbL, PbR of the left side air bag 12L and the right side air bag 12R exceeds the vacant seat determination side threshold value THb1 (step 502: YES, step 502: YES), it may be configured to determine that the child seat 50 is installed on the seat 1. Accordingly, the child seat 50 installed on the seat 1 can be detected with higher accuracy, excluding the case where a load is placed on one of the left and right side support portions β.

  Moreover, you may apply to the structure by which the side air bag 12 was provided in either one of the left and right side support parts (beta). And in such a case, the side air bag 12 provided in the side support part (beta) of the side arrange | positioned adjacent to the wall part 90 (refer FIG. 1) of the vehicle located in the side of the seat cushion 2 is provided. A configuration is desirable.

  That is, for example, even when a load is placed at a position to be the side support portion β in the seat cushion 2, the internal pressure Pb of the side air bag 12 increases. In particular, in a bench seat in which one seat forms a plurality of seats, luggage may be placed in a manner straddling the side support portions β of the two adjacent seats. However, when considering the stability of the luggage, it is considered that the user is unlikely to select how to place the luggage so that the load is applied only to the side support part β adjacent to the wall part 90 of the vehicle. Therefore, by adopting such a configuration, the child seat 50 installed on the seat 1 can be detected with high accuracy.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 12, when the internal pressure Pa of the center air bag 11 is not less than the adult determination center threshold THa3 set to a value larger than the vacant seat determination center threshold THa1 (Pa ≧ THa3, step 608: YES). Alternatively, it may be determined that an adult occupant is seated on the seat 1 (step 609).

Next, the technical idea that can be grasped from the embodiment and the modified examples will be described.
(A) The occupant detection device, wherein the side air bag is provided on the side support portion disposed adjacent to a wall portion of a vehicle located on a side of the seat cushion. Thereby, the child seat installed on the seat can be detected with higher accuracy.

  (B) The seating state determination unit is configured so that an adult occupant is seated on the seat when the internal pressure of the center air bag is equal to or greater than an adult determination center threshold value set to a value greater than the vacant seat determination center threshold value. An occupant detection device characterized by determining that the vehicle is present.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Seat, 2 ... Seat cushion, 3 ... Seat back, 4 ... Headrest, 5 ... Seat skin (skin), 10 ... Air bag, 11 ... Center air bag, 12 ... Side air bag, 12L ... Left side air bag, 12R ... right side air bag, 30 ... seat device, 31 ... air pump, 32 ... air supply / exhaust valve device, 33 ... control device, 34 ... air supply valve, 35 ... exhaust valve, 40, 41, 42, 42R, 42L ... Pressure sensor, 50 ... Child seat, 60 ... Passenger, 70 ... Alarm device, 80 ... Passenger detection device, 81 ... Seating state determination part, 90 ... Wall part, S ... Seating surface, α ... Passenger seating part, β ... Side support part, P, Pa, Pb, PbL, PbR, Pa0, Pa0 ', Pa1, Pa2, Pb0, Pb1, Pb1', Pb2, Pb2 '... Internal pressure, THa1 ... Vacant seat determination center threshold, THb1 ... Vacant seat determination side threshold, THa2 ... Child determination center threshold, THb2 ... Child determination side threshold, THa3 ... Adult determination center threshold, X ... Channel, Xa ... Center channel, Xb ... Side channel, XbL ... Left side channel, XbR ... right side flow path, Sau ... authentication signal, Sdr ... opening / closing operation signal, Sig ... ignition signal.

Claims (9)

An air bag provided inside the skin that constitutes the seating surface of the seat;
A pressure sensor for detecting an internal pressure of the air bag;
A seating state determination unit that determines a seating state of a passenger on the seat based on an internal pressure of the air bag,
In the air bag,
A center air bag provided in the occupant seating section set in the seat cushion;
A side air bag provided in a side support portion formed on the side of the passenger seating portion;
Is included,
The seating state determination unit determines that a child seat is installed in the seat when the internal pressure of the center air bag is equal to or less than a vacant seat determination center threshold value and the internal pressure of the side air bag exceeds a vacant seat determination side threshold value. An occupant detection device. The occupant detection device according to claim 1,
The seating state determination unit
When the internal pressure of the center air bag is equal to or less than the vacant seat determination center threshold value and the internal pressure of the side air bag exceeds the vacant seat determination side threshold value, the center air bag is expanded by filling the center air bag with additional air. And lifting the occupant seating portion upward,
In the state where the occupant seat is lifted upward, it is determined that the child seat is installed on condition that an internal pressure of the center air bag exceeds the vacant seat determination center threshold value. apparatus. An air bag provided inside the skin that constitutes the seating surface of the seat;
A pressure sensor for detecting an internal pressure of the air bag;
A seating state determination unit that determines a seating state of a passenger on the seat based on an internal pressure of the air bag,
In the air bag,
A center air bag provided in the occupant seating section set in the seat cushion;
A side air bag provided in a side support portion formed on the side of the passenger seating portion;
Is included,
The seating state determination unit
When the internal pressure of the center air bag is equal to or less than the vacant seat determination center threshold value and the internal pressure of the side air bag exceeds the vacant seat determination side threshold value, the center air bag is expanded by filling the center air bag with additional air. And lifting the occupant seating portion upward,
An occupant detection device that determines that a child seat is installed in the seat when the internal pressure of the center air bag exceeds the vacant seat determination center threshold value in a state where the occupant seat is lifted upward. The occupant detection device according to claim 1,
The seating state determination unit
When the internal pressure of the center air bag is equal to or less than the vacant seat determination center threshold value and the internal pressure of the side air bag exceeds the vacant seat determination side threshold value, the center air bag is expanded by filling the center air bag with additional air. And lifting the occupant seating portion upward,
In a state where the occupant seat is lifted upward, when the internal pressure of the center air bag is equal to or greater than the child determination center threshold value set to a value larger than the vacant seat determination center threshold value, a child occupant is placed on the child seat. Determining that he is seated,
An occupant detection device. In the occupant detection device according to claim 2 or claim 3,
In the state where the occupant seating portion is lifted upward, the seating state determination unit, when the internal pressure of the center air bag is equal to or greater than the child determination center threshold value set to a value larger than the vacant seat determination center threshold value, It is determined that a child occupant is seated on the child seat. In the passenger | crew detection apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-5,
The seating state determination unit determines that a child occupant is seated in the child seat when the internal pressure of the side air bag is equal to or greater than a child determination side threshold set to a value greater than the vacant seat determination side threshold. An occupant detection device. In the passenger | crew detection apparatus as described in any one of Claims 4-6,
The seating state determination unit determines that the child occupant is seated on the condition that an internal pressure of the air bag has increased after an opening operation of a door provided in the vehicle is detected;
An occupant detection device. In the passenger | crew detection apparatus as described in any one of Claims 4-7,
The seating state determination unit determines that the child occupant is seated on the condition that a fluctuation indicating a swing of the child seat is detected in the internal pressure of the air bag;
An occupant detection device. In the passenger | crew detection apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-8,
The side air bag comprises a left side air bag and a right side air bag provided separately from the left and right side support parts sandwiching the occupant seat part in the width direction,
The pressure sensor is capable of independently detecting internal pressures of the left side air bag and the right side air bag,
The seating state determination unit determines that the child seat is installed on the condition that internal pressures of the left side air bag and the right side air bag are both equal to or higher than the vacant seat determination side threshold value. An occupant detection device.