JP6276887B1 - Automatic release device for vehicle seat belt device - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to enable a passenger to release a restraint by a seat belt device even in a situation where an occupant cannot move to release the fastening of a tongue and a buckle due to injury or the like at the time of a collision. A seat belt device B restrains an occupant M seated on a seat S by fastening a tongue 15 provided on the web 13 to a buckle 14. In order to release the restraint by the seat belt device B, for example, an actuator 35 for releasing the fastening between the buckle 14 and the tongue 15 is provided in the buckle 14. When the microphone 32 detects a voice command (for example, all of the words “emergency”, “belt”, and “release”) relating to the restraint release generated by the occupant M, the controller U activates the actuator 35. [Selection] Figure 5

Description

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

  In vehicles such as automobiles, a seat belt device for restraining an occupant seated on a seat is generally provided. The occupant is restrained by the seat belt by fastening (engaging) a tongue provided on the web to the buckle, and the fastening release is often performed by operating a lock release button provided on the buckle. Patent Document 1 discloses an apparatus that automatically performs fastening and releasing of a seat belt. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228667 discloses a device for operating a vehicle-mounted device by a voice command.

Special table 2013-521193 gazette Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-162121 (Patent No. 4316997)

  By the way, it is conceivable that a situation may occur in which, for example, it is impossible for the occupant himself to move his arm or finger to release the fastening between the buckle and the tongue due to a vehicle collision. In this case, unless the fastening is released by an external supporter, the passenger is in a state of being restrained by the seat belt for a long time. Therefore, some countermeasure is desired.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described circumstances, and its purpose is to restrain the seat belt device by the occupant himself even in a situation where the occupant cannot move to release the fastening between the tongue and the buckle. An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic release device for a vehicle seat belt device that can release the vehicle.

In order to achieve the above object, the following solution is adopted in the present invention. That is, as described in claim 1,
A seat belt device for restraining a passenger seated on the seat by fastening a tongue provided on the web to the buckle;
An actuator for releasing restraint of an occupant by the seat belt device;
A microphone for detecting a voice command related to the restraint release generated by the occupant;
Control means for operating the actuator when a voice command for releasing the constraint is detected by the microphone;
It is supposed to be equipped with.

  According to the above-described solution, even when a situation occurs in which the occupant's body is abnormal and the movement of releasing the fastening between the buckle and the tongue cannot be taken, the occupant issues a voice command for releasing the restraint, Restraint is released. As a result, the occupant can quickly escape from the vehicle without the assistance of an external supporter.

A preferred mode based on the above solution is as described in claim 2 and the following. That is,
The actuator is configured to release the fastening between the buckle and the tongue (corresponding to claim 2). In this case, the restraint can be released by a simple method of releasing the fastening between the buckle and the tongue that are in a detachable relationship with each other.

A plurality of the seat belt devices are provided corresponding to a plurality of seats in the vehicle,
Each of the plurality of seat belt devices is provided with the actuator,
The control means operates the plurality of actuators simultaneously.
(Corresponding to claim 3). In this case, the restraint by the seat belt device can be released for all occupants present in the passenger compartment based on the voice command.

It further comprises vehicle speed detecting means for detecting the vehicle speed,
The control means operates the actuator on condition that the vehicle speed is zero by the vehicle speed detection means.
(Corresponding to claim 4). In this case, it is preferable to prevent a situation in which the restraint by the seat belt device is inadvertently released during traveling.

It further comprises a collision detection means for detecting a vehicle collision,
The control means operates the actuator on condition that a collision of a vehicle is detected by the collision detection means.
(Corresponding to claim 5). In this case, after confirming that there is a high possibility that the passenger's body will be damaged due to a collision, the restraint of the seat belt device is released by voice command, so the restraint by the seat belt device is unnecessarily released. This is preferable in preventing the situation of being done.

  The buckle is provided with a lock release button, and when the lock release button is operated, the fastening to the tongue is released and the tongue is set to pop out from the buckle. Yes (corresponding to claim 6). In this case, when the actuator is actuated, the tongue pops out of the buckle, which is preferable in order to reliably and promptly release the restraint by the seat belt device.

  The actuator is set on the buckle so as to displace the lock release button in a direction to release the fastening (corresponding to claim 7). In this case, the lock release button originally present in the buckle is effectively used, which is extremely preferable in terms of implementation inexpensively and easily.

The contents of the voice command are set in advance to include a plurality of words,
The control means operates the actuator when the plurality of words are all detected by the microphone.
This is done (corresponding to claim 8). In this case, it is preferable to prevent a situation where the restraint by the seat belt device is inadvertently released due to a conversation between passengers.

  According to the present invention, even when the occupant cannot move to release the fastening, the occupant can release the fastening by issuing a voice command.

The perspective view which shows one Embodiment of this invention. The side view in embodiment of FIG. The principal part perspective view which shows the connection site | part of a buckle and a tongue. The figure which shows the example of a control system of this invention. The flowchart which shows the example of control of this invention.

  In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, S is a driver seat for an automobile as a vehicle. The seat S includes a seat cushion 1, a seat back 2, and a headrest 3.

  A seat belt device B is provided for the seat S. The seat belt device B is a three-point type, and includes a retractor 11, a lower anchor 12, a web 13, a buckle 14, a tongue 15, and an upper anchor 16. The retractor 11 is fixedly installed at a low position in the center pillar 4 located on the side of the sheet S, for example. The lower anchor 12 is fixed to the vehicle body at a lower position on the side where the retractor 11 is present in the left and right positions of the seat S.

  The web 13 connects the retractor 11 and the lower anchor 12. That is, the web 13 is pulled out from the retractor 11 and once extended upward, and then is extended to the vehicle interior at a high position so as to pass through the upper anchor 16.

  The buckle 14 is fixed to the vehicle body at a low position on the opposite side of the lower anchor 12 among the left and right positions of the seat S. The tongue 15 is slidably provided at an intermediate position of the web 13 and is detachably fastened (engaged) with the buckle 14.

  In a state where a driver M as a passenger is seated on the seat S, the tongue 15 is inserted into an insertion hole 14 a provided in the buckle 14 to be in a fastening state, and the passenger is restrained by the seat belt device B. State (state of FIGS. 1 and 2). The web 13 in a state where the driver M is restrained is divided into an upper web 13 a that restrains the upper body of the driver M and a lower web 13 b that restrains the vicinity of the waist of the driver M with the tongue 15 as a boundary. Will be. In addition, 5 in FIG. 2 is a steering handle.

  In a state where the tongue 15 is fastened to the buckle 14, the lock release button 14 b provided on the buckle 14 is pressed, for example, to release the lock, that is, the fastening is released, and the tongue 15 is pulled out from the buckle 14 (buckle 14 The tongue 15 pops out of the buckle 14 in a pop-up manner due to the spring action incorporated in the bag).

  In the embodiment, the lock release button 14b is pressed in a direction crossing the direction in which the tongue 15 is inserted. However, the lock release button 14b is exposed to the outside on the opening surface side of the insertion hole 14a, and the tongue 15 is inserted. Appropriate types such as those pushed in the direction can be applied. Of course, the buckle 14 can be of any appropriate type including its internal structure.

  As shown in FIG. 3, an electromagnetic actuator 35 is provided in the buckle 14. The actuator 35 is for displacing the lock release button 14b in the fastening release direction. By actuating the actuator 35, the lock release button 14b is provided and displaced at the fastening release position, and the fastening between the buckle 14 and the tongue 15 is released.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of a control system for releasing the fastening of the seat belt device B (release of fastening between the buckle 14 and the tongue 15). In the figure, U is a controller (control unit) configured using a microcomputer. The controller U is installed in a part that is sufficiently protected even when the vehicle collides, for example, in an instrument panel (not shown).

  The controller U receives the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor 31, the sound detected by the microphone 32 provided in the passenger compartment, and the current position signal from the GPS 33 provided in the navigation device (not shown). The microphone 32 is disposed at a position where it is possible to detect sound generated by passengers in the passenger compartment, particularly drivers, as well as passengers and rear passengers (for example, the rear panel of the instrument panel or the roof panel). Arranged on the inner surface). A plurality of microphones 32 can be arranged in a vehicle interior.

  The controller U controls the notification device 36 in addition to the actuator 35. In the embodiment, the notification device 36 uses communication means in an emergency warning device (not shown) and communicates with an external service center. That is, when the actuator 35 is activated, the service center is notified of the current position detected by the GPS 33 and vehicle information registered in advance (for example, information on the type of vehicle and the user). It is supposed to be.

  The controller U stores in advance terms of voice commands by passengers for releasing the fastening (stored in a storage medium in the controller U). The term of the voice command includes, for example, three types of words “emergency”, “belt”, and “release”. Then, the controller U activates the actuator 35 (execution of fastening release between the buckle 14 and the tongue 15) when all of the three types of words are detected by the microphone 32 within a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds). Note that the detection order of the three types of words is not limited. Note that the content of the voice command is merely an example, and can be appropriately set, for example, the content of the voice command is only one word.

  The number and contents of the voice command words are prepared in advance by the vehicle manufacturer or the like, but may be registered according to the passenger's preference. Such registration can be performed using, for example, an input function using the display of the navigation device.

  Next, an example of control by the controller U will be described. In the following description, Q indicates a step. First, in Q1, signals from the sensors 31 to 33 are input.

  After Q1, in Q2, it is determined whether or not the vehicle speed is 0 (whether or not the vehicle is stopped). If the determination in Q2 is NO, the process returns to Q1 (prevents a situation where the connection is unnecessarily released during traveling).

  If the determination in Q2 is YES, it is determined in Q3 whether or not the microphone 32 has detected a voice command for unlocking. If the determination in Q3 is NO, the process returns to Q1. On the other hand, if YES in Q3, the actuator 35 is actuated in Q4 and the fastening of the buckle 14 and the tongue 15 is released. As a result, the occupant is released from restraint from the seat belt device B. After Q4, at Q5, along with the current position information of the host vehicle, an external service center is notified that an emergency has occurred.

  Although the embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment and can be appropriately changed within the scope of the claims of the utility model registration. Is included. The type of seat belt device B is not particularly limited, such as a four-point type. The actuator 35 may be operated on condition that a vehicle collision is detected. For the collision detection, for example, a signal from a collision detection sensor for operating the airbag device may be used (direct detection), or the collision may be indirectly detected when the airbag device is operated. Further, both the detection of the collision and the vehicle speed being 0 can be set as conditions for operating the actuator 35.

  The device to be driven by the actuator 35 is not limited to the lock release button 14b. For example, a device that drives a fastening release mechanism provided in the buckle 14 separately from the lock release button 14b may be used as appropriate. can do. However, the mode in which the lock release button 14b is driven by the actuator 35 is preferable in effectively using the existing buckle 14 (the space sufficient to incorporate the actuator 35 with respect to the existing buckle 14). It can be implemented simply by securing it).

  The actuator 35 can be incorporated in an appropriate part related to the seat belt device B as long as it releases the restraint of the occupant by the seat belt device B. For example, the length of the connection between the part of the seat belt device B fixed to the vehicle body and the vehicle body (for example, the connection length between the buckle 14 and the vehicle body) can be changed between the contracted state and the extended state. For example, the normal restraint state can be ensured by maintaining the contracted state by, for example, the locking mechanism, while the buckle 14 and the tongue 15 are released when the locking mechanism is released to be in the extended state. The occupant's restraint is released even if the And what is necessary is just to set the actuator 35 as what cancels | releases the latching by the said locking mechanism.

  The actuator 35 is not limited to an electromagnetic type, and may employ an appropriate type such as one using explosive power of explosives (destructing the fastening portion between the buckle 14 and the tongue 15 with explosive power) (for example, Effective use of detonators for airbag devices). In addition, since it is assumed that it is an emergency when the actuator 35 operates, there is no problem even if the seat belt device B is partially destroyed. Each step or step group shown in the flowchart indicates the function of the controller U, and the name indicating the function can be attached to the name of the means so as to be grasped as a constituent requirement of the controller U.

  The present invention is preferable in preventing a situation where an occupant is unnecessarily restrained by a seat belt device.

M: Driver (occupant)
U: controller S: seat B: seat belt device 13: web 14: buckle 14a: insertion hole 14b: lock release button 15: tongue 31: vehicle speed sensor 32: microphone 35: actuator

Claims (8)

A seat belt device for restraining a passenger seated on the seat by fastening a tongue provided on the web to the buckle;
An actuator for releasing restraint of an occupant by the seat belt device;
A microphone for detecting a voice command related to the restraint release generated by the occupant;
Control means for operating the actuator when a voice command for releasing the constraint is detected by the microphone;
An automatic release device for a vehicle seatbelt device. In claim 1,
The automatic release device for a vehicle seat belt device, wherein the actuator releases the fastening between the buckle and the tongue. In claim 1 or claim 2,
A plurality of the seat belt devices are provided corresponding to a plurality of seats in the vehicle,
Each of the plurality of seat belt devices is provided with the actuator,
The control means operates the plurality of actuators simultaneously.
An automatic release device for a vehicle seat belt device. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3,
It further comprises vehicle speed detecting means for detecting the vehicle speed,
The control means operates the actuator on condition that the vehicle speed is zero by the vehicle speed detection means.
An automatic release device for a vehicle seat belt device. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 4,
It further comprises a collision detection means for detecting a vehicle collision,
The control means operates the actuator on condition that a collision of a vehicle is detected by the collision detection means.
An automatic release device for a vehicle seat belt device. In claim 2,
The buckle is provided with a lock release button, and when the lock release button is operated, the buckle is set to release the fastening to the tongue and pop the tongue out of the buckle. An automatic release device for a vehicle seat belt device. In claim 6,
An automatic release device for a vehicle seat belt device, wherein the actuator is provided on the buckle and is configured to displace the lock release button in a direction for releasing the fastening. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 7,
The contents of the voice command are set in advance to include a plurality of words,
The control means operates the actuator when the plurality of words are all detected by the microphone.
An automatic release device for a vehicle seat belt device.

Images