CPC B60R 21/0136 (2013.01) [B60N 2/06 (2013.01); B60N 2/14 (2013.01); B60R 21/0132 (2013.01); B60R 21/207 (2013.01); B60R 21/23138 (2013.01); B60R 2021/23146 (2013.01)] | 20 Claims |
1. An apparatus for protecting an occupant in a vehicle, comprising:
a vehicle sensor configured to detect a target present around a vehicle and generate detection information indicating a detection of the target;
a drive unit configured to increase a space between a side structure of the vehicle and an occupant within the vehicle when a side collision occurs between the vehicle and the target to protect the occupant from the side structure of the vehicle; and
a space control unit configured to control, based on the detection information, the drive unit to increase the space between the side structure and the occupant,
wherein the space control unit comprises:
a target detection section configured to detect, based on the detection information, the target present in a predetermined collision area;
a determination section configured to estimate a time of collision with the target and determine, based on the estimated time of collision, whether to increase the space between the side structure and the occupant; and
a continuity determination section configured to determine a continuity with respect to determining whether to increase the space,
wherein the continuity determination section is configured to determine that there is the continuity when a number of times that the determination section determines to increase the space is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of times.
|