JPH07132793A - Vehicle collision detecting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To start development of an air bag before collision by predicting collision. CONSTITUTION:In a case at least one of the speed of a self-vehicle and the speed of an object exceeds a set speed, when one of a collision prediction signal and collision detecting signal outputted from a collision prediction sensor 13 and a collision detecting sensor 12 is inputted, an actuating signal is outputted. At a point of time when a collision prediction signal before collision is inputted, an air bag is actuated. In a case both the speeds of the self-vehicle and the object are below the set speed, when both the collision prediction signal and the collision detecting signal are inputted, an actuating signal is outputted and this constitution prevents malfunction of an air bag during non-collision.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle collision detection device which detects a vehicle collision in advance and outputs a signal for activating a safety device for a vehicle collision such as an airbag.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An airbag device for protecting an occupant by inflating an airbag in the event of a vehicle collision is switched on by a sensor mounted on the vehicle body being crushed or the like and a collision is detected. The occupant is protected from a secondary collision by inflating and deploying the airbag by causing the gas to flow and inflating and deploying the airbag. In particular, in the case of an airbag device for a side collision of a vehicle, the impact absorbing structure portion that absorbs a shock by being deformed is smaller than that of the front portion of the vehicle body provided with the engine room, and therefore, compared with the case of a front collision. It is necessary to detect the collision early and deploy the airbag to protect the occupant.

Therefore, in the prior art, for example, at the time of a side collision, a strain gauge is attached to the inner surface of the door outer panel to which a load due to the collision is first applied, and the side gauge can be detected early by distorting the strain gauge more than a predetermined amount. Or a side impact beam as close to the door outer panel as possible by arranging a collision sensor such as a pressure-sensitive sensor that detects a collision by being compressed on a rigid part such as a side impact beam. I am trying to detect it quickly.

As described above, in the prior art, the collision sensor is attached at the position closest to the side surface of the vehicle body.
Although it is possible to detect a side collision quickly, by installing a collision sensor on the vehicle body, the collision can be detected only after the collision vehicle actually collides with the own vehicle, so the side collision can be detected early. There was also a limit.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-361163 discloses that
A front impact airbag system capable of predicting a collision is described. As shown in FIG. 7, this system includes, on the front surface of a vehicle body 1, a distance sensor 2 that detects a distance to a front obstacle and a collision sensor 3 that detects a collision from a change in acceleration of the vehicle. The rate of change of the distance detected by 2 is calculated, that is, the relative speed with respect to the front obstacle is calculated, and it is determined whether or not the obstacle collides with the obstacle after a certain time. When the obstacle collides after the certain time, a collision unavoidable signal is output. The collision prediction device 4 is provided.

Then, the collision predicting device 4 outputs a collision unavoidable signal based on the signal of the distance sensor 2, and the acceleration type collision sensor 3 detects the collision and outputs a collision detection signal when the collision actually occurs. In this case, for example, the airbag 7 accommodated in the instrument panel 6 in front of the passenger seat 5 is inflated, and the airbag 7 is used as the upper body of the occupant seated in the instrument panel 6 and the passenger seat 5. It is deployed during the period to protect this occupant from a secondary collision.

[0007]

However, since the above-described conventional airbag system prevents the airbag device from malfunctioning when there is no collision, the airbag 7 can be predicted, although the collision can be predicted. Will start deploying
Since the collision of the vehicle is detected after the acceleration-type collision sensor 3 detects the collision, the inflation of the airbag 7 is not started before the collision even if the collision can be predicted.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and detects a collision of a vehicle in advance and activates a safety device for a collision such as an airbag mounted on the vehicle before the collision. An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle collision detection device capable of preventing the malfunction of the safety device at the time of non-collision.

[0009]

As a means for solving the above problems, the present invention provides a vehicle collision detection device that outputs an operation signal for operating a safety device for collision prevention mounted on a vehicle. A collision prediction sensor that switches on by detecting an object such as another vehicle in a predetermined area in front of and on the side of the vehicle before collision, and outputs a collision prediction signal by detecting the speed of this object, A collision detection sensor that switches on and outputs a collision detection signal when detecting that the object has collided with the vehicle, and a vehicle speed sensor that detects the speed of the host vehicle, and the speed of the host vehicle and the speed of the object Are respectively compared with a set speed, at least one of the speed of the own vehicle and the speed of the object is higher than the set speed, and the collision prediction sensor and the collision detection sensor If at least one of the sensors is switched on, both the speed of the host vehicle and the speed of the object are lower than a set speed, and both the collision prediction sensor and the collision detection sensor are switched on. And an operation signal output means for outputting the operation signal.

[0010]

With the above structure, when the speeds of the object such as the own vehicle and the other vehicle are both higher than the preset speed, or one of them is higher, When one or both of the collision prediction sensor and the collision detection sensor are switched on and a collision prediction signal or a collision detection signal is output, one or both of these signals are input to the operation signal output means, Then, the operation signal is transmitted to the collision-resistant safety device mounted on the vehicle. That is, when the collision prediction signal is input, the operation signal output unit immediately outputs the operation signal to start the operation of the safety device for collision such as the airbag device before the collision. Also, when the collision detection sensor is switched on independently at the time of a collision, or when both the collision prediction sensor and the collision detection sensor are switched on, an operation signal is immediately output from the operation signal output means and the safety device for collision prevention is activated. Activate.

If the speeds of the own vehicle and other objects such as other vehicles are both lower than a preset speed, both the collision prediction sensor and the collision detection sensor are switched on. Only when both the collision prediction signal and the collision detection signal output from each are input, the operation signal is transmitted to the safety device for collision installed in the own vehicle.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the vehicle collision detection device of the present invention is applied to an actuation mechanism of a side collision airbag device will be described below with reference to FIGS.

The vehicle collision detection device 11 is a plate-shaped collision detection sensor 12 which is disposed substantially horizontally on the outer surface of the side door 10a of the vehicle body 10, and the plate-shaped collision detection sensor 12.
Collision prediction sensors 13 fitted in a line on the surface of the vehicle
And a vehicle speed sensor 14 for detecting the vehicle speed from the rotation of the transmission gear, and an operation signal output device 15. The operation signal output device 15 outputs an operation signal to a side airbag module 16 in which a side airbag and an inflator for inflating the side airbag are integrally housed in a case. The side airbag module 1 housed inside the side door 10a (left side in FIG. 1) when the signals from 12, 13, and 14 satisfy certain conditions.
The occupant is protected from a secondary collision by sending an operation signal to the inflator No. 6 to ignite it to generate gas, and inflating and deploying the side airbag by this gas.

When the collision detection sensor 12 is compressed at the time of a side collision, the contacts of the collision detection sensor 12 become conductive and switch on.
The collision detection signal is output to the operation signal output device 15. In addition, this plate-shaped collision detection sensor 1
The collision prediction sensor 13 is fitted on the surface of No. 2 at a predetermined interval, and a predetermined area (a warning area and a range closer to the own vehicle within the warning area) in a direction substantially perpendicular to the traveling direction of the vehicle. It emits ultrasonic waves or laser light to the dangerous area) and receives the reflected wave or reflected light to detect the presence of other vehicles such as vehicles in the area to detect a collision prediction signal. Is output to the operation signal output device 15, and in addition, for example,
The size of the object, the distance to the object, the moving speed of the object, etc. can be detected from the input state of the reflected wave or the like to each of the collision prediction sensors 13. Further, the vehicle speed sensor 14 constantly outputs the detected speed of the own vehicle to the operation signal output device 15.

The operation signal output means 15 outputs a collision prediction signal output when the collision prediction sensor 12 is switched on and a collision detection signal output when the collision detection sensor 13 is switched on. An OR circuit that switches on and outputs an operation signal when at least one of them is input, and an OR circuit that switches on and outputs an operation signal when both of the collision prediction signal and the collision detection signal are input.
An ND circuit is provided, and the OR circuit and the AND circuit are selected depending on which combination of the speed of the own vehicle and the speed of an object such as another vehicle is high or low. There is. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, when the speed of the host vehicle and the speed of the object are both higher than the set speed, the OR circuit of the collision prediction signal and the collision detection signal is selected, and the speed of the host vehicle and The OR circuit of the collision prediction signal and the collision detection signal is selected even when one of the speed of the object is higher than the set speed. If both the speed of the host vehicle and the speed of the object are lower than the set speed, the AND circuit of the collision prediction signal and the collision detection signal is selected.

Next, the operation of this embodiment configured as described above will be described. First, when an object such as another vehicle enters a predetermined area on the side of the traveling vehicle, the collision prediction sensor 13 The presence of the object is detected and the velocity of the object is detected by the sensor, and as a result, a collision prediction signal is input to the operation signal output device 15. Then, in the operation signal output device 15, whether at least one of the detected speed of the object and the vehicle speed of the host vehicle which is constantly input from the vehicle speed sensor 14 is the speed at which the side airbag needs to be operated. When the speed is higher than the reference speed set in advance as a reference of whether or not the OR circuit of the collision prediction signal and the collision detection signal is selected, the input of the collision prediction signal causes the operation signal output. An activation signal is output from the device 15 to the side airbag module 16.

Therefore, the operation of the side airbag can be started at the time when it is detected that an object such as another vehicle has entered the predetermined area, that is, before the collision, and the time until the actual collision is gained. Thus, it is possible to sufficiently secure the time required to inflate and deploy the side airbag. As a result, when the object actually collides with the side surface of the host vehicle, the side airbag is inflated and deployed between the occupant and the vehicle interior side wall to a state sufficient to cushion the occupant. Protect the occupants from secondary collisions.

If at least one of the speed of the object and the vehicle speed of the host vehicle is higher than the reference speed, the OR circuit for the collision prediction signal and the collision detection signal is selected, so that the collision occurs. Even when the object cannot be detected by the prediction sensor 13 from entering the predetermined area, when the object actually collides with the side surface of the vehicle, the collision detection sensor 12 switches on and outputs the collision detection signal. But,
By inputting to the actuation signal output device 15, the actuation signal output device 15 outputs the side airbag module 1
Since the operation signal is output to 6, the side airbag can be inflated and deployed.

Since the OR circuit is a general inclusive OR circuit, even when both the collision prediction signal and the collision detection signal are input, the OR circuit is switched on and an operation signal is sent to the side airbag module 16. Can be output to inflate and deploy the side airbag.

Further, when both the speed of the object and the vehicle speed of the host vehicle are lower than the reference speed, the AND circuit of the collision prediction signal and the collision detection signal is selected, so the collision prediction sensor. Even when the entry of the object into the predetermined area is detected by 13 and the collision prediction signal is input to the operation signal output device 15, the operation signal is not output at this point and the vehicle actually collides and collides. The operation signal is not output from the operation signal output device 15 until the collision detection signal output when the detection sensor 12 detects a collision is also input, and the side airbag is inflated and deployed.

Therefore, when both the speed of the object and the vehicle speed of the host vehicle are lower than the reference speed, it is a collision partner by selecting the AND circuit of the collision prediction signal and the collision detection signal. The object is large like a large balloon, but is lightweight, and the collision detection sensor 12 does not switch on even if a collision occurs, or the side is in a non-collision state such as a collision avoidance immediately before the possibility because the speed is not so fast. It is designed to prevent malfunction of the airbag device.

FIGS. 4 to 6 show a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the operation signal output device 15 in the first embodiment is replaced by an operation control device using a microcomputer. Since the structure is almost the same as that of the first embodiment, the description of the structure of the second embodiment will be omitted.

Similar to the first embodiment, the vehicle collision detection device of this embodiment is arranged substantially horizontally on the outer surface of the side door, and is compressed at the time of collision to switch on to detect the collision. In addition, a plate-shaped collision detection sensor that measures the collision load from the compressed state, and three collision prediction sensors that are fitted in a row in the collision detection sensor,
A vehicle speed sensor that detects the vehicle speed of the host vehicle, and an operation control device that outputs an operation signal to the side airbag module when the signals from the sensors satisfy certain conditions. Note that FIG. 4 is a collision prediction routine for predicting a collision among control programs installed in the operation control device of the vehicle collision detection device, FIG. 5 is a collision detection routine for detecting an actual collision, and FIG. 6 is a collision prediction signal. A determination routine for determining whether or not to output an operation signal to the side airbag based on the collision detection signal and the collision detection signal is shown respectively, and will be described below based on these flowcharts.

At the same time when the main switch of the vehicle is switched on, the collision prediction routine and the collision detection routine start respectively. When the program starts,
First, in step 1 of the collision prediction routine of FIG.
Sensing for detecting the presence of an object such as another vehicle in the warning area on both sides of the own vehicle is started by the individual collision prediction sensors 13, and the collision detection sensor 12 is detected in step 8 of the collision detection routine of FIG. The collision load is detected by.

When the collision prediction sensor 13 detects the entry of the object into the warning area, the process proceeds from step 1 to step 2 in which the size of the detected object is determined by the three collision prediction sensors. If the detected object is smaller than the reference size set in advance, it is not dangerous even if it comes into contact with the object, and the process returns to step 1 to restart the sensing. Then, in step 2, if the detected object is larger than the reference, the process proceeds to step 3, and from the time it takes for the ultrasonic waves and the like emitted from the collision prediction sensor 13 to hit the object and return, Measure the distance from your vehicle to the object. Next, in step 4, the collision prediction sensor 13
The velocity of the object is measured from the amount of change in the time required for an ultrasonic wave or the like emitted from to hit the object and return, and the lateral relative velocity VL is calculated from the velocity of this object and the velocity of the host vehicle. Then, when the calculation result comes out, step 5
Proceed to.

In step 5, it is determined whether or not the lateral relative speed VL obtained by the calculation is higher than a preset low speed lower limit speed a (minimum speed at which occupant protection by a side airbag is required). If it is determined that the relative speed VL in the lateral direction is slower than the low speed lower limit speed a,
Return to step 1 as protection from side airbags is not required. When the relative speed VL is faster than the low speed lower limit speed a, the routine proceeds to step 6, where it is judged whether or not the object is present within a dangerous area which is a predetermined range inside the warning area. If the object is not detected, it is assumed that the collision is avoided and the process returns to step 1. When an object is detected in the dangerous area in step 6, the process proceeds to step 7 and the collision prediction signal A is output. This collision prediction signal A is input to the judgment routine J of FIG.

When the collision detection sensor 12 detects the collision load caused by the collision of the object with the vehicle in step 8, the process proceeds to step 9. Then, it is judged whether or not the detected collision load is larger than the set value, and if it is smaller than the set value, the process returns to step 8 because the protection by the side airbag is not necessary and the collision load detection is restarted. It When the collision load detected in step 9 is larger than the set value, the process proceeds to step 10 and the collision detection signal B is output. This collision detection signal B is input to the determination routine J of FIG.

In the judgment routine J of FIG. 6, the input signals of the collision prediction signal A output from the aforementioned collision prediction routine and the collision detection signal B output from the collision detection routine are read in step 11. That is, it is read whether the input signal is one of the collision prediction signal A and the collision detection signal B, or both, and then the process proceeds to step 12.

In step 12, the relative speed VL is set.
Is determined to be higher than a preset low speed upper limit speed b (the maximum speed at which the prevention of malfunction of the airbag can be prioritized over the deployment of the airbag). If it is slower than the relative velocity VL, step 13 Then, it is judged whether or not the signal read in step 11 is both the collision prediction signal A and the collision detection signal B. If only one of the signals is detected, the collision is erroneously detected. Return to step 12 because it is not necessary to deploy the side airbag. If both A and B signals are read in step 13, the process proceeds to step 14, and in this step 14, a side airbag operation signal (inflator ignition signal) is output to the side airbag module 16, The control program ends.

In step 12, the relative velocity V
When L is faster than the low speed upper limit speed b, the routine proceeds to step 15, where the relative speed VL is faster than the high speed lower limit speed c (the minimum speed at which the deployment of the airbag should be prioritized over the malfunction prevention of the airbag). Whether the relative speed VL is slower than the high-speed lower limit speed b is determined.
In step 16, it is determined whether or not the collision detection signal B is included in the signals read in step 11, and as a result of the determination, if there is no collision detection signal B, the process returns to step 12. If the collision detection signal B is read in step 16, the process proceeds to step 14
At 14, the side airbag actuation signal is output to the side airbag module 16 and the control program ends.

Furthermore, when the relative speed VL is faster than the high speed lower limit speed b in step 15, step 17
Then, it is determined whether the signal read in step 11 is the collision prediction signal A or the collision detection signal B or another signal, and as a result of the determination, signals other than A and B are detected. In case of, it returns to step 12. If the result of determination in step 17 is either A or B, the process proceeds to step 14, and in this step 14, a side airbag operation signal is output to the side airbag module 16 for control. The program ends.

Therefore, in the vehicle collision detection device of this embodiment, the lateral relative velocity VL between the host vehicle and the object is determined.
Is higher than a preset low speed lower limit speed a (minimum speed at which occupant protection is required by a side airbag) and low speed upper limit speed b (prevents malfunction of the airbag,
If it is slower than the maximum speed that can prioritize the deployment of the airbag), the actuation signal is output only when both the collision prediction signal A and the collision detection signal B are input, and the side airbag is opened. By deploying it, malfunctions at the time of collision avoidance, false collision detection, etc. are prevented. Further, when the relative speed VL is faster than the low speed upper limit speed b, an operation signal is output when the collision detection signal B is input, so that an object exists in the warning area,
Even if the collision prediction sensor 13 cannot detect this object, the side airbag can be deployed, and the relative speed VL is the high-speed lower limit speed c.
If the speed is higher than (the minimum speed at which the deployment of the airbag should be given priority over the prevention of malfunction of the airbag),
When either one of the collision prediction signal A and the collision detection signal B is input, an operation signal is output, and the collision prediction signal A output when the collision prediction sensor 13 detects an object in the warning area. When an input signal is input, an actuation signal is output before the collision to start inflating and deploying the side airbag, so that the side airbag is sufficiently inflated to gain time until it collides with an object, and the side airbag is in a predetermined state. It can be deployed to.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the vehicle collision detection device of the present invention is applied to the operating mechanism of the side airbag device has been described. The present invention can be similarly applied to the operating mechanism of other safety devices for anti-collision such as the operating mechanism of the electric locking device of the seat belt.

[0034]

As described above, in the vehicle collision detection device of the present invention, when at least one of the speed of the own vehicle and the speed of an object such as another vehicle is higher than a preset speed. When one of the collision prediction signal and the collision detection signal is input to the vehicle, the operation signal is output to the anti-collision safety equipment installed in the host vehicle. When it is necessary to activate the collision safety device early, when the collision prediction signal is input,
That is, by activating the anti-collision safety device in advance before the collision, it is possible to achieve a state in which the occupant is sufficiently protected by the anti-collision safety device before the actual collision.

When both the speed of the host vehicle and the speed of an object such as another vehicle are slower than the set speed, if both the collision prediction signal and the collision detection signal are input, the anti-collision safety is given. Since the operation signal is output to the device, it is possible to avoid collisions that are possible due to the relatively slow speed, and the object to be collided is lightweight like a balloon, and even if it collides, the collision detection sensor It is possible to prevent useless operation of the safety device for collision prevention when there is no collision such as when the switch is not turned on.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a first embodiment of a vehicle collision detection device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the vehicle showing an arrangement state of a collision detection sensor and a collision prediction sensor according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a table showing a relationship between a combination of a vehicle speed and an object speed and a selected circuit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a collision prediction routine of a control program of a second embodiment of the present invention using a microcomputer.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a collision detection routine.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart similarly showing a determination routine.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of an airbag device using a conventional collision prediction sensor.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10a Side Door 11 Vehicle Collision Detection Device 12 Collision Detection Sensor 13 Collision Prediction Sensor 14 Vehicle Speed Sensor 15 Actuation Signal Output Device 16 Side Airbag Module

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A vehicle collision detection device for outputting an actuation signal for operating a safety device for collision mounted in an own vehicle, wherein an object such as another vehicle within a predetermined area in front of and in the side of the own vehicle is detected. A collision predicting sensor that detects the speed of this object and outputs a collision predicting signal while detecting before the collision, and a collision detecting signal that detects that a collision of the object with the vehicle is on And a vehicle speed sensor for detecting the speed of the own vehicle, comparing the speed of the own vehicle and the speed of the object with a set speed, respectively, and comparing the speed of the own vehicle and the speed of the object. At least one of the speed is higher than the set speed, and when at least one of the collision prediction sensor and the collision detection sensor is switched on,
Both the speed of the own vehicle and the speed of the object are lower than a set speed, and a signal output unit that outputs the operation signal when both the collision prediction sensor and the collision detection sensor are switched on. A vehicle collision detection device characterized by being provided.