JP2006142872A - Occupant crash protection system for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an occupant crash protection system for a vehicle, capable of transmitting concrete information for making an airbag properly act to an occupant. <P>SOLUTION: An airbag control unit 10 detects occupant information by using various sensors such as an interior monitoring camera 16, a seating sensor 17, and a seat belt wearing sensor 18, and sends the detected occupant information to a data center 50 with an ID of a vehicle 1. When the data center 50 receives the occupant information, a data analyzing server 54 estimates the behavior of an airbag 3 and an occupant 100 at the time of vehicular collision on the basis of the received information, and produces image data indicating the behavior of the airbag 3 and the occupant 100. The airbag control unit 10 receives the image data from the data center 50, and indicates that by animation, thereby transmitting concrete information for making the airbag 3 properly act to the occupant 100. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle occupant protection system that protects an occupant by deploying an airbag at the time of a collision or the like.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an occupant protection system using an airbag device has been widely used as a system for protecting an occupant from an impact such as a vehicle collision. By the way, this type of air bag device is generally configured on the assumption that the occupant is seated in a correct posture, and in order to cause the air bag to properly act on the occupant during a collision. , It is necessary to seat the occupant in the correct posture.

Therefore, for example, in Patent Document 1, an intrusion of an occupant or the like into an airbag deployment area (alarm area) is detected by a distance measuring sensor, and an alarm is issued when the occupant or the like has entered the alarm area for a set time or more. A technique for urging an occupant to correct a sitting posture is disclosed.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-44921

  However, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above is merely configured to issue a warning based on whether or not an occupant or the like has entered the warning area. With this warning, the body shape and the sitting posture are infinitely wide. It is difficult to seat different occupants in the correct sitting posture at all times. Therefore, in order for the airbag to act properly, it is necessary to transmit specific information that has been stepped further than the warning described above to the occupant.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a vehicle occupant protection system capable of transmitting to a vehicle occupant the operating status of an airbag at the time of a collision as information for appropriately operating the airbag. Objective.

  The present invention includes an occupant information detection unit that detects occupant information, a collision simulation unit that estimates the behavior of an airbag and an occupant at the time of a vehicle collision based on the occupant information detected by the occupant information detection unit, and the collision simulation. Image data generating means for generating image data indicating the behavior of the airbag and the occupant at the time of a vehicle collision, and display means for displaying the image data generated by the image data generating means It is characterized by comprising.

  According to the vehicle occupant protection system of the present invention, the operation state of the airbag at the time of collision can be transmitted to the occupant as information for appropriately operating the airbag.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings relate to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a vehicle occupant protection system, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of various sensors, FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a warning image display control routine, and FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an alarm image displayed on the display.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes an airbag control unit that performs operation control (deployment control) of the airbag 3 mounted on the vehicle 1 such as an automobile. The airbag control unit 10 is connected to a vehicle speed sensor 15 as a sensor for detecting the vehicle speed of the vehicle 1, and further detects occupant information detection means for detecting various information about the occupant 100 to be acted upon by the airbag 3. For example, an in-vehicle monitoring camera 16, a seating sensor 17, and a seat belt wearing sensor 18 are connected.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the in-vehicle monitoring camera 16 is configured by a CCD camera using a solid-state image sensor such as a charge coupled device (CCD), for example, and images the occupant 100 from the front in the vehicle interior. The seating sensor 17 is composed of, for example, a plurality of piezoelectric elements 17 a embedded in a matrix in the seat 19, and detects the load and distribution of the occupant 100 seated on the seat 19. The seat belt wearing sensor 18 includes a switch that detects whether or not the tongue plate 21 is connected to the buckle 20 and detects whether the occupant 100 is wearing or not wearing the seat belt.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the airbag control unit 10 is connected to the in-vehicle device 30 through an in-vehicle network. The in-vehicle device 30 is used for managing various control units in an integrated manner. For example, the in-vehicle device 30 includes, as a body control system unit, an air conditioner control unit and a power in addition to the airbag control unit 10. A window control unit (none of which is shown) is connected. In addition, for example, a steering control unit, a brake control unit, a mission control unit, and an engine control unit (all not shown) are connected to the in-vehicle device 30 as various units of the powertrain control system. Furthermore, for example, a navigation unit 25 and an audio unit (not shown) are connected to the in-vehicle device 30 as an information communication system unit. The airbag control unit 10 is connected to the navigation unit 25, for example. Various information can be displayed through the display device 26.

  The in-vehicle device 30 is connected to a wide area communication module 31 that performs data communication with a data center 50 outside the vehicle via a wide area communication network 35. Here, for example, a well-known mobile communication network is adopted as the wide area communication network 35, and a mobile phone module is an example of the wide area communication module 31 that performs wireless communication with the mobile communication network. It has been adopted.

  An intra-center LAN is constructed in the data center 50. The intra-center LAN includes a WEB server 51 that executes the intra-center LAN, a router 52 that connects the intra-center LAN and the wide area communication network 35, and wide area communication. A communication server 53 that manages and executes data communication using the network 35 is connected. As a result, the data center 50 can communicate with the vehicle 1 through the wide-area communication module 31.

  Also, in the center LAN, a data analysis server 54 that analyzes various vehicle data transmitted through the wide area communication module 31 and the like, and a database server that collects and collectively manages various data such as vehicle data and customer data (DB server) 55 is connected.

  In such a system configuration, the airbag control unit 10 transmits the collected occupant information and vehicle speed information together with the ID number of the vehicle 1 to the data center 50 through the wide area communication module 31. Here, the airbag control unit 10, as the occupant information based on the signals of the sensors 16 to 18, for example, the occupant's body shape, seating position, seating posture detected based on information from the various sensors 16 to 18, Information on whether or not the seat belt is worn is collected and transmitted to the data center 50. When data is received from the vehicle 1 by the data center 50, the data analysis server 54 is collected by the sensors 16 to 18 by, for example, CAE analysis (Computer Aided Engineering) using the finite element method. Based on the occupant information, a collision simulation for a predetermined structure is performed, and the behavior of the airbag 3 and the occupant 100 at the time of the vehicle collision is estimated. Further, the data analysis server 54 generates image data indicating the behavior of the airbag 3 and the occupant 100 at the time of the vehicle collision based on the above estimation result, and transmits the image data to the vehicle 1 through the router 52. When the image data is received, the airbag control unit 10 outputs the image data to the display device 26, and displays the motion of the airbag 3 and the occupant 100 predicted at the time of the vehicle collision as a warning image. In other words, in this embodiment, the data analysis server 54 has functions as a collision simulation unit and an image data generation unit, and the display device 26 has a function as a display unit.

  Further, the analysis server 54 performs a collision simulation when the occupant is in a correct sitting posture, and estimates the behavior of the airbag 3 and the occupant at the time of the collision. Then, based on this estimation result, image data indicating the behavior of the occupant and the airbag 3 when colliding in the correct sitting posture is generated, and the image data is generated together with the image data generated based on the occupant information. 52 to the vehicle 1. Then, the airbag control unit 10 displays the image data indicating the behavior of the occupant and the airbag 3 when colliding in the correct sitting posture as a contrast image that is displayed in contrast to the alarm image generated based on the occupant information. The moving image is displayed on the display device 26 following the display of the alarm image.

  Next, alarm image display control executed by the airbag control unit 10 of the vehicle 1 will be described according to a flowchart of an alarm image display control routine shown in FIG. When this routine starts, the airbag control unit 10 first performs various calculations on occupant information using signals from the sensors 16 to 18 in step S101. That is, the airbag control unit 10 includes, for example, information obtained from an image captured by the in-vehicle monitoring camera 16 (for example, contour information of the occupant 100 obtained by performing edge detection or the like on the captured image) and the seating sensor 17. Based on the load and load distribution of the occupant 100 detected in step 1, the occupant's body shape, seating position, seating posture, and the like are calculated. Furthermore, the airbag control unit 10 determines whether or not the seat belt is worn based on a signal from the seat belt wearing sensor 18.

  In step S102, the airbag control unit 10 transmits the occupant information, vehicle speed information, and ID number of the host vehicle 1 calculated in step S101 to the data center 50 through the wide area communication module 31.

  When the process proceeds from step S102 to step S103, the airbag control unit 10 checks whether or not there is a response to the data transmitted in step S102 (that is, whether or not data corresponding to the transmission data has been received from the data center 50). If there is still no response to the transmission data, it waits as it is.

  When the data from the data center 50 is received and the process proceeds from step S103 to step S104, the airbag control unit 10 displays the alarm image and the alarm image in the data received from the data center 50. Whether or not image data (to be described later) relating to the contrast image is included is checked, and if it is determined that the image data is not included, the routine is directly exited.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S104 that the image data is included in the data received from the data center 50, the airbag control unit 10 proceeds to step S105 and displays an alarm image based on the received image data. A moving image is displayed on the device 26. Thereby, on the display screen 26a of the display device 26, the relationship between the airbag 3 and the occupant estimated at the time of the collision is displayed as a moving image as a warning image (for example, see FIG. 5). FIG. 5 is an example of an alarm image showing the relationship between the airbag 3 and the occupant 100 estimated when the host vehicle 1 collides when the occupant 100 is driving in a forward leaning posture.

  In step S106, the comparison image based on the received image data is displayed as a moving image on the display device 26, and the routine is exited. Thereby, the relationship between the airbag 3 and the occupant when the occupant is correctly seated at the time of the collision is displayed following the display of the warning image.

  Next, the collision simulation executed by the data analysis server 54 of the data center 50 will be described according to the flowchart of the collision simulation routine shown in FIG. This routine is repeatedly executed every set time. When the routine is started, the data analysis server 54 first receives vehicle speed information, occupant information, and data related to the vehicle ID from the vehicle 1 in step S201. Check whether or not. If it is determined in step S201 that data has not yet been received from the vehicle 1, the data analysis server 54 directly exits the routine.

  On the other hand, when data is received from the vehicle 1 and the process proceeds to step S202, the data analysis server 54 stores in the DB server 55 information calculated in the past using data that matches the data received this time as an input condition. Find out if it is. In other words, in this embodiment, the data analysis server 54 performs vehicle information (for example, vehicle type, grade, option installation status, etc.) of the vehicle 1, vehicle speed information, and passenger information determined based on the vehicle body ID as input conditions. The various calculation results relating to the collision simulation or the like are stored in the DB server 55 in association with the input conditions (see step S210 described later), and the data analysis server 54 is stored in the DB server 55 in step S202. Whether or not the operation information that matches the input condition is stored.

  If it is determined that calculation information that matches the input conditions is stored in the DB server 55, the data analysis server 54 proceeds to step S 211, reads the calculation information from the DB server 55, and then proceeds to step S 212. move on.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S202 that the operation information that matches the input conditions is not stored in the DB server 55, the data analysis server 54 proceeds to step S203, and receives the vehicle model and reception that match the received vehicle ID. The occupant model that matches the occupant information is read from the DB server 55. That is, a plurality of patterns of vehicle models preset according to various types of vehicle information are stored in the DB server 55, and the data analysis server 54 is a vehicle that matches the vehicle ID received from the DB server 55. Read the model. Similarly, a plurality of patterns of occupant models preset according to various types of occupant information are stored in the DB server 55, and the data analysis server 54 conforms to the occupant information received from the DB server 55. Read the occupant model.

  In step S204, the data analysis server 54 uses the vehicle model, the occupant model, and the received vehicle speed information read in step S203 to cause the vehicle 1 to collide with a predetermined structure at the vehicle speed in the vehicle speed information. The behavior of the airbag and occupant estimated at the time is simulated by CAE analysis.

  In subsequent step S205, it is examined whether or not the airbag 3 acts properly on the occupant 100.

  If it is determined in step S205 that the airbag 3 acts properly on the occupant 100, the data analysis server 54 directly jumps to step S210. Here, the case where the airbag 3 appropriately acts on the occupant 100 is, for example, when the vehicle 1 collides and the airbag 3 is subjected to deployment control, the airbag 3 after the deployment operation is performed by the occupant 100. For example, the head is restrained and protected.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S205 that the airbag 3 does not act properly on the occupant 100, the data analysis server 54 proceeds to step S206, and based on the estimation result in step S204, the airbag at the time of the vehicle collision. 3 and image data indicating the behavior of the occupant 100 are generated as a warning image. Here, the case where the airbag 3 does not act properly on the occupant 100 is, for example, when the head of the occupant 100 collides with the airbag 3 in the middle of the deployment operation when the deployment of the airbag 3 is controlled. (For example, refer to FIG. 5) or the case where the head of the occupant 100 deviates from the deployed airbag 3 and directly collides with an instrument panel or the like.

  When the process proceeds from step S206 to step S207, the data analysis server 54 reads from the DB server 55 an occupant model in a correct seating posture that matches the occupant's body shape included in the received occupant information. That is, in the database 55, a plurality of occupant models in a correct sitting posture are stored in advance according to the occupant's body shape. Here, the correct seating posture of the occupant refers to a posture in which the head position of the occupant is located in front of the airbag 3 and has a predetermined distance. The occupant model in the correct seating posture is stored with the seat belt worn.

  In subsequent step S208, the data analysis server 54 uses the vehicle model read in step S203, the occupant model read in step 207, and the airbag and occupant estimated when the vehicle 1 collides using the received vehicle speed information. The behavior is simulated by CAE analysis. That is, the simulation in S208 differs from the simulation in S204 only in the occupant model used.

  In subsequent step 209, the data analysis server 54 generates image data indicating the behavior of the airbag 3 and the occupant 100 at the time of the vehicle collision as a contrast image of the warning image based on the estimation result in step S208.

  Then, when the process proceeds from step S205 or step S209 to step S210, the data analysis server 54 stores the information obtained by the above-described calculation processes in the DB server 55 in association with the input conditions, and then proceeds to step S211. move on. In other words, when it is determined in S205 that the airbag operates properly, the determination result is stored in association with the input condition, and when it is determined that the airbag does not operate properly, the determination result is stored. The image data generated in S206 and S209 are stored in association with the input condition.

  Then, when the process proceeds from step S210 or step S211 to step S212, the data analysis server 54 reads the calculation information corresponding to the input condition (that is, various information stored in step S210, or read from the DB server 55 in step S210). After transmitting various information) to the vehicle 1, the routine is exited.

  According to such a form, the behavior of the airbag 3 and the occupant 100 at the time of a vehicle collision based on occupant information detected using various sensors such as the in-vehicle monitoring camera 16, the seating sensor 17, and the seat belt wearing sensor 18. Is generated, image data indicating the behavior of the airbag 3 and the occupant 100 is generated based on the estimation result, and the generated image data is displayed as a moving image, thereby causing collision as information for appropriately operating the airbag 3. The operating state of the airbag at the time can be transmitted to the occupant 100.

  Further, the behavior of the airbag 3 and the occupant when the occupant collides in the correct sitting posture is estimated, and an image showing this behavior is generated based on the occupant information detected using various sensors. By displaying the moving image so as to be compared with the above, it is possible to specifically transmit the difference in the action of the airbag 3 at the time of the collision in the correct sitting posture and the collision in the current sitting posture.

  Here, the simulation of the behavior of the airbag 3 and the occupant 100 at the time of a vehicle collision is performed by using a computer analysis with a high calculation load such as CAE analysis. By sharing the data with the data center 50 outside the vehicle that can communicate wirelessly with each other, a detailed simulation or the like can be easily realized without imposing a load on the airbag control unit 10 or the like.

  Further, by preparing a plurality of patterns of vehicle models and occupant models in advance and appropriately selectively using them according to vehicle information and occupant information, CAE analysis and the like can be performed easily and accurately.

  Further, by storing calculation results such as a collision simulation in the data center 50, processing for the same input condition can be simplified.

  In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which processing such as collision simulation is shared by the data center 50 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the processing capability of the airbag control unit 10 is high. In this case, it is needless to say that all processing may be performed on the vehicle 1 side.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the airbag 3 and the behavior of the occupant estimated based on the occupant information detected by using various sensors are displayed, and image data, and at the time of the collision when the occupant is seated in the correct posture. Although the example which displays the airbag 3 and the image data which shows a passenger | crew's behavior was demonstrated, this invention is not limited to this, It was estimated based on the passenger | crew information detected using various sensors Only image data indicating the behavior of the airbag 3 and the occupant may be displayed. Even in this case, it goes without saying that the action state of the airbag 3 at the time of collision is transmitted to the occupant 100 as information for causing the airbag 3 to act properly.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the collision simulation is performed using the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor 15 is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a predetermined traveling vehicle speed or a collision is determined. A collision simulation may be performed using a load as an input condition.

  Moreover, although the warning image produced | generated by the collision simulation based on passenger | crew information was displayed, it demonstrated the example which displays the contrast image which shows the passenger | crew and the behavior of the airbag 3 when it collides with the correct seating posture, The present invention is not limited to this. For example, the alarm image and the contrast image may be combined into a single image and displayed side by side on the display 26.

Schematic configuration diagram of a vehicle occupant protection system Illustration of various sensors Flow chart of alarm image display control routine Collision simulation routine flowchart Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the warning image displayed on a display

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vehicle 3 ... Airbag 10 ... Airbag control unit 16 ... Car interior monitoring camera (occupant information detection means)
17 ... Seating sensor (occupant information detection means)
18 ... Seat belt wearing sensor (occupant information detecting means)
26 ... Display device (display means)
50 ... Data center 54 ... Data analysis server (collision simulation means, image data generation means)
100… Crew
Agent Patent Attorney Susumu Ito

Claims (3)

Occupant information detecting means for detecting occupant information;
Collision simulation means for estimating the behavior of the airbag and the occupant at the time of a vehicle collision based on the occupant information detected by the occupant information detection means,
Image data generating means for generating image data indicating the behavior of the airbag and the occupant at the time of a vehicle collision based on the estimation result in the collision simulation means;
A vehicle occupant protection system comprising: display means for displaying image data generated by the image data generation means.   2. The vehicle occupant protection system according to claim 1, wherein the collision simulation unit and the image data generation unit are provided in a data center outside the vehicle capable of wireless communication with the vehicle.   3. The vehicle occupant protection according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the display means displays second image data indicating a behavior at the time of a collision between an occupant seated in a predetermined posture and an airbag. system.

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