JP4856486B2 - Vehicle seat belt device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle seat belt device, and more particularly to a vehicle seat belt device having a function of allowing a passenger to recognize a driving situation based on driving information.

2. Description of the Related Art As a vehicle seat belt device, a device that restrains an occupant by a belt in an emergency or when a running state is unstable is in practical use.
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in vehicle seat belt devices, an attempt has been made to make an occupant recognize driving conditions based on driving information and the like.

As such a seat belt device for a vehicle, there is known a device that controls a belt and gives a notification / warning to an occupant other than in an emergency or when the running state is unstable (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-276896 A (page 12, FIG. 1)

The technique of Patent Document 1 will be described.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a conventional basic configuration. A vehicle seat belt apparatus 200 includes a seat belt 203 that restrains an occupant 202 on a vehicle seat 201, an electric motor 204 that winds up the seat belt 203, and an external device. The control unit 205 is configured to receive information and control the electric motor 204. The control unit 205 controls the electric motor 204 to alternately repeat normal rotation and reverse rotation, and the seat belt 203 causes the occupant 202 to do something. Notification and warning can be made.

However, in the vehicle seat belt device 200, the occupant is notified / warned by driving to alternately repeat forward and reverse rotations. 203 tension may be applied. Therefore, when the content of notification (notification / warning) is slight, the occupant 202 may feel uncomfortable.
Further, the vehicle seat belt device 200 is driven so as to alternately repeat forward and reverse rotation, and the seat belt 203 issues a notification / warning to the occupant.

  That is, there is a demand for a seatbelt device for a vehicle that allows the occupant to recognize the notification (notification / warning) content as naturally as possible and to convey various information to the occupant.

  The present invention solves a problem that an occupant feels unnatural when notifying (notifying / warning) an occupant, and provides a vehicle seat belt device that allows the occupant to recognize the notification as naturally as possible. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle seat belt device that solves the problem that information transmitted to a vehicle is limited and can transmit various information to passengers.

The invention according to claim 1 is a belt reel wound with a belt, a motor that drives the belt reel to wind the belt, a power transmission mechanism that transmits the power of the motor to the belt reel, and an operating state of the vehicle Detecting means for detecting the occurrence of the alarm, or visually informing the passenger to notify the passenger of a predetermined driving state, controlling the energization of the motor, and the belt winding operation. In a vehicle seat belt apparatus having a control unit for controlling, depending on the driving condition, the control unit performs forward and reverse rotation of the motor based on a signal from the detection unit, thereby causing a change in belt tension. by by controlling to convey operating conditions the passenger, or energized briefly at a predetermined period to the motor, without variation in tension of the belt, the predetermined operating noise around the power transmission mechanism It is generated, and the controller controls to convey operating conditions to the occupant.

  For example, in order to inform the occupant of minor malfunctions, the tension of the belt is not changed to appeal to the occupant's experience, so that the occupant does not feel unnatural. Here, the operation sound is a vibration sound having a predetermined frequency generated around the belt reel due to the rotation of the motor.

The invention according to claim 2 is such that when the frequency of the operating sound is high and when the frequency of the operating sound is low , the control unit is energized as the frequency is shorter so that the operating sound can be heard at substantially the same level. It is characterized by controlling so that the electric current to increase.

  The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the notification means includes a speaker for voice guidance to an occupant, generates a notification sound from the speaker, and synchronizes with a predetermined operating sound frequency.

  The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the notification means generates a notification sound from the speaker and links the notification by the operating sound and the notification by the notification sound.

  The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that, in the control unit, the generation of the operation sound is linked with the direct notification by the belt.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a belt reel around which a belt is wound, a motor that drives the belt reel to wind the belt, and a power transmission that transmits the power of the motor to the belt reel. mechanism and a detecting means for detecting an operating condition of the vehicle, or visually informed to generate generating a notification sound, and informing means for informing a predetermined operating condition with respect to the passenger, and controls the power supply to the motor And a control unit for controlling the belt winding operation . Depending on the driving condition, the control unit performs forward and reverse rotation of the motor based on the signal from the detecting means, thereby controlling the belt tension change and transmitting the driving condition to the occupant , or to the motor. By energizing for a short time with a predetermined cycle, it is controlled so that only a predetermined operating sound is generated around the power transmission mechanism without changing the belt tension, and the driving situation is transmitted to the occupant. You can know the driving state with feeling. As a result, there is an advantage that a comfortable driving environment can be maintained.

In the invention according to claim 2, when the frequency of the operating sound is high and when the frequency of the operating sound is low , the control unit is energized as the frequency is shorter so that the operating sound can be heard at substantially the same level. Therefore, there is an advantage that an operation sound having a high frequency can be heard at substantially the same level as an operation sound having a long period.

  In the invention according to claim 3, since the notification means includes a speaker for voice guidance to the occupant and generates a notification sound from the speaker and is synchronized with the frequency of the predetermined operating sound, the occupant feels more natural. There is an advantage that notifications / warnings can be transmitted.

  In the invention which concerns on Claim 4, while a notification means generate | occur | produces a notification sound from a speaker, the notification by an operation sound and the notification by a notification sound shall be linked. Therefore, the operation sound and the notification sound can be generated simultaneously or alternately. As a result, there is an advantage that a variety of notifications / warnings to be transmitted to passengers can be provided.

  In the invention according to claim 5, since the generation of the operation sound and the direct notification by the belt are linked, it is possible to prompt the occupant to quickly recognize the situation.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments (examples) of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a side view showing a mounted state of a seat belt device for a vehicle according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a main configuration and a control unit of the retractor of the seat belt device shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 1, a vehicle seat belt device 10 includes a belt (webbing) 13 that restrains the body of an occupant 11 to a seat (vehicle seat) 12. The belt 13 includes a belt portion 13 a that restrains the upper body of the occupant 11 and a belt portion 13 b that restrains the waist of the occupant 11. One end of the belt portion 13b is fixed to the vehicle body portion at the lower part of the passenger compartment by an anchor plate 14. The belt portion 13 a is folded back by a through anchor 15 provided near a shoulder of the occupant 11, and an end portion thereof is connected to a belt reel of the retractor 16. A tongue plate 17 is attached to the other common end of the belt 13. The tongue plate 17 is detachably attached to a buckle 18 fixed to the lower edge of the seat 12. The buckle 18 is provided with a buckle switch 19 that detects the connection of the tongue plate 17. When the buckle switch 19 is turned on, the tongue plate 17 is connected and locked to the buckle 18, and it is determined that the belt 13 is attached to the occupant 11.

  The seat 12 has a structure that can move in the front-rear direction (left-right direction in FIG. 1) in the vehicle compartment and can be fixed at any position within the allowable movement range.

  FIG. 2 shows a main configuration of the seat belt retractor 16. The retractor 16 includes a belt reel (spindle) 22 that is rotatably provided in the housing 21 and a motor 23 that rotationally drives the belt reel 22. The belt reel 22 is coupled to the end of the belt portion 13a of the belt 13, and the belt portion 13a is wound around the belt reel 22 and wound. The shaft 22 a of the belt reel 22 is connected to the drive shaft 23 a of the motor 23 via a power transmission mechanism (gear mechanism) 24. The belt reel 22 is rotationally driven by a motor 23 via a power transmission mechanism 24. The retractor 16 includes a rotation detection unit 25 connected to the shaft 22 a of the belt reel 22.

  The rotation detection unit 25 is preferably configured using a rotation angle sensor. For example, a magnetic sensor formed by combining a magnetic disk and two Hall ICs is used as the rotation angle sensor. The minimum resolution angle of the rotation angle sensor is, for example, 4 °, and is about 1.3 to 1.6 mm when converted into the belt length.

  The rotation detector 25 outputs two-phase pulse signals (P1, P2) that are shifted in phase by a predetermined amount based on the structure and action of the magnetic sensor. The two pulse signals can detect the rotation direction (winding direction or drawing direction) of the shaft 22a of the belt reel 22 based on the phase relationship in which the pulses are generated. Furthermore, the rotation angle (rotation amount) generated by the rotation operation of the shaft 22a of the belt reel 22 can be detected by counting the number of generated pulses using one of the two pulse signals. This rotation angle becomes a winding amount or a drawing amount according to the rotation direction.

  The two pulse signals P1 and P2 output from the rotation detection unit 25 are input to the control unit (control device) 26 as shown in FIG. The control unit 26 can obtain the belt winding position, the winding amount, the drawing amount, etc. by the belt reel 22 using the two pulse signals P1, P2.

  In the seat belt device 10 according to the present embodiment, the rotation detection unit 25 is used as a basic element of the belt withdrawal amount detection means for obtaining the belt withdrawal amount.

  The control unit 26 includes a seat state detection unit 32 that detects a seat state including the above-described buckle switch 19, an occupant sensor, a weight sensor, a seat positioning sensor, a reclining sensor, an acceleration sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, and a rollover sensor. (Rolling sensor), vehicle state detection unit 33 that detects the vehicle state such as a yaw rate sensor, and detection of information on the driving path including NAVI (navigation system), radar, VICS (vehicle information and communication system), night vision, etc. The traveling road information detection unit 34 that performs the notification and the notification unit 36 that notifies the occupant 11 of the predetermined driving state are connected via the in-vehicle network (CAN) 37 to exchange signals.

Here, VICS is a system that can know road information such as traffic jam information and regulation information in real time while in the vehicle.
Night vision is a system in which a traveling road is projected with a far-infrared camera or the like during night driving, and an obstacle or the like in the traveling road is detected and notified to the occupant 11.

The detection means (detection means) 31 includes a buckle switch 19, a seat state detection unit 32, a vehicle state detection unit 33, and a travel path information detection unit 34.
The notification means 36 includes a speaker 42 that notifies the occupant 11 by voice, and an indicator lamp 41 and a liquid crystal screen 43 that visually notify the occupant 11.

  The control unit 26 has functional means such as a rotation angle detection means and a rotation angle change detection means. The signal related to the rotation angle change obtained from the rotation angle change detecting means is used as information for detecting the movement of the belt 13 or the change in the belt withdrawal amount by the belt reel 22 when the seat belt is worn. Further, the belt winding position by the belt reel 22 can be obtained based on the signal relating to the rotation angle change obtained from the rotation angle change detecting means. Usually, the belt winding operation of the retractor 16 is controlled by the control unit 26 based on the detection information of the belt winding position.

  The control unit 26 controls the belt winding operation of the retractor 16 by controlling the energization amount of the drive current I1 supplied from the power source 27 to the motor 23 by the energization amount adjustment unit 28. The retractor 16 controlled by the control unit 26 is configured as an electric pretensioner for maintaining the position and posture of the occupant 11. That is, the belt reel 22, the motor 23, and the power transmission mechanism 24 constitute an electric pretensioner.

  The energization adjusting unit 28 can repeat forward and reverse rotations of the motor 23 depending on the driving state by the control unit 26 to notify the occupant of the driving state by a change in the tension of the belt 13. The belt 13 can be driven intermittently in the winding direction to give vibrations to the belt 13 to notify the occupant of the driving situation, and depending on the driving situation, the motor 23 is energized for a short period of time in a predetermined period. In addition, a predetermined operation sound is generated around the power transmission mechanism 24 to notify the occupant of the driving situation. Here, the operation sound is a vibration sound (mechanical sound) having a predetermined frequency generated around the belt reel 22 and the power transmission mechanism 24 due to the rotation of the motor 23.

  The seat belt device 10 and the retractor 16 included therein are devices on the driver's seat side, but the same seat belt device and retractor are also provided on the passenger seat side.

FIGS. 3A to 3C are graphs for explaining currents for generating an operation sound around the belt reel and the power transmission mechanism shown in FIG. 2 (refer to FIGS. 1 and 2 for reference numerals).
In (a), the horizontal axis represents time, the vertical axis represents current, the pulse width is B1, the pulse interval is C, the current value is A1, and the predetermined time is t1, and the pulse width is B1 and the pulse interval is C1. By adding the current value A1 for a predetermined time t1, a predetermined operation sound is generated around the belt reel 22 and the power transmission mechanism 24. Since the entire system of the seat belt apparatus 10 has a frictional force, the belt 13 is not wound by the current of the pulse width B1, the pulse interval C, and the current value A1, and is set to a current value that generates only an operating sound. To do.

  In (b), when the horizontal axis represents time, the vertical axis represents current, the pulse width is B2, the pulse interval is C, the current value is A2, and the predetermined time is t2, the pulse width B2 and the pulse interval C By adding the current value A2 for a predetermined time t2, a predetermined operating sound is generated around the belt reel 22 and the power transmission mechanism 24. Since the entire system of the seat belt apparatus 10 has a frictional force, the belt is not wound with the current of the pulse width B2, the pulse interval C, and the current value A2, and is set to a current value that generates only an operating sound. .

Comparing (a) and (b), the pulse width B2 is larger than the pulse width B1. Therefore, (b) can generate an operating sound having a lower frequency than (a).
The current value A2 is smaller than the current value A1. In general, the shorter the period, the higher the sound, and the longer the period, the lower the sound.

  In a limited frequency band, a low frequency sound sounds loud and a high frequency sound sounds small, so that a low frequency operating sound is generated (b) so that it can be heard at the same sound pressure level. The current value is set smaller than that in (a) for generating a high frequency sound.

  In (c), when the number of pulses per unit time is represented on the horizontal axis and the current is represented on the vertical axis, the current is increased as the number of pulses per unit time increases (becomes high-pitched sound). Sound pressure is obtained.

  From (a) to (c), the control unit 26 performs control so as to increase the energized current as the period is shorter, so that an operation sound having a high frequency can be heard at substantially the same level as an operation sound having a long period. I made it.

4 (a) and 4 (b) are explanatory views showing an example of notification in the case of a relatively small amount by the seat belt device shown in FIG.
For example, if the occupant 11 does not feel unnatural when notifying the occupant 11 (notifying / warning), it is convenient because a comfortable driving environment can be maintained, and various information is transmitted to the occupant 11. If it is possible, the usefulness of the vehicle seat belt device can be increased, which is preferable.

In (a), when the control unit 26 determines from the information of the buckle switch 19 that the vehicle is running and the buckle 18 (see FIG. 1) is in the disengaged state, the belt 13 is in an abnormal state, the buckle A failure of the switch 19 can be considered. In such a case, it is not appropriate to apply tension when the belt 13 is not actually in the mounted state, that is, when the belt 13 is in the stored state, and even if the belt 13 is in the mounted state. The occupant 11 may feel uncomfortable because it is a relatively minor problem.
Therefore, the control unit 26 generates an operating sound around the belt reel 22 and the power transmission mechanism 24 and lights the indicator lamp 41 so that visual notification is simultaneously performed.

  That is, the seat belt device 10 includes a detection unit 31 that detects the driving state of the vehicle, a notification unit 36 that notifies the occupant 11 of a predetermined driving state, and a control unit 26 that controls energization of the motor 23. The control unit 26 receives a signal from the detection unit 31 and energizes the motor 23 for a short time with a predetermined period to generate a predetermined operating sound around the belt reel 22 and the power transmission mechanism 24. In the case of a minor problem, the driving state can be notified to the occupant 11 with a natural feeling. As a result, a comfortable driving environment can be maintained.

  In (b), when the control unit 26 determines entry to a curve, approaching a toll booth / intersection, etc., based on an input from a travel route information detection unit 34, for example, a navigation system, a traffic system such as VICS. The control unit 26 generates an operation sound around the belt reel 22 and the power transmission mechanism 24 and generates a notification sound from the speaker 42 to simultaneously perform an audible notification. At this time, the notification means 36 generates a notification sound that is synchronized with the frequency of a predetermined operating sound. Alternatively, the notification by the predetermined operation sound and the notification by the notification sound are linked.

  Note that it is considered that there is no urgency to enter the curve and approach a toll gate / intersection, for example, by applying tension to the belt 13 and notifying the occupant 11.

  By setting the notification sound from the speaker 42 to the same frequency as a predetermined operation sound or a frequency that forms a chord, the passenger 11 can convey a notification / warning with a natural feeling. Further, by setting the notification sound from the speaker 42 to a frequency that forms a dissonance with a predetermined operating sound, it is possible to notify the occupant 11 of a notification / warning with a natural feeling of a situational deterioration or the like. In particular, when notifying the occupant of a situation deterioration by a notification sound from the speaker 42, the operation sound generated from around the belt reel and the power transmission mechanism 24 can be an effective transmission means for situation recognition.

  Therefore, the notification means 36 includes a speaker 42 for voice guidance to the occupant 11, generates a notification sound from the speaker 42, and synchronizes with a predetermined operating sound frequency. Thereby, the notification / warning can be transmitted to the occupant 11 with a natural feeling.

  Further, the notification by the operation sound and the notification by the notification sound may be interlocked. For example, the operation sound and the notification sound can be generated simultaneously or alternately by generating the notification sound from the speaker 42 and linking the notification by the operation sound and the notification by the notification sound. . Thereby, the notification / warning transmitted to the occupant 11 can be varied.

5 (a) and 5 (b) are explanatory views showing examples of notification in the case of a relatively serious situation by the seat belt device shown in FIG.
In (a), when a different vehicle is detected in front of the road information detection unit 34, for example, information from a radar, or a slightly large lateral acceleration is detected by information from the vehicle state detection unit 33, for example, an acceleration sensor. When the vehicle slips, the control unit 26 intermittently drives the motor 23 in the winding direction of the belt 13 to apply vibration to the belt 13, and the belt reel 22 and the power transmission mechanism 24 The operation of generating a predetermined operating sound is repeated alternately.

  When a vehicle is detected ahead with radar information or when a large lateral acceleration is detected with information from an acceleration sensor, driving operations with a medium level of urgency are required. Even if the notification is executed, the passenger 11 does not feel uncomfortable. By adding an operating sound to this, it becomes a more effective notification.

  That is, it is possible to prompt the occupant 11 to recognize the situation quickly by linking the generation of the operation sound and the direct notification by the belt 13.

  In (b), when the approach of the vehicle is detected from the travel path information detection unit 34, for example, radar, or when excessive lateral acceleration is detected, there is urgency and strong notification including restraint of the occupant 11 is given. is necessary. Therefore, the forward and backward rotations of the motor 23 are repeated to notify the occupant of the driving situation by a change in the tension of the belt 13. Thereby, an emergency can be conveyed to a passenger | crew with bodily sensation.

  In the vehicle seat belt device according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4A, the indicator lamp 41 is turned on, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the contents of the notification are explained on the liquid crystal screen 43 at the same time. It may be.

  In the vehicle seat belt device according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4B, the notification sound generated from the speaker 42 is changed based on the frequency of the operating sound. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The frequency of the operating sound may be changed based on the notification sound generated from.

  As shown in FIG. 5 (a), the vehicle seat belt device according to the present invention links the generation of the operation sound and the direct notification by the belt 13, but the present invention is not limited to this. A combination of notifications using the speaker 42 or the liquid crystal screen 43 may be used. ,

  As shown in FIG. 5 (b), the vehicle seat belt apparatus according to the present invention notifies the occupant of the driving situation by a change in the tension of the belt 13, but the present invention is not limited to this. The notification using the indicator lamp 41, the speaker 42, or the liquid crystal screen 43 may be combined.

  The vehicle seat belt device according to the present invention is suitable for use in passenger cars such as sedans and wagons.

It is a side view which shows the mounting state of the seatbelt apparatus of the vehicle which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the principal part structure and control part of the retractor of the seatbelt apparatus shown in FIG. It is a graph explaining the electric current for generating an operation sound around the belt reel and power transmission mechanism shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the illustration of alerting | reporting in the case of a comparatively slight by the seatbelt apparatus shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the illustration of the alerting | reporting in the case of comparatively serious by the seatbelt apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the conventional basic composition.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Vehicle seat belt apparatus, 11 ... Passenger, 13 ... Belt, 22 ... Belt reel, 23 ... Motor, 26 ... Control part, 31 ... Detection means, 36 ... Notification means, 42 ... Speaker.

Claims (5)

A belt reel around which a belt is wound, a motor that drives the belt reel to wind the belt, a power transmission mechanism that transmits the power of the motor to the belt reel, and a detection that detects a driving state of the vehicle A means for generating or visually informing a notification sound and notifying an occupant of a predetermined operating state; controlling energization of the motor; and controlling a winding operation of the belt A vehicle seat belt device comprising: a control unit;
The control unit performs control so that a belt tension change is generated and a driving condition is transmitted to an occupant by performing normal rotation and reverse rotation of the motor based on a signal from the detection unit depending on the driving condition. Or, by energizing the motor for a short period of time with a predetermined period, it is controlled so that only a predetermined operating sound is generated around the power transmission mechanism without changing the belt tension, and the driving situation is transmitted to the occupant. A vehicle seatbelt device.   The control unit is configured to provide a current to be applied as the frequency is short so that the magnitude of the operating sound can be heard at substantially the same level when the frequency of the operating sound is high and when the frequency of the operating sound is low. 2. The vehicle seat belt device according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle is controlled to increase.   The said notification means is equipped with the speaker for carrying out a voice guidance to a passenger | crew, and while generating a notification sound from this speaker, it synchronizes with the frequency of the said predetermined | prescribed operation sound, The Claim 1 or Claim 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. Vehicle seat belt device.   The vehicle seat belt device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the notification means generates a notification sound from the speaker and links the notification by the operation sound and the notification by the notification sound. .   5. The vehicle seat belt device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit links the generation of the operation sound and the direct notification by the belt. 6.

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