Method of controlling seatbelt retractor

• US 20050154517A1
• Filed: 01/11/2005
• Published: 07/14/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Takata Corporation (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Takata Corporation (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Tanaka, Koji, Inuzuka, Koji
• Granted Patent: US 7,308,348 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/45
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01265 Seat belts
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4473 using an electric retraction device combined with a spring B60R2022/444, B60R2022/4466
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01512 Passenger detection systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/44 with means for reducing belt tension during use under normal conditions not included in the retractor B60R22/19; B60R22/3405 takes precedence

Abstract

A method of controlling a seatbelt retractor having a mechanism for retracting a seatbelt with a motor includes the steps of receiving a door-open signal; determining whether the door-open signal is received after a predetermined time since a door-lock release signal is input; and retracting the seatbelt only when the door-open signal is received after the predetermined time since the door-lock release signal is input.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a seatbelt retractor to retract a seatbelt, comprising:

receiving a door-lock release signal when a door-lock is released,

receiving a door-open signal when a door is opened,

determining whether the door-open signal is received after a predetermined time since the door-lock release signal is received, and

retracting the seatbelt only when the door-open signal is received after the predetermined time since the door-lock release signal is received.

2. A method of controlling a seatbelt retractor according to claim 1, further comprising determining whether an occupant is seated with a seat sensor, said seatbelt is retracted only when the door-open signal is received after the predetermined time since the door-lock release signal is received, and it is determined that the occupant is seated.

3. A method of controlling a seatbelt retractor according to claim 1, wherein said door-lock release signal is sent from a key of a keyless entry system.

4. A method of controlling a seatbelt retractor according to claim 1, wherein said seatbelt is retracted by an operation of a motor.