Occupant restraint system and occupant restraint method

• US 20030114973A1
• Filed: 12/12/2002
• Published: 06/19/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Ikumo, Hiromichi, Takagi, Hideo
• Granted Patent: US 6,766,234 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/45
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01272 Belt tensioners
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4666 characterised by electric actuators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0132 responsive to vehicle motion parameters , e.g. to vehicle longitudinal or transversal deceleration or speed value

Abstract

An occupant restraint system comprises a seat belt tension application device; a longitudinal acceleration detector; a lateral acceleration detector; and a control device that controls the tension applied by the seat belt tension application device based upon a longitudinal acceleration detection value and a lateral acceleration detection value and the control device engages the seat belt tension application device to apply the tension to the seat belt if a point on the map determined in conformance to the longitudinal acceleration detection value and the lateral acceleration detection value obtained as the vehicle decelerates is outside a range enclosed by the operation decision-making threshold line and the other axis.

Claims

1. An occupant restraint system, comprising:

a seat belt tension application device that adjusts tension applied to a seat belt to restrain an occupant with the seat belt;

a longitudinal acceleration detector that detects a longitudinal acceleration occurring in a vehicle along a longitudinal direction;

a lateral acceleration detector that detects a lateral acceleration occurring in the vehicle along a lateral direction; and

a control device that controls the tension applied by the seat belt tension application device based upon a longitudinal acceleration detection value detected by the longitudinal acceleration detector and a lateral acceleration detection value detected by the lateral acceleration detector, wherein;

a two-dimensional map, with a deceleration (negative acceleration) occurring in the vehicle along the longitudinal direction set on a +side of one of two axes orthogonally intersecting each other in a two-dimensional coordinate system, an acceleration of the vehicle manifesting along the longitudinal direction set on a −

side of the one axis, an acceleration of the vehicle to a right set on a +side of the other axis in the two-dimensional coordinate system and an acceleration of the vehicle to a left set on a −

side of the other axis, is provided;

an operation decision-making threshold line, which forms one of a semi-elliptic shape and a polygonal shape, intersects the other axis on the +side at A, intersects the other axis on the −

side at −

A and intersects the one axis on the +side at +B satisfying B<

A, is set in a first quadrant and a second quadrant of the map; and

the control device engages the seat belt tension application device to apply the tension to the seat belt if a point on the map determined in conformance to the longitudinal acceleration detection value and the lateral acceleration detection value obtained as the vehicle decelerates is outside a range enclosed by the operation decision-making threshold line and the other axis.

2. An occupant restraint system, comprising:

a seat belt tension application device that adjusts tension applied to a seat belt to restrain an occupant with the seat belt;

a longitudinal acceleration detector that detects a longitudinal acceleration occurring in a vehicle along a longitudinal direction;

a lateral acceleration detector that detects a lateral acceleration occurring in the vehicle along a lateral direction; and

a control device that controls the tension applied by the seat belt tension application device based upon a longitudinal acceleration detection value detected by the longitudinal acceleration detector and a lateral acceleration detection value detected by the lateral acceleration detector, wherein;

an XY two-dimensional map, with a deceleration (negative acceleration) of the vehicle occurring along the longitudinal direction set on a +Y axis, an acceleration of the vehicle manifesting along the longitudinal direction set on a −

Y axis, an acceleration of the vehicle to a right set on a +X axis and an acceleration of the vehicle manifesting to a left set on a −

X axis, is provided;

a first operation decision-making threshold line, which forms one of a semi-elliptic shape and a polygonal shape, intersects the +X axis at A, intersects the −

X axis at −

A and intersects the +Y axis at +B satisfying B<

A, is set in a first quadrant and a second quadrant of the map; and

the control device engages the seat belt tension application device to apply the tension to the seat belt if a point on the map determined in conformance to the longitudinal acceleration detection value and the lateral acceleration detection value obtained as the vehicle decelerates is outside a range enclosed by the first operation decision-making threshold line and the X axis.

3. An occupant restraint system according to claim 2, wherein:

a rectilinear second operation decision-making threshold line satisfying X=−

A and a rectilinear third operation decision-making threshold line satisfying X=A are respectively set in a third quadrant and a fourth quadrant of the map; and

the control device engages the seat belt tension application device to apply the tension to the seat belt if the lateral acceleration detection value obtained as the vehicle accelerates is outside a range enclosed by the second operation decision-making threshold line and the third operation decision-making threshold line.

4. An occupant restraint system according to claim 3, wherein:

the seat belt tension application device adjusts the tension which is applied to the seat belt to restrain the occupant with the seat belt and a take-up speed with which the seat belt is taken up; and

the control device controls the tension applied to the seat belt and the seat belt take-up speed based upon a time-varying rate Δ

L of the longitudinal acceleration detection value and the lateral acceleration detection value after the point on the map determined in conformance to the longitudinal acceleration detection value and the lateral acceleration detection value moves out of a range enclosed by the first operation decision-making threshold line, the second operation decision-making threshold line and the third operation decision-making threshold line.

5. An occupant restraint system according to claim 4, wherein:

the control device compares the time-varying rate Δ

L with preset threshold values Δ

Gcr1 and Δ

Gcr2 (Δ

Gcr1<

Δ

Gcr2), (A) prohibits the tension from being applied to the seat belt if the time-varying rate Δ

L is smaller than the threshold value Δ

Gcr1, (B) causes a first tension to be applied to the seat belt at a first take-up speed if the time-varying rate Δ

L is equal to or larger than the threshold value Δ

Gcr1 and also is equal to or smaller than the threshold value Δ

Gcr2 and (C) causes a second tension higher than the first tension to be applied to the seat belt at a second take-up speed higher than the first take up speed if the time-varying rate Δ

L is larger than the threshold value Δ

Gcr2.

6. An occupant restraint system according to claim 2, wherein:

the control device reduces the value B, at which the first operation decision-making threshold line intersects the +Y axis as the time-varying rate Δ

L of the longitudinal acceleration detection value and the lateral acceleration detection value increases.

7. An occupant restraint system according to claim 2, further comprising:

a vehicle speed detector that detects a vehicle speed, wherein;

the control device sets a rectilinear fourth operation decision-making threshold line satisfying Y=B on the map instead of the first operation decision-making threshold line, the second operation decision-making threshold line and the third operation decision-making threshold line if a vehicle speed detection value detected by the vehicle speed detector is lower than a preset value and causes tension to be applied to the seat belt if the longitudinal acceleration detection value is outside the fourth operation decision-making threshold line.

8. An occupant restraint system according to claim 7, further comprising:

an operation detection device that detects that a vehicle behavior controller is engaged in operation; and

the control device makes a decision with regard to tension application to the seat belt by using the first operation decision-making threshold line, the second operation decision-making threshold line and the third operation decision-making threshold line on the map even when the vehicle speed detection value is lower than the present value if the operation detection device detects that the vehicle behavior controller is engaged in operation.

9. An occupant restraint system according to claim 2, further comprising:

a reverse operation detector that detects the vehicle is in reverse operation, wherein;

the control device stops tension application to a seat belt at a driver'"'"'s seat if the reverse operation detector detects a reverse operation of the vehicle.

10. An occupant restraint system according to claim 9, wherein:

the reverse operation detector is a gear position detector that detects a gear position of a vehicle transmission, and

the control device stops tension application to the seat belt at the driver'"'"'s seat if the gear position detector detects a reverse gear position.

11. An occupant restraint system according to claim 2, wherein:

the control device (A) sets the seat belt tension at a left-side seat in the vehicle higher than the seat belt tension at a right-side seat in the vehicle if the lateral acceleration detector detects an acceleration to the right occurring at the vehicle and (B) sets the seat belt tension at the right-side seat in the vehicle higher than the seat belt tension at the left-side seat in the vehicle if an acceleration to the left is detected at the vehicle.

12. An occupant restraint system according to claim 3, wherein:

a left-side seat map with the first operation decision-making threshold line and the third operation decision-making threshold line intersecting the +X axis at A′

which is smaller than A and a right-side seat map with the first operation decision-making threshold line and the second operation decision-making threshold line intersecting the −

X axis at −

A′

which is larger than −

A are provided, and

the control device implements tension application control for a seat belt at a left-side seat in the vehicle by using the left-side seat map and implements tension application control for a seat belt at a right-side seat by using the right-side seat map.

13. An occupant restraint system according to claim 2, wherein:

hysteresis is achieved by adopting a condition for applying the tension and a condition for releasing the tension which are different from each other when applying the tension to the seat belt and releasing the tension from the seat belt based upon the longitudinal acceleration detection value and the lateral acceleration detection value.

14. An occupant restraint system according to claim 3, wherein:

a release decision-making threshold line to be used when making a decision with regard to tension release at the seat belt is set further inward relative to the first operation decision-making threshold line, the second operation decision-making threshold line and the third operation decision-making threshold line on the map; and

the control device releases the tension applied to the seat belt if a time-varying rate Δ

L′

of the longitudinal acceleration detection value and the lateral acceleration detection value becomes equal to or larger than a preset threshold value Δ

Geject after the point on the map determined in conformance to the longitudinal acceleration detection value and the lateral acceleration detection value moves further inward relative to the release decision-making threshold line.

15. An occupant restraint system according to claim 14, wherein:

the control device releases the tension applied to the seat belt when a predetermined length of time Tout elapses after the point on the map determined in conformance to the longitudinal acceleration detection value and the lateral acceleration detection value moves further inward relative to the release decision-making threshold line, even if the time-varying rate Δ

L′

is still smaller than the threshold value Δ

Geject.

16. An occupant restraint system according to claim 15, further comprising:

a vehicle speed detector that detects a vehicle speed, wherein;

the control device releases the tension applied to the seat belt once a vehicle speed detection value detected by the vehicle speed detector becomes equal to or smaller than a preset value Veject after the point on the map determined in conformance to the longitudinal acceleration detection value and the lateral acceleration detection value moves further inward relative to the release decision-making threshold line, even if the time-varying rate Δ

L′

is smaller than the threshold value Δ

Geject and the predetermined length of time Tout has not elapsed.

17. An occupant restraint system according to claim 2, wherein:

the first operation decision-making threshold line adopts a shape achieved by connecting a plurality of quadratic curves at a plurality of inflection points.

18. An occupant restraint system according to claim 2, wherein:

the first operation decision-making threshold line adopts a shape achieved by connecting a plurality of sides at one or a plurality of inflection points.

19. An occupant restraint system according to claim 18, wherein:

the first operation decision-making threshold line adopts a shape with a projection.

24. A vehicle mounted with an occupant restraint system according to claim 2.

25. A vehicle according to claim 24, wherein:

the seat belt tension application device comprised in the occupant restraint system applies the tension to each seat belt to restrain occupants.

20. An occupant restraint system, comprising:

a seat belt tension application device that adjusts tension applied to a seat belt to restrain an occupant with the seat belt;

a longitudinal acceleration detector that detects a longitudinal acceleration occurring in a vehicle along a longitudinal direction;

a lateral acceleration detector that detects a lateral acceleration occurring in the vehicle along a lateral direction; and

a control device that controls the tension applied by the seat belt tension application device based upon a longitudinal acceleration detection value detected by the longitudinal acceleration detector and a lateral acceleration detection value detected by the lateral acceleration detector, wherein;

an XY two-dimensional map, with a deceleration (negative acceleration) of the vehicle occurring along the longitudinal direction set on a +Y axis, an acceleration of the vehicle occurring along the longitudinal direction set on a −

Y axis, an acceleration of the vehicle to a right set on a +X axis and an acceleration of the vehicle to a left set on a −

X axis, is provided;

an operation decision-making threshold line, which forms a substantial semi-elliptic shape achieved by connecting a plurality of quadratic curves at a plurality of inflection points intersects the +X axis at A, intersects the −

X axis at −

A and intersects the +Y axis at +B satisfying B<

A, is set in a first quadrant and a second quadrant of the map; and

the control device engages the seat belt tension application device to apply the tension to the seat belt if a point on the map determined in conformance to the longitudinal acceleration detection value and the lateral acceleration detection value obtained as the vehicle decelerates is outside a range enclosed by the semi-elliptic operation decision-making threshold line and the X axis.

21. An occupant restraint system, comprising:

a seat belt tension application device that adjusts tension applied to a seat belt to restrain an occupant with the seat belt;

a longitudinal acceleration detector that detects a longitudinal acceleration occurring in a vehicle along a longitudinal direction;

a lateral acceleration detector that detects a lateral acceleration occurring in the vehicle along a lateral direction; and

a control device that controls the tension applied by the seat belt tension application device based upon a longitudinal acceleration detection value detected by the longitudinal acceleration detector and a lateral acceleration detection value detected by the lateral acceleration detector, wherein;

an XY two-dimensional map, with a deceleration (negative acceleration) of the vehicle occurring along the longitudinal direction set on a +Y axis, an acceleration of the vehicle occurring along the longitudinal direction set on a −

Y axis, an acceleration of the vehicle to a right set on a +X axis and an acceleration of the vehicle to a left set on a −

X axis, is provided;

an operation decision-making threshold line, which forms a polygonal shape achieved by connecting a plurality of sides at, at least, one inflection point intersects the +X axis at A, intersects the −

X axis at −

A and intersects the +Y axis at +B satisfying B<

A, is set in a first quadrant and a second quadrant of the map; and

the control device engages the seat belt tension application device to apply the tension to the seat belt if a point on the map determined in conformance to the longitudinal acceleration detection value and the lateral acceleration detection value obtained as the vehicle decelerates is outside a range enclosed by the polygonal operation decision-making threshold line and the X axis.

22. An occupant restraint system, comprising:

a seat belt tension application means for adjusting tension applied to a seat belt to restrain an occupant with the seat belt;

a longitudinal acceleration detection means for detecting a longitudinal acceleration occurring in a vehicle along a longitudinal direction;

a lateral acceleration detection means for detecting a lateral acceleration occurring in the vehicle along a lateral direction; and

a control means for controlling the tension applied by the seat belt tension application means based upon a longitudinal acceleration detection value detected by the longitudinal acceleration detection means and a lateral acceleration detection value detected by the lateral acceleration detection means, wherein;

a two-dimensional map, with a deceleration (negative acceleration) occurring in the vehicle along the longitudinal direction set on a +side of one of two axes orthogonally intersecting each other in a two-dimensional coordinate system, an acceleration of the vehicle occurring along the longitudinal direction set on a −

side of the one axis, an acceleration of the vehicle to a right set on a +side of the other axis in the two-dimensional coordinate system and an acceleration of the vehicle to a left set on a −

side of the other axis, is provided;

an operation decision-making threshold line connecting an intersecting point +A at which the other axis is intersected on the +side, an intersecting point −

A at which the other axis is intersected on the −

side and an intersecting point +B satisfying B<

A at which the one axis is intersected on the +side is set in a first quadrant and a second quadrant of the map; and

the control means engages the seat belt tension application means to apply the tension to the seat belt if a point on the map determined in conformance to the longitudinal acceleration detection value and the lateral acceleration detection value obtained as the vehicle decelerates is outside a range enclosed by the operation decision-making threshold line and the other axis.

23. An occupant restraint method achieved by using a two-dimensional map, with a deceleration (negative acceleration) of a vehicle occurring along a longitudinal direction set on a +side of one of two axes orthogonally intersecting each other in a two-dimensional coordinate system, an acceleration of the vehicle occurring along the longitudinal direction set on a −

side of the one axis, an acceleration of the vehicle to a right set on a +side of the other axis in the two-dimensional coordinate system and an acceleration of the vehicle to a left set on a −

side of the other axis, in which a semi-elliptic or polygonal decision-making threshold line intersecting the other axis on the +side at A, intersecting the other axis on the −

side at −

A and intersecting the one axis on the +side at +B satisfying B<

A is set, comprising;

detecting an acceleration of the vehicle occurring along the longitudinal direction;

detecting an acceleration of the vehicle occurring along the lateral direction; and

applying tension to a seat belt so as to restrain an occupant when a point on the map determined in conformance to a longitudinal acceleration detection value and a lateral acceleration detection value obtained as the vehicle decelerates is outside a range enclosed by the operation decision-making threshold line and the other axis.