Passenger protecting apparatus and method for protecting passenger

• US 20060273559A1
• Filed: 06/06/2006
• Published: 12/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: Inoue, Yoshiteru, Uono, Yutaka, Ueno, Yukiyasu
• Granted Patent: US 7,930,080 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/735
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01027 Safing sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01184 Fault detection or diagnostic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01197 Warning devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0132 responsive to vehicle motion parameters , e.g. to vehicle longitudinal or transversal deceleration or speed value
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01332 by frequency or waveform analysis
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0136 responsive to actual contact with an obstacle , e.g. to vehicle deformation, bumper displacement or bumper velocity relative to the vehicle monitoring crash strength in combination with passenger seat detection B60R21/01558
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0173 Diagnostic or recording means therefor

Abstract

A first control signal generating unit and a second control signal generating unit output a first control signal and a second control signal when magnitude of an impact corresponding to first and second sensor signals are greater than a first and second threshold. A third control signal generating unit outputs a third control signal when detecting disruption of the second sensor signal. An activating signal generating unit activates a protecting device when the first control signal is output, and when one of the second control signal and the third control signal is output. A fourth control signal generating unit outputs a fourth control signal when detecting an abnormality other than disruption of the second sensor signal. The third control signal generating unit restricts outputting the third control signal when the fourth control signal is output.

Claims

1. A protection apparatus for a vehicle, the protection apparatus comprising:

a protecting device that protects a passenger of the vehicle;

a first sensor that outputs a first sensor signal corresponding to magnitude of an impact applied to the vehicle;

a first control signal generating unit that outputs a first control signal when the magnitude of the impact corresponding to the first sensor signal is greater than a first threshold;

a second sensor that outputs a second sensor signal corresponding to the magnitude of the impact applied to the vehicle;

a second control signal generating unit that outputs a second control signal when the magnitude of the impact corresponding to the second sensor signal is greater than a second threshold;

a third control signal generating unit that outputs a third control signal when the third control signal generating unit detects disruption of the second sensor signal;

an activating signal generating unit that outputs an activating signal for activating the protecting device when the first control signal is output and when one of the second control signal and the third control signal is output; and

a fourth control signal generating unit that outputs a fourth control signal when the fourth control signal generating unit detects an abnormality other than disruption of the second sensor signal,

wherein the third control signal generating unit restricts outputting the third control signal when the fourth control signal is output.

2. The protection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fourth control signal generating unit outputs the fourth control signal when the fourth control signal generating unit detects a plural of abnormalities other than disruption of the second sensor signal.

3. The protection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fourth control signal generating unit outputs the fourth control signal when the fourth control signal generating unit detects that an abnormality other than disruption of the second sensor signal is sustained for a first period.

4. The protection apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the fourth control signal generating unit outputs the fourth control signal when the fourth control signal generating unit detects that a plurality of abnormalities other than disruption of the second sensor signal is sustained for the first period.

5. The protection apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the fourth control signal generating unit determines that a malfunction arises when the fourth control signal generating unit detects that an abnormality other than disruption of the second sensor signal is sustained for the first period.

6. The protection apparatus according to claim 5,

wherein the fourth control signal generating unit outputs a warning signal when the malfunction arises, and

the fourth control signal generating unit outputs the fourth control signal when the warning signal is output.

7. The protection apparatus according to claim 5,

wherein the fourth control signal generating unit stores malfunction information corresponding to the malfunction, and

the fourth control signal generating unit outputs the fourth control signal when the fourth control signal generating unit stores the malfunction information.

8. The protection apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the fourth control signal generating unit determines that a malfunction arises when the fourth control signal generating unit detects that an abnormality other than disruption of the second sensor signal is sustained for a second period, which is greater than the first period.

9. The protection apparatus according to claim 3,

wherein the fourth control signal generating unit performs evaluation of an abnormality other than disruption of the second sensor signal repeatedly at predetermined intervals, and

the fourth control signal generating unit obtains a period, for which the abnormality other than disruption of the second sensor signal is sustained, in accordance with a number of the evaluation.

10. The protection apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the third control signal generating unit determines that communication of the signal output from the second sensor causes an abnormality when disruption of the second sensor signal is sustained for a third period, which is greater than the first period.

11. A protection apparatus for a vehicle, the protection apparatus comprising:

a protecting device that protects a passenger of the vehicle;

a first sensor that outputs a first sensor signal corresponding to magnitude of an impact applied to the vehicle;

a first control signal generating unit that outputs a first control signal when the magnitude of the impact corresponding to the first sensor signal is equal to or greater than a first threshold;

a second control signal generating unit that outputs a second control signal when the magnitude of the impact corresponding to the first sensor signal is equal to or greater than a second threshold, which is greater than the first threshold;

a third control signal generating unit that outputs a third control signal when at least one of the first control signal and the second control signal is output;

a second sensor that outputs a second sensor signal corresponding to the magnitude of the impact applied to the vehicle;

a fourth control signal generating unit that outputs a fourth control signal when the magnitude of the impact corresponding to the second sensor signal is equal to or greater than a third threshold;

a fifth control signal generating unit that outputs a fifth control signal when the fifth control signal generating unit detects disruption of the second sensor signal;

an activating signal generating unit that outputs an activating signal for activating the protecting device when the third control signal is output and when one of the fourth control signal and the fifth control signal is output; and

a sixth control signal generating unit that outputs a sixth control signal when the fifth control signal is output,

wherein the first control signal generating unit restricts outputting the first control signal when the sixth control signal is output.

12. The protection apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising:

a seventh control signal generating unit that outputs a seventh control signal when the seventh control signal generating unit detects an abnormality other than disruption of the second sensor signal,

wherein the sixth control signal generating unit restricts outputting the sixth control signal when the seventh control signal is not output.

13. The protection apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the seventh control signal generating unit outputs the seventh control signal when the seventh control signal generating unit detects a plurality of abnormalities other than disruption of the second sensor signal.

14. The protection apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the seventh control signal generating unit outputs the seventh control signal when the seventh control signal generating unit detects that the abnormality other than disruption of the second sensor signal is sustained for a predetermined period.

15. The protection apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the seventh control signal generating unit outputs the seventh control signal when the seventh control signal generating unit detects that a plurality of abnormalities other than disruption of the second sensor signal is sustained for a predetermined period.

16. The protection apparatus according to claim 11,

wherein the first control signal generating unit includes a converting unit and a comparing unit,

the converting unit converts the first sensor signal to the magnitude of the impact, and

the comparing unit outputs the first control signal when the magnitude of the impact converted using the converting unit is equal to or greater than the first threshold.

17. The protection apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the comparing unit restricts outputting the first control signal when the sixth control signal is output.

18. The protection apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the comparing unit sets the first threshold to be greater than the magnitude of the impact converted using the converting unit when the sixth control signal is output.

19. The protection apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the converting unit converts the magnitude of the impact to be less than the first threshold regardless of the first sensor signal when the sixth control signal is output.

20. A protection apparatus for a vehicle . the protection apparatus comprising:

a protecting device that protects a passenger of the vehicle;

a first sensor that outputs a first sensor signal corresponding to magnitude of an impact applied to the vehicle;

a first control signal generating unit that outputs a first control signal when the magnitude of the impact corresponding to the first sensor signal is equal to or greater than a first threshold;

a second sensor that is located on a front side with respect to the first sensor in the vehicle, the second sensor outputting a second sensor signal corresponding to the magnitude of the impact applied to the vehicle;

a second control signal generating unit that outputs a second control signal when the magnitude of the impact corresponding to the second sensor signal is equal to or greater than a second threshold;

a third sensor that is located on a front side with respect to the first sensor in the vehicle, the third sensor outputting a third sensor signal corresponding to the magnitude of the impact applied to the vehicle;

a third control signal generating unit that outputs a third control signal when the magnitude of the impact corresponding to the third sensor signal is equal to or greater than a third threshold;

a fourth control signal generating unit that outputs a fourth control signal when the fourth control signal generating unit detects disruption of either of the second sensor signal or the third sensor signal; and

an activating signal generating unit that outputs an activating signal for activating the protecting device when the first control signal is output and when at least one of the second control signal, the third control signal, and the fourth control signal is output,

wherein the fourth control signal generating unit restricts outputting the fourth control signal when the fourth control signal generating unit detects disruption of both the second sensor signal and the third sensor signal.

21. The protection apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the fourth control signal generating unit restricts outputting the fourth control signal for a predetermined period when the fourth control signal generating unit detects disruption of both the second sensor signal and the third sensor signal.

22. The protection apparatus according to claim 20, further comprising:

a first communication circuit that transmits the second sensor signal to the second control signal generating unit; and

a second communication circuit that transmits the third sensor signal to the third control signal generating unit,

wherein the first communication circuit and the second communication circuit are integrated in a common IC package.

23. The protection apparatus according to claim 20, further comprising:

a third communication circuit that transmits the second sensor signal;

a fourth communication circuit that transmits the third sensor signal; and

a fifth communication circuit that selectively transmits a signal, which is transmitted from the third communication circuit to the second control signal generating unit, and a signal, which is transmitted from the fourth communication circuit to the third control signal generating unit,

wherein the third communication circuit, the fourth communication circuit, and the fifth communication circuit are integrated in a common IC package.

24. A method for protecting a passenger of a vehicle, the method comprising:

detecting an impact applied to the vehicle to produce a first sensor signal corresponding to the magnitude of the impact;

detecting the impact applied to the vehicle to produce a second sensor signal corresponding to the magnitude of the impact;

diagnosing whether at least one component is normal;

outputting a first control signal when the first sensor signal is greater than a first threshold;

outputting a second control signal when the second sensor signal is greater than a second threshold;

outputting a third control signal when disruption arises in the second sensor signal, and when the at least one component is normal; and

activating a protecting device for protecting the passenger when the first control signal is output, and when one of the second control signal and the third control signal is output.

25. A method for protecting a passenger of a vehicle, the method comprising:

detecting an impact applied to the vehicle to produce a first sensor signal corresponding to magnitude of an impact;

detecting the impact applied to the vehicle to produce a second sensor signal corresponding to the magnitude of the impact ;

outputting a first control signal when the magnitude of the impact corresponding to the first sensor signal is equal to or greater than a first threshold, and when the second sensor signal is normal;

outputting a second control signal when the magnitude of the impact corresponding to the first sensor signal is equal to or greater than a second threshold, which is greater than the first threshold;

outputting a third control signal when at least one of the first control signal and the second control signal is output;

outputting a fourth control signal when the magnitude of the impact corresponding to the second sensor signal is equal to or greater than a third threshold;

outputting a fifth control signal when disruption arises in the second sensor signal; and

activating a protecting device for protecting the passenger when the third control signal is output, and when one of the fourth control signal and the fifth control signal is output.

26. A method for protecting a passenger of a vehicle, the method comprising:

detecting an impact applied to the vehicle to produce a first sensor signal corresponding to the magnitude of the impact;

detecting the impact applied to the vehicle at a front portion in the vehicle to produce a second sensor signal corresponding to the magnitude of the impact;

detecting the impact applied to the vehicle at a front portion in the vehicle to produce a third sensor signal corresponding to the magnitude of the impact;

activating a protecting device for protecting the passenger when the first sensor signal is equal to or greater than a first threshold, and when at least one of the following conditions is satisfied;

the second sensor signal is equal to or greater than a second threshold;

the third sensor signal is equal to or greater than a third threshold; and

disruption arises in either the second sensor signal or the third sensor signal.