JPH09254739A - Loaded attitude discriminating method of child seat for vehicle, loaded attitude discriminating mechanism, and air bag control device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To discriminate the backward attitude of a child seat against a seat for occupant at low price and without requiring electromagnetic trouble countermeasure. SOLUTION: Signals from a pair of right and left reed switches 18 (R, L) arranged on the rear part of the seat cushion 40 of a seat for occupant 20 are individually monitored by a controller 24. When approach of the right and left corresponding magnets 16 (R, L) of a child seat 22 is detected by at least either of the reed switches 18 (R, L), the loaded attitude of the child seat is discriminated to be the backward attitude against the seat 20 for occupant.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle seat restraining method for discriminating the seating posture of a child seat with respect to an occupant's seat, a mounting posture discriminating mechanism, and an air conditioner according to the mounting condition of the child seat. The present invention relates to a vehicle airbag control device that controls the operation and non-operation of a bag.

[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 corresponding to 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.

In general, an airbag of this kind is designed so that when an impact sensor detects an impact such as a collision of an automobile, the airbag is instantly inflated and protruded by gas generation (injection) and ignition in an inflator which is a starting device. It is configured.

[0005]

By the way, since the airbag protects the occupant seated on the corresponding occupant seat by its operation (expansion, protrusion), it is not seated on the occupant seat. However, the effect as an airbag cannot be obtained even under the operation.

When an infant or the like is to be seated on a passenger seat, a separate child seat is usually placed on and fixed to the passenger seat, but when the child seat is used rearward with respect to the passenger seat, ,
Since an infant or the like is located between the seat back portion of the child seat and the seat back of the occupant seat, it is possible to reliably prevent the infant or the like from popping out in the front-rear direction without using an airbag, and to improve the cushioning properties of each portion. Under the
The impact on infants is reduced. 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.

Since the air bag is normally projected under the opening of the cover part such as the instrument panel due to its expansion, after the operation, the re-installation of the air bag and the inflator (starting device) and the cover part Maintenance such as restoration is required. 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.

[0008] Therefore, there is a configuration in which an electromagnetic wave is generated from the occupant's seat side, the rearward posture of the child seat is discriminated by the entry of the tag on the child seat side into the electromagnetic wave region, and the airbag is deactivated by this discrimination. It is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 07-267044.

With such a construction, the airbag other than the necessary one can be deactivated, and the maintenance after the activation can be performed only by the seat corresponding to the seated person, that is, the portion corresponding to the driver seat. The maintenance process is reduced and the cost is reduced accordingly.

However, in such a structure, a combination of an antenna, an oscillation circuit, etc. for generating an electromagnetic wave is required, so that the structure is likely to be complicated,
It tends to be expensive.

Further, in recent automobiles, electronic control circuits are mounted in various parts such as an engine, suspension, steering, door lock, navigation system, air conditioner, etc., so that appropriate control of each part of the automobile can be achieved. Has been done. However, in a known configuration in which the rearward posture of the child seat is discriminated by the detection of the tag, electromagnetic waves are radiated from the side of the occupant's seat, so depending on the conditions, this electromagnetic wave may be transmitted to various electronic control circuits mounted on the automobile. Electromagnetic interference
It may cause (EMI), and it may be necessary to take measures against electromagnetic interference.

The present invention provides a mounting posture discriminating method and a mounting posture discriminating mechanism for a vehicle child seat, which are inexpensive and can discriminate the rearward posture of the child seat with respect to the occupant seat without requiring measures against electromagnetic interference. Has an aim.

Further, by appropriately recognizing the mounting situation of the child seat on the occupant's seat, the vehicle airbag control which enables the operation control of the airbag according to the mounting situation and the warning at the time of poor mounting. It is another object of the present invention to provide a device.

[0014]

In order to achieve this object, according to the method for discriminating the placement posture of a vehicle child seat according to the present invention, either one of the front portion and the rear portion of the seat cushion seating surface of the occupant seat is used. The signals from the pair of left and right magnetic field sensing switches arranged in the are monitored individually. Then, when the vehicle is placed in a rearward posture, the pair of left and right magnets on the bottom of the child seat are brought close to the corresponding magnetic field sensing switches, and the signal change caused by the proximity of the magnets causes at least one of the left and right magnetic field sensing switches. When it is detected in step S1, the mounting posture of the child seat is discriminated as the rearward posture with respect to the occupant seat.

[0015]

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

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a vehicle seat restraint mechanism 10 according to the present invention is a part of a vehicle airbag control device 14 for controlling the operation and inactivation of an airbag 12. Is provided as. Then, the presence or absence of the magnet 16 (L, R) on the child seat side is detected by the magnetic field sensing switch 18 (L, R) on the passenger seat side, so that the child seat for the passenger seat 20 is detected.
The placement posture discrimination mechanism 10 is configured so as to discriminate the placement postures of 22 and output corresponding signals to the controller 24 of the airbag control device 14.

In this embodiment, a front assistant seat is exemplified as the occupant seat 20 and will be described below.

Generally, when the impact sensor 26 detects a shock such as a collision of an automobile, the airbag 12 is instantly inflated and protruded by generation (injection) of gas and ignition in an inflator 28 serving as a starting device. It is configured.

As can be seen from FIG. 1, the airbag 12 corresponding to the occupant seat (assistant seat) 20 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) 30 located in front of the passenger seat. In the airbag control device 10, the inflator 28 built in the airbag 12 is connected to the controller 24 via, for example, the corresponding operating circuit (airbag operating circuit) 32 and the impact sensor 26.

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

For example, when the impact sensor 26 detects a collision of an automobile, a control signal from the controller 24 is output to the airbag actuation circuit 32 via the impact sensor. Then, when the corresponding signal from the airbag operating circuit 32 is output to the inflator 28, the airbag 12 is activated, that is, inflated by the operation of the inflator accompanying it, and the cover portion of the instrument panel 30 is opened. It can be projected.

A publicly known general structure can be used as the air bag 12, and the structure itself, the operating system, and the like are not the gist of the present invention, and will not be described in detail here.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 1, in an automobile or the like, a separate child seat 22 that can be placed on and fixed to a passenger seat 20 is provided. By using this child seat, a passenger seat seat is provided. Belt 38
This makes it possible for children and infants who have difficulty in proper restraint to sit safely.

The child seat 22 is formed, for example, into an integral shape of a seat cushion portion 34 and a seat back portion 36 suitable for sitting by an infant or the like. It is configured to prevent a person, that is, an infant or the like from collapsing or jumping out. And, such a child seat 22 is usually a seat belt 38 of the occupant seat 20.
Is used to be placed and fixed on the seat cushion 40 of the occupant seat.

As shown in FIG. 1, the child seat 22
Is a belt loop through which the seat belt 38 can be inserted.
42 is formed in the back or lower part, and can be fixed to the occupant seat 20 by connecting the pair of buckles 44 and the tongue 46 after inserting the belt loop, that is, by mounting the seat belt. There is.

This type of child seat 22 is generally
The occupant's seat 20 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 22 is placed and fixed rearward with respect to the occupant seat 20.

A general commercial product can be used as the child seat 22. The child seat 22 is publicly known, and the configuration itself is not the purpose of the present invention, and therefore will not be described in detail here.

Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the occupant seat
Place the child seat 22 in a rearward posture with respect to 20,
When fixed, the seat back portion 36 of the child seat and the seat back 48 of the occupant seat face each other in the front-rear direction, so that the protective effect under the operation of the airbag 12 cannot be obtained so much. That is, when the child seat 22 is placed and fixed in a rearward posture with respect to the occupant seat 20, it is desirable that the airbag 12 is inoperable even in the event of a collision or the like.

Therefore, the vehicle child seat placement posture discriminating mechanism 10 of the present invention is configured to discriminate the rearward posture of the child seat 22 with respect to the occupant seat 20 and output the corresponding signal to the controller 24 as information. There is. And the controller 24 that accompanies it
The airbag control circuit 14 is configured so as to inactivate the corresponding airbag 12 by processing the signal at the.

As can be seen from FIG. 3 in addition to FIG.
The placement posture discrimination mechanism 10 of the present invention has a combination of a pair of left and right magnets 16 (L, R) and a magnetic field sensing switch 18 (L, R). As shown in FIG. 4, the magnetic field sensing switch 18
As (L, R), for example, a reed switch that can switch between contact and non-contact operation between a pair of reed pieces 18a depending on the presence or absence of an external magnetic field can be used.
It is sealed by a mold 50 having a predetermined shape described later.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the reed switches (magnetic field sensing switches) 18 (L, R) are seated on the seating surface of the seat cushion 40 of the occupant seat, for example, at the left and right positions in the rear portion of the seat. It is embedded in the pad 52 (see FIG. 4).

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the reed switches 18 (L, R) are connected to the controller 24, respectively.
The signal from each reed switch is individually monitored by this controller.

The reed switch 18 (L, R) is normally constructed so that a pair of reed pieces 18a come into contact with each other by the action of an external magnetic field, and a signal ( Whether there is an ON signal) is monitored by the controller 24.

Reference numeral 51 in FIG. 4 indicates a connecting terminal of the reed switch 18 (L, R), and this connecting terminal is exposed to the outside of the mold 50. And this connection terminal 51
The reed switches 18 (L, R) are respectively connected to the controller 24 of the airbag control device via the.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the magnets 16 (L, R) as means for applying a magnetic field from the outside to the reed switches 18 (L, R) are provided on the bottom surface of the child seat 22 corresponding to the left and right sides. It is provided at each position. As the magnets 16 (L, R), for example, mold-sealed plate-shaped permanent magnets can be used.The magnets lead the rear portion of the seat cushion when the child seat 22 is placed in a rearward posture with respect to the passenger seat 20. Switch 18
It is provided at a position close to (L, R), that is, at the front of the bottom surface of the seat cushion portion 34 of the child seat.

The magnets (permanent magnets) 16 (L, R) are previously embedded in the inner surface of the trim cover at the front of the bottom surface of the seat cushion portion 34 of the child seat.

The combination of the magnet 16 (L, R) and the reed switch 18 (L, R) used in this embodiment is known as a part of a security system for detecting the opening of windows, doors, etc. Since the operating principle itself is not the gist of the present invention, its detailed description is omitted.

Table 1 shows an example of the operation modes of the airbag control device 14 provided with the vehicle seat restraint mechanism 10 according to the present invention.

[0039]

[Table 1]

IGN SW in Table 1 is an ignition switch which is a main switch of the vehicle and is indicated by reference numeral 53 in FIG. 2, and when the ignition switch is OFF, the vehicle is in a stopped state. As can be seen by looking at the IGN SW section and the airbag operation section together, the airbag 12 is inactive (×) under all other conditions when the ignition switch is in the OFF (×) state. The airbag control device 14 is configured so that

As can be seen from the columns a and b in Table 1, the child seat 22 is placed in the rearward posture with respect to the occupant's seat 20 by the ON operation (○) of both the left and right reed switches 18 (L, R). When the position is detected, the airbag 12 becomes inoperative even under the detection of impact or the like, regardless of other conditions.

On the other hand, as shown in columns i and j, when the child seat 22 is placed in a forward-facing posture with respect to the occupant seat 20, both the left and right reed switches 18 (L, R) are in the OFF state ( X), which is transmitted to the controller 24. As you can see from the section on airbag operation in columns i and j, under these conditions, the airbag 12 can be operated, that is, inflated and projected (○) regardless of other conditions. Maintained.

As can be seen by comparing the i and j columns indicating the forward facing posture of the child seat 22 and the k and l columns indicating the non-mounted state, the airbag control device 14 determines that the conditions are the same. Therefore, in any case, the airbag 12 can operate. Here, the non-placed state of the child seat 22 refers to a direct seated state of the occupant (occupant) on the occupant seat 20.

As described above, according to the vehicle seat safety posture discriminating method of the present invention, the left and right reed switches 18 (L, R) corresponding to the proximity of the magnets 16 (L, R) on the child seat side are provided. ) Is turned on,
The placement posture of the child seat 22 with respect to the occupant seat 20 is discriminated as a rearward posture. Then, when the controller 24 recognizes the rearward posture of the child seat 22 with respect to the occupant's seat 20, the airbag control device 14 is configured to inactivate the airbag 12 even in the event of a collision or the like. , It is possible to reliably prevent unnecessary operation of the airbag.

Therefore, maintenance such as refitting of the airbag and the inflator 28 and repair of the instrument panel 30 after the airbag 12 is activated can be simplified. Therefore, the maintenance process for the airbag 12 can be reduced, and the cost associated therewith can be sufficiently reduced.

In the present invention, the reed switch 18 (L, R) is turned on when the magnets 16 (L, R) provided on the bottom surface of the child seat 22 come close to each other, so that the child seat rearward posture with respect to the occupant's seat 20. Therefore, electromagnetic waves are not radiated from either the magnet or the reed switch. In other words, the child seat for the occupant seat 20 without the emission of electromagnetic waves.
Since the backward posture of 22 can be discriminated, electromagnetic interference (EMI) caused by electromagnetic waves does not occur in various electronic control circuits mounted on the vehicle. Therefore, it is possible to sufficiently secure the safety of the electronic control circuit mounted on the vehicle without requiring measures against electromagnetic interference.

Since the magnets 16 (L, R) and the reed switch 18 (L, R) are not in contact with each other, contact failure due to wear or the like does not occur, and detection failure etc. in repeated use does not occur. It can be surely prevented.

Since the magnets 16 (L, R) do not require electric power, the child seat 22 can be sufficiently simplified in structure.

Furthermore, the magnets 16 (L, R) need not be embedded in the bottom surface of the child seat 22 as long as they are disposed on the bottom surface of the child seat 22, and the magnets 16 (L, R) may be attached by, for example, attaching to the front surface. It is also possible to dispose on the child seat. That is, even for the child seat 22 that does not have the magnet 16 (L, R) in advance, it can be easily used by retrofitting the magnet at a predetermined position. This is easily possible with the placement posture discrimination method.

According to the vehicle seat safety position discriminating mechanism 10 of the present invention, the above-mentioned vehicle position discriminating method can be appropriately executed, and the car seat 22 can be placed in the rearward posture with respect to the occupant seat 20. Since it can be accurately discriminated, by combining it with the airbag control device 14,
It is possible to appropriately control the operation and non-operation of the airbag 12 according to the mounting posture of the child seat on the passenger seat.

Further, the reed switch 18 (L, R) is used for the passenger seat 20, and the magnet 16 (L, R) is used for the child seat 22.
In addition, since it is sufficient to dispose each of them, the mounting posture discrimination mechanism 10 can be configured at a sufficiently low cost without complicating the configuration.

By the way, since the child seat 22 is fixed on the seat cushion 40 of the occupant seat using the seat belt 38 as described above, the connection between the pair of buckles 44 and the tongue 46 of the seat belt. In the absence of, the fixation is likely not sufficient. Further, since the seating surface of the seat cushion 40 of the occupant seat is not flat, the child seat 22 is placed in a state deviated from the normal placement position with respect to the occupant seat 20, for example, in an oblique state in the horizontal direction. In some cases, even when the seat belt 38 is worn, the stability and the reliability of fixing the seat belt 38 are likely to deteriorate.

Therefore, in the vehicle airbag control device 14 of the present invention, the seat belt 38 is switched by the belt switch 54.
When the seat belt is not worn, that is, when the seat belt is not worn, the warning means
It is configured to warn that at 56. Further, when only one of the left and right reed switches 18 (L, R) is turned on, it is regarded as the diagonal mounting of the child seat 22 with respect to the occupant's seat 20, and the warning means 56 warns that. Thus, the airbag control device 14 of the present invention is also configured.

The belt switch 54 is configured to generate a signal when the tongue 46 is inserted into the buckle 44 of the seat belt 38, and as shown in FIGS.
It is connected to the controller 24 of the airbag control device. In the controller 24, whether or not the seat belt 38 is worn is determined based on the signal input from the belt switch 54. Then, the controller 24 is configured to output the corresponding signal to the warning means 56 and issue an appropriate warning by the warning means.

As can be seen from FIG. 2, as the warning means 56, for example, a structure provided with a buzzer 56-1 and an indicator 56-2 such as a lamp can be exemplified. Warning means 5
6, especially the indicator 56-2 is usually the occupant seat 20
It is arranged at a location where the occupant and the driver can see, for example, the upper surface of the instrument panel 30 shown in FIG.

Here, in the present invention, the warning means 56
However, it is possible to output two types of warning displays, whereby a warning is provided by distinguishing between the oblique mounting of the child seat 22 on the occupant seat 20 and the non-wearing state of the seat belt 38. The warning means 56 has two types of warning displays, for example, a buzzer 56-1 and an indicator 56.
-Continuous display at 2 (beep sound for buzzer sound) and these intermittent short display (beep sound) can be illustrated. By outputting these individually for each corresponding condition,
In the present invention, it is possible to clarify the cause of the warning.

In this embodiment, due to the importance from the viewpoint of safety when traveling, the continuous display of the warning means 56 is used as a warning display when the seat belt 38 is not worn, and the intermittent display of the warning means is used as a child seat. Each of the 22 diagonally mounted warning displays is illustrated.

As shown in the column b of Table 1, the belt switch 54 is turned off (×) when the child seat 22 is normally placed with both the left and right reed switches 18 (L, R) turned on.
When the non-wearing state of the seat belt 38 is detected by this, as can be seen by looking at the warning display item, the fact is displayed by the continuous display (⊚) of the warning means 56.

Further, as can be seen from the columns c and d, when the oblique mounting of the child seat 22 is detected by detecting only one of the reed switches 18 (L, R), the belt switch 54 is turned on (○). If the wearing state of the seat belt 38 is detected, the intermittent display (◯) of the warning means 56 gives a warning to that effect, that is, the oblique mounting of the child seat.

Even in the obliquely mounted state of the child seat 22 shown in the columns c and d, one of the reed switches 18 (L, R) is turned on to discriminate the mounting of the child seat in the rearward posture with respect to the occupant seat 20. Therefore, as can be seen from the section on airbag operation, the airbag 12 is inoperative. That is, even when the child seat 22 is diagonally mounted, if the seat belt 38 is in the mounted state, the airbag 12 is made inoperative, so that the maintenance process can be reduced.

On the other hand, as shown in columns f and g of Table 1,
When the seat belt 38 is not mounted and the seat belt 38 is not attached while the seat belt 22 is placed diagonally and the belt switch 54 is turned off (x), the warning means 56 continuously displays the warning message as shown in the warning display section. First, (◎) warns that the seat belt is not worn. As described above, in the present invention, the unfastened state of the seat belt 38 is recognized as an important matter from the viewpoint of safety when traveling, and the child seat 22
When both the oblique mounting and the seat belt non-wearing state are detected at the same time, high safety is ensured by giving priority to the warning of the seat belt non-wearing state.

When the seat belt 38 is not worn, it is determined that the child seat 22 is not sufficiently fixed to the occupant's seat 20. Therefore, as shown in the section of the airbag operation in columns f and g, the airbag is 12 remains operational.

Then, in such a state, the child seat 22 is fixed to the occupant seat 20 with the seat belt 38 attached in accordance with the warning displayed continuously by the warning means 56. Since it is determined that the child seat is diagonally placed, as shown in the d column, the intermittent display of the warning means 56 warns that effect.

As can be seen from the columns e and h in Table 1, the left and right reed switches 18 (L, L, L) are set even when the child seat 22 is placed on the occupant seat 20 in the rearward posture.
If both (R) are OFF, the controller 2
In 4, it is regarded as the same as the forward facing posture and non-placed state of the child seat (see columns i, j, k, l). In this case, since it is determined that the child seat 22 is not placed in the rearward posture, the warning by the warning means 56 does not occur as shown in the section of the warning display in the e and h columns.

As described above, in the vehicle airbag control device 14 of the present invention, the warning means 56 is used when the child seat 22 is obliquely placed on the occupant seat 20 and when the seat belt 38 is not worn. As a result, a warning to that effect is issued, so that the occupant, particularly the driver, can be urged to properly place and fix the child seat on the occupant seat. In other words, by the warning by the warning means 56, an occupant such as a driver recognizes that fact, so that an accident or the like due to a poor placement of the child seat 22 can be prevented in advance, so that the safety when using the child seat is improved. Easily improved.

The slant placement of the child seat 22 and the non-operated wearing state of the seat belt 38 are separately warned by the individual warning surface force of the warning means 56, so that the failure of the seat placement of the child seat can be easily caused. Since it is clarified, the required correction work can be easily determined and the workability at the time of correction is improved.

Reference numeral 58 in FIG. 2 indicates a reset switch for the warning means 56.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, in the seat cushion 40 of the occupant's seat, the boundary portion between the bent portion 40a, which normally serves as the seating surface, and the left and right side shackles 40b, A groove-shaped depression 60 called a trimming groove is formed. As can be seen clearly in FIG. 4, the trimming groove (recess) 60 is provided with a hanging wire 64, which is usually connected to a trim cover 62 of a seat cushion via a bag-like hanging cloth 61, and a recess 66 of the seat pad 52. It is formed by connecting the suspension wire to the insert wire 68 buried under the recess with a connecting member 70 such as a hog ring.

Therefore, in the present invention, the insert wire is provided at the left and right positions of the seat cushion 40 of the occupant seat.
Paying attention to the fact that the 66 is embedded, the insert wires are used to arrange and embed the left and right reed switches 18 (L, R) in the seat cushion, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 4, the reed switch 18 (L,
(R) is molded into a mold 50 integrally formed with a pair of holding pieces 50a that cannot hold the insert wire 68 and can rotatably hold the insert wire 68. By hugging, the mold, or reed switch, is connected to the insert wire.

The reed switch 18 (L, R) is set, for example, in a substantially horizontal state as shown in FIG. 4 as an initial position.
It is embedded in the seat pad 52.

According to this structure, for example, even when a load from a seated person acts on the seating surface of the seat cushion 40, that is, the bent portion 40a, the reed switches 18 (L, R) move around the insert wire 68. Since the seat pad 52 is rotated downward due to the compressive deformation of the seat pad 52, even if the position of the reed switch disposed at the rear portion of the seat cushion substantially coincides with the position of the back of the seated person, It does not give a feeling of bottoming out.

Therefore, the reed switch 18 (L, R) can be used without giving the seated person an unpleasant feeling due to the bottoming feeling.
Despite the configuration in which the seat cushion is arranged on the seating surface of the seat cushion 40, the comfort of the seated person can be easily ensured.

Then, an existing member is used for the seat cushion 40, which is an insert wire 68, and the reed switch 18 is used.
Since (L, R) is attached, complication of the configuration and complication of work at the time of arranging the reed switch can be reliably prevented.

Here, in the present invention, the reed switch 18 (L, R) is provided at the rear portion of the seat cushion 40, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be provided at the front portion of the seat cushion, for example. In this case, magnet 16 (L, R)
Is disposed at a position close to the reed switches 18 (L, R) when the child seat 22 is placed in a rearward posture with respect to the occupant seat 20, that is, at the rear portion of the seat cushion portion 34.

Further, in this embodiment, the magnet 16 (L, R) is exemplified as a mold-sealed permanent magnet, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a permanent magnet having no mold-sealing is used. It may be used as a magnet in the invention. Especially, the seat cushion part 34 of the child seat
Embedded in the structure shown in this embodiment,
Since the magnets 16 (L, R) do not come into contact with external members, it is possible to reliably prevent breakage, damage, etc. of the permanent magnet that serves as a magnet, and therefore mold sealing for the purpose of protection is not so important.

On the other hand, in the case where the child seat is attached on the surface of the bottom surface of the seat cushion portion 34 by retrofitting, the mold-sealed permanent magnet is used as a magnet.
If used as 16 (L, R), the permanent magnet is protected by this mold, so damage and damage to the permanent magnet can be reliably prevented, and the reed switch 18 (L, R) prevents the child seat 22 from facing backward. The certainty of discrimination is further improved.

In this embodiment, the reed switch 18 (L, R) is exemplified as the magnetic field sensing switch, but it is sufficient if it has a configuration in which the magnet 16 (L, R) is brought into the ON state by the proximity thereof. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a Hall element in which a predetermined electric signal is generated under the action of a magnetic field may be used as a magnetic field sensing switch corresponding to a magnet.

Even in such a configuration, the controller 24 of the airbag control circuit individually monitors the changes in the signals at the left and right magnetic field sensing switches (Hall elements) 18 (L, R) and responds to the changes in the signals. Since the rearward posture of the child seat 22 with respect to the occupant's seat 20 can be discriminated, the rearward posture of the child seat can be accurately discriminated by using either the reed switch or the hall element as the magnetic field sensing switch.

Also, the warning means 56 is illustrated as having a buzzer 56-1 and an indicator 56-2, but the warning means allows an occupant such as a driver to recognize the fact under the operation thereof. However, the warning means is not limited to both of them and may be, for example, a configuration including only one of a buzzer and an indicator.

However, according to the warning means 56 including the buzzer 56-1 and the indicator 56-2 as in this embodiment, the warning is given to the occupant such as a driver from the viewpoint of both hearing and vision. It becomes possible for the occupant to clearly recognize the placement failure of the child seat 22 with respect to the occupant's seat 20 without being affected by the environment, conditions, etc. in the vehicle interior. Therefore, the warning means 56 to the buzzer 56-1,
By providing the indicator 56-2, the child seat 22
The safety of can be maintained higher.

In this embodiment, a front assistant seat is exemplified as the occupant seat 20. However, the occupant seat here means a seat other than the driver seat, and therefore a seat other than the assistant seat is used. 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 an 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 do not limit the present invention in any way, and those which are modified or modified within the technical scope of the present invention are also applicable. It goes without saying that all are included in this invention.

[0085]

As described above, according to the method for discriminating the placement posture of the vehicle child seat according to the present invention, the ON / OFF operation of the magnetic field sensing switch accompanying the proximity of the magnet provided on the bottom surface of the child seat causes the passenger seat to be seated. Since the rearward posture of the child seat is discriminated, it is not necessary to radiate electromagnetic waves from the passenger seat side. Therefore, the safety of various electronic control circuits installed in automobiles
It can be sufficiently secured without requiring measures against electromagnetic interference.

Further, since the magnet and the magnetic field sensing switch are not in contact with each other, it is possible to reliably prevent detection failure and the like when repeatedly used. Further, since the magnet does not require electric power, the child seat can be sufficiently simplified in structure.

Furthermore, since the magnet can be arranged on the child seat by retrofitting by attaching it to the surface or the like, even if the magnet does not have a magnet in advance, the magnet can be retrofitted at a predetermined position. The present invention can be easily used. Therefore, a wide variety of non-limiting applications of the child seat to be placed are easily possible in the present invention.

According to the vehicle seat safety posture discriminating mechanism of the present invention, the above-mentioned vehicle posture discriminating method can be appropriately executed, and the car seat can be properly discriminated from the passenger seat in the rearward posture. Therefore, by combining with the airbag control device, it is possible to appropriately control the operation and non-operation of the airbag according to the mounting posture of the child seat on the occupant seat.

Further, since it suffices to dispose the magnetic field sensing switch on the occupant seat and the magnet on the child seat respectively, the mounting posture discriminating mechanism can be constructed at a sufficiently low cost without complicating the construction.

Further, since the magnetic field sensing switch is rotatably connected to the insert wire, it is possible to surely prevent the seated person from feeling a bottoming feeling. Therefore, the magnetic field sensing switch is provided on the seating surface of the seat cushion. Despite the configuration, the comfort of the seated person can be easily ensured.

Since the magnetic field sensing switch is attached to the seat cushion, which is an insert wire, by utilizing the existing member, it is possible to surely prevent the configuration of the reed switch from being complicated and the work from being complicated.

Further, according to the vehicle airbag control device of the present invention combined with the above-mentioned placement posture discrimination mechanism, the rearward posture of the child seat with respect to the occupant's seat can be discriminated appropriately, so that unnecessary operation of the airbag is prevented. It can be surely stopped. Therefore, maintenance such as refitting of the airbag and the inflator and repair of the instrument panel after the operation of the airbag can be simplified, and the number of steps associated therewith can be reduced, thereby sufficiently reducing the maintenance cost.

Then, when the child seat is obliquely placed on the occupant's seat and the seat belt is not worn, the warning means gives a warning to that effect, and this warning results in poor placement of the child seat. Since accidents can be prevented in advance, safety when using a child seat can be easily improved.

Further, if the diagonal mounting of the child seat and the non-operated state of the seat belt are separately distinguished and warned by the warning display, the cause of the mounting failure of the child seat can be easily clarified. Therefore, the required correction work can be easily determined, and the workability at the time of correction is improved.

Then, when both the oblique mounting of the child seat and the non-wearing state of the seat belt are detected at the same time, if the structure is such that the non-wearing state of the seat belt is given priority, the occupant such as a driver can be warned. , Because it can warn clearly the need to fix the placed child seat,
The safety of the child seat can be ensured even higher.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a vehicle airbag control device according to the present invention, which includes a vehicle seat restraining mechanism for a vehicle seat.

FIG. 2 is a detailed block diagram of a vehicle airbag control device including a vehicle child seat placement posture discriminating mechanism.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of an occupant seat and a child seat before the child seat is placed in a rearward posture.

4 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Vehicle child seat placement posture discrimination mechanism 12 Airbag 14 Vehicle airbag control device 16 (L, R) Magnet (permanent magnet) 18 (L, R) Magnetic field sensing switch (reed switch) 20 Occupant seat 22 Child seat 24 Controller 26 Impact Sensor 38 Seat Belt 44 Buckle 46 Tongue 50 Mold 54 Belt Switch 56 Warning Means 60 Trimming Groove 68 Insert Wire

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A signal is separately monitored from a pair of left and right magnetic field sensing switches disposed on either one of a front portion and a rear portion of a seat cushion seating surface of a passenger seat, and
When placed in a rearward posture, the pair of left and right magnets on the bottom of the child seat are brought close to the corresponding magnetic field sensing switches, and the signal change caused by the proximity of these magnets is detected by at least one of the left and right magnetic field sensing switches. When the vehicle is operated, the method for discriminating the placement posture of the child seat as the rearward posture with respect to the occupant's seat. 2. A vehicle child seat placement posture discriminating mechanism for discriminating the placement of a child seat in a rearward posture relative to an occupant seat, wherein the ON / OFF operation is switched depending on the presence or absence of an external magnetic field. A pair of left and right magnetic field sensing switches that are spaced apart from each other on the front or rear of the seat; placed on the bottom of the child seat in the left and right positions close to the above magnetic field sensing switches when placed in a rearward posture. A pair of left and right magnets installed; and the magnetic field sensing switch is connected to a predetermined controller, and the output signals from the left and right magnetic field sensing switches are individually monitored by the controller, and the proximity of the magnets The change in the signal caused by is detected by at least one of the left and right magnetic field sensing switches. Can, mounting a child seat for a vehicle characterized by discriminating setting attitude of the child seat as a rearward-facing position with respect to the occupant's seat postures discrimination mechanism. 3. The magnetic field sensing switch is molded into a predetermined shape, and one end of the magnetic field sensing switch is rotatably connected to and supported by an insert wire used for suspending a trim cover in a trimming groove of a seat cushion. The mounting posture discriminating mechanism for a vehicle child seat according to claim 2. 4. The reed switch, wherein the magnet is formed of a permanent magnet and the pair of reed pieces are brought into contact with each other under the action of a magnetic field from the magnet, is formed as a magnetic field sensing switch. A mounting posture discriminating mechanism for a vehicle child seat as described. 5. The magnet according to claim 2, wherein the magnet is formed of a permanent magnet, and the Hall element for generating a predetermined electric signal under the action of a magnetic field from the magnet is formed as a magnetic field sensing switch. Vehicle seat safety posture discrimination mechanism. 6. A vehicle airbag control device for controlling, when a vehicle collision is detected by an impact sensor, the activation and inactivation of a corresponding airbag in accordance with the mounting condition of a child seat on a passenger seat. It has a structure that can be turned on and off depending on the presence or absence of an external magnetic field, and a pair of left and right magnetic field sensing switches that are installed on either the front or rear of the occupant seat so that they are separated from each other; , A pair of left and right magnets arranged at left and right positions close to the magnetic field sensing switch when placed in a backward posture; and a shock sensor and the above-mentioned posture The signals from the left and right magnetic field sensing switches of the discrimination mechanism are monitored individually, and the input signals from these are monitored according to a predetermined program. A child seat, further comprising a controller for processing and outputting a signal corresponding to an actuation circuit for the airbag, wherein a change in the signal caused by the proximity of the magnet is detected by at least one of the left and right magnetic field sensing switches. When the loading posture of the vehicle is discriminated as a rearward posture with respect to the occupant's seat, the airbag corresponding to the occupant's seat is deactivated even if the impact sensor detects a collision of the vehicle. Bag control device. 7. A vehicle airbag control device for controlling, according to the mounting condition of a child seat on an occupant's seat, when a collision of the vehicle is detected by an impact sensor, the corresponding airbag is operated or inactivated. It has a structure that can be turned on or off depending on the presence or absence of an external magnetic field, and a pair of left and right magnetic field sensing switches that are installed on either the front or rear of the occupant's seat to the left or right; , A pair of left and right magnets arranged at left and right positions close to the magnetic field sensing switch when mounted in a rearward posture; and a mounting posture discrimination mechanism having a combination of a pair of buckles and a tongue. A belt switch for generating a corresponding signal by sensing; a warning means for issuing a warning to an occupant; an impact sensor; and The signals from the left and right magnetic field sensing switches of the placement / posture discrimination mechanism are individually monitored, the input signals from these are processed according to a predetermined program, and signals corresponding to the actuation circuit for the airbag and the warning means are described. And a controller that outputs a signal, and a change in a signal caused by the proximity of a magnet is detected by at least one of the left and right magnetic field sensing switches, and the mounting posture of the child seat is discriminated as a rearward posture with respect to the passenger seat. At this time, even if the impact sensor detects a vehicle collision, the airbag corresponding to the occupant seat is deactivated, and the discrimination is made based on the change in the signal from either the left or right magnetic field sensing switch. Place the child seat in the rearward position and check the child seat in the rearward position. The non-wearing state of the seat belt in the standing time, when it detects at least any one airbag control device for a vehicle is characterized in that a warning to that effect by the warning means. 8. The mounting of the child seat in a rearward facing posture, wherein the warning means is configured to output at least two kinds of warning displays, and the discrimination is made based on a change in a signal from either the left or right magnetic field sensing switch. 8. The vehicle airbag control device according to claim 7, wherein the state and the non-wearing state of the seat belt when the child seat is placed in a rearward posture can be separately warned by individual warning displays by the warning means. 9. A seating state of the child seat in a rearward facing posture, which is discriminated based on a change in a signal from one of the left and right magnetic field sensing switches, and a seatbelt non-attachment state when the child seat is mounted in a rearward facing posture. 9. The vehicle airbag control device according to claim 8, wherein when the wearing state is detected at the same time, the warning display corresponding to the warning means gives a warning to give priority to the non-wearing state of the seat belt. 10. A magnet of the placement posture discrimination mechanism is formed of a permanent magnet, and a reed switch contacted between a pair of reed pieces under the action of a magnetic field from the magnet serves as a corresponding magnetic field sensing switch. The vehicle airbag control device according to any one of claims 6 to 9, which is formed. 11. The magnet of the mounting posture discriminating mechanism is formed of a permanent magnet, and the Hall element for generating a predetermined electric signal under the action of a magnetic field from the magnet is formed as a corresponding magnetic field sensing switch. 10. The vehicle airbag control device according to any one of claims 6 to 9.