JP4475677B2 - Vehicle side collision detection device and vehicle occupant protection system using the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle side collision detection device that detects that an object has collided with a side door, and a vehicle occupant protection system that uses the vehicle side collision detection device.

As a conventional vehicle side collision detection device, for example, there is one described in JP-A-5-93735 (Patent Document 1). The vehicle side collision detection device described in Patent Literature 1 is determined to determine a collision requiring occupant protection when a deformation of a reinforcing member disposed inside a side door is detected. Here, since the outer plate has a very low bending rigidity, it is easily deformed by a small impact. Therefore, for example, when the outer plate is deformed by hitting a utility pole or the like when the side door is opened, or when the outer plate is deformed by a small impact during traveling, deployment of an airbag or the like is unnecessary. In other words, when the airbag is deployed by detecting deformation of the outer plate, the airbag is deployed even in the above case. Then, according to the structure of patent document 1, even if an outer plate deform | transforms, if it is an impact which is a grade which a reinforcement member does not deform | transform, it will determine with having not collided. Therefore, it is possible to detect only a collision that requires occupant protection and deploy an airbag or the like only in that case.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-93735

  When a collision such as a side collision (side collision) occurs in a vehicle, knowing how close the above-mentioned reinforcing member is to the vehicle interior side (that is, the occupant side) is when determining the severity of the collision It becomes a standard of. However, in the vehicle side collision detection device described in Patent Document 1, the presence or absence of deformation of the reinforcing member is detected, but how close the reinforcing member is actually closer to the vehicle interior side due to the deformation. Is unknown. For example, even if the reinforcing member is deformed, the deformation direction is not necessarily directed to the vehicle interior side. Further, for example, even if the reinforcing member is deformed in the vehicle interior side direction, the reinforcing member and the vehicle interior are not brought close to each other if the vehicle interior is moved in the deformation direction to the same degree or more.

  Further, in the vehicle side collision detection device described in Patent Document 1, since the collision is detected only when the portion of the reinforcing member where the sensor is arranged or the portion of the reinforcing member closest to the sensor is deformed, The detection range is very narrow and pinpointed. Therefore, there is a problem that only a collision at a specific position can be detected. If detection is to be performed over a wide range, a very large number of sensors must be attached to the reinforcing member, which causes problems such as an arrangement space problem and a complicated arrangement.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a vehicle side collision detection device that can detect the severity of a collision. Alternatively, it is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle side collision detection device that can detect collisions over a wide range, save space, and facilitate arrangement. It is another object of the present invention to provide a vehicle occupant protection system using such a vehicle side collision detection device.

<First invention: Invention for detecting a distance between a reinforcing member and an inner plate or a member attached to the inner plate>
The vehicle side collision detection device of the first invention is
A side door skin mounted on the vehicle;
An inner plate of the side door that is spaced apart from the outer plate on the vehicle interior side of the outer plate;
A reinforcing member disposed between the outer plate and the inner plate and spaced apart from the inner plate, and having a bending rigidity higher than that of the outer plate;
A sensor that detects a separation distance between the detected member that is at least one of the inner plate and a member attached to the inner plate and the reinforcing member;
And determining means for determining that the vehicle collides with an object based on an output value of the sensor.

  Thus, since the collision between the vehicle and other objects is determined based on the separation distance between the inner plate and the reinforcing member or the separation distance between the member attached to the inner plate and the reinforcing member, the severity of the collision It is possible to make an accurate collision determination according to the situation.

<Second invention: Invention in which the coil is attached to the reinforcing member side>
The vehicle side collision detection device of the second invention is
A side door skin mounted on the vehicle;
An inner plate of the side door that is spaced apart from the outer plate on the vehicle interior side of the outer plate;
A reinforcing member disposed between the outer plate and the inner plate and spaced apart from the inner plate, and having a bending rigidity higher than that of the outer plate;
With
At least one of the inner plate and the inner plate-like member attached to the inner plate has a metal or a ferromagnetic material to be a detected member,
A coil that is attached to the reinforcing member in a state of being separated from the detected member, generates a magnetic field, and changes in inductance according to a separation distance from the detected member;
Determining means for determining that the vehicle and an object have collided based on the inductance of the coil;
It is characterized by providing.

  In the vehicle side collision detection device according to the second aspect of the present invention, the coil is attached to the reinforcing member and is spaced apart from the detected member that is a metal or a ferromagnetic material. Then, a magnetic field is generated so as to reach the detected member (for example, in a direction in which the detected member and the reinforcing member face each other). When the object collides with the outer plate, the reinforcing member is deformed toward the vehicle interior side, and the reinforcing member moves so as to approach the inner plate, a magnetic field generated by the coil accompanying this movement is a detected member. Eddy current flows through the inner plate or the inner plate member. Alternatively, if an eddy current has been generated before this movement, the amount of eddy current changes (increases) with the movement. When the magnetic field due to the generation or increase of the eddy current is generated or increased, the inductance of the coil is changed to be small. Thus, the inductance of the coil changes according to the separation distance between the detected member and the coil.

  That is, according to the second aspect, the range of the magnetic field generated by the coil is the side collision detectable range. That is, the range in which the side collision detection by the vehicle side collision detection device of the second invention can be made wider than that in the case of the sensor described in Patent Document 1. Even when the range in which the side collision can be detected is wide, it is sufficient to install one or a small number of coils. As a result, space saving and easy arrangement can be achieved.

  Further, since the side collision detection is performed based on the inductance of the coil that changes according to the distance between the coil attached to the reinforcing member and the detected member, the reinforcing member is deformed even if the outer plate is deformed. If the impact does not occur, the separation distance between the coil and the member to be detected does not change, it is determined that there is no collision, and the occupant protection device is not activated. On the other hand, if the reinforcing member is deformed and an impact is applied that changes the separation distance between the coil and the detected member, it is considered that occupant protection is necessary. The collision can be detected by changing.

  As a preferred aspect of the second invention, the vehicle side collision detection device further includes a shield member made of a metal or a ferromagnetic material and provided between the reinforcing member and the coil.

  The inductance of the coil is affected by the nearby metal or ferromagnetic material, but when the coil is directly attached to the reinforcing member, the shape of the reinforcing member and the variation in the mounting position (the coil Variation in the inductance of the coil at the initial stage of coil mounting may occur due to variation in the distance from the reinforcing member. Therefore, by providing a shield member between the reinforcing member and the coil, such variations in initial inductance can be reduced. That is, since the distance between the coil and the shield member, the attachment state, the shape of the shield member, and the like can be easily adjusted, variations in initial inductance that are likely to occur when the vehicle is mounted can be reduced by adjusting the distance in advance. Here, when the shield member and the coil are planar, the mountability to a narrow vehicle door is good. Note that the flat shape means a shape that can be regarded as a substantially flat surface, and needless to say, it does not mean a complete flat surface. For example, even a shape having some unevenness, protrusions, through holes and the like can be said to be planar.

  When the second invention includes a shield member, the coil and the shield member may be fixed to each other or integrally formed. Thereby, since the separation distance of a coil and a shield member can be kept substantially constant, the dispersion | variation in the initial inductance of a coil can be reduced more. In addition, by integrating the two, it is easy to attach the integrated member to the reinforcing member.

  Further, the shield member is formed larger than the outer shape of the coil so that the coil does not protrude from the outer edge thereof (that is, when viewed from the axial direction of the coil, the coil is placed within the outer edge of the shield member). The coil is preferably attached. If the coil is mounted in a state where it protrudes from the outer edge of the shield member, the initial inductance of the coil may vary greatly due to the influence of the portion of the coil that protrudes from the shield member. Therefore, as described above, by attaching the coil so as not to protrude from the outer edge of the shield member, it is possible to more stably reduce variations in the initial inductance of the coil.

  Further, as another preferred aspect of the second invention, the inner plate has a through hole formed therein, and the inner plate member is attached to the inner plate so as to close at least a part of the through hole, The detected member is the inner plate member. Note that it is needless to say that the plate shape does not have to be a complete plate shape based on the same discussion as the above planar shape.

  A service hall for the purpose of assembling and adjusting a power window mechanism and a speaker disposed inside the side door 1 and assembling and adjusting the coil member 2 attached to the reinforcing member 13 on the inner plate of the side door 1 Is considered to be formed. When a through hole such as a service hole is formed on the inner plate, the through hole may affect a change in coil inductance. Alternatively, depending on the position of the through hole, it may not be appropriate to use the inner plate as a member to be detected. Therefore, in such a case, it is appropriate not to use the inner plate itself as the member to be detected, but to use the inner plate member, which is a separate member attached to the inner plate, as the member to be detected. That is, even if the service hole is formed, the side collision can be reliably detected.

  As another preferred aspect of the second invention, the inner plate is made of a resin module, and the detected member is the inner plate member. For example, when the inner plate is a resin module, the inner plate cannot be a member to be detected because the inner plate is not a ferromagnetic material. In such a case, the side collision detection can be reliably performed by using the inner plate-like member attached to the inner plate made of the resin module as the detected member.

  As another preferred aspect of the second invention, the detected member may be the inner plate. In this case, the inner plate must have a portion made of a metal or a ferromagnetic material. In general, the inner plate is often formed of iron or the like. Therefore, it is easy to use the inner plate itself as a member to be detected. Furthermore, the inner plate is usually larger than the outer shape of the coil. That is, the coil faces an inner plate larger than the coil. Therefore, the change in the inductance of the coil due to the coil approaching the inner plate increases. That is, the sensitivity of side collision detection is good.

  On the other hand, it may be as follows. That is, the detected member is the inner plate-like member, and may be formed larger than the outer shape of the coil. When the inner plate is not a metal or a ferromagnetic material, or when a through hole such as a service hole is formed as described above, the inner plate-like member that is a member different from the inner plate is used as the detected member. Become. In this case, if the inner plate-like member, which is a member to be detected, is smaller than the outer shape of the coil, the detection sensitivity may be reduced. Therefore, when the member to be detected is an inner plate-like member, by making the size of the inner plate-like member larger than the outer shape of the coil, the change in the inductance of the coil can be increased, and the sensitivity of side collision detection can be increased. Can be good.

  In the second invention, the coil is attached to the reinforcing member. As described above, the reinforcing member is deformed at the time of a side collision that requires occupant protection. Since the coil is attached to the reinforcing member, the coil may be deformed along with the deformation of the reinforcing member. Therefore, by forming the coil in a planar shape and having higher flexibility than the reinforcing member, it is possible to prevent the coil from being damaged even when the reinforcing member is deformed. That is, it is possible to reliably detect the distance between the reinforcing member and the inner plate member.

<Third invention: Invention in which the coil is attached to the inner plate>
The vehicle side collision detection device of the third invention is
A side door skin mounted on the vehicle;
An inner plate of the side door that is spaced apart from the outer plate on the vehicle interior side of the outer plate;
A reinforcing member disposed between the outer plate and the inner plate and spaced apart from the inner plate, and having a bending rigidity higher than that of the outer plate;
With
At least one of the reinforcing member and the reinforcing member side plate member attached to the reinforcing member is made of a metal or a ferromagnetic material to be detected members,
And a coil that is attached to the inner plate in a state of being separated from the detected member, generates a magnetic field, and has an inductance that changes in accordance with the distance from the detected member;
Determining means for determining that the vehicle and an object have collided based on the inductance of the coil;
It is characterized by providing.

  In the vehicle side collision detection device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the coil is attached to the inner plate side and is spaced apart from the detected member that is a metal or a ferromagnetic material. Then, a magnetic field is generated so as to reach the detected member (for example, in a direction in which the detected member and the inner plate face each other). When the object collides with the outer plate, the reinforcing member is deformed toward the vehicle interior side, and the reinforcing member or the reinforcing member side plate member attached to the reinforcing member moves so as to approach the inner plate, The eddy current flows through the reinforcing member or the reinforcing member side plate member that is the member to be detected by the magnetic field generated by the coil. Alternatively, if an eddy current has been generated before this movement, the amount of eddy current changes (increases) with the movement. When the magnetic field due to the generation or increase of the eddy current is generated or increased, the inductance of the coil is changed to be small. Thus, the inductance of the coil changes according to the separation distance between the detected member and the coil.

  That is, according to the third aspect of the invention, the range of the magnetic field generated by the coil is the side collision detectable range. That is, the range in which the side collision detection by the vehicle side collision detection device of the third aspect of the invention can be made wider than that in the case of the sensor described in Patent Document 1. Even when the range in which the side collision can be detected is wide, it is sufficient to install one or a small number of coils. As a result, space saving and easy arrangement can be achieved.

  Furthermore, since the side collision detection is performed based on the inductance of the coil that changes according to the distance between the coil attached to the inner plate and the detected member, the reinforcing member is deformed even if the outer plate is deformed. If the impact does not occur, the separation distance between the coil and the member to be detected does not change, it is determined that there is no collision, and the occupant protection device is not activated. On the other hand, if the reinforcing member is deformed and an impact is applied that changes the separation distance between the coil and the detected member, it is considered that occupant protection is necessary. The collision can be detected by changing.

  As a preferred aspect of the third invention, the vehicle side collision detection device further includes a shield member made of a metal or a ferromagnetic material and provided between a surface of the inner plate and the coil.

  The inductance of the coil is affected by the nearby metal or ferromagnetic material, but when the coil is directly attached to the inner plate, the difference in the shape of the inner plate and the variation in the mounting position (the coil Variation in the inductance of the coil at the initial stage of coil mounting may occur due to variation in the distance from the inner plate. Therefore, by providing a shield member between the surface of the inner plate and the coil, such variations in initial inductance can be reduced. That is, since the distance between the coil and the shield member, the attachment state, the shape of the shield member, and the like can be easily adjusted, variations in initial inductance that are likely to occur when the vehicle is mounted can be reduced by adjusting the distance in advance. Here, when the shield member and the coil are planar, the mountability to a narrow vehicle door is good.

  When the third invention includes a shield member, a through hole is formed in the inner plate, and the shield member is attached to the inner plate so as to close at least a part of the through hole. Also good.

  When a so-called service hole is formed on the inner plate, it is not easy to mount the coil in the service hole portion of the inner plate, and the service hole may affect the initial inductance variation of the coil. . Therefore, as described above, by attaching the coil to the shield member attached to the inner plate, it is possible to facilitate the attachment and to prevent variations in the initial inductance of the coil due to the service hole.

  When the third invention includes a shield member, the coil and the shield member may be fixed to each other or integrally formed. Thereby, since the separation distance of a coil and a shield member can be kept substantially constant, it can further reduce that the dispersion | variation in the initial inductance of a coil arises. In addition, by making the two integral, it is easy to attach the integral member to the inner plate.

  Further, the shield member is formed larger than the outer shape of the coil so that the coil does not protrude from the outer edge thereof (that is, when viewed from the axial direction of the coil, the coil is placed within the outer edge of the shield member). The coil is preferably attached. If the coil is mounted in a state where it protrudes from the outer edge of the shield member, the initial inductance of the coil may vary greatly due to the influence of the portion of the coil that protrudes from the shield member. Therefore, as described above, by attaching the coil so as not to protrude from the outer edge of the shield member, it is possible to more stably reduce variations in the initial inductance of the coil.

  As another preferred aspect of the third invention, the reinforcing member is made of a non-magnetic material, and the detected member is the reinforcing member side plate member. The reinforcing member is generally made of a ferromagnetic material such as iron, but in recent years, it may be formed of a material other than iron. In such a case, the side collision detection can be reliably performed by using the reinforcing member side plate-like member attached to the reinforcing member as the detected member.

  As another preferable aspect of the third invention, the detected member is the reinforcing member side plate-like member, and may be formed larger than the outer shape of the coil. In general, the reinforcing member is often formed in a rod shape. Therefore, when the reinforcing member side plate-like member which is a member different from the reinforcing member is used as the detected member, if the reinforcing member side plate-like member which is the detected member is smaller than the outer shape of the coil, the detection sensitivity is lowered. Therefore, when the member to be detected is a reinforcing member side plate member, the change in the inductance of the coil can be increased by making the size of the reinforcing member side plate member larger than the outer shape of the coil. Sensitivity can be improved. This can be easily achieved by using a reinforcing member side plate-like member, which is a member different from the reinforcing member, as a member to be detected.

  As another preferred aspect of the third invention, the reinforcing member is formed in a rod shape, and the vertical width of the coil is preferably set smaller than the rod width of the reinforcing member. Thereby, it can arrange | position so that a coil may oppose with respect to a reinforcement member reliably. As a result, the influence of the change in the inductance of the coil due to the deformation of the reinforcing member is increased. That is, the detection sensitivity is increased.

  In particular, when a plurality of coils are wound on the same plane, the following is preferable. That is, in the present invention, the coil is wound a plurality of times on the same plane, and the vertical width at the innermost circumference of the coil is preferably set smaller than the rod width of the reinforcing member. In a coil wound a plurality of times on the same plane, the magnetic flux is more strongly distributed toward the inner peripheral side. That is, the influence of the inner peripheral side shape of the coil is increased. Therefore, as described above, the detection sensitivity can be reliably increased by setting the vertical width in the innermost circumference of the coil to be smaller than the rod width of the reinforcing member.

  Furthermore, it is better if the vertical width at the outermost periphery of the coil is set smaller than the rod width of the reinforcing member. That is, the entire coil is smaller than the bar width of the reinforcing member. Thereby, the influence which it has on an inductance change with the whole coil can be enlarged. Therefore, the detection sensitivity can be further increased.

<Other preferred embodiments common to the second and third inventions>
In the vehicle side collision detection device according to the second invention or the third invention, as a preferred aspect, the shield member may be grounded. As a result, it is possible to further improve the shielding performance (the effect of reducing variations in initial inductance) by the shield member.

  Further, in the vehicle side collision detection device according to the second invention or the third invention, as a preferred aspect, when the inductance is smaller than a first threshold value, the determination means is that the vehicle and the object collide with each other. judge. Thereby, it is possible to reliably detect a side collision.

  Moreover, in the vehicle side collision detection device according to the second invention or the third invention, as another preferred aspect, the determination means has an absolute value of a change amount of the inductance per unit time exceeding a second threshold value. In this case, it is determined that the vehicle has collided with the object. Even in this case, the side collision can be reliably detected.

  Further, in the vehicle side collision detection device according to the second invention or the third invention, as a more preferable aspect than the two preferable aspects, the determination means may be configured such that the inductance is smaller than a first threshold value or the inductance. When the absolute value of the amount of change per unit time exceeds the second threshold, it is determined that the vehicle and the object have collided. In other words, in addition to the change in inductance itself, the change in the amount of change per unit time of the inductance is used to determine that one of the side collisions has detected a side collision. Therefore, the side collision can be detected earlier.

  In the vehicle side collision detection device of the second invention or the third invention, as a preferred aspect, the vehicle side collision detection device includes an LC resonance circuit, and the coil includes a part of the LC resonance circuit. The determination unit determines that the vehicle and the object have collided based on a change in amplitude output from the LC resonance circuit. Here, when the inductance of the coil changes, the change amount of the amplitude output from the LC resonance circuit is larger than the change amount of the inductance itself. That is, the sensitivity of side collision detection can be increased.

  As described above, when the side collision is determined based on the amplitude, the determination unit determines that the vehicle and the object have collided when the amplitude exceeds a third threshold value. Thereby, it is possible to reliably detect a side collision.

  In addition, in the case of determining a side collision based on the amplitude, as another preferable aspect, the determination unit includes the vehicle and the object when the absolute value of the change amount of the amplitude per unit time exceeds a fourth threshold value. Is determined to have collided. Even in this case, the side collision can be reliably detected.

  Further, in the case of determining a side collision based on the amplitude, as a more preferable aspect than the above-described two preferable aspects, the determination means may be configured such that the amplitude exceeds a third threshold value or the change amount of the amplitude per unit time. When the absolute value of exceeds the fourth threshold, it is determined that the vehicle collides with the object. That is, in addition to the amplitude change itself, the change in the amount of change per unit time of the amplitude is used to determine that one of the side collisions has detected a side collision. Therefore, the side collision can be detected earlier.

  In the present invention, the horizontal width of the coil may be set larger than the vertical width of the coil. The detection range expands as the coil size increases. However, the detection sensitivity decreases as the coil size increases. Here, when detecting a side collision, it is required to expand the horizontal detection range. Therefore, by setting the horizontal width of the coil relatively large and the vertical width of the coil relatively small, it is possible to prevent the detection sensitivity from decreasing while expanding the detection range required for the side collision.

  Here, in the case where a plurality of coils are wound on the same plane, the relationship between the horizontal width and the vertical width of the coil may be as follows.

  First, in the present invention, the coil is wound a plurality of times on the same plane, and the horizontal width at the outermost periphery of the coil is set larger than the vertical width at the outermost periphery of the coil. It is good to be. The size of the entire coil affects the detection range. Therefore, by setting as described above, it is possible to reliably increase the detection range while preventing a decrease in detection sensitivity.

  Second, in the present invention, the coil is wound a plurality of times on the same plane, and the horizontal width at the innermost circumference of the coil is greater than the vertical width at the innermost circumference of the coil. It should be large. In a coil wound a plurality of times on the same plane, the magnetic flux is more strongly distributed toward the inner peripheral side. That is, the influence of the inner peripheral side shape of the coil is increased. Therefore, by setting as described above, the range with high detection sensitivity can be widened.

  Thirdly, in the present invention, the coil is wound a plurality of times on the same plane, and is an intermediate value between the horizontal width at the outermost periphery of the coil and the horizontal width at the innermost periphery of the coil. However, it is good to set larger than the intermediate value of the said vertical direction width in the outermost periphery of the said coil, and the said vertical direction width in the innermost periphery of the said coil. In this case, the detection range can be expanded while preventing a decrease in detection sensitivity.

<Vehicle occupant protection system>
The collision determination result of the vehicle side collision detection device configured as described above can be used as a trigger when operating the occupant protection device. Here, the occupant protection device is a device that operates when a vehicle collision occurs and protects the occupant from an impact, such as an air bag or a seat belt tensioner.

  Next, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to embodiments. First, various embodiments of the vehicle side collision detection device will be described, and then a vehicle occupant protection system using the same will be described.

<First embodiment>
The vehicle side collision detection device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The first embodiment is a form in which the planar coil 21 is directly attached to the reinforcing member 13 (sometimes referred to as a door beam) and detects a change in the separation distance between the planar coil 21 and the inner plate 12. It is.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the side door 1 cut vertically in the vehicle left-right direction. In FIG. 1, the upper side and the lower side of the side door 1 are omitted for convenience. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the side door 1 as seen from the vehicle interior side, and shows a state in which a part of the inner plate 12 is removed for explanation. FIG. 3 is a side view showing the coil member 2. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the relationship of the inductance Ls of the planar coil 21 with respect to the separation distance between the inner plate 12 and the planar coil 21. FIG. 5 is a circuit configuration diagram showing the vehicle side collision detection device. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the frequency characteristics of the LC resonance circuit 40. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the absolute value of the amount of change (time differential value) per unit time of the amplitude V1 output from the LC resonance circuit 40 with respect to the elapsed time since the occurrence of the collision.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the side door 1 includes an outer plate 11 positioned on the outer side of the vehicle, and a ferromagnetic body that is spaced from the outer plate 11 toward the vehicle interior and is opposed to the outer plate 11. (Or metal) inner plate 12. Further, the side door 1 is formed in a cylindrical bar shape, and is arranged at a substantially center in the vehicle left-right direction between the outer plate 11 and the inner plate 12 so as to extend in the vehicle front-rear direction, and at a substantially center in the vehicle vertical direction. The reinforcing member 13 is provided. That is, the reinforcing member 13 is spaced apart from the inner plate 12. The reinforcing member 13 has a bending rigidity higher than at least the bending rigidity of the outer plate 11. That is, when the outer plate 11 with low bending rigidity is deformed when an object collides with the outer plate 11, the entire side door 1 is prevented from being deformed by the reinforcing member 13. Here, in the first embodiment, the inner plate 12 is a member to be detected in the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the coil member 2 is formed in a planar shape as a whole. The coil member 2 includes a planar coil 21 and a pair of films 22. The planar coil 21 is formed by pattern printing so that a plurality of windings are made on the same plane with a conductive material such as copper. The pattern shape of each of the planar coils 21 is substantially rectangular. In particular, the longitudinal width in the innermost circumference of the planar coil 21 is W1, and the lateral width is H1. Further, the longitudinal width at the outermost periphery of the planar coil 21 is W2, and the lateral width is H2.

  The pair of films 22 sandwich the planar coil 21 from both sides and cover the planar coil 21 so that the planar coil 21 is not exposed. The film 22 is formed in a thin film shape from a flexible material such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate) or PEN (polyethylene naphthalate). That is, the film 22 is freely bendable. Further, the planar coil 21 itself can be bent and deformed. Therefore, the coil member 2 as a whole can be bent and deformed, and is very flexible. That is, at least the coil member 2 is more flexible than the reinforcement member 13 (usually made of iron), so that even if the reinforcement member 13 is bent, the coil member 2 is bent without being damaged.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the coil member 2 is attached to the reinforcing member 13 so as to face the inner plate 12 on the inner plate 12 side of the reinforcing member 13. That is, the coil member 2 is disposed between the inner plate 12 and the reinforcing member 13. And the coil member 2 is arrange | positioned so that the normal line direction of the coil member 2, ie, the coil axial direction of the planar coil 21, may correspond with the direction where the inner board 12 and the reinforcement member 13 oppose. Therefore, when a current is supplied to the planar coil 21, a magnetic field is generated in a direction in which the inner plate 12 and the reinforcing member 13 face each other.

  More specifically, the coil member 2 is disposed so that the longitudinal direction of the planar coil 21 coincides with the horizontal direction. Further, since the reinforcing member 13 is also arranged so that the longitudinal direction thereof coincides with the horizontal direction, the longitudinal direction of the planar coil 21 is substantially coincident with the longitudinal direction, and the planar coil 21 is the reinforcing member. It is a shape along 13 shapes. Here, the horizontal width W1 at the innermost periphery of the planar coil 21 is set larger than the vertical width H1 at the innermost periphery of the planar coil 21. Further, the horizontal width W2 at the outermost periphery of the planar coil 21 is set to be larger than the vertical width H2 at the outermost periphery of the planar coil 21. Accordingly, naturally, the intermediate value “(W1 + W2) / 2” between the horizontal width W2 at the outermost periphery of the planar coil 21 and the horizontal width W1 at the innermost periphery of the planar coil 21 is the outermost periphery of the planar coil 21. Is set to be larger than an intermediate value “(H1 + H2) / 2” between the vertical width H2 and the vertical width H1 at the innermost periphery of the planar coil.

  Here, when an object collides with the outer plate 11 of the side door 1, the outer plate 11 is deformed to the vehicle interior side. When the impact is large, the object deforms the reinforcing member 13 toward the vehicle interior side. That is, the separation distance between the inner plate 12 and the reinforcing member 13 is shortened. Then, an eddy current flows through the inner plate 12 due to the magnetic field generated by the planar coil 21 and a magnetic field is generated in the inner plate 12 (if the eddy current has been generated in the inner plate 12 before the collision, the inner plate 12 And the reinforcing member 13 is shortened, the eddy current of the inner plate 12 increases, thereby increasing the magnetic field generated by the inner plate 12). That is, as the distance between the inner plate 12 and the planar coil 21 becomes shorter due to the collision, the magnetic field generated by the eddy current interlinked with the planar coil 21 increases. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, as the distance between the inner plate 12 and the planar coil 21 decreases, the inductance Ls of the planar coil 21 decreases. This is because the effect that “the magnetic field generated by the planar coil 21 is partially canceled by the magnetic field generated by the inner plate 12” becomes stronger as the distance decreases. Thus, the inductance of the planar coil 21 changes according to the separation distance between the inner plate 12 and the planar coil 21. Even when an object collides with the outer plate 11 of the side door 1, the inductance Ls of the planar coil 21 does not change unless the reinforcing member 13 is deformed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the vehicle side collision detection device includes an oscillation circuit 30, an LC resonance circuit 40 that includes the planar coil 21 in part, and a collision determination unit 50.
The oscillation circuit 30 is a circuit that outputs an alternating voltage. The oscillation frequency of this AC voltage is F. The oscillation frequency F is set to a frequency lower than the series resonance frequency fa0 in the LC resonance circuit 40 in a state where the separation distance between the inner plate 11 and the planar coil 21 is maximum (a state where no object collides).

  The LC resonance circuit 40 constitutes a so-called series-parallel LC resonance circuit. Specifically, the LC resonance circuit 40 includes a planar coil 21 having one end connected to the oscillation circuit 30 and the other end connected to a collision determination unit 50 described later, and a first capacitor connected in parallel to the planar coil 21. 41, a second resistor 42 having one end connected to the other end of the planar coil 21 and the other end grounded, and one end connected to the other end of the planar coil 21 and the other end grounded. And two capacitors 43.

  The planar coil 21 corresponds to a series circuit of an inductance Ls and a resistance value Rs. As described above, the inductance Ls changes according to the separation distance between the inner plate 12 and the planar coil 21. The capacity of the first capacitor 41 is Cs, the resistance value of the second resistor 42 is Ro, and the capacity of the second capacitor 43 is Co.

  Here, the frequency characteristics of the LC resonance circuit 40 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, in FIG. 6, the solid line indicates the frequency characteristics of the LC resonance circuit 40 in a state where the reinforcing member 13 is not deformed, that is, in a state where the separation distance between the inner plate 12 and the planar coil 21 is not changed. The broken lines indicate the frequency characteristics of the LC resonance circuit 40 in a state where the reinforcing member 13 is deformed by the collision and the separation distance between the inner plate 12 and the planar coil 21 is shortened.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the frequency characteristics of the LC resonance circuit 40 have maximum amplitudes at the series resonance frequencies fa0 and fa1, and minimum values at the parallel resonance frequencies fb0 and fb1. The series resonance frequencies fa0 and fa1 and the parallel resonance frequencies fb0 and fb1 are determined by the inductance Ls of the planar coil 21 and the capacitances Cs and Co of the capacitors, and are expressed by equations (1) and (2).

  As described above, when the reinforcing member 13 is deformed by the collision and the separation distance between the inner plate 12 and the planar coil 21 is shortened, the inductance Ls is decreased. Then, the series resonance frequency fa1 when the reinforcing member 13 is deformed due to the collision is higher than the series resonance frequency fa0 when the reinforcing member 13 is not deformed. Further, the parallel resonance frequency fb1 when the reinforcing member 13 is deformed due to the collision is also higher than the parallel resonance frequency fb0 when the reinforcing member 13 is not deformed. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the frequency characteristic when the reinforcing member 13 is deformed by the collision indicated by the broken line is generally the same as the frequency characteristic when the reinforcing member 13 indicated by the solid line is not deformed. It has moved to the right side of FIG.

  The LC resonance circuit 40 outputs a periodic electrical signal obtained by converting the amplitude of the AC voltage applied from the oscillation circuit 30 according to the frequency characteristics of the LC resonance circuit 40. Specifically, the periodic electrical signal output from the LC resonance circuit 40 converts the AC voltage applied from the oscillation circuit 30 to the amplitude of the frequency characteristic of the LC resonance circuit 40 at the oscillation frequency F at which the oscillation circuit 30 oscillates. It will be converted.

  Here, as described above, the oscillation frequency F of the alternating voltage oscillated by the oscillation circuit 30 is set lower than the series resonance frequency fa0 of the LC resonance circuit 40 when the reinforcing member 13 is not deformed. The resonance frequencies fa and fb change so as to increase as the separation distance between the inner plate 12 and the planar coil 21 decreases as the reinforcing member 13 is deformed. That is, the oscillation frequency F changes in the resonance frequencies fa and fb of the LC resonance circuit 40 when the separation distance between the inner plate 12 and the planar coil 21 is shortened due to the deformation of the reinforcing member 13 due to the collision with the collision object. That is, it is set so as to deviate from the frequency band.

  That is, the amplitude of the frequency characteristic of the LC resonance circuit 40 at the oscillation frequency F is greatest when the reinforcing member 13 is not deformed. The amplitude decreases as the reinforcing member 13 is deformed and the separation distance between the inner plate 12 and the reinforcing member 13 is shortened. Thus, the amplitude of the periodic electrical signal output from the LC resonance circuit 40 changes according to the separation distance between the inner plate 12 and the planar coil 21. That is, the amplitude of the periodic electrical signal output from the LC resonance circuit 40 changes so as to decrease as the separation distance between the inner plate 12 and the planar coil 21 decreases. That is, the LC resonance circuit 40 generates and outputs a periodic electrical signal corresponding to the inductance Ls of the planar coil 21.

  The collision determination unit 50 first determines an amplitude threshold value Vth (corresponding to the third threshold value of the present invention) for determining whether an object has collided with the outer plate 11 and the reinforcing member 13 has been deformed. An amplitude time change threshold value Ath (corresponding to the fourth threshold value of the present invention) is stored.

  This amplitude threshold Vth is set smaller than the reference amplitude V0 of the periodic electrical signal output from the LC resonance circuit 40 in a state where the reinforcing member 13 is not deformed. Then, the collision determination unit 50 determines whether an object has collided with the outer plate 11 and deformed the reinforcing member 13 based on the amplitude V1 of the periodic electrical signal output from the LC resonance circuit 40. Specifically, the collision determination unit 50 determines whether or not the amplitude V1 of the periodic electrical signal output from the LC resonance circuit 40 exceeds the amplitude threshold Vth. Specifically, the amplitude V1 is smaller than the amplitude threshold Vth. It is determined whether or not. When the amplitude V1 is smaller than the amplitude threshold value Vth, it is determined that an object has collided with the outer plate 11 to deform the reinforcing member 13.

  On the other hand, even if the outer plate 11 is deformed, the amplitude V1 does not become smaller than the amplitude threshold Vth unless the reinforcing member 13 is deformed. Here, the state in which the reinforcing member 13 is deformed is a state in which the occupant protection device needs to be activated to protect the occupant. On the other hand, even if the outer plate 11 is deformed, it is not necessary to activate the occupant protection device as long as the reinforcing member 13 is not deformed.

  Further, the collision determination unit 50 needs to start the occupant protection device based on whether or not the amplitude V1 exceeds the amplitude threshold value Vth, specifically, whether or not the amplitude V1 is smaller than the amplitude threshold value Vth. Apart from detecting a serious collision, the following means also detects a collision that requires activation of the occupant protection device.

  With reference to FIG. 7, the absolute value of the change amount per unit time of the amplitude V1 output from the LC resonance circuit 40, that is, the absolute value of the time differential value of the amplitude V1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, when the reinforcing member 13 is not deformed, the amplitude V1 of the electric signal output from the LC resonance circuit 40 is constant. Therefore, the change amount (time differential value) per unit time of the amplitude V1 in this case is zero. On the other hand, when the reinforcing member 13 is deformed due to an object collision, the amplitude V1 of the electric signal output from the LC resonance circuit 40 decreases. That is, in this case, the absolute value of the change amount (time differential value) per unit time of the amplitude V1 increases. Then, the collision determination unit 50 determines whether or not the absolute value of the change amount (time differential value) per unit time of the amplitude V1 exceeds the amplitude time change threshold Ath. Specifically, the collision determination unit 50 reinforces the object by colliding with the outer plate 11 when the absolute value of the change amount (time differential value) of the amplitude V1 per unit time exceeds the amplitude time change threshold Ath. It is determined that the member 13 has been deformed.

  On the other hand, even if the outer plate 11 is deformed, if the reinforcing member 13 is not deformed, the absolute value of the change amount (time differential value) of the amplitude V1 per unit time is larger than the amplitude time change threshold Ath. There is no.

  That is, the collision determination unit 50 determines that the absolute value of the change amount (time differential value) per unit time of the amplitude V1 exceeds the amplitude time change threshold Ath when the value of the amplitude V1 itself is smaller than the amplitude threshold Vth. In this case, it is determined that the object has collided with the outer plate 11 to deform the reinforcing member 13. In other words, the collision determination unit 50 determines when the amplitude V1 becomes smaller than the amplitude threshold Vth and when the absolute value of the change amount (time differential value) per unit time of the amplitude V1 exceeds the amplitude time change threshold Ath. The earlier one detects a collision that requires occupant protection. As a result, it is possible to make a collision determination that requires occupant protection earlier.

  Further, a planar coil member 2 is used as a sensor. Therefore, space saving can be achieved and the mounting property is also good. The range in which the side collision can be detected is a range in which a magnetic field is generated by the coil, that is, a range corresponding to the size of the coil. That is, the range in which the side collision can be detected can be widened. Further, by using the amplitude V1 by the LC resonance circuit 40, high sensitivity and high-speed response are obtained.

  Here, the size of the entire planar coil 21 affects the detection range. According to the present embodiment, the horizontal width W <b> 2 at the outermost periphery of the planar coil 21 is set to be larger than the vertical width H <b> 2 at the outermost periphery of the planar coil 21. Therefore, it is possible to reliably increase the detection range while preventing a decrease in detection sensitivity.

  Further, in the planar coil 21 wound a plurality of times on the same plane, the magnetic flux is more strongly distributed toward the inner peripheral side. That is, the influence of the inner peripheral side shape of the planar coil 21 is increased. According to the present embodiment, the horizontal width W1 at the innermost circumference of the planar coil 21 is set to be larger than the vertical width H1 of the innermost circumference of the planar coil 21. Therefore, the range with high detection sensitivity can be widened.

  Further, an intermediate value between the horizontal width W2 at the outermost periphery of the planar coil 21 and the horizontal width W1 at the innermost periphery is equal to the vertical width H2 at the outermost periphery of the planar coil 21 and the vertical width H1 at the innermost periphery. It is set larger than the intermediate value. From this, it can be said that the detection range can be expanded while preventing a decrease in detection sensitivity.

<Modification of First Embodiment>
In the first embodiment, when the collision determination unit 50 determines that the amplitude V1 is smaller than the amplitude threshold Vth, or the absolute value of the change amount (time differential value) per unit time of the amplitude V1 is the amplitude time change threshold Ath. When the value exceeds the upper limit, it is determined that an object has collided with the outer plate 11 to deform the reinforcing member 13. In addition, the collision may be detected by only one of them. That is, the collision determination unit 50 may determine that the object has collided with the outer plate 11 and deformed the reinforcing member 13 only when the amplitude V1 becomes smaller than the amplitude threshold Vth. Further, the collision determination unit 50 causes the object to collide with the outer plate 11 and the reinforcing member 13 only when the absolute value of the amount of change (time differential value) of the amplitude V1 per unit time exceeds the amplitude time change threshold Ath. It may be determined that is deformed. In addition, compared with the case where either one is used for determination, the case where both are used for determination enables collision determination earlier.

  Further, although the LC resonance circuit 40 is applied as the detection circuit, for example, a circuit 240 shown in FIG. 8 can also be applied. In this case, the collision determination is not performed based on the amplitude of the frequency characteristic in the LC resonance circuit 40 described above, but a change in the inductance Ls of the planar coil 21 is directly input, and the collision determination is performed based on the change. .

  Here, in this case, the collision determination unit 50 is substantially the same as when the LC resonance circuit 40 of the first embodiment is used, or when the inductance Ls becomes smaller than the first threshold value, or the unit of the inductance Ls. When the absolute value of the amount of change per hour (time differential value) exceeds the second threshold value, it is determined that an object has collided with the outer plate 11 to deform the reinforcing member 13. Or the collision determination part 50 may use only one of both for determination. That is, the collision determination unit 50 may determine that an object has collided with the outer plate 11 and deformed the reinforcing member 13 only when the inductance Ls becomes smaller than the first threshold value. In addition, the collision determination unit 50 deforms the reinforcing member 13 due to an object colliding with the outer plate 11 only when the absolute value of the change amount (time differential value) of the inductance Ls per unit time exceeds the second threshold value. It may be determined that it has been made. In these cases, as in the first embodiment, when the determination is made using both, the collision can be determined earlier than when the determination is made using only one.

  The oscillation frequency F of the oscillation circuit 30 in the first embodiment is lower than the series resonance frequency fa0, but is higher than the series resonance frequency fa0 and lower than the parallel resonance frequency fb0. You can also. In this case, the amplitude V1 changes so as to increase as the reinforcing member 13 moves. That is, in this case, the collision determination is performed based on whether or not the amplitude V1 is greater than the threshold value Vth.

  In the first embodiment, the horizontal width W2 at the outermost periphery of the planar coil 21 is set larger than the vertical width H2 of the outermost periphery of the planar coil 21, and the innermost periphery of the planar coil 21 is set. Is set to be larger than the vertical width H1 of the innermost periphery of the planar coil 21. However, the shape is not limited to this, and the shape may satisfy only one of them. In this case, each effect is exhibited.

<Second embodiment>
The vehicle side collision detection device of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The second embodiment is a form in which the planar coil 21 is attached to the reinforcing member 13 via the planar auxiliary plate 100 that is a shield member, and the separation distance between the planar coil 21 and the inner plate 12 is changed. Is detected.

  FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the side door 1 cut perpendicularly in the left-right direction of the vehicle. In the first embodiment, the coil member 2 is directly attached to the reinforcing member 13, but in the second embodiment, the coil member 2 is attached to the planar auxiliary plate 100. Here, the planar auxiliary plate 100 has a rectangular flat plate shape, and is made of, for example, a metal such as iron or a ferromagnetic material. Alternatively, the planar auxiliary plate 100 may be a resin film containing metal powder or a plastic plate coated with metal powder. The planar auxiliary plate 100 is attached to the reinforcing member 13 so as to face the inner plate 12. That is, the coil member 2, the planar auxiliary plate 100, and the reinforcing member 13 have substantially the same vertical position in the vehicle.

  The outer shape of the planar coil 21 in the coil member 2 is smaller than the outer shape of the planar auxiliary plate 100. The coil member 2 is arranged so that the planar coil 21 does not protrude from the outer edge of the planar auxiliary plate 100, that is, as viewed from the axial direction of the planar coil 21 (as viewed in the axial direction) as indicated by the arrows in FIG. ), The planar coil 21 is attached to the surface on the inner plate 12 side of the planar auxiliary plate 100 so that the planar coil 21 falls within the outer edge of the planar auxiliary plate 100. Furthermore, the planar auxiliary plate 100 and the coil member 2 are integrally formed in an adjacent state (or simply in an approached state) so as to have the above-described arrangement relationship. At this time, both are integrally molded so that the planar auxiliary plate 100 and the coil member 2 are not electrically connected. For example, a film-like resin or the like is interposed between the planar auxiliary plate 100 and the coil member 2. Therefore, for example, in the film in which the first layer to the third layer are laminated in order, the planar coil 21 is formed between the first layer film and the second layer film, and the second layer film and the third layer are formed. In the state in which the planar auxiliary plate 100 is formed between the layer film and the first layer film, the second layer film, and the second layer film and the third layer film, respectively, the planar auxiliary plate The plate 100 and the coil member 2 are fixed and further integrally molded. The planar auxiliary plate 100 is interposed between the coil member 2 and the reinforcing member 13.

  The collision detection in this case is the same as in the first embodiment. However, when the coil member 2 is directly attached to the reinforcing member 13 as in the first embodiment, the inductance Ls of the planar coil 21 in the initial stage of mounting the coil member 2 may vary depending on the shape of the reinforcing member 13. There is. Therefore, by attaching the coil member 2 to the planar auxiliary plate 100, it is possible to prevent or reduce the occurrence of variations in the initial inductance Ls of the planar coil 21 due to the shape of the reinforcing member 13.

  Furthermore, the mounting state of the planar coil 21 can be stabilized by integrally forming the coil member 2 and the planar auxiliary plate 100. As a result, variation in the initial inductance Ls of the planar coil 21 can be further reduced. In addition, by integrating the two, it is easy to attach the integrated member to the reinforcing member 13.

  Further, the planar auxiliary plate 100 is formed larger than the outer shape of the planar coil 21, and the planar coil 21 is attached so that the planar coil 21 does not jump out from the outer edge thereof. If the planar coil 21 is attached in a state where it protrudes from the outer edge of the planar auxiliary plate 100, the portion of the planar coil 21 that protrudes from the planar auxiliary plate 100 causes the initial inductance Ls of the planar coil 21 to be reduced. Variation may occur. Therefore, as described above, the planar coil 21 is attached so as not to protrude from the outer edge of the planar auxiliary plate 100, so that the variation in the initial inductance Ls of the planar coil 21 can be prevented or reduced more stably. .

<Third embodiment>
Next, the vehicle side collision detection device of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The third embodiment is a form in which the planar coil 21 is attached to the reinforcing member 13 and detects a change in the separation distance between the planar coil 21 and the inner plate member 110.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the side door 1 cut vertically in the vehicle left-right direction. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the side door 1 cut vertically in the vehicle front-rear direction. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the side door 1 as seen from the vehicle interior side.
In the first embodiment, the inner plate 12 has a flat plate shape without a through hole. However, in the third embodiment, the inner plate 112 has a through hole such as a service hole 112a. The service hole 112 a is provided for assembling and adjusting a power window mechanism and a speaker disposed inside the side door 1 and for assembling and adjusting the coil member 2 attached to the reinforcing member 13.

  In this case, if the service hole 112 a is located at a position facing the coil member 2, the service hole 112 a may affect the change in the inductance Ls of the planar coil 21. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, an inner plate made of a metal such as iron or a ferromagnetic material so as to cover at least a part of the service hole 112 a and to face the planar coil 21. The member 110 is attached to the outer side surface of the inner plate 12 (the surface on the outer plate 12 side). Thereby, the influence of the service hole 112a can be suppressed.

  Here, the inner plate member 110 is formed larger than the outer shape of the planar coil 21, and is disposed so as to face the planar coil 21. Thereby, the change of the inductance Ls of the planar coil 21 can be increased, and the sensitivity of side collision detection can be improved.

<Modification of Third Embodiment>
As a modification of the third embodiment, the inner plate member 110 is also connected to the inner plate 12 even when the inner plate 12 is made of a nonmagnetic material such as a resin module regardless of whether the inner plate 12 has a through hole. By attaching to, the change of the inductance Ls of the planar coil 21 can be detected reliably. When the inner plate 12 is a resin module, the inductance Ls of the planar coil 21 does not change according to the separation distance between the planar coil 21 and the inner plate 12. In such a case, by using the metal or ferromagnetic inner plate member 110, the side collision can be reliably detected.

  In addition, the characteristic part in 2nd embodiment or its deformation | transformation aspect can also be applied to 3rd embodiment or its deformation | transformation aspect. In this case, the effect of the configuration of the second embodiment or its modified mode and the effect of the configuration of the third embodiment or its modified mode can be achieved.

<Fourth embodiment>
Next, a vehicle side collision detection apparatus according to a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The fourth embodiment is a form in which the planar coil 21 is directly attached to the inner plate 12 and detects a change in the separation distance between the planar coil 21 and the reinforcing member 13.

  FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the side door 1 cut vertically in the vehicle left-right direction. In the first embodiment, the coil member 2 is attached to the reinforcing member 13. However, in the fourth embodiment, the coil member 2 is attached to the outer surface of the inner plate 12 (the surface facing the outer plate 11). ). Specifically, the coil member 2 is attached to a position facing the reinforcing member 13 in the outer surface of the inner plate 12.

  Here, in the fourth embodiment, the inner plate 12 does not need to be a metal or a ferromagnetic material, but the reinforcing member 13 needs to be a metal or a ferromagnetic material. That is, in the first embodiment, the inductance Ls of the planar coil 21 is changed in accordance with the change in the separation distance between the planar coil 21 and the inner plate 12, but in the fourth embodiment, the planar coil 21 is changed. The inductance Ls of the planar coil 21 changes according to the change in the separation distance between the reinforcing member 13 and the reinforcing member 13. Although there is a difference in this point, the side collision detection is substantially the same as in the first embodiment.

<Deformation of Fourth Embodiment>
Next, a vehicle side collision detection device according to a modification of the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the side door 1 cut vertically in the vehicle left-right direction.
In the fourth embodiment, the relationship between the vertical width of the planar coil 21 and the bar width of the reinforcing member 13 is not described. However, in the modification, the vertical width of the planar coil 21 is set to the reinforcing member 13. It is set smaller than the bar width. Specifically, the vertical width H1 (see FIG. 3) at the innermost circumference of the planar coil 21 and the vertical width H2 (see FIG. 3) at the outermost circumference of the planar coil 21 are both of the reinforcing member 13. It is set smaller than the bar width D. And all the perpendicular directions in the outermost periphery of the planar coil 21 are arrange | positioned so that the reinforcement member 13 may be opposed.

  Here, in the planar coil 21 wound a plurality of times on the same plane, the magnetic flux is more strongly distributed toward the inner peripheral side. That is, the influence of the inner peripheral side shape of the planar coil 21 is increased. Therefore, by setting the vertical width H1 at the innermost circumference of the planar coil 21 to be smaller than the rod width D of the reinforcing member 13, the detection sensitivity can be reliably increased.

  Furthermore, since the vertical width H2 at the outermost periphery of the planar coil 21 is set smaller than the rod width of the reinforcing member 13, the entire planar coil 21 is smaller than the rod width D of the reinforcing member 13. . Thereby, the influence which it has on inductance change in the planar coil 21 whole can be enlarged. Therefore, the detection sensitivity can be further increased.

  In this modification, the vertical width H1 at the innermost periphery of the planar coil 21 and the vertical width H2 at the outermost periphery of the planar coil 21 are both set smaller than the rod width D of the reinforcing member 13. It was said that However, the present invention is not limited to this, and only the vertical width H <b> 1 at the innermost circumference of the planar coil 21 may be set smaller than the rod width D of the reinforcing member 13. In this case, the effect only by the said matter is produced.

<Fifth embodiment>
Next, a vehicle side collision detection apparatus according to a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the fifth embodiment, the planar coil 21 is attached to the inner plate 12 via the planar auxiliary plate 120 (shield member), and the change in the separation distance between the planar coil 21 and the reinforcing member 13 is changed. It is a form to detect.

  FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the side door 1 cut vertically in the vehicle left-right direction. In the fourth embodiment, the coil member 2 is directly attached to the outer surface of the inner plate 12, but in the fifth embodiment, the coil member 2 is attached to the inner plate 12 via the planar auxiliary plate 120. . Here, the planar auxiliary plate 120 has a rectangular flat plate shape, and is made of, for example, a metal such as iron or a ferromagnetic material. The planar auxiliary plate 120 is attached to the outer surface of the inner plate 12 so as to face the reinforcing member 13. That is, the coil member 2, the planar auxiliary plate 120, and the reinforcing member 13 have substantially the same vertical position in the vehicle.

  The outer shape of the planar coil 21 in the coil member 2 is smaller than the outer shape of the planar auxiliary plate 120. The coil member 2 is configured so that the planar coil 21 does not protrude from the outer edge of the planar auxiliary plate 120, that is, as viewed from the axial direction of the planar coil 21 (as viewed in the axial direction) as indicated by the arrows in FIG. ), The planar coil 21 is attached to the reinforcing member 13 side surface of the planar auxiliary plate 120 so that the planar coil 21 falls within the outer edge of the planar auxiliary plate 120. Furthermore, the planar auxiliary plate 120 and the coil member 2 are integrally formed in an adjacent state (or simply in an approached state) so as to have the above-described positional relationship. At this time, the planar auxiliary plate 120 and the coil member 2 are integrally formed so that they are not electrically connected. For example, a film-like resin or the like is interposed between the planar auxiliary plate 120 and the coil member 2. Therefore, for example, in the film in which the first layer to the third layer are laminated in order, the planar coil 21 is formed between the first layer film and the second layer film, and the second layer film and the third layer are formed. In the state where the planar auxiliary plate 120 is formed between the layer film and the first layer film, the second layer film, and the second layer film and the third layer film are respectively pressure-bonded, the planar auxiliary plate The plate 120 and the coil member 2 are fixed and further integrally molded. The planar auxiliary plate 120 is interposed between the coil member 2 and the inner plate 12.

  The collision detection in this case is the same as in the fourth embodiment. However, when the coil member 2 is directly attached to the inner plate 12 as in the fourth embodiment, the inductance Ls of the planar coil 21 at the initial stage of mounting the coil member 2 may vary depending on the shape of the inner plate 12. There is. Therefore, by attaching the coil member 2 to the planar auxiliary plate 120, it is possible to prevent or reduce the occurrence of variations in the initial inductance Ls of the planar coil 21 due to the shape of the inner plate 12.

  Furthermore, by integrally forming the coil member 2 and the planar auxiliary plate 120, the mounting state of the planar coil 21 can be stabilized. As a result, the occurrence of variations in the initial inductance Ls of the planar coil 21 can be further reduced. Further, by making the both integral, it is easy to attach the integral member to the inner plate 12.

  Furthermore, the planar auxiliary plate 120 is formed larger than the outer shape of the planar coil 21, and the planar coil 21 is attached so that the planar coil 21 does not protrude from the outer edge. If the planar coil 21 is attached in a state of protruding from the outer edge of the planar auxiliary plate 120, the portion of the planar coil 21 protruding from the planar auxiliary plate 120 causes the initial inductance Ls of the planar coil 21 to be reduced. Variation may occur. Therefore, as described above, the planar coil 21 is attached so as not to protrude from the outer edge of the planar auxiliary plate 120, so that the variation in the initial inductance Ls of the planar coil 21 can be prevented or reduced more stably. .

<Modification of Fifth Embodiment>
Next, a vehicle side collision detection device according to a modification of the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 16. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the side door 1 cut vertically in the vehicle left-right direction.
In the fifth embodiment, the inner plate 12 has a flat plate shape that does not have a through hole. However, in the modified embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the inner plate 112 has a through hole such as a service hole 112a. ing. The service hole 112a is provided for assembling and adjusting a power window mechanism and a speaker disposed inside the side door 1, and for assembling and adjusting the coil member 2.

  In this case, if the service hole 112 a is positioned to attach the coil member 2, it is not easy to attach the coil member 2 to the inner plate 112. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 16, a planar auxiliary plate 130 (shield member) is attached to the outer surface of the inner plate 112 so as to cover at least a part of the service hole 112a. The planar auxiliary plate 130 and the coil member 2 are integrally formed. Thereby, even if the service hole 112 a is formed in the inner plate 112, the coil member 2 can be easily attached to the inner plate 112.

  Further, the service hole 112a of the inner plate 112 may affect the change in the inductance Ls of the planar coil 21 and may cause variations in the inductance Ls. In this case, it is possible to prevent or reduce the variation in the inductance Ls of the planar coil 21 by using the planar auxiliary plate 130 as a metal or a ferromagnetic material. Therefore, even when the service hole 112a is formed in the inner plate 112, the side collision detection can be reliably performed by providing the planar auxiliary plate 130 made of metal or ferromagnetic.

<Sixth embodiment>
Next, a vehicle side collision detection apparatus according to a sixth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The sixth embodiment is a form in which the planar coil 21 is directly attached to the inner plate 12 and detects a change in the separation distance between the planar coil 21 and the reinforcing member side plate member 140.

  FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the side door 1 cut perpendicularly in the vehicle left-right direction. In the fourth embodiment, nothing is attached to the reinforcing member 13, and the coil member 2 generates a magnetic field with the reinforcing member 13. In contrast, in the sixth embodiment, the reinforcing member side plate member 140 is attached to the inner plate 12 side of the reinforcing member 13. Here, the reinforcing member side plate member 140 has a rectangular flat plate shape, and is made of, for example, a metal such as iron or a ferromagnetic material. The reinforcing member side plate member 140 is attached to the reinforcing member 13 so as to face the inner plate 12. In the sixth embodiment, the reinforcing member 13 may not be a metal or a ferromagnetic material.

  The outer shape of the planar coil 21 in the coil member 2 is smaller than the outer shape of the reinforcing member side plate member 140. That is, the reinforcing member side plate member 140 is larger than the outer diameter of the planar coil 21 at least in the vertical direction of the vehicle. Furthermore, although not shown, the reinforcing member side plate member 140 is desirably larger than the outer diameter of the planar coil 21 in the vehicle front-rear direction (vehicle front-rear direction when the side door 1 is closed). The coil member 2 is attached to a region of the inner plate 12 that faces the reinforcing member side plate member 140 (the coil member 2 and the reinforcing member side plate member 140 are located at substantially the same position in the vertical direction of the vehicle). It is in). That is, the coil member 2 is disposed between the inner plate 12 and the reinforcing member side plate member 140, and generates a magnetic field in a direction in which the inner plate 12 and the reinforcing member side plate member 140 face each other.

  The collision detection in this case is the same as in the fourth embodiment. However, the reinforcing member side plate member 140 has an outer shape larger than the outer shape of the planar coil 21. Therefore, the change in the magnetic field due to the deformation of the reinforcing member 13 increases, and as a result, the change in the inductance Ls of the planar coil 21 increases. That is, the detection sensitivity is increased.

  In addition, the characteristic part in 5th embodiment or its deformation | transformation aspect can also be applied to 6th embodiment. In this case, the effect of the configuration of the fifth embodiment or its modification and the effect of the configuration of the sixth embodiment can be achieved.

  In the above-described embodiment, a planar plate (sheet-like) member (planar auxiliary plates 100, 120, and 130) is used as the shield member, but this shape is not necessarily required. For example, a lattice shape, a mesh shape, or a wave shape may be used. Furthermore, it is conceivable to further improve the shielding performance by grounding the shield member (electrical connection to a vehicle body ground such as a metal reinforcing member or a door).

  The vehicle side collision detection device configured as described above can be used as follows. FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing an outline of the vehicle occupant protection system. This vehicle occupant protection system includes an airbag module 400. The airbag module 400 protects a vehicle occupant from impact due to a collision by deploying the airbag when a collision occurs. Here, the vehicle side collision detection device in FIG. 18 may be any of the vehicle side collision detection devices already described. The airbag module 400 is mounted near a side surface of a seat (not shown) mounted on the vehicle (for example, a side door or a side surface portion of the seat), and is electrically connected to the vehicle side collision detection device. When the vehicle side collision detection device determines that there is a vehicle collision, the vehicle side collision detection device outputs a deployment command to the airbag module 400. Receiving this, the airbag module 400 deploys the airbag. Thereby, the impact of the collision which acts on a passenger | crew is reduced.

It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the side door 1 in 1st embodiment perpendicularly | vertically in the vehicle left-right direction. It is the perspective view seen from the vehicle interior side of the side door 1, Comprising: It is a figure which shows the state which removed some inner plates. 4 is a side view showing a coil member 2. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a relationship of inductance Ls of planar coil 21 with respect to a separation distance between inner plate 12 (inner plate member) and reinforcing member 13. It is a circuit block diagram which shows the side collision detection apparatus for vehicles. 4 is a diagram illustrating frequency characteristics of an LC resonance circuit 40. FIG. It is a figure which shows the absolute value of the variation | change_quantity (time differential value) per unit time of the amplitude V1 output from the LC resonance circuit 40 with respect to the elapsed time from a collision. It is a figure which shows the detection circuit 240 in the deformation | transformation aspect of 1st embodiment. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the side door 1 in 2nd embodiment perpendicularly | vertically in the vehicle left-right direction. It is sectional drawing cut | disconnected perpendicularly | vertically of the vehicle left-right direction of the side door 1 in 3rd embodiment. It is sectional drawing cut | disconnected perpendicularly | vertically of the vehicle front-back direction of the side door. It is the perspective view seen from the vehicle interior side of the side door. It is sectional drawing cut | disconnected perpendicularly | vertically of the vehicle left-right direction of the side door 1 in 4th embodiment. It is sectional drawing cut | disconnected perpendicularly | vertically of the vehicle left-right direction of the side door 1 in the deformation | transformation aspect of 4th embodiment. It is sectional drawing cut | disconnected perpendicularly | vertically of the vehicle left-right direction of the side door 1 in 5th embodiment. It is sectional drawing cut | disconnected perpendicularly | vertically of the vehicle left-right direction of the side door 1 in the deformation | transformation aspect of 5th embodiment. It is sectional drawing cut | disconnected perpendicularly | vertically of the vehicle left-right direction of the side door 1 in 6th embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the outline | summary of the passenger | crew protection system for vehicles.

Explanation of symbols

1: side door 11: outer plate 12, 112: inner plate, 112a: service hole, 13: reinforcing member 2: coil member, 21: planar coil, 22: film 30: oscillation circuit 40: LC resonance circuit 41: First capacitor 42: Second resistor 43: Second capacitor 50: Collision determination unit 100, 120, 130: Planar auxiliary plate (shield member)
110: Inner plate member 140: Reinforcement member side plate member 240: Detection circuit 300: Vehicle occupant protection system

Claims (34)

A side door skin mounted on the vehicle;
It said outer plate being spaced so as to face the outer plate to the vehicle interior side of the inner plate of the side door that have a metal or ferromagnetic material which becomes the detected member,
A reinforcing member disposed between the outer plate and the inner plate and spaced apart from the inner plate, and having a bending rigidity higher than that of the outer plate;
A coil that is attached to the reinforcing member in a state of being separated from the detected member, generates a magnetic field, and changes in inductance according to a separation distance from the detected member;
A shield member made of metal or ferromagnetic, and provided between the reinforcing member and the coil;
Determining means for determining that the vehicle and an object have collided based on the inductance of the coil;
With
The vehicle side collision detection device according to claim 1, wherein the shield member reduces variation in inductance of the coil in an initial stage when the coil is mounted on the side door . A side door skin mounted on the vehicle;
An inner plate of the side door that is spaced apart from the outer plate on the vehicle interior side of the outer plate;
An inner plate-shaped member attached to the inner plate and having a metal or a ferromagnetic material to be detected; and
A reinforcing member disposed between the outer plate and the inner plate-like member and spaced apart from the inner plate-like member , and having a bending rigidity higher than the bending rigidity of the outer plate;
A coil that is attached to the reinforcing member in a state of being separated from the detected member, generates a magnetic field, and changes in inductance according to a distance from the detected member;
A shield member made of metal or ferromagnetic, and provided between the reinforcing member and the coil;
Determining means for determining that the vehicle and an object have collided based on the inductance of the coil;
Equipped with a,
The vehicle side collision detection device according to claim 1, wherein the shield member reduces variation in inductance of the coil in an initial stage when the coil is mounted on the side door . The shield member is planar;
The side collision detection device for a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2 . The coil is planar;
The vehicle side collision detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . The vehicle side collision detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the coil and the shield member are fixed to each other . The vehicle side collision detection device according to claim 5 , wherein the coil and the shield member are integrally formed . The shield member is formed larger than the outer shape of the coil,
The vehicle side collision detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the coil is attached so that the coil does not protrude from an outer edge of the shield member when viewed in the axial direction . A through hole is formed in the inner plate,
It said inner plate member, the vehicle-side突検detection device according to claim 2 that is mounted within said plate so as to cover at least a portion of the through hole. The inner plate, the vehicle-side突検detection device according to claim 2 ing from the resin module. The vehicle side collision detection device according to claim 2, wherein the inner plate-shaped member is formed larger than an outer shape of the coil. The vehicle side collision detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 10 , wherein the coil has a planar shape and is formed with higher flexibility than the reinforcing member . A side door skin mounted on the vehicle;
An inner plate of the side door that is spaced apart from the outer plate on the vehicle interior side of the outer plate;
Reinforcing between the outer plate and the inner plate and spaced apart from the inner plate, having a bending rigidity higher than the bending rigidity of the outer plate, and having a metal or a ferromagnetic material serving as a detected member Members,
A coil that is attached to the inner plate in a state of being separated from the detected member, generates a magnetic field, and changes in inductance according to a distance from the detected member;
A shield member made of metal or ferromagnetic, and provided between the inner plate and the coil;
Determining means for determining that the vehicle and an object have collided based on the inductance of the coil;
With
The vehicle side collision detection device according to claim 1, wherein the shield member reduces variation in inductance of the coil in an initial stage when the coil is mounted on the side door . A side door skin mounted on the vehicle;
An inner plate of the side door that is spaced apart from the outer plate on the vehicle interior side of the outer plate;
A reinforcing member disposed between the outer plate and the inner plate and spaced apart from the inner plate, and having a bending rigidity higher than that of the outer plate;
A reinforcing member side plate-like member attached to the inner plate side of the reinforcing member and having a metal or a ferromagnetic material to be detected; and
A coil that is attached to the inner plate in a state of being separated from the detected member, generates a magnetic field, and changes in inductance according to a distance from the detected member;
A shield member made of metal or ferromagnetic, and provided between the inner plate and the coil;
Determining means for determining that the vehicle and an object have collided based on the inductance of the coil;
Equipped with a,
The shield member, the inductance vehicle side突検detection device according to reduce to said Rukoto variation of the coil in the initial mounted with the coil to the side door. A through hole is formed in the inner plate,
The vehicle side collision detection device according to claim 13 , wherein the shield member is attached to the inner plate so as to block at least a part of the through hole . The vehicle side collision detection device according to any one of claims 12 to 14 , wherein the coil and the shield member are fixed to each other, or the coil and the shield member are integrally formed . The shield member is formed larger than the outer shape of the coil,
The vehicle side collision detection device according to any one of claims 12 to 15 , wherein the coil is attached so that the coil does not protrude from an outer edge of the shield member when viewed in the axial direction . The vehicle side collision detection device according to claim 13 , wherein the reinforcing member is made of a nonmagnetic material . The vehicle side collision detection device according to claim 13, wherein the reinforcing member side plate-like member is formed larger than an outer shape of the coil. The reinforcing member has a rod shape,
The vehicle side collision detection device according to any one of claims 12 to 18 , wherein a width of the coil in the vehicle vertical direction is set smaller than a bar width of the reinforcing member . The coil is wound a plurality of times on the same plane,
The vehicle side collision detection device according to claim 19 , wherein the vehicle vertical direction width at the innermost circumference of the coil is set smaller than a rod width of the reinforcing member . The vehicle side collision detection device according to claim 19 , wherein the vehicle vertical width at the outermost periphery of the coil is set smaller than a rod width of the reinforcing member . The vehicle side collision detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the shield member is grounded . The vehicle side collision detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 22 , wherein the determination unit determines that the vehicle has collided with an object when the inductance is smaller than a first threshold value . Said determining means, according to the vehicle and any one of claims 1 to 22 determines that the object and has collided when the absolute value of the change amount per the unit inductance time exceeds the second threshold Vehicle side collision detection device. The determination means determines that the vehicle and an object have collided when the inductance is smaller than a first threshold or when an absolute value of a change amount of the inductance per unit time exceeds a second threshold. Item 23. The vehicle side collision detection device according to any one of Items 1 to 22 . The vehicle side collision detection device includes an LC resonance circuit,
The coil constitutes a part of the LC resonance circuit,
The vehicle side collision detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 22 , wherein the determination unit determines that the vehicle and an object have collided based on a change in amplitude output from the LC resonance circuit. . 27. The vehicle side collision detection device according to claim 26 , wherein the determination unit determines that the vehicle has collided with an object when the amplitude exceeds a third threshold . 27. The vehicle side collision detection device according to claim 26 , wherein the determination unit determines that the vehicle and the object have collided when an absolute value of a change amount of the amplitude per unit time exceeds a fourth threshold . The determination means determines that the vehicle and an object have collided when the amplitude exceeds a third threshold or when the absolute value of the amount of change per unit time of the amplitude exceeds a fourth threshold. 27. The vehicle side collision detection device according to 26 . The vehicle side collision detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 29 , wherein a vehicle horizontal width of the coil is set larger than a vehicle vertical width of the coil . The coil is wound a plurality of times on the same plane,
The vehicle side collision detection device according to claim 30 , wherein the vehicle horizontal direction width at the outermost periphery of the coil is set larger than the vehicle vertical direction width of the outermost periphery of the coil . The coil is wound a plurality of times on the same plane,
31. The vehicle side collision detection device according to claim 30 , wherein the vehicle horizontal width in the innermost circumference of the coil is set larger than the vehicle vertical width in the innermost circumference of the coil . The coil is wound a plurality of times on the same plane,
An intermediate value between the vehicle horizontal width at the outermost circumference of the coil and the vehicle horizontal width at the innermost circumference of the coil is an intermediate value of the vehicle vertical width at the outermost circumference of the coil and the vehicle at the innermost circumference of the coil. The vehicle side collision detection device according to claim 30 , wherein the vehicle side collision detection device is set to be larger than an intermediate value of the vertical width .   The vehicle side collision detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 33;
  An occupant protection device that operates when a collision occurs and protects the occupant of the vehicle from impact caused by the collision;
  And the occupant protection device operates based on the determination by the vehicle side collision detection device.

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