JPH09226516A - Vehicular air bag control method and device therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate a maintenance after an air bag operation by obstructing unnecessary operations of an air bag. SOLUTION: The existence/absence of the placing and the placing posture of a child seat 38 for an occupant seat 12 is discriminated under the combination of one passive element 56 with front/rear two detection elements 25 (F, R) and also the existence/absence of a sitting person to the occupant seat including the sitting person to the child seat is detected by a sitting switch 28. When at least either one of the backward turning posture of the child seat 38 for the occupant seat 12 and the non-sitting state on the occupant seat is detected, an air bag 14 is not operated, even if an impact is detected by an impact sensor 16.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention detects the seating condition of an occupant's seat and, when a collision of a vehicle is detected by an impact sensor, controls the operation and non-actuation of an air bag corresponding to the seating condition. The present invention relates to an airbag control method and an airbag control device for a vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the event of an accident such as a collision, an airbag that reduces the impact on the occupant by expanding in front of the occupant is widely known as a protective device for reducing the degree of injury to the occupant in an automobile or the like. Has been. Airbags are usually installed in driver seats of automobiles and passenger seats represented by assistant seats.

Airbags for driver seats are usually incorporated into a steering wheel so that they can be inflated between the driver and the steering wheel. On the other hand, in the assistant seat (passenger seat), the airbag can be inflated between the seated person (occupant) and the instrument panel (instrument panel) located in front of the seat for the occupant. It has been incorporated.

This type of airbag is generally constructed so that when an impact sensor detects an impact, such as a collision of an automobile, gas is generated and ignited in a starting device called an inflator, and the airbag is instantly inflated. There is.

[0005]

Here, in contrast to a driver seat in which a seated person always exists when traveling, a seated person does not always exist in a passenger seat such as an assistant seat. Since the airbag protects the occupant seated on the corresponding occupant seat by its operation (expansion), when the seat occupant is not seated on the occupant seat, the airbag remains as an airbag even under its operation. No effect whatsoever.

[0006] The airbag normally pierces through the instrument panel and the like under its inflation, and therefore requires maintenance such as re-installation of the airbag and starter device and repair of the instrument panel after its operation. . In other words, unnecessary operation of the airbag is not preferable because it causes an increase in subsequent maintenance steps and an increase in cost.

Therefore, for example, a configuration is known in which the presence or absence of a seated person is detected by a seating switch composed of a pressure sensor or the like, and only when the seated person is present, the airbag corresponding to the passenger seat can be operated. . In this configuration,
The airbag becomes inoperable when it is not needed, and maintenance after activation is sufficient only for the seat that has a seated person, that is, the portion corresponding to the driver seat, so the maintenance process is reduced and the cost is reduced accordingly. .

By the way, in a passenger seat of an automobile, the upper body of a seated person can be appropriately restrained by wearing a corresponding seat belt, but an infant or the like who cannot be restrained by a normal seat belt is used as a passenger seat. As an appropriate restraint means, a separate child seat that can be placed and fixed on an occupant seat is known. Such a child seat is usually placed on a seat cushion of an occupant seat and is fixed by using a seat belt corresponding to the occupant seat.

Such a child seat can be used in both a forward facing posture and a backward facing posture with respect to the occupant's seat, and its orientation can be appropriately selected according to the age of the infant or the like and the preference of the driver or the like.

When the child seat is used rearwardly with respect to the occupant's seat, an infant or the like is located between the seat back portion of the child seat and the seat back of the occupant's seat. It is possible to reliably prevent a baby or the like from popping out in the front-rear direction, and the cushioning of each part reduces the impact on the baby or the like. That is, when the child seat is placed and fixed rearward with respect to the occupant's seat, even if the airbag is operated, the protective effect due to it is not obtained so much.

However, in the known configuration, the presence or absence of the occupant seat including the occupant seated in the child seat is detected only by the seating switch including the pressure sensor, so that the child seat is directed rearward with respect to the occupant seat. Even when the vehicle is mounted and fixed on the vehicle, the airbag corresponding to the occupant seat operates at the time of a collision. Therefore, unnecessary operation of the airbag is inevitable when the child seat is placed and fixed in a rearward posture with respect to the passenger seat.

An object of the present invention is to provide an airbag control method and an airbag control device for a vehicle, which prevents unnecessary operation of the airbag and facilitates maintenance after the airbag is activated.

[0013]

To achieve this object, according to the vehicle airbag control method of the present invention,
A detection element including a resonance circuit is provided on each of a front portion and a rear portion of a seat cushion seating surface of an occupant seat. This detection element is formed in the number of identifications with a passive element consisting of a resonance circuit disposed on either the front part or the rear part of the bottom of the child seat, and electromagnetic waves that match the resonance frequency of the passive element are generated from this detection element. ing.

Then, the signals from the front and rear detection elements are monitored to detect which of the front and rear detection elements has a signal change caused by the invasion of the passive element into the electromagnetic wave region of the detection element. By doing so, the presence / absence of a child seat on the occupant seat, and the frontward posture and the rearward posture of the child seat with respect to the occupant seat are discriminated.

Further, the presence or absence of the occupant in the occupant seat including the occupant in the child seat is detected by the seating switch for detecting the pressure on the seat cushion seating surface of the occupant seat. Then, even when the rearward posture of the child seat with respect to the occupant's seat and / or the child seat and the non-seated state of the occupant's seat are detected, even if the impact sensor detects a collision of the vehicle, the occupant can respond to the occupant's seat. The airbag is inactive.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, an air bag control device 10 for a vehicle according to the present invention detects a seating condition on an occupant's seat 12 and operates an air bag 14 corresponding to it by discrimination.
It is configured to control inactivity.

In this embodiment, a front assistant seat is exemplified as the occupant seat 12 and will be described below.

In general, the airbag 14 is constructed so as to be instantly inflated by generation of gas and ignition in a starter 18 called an inflator when an impact sensor 16 detects an impact such as a collision of an automobile. There is.

As can be seen from FIG. 1, the airbag 14 corresponding to the passenger seat (assistant seat) 12 is
Usually, it is incorporated in the instrument panel so that it can be inflated between a seated person and an instrument panel (instrument panel) 20 located in front of the passenger seat. An airbag starter (inflator) 18 is connected to the controller 24 via an airbag operating circuit 22.

The controller 24 is formed of, for example, a microcomputer (not shown), and the microcomputer (microcomputer) processes the input information in accordance with the stored program, thereby performing an appropriate control signal corresponding to the input information. Is configured to generate.

For example, when the impact sensor 16 detects a collision of an automobile and its output signal is input to the controller 24 as information, a control signal generated by this input signal is output to the airbag operating circuit 22. Then, when a corresponding signal from the airbag operating circuit 22 is output to the activation device 18, the airbag is activated by the activation of the activation device.
14 is activated, that is, inflated.

A publicly known general structure can be used as the air bag 14, and the structure itself, the operating system, and the like are not the subject of the present invention, and therefore will not be described in detail here.

Since the airbag 14 protects the occupant by its operation (inflation), its operation is unnecessary when the passenger seat 12 is not seated. Therefore, in the airbag control device 10 of the present invention, the seating switch 28 is arranged on the seating surface of the seat cushion 26 of the occupant seat 12, and when the seating on the occupant seat is detected by a signal from the seating switch. Airbag 14
Is configured to operate.

In this embodiment, the seating switch 28
Is incorporated into the flexible sensor sheet 30 as part of its function. As shown in FIG. 2, the sensor sheet 30
Is, for example, by laminating, a pair of electrode films 32 having symmetrical electrode patterns 31-1 on opposite surfaces,
It has contact holes 34a at a plurality of positions and is constituted by laminating with an insulating film 34 interposed between the electrode films, and in the electrode pattern of this electrode film, a portion aligned with the contact holes of the insulating film is a sensor. It serves as a contact point for the seating switch 28 on the seat.

For example, as can be seen from FIG. 3A, when the sensor sheet 30 is not loaded, the insulating film is provided between the electrode patterns 31-1 of the pair of electrode films.
Since it is separated by 34, the seating switch 28 is maintained in the OFF state. Then, as shown in FIG. 3 (B), when pressure is applied to the sensor sheet 30, the electrode patterns 31-1 of the pair of electrode films are brought into contact with each other through the contact holes 34a of the insulating film. That is, a seating detection signal is generated.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the seating switch 28 of the sensor seat is a seating surface of the seat cushion 26 of the occupant's seat, for example, a trim cover, so that seating on the occupant's seat 12 can be detected. And the seat pad. Then, using the terminal 31-1a of the electrode pattern 31-1 of the electrode film shown in FIG. 2 as a terminal,
The seating switch 28 is connected to the discrimination control circuit 36 (see FIGS. 1 and 5).

The discrimination control circuit 36 is configured to discriminate the presence / absence of a occupant in the occupant seat 12 by monitoring the signal from the seat switch 28 and identifying the detection signal from the seat switch, for example. ing. As shown in FIG. 1, the discrimination control circuit 36 is connected to the controller 24, and after appropriately processing the detection signal from the seating switch 28, a corresponding signal is output to the controller.

When the discrimination control circuit 36 recognizes the presence of the occupant on the occupant seat 12, the controller 24 is maintained in a normal state, that is, a state in which the operation of the airbag 14 is guaranteed. Then, the airbag control device 10 of the present invention
When the seating switch 28 and the discrimination control circuit 36 detect and discriminate the non-seating state of the occupant seat 12, the operation of the airbag 14 is prohibited, that is, the airbag is deactivated. Is configured.

With such a structure, the unnecessary operation of the airbag 14 in the non-seated state of the occupant seat 14 is surely prevented, so that the maintenance process is increased due to the unnecessary operation of the airbag, and Therefore, it is possible to sufficiently prevent the increase in cost.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sensor seat 30 is arranged on the seating surface of the seat cushion 26 of the occupant seat, but since it is a flexible sheet made by laminating a film, With the seating switch 28 provided on the sensor sheet, the presence or absence of the seated person can be appropriately detected without giving the seated person an uncomfortable feeling such as bottoming.

As can be seen from FIG. 2, in the seating switch 28 of the sensor sheet, the electrode pattern 33-1 of the electrode film is spread over almost the entire area of the electrode film, that is, the sensor sheet 30. With
The contact holes 34a of the insulating film are scattered at many places along the electrode pattern. With such a configuration, it is possible to detect the seating in almost the entire area of the sensor sheet 30, and therefore it is possible to sufficiently prevent detection failure and the like due to the seating position and the seating posture.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 1, in an automobile, a separate child seat 38 that can be placed on and fixed to the occupant seat 12 is provided. By using the child seat, the seat belt of the occupant seat 12 is provided. It is possible to safely seat an infant, etc., whose 40 is difficult to properly restrain.

The child seat 38 is formed, for example, into an integral shape of a seat cushion portion 42 and a seat back portion 44 suitable for seating an infant or the like, and by mounting the child seat belt 46 or the like, the seat is seated when the vehicle is running. It is configured to prevent a person, that is, an infant or the like from collapsing or jumping out. Then, such a child seat 38 is normally placed and fixed on the seat cushion 26 of the occupant seat by using the seat belt 40 of the occupant seat.

The child seat 38 is formed, for example, with a belt loop 48 through which the seat belt 40 can be inserted, at the back and the lower part thereof, and the pair of buckles 50 and the tongues 52 after the belt loop is inserted, that is, By mounting the seat belt, it can be fixed to the occupant seat 12.

This type of child seat 38 is generally
The occupant's seat 12 can be placed in both a forward facing posture and a backward facing posture, and the placing posture is appropriately selected depending on the age of the infant or the like to be seated and the preference of the driver or the like. For example, FIG. 1 shows an example in which the child seat 38 is placed and fixed rearward with respect to the passenger seat 12.

A general commercial product can be used as the child seat 38. The child seat 38 is publicly known, and the structure itself is not the gist of the present invention, so it will not be described in detail here.

Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the occupant seat
Place the child seat 38 in a backward position with respect to 12,
When fixed, the seated infant or the like is located between the seat back portion 44 of the child seat and the seat back 54 of the occupant seat 12, so that the infant or the like pops out in the front-rear direction without the airbag 14. Is reliably prevented, and the cushioning of each part reduces the impact on infants and the like. That is, when the child seat 38 is placed and fixed in a rearward posture with respect to the occupant seat 12, even if the airbag 14 operates, the protective effect due to that is not obtained so much, and in this case as well,
As in the seated state of the occupant seat 12, the airbag need not be operated.

Therefore, the airbag control device 10 of the present invention.
In addition to the presence / absence of a seated person on the occupant seat 12, the presence / absence of the child seat 38 placed on the occupant seat and its mounting posture can be detected. The airbag control device 10 is configured so that the airbag 14 is inactivated when the child seat 38 is placed and fixed in a rearward posture with respect to the passenger seat 12.

As shown in FIG. 5, the airbag control device 10 of the present invention includes a passive element 56 provided on the child seat side and a detection element provided on the occupant seat side.
It has a combination with 58 (F, R). Each of the passive element 56 and the detection element 58 (F, R) is formed as a resonance circuit of the number of identifications, which is a combination of the coil L 1 and the capacitor C 2.

The combination of the passive element 56 and the detection element 58 used in this embodiment is known as a product management system in a retail store that handles products such as compact discs, game software and video software. , Because the principle itself is not the purpose of this invention,
A detailed description thereof will be omitted, and an outline of its operating principle will be described here.

As shown in FIG. 6, the passive element 56 used in such a form generally has a conduction hole 62a between a pair of electrode films 60 having an electrode pattern 60a including a coil L on the opposite surface. A tag-shaped member integrally laminated by laminating with an insulating film 62 in the center is used.

The tag-shaped passive element 56 is used for the forward posture of the child seat 38 with respect to the passenger seat 12,
A position that causes a clear difference in the position depending on the rearward posture, that is, the seat cushion portion 42 of the child seat
It is arranged at either the front part or the rear part of the bottom surface. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, the child seat is provided on the inner surface of the trim cover at the front of the bottom surface of the seat cushion portion 42.

Here, as can be seen from FIGS. 4 and 5, in the airbag control device 10 of the present invention, one passive element 56 is arranged in the front part of the bottom surface of the child seat 38. The detection elements 58 (F, R) are provided on both the front and rear portions of the seat cushion 26 of the occupant seat.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the present invention,
An oscillation circuit 64 capable of generating a predetermined electric signal is connected to each of the detection elements 58 (F, R) serving as a resonance circuit, and an electric signal from the oscillation circuit causes an electromagnetic wave that matches the resonance frequency of the passive element 56. It can be generated from each detection element. As can be seen from FIG. 1 in addition to FIG. 5,
The detection elements 58 (F, R) are respectively connected to the discrimination control circuit 36, and the signal from each detection element is monitored by the discrimination control circuit.

The electromagnetic wave from the detecting element 58 (F, R) is usually
Since the coil L is radiated in the axial direction, strong electromagnetic waves are present at the front portion and the rear portion of the seat cushion 26 of the occupant seat, respectively. And the detection element 58
(F, R), for example, as shown in FIG. 5, when the passive element 56 enters the electromagnetic wave region of the rear detection element 58 (R), the passive element receives the radiated electromagnetic wave and resonates.
The rear detecting element 58 (R) produces a signal, for example, a voltage change, as shown in FIG. 7 (A), and the other front detecting element 58 (F) produces a signal, for example, a voltage.

As can be seen by comparing FIGS. 7 (A) and 7 (B), the change in the signal at the detection element 58 (F, R) caused by the resonance of the passive element 56 is due to the axial center of both coils L. There is a large change due to coincidence, and there is not a great change in the signal at the separated position between both coils. That is, the discrimination control means
By monitoring the signal at 36, it is possible to detect whether the signal from the detection element 58 (F, R) has reached a predetermined detection level as shown in FIGS. 7 (A) and 7 (B). It is possible to discriminate in which electromagnetic wave region of the detection element 58 (F, R) the element 56 is located, that is, whether the child seat 38 is placed or fixed in the forward posture or the rearward posture with respect to the passenger seat 12. .

Here, the voltage is detected by the detecting element 58 (F, R).
However, since the current also changes under the resonance of the passive element 56 in the electromagnetic wave region of the detection element, the current may be monitored as a signal from the detection element. Absent.

Here, as can be seen from FIG. 2 in addition to FIG. 5, in the embodiment of the present invention, the detecting element 58 is used.
(F, R) are provided together with the seating switch 28 as part of the function of the sensor sheet 30. For example, a symmetrical electrode pattern 31-2 is provided on the opposing surface of the electrode film 32 of the sensor sheet together with the electrode pattern 31-1 of the seating switch 28, and through the conduction hole 34b of the insulating film 34. The electrode patterns are connected.

The detection element 58 (F, R) is connected to the discrimination control circuit 36 and the oscillation circuit 64, respectively, using the terminal 31-2a of the electrode pattern 31-2 as a terminal (FIG. 1, FIG. 1). (See FIG. 5).

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the sensor sheet 30 includes the detecting element 58 (F) at the front and the detecting element 58 (R).
Are arranged in the rear portion, respectively, and are arranged between the trim cover and the seat pad of the seat cushion 26 of the occupant seat. Then, the electromagnetic waves from the detection elements 58 (F, R) can be radiated in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the sensor sheet 30.

Now, the airbag control device 10 of the present invention.
The seating switch 28 used in is configured to detect the seating under the load acting on the seat cushion 26 of the occupant seat, and is therefore not limited to the direct seating on the occupant seat 12 and the child seat. Even when an infant or the like is seated at 38, the seating is detected.

That is, according to the present invention, the occupant seat 12 including the seated person (infant, etc.) on the child seat 38.
The presence or absence of a seated person can be detected by the seating switch 28.

Further, according to the present invention, since the detecting elements 58 (F, R) are arranged at both the front portion and the rear portion of the seat cushion 26 of the passenger seat, the child seat 38 is placed on the passenger seat 12. Once placed, its presence can be detected by a signal from either detector element.

That is, according to the present invention, by monitoring the signals from both the front and rear detecting elements 58 (F, R),
Since it is possible to detect both the placement of the child seat 38 on the occupant's seat 12 and its placement posture at the same time, whether or not the child seat is placed and whether or not the child seat is placed on the child seat, regardless of whether or not the child seat is seated. Any posture can be detected and discriminated easily and accurately.

As described above, in the vehicle airbag control device 10 of the present invention, the presence / absence of a seated person in the occupant seat 12 including the child seat 38 is detected, and
Whether or not the child seat is placed on the occupant seat and its placement posture are detected. Then, as shown in the operation mode of Table 1, the impact sensor 16 detects the impact on the vehicle when there is no occupant on the occupant seat 12 including the child seat 38 and when the child seat is in the rearward posture. Even so, the airbag control device 10 of the present invention is configured so that the airbag 14 is inactivated.

[0057]

[Table 1]

Explaining in order from the left of Table 1, first, the occupant seat 12 is generated by the signal from the detecting element 58 (F).
When the forward posture of the child seat 38 with respect to is detected and detected and the seating for the occupant, that is, the child seat is detected by the detection signal from the seating switch 28, the airbag 14 is maintained in its movable state. On the other hand, when the rearward posture of the child seat 38 with respect to the occupant's seat 12 is discriminated and detected by the signal from the detection element 58 (R), the airbag 14 is inoperative regardless of whether the child seat 38 is seated. Become.

When the detection element 58 (F, R) does not detect the placement of the child seat 38 on the passenger seat 12, and only the seating on the passenger seat is detected by the signal from the seating switch 28. The airbag 14 is maintained in an operable state.

Further, even if the detection element 58 (F, R) detects the placement of the child seat 38 on the occupant's seat 12, no seated person is detected by the seating switch 28, that is, in the non-seated state. The airbag 14 becomes inoperative.

As described above, when there is no occupant in the occupant seat 12 including the child seat 38, and when the placed child seat is in the rearward posture, the airbag is
According to the airbag control method of the present invention in which 14 is inoperative, unnecessary operation of the airbag at the time of a collision or the like can be reliably prevented, so that the airbag and the activation device 18 can be reactivated after the airbag is activated. Maintenance such as repair of equipment and instrument panel 20 can be simplified. Therefore, the maintenance process can be reduced, and the cost associated therewith can be sufficiently reduced.

In the present invention, the occupant is combined with the passive element 56 provided at the bottom of the child seat 38 and the front and rear detecting elements 58 (F, R) provided on the occupant seat 12. Whether or not the child seat is placed on the seat and its placement posture are discriminated and detected. Under the combination of the passive element 56 and the detection element 58 (F, R), the position of the passive element, that is, the occupant's seat 12 is changed by the change of the signal accompanying the invasion of the passive element into the electromagnetic wave region of the detection element. Since the mounting posture of the child seat 38 with respect to can be detected, the detection can be obtained without contact between the elements.

That is, according to the present invention, the passive elements 56,
Since it is possible to detect whether or not the child seat 38 is placed on the occupant's seat 12 and the posture of the child seat 38 without contact between the detection elements 58 (F, R), it is possible to reliably prevent detection failures when repeatedly used. it can. In addition, the detection element
Since the detection of the passive element 56 by 58 (F, R) is obtained over a certain fixed area, even if the child seat 38 is placed and fixed with a slight deviation from the passenger seat 12, it remains in the normal placement state. If so, the placement can be reliably detected. Therefore, also in this respect, it is possible to prevent a detection failure or the like when the child seat 38 is placed on the occupant seat 12.

Further, it is sufficient if the passive element 56 constitutes a resonance circuit. In other words, the child seat side does not require electric power for its detection, so that the structure of the child seat 38 can be sufficiently simplified.

Since the passive element 56 is formed as a tag by laminating a film, the passive element 56 is not limited to being built in the bottom surface of the child seat 38, and the passive element 56 can be attached by, for example, attaching to the bottom surface. It is also possible to arrange it on a child seat. That is,
Even for the child seat 38 that does not have the passive element 56,
Since it can be easily used by retrofitting passive elements, a wide range of applications for the child seat to be placed are possible without limitation.
The airbag control method of the present invention can be easily performed.

According to the vehicle airbag control apparatus 10 of the present invention, the above-described airbag control method can be appropriately performed, whether or not the child seat 38 is placed on the occupant's seat 12, and its mounting posture. Also, by detecting the presence / absence of a seated occupant seat including the child seat, it is possible to appropriately control the operation and non-operation of the airbag 14 according to the seating status of the occupant seat.

In the embodiment of the present invention,
Although the passive element 56 is arranged in the front part of the bottom surface of the child seat 38, its arrangement is sufficient as long as it is at a position where a clear difference is produced depending on the frontward and rearward postures of the child seat with respect to the passenger seat 12. However, the passive element may be arranged at the rear of the bottom surface of the child seat. In this case, the rearward posture of the child seat 38 is detected by the change in the signal of the front detection element 58 (F), and the rearward posture of the child seat is detected by the change in the signal of the rear detection element 58 (R).
Be discriminated against.

Further, in this embodiment, the seating switch 28 and the detecting element 58 (F, R) are provided on the sensor sheet 30, respectively, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, these are formed separately. Then, they may be arranged at the corresponding positions.

However, the seating switch 28, the detection element
58 (F, R) are seat cushions for passenger seats 26
Since they are provided on the seating surface of the seat cushion, by integrally providing them on the sensor seat 30, it is possible to prevent the structure of the seat cushion from becoming complicated. Then, the seating switch 28 and the detection element are simply attached by attaching the sensor sheet 30
Since both 58 (F, R) can be properly arranged, the seating switch
28, workability is improved by simplifying the work of disposing the detection elements 58 (F, R).

By the way, in an automobile, an airbag
It goes without saying that it is important to wear the seat belt 40 before the operation of 14. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, in the airbag control device 10 of the present invention, for example, the presence or absence of the seat belt 40 is detected by the belt switch 66, and the seat 12 is seated in the occupant seat 12. When the belt is not worn, the warning means 68 warns that fact.

The belt switch 66 is configured to generate a signal when the tongue 52 is attached to the buckle 50 of the seat belt 40, and is connected to the discrimination control circuit 36. The discrimination control circuit 36 is configured to discriminate the wearing of the seat belt 40 based on the input of the signal from the belt switch 66 and to output the corresponding signal to the warning control circuit 70.

The warning means 68 comprises, for example, a buzzer 68-1 and an indicator 68-2 composed of a lamp or the like, which are connected to a warning control circuit 70, respectively. The warning means 68, in particular, the indicator 68-2 is usually a location where the occupant seat 12 can be confirmed by the occupant and the driver,
For example, as shown in FIG. 1, it is arranged on the upper surface of the instrument panel 20 or the like.

Table 2 shows the operation modes of the airbag control device 10 equipped with the belt switch 66 and the warning means 68.
Shown in

[0074]

[Table 2]

As can be seen from the left half of Table 2, regardless of whether the child seat is placed on the occupant seat 12 or directly seated on the occupant seat, the seat by the belt switch 66 is used. When the wearing of the belt 40 is detected, neither the buzzer 68-1 nor the indicator 68-2 gives a warning. As can be seen from the right half of Table 2, the child seat 38 for the passenger seat 12
At least one of the warning means 68, that is, the buzzer 68-1 and the indicator 68-2, when the seatbelt 40 is unfastened when it is placed on the passenger seat or directly seated on the occupant seat is detected. A warning is issued by either.

As described above, the child seat 38 is
Since it is fixed to the occupant seat 12 under the seat belt 40, if a warning is issued when the seat belt is not attached to the occupant seat in the state where the child seat is placed in this manner, when traveling, The misalignment of the child seat with respect to the passenger seat can be prevented in advance.

Further, when the seatbelt 40 is directly seated, the seatbelt can be easily made aware of the seatbelt by warning the seatbelt 40 not to be seated.

Here, there are cases where a seated person on the occupant seat 12 does not intentionally wear the seat belt 40 due to various reasons. Further, even when luggage or the like is placed on the occupant seat 12, the seating switch 28 may perform the same detection as seating. In such a case, the buzzer 68
Ringing -1 may cause discomfort to the seated person and the driver.

Therefore, as can be seen from Table 2, in the present invention, when the seating condition is detected only by the seating switch 28, the buzzer 68-1 does not ring and the indicator 68-2 only lights up. Is configured to warn that fact. With such a configuration, since the buzzer 68-1 does not ring, the seated person and the driver are not uncomfortable. Then, the seated person and the driver are warned by the lighting of the indicator 68-2, so that the seated person and the driver can easily recognize the fact.

As can be seen from the right end of Table 2,
When the placement of the child seat 38 on the occupant seat 12, the direct seating on the occupant seat, and the wearing of the seat belt 40 are not detected, the buzzer 68-
1. No warning is given by the indicator 68-2.

As shown in the right half of Table 2, regardless of whether or not the seat belt 40 is worn by the belt switch 66, there is a seated person on the occupant seat 12 including the child seat 38, and In the case where the child seat is in the rearward posture with respect to the passenger seat, the airbag 14 is inoperative. Then, even when the seat belt 40 is not detected, if the seating state is detected by the seating switch 28, the airbag 14 is maintained in an operable state.

Here, the main purpose of the present invention is to inactivate the airbag 14 when the child seat 38 with respect to the occupant's seat 12 is in the rearward posture, so that the passive elements 56 provided at each one position are provided. With the combination of the detection element 58 and the detection element 58, even if only the rearward posture of the child seat to the occupant's seat is detected and the airbag is deactivated when this detection is obtained, a similar basic effect can be obtained. To be

However, in the present invention, the detection element 58
Since (F, R) are arranged at both the front and rear portions of the seat cushion 26 of the occupant seat, if the child seat 38 is placed on the occupant seat 12, it can be placed in either the frontward or rearward posture. Whether or not the child seat is present in the occupant seat can be discriminated by detecting or discriminating whether or not the occupant seat.
Then, if the placement of the child seat 38 with respect to the occupant seat 12 is detected, when there is detection by the seating switch 28, it is either seated on the child seat, or directly seated on the occupant seat. Can be easily identified.

That is, as in the present invention, the detecting elements 58 (F, R) are provided on the front and rear portions of the seat cushion 26 of the passenger seat.
By providing the presence or absence of the child seat 38 on the occupant seat 12, its mounting posture, and, if there is a occupant, whether the occupant is a child seat or an occupant seat. However, both can be easily and clearly discriminated. Therefore, it becomes possible to subdivide the seating situation in the occupant seat 12, and the seating situation, such as the warning only with the indicator 68-2 at the time of detecting the occupant directly in the occupant seat 12 described above. It is possible to easily deal with the situation.

Thus, by subdividing the seating condition of the occupant seat 12 and discriminating the seating condition, the airbag control of this type, which cannot be expected only by detecting the placement of the child seat 38 in the rearward posture, is performed. Further development of the device and expansion of its range of use can be fully expected.

By the way, when the vehicle is running, its vibrations may be transmitted to the occupant seat 12 and the child seat 38, and the strength of the signal may change due to changes in the posture of the seated person. The signals from the element 58 (F, R) and the seating switch 28 are likely to be unstable.
If this unstable signal is directly input to the discrimination control circuit 36, malfunction of discrimination by the discrimination control circuit is likely to occur, and thus reduction in reliability of discrimination cannot be avoided.

Therefore, in the present invention, the detection of minute changes in the signal due to vibration or the like is omitted.

In such a structure, for example, an input circuit as shown in FIG.
72 is configured, and through this input circuit, the detection element 58 (F, R)
, And signals from the seating switch 28 can be input. The input circuit 72 uses a generally known D flip-flop and is configured to discriminate whether or not the pulse width of the input signal replaced with the pulse is longer than the set time td.

In the input circuit 72, the input signal is compared with the clock pulse Cp of a specific cycle, and as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the input signal is dealt with only when it reaches a predetermined reference level. First pulse corresponds to the input signal
Is generated as an internal signal (see FIGS. 8 and 9).
As shown in FIG. 9, the cycle of the clock pulse Cp can be exemplified by 1 sec.

This first internal signal is compared with the second internal signal shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 to discriminate whether it is longer than the set time td set in the second internal signal. . An example of the set time td is 0.3 sec.

The input circuit 72 is constructed so as to output an output signal only when the first internal signal is longer than the set time Td of the second internal signal (see FIGS. 8 and 9). ).

For example, as can be seen from the arrow a in FIG. 9, when the pulse width of the first internal signal is longer than the set time td, a pulse having a corresponding width is output as an output signal. On the other hand, as shown by an arrow b in FIG. 9, when the input signal becomes lower than the reference level, the first and second internal signals disappear, so that the output signal does not occur.

As can be seen from the arrow c in FIG. 9, when the input signal momentarily exceeds the reference level, a pulse having a corresponding width is generated as the first internal signal. However, in comparison with the second internal signal, the first
If the pulse width of the internal signal of is shorter than the set time td, no output signal is generated.

As described above, by providing the input circuit 72 at the input portion of the discrimination control circuit 36, the output signal corresponding to the minute change of the input signal due to an unstable signal or external noise is omitted. To be done. That is, the detection element 58 (F, R)
Even if the signal from the seating switch 28 becomes unstable, discrimination that makes the unstable signal symmetric does not occur, so that malfunctions due to the unstable signal or external noise are reliably suppressed.

Therefore, the mounting posture of the child seat 38 with respect to the occupant seat 12 and the reliability in discriminating the presence / absence of a seated person in the occupant seat are improved.

In this embodiment, a front assistant seat is exemplified as the occupant seat 12, but the occupant seat here refers to a seat other than the driver seat, and therefore other than the assistant seat. In the case where the seat, for example, the rear seat is equipped with the airbag, the airbag control device may be provided in the airbag corresponding to the rear seat.

Further, although the present invention is embodied as an airbag to be installed in an automobile, the present invention is not limited to the automobile, and the present invention may be applied to other vehicles such as trains, airplanes, and ships. .

The above-described embodiments of the present invention are for explaining the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention in any way, and modifications and alterations made within the technical scope of the present invention are also possible. It goes without saying that all are included in this invention.

[0099]

As described above, according to the vehicle airbag control method of the present invention, when there is no occupant in the occupant seat including the child seat and when the child seat is in the rearward posture, Since the airbag is deactivated even when the impact on the vehicle is detected, unnecessary activation of the airbag can be reliably prevented. Therefore, the maintenance process after the airbag is activated can be reduced, and the cost associated therewith can be sufficiently reduced.

Since the mounting posture of the child seat with respect to the occupant's seat is detected in a non-contact manner between the passive element and the detection element by the change of the signal accompanying the invasion of the passive element into the electromagnetic wave region of the detection element, It is possible to reliably prevent detection failures and the like due to wear and the like. Further, since the detection of the passive element by the detection element can be obtained over a certain area, it is possible to prevent a detection failure or the like due to the displacement of the child seat with respect to the passenger seat.

Furthermore, since it is sufficient for the passive element to form a resonance circuit and no electric power is required to detect the resonance circuit on the child seat side, the simplification of the structure of the child seat can be achieved.

Further, since the passive element is formed as a tag, it is possible to dispose the passive element on the child seat by retrofitting by attaching or the like. Therefore, even a child seat having no passive element can be easily used by retrofitting the passive element. Therefore, the present invention can easily be applied to a wide range of applications of the child seat to be placed.

If the seat belt is detected by the belt switch and the seat belt is not seated, the warning means warns that the seat belt is not displaced from the occupant's seat during traveling. In addition, the seated person can easily be made aware of wearing the seat belt.

Furthermore, when a seating condition is detected when the seat belt is not worn, if the warning is given only by the indicator, the buzzer does not ring and the seated person and the driver are not uncomfortable. Since the indicator warns the seated person and the driver to that effect, the seated person and the driver can easily recognize the fact.

Further, according to the vehicle airbag control device of the present invention, the above airbag control method can be appropriately performed, and the airbag can be easily activated and deactivated depending on the seating condition on the occupant seat. Can be secured.

Further, if the seating switch and the detecting element are provided integrally with the sensor seat, the structure of the seat cushion can be prevented from becoming complicated. Further, since the seating switch and the detection element can be properly arranged only by attaching the sensor sheet, workability is also improved.

According to the present invention, in which the detecting elements are arranged at both the front and rear portions of the seat cushion of the passenger seat, according to the present invention, whether or not the child seat is placed on the passenger seat, its mounting posture, and When there is a seated person, it is possible to easily and clearly discriminate whether the seated person is seated on the child seat or the passenger seat. Therefore, it becomes possible to subdivide the seating situation in the occupant seat, and further development of this kind of airbag control device and expansion of the range of use can be expected sufficiently.

Further, if an input circuit is provided at the input portion of the discrimination control circuit and the signals from the detection element and the seating switch are output to the discrimination control circuit only when the width of the input pulse consisting of the input signal is equal to or longer than a predetermined time, Even if the signals from the detection element and the seating switch become unstable, discrimination that makes the unstable signal symmetric does not occur, so that malfunctions due to the unstable signal and external noise are reliably suppressed. Therefore, the mounting posture of the child seat with respect to the occupant seat and the reliability at the time of discriminating the presence / absence of a seated person on the occupant seat are improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an airbag control device for a vehicle according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a sensor sheet.

FIG. 3 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the seating switch portion of the sensor seat under no load and under load.

FIG. 4 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a passenger seat and a child seat.

FIG. 5 is a detailed partial block diagram of the airbag control device centering on a discrimination control circuit.

FIG. 6 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a passive element.

FIG. 7 is an output characteristic diagram of respective signals in the front and rear detection elements.

FIG. 8 is a schematic circuit diagram of an input circuit.

FIG. 9 is a waveform diagram in each part of the input circuit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Vehicle airbag control device 12 Occupant seat (assistant seat) 14 Airbag 16 Impact sensor 18 Starter device 20 Instrument panel 22 Airbag operating circuit 24 Controller 26 Seat cushion 28 Seating switch 30 Sensor seat 36 Discrimination control circuit 38 Child seat 40 Seat belt 50 Buckle 52 Tongue 56 Passive element 58 (F, R) Front and rear detection elements 64 Oscillation circuit 66 Belt switch 68 Warning means 68-1 Buzzer 68-2 Indicator 72 Input circuit

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A vehicle air bag control method for controlling the operation and non-operation of an air bag corresponding to a seating condition of an occupant seat when a vehicle collision is detected by an impact sensor. A passive element on either the front or the rear of the bottom surface of the child seat; and a detection element comprising the passive element and the resonance circuit of the identified number on both the front and rear of the seat cushion seating surface of the passenger seat; Then, the electromagnetic waves that match the resonance frequency of the passive element are generated from this detection element, and the signal from each detection element is monitored, and the change in the signal caused by the invasion of the passive element into the electromagnetic wave region of the detection element is detected. The presence or absence of a child seat on the occupant seat and the child seat for the occupant seat can be detected by detecting which of the detection elements in the rear part has occurred. In addition to discriminating between the forward and backward postures of the seat, the seating switch that detects the pressure on the seat cushion seating surface of the occupant seat detects the presence or absence of the occupant seat including the occupant seat in the child seat. When the impact sensor detects a vehicle collision when at least one of the rearward posture of the child seat with respect to the occupant seat and the unseat state of the child seat and occupant seat is detected, the air corresponding to the occupant seat is detected. A method for controlling an airbag for a vehicle, characterized by deactivating the bag. 2. The presence / absence of wearing of a seat belt on the occupant seat is detected by a belt switch, and at least one of placing the child seat on the occupant seat and seating on the occupant seat including the child seat is provided. When the seatbelt non-wearing state is detected,
The airbag control method for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the warning is provided by a warning means including at least one of a buzzer and an indicator. 3. The airbag control method for a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein when the seating directly on the occupant seat without the seatbelt is detected, the warning is given only by the indicator of the warning means. 4. A signal from the detection element and the seating switch is compared with a clock pulse of a specific period and combined to form an input pulse, and the signal from the detection element and the seating switch is discriminated only when the pulse width is a predetermined time or more. The vehicle airbag control method according to claim 1, wherein the airbag is output to a control circuit. 5. An airbag control device for controlling activation / deactivation of an airbag corresponding to a seating condition of an occupant seat when a collision of a vehicle is detected by an impact sensor, the airbag control device including a resonance circuit and a child seat. A passive element disposed on either the front or the rear of the bottom surface; consisting of the passive element and the resonance circuit of the identified number, and the detection elements on both the front and rear of the seat cushion seating surface of the passenger seat, respectively. A detection element that is disposed and that generates an electromagnetic wave that matches the resonance frequency of the passive element by an electric signal from the corresponding oscillation circuit; disposed on the seat cushion seating surface of the passenger seat, and the seating surface. A seating switch that produces a corresponding signal upon sensing the pressure above;
The occupant can be detected by monitoring the signals from the rear detection element and the seating switch and detecting whether the change in the signal caused by the invasion of the passive element into the electromagnetic wave region of the detection element occurs in the front or rear detection element. The presence / absence of a child seat on the passenger seat and the forward / backward posture of the child seat with respect to the occupant seat are discriminated, and the passenger seats including the occupant seat including the occupant are seated by inputting corresponding detection signals from the seating switch. A discrimination control circuit for discriminating presence / absence of a person; an impact sensor for detecting a vehicle impact; an airbag actuation circuit for actuating an airbag actuating device to actuate the airbag; and
A controller that is connected to each of the discrimination control circuits and processes input signals from the impact sensor and the discrimination control circuit according to a predetermined program and outputs a signal corresponding to the airbag actuation circuit; When the rearward posture of the child seat and at least one of the unseat state of the child seat and passenger seat are detected, even if the impact sensor detects a vehicle collision, the airbag corresponding to the passenger seat is deactivated. An airbag control device for a vehicle characterized by: 6. An airbag control device for controlling activation / deactivation of an airbag corresponding to a seating condition of an occupant seat when a collision of a vehicle is detected by an impact sensor. The airbag control device includes a resonance circuit and a child seat. A passive element disposed on either the front or the rear of the bottom surface; consisting of the passive element and the resonance circuit of the identified number, and the detection elements on both the front and rear of the seat cushion seating surface of the passenger seat, respectively. A detection element that is disposed and that generates an electromagnetic wave that matches the resonance frequency of the passive element by an electric signal from a corresponding oscillation circuit; and a belt switch that generates a corresponding signal by sensing the connection between the buckle and the tongue. And; warning means having at least one of a buzzer and an indicator; and the above-mentioned front and rear detection elements, a seating switch and a bell. By monitoring the signal from the switch and detecting whether the change of the signal caused by the invasion of the passive element into the electromagnetic wave area of the detecting element occurs in the front or rear detecting element, the child seat on the passenger seat can be detected. The presence / absence and the frontward / rearward posture of the child seat with respect to the occupant seat are discriminated, and the presence / absence of the occupant seat including the occupant seat in the child seat is detected by inputting a corresponding detection signal from the seating switch. A discrimination control circuit for discriminating whether or not the seat belt is worn on the occupant's seat by inputting a corresponding detection signal from the belt switch; and a shock sensor for detecting a shock of the vehicle and an air bag starting device driven. It is connected to the airbag operating circuit that operates the airbag and the discrimination control circuit. , Input signals from the impact sensor and discrimination control circuit are processed according to a predetermined program,
A controller that outputs a signal corresponding to an airbag actuation circuit; and the impact sensor detects the rearward posture of the child seat with respect to the occupant seat and / or the non-seated state of the child seat and occupant seat. Even when a vehicle collision is detected, the airbag corresponding to the occupant's seat is deactivated, and when the seatbelt non-wearing state is detected by the belt switch, the warning means gives the warning. Air bag control device for vehicles. 7. The airbag control device for a vehicle according to claim 6, wherein when the seating directly on the occupant seat without the seat belt is detected, the warning is given only by the indicator of the warning means. 8. The front and rear detecting elements and the seating switch are provided together on a sensor sheet formed by laminating flexible films, and the sensor sheets are arranged together with the front and rear detecting elements. The airbag control device for a vehicle according to any one of claims 5 to 7, which is disposed on a seat cushion seating surface of an occupant seat. 9. An input circuit is provided at an input portion of a discrimination control circuit, and signals from a detection element and a seating switch are compared with a clock pulse of a specific period to be an input pulse, and the pulse width is a predetermined time or more. 9. An airbag control device for a vehicle according to claim 5, wherein only the detection element and the seating switch output signals to the discrimination control circuit.