Method of optimizing threshold for an airbag suppression system in a vehicle
First Claim
1. A method of optimizing an airbag suppression threshold for an airbag suppression system in a vehicle having a vehicle seat, a seat belt webbing, a refractor and an airbag, the method comprising:
- defining a first value as the airbag suppression threshold such that deployment of the airbag is suppressed above the first value;
determining one or more factors indicative of a presence of a child restraint seat in the vehicle seat;
selectively setting the airbag suppression threshold to a predefined second value when each of the factors are met; and
wherein the one or more factors include determining whether a locking feature in the retractor is in a first state configured to prevent withdrawal of the seat belt webbing, the locking feature being configured to enter the first state when a predefined amount of seat belt webbing is withdrawn.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method is presented of optimizing an airbag suppression threshold for an airbag suppression system in a vehicle. The method includes defining a first value as the airbag suppression threshold such that deployment of an airbag is suppressed above the first value. Next, one or more factors indicative of a presence of a child restraint seat in the vehicle seat are determined. The airbag suppression threshold is set to a predefined second value when each of the factors are met. The factors include determining whether a locking feature in a set belt webbing retractor is in a first state configured to prevent withdrawal of the seat belt webbing. Other factors may include determining whether a speed of the vehicle is within a predetermined speed range and whether a load applied to the vehicle seat is within a predetermined seatload range.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of optimizing an airbag suppression threshold for an airbag suppression system in a vehicle having a vehicle seat, a seat belt webbing, a refractor and an airbag, the method comprising:
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defining a first value as the airbag suppression threshold such that deployment of the airbag is suppressed above the first value; determining one or more factors indicative of a presence of a child restraint seat in the vehicle seat; selectively setting the airbag suppression threshold to a predefined second value when each of the factors are met; and wherein the one or more factors include determining whether a locking feature in the retractor is in a first state configured to prevent withdrawal of the seat belt webbing, the locking feature being configured to enter the first state when a predefined amount of seat belt webbing is withdrawn. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13)
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11. A method of optimizing an airbag suppression threshold for an airbag suppression system in a vehicle having a vehicle seat, an airbag, a seat belt webbing and a retractor, the method comprising:
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defining a first value as the airbag suppression threshold such that the airbag is suppressed above the first value; determining one or more factors indicative of a presence of a child restraint seat in the vehicle seat; selectively setting the airbag suppression threshold to a predefined second value when each of the factors are met; wherein the factors include; determining whether a locking feature in the retractor is in a first state configured to prevent withdrawal of the seat belt webbing, the locking feature being configured to enter the first state when the seat belt webbing is fully extended; determining whether an adult classification has been made with high confidence; determining whether a speed of the vehicle is within a predetermined speed range; determining whether a load applied to the vehicle seat is within a predetermined seatload range; and determining whether the locking feature in the retractor remains in the first state configured to prevent withdrawal of the seat belt webbing for at least a predefined minimum locking time. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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14. A method of optimizing an airbag suppression threshold for an airbag suppression system in a vehicle having a vehicle seat, a seat belt webbing, a retractor and an airbag, the method comprising:
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defining a first value as the airbag suppression threshold such that deployment of the airbag is suppressed above the first value; determining one or more factors indicative of a presence of a child restraint seat in the vehicle seat; selectively setting the airbag suppression threshold to a predefined second value when each of the factors are met; wherein the factors include determining whether a locking feature in the retractor remains in a first state configured to prevent withdrawal of the seat belt webbing for at least a predefined minimum locking time; and wherein the predefined minimum locking time is about 10 seconds. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification