Seatbelt device

• US 6,554,092 B2
• Filed: 11/08/2001
• Issued: 04/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: NSK Autoliv Co., Ltd. (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: NSK Autoliv Co., Ltd. (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Ono, Katsuyasu, Matsuki, Masuo, Midorikawa, Yukinori
• Primary Examiner(s): English, Peter C.
• Application Number:
  US09/986,379
• Publication Number:
  US 20020030357A1
• Time in Patent Office: 537 Days
• Field of Search: 280/807, 280/806, 180/268, 180/272, 242/390.9, 242/390.8
• US Class Current: 180/268
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0016 Fall in water
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4473 using an electric retraction device combined with a spring B60R2022/444, B60R2022/4466
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/3416 Unlocking devices for retractors B60R22/3405 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/343 with electrically actuated locking means B60R22/3405 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/405 responsive to belt movement and vehicle movement
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/415 with additional means allowing a permanent locking of the retractor during the wearing of the belt
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/44 with means for reducing belt tension during use under normal conditions not included in the retractor B60R22/19; B60R22/3405 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/46 Reels with means to tension the belt in an emergency by forced winding upelectrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements B60R21/01 ; tensioners using reels only guiding the belt during normal use, e.g. splitted reels B60R22/195

Abstract

Provided is a seatbelt device capable of realizing a comfortable seatbelt-wearing environment as well as appropriately securing and protecting a passenger. The seatbelt device is further capable of realizing an immediate escape or rescue of a passenger after a vehicle accident, thereby providing extra safety and a swift escape by protracting the webbing in accordance with the state of the vehicle accident. This seatbelt device is provided with a retractor which uses a motor for retracting and protracting the webbing that secures a passenger to his/her seat, and a controller for rotating the motor and at least retracting the webbing. The controller is capable of altering the protraction mode of the webbing in accordance with the state of the webbing fastened by the passenger.

Claims

1. A seatbelt device comprising:

a retractor using a motor for retracting and protracting a webbing that secures a passenger to a seat; and

a controller for rotating the motor in order to at least retract the webbing and for generating an alarm;

wherein the controller executes a control program for setting a threshold value of alarm generation, and executes either a protracting speed program for determining a protraction speed of the webbing when the passenger tries to fasten the seatbelt device, or a fastening time program for determining a time required to fasten the seatbelt device after a protraction of the webbing has stopped;

wherein the controller controls an ease of alarm generation by altering the threshold value on a basis of at least either the speed determined by the protracting speed program or the time determined by the fastening time program.

2. The seatbelt device according to claim 1, wherein the controller generates the alarm by rotating the motor to alternately and repeatedly protract and retract the webbing.

3. The seatbelt device according to claim 1, having a buckle connection detector for detecting a state of connection between a buckle and a tongue, thereby detecting whether the webbing is fastened or not.

4. A seatbelt device comprising:

a retractor using a motor for retracting and protracting a webbing that secures a passenger to a seat; and

a controller for rotating the motor in order to at least retract the webbing and for generating an alarm;

wherein the controller executes a control program for setting a threshold value of alarm generation, and executes a protraction frequency program for determining a webbing protraction frequency while the seatbelt device is fastened;

wherein the controller controls an ease of alarm generation by altering the threshold value on a basis of the protraction frequency determined by the frequency program.

5. The seatbelt device according to claim 4, wherein the controller generates the alarm by rotating the motor to alternately and repeatedly protract and retract the webbing.

6. The seatbelt device according to claim 4, having a buckle connection detector for detecting a state of connection between a buckle and a tongue, wherein the protraction frequency is a value obtained by dividing a number of times of webbing protraction by a fastened-state duration after a buckle connection is detected by the buckle connection detector.

7. A seatbelt device comprising:

a retractor using a motor for retracting and protracting a webbing that secures a passenger to a seat;

a first controller for rotating the motor in order to at least retract the webbing; and

a second controller for either generating a collision danger alarm when a distance between a vehicle of the passenger and an object ahead becomes less than a specified value or a dozing alarm by determining an indication of dozing by the passenger of the vehicle;

wherein the first controller alters an amount of slack of the webbing while the webbing is fastened, on a basis of a number of alarm generation times with regard to at least either the collision danger alarm or the dozing alarm.

8. A seatbelt device comprising:

a retractor using a motor for retracting and protracting a webbing that secures a passenger to a seat;

a first controller for rotating the motor in order to at least retract the webbing; and

a second controller for either generating a collision danger alarm when a distance between a vehicle of the passenger and an object ahead becomes less than a specified value or a dozing alarm by determining an indication of dozing by the passenger of the vehicle;

wherein the first controller alters a tension of the webbing while the webbing is fastened, on a basis of a number of times of alarm generation with regard to at least either the collision danger alarm or the dozing alarm.

9. A seatbelt device comprising:

a retractor using a motor for retracting and protracting a webbing that secures a passenger to a seat;

a first controller for rotating the motor in order to at least retract the webbing; and

a second controller for either generating a collision danger alarm when a distance between a vehicle of the passenger and an object ahead becomes less than a specified value or a dozing alarm by determining an indication of dozing by the passenger of the vehicle;

wherein the first controller alters a retraction power of the webbing while the webbing is fastened, on a basis of a number of alarm generation times with regard to at least either the collision danger alarm or the dozing alarm.

10. A seatbelt device comprising:

a retractor using a motor for retracting and protracting a webbing that secures a passenger to a seat;

a first controller for rotating the motor in order to at least retract the webbing; and

a second controller for either generating a collision danger alarm when a distance between a vehicle of the passenger and an object ahead becomes less than a specified value or a dozing alarm by determining an indication of dozing by the passenger of the vehicle;

wherein the first controller generates an alarm by rotating the motor to alternately and repeatedly protract and retract the webbing;

and wherein the first controller alters a vibration cycle of the alarm on a basis of a number of times of alarm generation with regard to at least either the collision danger alarm or the dozing alarm.

11. A seatbelt device comprising:

a retractor using a motor for retracting and protracting a webbing that secures a passenger to a seat; and

a controller for rotating the motor in order to at least retract the webbing and for generating an alarm;

wherein the controller executes a control program for setting a threshold value of alarm generation, and executes a seatbelt-fastened-state duration program;

wherein the controller controls an ease of alarm generation by altering the threshold value on a basis of a seatbelt-fastened-state duration determined by the seatbelt-fastened-state duration program.

12. The seatbelt device according to claim 11, wherein the seatbelt-fastened-state duration program receives a control signal from a buckle connection detector for determining a state of connection between a buckle and a tongue.

13. A seatbelt device comprising:

a retractor using a motor for retracting and protracting a webbing that secures a passenger to a seat; and

a controller for rotating the motor in order to at least retract the webbing,

wherein the controller executes a program for determining a number of times that the seatbelt device in an unfastened state turns into a fastened state; and

wherein the controller alters a retraction power of the webbing on a basis of the number of times a change of state is determined by the program.

14. The seatbelt device according to claim 13, wherein the program for determining the number of times that the seatbelt device in the unfastened state turns into the fastened state, receives a control signal from a buckle connection detector for determining a state of connection between a buckle and a tongue.