JPH101019A - Forced-starting device for occupant protection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable forced-starting of respective occupant protection tools without requiring a substantial labor or time when desposing of a number of occupant protection tools. SOLUTION: An outside power supply 100 is equipped with a D.C. power supply of approximately 12V, and, for forced-starting an air bag, the plus side is connected to a voltage input connector 38 and the minus side to the earth. In an ECU 20, a resistance 38 and diodes 32a and 32b are connected between the voltage input connector 38 and squibs 30a and 30b and the diodes 32a and 32b and a resistance 36 are connected between the squibs 39a and 30b and the earth. When the outside power supply 100 is put in connection to apply voltage to each diode in the forward direction, current flows from the voltage input connector 38 through the resistance 34, the diodes 32a and 32b, the squibs 30a and 30b, the diodes 33a and 33b and the resistance 36 to the earth. The gas generating agent of the respective squibs 30a and 30b is ignited to forced- start the respective air bags.

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 provided with a plurality of occupant protection devices for protecting occupants in a vehicle, and more particularly, to disposing of the occupant protection devices when the occupant protection devices are discarded. The present invention relates to a forced starting device for forcibly starting.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, an occupant protection device activates an occupant protection device such as an airbag at the time of a vehicle collision, and the occupant protection device allows an occupant in the vehicle to be connected to parts such as a steering wheel and a front panel in the vehicle. Protect from collisions.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a conventional occupant protection device. In this occupant protection device, two airbags are used as occupant protection devices. As shown in FIG. 7, this occupant protection device mainly includes squibs 130a and 13 for activating each airbag (not shown).
0b, and an electronic control unit (hereinafter abbreviated as ECU) 120 for determining whether or not to activate the airbag.

The squibs 130a and 130b are housed in an inflator (not shown) together with a gas generating agent (not shown). An airbag is integrally attached to each inflator, and they are arranged at predetermined positions around a seat in the vehicle.

[0005] The ECU 120 includes a squib 130.
a, power supply circuit 122 for applying a voltage to 130b
And a safing sensor 12 for preventing an airbag from being activated even if a CPU 126 described later malfunctions.
4, ignition transistors 128a and 128b for controlling energization of the squibs 130a and 130b, and a central processing unit (hereinafter abbreviated as CPU) 126 for controlling on / off of the ignition transistors 128a and 128b. I have.

When an excessive impact is applied to a vehicle at the time of a vehicle collision, the safing sensor 12
4 is turned on, and the ignition transistors 128a and 128b are turned on under the control of the CPU 126. Thus, the voltage from the power supply circuit 122 is applied to the squibs 130a and 130b in each inflator, and the squibs 130a and 130b are energized. When the squibs 130a and 130b are energized in this way, the squibs 130a and 130b ignite the gas generating agent in the inflator, generate gas from the inflator, and use the gas to deploy and inflate the airbag attached to the inflator. Let it.

By the way, when a vehicle equipped with such an occupant protection device is scrapped, the airbag is no longer necessary and must be discarded together with the inflator and the like. In such a case, it is preferable that the airbag is forcibly activated and deployed, and then discarded together with the inflator and the like.

Conventionally, when the airbag is discarded, the airbags are forcibly activated one by one and then discarded as follows. That is, a voltage required for activating the airbag is externally applied to a connector (not shown) provided in an electric wire connecting the ECU 120 and the squib, and the squib is energized to forcibly activate the airbag. I was letting it.

[0009] As a related art of this kind, there is, for example, one described in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 2-97150.

[0010]

In recent years, not only airbags for driver's seats but also airbags for passenger seats, rear seats, and side impact airbags have been mounted on vehicles. There are cases. In addition, other than such an airbag, an occupant protection device such as a seat belt pretensioner or an inflatable curtain may be mounted on a vehicle.

When a vehicle equipped with such a large number of occupant protection gears is scrapped, as described above, a connector is searched for each occupant protection gear, a voltage is applied, and the occupant protection gears are activated one by one. Doing so would take a great deal of time and effort to dispose of all occupant protection.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and to dispose of a large number of occupant protection gears mounted on a vehicle without taking much labor and time. An object of the present invention is to provide a forced starting device for an occupant protection device capable of forcibly starting a protective device.

[0013]

In order to achieve at least a part of the above object, the present invention provides a plurality of occupant protection devices for protecting an occupant in a vehicle, and each occupant protection device. And a plurality of activation means for activating the corresponding occupant protection equipment when energized at a voltage equal to or higher than a reference value, and power supply means for generating a predetermined voltage based on a voltage from a vehicle power supply. And when the magnitude of the impact applied to the vehicle is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value, based on the voltage generated by the power supply means, at least one of the plurality of activation means at a voltage equal to or greater than the reference value. An occupant protection device comprising: an activation control unit that energizes one activation unit; and a voltage input terminal for inputting a voltage supplied from a power supply different from the vehicle power supply, and a voltage input terminal input from the voltage input terminal. And a voltage based on, and summarized in that and a current supply means for energizing each of the plurality of activating means at said reference value or more voltage.

As described above, according to the present invention, when the occupant protective equipment is discarded, the voltage supplied from the power supply different from the vehicle power supply is input from the voltage input terminal, and the power supply means supplies the voltage with the voltage higher than the reference value. Energize a plurality of activation means. Thus, each activation means forcibly activates the corresponding occupant protection device.

Therefore, according to the present invention, it is not necessary to search for a connector for each occupant protection device and apply a voltage, and a plurality of occupant protection devices can be started at a time. Can be reduced.

In the forced starting device for an occupant protection device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the power supply for supplying a voltage input to the voltage input terminal is an external power supply. In this way, the forced activation of the occupant protection device can be limited only to the case where an external power supply is connected to the voltage input terminal.

In the forced starting device for an occupant protection device according to the present invention, a control signal input terminal for inputting a control signal for controlling energization to the starting means is further provided, and the energizing means is connected to the control signal input terminal. It is preferable that a means for energizing a desired one of the plurality of activating means based on a control signal input from a terminal is provided.

As described above, by energizing the activation means based on the control signal, it becomes possible to activate a desired occupant protection device out of a plurality of occupant protection devices at a desired timing.

In the forced starting device for an occupant protection device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the starting control means also serves as the energizing means.

As described above, since the activation control means also functions as the power supply means, the number of components can be reduced accordingly.

In the forced starting device for an occupant protection device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the energizing means includes means for sequentially energizing each of the starting means at predetermined time intervals when energizing the plurality of starting means.

As described above, the plurality of activation means are not energized at the same time, but are energized sequentially at predetermined time intervals, so that the plurality of occupant protection devices are activated intermittently without being activated at once. become. Therefore, compared to the case of starting at one time, the noise generated at the time of starting is small, and the possibility of damaging other parts of the vehicle at the time of starting is reduced.

In the forced starting device for an occupant protection device according to the present invention, when the voltage from the vehicle power supply or the voltage from the power supply means is input to the power supply means, the energizing means may include the input voltage. It is preferable to provide a blocking unit for preventing the activation unit from being energized due to the above.

By providing such a blocking means, even when a voltage from the vehicle power supply or a voltage from the power supply means is input to the power supply means, the activation means is prevented from being supplied with electricity due to the voltage. Therefore, the possibility that the occupant protection equipment is activated when it is unnecessary is reduced. Thereby, the reliability of the occupant protection device is improved. The blocking means includes a diode that allows only one direction as a current flow direction to prevent the activation means from being energized, a capacitor that cuts a DC component, and a resistor that increases a combined resistance value. included.

In the forced starting device for an occupant protection device according to the present invention, when the voltage is applied to the starting means due to the input voltage, the blocking means reduces the value of the voltage applied to the starting means. Preferably, means are provided.

As described above, since the blocking means includes means for reducing the voltage value applied to the starting means, the starting means is prevented from supplying a current necessary to start the occupant protection equipment. The possibility that the occupant protection device is activated when it is not required is reduced, and the reliability of the occupant protection device is improved.

In the forced starting device for an occupant protection device according to the present invention, the occupant protection device is disposed between the power supply means and the activation means, and normally electrically connects the power supply means and the activation means. A safing sensor which is opened and electrically short-circuits the power supply means and the starting means when the magnitude of the impact applied to the vehicle is equal to or greater than a second predetermined value smaller than the first predetermined value. Preferably, the energizing unit includes a voltage application unit for applying a voltage based on a voltage from the voltage input terminal, between the safing sensor and the activation unit.

As described above, when the occupant protection device includes the safing sensor, the safing sensor is normally open. However, even when the safing sensor is in an open state, by applying a voltage to the voltage applying unit provided between the safing sensor and the activating means, the activating means can be easily energized with a voltage higher than the reference value. Therefore, the occupant protection equipment can be forcibly activated even when no impact is applied to the vehicle.

[0029]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on examples. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an occupant protection device including a forced activation device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Before describing the forced starting device of the present embodiment, an occupant protection device including the forced starting device will be described. In this occupant protection device, two airbags are used as occupant protection devices.

As shown in FIG. 1, this occupant protection device
It mainly includes squibs 30a and 30b for activating each airbag (not shown) and an ECU 20 for determining whether to activate the airbag.

The squibs 30a and 30b are housed in each inflator (not shown) together with a gas generating agent (not shown). An airbag is integrally attached to each inflator, and they are arranged at predetermined positions around a seat in the vehicle.

The ECU 20 includes a power supply circuit 22, a safing sensor 24, a CPU 26, and ignition transistors 28a and 28b. In addition,
The ECU 20 includes diodes 32a, 32b, 33a, 3
3b and the resistors 34 and 36 are also provided, and these constitute a compulsory activation device of the present embodiment as described later.

Among the components in the ECU 20, a power supply circuit 22 generates a predetermined voltage from a power supply voltage obtained from a vehicle power supply, and outputs the predetermined voltage to the squibs 30a and 30b and the CPU.
26 and the like. The safing sensor 24 is disposed between the power supply circuit 22 and the squibs 30a and 30b,
Normally, the power supply circuit 22 and the squib 30
a and 30b are electrically opened, but when a shock is applied to the vehicle and the magnitude of the shock exceeds a predetermined value g1, the power supply circuit 22 and the squib 3 are turned on.
0a and 30b are electrically short-circuited.

The CPU 26 inputs a deceleration detection signal (hereinafter abbreviated as a G signal) from a deceleration sensor (hereinafter abbreviated as a G sensor; not shown) for detecting the magnitude of an impact applied to the vehicle as a deceleration. It is determined whether or not the magnitude of the impact applied to the vehicle exceeds a predetermined value g2 based on the G signal, and based on the determination result, the ignition transistor 28
a, 28b is controlled on / off. More specifically, the ignition transistors 28a and 28b are controlled to be turned off in the normal state where the magnitude of the shock does not exceed the value g2. However, when the magnitude of the shock exceeds the value g2, the ignition is performed. The transistors 28a and 28b are controlled so as to be turned on. The ignition transistor 28
a, 28b are squibs 30a, 3
0b is not energized, but when it is turned on (provided that the safing sensor 24 has already been turned on), the power supply circuit 22 sends the safing sensor 24, the squibs 30a and 30b, and the ignition transistors 28a and 28b.
Current flows to the ground via the squibs 30a, 30
b is energized.

Therefore, when an excessive impact is applied to the vehicle during a vehicle collision, first, when the magnitude of the impact exceeds g1, the safing sensor 24 is turned on, and subsequently, the magnitude of the impact is g2. At this point, the ignition transistors 28a and 28b are turned on under the control of the CPU 26. Thereby, the power supply circuit 12
2 from the squibs 30a, 3 in each inflator.
0b respectively, and the squib 30
a, 30b are energized. Thus, the squib 30a,
When electricity is supplied to 30b, the squibs 30a and 30b ignite the gas generating agents in each inflator, respectively, generate gas from each inflator, and use the gas to deploy each airbag attached to each inflator. Inflate. Thus, even if the occupant moves in the vehicle due to the impact applied to the vehicle at the time of the vehicle collision, the inflated airbag receives the occupant, so that the occupant can be protected from collision with the steering wheel, the front panel, or the like.

The above is the description of the configuration and operation of the occupant protection device shown in FIG. Next, a forced starting device according to the present embodiment will be described. As described above, when the vehicle equipped with the occupant protection device is scrapped, the airbag serving as the occupant protection device is no longer necessary, and thus needs to be discarded together with the inflator and the like. At this time, when discarding, it is preferable to forcibly activate and deploy the airbag, and then discard the inflator and the like. Therefore,
In the present embodiment, the following compulsory activation device is configured to forcibly activate the airbag.

As shown in FIG. 1, the forced starting device of this embodiment includes a voltage input connector 38, resistors 34 and 36, and diodes 32a, 32b, 33a and 33b. Among them, the voltage input connector 38 is provided in a place where a worker who forcibly activates the airbag can easily work (for example, inside the glow box) in the vehicle. Voltage input connector 38 provided in such a place
Is connected to the ECU 20 via a wire harness or the like. In addition, as the voltage input connector 38, it is preferable to use a unified connector in the vehicle industry in order to have versatility. The same applies to the voltage input connector 46 described later.

The resistors 34 and 36 and the diode 32
a, 32b, 33a, and 33b respectively correspond to the ECU 20
The resistor 34 and the diodes 32a, 3
2b is a voltage input connector 38 and squibs 30a, 30b
The diodes 33a and 32b and the resistor 36 are connected between the squibs 30a and 30b and the ground, respectively. At this time, the diodes 32a and 33a are connected only to the squib 30a, and the diodes 32b and 33b are connected only to the squib 30b. In this way, the diodes are individually provided for the squibs 30a and 30b, respectively.
This is so that an abnormality diagnosis (diagnosis) is performed, and when an abnormality is found by the diagnosis, it is possible to easily determine whether the abnormal part is in the squib 30a or the squib 30b.

In the forced starting device having such a configuration,
When forcibly activating the airbag, first, an external power supply 100 is prepared, and as shown in FIG.
0 one output terminal is connected to the voltage input connector 38,
The other output terminal is connected to the vehicle body ground. The external power supply 100 includes a DC power supply 102 having a voltage of about 12 V, and is arranged such that the plus side is connected to the voltage input connector 38 and the minus side is connected to the body ground.

As described above, the external power supply 10
When 0 is connected, a voltage of about 12 V is applied between the voltage input connector 38 and the ground, with the voltage input connector side plus and the ground side minus. At this time, a voltage is applied to the diodes 32a, 32b, 33a, and 33b in the forward direction.
Diodes 32a, 32b, squibs 30a, 30b,
A current flows through the diodes 33a and 33b and the resistor 36 to the ground, and the current flows to the squibs 30a and 30b. Thereby, the squibs 30a and 30b each ignite the gas generating agent in each inflator to activate each airbag.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, since there is only one voltage input connector 38 for inputting an external voltage, there is no need to search for a connector for each airbag. A plurality of airbags can be activated collectively only by applying a more desired voltage, so that the labor and time required for the operation can be reduced.

The squibs 30a and 30b and the resistor 34
Since there are diodes 32a and 32b arranged with polarities as shown in FIG. 1, a short circuit may occur between a part of the electric path from the voltage input connector 38 to the ECU 20 and the body ground. Even when the airbag is activated due to a vehicle collision, the current flowing from the power supply circuit 22 to the squibs 30a and 30b via the safing sensor 24 does not flow to the voltage input connector 38 side and flows to the ground, so that the vehicle The reliability of the occupant protection device at the time of a collision is improved.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an occupant protection device having a forced starting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the forced starting device of the present embodiment, unlike the forced starting device shown in FIG. 1, a resistor 42 is connected between the anode terminals of the diodes 32a and 32b and the ground in the ECU 40 as shown in FIG. Diodes 33a, 3
A resistor 44 is connected between the cathode terminal of 3b and the power supply. Further, the voltage input connector 46 is not one terminal but two terminals A and B.
The wire harness is connected to the ECU 40.

The occupant protection device shown in FIG. 2 has the same configuration and operation as the occupant protection device shown in FIG.
The description of the occupant protection device is omitted. This is the same in each embodiment described later.

Next, the operation of the forced starting device according to the present embodiment will be described. When forcibly activating the airbag,
First, an external power supply 100 similar to that shown in FIG. 1 is prepared, and both output terminals of the external power supply 100 are connected to the voltage input connector 46. At this time, the plus side of the DC power supply 102 in the external power supply 100 is connected to the A terminal side of the voltage input connector 46, and the minus side is connected to the B terminal side.

As described above, the external power supply 10
0 is connected, the A terminal of the voltage input connector 46 and the B terminal
A voltage of about 12 V is applied between the terminals, with the A terminal side being positive and the B terminal side being negative. At this time, a voltage is applied to the diodes 32a, 32b, 33a, and 33b in the forward direction.
4, diodes 32a and 32b, squibs 30a and 30
b, a current flows to the B terminal of the voltage input connector 46 via the diodes 33a and 33b, and the resistor 36, and the squib 3
0a and 30b are energized. Thereby, the squib 30
Reference numerals a and 30b each ignite the gas generating agent in each inflator to activate each airbag.

Therefore, also in the present embodiment, since there is only one voltage input connector 46 for inputting an external voltage, there is no need to search for a connector for each airbag. A plurality of airbags can be activated collectively by simply applying a desired voltage, so that the labor and time required for the operation can be reduced.

In this embodiment, the resistors 42, 4
4, the following effects are also obtained. For example, in a normal state, an electric path from the terminal A of the voltage input connector 46 to the ECU 20 (that is, the squib 30
a, 30b) and a vehicle power supply, a short circuit usually does not mean that the conductors are completely in contact with each other, but they are connected with a certain resistance. State. Therefore, assuming that the short circuit between the upstream electric path and the vehicle power supply is represented by a resistance having a resistance value R0 as shown in FIG. 2, the resistance value of the resistor 42 is R2 and the voltage of the vehicle power supply is 12V. In this case, the potential V1 of the upstream contact C of the squib is expressed as shown in Expression (1).

V1 = {R2 / (R2 + R0)} × 12 (1) Here, when the value of the resistance value R2 of the resistor 42 is set to a value approximately equivalent to the resistance value R0 (for example, 10Ω), The potential V1 of the upstream contact C of the squib is approximately 6V. On the other hand, when the resistor 42 is not provided, the potential V1 of the upstream contact C of the squib becomes 12 V, which is the same as the voltage of the vehicle power supply. Therefore, by providing the resistor 42, the potential V1 of the upstream contact C of the squib can be reduced.

The electric path from the terminal B of the voltage input connector 46 to the ECU 20 (that is, the squib 30a, 3
Similarly, when a short circuit occurs between a part of the downstream side of Ob and the ground, the short circuit between the downstream electric path and the ground is expressed by a resistance having a resistance value R1 as shown in FIG. In this case, the resistance value of the resistor 44 is set to R3, and the voltage of the vehicle power supply is set to 12
In the case of V, the potential V2 of the downstream contact D of the squib is expressed as shown in Expression (2).

V2 = {R3 / (R3 + R1)} × 12 (2) Therefore, if the value of the resistance R3 of the resistor 44 is set to a value equivalent to the resistance R1 (for example, 10Ω), the squib , The potential V2 of the downstream contact D is also approximately 6V. On the other hand, when the resistor 44 is not provided, the potential V2 of the downstream contact D of the squib becomes 0 V, which is the same as the ground potential. Therefore, by providing the resistor 44, the potential V2 of the downstream contact D of the squib can be increased.

Therefore, even if the squib is energized due to the short circuit between the upstream electric path and the vehicle power supply and the short circuit between the downstream electric path and the ground, the electric potential V1 of the upstream contact C of the squib is obtained. Decreases, and the potential V2 of the downstream contact D
As the voltage rises, the voltage applied to the squib is low, so that the airbag is not activated.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, even if a short circuit occurs between the upstream electric path and the vehicle power supply and between the downstream electric path and the ground, the air bag can be activated when it is unnecessary. Since the reliability is reduced, the reliability of the occupant protection device is improved.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an occupant protection device having a forced starting device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In the forced activation device of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG.
Diodes 52a, 52b, 53 in ECU 40
a, 53b have the same polarity as the diodes 32a,
32b, 33a, and 33b.
That is, the diodes 52a and 52b have their anodes connected to the squibs 30a and 30b, and their cathodes connected to the voltage input connector 38 via the resistor 34, respectively.
The anode side is connected to a and 30b via a resistor 36 to the ground.

Next, the operation of the forced starting device according to the present embodiment will be described. When forcibly activating the airbag,
First, as shown in FIG. 3, one output terminal of the external power supply 104 is connected to the voltage input connector 38, and the other output terminal is connected to the vehicle body ground. The external power supply 104 used in the present embodiment includes a DC power supply 106 having a voltage of about 12 V. However, the external power supply 100 is the reverse of the external power supply 100 used in the embodiment of FIG. 38 are connected to each other.

As described above, the external power supply 10 is connected to the forced activation device.
1 is connected, a voltage of about 12 V is applied between the voltage input connector 38 and the ground, with the voltage input connector side being minus and the ground side being plus, contrary to the embodiment of FIG. You. At this time, the diodes 52a, 52b,
Since the polarities of 53a and 53b are also reversed, a voltage is applied to the diodes 52a, 52b, 53a and 53b in the forward direction. Therefore, a current flows from the ground to the voltage input connector 38 via the resistor 36, the diodes 53a and 53b, the squibs 30a and 30b, the diodes 52a and 52b, and the resistor 34, and energizes the squibs 30a and 30b. Thereby, the squibs 30a and 30b each ignite the gas generating agent in each inflator to activate each airbag.

Therefore, also in the present embodiment, since there is only one voltage input connector 38 for inputting an external voltage, there is no need to search for a connector for each airbag. A plurality of airbags can be activated collectively by simply applying a desired voltage, so that the labor and time required for the operation can be reduced.

In this embodiment, as described above, the diodes 52a and 52b have the anode side of the squib 30.
a and 30b are connected on the cathode side to the resistor 34, respectively, and the diodes 53a and 53b are connected on the cathode side to the squibs 30a and 30b and on the anode side to the resistor 36, respectively. Therefore, in the ECU 50, a short circuit occurs between the output terminal E of the power supply circuit 22 and the contact F between the resistor 34 and the diodes 52a and 52b, and furthermore, the contact between the diodes 53a, 53b and the resistor 36 Even if a short circuit occurs between G and the emitter terminal (earth terminal) of the ignition transistor, each diode 5
Since the voltage from the power supply circuit 22 is applied to the 2a, 52b, 53a, and 53b in the reverse direction, the squibs 30a and 30b are short-circuited from the power supply circuit 22 via the short circuit points (EF).
In addition, the squibs 30a and 30b also
No current flows to ground via H).

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, even if the above-described short circuit occurs in the normal state, the squib 30
Since no power is supplied to the a and 30b, there is little possibility that the air bag is activated when the air bag is unnecessary, and the reliability of the occupant protection device is improved.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an occupant protection device having a forced starting device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the forced activation device of the present embodiment, unlike the forced activation device shown in FIG. 2, when the airbag is forcibly activated, as shown in FIG. Instead of the external power supply 100 having the power supply 102, a special external power supply 108 having a DC power supply 110 that generates a high voltage (about 50 V) is connected. For this reason,
In the ECU 60, the A terminal of the voltage input connector 46 and the squibs 30a, 30a, 30b are applied so that an appropriate voltage for activating the airbag is applied to the squibs 30a, 30b.
30b, and resistors 64a, 64b are connected between the B terminal of the voltage input connector 46 and the squibs 30a, 30b, respectively.

Next, the operation of the forced starting device according to the present embodiment will be described. When forcibly activating the airbag,
The external power supply 108 as described above is prepared, and the DC power supply 11 is provided.
The positive side of 0 is connected to the A terminal side of the voltage input connector 46, and the negative side is connected to the B terminal side.

As described above, the external power 10
8 is connected, the A terminal of the voltage input connector 46 and the B terminal
A high voltage of about 50 V is applied between the terminals, with the A terminal side being positive and the B terminal side being negative. The applied high voltage is divided by the resistors 62a, 62b, 64a, 64b and applied to the squibs 30a, 30b as an appropriate voltage suitable for activating the airbag. In this way, the squibs 30a and 30b are turned to the squibs 30a and 30b by the applied voltage, so that the squibs 30a and 30b respectively ignite the gas generating agent in each inflator and activate each airbag.

Therefore, also in this embodiment, since there is only one voltage input connector 46 for inputting an external voltage, there is no need to search for a connector for each airbag. A plurality of airbags can be activated collectively by simply applying a desired voltage, so that the labor and time required for the operation can be reduced.

Further, in this embodiment, a short circuit occurs between a part of the electric path from the terminal A of the voltage input connector 46 to the resistors 62a and 62b and the output terminal of the vehicle power supply or the power supply circuit 22. B of the voltage input connector 46
A part of an electric path from the terminal to the resistors 64a and 64b;
Even if a short circuit occurs with the ground, since the voltage of the vehicle power supply is much lower than the voltage of the DC power supply 110 in the external power supply 108, the resistors 62a, 62b, 64a, 64b
, No voltage is applied to the squibs 30a, 30b enough to forcibly activate the airbag.

Therefore, also in the present embodiment, even if the above-mentioned short circuit occurs in the normal state, the possibility that the air bag is activated when the air bag is unnecessary is reduced, and the reliability of the occupant protection device is improved. I do.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an occupant protection device having a forced starting device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In the forced starting device of the present embodiment, unlike the forced starting device shown in FIG. 2, when the airbag is forcibly started, as shown in FIG. 5, the voltage input connector 46 is provided with the DC power supply 102. Instead of the external power supply 100, a special external power supply 112 having an AC power supply 114 is connected. For this reason, the ECU 70 controls the squibs 30a and 30b so that an appropriate voltage for activating the airbag is applied.
, The A terminal of the voltage input connector 46 and the squib 3
0a and 30b, capacitors 72a and 72b are connected between terminal B of voltage input connector 46 and squibs 30a and 30b.
, Capacitors 74a and 74b are respectively connected.

Next, the operation of the forced starting device according to the present embodiment will be described. When forcibly activating the airbag,
The external power supply 112 as described above is prepared, and the AC power supply 11 is provided.
4 are connected to the voltage input connector 46.

As described above, the AC power supply 11
When the external power supply 112 having the power supply 4 is connected, an AC voltage is applied between the A terminal and the B terminal of the voltage input connector 46. Thus, when the AC voltage is applied, the AC current flows in the path from the terminal A of the voltage input connector 46 to the terminal B of the voltage input connector 46 via the capacitors 72a and 72b, the squibs 30a and 30b, and the capacitors 74a and 74b. Then, the squibs 30a and 30b are energized. Thereby, the squibs 30a and 30b each ignite the gas generating agent in each inflator to activate each airbag.

Therefore, also in this embodiment, since there is only one voltage input connector 46 for inputting an external voltage, there is no need to search for a connector for each airbag. A plurality of airbags can be activated collectively by simply applying a desired voltage, so that the labor and time required for the operation can be reduced.

Further, in this embodiment, a short circuit occurs between a part of the electric path from terminal A of voltage input connector 46 to capacitors 72a and 72b and the output terminal of vehicle power supply or power supply circuit 22. , Voltage input connector 4
Even if a short circuit occurs between a part of the electric path from the B terminal 6 to the capacitors 74a and 74b and the ground, the voltage supplied from the vehicle power supply or the power supply circuit 22 is not an alternating current but a direct current. The voltage is all
a, 72b, 74a, 74b. Therefore, since no voltage is applied to the squibs 30a and 30b, no current flows.

Therefore, also in the present embodiment, even if the above-mentioned short circuit occurs in the normal state, the possibility that the air bag is activated when the air bag is unnecessary is reduced, so that the reliability of the occupant protection device is improved. I do.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an occupant protection device including a forced starting device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. In the forced activation device of the present embodiment, unlike the forced activation device shown in FIG. 1, as shown in FIG. 6, the A terminal of the voltage input connector 46 and the squib 30
A diode 82 and a disposal transistor 88 are connected between the power supply circuit 22 and the diode 82, and a diode 84 is connected between the cathode terminal of the diode 82 and the power supply circuit 22. Further, the B terminal of the voltage input connector 46 and the CPU 2
6 is connected by a connection line, and the CPU 26 and the base of the disposal transistor 88 are also connected by a connection line.

Next, the operation of the forced starting device of this embodiment will be described. When forcibly activating the airbag,
First, an external power supply 116 having a DC power supply 102 and a control signal generation circuit 118 as shown in FIG. 6 is prepared and connected to the voltage input connector 46. At this time, the plus side of the DC power supply 102 is connected to the A terminal of the voltage input connector 46, and the minus side is connected to the body ground. The output terminal of the control signal generation circuit 118 is connected to the B of the voltage input connector 46.
Connect to terminal.

As described above, the external power supply 11 is connected to the forced activation device.
When 6 is connected, a voltage of about 12 V is applied between the A terminal of the voltage input connector 46 and the ground, with the voltage input connector side plus and the ground side minus. As a result, a voltage is applied from the DC power supply 102 to the power supply circuit 22 via the diodes 82 and 84, and the power supply circuit 22 supplies a desired voltage to the CPU 26. When the vehicle is disposed of, the vehicle power supply generally includes a small remaining charge capacity and a low power supply voltage. Therefore, the power supply circuit 22 may generate a voltage sufficient to operate the CPU 26. May not be possible. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the airbag is forcibly activated at the time of vehicle disposal, a voltage is applied to the power supply circuit 22 from the DC power supply 102 of the external power supply 116, and
CPU 26 generates a voltage sufficient to operate
6 is supplied.

Further, the diode 82 is
Is also applied to the disposal transistor 88. The on / off of the disposal transistor 88 is determined by the CPU 26.
And is normally off.

In this embodiment, the voltage to be applied to the disposal transistor 88 is obtained not from the power supply circuit 22 but from the DC power supply 102. Even when the disposal transistor 88 and the ignition transistor 28a or 28b are turned on, unless the external power supply 116 is connected to the voltage input connector 46, the disposal transistor 88, the squib 30a or 30b, and the ignition transistor 28a or 28b are connected. Since no current flows through the airbag, the possibility of being activated when the airbag is unnecessary is reduced, and the reliability of the occupant protection device is improved.

When the control signal generating circuit 118 in the external power supply 116 generates a control signal composed of a pulse signal in a state where the external power supply 116 is connected to the voltage input connector 46, the control signal is applied to the B of the voltage input connector 46. The data is input to the CPU 26 via the terminal. When the control signal is input, the CPU 26 controls the disposal transistor 88 to be turned on, and based on the control signal, the ignition transistor designated by the control signal among the plurality of ignition transistors 28a and 28b. Control is performed so that the transistor is turned on. For example, if the input control signal indicates the ignition transistor 28a, the disposal transistor 88 and the ignition transistor 28a are turned on under the control of the CPU 26, so that the diode 8 is connected from the A terminal of the voltage input connector 46.
2. A current flows to the ground via the disposal transistor 88, the squib 30a, and the ignition transistor 28a, so that only the squib 30a is energized. With this, Squib 3
Oa ignites the gas generating agent in the inflator to activate an airbag corresponding to the squib 30a.

Next, the control signal generation circuit 118 generates a control signal again, and the control signal is
b, the discard transistor 88 and the ignition transistor 28b are turned on by the control of the CPU 26, so that the diode 82, the discard transistor 88, and the squib 30b are connected from the A terminal of the voltage input connector 46. Then, a current flows to the ground via the ignition transistor 28b, and then the squib 30b is energized. Thus, the squib 30b ignites the gas generating agent in the inflator and activates the airbag corresponding to the squib 30b.

In this way, the control signal generation circuit 118 generates a control signal at, for example, about 100 ms intervals, and every time the control signal is generated, an instruction of an airbag to be forcibly activated is issued, for example, an airbag for a driver's seat, a passenger's seat, or the like. By changing the order of airbags and side airbags, CP
U26 will follow the instructions and will deploy multiple airbags for about 10
Forcible activation can be performed sequentially at 0 ms intervals.

Even if the control signal does not indicate the airbag to be forcibly activated, for example, if the control signal is input, the CPU 26 itself can operate the airbag for the driver's seat.
The same can be realized if the passenger airbag and the side airbag are set in advance so as to be forcibly activated at predetermined time intervals in the order of the airbag and the side airbag. Further, in the present embodiment, it is not always necessary to activate all the occupant protection devices mounted on the vehicle, and a desired occupant protection device may be activated.

In this embodiment, the disposal transistor 88 is provided inside the ECU 80. However, the disposal transistor 88 may be provided inside the external power supply 116.

As described above, in this embodiment, since the voltage input connector 46 for inputting the external voltage is provided at one place, it is not necessary to search for a connector for each airbag. A plurality of airbags can be activated in sequence at desired time intervals by simply applying a desired voltage to the outside and inputting a control signal, thereby reducing the labor and time required for work. . In addition, since a plurality of airbags are activated intermittently instead of being activated at once, the noise generated at the time of activation is smaller than when activated at once, and other parts of the vehicle are activated at the time of activation. Is less likely to be damaged.

When the number of airbags is increased or other occupant protection equipment is provided, the number of diodes, resistors, capacitors, and the like must be increased in the above-described embodiment. In the example, since the number of components used for forcibly starting the occupant protection equipment is the same regardless of the number of occupant protection devices, the versatility is high.

The present invention is not limited to the examples and embodiments described above, but can be implemented in various modes without departing from the scope of the invention.

In each of the embodiments described above, the forced activation device is entirely provided in the ECU. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The forced activation device may be housed in the storage device.

In each of the above embodiments, the case where an airbag is used as an occupant protection device has been described as an example. However, a seatbelt pretensioner, an inflatable curtain, or the like may be used instead of the airbag.

In each of the embodiments described above, the case where two airbags are used has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to two occupant protection devices, but can be applied to two or more occupant protection devices.

In each of the above embodiments, the voltage input connectors 38, 46 are provided at desired locations outside the ECUs 40, 50, 60, 70, 80.
0, 60, 70 and 80 may be provided directly.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of an occupant protection device including a forced activation device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of an occupant protection device including a forced activation device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of an occupant protection device including a forced activation device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of an occupant protection device including a forced activation device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of an occupant protection device including a forced activation device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of an occupant protection device including a forced activation device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a conventional occupant protection device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 ... ECU 22 ... Power supply circuit 24 ... Saving sensor 26 ... CPU 28a, 28b ... Ignition transistor 30a, 30b ... Squib 32a, 32b, 33a, 33b ... Diode 34, 36 ... Resistance 38 ... Voltage input connector 40 ... ECU 42, 44 ... resistor 46 ... voltage input connector 50 ... ECU 52a, 52b, 53a, 53b ... diode 60 ... ECU 62a, 62b, 64a, 64b ... resistor 70 ... ECU 72a, 72b, 74a, 74b ... capacitor 80 ... ECU 82, 84 86, diode 88, disposal transistor 100, external power supply 102, DC power supply 104, external power supply 106, DC power supply 108, external power supply 110, DC power supply 112, external power supply 114, AC power supply 116, external power supply 118, control signal generation Circuit 120 ... E CU 122: power supply circuit 124: safing sensor 126: CPU 128a, 128b: ignition transistor 130a, 130b: squib

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Mitsuhiko Fumaki 1-1-1, Showa-cho, Kariya-shi, Aichi Prefecture Nippon Denso Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kenichi Kinoshita 1-2-28, Goshodori, Hyogo-ku, Kobe Tsuten Co., Ltd.

Claims (8)

[Claims] An occupant protector for protecting an occupant in a vehicle, the occupant protector corresponding to each of the occupant protectors, and the corresponding occupant protector when energized at a voltage equal to or higher than a reference value. A plurality of starting means for starting; a power supply means for generating a predetermined voltage based on a voltage from a vehicle power supply; and a power supply means for generating the predetermined voltage when the magnitude of an impact applied to the vehicle is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value. An activation control means for energizing at least one activation means of the plurality of activation means at a voltage equal to or higher than the reference value, based on the obtained voltage, a power supply different from the vehicle power supply A voltage input terminal for inputting a voltage supplied from the power supply unit, and an energizing unit that energizes the plurality of activation units with a voltage equal to or higher than the reference value based on the voltage input from the voltage input terminal. , Forcible activation device of the occupant protection device provided. 2. The forcible activation device for an occupant protection device according to claim 1, wherein the power supply for supplying a voltage input to the voltage input terminal is an external power supply. apparatus. 3. The forcible activation device for an occupant protection device according to claim 1, further comprising a control signal input terminal for inputting a control signal for controlling energization of the activation device, and the energization device. Is a forced activation device for an occupant protection device, comprising: means for energizing a desired activation means of the plurality of activation means based on a control signal input from the control signal input terminal. 4. The forced activation device for an occupant protection device according to claim 3, wherein the activation control means also serves as the energization means. 5. The forcible activation device for an occupant protection device according to claim 1, wherein the energizing unit applies a predetermined time to each of the activation units when energizing the plurality of activation units. A forced activation device for an occupant protection device including means for sequentially energizing at intervals. 6. The forced starting device for an occupant protection device according to claim 1, wherein the energizing unit is configured to supply a voltage from the vehicle power supply or a voltage from the power supply unit. A forced starting device for an occupant protection device, comprising: a blocking unit that prevents the activation unit from being energized due to the input voltage when the voltage is input to the energizing unit. 7. The forcible activation device for an occupant protection device according to claim 6, wherein the blocking unit applies a voltage applied to the activation unit when a voltage is applied to the activation unit due to the input voltage. Forcibly starting the occupant protection device, comprising: means for reducing the value of the vehicle. 8. The forcible activation device for an occupant protection device according to claim 1, wherein the occupant protection device is disposed between the power supply unit and the activation unit, and is normally provided. Electrically opens the power supply means and the activation means, and when the magnitude of the impact applied to the vehicle is equal to or greater than a second predetermined value smaller than the first predetermined value, the power supply means and the activation means Further comprising a safing sensor that electrically short-circuits between the safing sensor and the activation means, for applying a voltage based on a voltage from the voltage input terminal between the safing sensor and the activation means. A forced starting device for an occupant protection device including a voltage application unit.