Control device for triggering a safety device on a motor vehicle, allowing the behavior of the safety device to be adapted according to the presence of an adult or a child.

Abstract

The invention relates to a control device for triggering a safety device in a motor vehicle, allowing the behavior of the safety device to be adapted according to the presence of an adult or a child. The control device (12) comprises a processing unit (14) communicating with a memory unit (16), the memory unit comprising a first operating scenario for a safety device (8) adapted for an adult. Remarkably, the memory unit (16) comprises a second scenario for the safety device (8), adapted for a child. The processing unit (14) is capable of being connected to a child presence detection unit (18) for a seat (2). The processing unit (14) is capable of implementing the second scenario when the processing unit is connected to the detection unit (18) and detects the presence of a child in the seat (2). Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Control device for triggering a safety device of a motor vehicle making it possible to adapt the behavior of the safety device depending on the presence of an adult or a child. Technical field to which the invention relates

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of motor vehicle safety and, more particularly, to a control device for triggering a safety device for a passenger of a motor vehicle. Technological background

[0002] Airbags are nowadays integrated into different parts of the passenger compartment of motor vehicles. For example, they are present on the dashboard of the motor vehicle, in order to protect the front passengers in the event of a frontal impact, they are also present on the rear door panels to protect the rear passengers in the event of a side impact.

[0003] Rear side airbags typically deploy at the rear door, between the door and the rear occupants. In the event of a side collision, they create a protective barrier for the heads of rear passengers, minimizing the risk of head injuries and head trauma due to the impact. Rear side airbags also help keep rear occupants in a more stable position during the collision. This reduces the risk of excessive movement inside the vehicle, which can lead to injuries in the event of a severe side collision.

[0004] To achieve this, an airbag consists of a control unit connected to one or more collision sensors. The collision sensors are configured to signal a sudden deceleration or an impact to the control unit. Upon receiving this signal, the control unit triggers the opening of a cartridge containing a high-pressure gas, generally nitrogen, so as to allow almost instantaneous inflation of a bag. The bag is made from suitable materials to allow inflation of the bag, in a fraction of a second, to cushion the impact of a passenger hitting the bag. An airbag thus makes it possible to considerably reduce the risk of serious injuries, particularly to the head, torso or upper body of a passenger.

[0005] However, a key problem arises when the passenger is a child. Because the physiological and dimensional characteristics of a child differ greatly from an adult, an airbag suitable for an adult may be less effective or dangerous for a child.

[0006] For example, due to the significant difference in weight, a child is likely to hit an airbag much later than an adult. A significant portion of the gas contained in the bag may thus escape before the child hits it. The absorption properties of the bag may thus be significantly degraded and no longer provide adequate protection for the child. The child may thus suffer a violent impact against the airbag lining.

[0007] The invention aims to remedy this risk by proposing a device making it possible to modify the behavior of a safety device for a passenger of a motor vehicle, when the passenger is a child. Subject of the invention

[0008] For this, the invention proposes a control device for triggering a safety device for a passenger of a motor vehicle, comprising a calculation unit communicating with a storage unit, the storage unit comprising a first operating scenario of a safety device suitable for an adult.

[0009] The invention is remarkable in that the storage unit comprises a second scenario of the safety device adapted for a child, and in that the calculation unit is able to be connected to a unit for detecting the presence of a child on a seat of a motor vehicle, and in that the calculation unit is able to implement the second scenario when the calculation unit is connected to the detection unit and in that the detection unit reveals the presence of a child on the seat.

[0010] Advantageously, the control device proposed by the invention makes it possible to adapt the behavior of a safety device depending on the presence or absence of a child on the seat with which said safety device is associated.

[0011] According to another embodiment of the invention, the detection unit comprises at least one sensor for attaching a removable seat to an anchoring point of a seat of a motor vehicle. Preferably, the anchoring point complies with an international system for attaching child safety seats in motor vehicles. According to a particular example, the anchoring point complies with the “ISOFIX” standard.

[0012] According to another embodiment of the invention, the anchoring point is composed of at least one fixing hook located in a fold of the seat or between the backrest and the seat of said seat.

[0013] According to another embodiment of the invention, the removable seat is an infant car seat, a toddler car seat, a booster seat with a backrest, a booster seat without a backrest or a booster seat. In other words, the removable seat is suitable for accommodating a child whose age may be between a few weeks and up to 13 years old.

[0014] According to another embodiment of the invention, the detection unit comprises at least one pressure sensor located in the seat base.

[0015] According to an alternative embodiment, the detection unit comprises at least one proximity sensor and / or a Hall effect sensor.

[0016] According to another embodiment of the invention, the safety device is an airbag associated with the seat.

[0017] According to the invention, an "airbag" designates a safety device consisting of an inflatable bag, intended to inflate almost instantly when an impact or collision is detected by the safety device. The bag is configured to cushion the impact of a passenger hitting it, when it is inflated.

[0018] According to another embodiment of the invention, the safety device is a pretensioning device for the seat belt associated with the seat. The pretensioning device is configured in the event of rapid deceleration or an impact suffered by a motor vehicle, to pull or retract the seat belt, so as to keep the passenger firmly in place on the seat.

[0019] According to another embodiment of the invention, the calculation unit is connected to an airbag associated with the seat and / or a seat belt pretensioning device associated with the seat.

[0020] Of course, the various features, variants and embodiments mentioned above can be combined with each other in various combinations, provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive.

[0021] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least one control device as described above. Description of figures

[0022] The invention will be better understood from the following description, which relates to preferred embodiments, given as non-limiting examples, and explained with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which:

[0023] [Fig-1] illustrates a side view of a motor vehicle seat comprising a safety device for the passenger of the seat, a child booster seat is present on the seat, the seat comprises a control device according to the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0024] As a reminder, the invention proposes a device for modifying the behavior of a safety device for a passenger of a motor vehicle, when the passenger is a child.

[0025] [Fig.l] illustrates a non-limiting embodiment of the invention. According to the In the present example, a seat 2 for a motor vehicle comprises a seat 4 and a backrest 6. The backrest 6 comprises a safety device 8 for a passenger present on the seat. In the present case, the safety device 8 is an airbag placed on one side of the backrest. The airbag 10 is configured to protect the passenger in the event of a side impact. The safety device could also comprise a means for pretensioning a seat belt associated with the seat.

[0026] As mentioned above, the airbag 10 is configured to deploy according to a first scenario, in order to provide maximum safety for an adult-sized passenger. However, a key problem arises when the passenger is a child. Because the physiological and dimensional characteristics of a child differ greatly from an adult, an airbag suitable for an adult may be less effective or even dangerous for a child.

[0027] In order to address this problem, the invention proposes a control device 12 placed under the seat cushion 4. It should be noted that the control device 12 could be placed in another part of the seat or in another location in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle. In other words, the position of the control device 12 is not limited to the present example.

[0028] The control device 12 comprises a calculation unit 14 and a storage unit 16. The calculation unit is capable of communicating with the storage unit, so that information can be exchanged between these two units.

[0029] The storage unit 16 comprises the first operating scenario of the airbag, mentioned above, so as to optimally protect an adult seated on the seat 2, in the event of a side collision.

[0030] The computing unit 14 is connected to the airbag 10 so that the airbag is triggered in accordance with the first scenario stored by the storage unit. For this, the computing unit may be able to transmit an operating scenario of the airbag, stored by the storage unit 16, or select an operating scenario proposed by the airbag.

[0031] Remarkably, the storage unit 16 comprises a second operating scenario of the airbag, adapted to optimally protect a child seated on the seat 2, in the event of a side collision.

[0032] The computing unit 14 is also connected to a detection unit 18, located at the seat base 4 of the seat. The detection unit is configured to detect the attachment to the seat 2 of a child booster seat 20.

[0033] According to the present example, the booster seat 20 comprises an “ISOFIX” type fixing system, comprising a hook 22 which can be fixed reversibly to an anchoring point 24 of the seat. In the present case, the anchoring point is a hook secured to the frame of the seat.

[0034] It is associated with the anchoring point 24, a hook sensor 26 of the hook 22, so as to be able to detect the attachment or not of the booster seat 20, of an infant car seat, of a toddler car seat or of the entire child seating system.

[0035] According to an alternative embodiment, the detection unit may comprise presence sensors, present in the seat 4, capable of measuring the weight of the passenger, so as to identify the presence of a child from the measured weight of the passenger.

[0036] The calculation unit 14 is configured to transmit to the airbag 10 the first operating scenario, when the detection unit 18 detects the presence of an adult on the seat 4 of the seat and / or does not detect the presence of a child or of their seat on the seat 4.

[0037] Conversely, when the detection unit 18 detects the presence of a child on the seat 4, the calculation unit is configured to transmit the second scenario to the airbag 10.

[0038] Thus, advantageously, the control device 12 described above makes it possible to adapt the behavior of the airbag 10, depending on the presence or absence of a child on the seat 2, in order to offer optimal safety to the passenger, whether they are an adult or a child.

Claims

Claims

1. Control device (12) for triggering a safety device (8) of a passenger of a motor vehicle, comprising a calculation unit (14) communicating with a storage unit (16), the storage unit (16) comprising a first operating scenario of a safety device (8) adapted for an adult, characterized in that the storage unit (16) comprises a second scenario of the safety device (8) adapted for a child, and in that the calculation unit (14) is able to be connected to a detection unit (18) of the presence of a child on a seat (2) of a motor vehicle, and in that the calculation unit (14) is able to implement the second scenario when the calculation unit (14) is connected to the detection unit (18) and in that the detection unit (18) reveals the presence of a child on the seat.

2. Control device (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that the detection unit (18) comprises at least one attachment sensor (26) of a removable seat (20) on an anchoring point (24) of a seat of a motor vehicle.

3. Control device (12) according to claim 2, characterized in that the anchoring point (24) is composed of at least one fixing hook (22) located in a fold of the seat or between the backrest (6) and the seat (4) of said seat.

4. Control device (12) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the removable seat is an infant car seat, a toddler car seat, a booster seat with backrest, a booster seat without backrest or a booster seat (20).

5. Control device (12) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the detection unit (18) comprises at least one pressure sensor located in the seat base (4).

6. Control device (12) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the detection unit (18) comprises at least one proximity sensor or a Hall effect sensor.

7. Control device (12) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the safety device (8) is an airbag (10) associated with the seat (2) and / or a seat belt pretensioning device associated with the seat (2).

8. Control device (12) according to one of claims 1 to 7, ca- characterized in that the computing unit (14) is connected to an airbag (10) associated with the seat and / or to a seat belt pretensioning device associated with the seat.

9. Control device (12) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that compared to the first scenario, at least one value of an operating parameter of the safety device (8) is reduced in the second scenario.

10. Motor vehicle comprising at least one control device (12) according to claim 8 or 9.

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