Vehicles with pet protection features

Abstract

To secure convenience of occupants etc. in a vehicle and improve safety of pets in the vehicle.SOLUTION: A vehicle 1 having a pet protection function includes: a pet guard body 21 which is provided so as to partition passenger compartments 3, 4 in a vehicle fore and aft direction so as to protect a pet in the passenger compartments 3, 4 of the vehicle 1; a pet air bag device 30 having a pet bag body 35 which can deploy behind the pet guard body 21; and a control unit 82 which causes the pet airbag device 30 to deploy during a collision of the vehicle 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle with a pet protection function. [Background technology]

[0002] When carrying pets in a vehicle, harnesses, cages, etc. may be used to increase the safety of the pets. The harness is worn on the pet's body and attached to the vehicle body, for example, to a seat belt. A cage is a box-shaped case for housing a pet. The cage is placed on the floor of the passenger compartment or on the seat surface of the rear seat. Some cages can be attached to the vehicle body, for example, to a seat belt (Patent Document 1). By using such harnesses and cages, the safety of pets in vehicles can be improved. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-146518 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, recent research has shown that even if a harness or cage is used, the safety of pets does not necessarily increase. It has also been reported that even if the harness or cage is attached to a seat belt, the safety of pets does not increase significantly. The report also states that in order to increase the safety of pets, it is advisable to put the pet in a cage and place the cage in the luggage compartment. However, if a pet is placed in a cage and the cage is placed in the luggage compartment, the passenger's view may be obstructed by a seat bag or the like in the rear seat of the passenger compartment. Therefore, passengers in the passenger compartment, especially those seated in the front seats, cannot check on their pets even if they turn around, and must stop the vehicle, get out of the vehicle, and go to the luggage compartment to check on their pets. Additionally, pets may become anxious if they are unable to see their owners for extended periods during the ride.

[0005] Thus, there is a demand for vehicles that can improve the safety of pets in the vehicle while ensuring convenience for the occupants. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A vehicle having a pet protection function according to one embodiment of the present invention is a vehicle compartment luggage compartment To protect pets in The passenger compartment and the luggage compartment of the vehicle a pet guard body provided to separate the pet from the front and rear, and a pet airbag device that can be deployed behind the pet guard body; a side curtain airbag device that deploys along a side surface of the vehicle compartment toward the pet airbag device; a control unit that deploys the pet airbag device when the vehicle collides. The pet guard main body has a mesh portion or a transparent or semi-transparent panel portion, and the pet airbag device has a pet bag body that can be deployed adjacent to the luggage compartment so as not to interfere with the deployment range of the side curtain airbag device, and the control unit determines whether or not to deploy the pet bag body in the event of a collision of the vehicle, and if the pet bag body is to be deployed, deploys the side curtain airbag device together with the pet airbag device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] In the present invention, the pet guard body is provided in the vehicle cabin so as to separate the cabin into front and rear sections. This makes it difficult for a pet placed on the rear side of the pet guard body to jump out in front of the pet guard body in the event of a vehicle collision. Pets in the vehicle cabin can be protected. In addition, when there is no collision, the pet bag is not deployed, and only the pet guard main body separates the front and rear of the vehicle interior. Passengers can see the pet placed behind the pet guard main body from the front through the pet guard main body in the vehicle interior. Furthermore, in the present invention, a pet airbag device is provided behind the pet guard body in an deployable manner. The control unit deploys the pet bag in the event of a vehicle collision. A pet placed behind the pet guard body in the vehicle cabin and attempting to move forward in the event of a collision will hit the pet bag, and will be less likely to hit the pet guard body directly. Pets placed in the vehicle cabin can be protected. In this way, the present invention can improve the safety of pets in the vehicle while ensuring convenience for vehicle occupants. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a vehicle having a pet protection function according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the state in which the pet guard device is attached to the automobile of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a control system of an automobile having an occupant protection function including a pet airbag device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the connection detection control of the pet airbag device. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the passenger protection control in the automobile of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the pet airbag device is deployed in the automobile of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of passenger protection control in a vehicle according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a control system for an automobile according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the control of determining the size of a pet by the control system of the automobile shown in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a setting table for the deployment output of the pet airbag device used in the pet determination process of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] [First embodiment] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a car 1 having a pet protection function according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] A body 2 of an automobile 1 in FIG. 1 is an example of a vehicle, and has a passenger compartment 3 in which passengers such as a driver ride, and a luggage compartment 4 are integrated into one vehicle. In the passenger compartment 3, a front row seat 6 and a rear row seat 7 on which passengers riding in the automobile 1 are seated are arranged side by side in the front-to-rear direction on a floor surface 5 of the passenger compartment 3. The luggage compartment 4 is provided behind the passenger compartment 3. In this case, the rear row seats 7 are the front luggage compartment seats located immediately in front of the luggage compartment 4. The seat backs 9 of the rear row seats 7, which are the front luggage compartment seats, extend upward from the seat surfaces 8 of the rear row seats 7 and can function as a partition plate separating the passenger compartment 3 from the luggage compartment 4. An opening connecting the luggage compartment 4 and the passenger compartment 3 is formed between the seat backs 9 of the rear row seats 7 and the ceiling surface of the vehicle interior.

[0012] In addition to passengers, such a car 1 can also carry pets such as large and small dogs. For example, the pet may be fitted with a harness and placed on the seat surface 8 of the rear seat 7 or on the floor surface 5 of the passenger compartment 3 at the feet of the rear seat 7. The harness attached to the pet's body may be connected to the seat belt device 57 of the occupant protection control device 47 provided in the automobile 1. Alternatively, for example, a pet may be placed in a cage, which is a box-shaped case for containing pets, and placed on the seat surface 8 of the rear seat 7 or on the floor surface 5 of the passenger compartment 3 at the feet of the rear seat 7. The cage may be connected to the seat belt device 57 of the occupant protection control device 47 provided in the automobile 1. It was thought that by using such harnesses and cages, pets could be safely transported in automobiles 1. However, recent research has shown that the use of such harnesses and cages does not necessarily improve the safety of pets, and they cannot effectively prevent a harnessed pet or a caged pet from being thrown out toward the front of the vehicle in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle. The report also states that in order to increase the safety of pets, it is desirable to place the pet in a cage and place the cage in the luggage compartment 4.

[0013] However, if a pet is placed in a cage and the cage is placed in the luggage compartment 4, the rearward field of view of the passengers seated in the passenger compartment 3 is blocked by the seat bags of the rear row seats 7 and the like. For this reason, even if the occupants in the passenger compartment 3, especially those seated in the front row seats 6, turn around, they cannot check the status of the pet in the luggage compartment 4. In order to check the status of the pet, the occupants must stop the automobile 1, get out of the automobile 1, and go to the luggage compartment 4. Additionally, pets may become anxious if they are unable to see their owners for extended periods during a ride. As described above, automobile 1 is required to improve the safety of pets while ensuring convenience for passengers and the like.

[0014] Therefore, in this embodiment, a pet guard device 20 is used that separates the passenger compartment 3 and the luggage compartment 4 of the automobile 1 in a see-through manner. The pet guard device 20 includes a pet guard main body 21 and a pet airbag device 30. The pet guard device 20 may be detachable from the vehicle body 2 so that a user or the like can later attach it to the vehicle body 2 of the automobile 1. In the automobile 1 equipped with the pet guard device 20, a pet placed behind the pet guard device 20 is blocked by the pet guard device 20 and is therefore less likely to jump out in front of the pet guard device 20.

[0015] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the state in which the pet guard device 20 is attached to the automobile 1 of FIG. FIG. 2 is a rear view of the portion of the vehicle body 2 to which the pet guard device 20 is attached. The pet guard main body 21 has a pair of left and right support portions 22 and a mesh portion 23. The pet guard main body 21 is attached to the vehicle body 2.

[0016] The support column 22 is made of metal and has a cylindrical shape, for example. The support pillar 22 may have a length that extends vertically from the floor 10 to the ceiling of the luggage compartment 4 to which the pet guard main body 21 is attached. The length of the support pillar 22 may be fixed to match the size of the passenger compartment 3, or may be adjustable to fit the size of the luggage compartment 4. The support pillar 22 is hollow and configured so that wiring for connecting the pet airbag device 30 to a control system 40 of the automobile 1, which will be described later, can be passed through the inside thereof.

[0017] The mesh portion 23 may be formed into a horizontally long, approximately rectangular shape using, for example, a wire mesh or a resin net. This allows pets in the luggage compartment 4 to be seen from the front. The pet guard main body 21 may be provided with a transparent or semi-transparent panel portion instead of the mesh portion 23 or in combination with the mesh portion 23. The width of the substantially rectangular mesh portion 23 may be equal to the width of the luggage compartment 4. The width of the substantially rectangular mesh portion 23 may be narrower than the width of the luggage compartment 4 so as to exclude the deployment range of the side curtain airbag device 59 that deploys on both the left and right sides of the luggage compartment 4. The height of the substantially rectangular mesh portion 23 is preferably formed to match at least the distance between the upper edge of the seat back 9 of the rear row seat 7 and the ceiling of the vehicle body 2. The mesh portion 23 may have a structure in which multiple wire meshes that can slide relative to each other are stacked on top of each other, so that the width and height when attached to the vehicle body 2 can be adjusted. In this manner, a pair of support pillars 22 are attached to both left and right ends of the horizontally elongated, approximately rectangular mesh portion 23. The pair of support pillars 22 protrude upward and downward from both left and right end portions of the upper and lower edges of the horizontally elongated, approximately rectangular mesh portion 23. The upper and lower ends of the pair of support pillars 22 may be fixed to receiving portions 12 provided on the vehicle body 2. In addition, a pair of auxiliary panel portions 24 extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the pair of support portions 22 are attached to the pair of support portions 22. The pair of auxiliary panel portions 24 protruding outward from the pair of support portions 22 may be fixed to the vehicle body 2 using screws, bolts, or the like.

[0018] The pet guard main body 21 is attached to the luggage compartment 4 behind the rear row seat 7 so that the horizontally elongated, approximately rectangular mesh portion 23 overlaps the space between the upper edge of the seat back 9 of the rear row seat 7 and the ceiling of the vehicle body 2. The pair of support portions 22 are fixed to the receiving portions 12 of the vehicle body 2. As a result, the pet guard main body 21 can divide the vehicle compartment into front and rear sections so as to separate the passenger compartment 3 and the luggage compartment 4 of the vehicle compartment into front and rear sections. A pet placed in the luggage compartment 4 cannot move forward from the luggage compartment 4 toward the passenger compartment 3. Even if the automobile 1 is involved in a frontal collision, the pet will be less likely to jump out from above the seat back 9 of the rear seat 7 toward the passenger compartment 3. Furthermore, by facing backwards while seated in the front row seat 6, the passenger can visually check the pet in the luggage compartment 4 through the mesh-shaped pet guard main body 21. Pets can visually confirm the occupants in the passenger compartment 3 through the mesh-shaped pet guard body 21. In addition, pets can spend time in the luggage compartment 4, which is larger than a cage, without being confined. The pet guard main body 21 may be provided with a transparent portion made of a resin panel or the like instead of the mesh portion 23. However, while the automobile 1 is traveling, the headlights of other vehicles may enter the passenger compartment. A transparent portion made of a resin panel or the like will reflect this light. Therefore, it is desirable to use the mesh portion 23 instead of a transparent portion made of a resin panel or the like.

[0019] The pet airbag device 30 is attached to the rear side of the pet guard main body 21 along the upper edge of the horizontally elongated, approximately rectangular mesh portion 23. The pet airbag device 30 extends in the vehicle width direction, which is the left-right direction of the vehicle body 2, above the pet guard main body 21. The pet airbag device 30 of the pet guard device 20 is deployed when the automobile 1 collides, for example, in a frontal collision, and protects the pet by making it difficult for the pet in the luggage compartment 4 to directly hit the pet guard body 21.

[0020] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a control system 40 of the automobile 1 having an occupant protection function including the pet airbag device 30. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3 shows an occupant protection control device 47 and a pet airbag device 30 in the control system 40 of the automobile 1. The occupant protection control device 47 has an occupant protection communication unit 81, an occupant protection ECU 82, an occupant protection memory 83, an occupant protection input / output port 84, an acceleration sensor 86, and an internal bus 85 that connects these components for data input / output.

[0021] The acceleration sensor 86 detects the acceleration occurring in the automobile 1. The acceleration sensor 86 may be one that can detect the acceleration of the automobile 1 in three axial directions, namely the front-rear direction, the left-right direction, and the up-down direction.

[0022] A plurality of occupant protection devices that are provided in the automobile 1 for protecting occupants and the like are connected to the occupant protection input / output port 84. In this example, the seat belt device 57, the front airbag device 58, the side curtain airbag device 59, the seat airbag device 60, and the pet airbag device 30 are individually connected to the occupant protection input / output port 84. The occupant protection input / output port 84 outputs an activation signal separately to each of the connected devices.

[0023] The seat belt device 57 restrains an occupant seated in the front row seat 6 or the rear row seat 7 with a seat belt. The front airbag device 58 is an airbag device that is deployed in front of the front row seats 6. The side curtain airbag device 59 is an airbag device that is deployed longitudinally along the side of the vehicle interior. The seat airbag device 60 is an airbag device that is deployed from the side of the front row seat 6.

[0024] The pet airbag device 30 includes a device-side connector 36, a pet bag body 35, and a pet inflator 32.

[0025] The device-side connector 36 is connected to the occupant protection input / output port 84 through a vehicle-side connector 87. The vehicle-side connector 87 may be provided in the receiving portion 12. In this case, by attaching the pet guard device 20 to the vehicle body 2, the device-side connector 36 and the vehicle-side connector 87 are connected. The receiving portion 12 may further be provided with a connection sensor 88 that detects connection and disconnection between the device-side connector 36 and the vehicle-side connector 87. The connection sensor 88 may be provided in the automobile 1 as part of the occupant protection control device 47. In this way, the pet airbag device 30 is connected to the vehicle side connector 87 of the automobile 1 using the device side connector 36, so that the pet airbag device 30 can be removed from the vehicle body 2 together with the pet guard main body 21 to which it is attached.

[0026] The pet inflator 32 is connected to the device-side connector 36. As a result, an activation signal output from the occupant protection input / output port 84 is input to the pet inflator 32. When the activation signal is input, the pet inflator 32 ignites and generates high-pressure gas.

[0027] The pet bag 35 is a bag that is connected to the pet inflator 32 and expands and deploys due to the high-pressure gas generated by the pet inflator 32. The pet bag 35 may be a horizontally elongated, curtain-shaped, approximately rectangular bag that expands to a size that is approximately the same as or larger than the horizontally elongated, approximately rectangular mesh portion 23. The curtain-shaped pet bag 35 is normally stored in a folded state in the pet guard device 20, which extends along the upper edge of the mesh portion 23 that is substantially rectangular in shape.

[0028] The occupant protection communication unit 81 is connected to a central gateway device (CGW) 48 via a bus cable as shown in FIG. 8, which will be described later, and communicates with other devices in the control system 40 of the automobile 1.

[0029] The occupant protection memory 83 stores programs and data for occupant protection control and may be configured with, for example, RAM, semiconductor memory, HDD, or the like.

[0030] The occupant protection ECU 82 reads and executes a program from the occupant protection memory 83. As a result, the occupant protection ECU 82 functions as an occupant protection control unit that executes overall control of the occupant protection control device 47. The occupant protection ECU 82 predicts and further detects a collision of the automobile 1 based on various detection values ​​and captured images acquired from the vehicle detection device 41, for example. The occupant protection ECU 82 then selects an output destination for the activation signal from among multiple devices connected to the occupant protection input / output port 84 depending on the type of collision to be predicted or detected, and outputs the activation signal to the selected output destination device. For example, when a frontal collision is predicted or detected, the occupant protection ECU 82 selects the seat belt device 57 and the front airbag device 58 as output destinations, and outputs an activation signal to the selected output destinations. In addition, for example, when a side collision is predicted or detected, the occupant protection ECU 82 selects the seat belt device 57, the side curtain airbag device 59, and the seat airbag device 60 as output destinations, and outputs an activation signal to the selected output destinations. In this way, the occupant protection ECU 82 selects and operates the device to which it outputs in accordance with the type of collision.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the connection detection control of the pet airbag device 30. The occupant protection ECU 82 repeatedly executes the connection detection control of FIG. The occupant protection ECU 82 may repeatedly execute the connection detection control of FIG. 4, for example, when the vehicle starts to move.

[0032] Step ST1 is a step for acquiring connection information of the pet airbag device 30. The occupant protection ECU 82 acquires connection information for the pet airbag device 30 from the occupant protection input / output port 84 of the occupant protection control device 47. The occupant protection ECU 82 acquires detection information about the connection of the device-side connector 36 to the vehicle-side connector 87, for example, from the connection sensor 88.

[0033] Step ST2 is a step for determining, based on the acquired connection information, whether or not the pet airbag device 30 is connected. The occupant protection ECU 82 determines, based on the connection information acquired in step ST1, whether or not the pet airbag device 30 is connected to the occupant protection input / output port 84 of the occupant protection control device 47. Then, for example, when the device-side connector 36 is connected to the vehicle-side connector 87, the occupant protection ECU 82 determines that the pet airbag device 30 is connected to the occupant protection control device 47, and proceeds to step ST3. If the device-side connector 36 is not connected to the vehicle-side connector 87, the occupant protection ECU 82 determines that the pet airbag device 30 is not connected to the occupant protection control device 47, and proceeds to step ST4.

[0034] Step ST3 is a step for executing settings for pet protection. The occupant protection ECU 82 executes settings for pet protection control that deploys the pet airbag device 30. The occupant protection ECU 82 records a setting value indicating the pet protection setting in the occupant protection memory 83. Thereafter, the occupant protection ECU 82 ends this control.

[0035] Step ST4 is a step for canceling the setting for pet protection. The occupant protection ECU 82 executes a setting for canceling the pet protection control that deploys the pet airbag device 30. The occupant protection ECU 82 records a setting value indicating the cancellation of the pet protection setting in the occupant protection memory 83. Thereafter, the occupant protection ECU 82 ends this control. In this way, the occupant protection ECU 82, as a control unit, determines whether or not the pet airbag device 30 is connected to the vehicle-side connector 87. If the pet airbag device 30 is not connected, the occupant protection ECU 82 can execute setting control so as not to output an activation signal for deploying the pet airbag device 30.

[0036] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the passenger protection control in the automobile 1 of FIG. The occupant protection ECU 82 repeatedly executes the occupant protection control shown in FIG. The occupant protection ECU 82 may repeatedly execute the connection detection control of FIG. 4 while the vehicle is running or while an occupant is in the vehicle, for example.

[0037] Step ST11 is a step for acquiring a detected value of acceleration of the automobile 1. The occupant protection ECU 82 acquires the detected value of acceleration from the acceleration sensor 86. The three-axis acceleration sensor 86 can detect the magnitude and direction of acceleration due to the input of a collision.

[0038] Step ST12 is a step for comparing the acquired detection value of acceleration with a threshold value. The occupant protection ECU 82 compares the acquired detection value with the threshold value. The threshold value here may be a threshold value for detecting a collision of the automobile 1. The occupant protection ECU 82 may also compare the acquired detection value with the threshold value using its absolute value. If the detection value is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the occupant protection ECU 82 proceeds to step ST13. If the detection value is less than the threshold value, the occupant protection ECU 82 proceeds to step ST17.

[0039] Step ST13 is a step for confirming whether the collision of the automobile 1 is a frontal collision. The occupant protection ECU 82 determines whether the collision of the automobile 1 is a frontal collision. If the input direction of the acquired detection value is a direction from the front, such as the front of the automobile 1, the occupant protection ECU 82 determines that the collision of the automobile 1 is a frontal collision, and proceeds to step ST14. If the input direction of the acquired detection value is not from the front, the occupant protection ECU 82 proceeds to step ST17.

[0040] Step ST14 is a step for executing control to deploy the front airbag device 58. The occupant protection ECU 82 selects the seat belt device 57 and the front airbag device 58 as output destinations, and outputs an activation signal to the selected output destinations. The occupant protection ECU 82 outputs a front activation signal to the front airbag device 58. As a result, the front airbag device 58 deploys in front of the occupant.

[0041] Step ST15 is a step for determining whether or not pet protection needs to be implemented. Because this is a frontal collision, the occupant protection ECU 82 determines whether or not to implement pet protection. The occupant protection ECU 82 acquires setting values ​​related to pet protection from the occupant protection memory 83. If the acquired setting values ​​are for setting pet protection, the occupant protection ECU 82 proceeds to step ST16 to implement pet protection. If the acquired setting values ​​are for canceling the pet protection setting, the occupant protection ECU 82 proceeds to step ST17 to not implement pet protection.

[0042] Step ST16 is a step for executing control to deploy the pet airbag device 30. The occupant protection ECU 82 selects the pet airbag device 30 as an output destination and outputs an activation signal to the selected output destination. The occupant protection ECU 82 outputs the pet activation signal to the pet airbag device 30. This activates the pet inflator 32 in the pet guard device 20. The pet bag 35, which is folded and stored, starts to deploy downward from the upper edge of the pet guard main body 21, and deploys so as to entirely cover the mesh portion 23 of the pet guard main body 21 from its rear side. At this time, the pet bag 35 may deploy within a range that is narrower in width than the pet guard main body 21 in the vehicle width direction. Pets are less likely to hit hard or directly against the highly rigid pet guard body 21. It is expected that safety for pets in the event of a frontal collision will be improved.

[0043] Step ST17 is a step for determining whether to terminate this control. The occupant protection ECU 82 determines whether to terminate the occupant protection control. For example, when the automobile 1 is stopped or when an occupant gets out of the automobile 1, the occupant protection ECU 82 may determine to terminate the occupant protection control. In this case, the occupant protection ECU 82 terminates this control. In other cases, the occupant protection ECU 82 returns the process to step ST11. The occupant protection ECU 82 repeatedly executes the processes from step ST11 to step ST17 until it determines to terminate the occupant protection control.

[0044] The occupant protection ECU 82 may predict a collision of the automobile 1 and output the various operation signals described above before detecting that the automobile 1 will collide, such as a head-on collision. In this way, the occupant protection ECU 82, as a control unit, can deploy the pet pouch 35 when the automobile 1 collides.

[0045] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the pet airbag device 30 is deployed in the automobile 1 of FIG. FIG. 6 corresponds to FIG.

[0046] 6, the pet bag body 35 of the pet airbag device 30 unfolds downward from the upper edge of the pet guard main body 21, and entirely covers the mesh portion 23 of the pet guard main body 21 from its rear side. Furthermore, the pet bag 35 is deployed with a width that fits between the deployment areas of the pair of left and right side curtain airbag devices 59. The pet bag 35 can be deployed so as not to interfere with the deployment of the pair of left and right side curtain airbag devices 59. In an automobile 1 that does not have a side curtain airbag device 59, the pet bag 35 may be deployed with a width that corresponds to the overall width of the luggage compartment 4. By deploying the pet bag 35 in this way, a pet in the luggage compartment 4 hits the pet bag 35 and is less likely to hit the highly rigid pet guard main body 21 hard and directly. This is expected to improve the safety of pets in the event of a frontal collision.

[0047] As described above, in this embodiment, the pet guard main body 21 is provided in the passenger compartment of the automobile 1 so as to separate the passenger compartment 3 and the luggage compartment 4 of the passenger compartment into front and rear sections. This makes it difficult for pets placed in the luggage compartment 4 behind the pet guard main body 21 in the passenger compartment to jump out in front of the pet guard main body 21 in the event of a frontal collision of the automobile 1. Pets in the luggage compartment 4 of the automobile 1 can be protected. Furthermore, under normal circumstances when no frontal collision has occurred, the pet bag body 35 is not deployed, and therefore only the pet guard main body 21 separates the front and rear compartments of the automobile 1. Passengers can see the pet placed in the luggage compartment 4 at the rear of the passenger compartment through the pet guard main body 21. Passengers do not have to stop the automobile 1, get out, and go to the luggage compartment 4 to check on the status of the pet in the luggage compartment 4 at the rear of the passenger compartment. Furthermore, rather than being confined in a narrow cage, the pet can show its face in the larger luggage compartment 4 at the rear of the passenger compartment in response to a passenger's call. Moreover, in this embodiment, a curtain-type pet airbag device 30 that can be deployed from top to bottom along the vertical direction of the pet guard main body 21 is provided on the rear side of the pet guard main body 21. The occupant protection ECU 82 as a control unit deploys the pet bag body 35 in the event of a frontal collision of the automobile 1. A pet that is placed in the luggage compartment 4 behind the pet guard main body 21 in the vehicle compartment and tries to move forward in the event of a frontal collision will hit the deployed pet bag body 35, and will be less likely to hit the pet guard main body 21 hard and directly. Pets placed in the vehicle compartment can be more suitably protected. In this way, in this embodiment, the safety of pets in the automobile 1 can be improved while ensuring convenience for passengers in the automobile 1 and the like.

[0048] In this embodiment, the pet airbag device 30 attached to the pet guard main body 21 is connected to the occupant protection ECU 82 via the device-side connector 36. As a result, in this embodiment, by removing the pet guard main body 21 from the automobile 1, the pet airbag device 30 can be removed from the automobile 1 together with the pet guard main body 21. When no pet is riding in the automobile 1, the pet guard main body 21 and the pet airbag device 30 can be removed from the vehicle body 2. The automobile 1 can be used in its original state without the pet guard main body 21. Moreover, since the pet airbag device 30 is removed as a unit, it is possible to prevent the pet airbag device 30 from being accidentally deployed when a pet is not present, for example, if only the pet airbag device 30 is left in the vehicle. The occupant protection ECU 82 also determines whether the device-side connector 36 of the pet airbag device 30 is connected to the vehicle-side connector 87. If the pet airbag device 30 is not connected, the occupant protection ECU 82 controls so as not to output an activation signal for deploying the pet airbag device 30. This allows the occupant protection ECU 82 to execute appropriate control that is optimally suited to the actual state of the automobile 1.

[0049] [Second embodiment] Next, a description will be given of a vehicle 1 with a pet protection function according to a second embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is an example in which the pet protection function is further enhanced. In the following, differences from the above-described embodiment will be mainly described. In this embodiment, the same components as those in the above-described embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0050] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of passenger protection control in the automobile 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The occupant protection ECU 82 may repeatedly execute the occupant protection control of FIG. 7 instead of that of FIG. 5, for example, while the automobile is running or while an occupant is in the automobile. Steps ST11 to ST16 in Fig. 7 are the same as those in Fig. 5. After step ST16, the occupant protection ECU 82 executes the process of step ST21.

[0051] Step ST21 is a step for executing control to deploy side curtain airbag device 59. Occupant protection ECU 82 outputs a side curtain activation signal to side curtain airbag device 59. Side curtain airbag device 59 deploys beside the occupant along both the left and right sides of the vehicle interior. In this way, when the pet airbag device 30 is to be deployed, the occupant protection ECU 82 deploys the deployable side curtain airbag device 59 near the pet airbag device 30.

[0052] By such interlocking operation, the side curtain airbag device 59 can be interlocked with the pet airbag device 30 and deployed substantially simultaneously when the automobile 1 is involved in a frontal collision. The side curtain airbag device 59 is not selected as an output destination by the occupant protection ECU 82 because of the frontal collision, and can be deployed in conjunction with the pet airbag device 30 even if an activation signal directed to itself is not output from the occupant protection input / output port 84. 6, the pair of left and right side curtain airbag devices 59 can close the gaps between the deployed pet bag body 35 of the pet airbag device 30 and the left and right sides of the vehicle interior, making it difficult for pets to get into these gaps. Furthermore, the pet bag 35 can be deployed in the luggage compartment 4 that forms the rear of the vehicle interior without interfering with the deployment range of the side curtain airbag device 59, which is another airbag device.

[0053] As described above, in this embodiment, the pet bag body 35 of the pet airbag device 30 is deployed in the luggage compartment 4 behind the pet guard main body 21. The pet bag body 35 is deployed so as not to interfere with the deployment range of the side curtain airbag device 59 that deploys along the side of the vehicle compartment. In this embodiment, whether to deploy the pet bag 35 of the pet airbag device 30 is determined depending on the type of collision of the automobile 1. In this embodiment, it is determined to deploy the pet bag 35 of the pet airbag device 30 when the collision of the automobile 1 is a frontal collision. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the pet bag 35 of the pet airbag device 30 is deployed, the side curtain airbag device 59 is also deployed. As a result, the gap formed between the deployed pet bag 35 and the side of the passenger compartment is closed by the deployed side curtain airbag device 59. By deploying the side curtain airbag device 59 together with the pet airbag device 30 in a frontal collision, the front and rear of the passenger compartment can be separated without creating a large gap. Pets in the luggage compartment 4 at the rear of the passenger compartment are less likely to jump out forward through the gap formed between the deployed pet bag 35 and the side of the passenger compartment.

[0054] In this embodiment, the occupant protection ECU 82 deploys a side curtain airbag device 59 as another airbag device that is deployed together with the pet airbag device 30. In addition to this, for example, the occupant protection ECU 82 may deploy an airbag device other than the side curtain airbag device 59 together with the pet airbag device 30. Furthermore, the occupant protection ECU 82 may deploy an airbag device other than the side curtain airbag device 59 together with the pet airbag device 30.

[0055] [Third embodiment] Next, a description will be given of a car 1 with a pet protection function according to a third embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is an example in which the protection function is further enhanced by deployment according to the size of the pet. In the following, differences from the above-described embodiment will be mainly described. In this embodiment, the same components as those in the above-described embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0056] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a control system 40 of an automobile 1 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The control system 40 of the automobile 1 in Figure 8 includes a vehicle detection device 41, a driving control device 42, an event logger 43, an external communication device 44, an internal communication device 45, an operation detection device 46, an occupant protection control device 47, and a central gateway device (CGW) 48 to which these are connected.

[0057] The central gateway device 48 controls communications between multiple devices provided in the control system 40 of the automobile 1. Each device provided in the control system 40 is connected to the central gateway device 48 by a bus cable. The central gateway device 48 may control the relay of communication data packets from one device to another. The central gateway device 48 and multiple bus cables form a communication network in the automobile 1. The communication network of the automobile 1 may be, for example, a CAN.

[0058] Various sensors provided on the automobile 1 are connected to the vehicle detection device 41. In this example, the vehicle detection device 41 is connected to an exterior camera 51, an acceleration sensor 86, a luggage compartment camera 53, a luggage compartment radar 54, a luggage compartment weight sensor 55, and a connection sensor 88. Exterior camera 51 is installed facing forward in, for example, passenger compartment 3 of automobile 1. In this case, exterior camera 51 can capture an image of the area ahead of automobile 1. The captured image of the area ahead of automobile 1 may also capture an image of other automobiles 1 traveling in front of automobile 1. Note that exterior camera 51 may be a 360-degree camera, or multiple exterior cameras 51 may be installed in automobile 1. The luggage compartment camera 53 captures an image of the luggage compartment 4 of the automobile 1. The luggage compartment camera 53 can capture an image of luggage and pets in the luggage compartment 4 at an angle of view according to the size and dimensions of the luggage and pets. The luggage compartment radar 54 performs a radar scan of the luggage compartment 4 of the automobile 1. If there is luggage or a pet in the luggage compartment 4, the radar scan results of the luggage compartment 4 will be different from when there is no luggage or pet in the luggage compartment 4. The luggage compartment radar 54 can detect the size and extent of the range in which the differential data is generated. The luggage compartment weight sensor 55 is provided on the floor 10 of the luggage compartment 4 of the automobile 1 to detect the weight of luggage or pets in the luggage compartment 4. These various sensors 51, 53, 54, and 55 are sensors for detecting pets in the vehicle compartment. The vehicle detection device 41 then outputs the detection values ​​of these various sensors and values ​​generated based on the detection values ​​to other devices connected via the central gateway device 48, such as the occupant protection control device 47. The vehicle detection device 41 can output, for example, the current detection value of acceleration by the acceleration sensor 86 and connection information of the connected sensors 88 to the occupant protection control device 47 by broadcast transmission or the like. In the control system 40 of such an automobile 1, the occupant protection control device 47 does not need to have its own acceleration sensor 86 or its own connection sensor 88.

[0059] The driving control device 42 controls the driving of the automobile 1 in manual driving, assisted driving, or automatic driving, according to the value output by the vehicle detection device 41, for example.

[0060] The exterior communication device 44 establishes a wireless communication path with a base station (not shown) or the like outside the automobile 1. The automobile 1 transmits and receives data to and from a server device outside the automobile 1 through the wireless communication path established with the base station. For example, when the occupant protection control device 47 detects or predicts an emergency such as a collision, it causes the exterior communication device 44 to send an emergency call. The exterior communication device 44 may also establish a wireless communication path with another automobile 1.

[0061] The in-vehicle communication device 45 detects, for example, a mobile terminal or an IoT device (not shown) in the vehicle and establishes a wireless communication path with these other devices. The in-vehicle communication device 45 can transmit and receive data to and from other devices such as mobile terminals and IoT devices with which the wireless communication path has been established. The in-vehicle communication device 45 may determine whether the other device is inside or outside the vehicle based on, for example, the response delay time of the other device, which tends to be longer than the response delay time of the other device inside the vehicle.

[0062] The operation detection device 46 detects the operation by the occupant of various UI (user interface) devices and setting switches 56 provided in the vehicle. The setting switch 56 may include, for example, a switch that is operated depending on whether or not the pet guard device 20 is installed, a switch for setting the type and size of the pet to be placed in the luggage compartment 4, and the like.

[0063] The event logger 43 accumulates and records events to be recorded in chronological order when they occur in the automobile 1. The event logger 43 may record an event log for the various operations described above. For example, the event logger 43 may accumulate and record in chronological order events such as driving events generated by the driving control device 42, collision detection events generated by the occupant protection control device 47, and airbag deployment events.

[0064] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the control of determining the size of a pet by the control system 40 of the automobile 1 of FIG. The occupant protection ECU 82 of the occupant protection control device 47 may repeatedly execute the pet size determination control shown in FIG.

[0065] Step ST31 is a step for determining whether a pet is in the vehicle 1. The occupant protection ECU 82 of the occupant protection control device 47 determines whether a pet is in the vehicle 1 or not. The luggage compartment camera 53 of the control system 40 of the automobile 1 can capture an image of a pet placed in the luggage compartment 4 of the automobile 1. The pet is included in the captured image at a size according to its size. The luggage compartment radar 54 can perform a radar scan of a pet placed in the luggage compartment 4 of the automobile 1. In the radar scan result, the pet is included in a size according to its size. The luggage compartment weight sensor 55 can detect the weight of a pet placed in the luggage compartment 4 of the automobile 1. The in-vehicle communication device 45 can detect an IOT device (not shown) attached to, for example, a collar of a pet. The IOT device may include information about the size of the pet. When pet detection information by any of these sensors is obtained from the control system 40 of the automobile 1, the occupant protection ECU 82 can determine that a pet is riding in the automobile 1. In this case, the occupant protection ECU 82 advances the process to step ST32. If there is no pet detection information from these sensors, the occupant protection ECU 82 can determine that no pet is riding in the automobile 1. The occupant protection ECU 82 can determine that no pet is riding in the automobile 1 even if the pet guard device 20 is installed in the automobile 1. In this case, the occupant protection ECU 82 ends this control. When the vehicle-side connector 87 and the device-side connector 36 are connected, the connection sensor 88 detects the connection. The occupant protection ECU 82 can determine whether the pet guard device 20 is attached to the automobile 1 depending on whether the connection sensor 88 detects the connection. Furthermore, when the connection is detected by the connection sensor 88, the occupant protection ECU 82 may make a judgment on the assumption that a pet is riding in the automobile 1, and proceed to step ST32.

[0066] Step ST32 is a step for determining whether or not a setting for a pet has been made. The setting control unit 34 determines whether or not a setting for a pet has been made in the control system 40 of the automobile 1. The control system 40 of the automobile 1 may be provided with a setting switch 56 shown in Figure 6, such as a switch that is set depending on whether or not the pet guard device 20 is installed, or a switch for setting the type and size of the pet to be placed in the luggage compartment 4. If these setting switches 56 are provided or operated, the setting control unit 34 determines that settings regarding pets have been made in the control system 40 of the automobile 1, and proceeds to step ST33. Otherwise, the setting control unit 34 advances the process to step ST35.

[0067] Step ST33 is a step for acquiring settings regarding the pet. The setting control unit 34 acquires, via the operation detection device 46, setting values ​​regarding the type and size of the pet set by the setting switch 56.

[0068] Step ST34 is a step for executing deployment settings according to the acquired settings for the pet. The setting control unit 34 executes deployment settings for the pet pouch 35 according to the type and size of the pet set in the setting switch 56. For example, when a large dog is detected and the size is set to be equal to or larger than the threshold, the setting control unit 34 sets a strong output that deploys the maximum output, for example. In addition, for example, when a small dog is detected and the size is set to be less than the threshold, the setting control unit 34 sets a weak output that is deployed at half output, for example. When the pet inflator 32 is activated at half output, the pet bag 35 is less hard when deployed than when activated at maximum output. The impact force when the pet hits the deployed pet bag 35 is lower. The number of dog breeds and sizes that can be set using the setting switch 56 may be three or more, rather than two. In this case, the setting control unit 34 may execute a setting that switches the output, for example, in three or more stages, according to each setting type. Thereafter, the setting control unit 34 ends this control.

[0069] Step ST35 is a step for acquiring a pet detection result. Since no setting has been made by the setting switch 56, the setting control unit 34 acquires the pet detection result by the sensor. The setting control unit 34 acquires, as the pet detection result, an image of the luggage compartment 4 taken by the luggage compartment camera 53, a radar scan result of the luggage compartment 4 by the luggage compartment radar 54, and a weight acting on the luggage compartment 4 by the luggage compartment weight sensor 55. The setting control unit 34 may also acquire a detection result of a predetermined IOT device on the pet's collar by the in-vehicle communication device 45.

[0070] Step ST36 is a step for determining the size of the pet based on the acquired detection results. The setting control unit 34 determines the size of the pet based on the acquired detection information from the plurality of sensors. The setting control unit 34 may, for example, compare the size and weight of the pet in the pet detection result with a corresponding threshold value to determine the size of the pet. The setting control unit 34 may determine whether the dog is a large dog or a small dog based on a predetermined threshold value, for example.

[0071] Step ST37 is a step for executing deployment settings according to the determined pet. The setting control unit 34 executes deployment settings of the pet pouch 35 according to the determined pet. For example, if the size of the pet in the captured image of the luggage compartment 4 or the results of a radar scan of the luggage compartment 4 is equal to or greater than a threshold, or if the weight acting on the luggage compartment 4 is equal to or greater than a threshold, the setting control unit 34 determines that the pet is a large dog and sets a strong output, for example, to be deployed at maximum output. In other cases, the setting control unit 34 determines that the dog is a small dog and sets a weak output, for example, to deploy at half output. In addition, the setting control unit 34 may adjust the determination of whether the dog is a large or small dog based on information from a specified IoT device on the pet's collar, and set the deployment output according to the adjusted determination result. By combining the detection results of a plurality of sensors to determine the pet in this way, the setting control unit 34 can improve the accuracy of determining the pet that is actually riding, and can execute more reliable settings.

[0072] In this embodiment, the setting control unit 34 prioritizes the setting made by the setting switch 56 at the discretion of the occupant, but if no such setting is available, it can perform settings appropriate to the pet based on automatic detection. Unlike the flowchart described above, the setting control unit 34 may execute settings according to the pet by combining settings made by the occupant using the setting switch 56 and automatic detection.

[0073] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a setting table 79 of the deployment output of the pet airbag device 30 used in the pet determination process of FIG. The expansion output setting table 79 in FIG. 10 includes information on expansion settings according to the size, weight, and breed of the pet. The deployment output setting table 79 of FIG. 10 may be recorded in the occupant protection memory 83. The occupant protection ECU 82 may, for example, read the deployment output setting table 79 of FIG. 10 from the occupant protection memory 83 in the pet determination in step ST36 of FIG. 9, and perform the pet determination. The setting control unit 34 may set the deployment output in accordance with the deployment output setting table 79 in FIG. 10, for example, also in step ST34 in FIG.

[0074] In the pet determination according to the deployment output setting table 79 of FIG. 10, the occupant protection ECU 82 first determines the size of the pet in the luggage compartment 4 based on the first row of the setting table. The occupant protection ECU 82 may determine the size of the pet, for example, based on whether the size of the pet captured by the luggage compartment camera 53 or the size of the pet detected by the luggage compartment radar 54 is equal to or larger than the size threshold "large" that determines the pet to be a large dog. If the size of the pet is equal to or larger than the "large" size threshold for a large dog, the occupant protection ECU 82 determines that the size of the pet in the luggage compartment 4 is that of a large dog, and executes a deployment setting suitable for a large dog. In step ST36 of FIG. 9, the occupant protection ECU 82 sets the operation at the time of ignition of the pet inflator 32 so that the pet bag 35 is deployed with a strong output of the pet inflator 32.

[0075] If the size of the pet is not equal to or larger than the "large" size threshold for a large dog, the occupant protection ECU 82 next determines the weight of the pet in the luggage compartment 4 based on the second row of the setting table. The occupant protection ECU 82 may determine the weight of the pet based on whether or not the weight of the pet measured by the luggage compartment weight sensor 55 is equal to or greater than a weight threshold value for determining that the pet is a large dog. If the weight of the pet is equal to or greater than the "large" weight threshold for a large dog, the occupant protection ECU 82 determines that the weight of the pet in the luggage compartment 4 is that of a large dog, and executes a deployment setting suitable for a large dog. In step ST36 of Fig. 9, the occupant protection ECU 82 sets the operation at the time of ignition of the pet inflator 32 so that the pet bag 35 is deployed with a strong output of the pet inflator 32.

[0076] If the weight of the pet is not equal to or greater than the "large" weight threshold for a large dog, the occupant protection ECU 82 next determines the breed of the pet in the luggage compartment 4 based on the third row of the setting table. The occupant protection ECU 82 may determine whether the breed of the pet in the luggage compartment 4 is a large dog or not, based on the setting information about the size of the pet set in the setting switch 56. In addition, for example, the occupant protection ECU 82 may determine whether the pet in the luggage compartment 4 is a large dog based on information about the pet's breed, size, and weight registered in an IoT device attached to the pet's collar or the like. If the breed of the pet is a large dog, the occupant protection ECU 82 determines that the pet in the luggage compartment 4 is a large dog and executes a deployment setting suitable for large dogs. In step ST36 of Fig. 9, the occupant protection ECU 82 sets the operation of the pet inflator 32 at the time of ignition so that the pet bag 35 is deployed with a strong output of the pet inflator 32. If the breed of the pet is not a large dog, the occupant protection ECU 82 determines that the pet in the luggage compartment 4 is a small dog, as shown in the fourth row of the setting table, and executes a deployment setting suitable for a small dog. In step ST36 of Fig. 9, the occupant protection ECU 82 sets the operation of the pet inflator 32 at the time of ignition so that the pet bag 35 is deployed with a weak output that is half that of the pet inflator 32.

[0077] Thereafter, the occupant protection ECU 82 executes pet protection control with the output of the pet inflator 32 set to the size of the pet. The pet protection control at this time may be that shown in Fig. 5 of the first embodiment or that shown in Fig. 7 of the second embodiment. When a frontal collision (crash) of the automobile 1 is detected, the passenger protection ECU 82 activates the pet inflator 32 at the set output. When the strong output is set based on the first to third rows of the setting table in Fig. 10, the pet inflator 32 inflates the pet bag 35 with maximum output, for example. The pet bag 35 inflated with full output can effectively catch a heavy large dog moving forward in the event of a collision and prevent it from hitting the pet guard main body 21 hard. In contrast, when a low output is set based on the fourth row of the setting table in Fig. 10, the pet inflator 32 inflates the pet bag 35 with, for example, half the maximum output. The pet bag 35 inflated with a low output is inflated with a sufficient hardness that is not more than necessary, and can adequately catch a relatively light small dog that moves forward during a collision.

[0078] As described above, in this embodiment, the size of the pet in the passenger compartment of the automobile 1 is determined based on the detection results of the sensors 51, 53, 54, 55 about the pet in the passenger compartment or the setting information (56) about the pet in the passenger compartment. Then, in this embodiment, the deployment state of the pet airbag device 30 is controlled according to the determination result of the pet. For example, when a large and heavy pet such as a large dog is in the luggage compartment 4 at the rear of the vehicle cabin, the occupant protection ECU 82 deploys the pet bag 35 with strong output. The deployed pet bag 35 can adequately catch the large pet. In addition, for example, when a small and light pet such as a small dog is in the luggage compartment 4, the occupant protection ECU 82 deploys the pet bag 35 with low output. The deployed pet bag 35 is deployed with a sufficient hardness that is not more than necessary, and can adequately catch the small pet. If the pet bag 35 is deployed with the same hardness for a small pet as for a large pet, the small pet may receive a strong impact when it hits the hard pet bag 35.

[0079] The above-described embodiment is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the invention.

[0080] In the above-described embodiment, the pet airbag device 30 has one pet bag 35. The pet airbag device 30 may have a plurality of pet bags 35 arranged vertically in the automobile 1. The plurality of pet bags 35 may be commonly connected to one pet inflator 32, or may be separately connected to a plurality of pet inflators 32. The occupant protection ECU 82 may select the pet bag 35 to be deployed from the plurality of pet bags 35 depending on, for example, the size of the pet. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 1...Automobile (vehicle), 2...Vehicle body, 3...Passenger compartment (part of the vehicle interior), 4...Luggage compartment (part of the vehicle interior), 5...Floor, 6...Front row seats, 7...Rear row seats, 8...Seat, 9...Seat back, 10...Floor, 12...Receiving portion, 20...Pet ​​guard device, 21...Pet ​​guard main body, 22...Support portion, 23...Mesh portion, 24...Auxiliary panel portion, 30...Pet ​​airbag device, 32...Pet ​​inflator, 35...Pet ​​bag body, 36...Device side connector, 40...Control system, 41...Vehicle detection device, 42...Driving control device, 43...Event logger, 44...External vehicle communication device, 45...Internal vehicle communication device, 46...operation detection device, 47...occupant protection control device, 48...central gateway device, 51...exterior camera, 53...luggage compartment camera, 54...luggage compartment radar, 55...luggage compartment weight sensor, 56...setting switch, 57...seat belt device, 58...front airbag device, 59...side curtain airbag device, 60...seat airbag device, 79...setting table, 81...occupant protection communication unit, 82...occupant protection ECU (control unit), 83...occupant protection memory, 84...occupant protection input / output port, 85...internal bus, 86...acceleration sensor, 87...vehicle side connector, 88...connection sensor

Claims

1. a pet guard body provided to separate a passenger compartment and a luggage compartment of a vehicle cabin from each other in order to protect pets in the luggage compartment of the vehicle cabin; a pet airbag device that can be deployed behind the pet guard body; a side curtain airbag device that deploys along a side surface of the vehicle compartment toward the pet airbag device; a control unit that deploys the pet airbag device when the vehicle crashes; and The pet guard body has a mesh portion or a transparent or semi-transparent panel portion, the pet airbag device has a pet bag that can be deployed adjacent to the side curtain airbag device in the luggage compartment so as not to interfere with the deployment range of the side curtain airbag device, The control unit determining whether to deploy the pet bag in the event of a collision of the vehicle; When the pet bag is deployed, the side curtain airbag device is deployed together with the pet airbag device. Vehicles with pet protection features.

2. A sensor for detecting a pet in the luggage compartment or an acquisition unit for acquiring setting information about the pet in the luggage compartment, The control unit determining whether a pet is present in the luggage compartment of the vehicle based on the detection result of the sensor or the setting information acquired by the acquisition unit; controlling the deployment state of the pet airbag device according to the pet determination result; 2. A vehicle with a pet protection function according to claim 1.

3. The pet airbag device is The control unit is connected to the vehicle via a connector of the vehicle, and is attached to the pet guard main body so as to be detachable from the vehicle together with the pet guard main body.

3. A vehicle with a pet protection function according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The control unit determining whether a pet is present in the luggage compartment of the vehicle based on the detection result of the sensor or the setting information acquired by the acquisition unit; When the size of the pet is equal to or larger than a threshold value, or when the weight acting on the luggage compartment is equal to or larger than a threshold value, the pet airbag device is deployed with maximum output; otherwise, the pet airbag device is deployed with low output.

3. A vehicle with a pet protection function according to claim 2.

5. The collision is a frontal collision.

2. A vehicle with a pet protection function according to claim 1.

Images