Adaptive restraint system with retractor pretensioner
First Claim
1. An adaptive restraint system for an automobile having a seat for an occupant, the system comprising:
- a crash sensor for detecting a potential crash event;
an occupant sensor for estimating a relative size of the occupant;
a seat belt for restraining the occupant in the seat;
a retractor having a spindle receiving the webbing of the seat belt, the retractor further including a first force limiting element connected to the spindle;
a belt anchorage pretensioner operatively connected to the seat belt for providing pretensioning of the seat belt;
a retractor pretensioner operatively connected to the seat belt for providing pretentioning of the seat belt, the retractor pretensioner connected to the spindle of the retractor via a second force limiting element; and
a controller receiving signals from the crash sensor and the occupant sensor, the controller operable in at least two modes including, a first mode wherein the controller effects activation of both the belt anchorage pretensioner and the retractor pretensioner when the occupant is estimated to be above a predetermined size, and a second mode wherein the controller effects activation of only the belt anchorage pretensioner when the occupant is estimated to be at or below the predetermined size.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A restraint system and method is adaptive to the size of the occupant, and adapts both pretensioning and load limitation characteristics to the occupant. The adaptive restraint system generally includes a retractor, a belt anchorage pretensioner, and a retractor pretensioner. The system is operable in at least a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, both the belt anchorage pretensioner and the retractor pretensioner are activated when the occupant is estimated to be above a predetermined size, thereby providing a first load limitation characteristic. In the second mode, only the belt anchorage pretensioner is activated when the occupant is estimated to be at or below the predetermined size, thereby providing a second load limitation characteristic.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An adaptive restraint system for an automobile having a seat for an occupant, the system comprising:
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a crash sensor for detecting a potential crash event;
an occupant sensor for estimating a relative size of the occupant;
a seat belt for restraining the occupant in the seat;
a retractor having a spindle receiving the webbing of the seat belt, the retractor further including a first force limiting element connected to the spindle;
a belt anchorage pretensioner operatively connected to the seat belt for providing pretensioning of the seat belt;
a retractor pretensioner operatively connected to the seat belt for providing pretentioning of the seat belt, the retractor pretensioner connected to the spindle of the retractor via a second force limiting element; and
a controller receiving signals from the crash sensor and the occupant sensor, the controller operable in at least two modes including, a first mode wherein the controller effects activation of both the belt anchorage pretensioner and the retractor pretensioner when the occupant is estimated to be above a predetermined size, and a second mode wherein the controller effects activation of only the belt anchorage pretensioner when the occupant is estimated to be at or below the predetermined size. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for restraining an occupant of an automobile, the method comprising:
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providing a seat belt for restraining the occupant, a crash sensor for detecting the potential for a crash event, an occupant sensor for estimating a relative size of the occupant, and a controller receiving signals from the crash sensor and the occupant sensor;
providing a belt anchorage pretensioner operatively connected to the seat belt for pretentioning of the seat belt;
providing a retractor having a spindle receiving the webbing of the seat belt, the retractor further including a first force limiting element;
providing a retractor pretensioner operatively connected to the seat belt for pretentioning of the seat belt, the retractor pretensioner connected to the spindle of the retractor via a second force limiting element;
determining a relative size of the occupant based on the occupant sensor;
activating the belt anchorage pretensioner upon sensing a potential crash event; and
activating the retractor pretensioner when the occupant is estimated to be greater than or equal to a predetermined size and upon sensing a potential crash event. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification