PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A method for controlling a passenger restraint system for a vehicle having a seatbelt, comprising:
- limiting movement of the seatbelt utilizing a retractor having a first locking element and a second locking element, the first locking element of the retractor being individually controllable, and the second locking element of the retractor being collectively controllable in relation to other retractors of the vehicle;
monitoring at least one sensor to determine if there is a change in state of the seatbelt with respect to a receiver that latches the seatbelt; and
generating a fault condition and automatically inhibiting movement of the vehicle into the ride if a change in state does not occur prior to the vehicle being dispatched.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A passenger restraint system for a vehicle having a plurality of seats, each seat having a seatbelt, a retractor from which the seatbelt is extendable, and a receiver used to latch the seatbelt. Each retractor includes a first pneumatic locking element and a second pneumatic locking element for limiting movement of the seatbelt and each receiver includes a receiver pneumatic locking element for locking the seatbelt within the receiver. A controller controls the operation of a plurality of first valves for supplying air to the first pneumatic locking element of a corresponding one of the plurality of retractors, a second valve for supplying air to each of the second pneumatic locking element of the plurality of retractors, and a plurality of third valves for supplying air to the receiver pneumatic locking element of a corresponding one of the plurality of receivers. Control decisions may be made based upon feedback received from sensors within the receiver that sense a state of the seatbelt with respect to the receiver.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for controlling a passenger restraint system for a vehicle having a seatbelt, comprising:
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limiting movement of the seatbelt utilizing a retractor having a first locking element and a second locking element, the first locking element of the retractor being individually controllable, and the second locking element of the retractor being collectively controllable in relation to other retractors of the vehicle;
monitoring at least one sensor to determine if there is a change in state of the seatbelt with respect to a receiver that latches the seatbelt; and
generating a fault condition and automatically inhibiting movement of the vehicle into the ride if a change in state does not occur prior to the vehicle being dispatched. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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10. A method for controlling a passenger restraint system for a vehicle having a seatbelt, comprising:
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monitoring at least one sensor provided at a receiver to determine if there is a change in state of the seatbelt with respect to the receiver, the receiver being used to latch the seatbelt; and
generating a fault condition and automatically inhibiting movement of the vehicle into the ride if a change in state does not occur prior to the vehicle being dispatched.
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Specification