Patent Publication Number: US-2023158988-A1

Title: Vehicle with pet protection function

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2021489066 filed on Nov. 21, 2021, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The disclosure relates to a vehicle with a pet protection function. Some vehicles are provided with equipment such harnesses or cages to enhance safety of pets loaded on the vehicles. 
     The harness is worn by the pet and attached to, for example, a seatbelt of a vehicle body. 
     The cage is a box case to accommodate a pet. The cage is disposed on the floor of an occupant compartment or on a surface of a rear-row seat. Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2019-146518 discloses a cage attachable to, for example, a seatbelt of a vehicle body. 
     Using such a harness or a cage makes it possible to enhance safety of a pet loaded on a. vehicle. 
     SUMMARY 
     An aspect of the disclosure provides a vehicle with a pet protection function. The vehicle includes a pet guard body, a first air-bag device, and a controller. The pet guard body is disposed in a vehicle compartment of the vehicle on which a pet is to be loaded in such a manner that the pet guard body partitions a vehicle compartment into a front portion and a rear portion. The first air-bag device is configured to be deployed behind the pet guard body. The controller is configured to deploy the first air-bag device upon contact of the vehicle. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments and, together with the specification, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  1    is an explanatory diagram of an automobile with a pet protection function according to one example embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    is an explanatory diagram illustrating an exemplary state of a pet guard apparatus attached to the automobile illustrated in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is a block diagram illustrating a control system of the automobile including a pet air-bag device and having an occupant protection function. 
         FIG.  4    is a flowchart of coupling detection control performed by the pet air-bag device. 
         FIG.  5    is a flowchart of occupant protection control in the automobile illustrated in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  6    is an explanatory diagram illustrating an exemplary deployed state of the pet air-bag device in the automobile illustrated in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  7    is a flowchart of occupant protection control in the automobile according to one example embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  8    is a block diagram of a control system of the automobile according to one example embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  9    is a flowchart of pet-size determination control performed by the control system of the automobile illustrated in  FIG.  8   . 
         FIG.  10    is an explanatory diagram illustrating an deployment output setting table used in a pet-size determination process illustrated in  FIG.  9   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A recent study has reported that safety of a pet in a vehicle is not necessarily enhanced by the use of a harnesses or a cage. The study has also reported that safety of a pet in a vehicle is not significantly enhanced even if the harness or cage is attached to a seatbelt. 
     According to the report, it is preferable to put a pet into a cage and place the cage in a cargo room of a vehicle in order to enhance the safety of the pet. 
     However, if a pet is put into a cage and the case is placed in the cargo room, the field of view of an occupant toward the cage is blocked by, for example, a seat back of a rear-row seat in an occupant compartment. 
     This prevents the occupant in the occupant compartment, in particular, an occupant seated in a front-row seat, from checking the state of the pet even when the occupant looks back. The occupant has to stop the vehicle, get out of the vehicle, and go to the cargo room to check the state of the pet. 
     Further, the pet loaded on the vehicle and prevented from seeing its owner for a long time may feel anxious. 
     It is desirable to provide a vehicle that makes it possible to enhance safety of a pet in a vehicle while securing convenience of an occupant. 
     In the following, some example embodiments of the disclosure are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following description is directed to illustrative examples of the disclosure and not to be construed as limiting to the disclosure. Factors including, without limitation, numerical values, shapes, materials, components, positions of the components, and how the components are coupled to each other are illustrative only and not to be construed as limiting to the disclosure. Further, elements in the following example embodiments which are not recited in a most-generic independent claim of the disclosure are optional and may be provided on an as-needed basis. The drawings are schematic and are not intended to be drawn to scale. Throughout the present specification and the drawings, elements having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted with the same reference numerals to avoid any redundant description. In addition, elements that are not directly related to any embodiment of the disclosure are unillustrated in the drawings. 
     First Example Embodiment 
       FIG.  1    illustrates an automobile  1  with a pet protection function according to a first example embodiment of the disclosure. 
     The automobile  1  illustrated in  FIG.  1    may have a vehicle body  2 . The vehicle body  2  may include a vehicle compartment which is a combination of an occupant compartment  3  for a driver and occupants, and a cargo room  4 . In one embodiment, the automobile  1  may serve as a “vehicle”. 
     In the occupant compartment  3 , a front-row seat  6  and a rear-row seat  7  in which occupants of the automobile  1  are to be seated may be arranged on a floor  5  of the occupant compartment  3  in a front-back direction. 
     The cargo room  4  may be provided behind the occupant compartment  3 . In this example, the rear-row seat  7  may be located immediately in front of the cargo room  4 . The rear-row seat  7  located in front of the cargo room  4  may have a seat back  9 . The seat back  9  may extend upward from a seat surface  8  of the rear-row seat  7  to serve as a partition board dividing the vehicle compartment into the occupant compartment  3  and the cargo room  4 . The cargo room  4  and the occupant compartment  3  may be communicated with each other via an opening provided between the seat back  9  of the rear-row seat  7  and the ceiling of the vehicle compartment. 
     Such an automobile I may accommodate pets, such as large-sized dogs and small-sized dogs, as well as occupants. 
     When being loaded on the automobile  1 , a pet with a harness may be placed on the seat surface  8  of the rear-row seat  7  or on the floor  5  of the occupant compartment  3  below the rear-row seat  7 . The harness worn by the pet may be coupled to a seatbelt device  57  of an occupant protection control apparatus  47  disposed in the automobile  1 . 
     Alternatively, the pet may be placed inside a cage that is a box case to accommodate pets, and the cage may be placed on the seat surface  8  of the rear-row seat  7  or on the floor  5  of the occupant compartment  3  below the rear-row seat. The cage may be coupled to the seatbelt device  57  of the occupant protection control apparatus  47  disposed in the automobile  1 . 
     Such a use of a harness or a cage has been considered as a safety measure to protect a pet in the automobile  1 . 
     However, a recent study has reported that the safety of a pet is not necessarily enhanced by the use of a harness or a cage. It is difficult to effectively prevent a pet wearing a harness or accommodated in a cage from being thrown toward a front portion of the vehicle compartment upon frontal contact of the automobile  1 . 
     The study has also reported that it is desirable to accommodate a pet in a cage and place the cage in the cargo room  4  to enhance the safety of the pet. 
     However, if a pet is accommodated in a cage and the cage is placed in the cargo room  4 , the field of view of an occupant seated in the occupant compartment  3  toward the cage is blocked by, for example, the seat back  9  of the rear-row seat  7 . 
     This prevents an occupant seated in the occupant compartment  3 , in particular, an occupant seated in the front-row seat  6 , from checking the state of the pet even when the occupant looks back. The occupant has to stop the automobile  1 , get out of the automobile  1 , and go to the cargo room  4  to check the state of the pet. 
     Further, the pet loaded on the automobile  1  and prevented from seeing its owner for a long time may feel anxious. 
     Thus, there is a demand for the automobile  1  that makes it possible to enhance the safety of a pet while securing convenience of an occupant. 
     To address such an issue, in this example embodiment of the disclosure, a pet guard apparatus  20  is used which serves as a see-through partition between the occupant compartment  3  and the cargo room  4 . 
     The pet guard apparatus  20  includes a pet guard body  21  and a pet air-bag device  30 . In one embodiment, the pet air-bag device  30  may serve as a “first air-bag device”. 
     The pet guard apparatus  20  may be detachable from the vehicle body  2  of the automobile  1 . The pet guard apparatus  20  may thus be retrofitted to the vehicle body  2  of the automobile  1  by, for example, a user. 
     A pet placed behind the pet guard apparatus  20  attached to the automobile  1  is blocked by the pet guard apparatus  20 . This prevents the pet from being easily thrown forward over the pet guard apparatus  20 . 
       FIG.  2    illustrates an exemplary state of the pet guard apparatus  20  attached to the automobile  1  illustrated in  FIG.  1   . 
       FIG.  2    is a rear view of a part of the vehicle body  2  to which the pet guard apparatus  20  is attached. 
     The pet guard body  21  may include a pair of bars  22  and a mesh member  23 . The pet guard body  21  may be attached to the vehicle body  2 . 
     The bars  22  may be, for example, metal bars each having a columnar shape. The bars  22  may each have a length enough to extend in a vertical direction from a floor  10  of the cargo room  4  to the ceiling of the cargo room  4  to which the pet guard body  21  is attached. The bars  22  may each have a fixed length determined on the basis of the size of the vehicle compartment or a length adjustable depending on the size of the cargo room  4 . 
     Each of the bars  22  may be a hollow column. A wiring line coupling the pet air-bag device  30  to a control system  40  of the automobile  1  described below may extend through each of the bars  22 . 
     The mesh member  23  may be, for example, a metal or resin mesh having a horizontally long, substantially rectangular shape. The pet in the cargo room  4  is thus visually recognizable from the front portion of the vehicle compartment through the mesh member  23 . Alternatively, the pet guard body  21  may include a transparent or semi-transparent panel in place of or in combination with the mesh member  23 . 
     The substantially rectangular mesh member  23  may have a width substantially equal to the width of the cargo room  4 . Alternatively, the substantially rectangular mesh member  23  may have a width smaller than the width of the cargo room  4  so as not to cover deploying regions of side curtain air-bag devices  59  to be deployed at left and right sides of the cargo room  4 . 
     The substantially rectangular mesh member  23  may have a height determined on the basis of the distance between an upper edge of the seat back  9  of the rear-row seat  7  to the ceiling of the vehicle body  2 . Alternatively, the mesh member  23  may be adjustable in width and height when being attached to the vehicle body  2 . In this case, the mesh member  23  may include a plurality of metal mesh sheets overlaid on each other and slidable over each other. 
     The horizontally long, substantially rectangular mesh member  23  may be provided with the paired bars  22  attached to respective ends of the mesh member  23  in the left-right direction. The paired bars  22  provided at the left and right ends of the horizontally long, substantially rectangular mesh member  23  may project in the up-down directions from an upper end and a lower end of the mesh member  23 . The upper end and the lower end of each of the paired bars  22  may be fixed to respective receivers  12  provided at the vehicle body  2 . 
     Paired auxiliary panels  24  may be attached to the respective bars  22 . The auxiliary panels  24  may extend outwardly from the respective bars  22  in a vehicle width direction. The paired auxiliary panels  24  projecting outwardly from the respective bars  22  may be fixed to the vehicle body  2  with screws or other fixing means. 
     The pet guard body  21  described above may be attached to the cargo room  4  behind the rear-row seat  7  such that the horizontally long, substantially rectangular mesh member  23  overlaps with a space between the upper edge of the seat back  9  of the rear-row seat  7  and the ceiling of the vehicle body  2 . The paired bars  22  may be fixed to the respective receivers  12  provided at the vehicle body  2 . 
     This allows the pet guard body  21  to partition the vehicle compartment into a front portion and a rear portion, i.e., the occupant compartment  3  and the cargo room  4 . 
     Accordingly, the pet placed in the cargo room  4  is prevented from moving forward from the cargo room  4  to the occupant compartment  3 . Even if the automobile  1  makes frontal contact, the pet is prevented from being easily thrown forward over the seat back  9  of the rear-row seat  7  toward the occupant compartment  3 . 
     The occupant seated in, for example, the front-row seat  6  is able to visually identify and check the pet placed in the cargo room  4  through the pet guard body  21  in a mesh form by looking back. 
     The pet placed in the cargo room  4  is able to visually identify the occupant in the occupant compartment  3  through the pet guard body  21  in a mesh form. Further, the pet is able to spend time feeling comfortable in the cargo room  4  without being trapped in a cage narrower than the cargo room  4 . 
     Alternatively, the pet guard body  21  may have a transparent member in place of the mesh member  23 . The transparent member may be a resin panel, for example. However, in a case where a resin panel is used as the transparent member, the resin panel may reflect light entering from another vehicle to the vehicle compartment of the automobile  1  while the automobile  1  is traveling. Thus, it is desirable to use the mesh member  23  rather than the transparent member such as the resin panel. 
     The pet air-bag device  30  may be attached to a rear side of the pet guard body  21  along an upper edge of the horizontally long, substantially rectangular mesh member  23 . That is, the pet air-bag device  30  may be attached to the upper portion of the pet guard body  21  and extend in the left-right direction of the vehicle body  2 , i.e., along the width of the vehicle body  2 . 
     Upon contact such as frontal contact of the automobile  1 , the pet air-bag device  30  of the pet guard apparatus  20  is deployed to prevent the pet in the cargo room  4  from easily and directly hitting against the pet guard body  21 . This protects the safety of the pet. 
       FIG.  3    is a block diagram illustrating the control system  40  of the automobile  1  including the pet air-bag device  30  and having an occupant protection function. 
     In  FIG.  3   , the occupant protection control apparatus  47  and the pet air-bag device  30  in the control system  40  of the automobile  1  are illustrated. 
     The occupant protection control apparatus  47  may include an occupant protection communicator  81 , an occupant protection ECU  82 , an occupant protection memory  83 , an occupant protection input/output port  84 , an acceleration sensor  86 , and an internal bus  85  that couples these devices to each other for data input and data output. 
     The acceleration sensor  86  may detect acceleration generated in automobile  1 . The acceleration sensor  86  may detect acceleration rates in three axial directions of the automobile  1 : the front-back direction, the left-right direction, and the up-down direction of the automobile  1 . 
     A plurality of occupant protection devices provided in the automobile  1  to protect occupants or passengers may be coupled to the occupant protection input/output port  84 . In this example embodiment, the seatbelt device  57 , a front air-bag device  58 , a side-curtain air-bag device  59 , a seat air-bag device  60 , and the pet air-bag device  30  may be separately coupled to the occupant protection input/output port  84 . The occupant protection input/output port  84  may output an operation signal to each of the devices coupled to the occupant protection input/output port  84 . 
     The seatbelt device  57  may hold an occupant seated in the front-row seat  6  or the rear-row seat  7  by a seatbelt. 
     The front air-bag device  58  may be an air-bag device to be deployed in front of the front-row seat  6 . 
     The side-curtain air-bag device  59  may be an air-bag device to be deployed into an elongated form extending along a side face of the vehicle compartment in the front-back direction. 
     The seat air-bag device  60  may be an air-bag device to be deployed from a side face of the front-row seat  6 . 
     The pet air-bag device  30  may include a device-side connector  36 , a pet air-bag  35 , and a pet air-bag inflator  32 . 
     The device-side connector  36  may be coupled to the occupant protection input/output port  84  via a vehicle-side connector  87 . In one embodiment, the device-side connector  36  may serve as a “connector” of the vehicle. The vehicle-side connector  87  may be provided at a receiver  12 . In this case, the device-side connector  36  may be coupled to the vehicle-side connector  87  by attaching the pet guard apparatus  20  to the vehicle body  2 . 
     The receiver  12  may be further provided with a coupling sensor  88 . The coupling sensor  88  may detect coupling and decoupling between the device-side connector  36  and the vehicle-side connector  87 . The coupling sensor  88  may be provided in the automobile  1  as a part of the occupant protection control apparatus 
     As the device-side connector  36  of the pet air-bag device  30  is coupled to the vehicle-side connector  87  of the automobile  1  as described above, the pet air-bag device  30  may be detachable together with the pet guard body  21  to which the pet air-bag device  30  is attached from the vehicle body  2 . 
     The pet air-bag inflator  32  may be coupled to the device-side connector  36 . The pet air-bag inflator  32  may thus receive an operation signal outputted from the occupant protection input/output port  84 . In response to the operation signal, the pet air-bag inflator  32  may be ignited to generate a high-pressure gas. 
     The pet air-bag  35  may be coupled to the pet air-bag inflator  32 . The pet air-bag  35  may be a bag to be expanded and deployed by the high-pressure gas generated by the pet air-bag inflator  32 . When being deployed, the pet air-bag  35  may have a horizontally long, substantially rectangular curtain-shape in a size substantially the same as or greater than the size of the horizontally long, substantially rectangular mesh member  23 . 
     In an ordinary state, for example, the curtain-shaped pet air-bag  35  may be folded and stored in the pet guard apparatus  20  extending along the upper edge of the horizontally long, substantially rectangular mesh member  23 . 
     The occupant protection communicator  81  may be coupled to a central gateway (CGW)  48  by a bus cable as illustrated in  FIG.  8    to be described later to communicate with the other devices in the control system  40  of the automobile  1 . 
     The occupant protection memory  83  may store a program or data for occupant protection control. The occupant protection memory  83  may be a random access memory (RAM), a semiconductor memory, or a hard disk drive (HDD), for example. 
     The occupant protection ECU  82  may read the program from the occupant protection memory  83  and execute the program. The occupant protection ECU  82  may thereby serve as an occupant protection controller that controls an overall operation of the occupant protection control apparatus  47 . 
     For example, the occupant protection ECU  82  may estimate and detect contact of the automobile  1  on the basis of various detection values and a captured image received from the vehicle detector  41 . 
     The occupant protection ECU  82  may then select an output destination of an operation signal from the devices coupled to the occupant protection input/output port  84  on the basis of the form of the contact estimated or detected, and may output the operation signal to the device selected output destination. 
     For example, in a case where frontal contact of the automobile  1  is estimated or detected, the occupant protection ECU  82  may select the seatbelt device  57  and the front air-bag device  58  as the output destinations, and may output the operation signal to each of the selected output destinations. 
     In another case where side contact of the automobile  1  is estimated or detected, for example, the occupant protection ECU  82  may select the seatbelt device  57 , the side-curtain air-bag device  59 , and the seat air-bag device  60  as the output destinations, and may output the operation signal to each of the selected output destinations. 
     In this manner, the occupant protection ECU  82  may select any device as the output destination on the basis of the form of contact, and may cause the device to operate. 
       FIG.  4    is a flowchart of coupling detection control in which coupling of the pet air-bag device  30  is detected. 
     The occupant protection ECU  82  may repeatedly execute the coupling detection control illustrated in  FIG.  4    when the automobile  1  starts traveling, for example. 
     In Step ST 1 , coupling information regarding coupling of the pet air-bag device  30  may be acquired. The occupant protection ECU  82  may acquire the coupling information regarding coupling of the pet air-bag device  30  to the occupant protection input/output port  84  of the occupant protection control apparatus  47 . The occupant protection ECU  82  may acquire detection information regarding coupling of the device-side connector  36  to the vehicle-side connector  87  from, for example, the coupling sensor  88 . 
     In Step ST 2 , coupling or decoupling of the pet air-bag device  30  may be determined on the basis of the acquired coupling information. For example, the occupant protection ECU  82  may determine whether the pet air-bag device  30  is coupled to the occupant protection input/output port  84  of the occupant protection control apparatus  47  on the basis of the coupling information acquired in Step ST 1 . 
     If the device-side connector  36  is coupled to the vehicle-side connector  87 , for example (Step ST 2 : Y), the occupant protection ECU  82  may determine that the pet air-bag device  30  is coupled to the occupant protection control apparatus  47  and cause the process to proceed to Step ST 3 . 
     In contrast, if the device-side connector  36  is not coupled to the vehicle-side connector  87  (Step ST 2 : N), the occupant protection ECU  82  may determine that the pet air-bag device  30  is not coupled to the occupant protection control apparatus  47  and cause the process to proceed to Step ST 4 . 
     In Step ST 3 , a setting for pet protection may be executed. For example, the occupant protection ECU  82  may execute a setting for the pet protection control in which the pet air-bag device  30  is deployed. The occupant protection ECU  82  may record a setting value indicating execution of a pet protection in the occupant protection memory  83 . Thereafter, the occupant protection ECU  82  may end the control. 
     In Step ST 4 , the setting for the pet protection may be cancelled. The occupant protection ECU  82  may execute a setting for cancelling the pet protection control in which the pet air-bag device  30  is deployed. The occupant protection ECU  82  may record a setting value indicating cancellation of the pet protection in the occupant protection memory  83 . Thereafter, the occupant protection ECU  82  may end the control. 
     As described above, the occupant protection ECU  82  may determine whether the pet air-bag device  30  is coupled to the vehicle-side connector  87 . In one embodiment, the occupant protection ECU  82  may serve as a “controller”. In a case where the pet air-bag device  30  is not coupled to the vehicle-side connector  87 , the occupant protection ECU  82  may execute the setting control so that no operation signal that causes the pet air-bag device  30  to be deployed is outputted. 
       FIG.  5    is a flowchart of the occupant protection control performed in the automobile  1  illustrated in  FIG.  1   . 
     The occupant protection ECU  82  may repeatedly execute the occupant protection control illustrated in  FIG.  5   . 
     For example, the occupant protection ECU  82  may repeatedly execute the coupling detection control illustrated in  FIG.  4    while the automobile  1  is traveling or while an occupant is present in the automobile  1 . 
     In Step ST 11 , the detection value of an acceleration rate of the automobile  1  may be acquired. For example, the occupant protection ECU  82  may acquire the detection value of an acceleration rate from the acceleration sensor  86 . The acceleration sensor  86 , which may be a three-axial acceleration sensor, may detect the magnitude and direction of acceleration upon input of contact. 
     In Step ST 12 , the acquired detection value of the acceleration rate may be compared with a threshold. For example, the occupant protection ECU  82  may compare the acquired detection value with the threshold. In this example, the threshold may be used to detect contact of the automobile  1 . Alternatively, the occupant protection ECU  82  may compare the absolute value of the acquired detection value with the threshold. If the detection value is greater than or equal to the threshold (Step ST 12 : Y), the occupant protection ECU  82  may cause the process to proceed to Step ST 13 . If the detection value is less than the threshold (Step ST 12 : N), the occupant protection ECU  82  may cause the process to proceed to Step ST 17 . 
     In Step ST 13 , it may be determined whether the contact of the automobile  1  is frontal contact. For example, the occupant protection ECU  82  may determine whether the contact of the automobile  1  is frontal contact. If an input direction of the acquired detection value is a frontal direction, such as a direction from the front face of the automobile  1 , the occupant protection ECU  82  may determine that the contact of the automobile I is frontal contact (Step ST 13 : Y), and may cause the process to proceed to Step ST 14 . If the input direction of the acquired direction value is not the frontal direction (Step ST 13 : N), the occupant protection ECU  82  may cause the process to proceed to Step ST 17 . 
     In Step ST 14 , control for deploying the front air-bag device  58  may be executed. For example, the occupant protection ECU  82  may select the seatbelt device  57  and the front air-bag device  58  as the output destinations, and may output the operation signal to each of the selected output destinations. The occupant protection ECU  82  may output a front operation signal to the front air-bag device  58  to thereby cause the front air-bag device  58  to be deployed in front of the occupant. 
     In Step ST 15 , it may be determined whether the pet protection is to be performed. For example, as the frontal contact has been detected, the occupant protection ECU  82  may determine whether the pet protection is to be performed. The occupant protection ECU  82  may acquire the setting value regarding the pet protection from the occupant protection memory  83 . If the acquired setting value is the setting value indicating execution of the pet protection (Step ST 15 : Y), the occupant protection ECU  82  may cause the process to proceed to Step ST 16  to execute the pet protection. If the acquired setting value is the setting value indicating cancellation of the pet protection (Step ST 15 : N), the occupant protection ECU  82  may cause the process to proceed to Step ST 17  not to execute the pet protection. 
     In Step ST 16 , control for deploying the pet air-bag device  30  may be executed. For example, the occupant protection ECU  82  may select the pet air-bag device  30  as the output destination, and may output the operation signal to the selected output destination. The occupant protection ECU  82  may output a pet operation signal to the pet air-bag device  30 . 
     The pet air-bag inflator  32  of the pet guard apparatus  20  may be thereby operated. The pet air-bag  35  stored in a folded state may start deployment downwardly from an upper edge of the pet guard body  21  to entirely cover the mesh member  23  of the pet guard body  21  from behind the mesh member  23 . In this case, the pet air-bag  35  may be deployed in a region narrower than the pet guard body  21  in the vehicle width direction. 
     This prevents the pet from easily hitting strongly or directly against the pet guard body  21  having high rigidity. It is therefore expected that the safety of the pet is enhanced at the time of frontal contact. 
     In Step ST 17 , it may be determined whether the control is to be ended. For example, the occupant protection ECU  82  may determine whether the occupant protection control is to be ended. If the automobile  1  is stopped and the occupant gets out of the automobile  1 , for example, the occupant protection ECU  82  may determine that the occupant protection control is to be ended (Step ST 17 : Y). In this case, the occupant protection ECU  82  may end the control. Otherwise (Step ST 17 : N), the occupant protection ECU  82  may return the process to Step ST 11 . The occupant protection ECU  82  may repeatedly execute the procedure from Step ST 11  to Step ST 17  until it is determined that the occupant protection control is to be ended. 
     Alternatively, the occupant protection ECU  82  may estimate contact of the automobile  1 , and may output the various kinds of signals described above to the automobile  1  before contact such as frontal contact of the automobile  1  is detected. 
     As described above, the occupant protection ECU  82 , which serves as the controller, is able to deploy the pet air-bag  35  upon contact of the automobile  1 . 
       FIG.  6    illustrates an exemplary deployed state of the pet air-bag device  30  in the automobile illustrated in  FIG.  1   . 
       FIG.  6    may be associated with  FIG.  2   . In  FIG.  6   , the pet air-bag  35  of the pet air-bag device  30  may be deployed downwardly from the upper edge of the pet guard body  21  to entirely cover the mesh member  23  of the pet guard body  21  from behind the mesh member  23 . 
     The pet air-bag  35  may be deployed within a width range between the deploying regions of the paired side curtain air-bag devices  59  provided at the left and right sides of the cargo room  4 . That is, the pet air-bag  35  may be deployed so as not to interfere with deployment of the side curtain air-bag devices  59  provided at the left and right sides of the cargo room  4 . In a case where the automobile  1  does not include the side curtain air-bag devices  59 , the pet air-bag  35  may be deployed within the entire width range of the cargo room  4 , 
     The pet air-bag  35  deployed as described above prevents the pet in the cargo room  4  from easily hitting strongly and directly against the pet guard body  21  having high rigidity. It is therefore expected that the safety of the pet is enhanced at the time of frontal contact. 
     According to the first example embodiment described above, the pet guard body  21  is provided in the vehicle compartment of the automobile  1  so as to partition the vehicle compartment into the front portion and the rear portion, i.e., the occupant compartment  3  and the cargo room  4 . This prevents the pet placed in the cargo room  4  behind the pet guard body  21  in the vehicle compartment and from easily being thrown forward over the pet guard body  21  upon front contact of the automobile  1 . Thus, it is possible to protect the pet placed in the cargo room  4  of the automobile  1 . 
     In an ordinary state where no frontal contact is made, the pet air-bag  35  is not deployed, and the vehicle compartment of the automobile  1  may be partitioned into the front portion and the rear portion only by the pet guard body  21 . This allows the occupant to visually recognize the pet placed in the rear portion of the vehicle compartment or the cargo room  4  through the pet guard body  21 , and eliminates the need for the occupant to stop the automobile  1 , get out of the automobile  1 , and go to the cargo room  4  to check the state of the pet placed in the rear portion of the vehicle compartment or the cargo room  4 . Further, this allows the pet to respond to a call from the occupant in the rear portion of the vehicle compartment or the cargo room  4  without being trapped in a cage narrower than the rear portion of the vehicle compartment or the cargo room  4 . 
     Further, according to the first example embodiment described above, the pet air-bag device  30  is provided behind the pet guard body  21 . The pet air-bag device  30  may be a curtain-shaped air-bag to be deployed downwardly in the vertical direction along the pet guard body  21 . The occupant protection ECU  82 , which serves as the controller, deploys the pet air-bag  35  upon frontal contact of the automobile  1 . When frontal contact is made, the pet placed in the cargo room  4  behind the pet guard body  21  in the vehicle compartment is moved forward and hits against the pet air-bag  35  in the deployed state. Accordingly, the pet is prevented from easily hitting strongly and directly against the pet guard body  21 . Thus, it is possible to achieve more appropriate pet protection. 
     According to the first example embodiment described above, it is possible to enhance the safety of a pet in the automobile  1  while securing convenience of an occupant or a passenger of the automobile  1 , 
     According to the first example embodiment, the pet air-bag device  30  attached to the pet guard body  21  may be coupled to the occupant protection ECU  82  via the device-side connector  36 . Thus, in the first example embodiment, the pet air-bag device  30  may be detachable together with the pet guard body  21  from the automobile  1  by detaching the pet guard body  21  from the automobile  1 . In a case where no pet is loaded on the automobile  1 , the pet guard body  21  and the pet air-bag device  30  may be detached from the vehicle body  2 . Thus, the automobile  1  may be used in an original condition without the pet guard body  21 . Further, as the pet air-bag device  30  is detached together with the pet guard body  21 , the situation is eliminated where only the pet air-bag device  30  is left in the automobile  1  and the pet air-bag device  30  is unintentionally deployed despite that no pet is present in the automobile  1 . 
     Further, the occupant protection ECU  82  may determine whether the device-side connector  36  of the pet air-bag device  30  is coupled to the vehicle-side connector  87 . In a case where the pet air-bag device  30  is not coupled to the vehicle-side connector  87 , the occupant protection ECU  82  may execute the control in which the operation signal to deploy the pet air-bag device  30  is not outputted, Thus, the occupant protection ECU  82  makes it possible to execute control appropriate for an actual condition of the automobile  1 . 
     Second Example Embodiment 
     Descried next is the automobile  1  with a pet protection function according to a second example embodiment of the disclosure. In the second example embodiment, the pet protection function may be further improved. 
     The following description focuses on differences from the foregoing example embodiment. Elements having substantially the same function and configuration as those in the foregoing example embodiment are denoted with the same reference numerals to avoid any redundant description. 
       FIG.  7    is a flowchart illustrating occupant protection control performed in the automobile  1  according to the second example embodiment of the disclosure. 
     While the automobile  1  is traveling or while an occupant is present in the automobile  1 , for example, the occupant protection ECU  82  may execute the occupant protection control illustrated in  FIG.  7    instead of the occupant protection control illustrated in  FIG.  5   . 
     Step ST  11  to Step ST 16  in  FIG.  7    may be similar to those in  FIG.  5   . After 
     Step ST 16 , the occupant protection ECU  82  may perform Step ST 21 . 
     In Step ST 21 , control to deploy the side curtain air-bag devices  59  may be executed. The occupant protection ECU  82  may output a side curtain operation signal to each of the side curtain air-bag devices  59 . The side curtain air-bag devices  59  may be deployed beside the occupant along the left and right sides of the vehicle compartment. 
     As described above, when deploying the pet air-bag device  30 , the occupant protection ECU  82  may deploy the side curtain air-bag devices  59  configured to be deployed near the pet air-bag device  30 . 
     Such cooperation described above allows the side curtain air-bag devices  59  to operate in cooperation with the pet air-bag device  30  and deploy substantially at the same time as the pet air-bag device  30  upon frontal contact of the automobile 
     Upon the frontal contact of the automobile  1 , the side-curtain air-bag devices  59  may not be selected as the output destinations by the occupant protection ECU  82 , and the operation signal may not be sent from the occupant protection input/output port  84  to the side-curtain air-bag devices  59 . However, the side-curtain air-bag devices  59  is able to deploy in cooperation with the pet air-bag device  30 . 
     Accordingly, as illustrated in  FIG.  6   , the paired side-curtain air-bag devices  59  provided at the left and right sides of the vehicle compartment are able to cover the gaps between the pet air-bag  35  of the pet air-bag device  30  in the deployed state and the left and right sides of the vehicle compartment. This prevents the pet from easily passing through the gaps. 
     Further, the pet air-bag  35  may be deployed so as not to interfere with the deploying regions of the side curtain air-bag device  59  in the rear portion of the vehicle compartment or the cargo room  4 . In one embodiment, the side curtain air-bag device  59  may serve as a “second air-bag device”. 
     According to the second example embodiment described above, the pet air-bag  35  of the pet air-bag device  30  is deployed in the cargo room  4  behind the pet guard body  21 . The pet air-bag  35  may be deployed so as not to interfere with the deploying regions of the side curtain air-bag devices  59  to be deployed along the sides of the vehicle compartment. 
     Further, according to the second example embodiment, it may be determined whether the pet air-bag  35  is to be deployed on the basis of kinds of contact of the automobile  1 . in the second example embodiment, it may be determined that the pet air-bag  35  of the pet air-bag device  30  is to be deployed in a case where the contact of the automobile  1  is frontal contact. Moreover, in the second example embodiment, when the pet air-bag  35  of the pet air-bag device  30  is deployed, the side curtain air-bag devices  59  may be deployed together with the pet air-bag  35 . The side curtain air-bag devices  59  in the deployed state cover the gaps between the pet air-bag  35  in the deployed state and the respective sides of the vehicle compartment. Thus, upon frontal contact, the side curtain air-bag devices  59  are deployed together with the pet air-bag device  30  to partition the vehicle compartment without large gaps. This prevents the pet placed in the rear portion of the vehicle compartment or the cargo room  4  from easily being thrown forward through the gap between the pet air-bag  35  in the deployed state and the side of the vehicle compartment. 
     In the second example embodiment, the occupant protection ECU  82  may deploy the side curtain air-bag devices  59 , which serves as the second air-bag device, together with the pet air-bag device  30 . 
     Alternatively, the second air-bag device to be deployed together with the pet air-bag device  30  by the occupant protection ECU  82  may be another device than the side curtain air-bag devices  59 , for example. In this case, the occupant protection ECU  82  may deploy the second air-bag device together with the side curtain air-bag device  59  and the pet air-bag device  30 . 
     Third Example Embodiment 
     Described next is the automobile  1  with a pet protection function according to a third example embodiment of the disclosure. In the third example embodiment, the pet protection function may be further improved by deploying the air-bag devices depending on the size of a pet. 
     The following description focuses on differences from the foregoing example embodiment. Elements having substantially the same function and configuration as those in the foregoing example embodiment are denoted with the same reference numerals to avoid any redundant description. 
       FIG.  8    is a block diagram of the control system  40  of the automobile  1  according to the third example embodiment of the disclosure. 
     The control system  40  of the automobile  1  illustrated in  FIG.  8    may include a vehicle detector  41 , a traveling control device  42 , an event logger  43 , an outside-vehicle communicator  44 , an in-vehicle communicator  45 , an operation detector  46 , an occupant protection control apparatus  47 , and a central gate way (CGW)  48  to which these devices are coupled. 
     The CGW  48  may control communication among multiple devices provided in the control system  40  of the automobile  1 . Each of the devices provided in the control system  40  may be coupled to the CGW  48  with a bus cable. The COW  48  may control relay of communication data packets from one of the devices to another of the devices. The COW  48  and the bus cables may constitute a communication network in the automobile I. The communication network in the automobile  1  may be, for example, a controller area network (CAN). 
     Various sensors provided in the automobile  1  may be coupled to the vehicle detector  41 . In this example, an outside-vehicle camera  51 , the acceleration sensor  86 , a cargo room camera  53 , a cargo room radar  54 , a cargo room weight sensor  55 , and the coupling sensor  88  may be coupled to the vehicle detector  41 . 
     The outside-vehicle camera  51  may be disposed so as to face the front in the occupant compartment  3  of the automobile  1 . In this case, the outside-vehicle camera  51  may capture an image of a region in front of the automobile  1 . The captured image of the region in front of the automobile  1  may include an image of another automobile traveling ahead of the automobile  1 . The outside-vehicle camera  51  may be a 360-degree camera. Alternatively, multiple outside-vehicle cameras  51  may be provided in the automobile  1 . 
     The cargo room camera  53  may capture an image of the cargo room  4  of the automobile  1 . For example, the cargo room camera  53  may capture an image of a baggage or a pet placed in the cargo room  4  at an imaging angle depending on the size or dimensions of the baggage or the pet. 
     The cargo room radar  54  may scan the cargo room  4  of the automobile  1  with a radar beam. The result of radar scanning performed on the cargo room  4  in which a baggage or a pet is placed may be different from the result of radar scanning performed on the cargo room  4  in which a baggage or a pet is not placed. The cargo room radar  54  may detect the dimensions or size of a region in which such differential data is generated. 
     The cargo room weight sensor  55  may be provided on the floor  10  of the cargo room  4  of the automobile  1  and detect the weight of a baggage or a pet placed on the floor  10  of the cargo room  4  of the automobile  1 . 
     These various sensors  51 ,  53 ,  54 , and  55  may be sensors to detect a pet in the vehicle compartment. 
     The vehicle detector  41  may output detection values obtained by these various sensors and values generated on the basis of the detection values to the other devices coupled to the vehicle detector  41  via the CGW  48 . Examples of the other devices may include the occupant protection control apparatus  47 . For example, the vehicle detector  41  may output the detection value of a current acceleration rate detected by the acceleration sensor  86  and the coupling information acquired by the coupling sensor  88  to the occupant protection control apparatus  47  with broadcast transmission. 
     In the control system  40  of the automobile  1  described above, the occupant protection control apparatus  47  may include no acceleration sensor and no coupling sensor therein. 
     The traveling control device  42  may control traveling of the automobile  1 , For example, the traveling control device  42  may control manual driving, driver assistance driving, and automatic driving of the automobile  1  on the basis of a value outputted by the vehicle detector  41 . 
     The outside-vehicle communicator  44  may establish a radio communication path to a non-illustrated base station outside the automobile  1 . The automobile  1  may send and receive data to/from an outside-vehicle server via the radio communication path to the base station. For example, when an emergency event such as contact of the automobile I is detected or estimated, the occupant protection control apparatus  47  may cause the outside-vehicle communicator  44  to send an emergency notification. The outside-vehicle communicator  44  may further establish a radio communication path to another automobile. 
     The in-vehicle communicator  45  may detect another device such as a mobile terminal or an IOT device (not illustrated), placed in the vehicle, and may establish a radio communication path to the other device. The in-vehicle communicator  45  may send and receive data to/from the other device, such as a mobile terminal or an JOT device, via the ratio communication path. 
     The in-vehicle communicator  45  may determine whether the other device is located inside the vehicle or outside the vehicle on the basis of response delay time of the other device. The response delay time of the other device located outside the vehicle may tend to be longer than that of the other device located inside the vehicle. 
     The operation detector  46  may detect operations performed by the occupant on various user interfaces (UI) or a setting switch  56  that are provided in the vehicle. 
     The setting switch  56  may include, for example, a switch to be switched in accordance with the presence or absence of the pet guard apparatus  20  attached to the vehicle compartment, and a switch to be used to set the type or size of a pet to be placed in the cargo room  4 . 
     When an event to be recorded happens in the automobile  1 , the event logger  43  may record and accumulate the event in a chronological order. In the event logger  43 , event logs of the various operations described above may be recorded. 
     For example, in the event logger  43 , various events including an event about driving generated by the traveling control device  42 , an event about contact detection generated by the occupant protection control apparatus  47 , and an event about deployment of any air-bag generated by the occupant protection control apparatus  47  may be recorded and accumulated in a chronological order. 
       FIG.  9    is a flowchart of pet-size determination control performed by the control system  40  of the automobile  1  illustrated in  FIG.  8   . 
     The occupant protection ECU  82  of the occupant protection control apparatus  47  may repeatedly execute the pet-size determination control illustrated in  FIG.  9   . 
     In Step ST 31 , it may be determined whether a pet is present in the automobile  1 , For example, the occupant protection ECU  82  of the occupant protection control apparatus  47  may determine whether a pet is present in the automobile  1 . 
     The cargo room camera  53  in the control system  40  of the automobile  1  may capture an image of the pet placed in the cargo room  4  of the automobile  1 . The size of the pet included in the captured image may depend on the actual size of the pet. 
     The cargo room radar  54  may scan the pet placed in the cargo room  4  of the automobile  1  with a radar beam. The size of the pet included in the result of radar scanning may depend on the actual size of the pet. 
     The cargo room weight sensor  55  may detect the weight of the pet placed in the cargo room  4  of the automobile  1 . 
     For example, the in-vehicle communicator  45  may detect a non-illustrated IOT device attached to the collar of the pet. The IOT device may include data on the size of the pet. 
     In a case where pet detection information detected by any of these sensors is acquired from the control system  40  of the automobile  1 , the occupant protection ECU  82  may determine that a pet is present in the automobile  1  (Step ST 31 : Y). In this case, the occupant protection ECU  82  may cause the process to proceed to Step ST 32 . 
     In a case where no pet detection information is detected by any of these sensors, the occupant protection ECU  82  may determine that no pet is present in the automobile  1  (Step ST 31 : N). That is, the occupant protection ECU  82  makes it possible to determine the absence of a pet in the automobile  1  even while the pet guard apparatus  20  is attached to the automobile  1 . In this case, the occupant protection ECU  82  may end the control. 
     In a case where the vehicle-side connector  87  and the device-side connector  36  are coupled to each other, the coupling sensor  88  may detect the coupling. The occupant protection ECU  82  may determine whether the pet guard apparatus  20  is attached to the automobile  1  on the basis of whether the coupling has been detected by the coupling sensor  88 . 
     Alternatively, in a case where the coupling has been detected by the coupling sensor  88 , the occupant protection ECU  82  may cause the process to proceed to Step ST 32  assuming that a pet is present in the automobile  1 . 
     In Step ST 32 , it may be determined whether any setting regarding the pet has been set. For example, the occupant protection ECU  82  may determine whether any setting regarding the pet has been set to the control system  40  of the automobile  1 . 
     The control system  40  of the automobile I may include, as the setting switch  56  illustrated in  FIG.  8   , a switch to be switched in accordance with the presence or absence of the pet guard apparatus  20  attached to the vehicle compartment, and a switch to be used to set the type or size of the pet to be placed in the cargo room  4 , for example. 
     In a case where the setting switch  56  is provided or operated, the occupant protection ECU  82  may determine that any setting has been set to the control system  40  of the automobile  1  (Step ST 32 : Y), and may cause the process to proceed to Step ST 33 . 
     Otherwise (Step ST 32 : N), the occupant protection ECU  82  may cause the process to proceed to Step ST 35 . 
     In Step ST 33 , the setting regarding the pet may be acquired. For example, the occupant protection ECU  82  may acquire the setting value regarding the type or size of the pet set with the setting switch  56  via the operation detector  46 , 
     In Step ST 34 , a deployment setting may be set on the basis of the acquired setting regarding the pet. In one example, the occupant protection ECU  82  may set the deployment setting to deploy the pet air-bag  35  in accordance with the type or size of the pet set with the setting switch  56 . 
     For example, in a case where a large-sized dog has been detected or where a pet size larger than a threshold has been set, the occupant protection ECU  82  may set the deployment setting at a high output level, which may be a maximum output level. 
     In another case where a small-sized dog has been detected or where a pet size smaller than the threshold has been set, the occupant protection ECU  82  may set the deployment setting at a low output level, which may be half the maximum output level, for example. 
     The pet air-bag  35  deployed by the pet air-bag inflator  32  operating at the half output level may have a hardness lower than the hardness of the pet air-bag  35  deployed by the pet air-bag inflator  32  operating at the maximum output level. 
     Thus, the shock generated when the pet hits against the pet air-bag  35  deployed at the low output level may be lower than the shock generated when the pet hits against the pet air-bag  35  deployed at the maximum output level. 
     Note that the number of types or sizes of pets, such as dogs, set with the setting switch  56  is not limited to two, and two or more types or sizes of pets, such as dogs, may be set with the setting switch  56 . In a case where three or more types or sizes of pets are to be set, the occupant protection ECU  82  may switch the output level among, for example, three or more levels depending on the various kinds of settings. 
     Thereafter, the occupant protection ECU  82  may end the control. 
     In Step ST 35 , the results of the detection of the pet may be acquired. Since no setting has been set with the setting switch  56 , the occupant protection ECU  82  may acquire the results of the detection of the pet performed by the sensors. As the results of the detection of the pet, the occupant protection ECU  82  may acquire an image of the cargo room  4  captured by the cargo room camera  53 , the result of radar scanning of the cargo room  4  by the cargo room radar  54 , and the weight acting on the cargo room  4  detected by the cargo room weight sensor  55 . The occupant protection ECU  82  may further acquire and the result of the detection of a predetermined IOT device attached to the collar of the pet by the in-vehicle communicator  45 . 
     In Step ST 36 , a determination regarding the pet may be performed on the basis of the acquired detection results. For example, the occupant protection ECU  82  may determine the size of the pet on the basis of detection information acquired from the multiple sensors. 
     In one example, the occupant protection ECU  82  may determine the size of the pet by comparing the size or weight of the pet in the pet detection results with a threshold size or a threshold weight. 
     The occupant protection ECU  82  may perform a determination to distinguish between large-sized pets (e.g., large-sized dogs) and small-sized pets (e.g., small-sized dogs) using a predetermined threshold, for example. 
     In Step ST 37 , a deployment setting inay be set on the basis of the results of determination regarding the pet. In one example, the occupant protection ECU  82  may set the deployment setting to deploy the pet air-bag  35  in accordance with the results of determination regarding the pet. 
     For example, in a case where the size of the pet in the captured image of the cargo room  4  or the result of the radar scanning is greater than or equal to a threshold, or in a case where the weight acting on the cargo room  4  is greater than or equal to a threshold, the occupant protection ECU  82  may determine that the pet is a large-sized pet (e.g., a large-sized dog), and may set the deployment setting at the high output level, which may be the maximum output level. 
     Otherwise, the occupant protection ECU  82  may determine that the pet is a small-sized pet (e.g., a small-sized dog), and may set the deployment setting at the low output level, which may be half the maximum output level. 
     Further, the occupant protection ECU  82  may adjust the determination to distinguish between large-sized pets (e.g., large-sized dogs) and small-sized pets (small-sized dogs) on the basis of data received from a predetermined IOT device attached to the collar of the pet, and may set the deployment setting at an output level appropriate for the result of the adjusted determination. 
     As described above, the determination regarding the pet may be performed on the basis of the combination of the results of detection obtained by the multiple sensors. Therefore, it is possible to enhance accuracy of the occupant protection ECU  82  in performing the determination regarding the pet actually present in the vehicle compartment. This allows for a more probable setting. 
     According to the third example embodiment described above, the occupant protection ECU  82  may prioritize the setting set with the setting switch  56  in accordance with the occupant&#39;s intention over other settings. In a case where there is no setting set with the setting switch  56  in accordance with the occupant&#39;s intention, the occupant protection ECU  82  may set an appropriate setting on the basis of the automatic detection of the pet. 
     Alternatively, unlike in the flowchart described above, the occupant protection ECU  82  may set a setting appropriate for the pet on the basis of the combination of the setting set with the setting switch  56  in accordance with the occupant&#39;s intention and the setting based on the automatic detection. 
       FIG.  10    illustrates a deployment output setting table  79  for the pet airbag device  30 . The deployment output setting table  79  may be used in the pet-size determination process illustrated in  FIG.  9   . 
     The deployment output setting table  79  illustrated in  FIG.  10    may include pieces of information on the deployment setting depending on the size of a pet, the weight of a pet, and the type of a pet. 
     The deployment output setting table  79  illustrated in  FIG.  10    may be stored in the occupant protection memory  83 . 
     The occupant protection ECU  82  may read the deployment output setting table  79  illustrated in  FIG.  10    from the occupant protection memory  83  in, for example, Step ST 36  of  FIG.  9   , to thereby execute the pet determination. 
     The occupant protection ECU  82  may set the deployment output level on the basis of the deployment output setting table  79  illustrated in  FIG.  10    in Step ST 34  of  FIG.  9   . 
     In the pet determination based on the deployment output setting table  79  illustrated in  FIG.  10   , the occupant protection ECU  82  may first determine the size of the pet present in the cargo room  4  on the basis of the first column of the deployment output setting table  79 . 
     For example, the occupant protection ECU  82  may determine the size of the pet by determining whether the size of the pet in the image captured by the cargo room camera  53  or the size of the pet detected by the cargo room radar  54  is greater than or equal to a threshold size for large-sized dogs. 
     If the size of the pet is greater than or equal to the threshold size for large-sized dogs, the occupant protection ECU  82  may determine that the size of the pet present in the cargo room  4  corresponds to the size of a large-sized dog, and may set the deployment setting for large-sized dogs. In Step ST 36  in  FIG.  9   , the occupant protection ECU  82  may set a setting for an igniting operation of the pet air-bag inflator  32  so that the pet air-bag  35  will be deployed by the operation of the pet air-bag inflator  32  at the high output level. 
     In a case where the size of the pet is less than the threshold size for large-sized dogs, the occupant protection ECU  82  may then determine the weight of the pet present in the cargo room  4  on the basis of the second column of the deployment output setting table  79 . 
     For example, the occupant protection ECU  82  may determine the weight of the pet by determining whether the weight of the pet detected by the cargo room weight sensor  55  is greater than or equal to a threshold weight for large-sized dogs. 
     If the weight of the pet is greater than or equal to the threshold weight for large-sized dogs, the occupant protection ECU  82  may determine that the weight of the pet present in the cargo room  4  corresponds to the weight of a large-sized dog, and may set the deployment setting for large-sized dogs. In Step ST 36  of  FIG.  9   , the occupant protection ECU  82  may set the setting for an igniting operation of the pet air-bag inflator  32  so that the pet air-bag  35  will be deployed by the operation of the pet air-bag inflator  32  at the high output level. 
     If the weight of the pet is less than the threshold weight for large-sized dogs, the occupant protection ECU  82  may determine the type of the pet on the basis of the third column of the deployment output setting table  79 . 
     For example, the occupant protection ECU  82  may determine whether the type of the pet present in the cargo room  4  is a large-sized dog on the basis of the setting information regarding the size of the pet set with the setting switch  56 . 
     Alternatively, the occupant protection ECU  82  may determine whether the type of the pet present in the cargo room  4  is a large-sized dog on the basis of the pet information registered in an IOT device attached to the collar of the pet. The pet information registered in the IOT device may include data on the type, size, and weight of the pet. 
     If the type of the pet is a large-sized dog, the occupant protection ECU  82  may determine that the pet present in the cargo room  4  is a large-sized dog, and may set the deployment setting for large-sized dogs. in Step ST 36  of  FIG.  9   , the occupant protection ECU  82  may set the setting for an igniting operation of the pet air-bag inflator  32  so that the pet air-bag  35  will be deployed by the operation of the pet air-bag inflator  32  at the high output level. 
     If the type of the pet is not a large-sized dog, the occupant protection ECU  82  may determine that the pet present in the cargo room  4  is a small-sized dog, and may set the deployment setting for small-sized dogs, as given in the fourth column of the deployment output setting table  79 . In Step ST 36  of  FIG.  9   , the occupant protection ECU  82  may set the setting for an igniting operation of the pet air-bag inflator  32  so that the pet air-bag  35  will be deployed by the operation of the pet air-bag inflator  32  at the low output level, which may be half the maximum output level of the pet air-bag inflator  32 . 
     Thereafter, the occupant protection ECU  82  may execute the pet protection control with the output level of the pet air-bag inflator  32  being set at a level based on the size of the pet. The pet protection control executed in this example may be the one described in the first example embodiment with reference to  FIG.  5    or the one described in the second example embodiment with reference to  FIG.  7   . 
     When frontal contact (e.g., a frontal collision) of the automobile  1  is detected, the occupant protection ECU  82  may cause the pet air-bag inflator  32  to operate at the set output level. 
     For example, if the deployment setting at the high output level is set on the basis of the first to third columns of the deployment output setting table  79  illustrated in  FIG.  10   , the pet air-bag inflator  32  may deploy the pet air-bag  35  at the maximum output level. The pet air-bag  35  deployed at the maximum output level is able to appropriately receive a heavy, large-sized dog thrown forward upon contact of the automobile I to prevent the dog from hitting strongly against the pet guard body  21 . 
     In contrast, in a case where the deployment setting at the low output level is set on the basis of the fourth column of the deployment output setting table  79  illustrated in  FIG.  10   , the pet air-bag inflator  32  may deploy the pet air-bag  35  at the low output level, which may be half the maximum output level, for example. The pet air-bag  35  deployed at the low output level has an appropriate hardness not larger than necessary and is able to appropriately receive a relatively light, small-sized dog thrown forward upon contact of the automobile  1 . 
     According to the third example embodiment described above, the size of the pet present in the vehicle compartment of the automobile  1  may be determined on the basis of the results of detection performed by the sensors to detect a pet in the vehicle compartment or the setting information regarding the pet in the vehicle compartment set with the setting switch  56 . Further, according to the third example embodiment described above, the deployment state of the pet air-bag device  30  may be controlled on the basis of the determination regarding the pet. Note that the sensors to detect a pet may include the outside-vehicle camera  51 , the cargo room camera  53 , the cargo room radar  54 , and the cargo room weight sensor  55 . The occupant protection ECU  82  may serve as a sensor to detect a pet in the vehicle compartment and an acquiring unit to acquire the setting information on the pet present in the vehicle compartment. 
     For example, in a case where a heavy, large-sized pet, such as a large-sized dog, is present in the rear portion of the vehicle compartment or the cargo room  4 , the occupant protection ECU  82  may deploy the pet air-bag  35  at the high output level. The pet air-bag  35  deployed at the high output level is able to appropriately receive the large-sized pet. 
     In another case where a light, small-sized pet, such as a small-sized dog, is present in the cargo room  4 , for example, the occupant protection ECU  82  may deploy the pet air-bag  35  at the low output level. The pet air-bag  35  deployed at the low output level has an appropriate hardness not larger than necessary and is able to appropriately receive the small-sized pet. If the pet air-bag  35  is deployed to have a hardness similar to the hardness to receive a large-sized pet despite that a small-sized pet has been detected in the vehicle compartment of the automobile  1 , the small-sized pet may hit against the pet air-bag  35  having high hardness with a large shock. 
     The foregoing example embodiments are mere examples of the embodiments of the disclosure, and the disclosure is not limited to the foregoing example embodiments. Various changes or modifications may be made without departing from the gist of the disclosure. 
     In the foregoing example embodiments, the pet air-bag device  30  includes the single pet air-bag  35 ; however, the pet air-bag device  30  may include a plurality of pet air-bags  35  arranged in the vertical direction in the automobile  1 . The pet air-bags  35  may all be coupled to a common pet air-bag inflator  32 , or may be coupled to respective pet air-bag inflators  32 . The occupant protection ECU  82  of the pet air-bag device  30  may select one or more of the pet air-bags  35  to be deployed on the basis of the size of the pet, for example.