Seatbelt device and vibration system thereof

Abstract

Provided is a seatbelt device and a vibration system thereof with which the quality of operation and the like when generating vibrations can be improved. In order to realize the foregoing, a seatbelt device according to the present disclosure includes a buckle (70) in which a tongue attached to a seatbelt is configured so as to be detachable, the seatbelt device comprising: a vibration motor (73) that generates vibration; a buckle switch (72) that detects an engagement / disengagement state between the buckle (70) and the tongue; and an ECU (74) that controls the vibration motor 73 in accordance with a signal detected by the buckle switch (72). When an occupant takes a prescribed action after the vibration has been generated by the vibration motor (73), the ECU (74) stops the vibration after storing a vibration intensity of the vibration motor (73) at that point in time, and performs control so as to drive the vibration motor (73) on the basis of the stored vibration intensity when the next vibration is generated.

Description

Seatbelt device and its vibration system

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat belt device and its vibration system.

[0002] A vehicle seat belt device is used that vibrates to warn or alert an occupant when the seat belt is not fastened, encouraging them to fasten the seat belt (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Such a seat belt device includes a vibration motor mounted on the buckle, a buckle switch that detects whether the buckle is engaged or disengaged with the tongue of the seat belt, and a switch that detects the presence or absence of an occupant, and is known to vibrate the vibration motor at a predetermined intensity when the occupant is not fastening the seat belt.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-083942

[0004] However, it is believed that there is room for further improvement in terms of the quality of the operation when generating vibrations using a vibration motor.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a seat belt device and a vibration system thereof that are capable of improving the quality of operation when vibration is generated.

[0006] The present inventors have conducted various studies to solve these problems. For example, while it may be possible to generate vibrations that are easily noticeable to occupants by generating vibrations of a relatively strong intensity, generating strong vibrations constantly in situations where the emergency is not particularly high may cause discomfort to the occupants. Furthermore, if the driving state of a vehicle equipped with a seat belt device is not taken into consideration at all, the influence of the vibrations of the vehicle may make it difficult for occupants to notice the vibrations generated by the vibration motor, or conversely, the vibrations may be excessive for the occupants. The present inventors have further studied the ideal form of a device or warning device for alerting occupants from the perspective of the occupants, and have arrived at findings that lead to a solution to the problems.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention, which has been conceived based on such findings, is a seat belt device including a buckle configured to allow a tongue attached to the seat belt to be engaged and disengaged, the seat belt device including: a vibration motor that generates vibrations; a buckle switch that detects the engaged and disengaged state of the buckle and the tongue; and a control device that controls the vibration motor in accordance with a signal detected by the buckle switch, wherein after the vibration motor generates vibrations, when an occupant takes a predetermined action, the control device stores the vibration intensity of the vibration motor at that time and then stops the vibration, and controls the vibration motor to be driven based on the stored vibration intensity the next time vibrations are generated.

[0008] In such a seat belt device, the control device learns the minimum vibration strength that the occupant can notice and drives the vibration motor based on that strength, thereby generating vibration that is easy for the occupant to notice but not excessive enough to be uncomfortable. This improves the quality of the operation when generating vibration so that the vibration is not too large to cause discomfort to the occupant when issuing a warning or alert.

[0009] In the seat belt device as described above, the vibration motor may be driven based on the vibration intensity stored in the control device in accordance with the degree of emergency of the vehicle in which the seat belt device is installed.

[0010] In the seat belt device as described above, the control device may drive the vibration motor based on the stored vibration intensity only when the emergency situation of the vehicle in which the seat belt device is installed is not high.

[0011] In the seat belt device as described above, when the emergency situation of the vehicle in which the seat belt device is installed is high, the control device may drive the vibration motor with a vibration intensity exceeding a predetermined value or with a maximum vibration intensity.

[0012] In the seat belt device as described above, the control device may control the vibration motor to generate vibration and then continue to increase the vibration intensity of the vibration motor until the occupant takes a predetermined action.

[0013] In the seat belt device as described above, the predetermined action may be for the occupant to fasten the seat belt by engaging the tongue with the buckle.

[0014] In the seat belt device as described above, when the occupant takes a predetermined action, the control device may store the vibration intensity of the vibration motor at that time for each running state of the vehicle in which the seat belt device is installed.

[0015] In the seat belt device as described above, the control device may store the rotation speed of the vibration motor as a parameter representing the vibration intensity of the vibration motor, and the next time vibration occurs, drive the vibration motor based on the stored rotation speed.

[0016] Another aspect of the invention of the present application is a vibration system for a seat belt device, including: a vibration device provided in the seat belt device; and a control device that transmits vibration data for vibrating the vibration device based on a sound level obtained by analyzing a predetermined audio source, wherein the control device transmits, as vibration data, a vibration on request signal that starts vibration of the vibration device, and a vibration continuation signal related to the duration of the vibration started by the vibration on request signal.

[0017] In the vibration system described above, the control device may calculate and transmit a vibration duration signal by looking ahead at the audio source.

[0018] In the vibration system described above, the vibration duration signal may be a signal that includes the time from when the sound level exceeds a predetermined threshold to when it falls below the threshold.

[0019] In the vibration system described above, the control device may include an audio ECU that controls the audio source and a seatbelt ECU that controls the vibration device.

[0020] In the vibration system described above, the audio ECU may include an analysis unit that analyzes the audio source.

[0021] In the vibration system described above, the seatbelt ECU may include a vibration driver that is connected to the analysis unit via a communication bus and vibrates the vibration device.

[0022] In the vibration system described above, when the seatbelt ECU receives the vibration-on request signal and the vibration continuation signal, the seatbelt ECU may vibrate the vibration device for the duration included in the vibration continuation signal.

[0023] In the vibration system described above, the seatbelt ECU may communicate with a controller provided in the vehicle and control the driving of the vibration device to generate vibrations in response to a control signal or an audio signal received from the controller.

[0024] In the vibration system as described above, the controller may analyze the audio signal to reproduce the audio signal, determine the time when vibration occurs, and transmit the vibration data as a vibration generation request signal to the seatbelt ECU via the vehicle communication bus, and the seatbelt ECU may control to generate vibration in accordance with the vibration generation request signal.

[0025] In the vibration system as described above, the control device may include one or more of an ADAS ECU, an airbag ECU, and other ECUs, and the ECU may control the vibration device to drive or stop to generate or stop vibration in accordance with vibration data as a vibration generation request signal.

[0026] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the quality of the operation when generating vibrations.

[0027] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a motor, a power transmission mechanism, a final gear, a spindle, etc.;

[0023] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an aspect in which a vibration motor provided in a buckle is used to generate vibration when a seat belt is not fastened;

[0024] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an aspect of the periphery of the buckle of a seat belt device;

[0025] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a buckle illustrating a first embodiment of a seat belt device;

[0026] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a frequency sweep waveform when vibration is generated in a normal state;

[0027] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a frequency sweep waveform when vibration is generated in an emergency;

[0028] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a frequency sweep waveform when vibration is generated continuously;

[0029] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a frequency sweep waveform when vibration is generated intermittently;

[0030] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an ECU (control device) of a vibration system in a second embodiment of a seat belt device;

[0031] FIG. 9 is a graph showing, for reference, an example of a timing for determining whether to turn vibration on or off relative to a sound level when a vibration request signal is output at a high frequency and a short cycle;

[0032] FIG. 10 is a graph illustrating an example of a timing for determining whether to turn vibration on or off relative to a sound level when a vibration request signal is output at a low frequency and a long cycle;

[0033] 10 is a graph illustrating information on a vibration-on request signal and vibration duration Ton that are immediately transmitted when a sound level exceeds an on / off threshold in an ECU (control device) of a vibration system in a second embodiment of a seat belt device. 11 is a graph illustrating another example (A) and (B) of a case where it is difficult to distinguish between vibrations due to music and vibrations based on an alarm signal in an ECU (control device) of a vibration system in a second embodiment of a seat belt device.

[0028] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a seat belt device and its vibration system according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings (see FIGS. 1 to 5).

[0029] [Outline of the Configuration of the Seatbelt Retractor] First, the outline of the configuration of the seatbelt retractor 4 that constitutes the seatbelt device 1 will be described (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

[0030] The seat belt retractor 4 is a device for a vehicle configured to retract the seat belt 2. The seat belt retractor 4 of this embodiment is a motorized retractor for a motorized seat belt (sometimes called a "PP" (Pre-Pretensioner)) that retracts the seat belt 2 by the power of a motor, and is configured with a spindle 10, a drive motor 20, a power transmission mechanism 30, a final gear 33, a clutch 34, etc. (see FIG. 1 ).

[0031] The spindle 10 is a member that retracts the seat belt 2 and is provided so as to be rotatable forward and reverse around a central axis (see FIG. 1). For convenience, in this specification, the forward rotation direction of the spindle 10, etc., to retract the seat belt 2 will be referred to as the "retracting direction," and the reverse rotation direction to unreel the seat belt 2 will be referred to as the "clutch releasing direction."

[0032] The drive motor 20 is a power source that generates power to rotate the spindle 10. When the drive motor 20 is rotated in one direction (referred to as the "first direction" in this specification), the power is transmitted by the clutch 34, and the spindle 10 rotates in the winding direction. When the drive motor 20 is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the final gear 33 rotates in the clutch release direction (see FIG. 1).

[0033] The power transmission mechanism 30 is a mechanism for transmitting the power of the drive motor 20 to the spindle 10. For example, in this embodiment, the power transmission mechanism 30 includes a motor gear 31, a transmission shaft (intermediate gear) 32, a final gear 33, and a clutch 34. The motor gear 31 is composed of a worm attached to the output shaft 21 of the drive motor 20 (see FIG. 1). The transmission shaft 32 is a member for transmitting the power of the drive motor 20 to the final gear 33. The transmission shaft 32 is provided with a first helical gear 32a that meshes with the motor gear 31 and a second helical gear 32b that meshes with the final gear 33 (see FIG. 1).

[0034] The final gear 33 is one of the gears that make up the power transmission mechanism 30, and is made up of a large-diameter helical gear that is rotatably arranged on the central axis of the spindle 10. The final gear 33 in this embodiment is a gear that is arranged at the end of the gear train that makes up the power transmission mechanism 30. The outer periphery of the final gear 33 is formed with helical teeth (helical teeth) 33a that mesh with the second helical gear 32b of the transmission shaft 32.

[0035] The clutch 34 is a mechanism for transmitting or blocking the rotation of the final gear 33 to the spindle 10, and is disposed between the final gear 33 and the spindle 10 (see FIG. 1). In this embodiment, a so-called one-way clutch is used for the clutch 34, which is engaged when the drive motor 20 is rotated in a first direction and transmits the rotation of the final gear 33 to the spindle 10, but is not engaged when the drive motor 20 is rotated in a second direction. The configuration of the one-way clutch itself is similar to that of the conventional seat belt retractor 4, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted in this specification. However, for example, the one-way clutch may include a one-way clutch pawl (latch) 34b that engages with a ratchet gear 35a of a clutch housing 35 only when the final gear 33 rotates in one direction (see FIG. 1).

[0036] [First Embodiment of Seatbelt Apparatus] Next, a seatbelt apparatus 1 will be described (see Fig. 2, Fig. 3, etc.). The seatbelt apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes a tongue 2t attached to a seatbelt 2, a buckle 70 configured to allow the tongue 2t to be attached and detached (also referred to as "detachable" in this specification), a buckle stay 80 supporting the buckle 70, a vibration motor (vibration device) 73 mounted on the buckle 70, a buckle switch 72, an ECU 74, etc.

[0037] The buckle 70 includes a buckle head (cover member) 71 and a buckle switch 72. A vibration motor 73 and an ECU 74 are provided inside the buckle head 71.

[0038] The buckle head 71 is made up of a cover member that constitutes a housing that serves as a wall of the buckle 70. An insertion port 71a through which the tongue 2t is inserted and removed is provided at the top of the buckle head 71 (see FIG. 3). The buckle head 71 is attached and fixed to a channel member (not shown) that is a frame of the channel structure inside the buckle 70.

[0039] The buckle switch 72 is a device that is disposed inside the buckle head 71 and functions as a sensor (buckle fastening sensor) that detects whether the seat belt 2 is fastened. In this embodiment, a contact switch type slide switch that detects the engaged / disengaged state of the buckle 70 and the tongue 2t of the seat belt 2 depending on whether the tongue 2t of the seat belt 2 is fastened to the buckle 70 is used as the buckle switch 72, but a Hall sensor type slide switch may be used instead of the contact switch type, or both may be used.

[0040] The vibration motor 73 is a relatively inexpensive vibration actuator. In this embodiment, a DC brush motor that generates vibration by rotating an eccentric weight is used as the vibration motor 73. In addition to this motor, actuators that generate vibration by reciprocating motion can also be used. When the vibration motor 73 is mounted on the buckle 70 as in this example, vibration can be transmitted to the seat 5 and its seat cushion 5s through the buckle stay 80 (see FIG. 2 ). This can also be used as a device that vibrates the seat 5 using an audio signal. Furthermore, when the vehicle is stopped, such a vibration system can be used to vibrate the seat 5 even when the seat belt 2 is not fastened. Incidentally, to transmit vibration via the seat belt 2 to a fastened occupant and via the seat 5 to an unfastened occupant, it is necessary to change the frequency to transmit vibration more efficiently. In this case, the rotation speed (actuator operating frequency) of the motors may be switched by a switch signal that indicates the fastening and detachment status of the tongue 2t relative to the buckle 70.

[0041] The ECU 74 controls the vibration motor 73. In this embodiment, the ECU 74 drives the vibration motor 73 via a motor driver 73d based on the engagement / disengagement state of the buckle 70 and the tongue 2t, i.e., whether the tongue 2t is fastened to the buckle 70. An example block diagram of a circuit (also referred to as a "vibration buckle circuit") 150 that enables such sensing and control is shown in FIG. 4 (see FIG. 4). The power supply circuit 151 and the motor driver 73d are supplied with power from an external battery 160. The ECU 74 is connected to, for example, a vehicle ECU via an external I / F. In addition to driving and controlling the vibration motor 73, the ECU 74 can also detect a signal from the buckle switch 72, read the fastening state of the tongue 2t, and input information to the vehicle via a network. A power supply line 75 and a communication line 76 are wired to connect the vehicle ECU (not shown) to the ECU 74. The ECU 74 is also connected to the buckle switch 72 and the vibration motor 73 by harnesses 72a and 73a, respectively (see FIG. 3).

[0042] In a device that uses vibrations generated by the vibration motor 73 to provide a bodily sensation to an occupant, some believe that generating vibrations of a certain intensity is sufficient to generate vibrations that are easily noticeable to the occupant. However, some believe that consistently generating strong vibrations in situations where the emergency level is not particularly high may cause discomfort to the occupant. Furthermore, there is also a concern that if the alarm vibrations are not generated appropriately due to the influence of vehicle vibrations while driving, the occupant may not notice the vibrations, or conversely, the vibrations may be excessive. From this perspective, the ECU 74 in the seat belt device 1 of this embodiment stores multiple vibration patterns pre-assigned according to the level of emergency as alarm patterns. When no emergency is required (normal conditions), the ECU 74 generates an alarm using a vibration pattern that is easy to notice and does not cause discomfort. However, when the emergency level is high, the ECU 74 generates vibrations by sweeping the frequency at short intervals to make the alarm extremely noticeable. Examples of frequency sweeps when using multiple vibration patterns are shown in the figures (see FIGS. 5 to 8 ). The vibration motor 73 can be vibrated using the frequency sweep shown in FIG. 5 during normal conditions, and the frequency sweep shown in FIG. 6 during an emergency. Furthermore, when vibration is generated continuously, a frequency sweep pattern in which the PWM control value increases as shown in FIG. 7 can be used, and when vibration is generated intermittently, a frequency sweep pattern in which the PWM control value increases for each period consisting of a unit pattern can be used, as shown in FIG.

[0043] In addition, from the above viewpoint, the ECU 74 in the seat belt device 1 of this embodiment controls the vibration motor 73 so that, when the occupant takes a predetermined action after generating vibrations in the vibrating motor 73, the vibrating motor 73 stores and learns the vibration intensity at that time, for example, via a parameter (for example, a PWM control value), and then stops vibrating, and the next time vibrations are generated, the vibrating motor 73 is driven based on the stored vibration intensity. Such control will be described below with a specific example (see FIG. 9).

[0044] In a standby state (including a case where the vehicle is determined to be in a standby state after recognizing not only the vehicle's stopped state but also the conditions during travel (such as the state of vibration during travel)) (step SP1), if it is determined that a situation requiring an alarm signal has arisen and an alarm request has been transmitted (Yes in step SP2), it is determined whether the level of urgency of the alarm is high (step SP3). The level of urgency can be set based on various factors. For example, a situation where the driver's seatbelt device 1 is unfastened while the vehicle is traveling at a speed exceeding a predetermined speed can be preset as a situation where the level of urgency of the alarm is high. If the level of urgency is high (Yes in step SP3), the vibration motor 73 is vibrated according to a waveform (see FIG. 6) that sweeps the PWM control value over a short period of time (step SP4). For example, if the vibration motor 73 is a DC brush motor, the vibration intensity can be maximized by setting the supply current or rotation speed to the highest value. After vibrating the vibration motor 73, if a predetermined action by the occupant that will result in the cancellation of the alarm (for example, the action of fastening the seat belt 2 by inserting and engaging the tongue 2t into the buckle 70) is detected (Yes in step SP5), it is determined that the situation that would have generated the alarm signal has been canceled, and the process returns to step SP1.

[0045] Furthermore, if it is determined that an alarm request has been sent due to a situation requiring the issuance of an alarm signal (Yes in step SP2), but the urgency of the alarm is not high (No in step SP3), the vibration motor 73 is driven to vibrate based on the PWM control value stored for each driving condition (step SP6). The PWM control value stored for each driving condition refers to the stored PWM control value corresponding to the vibration intensity at the time of the alarm cancellation under the most recent conditions when the alarm was canceled by a predetermined operation by the occupant when the previous alarm signal was generated (but in a situation where the urgency was not high). The driving conditions include a condition in which the vehicle is stopped, a condition in which the vehicle is traveling at or below a predetermined speed, etc. After the vibration of the vibration motor 73 is started based on the stored PWM control value, the PWM control value is continuously swept (e.g., increased, increased, or activated) until it is confirmed that the occupant has canceled the alarm (No in step SP7, step SP8). If it is confirmed that the alarm has been resolved by a predetermined action or operation by the occupant who noticed the alarm (Yes in step SP7), the PWM control value at this time is stored for each driving condition as the PWM control value when the occupant noticed the alarm (step SP9), and the system returns to the standby state (step SP1). The PWM control value stored for each driving condition is used as the PWM control value for vibration when an alarm signal is generated next time onwards and the level of urgency is not high (steps SP2 to SP7, etc.).

[0046] As described above, after the vibration motor 73 generates vibration, if the occupant takes a predetermined action, the vibration intensity of the vibration motor 73 at that time is stored and then the vibration is stopped. The next time vibration is generated, the vibration motor 73 is controlled to be driven based on the stored vibration intensity. According to the seat belt device 1 of this embodiment, the driving state of the vehicle in which the seat belt device 1 is installed is taken into consideration, and a warning of an appropriate intensity for the occupant can be generated without causing discomfort, while taking into account situations where the occupant may not easily notice the vibration generated by the vibration motor 73 or, conversely, where the vibration is excessive for the occupant. By learning the minimum vibration that the occupant notices, the seat belt device 1 controls the vibration so that it is easy to notice but not excessively so as to be uncomfortable. This can also be said to improve the quality of the operation when generating vibration. Note that vibration can be generated using a simple mechanism, such as a mechanism that generates vibration by rotating an eccentric weight, in which the frequency of vibration increases and the vibration becomes stronger as the rotation speed increases. Furthermore, in addition to the rotation speed of the vibration motor 73, the driving frequency and other parameters can be used as parameters for the vibration intensity.

[0047] [Second embodiment of seat belt device] Next, a second embodiment of the seat belt device 1 will be described (see FIG. 10 etc.). The seat belt device 1 of this embodiment is equipped with a vibration system 100 including a vibration motor (vibration device) 73 and an ECU (controller) 74.

[0048] Conventional technologies have been used, such as those that vibrate vehicle seats in sync with the music being played (e.g., JP 2004-275668 A) and those that generate vibrations by driving an actuator in a seat belt product with an external unit (e.g., JP 2007-083942 A). However, these conventional technologies have room for improvement in terms of reducing the number of harnesses, improving noise resistance, and supporting multiple alert functions. Specifically, for example, the former transmits analog audio signals, which can lead to malfunctions due to noise. The latter involves issues such as the need for a large number of harnesses if various systems currently used in automobiles are connected to a single vibration device, which can lead to interference between the various systems due to overlapping operation timing. The vibration system 100 of the seat belt device 1 according to this embodiment addresses these issues, thereby improving the quality of operation when generating vibrations.

[0049] First, an example of a specific configuration of the vibration system 100 of the seat belt device 1 according to this embodiment will be described (see FIG. 10 ). The vibration system 100 includes a control device 200 including an audio ECU 280 and a seat belt ECU 290. The audio ECU 280 and the seat belt ECU 290 are connected by a communication bus 310 within the vehicle. Controllers such as an ADAS_ECU 402, an airbag ECU 404, and other ECUs (indicated by reference numeral 406) are connected to the communication bus 310.

[0050] The audio ECU 280 is a controller located, for example, at the front center of the vehicle, and controls an audio source 281, for example, by playing music / audio signals. The audio ECU 280 also analyzes the audio source 281 using a rhythm analysis unit 282, determines the timing for generating vibrations, and outputs a vibration request signal to the seatbelt ECU 290 via the communication bus 310.

[0051] The seatbelt ECU 290 is made up of multiple ECUs, such as a seatbelt ECU 291 for the right front seat, a seatbelt ECU 293 for the left front seat, a seatbelt ECU 294 for the right rear seat, and a seatbelt ECU 295 for the left rear seat. The seatbelt ECU 290 or the seatbelt ECU 291 for the right front seat includes a vibration driver 292 connected to the rhythm analysis unit 282 of the audio ECU 280 via a communication bus 310. The vibration driver 292 drives a vibration motor (vibration device) 73 to vibrate.

[0052] When the ADAS_ECU 402, the airbag ECU 404, or the like issues a warning or alert to the occupant, it transmits an alarm signal to the seatbelt ECU 290 to request vibration. Upon receiving the alarm signal, the seatbelt ECU 290 (for example, the seatbelt ECU 291 for the right front seat) controls the driving of the vibration motor (vibration device) 73 by the vibration driver 292.

[0053] In the vibration system 100 configured as described above, if the audio ECU 280 transmits vibration on / off data at high frequency and short intervals, this has the advantage of minimizing vibration delay relative to the sound played from the speakers. However, this can easily monopolize the communication bus 310, potentially causing interference to other ECUs. An example of outputting a vibration request signal at high frequency and short intervals is described below (see FIG. 11 ). Here, a signal is output to determine whether vibration is on when the sound level exceeds an on / off threshold (denoted as “ON” or “OFF” in FIG. 11 , etc.) or whether vibration is off when the sound level falls below the threshold. In this case, the difference between the timing of the on / off determination and the timing at which the result of the on / off determination is reflected in the vibration request signal is at most the width of the transmission cycle (see FIG. 11 ). Therefore, outputting the vibration request signal at high frequency and short intervals can reduce delay. However, as mentioned above, this increases the frequency of monopolizing the communication bus 310, potentially interfering with communication between other ECUs. On the other hand, if the transmission cycle is lengthened and vibration on / off data is transmitted less frequently and at a longer cycle, the occupation of communication bus 310 is reduced, but delays are more likely to occur in the vibration request signal (see FIG. 12). In other words, even if the sound level exceeds the on / off threshold, a delay of the width indicated as "Delay" in FIG. 12 (the maximum value of Delay is the width of the transmission cycle) occurs before this is reflected in the vibration request signal.

[0054] In consideration of the above-described situations and problems that may arise, in the vibration system 100 of the seat belt device 1 of this embodiment, when the ECU (control device) 200 transmits vibration data for vibrating the vibration motor 73 based on the sound level obtained by analyzing a predetermined audio source, the ECU (control device) 200 transmits, as vibration data, a vibration-on request signal for starting vibration of the vibration motor 73 and a vibration continuation signal related to the duration of the vibration started by the vibration-on request signal. In this way, by including duration information in addition to the vibration-on request information in the communication data, the communication frequency is reduced without increasing the delay in vibration generation as much as possible, and the monopoly of the communication bus 310 is suppressed.

[0055] This will be explained in more detail below (see FIGS. 13 to 15).

[0056] The rhythm analysis unit 282 of the ECU 200 of the vibration system 100 calculates and transmits a vibration continuation signal by pre-reading audio source data. For example, if the current playback position is Position A, the audio speaker will reproduce the signal waveform at Position A. The ECU 200 of the vibration system 100 of this embodiment first reads the audio source at Position B, which is ahead (future) of Position A. By pre-reading the audio source at Position B, it is possible to determine whether the sound level has exceeded or fallen below the on / off threshold, and calculate how many seconds after Position B the vibration should be turned on and how many seconds after that the vibration should be turned off (see FIG. 13). The vibration duration Ton is calculated by calculating the time from when the vibration should be turned on to when it should next be turned off (see FIG. 14). The actual vibration on request signal is transmitted immediately when the sound level exceeds the on / off threshold. The data transmitted at this time includes not only the vibration-on request signal but also information on the vibration duration Ton (see FIG. 14). Upon receiving the data, the seatbelt ECU 290 causes the vibration motor 73 to vibrate for the vibration duration Ton and then autonomously stops the vibration. Controlling the on / off of the vibration motor 73 based on this data eliminates the need to transmit a vibration-off request signal, reducing the frequency of communication and preventing data from monopolizing the communication bus 310. It also reduces vibration delays relative to audio sources such as music. To give an example of specific numerical values, the frequency of transmitting the vibration-on request signal is expected to be synchronized with the rhythm of the music, so the data transmission cycle can be set to a maximum of approximately 200 BPM (once every 300 ms).

[0057] In the vibration system 100 of this embodiment, if an alarm signal is generated during music-linked operation, it may be difficult to distinguish between vibrations due to music and vibrations based on the alarm signal, which may result in the occupant being late in noticing the alarm or not noticing it at all. If this is a concern, the music-linked vibrations may be stopped upon receiving an alarm signal, regardless of the vibration duration Ton transmitted from the audio ECU 280, and after a predetermined Toff period, the vibration motor 73 may be driven with a vibration pattern based on the alarm signal (including a different duty cycle control value) to make it easier to distinguish (see FIG. 15A). Furthermore, if music-linked vibrations are not being generated when an alarm signal is received, the vibration motor 73 may be driven with a vibration pattern based on the PWM control value based on the alarm signal immediately without the predetermined Toff period (see FIG. 15B).

[0058] The above-described embodiment is one example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention. For example, although not particularly shown, in the vibration system 100 of the seat belt device 1 described above, instead of or at the time of processing signals in the ECU 200, a sound source such as music may be recognized by AI, and processing including a modulation process may be performed.

[0059] Furthermore, while vibration of the seat belt 2 has conventionally been used for warning purposes, such as signaling a danger to the occupants (particularly the driver) of the vehicle, in recent years, improvements in collision safety functions have led to the development of functions for analyzing danger from the surrounding conditions. In light of this, the vibration system 100 of the present embodiment can be linked to the ever-improving collision safety functions to stop entertainment operations, such as music-linked operations, when danger approaches, or to issue an alarm after stopping the operation to alert the occupants of the danger in the surroundings. Such functions can be implemented by linking a vehicle-side controller (not shown) with the ECU 200 using an alarm request, such as a signal to notify the occupants of a danger to the vehicle.

[0060] Furthermore, when the drive motor 20 of the seatbelt retractor 4 is used as a vibration-generating actuator, a method can be employed in which the seatbelt 2 is vibrated or the tension is changed by repeatedly retracting and stopping the seatbelt 2, or retracting and releasing the tension. As described above, when the drive motor 20 mounted on the seatbelt retractor 4 is a DC motor, the retracting torque of the seatbelt 2 is controlled via various gears of the power transmission mechanism 30 by controlling the applied current. However, in this case, with regard to the retracting torque of the seatbelt 2, it may be difficult to generate a retracting force that changes continuously over time due to the influence of static friction of the drive mechanism, such as gears. In this regard, it can be said that a vibration operation that repeatedly stops retracting from a stationary state in an instant is relatively easy, and therefore, by utilizing this operation, a cutaneous sensation whose strength changes continuously over time can be realized.

[0061] Additional Considerations Regarding Various Embodiments

[0062] [Embodiment 1] A seat belt device including a buckle configured to allow a tongue attached to a seat belt to be engaged and disengaged, the seat belt device comprising: a vibration motor that generates vibrations; a buckle switch that detects the engaged and disengaged state of the buckle and the tongue; and a control device that controls the vibration motor in response to a signal detected by the buckle switch, wherein after the vibration motor generates vibrations, when an occupant takes a predetermined action, the control device stores the vibration intensity of the vibration motor at that time and then stops the vibration, and controls the vibration motor to be driven based on the stored vibration intensity the next time vibrations are generated.

[0063] [Embodiment 2] The seatbelt device according to embodiment 1, wherein the vibration motor is driven based on a vibration intensity stored by the control device in accordance with the emergency level of a vehicle equipped with the seatbelt device.

[0064] [Embodiment 3] The seat belt device according to embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the control device drives the vibration motor based on the stored vibration intensity only when the emergency situation of the vehicle in which the seat belt device is installed is not high.

[0065] [Embodiment 4] A seat belt device according to any one of embodiments 1 to 3, wherein when the emergency situation of a vehicle equipped with the seat belt device is high, the control device drives the vibration motor with a vibration intensity exceeding a predetermined value or with a maximum vibration intensity.

[0066] [Embodiment 5] The seat belt device according to any one of embodiments 1 to 4, wherein the control device controls the vibration motor to continue increasing the vibration intensity after generating vibrations in the vibration motor until the occupant takes the predetermined action.

[0067] [Embodiment 6] The seat belt device according to any one of embodiments 1 to 5, wherein the predetermined action is for an occupant to fasten the seat belt by engaging the tongue with the buckle.

[0068] [Embodiment 7] A seat belt device according to any one of embodiments 1 to 6, wherein when the occupant takes the predetermined action, the control device stores the vibration intensity of the vibration motor at that time for each driving state of the vehicle in which the seat belt device is installed.

[0069] [Embodiment 8] A seat belt device according to any one of embodiments 1 to 7, wherein the control device stores the rotation speed of the vibration motor as a parameter representing the vibration intensity of the vibration motor, and drives the vibration motor based on the stored rotation speed the next time vibration occurs.

[0070] [Embodiment 9] A vibration system for a seat belt device, comprising: a vibration device provided in the seat belt device; and a control device that transmits vibration data for vibrating the vibration device based on a sound level obtained by analyzing a predetermined audio source, wherein the control device transmits, as the vibration data, a vibration on request signal that starts vibration of the vibration device, and a vibration continuation signal related to the duration of the vibration started by the vibration on request signal.

[0071] [Embodiment 10] The vibration system according to embodiment 9, wherein the control device calculates and transmits the vibration continuation signal by looking ahead to the audio source.

[0072] [Embodiment 11] The vibration system according to embodiment 9 or 10, wherein the vibration duration signal is a signal including the time from when the sound level exceeds a predetermined threshold to when it falls below the threshold.

[0073] [Embodiment 12] The vibration system according to any one of embodiments 9 to 11, wherein the control device includes an audio ECU that controls an audio source and a seatbelt ECU that controls the vibration device.

[0074] [Embodiment 13] The vibration system according to embodiment 12, wherein the audio ECU includes an analysis unit that analyzes the audio source.

[0075] [Embodiment 14] The vibration system according to embodiment 12 or 13, wherein the seatbelt ECU is connected to the analysis unit via a communication bus and includes a vibration driver that vibrates the vibration device.

[0076] [Embodiment 15] The vibration system described in any one of embodiments 12 to 14, wherein, when the seatbelt ECU receives the vibration-on request signal and the vibration continuation signal, it vibrates the vibration device according to the duration included in the vibration continuation signal.

[0077] [Embodiment 16] The vibration system described in any one of embodiments 12 to 15, characterized in that the seat belt ECU communicates with a controller provided in the vehicle and controls the driving of the vibration device to generate vibrations in response to a control signal or an audio signal received from the controller.

[0078] [Embodiment 17] The vibration system described in embodiment 16, wherein the controller analyzes an audio signal to reproduce the audio signal, determines when vibration occurs, transmits the vibration data as a vibration generation request signal to the seatbelt ECU via the vehicle's communication bus, and the seatbelt ECU controls to generate vibration in accordance with the vibration generation request signal.

[0079] [Embodiment 18] A vibration system described in any one of embodiments 9 to 17, wherein the control device includes one or more of an ADAS ECU, an airbag ECU, and another ECU, and the ECU controls the vibration device to drive or stop to generate or stop vibration in accordance with the vibration data as the vibration generation request signal.

[0080] The present invention is suitable for application to a seat belt device and its vibration system.

[0081] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...seat belt device 2...seat belt 2t...tongue 4...seat belt retractor 5...seat 5s...seat surface 10...spindle 20...drive motor 21...output shaft 30...power transmission mechanism 31...motor gear 32...transmission shaft 32a...first helical gear 32b...second helical gear 33...final gear (first rotary gear) 33a...helical 34...clutch 34b...one-way clutch pawl 35...clutch housing 35a...ratchet gear 70...buckle 71...buckle head 71a...insertion port 72...buckle switch 72a...harness 73...vibration motor (vibration device) 73a...harness 73d...motor driver 74...ECU 75...power supply wiring 76...communication wiring 80...buckle stay 100...vibration system 150...vibration buckle circuit DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 151... Power supply circuit 160... External battery 200... ECU (controller) 280... Audio ECU (controller) 281... Audio source 282... Rhythm analysis unit 290... Seat belt ECU 291... Seat belt ECU for front right seat 292... Vibration driver 293... Seat belt ECU for front left seat 294... Seat belt ECU for rear right seat 295... Seat belt ECU for rear left seat 310... Communication bus 402... ADAS_ECU (controller) 404... Airbag ECU (controller) 406... Other ECUs (controllers)

Claims

1. A seat belt device including a buckle configured to allow a tongue attached to a seat belt to be engaged and disengaged, the seat belt device comprising: a vibration motor that generates vibrations; a buckle switch that detects the engaged and disengaged state of the buckle and the tongue; and a control device that controls the vibration motor in response to a signal detected by the buckle switch, wherein after the vibration motor has generated vibrations, when an occupant takes a predetermined action, the control device stores the vibration intensity of the vibration motor at that time and then stops the vibration, and the next time vibrations are generated, the control device controls the vibration motor to be driven based on the stored vibration intensity.

2. The seatbelt device according to claim 1, wherein the vibration motor is driven based on the vibration intensity stored in the control device in accordance with the emergency level of the vehicle in which the seatbelt device is installed.

3. The seat belt device according to claim 2, wherein the control device drives the vibration motor based on the stored vibration intensity only when the emergency situation of the vehicle in which the seat belt device is installed is not high.

4. A seat belt device according to claim 3, wherein when the emergency situation of a vehicle equipped with the seat belt device is high, the control device drives the vibration motor at a vibration intensity exceeding a predetermined value or at a maximum vibration intensity.

5. A seat belt device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control device controls the vibration motor to continue increasing the vibration intensity after generating vibrations in the vibration motor until the occupant takes the specified action.

6. A seat belt device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the predetermined action is for an occupant to fasten the seat belt by engaging the tongue with the buckle.

7. A seat belt device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the occupant takes the predetermined action, the control device stores the vibration intensity of the vibration motor at that time for each driving state of the vehicle in which the seat belt device is installed.

8. A seat belt device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control device stores the rotation speed of the vibration motor as a parameter representing the vibration intensity of the vibration motor, and drives the vibration motor based on the stored rotation speed the next time vibration occurs.

9. A vibration system for a seat belt device, comprising: a vibration device provided in the seat belt device; and a control device that transmits vibration data for vibrating the vibration device based on a sound level obtained by analyzing a predetermined audio source, wherein the control device transmits, as the vibration data, a vibration on request signal that starts vibration of the vibration device, and a vibration continuation signal related to the duration of the vibration started by the vibration on request signal.

10. The vibration system of claim 9, wherein the control device calculates and transmits the vibration continuation signal by looking ahead to the audio source.

11. The vibration system according to claim 10, wherein the vibration duration signal is a signal including the time from when the sound level exceeds a predetermined threshold to when it falls below the threshold.

12. The vibration system of claim 9, wherein the control device includes an audio ECU that controls an audio source and a seatbelt ECU that controls the vibration device.

13. The vibration system according to claim 12, wherein the audio ECU includes an analysis unit that analyzes the audio source.

14. The vibration system according to claim 13, wherein the seatbelt ECU is connected to the analysis unit via a communication bus and includes a vibration driver that vibrates the vibration device.

15. The vibration system according to claim 14, wherein, upon receiving the vibration-on request signal and the vibration continuation signal, the seatbelt ECU vibrates the vibration device for the duration included in the vibration continuation signal.

16. The vibration system according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the seatbelt ECU communicates with a controller provided in the vehicle and controls the driving of the vibration device to generate vibrations in response to a control signal or an audio signal received from the controller.

17. The vibration system according to claim 16, wherein the controller analyzes the audio signal to reproduce the audio signal, determines when vibration occurs, and transmits the vibration data as a vibration generation request signal to the seatbelt ECU via a vehicle communication bus, and the seatbelt ECU controls to generate vibration in accordance with the vibration generation request signal.

18. A vibration system according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the control device includes one or more of an ADAS ECU, an airbag ECU and another ECU, and the ECU controls the vibration device to drive or stop to generate or stop vibration in accordance with the vibration data as the vibration generation request signal.

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