JPH06262972A - Car passenger sensing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To sense with high probability that any passenger has seated himself on a seat other than the driver's seat. CONSTITUTION:A passenger sensing device comprises passenger operation sensing means 21-23 (or 24-26) to emit signals upon sensing any specific operation committed by a passenger in a car seat and seating judging means 62-64 which judge any person having seated himself on any of the seats 2-4 from the signal fed by the passenger operation sensing means 21-23 (or 24-26).

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an occupant detecting device for an automobile, and more particularly to an occupant detecting device for detecting the presence or absence of an occupant in a seat other than the driver's seat of the automobile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is a seat belt for restraining the body of an occupant to a seat as a means for ensuring safety while the occupant of a vehicle is running. However, the wearing rate of the seat belt is not always high, and a danger is prevented when an accident occurs. It is the current situation that it is not possible to exert a sufficient effect on. In particular, the seat belt wearing rate of passengers other than the driver's seat (for example, a passenger seat or a rear seat) tends to be low.

In order to increase the seatbelt wearing rate, it is possible to force the occupant to wear the seatbelt. In that case, it is possible to determine whether or not the occupant is in the seat. It is necessary to judge well.

This passenger occupancy determination can be easily performed by turning the ignition switch on and off in the case of the driver's seat, but in the case of seats other than the driver's seat (for example, passenger seat or rear seat), it is determined that the occupant is in the passenger seat. Since it is necessary to distinguish it from the loading of luggage, there is a drawback that it cannot be easily performed.

In order to determine whether an occupant gets into a seat other than the driver's seat, a pressure sensitive switch is provided on the seat of the automobile and on the floor in front of the seat, and the occupant gets into the seat by operating the pressure sensitive switch. There is a method in which the judgment is made (for example, see JP-A-63-170148).

[0006]

However, as in the above-mentioned publicly known example, when the pressure-sensitive switches provided on the seat and the floor in front of the seat are only operated, the foot is pressure-sensitive depending on the posture of the occupant. The switch is not always activated, and it cannot be said that luggage is not loaded on both the seat and the front floor of the seat, which may result in erroneous detection.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is an object of the present invention to detect with high probability that an occupant is seated in a seat other than the driver's seat.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, as means for solving the above-mentioned problems, an occupant detection device for an automobile detects an occupant's specific operation in a seat and outputs a signal. And means for deciding whether the occupant is in the seat on the basis of a signal input from the occupant operation detecting means.

In a second aspect of the present invention, as means for solving the above-mentioned problems, an occupant detection device for an automobile is provided with a load detection means provided in a seat and a specific operation of the occupant in the seat to output a signal. The occupant operation detecting means and the occupant judging means for judging the occupant's getting on the seat based on the signal input from the load detecting means and the occupant operation detecting means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, as means for solving the above-mentioned problems, in the vehicle occupant detection device according to the first or second aspect, the occupant operation detection means is:
A door inner handle sensor that outputs a signal when the inner handle of the door corresponding to the seat is gripped is used.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, as means for solving the above-mentioned problems, in the vehicle occupant detection device according to the first or second aspect, the occupant operation detection means is:
The window glass operation sensor outputs a signal when opening and closing the window glass corresponding to the seat.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, as means for solving the above-mentioned problems, in the vehicle occupant detection device according to the first, second, third or fourth aspect, a door for detecting opening / closing of a door corresponding to a seat. Opening / closing detection means is additionally provided, and when the passenger determination means determines that the passenger is in the seat, the passenger opening / closing detection means continuously maintains the passenger opening / closing determination until the door opening / closing detection means detects that the door has been opened. I am saying that.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, as means for solving the above-mentioned problems, an occupant detection device for an automobile, a load detection means provided on a seat cushion and a seat back of a seat, and a seat back in an upright state. A seat back standing state detecting means for detecting the presence of the seat back, and a boarding determination means for judging the occupant's getting in the seat based on a signal input from the load detecting means and the seat back standing state detecting means. I have to.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, as means for solving the above problems, in the vehicle occupant detection device according to the first, second, third, fourth, fifth or sixth aspect, a child seat is provided for the seat. A child seat detection means for outputting a signal when attached is attached.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, as means for solving the above-mentioned problems, the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth aspects are provided.
Alternatively, in the vehicle occupant detection device described in 7, the seat is a seat other than the driver's seat.

[0016]

According to the invention of claim 1, 3, 4 or 8, the following actions can be obtained by the above means.

That is, when a specific operation by the occupant (for example, gripping of the door inner handle or opening / closing operation of the windshield) is detected, it is clearly distinguished from the luggage, and therefore the boarding determination means determines that seat (for example, other than the driver's seat). Passengers' seats will be determined.

In the invention of claim 2, 3, 4 or 8,
The following actions are obtained by the above means.

That is, the load is detected by the load detecting means provided in the seat (for example, the seat other than the driver's seat) and the specific operation of the occupant (for example, the grip of the door inner handle or the opening / closing operation of the windshield) is detected. Then, since the distinction from luggage is clear, the passenger determination means makes the passenger determination.

According to the invention of claim 5 or 8, the following actions are obtained by the above means.

That is, after the occupant determination means determines that the occupant is in the occupant, the occupant determination is continuously maintained until the door corresponding to the seat (for example, a seat other than the driver's seat) is opened or closed. Will be done.

According to the invention of claim 6 or 8, the following actions can be obtained by the above means.

That is, when the seat back in the seat (for example, a seat other than the driver's seat) is in an upright state and the load is detected by the load detection means provided in the seat cushion and the seat back, it is distinguished from the luggage. Because it ’s clear
The occupant boarding judgment is performed by the boarding judgment means.

According to the invention of claim 7 or 8, the following actions can be obtained by the above means.

That is, when the child seat is attached, it is impossible for an occupant to get into the seat (for example, a seat other than the driver's seat), and this can be confirmed by a signal input from the child seat detection means.

[0026]

According to the first, third, fourth and eighth aspects of the present invention, when a specific operation of an occupant (for example, gripping of a door inner handle or opening / closing operation of a windshield) is detected, it is distinguished from luggage. Obviously, the seat is judged by the boarding determination means.
Since the passenger occupancy determination is performed in the seat (for example, a seat other than the driver's seat), there is an excellent effect that the occupant detection can be performed with extremely high accuracy by reliably distinguishing the occupant's occupancy and the loading of luggage.

According to the invention of claim 2, 3, 4 or 8, the load is detected by the load detecting means provided in the seat (for example, the seat other than the driver's seat) and the occupant performs a specific operation (for example, inside the door). When the gripping of the handle or the opening / closing operation of the windshield) is detected, the distinction from the luggage is made clear, and the occupant occupancy determination is performed by the occupancy determination means. There is an excellent effect that occupant detection can be performed with extremely high accuracy.

According to the fifth or eighth aspect of the present invention, after the passenger determination means determines that the passenger is on the vehicle, the door corresponding to the seat (for example, a seat other than the driver's seat) is opened and closed. Since the passenger occupancy determination is continuously maintained, there is an excellent effect that it is possible to easily deal with the case where the occupant detection cannot be performed due to the movement of the occupant in the seat or the like.

According to the invention of claim 6 or 8, the seat
(For example, when the seat back in the seat other than the driver's seat is in the upright state and the load is detected by the load detection means provided on the seat cushion and the seat back,
Since the occupant determination is performed by the occupancy determination unit after the distinction between the occupant and the baggage is clear, there is an excellent effect that the occupant detection can be performed with extremely high accuracy by reliably distinguishing the occupant's occupancy and the load.

According to the invention of claim 7 or 8, when the child seat is attached, the seat (for example,
Since it is impossible for an occupant to get on a seat (other than the driver's seat), this can be confirmed by a signal input from the child seat detection means, which makes it easy to determine whether the occupant is on board when the child seat is attached. effective.

[0031]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, a vehicle to which the vehicle occupant detection apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4.

This vehicle is of a four-seat type having a driver's seat 1, a passenger's seat 2, and left and right rear seats 3, 4, and each of the seats 1 to 4 is a seat for restraining an occupant's body. Belts 5-8 are attached respectively.
Reference numeral 9 is a shift lever.

An ignition switch 10 (see FIG. 1) is provided at a proper position in front of the driver's seat 1, and it is possible to determine whether or not the occupant gets on the driver's seat 1 by turning on the ignition switch. ing.

Seat cushions 2a-4a and seat backs 2b-4b of the passenger seat 2 and the left and right rear seats 3, 4
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the seat cushion pressure sensors 11 to 13 and the seat back pressure sensor 1 functioning as load detecting means for detecting the load of the occupant.
4-16 are attached respectively. Further, in the passenger seat 2, a seat back standing state detecting means (in this embodiment, a seat back angle sensor 17) for detecting the standing state of the seat backs 2b to 4b by detecting the tilt angle of the seat back 2a. Is attached. It should be noted that the left and right rear seats 3 and 4 need to be provided with seat back angle sensors in the case of the reclining type, but in the present embodiment, they are fixed, so seat back angle sensors are not provided.

The pressure sensors 11 to 16 and the seat back angle sensor 17 are provided in order to discriminate when the occupant is seated on the seat and when the luggage or the like is put on the seat, and the seat cushion pressure sensor. 1
If pressure is applied to both the seat back pressure sensors 1 to 13 and the seat back pressure sensors 14 to 16 and that the seat backs 2b to 4b are in a standing state to some extent, it is possible to determine that the passenger is riding.

Depending on the posture of the occupant, it may not be possible to determine the occupant's riding by the detection only by the pressure sensors 11 to 16 and the seat back angle sensor 17. Therefore, the doors corresponding to the seats 2 to 4 are opened and closed. Door open / close detection means (door open / close sensor) 18 for detecting
20 to 20 (see FIG. 1), door inner handle sensors 21 to 23 for detecting that an occupant grips the inner handles of the doors corresponding to the respective seats 2 to 4, and the windows corresponding to the respective seats 2 to 4. Wind glass operation sensors 24 to 26 (see FIG. 1) for detecting the up-and-down operation of the glass are additionally provided. The door inside handle sensors 21 to 23 and the window glass operation sensors 24 to 26 detect a specific operation of an occupant and act as occupant operation detecting means. The detection by these sensors 18 to 26 does not occur unless the occupant is seated in each of the seats 2 to 4, and is useful for the occupant's boarding discrimination.

Further, the seat belts 5 to 8 are provided with seat belt sensors 27 to 30 (see FIG. 1) for detecting the wearing states of these seat belts 5 to 8, respectively.

Further, the passenger seat 2 and the left and right rear seats 3 and 4 are constructed so that a child seat 31 for mounting an infant can be attached thereto. As shown in FIG. 4, the child seat 31 is attached when the child seat is attached. The engaging pieces 32, 32 protruding from the back of the seat are seat 2
The switches 34 provided in the fitting recesses 33, 33 are turned on by being engaged with the fitting recesses 33, 33 respectively formed in FIGS. That is, the switch 34 acts as a child seat detection means (in other words, a child seat sensor) that detects the attachment of the child seat 31. In some cases, the seating surface of the child seat 31 may be provided with a child seat pressure sensor 35 for detecting the load of the infant, and in that case, the child seat seat belt sensor 36 for detecting the wearing of the child seat seat belt 35 is provided. Signals from the child seat pressure sensor 35 and the child seat seat belt sensor 36 are transmitted to the engaging piece 3
It is supposed to be transmitted to the vehicle side via the engaging portions between the 2, 32 and the fitting recesses 33, 33.

Therefore, the vehicle occupant detection device of this embodiment is used for occupant detection in the seat belt wearing promotion device shown in FIG. 1, and is used to detect the occupant riding state in the driver's seat 1. A seat occupant determination circuit 61, a passenger occupant determination circuit 62 that detects the occupant riding state on the passenger seat 2, a left rear occupant determination circuit 63 that detects the occupant riding state on the left rear seat 3, and a right And a right rear seat occupant determination circuit 64 for detecting the occupant riding state on the rear seat 4. In the case of this embodiment, each of the determination circuits 6
The signals from 1 to 64 are input to the control circuit 65, and the control circuit 65 performs various calculations, various determinations, and various control signal outputs.

A signal from the ignition switch 10 is input to the driver seat occupant determination circuit 61, and the occupant boarding signal K ₁ is output to the control circuit 65 in response to the input of the signal.

The passenger seat occupant determination circuit 62 is provided in the passenger seat 2
And a seat cushion pressure sensor 11, a seat back pressure sensor 14, a seat back angle sensor 17, a door opening / closing sensor 18, a door inside grip sensor 21, Wind glass operation sensor 2
4. Signals from the child seat sensor 34 and the child seat pressure sensor 35 are input, various determinations (described later in detail) are performed based on these input signals, and an occupant boarding signal K ₂ is output to the control circuit 65. Has become.

The left and right rear seat occupancy determination circuits 63 and 64 function as occupant determination means for the rear seats for determining occupant occupancy in the left and right rear seats 3 and 4, and the seat cushion pressure sensors 12 and 13 and the seat cushion pressure sensors. The signals from the back pressure sensors 15 and 16, the door opening and closing sensors 19 and 20, the door inside handle sensors 22 and 23, the window glass operation sensors 25 and 26, the child seat sensor 34, and the child seat pressure sensor 35 are input respectively. Various determinations (which will be described later in detail) are made based on the signals and the occupant boarding signal K ₃ ,
It is supposed to output K ₄ respectively.

That is, the boarding determination circuits 61 to 64 constitute a boarding determination means.

The boarding judgment circuits 61 to 64 are arranged to open the door opening / closing sensors 21 to 21 when the passenger boarding judgment is made.
It is supposed that the passenger occupancy determination is continuously maintained until it is detected by 23 that the door is opened.

In the control circuit 65, in addition to the occupant boarding signals K _{1 to} K ₄ , the seat belt sensors 27 to 30, the child seat seat belt sensor 37, the vehicle speed sensor 42 for detecting the vehicle speed, and the opening of the throttle valve. The throttle valve opening sensor 43 for detecting the shift, and the shift sensor 4 for detecting that the shift lever 9 is shifted to the traveling state.
4 and signals from the emergency switch 45 for detecting an emergency state are input, various calculations and determinations (described later) are performed based on these input signals, and the engine 46, the message output device 47, A control signal is to be output to the warning light 48.

Next, the operation of the vehicle occupant detection system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the flow charts shown in FIGS. In addition, the riding state of the driver's seat occupant is
As described above, it is detected by the ON operation of the ignition switch 10.

(I) Passenger Seat Occupancy Determination In step S ₁ of the flowchart of FIG. 5, it is determined whether or not the child seat 31 is attached (in other words, whether or not there is a signal input from the child seat sensor 34). made, when the child seat 31 is attached, since the front passenger's seat 2 occupant is no possibility of riding, OFF state timer (not shown) in step S ₂ (i.e., T = 0) after no a , In step S ₃ , it is determined that the passenger is not in the vehicle, and in step S ₄ , the passenger flag Fs is reset to 0 and the process returns.

In step S ₁ , the child seat 3
When one is determined to have not been Installing is (in other words, whether there is a signal input from the door sensor 18) whether or passenger's side door is opened and closed in step S ₅ the determination of If there is no opening / closing operation of the passenger door, it is assumed that there is no occupant in step S.
_{Then, the} procedure proceeds to step ₂ , and thereafter the same processing as described above is performed.

If it is determined in step S ₅ that the passenger door has been opened / closed, it is determined in step S ₆ whether the occupant flag Fs is 0 or not.
In the first process proceeds to Fs = 0 since steps S _7, whether or not there is a signal input from the seat cushion pressure sensor 11 determination is made. Here, if a negative determination is made, it is determined that the occupant has not boarded, the process proceeds to step S ₃ , and the same processing as described above is performed thereafter.

If an affirmative decision is made in step S ₇ , whether or not the seat back 2b is in the upright state in step S ₈ (in other words, the tilt angle detected by the seat back angle sensor 17 is within the predetermined range). If there is no occupant, the seat back 2b means that the occupant cannot enter the vehicle. As a result, the process proceeds to step S ₃ , and thereafter the same processing as described above is performed.

If an affirmative decision is made in step S ₈ , it is decided in step S ₉ whether or not there is a signal input from the seatback pressure sensor 14.
Here, if a negative determination is made, whether or not there is a signal input from the door inside handle sensor 21 determination is made in step S _10, when a negative determination Again,
In step S ₁₁ , the window glass operation sensor 24
It is determined whether or not there has been signal input is made from, when a negative determination Again, it is determined that the load rests on the seat cushion 2a, in step S ₃ as there was no passenger boarding After that, the same processing as described above is performed.

If an affirmative decision is made in step S ₉ , the timer is activated in step S ₁₂ .
(That is, T = T + 1) and a predetermined time T ₁ (for example, 5
If the state continues until (seconds) has elapsed (step S ₁₃ ), it is determined in step S ₁₄ that the occupant is on board, the occupant flag Fs is set to 1 in step S ₁₅ , and the process returns. In step S ₁₃ , the predetermined time T
_{If the} above condition is resolved before ₁ has passed, the seat cushion pressure sensor 11
And it is determined that the seat back pressure sensor 14 is malfunctioning, the process proceeds to step S ₃ as there was no passenger boarding, hereafter the same processing is performed. In addition,
The processing in steps S ₁₂ and S ₁₃ is omitted, and only the affirmative determination in step S ₉ is performed in step S _14.
It is also possible to proceed directly to (indicated by the dotted line) and determine that the passenger is on board.

Incidentally, step S ₁₀ or step S ₁₁
If the affirmative determination is made in, the operation is impossible unless the occupant is in the vehicle. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S ₁₄ and it is determined that the occupant is in the vehicle.

(II) Judgment of Backseat Occupant In step S ₁ of the flowchart of FIG. 6, it is judged whether or not the child seat 31 is attached (in other words, whether or not there is a signal input from the child seat sensor 34). If the child seat 31 is attached, the rear seat 3 (or 4)
Since there is no possibility that an occupant gets on the vehicle, the timer (not shown) is turned off in step S ₂ (that is, Ta = 0).
After that, it is determined in step S ₃ that the passenger is not in the vehicle, the passenger flag Fs is reset to 0 in step S ₄ , and the process returns.

In step S ₁ , the child seat 3
If it is determined that No. 1 has not been installed, whether or not the rear seat side door has been opened / closed in step S ₅
(In other words, whether or not there is a signal input from the door opening / closing sensor 19 or 20), and if there is no opening / closing operation of the rear seat door, it is determined that there is no occupant and the process proceeds to step S ₂ . After that, the same processing as described above is performed.

If it is determined in step S ₅ that the rear seat door has been opened / closed, it is determined in step S ₆ whether or not there is a signal input from the seat cushion pressure sensor 12 or 13. If a negative determination is made here, the timer is activated in step S ₇ (Tb = Tb + 1), and the predetermined time T
_If the state continues until ₂ (for example, 10 seconds) have elapsed, it is determined that the passenger has not boarded, and the process proceeds to step S ₂ , and the same processing as described above is performed thereafter. If there is a signal input from the seat cushion pressure sensor 12 or 13 in step S ₆ before the predetermined time T ₂ has elapsed (that is, if the occupant has moved in the back seat), or an affirmative determination in step S ₆ . have been the case (i.e., if there is no movement of the occupant in the rear seat), the determination of whether the occupant flag Fs is zero in step S ₉ made, in the first processing Fs
= 0, so the process proceeds to step S _10, whether or not there is a signal input from the seat back pressure sensor 15 or 16 determination is made. When the rear seats 3 and 4 are of the reclining type, a process for determining whether or not the tilt angles of the seat backs 3b and 4b are within a predetermined range as in the passenger seat 2 (that is, step S Insert ₉ ').

[0058] When a negative determination is made in step S _10, the door inner handle sensor 22 in step S ₁₁
Alternatively, it is determined whether or not there is a signal input from 23, and if a negative determination is also made here, step S ₁₂
At window glass operation sensor 25 or 26
It is determined whether or not there is a signal input from the vehicle, and if a negative determination is made here as well, it is determined that the luggage is placed on the seat cushion 3a or 4a, and it is determined that the passenger has not boarded in step S. Proceed to step ₃ , and thereafter the same processing as described above is performed.

[0059] When an affirmative determination is made in step S _10, the timer is actuated at step S ₁₃
(That is, Ta = Ta + 1) and a predetermined time T ₁ (for example, 5
If the state continues until (seconds) has elapsed (step S ₁₄ ), it is determined that the passenger has boarded in step S ₁₅ , the passenger flag Fs is set to 1 in step S ₁₆ , and the process returns. In step S ₁₄ , the predetermined time T
_{If the} above condition is resolved before ₁ has passed, the seat cushion pressure sensor 12
Alternatively 13 and the seat back pressure sensor 15 or 16 is determined that the malfunction, the process proceeds to step S ₃ as there was no passenger boarding, hereafter the same processing is performed. Alternatively, the processing in steps S ₁₃ and S ₁₄ may be omitted, and only the affirmative determination in step S ₁₀ may directly proceed to step S ₁₅ (indicated by a dotted line) to determine that the passenger is on board.

Incidentally, step S ₁₁ or step S ₁₂
In the case where a positive determination is made, because it can not work if the occupant is not riding, the process proceeds to step S _15, it is determined that the occupant riding.

(III) Judgment of Child Seat Occupant In step S ₁ of the flowchart of FIG. 7, it is judged whether or not the child seat 31 is attached (in other words, whether or not there is a signal input from the child seat sensor 34). If it is determined that the child seat 31 is attached, step S
_{At 2} , it is determined whether or not there is a signal input from the child seat pressure sensor 35. If a positive result in this case, the occupant of the child seat 31 in step S ₃ (i.e., infant) is determined that there is ride, when a negative determination is made, the occupant of the child seat 31 in step S ₄ ( That is, it is determined that there is no infant). In other words, with respect to the child seat 31, whether to get in or not to go is determined based on whether or not there is a signal input from the child seat pressure sensor 35.

Next, the operation of the seatbelt wearing promotion device equipped with the vehicle occupant detection device according to this embodiment (that is,
The operation of the control circuit) will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

[0063] initializing the control circuit 65 in step S ₁ in the flowchart of FIG. 8 is performed, signals from various sensors, are input in step S _2, described above in step _{S 3 (I), (II} ), (III The occupant boarding decision for each seat is made in the manner of).

If it is determined in step S _{3 that} the occupant is in the driver's seat 1 and at least one of the other seats 2 to 4, step S ₄
In, it is determined whether or not an emergency signal (for example, a signal from the emergency switch 45 or a detection signal indicating that the throttle valve opening is equal to or larger than a predetermined opening) is input. Here, if an affirmative determination is made, since emergency occurs, the process proceeds to step S ₁₇ to be described later, when the already engine output restriction has been made is immediately deregulation. In addition,
When an emergency signal is output by turning on the emergency switch 45, the emergency switch 45 is operated for a predetermined time (for example, 6 hours).
It is supposed to be automatically turned off after a lapse of time.

If a negative determination is made in step S ₄ , whether or not the occupant in the driver's seat 1 (that is, the driver) is wearing the seatbelt 5 in step S ₅ (in other words, the seatbelt sensor 27). it is determined whether or not) there is a signal input made from, where negative (i.e., when the seat belt is not mounted as determined) has been the presence of normal running flag F ₂ in step S ₆ (i.e., normal running when either unusual or during running) is determined, if it is determined that the time of non-normal running, it is determined whether the time of running early in the step S ₇ is performed.

This determination at the beginning of running is to output a signal when the vehicle speed has risen to a predetermined value (for example, 3 km / h → 5 km / h), or the shift lever 9 shifts from the P / N range to the D range. The shift sensor 44 outputs a signal when it is turned on.

[0067] affirmative determination in step S ₇ (i.e., the running initial time and determination) if has been a predetermined alarm message from the message output device 47 in step S ₈ (e.g., "seat belt vehicle speed for unattached It is limited ") is output, and then the process proceeds to step S ₉ . Note that negative (i.e., during non-traveling initial and determination) at step S ₇ when been, the process proceeds to step S ₉ bypasses the step S _8. That is, the warning message is to be issued at the beginning of traveling.

In step S ₉ , the vehicle speed V is compared with the regulation speed Vs (for example, 20 km / h). If V ≧ Vs, the output regulation of the engine 46 (for example, opening the throttle valve is performed in step S ₁₀₎ . (Regulation for narrowing the degree by a predetermined amount) is performed, control is performed so that V <Vs, and the engine output regulation flag F ₁ is set to 1 in step S ₁₁ . Although so as to compare the regulation vehicle speed Vs and the vehicle speed V at step S _9, the engine speed N and the restricting rotation speed Ns (e.g., 1500 rpm) and comparing, N <Ns
It may be controlled so that

When V <Vs is determined in step S ₉ , it is determined in step S ₁₂ whether or not the vehicle is in a traffic jam state. This traffic congestion judgment is based on the vehicle speed V =
If the running condition of 0 to 10 km / h continues for 5 minutes or more, it is detected as a traffic jam and the vehicle speed V is 10 km / h even once.
If it exceeds, it will be considered as non-traffic driving. If it is determined that the traffic jam running in step S _12, a warning lamp 48 is illuminated in step S ₁₃ from where the driver in Step S ₅ is determined to seat belt not mounted,
This will encourage the driver to wear the seat belt 5. The reason for performing this control is that the engine output is not regulated even when the occupant removes the seat belt during traveling in a traffic jam, and therefore it is necessary to notify the driver by turning on the warning light 48. If it is determined that the non-congested traveling in step S _12, the degree is not necessary to perform the engine output restricting vehicle speed
(Or engine speed) as well as a, so your it even less of a rear collision, as in the traffic jam, bypassing the step S ₁₃ (in other words, without turning on the warning lamp 48)
To return.

On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S ₅ (that is, it is determined that the seat belt is worn), another occupant (for example, a passenger in the front seat or a passenger in the rear seat) wears the seat belt in step S ₁₄ . Or not (in other words, the seat belt sensors 27 to 30 and 37
The presence / absence of an input signal from) is determined. Here, negative (i.e., the seat belt is not mounted and determination) if has been the automotive determination is made whether the time of starting in step S _15. If a positive result is obtained in this it does not perform the processing of the following steps S ₇ described above, the determination of whether the engine output restriction flag F ₁ = 1 at step S ₁₆ of FIG. 9 is performed. F ₁ = 0 when starting
So the process proceeds to step S _17, engine output regulation is released. The reason for performing such control is that it is considered that passengers other than the driver do not always wear the seatbelt at the same time as getting on the vehicle, and often wear the seatbelt some time after starting the vehicle. .

When the engine output restriction is released in step S ₁₇ , the engine output restriction flag F ₁ = 0 is reset in step S ₁₈ , and it is determined in step S ₁₉ whether or not the vehicle is in the normal running state. The normal traveling determination is performed by determining the vehicle speed V and the regulation speed Vs (for example, 20 km / h).
Are compared, and if V> Vs, it is determined that the vehicle is running normally,
In step S ₂₀ is set to the normal running flag F ₂ = 1, if the V ≦ Vs, it is determined that a non-normal driving is reset in step S ₂₁ to F ₂ = 0, is then returned.

[0072] When it is determined not to be at the start in step S _15, the process returns to step S _6, as if the driver seat belt is not mounted normal running flag F ₂ = 1
In it is determined whether or not is made, negative (i.e., non-normal running judged) when has been in the process of the following steps S ₇ described above is performed, an affirmative determination is made (i.e., determines that the normal running) If the the warning lamp 48 is illuminated in step S _22, the process returns to step S ₁₇ subsequent Figure 9, the engine output restriction is released. If such control is performed, even if the occupant removes the seat belt during normal traveling (for example, traveling at a speed of 20 km / h or more), the engine output regulation will not be performed, so a rapid deceleration will occur. Will not happen.

If it is determined in step S ₁₄ that the other occupants also wear seat belts (in other words, if it is determined that all the occupants wear seat belts), step S ₁₅
9 is bypassed, the process proceeds to step S _{16 in} FIG. 9, and it is determined whether or not the engine output regulation flag F ₁ = 1.
When F ₁ = 0, all of them are wearing the seat belts, so the engine output regulation is naturally released in step S ₁₇ .

By the way, in step S ₁₆ , F ₁ = 1
(I.e., the engine output restriction) When it is determined that the throttle valve it is determined whether or not being actuated in the opening direction is made in step S _23. This determination is made by a signal input from a throttle valve opening sensor 43, an affirmative decision (i.e., determined that the throttle valve opening operation) when it is, the engine output restriction in step S ₂₄ is maintained , Then returned. As a result, even when the occupant wears the seat belt while the throttle valve is operating in the opening direction, the output restriction of the engine is not released, so that sudden acceleration is prevented. Step S
Negative (i.e., a determination throttle valve closing direction during operation) at ₂₃ while it is in progress, the engine output restriction is released in step S _17.

The invention of the present application is not limited to the configuration of the above-mentioned embodiment, and it goes without saying that the design can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the invention.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a seat belt wearing promotion device including an automobile occupant detection device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an outline of an automobile equipped with an occupant detection device for an automobile according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a seat in an automobile equipped with an occupant detection device for an automobile according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which a child seat is attached to an automobile equipped with an occupant detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for performing passenger seating determination in the vehicle occupant detection apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
(That is, the passenger seating determination routine).

FIG. 6 is a flow chart (ie, a rear seat riding determination routine) for performing a rear seat riding determination in the vehicle occupant detection apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for performing a child seat riding determination in the vehicle occupant detection apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention (that is, a child seat riding determination routine).
Is.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart (first half) for explaining the operation of the seatbelt wearing promotion device using the vehicle occupant detection device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart (second half) for explaining the operation of the seatbelt wearing promotion device using the vehicle occupant detection device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 is a driver's seat, 2 is a passenger seat, 3 is a left rear seat, 4 is a right rear seat, 5-8 is a seat belt, 9 is a shift lever, 10
Is an ignition switch, and 11 to 13 are load detecting means.
(Seat cushion pressure sensor), 14 to 16 are load detecting means (seat back pressure sensor), 17 is standing state detecting means (seat back angle sensor), 18 to 20 are door opening / closing detecting means (door opening / closing sensor), 21 to 21. 23 is an occupant operation detection means (door inside handle sensor), 24 to 26 are occupant operation detection means (window glass operation sensor), 27
-30 is a seat belt sensor, 31 is a child seat, 34 is a child seat sensor, 35 is a child seat pressure sensor, 36 is a child seat seat belt, 37 is a child seat seat belt sensor, 42 is a vehicle speed sensor, and 43 is a throttle valve opening sensor. , 44 is a shift sensor, 45 is an emergency switch, 46 is an engine, 47 is a message output device, 48
Is a warning light, and 61 to 64 are boarding judgment means (boarding judgment circuit).

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An occupant operation detecting means for detecting a specific operation of an occupant in a seat and outputting a signal, and an occupant determining means for deciding whether the occupant is in the seat based on a signal input from the occupant operation detecting means. An occupant detection device for an automobile, comprising: 2. A load detecting means provided in a seat, an occupant operation detecting means for detecting a specific operation of an occupant in the seat and outputting a signal, and a signal input from the load detecting means and the occupant operation detecting means. An occupant detection device for a vehicle, comprising: an occupant determination unit that determines whether the occupant is seated in the seat. 3. The vehicle inner handle according to claim 1, wherein the occupant operation detecting means is a door inner handle sensor that outputs a signal when the inner handle of the door corresponding to the seat is gripped. Occupant detection device. 4. The vehicle occupant detection system according to claim 1, wherein the occupant operation detection means is a window glass operation sensor that outputs a signal when the window glass corresponding to a seat is opened and closed. apparatus. 5. A door opening / closing detection means for detecting opening / closing of a door corresponding to a seat is additionally provided, and when the passenger determination of the seat is made by the boarding determination means, the door is opened by the door opening / closing detection means. The passenger occupancy determination is continuously maintained until it is detected that the opening operation has been performed.
The vehicle occupant detection device described. 6. A load detection means provided on each of a seat cushion and a seat back of a seat, a seat back upright state detection means for detecting that the seat back is in an upright state, the load detection means and the seat back upright state. An occupant detection device for a vehicle, comprising: an occupant determination unit that determines whether an occupant is in the seat based on a signal input from the detection unit. 7. The child seat detection means for outputting a signal when a child seat is attached to the seat is further provided.
The vehicle occupant detection device according to 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6. 8. The seat according to claim 1, wherein the seat is a seat other than a driver's seat.
Alternatively, the vehicle occupant detection device according to item 7.