JPH08169289A - Occupant monitoring device, air bag device and vehicular control device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To prevent an air bag from being unfolded at an unnecessary place by detecting the presence or absence of an occupant on a seat and his/her sitting posture on the basis of information from a seat position sensor for detecting positional information on a seat relative to a vehicle, and a distance sensor for outputting information on a distance up to the member on the seat. CONSTITUTION: An optical section built into a distance sensor 15 is formed out of a light emitting element 20A for an object and a light receiving element 20B, and a measurement circuit 21 makes a comparison between output data therefrom for measuring a distance. Furthermore, a collision judgment means 24A for detecting the occurrence of the collision of a vehicle, a crew judgment means 24B for selecting reference distance data corresponding to the output of a seat position sensor 16, among reference distance data saved in a distance memory 24C, this distance memory 24C and an output selection means 24D are processed in a microcomputer 24. When a crew-member is detected as seated, a start signal is outputted to the means 24D, and ignition circuits 25A and 25B are actuated to inflate an air bag 14.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an occupant monitoring device mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile for monitoring an occupant, an airbag device for protecting the occupant in the event of a vehicle collision, and an air conditioner for adjusting the temperature of air in the vehicle. The present invention relates to a vehicle control device that controls a vehicle audio device that outputs a sound to a vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an airbag device has been widely used which absorbs a shock to an occupant by deploying an airbag in front of an occupant by using gas pressure when a vehicle collides. In such an airbag device, the airbag is deployed by a constant deployment force regardless of the actual distance between the occupant and the airbag, so if the occupant is too close to the airbag, The impact will be too strong.

Therefore, as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 5-246300, the occupant and the airbag are determined from the displacement amount (sliding amount) before and after the seat on which the occupant sits and the inclination amount (reclining amount) of the backrest. There is known an occupant protection device that estimates the distance and adjusts the deployment force of the airbag based on the estimated distance between the occupant and the airbag. In addition, as a conventional technique, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-6085
No. 8, JP-A-4-191146, and JP-A-4-191146.
Japanese Patent No. 1911148 is known.

[0004]

Since the conventional occupant protection device as described above cannot detect the seated posture of the occupant, for example, the occupant is placed in front of the seat (that is,
If you are sitting (shallow), the distance between the seat and the airbag is too close, and the distance between the occupant and the airbag becomes too close, and a considerable impact is applied to the occupant when the airbag is deployed. As a result, the passengers could get hurt.

Further, since it is not possible to detect whether or not the occupant is seated, the airbag is inflated even in the seat where the occupant is not seated, so that the airbag is unnecessary even in a place where it is unnecessary. It was supposed to be deployed.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to obtain an occupant monitoring device, an airbag device, and a vehicle control device capable of detecting the sitting posture of an occupant. And

Another object of the present invention is to obtain an occupant monitoring device, an air bag device, and a vehicle control device which can easily detect whether or not an occupant is seated.

[0008]

An occupant monitoring system according to the present invention provides a seat position sensor for detecting the position of a seat with respect to a vehicle and outputting seat position information, and a distance information to a passenger on the seat provided in the vehicle. A distance sensor for outputting and an occupant presence detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of an occupant on the seat based on the seat position information and the distance information are provided.

Further, a seat position sensor for detecting the position of a displaceable seat with respect to the vehicle and outputting seat position information, a distance sensor provided in the vehicle for outputting distance information to an occupant on the seat, and seat position information Distance sensor driving means for changing the measurement direction of the distance sensor based on the distance sensor and occupant presence detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of an occupant on the seat based on the seat position information and the distance information are provided.

Further, a seat position sensor for detecting the position of the seat with respect to the vehicle and outputting the seat position information, a distance sensor provided in the vehicle for outputting distance information to an occupant on the seat, and a distance based on the seat position information. A seat distance information calculating means for calculating the distance from the sensor to the seat and outputting the seat distance information, and an occupant detecting means for comparing the distance information with the seat distance information and detecting the presence or absence or the posture of the occupant on the seat are provided. It is a thing.

Further, a reference seat distance information storage means for storing a plurality of reference seat distance information is provided, and the seat distance information calculating means selects a seat position from the plurality of reference seat distance information stored in the reference seat distance information storage means. Based on the information, one reference seat distance information is selected, and this one reference seat distance information is output as seat distance information.

Further, a seat movement amount sensor for detecting a movement amount of a seat moving back and forth in the vehicle, and a reflected light of light directed to the seat provided in the vehicle to receive a reflected light of the direction of the seat to a target object. A distance sensor that calculates a distance value, a seat distance information calculation unit that calculates a distance value from the distance sensor to the seat based on the amount of movement of the seat, and a distance sensor calculated by the seat distance information calculation unit to the seat. If the distance value is smaller than the distance value from the distance sensor calculated by the distance sensor to the target object, an occupant determination means for determining that an occupant is sitting on the seat is provided.

Also, a seat position sensor for detecting the position of the seat with respect to the vehicle and outputting the seat position information, a distance sensor provided in the vehicle for outputting the distance information to the occupant on the seat, and the seat position information and the distance information And an occupant posture detecting means for detecting the posture of the occupant on the seat based on the above.

Further, a seat movement amount sensor for detecting a movement amount of a seat moving back and forth in the vehicle, and a light emitting element provided in the vehicle for directing light to the seat and outputting light from the light receiving element, and a light target object. Distance sensor for receiving the reflected light from the target to calculate the distance value to the target object, seat distance information calculating means for calculating the distance value from the distance sensor to the seat based on the movement amount of the seat, and seat distance information calculating means Occupant position and attitude detection that detects the position and attitude of the occupant on the seat based on the difference between the distance value from the distance sensor calculated in step 2 to the seat and the distance value calculated from the distance sensor to the target object And means are provided.

The airbag device according to the present invention includes a seat position sensor for detecting a position of a seat with respect to the vehicle and outputting seat position information, and a distance sensor provided in the vehicle for outputting distance information to an occupant on the seat. And an airbag for protecting the occupant on the seat, and an occupant presence detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the occupant on the seat based on the seat position information and distance information, and the presence or absence of the occupant detected by the occupant presence detecting means. The operation of the airbag is prohibited or permitted based on the above.

Further, a seat position sensor for detecting the position of the seat with respect to the vehicle and outputting seat position information, a distance sensor provided in the upper part of the vehicle for outputting distance information to an occupant on the seat, and a seat top An airbag that protects the passengers of
An occupant posture detecting means for detecting the posture of the occupant on the seat based on the seat position information and the distance information is provided, and the airbag is controlled based on the posture of the occupant on the seat detected by the occupant posture detecting means. It is a thing.

The vehicle control device according to the present invention includes a seat position sensor for detecting the position of each of a plurality of seats provided in the vehicle with respect to the vehicle and outputting seat position information, and each of the plurality of seats. A distance sensor that outputs distance information to an occupant on the seat, an occupant presence detection unit that detects the presence or absence of an occupant on each of the plurality of seats based on the seat position information and the distance information, and A control means for controlling the controlled portion provided corresponding to each seat is provided, and the control means is controlled based on the presence or absence of an occupant on each of the plurality of seats detected by the occupant presence detection means. It controls the control unit.

The controlled unit is a voice output device or an air conditioner.

In the occupant monitoring device, the airbag device, or the vehicle control device according to the present invention, the seat position sensor detects a change in the shape of the seat and outputs it as seat position information.

The distance sensor is oriented downward from the horizontal direction.

Further, the distance sensor is oriented downward from a line connecting the distance sensor and the front end portion or the rear end portion of the vehicle.

[0022]

An occupant monitoring system according to the present invention includes a seat position sensor for detecting a position of a seat with respect to a vehicle and outputting seat position information, and a distance sensor provided for the vehicle to output distance information to an occupant on the seat. Since occupant presence detection means for detecting the presence or absence of an occupant on the seat based on the seat position information and the distance information is provided, even if the position of the seat with respect to the vehicle changes, the occupant can be detected from the seat position information and the distance information. The presence or absence of can be detected.

Further, a seat position sensor for detecting the position of a displaceable seat with respect to the vehicle and outputting seat position information, a distance sensor provided in the vehicle for outputting distance information to an occupant on the seat, and seat position information Since the distance sensor drive means for changing the measurement direction of the distance sensor based on the distance sensor and the occupant presence detection means for detecting the presence or absence of an occupant on the seat based on the seat position information and the distance information are provided, Even if the position changes, the driving means can change the measuring direction of the distance sensor based on the seat position information, and the presence or absence of an occupant can be detected by the seat area information and the distance information.

Further, a seat position sensor that detects the position of the seat with respect to the vehicle and outputs the seat position information, a distance sensor that is provided in the vehicle and that outputs distance information to an occupant on the seat, and a distance based on the seat position information. A seat distance information calculating means for calculating the distance from the sensor to the seat and outputting the seat distance information, and an occupant detecting means for comparing the distance information with the seat distance information and detecting the presence or absence of the occupant on the seat or the posture thereof are provided. Therefore, even if the position of the seat with respect to the vehicle changes, seat distance information is calculated based on the seat position information, and this seat distance information is compared with the distance information output from the distance sensor to determine the occupant's position. Presence or absence can be detected.

Further, a reference seat distance information storage means for storing a plurality of reference seat distance information is provided, and the seat distance information calculation means selects a seat position from the plurality of reference seat distance information stored in the reference seat distance information storage means. Since one reference seat distance information is selected based on the information and the one reference seat distance information is output as seat distance information, it is stored in advance in the reference seat distance information storage means and has a large error. It is possible to select from a plurality of non-reference seat distance information based on the seat position information and output it as seat distance information.

Further, a seat movement amount sensor for detecting a movement amount of a seat moving forward and backward in the vehicle, and a reflected light of light directed to the seat provided in the vehicle are received to reach a target in the seat direction. A distance sensor that calculates a distance value, a seat distance information calculation unit that calculates a distance value from the distance sensor to the seat based on the amount of movement of the seat, and a distance sensor calculated by the seat distance information calculation unit to the seat. If the distance value of is smaller than the distance value from the distance sensor calculated by the distance sensor to the target object, the occupant determination means for determining that the occupant is sitting on the seat is provided. It is possible to determine whether or not the occupant is sitting in the seat even when moving back and forth.

Further, a seat position sensor for detecting the position of the seat with respect to the vehicle and outputting the seat position information, a distance sensor provided in the vehicle for outputting the distance information to the occupant on the seat, the seat position information and the distance information. Since the occupant posture detecting means for detecting the posture of the occupant on the seat based on the above is provided, the posture of the occupant on the seat can be detected even if the position of the seat with respect to the vehicle changes.

Further, a seat movement amount sensor for detecting a movement amount of a seat that moves back and forth in a vehicle, and a light emitting element which is provided in the vehicle and which is directed to the seat, outputs light, and a light receiving element causes a light target object. Distance sensor for receiving the reflected light from the target to calculate the distance value to the target object, seat distance information calculating means for calculating the distance value from the distance sensor to the seat based on the movement amount of the seat, and seat distance information calculating means Occupant position and attitude detection that detects the position and attitude of the occupant on the seat based on the difference between the distance value from the distance sensor calculated in step 2 to the seat and the distance value calculated from the distance sensor to the target object Since the means is provided, even if the seat moves back and forth and the positional relationship between the distance sensor and the seat changes,
The position and posture of the occupant can be detected.

The airbag device according to the present invention includes a seat position sensor for detecting a position of a seat with respect to the vehicle and outputting seat position information, and a distance sensor provided in the vehicle for outputting distance information to an occupant on the seat. And an airbag for protecting the occupant on the seat, and an occupant presence detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the occupant on the seat based on the seat position information and distance information, and the presence or absence of the occupant detected by the occupant presence detecting means. Since the operation of the airbag is prohibited or permitted based on the above, the presence or absence of an occupant can be detected and the operation of the airbag can be prohibited or permitted even if the position of the seat with respect to the vehicle changes.

Further, a seat position sensor for detecting the position of the seat with respect to the vehicle and outputting the seat position information, a distance sensor provided in the upper part of the vehicle for outputting the distance information to the occupant on the seat, and the seat top An airbag that protects the passengers of
An occupant posture detecting means for detecting the posture of the occupant on the seat based on the seat position information and the distance information is provided, and the airbag is controlled based on the posture of the occupant on the seat detected by the occupant posture detecting means. Therefore, even if the position of the seat with respect to the vehicle changes, the posture of the occupant can be detected and the airbag can be controlled based on the posture of the occupant.

The vehicle control device according to the present invention includes a seat position sensor for detecting the position of each seat of a plurality of seats provided in the vehicle and outputting seat position information, and each of the plurality of seats. A distance sensor that outputs distance information to an occupant on the seat, an occupant presence detection unit that detects the presence or absence of an occupant on each of the plurality of seats based on the seat position information and the distance information, and A control means for controlling the controlled portion provided corresponding to each seat is provided, and the control means is controlled based on the presence or absence of an occupant on each of the plurality of seats detected by the occupant presence detection means. Since the control unit controls the plurality of seats, even if the positions of the seats with respect to the vehicle are changed, it is possible to detect the presence or absence of an occupant on each seat of the plurality of seats and control the controlled means. It can be.

Further, since the controlled unit is a voice output device or an air conditioner, the control unit can control the volume of the voice output device or the like, or can control the direction of the outlet of the air conditioner. it can.

In the occupant monitoring device, the airbag device, or the vehicle control device according to the present invention, the seat position sensor detects a change in the seat shape and outputs it as seat position information. The change can be used as seat position information.

Further, since the distance sensor is oriented downward from the horizontal direction, ambient light such as sunlight incident from above the horizontal direction does not enter the distance sensor.

The distance sensor is oriented downward from a line connecting the distance sensor and the front end portion or the rear end portion of the vehicle. Ambient light does not enter the distance sensor.

[0036]

【Example】

Example 1. A first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an airbag device for a vehicle in the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, 10 is a vehicle, 11 is a seat,
Reference numeral 12 is an occupant, 13 is a steering wheel, and 14 is an airbag in which a bag-shaped shock absorber is deployed by using gas pressure or the like in order to protect the occupant 12 from the impact at the time of a vehicle collision. The airbag 14 is normally built in the handle 13. Reference numeral 15 denotes a distance sensor that measures the distance to the occupant 12, and 16 detects seat information such as the slide amount of the seat 11 in the front-rear direction, the reclining angle of the backrest, and the tilt amount of the headrest provided at the top of the seat. It is a seat position sensor.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the first embodiment.
In FIG. 2, reference numeral 20 denotes an optical section configured in the distance sensor 15, and this optical section 20 is configured by a light emitting element 20A that emits light toward an object and a light receiving element 20B that receives reflected light from the object. Has been done. 21 is the optical unit 20
Is a measuring circuit for measuring the distance by comparing the output of the light emitting element 20A and the output of the light receiving element 20B.

Reference numeral 23 is an acceleration sensor for detecting the acceleration of the vehicle 10, and reference numeral 24A is a collision determination means for detecting (determining) that the vehicle 10 has collided with another object based on the output of the acceleration sensor 23. 24C is a distance memory that stores reference distance data that is a reference value for comparison with the output of the distance sensor 15 in the occupant determination means 24B (described later). 24B controls the distance sensor 15 and the distance sensor 15 Of the vehicle, the output of the seat position sensor 16 and the reference distance data output from the distance memory 24C, the occupant determining means for determining the presence or absence of the occupant 12 or the sitting posture, and 24D the output of the collision determining means 24A and the occupant determining means 24B. It is an output selecting means that outputs a signal to the ignition circuits 25A and 25B (described later) based on the above and controls the expansion of the airbag 14. Further, switching ignition circuits 25A and 25B controlled by the output of the output selecting means 24D and air bag starting means 14A and 14B called squibs composed of resistance wires connected in series to these are connected to the DC power source 26. It is connected.

The collision determining means 24A, the occupant determining means 24B, the distance memory 24C and the output selecting means 24D are processed in a microcomputer (hereinafter abbreviated as microcomputer) 24.

Here, the distance sensor 15 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the distance sensor 15. The optical unit 20 includes a light emitting element 20A and a light receiving element 20.
It is composed of B, a lens, 20C and a housing 20D. Reference numeral 30 denotes a target which is a distance measurement target of the distance sensor 15 which is the occupant 12 or the seat 11 in the vehicle.

The operation of the distance sensor 15 will be described. The light emitting element 20A emits light toward the target 30 through the lens 20C. The projection light emitted from the light emitting element 20A (indicated by a dashed line in the figure) is reflected on the target 30 to be reflected light (indicated by a dashed line in the figure). The light receiving element 20B receives the reflected light from the target 30 through the lens 20C, and the distance measuring circuit 21 controls and confirms the operations of the light emitting element 20A and the light receiving element 20B. Or a distance signal indicating the distance from the incident position of the reflected light on the light receiving element to the target 30 is output. Here, in such a distance sensor, when the disturbance light other than the reflected light of the projection light emitted from the light emitting element is incident on the light receiving element, the distance may be erroneously measured.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. When the collision determination means 24A detects a vehicle collision from the output of the acceleration sensor 23, a signal indicating that the vehicle has collided is sent to the occupant determination means 24B via the output selection means 24D, and the occupant determination means 24B The reference distance data corresponding to the output of the seat position sensor 16 is selected and read from the reference distance data stored in the distance memory 24C. Next, the occupant determination means 24B compares the relative distance from the distance sensor 15 obtained from the output of the distance sensor 15 to the object (seat 11 or occupant 12) with the reference distance data, and as a result of this comparison, Crew 12
When it is detected that the person is seated, the output selecting means 24
The start signal is output to D. Next, based on this activation signal, the output selection means 24D drives the ignition circuits 25A and 25B to deploy the airbag 14.

Here, the calculation of the reference distance data will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 shows the distance sensor 15 and the seat 11.
It is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship with the occupant 12. This Figure 4
In S, the horizontal distance between the distance sensor 15 and the seat 11 (hereinafter abbreviated as seat moving (sliding) distance) is Sseet, the distance from the distance sensor 15 to the occupant 12 (hereinafter abbreviated as occupant distance) is Lman, and the surface of the seat 11 Let Lseet be the distance to (seat distance), reference distance data (represented using the symbol Lmemo in the figure) that is a threshold value (comparison reference value) for determining the presence or absence of an occupant stored in the distance memory 24C. Is a value obtained by subtracting the error Pi from the seat position Lseet in order to prevent malfunction due to error and variation. This reference distance data Lmemo and the actual distance sensor 15
The presence / absence of the occupant 12 can be confirmed by comparing the value measured in (1) (L1). In this way, the calculated reference distance data is stored in the distance memory 24c,
Distance memory 2 at any time according to the output of the seat position sensor 16
4c is read.

Further, the operation will be described. 5 and 6 are flowcharts showing the first embodiment. Also,
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of occupant monitoring. In FIG. 5, when the ignition is turned on in the process F10, the process shifts to the occupant monitoring subroutine shown in FIG. 7 in the process F11. The determination of the presence or absence of an occupant in this occupant monitoring subroutine will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 7, in process F30, the seat moving distance Sseet is measured by the seat position sensor 16, and process F3 is performed.
The reference distance data Lmemo corresponding to the seat moving distance Sseet is read from the distance memory 24C in 1 and the measurement distance L1 is measured by the distance sensor 15 in process F32. Then, in process F33, the measured distance L1 is calculated from the reference distance data Lmemo.
If the value obtained by subtracting is greater than 0 (L1 <Lmemo), Y
Direction, that is, it proceeds to the process F34 and determines that the occupant 12 is on the seat. When the subtracted value is 0 or less in the process F33 (L1> Lmemo), the process proceeds to the direction of N, that is, the process F35, and it is determined that the occupant 12 is not on the seat. Through the above processing, the occupant monitoring subroutine for determining the presence or absence of an occupant ends, and the processing returns to the main routine shown in FIG. Here, the occupant monitoring subroutine shown in FIG. 7 is referred to as an occupant monitoring subroutine 1 so as to be distinguished from other occupant monitoring subroutines described later.

Next, in the process F12 of FIG. 5, when it is determined by the occupant monitoring subroutine that the occupant 12 is present,
The process proceeds to process F13 and the collision determination process is performed. Here, the collision determination process is a process of performing a integration process or the like on the basis of the output signal of the acceleration sensor 23 to determine a collision that requires activation of the airbag 14 and a collision that does not require activation. This collision determination processing is performed by the collision determination means 24A. Next, when a collision is detected in the collision determination process F13, the process proceeds to process F15, the ignition circuits 25A and 25B are driven, and the process F
At 16, the airbag 14 is deployed. In addition, processing F12
When it is determined that there is no occupant 12 and when the collision is not detected in the process F14, the process returns to the process F11 and the above process is repeated.

FIG. 6 shows the ignition circuit 25 in the first embodiment.
It is the flowchart which showed the operation | movement at the time of selecting and driving A and 25B. In this flowchart, process F
The operations from 10 to the process F14 are the same as the operations from the process F11 to the process F14 in FIG. In the process F25 of FIG. 6, the measured distance L1 measured by the distance sensor 15 is the predetermined threshold L
If thr or more, the process proceeds to process F26 and the ignition circuit 25
Drive A and 25B. If the occupant distance is smaller than the predetermined threshold value (Lthr) in the process F25, it is considered that the occupant 12 is seated before the predetermined position, and the process proceeds to the direction N, that is, the process F27, and only the ignition circuit 25A is operated. To drive. At this time, Lman in FIG. 4 may be used as the predetermined threshold value Lthr. Then, in process F28, the airbag 14 is deployed.

Here, when only the ignition circuit 25A is driven, compared with the case where both the ignition circuits 25A and 25B are driven, the deploying force (inflating force) of the airbag 14 is weakened, and the occupant 12 and the airbag 14 are separated. Even when the distance is closer than usual, the occupant 12 collides with the airbag 14 in the optimal inflated state, and the occupant 12 is provided with the optimal cushioning force.

Next, a method for accurately calculating the reference distance data Lmemo according to the seat condition when the seat 11 slides or reclines will be described. FIG. 8 shows the distance sensor 1 when the seat 11 slides back and forth.
5 is a schematic diagram showing the positions of 5 and a seat 11. FIG. In this figure, 16A is a seat slide sensor for measuring the seat moving distance, and the seat moving distance when the seat 11 is located at the rearmost position is the seat slide initial value Sso.
The seat moving distance when the vehicle is located at the front is the maximum seat slide value Ssn, and the seat moving distance when the seat 11 is at any position is the seat arbitrary value Ssx. The seat distance with respect to the seat slide initial value Sso is Lso, the seat distance with respect to the seat slide maximum value Ssn is Lsn, and the seat distance with respect to the seat arbitrary value Ssx is Lsx.

The irradiation beam sent from the distance sensor 15 is set so as to be on the backrest of the seat 11 regardless of the position of the seat and the distance memory 24C.
The reference distance data stored in is only the seat distance Lso. It should be noted that the reference distance data is set to be smaller than the actual measurement value in order to prevent malfunction due to errors and variations, as in the reference distance data Lmemo = Lseet-Pi in FIG. 4 described above, but the description is simplified here. Therefore, the reference distance data will be described as the seat distance Lso.

In FIG. 9, the seat 11 is reclining (seat 1
1 is a schematic diagram showing the positions of a distance sensor 15 and a seat 11 when the angle of the backrest of No. 1 changes). 16
B is a reclining sensor that measures the reclining angle of the backrest of the seat 11. Let C be the center of rotation when the backrest of the seat 11 is reclined, and let the perpendicular line passing through the center of rotation C be h and move the seat at any position. The distance is Ssx, and the vertical distance from the center of rotation C to the distance sensor 15 at the seat moving distance Ssx is H. This time,
The minimum value of the angle of inclination of the seat 11 from the vertical line h (hereinafter abbreviated as reclining angle) is a reclining initial value θo, the maximum value is a reclining maximum angle θn, and any reclining angle is θx (θo <θx <θn). And the seat distances with respect to the reclining angles θo, θx, and θn are Lθo, Lθx, and Lθn, respectively.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram graphically showing each distance and angle in FIGS. 8 and 9 for obtaining the seat distance Lsx.
As shown in this figure, the seat distance Lsx is obtained by the following equation using the ratio of each distance. Lsx = Lso × (Htan θx + Ssx) / (Htan θx + Sso) (Equation 1)

An occupant monitoring subroutine for determining an occupant based on the seat distance, which is the process F11 in FIG. 5 or 6, will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Figure 11
Is different from the occupant monitoring subroutine 1 shown in FIG. 7 in that the seat 11 slides and reclines, and is referred to as an occupant monitoring subroutine 2 here. This Figure 1
In step 1, in step F41, the seat position sensor 16A measures the seat slide distance Ssx, in step F42, the seat position sensor 16B measures the seat reclining angle θx, and in step F43, the reference distance data Lso is read from the distance memory 24C. Read. Then, in a process F44, the seat distance data Lsx is calculated by using the above-mentioned respective values according to (Equation 1). In process F45, the measured distance L1 is measured by the distance sensor 15, and in process F46 a subtracted value obtained by subtracting the measured distance L1 from the seat distance data Lsx is obtained. If the subtracted value is greater than 0, the process proceeds to the Y direction, that is, process F47. It is determined that there is a passenger. When the subtracted value is 0 or less in the process F46, the process proceeds to the direction of N, that is, the process F48, and it is determined that there is no passenger.

In this way, the reference distance data, which is the threshold value for occupant determination, is calculated based on the seat moving (sliding) distance and the reclining angle, and the distance between the distance sensor and the seat is calculated from this reference distance data. By calculating and comparing this distance with the actual measurement value of the distance sensor, it is possible to accurately determine the presence or absence of an occupant.

Example 2. In the second embodiment, in the occupant monitoring apparatus according to the first embodiment, the irradiation beam direction of the distance sensor 15 is fixed to a predetermined direction, and the reference distance data corresponding to the moving distance of the seat is stored in the distance memory 24C. A method of more accurately measuring the occupant distance based on the reference distance data of will be described.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the position of the distance sensor 15 and the position of the seat 11. In FIG. 12, the seat 11 at the seat moving distance Sso (initial value of seat slide)
And the optical axis of the distance sensor 15 is point o, and the intersection at the seat movement distance Ssn (maximum seat slide value) is point n,
The intersection at the seat movement distance Ssx (seat position arbitrary position) is defined as point x. By the way, in order to make the explanation easier to understand,
In this embodiment, the point x is assumed to be located at the bent portion of the seat 11.

Seat moving distance S of these points n, x, and o
The sn position on the seat 11 is as shown in FIG.
When the seat 11 is moved from the seat slide initial value Sso to the seat slide maximum value Ssn, the locus of the irradiation beam hitting the seat surface of the distance sensor 15 on the seat 11 is point n → point x → point. Move in the order of o. Here, FIG.
As in the table shown in FIG. 3, the distance memory 24C stores the addresses Aso assigned to the seat movement distances Sso, Ssx, Ssn,
The reference distance data corresponding to Asx and Asn are Lso, Lsx, and L
The sn is calculated in advance and stored. However, the reference distance data is set smaller than the actual measurement value in consideration of the measurement error and the variation. Further, the greater the number of seat moving distances to be stored, the higher the accuracy becomes. However, since there are errors in the thickness of the human body and the like, a certain number (for example, three as shown in this embodiment) is sufficient. .

Next, the operation will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an occupant monitoring subroutine 3 that can be used as an occupant monitoring subroutine that determines an occupant based on the seat distance in FIG. 5 or 6 in the first embodiment. In this flowchart, the seat position sensor 16A is processed in the process F50.
The seat moving distance Ssx is measured by the process F51 and the address A corresponding to the seat moving distance Ssx is read from the distance memory 24C in the process F51.
Determine dx (select from the table in FIG. 13). In the process F52, the reference distance data Lsx corresponding to the address Adx is read from the distance memory 24C, the distance sensor 15 measures the measured distance L1 in the process 53, and the subtracted value of the measured distance L1 is obtained from the seat distance data Lsx in the process F54. If the subtracted value is larger than 0, the process proceeds to the Y direction, that is, the process F55, and it is determined that there is an occupant. When the subtracted value is 0 or less in the process F54, the process proceeds to the direction of N, that is, the process F56, and it is determined that there is no occupant. With the above processing, the occupant monitoring subroutine 3 ends. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, in the second embodiment, the reference distance data corresponding to the seat moving distance is stored in the distance memory 14 as a table, so that the occupant determination can be performed by a simple process. Further, since the reference distance data is prepared in advance, the reference distance data does not show a greatly different value, so that a malfunction does not easily occur.

Example 3. In the third embodiment, the occupant monitoring apparatus according to the first embodiment is configured such that the distance sensor 15 is rotated to direct the optical axis direction of the distance sensor 15 to an optimum direction that is unlikely to be affected by the sitting posture of the occupant 12, the size of the body, and the like. By increasing the distance accuracy, the occupant can be accurately determined.

FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram showing the third embodiment. In FIG. 15, 27 is a sensor driving means such as a motor for changing the vertical angle of the distance sensor 15,
Reference numeral 24E is a sensor rotation angle control unit that determines the angle of the distance sensor 15 according to the output of the seat slide sensor 16A and outputs a signal to the sensor drive unit 27. Next, the operation will be described. A signal is output from the seat slide sensor 16A according to the moving distance of the seat 11, and the sensor rotation angle control means 24E uses the signal to output the distance sensor 15 at a fixed position on the occupant 12. The sensor driving means 27 is controlled so that the irradiation beam is directed, and the sensor driving means 27 drives the distance sensor 15 to direct the optical axis of the distance sensor 15 to the optimum direction. In this embodiment, a stepping motor is used as the sensor driving means 27.

FIG. 16 shows how the direction of the optical axis of the distance sensor 15 is related when the occupant 12A (for example, an adult) having a large physique or the occupant 12B (for example, a child) having a small physique is seated on the seat 11. It is an explanatory view for explaining. 27A is a stepping motor for changing the angle of the optical axis of the distance sensor 15. In FIG. 16, when an occupant 12A having a large physique is seated on the seat 11, if the optical axis of the distance sensor 15 faces the seat 11, for example, which optical axis of the optical axes a, b, c However, the occupant 12A can be detected. Next, when the occupant 12B having a small physique is seated on the seat 11, if the optical axis of the distance sensor 15 is the optical axes a and c, the occupant 12B cannot be detected. Will end up. However, when the optical axis of the distance sensor 15 is the optical axis b, which is defined near the bent portion of the seat 11, the occupant 12B having a small physique.
It is possible to detect what is seated. In this way, when the size of the occupant 12 changes, it may become impossible to detect depending on the angle of the optical axis of the distance sensor 15.

Therefore, regardless of the size of the occupant 12,
In order to be always detectable, it is necessary to direct the optical axis near the bent portion of the seat 11 as the optical axis b. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing changes in the optical axis direction of the distance sensor 15 when the seat 11 slides. This FIG.
When the seat 11 slides from X to Y, the optical axis of the distance sensor 15 is always based on the seat movement distance signal output from the seat position sensor 16A, as shown in FIG.
In order to turn the optical axis of the distance sensor 15 toward the vicinity of the bent portion, it is necessary to change the optical axis of the distance sensor 15 from U to V.

FIG. 18 shows the distance sensor 15 from the seat moving distance.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing respective distances and angular relationships when controlling the angle of the optical axis (hereinafter abbreviated as sensor rotation angle). In FIG. 18, the same components as those in FIG. 8 are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. In FIG. 18, θ
so is the optical axis angle of the distance sensor 15 at the seat slide initial value Sso, and θsx is the sensor rotation angle of the distance sensor 15 at the seat moving distance arbitrary position Ssx. From FIG. 18, the sensor rotation angle θsx is calculated from the seat moving distance arbitrary value Ssx by the following equation. θsx = θo-tan-1 (Ssx / H) (Equation 2)

Next, the operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In FIG. 19, the seat position sensor 16A measures the seat moving distance Ssx in a process F60, and the sensor rotation angle θsx is calculated by (Equation 2) in a process F61. Then, in process F62, the sensor rotation angle θsx obtained from (Equation 2) is converted into the number of pulses, the stepping motor is driven by this number of pulses, and the process ends. As described above, in the third embodiment, the distance sensor 15 faces a fixed position on the seat at an arbitrary seat moving distance, so that the occupant distance can always be measured in the best condition regardless of the sliding position of the seat.

In the third embodiment, for example, distance sensors having optical axes a, b and c in FIG. 16 are provided,
It is also possible to detect the physique of the occupant based on the values measured by the respective distance sensors, and it is also possible to control the device such as the airbag more accurately based on the detected physique of the occupant.

Example 4. In the fourth embodiment, the distance sensor 15 of the occupant monitoring device described in the first embodiment is provided for all seats in the vehicle, the occupant arrangement and the occupant posture are monitored in each seat, and based on the result. A method for controlling each device will be described.

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing a seat and a distance sensor in the fourth embodiment. 20. FIG. 20 is a view showing the arrangement of the distance sensor 15 especially when the seating capacity is five.
In FIG. 20, a seat 11A, an occupant 12A, and a seat 1
Since 1B has an occupant 12B and a seat 11C for three persons, the occupants 12C, 12D and 12E are seated, the distance sensor 15A monitors the seat 11A, and the distance sensor 15B monitors the seat 11B. The distance sensor 15C monitors the left seat of the seat 11C, the distance sensor 15D monitors the center seat of the seat 11C, and the distance sensor 15E monitors the right end seat.

The operation of the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In FIG. 22, the ignition is turned on in the process F71, the occupant 12A is monitored by the process of the occupant monitoring subroutine 1 shown in FIG. 7 in the embodiment 1 in the process F72, the occupant 12B is similarly monitored in the process F73, and the process F74 is performed. The occupant 12C is similarly monitored and the processing F is performed.
Similarly, the occupant 12D is monitored at 75, and the occupant 1 is processed at process F76.
Monitor 2E as well. Passenger 12A to 1 in process F77
The ignition circuit 25 of the air bag is controlled according to the presence or absence up to 2E and the seating posture.

Then, for example, the airbag 14 is provided for each seat.
When equipped with A to 14E, it is possible to perform control such as deploying only the necessary airbag corresponding to the seat in which the occupant is present. Further, the distance sensor 15 shown in FIG.
21A to 15E may be provided at one place as shown as the distance sensor 15 in FIG. 21, and the seats 11A to 11C may be monitored. Further, by controlling the rotation angle of one distance sensor 15, the respective seats 11A to 11C may be monitored with a time difference.

Further, the distance sensor 15 in FIG. 21 may be a distance sensor using a pair of image sensors as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-161810. At this time, a pair of image sensors may monitor a plurality of seats. Further, it can be used for an occupant protection device other than the airbag, such as a seat belt.

Example 5. In the fifth embodiment, the occupant monitoring device described in each of the above embodiments is applied to audio control.
FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing the fifth embodiment. This FIG.
In 220, 220 is an audio having a function such as a cassette and a CD, and 221A and 221B are audio 22
It is a speaker that emits sound in the vehicle based on an output signal of 0. The occupant determination means 24B determines the presence or absence of the occupant in the driver's seat or other than the driver's seat and the sitting posture, and this occupant determination means 24B
The output selection means 24D controls the volume and sound quality of each speaker 221A, 221B installed in the vehicle interior.
Correct the sound field in the vehicle.

A flowchart of the operation of the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 25, the process F
Since the processes 80 to F85 are the same as the processes F71 to F76 in FIG. 22 in the fourth embodiment, description thereof will be omitted. Based on the determination information of the processing F81 to the processing F85, in the processing 86, the sound field is discriminated according to the presence / absence of the occupants 12A to 12E and the sitting posture, and the speakers 221A and 221B are set, and the process returns to the processing F81 and the same. The process of is repeated. In the fifth embodiment as described above, the sound field in the vehicle can be optimized according to the position of the passenger in the vehicle.

Although the volume of the speaker is adjusted in the fifth embodiment, the direction and position of the speaker may be adjusted.

Example 6. The sixth embodiment shows an example in which the passenger monitoring device described in each of the above embodiments is applied to air conditioner control. FIG. 25 is a block diagram showing the sixth embodiment. In FIG. 25, reference numeral 231 is a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature inside the vehicle compartment, 24F is an appropriate temperature determining means for determining whether or not the temperature inside the vehicle compartment is an appropriate temperature from the output of the temperature sensor 231, 232 is an air conditioner, a compressor inside the air conditioner 232. 232B and fan 232C, and compressor 232B and fan 2
An air conditioning circuit 232A for controlling 32C is incorporated.
In FIG. 25, the same components as those described in FIG. 2 are designated by the reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. Output selection means 2 of FIG.
4D is the output of the appropriate temperature determination means 24F and the occupant determination means 24.
From the output of B, the air blowing direction, the air volume, the temperature, etc. are adjusted, and the air conditioning circuit 2 is provided so as to create a comfortable environment for each occupant.
32A, a compressor 232B, a fan 232
C is adjusted.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to FIG. Here, in FIG. 26, processing F90 to processing F95
22 is the same as the processes F71 to F76 in FIG. 22, the description thereof will be omitted. In process 96, based on the determination information of process F91 to process F95, air conditioning (temperature, air volume, etc.) is set according to the presence or absence of the occupant 12A to the occupant 12E and the sitting posture, and the process returns to process F91 and the same process is repeated. . In the sixth embodiment as described above, the air conditioning inside the vehicle can be optimized based on the position of the occupant inside the vehicle.

Example 7. In Example 7, Example 1
A method will be described in which the sensor rotation angle of the distance sensor 15 of the occupant monitoring device described above is set downward from the horizontal to eliminate the influence of ambient light such as sunlight or headlight light and perform accurate distance measurement. FIG. 27 shows the relationship between ambient light and the distance sensor for explaining the method of setting the optimum sensor rotation angle of the distance sensor 15 when the vehicle equipped with the occupant monitoring device is traveling on a horizontal road. FIG.
10A is a vehicle in which the distance sensor 15 is installed, and 10B is a bus or van type vehicle with a high vehicle height that runs behind the vehicle 10A. This vehicle 10B illuminates the distance sensor 15 of the vehicle 10A with a light to cause a disturbance.
In addition, there is also a sunrise or sunset behind the vehicle 10A, and sunlight coming from near the horizon disturbs the distance sensor 15 as well.

Since such disturbance light is incident from the horizontal direction, the distance sensor 15 is set downward from the horizontal by an angle θe as shown in FIG. 27 in order to prevent the incidence of the disturbance light. In the middle, the distance sensor 15 does not directly receive the ambient light from the sunlight, and at night, the vehicle 10B
The headlight light does not enter the vehicle 10A directly.

FIG. 28 shows the sensor angle θe of the distance sensor 15.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a method of setting the angle at which the ambient light is reduced. In FIG. 28, 270 is the vehicle 10A.
Front nose with an engine, 271 refers to a rear part with a trunk room called a back nose, and the distance sensor 15 connects an angle θfront connecting the front nose 270 or an angle θback connecting the back nose 271. By facing down, front nose 270 or back nose 27
Ambient light entering the distance sensor 15 from above 1 can be blocked. That is, if the distance sensor 15 faces within the range of the angles θx and θy shown in FIG. 28,
It is possible to prevent ambient light from directly entering the distance sensor 15.

FIG. 29 is a waveform diagram for specifically explaining the influence of ambient light. In FIG. 29, (a) shows a light emission pattern emitted by the light emitting element 21, (b) shows an output of the light receiving element 20B when there is no disturbance, and (c) shows an output of the light receiving element 20B when there is a disturbance. ing. (A)
When light is emitted from the light emitting element 20A according to the light emitting pattern shown in FIG.
The output of 0B is as shown in (b), and the distance can be normally measured. However, when there is a disturbance, the output level increases by the disturbance ΔV as shown in (c), and S
The / N ratio also deteriorates, and the distance measuring circuit 21 outputs an output different from the actual distance, causing malfunction of the device.

In the seventh embodiment, the disturbance light from the front-back direction of the vehicle has been described. However, the disturbance light from the left and right sides of the vehicle may be located below the line connecting the distance sensor and the lower part of the window glass. It goes without saying that it is good.

In each of the above embodiments, a sensor for detecting the operation of the headrest provided on the upper portion of the backrest may be provided as the seat position sensor.

In each of the above embodiments, a sensor for detecting the operation of the seat lift for moving the seat up and down may be provided as the seat position sensor.

In each of the above embodiments, a sensor for detecting the rotation of the seat may be provided as the seat position sensor when the seat rotates.

In each of the above embodiments, when the vehicle body is tilted, ambient light is likely to enter the distance sensor. Therefore, the processing may be interrupted to prevent malfunction.

In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, it is possible to use another sensor such as an infrared sensor as the distance sensor.

In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the distance sensor changes its detection direction. However, for example, when an infrared sensor is used, it may be moved in the front-rear direction in order to keep a constant distance from the seat.

In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, it is possible to more reliably perform occupant monitoring by combining with other occupant monitoring devices such as seat switches.

In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, when the vehicle collides, it is possible to deploy the airbag by detecting a rapid forward movement of the occupant by the distance sensor.

In each of the above embodiments, a pair of image sensors oriented in substantially the same direction may be provided as the distance sensor, and the distance from the image shift of the pair of image sensors to the occupant may be detected.

[0091]

The occupant monitoring system according to the present invention can accurately detect the presence or absence of an occupant on the seat even if the position of the seat relative to the vehicle changes.

Even if the position of the seat with respect to the vehicle changes, the measurement direction of the distance sensor can be changed to accurately detect the presence or absence of an occupant on the seat.

Even if the position of the seat relative to the vehicle changes, the posture of the occupant on the seat can be accurately detected.

The airbag device according to the present invention accurately detects the presence or absence of an occupant on the seat even if the position of the seat with respect to the vehicle changes, and the airbag is efficiently and surely based on the presence or absence of the occupant. The operation of can be prohibited or permitted.

Even if the position of the seat with respect to the vehicle changes, the posture of the occupant on the seat can be accurately detected and the operation of the airbag can be appropriately controlled.

The vehicle audio system according to the present invention detects the presence / absence of an occupant on each of a plurality of seats in the vehicle even if the position of the seat with respect to the vehicle changes, and detects the presence / absence of the occupant in the vehicle. Based on this, the controlled part can be controlled appropriately.

Further, since the ambient light such as sunlight does not enter the distance sensor, the error due to the ambient light is eliminated and the accurate operation can be obtained.

Further, since the distance sensor is directed downward from the line connecting the distance sensor and the front end portion or the rear end portion of the vehicle, the disturbance light does not enter the distance sensor, and therefore the error due to the disturbance light is generated. It is possible to obtain accurate motion.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a distance sensor according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a relationship between a distance sensor and a seat according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing occupant monitoring according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the distance sensor and the sliding seat in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the distance sensor and the reclining seat according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a positional relationship between a distance sensor and a seat according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing occupant monitoring according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a relationship between a distance sensor and a seat for sliding and reclining in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing reference distance data according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing occupant monitoring according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing a relationship among a distance sensor, a seat and an occupant according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing a relationship between a rotating distance sensor and a seat in Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing a positional relationship between a rotating distance sensor and a seat in Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing a relationship among a distance sensor, a seat, and an occupant according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram showing a relationship between a distance sensor and a seat in Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a flow chart showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a flow chart showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a block diagram showing a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing Embodiment 6 of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram showing Embodiment 7 of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a schematic diagram showing Embodiment 7 of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram showing the influence of ambient light in Example 7 of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 ... Seat, 14 ... Airbag, 15 ... Distance sensor, 1
6 ... Seat position sensor, 24 ... Microcomputer, 2
7A ... Stepping motor, 220 ... Audio, 23
2 ... Air conditioner

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Koji Sanai 2-33 Miwa, Mita City Mita Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A seat position sensor for detecting a position of a seat with respect to a vehicle and outputting seat position information, a distance sensor provided in the vehicle for outputting distance information to an occupant on the seat, and the seat position. An occupant monitoring device, comprising occupant presence detection means for detecting the presence or absence of an occupant on the seat based on information and the distance information. 2. A seat position sensor for detecting a position of a displaceable seat with respect to a vehicle and outputting seat position information, and a distance sensor provided in the vehicle for outputting distance information to an occupant on the seat. Distance sensor driving means for changing the measuring direction of the distance sensor based on the seat position information, and occupant presence detection means for detecting the presence or absence of an occupant on the seat based on the seat position information and the distance information are provided. Occupant monitoring device. 3. A seat position sensor for detecting a position of a seat with respect to a vehicle and outputting seat position information, a distance sensor provided in the vehicle for outputting distance information to an occupant on the seat, and the seat position. The distance from the distance sensor to the seat is calculated based on the information, and the seat distance information calculating means for outputting the seat distance information is compared with the distance information output from the distance sensor and the seat distance information. An occupant monitoring device comprising: an occupant detection unit that detects the presence or absence of an occupant on a seat or the posture of the occupant. 4. A reference seat distance information storage means for storing a plurality of reference seat distance information, wherein the seat distance information calculation means selects from among the plurality of reference seat distance information stored in the reference seat distance information storage means. 4. The occupant monitoring device according to claim 3, wherein one reference seat distance information is selected based on the seat position information, and the one reference seat distance information is output as the seat distance information. 5. A seat movement amount sensor for detecting a movement amount of a seat that moves back and forth in a vehicle, and a reflected light of light directed to the seat, which is provided in the vehicle, and receives the reflected light. A distance sensor for calculating a distance value to the target object, a seat distance information calculating means for calculating a distance value from the distance sensor to the seat based on the moving amount of the seat, and a seat distance information calculating means An occupant determination means for determining that an occupant is sitting on the seat if the distance value from the distance sensor to the seat is smaller than the distance value from the distance sensor calculated by the distance sensor to the target object. Occupant monitoring device. 6. A seat position sensor for detecting a position of a seat with respect to a vehicle and outputting seat position information, a distance sensor provided in the vehicle for outputting distance information to an occupant on the seat, and the seat position. An occupant monitoring device comprising: an occupant posture detecting means for detecting the posture of the occupant on the seat based on the information and the distance information. 7. A seat movement amount sensor that detects a movement amount of a seat that moves back and forth in a vehicle, and a light emitting element that is provided in the vehicle and that is directed toward the seat, outputs light, and a light receiving element outputs the light. A distance sensor that receives the reflected light from the target object and calculates the distance value to the target object, and a seat distance information calculation means that calculates the distance value from the distance sensor to the seat based on the movement amount of the seat. And the seat based on the difference between the distance value from the distance sensor to the seat calculated by the seat distance information calculating means and the distance value from the distance sensor to the target object calculated by the distance sensor. An occupant monitoring device comprising an occupant position and attitude detecting means for detecting the position and attitude of an upper occupant. 8. A seat position sensor for detecting a position of a seat with respect to a vehicle and outputting seat position information, a distance sensor provided in the vehicle for outputting distance information to an occupant on the seat, and on the seat. And an occupant presence detection means for detecting the presence or absence of an occupant on the seat based on the seat position information and the distance information. An airbag device, which prohibits or permits the operation of the airbag based on the presence or absence thereof. 9. A seat position sensor for detecting a position of a seat with respect to a vehicle and outputting seat position information, and a distance sensor provided in an upper portion of the vehicle for outputting distance information to an occupant on the seat. An airbag for protecting an occupant on the seat, and an occupant posture detecting means for detecting the posture of the occupant on the seat based on the seat position information and the distance information, are detected by the occupant posture detecting means. Also, the airbag device is characterized in that the airbag is controlled based on a posture of an occupant on the seat. 10. A seat position sensor for detecting the position of each seat of a plurality of seats provided in the vehicle with respect to the vehicle and outputting seat position information, and an occupant on each seat of the plurality of seats. A distance sensor that outputs distance information, an occupant presence detection unit that detects the presence or absence of an occupant on each of the plurality of seats based on the seat position information and the distance information, and each of the plurality of seats. A control means for controlling a controlled part provided corresponding to the seat, and the control means based on the presence or absence of an occupant on each of the plurality of seats detected by the occupant presence detection means. A control device for a vehicle, which controls the controlled part. 11. The vehicle control device according to claim 10, wherein the controlled unit is a voice output device or an air conditioner. 12. The seat position sensor detects a change in the shape of the seat and outputs it as seat position information, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 or 6, or 8 to 8. 11. The occupant monitoring device according to any one of 11, or an airbag device, or a vehicle control device. 13. The occupant monitoring device, the airbag device, or the vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein the distance sensor is oriented downward from the horizontal direction. 14. The occupant according to claim 1, wherein the distance sensor is oriented downward from a line connecting the distance sensor and a front end portion or a rear end portion of the vehicle. Monitoring device or airbag device,
Or a vehicle control device.