JP3709685B2 - Airbag system for vehicles - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an air bag system for a vehicle, for example, an air bag system for an automobile as a typical vehicle.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In automobiles, which are typical vehicles, in recent years, so-called airbag systems that mitigate the impact on passengers in the event of an accident have been rapidly spreading due to the increased interest in safety of users.
[0003]
Moreover, as such an air bag system, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-165008 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-277123 detect the situation of an occupant of a vehicle and perform an operation of deploying an air bag according to the detected condition. Techniques for controlling timing and deployment pressure have been proposed.
[0004]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-165011 proposes a method for notifying the occupant when the airbag is not deployed.
[0005]
Furthermore, in recent years, a smart airbag system has also been proposed in which a so-called multistage inflator is used to control the airbag deployment pressure in response to an external impact.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above conventional example, before the airbag is actually deployed, the occupant cannot recognize which airbag is deployed in what state by the control system. For this reason, the control system, in the event of an impact on the occupant due to a collision or the like, is not appropriate if the occupant's posture is inappropriate from the viewpoint that the airbag is most safely and efficiently mitigated. There is a possibility that the airbag will be deployed according to the posture of the passenger.
[0007]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle airbag system that notifies the occupant of the expected use state of the inflator according to the occupant's current state before the actual occurrence of the impact.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the vehicle airbag system of the present invention is characterized by the following configuration.
[0009]
  That is, a vehicle including an explosion means that deploys an airbag provided in the vehicle, a detection means that detects a state of an occupant of the vehicle, and a control means that initiates the explosion means based on an output signal of the detection means. An air bag system, wherein the control means includes a notifying means for notifying an expected use state of the explosive means based on a current output signal of the detecting means before deployment of the air bag.Thus, the notifying means notifies the explosives scheduled to be used among the explosives possessed by the explosive means in a recognizable manner.It is characterized by. Thus, the occupant is notified of the scheduled use state of the detonation means according to the occupant's current state before the actual occurrence of the impact.
[0010]
  Further, a vehicle provided with an explosion means for deploying an airbag provided in the vehicle, a detection means for detecting a state of an occupant of the vehicle, and a control means for detonating the explosion means based on an output signal of the detection means An air bag system, wherein the control means includes a notifying means for informing a scheduled use state of the explosive means based on a current output signal of the detecting means before deployment of the air bag, the explosive means being multistage An inflator of the type, wherein the control means notifies a selected initiation part among a plurality of initiation parts of the inflator based on a current output signal of the detection means. This informs the occupant of the scheduled use state of the detonation means according to the current state of the occupant before the actual impact occurs..
[0011]
  Further, a vehicle provided with an explosion means for deploying an airbag provided in the vehicle, a detection means for detecting a state of an occupant of the vehicle, and a control means for detonating the explosion means based on an output signal of the detection means An air bag system, wherein the control means includes an informing means for informing a scheduled use state of the explosive means based on a current output signal of the detecting means before the deployment of the air bag,The control means performs notification of the scheduled use state by the notification means with higher responsiveness than selection by the control means of whether or not to initiate the airbag.It is characterized by that. Thus, the occupant is notified of the scheduled use state of the detonation means according to the occupant's current state before the actual occurrence of the impact. Also,When an occupant who recognizes the scheduled use state wears a seat belt or changes his / her posture, for example, the scheduled use state of the explosive means based on the new state is quickly displayed to give the passenger an uncomfortable feeling. To prevent that.
[0012]
  Further, a vehicle provided with an explosion means for deploying an airbag provided in the vehicle, a detection means for detecting a state of an occupant of the vehicle, and a control means for detonating the explosion means based on an output signal of the detection means An air bag system, wherein the control means includes an informing means for informing a scheduled use state of the explosive means based on a current output signal of the detecting means before deployment of the air bag, the informing means, An indicator indicating the amount of the initiator to be used among the initiators included in the initiator is lit. Thus, the occupant is notified of the scheduled use state of the detonation means according to the occupant's current state before the actual occurrence of the impact.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a vehicle airbag system according to the present invention is applied to an automobile as a typical vehicle, and will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0014]
[System configuration]
First, the system configuration of the airbag system in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0015]
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an automobile equipped with an airbag system as one embodiment of the present invention.
[0016]
In the figure, a driver's seat airbag 2 (shown in a deployed state) for an occupant in the driver's seat 10 is provided inside the steering wheel 6 and an passenger's seat airbag 3 (for an occupant in the passenger seat 13). (Showing the unfolded state) is provided inside the storage cover 5 of the dashboard 15.
[0017]
In addition, a control unit 11 for controlling the airbag system according to the present embodiment is provided inside the dashboard 15, and the control unit 11 is driven by a battery 8 provided in the engine room of the automobile 1. The A display 14 with a touch panel switch for displaying an inflator use schedule state and guidance to be described later is provided at the upper center of the dashboard 15. Furthermore, occupant detection sensors 34 that detect the distance between the occupant seated on the seat and the dashboard 15 using ultrasonic waves or the like are provided on the left and right sides of the dashboard 15.
[0018]
The automobile 1 also includes a plurality of impact detection sensors (not shown) that output a trigger signal for deploying the airbag.
[0019]
In the embodiment described below, the driver's seat airbag 2 and the passenger's seat airbag 3 will be described for the sake of convenience of explanation, but the side that reduces the impact from the lateral direction of the automobile 1 by a substantially similar processing technique. Needless to say, the present invention may be applied to an airbag (not shown).
[0020]
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an outline of an airbag system as an embodiment of the present invention.
[0021]
In the figure, output signals from various sensors described below are input to the control unit 11 of the airbag system in the present embodiment.
[0022]
The passenger seat inflator 16 deploys the passenger seat airbag 3. The driver seat inflator 17 deploys the driver seat airbag 2. In the present embodiment, the passenger seat inflator 16 and the driver seat inflator 17 are so-called multistage inflators, as shown in the figure, and a maximum of five initiation parts are simultaneously initiated in response to an external impact. Thus, the airbag for the passenger seat or driver seat can be deployed.
[0023]
In this embodiment, a multi-stage inflator will be described as an example in the following description. However, the inflator is a system that can adjust the amount of use of the initiator in the inflator in response to an external impact even if the multi-stage inflator is not used. I just need it.
[0024]
The acceleration (hereinafter referred to as “G”) sensor 11A is provided in the passenger compartment and detects an impact applied to the occupant. The G sensor 11A is provided integrally with the control unit 11 in the present embodiment, but needless to say, the G sensor 11A may be located close to the passenger in the vehicle interior.
[0025]
Further, the driver's seat 10 includes a seat belt wearing detection sensor 22 that detects whether or not the occupant is wearing the seat belt 27, and a plurality of occupants on the seat and a plurality of seats for detecting the seating posture of the occupant. Pressure sensors 35 are embedded, and output signals from these sensors are also input to the control unit 11. The sensor group provided in the driver's seat 10 is also provided in the passenger seat 13 in the same manner, but is not shown in FIG. 1 for convenience of explanation.
[0026]
The seat sensor unit 18 communicates the presence / absence of an occupant on the passenger seat 13, the sitting posture of the occupant, and the wearing state of the child seat 12 to the control unit 11 based on a predetermined format. FIG. 1 shows a state where the child seat 12 is attached to the passenger seat 13.
[0027]
The seat sensor unit 18 includes a plurality of pressure sensors 35 that are embedded in the passenger seat 13 to detect whether a passenger is seated, and detects the weight and seating posture of the passenger, a receiving antenna 131 embedded in the passenger seat 13, and A transmission antenna 132 is connected, and wireless communication is performed with the transponder 121 provided in the child seat 12, and a signal received by the reception antenna 131 is converted based on a predetermined format and transmitted to the control unit 11. To do.
[0028]
In the above-described airbag system, the configuration of the sensor that detects the seated state of the occupant (including the mounted state of the child seat) is merely an example, and the present invention can be applied to different configurations as necessary.
[0029]
Next, the device configuration of the control unit 11 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0030]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an outline of the control unit 11 as an embodiment of the present invention.
[0031]
In the figure, the control unit 11 includes inflators 16 and 17 in accordance with a G sensor 11A, a power supply circuit 11B that stabilizes a DC voltage supplied from the battery 8 via an ignition key switch, and a control signal output from the microcomputer 110. An output control unit 11C that starts detonation, a time measuring unit 11E that measures time, a storage unit 11F that records data output from the microcomputer 110, and a connector 11G to which an external device can be connected are provided.
[0032]
The connector 11G is connected to a data reading device 37 as an external device that reads data stored in the storage unit 11F as necessary for maintenance or the like. The storage unit 11F includes a readable / writable memory (not shown) that stores data output from the microcomputer 110. Since the information stored in the memory needs to be held in the memory even when the control unit 11 is stopped due to an impact due to its characteristics, the memory includes, for example, a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory. Use memory or memory backed up by batteries.
[0033]
The microcomputer 110 includes a CPU 110A, a ROM 110B, and a RAM 110C. The CPU 110A controls the airbag system according to an airbag deployment control program stored in advance in the ROM 110B while using the RAM 110C as a temporary storage area and work area for various data.
[0034]
Hereinafter, the inflator use state display control and the inflator operation control executed by the microcomputer 110 of the control unit 11 in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 110B in advance will be described. These control processes are started when the driver turns on the ignition key switch, and are executed in parallel by the microcomputer 110.
[0035]
In the following description, control of the passenger seat 13 and the passenger seat airbag 3 will be described as an example, but needless to say, the driver seat 10 and the driver seat airbag 2 may be controlled in substantially the same manner. Further, in the present embodiment, when the child seat 12 is mounted on the passenger seat 13, the passenger seat airbag 3 is prohibited from being developed regardless of the mounting direction.
[0036]
[Inflator use schedule display control]
Hereinafter, inflator use schedule display control will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0037]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a state determination process for displaying a planned use state of the inflator as one embodiment of the present invention. The result of this state determination process is used for the inflator use schedule display process (FIG. 5).
[0038]
In the figure, step S1, step S2: CPU 110A resets C / S flag 2 indicating whether or not child seat (C / S) 12 is attached to passenger seat 13 and occupant flag 2 indicating whether or not a passenger is present. To do. The C / S flag 2 indicates 1 when the child seat 12 is attached and 0 when the child seat 12 is not attached. The occupant flag 2 represents 1 when the passenger is present in the passenger seat 13 and 0 when the passenger is not present.
[0039]
Step S3: The CPU 110A detects whether or not the C / S 12 is mounted on the passenger seat 13 based on the state signal output from the seat sensor unit 18, and stores the result in the RAM 110C. This series of processing is repeated three times in this embodiment.
[0040]
Step S4, Step S5: The CPU 110A determines whether or not the C / S 12 has been attached to the passenger seat 13 three times continuously based on the data stored in the RAM 110C in Step S3 (Step S4). It is determined that / S12 is attached, C / S flag 2 is set to 1 (step S5), and the process returns to step S3. On the other hand, when the determination in step S4 is NO, the process proceeds to step S6.
[0041]
Steps S6 to S8: The CPU 110A determines whether or not the passenger seat 13 has been continuously unattached with the C / S 12 three times based on the data stored in the RAM 110C in Step S3 (Step S6). It is determined that the C / S 12 is not attached, the C / S flag 2 is reset to 0 (step S7), and the process proceeds to step S9. On the other hand, when the determination in step S6 is NO, the current state of the C / S flag 2 is determined in step S8. When the result is 1, the process returns to step S3, and when it is 0, the process proceeds to step S9.
[0042]
Step S9: The CPU 110A detects the passenger weight W of the passenger seat 13 based on the output signal from the pressure sensor 35, and stores the result in the RAM 110C. This series of processing is repeated three times in this embodiment.
[0043]
Step S10, Step S11: The CPU 110A determines whether or not the passenger weight W in the passenger seat 13 has been zero for three consecutive times based on the data stored in the RAM 110C in Step S9 (Step S10). 13 confirms that no occupant is present, resets the occupant flag 2 to 0 (step S11), and returns to step S3. On the other hand, if YES in step S10, the process proceeds to step S12.
[0044]
Steps S12 to S14: The CPU 110A determines whether or not the occupant weight W in the passenger seat 13 has been zero for three consecutive times based on the data stored in the RAM 110C in step S9 (step S12). The passenger 13 is determined to be present and the occupant flag 2 is reset to 1 (step S13), and the process proceeds to step S15. On the other hand, when the determination in step S12 is NO, the current state of the occupant flag 2 is determined in step S14. When the result is 0, the process returns to step S3. When the result is 1, the process proceeds to step S15.
[0045]
Step S15: The CPU 110A calculates the average value W3 of the three passenger weights W stored in the RAM 110C in Step S9, stores the value in the RAM 110C, and returns to Step S3.
[0046]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing inflator use schedule display processing as one embodiment of the present invention. In this process, when an external impact is applied to the automobile 1 at that moment, how many initiation parts in the inflator are to be operated by the control unit 11, that is, the intended use state of the initiation part in the inflator Is displayed to the occupant, and guidance for deploying the air bag accurately and efficiently is displayed on the display 14.
[0047]
In the figure, step S21, step S22: The CPU 110A determines whether or not the C / S flag 2 is set to 1 by the state determination process of FIG. 4 (step S21), and proceeds to step S44 if YES. On the other hand, if NO in step S21, it is determined whether or not the occupant flag 2 has been reset to 0 by the state determination process of FIG. 4 (step S22), and if YES, the process proceeds to step S41. On the other hand, if NO in step S22, the process proceeds to step S23.
[0048]
Step S23: The CPU 110A detects the distance Ls between the passenger in the passenger seat 13 and the dashboard 15 (in the case of the driver's seat, the instrument panel or the steering wheel 6) based on the output signal of the passenger detection sensor 34.
[0049]
Step S24: The CPU 110A detects whether or not the occupant is wearing the seat belt based on the output signal of the seat belt wearing detection sensor 22 (S = 1 when worn and S = 0 when not worn). ).
[0050]
Step S25, Step S26: The CPU 110A reads the occupant weight average value W3 calculated in the state determination process of FIG. 4 from the RAM 110C (Step S25), and substitutes the predetermined value VS as the movement speed V of the occupant's head. Here, the predetermined value VS is substituted because the moving speed of the occupant's head at the moment when the airbag is actually deployed varies depending on the case.
[0051]
Steps S27 and S28: The CPU 110A performs general processing based on the data of the seat belt wearing state S prepared up to the previous step, the occupant head moving speed VS, the occupant weight average value W3, and the distance Ls. When an impact caused by a collision or the like is applied to the automobile 1 at this moment, the number K2 of initiating parts of the inflator that is initiated to deploy the airbag is calculated by the following formula (step S27), and the value is calculated as follows: It is converted into an integer by a general method (step S28).
[0052]
K2 = k1 + S × K2 + VS × k3 + W3 × k4 + Ls × k5 (kn: coefficient) (1),
Step S29: The CPU 110A displays the selection status of each inflator on the display unit 14 as shown in FIG. 6, for example, according to the value obtained in step S28. FIG. 6 shows a state where two initiation parts are selected for the passenger seat inflator 16 that deploys the passenger seat airbag 3, and all initiation parts are selected for the driver seat inflator 17. Is shown. At this time, when the initiation portion of the inflator scheduled to be used becomes 0 in step S28, the CPU 110A displays on the display 14 that the airbag cannot be deployed, for example, as shown in FIG. In this case, it is needless to say that the display content may be emphasized as appropriate, preferably by display color, blinking, or the like.
[0053]
From step S30 to step S32: The CPU 110A determines whether the occupant has operated a touch panel switch (not shown) of the display 14 (step S30), and proceeds to step S33 if NO. On the other hand, if YES in step S30, the output state of various sensors input to the control unit 11 is displayed on the display 14 (step S31), and guidance for the display contents is also displayed (step S32). An example of the display is shown in FIG.
[0054]
In the example of FIG. 8, based on the output signal of the seat belt wearing detection sensor 22, it is displayed that the passenger in the passenger seat 13 does not wear the seat belt and the displayed content is safely avoided. As a guidance for the above, an indication to urge the user to wear the seat belt is displayed. Further, for the driver's seat 10, the fact that the distance Ls calculated in step S23 is smaller (shorter) than the predetermined value is displayed, and the displayed content is guided from the instrument panel as guidance for safe avoidance. There is a display prompting you to leave your body. In this embodiment, from the viewpoint of safety, the output state of various sensors is displayed on the display unit 14 and the guidance for the display content is also displayed. However, only the output state of the sensor is required as necessary. It is good also as a structure which displays.
[0055]
Further, when the average value W3 of the occupant weight read in step S25 is not 0 but is smaller than the predetermined value, this is displayed on the display 14, and as a guidance for the display content, for example, a sitting state or a sitting posture A message prompting confirmation is displayed.
[0056]
Needless to say, guidance corresponding to the output state of each sensor is registered in advance in the ROM 110B or the like.
[0057]
Step S33, Step S34: The CPU 110A determines whether or not the airbag has been deployed. If NO, the CPU 110A returns to step S21. On the other hand, if YES in step S33, the CPU 110A stores the sensor output values such as K2 and W3 at the time of airbag deployment, that is, when K2 is converted into an integer in step S28, in a memory (not shown) inside the storage unit 11F. Store (step S34).
[0058]
If the determination in step S22 is YES, the passenger is not seated in the passenger seat 13, so there is no need to deploy the passenger seat airbag 3. Therefore, the CPU 110A sets K2 to 0 (step S41), displays the selection status of each inflator (selects 0 detonation part) on the display 14 (step S42), and displays a display to that effect on the display 14. Display (step S43), and return to step S21.
[0059]
Further, when the determination in step S21 is YES, since the C / S 12 is attached to the passenger seat 13, it is not necessary to deploy the passenger seat airbag 3 in this embodiment. Therefore, the CPU 110A sets K2 to 0 (step S44), displays the selection status of each inflator (selects 0 initiation part) on the display 14 (step S45), and displays a display indicating that on the display 14. Display (step S46) and return to step S21.
[0060]
In the state determination process for displaying the inflator use schedule state described above, detection is performed three times until the presence / absence of the C / S 12 and the presence / absence of the occupant are determined. Explaining why the number of times is less than five times of the state determination process (FIG. 9) for the operation control having the same processing configuration, the inflator use schedule display process is only for the inflator starter at that time. This is a process for notifying the occupant of the use prediction, and when the occupant wears the seat belt or changes the posture etc. according to the guidance of the indicator 14 so that the air bag can be accurately deployed. This is because in order for the occupant not to feel uncomfortable, the expected state of use of the inflator based on the new state should be displayed quickly.
[0061]
As described above, according to the inflator use schedule display control described above, the value representing the current state of the occupant and the impact generated by a general collision, etc. The inflator is scheduled to be used in accordance with the moving speed VS) and guidance necessary for more efficiently deploying the airbag to alleviate the impact is always displayed on the display 14. As a result, the occupant can correct the sitting state and the like in accordance with the displayed guidance. Therefore, the control unit 11 can perform the most appropriate airbag deployment control according to the corrected sitting state. it can.
[0062]
[Inflator operation control]
Next, operation control of the inflator for actually deploying the airbag will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 14 (excluding FIG. 12).
[0063]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a state determination process for controlling the operation of the inflator as one embodiment of the present invention. The state determination process shown in the figure has the same configuration as the above-described state determination process (FIG. 4) for displaying the inflator use-scheduled state (the same number is given to the first place of each step), and overlapping description Is omitted. 9 differs in the C / S flag 1 and the occupant flag 1 for controlling the operation of the inflator, and 5 before the presence / absence of the C / S 12 and the presence / absence of the occupant are determined. Detection is performed once (step S53, step S59).
[0064]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing operation control processing of the inflator as one embodiment of the present invention.
[0065]
In the figure, Steps S71 to S74: The CPU 110A detects the output signal of the G sensor 11A (Step S71), whether the C / S flag 1 is set to 1 by the state determination process of FIG. It is determined whether 1 is reset to 0 (step S72, step S73). As a result of the determination, when the C / S 12 is not attached to the passenger seat 13 (C / S flag 1 = 0) and an occupant is present (occupant flag 1 is 1), the G sensor 11A detected in step S71. It is determined whether the output signal is greater than, for example, a predetermined value 3G (step S4). If YES in this determination, the process proceeds to step S75. On the other hand, if NO in step S74, the process returns to step S71. That is, the CPU 110A repeats the loop from step S71 to step S74 in a normal state where there is no external impact.
[0066]
Step S75: For example, the CPU 110A starts counting the timer using the clock output from the time measuring unit 11E.
[0067]
Step S76: The CPU 110A calculates the movement speed V and the movement distance L of the head of the occupant at the predetermined time t1 based on the output signal of the G sensor 11A during the predetermined time t1. Specifically, the moving speed V may be calculated by integrating the output signal of the G sensor 11A from the time before the current time by a predetermined time t1 to the current time (t = 0). The moving distance L may be obtained by integrating the calculated moving speed V within the same time or by obtaining the product of the acceleration G and the predetermined time t1.
[0068]
Step S77 to Step S80: The CPU 110A proceeds to Step S81 when the moving speed V calculated in Step S76 is larger than the predetermined value V1 and the moving distance L is larger than the predetermined value L1. On the other hand, when either the moving speed V or the moving distance L is smaller than the predetermined values V1 and L1, the process proceeds to step S79.
[0069]
Step S79: The CPU 110A determines whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) has elapsed from the start of counting in Step S75 in Step S79. If YES, the CPU 110A returns to Step S71. On the other hand, if NO in step S79, the output signal of G sensor 11A is detected (step S80), and the process returns to step S76. This is because even when NO is determined in step S77 or step S78, there is a possibility that the occupant is actually in a more dangerous state. This is because there is a possibility that the occupant flag 1 is reset to 0 even if the occupant actually exists, and even if the occupant flag 1 is reset to 0, the airbag is reliably deployed as necessary.
[0070]
Steps S81 to S86: The CPU 110A calculates the number K1 of the initiating part of the inflator that is actually started to deploy the airbag by the following two formulas in the same procedure as Step S24 to Step S28 in FIG. The value is converted into an integer by a general method. However, in this case, the value calculated in step S76 is used as the movement speed V of the head of the occupant (step S84).
[0071]
K1 = k1 + S × K2 + V × k3 + W3 × k4 + Ls × k5 (kn: coefficient)
・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ (2),
Step S87, Step S88: The CPU 110A deploys the passenger seat airbag 3 by actually detonating the inflator according to the number K1 of the inflator detonation determined in Step S86 (Step S87). The state of the initiating portion of the inflator (in this embodiment, the number of activated initiating portions) and the sensor output values such as the numbers K1 and W5 are stored in a memory (not shown) inside the storage unit 11F (step S88).
[0072]
Step S89: The CPU 110A displays the state of the inflator detonated in Step S87 on the display device 14 for a predetermined time, for example, as shown in FIG. At this point. It goes without saying that the CPU 110A erases the screen (FIGS. 6 to 8) displayed on the display 14 by the above-described inflator use schedule display control.
[0073]
In the example of FIG. 13, for the passenger seat airbag 3, in this development, one initiation part of the passenger seat inflator 16 is used, and the remaining four parts, and the initiation part of the driver seat inflator 17 is three. One is used, and the remaining is two. In the present embodiment, the CPU 110A displays the inflator status for a predetermined time, and then returns to step S71. This is to cope with a so-called multi-stage collision accident, that is, an accident in which an impact is applied to the automobile 1 several times by continuing the airbag deployment control by the initiating part of the inflator remaining. is there.
[0074]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an inflator operation control process as a modification of the embodiment of the present invention, and the processes up to step S89 are the same as those in FIG. In this modification, when the airbag is deployed by the first impact, the process does not return to step S71, but the scheduled use state displayed on the display 14 by the use schedule display control of the inflator and the actual start in step S87. In addition, the state of the difference is displayed on the display 14, and if there is a difference between these states, the cause of the difference is displayed. The process shown in FIG. 11 is not a continuation process from step S89, but is a separate task, and is performed in parallel with the operation control process of FIG. It goes without saying that the airbag deployment control may be continued.
[0075]
In the figure, step S91, step S92: The CPU 110A stores K1, K2, and various sensor output values stored in a memory (not shown) in the storage unit 11F in step S34 of FIG. 5 and step S88 of FIG. Reading (step S91), it is determined whether K1 and K2 are equal in the read data (step S92). If both are equal, the process is terminated. On the other hand, if different, the process proceeds to step S93.
[0076]
Step S93: The CPU 110A displays the operating state of each inflator and the reason why K1 and K2 are different from each other on the display 14 for a predetermined time as shown in FIG. 14, for example. In FIG. 14, for the passenger seat airbag 3, the use of one detonation part of the passenger seat inflator 16 in this development, the actual planned use state before the detonation were three, and both are different. The result is displayed that the distance between the occupant and the dashboard is abruptly approaching. Needless to say, guidance indicating the reason for display when K1 and K2 are different is registered in advance in the ROM 110B or the like in association with the combination of K1 and K2.
[0077]
Step S94, Step S95: When the CPU 110A detects a predetermined switch operation such as a touch panel switch (not shown) of the display device 14 (step S94), it displays the operation status of each inflator as shown in FIG. 13 again, and step S94. Return to.
[0078]
[Inflator operation status display during maintenance]
In the present embodiment, for example, the operation status of the inflator can be displayed during maintenance.
[0079]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an inflator operation status display process during maintenance as one embodiment of the present invention, which is started by a predetermined operation of the display 14 or an ignition key.
[0080]
In the figure, Steps S101 to S103: The CPU 110A determines whether or not the initiating part of any inflator has been used (Step S101), and when the determination is YES and a predetermined operation is further performed. (Step S102), data such as K1 and K2 are read from a memory (not shown) inside the storage unit 11F (Step S103).
[0081]
Step S104: The CPU 110A displays the operation status of each inflator and the reason why K1 and K2 are different as shown in FIG. 13 or FIG. 14 according to the data read in step S103.
[0082]
Note that step S103 and step S104 may be steps of data transfer from the storage unit 11F to the data reading device 37 connected to the connector 11G of the control unit 11, for example.
[0083]
As described above, according to the operation control of the inflator described above, when there is a difference between the state of the inflator after deployment of the air bag, and further, the inflator used state and the actually used inflator, the reason is displayed. As a result, it is possible for the occupant to recognize whether or not the second and subsequent airbags are to be deployed, and to easily determine the action to be performed after the first impact. In addition, when repairing or disposing of a used airbag unit, a service person can handle the unused explosive in the inflator remaining in the used airbag unit accurately and quickly. it can.
[0084]
Further, since the operation status of each inflator and K1 and K2 are stored in the storage unit 11F, it can be used for verification of the cause of an accident.
[0085]
In the above-described embodiment, the notification to the occupant is performed only by display on the display unit 14, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the notification by sound or the combination of display and sound may be appropriately performed. Needless to say, it is good.
[0086]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle airbag system that informs the occupant of the expected state of use of the inflator according to the current state of the occupant before the actual occurrence of the impact.
[0087]
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an outline of an airbag system as an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an automobile provided with an airbag system as one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an outline of a control unit 11 as an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a state determination process for displaying a planned use state of the inflator as one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing inflator use schedule display processing as one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display example in a use schedule display process of an inflator as one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display example in a use schedule display process of an inflator as one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a display example in a use schedule display process of an inflator as an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a state determination process for controlling the operation of the inflator as one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing operation control processing of the inflator as one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an inflator operation control process as a modification of the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing inflator operation status display processing during maintenance as one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example in the operation control process of the inflator as one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a display example in the operation control process of the inflator as one embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1: car, 2: driver airbag, 3: passenger airbag, 5: storage cover, 6: steering wheel, 8: battery, 9: rear seat, 10: driver seat, 11: control unit, 11A: G Sensor, 11B: Stabilized power supply circuit, 110: Microcomputer, 11C: Output control unit, 11E: Timing unit, 11F: Storage unit, 11G: Connector, 12: Child seat, 13: Passenger seat, 14: Display, 15: Dashboard, 16: Passenger seat inflator, 17: Driver seat inflator, 18: Seat sensor unit, 22: Seat belt wearing detection sensor, 27: Seat belt, 34: Passenger detection sensor, 35: Pressure sensor, 37: Data reading Device, 110A: CPU, 110B: ROM, 110C: RAM, 121: Transformer Sunda, 131: receiving antenna, 132: transmission antenna,

Claims (6)

Vehicular air comprising explosion means for deploying an airbag provided in a vehicle, detection means for detecting the state of an occupant of the vehicle, and control means for detonating the explosion means based on an output signal of the detection means Back system,
It said control means, prior to deployment of the airbag, looking contains the informing means for informing a use schedule state of the initiation unit based on the current output signal of said detecting means,
The vehicle air bag system according to claim 1, wherein the informing means informs recognizable explosives among the explosives included in the explosive means . Vehicular air comprising explosion means for deploying an airbag provided in a vehicle, detection means for detecting the state of an occupant of the vehicle, and control means for detonating the explosion means based on an output signal of the detection means Back system,
It said control means, prior to deployment of the airbag, looking contains the informing means for informing a use schedule state of the initiation unit based on the current output signal of said detecting means,
The initiation means is a multistage inflator, and the control means notifies a selected initiation part among a plurality of initiation parts of the inflator based on a current output signal of the detection means. A vehicle airbag system. Vehicular air comprising explosion means for deploying an airbag provided in a vehicle, detection means for detecting the state of an occupant of the vehicle, and control means for detonating the explosion means based on an output signal of the detection means Back system,
It said control means, prior to deployment of the airbag, looking contains the informing means for informing a use schedule state of the initiation unit based on the current output signal of said detecting means,
The vehicle air bag system according to claim 1, wherein the control means performs the notification of the scheduled use state by the notification means with higher responsiveness than the selection of necessity of the air bag explosion by the control means . Vehicular air comprising explosion means for deploying an airbag provided in a vehicle, detection means for detecting the state of an occupant of the vehicle, and control means for detonating the explosion means based on an output signal of the detection means Back system,
It said control means, prior to deployment of the airbag, looking contains the informing means for informing a use schedule state of the initiation unit based on the current output signal of said detecting means,
The vehicle air bag system according to claim 1, wherein the notifying means turns on an indicator representing the amount of the explosive to be used among the explosives included in the explosive means . 5. The vehicle airbag system according to claim 4 , wherein the notifying means notifies that when all the explosives included in the explosive means are not scheduled to be used. The vehicle airbag system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein an amount of the initiator used is determined according to a seating state of the occupant.

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