Status indicator for passive belt system

• US 4,747,616 A
• Filed: 06/25/1987
• Issued: 05/31/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: General Motors Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Burris, Darryl L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Weaver, Ross
• Application Number:
  US07/066,656
• Time in Patent Office: 341 Days
• Field of Search: 280/801, 280/802, 280/803, 280/807, 180/268, 200/310, 315/136
• US Class Current: 280/807
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/08 having the belt retractor mounted on or in a vehicle closure, e.g. the door
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/41 with additional means for preventing locking during unwinding under predetermined conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/48 Control systems, alarms, or interlock systems, for the correct application of the belt or harness

Abstract

An electrical circuit includes a signal device such as a reminder lamp which is mounted on the instrument panel of the vehicle body remote from a door mounted seat belt retractor and a switch associated with the door latch. Electricity is conducted from the vehicle battery and the fuse block suitably mounted near the instrument panel, and then through the door jamb into the vehicle door where the door latch switch is connected in series with a solenoid associated with the seat belt retractor. Operation of the door handle or movement of the latch bolt to the unlatched position will close the switch and energize the solenoid. The circuit includes a relay having a coil interposed in the circuit remote from the door mounted solenoid and door latch switch. The relay coil is sensitive to a threshold of electrical current flowing therethrough at a level equal to or less than the current draw of the solenoid so that the coil closes a set of contacts to complete the electrical circuit energizing the reminder lamp. Accordingly, whenever the door handle is operated or the door is opened, the circuit is energized and the lamp is illuminated. In addition, should the solenoid remain energized after the door is closed, the reminder lamp remains illuminated to indicate the need for vehicle service.

Claims

1. In a vehicle having a seat belt system including a seat belt retractor mounted on the vehicle door and having an associated electrical device operative upon energization to effect an operating mode of the retractor, a switch mounted on the vehicle door for energizing the associated electrical device, and an electrical circuit extending from a battery located on the vehicle body remotely from the vehicle door, a remote sensing signal device for indicating closure of the switch and energization of the associated electrical device, comprising:

an electrical indicator mounted on the instrument panel of the vehicle body remote from the door mounted retractor and the switch,

a relay having a coil situated in the circuit remote from the electrical device associated with the retractor and a set of normally open contacts in series with the electrical indicator so that energization of the coil closes the contacts and energizes the electrical indicator to indicate that the switch is closed and the device associated with the retractor energized to control the operating mode of the retractor;

said relay coil being sensitive to an electrical current flow threshold therethrough of a level less than the current draw of the electrical device associated with the retractor so that the coil and the electrical indicator are energized whenever the switch is closed whereby the electrical energization of the electrical device associated with the retractor is remotely sensed and indicated to the vehicle operator.

2. In a vehicle having a passive seat belt system including an inertia sensitive seat belt retractor mounted on the vehicle door and having an associated electrical device operative upon energization to desensitize the inertia sensitive retractor to facilitate rapid door opening movement, a switch mounted on the vehicle door for energizing the associated electrical device, and an electrical circuit extending from a battery located on the vehicle body remotely from the vehicle door, a remote sensing signal device for indicating closure of the switch and energization of the associated electrical device, comprising:

an electrical indicator mounted on the instrument panel of the vehicle body remote from the door mounted retractor and the switch; and

a relay having a coil situated in the circuit remote from the electrical device associated with the retractor and a set of normally open contacts in series with the electrical indicator so that energization of the coil closes the contacts and energizes the electrical indicator to indicate that the switch is closed and the device associated with the retractor energized to desensitize the inertia sensitive retractor during door opening movement;

said relay coil being sensitive to an electrical current flow threshold therethrough of a level less than the current draw of the electrical device associated with the retractor so that the coil and the electrical indicator are energized whenever the switch is closed whereby the electrical energization of the electrical device associated with the retractor is remotely sensed and indicated to the vehicle operator.