Child seat and monitoring system

• US 20050280297A1
• Filed: 06/06/2005
• Published: 12/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Porter, Stephen B., Fultz, William W., Kincaid, Kevin D., Fortune, Duane D., Patterson, James F., Wallner, Edward J., Sullivan, Stuart S., Lawrence, Rodney A.
• Application Number:
  US11/146,927
• Publication Number:
  US 20050280297A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/217.4
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/002 Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon detection means responsive to presence or absence of children B60N2/266
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0244 with logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0272 using sensors or detectors for detecting the position of seat parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/267 alerting means responsive to presence or absence of children
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/268 detecting or alerting means responsive to the installation of the child seats in the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2806 for securing the child seat to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2809 with additional tether connected to the top of the child seat and passing above the top of the back-rest
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2812 for securing the child to the child seat
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2816 with additional belt accessories, e.g. belt tension detectors
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2821 having a seat and a base part
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2824 part of the base being supported by the vehicle frame B60N2/289 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2842 adapted to carry the child, when dismounted from the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2845 having handles
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/286 forward facing B60N2/2866 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2863 backward facing
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2875 inclinable, as a whole or partially
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2881 Upholstery, padded or cushioned members therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2887 Fixation to a transversal anchorage bar, e.g. isofix
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2002/2815 with additional belt accessories, e.g. a belt tension detector
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2210/44 using fluids
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2210/50 : Inertial sensors

Abstract

A child seat adapted for use in a vehicle, the child seat comprising: a shell portion configured for use with or without a base portion; at least one an adjustable tether secured to the shell portion at one end and having a clasping portion at the other; a tension sensor for providing a signal indicative of a tension of the adjustable tether; and an electronic control unit secured to the shell portion, the electronic control unit being operably coupled to the tension sensor to receive the signal, the electronic control unit being capable of processing the signal to compare the signal to a signal indicative of a predetermined range of acceptable tension, wherein the electronic control unit provides an output indicating whether the tension of the adjustable tether is within the predetermined range.

Claims

1. A child seat adapted for use in a vehicle, the child seat comprising:

a shell portion;

an adjustable tether secured to the shell portion at one end and having a clasping portion at the other,

a tension sensor for providing a signal indicative of a tension of the adjustable tether; and

an electronic control unit secured to the shell portion, the electronic control unit being operably coupled to the tension sensor to receive the signal, the electronic control unit being capable of processing the signal to compare the signal to a signal indicative of a predetermined range of acceptable tension, wherein the electronic control unit provides an output indicating whether the tension of the adjustable tether is within the predetermined range.

2. The child seat as in claim 1, wherein the electronic control unit further comprises a display integrally formed with the shell portion and the output of the electronic control unit is an LED disposed on the display.

3. The child seat as in claim 1, wherein the electronic control unit further comprises a liquid crystal display and the output of the electronic control unit is indicia disposed on the display.

4. The child seat as in claim 1, wherein the output is an audible chime if the tension of the adjustable tether is not within the predetermined range.

5. The child seat as in claim 1, wherein the output is audible text if the tension of the adjustable tether is not within the predetermined range.

6. The child seat as in claim 1, wherein the tension sensor is located at a point of securement between the adjustable tether and the child seat and the child seat is a booster seat.

7. The child seat as in claim 6, wherein the tension sensor comprises at least one magnet and a Hall effect device positioned to detect the presence of a magnetic field of the at least one magnet.

8. The child seat as in claim 1, wherein the tension sensor is embedded into the adjustable tether.

9. The child seat as in claim 1, wherein the child seat is configured to restrain children having a weight less than approximately 22 pounds.

10. The child seat as in claim 1, wherein the adjustable tether is secured to an upper portion of the shell portion and the child seat further comprises:

a lower adjustable tether secured to a lower portion of the shell portion at one end and having a clasping portion at the other;

a tension sensor for providing a signal indicative of a tension of the lower adjustable tether;

wherein the electronic control unit is operably coupled to the tension sensor to receive the signal of the lower adjustable tether, the control unit being capable of processing the signal to compare the signal to a signal indicative of a predetermined range of acceptable tension for the lower adjustable tether, wherein the electronic control unit provides another output indicating whether the tension of the lower adjustable tether is within the predetermined range.

11. The child seat as in claim 10, wherein the electronic control unit further comprises a display and the output and the another output of the electronic control unit each comprise an LED disposed on the display.

12. The child seat as in claim 11, wherein the electronic control unit further comprises a liquid crystal display and the output and the another output of the electronic control unit is indicia disposed on the display.

13. The child seat as in claim 11, wherein the output and the another output is an audible chime if the tension of the lower adjustable tether or the adjustable tether is not within the predetermined range.

14. The child seat as in claim 11, wherein the output and the another output is audible text if the tension of the lower adjustable tether or the adjustable tether is not within the predetermined range.

15. The child seat as in claim 11, wherein the lower adjustable tether is rigid member secured and the tension sensor of the lower adjustable member comprises at least one magnet and a Hall effect device positioned to detect the presence of a magnetic field of the at least one magnet.

16. The child seat as in claim 1, wherein the adjustable tether is secured to an upper portion of the shell portion and the child seat further comprises:

a pair of lower adjustable tethers each being secured to a lower portion of the shell portion at one end and having a clasping portion at the other, wherein one of the pair of lower adjustable tethers are secured to one side of the shell and the other is secured to another side of the shell;

a tension sensor for each of the pair of lower adjustable tethers each providing a signal indicative of a tension in one of the pair of the lower adjustable tethers;

wherein the electronic control unit is operably coupled to the tension sensors to receive the signals of the pair of lower adjustable tethers, the control unit being capable of processing the signals to compare the signals to a signal indicative of a predetermined range of acceptable tension for each of pair of lower adjustable tethers, wherein the electronic control unit provides another output indicating whether the tension of the pair of lower adjustable tethers is within the predetermined range.

17. The child seat as in claim 16, wherein the electronic control unit further comprises a display integrally formed with the shell portion and the output and the another output of the electronic control unit is an LED disposed on the display.

18. The child seat as in claim 16, wherein the output and the another output is an audible chime or audible text if the tension of the adjustable tether or the tension of the pair of lower adjustable tethers is not within the predetermined range.

19. A child restraint system adapted for use in a vehicle, comprising:

a child seat having a shell portion;

an adjustable tether secured to the shell portion at one end and having a clasping portion at the other,

a tension sensor for providing a signal indicative of a tension of the adjustable tether;

an electronic control unit secured to the child seat, the electronic control unit being operably coupled to the tension sensor to receive the signal, the electronic control unit being capable of processing the signal to compare the signal to a signal indicative of a predetermined range of acceptable tension, wherein the electronic control unit provides an output indicating whether the tension of the adjustable tether is within the predetermined range, wherein the electronic control unit is also operably coupled to a plurality of sensors each providing additional signals indicative of states of the child seat to the electronic control unit and the electronic control unit is capable of processing the additional signals to compare the additional signals to acceptable values, wherein the electronic control unit provides additional outputs indicating whether the additional signals are at acceptable values.

20. The child restraint system as in claim 19, wherein the electronic control unit further comprises a display integrally formed with the shell portion and the output of the electronic control unit is an LED disposed on the display and the additional outputs are additional LEDs disposed on the display.

21. The child restraint system as in claim 20, wherein the adjustable tether is secured to an upper portion of the shell portion and the child seat further comprises:

a lower adjustable tether secured to a lower portion of the shell portion at one end and having a clasping portion at the other;

a tension sensor for providing a signal indicative of a tension of the lower adjustable tether;

wherein the electronic control unit is operably coupled to the tension sensor to receive the signal of the lower adjustable tether, the control unit being capable of processing the signal to compare the signal to a signal indicative of a predetermined range of acceptable tension for the lower adjustable tether, wherein the electronic control unit provides another output indicating whether the tension of the lower adjustable tether is within the predetermined range.

22. The child restraint system as in claim 21, wherein the plurality of additional sensors are selected from the group comprising:

weight sensors, accelerometers, seat belt tension sensors, seat belt latch sensors, force sensors,

23. A method for determining if the tension of an adjustable tether of a child seat is within an acceptable range, the method comprising:

locating a tension sensor along a portion of the adjustable tether, wherein the tension sensor is configured to provide a signal indicative of a tension of the adjustable tether;

receiving the signal of the tension sensor by an electronic control unit being operably coupled to the tension sensor and secured to a portion of the child seat;

processing the signal to determine if the signal corresponds to a predetermined range of acceptable tension; and

indicating whether the tension of the adjustable tether is within the predetermined range by providing an output.

24. The method as in claim 23, wherein the output is in the form of an illuminated display on a visible surface of the electronic control unit and wherein the signal is an analog signal.

25. A child seat adapted for use in a vehicle, the child seat comprising:

a base portion;

a carrier portion configured to restrain a child the carrier portion being removable secured to the base portion;

an adjustable tether secured to the base portion having a pair of clasping portions disposed at either end,

a tension sensor for providing a signal indicative of a tension of the adjustable tether; and

an electronic control unit secured to either the base portion or the carrier portion, the electronic control unit being operably coupled to the tension sensor to receive the signal, the control unit being capable of processing the signal to compare the signal to a signal indicative of a predetermined range of acceptable tension, wherein the electronic control unit provides an output indicating whether the tension of the adjustable tether is within the predetermined range.

26. The child seat adapted as in claim 25, wherein the electronic control unit is disposed in a cavity of either the base portion or the carrier portion.

27. A rear facing child seat adapted for use in a vehicle, the rear facing child seat comprising:

a shell portion configured to restrain a child;

an adjustable tether secured to the shell portion having a pair of clasping portions disposed at either end;

a tension sensor for providing a signal indicative of a tension of the adjustable tether; and

an electronic control unit secured to the shell portion, the electronic control unit being operably coupled to the tension sensor to receive the signal, the control unit being capable of processing the signal to compare the signal to a signal indicative of a predetermined range of acceptable tension, wherein the electronic control unit provides an output indicating whether the tension of the adjustable tether is within the predetermined range.