Apparatus for detecting a usage condition of a vehicle seat lap/shoulder belt
First Claim
1. Apparatus for detecting a usage condition of an occupant restraint belt of a vehicle seat, comprising:
- a passive component attached to said occupant restraint belt; and
an active proximity sensing component disposed in said vehicle seat for detecting a proximity of said passive component to provide an indication of proximity of said occupant restraint belt to said vehicle seat.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
The usage condition of a vehicle seat lap/shoulder belt is determined by detecting the proximity of the belt to at least one of the seat bight and back cushion. A passive component is embedded or otherwise attached to at least one of the lap and shoulder portions of the belt, and at least one active component is disposed behind the trim fabric of the seat to detect the proximity of the passive component to the seat. The proximity measurements are used in conjunction with other sensor data such as belt tension and/or state to reliably detect the presence of a rear facing infant seat and to discriminate between proper and improper lap/shoulder belt usage.
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Citations
6 Claims
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1. Apparatus for detecting a usage condition of an occupant restraint belt of a vehicle seat, comprising:
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a passive component attached to said occupant restraint belt; and
an active proximity sensing component disposed in said vehicle seat for detecting a proximity of said passive component to provide an indication of proximity of said occupant restraint belt to said vehicle seat. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification