JP7218124B2 - Occupant restraint system, control device and occupant restraint method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an occupant restraint system, a control device, and an occupant restraint method.

Conventional technology to deploy airbags in a deployment mode determined based on information obtained after a vehicle collision (e.g., occupant weight, occupant physique, seat position, distance between occupant and airbag, etc.) is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-2002-87200

However, in the prior art, the operation mode of the occupant restraint system such as an airbag is determined in advance based on the information obtained before the occupant restraint system is operated. cannot be changed after the occupant restraint system is activated.

Accordingly, the present disclosure provides an occupant restraint system, a control device, and an occupant restraint method that can change the operating mode of the restraint device that restrains the occupant to an appropriate mode after the restraint device is actuated.

This disclosure is
a collision sensor that detects a vehicle collision;
a restraint device for restraining an occupant of the vehicle;
an occupant sensor for monitoring the occupant;
After acquiring the collision detection information by the collision sensor, observing the moving state of the occupant while the restraint device is operating based on the monitoring information of the occupant by the occupant sensor, and based on the observed data of the moving state and a control device that changes the operating mode of the restraint device during operation of the restraint device ,
the restraint device includes an airbag;
a first inflator that supplies gas to the airbag;
a second inflator that supplies gas to the airbag;
The control device ignites the first inflator out of the first inflator and the second inflator when the movement speed of the occupant after obtaining the detection information exceeds a first actuation threshold value. If the moving speed of the occupant exceeds a second actuation threshold that is larger than the first actuation threshold based on the observed data of the movement state after the first inflator is ignited, the second inflator is ignited and the Provided is an occupant restraint system that changes the mode of exhausting gas from the airbag based on the movement state after the second inflator is ignited .

This disclosure also provides
a collision determination unit that determines a collision of a vehicle equipped with a restraint device that restrains an occupant;
an occupant detection unit that observes a moving state of the occupant while the restraint device is in operation after the collision determination unit determines that the vehicle has collided;
A control device comprising a restraint control unit that changes an operation mode of the restraint device while the restraint device is in operation based on observation data of the movement state ,
the restraint device includes an airbag;
The control device supplies gas to the airbag and a first inflator that supplies gas to the airbag when the movement speed of the occupant after acquiring the collision detection information exceeds a first activation threshold. igniting the first inflator out of the second inflators, and based on observation data of the movement state after igniting the first inflator, a second movement speed of the occupant greater than the first actuation threshold A control device is provided that ignites the second inflator when an actuation threshold is exceeded, and changes the mode of exhausting gas from the airbag based on the movement state after igniting the second inflator. .

This disclosure also provides
After determining that a vehicle equipped with a restraint device for restraining an occupant has collided, the movement state of the occupant while the restraint device is in operation is observed, and the operation mode of the restraint device is determined based on the observation data of the movement state. An occupant restraint method that changes during operation of the restraint system, comprising:
the restraint device includes an airbag;
A first inflator that supplies gas to the airbag and a second inflator that supplies gas to the airbag when the movement speed of the occupant after acquiring the vehicle collision detection information exceeds a first actuation threshold value. The first inflator among the inflators is ignited, and a second actuation threshold is set such that the movement speed of the occupant is greater than the first actuation threshold based on observation data of the movement state after the first inflator is ignited. To provide an occupant restraining method for igniting a second inflator when exceeding a second inflator and changing a mode of exhausting gas from an airbag based on the movement state after igniting the second inflator .

According to the technique of the present disclosure, it is possible to change the operation mode of the restraint device that restrains the occupant to an appropriate mode after the restraint device is actuated.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an occupant restraint system according to one embodiment; FIG. It is a figure which shows arrangement|positioning of a sensor etc. which are contained in the passenger|crew restraint system of one Embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of multi-stage airbag control that controls the internal pressure of the airbag step by step according to the position of the occupant; It is a functional block diagram of a control device. 7 is a flow chart showing an example of an occupant restraint method executed by a control device of a comparative embodiment; 4 is a flowchart showing an example of an occupant restraint method executed by the control device of one embodiment; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of airbag deployment conditions after a collision in an occupant restraint method executed by a control device of a comparative embodiment; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of post-collision airbag deployment conditions in the occupant restraint method executed by the control device of the embodiment. 4 is a chart showing how the force with which the restraint system restrains the occupant can be varied during activation of the restraint system; FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating temporal changes in airbag pressure; FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating temporal changes in the amount of gas exhausted from an airbag; FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating temporal changes in seat belt tension; 7 is a flowchart showing another example of an occupant restraint method executed by the control device of one embodiment; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of control when an occupant whose build is determined to be of medium build is restrained;

An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an occupant restraint system 10 according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the arrangement of sensors and the like included in the occupant restraint system 10. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, the x-axis direction, the y-axis direction, and the z-axis direction respectively correspond to the vehicle front-rear direction, the vehicle left-right direction, and the vehicle up-down direction. This occupant restraint system 10 senses vehicle acceleration due to a collision or the like, deploys an airbag 55 , and restrains an occupant 101 . The airbag 55 is an example of a restraint device that restrains the occupant of the vehicle.

The occupant restraint system 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes an acceleration sensor 31 for detecting acceleration of the vehicle 100 and various sensors for detecting information regarding the occupant 101 seated on the seat 95 of the vehicle 100 . FIG. 1 illustrates a weight sensor 32, a seat position sensor 33, an attitude detection camera 34, and a buckle switch 35 as various sensors. The occupant restraint system 10 also includes an airbag unit 50 that houses an airbag 55 that restrains the occupant 101 in the event of a collision of the vehicle 100, and a control system that controls the airbag unit 50 based on information from the various sensors described above. a device 20; The occupant restraint system 10 may also include a retractor 91 that retracts the seat belt 90 so that it can be withdrawn.

Acceleration sensor 31 is an example of a collision sensor that detects a collision of vehicle 100 and outputs detection information of the collision. The acceleration sensor 31 detects acceleration (more specifically, deceleration) generated in the vehicle 100 when the vehicle 100 collides with an obstacle such as another vehicle, and outputs a signal (acceleration detection signal) corresponding to the detected acceleration. do. The acceleration sensor 31 is arranged at the front end of the vehicle 100, for example.

The weight sensor 32 is arranged, for example, under the seating surface of the seat 95 . The weight sensor 32 has, for example, a plate that is distorted when the occupant 101 sits on the seat 95, and a distortion sensor for detecting the amount of distortion of this plate. The weight sensor 32 detects the load applied to the seat 95 by the occupant 101 and outputs a signal (load detection signal) corresponding to the detected load.

The seat position sensor 33 detects the position of the seat 95 and outputs a signal (seat position detection signal) corresponding to the detected seat position. The seat position sensor 33 is arranged, for example, below a seat 95 that moves in the x-axis direction by a predetermined stroke. The seat position sensor 33 has, for example, a striker fixed to the seat 95 and a plurality of limit switches operated by the striker, and outputs signals corresponding to the positions of the operated limit switches.

Posture detection camera 34 is an example of an occupant sensor that monitors occupant 101 and outputs monitoring information obtained by monitoring occupant 101 . The attitude detection camera 34 is, for example, a distance image sensor having a light source that outputs light such as near-infrared rays and an image sensor that captures an image of the occupant 101 . The attitude detection camera 34 detects, for example, the distance between the installation position of the attitude detection camera 34 and the occupant 101 by a TOF (Time Of Flight) method, and outputs a signal (distance detection data) corresponding to the detected distance. . Distance detection data is an example of crew member 101 monitoring information. The attitude detection camera 34 is arranged, for example, so as to be able to capture an image of the occupant 101 inside the vehicle 100, and is attached to the ceiling, dashboard, windshield, or pillar of the vehicle 100, for example.

Buckle switch 35 is a switch for determining whether occupant 101 is wearing seat belt 90 or not. A tongue 93 slidably attached to the seat belt 90 is connected to a seat 95 or a buckle 96 fixed to the vehicle body near the seat 95 to restrain the occupant 101 on the seat 95 . The buckle switch 35 detects, for example, a state in which the tongue 93 is connected to the buckle 96, and outputs a signal (connection detection signal) representing the detected connection state.

The seat belt 90 is an example of a restraint device that restrains an occupant 101 sitting on a seat 95 of the vehicle 100 . The seat belt 90 has one end wound around a retractor 91 and the other end fixed to the seat 95 or the vehicle body near the seat 95 . Seat belt 90 pulled out from retractor 91 is guided toward the shoulder of occupant 101 by guide 92 fixed to pillar 100 a of vehicle 100 .

The airbag unit 50 is incorporated in an interior component of the vehicle 100, and is provided, for example, inside a dashboard of the vehicle 100 or in a steering wheel. The airbag unit 50 has an airbag 55 that is inflated and deployed by supplied gas, a first inflator 61 that supplies gas to the airbag 55 , and a second inflator 62 that supplies gas to the airbag 55 .

When the first inflator 61 receives an ignition signal from the control device 20 , the gas generating agent burns and injects gas into the airbag 55 . When the second inflator 62 also receives the ignition signal from the control device 20 , the gas generating agent burns and injects gas into the airbag 55 . The airbag 55 accommodated in the retainer is inflated and deployed by gas injected from at least one of the first inflator 61 and the second inflator 62 .

The control device 20 may have, for example, a function of outputting an exhaust adjustment signal for adjusting the amount of gas exhausted from the airbag 55 . The control device 20 can adjust the amount of gas exhausted from the airbag 55 by, for example, outputting an exhaust adjustment signal for adjusting the degree of opening of at least one vent hole 56 provided in the airbag 55 .

Retractor 91 changes the tension of seat belt 90 upon receiving a predetermined tension control signal output from control device 20 after control device 20 determines that vehicle 100 has collided. For example, the retractor 91 has a load limiter that causes the seat belt 90 to be withdrawn from the retractor 91 upon receiving a predetermined tension control signal. By withdrawing the seatbelt 90 from the retractor 91, the tension of the seatbelt 90 is reduced, and the restraining force that the occupant 101 receives from the seatbelt 90 is reduced.

The control device 20 is a computer including, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21 , a ROM (Read Only Memory) 22 , a RAM (Random Access Memory) 23 , an input circuit 24 and an output circuit 25 . The CPU 21 is an example of a processor. The control device 20 acquires information about the occupant 101 from the weight sensor 32, the seat position sensor 33, the attitude detection camera 34, and the buckle switch 35 through the input circuit 24, and sends information about the vehicle 100 from the acceleration sensor 31 to the input circuit 24. to get through. Then, the control device 20 controls at least one of the airbag unit 50 and the retractor 91 via the output circuit 25 based on the acquired information.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of multistage airbag control that controls the internal pressure of the airbag step by step according to the position of the occupant. The control device 20 observes the distance between the installation position of the attitude detection camera 34 and the occupant 101 based on the distance detection data output from the attitude detection camera 34 . Further, control device 20 calculates the distance between reference position 36 and occupant 101 based on the distance between the installation position of attitude detection camera 34 and reference position 36 and the distance detection data output from attitude detection camera 34 . D can be observed. A reference position 36 that is a predetermined distance away from the installation position of the attitude detection camera 34 is, for example, the position of an interior item on which the airbag unit 50 is mounted. Note that the reference position 36 may be the installation position of the attitude detection camera 34 . When the distance detection data output from the posture detection camera 34 is added to the observation of the distance described above, the observation accuracy is improved.

The control device 20 outputs an ignition instruction F1 to the first inflator 61 when the occupant 101 is positioned at a position a distance D1 from the reference position 36 . The control device 20 outputs an ignition instruction F2 to the second inflator 62 when the occupant 101 is moving to a position that is D2 (<D1) from the reference position 36 . In this manner, the control device 20 can adjust the pressure of the airbag 55 to an appropriate value according to the position of the occupant by changing the ignition timing at least according to the position of the occupant.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the control device 20. As shown in FIG. The control device 20 has an occupant detection section 26 , a collision determination section 27 , an energy calculation section 28 and a restraint control section 29 . The functions of each unit are realized by the CPU 21 operating according to the programs stored in the ROM 22 .

The occupant detection unit 26 observes the movement state of the occupant 101 while the restraint device is in operation (hereinafter also referred to as movement state M) based on the monitoring information of the occupant 101 monitored by the posture detection camera 34 . The occupant detection unit 26 estimates the weight and build of the occupant 101 based on the load applied to the seat 95 detected by the weight sensor 32 . The occupant detection unit 26, for example, classifies the physique of the occupant 101 into three classes: small, medium, and large. Based on the seat position detection signal output from the seat position sensor 33, the occupant detection unit 26 determines whether the seat 95 is positioned at the front end position, the intermediate position, or the rear end position.

The occupant detection unit 26 calculates the distance between the reference position 36 and the occupant 101 based on the distance detection data output from the posture detection camera 34 . For example, the occupant detection unit 26 generates a difference image by performing difference processing between the images sequentially output from the posture detection camera 34 and the background image captured when the occupant 101 is not seated. Then, the occupant detection unit 26 determines whether or not the occupant 101 is seated on the seat 95 from this difference image. Next, when the occupant detection unit 26 determines that the occupant 101 is seated on the seat 95 , the occupant detection unit 26 detects the distance between the reference position 36 and the occupant 101 based on the detection signal output from the posture detection camera 34 . Based on this distance, the occupant detection unit 26 determines whether the upper body of the occupant 101 is at a position (out position) away from the backrest of the seat 95 to some extent (out position), or whether the upper body of the occupant 101 is at a position near the backrest of the seat 95. (in position).

The occupant detection unit 26 detects whether or not the seat belt 90 is worn based on the connection detection signal output from the buckle switch 35 . For example, the occupant detection unit 26 determines that the contact of the buckle switch 35 is turned on when the tongue 93 is attached to the buckle 96 and the occupant 101 is wearing the seat belt 90 . On the other hand, the occupant detection unit 26 determines that the contact of the buckle switch 35 is turned off when the tongue 93 is removed from the buckle 96 and the occupant 101 is not wearing the seatbelt 90 .

The collision determination unit 27 determines a collision of the vehicle 100 equipped with a restraint device for restraining the passenger 101 based on the acceleration detection signal output from the acceleration sensor 31 . The collision determination unit 27 determines that the vehicle 100 has collided, for example, when the amount of change in acceleration per unit time (hereinafter also referred to as "rate of change in acceleration") exceeds a predetermined collision determination threshold. The collision determination unit 27 classifies the magnitude of the collision into three classes of small-scale collision, medium-scale collision, and large-scale collision according to the rate of change in acceleration. Note that collision determination is not limited to this method, and known methods can be applied.

The energy calculator 28 calculates the kinetic energy E of the occupant 101 based on observation data of the moving state M in which the restraint system of the occupant 101 is in operation. For example, the energy calculation unit 28 calculates the weight of the occupant 101 estimated by the occupant detection unit 26 and the collision speed of the vehicle 100 calculated by integrating the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor 31. , the kinetic energy of the occupant 101 is calculated. In addition, the energy calculation unit 28 calculates the amount of kinetic energy consumed by the occupant 101 since the collision based on the movement amount of the occupant 101 estimated based on the monitoring information of the occupant 101 by the posture detection camera 34 (the amount of kinetic energy consumed). ) is calculated.

Restraint control unit 29 outputs an ignition instruction to at least one of first inflator 61 and second inflator 62 when predetermined ignition conditions are satisfied after collision determination unit 27 determines that vehicle 100 has collided. As a result, the airbag 55 is inflated and deployed so as to receive the moving occupant 101 . Further, the restraint control unit 29 changes the operating mode of the restraint system to "in operation" based on observation data of the moving state M of the occupant 101 while the restraint system is in operation. Alternatively, the restraint control unit 29 changes the operating mode of the restraint system to "in operation" based on the observed data of the moving state M of the occupant 101 and the calculated data of the kinetic energy E while the restraint system is in operation.

Next, in order to compare with the control device 20 of this embodiment, the operation of the control device of one comparative example will be described.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an example of an occupant restraint method executed by a control device of a comparative example. A control device of a comparative example determines the operation mode of an airbag before a collision based on information such as the weight of the occupant obtained from a weight sensor or the like.

In step S10, the control device detects the occupant's position, physique, weight, and other conditions based on each sensor.

In step S12, the control device presets (determines in advance) the airbag activation parameters based on the occupant state detected in step S10 in order to determine the airbag activation mode in advance.

In step S14, when the vehicle collision is detected, the control device executes the process of step S16.

At step S16, the control device selects the operating parameters determined in advance at step S12 based on the collision G (collision acceleration) detected by the acceleration sensor, and determines the operation mode of the airbag.

If the detected collision is judged to be a minor collision based on the collision G in step S16, the control device judges not to deploy the airbag.

If the detected collision is judged to be a small-scale collision based on collision G in step S16, the control device ignites only the first inflator to weakly activate the airbag (step S18). For example, in step S18, the control device determines whether the vehicle speed after the collision exceeds the airbag activation threshold value C1. When the vehicle speed after the collision exceeds the airbag activation threshold value C1, the control device ignites only one of the first inflators (step S18).

When the controller determines in step S16 that the detected collision is a medium-scale collision based on the collision G, the control device first ignites only the first inflator in order to operate the airbag in two stages (step S20). Then, the control device ignites the second inflator later than the ignition of the first inflator (step S26) after a certain delay time determined based on the collision G waveform at the time of collision has elapsed (step S24). . For example, in step S20, the control device ignites only the first inflator when the post-collision vehicle speed exceeds the airbag activation threshold value C1. Then, in steps S24 and S26, the control device ignites the second inflator when the post-collision vehicle speed exceeds the airbag activation threshold value C2 after a certain delay time has elapsed. The actuation threshold C2 is greater (faster) than the actuation threshold C1.

When the controller determines in step S16 that the detected collision is a large-scale collision based on the collision G, the controller ignites both the first and second inflators at the same time to strongly activate the airbag (step S22). For example, in step S22, if the post-collision vehicle speed exceeds the airbag activation threshold C1, the control device ignites both inflators (step S22).

On the other hand, FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of an occupant restraint method executed by the control device 20 of one embodiment. The control device 20 includes an occupant detection unit 26 that observes the movement state M of the occupant 101 while the airbag 55 is in operation, and the operation state of the airbag 55 based on the observed data of the movement state M. and a constraint control unit 29 to be changed. The movement state M of the occupant 101 while the airbag 55 is in operation is observed based on the monitoring information of the occupant 101 by the posture detection camera 34 . For example, the movement state M of the occupant 101 while the airbag 55 is in operation includes at least one of the movement position, movement speed, and movement direction of the occupant 101 .

In step S30, the occupant detection unit 26 detects the occupant's position, physique, weight, and other conditions based on each sensor.

In step S34, the collision determination unit 27 acquires collision detection information (for example, collision G) detected by the collision sensor, and determines that the vehicle has collided according to a predetermined collision determination condition based on the acquired detection information. The processing after S35 is executed.

In step S<b>35 , the occupant detection unit 26 observes at least one moving state M of, for example, the moving position, moving speed, and moving direction of the occupant 101 .

In step S36, the restraint control unit 29 selects the operation state (operation mode) of the airbag 55 based on the collision G detected in step S34 and the movement state M after the collision determination observed in step S35. decide.

When the detected collision is determined to be a large-scale collision based on collision G in step S36, the restraint control unit 29 ignites both the first inflator 61 and the second inflator 62 at the same time to strongly operate the airbag 55. (Step S42). For example, in step S42, the restraint control unit 29 determines that the movement speed observed by the occupant detection unit 26 exceeds the activation threshold value A1 of the airbag 55 and that the movement position observed by the occupant detection unit 26 causes the airbag 55 to be activated. It is determined whether or not it is out of the prohibited area B. If the observed moving speed exceeds the activation threshold A1 and the observed moving position is out of the operation prohibited area B, the restraint control unit 29 fires both inflators (step S42).

On the other hand, if the detected collision is determined to be a small-scale collision based on the collision G in step S36, the restraint control unit 29 first ignites only the first inflator 61 in order to slightly operate the airbag 55 (step S38). . For example, in step S38, the restraint control unit 29 determines that the movement speed observed by the occupant detection unit 26 exceeds the activation threshold value A1 of the airbag 55 and that the movement position observed by the occupant detection unit 26 causes the airbag 55 to be activated. It is determined whether or not it is out of the prohibited area B. If the observed moving speed exceeds the activation threshold value A1 and the observed moving position is outside the operation prohibited area B, the restraint control unit 29 ignites only one of the first inflators 61 (step S38). .

In step S<b>39 , the occupant detection unit 26 observes at least one moving state M of, for example, the moving position, moving speed and moving direction of the occupant 101 and the degree of contact between the occupant 101 and the airbag 55 .

In step S44, the restraint control unit 29 determines whether or not to fire the second inflator 62 based on the movement state M after the firing of the first inflator 61 observed in step S39. When the restraint control unit 29 determines that the movement speed of the occupant 101 received by the airbag 55 is higher than a predetermined threshold value and that the second inflator 62 needs to be ignited, the second inflator 62 is ignited (step S46). For example, in step S46, the restraint control unit 29 determines that the movement speed observed by the occupant detection unit 26 exceeds the activation threshold value A2 of the airbag 55, and that the movement position observed by the occupant detection unit 26 causes the airbag 55 to be activated. It is determined whether or not it is out of the prohibited area B. The actuation threshold A2 is greater (faster) than the actuation threshold A1. If the observed movement speed exceeds the actuation threshold A2 and the observed movement position is out of the actuation prohibited area B, the restraint control unit 29 ignites the second inflator 62 (step S46).

In step S<b>48 , the occupant detection unit 26 observes at least one moving state M of, for example, the moving position, moving speed and moving direction of the occupant 101 and the degree of contact between the occupant 101 and the airbag 55 .

In step S50, the restraint control unit 29 performs vent control to adjust the degree of opening of the vent hole 56 based on the movement state M after the ignition of the second inflator 62 observed in step S48. For example, in step S<b>50 , the restraint control unit 29 increases the degree of opening of the vent hole 56 when determining that the restraint force of the airbag 55 restraining the passenger 101 needs to be lowered. When the restraint control unit 29 determines that the vent control is completed in step S52, the restraint control unit 29 executes post-processing such as vent opening (step S54).

In this way, when the controller 20 determines in step S36 that the first inflator 61 is to be ignited, it observes the movement state M after the first inflator 61 is ignited (step S39). Then, the control device 20 changes the ignition timing of the second inflator 62 to the operating state of the airbag 55 based on the observation data of the moving state M (step S46). On the other hand, when the control device 20 determines in step S36 that both the first inflator 61 and the second inflator 62 are to be ignited, it observes the movement state M after igniting both inflators (step S48). Based on the observation data of the moving state M, the control device 20 changes the mode of exhausting the gas from the airbag 55 while the airbag 55 is in operation (step S50).

Therefore, in the occupant restraint method of the comparative example shown in FIG. 5 described above, as shown in FIG. Depending on the type of collision, the inflator may be ignited too early. Also, in a low-speed collision, the deployment timing may be delayed. On the other hand, in the occupant restraint method shown in FIG. 6, as shown in FIG. 8, the position and speed of the occupant 101 are observed in real time, and the operating mode of the airbag 55 is operated based on the observation results. Since the expansion timing is changed in a timely manner, it is possible to prevent a mismatch in expansion timing.

In this way, after the collision determination unit 27 determines that the vehicle has collided, the control device 20 of the present embodiment changes the operating mode of the restraint device to a restraint mode in accordance with the position change of the occupant observed by the occupant detection unit 26. It has a restraint control 29 that changes during operation of the device. Therefore, the operation mode of the restraint device for restraining the occupant can be changed to an appropriate mode after the restraint device is actuated.

After acquiring the collision detection information, the control device 20 activates the restraint system based on the observation data of the movement state of the occupant 101 during the activation of the restraint system so that the restraining force that the occupant 101 receives from the restraint system is changed. It is preferable to change the mode during operation of the restraint system. By observing the movement of the restrained passenger 101 in real time, the control device 20 can control the restraining force according to the time calendar and provide the crew member 101 with the optimum restraining force.

FIG. 9 is a chart showing how the force with which the restraint system restrains the occupant can be varied during activation of the restraint system. The control device 20 can change the pressure of the airbag 55 while the airbag 55 is in operation by changing the ignition on/off and ignition timing of the second inflator 62 . In addition, the control device 20 can change the gas discharge amount of the airbag 55 while the airbag 55 is in operation by changing the degree of opening of the vent hole 56 . Further, the control device 20 can change the tension of the seatbelt 90 while the seatbelt 90 is in operation by changing the timing of dividing the tension of the seatbelt 90 by the retractor 91 .

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating temporal changes in airbag pressure. The restraint control unit 29 sets the ignition timing of the second inflator 62 to the time when the airbag 55 is in operation based on the observed data of the movement state M after the first inflator 61 is ignited after acquiring the collision detection information. change. For example, the restraint control unit 29 adjusts the operation delay time DLY from the ignition of the first inflator 61 based on the observation data of the movement state M, and adjusts the ignition timing of the second inflator 62 to the time when the airbag 55 is operating. change to As a result, the degree of increase in the pressure of the airbag can be adjusted within the range between the pressure when only the first inflator 61 is ignited and the pressure when the first and second inflators 61 and 62 are simultaneously ignited. Adjustable. Thereby, the degree of increase of the binding force can be adjusted.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating temporal changes in the amount of gas exhausted from an airbag. The restraint control unit 29 changes the degree of opening of the vent hole 56 while the airbag 55 is in operation based on the observation data of the movement state M after the first inflator 61 is ignited after acquiring the collision detection information. do. For example, the restraint control unit 29 adjusts the operation delay time DLY from the ignition of the first inflator 61 based on the observation data of the movement state M, and adjusts the degree of opening of the vent hole 56 while the airbag 55 is operating. Enlarge. As a result, the exhaust amount of the airbag 55 is reduced within the range between the exhaust amount when the vent hole 56 is not fully opened and the pressure when the vent hole 56 is opened simultaneously with the ignition of the first inflator 61. You can adjust the degree of elevation. This makes it possible to adjust the degree of decrease in binding force.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating temporal changes in seat belt tension. The restraint control unit 29 sets the limit value of the load limiter of the retractor 91 to the operating state of the airbag 55 based on the observation data of the movement state M after the first inflator 61 is ignited after acquiring the collision detection information. change to For example, the restraint control unit 29 adjusts the operation delay time DLY from the ignition of the first inflator 61 based on the observation data of the movement state M, and sets the load limit value of the load limiter of the retractor 91 to that of the airbag 55. lower during operation. As a result, the degree of decrease in the seatbelt tension is adjusted within the range between the tension when the load limit value is not changed to the end and the tension when the load limit value is lowered simultaneously with the ignition of the first inflator 61. can. This makes it possible to adjust the degree of decrease in binding force.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing another example of the occupant restraint method executed by the control device 20 of one embodiment.

In step S64, the collision determination unit 27 estimates the speed of the vehicle 100 at the time of collision (collision speed) based on the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor 31 (for example, by integrating the acceleration).

In step S<b>65 , the occupant detection unit 26 estimates the weight of the occupant 101 based on the load detected by the weight sensor 32 .

In step S<b>66 , energy calculation unit 28 calculates kinetic energy E of occupant 101 based on the collision speed of vehicle 100 and the weight of occupant 101 .

In step S<b>68 , the restraint control section 29 ignites the first inflator 61 in the airbag unit 50 and the seat belt pretensioner in the retractor 91 . As a result, the airbag 55 and the seat belt 90 are activated.

In step S70, the occupant detection unit 26 observes the movement state M of the occupant 101, such as the movement position and movement direction of the occupant 101 while the airbag is in operation, based on the information monitored by the posture detection camera 34 such as an infrared camera.

In step S73, the occupant detection unit 26 calculates the distance D to the interior parts of the vehicle based on the observed movement position and movement direction.

In step S75, the restraint control unit 29 determines the optimum operating mode corresponding to the kinetic energy E and the distance D based on a predetermined relational rule such as a map and an arithmetic expression, and operates the restraint device in the determined operating mode. activate. The control device 20 repeats the processing of steps S69, S73, and S75 until it is determined in step S82 that the control of the restraint device has been completed.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of control when an occupant whose physique is determined to be of medium build is restrained.

In step S90, the energy calculation unit 28 calculates the collision speed v of the vehicle 100 when the collision determination unit 27 determines that the vehicle 100 has collided, and the weight m of the occupant 101 estimated using the weight sensor 32. is used to calculate the kinetic energy E of the occupant at the time of collision.

In step S<b>91 , the occupant detection unit 26 detects the position of the occupant 101 at the time of collision based on the monitoring information obtained by the posture detection camera 34 .

At step S92, the restraint control unit 29 determines the operation mode of the restraint device based on the kinetic energy E calculated from the prior information and the distance D to the interior item from the infrared camera information. The restraint control unit 29 determines, for example, the optimum operating mode corresponding to the kinetic energy E and the distance D based on predetermined relational rules such as maps and arithmetic expressions. For example, the restraint control unit 29 ignites the second inflator 62 at the same time as the first inflator 61, turns off the vent control, and turns off the tension control of the seat belt 90. A decision is made to activate the seat belt 90 .

At step S93, the restraint control unit 29 operates the restraint device in the operation mode determined at step S92.

In step S<b>94 , the occupant detection unit 26 observes the position of the occupant 101 while the airbag 55 and seat belt 90 are operating based on the monitoring information obtained by the posture detection camera 34 .

In step S<b>95 , the energy calculation unit 28 calculates the kinetic energy from the past time such as the time of collision based on the amount of movement in the time history of the occupant 101 estimated based on the monitoring information of the occupant 101 by the posture detection camera 34 . Calculate the consumption ΔE of The kinetic energy consumption ΔE is expressed as 1/2×m×Δv ² using the weight m of the occupant 101 and the speed difference (deceleration amount Δv) during the consumption period. Therefore, the energy calculation unit 28 may calculate, for example, the differential value of the position estimated before the current time (the past value of the moving speed of the occupant) and the differential value of the position estimated at the current time (the current value of the moving speed of the occupant). ) to calculate the deceleration Δv and the kinetic energy consumption ΔE. On the other hand, the occupant detection unit 26 recalculates the distance D to the interior components based on the time history movement amount of the occupant 101 estimated based on the monitoring information of the occupant 101 by the posture detection camera 34 . The restraint control unit 29 determines the operation mode of the restraint device based on these calculation results. The restraint control unit 29 determines, for example, the optimum operating mode corresponding to the kinetic energy consumption ΔE and the distance D based on a predetermined relational rule such as a map or an arithmetic expression. Alternatively, the restraint control unit 29, for example, determines the optimum operating mode corresponding to the current kinetic energy E and distance D based on predetermined relational rules such as maps and arithmetic expressions. For example, the restraint control unit 29 determines to operate the airbag 55 and the seat belt 90 in an operating manner in which the vent control is turned off and the tension control of the seat belt 90 is turned on.

At step S96, the restraint control unit 29 operates the restraint device in the operation mode determined at step S95.

In step S<b>97 , the occupant detection unit 26 observes the position of the occupant 101 while the airbag 55 and seat belt 90 are operating based on the monitoring information obtained by the posture detection camera 34 . The restraint control unit 29 terminates the occupant restraint control when the distance D to the interior components observed by the occupant detection unit 26 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value.

Although the occupant restraint system, the control device, and the occupant restraint method have been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various modifications and improvements such as combination or replacement with part or all of other embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention.

For example, the collision sensor is not limited to detecting a vehicle collision based on acceleration, and may detect a vehicle collision based on a physical quantity (for example, load) other than acceleration.

Further, the occupant restrained by the restraint device is not limited to the occupant sitting in the front seat such as the driver's seat or the front passenger seat, and may be the occupant sitting in the rear seat. Also, the airbag is not limited to the illustrated form, and other forms such as a side airbag and a curtain airbag may be used.

10 occupant restraint system 20 control device 24 input circuit 25 output circuit 26 occupant detection unit 27 collision determination unit 28 energy calculation unit 29 restraint control unit 31 acceleration sensor 32 weight sensor 33 seat position sensor 34 attitude detection camera 35 buckle switch 50 airbag unit 55 airbag 56 vent hole 61 first inflator 62 second inflator 90 seat belt 91 retractor 93 tongue 95 seat 96 buckle 100 vehicle 101 occupant

Claims (16)

a collision sensor that detects a vehicle collision;
a restraint device for restraining an occupant of the vehicle;
an occupant sensor for monitoring the occupant;
After acquiring the collision detection information by the collision sensor, observing the moving state of the occupant while the restraint device is operating based on the monitoring information of the occupant by the occupant sensor, and based on the observed data of the moving state and a control device that changes the operating mode of the restraint device during operation of the restraint device ,
the restraint device includes an airbag;
a first inflator that supplies gas to the airbag;
a second inflator that supplies gas to the airbag;
The control device ignites the first inflator out of the first inflator and the second inflator when the movement speed of the occupant after obtaining the detection information exceeds a first actuation threshold value. If the moving speed of the occupant exceeds a second actuation threshold that is larger than the first actuation threshold based on the observed data of the movement state after the first inflator is ignited, the second inflator is ignited and the An occupant restraint system that changes the mode of exhausting gas from the airbag based on the movement state after the second inflator is ignited . 2. The occupant restraint system according to claim 1, wherein said control device adjusts the amount of gas discharged from said airbag based on said movement state after said second inflator is ignited. 3. The occupant restraint system according to claim 2, wherein said control device adjusts the degree of opening of a vent hole provided in said airbag based on said moving state after said second inflator is ignited. 4. The occupant restraint system according to claim 3, wherein said control device increases the degree of opening of said vent hole when determining that the restraining force of said airbag needs to be reduced. 5. The movement state after the first inflator is ignited and the movement state after the second inflator is ignited include the degree of contact between the occupant and the airbag . The occupant restraint system of claim 1 . a collision sensor that detects a vehicle collision;
a restraint device for restraining an occupant of the vehicle;
an occupant sensor for monitoring the occupant;
After acquiring the collision detection information by the collision sensor, observing the moving state of the occupant while the restraint device is operating based on the monitoring information of the occupant by the occupant sensor, and based on the observed data of the moving state and a control device that changes the operating mode of the restraint device during operation of the restraint device ,
the restraint device includes an airbag and a seat belt;
at least one inflator for supplying gas to the airbag;
The control device changes a limit value of a load limiter for withdrawing the seat belt from the retractor based on observation data of the moving state after the inflator is ignited after acquiring the detection information. system. 7. The control device according to claim 6, wherein the control device adjusts the timing of changing the limit value of the load limiter based on observation data of the movement state after the inflator is ignited after acquiring the detection information. occupant restraint system. 8. The control device according to claim 7, wherein the control device adjusts timing for lowering the limit value of the load limiter based on observation data of the movement state after the inflator is ignited after acquiring the detection information. occupant restraint system. The control device measures the time from the ignition of the inflator to the timing of changing the limit value of the load limiter based on the observation data of the movement state after the acquisition of the detection information and the ignition of the inflator. An occupant restraint system according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the occupant restraint system is adjustable. After acquiring the detection information, the control device adjusts the operation mode of the restraint device based on the observation data of the moving state so that the restraint force applied to the occupant from the restraint device is changed. 10. An occupant restraint system according to any one of claims 1 to 9 , varying in. The control device calculates the kinetic energy of the occupant based on the observed data of the moving state, and controls the operating mode of the restraint device based on the observed data of the moving state and the calculated data of the kinetic energy. 11. An occupant restraint system according to any one of claims 1 to 10 , which changes during operation of the . 12. An occupant restraint system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said movement state includes at least one of movement position, movement speed and movement direction of said occupant. a collision determination unit that determines a collision of a vehicle equipped with a restraint device that restrains an occupant;
an occupant detection unit that observes a moving state of the occupant while the restraint device is in operation after the collision determination unit determines that the vehicle has collided;
A control device comprising a restraint control unit that changes an operation mode of the restraint device while the restraint device is in operation based on observation data of the movement state ,
the restraint device includes an airbag;
The control device supplies gas to the airbag and a first inflator that supplies gas to the airbag when the movement speed of the occupant after acquiring the collision detection information exceeds a first activation threshold. igniting the first inflator out of the second inflators, and based on observation data of the movement state after igniting the first inflator, a second movement speed of the occupant greater than the first actuation threshold A control device that ignites the second inflator when an actuation threshold is exceeded and changes the manner in which gas is exhausted from the airbag based on the movement state after igniting the second inflator . a collision determination unit that determines a collision of a vehicle equipped with a restraint device that restrains an occupant;
an occupant detection unit that observes a moving state of the occupant while the restraint device is in operation after the collision determination unit determines that the vehicle has collided;
A control device comprising a restraint control unit that changes an operation mode of the restraint device while the restraint device is in operation based on observation data of the movement state ,
the restraint device includes an airbag inflated by at least one inflator and a seat belt;
The control device changes the limit value of the load limiter for withdrawing the seat belt from the retractor based on the observation data of the movement state after the inflator is ignited after acquiring the collision detection information. Control device. After determining that a vehicle equipped with a restraint device for restraining an occupant has collided, the movement state of the occupant while the restraint device is in operation is observed, and the operation mode of the restraint device is determined based on the observation data of the movement state. An occupant restraint method that changes during operation of the restraint system, comprising:
the restraint device includes an airbag;
A first inflator that supplies gas to the airbag and a second inflator that supplies gas to the airbag when the movement speed of the occupant after acquiring the vehicle collision detection information exceeds a first actuation threshold value. The first inflator among the inflators is ignited, and a second actuation threshold is set such that the movement speed of the occupant is greater than the first actuation threshold based on observation data of the movement state after the first inflator is ignited. A method for restraining an occupant, comprising igniting the second inflator when exceeding the second inflator, and changing a mode of exhausting gas from the airbag based on the movement state after igniting the second inflator . After determining that a vehicle equipped with a restraint device for restraining an occupant has collided, the movement state of the occupant while the restraint device is in operation is observed, and the operation mode of the restraint device is determined based on the observation data of the movement state. An occupant restraint method that changes during operation of the restraint system, comprising:
the restraint device includes an airbag inflated by at least one inflator and a seat belt;
A method of restraining an occupant, wherein a limit value of a load limiter for withdrawing the seat belt from a retractor is changed based on observation data of the moving state after the vehicle collision detection information is acquired and the inflator is ignited. .

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