Activation device for occupant protection apparatus and method for activating the occupant protection apparatus

• US 20100228445A1
• Filed: 03/04/2010
• Published: 09/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: Noguchi, Takashi, Kondoh, Toshihide
• Granted Patent: US 8,370,026 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/45
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0004 Frontal collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0011 Rear collision or recoiling bounce after frontal collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01322 comprising variable thresholds, e.g. depending from other collision parameters
• 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

Abstract

An activation device is configured to activate a protection apparatus for protecting an occupant. The activation device includes a front collision detection unit and a rear collision detection unit. The front collision detection unit outputs a front-collision-state activation signal to a front-collision protection apparatus so as to activate the front-collision protection apparatus when detecting front collision of the vehicle. The rear collision detection unit outputs a rear-collision-state activation signal to a rear-collision protection apparatus so as to activate the rear-collision protection apparatus when detecting rear collision of the vehicle. The rear collision detection unit prohibits output of the rear-collision-state activation signal to the rear-collision protection apparatus for a first period when the front collision detection unit detects front collision of the vehicle.

Claims

1. An activation device for detecting collision of a vehicle and activating a protection apparatus for protecting an occupant, the activation device comprising:

a front collision detection unit configured to

detect front collision of the vehicle and

output a front-collision-state activation signal to a protection apparatus related to front collision so as to activate the protection apparatus related to front collision when detecting front collision; and

a rear collision detection unit configured to

detect rear collision of the vehicle,

output a rear-collision-state activation signal to a protection apparatus related to rear collision so as to activate the protection apparatus related to rear collision when detecting rear collision, and

prohibit output of the rear-collision-state activation signal to the protection apparatus related to rear collision for a first period when the front collision detection unit detects front collision.

2. The activation device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a collision detection unit configured to

obtain acceleration in a front direction of the vehicle as a front acceleration detection result and

obtain acceleration in a rear direction of the vehicle as a rear acceleration detection result,

wherein the front collision detection unit is further configured to

input the front acceleration detection result and the rear acceleration detection result, and

determine whether the front acceleration detection result is greater than a first front collision threshold and determine whether the rear acceleration detection result is greater than a second front collision threshold so as to determine whether the vehicle causes front collision,

wherein the rear collision detection unit is further configured to

input the front acceleration detection result and the rear acceleration detection result, and

determine whether the front acceleration detection result is greater than a first rear collision threshold and determine whether the rear acceleration detection result is greater than a second rear collision threshold so as to determine whether the vehicle causes rear collision.

3. The activation device according to claim 1, wherein the rear collision detection unit is further configured to ease detection of rear collision of the vehicle in a second predetermined period subsequent to elapse of the first predetermined period.

4. The activation device according to claim 3,

wherein the rear collision detection unit is further configured to

change the first rear collision threshold and the second rear collision threshold, such that

the front acceleration detection result easily exceeds the first rear collision threshold, and

the rear acceleration detection result easily exceeds the second rear collision threshold, and

determine rear collision of the vehicle.

5. The activation device according to claim 1, wherein the protection apparatus related to rear collision is at least one of an active headrest and a rear window curtain airbag.

6. An activation device for detecting collision of a vehicle and activating a protection apparatus for protecting an occupant, the activation device comprising:

a front collision detection unit configured to

detect front collision of the vehicle and

output a front-collision-state activation signal to a protection apparatus related to front collision so as to activate the protection apparatus related to front collision when detecting front collision; and

a rear collision detection unit configured to

detect rear collision of the vehicle,

output a rear-collision-state activation signal to a protection apparatus related to rear collision so as to activate the protection apparatus related to rear collision when detecting rear collision, and

ease detection of rear collision for a predetermined period when the front collision detection unit detects front collision.

7. The activation device according to claim 6, further comprising:

a collision detection unit configured to

obtain acceleration in a front direction of the vehicle as a front acceleration detection result and

obtain acceleration in a rear direction of the vehicle as a rear acceleration detection result,

wherein the front collision detection unit is further configured to

input the front acceleration detection result and the rear acceleration detection result,

determine whether the front acceleration detection result is greater than a first front collision threshold and determine whether the rear acceleration detection result is greater than a second front collision threshold so as to determine whether the vehicle causes front collision,

wherein the rear collision detection unit is further configured to

input the front acceleration detection result and the rear acceleration detection result,

determine whether the front acceleration detection result is greater than a first rear collision threshold and determine whether the rear acceleration detection result is greater than a second rear collision threshold so as to determine whether the vehicle causes, rear collision,

wherein the rear collision detection unit is further configured to

change the first rear collision threshold and the second rear collision threshold, when the front collision detection unit detects front collision, such that

the front acceleration detection result easily exceeds the first rear collision threshold, and

the rear acceleration detection result easily exceeds the second rear collision threshold, and

determine rear collision of the vehicle.

8. The activation device according to claim 6, wherein the protection apparatus related to rear collision is at least one of an active headrest and a rear window curtain airbag.

9. A method for activating a protection apparatus for protecting an occupant, the method comprising:

detecting front collision of the vehicle;

detecting rear collision of the vehicle;

outputting a front-collision-state activation signal to a protection apparatus related to front collision so as to activate the protection apparatus related to front collision when detecting front collision;

outputting a rear-collision-state activation signal to a protection apparatus related to rear collision so as to activate the protection apparatus related to rear collision when detecting rear collision and when the outputting is not prohibited; and

prohibiting the outputting of the rear-collision-state activation signal for a first period when detecting front collision.

10. A method for activating a protection apparatus for protecting an occupant, the method comprising:

detecting front collision of the vehicle;

detecting rear collision of the vehicle;

outputting a front-collision-state activation signal to a protection apparatus related to front collision so as to activate the protection apparatus related to front collision when detecting front collision;

outputting a rear-collision-state activation signal to a protection apparatus related to rear collision so as to activate the protection apparatus related to rear collision when detecting rear collision; and

easing detection of rear collision of the vehicle for a predetermined period when detecting front collision.