SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SEAT BELT CONTROL
First Claim
1. A seat belt system, the system comprising:
- a seat belt;
a retractor capable of retracting the seat belt; and
a controller operably coupled with the retractor to control movement of the seat belt, wherein the controller is configured(a) to receive a command to enter a stop mode;
(b) to switch off a first set of components of the controller to enter a low power mode of operation;
(c) after expiration of a first time period, to switch on a first component of the first set of components to check for expiration of a second time period;
(d) to monitor for movement of the seat belt;
(e) if no belt movement is detected, repeating (b)-(d) until expiration of the second time period; and
(f) if no belt movement is detected before expiration of the second time period, to switch off the first set of components of the controller to enter a sleep mode of operation.
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Abstract
A system is provided for utilizing belt movement information in a motorized seat belt (MSB) control system algorithm to achieve better levels of comfort and safety. The MSB control system algorithm controls execution of multiple modes including a no friction mode, a stowage mode, a slack reduction mode, an out of position warning mode, a medium pull-back mode, and a high pull-back mode. The MSB control system algorithm also controls execution of a low power mode initiated after the other vehicle modules are put to sleep to provide the ability to stow the seat belt after the vehicle has been turned off for some period of time. The MSB control system algorithm also controls belt monitoring functions defined based on a buckle switch state that indicates the buckled or unbuckled state of the seat belt. Belt monitoring consists of belt movement being converted to counts based on a resolution provided by a belt movement sensor.
18 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A seat belt system, the system comprising:
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a seat belt; a retractor capable of retracting the seat belt; and a controller operably coupled with the retractor to control movement of the seat belt, wherein the controller is configured (a) to receive a command to enter a stop mode; (b) to switch off a first set of components of the controller to enter a low power mode of operation; (c) after expiration of a first time period, to switch on a first component of the first set of components to check for expiration of a second time period; (d) to monitor for movement of the seat belt; (e) if no belt movement is detected, repeating (b)-(d) until expiration of the second time period; and (f) if no belt movement is detected before expiration of the second time period, to switch off the first set of components of the controller to enter a sleep mode of operation.
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2. A method of transitioning a seat belt controller to a sleep mode, the method comprising:
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(a) receiving a command to enter a stop mode; (b) switching off a first set of components of the seat belt controller to enter a low power mode of operation; (c) after expiration of a first time period, switching on a first component of the first set of components to check for expiration of a second time period; (d) monitoring for movement of a seat belt; (e) if no belt movement is detected, repeating (b)-(d) until expiration of the second time period; and (f) if no belt movement is detected before expiration of the second time period, switching off the first set of components of the seat belt controller to enter a sleep mode of operation. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A seat belt system, the system comprising:
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a buckle; a seat belt including a tongue, wherein the tongue is capable of engaging with the buckle; a retractor, wherein the retractor is capable of retracting the seat belt under control of an actuator; and a controller capable of communicating with the actuator to control movement of the seat belt, wherein the controller is configured (a) to determine a buckle status of the seat belt; (b) if the determined buckle status is buckled, to define a buckled value based on a first position of the seat belt; (c) to define a plurality of thresholds based on the defined buckled value; (d) to monitor movement of the seat belt to determine a seat belt position; (e) to compare the determined seat belt position to the plurality of thresholds; and (f) to perform an action based on the comparison of (e).
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8. A method of controlling a seat belt, the method comprising:
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(a) determining a buckle status of a seat belt; (b) if the determined buckle status is buckled, defining a buckled value based on a first position of the seat belt; (c) defining a plurality of thresholds based on the defined buckled value; (d) monitoring movement of the seat belt to determine a seat belt position; (e) comparing the determined seat belt position to the plurality of thresholds; and (f) performing an action based on the comparison of (e). - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification