JP4915472B2 - Electrostatic occupant detection device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrostatic occupant detection device for detecting seating of an occupant on a seat in a vehicle.

  The electrostatic occupant detection device includes a mat-shaped electrostatic sensor and an occupant detection ECU (electronic control unit). Among these, the electrostatic sensor outputs a disturbance of a weak electric field generated between the main electrode disposed inside the seat and the vehicle body as a current or a voltage (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  For example, when the seat is empty, air is interposed between the pair of electrodes of the electrostatic sensor. Further, when a CRS (Child Restraint System) is mounted on the sheet, the CRS is interposed between a pair of electrodes of the electrostatic sensor. When the occupant is mounted on the seat, the occupant's human body is interposed between the pair of electrodes of the electrostatic sensor.

  Here, the relative dielectric constant of air is about 1. Further, although it depends on the material, the relative dielectric constant of CRS is about 2 to 5. Furthermore, the relative dielectric constant of the human body is about 50. Thus, the relative dielectric constants of air, CRS, and human body are different. Therefore, the capacitance between the pair of electrodes of the electrostatic sensor varies depending on the type of the insertion object.

  The disturbance of the weak electric field between the electrodes caused by the difference in capacitance is output as current or voltage, and the occupant detection ECU performs occupant discrimination based on the output current value or voltage value. That is, the occupant detection ECU determines whether the seat is vacant, whether a CRS is mounted on the seat, or whether an adult is seated on the seat. Further, the airbag ECU determines whether or not to deploy the bag body based on the determination result of the occupant detection ECU. Specifically, when the seat is vacant or when the CRS is attached to the seat, the bag body is set in a development prohibited state. On the other hand, when an adult is seated on the seat, the bag body is set in a deployment-permitted state.

  In addition, an electrostatic sensor has been disclosed in which the wetness of the seat is detected and the distinction between the case where the occupant is seated on the seat and the case where the seat is empty is clarified (see, for example, Patent Document 2). ).

  When the sheet is flooded, the relative permittivity of water is about 80, which is larger than the relative permittivity of the human body, and occupant discrimination becomes difficult. For this reason, a sub-electrode for detecting moisture is newly provided in the electrostatic sensor, and the disturbance of the weak electric field between the sub-electrode and the main electrode arranged inside the occupant discrimination seat is output as a current or a voltage. In this way, it is possible to distinguish water exposure.

  Also disclosed is an electrostatic sensor that reduces the current that flows between a pair of electrodes used for occupant discrimination when the seat is empty and that can clearly detect the current that flows between the pair of electrodes when the occupant gets on the seat. (For example, see Patent Document 3). In this case, a guard electrode for reducing capacitance is newly provided in the electrostatic sensor.

  Furthermore, a failure of a capacitor formed between the guard electrode for reducing the capacity and the main electrode disposed inside the occupant discrimination seat is detected based on the detected current value. (For example, refer to Patent Document 4).

  The conventional electrostatic sensor having such a configuration outputs a disturbance of a weak electric field generated between predetermined electrodes as a current or a voltage. In other words, different levels of current or voltage are generated according to the state of the electric field between the electrodes depending on whether the passenger is seated on the seat, whether the passenger is identified, whether the vehicle is wet, whether there is a failure, or the like. Then, based on the current value or voltage value (hereinafter abbreviated as “current value etc.”), the occupant, the water exposure, and the failure are determined.

  This current value and the like are output as a value related to the resistance component of the circuit constituting the electrostatic sensor together with the capacitance component between the predetermined electrodes. That is, in the electrostatic sensor, when a current value between predetermined electrodes is detected, the current value is detected as a value affected by the resistance component of the circuit. This resistance component includes a resistance value caused by a person (occupant), water, air, or the like interposed between predetermined electrodes. Strictly speaking, this is because the human body, water, and the like correspond to a parallel circuit of a resistor and a capacitor in terms of an electric equivalent circuit.

  Therefore, in the electrostatic sensor, when the current flowing between the predetermined electrodes is detected and the occupant or the like is discriminated based on the magnitude of the current value, the detected current value is strictly a resistance constituting the predetermined electrode. The value includes the current that flows through the parallel circuit of the capacitor. There is a limit to the accuracy of occupant discrimination using this current value as a discrimination factor. That is, the current value used for discriminating an occupant or the like is not always discriminable accurately because the capacitance between pure electrodes is not a discriminating factor.

  Therefore, as a conventional technique that can improve the discrimination accuracy of an occupant or the like, for example, there is a capacitance type occupant detection sensor described in Patent Document 5. The sensor includes a power supply unit that generates an AC voltage, a main electrode that is disposed on a seat surface portion of a vehicle seat, a main wiring unit that connects the power supply unit and the main electrode, and a seat frame that is electrically connected to the vehicle grounding unit. A guard electrode that is spaced from and is opposed to the main electrode and eliminates the formation of an electric field between the seat frame and the main electrode, an impedance calculation unit, and a real / imaginary component calculation unit; And a determination unit.

  The impedance calculation unit calculates the impedance from the power supply unit to the main wiring unit, the main electrode, and the vehicle body in the passenger detection mode. The real imaginary component calculation unit calculates a real part and an imaginary part of the impedance based on the calculated impedance. The discriminating unit discriminates the occupant of the seat based on the imaginary part of the calculated impedance.

  In this configuration, the power supply unit applies an AC voltage to the main electrode via the main wiring unit, and generates an electric field between the main electrode and the vehicle body. At this time, the impedance calculation unit performs the main wiring from the power supply unit. The impedance up to the head, the main electrode, and the vehicle body (hereinafter referred to as an occupant detection circuit) is calculated. Further, the real and imaginary component calculation unit calculates a real part and an imaginary part of the calculated impedance. This imaginary part corresponds to the capacitance component of the capacitor in a parallel circuit of a resistor and a capacitor constituted by a human body or the like between the main electrode and the vehicle body in the occupant detection circuit. Therefore, the occupant of the seat is determined by the determination unit based on the imaginary part of the impedance.

  Since the imaginary part of the impedance corresponding to the capacitance component between the electrodes is used as a discriminating element in this way, it is possible to calculate a more accurate capacitance component between both electrodes. Improvement is possible.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-271463 JP 2006-27591 A JP 2006-201129 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-242907 JP 2008-111809 A

  However, in the above-mentioned Patent Document 5, the sensitivity and zero point of the electrostatic sensor, which is a component of the electrostatic occupant detection device, vary from vehicle to vehicle. There is a problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and by eliminating the sensitivity of the electrostatic sensor for each vehicle and the variation of the zero point, the variation in the discrimination accuracy of the occupant and the like for each vehicle can be eliminated. An object is to provide an electric occupant detection device.

  In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that a main electrode and a sub-electrode disposed on a seating surface portion of a vehicle seat are separated from each other, and the main electrode and the sub-electrode are electrically connected to the vehicle ground. An electrostatic sensor having a guard electrode disposed opposite to and separated from the main electrode and the sub electrode, a signal source for applying an AC voltage signal to the electrostatic sensor, and a A switching unit for switching so that an AC voltage signal is selectively or fully applied to the main electrode, the sub electrode, and the guard electrode; and each of the main electrode, the sub electrode, and the guard electrode, and the signal source. A plurality of resistors connected via the switching unit in between, and when applying an AC voltage signal to the main electrode, the sub electrode and the guard electrode via the resistors A sensor characteristic measuring section having a selection means for selecting a potential difference generated at both ends of the resistor, a detection means for detecting a voltage value due to the potential difference selected by the selection means, and a voltage value detected by the detection means. Computation control means is provided for adding each voltage value obtained from a potential difference between both ends of each resistor connected to the main electrode and the sub electrode, and using the added value as occupant determination data for occupant determination. It is characterized by.

  According to this configuration, the occupant determination data is equivalent to a value obtained by detecting the capacitance of the occupant with an electrode having the area of both the main electrode and the sub electrode, so that the S / N is improved and the occupant determination is performed. Can be advantageous.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the sensor characteristic measurement unit switches the switching unit so that the AC voltage signal is applied to the main electrode and the guard electrode, and is connected to the main electrode by the selection unit. The potential difference between both ends of the resistor is selected, the voltage value at which the selected potential difference is detected by the detection means is stored as the first voltage value by the calculation control means, and then the AC is stored in the main electrode. After the voltage signal is not applied, the switching unit is switched so that the AC voltage signal is applied to the sub electrode, and the selection means selects the potential difference between both ends of the resistor connected to the sub electrode. The calculation control means stores the voltage value detected by the detection means as the second voltage value, and the calculation control means adds the stored first and second voltage values. And Characterized by the additional value the passenger determination data for occupancy determination.

  According to this configuration, the sensor characteristic measuring unit selects the first voltage value corresponding to the capacitance of the main electrode and stores it in the arithmetic control means, and then the second voltage corresponding to the capacitance of the sub electrode. Is selected and stored in the calculation control means. Then, the arithmetic control means adds the first and second voltage values to obtain occupant determination data. Accordingly, occupant determination data equivalent to a value obtained by detecting the occupant's capacitance can be obtained with an electrode having a wide area including both the main electrode and the sub electrode, so that S / N is improved and occupant determination is advantageous. It can be.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the sensor characteristic measuring unit switches the switching unit so that the AC voltage signal is applied to all of the main electrode, the sub electrode, and the guard electrode, and the selection unit The potential difference between both ends of the resistor connected to the main electrode is selected, and the operation control means stores the voltage value detected by the detection means as the first voltage value. The selection means selects a potential difference between both ends of the resistor connected to the sub-electrode, and the calculation control means stores the voltage value detected by the detection means as the second voltage value. The arithmetic control means adds the stored first and second voltage values and uses the added value as occupant determination data for occupant determination.

  According to this configuration, the AC voltage signal is applied to all of the main electrode, the sub electrode, and the guard electrode by the sensor characteristic measuring unit, and then the individual capacitances of the main electrode and the sub electrode are set. The corresponding first and second voltage values are selected, and the operation control means adds the first and second voltage values to obtain occupant determination data. Therefore, it is not necessary to switch the application of the AC voltage signal to the main electrode and the sub electrode, and the procedure can be simplified accordingly.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the adjustment system of the electrostatic occupant detection apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electrostatic occupant detection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is an equivalent circuit diagram of a detected object. It is a figure which shows the phase of the signal of the main electrode of a electrostatic sensor, a sub electrode, and a guard electrode. It is a figure which shows each signal waveform at the time of the measurement of the electrostatic sensor in an electrostatic occupant detection apparatus. It is a figure which shows the selection state of the main electrode of the electrostatic sensor by the switching part of a sensor characteristic measurement part, a sub electrode, and a guard electrode. It is explanatory drawing of the method of the calculation of the measurement sensitivity of an electrostatic occupant detection apparatus, and the calculation of a sensitivity correction value. It is explanatory drawing of calculation of the measurement load using the sensitivity correction value memorize | stored in the electrostatic occupant detection apparatus. It is explanatory drawing at the time of calculating | requiring a zero point offset adjustment value. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the electrostatic occupant detection apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. (A) Plan view of electrode pattern of electrostatic sensor, (b) Plan view of electrode pattern of main electrode or guard electrode, (c) Plan view of electrode pattern of sub electrode, (d) A1- shown in (a) It is A2 sectional drawing. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the 1st operation | movement in the case of determining a passenger | crew etc. in the electrostatic occupant detection apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating 2nd operation | movement in the case of determining a passenger | crew etc. in the electrostatic occupant detection apparatus of 2nd Embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, parts corresponding to each other in all the drawings in this specification are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description of the overlapping parts will be omitted as appropriate.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an adjustment system for an electrostatic occupant detection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. An adjustment system 10 for an electrostatic occupant detection device shown in FIG. 1 includes an occupant detection ECU (arithmetic control means) 11 and an adjustment device 21. The occupant detection ECU 11 includes a switching unit 13 to which the adjustment device 21 is connected, a current detection resistor RS, and a signal source VSG that supplies a sine wave (AC voltage signal) to the adjustment device 21. 14, a CPU 15, and an E ² PROM 16 as a nonvolatile memory.

  The adjusting device 21 is used to eliminate variations in sensitivity of the electrostatic sensor 31 before connecting the electrostatic sensor 31 shown in FIG. 2 to the sensor characteristic measuring unit 14.

  Here, a method for discriminating the occupant and the water (or liquid) by the electrostatic occupant detection device 30 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. The vehicle seat 33 shown in FIG. 2 includes a seat surface portion 34 on which an occupant sits and a backrest portion 35 on which the occupant rests. A seat portion seat frame 34 a that is electrically connected to the vehicle body 36 is provided at the bottom of the seat surface portion 34. Further, the backrest portion 35 is provided with a back seat frame 35 a that is electrically connected to the vehicle body 36.

  The electrostatic occupant detection device 30 includes an electrostatic sensor 31 and an occupant detection ECU 11. The electrostatic sensor 31 is disposed opposite to the seat portion seat frame 34 a inside the seat surface portion 34. The electrostatic sensor 31 is disposed between an upper skin (not shown) and the cushion on the upper portion of the seat portion 34, and includes a main electrode 31a and a sub electrode 31c on the skin side, and a guard electrode 31b on the cushion side. Yes.

  The sub electrode 31c is spaced apart from the main electrode 31a and is disposed adjacent to the main electrode 31a. The guard electrode 31b is disposed to face and separate from the main electrode 31a, and is disposed between the main electrode 31a and the seat portion seat frame 34a. The electrostatic sensor 31 and the sensor characteristic measurement unit 14 are connected by a connector wiring unit 37 such as a wire harness.

  As shown in FIG. 3, an equivalent circuit of a detection object such as a human body or water that is detected by the electrostatic occupant detection device 30 having such a configuration has a resistance (real number: conductance) RMX and a capacitance (imaginary number: Susceptance) CMX parallel circuit. Therefore, rather than detecting the capacitance, actually the impedance Z having the real term R and the imaginary term C is detected as shown in FIG.

  When a sine wave indicated by VSG in FIG. 5A is applied from the signal source VSG to the detected object, a potential difference is generated in the current detection resistor RS according to the impedance of the detected object. Here, when only the real term exists in the impedance of the detected object, the potential difference generated in the current detection resistor RS does not include a phase advance component with respect to the signal source VSG, and (b When the potential difference generated in the current detection resistor RS is extracted at the real term sampling timing shown in (), an output corresponding to the magnitude of only the real term as shown in (d) is obtained.

  When only the imaginary term exists in the impedance of the detected object, the potential difference generated in the current detection resistor RS includes a phase advance component with respect to the signal source VSG, and (c) with respect to the signal source VSG. When the potential difference generated in the current detection resistor is extracted at the imaginary term sampling timing advanced by 90 ° as shown in FIG. 5B, an output corresponding to the magnitude of only the imaginary term as shown in (e) is obtained. Since an actual detected object is composed of a real term and an imaginary term, it is measured as an impedance having the above-described phase, and a passenger or the like is determined according to this impedance.

  In this way, the switching unit 13 of the sensor characteristic measuring unit 14 is switched, and the capacitance is measured by the electric lines of force generated from the electrostatic sensor 31. That is, the current flowing through the current detection resistor RS according to the supply signal (sine wave) from the signal source VSG is converted into a voltage. As shown in FIG. 6 (a), the occupant is discriminated by the electrostatic force generated between the main electrode 31a and the vehicle GND (ground) when the switching unit 13 is in a state of selecting the main electrode 31a and the guard electrode 31b. When the sub-electrode 31c and the guard electrode 31b shown in FIG. 6B are selected, the capacitance is discriminated by the capacitance generated between the sub-electrode 31c and the vehicle GND (ground). Further, as shown in FIG. 6C, when the switching unit 13 is in a state of selecting the main electrode 31a, the guard electrode 31b, and the sub electrode 31c, the capacitance generated between the main electrode 31a and the sub electrode 31c. Thus, the wetness of the sheet 33 is determined.

  In this way, the impedance Z of the detection object is measured, and from the impedance Z, it is determined whether there is no detection object (vacant seat), CRS, child, or adult, and the absorber is expanded or not expanded. Is sent to the absorber ECU. The absorber ECU performs the deployment / non-deployment control of the passenger seat absorber together with the collision determination result when the vehicle collides based on the determination result.

  Next, a method for obtaining sensitivity by connecting the adjusting device 21 to the sensor characteristic measuring unit 14 as shown in FIG. 1 before the measurement by the electrostatic sensor 31 is performed will be described. In the adjusting device 21, the load circuit ScL, ScH, Sc3, Sc4, whose measured values are determined by a parallel circuit of a resistor R and a capacitor C, is switched via an on / off switch SL, SH, S3, S4. Connected to and configured.

  This adjusting device 21 is connected to the switching unit 13 of the sensor characteristic measuring unit 14. The sensor characteristic measurement unit 14 is normally operated by the occupant determination operation, and first, the load circuits ScL, Sc3, and Sc4 are turned on, and the measured values at this time are read. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the first ECU measurement value V1 [V] corresponding to the first adjustment load C1 (or R1) [pF (Ohm)] when the load circuits ScL, Sc3, and Sc4 are on is obtained. Read. Second, the load circuits ScH, Sc3, and Sc4 are turned on, and the measured values at this time are read. That is, the second ECU measurement value V2 [V] corresponding to the second adjustment load C2 (or R2) [pF (Ohm)] when the load circuits ScH, Sc3, and Sc4 are on is read.

  Next, the CPU 15 calculates the measurement sensitivity s by applying the read first and second ECU measurement values V1 and V2 to the following equation (1).

(C2-C1) / (V2-V1) = s [pF / V] (1)
Next, the sensitivity correction value k is calculated from the measurement sensitivity s and the ideal sensitivity i by applying the following equation (2).

i / s = k (2)
The obtained sensitivity correction value k is stored in the E ² PROM 16.

  When the stored sensitivity correction value k is used, the ECU measurement value Vmeas is measured as shown in FIG. 8 in a state where the electrostatic sensor 31 is connected to the sensor characteristic measurement unit 14, and the following equation (3) The measurement load Cmeas is obtained by performing calculation as shown in FIG.

Cmeas = Vmeas × i × k (3)
Note that the load circuits ScL and ScH are set to values as close as possible to the upper and lower limits of the impedance detection dynamic range when adjusting the slope of sensitivity. Further, in the adjusting device 21, the accuracy can be lowered due to the stray capacitance load on the wiring or the like on the adjusting device 21 side. As a countermeasure, if the load of the adjustment device 21 is measured every adjustment process and the sensitivity is calculated from the measured value, the accuracy can be further improved.

Next, the sensor characteristic measurement unit 14 is normally operated by the occupant determination operation in a state where nothing is placed on the electrostatic sensor 31, and as shown in FIG. 9, the measured value is obtained with the zero point output as the zero point offset adjustment value Empty. Read. This measured value is stored in the E ² PROM 16 as the zero point offset adjustment value Empty. The stored zero offset adjustment value Empty is used when the above-described measurement load Cmeas is obtained to adjust the zero.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, first, the electrostatic occupant detection device 30 includes the main electrode 31a and the sub electrode 31c that are arranged on the seat surface portion 34 of the seat 33 of the vehicle so as to be separated from each other. An electrostatic sensor 31 having a guard electrode 31b disposed opposite to and separated from the main electrode 31a and the sub electrode 31c between the electrode 31a and the sub electrode 31c and a seat seat frame 34a that is electrically connected to the vehicle ground; The sensor characteristic measuring unit 14 includes a signal source VSG that applies an AC voltage signal to the electrostatic sensor 31 and a current detection resistor RS that generates a potential difference corresponding to the impedance of the electrostatic sensor 31 due to the application.

  In such a configuration, instead of the electrostatic sensor 31, a plurality of load circuits ScL, ScH, Sc3, Sc4, each of which has a different measurement value determined by a parallel circuit of a current detection resistor RS and a capacitor, are connected to the switches SL, SH, The sensor characteristic measuring unit 14 is connected via S3 and S4. Next, a predetermined load circuit group ScL, Sc3, Sc4 among the plurality of load circuits is connected to the sensor characteristic measuring unit 14 by the switches SL, S3, S4. An AC voltage signal is applied from the source VSG to the load circuit groups ScL, Sc3, and Sc4, and a first measured value V1 that is a potential difference generated in the current detection resistor RS is read into the CPU 15.

  Next, the load circuit groups ScH, Sc3, and Sc4 are connected to the sensor characteristic measurement unit 14 with a switch so that the load is higher than that of the load circuit group. At this time, the sensor characteristic measurement unit 14 An AC voltage signal is applied from the signal source VSG to the load circuit groups ScH, Sc3, and Sc4, and a second measured value V2 that is a potential difference generated in the current detection resistor RS is read into the CPU 15.

Next, the CPU 15 calculates the measurement sensitivity using the first and second measurement values V1 and V2, obtains a sensitivity correction value from the measurement sensitivity and the ideal sensitivity, and stores the sensitivity correction value in the E ² PROM 16. I remembered it.

  As a result, the sensitivity correction value of the electrostatic sensor 31 can be stored for each vehicle, so that variations in sensitivity of the electrostatic sensor 31 for each vehicle can be eliminated. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate variations in the discrimination accuracy of passengers or the like for each vehicle.

Further, in a state where the electrostatic sensor 31 is connected to the sensor characteristic measuring unit 14, nothing is placed on the electrostatic sensor 31. At this time, an AC voltage is applied from the signal source VSG of the sensor characteristic measuring unit 14. A potential difference generated in the current detection resistor RS by applying a signal is stored in the E ² PROM 16 as a zero offset adjustment value.

  As a result, the zero point offset adjustment value can be stored in the non-volatile memory, so that the zero point can be corrected with the zero point offset adjustment value for each measurement by the sensor characteristic measurement unit 14.

Further, in a state where the electrostatic sensor 31 is connected to the sensor characteristic measuring unit 14, an AC voltage signal is applied to the electrostatic sensor 31 from the signal source VSG of the sensor characteristic measuring unit 14 to cause a potential difference in the current detection resistor RS. When generated, the CPU 15 calculates the load by multiplying the generated potential difference by the ideal sensitivity and the sensitivity correction value stored in the E ² PROM 16.

  As a result, when a potential difference is generated in the current detection resistor RS when an AC voltage signal is applied from the signal source VSG of the sensor characteristic measuring unit 14 to the electrostatic sensor 31, an ideal sensitivity and a sensitivity correction stored in advance are stored in the potential difference. The appropriate load can be obtained by multiplying the values. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate variations in sensitivity of the electrostatic sensor 31 for each vehicle, and thereby it is possible to eliminate variations in the discrimination accuracy of passengers and the like for each vehicle.

From the above, the initial variation of the sensor characteristic measurement unit 14 is canceled by correcting the impedance measurement value of the occupant determination in the normal product operation mounted on the vehicle from the sensitivity and the zero point, and the initial variation Impedance measurement can be performed with high accuracy without increasing the number of elements necessary for cancellation to the sensor characteristic measurement unit 14.
(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electrostatic occupant detection device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The electrostatic sensor 31 shown in FIG. 10 has an electrode pattern as shown in, for example, a plan view shown in FIG. 11A, and a cross section A1-A2 shown in FIG. Further, the plan view of (b) is the electrode pattern of the main electrode 31a or the guard electrode 31b, and the plan view of (c) is the electrode pattern of the sub electrode 31c.

  Originally, when detecting the electrostatic capacity of an occupant with the electrostatic sensor 31, the S / N, which is the signal-to-noise ratio, increases as the area of the main electrode 31a on the plane increases, which is advantageous for occupant determination. However, in actuality, the area of the main electrode 31a becomes narrow due to the limitation of the area for mounting the vehicle seat and the installation of the sub electrode 31c for determining the water exposure.

  Therefore, in the second embodiment, the occupant detection ECU 11-1 of the electrostatic occupant detection device 40 shown in FIG. 10 detects the measured value of the occupant capacitance detected by the main electrode 31a and the sub electrode 31c. The measured value of the occupant's capacitance was added and this added value was used as the measured value of the occupant's capacitance. As a result, the area of the electrostatic sensor 31 for passenger detection is equivalently increased.

The occupant detection ECU 11-1 includes a sensor characteristic measurement unit 14-1, a CPU 15, and an E ² PROM 16, and the sensor characteristic measurement unit 14-1 includes a main electrode connection switch 13a, a guard electrode connection switch 13b, and a sub electrode connection switch 13c. A switching unit 13 having current switches, current detection resistors RSa, RSb, RSc connected to the switches 13a-13c, operational amplifiers 42a, 42b, 42c as drivers connected to the current detection resistors RSa-RSc, and The signal source VSG connected to the non-inverting input terminals of the operational amplifiers 42a to 42c, the both ends of each of the current detection resistors RSa to RSc, a multiplexer 43 that selects one of the both ends, and the multiplexer 43 selects The current flowing through the current detection resistor (any one of RSa to RSc) is detected. A current detection unit 44 which is configured by a voltage converter 45 for converting the current value detected by the current detector 44 into a voltage value.

  In this configuration, the main electrode connection switch 13a, the guard electrode connection switch 13b, and the sub electrode connection switch 13c are arbitrarily turned on to generate a sine wave from the signal source VSG via the operational amplifiers 42a to 42c and the current detection resistors RSa to RSc. When applied to the electrostatic sensor 31, a potential difference is generated in each of the current detection resistors RSa to RSc according to the impedance of the occupant placed on the electrostatic sensor 31. These potential differences are sequentially selected by the multiplexer 43 and output to the current detector 44, whereby the current value detected by the current detector 44 is converted into a voltage value by the voltage converter 45. Thereby, the electrostatic capacitance detected by the main electrode 31a and the sub electrode 31c is measured as a voltage value. Further, the measured value of the capacitance of the main electrode 31a and the measured value of the capacitance of the sub electrode 31c are added by the CPU 15, and this added value is used as occupant determination data. However, the sub electrode connection switch 13c performs an on / off operation for connecting / disconnecting the sub electrode 31c to / from the current detection resistor RSc and an operation for connecting the sub electrode 31c to the vehicle GND.

  Next, a first operation in the case where a determination of an occupant or the like is performed by the electrostatic occupant detection device 40 having such a configuration will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. However, it is assumed that an occupant is sitting on the electrostatic sensor 31.

  First, in step S1, the main electrode connection switch 13a is turned on, and in step S2, the guard electrode connection switch 13b is turned on. In this state, when a sine wave is applied from the signal source VSG to the main electrode 31a and the guard electrode 31b in steps S3 and S4, the occupant is determined by the capacitance generated between the main electrode 31a and the vehicle GND. .

  In step S5, the multiplexer 43 is switched to a state in which the potential difference between both ends of the current detection resistor RSa connected to the main electrode 31a is detected. As a result, a current value corresponding to the passenger's capacitance detected by the main electrode 31 a is detected by the current detection unit 44, and this current value is converted into a voltage value by the voltage conversion unit 45. In step S6, this voltage value is stored as a measured value M1 of the capacitance of the main electrode 31a by the CPU 15.

  Next, in step S7, the main electrode connection switch 13a is turned off, and in step S8, the sub electrode connection switch 13c is turned on. At this time, since the sine wave is output from the signal source VSG in step S3, the occupant is determined by the capacitance generated between the sub electrode 31c and the vehicle GND.

  In step S9, the multiplexer 43 is switched to a state in which the potential difference between both ends of the current detection resistor RSc connected to the sub electrode 31c is detected. As a result, a current value corresponding to the passenger's capacitance detected by the sub-electrode 31 c is detected by the current detection unit 44, and this current value is converted into a voltage value by the voltage conversion unit 45. In step S10, this voltage value is stored as a measured value S1 of the capacitance of the sub-electrode 31c at CP15.

  In step S11, the CPU 15 adds the measured value M1 of the capacitance of the main electrode 31a and the measured value S1 of the capacitance of the sub electrode 31c, and uses this added value as occupant determination data. An occupant is determined based on the occupant determination data.

  Next, in step S12, the main electrode connection switch 13a is turned on, and in step S13, the sub electrode 31c is connected to the vehicle GND by the sub electrode connection switch 13c. Thus, the vehicle seat is discriminated by the capacitance generated between the main electrode 31a and the sub electrode 31c.

  In step S14, the multiplexer 43 is switched to a state in which the potential difference between both ends of the current detection resistor RSa connected to the main electrode 31a is detected. As a result, in step S15, a current value corresponding to the occupant capacitance detected by the main electrode 31a is detected by the current detection unit 44, and this current value is converted into a voltage value by the voltage conversion unit 45. This voltage value is recognized by the CPU 15 as a measured value of the capacitance of the main electrode 31a, and water measurement (liquid application) is determined based on this measurement value. Thereafter, the main electrode connection switch 13a is turned off in step S16, the guard electrode connection switch 13b is turned off in step S17, and the sub electrode connection switch 13c is turned off in step S18. This completes the determination of an occupant or the like.

  Next, a second operation different from the first operation in the case of determining the passenger or the like will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, in step S21, the main electrode connection switch 13a is turned on. In step S22, the guard electrode connection switch 13b is turned on. In step S23, the sub electrode connection switch 13c is turned on. In this state, in steps S24 to S26, a sine wave is applied from the signal source VSG to the main electrode 31a, the guard electrode 31b, and the guard electrode 31b.

  In step S27, the multiplexer 43 is switched to a state in which the potential difference between both ends of the current detection resistor RSa connected to the main electrode 31a is detected. As a result, a current value corresponding to the passenger's capacitance detected by the main electrode 31 a is detected by the current detection unit 44, and this current value is converted into a voltage value by the voltage conversion unit 45. In step S28, this voltage value is stored as the measured value M1 of the capacitance of the main electrode 31a by the CPU 15.

  Next, in step S29, the multiplexer 43 is switched to a state in which the potential difference between both ends of the current detection resistor RSc connected to the sub electrode 31c is detected. As a result, a current value corresponding to the passenger's capacitance detected by the sub-electrode 31 c is detected by the current detection unit 44, and this current value is converted into a voltage value by the voltage conversion unit 45. In step S30, this voltage value is stored as the measured value S1 of the capacitance of the sub electrode 31c by the CPU 15.

  In step S31, the CPU 15 adds the capacitance measurement value M1 of the main electrode 31a and the capacitance measurement value S1 of the sub electrode 31c, and this added value is used as occupant determination data. An occupant is determined based on the occupant determination data.

  Next, in step S32, the sub electrode 31c is connected to the vehicle GND by the sub electrode connection switch 13c. Thus, the vehicle seat is discriminated by the capacitance generated between the main electrode 31a and the sub electrode 31c.

  In step S33, the multiplexer 43 is switched to a state in which the potential difference between both ends of the current detection resistor RSa connected to the main electrode 31a is detected. As a result, in step S34, a current value corresponding to the passenger's capacitance detected by the main electrode 31a is detected by the current detection unit 44, and this current value is converted into a voltage value by the voltage conversion unit 45. This voltage value is recognized by the CPU 15 as a measured value of the capacitance of the main electrode 31a, and water measurement (liquid application) is determined based on this measurement value. Thereafter, the main electrode connection switch 13a is turned off in step S35, the guard electrode connection switch 13b is turned off in step S36, and the sub electrode connection switch 13c is turned off in step S37. This completes the determination of an occupant or the like.

  As described above, the electrostatic occupant detection device 40 according to the second embodiment includes the main electrode 31a and the sub electrode 31c that are spaced apart from each other on the seat surface portion 34 of the vehicle seat 33, and the main electrode 31a and the sub electrode. An electrostatic sensor 31 having a guard electrode 31b disposed so as to be opposed to the main electrode 31a and the sub electrode 31c between the seat portion seat frame 34a that is electrically connected to the vehicle ground, and a sensor characteristic measuring unit 14- 1 and a CPU 15 as a calculation control means.

  The sensor characteristic measurement unit 14-1 selectively or entirely applies a signal source VSG for applying an AC voltage signal to the electrostatic sensor 31 and a sine wave of the signal source VSG to the main electrode 31a, the sub electrode 31c, and the guard electrode 31b. A plurality of current detection resistors RSa to RSc connected via the switching unit 13 between the switching unit 13 that switches to be applied and each of the main electrode 31a, the sub electrode 31c, and the guard electrode 31b and the signal source VSG. And means for selecting a potential difference generated at both ends of each of the current detection resistors RSa to RSc when a sine wave is applied to the main electrode 31a, the sub electrode 31c, and the guard electrode 31b via the current detection resistors RSa to RSc. And a current detection unit as detection means for detecting a voltage value due to a potential difference selected by the multiplexer 43 It was configured with 4 and a voltage converter 45.

  The CPU 15 adds each voltage value obtained from the potential difference between both ends of each of the current detection resistors RSa and RSc connected to the main electrode 31a and the sub electrode 31c among the voltage values obtained by the voltage conversion unit 45, and this added value Is used as occupant determination data for occupant determination. Therefore, the occupant determination data is equivalent to a value obtained by detecting the occupant's capacitance with an electrode having a combined area of both the main electrode 31a and the sub electrode 31c, so that the S / N is improved and the occupant determination is advantageous. can do. More specifically, since the area of the electrode for detecting the capacitance of the occupant of the electrostatic sensor 31 is equivalently widened, there is an effect equivalent to that the capacitance of the occupant is detected by a large area electrode. .

  Further, the sensor characteristic measuring unit 14-1 selects the first voltage value M1 corresponding to the capacitance of the main electrode 31a and stores it in the CPU 15, and then the second voltage corresponding to the capacitance of the sub electrode 31c. Is selected and stored in the CPU 15. Then, the CPU 15 adds the first and second voltage values M1 and S1 to obtain occupant determination data. Accordingly, occupant determination data equivalent to a value obtained by detecting the occupant's capacitance can be obtained with a large area electrode including both the main electrode 31a and the sub electrode 31c, so that the S / N is improved and the occupant determination is improved. Can be advantageous.

  Furthermore, after the sensor characteristic measurement unit 14-1 applies a sine wave to all of the main electrode 31a, the sub electrode 31c, and the guard electrode, the sensor characteristic measurement unit 14-1 responds to the individual capacitances of the main electrode 31a and the sub electrode 31c. The first and second voltage values M1 and S1 are selected, and the CPU 15 adds the first and second voltage values M1 and S1 to obtain passenger determination data. Therefore, it is not necessary to switch the application of the AC voltage signal to the main electrode 31a and the sub electrode 31c, and the procedure can be simplified accordingly.

10. Adjustment system for electrostatic occupant detection device 11, 11-1 occupant detection ECU
12 adjusting device 13 switching unit 14 sensor characteristic measuring unit 15 CPU
16 E ² PROM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 Adjustment apparatus 30 Electrostatic occupant detection apparatus 31 Electrostatic sensor 31a Main electrode 31b Guard electrode 31c Sub electrode 33 Seat 34 Seat surface part 34a Seat part seat frame 35 Backrest part 35a Back part seat frame 36 Vehicle body 37 Connector wiring part 42a-42c Operational amplifier 43 Multiplexer 44 Current detection unit 45 Voltage conversion unit RS, RSa, RSb, RSc Current detection resistor VSG Signal source

Claims (3)

A main electrode and a sub electrode arranged on a seat surface portion of a vehicle seat so as to be separated from each other, and between the main electrode and the sub electrode and a seat frame conducting to the vehicle ground, the main electrode and the sub electrode are separated from each other and face each other. An electrostatic sensor having a guard electrode disposed;
A signal source that applies an AC voltage signal to the electrostatic sensor, and a switching unit that switches the AC voltage signal of the signal source to be selectively or fully applied to the main electrode, the sub electrode, and the guard electrode; A plurality of resistors connected via the switching unit between each of the main electrode, the sub electrode, and the guard electrode and the signal source, and the main electrode, the sub electrode, and the A sensor characteristic measurement unit having selection means for selecting a potential difference generated at both ends of each resistor when an AC voltage signal is applied to the guard electrode, and detection means for detecting a voltage value due to the potential difference selected by the selection means When,
Among the voltage values detected by the detection means, add each voltage value obtained from the potential difference between both ends of each resistor connected to the main electrode and the sub electrode, and this added value is determined as an occupant determination for occupant determination An electrostatic occupant detection device comprising: an arithmetic control means for data.   The sensor characteristic measurement unit switches the switching unit so that the AC voltage signal is applied to the main electrode and the guard electrode, and the selection unit selects a potential difference between both ends of the resistor connected to the main electrode. Then, the calculation control unit stores the voltage value detected by the selected potential difference by the detection unit as the first voltage value, and then the AC voltage signal is not applied to the main electrode. The switching unit is switched so that the AC voltage signal is applied to the sub-electrode, the potential difference between both ends of the resistor connected to the sub-electrode is selected by the selection unit, and the selected potential difference is the detection unit. The calculation control means stores the voltage value detected in step 2 as the second voltage value, and the calculation control means adds the stored first and second voltage values, and uses this addition value for occupant determination. The Electrostatic occupant detecting apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the occupant determination data.   The sensor characteristic measurement unit switches the switching unit so that the AC voltage signal is applied to all of the main electrode, the sub electrode, and the guard electrode, and a resistor connected to the main electrode by the selection unit The voltage difference detected by the detection means is stored as the first voltage value by the calculation control means, and is connected to the sub-electrode by the selection means. The potential difference between both ends of the resistor is selected, the voltage value at which the selected potential difference is detected by the detection means is stored as the second voltage value, and the calculation control means stores the stored voltage value. 2. The electrostatic occupant detection device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second voltage values are added and the added value is used as occupant determination data for occupant determination.

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