Child restraint system comprising event data recorder, and method for providing data relating to installation or adjustment
First Claim
1. A child restraint system for transporting a child occupant within a vehicle, said child restraint system comprising:
- a child seat adapted to be installed in the vehicle and sized and shaped for receiving the child occupant;
a sensor associated with said child seat and providing an electrical signal having a value indicative of a condition relating to adjustment or installation of said child seat;
an electronic control unit in electrical communication with said sensor for receiving said electrical signal and for determining a status of said condition based upon said value of said electrical signal, said electronic control unit comprising an event data recorder configured to store data relating to one of said value and said status and to retrieve said data in response to an inquiry.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A child restraint system includes an electronic control unit having an event data recorder for storing data relating to proper adjustment or installation of the child restraint system. The control unit receives an electrical signal from one or more sensors mounted on the child seat and determines conditions of the child seat based upon the value of the property indicated by the signal. The event data recorder is configured to store the resulting data and to allow the stored data to be retrieved in response to an inquiry. Thus, in the event of a vehicle accident or other incident, the electronic control unit may be connected to an external diagnostic unit, and the relevant data may be downloaded to the diagnostic unit for evaluation.
105 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A child restraint system for transporting a child occupant within a vehicle, said child restraint system comprising:
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a child seat adapted to be installed in the vehicle and sized and shaped for receiving the child occupant; a sensor associated with said child seat and providing an electrical signal having a value indicative of a condition relating to adjustment or installation of said child seat; an electronic control unit in electrical communication with said sensor for receiving said electrical signal and for determining a status of said condition based upon said value of said electrical signal, said electronic control unit comprising an event data recorder configured to store data relating to one of said value and said status and to retrieve said data in response to an inquiry. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for operating an electronic control unit of a child restraint system, said method comprising
receiving an electrical signal form a sensor associated with said child restraint system, said electrical signal having a value; -
determining a status of a condition relating to adjustment or installation of said child restraint system in a vehicle based upon said value of said electrical signal; storing data relating to one of said value and said status; receiving an inquiry, and retrieving said data in response to an inquiry. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification