Activating device for occupant protection device and controlling method therefor

• US 7,243,944 B2
• Filed: 05/13/2002
• Issued: 07/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Iyoda, Motomi, Miyata, Yujiro, Imai, Katsuji
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson; Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MCCREARY, LEONARD
• Application Number:
  US10/476,659
• Publication Number:
  US 20040148082A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,891 Days
• Field of Search: 280/735, 180/282, 180/271, 701/45
• US Class Current: 280/735
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01006 Mounting of electrical components in vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01272 Belt tensioners
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01322 comprising variable thresholds, e.g. depending from other collision parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/013 including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0133 by integrating the amplitude of the input signal
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01332 by frequency or waveform analysis

Abstract

The activating device (20) for an occupant protection device includes a first deceleration detecting means (22) for detecting a first deceleration G in vehicle front/rear direction and an activation judging means (37) for judging whether the activation of the occupant protection device is necessary or not by comparing the first deceleration G detected by the first deceleration detecting means (22) with a first threshold value. The device further includes a second deceleration detecting means (24, 26) for detecting a deceleration LG, RG at a position further front side of the vehicle than the position detecting the first deceleration, a collision condition detecting means (35) for detecting a vehicle collision condition based on a second threshold value by the deceleration LG and RG and a first threshold changing means (36) for changing the first threshold value of an activation judging means (37) based on the detected result of the collision condition detecting means (35).

Claims

1. An activating device for an occupant protection device comprising:

a first deceleration detecting means for detecting a first deceleration which is the deceleration in a front/rear direction of a vehicle;

an activation judging means for judging the activation of the occupant protection device by comparing the first deceleration with a predetermined first threshold value;

a second deceleration detecting means for detecting a second deceleration which is the deceleration in the front/rear direction of the vehicle, the second deceleration detecting means being arranged further forward in the vehicle than the first deceleration detecting means;

a collision condition detecting means for detecting a collision condition of the vehicle by using the second deceleration; and

a first threshold value setting means for setting the first threshold value of the activation judging means for judging the activation of the occupant protection device based on the condition detected by the collision condition detecting means,

wherein said collision condition detecting means includes a collision condition detecting map for detecting a vehicle collision condition by comparing the second deceleration with a predetermined second threshold value which is set on said map beforehand such that the second threshold value changes so as to form a predetermined pattern, and

wherein the collision condition detecting map is formed by the second deceleration and a second deceleration integration value, wherein the collision condition detecting means judges the possibility of collision if the second deceleration integration value exceeds the second threshold value.

2. An activating device according to claim 1, wherein the higher the second deceleration is relative to the second threshold value, the lower the first threshold value of the setting means is set.

3. An activating device according to claim 1, wherein the activation device further includes an integral calculating means for integrating the first deceleration by the time to calculate a first deceleration integration value;

and

the activation judging means includes an activation judging map formed by the first deceleration and the first deceleration integration value to set the first threshold value on the activation judging map, wherein the activation judgment activates the activating device if the first deceleration exceeds the first threshold value.

4. An activating device according to claim 1, wherein the second threshold value is increased beyond the reference value to avoid a wave shape which is not the subject of collision condition detection at an intermediate stage of the vehicle collision.

5. An activating device according to claim 1, wherein the second threshold value is increased beyond the reference value to avoid a wave shape which is not the subject of collision condition detection at an end stage of the vehicle condition.

6. An activating device according to claim 1, wherein plural sets of second threshold values are provided.

7. An activating device according to claim 1, wherein the first threshold value is selected from predetermined plural number of values.

8. An activating device according to claim 1, wherein the second deceleration detecting means is provided at left and right sides of the vehicle.

9. An activating device according to claim 1, wherein the occupant protection device is an air bag device.

10. An activating device according to claim 1, wherein the

11. An activating device for an occupant protection device comprising:

a first deceleration detecting means for detecting a first deceleration which is the deceleration in a front/rear direction of a vehicle;

an activation judging means for judging the activation of the occupant protection device by comparing the first deceleration with a predetermined first threshold value;

a second deceleration detecting means for detecting a second deceleration which is the deceleration in the front/rear direction of the vehicle, the second deceleration detecting means being arranged further forward in the vehicle than the first deceleration detecting means;

a collision condition detecting means for detecting a collision condition of the vehicle by using the second deceleration; and

a first threshold value setting means for setting the first threshold value of the activation judging means for judging the activation of the occupant protection device based on the condition detected by the collision condition detecting means,

wherein said collision condition detecting means includes a collision condition detecting map for detecting a vehicle collision condition by comparing the second deceleration with a predetermined second threshold value which is set on said map beforehand such that the second threshold value changes so as to form a predetermined pattern,

wherein the second threshold value is increased beyond a reference value to avoid a wave shape which is not the subject of collision condition detection at an early stage of the vehicle collision.

12. An activating device for an occupant protection device comprising:

a first deceleration detecting means for detecting a first deceleration which is the deceleration in a front/rear direction of a vehicle;

an activation judging means for judging the activation of the occupant protection device by comparing the first deceleration with a predetermined first threshold value;

a second deceleration detecting means for detecting a second deceleration which is the deceleration on the front/rear direction of the vehicle, the second deceleration detecting means being arranged further forward in the vehicle than the first deceleration detecting means;

a collision condition detecting means for detecting a collision condition of the vehicle by using the second deceleration; and

a first threshold value setting means for setting the first threshold value of the activation judging means for judging the activation of the occupant protection device based on the condition detected by the collision condition detecting means,

wherein said collision condition detecting means includes a collision condition detecting map for detecting a vehicle collision condition by comparing the second deceleration with a predetermined second threshold value which is set on said map beforehand such taht the second threshold value changes so as to form a predetermined pattern,

wherein the first threshold value is selected from pretermined plural number of values, and

wherein as an initial value for the first threshold value, the highest threshold value is set.

13. An activating device according to claim 12, wherein the first threshold value is changed from the initial value in accordance with the condition detected by the collision condition detecting means.

14. An activating device according to claim 13, wherein the first threshold value is set according to one of three values having the following relation:

first 1a threshold value>

first 1b threshold value>

first 1c threshold value, and the second threshold value is set to two values having the following relation;

second 2a threshold value>

second 2b threshold value, wherein when the second deceleration is less than the second 2b threshold value, the first threshold value is defined to be the first 1a threshold value, when the second deceleration is equal to or more than the second 2b threshold value and less than the second 2a threshold value, the first threshold value is defined to be the first 1b threshold value, and when the second deceleration is equal to or more than the second 2a threshold value, the first threshold value is defined to be the first 1c threshold value. occupant protection device is a pre-tensioning device for a seat belt.

15. A method for controlling an activating device for an occupant protection device comprising the steps of:

detecting a first deceleration which is the deceleration in a front/rear direction of a vehicle;

judging the activation of the occupant protection device by comparing the first deceleration with a predetermined first threshold value;

detecting a second deceleration which is the deceleration in the front/rear direction of the vehicle and which is detected at a position further forward in the vehicle than the position where the first deceleration is detected;

detecting a collision condition of the vehicle by using the second deceleration; and

setting the first threshold value used for judging the activation of the occupant protection device based on the detected vehicle collision condition, wherein

the vehicle collision condition is detected by comparing the second deceleration with a predetermined second threshold value which is set on a collision condition detecting map beforehand such that the second threshold value changes so as to form a predetermined pattern,

wherein the collision condition detecting map is formed by the second deceleration and a second deceleration integration value, wherein the possibility of collision is judged if the second deceleration integration value exceeds the second threshold value.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the higher the second deceleration relative to the second threshold value is, the lower the first threshold value of the setting means is set.

17. A method for controlling an activating device according to claim 15, wherein the method includes setting the first threshold value on an activation judging map formed by the first deceleration and the first deceleration integration value integrating the first deceleration by the time, wherein the activation judgment activates the activating device if the first deceleration exceeds the first threshold value.

18. A method for controlling an activating device according to claim 15, wherein plural sets of second threshold values are provided.

19. A method for controlling an activating device according to claim 15, wherein the first threshold value is selected from predetermined plural numbers of values.

20. A method for controlling an activating device according to claim 15, wherein the second deceleration is detected at left and right sides of the vehicle.

21. A method for controlling an activating device according to claim 15, wherein the occupant protection device is an air bag device.

22. A method for controlling an activating device according to claim 15, wherein the occupant protection device is a pre-tensioning device for a seat belt.

23. A method for controlling an activating device for an occupant protection device comprising the steps of:

detecting a first deceleration which is the deceleration in a front/rear direction of a vehicle;

judging the activation of the occupant protection device by comparing the first deceleration with a predetermined first threshold value;

detecting a second deceleration which is the deceleration in the front/rear direction of the vehicle and which is detected at a position further forward in the vehicle than the position where the first deceleration is detected;

detecting a collision condition of the vehicle by using the second deceleration;

setting the first threshold value used for judging the activation of the occupant protection device based on the detected vehicle collision condition, wherein

the vehicle collision condition is detected by comparing the second deceleration with a predetermined second threshold value which is set on a collision condition detecting map beforehand such taht the second threshold value changes so as to form a predetermined pattern,

wherein the collision condition detecting map formed by the second deceleration and a second deceleration integration value, wherein the possibility of collision is judged if the second deceleration integration value exceeds the second threshold value,

wherein the second threshold value is increased beyond a reference value to avoid a wave shape which is not the subject of collision condition detection at an early stage of the vehicle collision.

24. A method for controlling an activating device for an occupant protection device comprising the steps of:

detecting a first deceleration which is the deceleration in a front/rear direction of a vehicle;

judging the activation of the occupant protection device by comparing the first deceleration with a predetermined first threshold value;

detecting a second deceleration which is the deceleration in the front/rear direction of the vehicle and which is detected at a position further forward in the vehicle than the position where the first deceleration is detected;

detecting a collision condition of the vehicle by using the second deceleration;

setting the first threshold value used for judging the activation of the occupant protection device based on the detected vehicle collision condition, wherein

the vehicle collision condition is detected by comparing the second deceleration with a predetermined second threshold value which is set on a collision condition detecting map beforehand such that the second threshold value changes so as to form a predetermined pattern,

wherein the collision condition detecting map is formed by the second deceleration and a second deceleration integration value, wherein the possibility of collision is judged if the second deceleration integration value exceeds the second threshold value,

wherein the second threshold value is increased beyond the reference value to avoid a wave shape which is not the subject of collision condition detection at an intermediate stage of the vehicle collision.

25. A method for controlling an activating device for an occupant protection device comprising the steps of:

detecting a first deceleration which is the deceleration in a front/rear direction of a vehicle;

judging the activation of the occupant protection device by comparing the first deceleration with a predetermined first threshold value;

detecting a second deceleration which is the deceleration in the front/rear direction of the vehicle and which is detected at a position further forward in the vehicle than the position where the first deceleration is detected;

detecting a collision condition of the vehicle by using the second deceleration;

setting the first threshold value used for judging the activation of the occupant protection device based on thr detected vehicle collison condition, wherein

the vehicle collision condition is detected by comparing the second deceleration with a predetermined second threshold value which is set on a collision condition detecting map beforehand such that the second threshold value changes so as to form a predetermined pattern,

wherein collision condition detecting map is formed by the second deceleration and a second deceleration integration value, wherein the possibility of collision is judged if the second deceleration integration value exceeds the second threshold value,

wherein the second threshold value is increased beyond the reference value to avoid a wave shape which is not the subject of collision condition detection at an end stage of the vehicle collision.

26. A method for controlling an activating device for an occupant protection device comprising the steps of:

detecting a first deceleration which is the deceleration in a front/rear direction of a vehicle;

judging the activation of the occupant protection device by comparing the first deceleration with a predetermined first threshold value;

detecting a second deceleration which is the deceleration in the front/rear direction of the vehicle and which is detected at a position further forward in the vehicle than the position where the first deceleration is detected;

detecting a collision condition of the vehicle by using the second deceleration; and

setting the first threshold value used for judging the activation of the occupant protection device based on the detected vehicle collision condition, wherein

the vehicle collision condition is detected by comparing the second deceleration with a predetermined second threshold value which is set on a collision condition detecting map beforehand such that the second threshold value changes so as to form a predetermined pattern,

wherein the first threshold value is selected from predetermined plural numbers of values,

wherein as an initial value for the first threshold value, the highest threshold value is set.

27. A method for controlling an activating device according to claim 26, wherein the first threshold value is changed from the initial value in accordance with the collision condition of the vehicle.

28. A method for controlling an activating device according to claim 27, wherein the first threshold value is set according to one of three values having the following relation:

first 1a threshold value>

first 1b threshold value>

first 1c threshold value, and the second threshold value is set to two values having the following relation;

second 2a threshold value>

second 2b threshold value, wherein when the second deceleration is less than the second 2b threshold value, the first threshold value is defined to be the first 1a threshold value, when the second deceleration is equal to or more than the second 2b threshold value and less than the second 2a threshold value, the first threshold value is defined to be the first 1b threshold value, and when the second deceleration is equal to or more than the second 2a threshold value, the first threshold value is defined to be the first 1c threshold value.