JP5358547B2 - Deformation monitoring device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a deformation state monitoring apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a state monitoring device that monitors an attachment position of a sensor attached to an internal member of a vehicle body is known. This state monitoring device incorporates a sensor for detecting an attachment angle in a collision determination sensor attached to an internal member of the bumper, and the detection result by the sensor for angle detection and the detection result of the sensor for vehicle body angle detection. By comparing, for example, a technique for detecting a shift in the mounting angle of the collision determination sensor caused by deformation of an internal member of the bumper such as a low-speed collision at the time of parking without directly observing (for example, , See Patent Document 1).

JP 2006-248270 A

However, the above-described conventional state monitoring device has an output difference in the case where the angle detection sensor attached to the internal member of the bumper, the sensor for detecting the vehicle body angle, and these two types of sensors are correct. An initial correction value memory stored in advance, a sensor inclination determination unit for calculating the inclination angle of the sensor mounting portion of the shock absorbing member from the detection results of these two sensors and the initial correction value in the initial correction value memory, and the sensor inclination Since alarm means for outputting an alarm based on the determination result of the determination unit is required, there is a problem that the number of parts increases and the cost increases.
In addition, since it is necessary to store the output difference between the two sensors in the initial correction value memory when the internal member is not deformed, it is necessary to perform an initial correction process at the time of factory shipment or after repairing the vehicle body. There is a problem that the burden on workers increases.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is possible to detect that the internal member of the vehicle body is deformed while suppressing an increase in cost and reducing the burden on the worker. A deformed state monitoring device is provided.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the invention described in claim 1 is the deformation state monitoring device for the internal member of the vehicle body (for example, the shock absorbing member 12 in the embodiment), when an external force is applied to the internal member. A contact switch that is turned on and turned off when no external force is applied to the internal member, and a detector that permanently switches from a non-detection state to a detection state when the contact switch is turned on even once (for example, the fuse in the embodiment) 5, a self-holding solenoid 105) and a detection device that detects that the internal member is in a deformed state when the detector is in a detection state (for example, an interruption detection circuit 6 in the embodiment, an iron core position detection) Circuit 106), and the contact switch and the detector are always connected in series to a battery (for example, battery 3 in the embodiment). It is characterized in that.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the detector includes a fuse (for example, the fuse 5 in the embodiment) connected in series with the contact switch, and the fuse is It is characterized by being disconnected when the contact switch is turned on.

The invention described in claim 3 is the circuit according to claim 2, wherein the detection device is a circuit connected between the fuse and the contact switch and connected in parallel to the contact switch. When a current flows through the fuse when the switch (for example, the ignition switch 8 in the embodiment) is ON, it is detected that the internal member is not in a deformed state while the current is detected. If no flow is characterized by detecting that the internal member is a deformed state.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the detector moves the movable iron core (for example, the movable iron core 31 in the embodiment) by energization. A self-holding solenoid that holds the position (for example, the self-holding solenoid 105 in the embodiment) is provided, and the self-holding solenoid moves the movable iron core to a detection position when the contact switch is turned on. It is characterized by.

  The invention described in claim 5 is the circuit according to claim 4, wherein the detection device is a circuit that detects a position of the movable iron core, and when detecting that the movable iron core is in a detection position, It is characterized by detecting that the internal member is in a deformed state, and detecting that the internal member is not in a deformed state when detecting that the movable iron core is in an initial position.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the contact switches have a gap portion (for example, the gap portion 23 in the embodiment) in between and are parallel to each other. And a pair of electrodes (for example, the electrodes 20 and 21 in the embodiment) that extend in the middle of each other, and insulators (for example, the insulator 22 in the embodiments) that are respectively interposed between the pair of electrodes and abut against the pair of electrodes. And the insulator is made of an elastic member.

  The invention described in claim 7 is the invention according to claim 6, wherein the internal member is a long member, and the electrode extends from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction of the internal member. It is said.

  The invention described in claim 8 is the invention according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the insulator is provided at both ends in the short direction of the electrode, and the gap portion is provided in the center in the short direction of the electrode. It is characterized by being provided.

  The invention described in claim 9 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the vehicle body includes a bumper (for example, the bumper 10 in the embodiment) at a front portion of the vehicle body, and the internal The member is an impact absorbing member (for example, the impact absorbing member 12 in the embodiment), and the bumper includes a bumper face that forms an outer surface of the vehicle body (for example, the bumper face 13 in the embodiment), and an inside of the bumper face. A bumper beam to be housed (for example, the bumper beam 11 in the embodiment) and the shock absorbing member attached to a front portion of the bumper beam (for example, the front surface 11a in the embodiment); It is attached to the front part (for example, front surface 12b in embodiment) of an impact-absorbing member.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when an external force is applied to the internal member and the contact switch is turned on, the contact switch is turned on by permanently switching the detector to the detection state by turning on the contact switch. After that, it can be detected by the detection device that an external force is applied to the internal member. Further, since the contact switch and the detector are connected in series to the battery, it is possible to detect that an external force has been applied to the internal member regardless of whether the ignition is on or off. In addition, the contact switch connected in series with the battery is turned on only when an external force is applied to the internal member, and is turned off when the external force is no longer applied. Therefore, even when the battery voltage is constantly applied to the contact switch The power consumption of the battery can be suppressed. Furthermore, compared with the conventional deformation state monitoring device, there is no need to calculate the output of the acceleration sensor, provide a memory for storing the initial state of the acceleration sensor, or provide a plurality of acceleration sensors for comparison. . Further, at the time of factory shipment or completion of repair, it is only necessary to reset the state of the detector, so that it is not necessary to perform the initial correction processing of the acceleration sensor as in the prior art. Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to detect the deformation of the internal member while reducing the number of parts and suppressing the cost increase, and omitting the conventional initial correction process to reduce the burden on the worker.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, the fuse connected in series with the contact switch is disconnected by turning on the contact switch. It can be detected based on the state. Therefore, since the function of switching the contact switch to the permanent detection state can be achieved with a simple configuration, the cost of the detector can be reduced.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, in addition to the effect of claim 2, when the current does not flow to the fuse via the detection device, it is detected that the fuse is in a cut state, and the contact switch is turned on even once. Since the detected state is detected, there is an effect that it is possible to permanently detect that the contact switch is turned on even once with a simple configuration.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, in addition to the effect of claim 1, even when the movable iron core of the self-holding solenoid is moved to the detection position when the contact switch is turned on and the contact switch is turned off. Since the movable iron core is held at the detection position, the function of switching the contact switch from being turned on to the permanent detection state can be achieved with a simple configuration. In addition, as compared with the case where parts need to be replaced like a fuse, it is only necessary to return the position of the movable iron core to the initial position, so that it is possible to reduce the burden on the operator.

  According to the invention described in claim 5, in addition to the effect of claim 4, the detection device can detect the position of the movable iron core, and when the movable iron core is in the detection position, an external force is applied to the internal member. On the other hand, since it is detected that an external force is not applied to the internal member when the movable iron core is in the storage position, it is possible to detect that the internal member is in a deformed state with a simple configuration.

  According to the invention described in claim 6, in addition to the effect of any one of claims 5 to 5, since the insulator is made of an elastic member, the pair of electrodes extending in parallel by applying an external force to the internal member is a gap portion. Since the insulator is compressed and deformed when displaced in the contact direction, each electrode is separated by the restoring force of the elastic member when the external force is no longer applied, and the contact switch can be turned off. Therefore, it is possible to realize a contact switch that is temporarily turned on only when an external force is applied.

  According to the invention described in claim 7, in addition to the effect of claim 6, since the electrode extends from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction of the internal member, an external force is applied only to a part of the internal member in the longitudinal direction. Even if it is added, since the contact switch is reliably turned ON, there is an effect that it is possible to reliably detect that the internal member is in a deformed state.

  According to the invention described in claim 8, in addition to the effect of claim 6 or 7, the insulator is provided at both ends in the short direction of the electrode, and the gap is provided in the center in the short direction of the electrode. Therefore, the electrode can be stably supported and at least one insulator can be compressed no matter which position in the short direction of the electrode is applied, so that the center when the external force is applied The contact switch can be turned on by reliably contacting the electrode at the portion, and the contact switch can be turned off by reliably separating the electrode when no external force is applied.

  According to the ninth aspect of the invention, in addition to the effect of any one of the first to eighth aspects, the shock absorbing member is attached to the front portion of the bumper beam provided inside the bumper face. By attaching a contact switch to the front part of the member, it is detected that an external force has been applied to the shock absorbing member provided inside the bumper face when there is a light collision or the like on the bumper face. It is possible to reliably detect that is deformed.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the deformation | transformation state monitoring apparatus in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional explanatory drawing which shows the attachment state of the contact switch in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the attachment state of the contact switch in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the contact switch in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram equivalent to FIG. 1 in 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view in case the movable iron core of the solenoid in 2nd Embodiment of this invention exists in a storage position. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view in case the movable iron core of the solenoid in 2nd Embodiment of this invention exists in a detection position.

Next, a deformation state monitoring apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a deformation state monitoring apparatus 1 of this embodiment. The deformation state monitoring device 1 is a device that monitors a deformation state of a vehicle body of a vehicle such as an automobile, particularly an internal member of the vehicle body that cannot be seen from outside the vehicle. The deformation state monitoring device 1 includes a contact switch 2, a battery 3, an electrical resistor 4, a fuse 5, a cutoff detection circuit 6, and an alarm device 7.
As shown in FIG. 2, the contact switch 2 is attached to an impact absorbing member 12 of a bumper 10 that is an internal member of a vehicle body, and an external force is applied to the bumper face 13 and an external force that causes deformation of the impact absorbing member 12 is applied. It is turned ON when no external force is applied. The detailed structure of the bumper 10 and the contact switch 2 will be described later.

  The battery 3 is an auxiliary machine 12V battery or the like mounted on a vehicle. Between the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the battery 3, an electric resistance 4, a fuse (detector) 5, and a contact switch 2 are provided. Are connected in series.

The electric resistor 4 is used for current limiting to reduce the circuit current of the series circuit to the minimum value necessary for cutting the fuse 5 so that the current flowing through the series circuit does not become excessive when the contact switch 2 is ON. Resistance.
The fuse 5 is a self-recoverable fuse. When the contact switch 2 is turned on, the fuse 5 is cut by cutting off the current by flowing through the series circuit described above.
That is, when the contact switch 2 is turned on even once, the fuse 5 is cut and no circuit current flows through the series circuit.

  The interruption detection circuit 6 is connected in a branched manner between the fuse 5 and the contact switch 2, in other words, connected in parallel with the contact switch 2. This interruption detection circuit 6 is a circuit that detects that the contact switch 2 has been turned ON even once by detecting the disconnection of the fuse 5. Specifically, control is performed to switch the path so that a minute current flows through the series circuit bypassing the contact switch 2. When a minute current does not flow, the fuse 5 is cut, so that the contact switch 2 is turned on, that is, the shock absorbing member 12 is deformed by applying an external force to the shock absorbing member 12. Detect.

  When it is detected that the shock absorbing member 12 is in a deformed state, the interruption detection circuit 6 activates the alarm device 7, while the shock absorbing member 12 is deformed when the fuse 5 is not cut. It is detected that the alarm device 7 is not activated. Here, when an external force is applied so that the contact switch 2 is turned on, the shock absorbing member 12 is generally deformed. Therefore, the cutoff detection circuit 6 absorbs the shock when the fuse 5 is cut. It is detected that the member 12 is in a deformed state. The interruption detection circuit 6 is supplied with electric power from the battery 3 via the ignition switch 8, and the interruption detection circuit 6 is driven only when the ignition switch 8 is ON.

  When an operation signal is input from the shut-off detection circuit 6, the alarm device 7 performs control such as turning on a warning light arranged on a meter panel (not shown) of the vehicle or outputting a warning sound. The occupant is informed that the absorbing member 12 is in a deformed state and there is a possibility that the mounting angle of the acceleration sensor (not shown) for operating the airbag attached to the shock absorbing member 12 may be abnormal.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the bumper 10 includes a long bumper beam 11 extending in the vehicle width direction. The bumper beam 11 is connected to front portions of left and right front side members (not shown) of the vehicle. An impact absorbing member 12 extending in the vehicle width direction is attached to the bumper beam 11. The shock absorbing member 12 includes an upper surface 12a that is an inclined surface that descends toward the front side of the vehicle, a front surface 12b that is formed substantially vertically, a lower surface 12c that is formed substantially horizontally, and a rear surface 12d that contacts the bumper beam 11. The provided cross-section has a substantially trapezoidal shape. Further, the shock absorbing member 12 extends from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction of the bumper beam 11, that is, the vehicle width direction, and is attached so as to cover the entire front surface 11 a of the bumper beam 11.

  A resin bumper face 13 that forms the outer surface of the vehicle body is attached to a bumper beam 11 to which the impact absorbing member 12 is attached via a support portion (not shown). The bumper face 13 is formed continuously with the outer panel of the vehicle body such as a fender, passes from the upper side of the bumper beam 11 and the shock absorbing member 12 to the lower side of the bumper beam 11, and absorbs the shock with the bumper beam 11. The vehicle 12 mainly covers the front side of the vehicle.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the impact absorbing member 12 has a contact switch 2 formed in a band shape extending from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction of the impact absorbing member 12 in the height direction of the front surface 12 b of the impact absorbing member 12. It is attached to the approximate center. For example, when an external force is applied to the bumper face 13 due to a collision or the like, the bumper face 13 is deformed, the inner surface of the bumper face 13 presses the contact switch 2, and the contact switch 2 is turned on by this pressing, thereby absorbing shock. The input of the external force to the member 12 will be detected. In addition to the contact switch 2, the impact absorbing member 12 is provided with a plurality of acceleration sensors (not shown) for collision determination of the airbag system, and inputs external force such as collision during vehicle travel. In such a case, the airbag is deployed based on the detection results of these acceleration sensors.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the contact switch 2 includes a pair of belt-like electrodes 20 and 21 extending from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction of the shock absorbing member 12 described above, and the pair of electrodes 20 and 21 are separated from each other. In parallel with each other. The fuse 5 is connected to one of the pair of electrodes 20 and 21, and the negative terminal of the battery 3 is connected to the other. Between the pair of electrodes 20 and 21, a pair of insulations for preventing electrical contact between the pair of electrodes 20 and 21, respectively, at the upper and lower portions, in other words, at both ends in the short direction of the pair of electrodes 20 and 21. The bodies 22 and 22 are interposed. The pair of insulators 22 and 22 are made of an elastic member such as rubber, and the outer side surfaces 22a and 22b are in contact with the inner side surfaces 20a and 21a of the pair of electrodes 20 and 21, respectively. The upper surfaces 22c of the insulators 22 and 22 disposed on the upper side are formed flush with the upper surfaces 20c and 21c of the pair of electrodes 20 and 21, and the lower surfaces 22d of the insulators 22 and 22 disposed on the lower side. Are formed flush with the lower surfaces 20d and 21d of the pair of electrodes 20 and 21, respectively. A gap 23 in which the insulator 22 is not disposed is formed between the pair of insulators 22, that is, in the central portion in the short direction of the electrode 20.

  The pair of electrodes 20 and 21 and the pair of insulators 22 and 22 are housed in the switch cover 24, respectively. The switch cover 24 is formed of rubber or a resin member that is relatively easily deformed, and a table-like protruding portion 25 is formed on a surface 24 b opposite to the mounting surface 24 a attached to the shock absorbing member 12. The protrusion 25 is formed at the center in the vertical direction corresponding to the position of the gap 23 described above. For convenience of illustration, in FIG. 4, the electrode 20, the electrode 21, and the insulator 22 are illustrated with the same thickness as the switch cover 24, but the electrodes 20, 21 are formed in a thin film shape and are switched Attached to the inner surface of the cover 24. For this reason, the electrodes 20 and 21 are deformed simultaneously with the inner surface of the switch cover 24.

The deformation state monitoring apparatus 1 of this embodiment has the above-described configuration. Next, the operation of the deformation state monitoring apparatus 1 will be described. In the description of this operation, a case will be described in which external force is input when the ignition switch 8 is OFF, such as during parking.
First, when an external force enough to deform the shock absorbing member 12 is input to the bumper face 13, the inner surface of the bumper face 13 presses the protruding portion 25 of the contact switch 2, thereby deforming the switch cover 24. Thus, the central portion of the electrode 20 on the protruding portion 25 side is pressed, and the insulator 22 is compressed and deformed.

  Next, the electrode 20 on the protruding portion 25 side is displaced to the bumper beam 11 side in a slightly bent state, and the electrode 20 on the protruding portion 25 side comes into contact with the electrode 20 on the bumper beam 11 side through the gap portion 23. The contact switch 2 is turned on. Here, the contact switch 2 is formed to have a length equivalent to the length of the bumper beam 11 and is turned on when an external force is applied at any one position in the longitudinal direction.

Then, a circuit current limited by the electric resistance 4 flows to the fuse 5 and the fuse 5 is cut. When the fuse 5 is cut, the circuit current of the series circuit is cut off, and the circuit current does not flow immediately.
When no external force is input and the inner surface of the bumper face 13 does not press the protruding portion 25, the electrode 20 on the protruding portion 25 side and the electrode on the bumper beam 11 side together with the inner surface of the switch cover 24 due to the elasticity of the insulator 22. The contact switch 2 is turned off by displacing from the direction 21.

  Thereafter, when the occupant gets on and turns on the ignition switch 8, the power of the battery 3 is supplied to the interruption detection circuit 6, and the interruption detection circuit 6 switches a circuit for supplying a weak current. When the fuse 5 is cut and no weak current is applied, an alarm activation signal is output from the interruption detection circuit 6 to the alarm device 7, and an external force is input to the shock absorbing member 12 by the alarm device 7 to absorb the shock. The occupant is notified that the member 12 is in a deformed state and that the attachment angle of the acceleration sensor for operating the airbag attached to the impact absorbing member 12 may be abnormal.

  Therefore, according to the deformation state monitoring apparatus of the first embodiment described above, when an external force is applied to the impact absorbing member 12 and the contact switch 2 is turned on, the fuse 5 is cut by the ON of the contact switch 2 and is permanently turned on. By switching to the detection state, the shutoff detection circuit 6 can detect that an external force has been applied to the shock absorbing member 12 even after the contact switch 2 is turned off. Further, since the contact switch 2 and the fuse 5 are connected in series to the battery 3, it is possible to detect that an external force has been applied to the shock absorbing member 12 regardless of whether the ignition is on or off. Further, since the contact switch 2 connected in series with the battery 3 is turned ON only when an external force is applied to the shock absorbing member 12, and is turned OFF when the external force is not applied, a battery voltage is always applied to the contact switch 2. Even in the state, the power consumption of the battery 3 can be suppressed. Furthermore, it is not necessary to calculate the output of the sensor, provide a memory for storing the initial state of the sensor, or provide a plurality of sensors for comparison, as compared with the conventional state monitoring device. In addition, at the time of factory shipment or completion of repair, it is only necessary to reset the state of the detector, so there is no need to perform initial sensor correction processing as in the prior art. As a result, the impact absorbing member 12 is in a deformed state while reducing the number of parts to suppress the cost increase and reducing the burden on the worker by omitting the conventional initial correction process. Can be detected.

  In addition, since the insulator 22 is made of an elastic member, when the external force is applied to the shock absorbing member 12 and the pair of electrodes 20 and 21 extending in parallel are displaced in a direction approaching, the insulator 22 is compressed and deformed. When no longer applied, the electrodes 20 are separated by the restoring force of the insulator 22 and the contact switch 2 can be turned off. Therefore, a sensor that is temporarily turned on only when an external force is applied can be realized. .

Further, since the electrode 20 extends from one end to the other end of the shock absorbing member 12 in the longitudinal direction, even if an external force is applied only to a part of the shock absorbing member 12 in the longitudinal direction, the contact switch is surely provided. Since 2 is ON, it can be reliably detected that an external force is applied.
And since the insulator 22 is provided at both ends in the short direction of the electrode 20 and the gap portion 23 is provided in the center in the short direction of the electrode 20, the electrode 20 can be stably supported, Since at least one of the insulators 22 can be compressed no matter which position in the short direction of the electrode 20 is applied, when the external force is applied, the electrode 20 can be reliably contacted at the central portion in the short direction. Thus, the contact switch 2 can be turned on, and when no external force is applied, the contact switch 2 can be turned off by reliably separating the electrode 20.

  Further, the shock absorbing member 12 is attached to the front surface 11a of the bumper beam 11 provided inside the bumper face 13, and the contact switch 2 is attached to the front surface 12b of the shock absorbing member 12, so that an external force such as a collision is applied to the bumper. When the face 13 is deformed and the shock absorbing member 12 is further deformed, even if the deformed bumper face 13 is subsequently restored, the shock absorbing member 12 inside the bumper face 13 that cannot be visually observed It can be reliably detected that an external force has been applied to cause deformation.

  Furthermore, since the fuse 5 connected in series with the contact switch 2 is disconnected by turning on the contact switch 2, it can be detected that the contact switch 2 is once turned on based on the state of the fuse 5. As a result, Since the function of switching the contact switch 2 to the permanent detection state can be achieved with a simple configuration, the cost of the detector can be reduced.

  Further, since no current flows through the fuse 5 via the interruption detection circuit 6, it is detected that the fuse 5 is in a cut state, and it is detected that the shock absorbing member 12 is in a deformed state. Thus, it can be permanently detected that the shock absorbing member 12 is in a deformed state.

  Next, a deformation state monitoring apparatus 101 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The deformation state monitoring device of the second embodiment includes the above-described deformation state monitoring device of the first embodiment, a detector that permanently switches to the detection state when the contact switch 2 is turned on, and the detector Since only the configuration of the monitoring circuit for monitoring the state is different, the same parts as those in the deformed state monitoring apparatus 1 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a self-holding solenoid 105 and a contact switch 2 are connected in series between the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the battery 3, and the iron core position is detected at both ends of the self-holding solenoid 105. A circuit 106 is connected.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the self-holding solenoid 105 includes a movable iron core 31, a coil 32 wound around the movable iron core 31, and a permanent magnet 33 disposed adjacent to the coil 32. It is configured with. One end side of the movable iron core 31 protrudes from the opening 30 a of the case 30. When the power of the battery 3 is supplied to the self-holding solenoid 105, as shown in FIG. 7, the movable core 31 of the coil 32 slides in the protruding direction from the case 30 and protrudes from the initial position to the detection position in FIG. The The position of the movable iron core 31 is attracted and held by the magnetic force of the permanent magnet 33 even after the energization is stopped.

  The iron core position detection circuit 106 is a circuit that detects the position of the movable iron core 31 of the self-holding solenoid 105, and is driven only when the ignition switch 8 is ON, as with the above-described interruption detection circuit 6. The iron core position detection circuit 106 measures the inductance of the coil 32 by, for example, applying a signal having a predetermined frequency to both ends of the coil 32 of the self-holding solenoid 105 during driving. The measured inductance of the coil 32 is an inductance corresponding to the position of the movable iron core 31.

  The iron core position detection circuit 106 detects the position of the movable iron core 31 based on the inductance of the coil 32. When the movable iron core 31 is in the detection position described above, the contact switch 2 is turned on, so the iron core position detection circuit 106 detects that the shock absorbing member 12 is deformed and activates the alarm device 7. Let On the other hand, when the movable iron core 31 is not in the detection position, or when it is detected that the movable iron core 31 is in the initial position, the contact switch 2 is not turned on, so that the shock absorbing member 12 is not in a deformed state. This is detected and the alarm device 7 is not operated.

  For example, when the contact switch 2 is turned on by bumper deformation while the occupant is away from the vehicle with the ignition OFF, the self-holding solenoid 105 is energized by the power of the battery 3 and the movable iron core 31 is turned on. Even if the contact switch 2 is immediately turned OFF, the position of the movable iron core 31 is permanently held at the detection position by the permanent magnet. When the occupant returns to the vehicle, gets on and turns on the ignition, the iron core position detection circuit 106 is driven, and the inductance of the coil 32 is measured to detect that the movable iron core 31 is at the detection position. As a result, the shock absorbing member 12 is deformed by the alarm device 7, and the attachment angle of the acceleration sensor (not shown) for operating the airbag attached to the shock absorbing member 12 may be in an abnormal state. The passenger will be notified of this.

  Therefore, according to the deformation state monitoring apparatus 101 of the second embodiment described above, when the contact switch 2 is turned on, the movable iron core 31 of the self-holding solenoid 105 is moved to the detection position, and the contact switch 2 is turned off. After that, since the movable iron core 31 is held at the detection position, the function of switching the contact switch 2 to the permanent detection state can be achieved with a simple configuration. Further, compared to the case where the parts need to be replaced when returning to the initial state like the fuse 5 of the first embodiment, it is only necessary to return the position of the movable iron core 31 to the initial position, thereby reducing the burden on the worker. can do.

  Further, the iron core position detection circuit 106 can detect the position of the movable iron core 31 and detects that the shock absorbing member 12 is in a deformed state when the movable iron core 31 is in the detection position, while the shock absorbing member 12. Since it is detected that the movable iron core 31 is at the initial position, it is possible to detect that the shock absorbing member 12 is in a deformed state with a simple configuration.

The present invention is not limited to the configuration of each of the above-described embodiments, and the design can be changed without departing from the gist thereof.
In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the insulator 22 is interposed above and below the gap portion 23 formed between the pair of electrodes 20 and 21 has been described. However, the arrangement of the insulator 22 is limited to the above-described arrangement. Instead, it suffices to be interposed at least in part between the pair of electrodes 20 and 21.

  In the above-described second embodiment, the case where the position of the movable iron core 31 is detected based on the inductance of the coil 32 of the self-holding solenoid 105 has been described. However, the movable iron core is detected using a mechanical switch such as a microswitch. You may make it detect the movement of 31 directly. In this case, for example, the mechanical switch may be arranged at a position where the end of the movable core 31 presses the mechanical switch when the movable core 31 protrudes to the detection position.

Furthermore, in the deformation state monitoring devices 1 and 101 of the above-described embodiments, the case where it is detected that the shock absorbing member 12 disposed inside the bumper 10 in the front portion of the vehicle is deformed has been described. The present invention is not limited to the shock absorbing member 12 disposed inside the front bumper 10, and for example, when the deformation state of the internal member disposed inside the bumper at the rear of the vehicle or the garnish at the side of the vehicle is monitored. It is also applicable to.
Moreover, although embodiment mentioned above demonstrated the case where the insulator 22 of the contact switch 2 was an elastic body, it is not restricted to an elastic body, You may use hard resin. In this case, by using the switch cover 24 as an elastic body, the electrodes 20, 21 attached to the inner surface of the switch cover 24 are returned to the separated state by the elastic force of the switch cover 24 after the electrodes 20, 21 contact each other. It becomes possible to make it.

2 Contact switch (sensor)
3 Battery 5 Fuse (detector)
6 Blocking detection circuit (detection device)
8 Ignition switch 10 Bumper 11 Bumper beam 11a Front 12 Shock absorbing member (internal member)
12b Front surface 13 Bumper face 20, 21 Electrode 22 Insulator 23 Air gap 31 Movable iron core 105 Self-holding solenoid (detector)
106 Iron core position detection circuit (detection device)

Claims (9)

In the deformation state monitoring device for the internal member of the vehicle body,
A contact switch that is turned on when an external force is applied to the internal member and turned off when no external force is applied to the internal member;
A detector that permanently switches from a non-detection state to a detection state when the contact switch is turned ON even once;
A detection device that detects that the internal member is in a deformed state when the detector is in a detection state;
The deformation state monitoring device, wherein the contact switch and the detector are always connected in series to a battery. The detector comprises a fuse connected in series with the contact switch;
The deformation state monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fuse is cut when the contact switch is turned on. The detection device is:
A circuit connected between the fuse and the contact switch and connected in parallel to the contact switch;
When the ignition switch is ON, if current flows through the fuse via the detection device, it is detected that the internal member is not in a deformed state, while if the current does not flow, the internal member The deformation state monitoring apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the deformation state monitoring apparatus detects that the state is a deformation state. The detector is
A self-holding solenoid that holds the position of the movable iron core after energization stops while moving the movable iron core by energization,
The self-holding solenoid
The deformation state monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the contact switch is turned on, the movable iron core is moved to a detection position. The detection device is:
A circuit for detecting a position of the movable iron core, detecting that the movable iron core is in a detection position, detecting that the internal member is in a deformed state, and that the movable iron core is in a storage position. The deformation state monitoring apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when it is detected, it is detected that the internal member is not in a deformed state. The contact switch is
A pair of electrodes each extending in parallel with a gap in between,
An insulator interposed between a part of the pair of electrodes and in contact with the pair of electrodes,
6. The deformation state monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the insulator is made of an elastic member. The internal member is a long member,
The deformation state monitoring apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the electrode extends from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction of the internal member. The insulator is provided at both ends of the electrode in the short direction,
The deformation state monitoring device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the gap is provided in a central portion of the electrode in a short direction. The vehicle body includes a bumper at the front of the vehicle body,
The internal member is a shock absorbing member,
The bumper is
A bumper face that forms the outer surface of the vehicle body,
A bumper beam housed inside the bumper face;
The shock absorbing member attached to the front of the bumper beam;
The contact switch is
The deformation state monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the deformation state monitoring device is attached to a front portion of the shock absorbing member.