Conflict detection device

Abstract

To provide a collision determination device that can sense collision in a state where a power supply of a vehicle parked or the like is turned off.SOLUTION: A collision determination device 100 includes: a plurality of G sensors 30 that sense acceleration in a predetermined direction; an accident vehicle determination part 16 that determines collision of a vehicle 200 when deviations of output of the G sensors 30 from a normal value at the time when a power supply of the vehicle 200 is turned on are above a predetermined threshold; and an on-vehicle communication instrument 40 that transmits a determined result of the collision of the vehicle 200 to a data server 50.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a collision determination device that can detect a collision even when the power supply of a vehicle such as a parked vehicle is turned off.

Background Art

[0002] In the appraisal of used cars, the accident history of the vehicle to be appraised is questioned. In the appraisal, even a minor collision affects the evaluation, but it is not easy to detect a minor collision that is difficult to distinguish only by visually inspecting the appearance of the vehicle.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses an invention that determines a collision using various sensors mounted on a vehicle such as an acceleration sensor and a gyro sensor, and records the determination result in a management server.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, since the sensors mounted on the vehicle do not function when the power supply of the vehicle is off, such as when the ignition switch of the vehicle is off, there is a possibility that a collision during parking when the power supply of the vehicle is turned off cannot be detected.

[0006] In consideration of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to obtain a collision determination device that can detect a collision in a state where the power supply of a vehicle such as a parked vehicle is turned off.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To achieve the above object Regarding the first aspect The collision determination device They are installed in different locations on each vehicle. an acceleration sensor that detects acceleration in a predetermined direction multiple and The aforementioned Output of the acceleration sensor when the vehicle's power is turned on. From the deviation amount GDa from the normal value, a signal GDg is obtained by subtracting the error due to the voltage of the power supply and the error due to temperature changes at the mounting position of the acceleration sensor. If the signal GDg is above a predetermined threshold and the difference between it and the signal GDg obtained from the output of other acceleration sensors is above a predetermined reference value, it is determined that a collision of the vehicle occurred near the mounting position of the acceleration sensor. Includes a determination unit and I am .

[0008] First aspect According to When a vehicle collision occurs while the vehicle's power is off, the system can accurately determine the location of the collision.

[0009] In the second embodiment, the predetermined threshold is set to a value corresponding to the signal GDa obtained from the signal output from the acceleration sensor when a vehicle is parked on a road surface with the maximum gradient permissible for a parking lot.

[0010] Second aspect According to By comparing the signal GDg with a predetermined threshold, cases where a vehicle is parked on a sloped road surface can be excluded, allowing for accurate determination of when a vehicle collision has occurred.

[0015] A third aspect is, in the first aspect, The system further includes a communication device for transmitting the collision determination result of the vehicle, determined by the determination unit, to the data server so that the data server can access and store the result. It is.

[0016] Third aspect According to the report, by storing the collision detection results in a viewable format on a data server, they can be used as a basis for judgment when appraising used cars. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] As described above, the collision detection device according to the present invention can detect collisions when the vehicle's power is off, such as when it is parked. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing a specific example of the configuration of the collision detection device according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] (A) is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the detection direction of the G sensor and the acceleration due to gravity in a normal state when the vehicle is not subjected to an impact; (B) is a schematic diagram showing an example of the output of the G sensor in a normal state; (C) is an explanatory diagram showing the case when the vehicle body is deformed due to an impact and the mounting position of the G sensor is displaced; and (D) is a schematic diagram showing an example of the output of the G sensor when the mounting position has been displaced due to an impact. [Figure 3]This is a flowchart showing an example of the processing in the airbag ECU of the collision determination device according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] (A) is an explanatory diagram when the vehicle is parked in a tilted state forward and backward, and (B) is an explanatory diagram when the vehicle is parked in a tilted state left and right.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, the collision determination device 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the specific configuration of the collision determination device 100 according to this embodiment. The collision determination device 100 includes an airbag ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 10 that controls the airbag of the vehicle 200, a power supply 20 that supplies power to the airbag ECU 10 and the G sensors 30, a temperature sensor 22 that detects the temperature of the vehicle 200, a plurality of G sensors 30 that detect the acceleration acting on the vehicle 200, and an in-vehicle communication device 40 that enables remote communication 70, which is V2X (Vehicle to Everything) communication, between the vehicle 200 and the data server 50. The G sensors 30 are attached, for example, to the four corners of the vehicle 200 and the floor of the vehicle 200, and the attachment positions of the G sensors 30 are displaced due to the deformation of the vehicle body caused by the vehicle 200 receiving an impact. The G sensors 30 whose attachment positions are displaced by the impact have a change in the influence of the gravitational acceleration compared to before receiving the impact, and a G sensor drift amount described later is included in the output of the G sensors 30.

[0020] The airbag ECU 10 includes a power supply voltage detection unit 12 that detects the voltage of the power supply 20, a G sensor drift amount calculation unit 14 that calculates the G sensor drift amount based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 22, the acceleration detected by the G sensors 30, and the voltage of the power supply 20 detected by the power supply voltage detection unit 12, and an accident vehicle determination unit 16 that determines the presence or absence of an accident based on the calculated G sensor drift amount. The determination result by the accident vehicle determination unit 16 is transmitted to the data server 50 by the in - vehicle communication device 40 and stored in the data server 50.

[0021] FIG. 2(A) is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the detection direction 60 of the G sensor 30 and the gravitational acceleration 62 in a normal state where the vehicle 200 is not subjected to an impact. The G sensor 30 is installed such that the detection direction 60 is perpendicular to the direction in which the gravitational acceleration 62 acts so as not to be affected by the gravitational acceleration 62.

[0022] FIG. 2(B) is a schematic diagram showing an example of the output of the G sensor 30 in the normal state. The G sensor 30 starts outputting a signal when the power is on, such as when the ignition switch of the vehicle is turned on. The signal output by the G sensor 30 in the normal state shows a value near 0 as a normal value, although there are some fluctuations when the vehicle 200 is stopped on a horizontal road surface.

[0023] FIG. 2(C) is an explanatory diagram when the vehicle body is deformed by an impact and the mounting position of the G sensor 30 is displaced. The G sensor 30 with the displaced mounting position is not perpendicular to the direction in which the gravitational acceleration 62 acts, and the influence of the gravitational acceleration 62 changes compared to before being subjected to the impact, and a drift 64 due to the influence of the gravitational acceleration 62 occurs in the output of the G sensor 30.

[0024] FIG. 2(D) is a schematic diagram showing an example of the output of the G sensor 30 with the displaced mounting position due to an impact. The G sensor 30 starts outputting a signal when the power is on, such as when the ignition switch of the vehicle is turned on. However, unlike the signal output by the G sensor 30 in the normal state, due to the influence of the drift caused by the gravitational acceleration 62, even when the vehicle 200 is stopped on a horizontal road surface, it does not show a value near the normal value of 0 and deviates from the normal value. For example, in FIG. 2(D), a drift amount GDa due to the gravitational acceleration 62 has occurred due to the influence of the drift caused by the gravitational acceleration 62.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing in the airbag ECU 10 of the collision determination device 100 according to the present embodiment. The processing shown in FIG. 3 starts when the power of the vehicle 200 is turned on.

[0026] In step S100, the G-sensor drift calculation unit 14 calculates GDa, which is the drift amount of the G-sensor 30 as shown in Figure 2(D). As shown in Figure 2(D), GDa is the deviation of the output of the G-sensor 30 relative to 0. However, since GDa may fluctuate, in this embodiment, for example, the midpoint between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the output of the G-sensor 30, or the average value of the output of the G-sensor 30 within a predetermined time, is used as GDa.

[0027] In this embodiment, in order to prevent misjudgment due to drift caused by factors other than gravitational acceleration 62, the G-sensor drift amount calculation unit 14 executes the procedures of steps S102 and S104, and the procedures of steps S106 and S108 in parallel with step S100.

[0028] In step S102, the G-sensor drift calculation unit 14 acquires temperature information near the mounting position of the G-sensor 30, which is detected by the temperature sensor 22.

[0029] In step S104, the G-sensor drift calculation unit 14 calculates the drift amount GDt due to temperature. In this embodiment, as an example, the GDt corresponding to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 22 is calculated by referring to a predetermined pattern of change in GDt in response to temperature changes, based on computer simulations or experiments using an actual vehicle.

[0030] In step S106, the G-sensor drift calculation unit 14 acquires the voltage value of the power supply 20 that supplies power to the G-sensor 30, which has been detected by the power supply voltage detection unit 12.

[0031] In step S108, the G-sensor drift calculation unit 14 calculates the drift amount GDv due to the power supply voltage. In this embodiment, as an example, the GDv corresponding to the power supply voltage detected by the power supply voltage detection unit 12 is calculated by referring to a preset pattern of change in GDv in response to a change in power supply voltage, based on computer simulation or experiments using an actual vehicle.

[0032] In this embodiment, the G-sensor drift amount calculation unit 14 performs the calculation processes of steps S102 and S104, and the calculation processes of steps S106 and S108 in parallel with step S100, but is not limited to this. If the GDa calculated in step S100, the GDt calculated in step S104, and the GDv calculated in step S108 are each stored in a memory device, the steps S100 to S108 may be executed by a single processing thread.

[0033] In step S110, GDg is calculated based on the gravitational acceleration of 62, excluding the effects of the temperature drift GDt and the power supply voltage drift GDv. Specifically, GDg is calculated by subtracting the errors GDt and GDv from GDa.

[0034] In step S112, it is determined whether GDg is above a predetermined threshold. The threshold can be determined by deriving the correlation between the degree of damage to the vehicle 200 and GDg based on computer simulations or experiments using an actual vehicle, and setting the minimum value of DGg in cases where an accident is recognized as the threshold. However, as will be described later, the G sensor 30 also outputs G drift when the vehicle 200 is parked on an inclined surface. In construction, the ideal gradient for a parking lot is considered to be 2-4% (2-4 degrees in angle), so as an example, the G drift output by the G sensor 30 when the vehicle 200 is parked on a road surface with the maximum allowable gradient for a parking lot (for example, 4%) may be used as the threshold.

[0035] In step S112, if GDg is greater than or equal to the threshold, the procedure proceeds to step S114; otherwise, the procedure proceeds to step S118.

[0036] In step S114, in order to prevent misjudgment when the vehicle 200 is parked at an angle, the accident vehicle determination unit 16 compares the GDg detected by the G sensor 30 that is the target of determination with the GDg detected by a G sensor 30 mounted at a different position from the target G sensor 30.

[0037] Figure 4(A) is an explanatory diagram showing the case when vehicle 200 is parked with the vehicle tilted forward or backward. When vehicle 200 is tilted forward or backward, the front G sensor 30A located near the front bumper of vehicle 200 experiences G-drift 64A due to the influence of gravitational acceleration 62A, and the floor G sensor 30B located on the floor of vehicle 200 experiences G-drift 64B due to the influence of gravitational acceleration 62B.

[0038] Figure 4(B) is an explanatory diagram showing the case when vehicle 200 is parked with the vehicle tilted to the left or right. When vehicle 200 is tilted to the left or right, the right B-pillar G sensor 30C located on the right side of vehicle 200 experiences a G-drift 64C due to the influence of gravitational acceleration 62C, the floor G sensor 30B located on the floor of vehicle 200 experiences a G-drift 64E due to the influence of gravitational acceleration 62E, and the left B-pillar G sensor 30D located on the left side of vehicle 200 experiences a G-drift 64D due to the influence of gravitational acceleration 62D.

[0039] If the slope of the road surface beneath the vehicle 200 is constant and the mounting position of each G sensor 30 is not displaced due to the collision, then in Figure 4(A), G drift 64A and G drift 64B will each be approximately the same value. Similarly, in Figure 4(B), G drift 64C, G drift 64D, and G drift 64E will each be approximately the same value.

[0040] However, if the mounting position of either the front G sensor 30A or the floor G sensor 30B is displaced due to the collision, a difference will occur between G drift 64A and G drift 64B. Similarly, if the mounting position of either the right B pillar G sensor 30C, the floor G sensor 30B, or the left pillar G sensor 30D is displaced due to the collision, a difference will occur between G drift 64C, G drift 64D, and G drift 64E. The nature of the difference that occurs between G drift 64A, 64B, or G drift 64C-64E changes depending on the relationship between the displacement of the mounting position of the G sensor 30 (30A-30D) caused by the impact and the gradient. In some cases, the synergistic effect of the G drift due to the displacement of the mounting position and the G drift due to the gradient may increase the G drift output by the G sensor 30 whose mounting position has been displaced, and as a result, the difference from the G drift output by the other G sensors may become larger. Therefore, in step S112 described above, if GDg exceeds the threshold... Up and Even if a detection error is made, it is possible to re-identify the G-sensor 30 that actually experienced the impact of the accident by determining the difference between it and the G-drift output by other G-sensors.

[0041] In step S114, the accident vehicle determination unit 16 determines whether the difference between the GDg detected by the G sensor 30 to be determined and the GDg detected by the G sensor 30 mounted at a different location from the G sensor 30 to be determined is greater than or equal to a predetermined standard value. The predetermined standard value is determined based on computer simulations or experiments using an actual vehicle, assuming the minimum impact that would be considered an accident.

[0042] In step S114, if the difference between the GDg detected by the G sensor 30 mounted at a different location from the G sensor 30 being judged is greater than or equal to a predetermined reference value, the procedure proceeds to step S116. If the difference between the GDg detected by the G sensor 30 mounted at a different location from the G sensor 30 being judged is not greater than or equal to a predetermined reference value, the procedure proceeds to step S118.

[0043] In step S116, the accident vehicle determination unit 16 determines that the vehicle 200 is an accident vehicle that was hit near the mounting position of the G sensor 30, which is the target of the determination, and terminates the process. The determination result in step S116 is transmitted to the data server 50 by the in-vehicle communication device 40 and stored in the data server 50.

[0044] In step S118, the accident vehicle determination unit 16 determines that vehicle 200 is an accident-free vehicle and terminates the process.

[0045] As described above, according to this embodiment, if the output of the G sensor 30 after the power of the vehicle 200 is turned on shows a drift amount GDg that is greater than or equal to a threshold, it is determined that the vehicle 200 has been hit.

[0046] The drift in the output of the G-sensor 30 can occur if the mounting position of the G-sensor 30 is displaced due to the collision. Therefore, if a drift amount GDg exceeding a threshold is detected immediately after the power of the parked vehicle 200 is turned on, it can be inferred that the vehicle 200 was hit while the vehicle's power was off, such as when it was parked.

[0047] The drift output of the G-sensor 30 is also detected when the vehicle 200 is parked on an inclined road surface. In this embodiment, the drift output of each of the multiple G-sensors 30 installed on the vehicle 200 is compared, and if there is a G-sensor 30 whose drift differs significantly from that of the other G-sensors 30, it is determined that the vehicle 200 has been hit.

[0048] Furthermore, the determination of whether vehicle 200 was involved in a collision is stored in the data server 50, and the determination results can be viewed afterward, allowing for confirmation of whether vehicle 200 has a history of accidents when appraising a used car. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0049] 10 Airbag ECU 12 Power supply voltage detection unit 14 Sensor drift amount calculation unit 16 Accident vehicle judgment department 20 Power supply 22 Temperature Sensor 30 G sensor 30A Front G-Sensor 30B Floor G Sensor 30C Right B-pillar G sensor 30D Left B-pillar G-sensor 40 In-vehicle communication equipment 50 data servers 60 Detection direction 62, 62A, 62B, 62C, 62D, 62E Gravitational acceleration 64 Drift 64A, 64B, 64C, 64D, 64E G-Drift 70 Remote communication 100 Collision detection device 200 vehicles

Claims

1. A plurality of acceleration sensors installed at different locations on the vehicle and detecting acceleration in a predetermined direction, A determination unit determines that a collision of the vehicle has occurred near the mounting position of an acceleration sensor if the signal GDg is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold, and the difference between the signal GDg obtained from the output of the acceleration sensor when the vehicle's power is turned on is greater than or equal to a predetermined reference value, and the error due to the voltage of the power supply and the error due to temperature changes at the mounting position of the acceleration sensor are obtained from the voltage of the power supply, and the vehicle's power supply is greater than or equal to a predetermined reference value. A collision detection device that includes a collision detection device.

2. The collision determination device according to Claim 1, wherein the predetermined threshold is set to a value corresponding to the signal GDa obtained from the signal output from the acceleration sensor when a vehicle is parked on a road surface with the maximum gradient permissible for a parking lot.

3. The collision determination device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a communication device for transmitting to a data server such that the collision determination result of the determination unit is stored in a viewable state on the data server.

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