This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-257532 filed on Dec. 13, 2013, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The present disclosure relates to a side collision detection device for a vehicle that detects an occurrence of a collision on a side surface of the vehicle.
Conventionally, there is a vehicle including an airbag device for an occupant of the vehicle for alleviating an impact on the occupant at the time of a collision accident of the vehicle. This vehicle includes a collision detection device having a sensor in the vehicle, and is configured to activate the airbag device for the occupant when an occurrence of a collision accident of the vehicle is detected by this sensor.
For the above-described collision detection device, there is a side collision detection device that includes a pressure sensor in a door of the vehicle to detect an occurrence of a collision on a side surface of the vehicle. This device forms a sealed space between a door outer panel and a door inner panel in the vehicle door, and detects the occurrence of the collision on the vehicle side surface by detecting a pressure change of this space in the door using the pressure sensor (see, for example, JP-A-2007-232566).
However, in the side collision detection device for a vehicle having the above-described configuration, it is difficult to enhance a sealed state of the space in the door divided with the door outer panel and the door inner panel. If this sealed state of the space in the door is low, there is an issue that accuracy in detection of a pressure change in this space by the pressure sensor is decreased and thus the occurrence of the collision on the vehicle side surface may not be detected correctly.
The present disclosure addresses at least one of the above issues. Thus, it is an objective of the present disclosure to provide a side collision detection device for a vehicle with improved accuracy in detection of a collision on a side surface of the vehicle.
To achieve the objective of the present disclosure, there is provided a side collision detection device for a vehicle, including a hollow detection tube member, a pressure sensor, and a control device. The detection tube member is arranged in a door of the vehicle. The door includes a rigid member that is provided to extend in a front-rear direction of the vehicle. The detection tube member is arranged along an outer surface of the rigid member in a width direction of the vehicle. The pressure sensor detects a pressure in the detection tube member. The control device detects a collision of an object with the door based on a result of the detection of the pressure by the pressure sensor.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description made with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:
A side collision detection device for a vehicle of a first embodiment will be described below with reference to
This impact beam 9 is provided for limiting deformation of the door 6 toward a vehicle interior when the object M collides with a side surface of the vehicle. The, impact beam 9 is a rigid member that is made of a metal member such as iron, or aluminium and has a beam shape as a whole. Specifically, the impact beam 9 includes a projecting part 9a that projects outward in a vehicle width direction, and flange parts 9b, 9c formed on both upper and lower sides from base ends of the projecting part 9a, and is formed in a hat shape in section.
The detection tube member 2 is a member that includes therein a hollow part and extends in a front-rear direction of the vehicle as illustrated in
This detection tube member 2 has a round shape in cross-section, and is made from synthetic resin or synthetic rubber, for example. In the present embodiment, for example, ethylene propylene rubber (EPDM) is used for a material of the detection tube member 2. An outer diameter of the detection tube member 2 is set at, for example, approximately 10 mm. The detection tube member 2 is disposed such that its outermost surface in the vehicle width direction sticks out of the projecting part 9a in the vehicle width direction with the detection tube member 2 arranged at the flange part 9b of the impact beam 9. The outermost surface of the detection tube member 2 in the vehicle width direction may be in contact with an inner surface of the door outer panel 7. One end part of the detection tube member 2 (left end part in
As illustrated in
This pressure sensor 3 is connected to the detection tube member 2 for detecting a pressure in the detection tube member 2. Specifically, the pressure sensor 3 is a sensor device that detects a pressure change of gas, and detects a pressure change of air in the detection tube member 2. As illustrated in
As illustrated in.
In the present embodiment, the pressure sensor 3 is connected to the detection tube member 2 through a connector 11. The connector 11 is a waterproof type connector that includes a through hole 11a and a female terminal 11b. The through hole 11a is a generally cylindrical pipe for introducing the pressure of air in the detection tube member 2 into the through hole 32 of the pressure sensor 3. The female terminal 11b is electrically connected to the male terminal 34 of the pressure sensor 3, and in this case, two female terminals 11b are provided corresponding to the number of male terminals 34. One end part of this connector 11 (left end part in
Specifically, one end part of the detection tube member 2 (right end part in
The sensor part 31 detects a pressure change in the detection tube member 2 through the through hole 11a and the through hole 32. This sensor part 31 is electrically connected to the female terminal 11b of the connector 11. The transmission line 4 is connected to one end part of the female terminal 11 b (left end part in
The transmission line 4 electrically connects together the sensor part 31 of the pressure sensor 3 and the collision detection ECU 5 disposed in the vehicle. For example, a wire harness having diameter of approximately 0.5 mm is used for the transmission line 4. This transmission line 4 is arranged to extend from one end part of the detection, tube member 2 (end part on a rear side of the vehicle in
The collision detection ECU 5 is composed mainly of a CPU for controlling the overall operation of the side collision detection device 1 for a vehicle, and is electrically connected to each of the pressure sensors 3 and side airbag devices 12 (see
As illustrated in
The above-described impact beam 9 is arranged between the door outer panel 7 and the door inner panel 8 in the door 6. This impact beam 9 is arranged on the door outer panel 7-side in the door 6, being inclined in an up-down direction of, the vehicle along the front-rear direction of the vehicle as illustrated in
As illustrated in
The side airbag device 12 is an airbag device for occupant protection at the time of a side collision, and the devices 12 are provided on side surfaces of the doors 6 facing the vehicle interior on the front and rear sides of the vehicle, or at seat backs of seats of the vehicle. This side airbag device 12 is deployed mainly between a torso part of an occupant and the door at the time of a side collision to protect the torso part of the occupant. The side airbag device 12 may include a curtain airbag that is provided along a roof side rail of the vehicle and is deployed between the vicinity of a head of the occupant and an inner side surface of the vehicle body, mainly for protecting the head of the occupant.
The operation of the side collision detection device 1 for a vehicle in the present embodiment at the time of a collision of the vehicle will be described below. As illustrated in
The collision detection ECU 5 of the side collision detection device 1 for a vehicle carries out the predetermined collision determination processing based on a detection result by the pressure sensor 3. In this collision determination processing, if a value of the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 3 is larger than a predetermined threshold value, it is determined that the object M (e.g., vehicle or obstruction) has collided with the door 6 of the vehicle and such a side collision as to require the operation of the side airbag device 12 has occurred. In case of the determination that the collision with the object M that requires the operation of the side airbag device 12 has occurred, the collision detection ECU 5 activates the side airbag device 12 to reduce an impact on the occupant. Alternatively, for example, a rate of pressure change per unit time may be employed for the threshold value in the collision determination processing.
As described above, the side collision detection device 1 for a vehicle of the first embodiment includes the hollow detection tube member 2 that is arranged in the door 6 of the vehicle and the pressure sensor 3 that detects the pressure in the detection tube member 2, and detects the collision of the object M on the door 6 based on a result of pressure detection by the pressure sensor 3. The first embodiment is characterized in that the door 6 includes the impact beam 9 which is a rigid member extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and that the detection tube member 2 is arranged along an outer surface of the impact beam 9 in the vehicle width direction.
As a result of this configuration, the collision of the object M on the door 6 of the vehicle can be correctly detected by use of the detection tube member 2 which can easily be sealed. Accordingly, a highly sealed state of the entire space in the door 6 (space separated by the door outer panel 7 and the door inner panel 8) does not need to be maintained, and accuracy in detection of collision on a side surface of the vehicle can be improved by a simplified configuration. Moreover, because the impact beam 9 which is a rigid member is arranged inward of the detection tube member 2 in the vehicle width direction, the detection tube member 2 can be prevented from being bent inward in the vehicle width direction. Consequently, decrease of accuracy in collision detection by the detection tube member 2 can be inhibited.
The first embodiment is characterized in that the door 6 includes the door outer panel 7 provided outside in the vehicle width direction and the door inner panel 8 provided inward of this door outer panel 7 in the vehicle width direction;
the impact beam 9 which is a rigid member is arranged between the door outer panel 7 and the door inner panel 8; and that the detection tube member 2 is arranged between the door outer panel 7 and the impact beam 9.
As a result of this configuration, the detection tube member 2 can be arranged between the door outer panel 7 and the impact beam 9. Accordingly, the detection tube member 2 can be disposed at an appropriate position by means of the existing impact beam 9. Consequently, another rigid member does not need to be provided for disposing the detection tube member 2, thereby simplifying a manufacturing process of the door 6.
The first embodiment is characterized in that the impact beam 9 is formed in a hat shape in section including the projecting part 9a that projects to the outside in the vehicle width direction and the flange parts 9b, 9c formed on both upper and lower sides from the base ends of the projecting part 9a; and that the detection tube member 2 is arranged at the flange part 9b of the impact beam 9.
As a result of this configuration, the projecting part 9a of the impact beam 9 receives the door outer panel 7 which is deformed upon reception of external force from a lateral side of the vehicle when the object M collides with the door 6. Accordingly, the detection tube member 2 can be prevented from being clamped and crushed between the deformed door outer panel 7 and the impact beam 9, and the detection tube member 2 can be deformed properly.
The first embodiment is characterized in that the detection tube member 2 is arranged on an upper surface of the projecting part 9a at the flange part 9b. As a result of this configuration, by the upper surface of the projecting part 9a of the impact beam 9 supporting the lower part of the detection tube member 2, the detection tube member 2 extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle can be prevented from being bent to the lower side of the vehicle and thereby shifted from a predetermined arrangement position. Accordingly, decrease of accuracy in collision detection by the detection tube member 2 can be inhibited.
The first embodiment is characterized in that the outermost surface of the detection tube member 2 in the vehicle width direction sticks out of the projecting part 9a in the vehicle width direction with the detection tube member 2 arranged at the flange part 9b of the impact beam 9. As a result of this configuration, the outermost surface of the detection tube member 2 in the vehicle width direction sticks out of the projecting part 9a of the impact beam 9 in the vehicle width direction. Accordingly, the door 6 which is deformed by the external force at the time of occurrence of the collision on a side surface of the vehicle can reliably be brought into contact with the detection tube member 2 before the door 6 comes into contact with the impact beam 9. Consequently, the collision of the object M on the door 6 can be detected correctly and quickly.
The first embodiment is characterized in that the detection tube member 2 is arranged along an outer surface of the impact beam 9 in the vehicle width direction and that the impact beam 9 is a rigid member opposed to this entire detection tube member 2. As a result of this configuration, the entire portion of the detection tube member 2 which is deformed by the external force can be received reliably by the impact beam 9 which is a rigid member. Accordingly, the detection tube member 2 can be prevented more certainly from being bent inwardly in the vehicle width direction.
The first embodiment is characterized in that the detection tube member 2 is fixed to the impact beam 9, which is a rigid member, by the fixing members 10. As a result of this configuration, the detection tube member 2 can stably be fixed to the impact beam 9 through the use of the fixing member 10. Accordingly, there can be prevented a shift of the detection tube member 2 from a predetermined arrangement position of the impact beam 9, or disconnection between the detection tube member 2 and the pressure sensor 3 at the time of the collision on a side surface of the vehicle. Consequently, resistance properties of the side collision detection device 1 for a vehicle against the external force can be improved.
The first embodiment is characterized in that the pressure sensor 3 is disposed at one end part of the detection tube member 2 in a front-rear direction of the vehicle. As a result of this configuration, by disposing the pressure sensor 3 at one end part of the detection tube member 2, a range of detection by the detection tube member 2 in a front-rear direction of the vehicle can be ensured.
The first embodiment is characterized in that the side collision detection device 1 includes the transmission line 4 electrically connecting together the pressure sensor 3, and the collision detection ECU 5 which is the control device disposed in the vehicle, and that the transmission line 4 is arranged from one end part to the other end part of the detection tube member 2 through the inside of the hollow of the detection tube member 2.
As a result of this configuration, for example, when the pressure sensor 3 is disposed on a rear side of the vehicle, and the transmission line 4 is arranged to the collision detection ECU 5 which is provided on a front side of the vehicle, a space for a wiring structure can be saved by passing the transmission line 4 through the inside of the hollow of the detection tube member 2.
The first embodiment is characterized in that the impact beam 9 is arranged to be inclined in an up-down direction of the vehicle. As a result of this configuration, since the detection tube member 2 is arranged along an outer surface of the impact beam 9 in the vehicle width direction, a broad range of collision detection by the detection tube member 2 can be ensured due to the inclination of the impact beam 9 in an up-down direction of the vehicle.
A second embodiment will be described below with reference to
As a result of this configuration, effects similar to the first embodiment can be produced, and there is no need to arrange the transmission line 4 in the hollow of the detection tube member 2. Accordingly, a wiring structure can be further simplified.
The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be modified or extended in various manners without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Modifications to the above embodiments will be described below. For example, in the above embodiments, the detection tube member 2 is arranged at the flange part 9b of the impact beam 9. Alternatively, the detection tube member 2 may be arranged outside the projecting part 9a of the impact beam 9 in the vehicle width direction. Although the impact beam 9 having a hat shape in section is employed, alternatively, an impact beam 9 having a rectangular cylindrical shape or rectangular plate shape in section may be used, and the shape and size of the impact beam 9 can be appropriately changed. Moreover, another rigid member may be provided in place of the impact beam 9, and the detection tube member 2 may be arranged outside this rigid member in the vehicle width direction.
The impact beams 9 are provided respectively for the four (right and left) doors 6 on the front and rear sides of the vehicle. Alternatively, two impact beams 9 may be arranged side by side for each door 6, and the detection tube member 2 may be provided for each impact beam 9. The impact beam 9 does not need to be inclined in an up-down direction of the vehicle, and may be provided horizontally in a front-rear direction of the vehicle.
There has been described a case in which the detection tube member 2 and the pressure sensor 3 are connected via the connector 11. Alternatively, the detection tube member 2 may be connected directly to the pressure sensor 3.
In addition, in the present embodiments, one pressure sensor 3 is arranged at one end part of the detection tube member 2. Alternatively, in order to improve redundancy, two pressure sensors 3 may be provided respectively at both end parts of the detection tube member 2.
To sum up, the side collision detection device 1 for a vehicle in the above embodiments can be described as follows.
A side collision detection device 1 for a vehicle includes a hollow detection tube member 2, a pressure sensor 3, and a control device 5. The detection tube member 2 is arranged in a door 6 of the vehicle. The door 6 includes a rigid member 9 that is provided to extend in a front-rear direction of the vehicle. The detection tube member 2 is arranged along an outer surface of the rigid member 9 in a width direction of the vehicle. The pressure sensor 3 detects a pressure in the detection tube member 2. The control device 5 detects a collision of an object M with the door 6 based on a result of the detection of the pressure by the pressure sensor 3.
As a result of this configuration, the collision of the object M on the door 6 of the vehicle can be correctly detected by use of the detection tube member 2 which can easily be sealed. Accordingly, a highly sealed state of the entire space in the door 6 does not need to be maintained, and accuracy in collision detection can be improved by a simplified configuration. Because the rigid member 9 is arranged inward of the detection tube member 2 in the vehicle width direction, the detection tube member 2 can be prevented from being bent inwardly in the vehicle width direction by the door 6 which is deformed upon reception of external force at the time of the collision between the vehicle and the object M. Consequently, decrease of accuracy in collision detection by the detection tube member 2 can be inhibited.
The door 6 may include a door outer panel 7 that is provided outside in the width direction of the vehicle, and a door inner panel 8 that is provided inward of the door outer panel 7 in the width direction of the vehicle. The rigid member 9 may be an impact beam 9 that is arranged between the door outer panel 7 and the door inner panel 8. The detection tube member 2 may be arranged between the door outer panel 7 and the impact beam 9. The rigid member 9 may be formed in a hat shape in section including a projecting part 9a that projects outward in the width direction of the vehicle and flange parts 9b, 9c that is formed on both upper and lower sides from base ends of the projecting part 9a. The detection tube member 2 may be arranged at one 9b of the flange parts 9b, 9c of the rigid member 9. The detection tube member 2 may be arranged on an upper surface of the projecting part 9a at the one 9b of the flange parts 9b, 9c. An outermost surface of the detection tube member 2 in the width direction of the vehicle may stick out of the projecting part 9a in the width direction of the vehicle with the detection tube member 2 arranged at the one 9b of the flange parts 9b, 9c of the impact beam 9. The detection tube member 2 may be arranged along an outer surface of the rigid member 9 in the width direction of the vehicle. The rigid member 9 may be opposed to the entire detection tube member 2. The side collision detection device 1 may further include a fixing member 10. The detection tube member 2 is fixed to the rigid member 9 by the fixing member 10. The pressure sensor 3 may be disposed at one end part of the detection tube member 2 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The control device 5 may be disposed in the vehicle. The side collision detection device 1 may further include a transmission line 4 that electrically connects together the pressure sensor 3 and the control device 5 and that is arranged from the one end part to the other end part of the detection tube member 2 through inside of a hollow part of the detection tube member 2. The rigid member 9 may be arranged to be inclined in an up-down direction of the vehicle.
While the present disclosure has been described with reference to embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and constructions. The present disclosure is intended to cover various modification and equivalent arrangements. In addition, while the various combinations and configurations, other combinations and configurations, including more, less or only a single element, are also within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2013-257532 | Dec 2013 | JP | national |