KR100437244B1 - A Side Airbag System of Vehicle and Control Method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle side airbag system and a control method thereof, the overturn sensor for detecting the vehicle overturning in the event of a crash, a speed sensor for detecting the running speed of the vehicle, and a skid or A rotation sensor that detects the presence of rotation, a distance sensor that measures the distance and relative speed of a relative vehicle or obstacle, a driver side G sensor that detects acceleration in the driver's side direction, and an acceleration in the side of the driver's side Passenger side G sensor for detecting, and the signal from the overturn sensor, speed sensor, rotation sensor, distance sensor, driver side G sensor and passenger side G sensor as a risk judgment to determine whether to drive the airbag operation unit for deploying the side airbag Automated by having an airbag ECU with a microprocessor that controls the unit and the components as a whole Ranging from a low speed to high speed side airbags in rollover, sliding, rotating and side crash speed is accompanied by a relative of a vehicle driving the vehicle can function properly.

Description

A side airbag system of vehicle and control method

The present invention relates to an automobile side airbag system and a control method thereof, and more specifically, to overturn, slip and rotate the vehicle when driving from a low speed to a high speed of a vehicle using information input from various sensors mounted on the vehicle. The present invention relates to a vehicle side airbag system and a method of controlling the same so that the side airbag can be properly operated in the accompanying side collision accident.

In general, the airbag (airbag) is a secondary safety device that has recently been used rapidly to reduce the injuries of the occupants in the event of a car crash.

The airbag includes a front airbag system that inflates the airbag momentarily between the driver and the steering wheel or between the passenger seat and the instrument panel of the passenger seat during a frontal collision of the vehicle to reduce injury due to impact, and the driver during a side collision of the vehicle. And a side airbag system that inflates the airbag momentarily between the passenger and the vehicle body to reduce injury due to impact.

The conventional side airbag system detects the deceleration (-G) value in the side direction in the event of a side collision and obtains a physical calculation value to determine whether the side airbag is deployed. To obtain these physical calculations, the same side collision algorithm operates regardless of the change in the vehicle's situation at the time of the crash.

3 illustrates an example of a conventional vehicle side airbag system. Referring to this, a vehicle side airbag system includes a driver side gravitational sensor 110 that detects acceleration in a driver side direction, and an acceleration in a side seat side. Determining whether to drive the airbag operation unit 140 for the airbag deployment as a signal input from the passenger side G sensor 120 and the driver side G sensor 110 and the passenger side G sensor 120 to detect the And an airbag electronic control unit (ECU) 130 for controlling the airbag system as a whole.

Such a side airbag system is an airbag operation unit 140 using the acceleration (shock) detected by the airbag ECU 130 and the driver side G sensor 110 and the passenger side G sensor 120 when the vehicle is in a side collision while driving. It is determined whether to output a control signal for driving the controller. At this time, the airbag ECU 130 inflates the driver side airbag 142 and the passenger side airbag 144 by outputting a control signal when it is determined that the state to deploy the airbag occurs when the detected shock is equal to or greater than a preset reference value. .

However, such a side airbag system is, firstly, a suitable side surface due to the reduction in the amount of impact (physical amount) in the side direction when an inclination or side local collision occurs instead of the side direction of the vehicle due to overturning, slipping and turning during a high-speed driving collision of the vehicle. There is a problem that the airbag operation is not made.

Second, since the side airbag system starts to operate after a side collision accident, there is a limit in improving the reliability of the side airbag system due to a lack of ability to actively cope with the situation change just before the collision. For this reason, in some cases, the side airbags are not only able to provide adequate passenger protection but also cause customer complaints.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to select the appropriate algorithm for determining whether the side airbag is deployed using information input from various sensors mounted on the vehicle, so that the vehicle is rolled over, slipped, rotated and An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle side airbag system and a control method thereof capable of properly operating a side airbag in a side collision accident accompanied by a relative vehicle speed.

In order to achieve the above object, the vehicle side airbag system according to the present invention is a rollover sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the vehicle body in the event of a crash, a speed sensor for detecting the running speed of the vehicle, and slip in the event of a side collision of the vehicle (skid) ), A rotation sensor to detect the presence or absence of rotation, a distance sensor to measure the distance and relative speed of a relative vehicle or obstacle, a driver side G sensor to detect acceleration in the driver's side direction, and Passenger side G sensor for detecting the acceleration, and the signal input from the overturn sensor, speed sensor, rotation sensor, distance sensor, driver side G sensor and passenger side G sensor to determine whether to drive the airbag operation unit for deploying the side airbag With an airbag ECU consisting of a hazard determination section and a microprocessor which controls the overall configuration All.

In addition, the vehicle side airbag control method according to the present invention in order to achieve the above object is to read the signal from the rollover sensor, the speed sensor, the rotation sensor and the distance sensor required to determine whether the side airbag deployment, and the rollover sensor Determining whether the vehicle is overturned in the event of a collision through a signal inputted from the vehicle, and executing the overturn risk algorithm if there is a risk of overturning the vehicle, and if the risk of the vehicle overturns, as determined by the speed sensor, is input through the speed sensor. If the driving speed is low and the relative speed of the side of the relative vehicle is low, determining that it is a safety situation and executing a safety situation algorithm; and if there is no risk of overturning the vehicle, driving speed of the vehicle input through the speed sensor Is low and the relative speed of the side of the vehicle is greater than the set minimum speed value If it is less than the speed value, it is determined that the danger is possible and the normal state and the normal algorithm is executed, and if there is no risk of the vehicle overturning, the vehicle driving speed input through the speed sensor is low speed, the relative speed of the side of the If is greater than the set maximum speed value is determined to be a dangerous situation to execute a risk algorithm, and if there is no risk of overturning the vehicle, the vehicle running speed input through the speed sensor is a high speed, in the event of a side collision accident through a rotation sensor If there is a risk of skid or rotation of the vehicle according to the input signal, determining the risk situation and executing the risk algorithm, and the result of executing the overturn risk algorithm, the risk algorithm, the normal algorithm, and the safety situation algorithm. Deployment of the side airbags by comparing the reference values set in the respective algorithms And a step of performing the determining portion.

1 is a block diagram of a vehicle side airbag system according to the present invention.

2 is a flowchart of a vehicle side airbag control method according to the present invention;

3 is a block diagram of a conventional vehicle side airbag system.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

10: Rollover sensor 20: Speed sensor

30: rotation sensor 40: distance sensor

50: driver side G sensor 60: passenger side G sensor

70: airbag ECU 74: microprocessor

76: danger judgment part 80: air bag operating part

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail the present invention.

1 is a block diagram of a vehicle side airbag system according to the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, the vehicle side airbag system according to the present invention is mounted on the vehicle and rollover sensor (Rollover Sensor) (10) for detecting the presence or absence of the vehicle body in the event of a side collision accident, and detects the running speed of the vehicle Speed sensor 20 and a rotation sensor 30 for detecting the presence of skid or rotation of the vehicle in the event of a side collision of the vehicle is provided.

In addition, a distance sensor 40 is mounted on the vehicle and measures a distance between a relative vehicle in a side collision accident or an obstacle in a collision. In this case, an ultrasonic sensor is used as the distance sensor 40, which calculates the distance and the relative speed of the front vehicle or the obstacle from the ultrasonic signal reflected back when the ultrasonic sensor emits ultrasonic waves.

The vehicle is equipped with a driver side G sensor 50 on the driver's side to detect acceleration from the driver's side direction in the event of a side collision, and a passenger side G sensor 60 is mounted on the side of the passenger seat to accelerate from the passenger side direction. Detect it.

The signal sensed by each of the sensors is input to the airbag ECU 70 composed of a microprocessor 74 and a risk determination unit 76.

The risk determination unit 76 of the airbag ECU 70 includes the rollover sensor 10, the speed sensor 20, the rotation sensor 30, the distance sensor 40, the driver side G sensor 50, and the passenger side G. It is determined whether the airbag operating unit 80 for driving the side airbag is driven based on the signal input from the sensor 60. At this time, the risk determination unit 76 determines the degree of danger according to the situation of the side collision of the vehicle through the signal input from each sensor, and the risk determination logic for selecting an appropriate algorithm according to the risk degree (logic) In addition, the microprocessor 74 of the airbag ECU 70 controls the overall configuration of the side airbag system.

Four types of algorithms are stored in the risk determination logic to determine a degree of danger according to signals input from each sensor, and actively select and execute different algorithms according to a corresponding degree of danger.

If the overturning of the vehicle body is detected in the event of a side collision from the overturning sensor 10, it is determined to be a very dangerous situation and the airbag operation unit 80 is controlled so that the side airbags 82 and 84 are easily deployed in comparison with the safety situation or the normal state. A rollover risk algorithm is implemented. In addition, even if there is no risk of the vehicle overturning, if it is determined that the dangerous situation according to the signal input from each sensor to control the airbag operation unit 80 so that the side airbags 82, 84 are easily deployed compared to the safety situation or normal state. The risk algorithm is executed.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the steady state or steady state in accordance with the signal input from each sensor to control the airbag operation unit 80 so that the side airbags 82 and 84 are not easily deployed or operated normally in a general side collision situation, respectively. A stable situation algorithm or a normal algorithm is executed.

An embodiment of the side airbag system having the above configuration will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

2 is a flowchart of a vehicle side airbag control method according to the present invention.

First, the overturn sensor 10 mounted on the vehicle detects whether the vehicle body is overturned during a side collision accident, and transmits the signal to the airbag ECU 70.

The speed sensor 20 detects the current driving speed of the vehicle and transmits the signal to the airbag ECU 70.

The rotation sensor 30 detects vehicle conditions such as skid and rotation of the vehicle in a side collision accident and transmits the signal to the airbag ECU 70.

The distance sensor 40 detects the distance and the relative speed of the relative vehicle and the obstacle by calculating the distance and the relative speed with the front vehicle or the obstacle from the ultrasonic signal that is reflected by the ultrasonic wave emitted and returns, and converts the signal into the airbag ECU 70. To send).

On the other hand, the driver side G sensor 50 mounted on the driver's side detects the acceleration from the driver's side direction during a side collision accident, and the passenger side G sensor 60 mounted on the side of the passenger seat detects the acceleration from the passenger side direction. The sensing signal is transmitted to the airbag ECU 70.

The airbag ECU 70 reads necessary information from each of the sensors to determine whether the side airbag is deployed (S201).

The risk determining unit 76 of the airbag ECU 70 determines whether the vehicle is overturned in the event of a collision through a signal input from the overturn sensor 10 (S202).

If there is a risk of vehicle overturning as a result of the determination, the risk determination unit 76 actively selects and executes the overturn risk algorithm stored in the risk determination logic (S208).

If there is no risk of vehicle overturning as a result of the determination, the risk determining unit 76 determines whether the vehicle driving speed input through the speed sensor 20 is smaller than the set minimum speed value (S203). As a result of the determination, when the vehicle driving speed is smaller than the set minimum speed value, it is recognized that the vehicle is running at a low speed.

If the vehicle is running at a low speed but the side vehicle collides with the other vehicle or the moving vehicle at a high speed, the driver and the passenger may be at risk due to the speed of the opposite vehicle or the moving vehicle. Therefore, in order to determine whether the danger is possible, the risk determination unit 76 utilizes a signal measuring the distance and relative speed with the relative vehicle or the moving object through the distance sensor 40 and the side G sensors 50 and 60. do.

When the vehicle is driven at a low speed, the risk determination unit 76 determines whether the side relative speed of the relative vehicle input through the distance sensor 40 and the side G sensors 50 and 60 is smaller than the set minimum speed value. (S206). As a result of the determination, when the side relative speed is smaller than the set minimum speed value, it recognizes that the relative vehicle or the moving vehicle is running at a low speed, and determines that the safety situation is executed to execute the safety situation algorithm stored in the risk determination logic (S211). ).

On the other hand, if the side relative speed of the relative vehicle is greater than the set minimum speed value in step S206, the risk determination unit 76 determines whether the side relative speed of the relative vehicle is smaller than the set maximum speed value (S207). As a result of the determination, if the lateral relative speed of the relative vehicle is smaller than the set maximum speed value, the risk determination unit 76 determines that the danger is possible and normal and executes the normal algorithm stored in the risk determination logic (S210).

If the side relative speed of the relative vehicle is greater than the set maximum speed value in step S207, the risk determination unit 76 determines that it is a dangerous situation and executes a risk algorithm stored in the risk determination logic (S209).

If the vehicle driving speed input through the speed sensor in step S203 is greater than the set minimum speed value, the risk determination unit 76 determines whether the driving speed of the vehicle is smaller than the set maximum speed value (S204).

As a result of the determination, if the driving speed of the vehicle is smaller than the set maximum speed value, the risk determining unit 76 determines that the situation is dangerous, and the process of comparing the relative speed of the side of the relative vehicle in step S206 is the same as described above. By executing the algorithm, the risk, normal and stability algorithms stored in the risk determination logic are executed according to the judgment result.

On the other hand, if the running speed of the vehicle is greater than the set maximum speed value in step S204, the risk determination unit 76 is skid (skid) or rotation (rotation) of the vehicle by the signal input through the rotation sensor 30 in the event of a side collision accident It is determined whether there is any (S205). As a result of the determination, if the vehicle is slipped or rotated, the risk determination unit 76 determines that the risk situation is executed and executes a risk algorithm stored in the risk determination logic (S209).

If there is no sliding or rotation of the vehicle in step S205, the risk determination unit 76 determines that it is in a normal situation and performs the same process as described above to compare the relative speed of the side of the relative vehicle of step S206 as described above. Based on the risk determination logic, the algorithm implements the risk, normal and stable situation algorithms.

If the overturn risk algorithm of step S208, the risk algorithm of step S209, the normal algorithm of step S210, and the safety situation algorithm of step S211 are executed by the risk determination unit 76, the microprocessor of the airbag ECU 70 74 compares the execution result of the algorithm with a reference value set for each algorithm (S212).

As a result of the comparison, when the side airbags 82 and 84 are required to be deployed, the microprocessor 74 controls the airbag operating unit 80 to deploy the side airbags 82 and 84 of the driver or passenger (S213). .

On the other hand, if it is not necessary to deploy the side airbags 82 and 84 as a result of the comparison, the microprocessor 74 controls the airbag operation unit 80 to suppress the deployment of the side airbags 82 and 84 (S214). .

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that control of the vehicle side airbag system may be performed by methods other than the above control method. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should not be limited to the described embodiments but should be defined by the following claims.

As described above, the vehicle side airbag system and the control method according to the present invention has the following effects.

First, by using the information input from the various sensors mounted on the car as the judgment data of the side airbag deployment, it is possible to minimize the possibility of malfunction of the side airbag to reduce the possibility of passenger injury due to the airbag and to prevent unnecessary side airbag deployment. This reduces the economic burden of re-installation and minimizes customer complaints.

Second, by changing the start time of the side airbag system from the accident to before the accident, there is an effect of improving the passenger protection function and the reliability of the side airbag system by the side airbag.

Claims (5)

In a vehicle equipped with an airbag ECU, an airbag actuator and a side airbag, The vehicle includes an overturn sensor for detecting the overturning of the vehicle body in a crash accident, a speed sensor for detecting the running speed of the vehicle, a rotation sensor for detecting the presence of sliding or rotation in the event of a side collision of the vehicle, a distance between an opponent vehicle or an obstacle And a distance sensor for measuring relative speed, a driver side G sensor for detecting acceleration in the driver side direction, and a passenger side G sensor for detecting acceleration in the side of the passenger seat. The airbag ECU, the risk determination to determine whether to drive the airbag operation unit for deploying the side airbag by analyzing the signals input from the overturn sensor, the speed sensor, the rotation sensor, the distance sensor, the driver side G sensor and the passenger side G sensor, respectively. Wealth, And a microprocessor for driving the airbag operating unit for deployment of the side airbag according to the result determined from the risk determination unit. The method of claim 1, wherein the risk determination unit, It is further equipped with a risk determination logic for determining the degree of danger generated in the side collision of the vehicle based on the signals input from the rollover sensor, the speed sensor, the rotation sensor, and the distance sensor, and then selecting the deployment algorithm of the side airbag according to the degree of danger. Automotive side airbag system, characterized in that. Reading signals from a rollover sensor, a speed sensor, a rotation sensor, and a distance sensor required to determine whether the side airbag is deployed; Determining whether a vehicle is overturned during a collision based on a signal input from the overturn sensor, and executing a overturn risk algorithm if there is a risk of overturning the vehicle; If there is no risk of overturning the vehicle, determining that the vehicle driving speed input through the speed sensor is a low speed and the relative speed of the side of the relative vehicle is low and executing a safety situation algorithm; If there is no risk of overturning the vehicle, the vehicle driving speed input through the speed sensor is a low speed, and if the side relative speed of the relative vehicle is larger than the set minimum speed value and smaller than the maximum speed value, it is determined that it is dangerous and normal. Executing a normal algorithm; If there is no danger of the vehicle overturning, determining that the vehicle driving speed input through the speed sensor is a low speed and the relative speed of the side of the relative vehicle is greater than a set maximum speed value and executing a risk algorithm; If there is no risk of overturning the vehicle, the vehicle driving speed input through the speed sensor is a high speed, and if there is a risk of skid or rotation of the vehicle due to a signal input through the rotation sensor in the event of a side collision accident Determining that it is a situation and executing a risk algorithm; And And comparing the execution result of the overturn risk algorithm, the risk algorithm, the normal algorithm, and the safety situation algorithm with a reference value set in each of the algorithms to determine whether to deploy the side airbag. The method according to claim 3, wherein if there is no risk of overturning the vehicle, if the running speed of the vehicle input through the speed sensor is greater than the set minimum speed value and less than the maximum speed value, it is determined that the dangerous state is possible, the side of the relative vehicle Comparing with relative speed; Executing a safety situation algorithm by determining that the safety situation is a low speed when the relative speed of the side of the relative vehicle is low; As a result of the comparison, if the lateral relative speed of the relative vehicle is larger than the set minimum speed value and smaller than the maximum speed value, executing the normal algorithm by determining that it is dangerous and normal; And And comparing the relative speed of the relative vehicle to a greater than the set maximum speed value and executing a risk algorithm. The vehicle driving speed input through the speed sensor is a high speed, when the result of the determination is that there is no risk of vehicle overturning, the vehicle is slipped or rotated by a signal input through the rotation sensor in the event of a side collision. (rotation) determining that there is no risk and comparing it with the relative speed of the side of the relative vehicle; Executing a safety situation algorithm by determining that the safety situation is a low speed when the relative speed of the side of the relative vehicle is low; As a result of the comparison, if the lateral relative speed of the relative vehicle is larger than the set minimum speed value and smaller than the maximum speed value, executing the normal algorithm by determining that it is dangerous and normal; And And comparing the relative speed of the relative vehicle to a greater than the set maximum speed value and executing a risk algorithm.