JP3664986B2 - Crew determination device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to line power sale multiply membered determining apparatus of the occupant posture determination etc. on the basis of the output load value from the load sensor provided in the seat body.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, for example, in the case where an air bag is provided to protect a seated person of a vehicle seat, in order to determine whether there is a seated person on the target seat, or whether the seated person is, for example, an adult or a child The vehicle seat is provided with an occupant determination device for occupant determination such as determining the occupant. As this occupant determination device, for example, one disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-207638 is known. This is because the detected load value is calculated based on a plurality of load sensors provided at a plurality of attachment locations of the seat body to the vehicle floor and the output load value of the load sensor, and the vehicle seat is calculated based on the calculated detected load value. A controller for detecting whether or not there is a seated person is provided. Specifically, the controller calculates the detected load value by adding each output load value of each load sensor with an adder, and determines the detected load value and a preset load value (determination threshold). A comparison is made in the circuit, and it is determined whether there is a seated person in the vehicle from the magnitude relationship between the detected load value and the threshold value.
[0003]
Further, as disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2669659 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-236274, a sensor for detecting the position of the waist of an occupant seated on the seat body and an inclination angle of the seat back held by the seat body are detected. There are also known sensors that determine the sitting posture of an occupant based on detection values of these sensors.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, the detected load value from the load sensor provided on the seat body varies greatly depending on the posture of the seated person (occupant posture). For example, even when an adult is in a forward-bent posture (front-side center of gravity posture), the detected load value may decrease by an increase in the foot escape load and may be erroneously determined as a child. Therefore, it is desired to determine the posture of the seated person in order to avoid such erroneous determination of the occupant.
[0005]
However, separately providing a sensor for detecting the position of the occupant's waist and a sensor for detecting the inclination angle of the seat back causes an increase in the number of parts, which is disadvantageous in terms of cost.
[0006]
An object of the present invention, it is possible to detect the occupant posture easily, is to provide an occupant judging apparatus capable of suppressing an occupant misjudgment.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1 is an occupant determination device that performs occupant determination every predetermined time, and includes a front load sensor that detects a load on a front portion of a seat body, A rear load sensor for detecting a load on the rear portion of the seat body, a calculation means for calculating a detected load value based on output load values of the front load sensor and the rear load sensor, and a detected load value calculated by the calculation means; Comparing the output load value of any one of the front load sensor and the rear load sensor , the occupant posture is a front center of gravity posture having a center of gravity at the front of the seat body, or the center of gravity of the seat body is or a side centroid position after having the rear deviation, or have a determining means for determining a normal sitting posture, the determination unit further if the occupant posture is determined to be normal sitting posture Said Performs an occupant judgment based on the shipping weight value, when the occupant posture is determined to be a rear center of gravity position is summarized in that to maintain the determination result of the occupancy determination.
[0008]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the occupant determination device according to the first aspect, the determination means is configured such that the ratio between the output load value of the rear load sensor and the detected load value is smaller than a first predetermined value. the occupant attitude is determined that the front center of gravity position, the occupant posture when greater than a second predetermined value greater than the first predetermined value is determined as a rear center of gravity position, the first predetermined value the occupant posture when in the range between the second predetermined value and is summarized in that you determined to be the normal sitting posture.
[0009]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a front load sensor provided at a front portion of a seat body, a rear load sensor provided at a rear portion of the seat body, and a detected load based on output load values of the load sensors. An occupant determination device including a controller that calculates a value and performs occupant determination every predetermined time based on a magnitude relationship between the detected load value and a predetermined determination threshold value, wherein the controller includes the detected load value and the front portion Comparing the output load value of either one of the load sensor and the rear load sensor , the occupant posture is the front center of gravity posture having the center of gravity at the front of the seat body, or the center of gravity is at the back of the seat body. or a side centroid position after having, or having a determination means for determining a normal sitting posture, the determination unit further if the occupant posture is determined to be normal sitting posture Performs an occupant judgment based on the serial detection load value, when the occupant posture is determined to be a rear center of gravity position is summarized in that to maintain the determination result of the occupancy determination.
[0010]
Invention according to claim 4, in the passenger judging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the determining means, wherein when the ratio of the detected load value and the output load value of said rear load sensor is within a predetermined range occupant attitude is summarized in that you determined to be the normal sitting posture.
[0011]
(Function)
In the configuration in which the front load sensor and the rear load sensor are provided at the front and rear portions of the seat body, respectively, the output load value of either the front load sensor or the rear load sensor, and the front load sensor and the rear load sensor The detected load value based on the output load value is compared. At this time, it has been confirmed by the applicant that the vehicle has remarkable characteristics according to the occupant posture.
[0012]
For example, each case where the posture of the seated person is shown in FIG. 6 will be described. 6A shows the case of a normal sitting posture of an adult, and FIG. 6B shows the case of a normal sitting posture of a child. Further, FIG. 6C shows a case where the adult is bent forward, FIG. 6D shows a case where the child is sitting forward, and FIG. 6E shows a case where the child is sleeping. Here, FIGS. 6C and 6D correspond to a so-called front center of gravity posture, and FIG. 6E corresponds to a rear center of gravity posture.
[0013]
In each case of the seated person's posture, for example, the ratio between the output load value of the rear load sensor and the detected load value based on the output load values of the front load sensor and the rear load sensor is detected. At this time, when the adult or child is in the normal sitting posture, it is confirmed that the ratio is within a predetermined range (within a range between the first predetermined value and the second predetermined value). Further, it is confirmed that the ratio is smaller than the first predetermined value when in the front center of gravity posture, and is larger than the second predetermined value when in the rear center of gravity posture.
[0014]
According to the invention described in claim 1 or 2, the output load value of one of the front load sensor and the rear load sensor, and the detected load value based on the output load value of the front load sensor and the rear load sensor, By comparing these, the occupant posture is easily determined. Further, even if it is determined that the occupant posture is the rear center of gravity posture after it is determined that the occupant posture is the normal seating posture, the erroneous determination can be made by maintaining the determination result of the occupant determination. It is suppressed.
[0015]
According to the invention described in claim 3 or 4, even if it is determined that the occupant posture is the rear center of gravity posture after it is determined that the occupant posture is the normal sitting posture, the determination of the occupant determination By maintaining the result , the erroneous determination is suppressed.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a vehicle seat to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0017]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a seat body 1 provided in a vehicle seat. The seat body 1 is arranged on the passenger seat side of the vehicle. In FIG. 1, a pair of left and right support frames 2 are fixedly mounted in the front-rear direction (in the direction of the arrow X in FIG. 1) on a vehicle floor (not shown). Yes.
[0018]
A pair of front and rear brackets 3 are fixed to the upper surface of each support frame 2, and a lower rail 4 is supported and fixed along the support frame 2 with respect to the pair of front and rear brackets 3. The pair of left and right lower rails 4 are formed in a U-shaped cross section, and form a slide groove 5 that opens upward and extends in the front-rear direction.
[0019]
A pair of left and right upper rails 6 are arranged in the slide grooves 5 formed in the respective lower rails 4 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction along the slide grooves 5. As shown in FIG. 2, each upper rail 6 is provided with a lower arm that supports a seat cushion 9 and a seat back 10 of the seat body 1 with a predetermined interval through a pair of left and right front sensor brackets 7 and a rear sensor bracket 8. 16 are connected.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 3 (a), the front sensor bracket 7 has upper and lower end portions as an upper fastening portion 7a and a lower fastening portion 7b, and the upper and lower fastening portions 7a and 7b are curved to bend the bending portion 7c. Is formed. The front sensor bracket 7 is connected to the lower arm 16 and the front side of the upper rail 6 at the upper and lower fastening portions 7a and 7b, respectively. A front right load sensor 21 and a front left load sensor 22 constituting the front load sensor are attached to the bent portions 7c of the right and left front sensor brackets 7, respectively. The front right load sensor 21 and the front left load sensor 22 include a strain detection element such as a strain gauge, for example, and electrically determines the amount of bending of the bending portion 7c relative to the load applied to the seat cushion 9. It comes to detect.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 3 (b), the rear sensor bracket 8 has upper and lower end portions as an upper fastening portion 8a and a lower fastening portion 8b, and the upper and lower fastening portions 8a and 8b are curved to bend and bend. 8c is formed. The rear sensor bracket 8 is connected to the lower arm 16 and the rear side of the upper rail 6 at the upper and lower fastening portions 8a and 8b, respectively. A rear right load sensor 23 and a rear left load sensor 24 constituting a rear load sensor are attached to the bent portions 8c of the right and left rear sensor brackets 8, respectively. Similar to the front right load sensor 21 and the front left load sensor 22, the rear right load sensor 23 and the rear left load sensor 24 include a strain detection element such as a strain gauge, and the load applied to the seat cushion 9. In contrast, the amount of bending of the bending portion 8c is electrically detected.
[0022]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the seating load detection device 20 provided in the vehicle seat. The seating load detection device 20 includes the load sensors 21 to 24 and a controller 25.
[0023]
The controller 25 includes a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as “CPU”) 26, a sensor signal input circuit 27, and an output circuit 28.
The sensor signal input circuit 27 includes active filters 27a, 27b, 27c, and 27d provided corresponding to the front right load sensor 21, the front left load sensor 22, the rear right load sensor 23, and the rear left load sensor 24, respectively. Have. The load signals from the load sensors 21 to 24 are input to the CPU 26 through the active filters 27a to 27d. The active filters 27a to 27d are well-known low-pass filters in which an active element such as an amplifier is combined with a passive element composed of a capacitor and a resistor, for example. Therefore, the active filters 27a to 27d pass only low frequency signals among the load signals from the load sensors 21 to 24, and lose the other signals.
[0024]
Incidentally, the CPU 26 calculates output load values FR and FL for each of the load sensors 21 and 22 based on load signals from the front right load sensor 21 and the front left load sensor 22 that have passed through the active filters 27a and 27b, respectively. It is like that. Further, output load values RR and RL for the respective load sensors 23 and 24 are calculated based on load signals from the rear right load sensor 23 and the rear left load sensor 24 that have passed through the active filters 27c and 27d, respectively. Yes. The detected load value S is calculated by adding these output load values FR to RL, and the rear total output load value RS is calculated by adding the output load values RR and RL. It has become.
[0025]
The CPU 26 executes various arithmetic processes according to a control program and initial data stored in advance, and outputs the calculation result, that is, the passenger determination result to the output circuit 28. Then, the operation result of the airbag apparatus is controlled by outputting the calculation result to the airbag controller 30, for example, via the output circuit 28.
[0026]
Next, processing such as occupant determination in the present embodiment will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. This process is performed by a scheduled interruption every predetermined time. When the processing shifts to this routine, first, in step 101, the CPU 26 performs input processing. Specifically, the CPU 26 reads the load signals of the sensors 21 to 24 filtered by the sensor signal input circuit 27. Next, in step 102, the CPU 26 calculates the output load values FR to RL for each of the sensors 21 to 24 and the detected load value S of these output load values FR to RL based on the load signal, and temporarily stores them in the memory. Then, the CPU 26 proceeds to step 103.
[0027]
In step 103, the CPU 26 calculates the total output load value RS of the output load values RR, RL of the rear side load sensors 23, 24 and temporarily stores it in the memory. Then, the CPU 26 proceeds to step 104.
[0028]
In step 104, the CPU 26 calculates a ratio r obtained by dividing the total output load value RS on the rear side by the entire detected load value S and temporarily stores it in the memory. The ratio r becomes smaller as the center of gravity of the seated person is closer to the front, and becomes larger as it is closer to the rear. Therefore, this ratio r is used for determination of the occupant posture (see FIG. 6).
[0029]
After calculating the ratio r, the CPU 26 proceeds to step 105 and performs occupant posture determination. That is, the occupant posture is determined by comparing the ratio r with the first predetermined value A and the second predetermined value B (A <B). The first predetermined value A and the second predetermined value B are set to values suitable for determination of the occupant posture (front center of gravity posture, rear center of gravity posture, or normal seating posture).
[0030]
Here, when it is determined that the ratio r is smaller than the first predetermined value A, the CPU 26 proceeds to step 106 and determines that the seated person's posture is the front center of gravity posture such as forward bending or front sitting, and thereafter. This process is temporarily terminated. Therefore, for example, even when a decrease in the detected load value S is detected in a state where an adult is determined, the determination is not switched as a result of a change in posture toward the front center of gravity. Further, for example, even if an increase in the detected load value S is detected in a state where a child is determined, the determination is switched as being caused by an unexpected external force because it is not a normal seating posture (a front center of gravity posture). There is no.
[0031]
If it is determined that the ratio r is greater than the second predetermined value B, the CPU 26 proceeds to step 107 and determines that the posture of the seated person is a rear center of gravity posture such as a sleeping posture or a standing posture. The subsequent processing is temporarily terminated. Therefore, for example, even if an increase in the detected load value S is detected in a state where a child is determined, the determination is switched as being caused by an unexpected external force because it is not a normal seating posture (a rear center of gravity posture). There is nothing.
[0032]
Further, when it is determined that the ratio r is within a predetermined range of the first predetermined value A or more and the second predetermined value B or less, the CPU 26 proceeds to step 108 and determines that the seated person's posture is the normal seating posture. Control goes to step 109.
[0033]
In step 109, the CPU 26 determines an occupant (adult or child) sitting on the seat body 1. For example, depending on whether or not the detected load value S is equal to or greater than a predetermined occupant determination threshold value, the process proceeds to step 110 or step 111 and is determined as an adult or a child. Then, the determination result is stored in the memory, and the subsequent processing is temporarily ended.
[0034]
The CPU 26 outputs, for example, to the airbag controller 30 via the output circuit 28, the seating state of the seat body 1 determined and stored in any one of the above steps 110 and 111.
[0035]
And the airbag controller 30 controls suitably the action | operation of an airbag apparatus based on each said determination result.
As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
[0036]
(1) In this embodiment, the total output load value RS on the rear side is compared with the detected load value S, that is, based on the ratio r obtained by dividing the total output load value RS on the rear side by the detected load value S. The occupant posture can be easily determined.
[0037]
(2) In this embodiment, the erroneous determination can be suppressed by performing the occupant determination (adult or child) only when the determined occupant posture is the normal sitting posture.
In addition, once the determined occupant determination is not overturned unless it is determined as a normal seating posture, the occupant determination can be stabilized.
[0038]
In addition, embodiment of this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, You may change as follows.
In the embodiment, the occupant posture is determined based on the ratio r between the rear total output load value RS and the detected load value S. On the other hand, the occupant posture determination may be performed based on the ratio between the front total output load value FS (= FR + FL) calculated by summing the output load values FR and FL and the detected load value S.
In the embodiment, the occupant posture is determined based on the ratio r between the rear total output load value RS and the detected load value S. On the other hand, the occupant posture determination may be performed by other calculation methods. In short, the occupant posture may be determined by comparing the rear total output load value RS or the front total output load value FS with the detected load value S.
[0039]
In the embodiment, a pair of left and right front right load sensors 21 and 22 is provided at the front of the seat body 1, and a pair of left and right rear right load sensors 23 and 24 are provided at the rear of the seat body 1. . The number of sensors (four) and their arrangement are examples, and other numbers and arrangements may be adopted. In short, it is only necessary that the loads on the front and rear portions of the seat body 1 are individually detected and used for the determination of the occupant posture.
[0040]
In the embodiment, the configuration in which the plurality of load sensors 21 and 22 are provided in the front portion of the seat body 1 has been described. On the other hand, the structure which provided only one load sensor in the front part of the sheet | seat main body 1 may be sufficient.
[0041]
In the embodiment, the configuration in which the plurality of load sensors 23 and 24 are provided in the rear portion of the seat body 1 has been described. On the other hand, the structure which provided only one load sensor in the rear part of the sheet | seat main body 1 may be sufficient.
[0042]
The shape of the front and rear sensor brackets 7 and 8 employed in the above embodiment is merely an example, and the shape is arbitrary as long as bending occurs according to each load on the front and rear portions of the seat body 1. It is.
[0043]
The mounting positions (front and rear sensor brackets 7 and 8) of the load sensors 21 to 24 employed in the above embodiment are merely examples, and the loads on the front and rear portions of the seat body 1 are individually detected. If present, the attachment position is arbitrary.
[0044]
In the embodiment, the case of the vehicle seat on the passenger seat side of the vehicle has been described, but the vehicle seat on the driver seat side may be used.
Next, technical ideas other than the claims that can be grasped from the above embodiments will be described together with the effects thereof.
[0045]
(A) a front right load sensor and a front left load sensor for detecting loads on both sides of the front part of the seat body; a rear right load sensor and a rear left load sensor for detecting loads on both sides of the rear part of the seat body; Calculating means for calculating a detected load value based on output load values of the front right side, front left side, rear right side and rear left side load sensors, and the detected load value calculated by the calculating means and the front right side load A determination means for determining an occupant posture by comparing one of a total output load value of the sensor and the front left load sensor and a total output load value of the rear right load sensor and the rear left load sensor; An occupant posture determination device. According to the configuration, any one of the detected load value, the total output load value of the front right load sensor and the front left load sensor, and the total output load value of the rear right load sensor and the rear left load sensor. The occupant posture is easily determined by comparing one of them.
[0046]
(B) a front right load sensor and a front left load sensor for detecting loads on both sides of the front part of the seat body; a rear right load sensor and a rear left load sensor for detecting loads on both sides of the rear part of the seat body; An occupant determination device including a controller that calculates a detected load value based on each output load value of each load sensor and performs an occupant determination based on the magnitude relationship between the detected load value and a predetermined determination threshold value;
The controller is one of the detected load value, the total output load value of the front right load sensor and the front left load sensor, and the total output load value of the rear right load sensor and the rear left load sensor. And an occupant determination device for determining the occupant posture and performing the occupant determination only when the occupant posture determined by the determination unit is a normal seating posture. According to the configuration, the erroneous determination is suppressed by performing the occupant determination only when the determined occupant posture is the normal sitting posture.
[0047]
【The invention's effect】
As described in detail above, in the invention according to claim 1 or 2, the occupant posture can be easily detected. Furthermore, it is possible to suppress the erroneous determination of the passenger.
[0048]
In invention of Claim 3 or 4, a passenger's misjudgment can be suppressed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a vehicle seat according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view showing the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a front view showing front and rear sensor brackets.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an occupant determination mode according to the embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a relationship between an occupant posture and a gravity center position.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Seat body 20 Seating load detection apparatus 21 Front right load sensor 22 constituting front load sensor Front left load sensor 23 constituting front load sensor Rear right load sensor 24 constituting rear load sensor Rear load sensor Rear left load sensor 25 Controller

Claims (4)

An occupant determination device that performs occupant determination every predetermined time, a front load sensor that detects a load on a front portion of a seat body, a rear load sensor that detects a load on a rear portion of the seat body, and the front load A calculating means for calculating a detected load value based on output load values of the sensor and the rear load sensor; a detected load value calculated by the calculating means; and an output load value of one of the front load sensor and the rear load sensor compared bets either a front center of gravity position having a center of gravity occupant posture front portion of the seat body, or is a side centroid position after having center of gravity deviation after the seat body, or is a normal sitting posture or have a determination means for determining, said determination means performs an occupant judgment based further on the detected load value when the occupant posture is determined to be normal sitting posture, the passenger Occupant judging apparatus for maintaining a determination result of said occupant determining when energized is it is determined that the rear center of gravity position. It said determining means, said occupant posture when the ratio of output load value of the rear load sensor and the detected load value is smaller than the first predetermined value is determined to be the front center of gravity position, than the first predetermined value It was determined to be the occupant posture rear center of gravity position when even greater than greater second predetermined value, the occupant posture when in the range between the second predetermined value and said first predetermined value occupant determining apparatus according to claim 1 you determined to be the normal sitting posture. A front load sensor provided at a front portion of the seat body, a rear load sensor provided at a rear portion of the seat body, and a detection load value based on each output load value of each load sensor and the detected load value And an occupant determination device including a controller that performs occupant determination every predetermined time depending on the magnitude relationship between the predetermined determination threshold and
The controller compares the detected load value with the output load value of any one of the front load sensor and the rear load sensor, and the occupant posture has a front side center of gravity posture having a center of gravity on the front side of the seat body. Determining means for determining whether the rear center of gravity posture has a center of gravity on the rear side of the seat body or a normal seating posture , and the determination unit is configured so that the occupant posture is a normal seating posture. When it is determined that there is an occupant, the occupant determination is further performed based on the detected load value, and the determination result of the occupant determination is maintained when the occupant posture is determined to be a rear center of gravity posture. An occupant determination device. Said determination means, the occupant determination according to claim 3 wherein the occupant attitude you determined to be the normal sitting posture when the ratio of the detected load value and the output load value of said rear load sensor is within a predetermined range apparatus.

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