Seatbelt device

• US 20040045757A1
• Filed: 08/08/2003
• Published: 03/11/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NSK Autoliv Co., Ltd. (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: NSK Autoliv Co., Ltd. (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Yamada, Hiroshi, Midorikawa, Yukinori
• Granted Patent: US 7,011,338 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/268
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01034 Controlling a plurality of restraint devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01272 Belt tensioners
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/1957 characterised by electric actuators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4609 using a plurality of tensioners
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4666 characterised by electric actuators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01 Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents electrical circuits for transmission of signals between steering wheel and the vehicle itself B60R16/027; for electrically actuating belt retractor locking means B60R22/343
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0134 responsive to imminent contact with an obstacle , e.g. using radar systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01546 using belt buckle sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/1952 Transmission of tensioning power by cable; Return motion locking means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/343 with electrically actuated locking means B60R22/3405 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/405 responsive to belt movement and vehicle movement
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/4628 characterised by fluid actuators, e.g. pyrotechnic gas generators actuating a cable B60R22/4619

Abstract

Provided is a seatbelt device which prevents an occupant from hitting his face against an airbag deploying at the time of a vehicle collision. In order to take up any seatbelt slack before a collision and prevent the occupant from being displaced forward, the seatbelt device comprises a first tension modifier for winding the seatbelt and taking up the seatbelt slack when a collision is predicted, and a second tension modifier for further enhancing the tension of the seatbelt and securing the occupant to the seat at the time of such collision, thereby ensuring that the occupant does not exist in the airbag deployment zone when the airbag is activated.

Claims

1. A seatbelt device comprising:

a seatbelt fastening detector for detecting that a tongue plate, through which a seatbelt for securing an occupant to a seat passes, has been engaged with a buckle;

a collision predictor for predicting a collision of a vehicle and outputting a prediction signal before said collision;

a collision detector for detecting said collision of the vehicle and outputting a collision detection signal;

an airbag device deploying in response to the output of said collision detection signal;

a first tension modifier and a second tension modifier capable of changing the tension of the seatbelt; and

a controller for activating the first tension modifier in response to said prediction signal and enhancing said tension of the seatbelt, and activating the second tension modifier in response to said collision detection signal and further enhancing said tension of the seatbelt.

3. A seatbelt device according to claim 1, wherein said first tension modifier is a device for winding or protracting the seatbelt by a motor power source, and said second tension modifier is a device for instantly retracting the seatbelt by a power source of powder combustion gas.

6. A seatbelt device according to claim 1, having a seatbelt retractor fixed to a vehicle body or said seat for winding said seatbelt,

wherein said first tension modifier and said second tension modifier are provided to said seatbelt retractor.

7. A seatbelt device according to claim 1, having a seatbelt retractor which is fixed to either a vehicle body or said seat for winding said seatbelt,

wherein said first tension modifier is provided to said seatbelt retractor, and said second tension modifier is provided to said buckle portion.

8. A seatbelt device according to claim 1, having a seatbelt retractor which is fixed to either a vehicle body or said seat for winding said seatbelt,

wherein said first tension modifier is provided to said buckle portion and said second tension modifier is provided to said seatbelt retractor, and said seatbelt retractor has a seatbelt locking mechanist for locking the protraction of said seatbelt when said first tension modifier is activated.

9. A seatbelt device according to claim 1,

wherein said first tension modifier is provided to said seatbelt retractor winding one end of said seatbelt, and said second tension modifier is provided to said wrap belt fixing portion fixing the other end of the seatbelt to a vehicle body or said seat.

10. A seatbelt device according to claim 1,

wherein said second tension modifier is provided to said seatbelt retractor winding one end of said seatbelt, said seatbelt retractor has a seatbelt locking mechanism for locking the protraction of said seatbelt when the first tension modifier is activated, and said first tension modifier is provided to said wrap belt fixing portion fixing the other end of the seatbelt to a vehicle body or said seat.

11. A seatbelt device according to claim 1,

wherein said first tension modifier is provided to said buckle portion, and said second tension modifier is provided to a wrap belt fixing portion fixing the other end of the seatbelt to a vehicle body or said seat.

12. A seatbelt device according to claim 1,

wherein said first tension modifier is provided to said wrap belt fixing portion fixing the other end of the seatbelt to a vehicle body or said seat, said second tension modifier is provided to a buckle portion, and said seatbelt retractor fixed to said vehicle body or said seat for winding said seatbelt has a seatbelt locking mechanism for locking the protraction of said seatbelt in response to an ordering signal.

13. A seatbelt device according to claim 1,

wherein said first tension modifier and said second tension modifier are provided to a wrap belt fixing portion fixing the other end of the seatbelt to a vehicle body or said seat, and said seatbelt retractor fixed to said vehicle body or said seat for winding said seatbelt has a seatbelt locking mechanism for locking the protraction of said seatbelt in response to an ordering signal.

2. A seatbelt device comprising:

a seatbelt fastening detector for detecting that a tongue plate, through which a seatbelt for securing an occupant to a seat passes, has been engaged with a buckle;

a collision predictor for predicting a collision of a vehicle and outputting a prediction signal before said collision;

a collision detector for detecting said collision of the vehicle and outputting a collision detection signal;

an airbag device deploying in response to the output of said collision detection signal;

an airbag activation detector for detecting said activation of said airbag device and outputting an airbag activation signal;

a first tension modifier and a second tension modifier capable of changing the tension of the seatbelt; and

a controller for activating the first tension modifier in response to said prediction signal and enhancing said tension of the seatbelt, and activating the second tension modifier in response to said collision detection signal and further enhancing said tension of the seatbelt.

4. A seatbelt device according to claim 2, wherein said airbag activation detector outputs said airbag activation signal when a current supplied to an igniter for activating the airbag exceeds a prescribed current value, or when the temperature of said igniter exceeds a prescribed value.

5. A seatbelt device according to claim 2, wherein said airbag activation detector outputs said airbag activation signal when any one of the currents supplied to a plurality of igniters for activating a plurality of airbags exceeds a prescribed current value, or when any one of the temperatures of said plurality of igniters exceeds a prescribed value.