JPH09315262A - Occupant protective device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform the protective effect of an occupant protecting means yet more effectively in a careful manner by detecting any inrush into a cab inner side of the body side part (or a clearance between the cab inner side of the body side and the occupant). SOLUTION: A first acceleration sensor 22 and a second acceleration sensor 24 are set up in the inner part of a center pillar 20, and these two acceleration sensors 22 and 24 are connected to a control circuit 30 which operates a penetrating velocity V to a cab inner side of a front side door 12 and a residual clearance L between this cab inner side of the front side door 12 and an occupant 48 from acceleration data to be detected by the second acceleration sensor 24, while on the basis of this operated result, it is made so as to control the unfoldment of an air bag body 46 of an air bag device 44 installed in a front seat 40.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an occupant protection device, and more particularly to an occupant protection device for detecting a side collision of a vehicle and protecting the occupant.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an occupant protection device operates an airbag device by detecting a collision from the side of the vehicle at the time of a vehicle side collision, and an airbag bag stored in the airbag device is placed in a passenger compartment. There is something to deploy between the inner part and the side of the occupant,
An example thereof is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-139240.

As shown in FIG. 7, in this occupant protection system, two collision sensors 70, 72 are arranged in the side door 74 at a predetermined interval in the door thickness direction, and both collision sensors 70, 72 are disposed at a side collision. The collision speed is calculated in the operation control device 76 from the time difference when the collision is detected by 72. Further, in the operation control device 76, the calculated detected collision speed is compared with a preset collision speed preset as the minimum collision speed required to be protected by the airbag body, and the detected collision speed is the lowest. When it is faster than the collision speed, the airbag device 78 is activated to inflate the airbag bag.

[0004]

However, in this occupant protection device, when the detected collision speed is higher than the minimum collision speed, the airbag bag is merely inflated and deployed at a constant gas pressure.

Depending on the type of side collision, the side door 74
May enter the inside of the vehicle and the gap between the side door 74 and the occupant may change.

Since the conventional occupant protection system is not a technique for detecting the gap, it is not possible to finely perform various airbag deployment control in consideration of the gap.

Therefore, in consideration of the above facts, the present invention detects the intrusion of the vehicle body side portion into the vehicle interior side (or the gap between the vehicle body side portion inside the vehicle interior and the occupant), and the protective effect of the occupant protection means. It is an object of the present invention to provide an occupant protection device that can perform more detailed and effective.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an occupant protection device which detects a collision from a side of a vehicle and deploys an occupant protection means between a side portion of the vehicle body and an occupant. Of the vehicle body to the inside of the vehicle compartment, and one of the vehicle body side portion of the vehicle interior side and the occupant's remaining clearance, and a detection unit that detects one of the detection values detected by the detection unit. Deployment control means for performing deployment control of the occupant protection means.

Therefore, at the time of a side collision, the detection means
It is possible to detect one of the amount of intrusion of the vehicle body side into the vehicle interior and the remaining clearance between the vehicle body side of the vehicle interior and the occupant, and to control the deployment based on this detected value. Because,
The protection effect of the occupant protection means can be more effectively achieved.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the occupant protection device for detecting a collision from the side of the vehicle and deploying the airbag bag between the vehicle body side portion and the occupant, the airbag bag is deployed. The acceleration sensor disposed on the vehicle body side portion of the area, the amount of intrusion into the vehicle interior side of the vehicle body side portion, the vehicle body side vehicle interior side, and the occupant from the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor. Of the remaining gap and the airbag bag deployment control means for controlling the deployment of the airbag bag according to the calculated value.

Therefore, at the time of a side collision, the airbag bag deployment control means, based on the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor, the amount of intrusion into the vehicle interior side of the vehicle body side and the vehicle interior side of the vehicle body side and the occupant. It is possible to calculate one of the remaining clearance and the remaining gap and to control the deployment of the airbag bag based on this calculated value. You can

Further, the amount of intrusion of the vehicle body side portion into the vehicle interior side, or the remaining clearance between the vehicle body side vehicle interior side and the occupant can be calculated based on the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor. The cost can be significantly reduced as compared with the case where the sensor is used.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of an occupant protection system of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

In the figure, arrow FR indicates the vehicle front direction, arrow UP indicates the vehicle upward direction, and arrow IN indicates the vehicle width direction inner side direction.

As shown in FIG. 3, the vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment.
0 is a 4-door vehicle, and between the front side door 12 and the rear side door 14 that form the vehicle body side part,
A center pillar 20 that connects the rocker 16 and the roof side rail 18 is provided.

As shown in FIG. 1, a first acceleration sensor 22 is disposed inside the root portion 20A of the center pillar 20, and the center pillar 20 has a substantially central portion 20 in the vertical direction.
The second acceleration sensor 24 is provided inside B (the height position where the airbag device 44 is provided). In addition,
These first acceleration sensor 22 and second acceleration sensor 2
Reference numeral 4 is attached to the wall portion of the center pillar 20 by a fixing member such as a screw. Further, the first acceleration sensor 22 and the second acceleration sensor 24 are connected to the electric wires 26 and 28, respectively.
Then, the control circuit 30 as the airbag bag deployment control means
And outputs the detected acceleration data to the control circuit 30.

As shown in FIG. 3, the control circuit 30 is arranged inside the instrument panel in front of the vehicle 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, the front seat 40
Inside the side portion 42A formed outside the seat back 42 in the vehicle width direction, a box-shaped airbag device 44 extending in the vertical direction is arranged. This airbag device 4
An airbag bag 46 as an occupant protection means is stored in the vehicle 4 in a folded state (not shown). The airbag bag 46 is an inflator (not shown) provided in the airbag device 44. ) Swells by the gas ejected from the front side of the front seat 4 to break the skin of the side portion 42A.
The occupant 48 seated at 0 and the front side door 12 are deployed at a position indicated by a chain double-dashed line in FIGS. 1 and 2.

As shown in FIG. 4, the airbag device 44.
Inside, three inflators 52, 54, 56 are arranged, and each inflator 52, 54, 56 is connected to the control circuit 30 via fuses 58, 60, 62, respectively. These fuses 58, 60, 62 are
Currents of I1, I2 and I3 (I1>I2> I3) or less can be passed. Therefore,
Since the number of operating inflators changes depending on the magnitude of the current value I of the signal output from the control circuit 30, the amount of gas generated from the entire inflator changes.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the control circuit 30, in step (hereinafter referred to as S) 100, the first acceleration sensor 2
Read the acceleration data detected in 2. In addition, S102
Then, the acceleration data detected by the second acceleration sensor 24 is read, and in S104, the acceleration data detected by the second acceleration sensor 24 is integrated to further integrate the entry velocity V of the center pillar 20 into the vehicle interior. Of the center pillar 20 to the inside of the vehicle interior, and the amount of penetration ΔL is subtracted from the preset clearance between the vehicle interior side of the center pillar 20 and the occupant 48 to obtain the vehicle of the center pillar 20. The residual gap L (see FIG. 2) between the indoor side and the occupant 48 is calculated.

In step S106, it is determined based on the read acceleration data of the first acceleration sensor 22 whether the acceleration data G is greater than or equal to a predetermined acceleration G0. That is, it is determined whether or not to activate the airbag device 44, and the acceleration data G
When it is determined that the airbag device 44 is activated at a predetermined acceleration G0 or more, it is determined in S108 whether the intrusion speed V is the reference intrusion speed V0 or more.

When it is determined in S108 that the intrusion velocity V is equal to or higher than the reference intrusion velocity V0, it is determined in S110 whether the residual gap L is equal to or greater than the reference residual gap L0. When it is determined in S110 that the remaining gap L is equal to or larger than the reference remaining gap L0, in S112,
A signal of current value I1 is output.

When the signal of the current value I1 is output from the control circuit 30, the signal is sent to the three inflators 52, 54 and 56 through the fuses 58, 60 and 62, and the three inflators 52, 54 and 56 are connected. to start. As a result, the air bag body 46 is inflated by the gas ejected from the inflators 52, 54, 56, and is deployed between the occupant 48 seated on the front seat 40 and the front side door 12 to protect the occupant 48. The relationship between the deployment time T and the internal pressure of the airbag bag 46 at this time is set higher than the broken line as the reference internal pressure as shown by the solid line in FIG.

If it is determined in S110 that the remaining gap L is not equal to or larger than the reference remaining gap L0, S114.
At, the signal of the current value I2 is output. Control circuit 30
When the signal of the current value I2 is output from the fuses 60, 6
A signal is sent to the two inflators 54 and 56 via 2 to activate the two inflators 54 and 56. As a result, the air bag body 46 is inflated by the gas ejected from the inflators 54 and 56 and is deployed between the occupant 48 seated on the front seat 40 and the front side door 12 to protect the occupant 48. The relationship between the deployment time T and the internal pressure of the airbag bag 46 at this time is set to the reference internal pressure as shown by the broken line in FIG.

If it is determined in S108 that the intrusion velocity V is not higher than the reference intrusion velocity V0, S116.
, The intrusion speed V is the reference intrusion speed V1 (V0> V
1) Determine whether or not the above.

If it is determined in S116 that the intrusion velocity V is equal to or higher than the reference intrusion velocity V1, it is determined in S118 whether the remaining gap L is equal to or larger than the reference remaining gap L0. When it is determined in S118 that the remaining gap L is equal to or larger than the reference remaining gap L0, in S120,
A signal of current value I2 is output.

When the signal of the current value I2 is output from the control circuit 30, the signal is sent to the two inflators 54 and 56 through the fuses 60 and 62, and the two inflators 5 are transmitted.
4, 56 are activated. As a result, the air bag body 46 is inflated by the gas ejected from the inflators 54 and 56 and is deployed between the occupant 48 seated on the front seat 40 and the front side door 12 to protect the occupant 48.

When it is determined in S118 that the remaining gap L is not equal to or larger than the reference remaining gap L0, S122.
At, the signal of the current value I3 is output.

When the signal of the current value I3 is output from the control circuit 30, one inflator 5 is supplied through the fuse 62.
A signal is sent to 6, and one inflator 56 is activated. As a result, the airbag bag body 46 is replaced by the inflator 56.
The front seat 40 is swollen by the gas ejected from the front seat 40.
It is deployed between the occupant 48 seated on the front side door 12 and the front side door 12 to protect the occupant 48. The relationship between the deployment time T and the internal pressure of the airbag bag 46 at this time is set to be lower than the broken line as the reference internal pressure, which is indicated by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG.

If it is determined in S116 that the intrusion speed V is not higher than the reference intrusion speed V1, S
At 124, the signal of the current value I3 is output. As a result, the air bag body 46 is inflated by the gas ejected from the inflator 56 and is deployed between the occupant 48 seated on the front seat 40 and the front side door 12 to protect the occupant 48.

As described above, in the occupant protection system according to the present embodiment, the control circuit 30 controls the speed V of entry of the center pillar 20 into the passenger compartment and the center pillar based on the acceleration detected by the second acceleration sensor 24. The remaining gap L between the vehicle interior side of 20 and the occupant 48 is calculated, and one of the inflators 52, 54, 56 is operated based on these calculated values to deploy the airbag bag 46.

Accordingly, the airbag bag 46 is finely controlled by the internal pressure as shown in FIG. 6 in consideration of the entry velocity V and the remaining gap L. Therefore, when the current value I1 is output, the intrusion speed V is high and the residual gap L is L0.
Since it is larger, it is not necessary to consider that the deployment pressure is applied to the occupant. Therefore, it is possible to increase the protection effect for the occupant by setting it higher than the reference internal pressure. Current value I2
In the case of the output, it is located in the middle of the output of the current value I1 and the output of the current value I3, and it is set so as to be the reference internal pressure based on the relationship between the intrusion speed V and the remaining gap L, and the effect of protecting the occupant can be enhanced. In the case of the current value I3 output, it is necessary to consider that the deployment pressure is added to the occupant because the entry velocity V is too low, or the entry velocity V is larger than V1 but the residual gap L is smaller than L0. Therefore, it is possible to set the pressure lower than the reference internal pressure and enhance the occupant protection effect.

Further, in the occupant protection system of this embodiment, it is determined whether or not the airbag system 44 is activated by the acceleration detected by the first acceleration sensor 22 arranged inside the root portion 20A of the center pillar 20. Therefore, the determination time becomes shorter than the case where it is determined whether or not the airbag device 44 is activated by the acceleration detected by the second acceleration sensor 24, and the deployment start time of the airbag bag 46 is reduced. It gets shorter.

Further, in the occupant protection system of this embodiment, the residual gap L between the vehicle interior side portion of the center pillar 20 and the occupant 48 is set.
Since it is not necessary to provide a distance sensor for measuring
Cost reduction becomes possible.

In the above, the present invention has been described in detail with respect to a specific embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and various other embodiments are included in the scope of the present invention. It is clear to a person skilled in the art that is possible. For example, in the present invention, the two acceleration sensors, the first acceleration sensor 22 and the second acceleration sensor 24, are provided. However, according to the acceleration detected by the second acceleration sensor 24,
If it is determined whether or not to activate the airbag device 44, it is possible to configure only the second acceleration sensor 24. Further, the position of the acceleration sensor is not limited to the center pillar 20, and it may be arranged on the rocker 16, the roof side rail 18, the front pillar, the quarter pillar, or the like.

Further, the expansion control means having other detection means such as a distance sensor in place of the second acceleration sensor 24 causes the amount of intrusion into the vehicle interior side of the vehicle body side portion and the vehicle body side portion of the vehicle interior side. One of the remaining clearance with the occupant may be detected, and the airbag bag may be deployed based on the detected value.

Further, in the present embodiment, the internal pressure of the airbag bag is changed based on the residual gap L, but various airbag deployment control can be performed by considering the residual gap L. Therefore, the controllability of the airbag bag due to the remaining gap L can be significantly improved.

For example, in the present embodiment, the internal pressure of the airbag bag is changed based on the remaining gap L.
As the remaining gap L becomes smaller, the deployment speed of the airbag bag body can be increased so that the airbag bag body can be deployed smoothly.

Further, in the present embodiment, the internal pressure of the airbag bag is changed based on the residual gap L. However, the residual gap L has a minimum gap threshold value required for deploying the airbag bag. In that case, the airbag bag body may be configured to be controlled to be deployed based on the signal output at that time, so that the airbag bag body can be deployed smoothly.

Further, in this embodiment, the center pillar 20 is used.
The operating inflator is controlled by the size of the residual gap L between the vehicle interior side of the vehicle and the occupant 48. Instead of this, the operating inflator is controlled by the size of the penetration amount ΔL of the front side door 12 into the vehicle interior. It may be done. Further, instead of the remaining clearance between the passenger compartment 48 and the vehicle interior side portion of the front side door 12, the size of the remaining clearance between the passenger and the seat and the other vehicle body side portions such as the rear side door 14, the center pillar 20, etc. The expansion control of the protection means may be performed.

In this embodiment, the airbag bag is used as the occupant protection device, but another occupant protection device may be used instead of the airbag bag.

[0042]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an occupant protection device for detecting a collision from a side of a vehicle and deploying an occupant protection means between the vehicle body side and an occupant. Detecting means for detecting one of the amount of intrusion to the inside and the remaining clearance between the vehicle body side and the passenger compartment and the occupant protection control based on the detection value detected by the detecting means. And a deployment control means for performing the above-described configuration, so that the vehicle body side portion intrudes into the vehicle interior side or the gap between the vehicle body side vehicle compartment side and the occupant is detected, and the protective effect of the occupant protection means is detected. It has an excellent effect that it can be performed more finely and effectively.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the occupant protection device for detecting a collision from the side of the vehicle and deploying the airbag bag between the vehicle body side and the occupant, the airbag bag is deployed. Acceleration sensor disposed on the side of the vehicle body in the region
From the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor, one of the amount of intrusion into the vehicle interior side of the vehicle body side and the remaining clearance between the vehicle interior side of the vehicle body side and the occupant is calculated, and the calculated value is used. Since the airbag bag body deployment control means for controlling the deployment of the airbag bag body is provided, the vehicle body side portion enters the vehicle interior side or the vehicle body side portion has a gap between the vehicle interior side and an occupant. Is detected, and the protective effect of the occupant protection means can be performed more finely and effectively. Further, it has an excellent effect that the cost can be significantly reduced as compared with the case where the distance sensor is used.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing an occupant protection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic front view showing an occupant protection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a vehicle to which an occupant protection device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a part of an occupant protection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing control of the occupant protection system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the deployment time of the airbag bag and the internal pressure of the airbag bag of the occupant protection system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic front view showing an occupant protection device according to a conventional embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 12 front side door (vehicle body side part) 20 center pillar 22 first acceleration sensor 24 second acceleration sensor 30 control circuit (airbag bag deployment control means) 44 airbag device (passenger protection means) 46 airbag bag body 48 occupant 52 inflator 54 inflator 56 inflator

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An occupant protection device that detects a collision from the side of a vehicle and deploys occupant protection means between the side of the vehicle body and the occupant. Detection means for detecting one of the remaining clearance between the passenger compartment and the passenger compartment, and deployment control means for performing deployment control of the occupant protection means based on the detection value detected by the detection means, An occupant protection device comprising: 2. An occupant protection device that detects a collision from the side of a vehicle and deploys an airbag bag between a vehicle body side portion and an occupant, wherein the vehicle body side portion of the region in which the airbag bag body is deployed. Of the acceleration sensor disposed on the vehicle body, the amount of intrusion into the vehicle interior side of the vehicle body side portion, and the remaining clearance between the vehicle body side vehicle interior side and the occupant, based on the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor. An occupant protection device comprising: an airbag bag deployment control means for calculating one of the values and performing deployment control of the airbag bag based on the calculated value.