Navigation-based safety restraint system and method

• US 20050150704A1
• Filed: 12/02/2004
• Published: 07/14/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Japan K.K.
• Original Assignee: Takata Corporation (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Tanaka, Yoshihiko
• Granted Patent: US 7,407,028 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 21/013 including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0134 responsive to imminent contact with an obstacle , e.g. using radar systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01516 using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0152 using strain gauges
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/18 the inflatable member formed as a belt or harness or combined with a belt or harness arrangement

Abstract

A safety restraint system for use in a vehicle. The system includes a safety restraint component coupled to a navigational module. The navigational module is adapted to determine a location of the vehicle. The component is adapted to be actuated in response to the determination. The safety restraint component may be a safety belt pretensioner. The component may be adapted to be actuated when the navigational module determines the vehicle has entered or is approaching a zone meeting a predefined criteria.

Claims

1. A safety restraint system for a vehicle, comprising:

a safety restraint component coupled to a navigational module, the navigational module being adapted to determine a location of the vehicle;

wherein the component is adapted to be actuated in response to the location determination made by the module.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the safety restraint component is a safety belt pretensioner.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the safety restraint component is a motorized seat belt adapted to apply pretension to a safety belt.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the safety restraint component is an airbag system.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the airbag system includes an airbag in at least one of a seat cushion and a shoulder belt.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the safety restraint component is a seat weight sensor.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the safety restraint component is a steering wheel that includes a feature to alert the driver.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the steering wheel adapted to vibrate upon actuation to alert the driver.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the navigational module is a GPS-based system.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the navigational module is a cellular-based system.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the component is adapted to be actuated when the navigational module determines the vehicle has entered or is approaching a geographic zone meeting a predefined criteria.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the predefined criteria includes the existence of a school within the zone.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the predefined criteria includes the existence of a hospital within the zone.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the zone is a reduced-speed zone.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the navigational module is adapted to determine a location of a second vehicle.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the navigational system is adapted to determine whether the second vehicle presents a hazard, and to cause actuation of the safety restraint component when the second vehicle is determined to be a hazard.

17. A safety restraint method for use in a vehicle, comprising:

determining a location of the vehicle; and

actuating a safety restraint component in response to the location.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of actuating includes actuating a safety belt pretensioner.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the safety restraint component is a motorized seat belt adapted to apply pretension to a safety belt.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the safety restraint component is an airbag system.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the airbag system includes an airbag in at least one of a seat cushion and a shoulder belt.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein the safety restraint component is a seat weight sensor.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein the safety restraint component is a steering wheel adapted to vibrate upon actuation to alert the driver.

24. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of determining includes using a GPS-based system.

25. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of determining includes using a cellular-based system.

26. The method of claim 17, wherein the actuating step is performed when the vehicle is determined to have entered or is approaching a zone meeting a predefined criteria.

27. The method of claim 21, wherein the predefined criteria includes the existence of a school within the zone.

28. The method of claim 21, wherein the predefined criteria includes the existence of a hospital within the zone.

29. The method of claim 21, wherein the zone is a reduced-speed zone.

30. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of determining a location of a second vehicle.

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising the steps of:

determining whether the second vehicle presents a hazard; and

actuating the safety restraint component when the second vehicle is determined to be a hazard.

32. A safety restraint system for use in a first vehicle, comprising:

a safety restraint component coupled to a navigational module, the navigational module being adapted to determine a location of a second vehicle relative to the first vehicle;

wherein the component is adapted to be actuated in response to the determination.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein the safety restraint component is a safety belt pretensioner.

34. The system of claim 32, wherein the navigational module is a GPS-based system.

35. The system of claim 32, wherein the navigational module is a cellular-based system.

36. The system of claim 32, wherein the navigational module is adapted to receive a signal transmitted from the second vehicle.

37. The system of claim 32, wherein the component is adapted to be actuated when the navigational module determines the second vehicle represents a hazard to the first vehicle.

38. A safety restraint system for a vehicle, comprising:

a safety restraint component coupled to a navigational module, the navigational module being adapted to receive signals from a hazard signaling unit;

wherein the component is adapted to be actuated in response to a signal received from said hazard signaling unit.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein the safety restraint component is a safety belt pretensioner.

40. The system of claim 38, wherein the hazard signaling unit is a fixed roadside unit.

41. The system of claim 40, wherein the hazard signaling unit transmits signals indicating the presence of a hazard.

42. The system of claim 41, wherein the hazard includes at least one of a work zone, hazardous road conditions, a school zone, a hospital or a reduced-speed zone.

43. The system of claim 38, wherein the hazard signaling unit is mounted in a second vehicle.

44. The system of claim 43, wherein the signal indicates a potential collision with the second vehicle.

45. The system of claim 38, wherein the navigational module is adapted to receive signals at a predetermined frequency.

46. The system of claim 45, wherein the predetermined frequency is in a frequency range of 5.850 to 5.925 GHz.

47. A safety restraint method for use in a vehicle, comprising:

receiving one or more signals from a hazard signaling unit;

actuating a safety restraint component in response to said signal.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein the safety restraint component is a safety belt pretensioner.

49. The method of claim 47, wherein the hazard signaling unit is a fixed roadside unit.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein the hazard signaling unit transmits signals indicating the presence of a hazard.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein the hazard includes at least one of a work zone, hazardous road conditions, a school zone, a hospital or a reduced-speed zone.

52. The method of claim 47, wherein the hazard signaling unit is mounted in a second vehicle.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein the signal indicates a potential collision with the second vehicle.

54. The method of claim 47, wherein the signals are received at a predetermined frequency.

55. The method of claim 54, wherein the predetermined frequency is in a frequency range of 5.850 to 5.925 GHz.