Automatic unbuckling seat belt system

• US 7,275,613 B2
• Filed: 07/02/2004
• Issued: 10/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kia Motors Corporation (Kia Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Kia Motors Corporation (Kia Corp.)
• Inventors: Park, Bum-Choon
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson; Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WEBB, TIFFANY LOUISE
• Application Number:
  US10/884,588
• Publication Number:
  US 20050000069A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,187 Days
• Field of Search: 280/727, 280/801.1, 280/807, 810/268, 810/270, 810/286, 810/289, 246/28, 246/03, 180/268, 180/270, 180/286, 180/289
• US Class Current: 180/270
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4816 for sensing locking of buckle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4866 Displaying or indicating arrangements thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/321 using electric means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/48 Control systems, alarms, or interlock systems, for the correct application of the belt or harness
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45623 and operator therefor

Abstract

The present invention relates to an automatic unbuckling seat belt system adapted to easily buckle and unbuckle the seat belt, wherein the system comprises a seat belt tongue formed with a groove and a seat belt buckle with a latch for suspending in the groove and maintaining the coupled state with the seat belt tongue. An ignition key detecting switch detects whether the ignition key is inserted. An Electronic Control Unit (ECU) controls the latch of the seat belt buckle to be removed from the groove of the seat belt tongue if the ignition key detecting switch detects that the ignition key is taken out. A first relay provides power by being activated according to the control of the ECU. A first electromagnet generates the magnetic force via the power provided through the first relay and pulls the latch from the groove.

Claims

1. An automatic unbuckling seat belt system of a seat belt, the system comprising:

a seat belt tongue formed with a groove;

a seat belt buckle having a latch for engaging in said groove and maintaining a coupled state with said seat belt tongue;

an ignition key detecting switch for detecting whether an ignition key is inserted;

an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) for controlling said latch of said seat belt buckle to be separated from said groove of said seat belt tongue if said ignition key detecting switch detects that said ignition key is taken out; and

latch driving means for separating said latch of said seat belt buckle from said groove of said seat belt tongue according to the control of said ECU.

2. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein said latch driving means includes:

a first relay for providing power by being activated according to the control of said ECU; and

a first electromagnet for generating magnetic force via the power provided through said first relay and for pulling said latch to separate from said groove of said seat belt tongue.

3. The system as defined in claim 2, wherein a spring is further equipped between said first electromagnet and said latch, wherein said spring extends to engage said latch in said groove of said seat belt tongue.

4. The system as defined in claim 2, wherein the system further comprises:

a first detecting switch equipped at an inlet of said seat belt buckle for detecting an initial insertion of said seat belt tongue into said seat belt buckle;

a second detecting switch equipped inside said seat belt buckle for detecting a complete insertion of said seat belt tongue;

a second electromagnet equipped inside said seat belt buckle for pulling said seat belt tongue; and

a second relay for providing power to said second electromagnet, wherein if the initial insertion of said seat belt tongue is detected by said first detecting switch, said ECU activates said second relay to provide power to said second electromagnet for pulling said seat belt tongue, and if the complete insertion of said seat belt tongue is detected by said second detecting switch, then said ECU deactivates said second relay.

5. The system as defined in claim 4, wherein said second detecting switch further comprises:

a contacting end being in contact to a front end of said seat belt tongue; and

a spring installed at a rear side of said contacting end for applying resilience to said contacting end.

6. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein a seat belt releasing switch is further equipped for releasing the coupled state of the seat belt, wherein once said seat belt releasing switch is manipulated, said ECU controls said latch driving means to remove said latch of said seat belt buckle from said groove of said seat belt tongue.

7. The system as defined in claim 6, wherein said seat belt releasing switch is configured to be mounted on said seat belt buckle.

8. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein said seat belt buckle is equipped with a lamp, wherein if the seat belt is unbuckled while the ignition key is inserted, then said ECU illuminates said lamp.

9. The system as defined in claim 8, wherein an opened and closed door detecting switch is further equipped to detect whether a vehicle door opens, wherein said ECU illuminates said lamp if the vehicle door opens, and turns off the light of said lamp after a certain period of time if the vehicle door closes.