Tensioning apparatuses for occupant restraint systems and associated systems and methods
First Claim
1. An occupant restraint system for use in a vehicle, the occupant restraint system comprising:
- a plurality of elongate webs configured to extend across at least a portion of an occupant seated in a seat carried by a vehicle;
a first electrically actuated web retractor operably coupled to a proximal end portion of one of the webs;
a second electrically actuated web retractor operably coupled to a proximal end portion of another one of the webs, wherein the first and second web retractors are configured to automatically wind and unwind the respective webs; and
a sensor assembly electrically coupled to the first and second electrically actuated web retractors, wherein the sensor assembly includes one or more acceleration sensors configured to sense vehicle accelerations and decelerations in one or more directions,wherein the sensor assembly is configured to send electrical signals to the first and second web retractors in response to a dynamic event resulting in a vehicle acceleration above a predetermined threshold value, and wherein, in response to receiving the electrical signals from the sensor assembly, the first and second web retractors are configured to (a) automatically increase tension in the corresponding webs, and/or (b) prevent the corresponding webs from moving inwardly or outwardly.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Tensioning apparatuses for occupant restraint systems and associated systems and methods. In one embodiment, an occupant restraint system for a vehicle can include a flexible web configured to extend across at least a portion of an occupant seated in the vehicle and an electrically actuated web retractor operably coupled to a proximal end portion of the web. The web retractor is configured to automatically wind and unwind the web. The system also includes an acceleration sensor operably coupled to the electrically actuated web retractor. The acceleration sensor is configured to send an electrical signal to the web retractor in response to a vehicle acceleration above a preset magnitude. In response to the signal, the web retractor is configured to (a) retract the web, and/or (b) at least temporarily prevent the web from moving inwardly or outwardly.
442 Citations
7 Claims
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1. An occupant restraint system for use in a vehicle, the occupant restraint system comprising:
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a plurality of elongate webs configured to extend across at least a portion of an occupant seated in a seat carried by a vehicle; a first electrically actuated web retractor operably coupled to a proximal end portion of one of the webs; a second electrically actuated web retractor operably coupled to a proximal end portion of another one of the webs, wherein the first and second web retractors are configured to automatically wind and unwind the respective webs; and a sensor assembly electrically coupled to the first and second electrically actuated web retractors, wherein the sensor assembly includes one or more acceleration sensors configured to sense vehicle accelerations and decelerations in one or more directions, wherein the sensor assembly is configured to send electrical signals to the first and second web retractors in response to a dynamic event resulting in a vehicle acceleration above a predetermined threshold value, and wherein, in response to receiving the electrical signals from the sensor assembly, the first and second web retractors are configured to (a) automatically increase tension in the corresponding webs, and/or (b) prevent the corresponding webs from moving inwardly or outwardly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification