Adaptive restraint system with retractor pretensioner
First Claim
1. An adaptive restraint system for an automobile having a seat for an occupant, the system comprising:
- a crash sensor for detecting a potential crash event;
an occupant sensor for estimating a relative size of the occupant;
a seat belt for restraining the occupant in the seat;
a retractor having a spindle receiving the webbing of the seat belt, the retractor further including a first force limiting element connected to the spindle;
a belt anchorage pretensioner operatively connected to the seat belt for providing pretensioning of the seat belt;
a retractor pretensioner operatively connected to the seat belt for providing pretensioning of the seat belt, the retractor pretensioner connected to the spindle of the retractor via a second force limiting element; and
a controller receiving signals from the crash sensor and the occupant sensor, the controller operable in at least two modes including,a first mode wherein the controller effects activation of both the belt anchorage pretensioner and the retractor pretensioner when the occupant is estimated to be above a predetermined size, anda second mode wherein the controller effects activation of only the belt anchorage pretensioner when the occupant is estimated to be at or below the predetermined size.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A restraint system and method is adaptive to the size of the occupant, and adapts both pretensioning and load limitation characteristics to the occupant. The adaptive restraint system generally includes a retractor, a belt anchorage pretensioner, and a retractor pretensioner. The system is operable in at least a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, both the belt anchorage pretensioner and the retractor pretensioner are activated when the occupant is estimated to be above a predetermined size, thereby providing a first load limitation characteristic. In the second mode, only the belt anchorage pretensioner is activated when the occupant is estimated to be at or below the predetermined size, thereby providing a second load limitation characteristic.
-
Citations
19 Claims
-
1. An adaptive restraint system for an automobile having a seat for an occupant, the system comprising:
-
a crash sensor for detecting a potential crash event; an occupant sensor for estimating a relative size of the occupant; a seat belt for restraining the occupant in the seat; a retractor having a spindle receiving the webbing of the seat belt, the retractor further including a first force limiting element connected to the spindle; a belt anchorage pretensioner operatively connected to the seat belt for providing pretensioning of the seat belt; a retractor pretensioner operatively connected to the seat belt for providing pretensioning of the seat belt, the retractor pretensioner connected to the spindle of the retractor via a second force limiting element; and a controller receiving signals from the crash sensor and the occupant sensor, the controller operable in at least two modes including, a first mode wherein the controller effects activation of both the belt anchorage pretensioner and the retractor pretensioner when the occupant is estimated to be above a predetermined size, and a second mode wherein the controller effects activation of only the belt anchorage pretensioner when the occupant is estimated to be at or below the predetermined size. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A method for restraining an occupant of an automobile, the method comprising:
-
providing a seat belt for restraining the occupant, a crash sensor for detecting the potential for a crash event, an occupant sensor for estimating a relative size of the occupant, and a controller receiving signals from the crash sensor and the occupant sensor; providing a belt anchorage pretensioner operatively connected to the seat belt for pretensioning of the seat belt; providing a retractor having a spindle receiving the webbing of the seat belt, the retractor further including a first force limiting element; providing a retractor pretensioner operatively connected to the seat belt for pretensioning of the seat belt, the retractor pretensioner connected to the spindle of the retractor via a second force limiting element; determining a relative size of the occupant based on the occupant sensor; activating the belt anchorage pretensioner upon sensing a potential crash event; and activating the retractor pretensioner when the occupant is estimated to be greater than or equal to a predetermined size and upon sensing a potential crash event, the second force limiting element contributing to the load limitation characteristic of the system only when the retractor pretensioner is activated. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
Specification