Vehicle occupant emergency system

• US 6,629,575 B2
• Filed: 04/24/2002
• Issued: 10/07/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dimitar Nikolov
• Original Assignee: Dimitar Nikolov
• Inventors: Nikolov, Dimitar
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fleming, Faye M.
• Application Number:
  US10/128,293
• Publication Number:
  US 20020147535A1
• Time in Patent Office: 531 Days
• Field of Search: 180/282, 180/271, 280/735, 280/734, 297/216.1, 297/216.13, 297/216.14, 297/216.15, 297/216.16, 297/216.18
• US Class Current: 180/282
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/4214 longitudinal
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/42736 of the whole seat
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/42781 mechanical triggering
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/4279 electric or electronic triggering
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/43 Safety locks for back-rests B60N2/433
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4609 using a plurality of tensioners
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/201 with the belt anchor connected to a slider movable in a vehicle-mounted track for passive restraint systems B60R22/06
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/26 secured to the seat

Abstract

A vehicle occupant emergency system comprising: a front seat; a front seat horizontal adjuster; a front seat seat-belt system; releasing devices for releasing the front seat from its pre-emergency horizontal adjustment; moving devices for moving the front seat rearward; stopping members for controlling a maximum extent to which the front seat can be moved rearward; restraining members for restraining the front seat from moving forward after its rearward movement; sensors for sensing a multiplicity of characteristics relative to an emergency; and a control unit for operating the releasing devices and the moving devices in an emergency depending on the received signals from the sensors and its programming. The vehicle occupant emergency system may comprise: locking devices for preventing the front seat from moving forward after its rearward movement or relative to its pre-emergency horizontal adjustment; preventing devices for preventing the front seat from moving further rearward relative to its post-emergency position; a rear seat; a rear seat seat-belt system; belt-pretensioning devices; and sensors for sensing a multiplicity of characteristics relative to an emergency with respect to the rear seat and to the rear seat seat-belt system. The front seat may be provided with a multiplicity of positions to which it can be moved rearward. The front seat may be provided with a variable maximum extent to which it can be moved rearward.

Claims

1. A vehicle occupant emergency system mounted in an automotive vehicle for protecting at least one occupant of the automotive vehicle, the vehicle occupant emergency system comprising:

a front vehicle seat for accommodating at least one occupant of the automotive vehicle;

horizontal adjusting means for providing the front vehicle seat with a multiplicity of horizontal adjustments relative to the automotive vehicle, the horizontal adjusting means maintaining the front vehicle seat at each one of the multiplicity of horizontal adjustments;

system controlling means for operating the vehicle occupant emergency system;

first sensing means for sensing characteristics of a vehicle collision, the first sensing means being connected to the system controlling means and providing signals to the system controlling means indicative of the sensed characteristics;

second sensing means for sensing characteristics of the automotive vehicle, the second sensing means being connected to the system controlling means and providing signals to the system controlling means indicative of the sensed characteristics;

third sensing means for sensing characteristics of the environment inside and outside of the automotive vehicle, the third sensing means being connected to the system controlling means and providing signals to the system controlling means indicative of the sensed characteristics;

releasing means operated by the system controlling means for releasing the front vehicle seat from a pre-emergency horizontal adjustment in the event of a vehicle collision so that the front vehicle seat can be moved rearward relative to its pre-emergency horizontal adjustment;

moving means operated by the system controlling means for moving the front vehicle seat rearward relative to its pre-emergency horizontal adjustment in the event of a vehicle collision after the front vehicle seat has been released from its pre-emergency horizontal adjustment by the releasing means, the moving means allowing the front vehicle seat to be adjusted to each one of the multiplicity of horizontal adjustments before a vehicle collision;

stopping means for controlling a maximum extent to which the front vehicle seat can be moved rearward relative to its pre-emergency horizontal adjustment by the moving means in the event of a vehicle collision;

fourth sensing means for sensing characteristics of the front vehicle seat, the fourth sensing means being connected to the system controlling means and providing signals to the system controlling means indicative of the sensed characteristics;

fifth sensing means for sensing characteristics of the at least one occupant in the front vehicle seat, the fifth sensing means being connected to the system controlling means and providing signals to the system controlling means indicative of the sensed characteristics;

first restraining means for restraining the at least one occupant in the front vehicle seat;

sixth sensing means for sensing characteristics of the first restraining means, the sixth sensing means being connected to the system controlling means and providing signals to the system controlling means indicative of the sensed characteristics; and

second restraining means for restraining the front vehicle seat from moving forward after the front vehicle seat has been moved rearward relative to its pre-emergency horizontal adjustment by the moving means;

wherein the system controlling means receiving signals from the first sensing means, from the second sensing means, from the third sensing means, from the fourth sensing means, from the fifth sensing means, and from the sixth sensing means, and in the event of a vehicle collision the system controlling means operating the releasing means and the moving means depending on the received signals and a programming.

2. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the horizontal adjusting means being adapted to enable the front vehicle seat to be released from its pre-emergency horizontal adjustment by the releasing means and to be moved rearward relative to its pre-emergency horizontal adjustment by the moving means in the event of a vehicle collision.

3. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the horizontal adjusting means being adapted to enable the front vehicle seat to be moved to the stopping means by the moving means in the event of a vehicle collision.

4. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the releasing means allowing the front vehicle seat to be adjusted to each one of the multiplicity of horizontal adjustments before a vehicle collision.

5. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the releasing means allowing the horizontal adjusting means to maintain the front vehicle seat after the front vehicle seat has been moved rearward relative to its pre-emergency horizontal adjustment by the moving means, and the horizontal adjusting means maintaining the front vehicle seat after the front vehicle seat has been moved rearward relative to its pre-emergency horizontal adjustment by the moving means.

6. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the moving means maintaining the front vehicle seat at the stopping means after the front vehicle seat has been moved to the stopping means by the moving means.

7. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first restraining means comprising first pretensioning means operated by the system controlling means for further restraining the at least one occupant in the front vehicle seat, and in the event of a vehicle collision the system controlling means operating the first pretensioning means depending on the received signals and its programming.

8. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the vehicle occupant emergency system further comprising rear sensing means for sensing characteristics of a rear-end vehicle collision, the rear sensing means being connected to the system controlling means and providing signals to the system controlling means indicative of the sensed characteristics.

9. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second restraining means restraining the front vehicle seat from moving forward after the front vehicle seat has been moved to the stopping means by the moving means.

10. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the vehicle occupant emergency system further comprising second releasing means for releasing the front vehicle seat from the second restraining means after a vehicle collision.

11. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle occupant emergency system further comprising locking means operated by the system controlling means for preventing the front vehicle seat from moving forward after the front vehicle seat has been moved rearward relative to its pre-emergency horizontal adjustment by the moving means, and in the event of a vehicle collision the system controlling means operating the locking means depending on the received signals and its programming.

12. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the vehicle occupant emergency system further comprising stop sensing means for activating the locking means after the front vehicle seat has been moved to the stopping means by the moving means.

13. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle occupant emergency system further comprising second locking means for preventing the front vehicle seat from moving forward relative to its pre-emergency horizontal adjustment in the event of a vehicle collision.

14. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle occupant emergency system further comprising preventing means operated by the system controlling means for preventing the front vehicle seat from moving further rearward after the front vehicle seat has been moved rearward relative to its pre-emergency horizontal adjustment by the moving means but not to the stopping means, the preventing means allowing the front vehicle seat to be adjusted to each one of the multiplicity of horizontal adjustments before a vehicle collision, and in the event of a vehicle collision the system controlling means operating the preventing means depending on the received signals and its programming.

15. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle occupant emergency system further comprising at least one switch for switching on and switching off the releasing means and the moving means.

16. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle occupant emergency system being connected with a global positioning system having an automatic collision notification system.

17. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle occupant emergency system further comprising:

a rear vehicle seat located behind the front vehicle seat for accommodating at least one occupant of the automotive vehicle; and

seventh sensing means for sensing characteristics of the at least one occupant in the rear vehicle seat, the seventh sensing means being connected to the system controlling means and providing signals to the system controlling means indicative of the sensed characteristics;

wherein the system controlling means further receiving signals from the seventh sensing means and in the event of a vehicle collision the system controlling means operating the releasing means and the moving means depending on the received signals and its programming.

18. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the vehicle occupant emergency system further comprising:

third restraining means for restraining the at least one occupant in the rear vehicle seat; and

eighth sensing means for sensing characteristics of the third restraining means, the eighth sensing means being connected to the system controlling means and providing signals to the system controlling means indicative of the sensed characteristics;

wherein the system controlling means further receiving signals from the eighth sensing means and in the event of a vehicle collision the system controlling means operating the releasing means and the moving means depending on the received signals and its programming.

19. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the third restraining means comprising second pretensioning means operated by the system controlling means for further restraining the at least one occupant in the rear vehicle seat, and in the event of a vehicle collision the system controlling means operating the second pretensioning means depending on the received signals and its programming.

20. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 19, wherein the vehicle occupant emergency system further comprising rear sensing means for sensing characteristics of a rear-end vehicle collision, the rear sensing means being connected to the system controlling means and providing signals to the system controlling means indicative of the sensed characteristics.

21. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 20, wherein the system controlling means operating the vehicle occupant emergency system a moment before a vehicle collision depending on the received signals and its programming.

22. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stopping means comprising:

first stopping means for controlling the maximum extent, the first stopping means being removable upon application of a removing force; and

second stopping means for engaging the first stopping means and controlling the maximum extent; and

further wherein the vehicle occupant emergency system further comprising;

third stopping means for controlling a second maximum extent to which the front vehicle seat can be moved rearward relative to its pre-emergency horizontal adjustment by the moving means in the event of a vehicle collision, the third stopping means engaging the second stopping means for controlling the second maximum extent; and

removing means operated by the system controlling means for applying the removing force to the first stopping means so that the front vehicle seat can be moved to the third stopping means by the moving means in the event of a vehicle collision, and in the event of a vehicle collision the system controlling means operating the removing means depending on the received signals and its programming.

23. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 22, wherein the horizontal adjusting means being adapted to enable the front vehicle seat to be moved to the third stopping means by the moving means in the event of a vehicle collision.

24. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 22, wherein the moving means maintaining the front vehicle seat at the first stopping means or at the third stopping means after the front vehicle seat has been moved to the first stopping means or to the third stopping means by the moving means.

25. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 22, wherein the second restraining means restraining the front vehicle seat from moving forward after the front vehicle seat has been moved to the first stopping means or to the third stopping means by the moving means.

26. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 25, wherein the vehicle occupant emergency system further comprising third releasing means for releasing the front vehicle seat from the second restraining means after a vehicle collision.

27. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 22, wherein the third stopping means being operable by the system controlling means and in the event of a vehicle collision the system controlling means operating the third stopping means depending on the received signals and its programming.

28. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 22, wherein the vehicle occupant emergency system further comprising a switch for switching on and switching off the removing means.

29. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 22, wherein the system controlling means operating the vehicle occupant emergency system a moment before a vehicle collision depending on the received signals and its programming.

30. A vehicle occupant emergency system mounted in an automotive vehicle for protecting at least one occupant of the automotive vehicle, the vehicle occupant emergency system comprising:

a front vehicle seat for accommodating at least one occupant of the automotive vehicle;

horizontal adjusting means for providing the front vehicle seat with a multiplicity of horizontal adjustments relative to the automotive vehicle, the horizontal adjusting means maintaining the front vehicle seat at each one of the multiplicity of horizontal adjustments;

system controlling means for operating the vehicle occupant emergency system;

first sensing means for sensing characteristics of a vehicle collision, the first sensing means being connected to the system controlling means and providing signals to the system controlling means indicative of the sensed characteristics;

rear sensing means for sensing characteristics of a rear-end vehicle collision, the rear sensing means being connected to the system controlling means and providing signals to the system controlling means indicative of the sensed characteristics;

second sensing means for sensing characteristics of the automotive vehicle, the second sensing means being connected to the system controlling means and providing signals to the system controlling means indicative of the sensed characteristics;

third sensing means for sensing characteristics of the environment inside and outside of the automotive vehicle, the third sensing means being connected to the system controlling means and providing signals to the system controlling means indicative of the sensed characteristics;

releasing means operated by the system controlling means for releasing the front vehicle seat from its pre-emergency horizontal adjustment in the event of a vehicle collision so that the front vehicle seat can be moved rearward relative to its pre-emergency horizontal adjustment;

moving means operated by the system controlling means for moving the front vehicle seat rearward relative to its pre-emergency horizontal adjustment in the event of a vehicle collision after the front vehicle seat has been released from its pre-emergency horizontal adjustment by the releasing means, the moving means allowing the front vehicle seat to be adjusted to each one of the multiplicity of horizontal adjustments before a vehicle collision;

stopping means for controlling a maximum extent to which the front vehicle seat can be moved rearward relative to a pre-emergency horizontal adjustment by the moving means in the event of a vehicle collision;

fourth sensing means for sensing characteristics of the front vehicle seat, the fourth sensing means being connected to the system controlling means and providing signals to the system controlling means indicative of the sensed characteristics;

fifth sensing means for sensing characteristics of the at least one occupant in the front vehicle seat, the fifth sensing means being connected to the system controlling means and providing signals to the system controlling means indicative of the sensed characteristics;

first restraining means for restraining the at least one occupant in the front vehicle seat, the first restraining means comprising first pretensioning means operated by the system controlling means for further restraining the at least one occupant in the front vehicle seat;

sixth sensing means for sensing characteristics of the first restraining means, the sixth sensing means being connected to the system controlling means and providing signals to the system controlling means indicative of the sensed characteristics;

second restraining means for restraining the front vehicle seat from moving forward after the front vehicle seat has been moved rearward relative to its pre-emergency horizontal adjustment by the moving means;

locking means operated by the system controlling means for preventing the front vehicle seat from moving forward after the front vehicle seat has been moved rearward relative to its pre-emergency horizontal adjustment by the moving means;

preventing means operated by the system controlling means for preventing the front vehicle seat from moving further rearward after the front vehicle seat has been moved rearward relative to its pre-emergency horizontal adjustment by the moving means but not to the stopping means, the preventing means allowing the front vehicle seat to be adjusted to each one of the multiplicity of horizontal adjustments before a vehicle collision;

a rear vehicle seat located behind the front vehicle seat for accommodating at least one occupant of the automotive vehicle;

seventh sensing means for sensing characteristics of the at least one occupant in the rear vehicle seat, the seventh sensing means being connected to the system controlling means and providing signals to the system controlling means indicative of the sensed characteristics;

third restraining means for restraining the at least one occupant in the rear vehicle seat, the third restraining means comprising second pretensioning means operated by the system controlling means for further restraining the at least one occupant in the rear vehicle seat; and

eighth sensing means for sensing characteristics of the third restraining means, the eighth sensing means being connected to the system controlling means and providing signals to the system controlling means indicative of the sensed characteristics;

wherein the system controlling means receiving signals from the first sensing means, from the second sensing means, from the third sensing means, from the fourth sensing means, from the fifth sensing means, from the sixth sensing means, from the seventh sensing means, from the eighth sensing means, and from the rear sensing means, and in the event of a vehicle collision the system controlling means operating the releasing means, the moving means, the first pretensioning means, the second pretensioning means, the locking means and the preventing means depending on the received signals and a programming.

31. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 30, wherein the horizontal adjusting means being adapted to enable the front vehicle seat to be released from its pre-emergency horizontal adjustment by the releasing means and to be moved rearward relative to its pre-emergency horizontal adjustment by the moving means in the event of a vehicle collision.

32. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 30, wherein the horizontal adjusting means being adapted to enable the front vehicle seat to be moved to the stopping means by the moving means in the event of a vehicle collision.

33. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 30, wherein the releasing means allowing the front vehicle seat to be adjusted to each one of the multiplicity of horizontal adjustments before a vehicle collision.

34. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 30, wherein the releasing means allowing the horizontal adjusting means to maintain the front vehicle seat after the front vehicle seat has been moved rearward relative to its pre-emergency horizontal adjustment by the moving means, and the horizontal adjusting means maintaining the front vehicle seat after the front vehicle seat has been moved rearward relative to its pre-emergency horizontal adjustment by the moving means.

35. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 30, wherein the moving means maintaining the front vehicle seat at the stopping means after the front vehicle seat has been moved to the stopping means by the moving means.

36. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 30, wherein the second restraining means restraining the front vehicle seat from moving forward after the front vehicle seat has been moved to the stopping means by the moving means.

37. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 36, wherein the vehicle occupant emergency system further comprising second releasing means for releasing the front vehicle seat from the second restraining means after a vehicle collision.

38. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 30, wherein the moving means providing the front vehicle seat with a multiplicity of positions to which the front vehicle seat can be moved rearward relative to its pre-emergency horizontal adjustment in the event of a vehicle collision.

39. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 30, wherein the locking means providing the front vehicle seat with a multiplicity of positions to which the front vehicle seat can be moved rearward relative to its pre-emergency horizontal adjustment by the moving means in the event of a vehicle collision.

40. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 30, wherein the preventing means providing the front vehicle seat with a multiplicity of positions to which the front vehicle seat can be moved rearward relative to its pre-emergency horizontal adjustment by the moving means in the event of a vehicle collision.

41. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 30, wherein the vehicle occupant emergency system further comprising stop sensing means for activating the locking means after the front vehicle seat has been moved to the stopping means by the moving means.

42. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 30, wherein the vehicle occupant emergency system further comprising second locking means for preventing the front vehicle seat from moving forward relative to its pre-emergency horizontal adjustment in the event of a vehicle collision.

43. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 30, wherein the vehicle occupant emergency system further comprising at least one switch for switching on and switching off the releasing means and the moving means.

44. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 30, wherein the vehicle occupant emergency system being connected with a global positioning system having an automatic collision notification system.

45. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 30, wherein the system controlling means operating the vehicle occupant emergency system a moment before a vehicle collision depending on the received signals and its programming.

46. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 30, wherein the vehicle occupant emergency system operating in concert with at least one safety system, at least one safety device and at least one warning system.

47. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 30, wherein the vehicle occupant emergency system being integrated with at least one safety system, at least one safety device and at least one warning system.

48. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 30, wherein the vehicle occupant emergency system being integrated with at least one other vehicle occupant emergency system.

49. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 30, wherein the stopping means comprising:

first stopping means for controlling the maximum extent, the first stopping means being removable upon application of a removing force; and

second stopping means for engaging the first stopping means and controlling the maximum extent; and

further wherein the vehicle occupant emergency system further comprising;

third stopping means for controlling a second maximum extent to which the front vehicle seat can be moved rearward relative to its pre-emergency horizontal adjustment by the moving means in the event of a vehicle collision, the third stopping means engaging the second stopping means for controlling the second maximum extent; and

removing means operated by the system controlling means for applying the removing force to the first stopping means so that the front vehicle seat can be moved to the third stopping means by the moving means in the event of a vehicle collision, and in the event of a vehicle collision the system controlling means operating the removing means depending on the received signals and its programming.

50. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 49, wherein the horizontal adjusting means being adapted to enable the front vehicle seat to be moved to the third stopping means by the moving means in the event of a vehicle collision.

51. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 49, wherein the moving means maintaining the front vehicle seat at the first stopping means or at the third stopping means after the front vehicle seat has been moved to the first stopping means or to the third stopping means by the moving means.

52. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 49, wherein the second restraining means restraining the front vehicle seat from moving forward after the front vehicle seat has been moved to the first stopping means or to the third stopping means by the moving means.

53. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 52, wherein the vehicle occupant emergency system further comprising third releasing means for releasing the front vehicle seat from the second restraining means after a vehicle collision.

54. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 49, wherein the preventing means preventing the front vehicle seat from moving further rearward after the front vehicle seat has been moved rearward relative to its pre-emergency horizontal adjustment by the moving means but not to the first stopping means or to the third stopping means.

55. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 49, wherein the third stopping means being operable by the system controlling means and in the event of a vehicle collision the system controlling means operating the third stopping means depending on the received signals and its programming.

56. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 49, wherein the vehicle occupant emergency system further comprising a switch for switching on and switching off the removing means.

57. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 49, wherein the system controlling means operating the vehicle occupant emergency system a moment before a vehicle collision depending on the received signals and its programming.

58. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 49, wherein the vehicle occupant emergency system operating in concert with at least one safety system, at least one safety device and at least one warning system.

59. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 49, wherein the vehicle occupant emergency system being integrated with at least one safety system, at least one safety device and at least one warning system.

60. A vehicle occupant emergency system as claimed in claim 49, wherein the vehicle occupant emergency system being integrated with at least one other vehicle occupant emergency system.