KR101695445B1 - Headrest for prevention of damage caused by rear-end collision of vehicle and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a headrest for prevention of damage caused by a rear-end collision of a vehicle and a control method thereof. When it is detected that a distance with users vehicle becomes close within a predetermined distance and a speed becomes high or more than a predetermined speed by detecting a close distance and a speed of a rear vehicle, correspondingly, a central air cell of a head rear portion and both side air cells in both side directions of a head expand. Therefore, left and right movement of a passenger head can be subsidiarily supported, and a shock is absorbed to promote safety of a passenger.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a head restraint preventing headrest for a rearward collision of a vehicle,

More particularly, the present invention relates to a headrest for restraining an injury caused by a rearward collision of a vehicle and, more particularly, to a headrest and a control method thereof for detecting a proximity distance and a speed of a rearward vehicle, An inflatable restraint headrest by rearward collision of the vehicle which can inflate both the rear central air cell and the side air cylinders on both sides of the head to supplement the left and right side flow of the passenger's head, And a control method thereof.

Typically, the headrest is the headrest of the seat that rests on the head of the top of the backrest from the car seat. The headrest system developed so far merely buffers the back of the driver due to the recoil in the event of a frontal collision. In recent years, however, the so-called active headrest has been proposed, A device that can prevent injuries through a buffering action that supports the head and neck of the wearer is applied.

The conventional active headrest includes a distance-sensing radar sensor installed at a predetermined position rearward of the vehicle, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-0028875; A horn device installed in a vehicle interior; A warning lamp installed at the rear of the vehicle; Means for forwarding the headrest; And a controller for receiving the sensed value of the radar sensor and for turning on the warning lamp and the horn device for the distance to the rear vehicle and for transmitting the operating current signal to the means for forwarding the headrest.

However, since the conventional active type headrest is a method of moving the headrest to the head portion of the driver toward the driver's head in the event of a rear-end collision with the vehicle, the passenger is slightly inclined laterally from the rear center portion There is a possibility that the rear portion of the neck will be in contact with the headrest precisely and the rear portion of the headrest will not be able to absorb shock when the head is moved to the inner side of the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle rear-end collision avoidance system which can secure the driver and the passenger even if the rear- And a method of controlling the headrest.

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a headrest for preventing an injury caused by a rearward collision of a vehicle, the headrest comprising: a central air cell provided at the center and configured to be inflated and drawn out to expand and contract; And four air cells spaced apart from the central air cell and disposed at opposite sides of the air cell and having two air cells arranged at an angle to each of the two sides of the air cell. When air is introduced into the four air cells, A two-sided air cell configured to be configured; A rear vehicle distance and speed detection unit configured to detect a distance between the vehicle and the rear vehicle and a speed of the rear vehicle; An operation condition setting unit configured to set an operation condition of a headrest such as a rest mode, a rearward sensing mode, and a massage mode; The control unit recognizes the distance between the rear vehicle and the speed of the rear vehicle in response to the sensing signal from the rear vehicle distance and the speed sensing unit and outputs a corresponding control signal according to the driving condition set by the driving condition setting unit An ECU (Electronic Control Unit) configured; A first air pump configured to be actuated by driving power to inject or discharge air into the both side air cells; A second air pump which is operated by being supplied with driving power to inject or discharge air into the central air cell; And a first and second air pump driving units that are switched according to a control signal input from the ECU to intermittently drive power applied to the first and second air pumps.

The airbag according to the above-described embodiment is connected to both side air cells and the central air cell to supply air, and air is stored in the air tank. A valve configured to intermit air supply from the air tank to the both side air cells and the central air cell; And an air tank valve driving unit configured to be operated in response to a control signal input from the ECU to control operation of the valve.

In order to achieve the above object, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling a headrest restraint by a rearward collision of a vehicle, wherein when the vehicle is started, all of the air cells are inflated to a first predetermined inflation rate step; A step of setting any one of a rest mode, a rearward sensing mode, and a massage mode by a driving condition setting unit; When a rear sensing mode is set in the mode setting step, a sensing signal is input to the ECU from a rear vehicle distance and a speed sensing unit; Wherein the ECU analyzes the sensing signal input in the sensing signal input step to determine whether the distance between the vehicle and the rear vehicle is less than or equal to a predetermined distance; Determining whether the speed of the rear vehicle is equal to or greater than a second set speed when the distance between the vehicle and the rear vehicle is less than or equal to the set distance in the step of determining whether or not the vehicle is below the set distance; And if the speed of the rear vehicle is equal to or higher than the second set speed in the step of determining whether or not the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than the second setting speed, all the air cells are inflated to the third predetermined inflation rate by the ECU.

In the method of controlling a headrest for preventing an injury by a rear-end collision according to the above-described embodiment, if it is determined that the distance is less than or equal to the predetermined distance, the step of inputting the sensing signal may be performed if the distance between the vehicle and the rear vehicle is longer than the predetermined distance.

 In the method of controlling a headrest for restraint by a rearward collision of a vehicle according to the above-described embodiment, if the speed of the rear vehicle is less than the second set speed in the step of determining whether or not the headrest is above the second set speed, Determining whether the speed is equal to or greater than a first set speed; If the speed of the rear vehicle is equal to or higher than the first set speed in the step of determining whether or not the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than the first setting speed, the both side air cells are inflated to a third predetermined inflation rate under the control of the ECU; And a step in which the central air cell is inflated to a second predetermined inflation rate under the control of the ECU.

 The method for controlling a headrest for a headrest by a rearward collision of a vehicle according to the present invention further includes the step of expanding all the air cells to a third predetermined inflation rate under the control of the ECU when the rest mode is set in the mode setting step .

 In the method of controlling a headrest for restraint by a rearward collision of a vehicle according to the above-described embodiment, when the massage mode is set in the mode setting step, all the air cells are repeatedly inflated with the maximum expansion rate and the lowest expansion rate under the control of the ECU .

According to the headrest and the method of controlling the headrest by the rearward collision of the vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention, the central air cell is installed at the center, and air can be drawn in and drawn out to expand and contract. And four air cells are installed on both sides of the air cell, and two air cells are installed at an angle to each side of the air cells. When the air is introduced into the four air cells, the air cells are inflated higher than the center air cell, The speed sensing unit senses the distance between the vehicle and the rear vehicle and the speed of the rear vehicle. The driving condition setting unit sets the operating conditions of the headrest such as the rest mode, the rear sensing mode, and the massage mode. Is sensed by the rear vehicle distance and the speed sensing unit, And the first and second air pumps are controlled by the ECU to detect the distance between the both side air cells and the center air cell, The air cells on both sides where the two air cells are installed at an angle when the rear vehicle collides with the vehicle are inflated to be higher than the air cells at the center so that the left and right flow of the head of the driver and the passenger It is possible to secure the driver and the passenger even in the collision of both the front and the side of the rear vehicle with respect to the vehicle.

In addition, according to the headrest and the control method thereof, the headrest and the control method of the headrest by the rearward collision of the vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention include an air tank connected to both sides of the side air cell and the central air cell to supply air, Further comprising a valve configured to intermit air supply from the air tank to the both side air cells and the central air cell, and an air tank valve driver configured to be operated in accordance with a control signal input from the ECU to control operation of the valve, The air stored in the air tank can be rapidly supplied to the both side air cells and the central air cell in a large amount even if the rear vehicle collides with the overspeed against the vehicle. Therefore, the safety of the driver and the passenger can be improved even in an emergency situation It is effective.

Fig. 1 is a control block diagram of an injury prevention headrest by a rearward collision of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a view showing the construction of both side air cells and a central air cell of Fig. 1, wherein (a) is a front view, and Fig. 2 (b) is a plan view.
3 is a flow chart showing a method of controlling a headrest for preventing an injury by a rearward collision of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1 is a control block diagram of a headrest restraint preventing rearward collision of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a view showing the construction of both side air cells and a central air cell of Fig. 1, , and (b) are plan views.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the headrest for preventing an injury by a rearward collision of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a central air cell 410, two side air cells 401, 401 ', 403, 403' A first and second air pumps 500 and 510 and a first and second air pump driving units 300 and 300. The vehicle distance and speed sensing unit 100, 310, an air tank (T), a valve (520), and an air tank valve driver (320).

The central air cell 410 is installed at the center, and air is drawn in and out by the second air pump 510 to be expanded and contracted. The central air cell 410 is mainly applied to the back and front of the passenger and the rear- It absorbs shocks.

The two side air cells 401, 401 ', 403 and 403' are spaced apart from the central air cell 410 by a predetermined distance, and two air cells 401, 403, 401 ', 403' 403 'and 403', which are installed at predetermined angles. When air is drawn into the four air cells 401, 401 ', 403, 403', the central air cells 410 Even when the driver and the passenger are inclined sideways when the rear vehicle collides laterally with respect to the vehicle, it is possible to secure the driver and the passenger by catching the left and right flow of the head of the driver and the passenger Allows

The rear vehicle distance and speed sensing unit 100 is installed at the rear of the vehicle to sense the distance between the vehicle and the rear vehicle and the speed of the rear vehicle to input a sensing signal to the ECU 200. For example, And analyzes the returned signal and outputs a corresponding electrical sensing signal.

The driving condition setting unit 110 sets a driving condition of a headrest such as a rest mode, a rearward sensing mode, and a massage mode, and a keyboard, a touch pad, a mouse, a voice input device, and the like can be used.

The ECU (Electronic Control Unit) receives the detection signal from the rear vehicle distance and speed sensing unit 100, recognizes the distance between the vehicle and the rear vehicle, and the speed of the rear vehicle, And outputs the control signals to the first and second air pump driving units 300 and 310 and the air tank valve driving unit 320 according to the operation conditions.

The first air pump 500 is driven by the first air pump driving unit 300 and is operated when the driving power is applied to inject or discharge air into the both side air cells 401, 401 ', 403, 403' It plays a role.

The second air pump 510 is controlled by the second air pump driving unit 310 and is operated when the driving power is applied to inject or discharge air into the central air cell 410.

The first and second air pump driving units 300 and 310 are switching circuits for switching the driving power applied to the first and second air pumps 500 and 510 according to a control signal input from the ECU 200. [

The air tank T is configured to supply air to both side air cells 401, 401 ', 403, 403' and the central air cell 410, and air is stored therein. Is a device used to quickly and rapidly supply air to both side air cells 401, 401 ', 403, 403' and the central air cell 410 in an emergency (for example, a situation where a rear vehicle will collide with overspeed) . Of course, air can be supplied from the first and second air pumps 500 and 510 to both side air cells 401, 401 ', 403 and 403' and the central air cell 410. However, if urgent air supply is required, T) may be more suitable.

The valve 520 is controlled by the air tank valve driving unit 320 and interrupts air supply from the air tank T to both side air cells 401, 401 ', 403, 403' and the central air cell 410 For example, a solenoid valve can be used.

The air tank valve driving unit 320 is a switching circuit that is operated according to a control signal input from the ECU 200 to control the operation of the valve 520.

Hereinafter, a method of controlling a headrest restraint by a rearward collision of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention constructed as described above will be described.

3 is a flow chart showing a method of controlling a headrest for preventing an injury caused by a rear-end collision of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein S represents a step.

First, when the vehicle is started (S1), all of the air cells 401, 401 ', 403, 403', 410 are inflated to the first predetermined inflation rate (for example, 30%) under the control of the ECU 200.

Then, the operation condition setting unit 110 sets one of the rest mode, the rearward sensing mode, and the massage mode (S3).

When the rear sensing mode is set in step S3, the rear vehicle distance and the speed sensing unit 100 sense the distance between the vehicle and the rear vehicle (also referred to as a proximity distance) and the speed of the rear vehicle, And is input to the ECU 200 (S4).

In step S5, the ECU 200 analyzes the sensing signal input in step S4 to determine whether the distance between the vehicle and the rear vehicle is equal to or less than a set distance (for example, 10M).

If the distance between the vehicle and the rear vehicle is less than the set distance (YES) in the step S5, the ECU 200 determines whether or not the speed of the rear vehicle is equal to or higher than a second set speed (for example, 80 KM / H) (S6)

If all the air cells 401, 401 ', 403, 403', and 410 are set to the third predetermined inflation rate (for example, the second predetermined inflation rate) by the ECU 200 in step S6, 100%) (S7).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S5 that the distance between the vehicle and the rear vehicle is longer than the set distance (NO), the process proceeds to step S4.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S6 that the speed of the rear vehicle is less than the second set speed (NO), the ECU 200 determines whether or not the speed of the rear vehicle is equal to or higher than the first set speed (for example, 40KM / (S8).

If the speed of the rear vehicle is less than the first predetermined speed (NO), the present step S8 is repeatedly performed. If the speed of the rear vehicle is equal to or higher than the first predetermined speed (YES) The both side air cells 401, 401 ', 403, 403' are inflated to the third predetermined inflation rate by the control (S9).

Subsequently, the central air cell 410 is inflated to a second predetermined inflation rate (e.g., 50%) under the control of the ECU 200 (S10).

On the other hand, when the rest mode is set in step S3, all the air cells 401, 401 ', 403, 403', 410 are inflated to the third predetermined inflation rate under the control of the ECU 200, And can relax comfortably (S11).

On the other hand, when the massage mode is set in step S3, all of the air cells 401, 401 ', 403, 403', and 410 are repeatedly inflated with the highest inflation rate and the lowest inflation rate under the control of the ECU 200, The massage effect on the back and neck parts of the passenger can be exerted (S12).

According to the headrest and the control method thereof, the center air cell is installed at the center so that the air can be inflated and drawn out to expand and contract, And four air cells are installed at the opposite sides of the air cell and two air cells are installed at an angle to each side of the air cells. When air is introduced into the four air cells, the air cells are inflated higher than the central air cell, And the speed sensing unit senses the distance between the vehicle and the rear vehicle and the speed of the rear vehicle, and the operating conditions of the headrest such as the rest mode, the rear sensing mode, and the massage mode are set by the operation condition setting unit, Unit receives a detection signal from the rear vehicle distance and the speed sensing unit, And the first and second air pumps are controlled by the ECU to detect the distance between the both side air cells and the center air cell, The air cells on both sides where the two air cells are installed at an angle when the rear vehicle collides with the vehicle are inflated to be higher than the air cells at the center so that the left and right flow of the head of the driver and the passenger The safety of the driver and the passenger can be secured even when the rear vehicle is collided with both the front and the side of the rear vehicle.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a headrest and a method of controlling the headrest by rearward collision of a vehicle, comprising: an air tank connected to both sides of the side air cell and the central air cell to supply air, Further comprising a valve configured to intermit air supply from the air tank to the both side air cells and the central air cell, and an air tank valve driver configured to be operated in accordance with a control signal input from the ECU to control operation of the valve, The air stored in the air tank can be rapidly supplied to both side air cells and the central air cell in a large amount even if the rear vehicle collides with the overspeed against the vehicle, so that the safety of the driver and the passenger can be secured even in an urgent situation.

Although the best mode has been shown and described in the drawings and specification, certain terminology has been used for the purpose of describing the embodiments of the invention and is not intended to be limiting or to limit the scope of the invention described in the claims. It is not. Therefore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the true scope of the present invention should be determined by the technical idea of the appended claims.

100: rear vehicle distance and speed detection unit
110: Operation condition setting section
200: ECU
300: first air pump driving section
310: second air pump driving part
320: Air tank valve driving part
401, 401 ', 403, 403': Both side air cells
410: Central air cell
500: first air pump
510: second air pump
520: Valve
T: Air tank

Claims (7)

A central air cell installed at the center and configured to inflate and deflate by the inflow and outflow of air;
And four air cells spaced apart from the central air cell and disposed at opposite sides of the air cell and having two air cells arranged at an angle to each of the two sides of the air cell. When air is introduced into the four air cells, A two-sided air cell configured to be configured;
A rear vehicle distance and speed detection unit configured to detect a distance between the vehicle and the rear vehicle and a speed of the rear vehicle;
An operation condition setting unit configured to set an operation condition of a headrest such as a rest mode, a rearward sensing mode, and a massage mode;
The control unit recognizes the distance between the rear vehicle and the speed of the rear vehicle in response to the sensing signal from the rear vehicle distance and the speed sensing unit and outputs a corresponding control signal according to the driving condition set by the driving condition setting unit An ECU (Electronic Control Unit) configured;
A first air pump configured to be actuated by driving power to inject or discharge air into the both side air cells;
A second air pump which is operated by being supplied with driving power to inject or discharge air into the central air cell; And
And a first and second air pump driver configured to be switched in accordance with a control signal input from the ECU to intermittently drive power applied to the first and second air pumps. The method according to claim 1,
An air tank connected to the both side air cells and the central air cell to supply air and storing air therein;
A valve configured to intermit air supply from the air tank to the both side air cells and the central air cell; And
Further comprising: an air tank valve driving unit configured to be operated in response to a control signal input from the ECU to control operation of the valve. A method for controlling a headrest restraint by a rear-end collision of a vehicle according to claim 1,
When the vehicle is started, all of the air cells are inflated to a first predetermined inflation rate under the control of the ECU;
A step of setting any one of a rest mode, a rearward sensing mode, and a massage mode by a driving condition setting unit;
When a rear sensing mode is set in the mode setting step, a sensing signal is input to the ECU from a rear vehicle distance and a speed sensing unit;
Wherein the ECU analyzes the sensing signal input in the sensing signal input step to determine whether the distance between the vehicle and the rear vehicle is less than or equal to a predetermined distance;
Determining whether the speed of the rear vehicle is equal to or greater than a second set speed when the distance between the vehicle and the rear vehicle is less than or equal to the set distance in the step of determining whether or not the vehicle is below the set distance; And
The step of determining whether or not the speed of the rear vehicle is equal to or greater than the second set speed in the step of determining whether or not the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than the second set speed is expanded by the ECU to the third predetermined inflation rate, A method for controlling a headrest. The method of claim 3,
Wherein the step of inputting the detection signal is a step of inputting the detection signal if the distance between the vehicle and the rear vehicle is longer than the predetermined distance in the step of determining whether or not the distance is equal to or less than the set distance. The method of claim 3,
Determining whether the speed of the rear vehicle is lower than the second setting speed in the step of determining whether or not the speed of the rear vehicle is equal to or higher than the second setting speed;
If the speed of the rear vehicle is equal to or higher than the first set speed in the step of determining whether or not the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than the first setting speed, the both side air cells are inflated to a third predetermined inflation rate under the control of the ECU; And
Wherein the central air cell is inflated to a second predetermined inflation rate under the control of the ECU. The method of claim 3,
Further comprising, when the rest mode is set in the mode setting step, all the air cells are inflated to a third predetermined inflation rate under the control of the ECU. The method of claim 3,
Further comprising: when the massage mode is set in the mode setting step, all the air cells are repeatedly inflated at the maximum expansion rate and the lowest expansion rate under the control of the ECU.

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