JP4980083B2 - Vehicle seat belt device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a seat belt device for a vehicle.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, there is known a vehicle seat belt device including an alarm system that warns an occupant by repeating the retracting and releasing of a seat belt a predetermined number of times when a predetermined traveling state is detected (for example, Patent Document 1). reference).
JP 2000-6759 A

  However, in the vehicle seat belt device according to the above-described prior art, when the execution of the alarm output is instructed, the seat belt is only retracted and pulled out. When the occupant is wearing soft clothes, the seat belt is maintained in a slack state, and the tension experienced by the occupant may be relatively small. In particular, when the seat belt winding and withdrawal cycle is relatively short, and the winding and withdrawal are repeated in a state close to vibration, the change in the amount of withdrawal is absorbed by the looseness of clothes and seat belts. This may cause a problem that it is difficult to call out sufficient attention.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle seat belt device capable of performing a desired alert regardless of the state of wearing the seat belt or the state of clothes. .

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the vehicle seat belt device according to the first aspect of the present invention has a seat belt (for example, the seat belt 5 in the embodiment) wound and rotated. A possible belt reel (for example, the belt reel 11 in the embodiment), a motor (for example, the motor 14 in the embodiment) that transmits a driving force to the belt reel to rotationally drive the belt reel, Control means for controlling the driving amount of the motor by controlling the energization state of the motor (for example, the motor control unit 20 in the embodiment) and traveling state detection means for detecting the traveling state of the vehicle (for example, implementation) And a warning hand that causes the control means to perform a warning action when the running condition detected by the running condition detection means changes to a predetermined condition. (E.g., step S08 in the embodiment, step S11) a a seat belt apparatus for a vehicle and means for detecting a change of current applied to the motor, the winding of the seat belt by the belt reel A means for detecting a change in the take-up speed, a means for detecting a change in the amount of the seat belt wound by the belt reel, and a means for detecting a change in tension due to the take-up of the seat belt by the belt reel. The seat belt according to whether at least one of the change in current, the change in winding speed, the change in winding amount, and the change in tension is equal to or greater than a predetermined change. A slack judging means for judging the presence or absence of a slack state (for example, step S03, step S04 in the embodiment), Control means, the energized state to the motor and the variable in the alarm operation based on a determination result by the slack determination means.

Furthermore , the control means is configured such that when the slack state has not been resolved, the energization amount per unit time to the motor (for example, the predetermined energization amounts I0 and I1 in the embodiment) has been resolved. Control is performed so as to be larger than the energization amount per unit time to the motor (for example, the predetermined energization amount I2 in the embodiment).

Further, in the vehicle seat belt device according to the second aspect of the present invention, the control means is configured to supply a current to the motor when the slack state is not solved (for example, the predetermined cycles dt0 and dt1 in the embodiment). ) Is made different from the energization cycle (for example, the predetermined cycle dt2 in the embodiment) to the motor after the loosened state is resolved.

Further, in the vehicle seat belt device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the control means is configured to take up the seat belt by the belt reel when the slack state is not solved (for example, in the embodiment). Is controlled to be a predetermined value (for example, the predetermined winding speed X0 in the embodiment).

Furthermore, a vehicle seat belt device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention includes rotation detection means for detecting a rotation position of the belt reel, and the slackness determination means is configured to detect the belt reel detected by the rotation detection means. Depending on whether the seat belt winding speed detected based on the rotational position changes below a predetermined speed, or the winding amount changes above a predetermined winding amount, or the tension due to winding changes above a predetermined tension. The presence or absence of the slack state is determined.

Furthermore, in the vehicle seat belt device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the control means is configured to respond to a time during which the slack state is not solved (for example, a time (ts−t0) in the embodiment). The operation time of the alarm operation (for example, the energization time Tw in the embodiment) is extended .

  According to the vehicle seat belt device of the first aspect of the present invention, the energization state of the motor can be changed according to the presence or absence of the seat belt slack state when the alarm operation is performed. A desired alert can be made regardless of the presence or absence.

Furthermore, a change in the current applied to the motor according to the resistance to the winding of the seat belt 5 by the belt reel 11 that changes before and after the loosening state is eliminated, a change in the winding speed, a change in the winding amount, and a tension Appropriate determination can be made by determining the presence or absence of a slack state based on the change in.
Furthermore , when the alarm operation is executed, the energization amount per unit time to the motor when the slack state has not been resolved becomes larger than the energization amount per unit time to the motor after the slack state is resolved. By controlling in this way, when the slack state is still unresolved, it is possible to promote the winding of the seat belt by the belt reel, to easily eliminate the slack state, and to alert even if the slack state is still unresolved. The occupant can recognize the output.

Furthermore, according to the seat belt device for a vehicle according to the second aspect of the present invention, the energization cycle for the motor when the slack state is not solved is different from the energization cycle for the motor after the slack state is eliminated. If the slack state is still unresolved, the slack state can be eliminated at an early stage by the energization cycle suitable for relieving the slack state. Depending on the period, it is possible to make an accurate alert.

Furthermore, according to the vehicle seat belt device of the third aspect of the present invention, by controlling the seat belt winding speed by the belt reel when the slack state is unresolved to be a predetermined value, for example, The slack state can be eliminated much earlier than in the case where the energization cycle for the motor is controlled to be a predetermined value.

Furthermore, according to the vehicle seat belt device of the fourth aspect of the present invention, the seat belt winding state amount detected based on the rotational position of the belt reel, for example, the winding amount, the winding speed, and the tension due to winding. Since it changes before and after the cancellation of the slack state, the presence or absence of the slack state can be appropriately determined by detecting the change of the winding state amount.

Furthermore, according to the vehicle seat belt device of the fifth aspect of the present invention, the operation time of the alarm operation is extended according to the time during which the slack state is not solved, that is, the time required to clear the slack state. Therefore, accurate alerting can be performed.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a seat belt device for a vehicle according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
A vehicle seat belt device (hereinafter referred to as a seat belt device) 1 according to the present embodiment is a so-called three-point seat belt device, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, and a seat 4 is retracted from a retractor 4 built in a center pillar 3. The belt 5 is pulled upward, the seat belt 5 is inserted into a through anchor 6 supported on the upper side of the center pillar 3, and the front end of the seat belt 5 passes through an outer anchor 7 closer to the outside of the passenger compartment of the seat 2. Via the vehicle body floor. A tongue 8 is inserted between the through anchor 6 and the outer anchor 7 of the seat belt 5 so that the tongue 8 can be attached to and detached from the buckle 9 fixed to the vehicle body floor near the driver seat side of the seat 2. Has been.
In the seat belt device 1 shown in FIG. 1, for example, an occupant P seated on a passenger seat 2 is restrained.

In this seat belt device 1, the occupant P seated on the seat 2 is put into a worn state by inserting and engaging the tongue 8 with the buckle 9, and the engagement is released to release the tongue 8 from the buckle 9 (that is, the buckle 9 is released), it can be put into a non-wearing state.
The buckle 9 includes a buckle switch 17 to be described later. The buckle switch 17 is turned on when the tongue 8 is engaged with the buckle 9 (that is, when worn), and the tongue 8 is detached from the buckle 9. It turns off when you are wearing it (that is, when you are not wearing it).

As shown in FIG. 2, the retractor 4 includes a belt reel 11 around which a seat belt 5 is wound, a spring 12 that urges the belt reel 11 to rotate in a winding direction, a gear train, and the like. A motor 14 that applies a rotational force in the winding direction to the belt reel 11 via the transmission device 13 is a main component, and a rotation angle sensor 15 that detects the rotational position (winding position) of the belt reel 11 and the motor 14 A current sensor 16 for detecting a flowing current is provided.
The winding amount of the belt reel 11 substantially matches the winding amount of the seat belt 5.

In the retractor 4 configured as described above, the belt reel 11 is rotated in the winding direction by the spring 12 and can also be rotated in the winding direction by the driving force of the motor 14. The belt reel 11 is wound when the buckle is released by the restoring force of the spring 12 and the rotational force of the motor 14 transmitted through the transmission device 13.
When the belt reel 11 rotates in the pull-out direction, power transmission between the belt reel 11 and the motor 14 is cut off, and the motor 14 does not become a resistance when the seat belt 5 is pulled out. It has become.

  For example, as shown in the control block diagram of FIG. 3, the motor 14 is controlled by the motor control unit 20 and is driven to wind up the belt reel 11 when the buckle 9 is released, and a predetermined traveling by the traveling state detection sensor 18. State (for example, when the output value of a sensor that detects a physical quantity related to vehicle motion such as acceleration in the left-right direction of the vehicle body exceeds a predetermined threshold, or a change in the driving environment is detected based on communication information such as a navigation system) This is also driven when a predetermined tension is applied to the seat belt 5 when a case is detected, the occupant is supported at a predetermined position, or the slack of the belt generated during traveling is removed.

  The motor control unit 20 receives output signals from the rotation angle sensor 15, the current sensor 16, and the buckle switch 17, and executes an alarm output when the predetermined traveling state is detected by the traveling state detection sensor 18. An alarm request to be instructed is input from another control device or the like. The motor control unit 20 sets drive and stop timings and energization states (for example, energization amount I, energization period dt, energization time Tw, etc.) of the motor 14 based on these input signals, and outputs them to the current adjustment unit 21. . The current adjustment unit 21 adjusts the drive and stop timing of the motor 14, the current flowing through the motor 14, and the like based on the input from the motor control unit 20, and supplies power from the power source 22 to the motor 14.

The seat belt apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has the above-described configuration. Next, the operation of the seat belt apparatus 1, in particular, the process of energization control for the motor 14 at the time of alarm output will be described.
For example, the energization control process shown in FIG. 4 is repeatedly executed by the motor control unit 20 at regular intervals.

First, in step S01 shown in FIG. 4, it is determined whether or not an alarm request for requesting execution of alarm output is output from another control device or the like, for example.
When the determination result is “NO”, the series of processes is terminated.
On the other hand, if this determination is “YES”, the flow proceeds to step S 02.
In step S02, a process for eliminating the initial slack of the seat belt 5 is executed. Here, for example, the current time t at this time is set as the start time t0, the predetermined energization amount I0 is set as the energization amount I for the motor 14, and the predetermined cycle dt0 is set as the energization cycle dt for the motor 14. .
In this step S02, the predetermined energization amount I0 relative to the energization amount I is relatively larger than the predetermined energization amount I2 set in the alarm output process described later, for example, performed after the initial slack of the seat belt 5 is eliminated. It is considered as a large energizing amount. In addition, the predetermined cycle dt0 with respect to the energization cycle dt is a cycle that is relatively shorter than a predetermined cycle dt2 that is set, for example, in an alarm output process described later.

In step S03, it is determined whether or not the change amount of the current supplied to the motor 14 is equal to or greater than a predetermined change amount.
If this determination is “NO”, the flow proceeds to step S 05 described later.
On the other hand, if this determination is “YES”, the flow proceeds to step S 04.
In this step S03, the predetermined change amount with respect to the change amount of the current supplied to the motor 14 increases, for example, when the initial slack of the seat belt 5 is shifted from the unresolved state to the desired canceled state. The amount of change in current related to the resistance to the winding of the seat belt 5 due to the above.

In step S04, it is determined whether or not the winding speed (winding speed) of the seat belt 5 by the belt reel 11 is equal to or lower than a predetermined speed.
If this determination is “NO”, the flow proceeds to step S 05.
On the other hand, if this determination is “YES”, the flow proceeds to step S 07 described later.
In this step S04, the winding speed is detected according to the rotation position (winding position) of the belt reel 11 detected by the rotation angle sensor 15, and the predetermined speed relative to the winding speed is, for example, that of the seat belt 5. For example, the value is related to the winding speed of the belt reel 11 that is lowered when the initial slack is eliminated from the unresolved state.

In step S05, the process of eliminating the initial slack of the seat belt 5 is continued.
Here, for example, the predetermined energization amount I1 is set as the energization amount I for the motor 14, and the predetermined cycle dt1 is set as the energization cycle dt for the motor 14.
In step S05, the predetermined energization amount I1 with respect to the energization amount I may be equal to, for example, the predetermined energization amount I0, for example, smaller than the predetermined energization amount I0, and the process of eliminating the initial slack is continued. It may be a value that gradually decreases toward the predetermined energization amount I2 in accordance with the time to be performed. Further, the predetermined cycle dt1 with respect to the energization cycle dt may be equal to, for example, the predetermined cycle dt0, or is smaller than the predetermined cycle dt0, for example, and the predetermined cycle according to the time during which the process for eliminating the initial slack is continued. It may be a value that gradually increases toward dt2.

In step S06, it is determined whether the time (t−t0) obtained by subtracting the start time t0 from the current time t at this time is longer than the predetermined time Ta.
If this determination is “NO”, the flow returns to step S 03 described above.
On the other hand, if the determination result is “YES”, the series of processing ends.
The predetermined time Ta is, for example, a threshold time for setting a period in which the alarm output execution timing is appropriate.

In step S07, the current time t at this time is set as the alarm start time ts.
In step S08, an alarm output process is executed.
Here, for example, a predetermined energization amount I2 is set for the energization amount I for the motor 14, a predetermined cycle dt2 is set for the energization cycle dt for the motor 14, and a predetermined time Δt that is a time for continuing the alarm output for the energization time Tw. Is set, and tactile alarm output by the seat belt 5 is started.

In step S09, it is determined whether or not a time (t-ts) obtained by subtracting the alarm start time ts from the current time t at this time is longer than the energization time Tw.
If this determination is “NO”, the flow proceeds to step S 10.
On the other hand, when the determination result is “YES”, it is determined that the alarm end time te (= ts + Δt) has been reached, and the series of processes is ended.
In step S10, it is determined whether or not the time (t−t0) obtained by subtracting the start time t0 from the current time t at this time is longer than the predetermined time Ta.
If this determination is “NO”, the flow returns to step S 08 described above.
On the other hand, when the determination result is “YES”, it is determined that the threshold time t2 (= t0 + Ta) at which it is possible to determine that the execution timing of the alarm output is appropriate, and the series of processing ends.

According to this energization control process, for example, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, prior to the alarm start time ts at which the alarm output is started, an energization amount that is larger than the predetermined energization amount I2 at this alarm output (that is, The motor 14 is driven at a predetermined energization amount I0 or I1), and the seat belt 5 is wound up by the belt reel 11. Thereby, the initial slack of the seat belt 5 is eliminated. Then, after the initial slack of the seat belt 5 is eliminated, the motor 14 is driven with a predetermined energization amount I2 over a preset energization time Tw of a predetermined time Δt.
Therefore, during a period from the start time t0 at which the alarm request is output to the time t2 at which the predetermined time Ta elapses, it is possible to execute an effective alarm output over a preset predetermined time Δt.
As a result, for example, as in the comparative example shown in FIG. 6, when the alarm output is started with the start time t0 when the alarm request is output as the alarm start time ts, the predetermined time Δt has elapsed from the start time t0. Since the alarm output is only executed during the period until the alarm end time (t0 + Δt), the period until the initial slack of the seat belt 5 is eliminated (for example, the period from time t0 to time t1 shown in FIG. 6) ) Is not effectively recognized by the occupant, and it is possible to prevent a problem that the predetermined time Δt preset as a period for executing the effective alarm output cannot be secured.

As described above, according to the seat belt device 1 according to the present embodiment, when the execution of the alarm output is requested, the energization amount larger than the predetermined energization amount I2 at the alarm output (that is, the predetermined energization amount I0 or By driving the motor 14 in I1), the initial slack of the seat belt 5 is appropriately eliminated. Then, after the initial slack of the seat belt 5 is eliminated, the motor 14 is driven with the predetermined energization amount I2 for a predetermined energization time Tw of a predetermined time Δt, for example, execution of alarm output is requested. When this is done, it is possible to make the occupant accurately recognize the alarm output as compared with the case where the motor 14 is driven with the predetermined energization amount I2 over the energization time Tw of the predetermined time Δt.
Moreover, the slackness is detected by detecting the temporal change in the amount of current applied to the motor and the winding speed of the seatbelt 5 according to the resistance to the winding of the seatbelt 5 by the belt reel 11 that changes before and after the loosening state is resolved. The presence or absence of a state can be determined appropriately.

In the above-described embodiment, for example, as shown in step S03 and step S04, the change amount of the current supplied to the motor 14 is equal to or greater than the predetermined change amount, and the seat belt 5 winding speed (winding) Although the alarm output process is executed when the (acquisition speed) is equal to or lower than the predetermined speed, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, either step S03 or step S04 may be omitted.
Further, instead of step S03 and step S04, for example, it is determined whether or not the winding amount of the seat belt 5 by the belt reel 11 is equal to or larger than a predetermined winding amount, or the winding of the seat belt 5 by the belt reel 11, for example. It may be determined whether or not the tension of the seat belt 5 according to the above is equal to or greater than a predetermined tension, and the presence or absence of the initial slack of the seat belt 5 may be directly determined.

In the above-described embodiment, the alarm output is executed over a predetermined time Δt regardless of whether or not the seat belt 5 is initially slackened. As in the first modification of the above-described embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the alarm output execution duration may be changed according to the time required to eliminate the initial slack of the seat belt 5.
In the first modification, for example, the process of step S11 shown in FIG. 7 is executed instead of step S08 in the above-described embodiment shown in FIG.
That is, in step S11 shown in FIG. 7, for example, the predetermined energization amount I2 is set as the energization amount I for the motor 14, the predetermined cycle dt2 is set as the energization cycle dt for the motor 14, and the start time from the alarm start time ts is set. A time (Δt + (ts−t0)) obtained by adding the predetermined time Δt to the time obtained by subtracting t0 (ts−t0) is set as the energization time Tw, and a tactile alarm output by the seat belt 5 is output. Start.

According to this energization control process, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, the energization amount I and energization period dt in the process of eliminating the initial slack are the energization amount I and energization period dt in the alarm output process. Even if they are equivalent (that is, I0 = I1 = I0 and dt0 = dt1 = dt2), the execution duration of the alarm output increases by the time required to eliminate the initial slack, so that the initial slack is relatively large, for example. Even if it is a case, a passenger | crew can be made to recognize a warning output exactly.
In the energization control process, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, the energization period dt in the process for eliminating the initial slack is set to be different from the energization period dt in the alarm output process. If the state is still unresolved, the slack state can be eliminated at an early stage by the energization cycle suitable for eliminating the slack state. After the slack state is resolved, the energization cycle suitable for alarm output Thus, it is possible to make the passenger recognize the alarm output even more accurately.

In the above-described embodiment and the first modification, the energization amount I and the energization period dt for the motor 14 are set in the process of eliminating the initial slack of the seat belt 5, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, instead of the energization amount I, the winding speed (winding speed) X of the seat belt 5 by the belt reel 11 may be set as in the second modification of the above-described embodiment shown in FIG. .
In the second modification, for example, instead of steps S02 and S05 in the first modification of the above-described embodiment shown in FIG. 7, for example, the processes of steps S12 and S13 shown in FIG. 10 are executed. For example, the process of step S04 in the first modification of the above-described embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7 is omitted.

That is, in step S12 shown in FIG. 10, a predetermined winding speed X0 is set as the winding speed (winding speed) X of the seat belt 5 by the belt reel 11, and a predetermined period dt0 is set as the energization period dt to the motor 14. Set.
In step S13, the energization control is performed on the motor 14 so as to maintain the winding speed X at the predetermined winding speed X0, and the process of eliminating the initial slack of the seat belt 5 is continued.
According to this energization control process, the time required to eliminate the initial slack can be shortened.

It is a lineblock diagram of a seat belt device concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the retractor of the seatbelt apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a control block diagram of a motor for driving a belt reel of a seat belt device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the current control of the motor for a belt reel drive of the seatbelt apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the time change of the energization amount with respect to the motor in the Example of the seatbelt apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the time change of the energization amount with respect to the motor in the comparative example of the seatbelt apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the current control of the motor for a belt reel drive of the seatbelt apparatus which concerns on the 1st modification of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the time change of the energization amount with respect to the motor of the seatbelt apparatus which concerns on the 1st modification of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the time change of the energization amount with respect to the motor of the seatbelt apparatus which concerns on the 1st modification of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the current control of the motor for a belt reel drive of the seatbelt apparatus which concerns on the 2nd modification of one Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Seat belt apparatus 5 Seat belt 11 Belt reel 14 Motor 18 Running state detection sensor (running state detection means)
20 Motor controller (control means)
Step S03, Step S04 Looseness determination means Step S08, Step S11 Alarm means

Claims (5)

A belt reel on which a seat belt is wound and rotatable;
A motor that transmits a driving force to the belt reel to rotationally drive the belt reel;
Control means for controlling the drive amount of the motor by controlling the energization state of the motor;
Traveling state detecting means for detecting the traveling state of the vehicle;
A vehicle seat belt device comprising alarm means for causing the control means to perform an alarm operation when the running state detected by the running state detecting means changes to a predetermined state,
Means for detecting a change in the current supplied to the motor; means for detecting a change in the seat belt winding speed by the belt reel; and detecting a change in the amount of the seat belt wound by the belt reel. Means and at least one of means for detecting a change in tension due to winding of the seat belt by the belt reel,
Whether the seat belt is slack or not is determined according to whether at least one of the change in current, the change in winding speed, the change in winding amount, and the change in tension is equal to or greater than a predetermined change. A slack judging means for judging,
The control means makes the energization state to the motor variable in the alarm operation based on the determination result by the slackness determination means , and the energization amount per unit time to the motor when the slack state has not been resolved. The vehicle seat belt device is controlled so as to be larger than an energization amount per unit time to the motor after the loosened state is eliminated . 2. The vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the control means makes the energization cycle for the motor when the slack state is unresolved different from the energization cycle for the motor after the slack state is resolved. Seat belt device. 2. The vehicle seat belt according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs control so that a take-up speed of the seat belt by the belt reel is a predetermined value when the slack state is unresolved. apparatus. A rotation detecting means for detecting a rotation position of the belt reel;
The looseness determining means changes the seat belt winding speed detected based on the rotation position of the belt reel detected by the rotation detecting means to a predetermined speed or lower, or the winding amount to a predetermined winding amount or higher. The vehicle seat belt device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the presence or absence of the slack state is determined according to whether or not the vehicle has been slackened. The control means, a seat belt device for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the looseness to extend the operating time of the alarm operation according to a time not yet solved .

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