Motorized seatbelt retractor

• US 7,712,784 B2
• Filed: 08/08/2007
• Issued: 05/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems Limited (Hitachi, Ltd.), Joyson Safety Systems Japan K.K.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: Ishii, Youma
• Primary Examiner(s): To; Toan C
• Application Number:
  US11/835,535
• Publication Number:
  US 20080054618A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,007 Days
• Field of Search: 280/806, 280/807, 180/268, 180/274, 180/282, 701/45
• US Class Current: 280/806
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4473 using an electric retraction device
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4666 characterised by electric actuators
• 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

Each ECU in a system configuration based on a motorized seatbelt retractor having an ECU combined with a motor shortens the harness length along which many currents flow as much as possible. A main ECU and a subsidiary ECU each have functions corresponding to those are provided to a control unit for controlling a motor for a motorized seatbelt retractor. The main ECU determines output start conditions and transmits commands, and the subsidiary ECU autonomously performs detailed motor current control and the like.

Claims

1. A seatbelt retractor controlling system, comprising:

a motor configured to generate a rotational torque for driving a seatbelt retractor;

a first electric control unit comprised of a first micro computer for controlling a rotational speed of said motor; and

a second electric control unit comprised of a second micro computer which can communicate with an on-board controller or on-vehicle sensor;

wherein said second micro computer comprises a driving mode selecting portion which selects one of driving modes for controlling said motor based on a signal from said on-board controller or a sensor; and

said first micro computer acquires a buckle switch signal about the on-off state of a buckle switch corresponding to seat belt retractor without passing through said communication line, and selects one of driving modes stored previously in said first micro computer based on the selected mode of said driving mode selecting portion, and controls a driving current supplied to said motor based on the buckle switch signal and the selected driving mode.

2. The seatbelt retractor controlling system according to claim 1, wherein

said first electric control unit is supplied with electric power from a power source but not supplied through said second electric control unit.

3. The seatbelt retractor controlling system according to claim 1, wherein

said first electric control unit communicates with said on-board controller through a CAN communication, and

said second electric control unit receives said signal from said sensor without passing the CAN communication.

4. The seatbelt retractor controlling system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a second motor configured to generate a rotational torque for driving a second seatbelt retractor, and

said second micro computer controls said second motor based on the selected driving mode.

5. The seatbelt retractor controlling system according to claim 4, wherein

said second electric control unit integral with said second motor and is connected electrically with said second motor through a electric power line which transmits a driving current to said second motor.

6. The seatbelt retractor controlling system according to claim 4, wherein

said second seatbelt retractor is attached to the driver'"'"'s seat and rolls round the seat belt by the driver'"'"'s seat.

7. The seatbelt retractor controlling system according to claim 6, wherein

said second seatbelt retractor is attached to a seat which is different from the driver'"'"'s seat and rolls round the seat belt by the seat.

8. The seatbelt retractor controlling system according to claim 1, wherein

said first micro computer further comprises a second motor control portion which receives a signal of a buckle switch installed in said seatbelt retractor directly without passing said second micro computer, selects the predetermined driving modes based on the buckle switch signal, and controls a driving current supplied to said motor based on the selected driving mode.

9. The seatbelt retractor controlling system according to claim 4, wherein

said first micro computer further comprises a second motor control portion configured to receive a signal of a buckle switch installed in said seatbelt retractor directly without passing said second micro computer, select the predetermined driving modes based on the buckle switch signal, and control a driving current supplied to said motor based on the selected driving mode.

10. The seatbelt retractor controlling system according to claim 8, wherein

said second motor control portion is configured to select a driving mode which retracts the seat belt when a closed buckle switch is opened.